READING: Explicit vs Implicit meaning

A wealthy businessman worried about his son’s bad habits, so he sought counsel from a wise old man. The old man met the man’s son and took him out for a stroll. They walked into the woods, and the old man showed the boy a small sapling and asked him to pull it out. The boy did so with ease, and they walked on.
The old man then asked the boy to pull out a small plant. The boy did that too, with a little effort. As they walked, the old man asked the boy to pull out the bush, which he did. The next was a small tree, which the child had to struggle a lot to pull out. Finally, the old man showed him a bigger tree and asked the child to pull it out. The child failed to pull it out even after trying several times, in different ways.
The old man looked at the boy, smiled, and said, “So is the case with habits, good or bad."

The businessman is worried about his son because the son …

• Might develop bad habits that will become difficult to change over time.

• Does not listen to his father’s advice about life.

• Is not physically strong enough to face challenges.

After observing his son's struggles with discipline, the businessman decided to take a different approach. He invited a mentor to guide his son through various challenges. During their time together, the mentor introduced the boy to a series of tasks, starting with simple ones and gradually increasing in difficulty. The mentor explained, “Just like these tasks, habits can be easy to form or difficult to break.”

What did the businessman hope to achieve by involving a mentor?

• To help his son develop discipline and good habits over time.

• To build his son's physical and mental strength through challenges.

• To see how his son reacts to increasing levels of difficulty.

The wise old man shared a story about a river that started as a small stream. He explained how, over time, the stream carved its way through the land, becoming a powerful river. He concluded, “Just like this river, our habits shape our lives, and small changes can lead to significant transformations.”

What lesson was the old man trying to convey with the river story?

• Change takes time

• Small actions can lead to big results

• Rivers can be dangerous

During a family gathering, the businessman noticed his son was easily influenced by his peers. Concerned, he asked a family friend for advice. The friend suggested that the businessman should encourage his son to surround himself with positive influences, stating, “Just as a tree grows stronger with the right conditions, so too do our habits flourish in a supportive environment.”

What was the friend's main point about the son's environment?

• It is not important

• It is too strict

• It affects his growth

• It should be changed

Lina sat alone in the school library, staring at the heavy rain outside. Her open textbook lay untouched, and her pencil rolled slowly off the desk. She sighed, rubbing her arms as a cold draft passed through the room. In the distance, laughter echoed from the hallway, but she didn’t turn to look. Instead, she pulled her jacket tighter around herself and rested her head on her hand, her eyes fixed on the raindrops racing down the window.

Why do you think Lina is not studying even though her textbook is open?

• Lina is distracted and not focused on studying.
• Lina is waiting for a friend to join her before starting to study.
• Lina is studying hard but is too cold to concentrate.

Reviews for the Tesla Model 3 generally praise its swift acceleration, comfortable ride (especially in the latest versions), and impressive technology, dominated by its large central touchscreen. Critics note the minimalist interior can feel bland and build quality isn't always on par with German competitors. The reliance on the touchscreen for most controls and the absence of traditional stalks have also drawn some criticism. However, the long range capabilities and the extensive Supercharger network remain significant advantages. Conversely, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 receives accolades for its striking retro-modern styling, spacious and tech-heavy interior, and exceptionally fast DC charging times. Reviewers appreciate its comfortable ride and user-friendly technology, though some find the steering numb and the quickest version's range shorter. While the Ioniq 5 boasts a unique vehicle-to-load (V2L) function and a generally smooth driving experience, its charging infrastructure is not as developed as Tesla's Supercharger network. Ultimately, both EVs offer compelling features, catering to different priorities in the electric vehicle market.

What can be inferred about the writer’s view on Tesla from the passage?

• The writer sees Tesla as having an advantage in charging infrastructure and range.

• The writer believes Tesla's interior design is superior to its competitors.

• The writer thinks Tesla's reliance on touchscreen controls makes it the best option.

As the young artist painted a vibrant mural, she reflected on her journey. She recalled how her initial sketches were rough and unrefined, but with practice and dedication, her skills improved significantly. She thought to herself, “Just like this mural, my growth as an artist has been a process of layering and refining.”

What message was the artist conveying about her development?

• Art is all about the final product

• The artist took a long time to perfect her art.

• Practice leads to improvement

During a team meeting, the manager noticed that some employees were hesitant to share their ideas. To encourage participation, he shared a story about a garden that flourished when everyone contributed their unique plants. He emphasised, “Just as a diverse garden thrives, so too does our team when we embrace different perspectives.”

What was the manager trying to highlight about teamwork from the story he narrated?

• A successful team benefits from the unique contributions of each member.

• Teamwork is only effective when everyone has the same ideas.

• Diversity in thoughts and perspectives leads to growth and success.

• Employees should focus on their individual tasks rather than sharing ideas.

• Encouraging participation helps create a stronger and more innovative team.

As the student prepared for her final exams, she felt overwhelmed by the amount of material to cover. She decided to break her study sessions into smaller, manageable chunks. Reflecting on her strategy, she thought, “Just like climbing a mountain, I can reach the top by taking one step at a time.”

What does this analogy suggest about her approach to studying?

• Small steps can lead to big achievements

• Studying is just like climbing mountains.

• It is important to take breaks

"Look, Sarah," Mark began, "the credit card bill is high again."

Sarah sighed. "I know."

"We need to stick to the budget," Mark continued. "The extra spending is affecting our house savings."

"It's not just me," Sarah countered. "You bought that gaming gadget."

"That was planned," Mark said. "But we both need to be more mindful."

"Maybe we can go through expenses tonight?" Sarah suggested. "Set clearer limits?"

"Good idea," Mark agreed. "And discuss unplanned purchases first?"

"Deal," Sarah replied. "No more surprises."

"Great," Mark said. "Working together to reach our goals."

"Team effort," Sarah affirmed.

What is the main issue being discussed in the conversation?

• Mark does not want Sarah to spend money.

• Sarah refuses to follow a budget.

• Mark and Sarah are concerned about their high credit card bill.