Steve Jobs, a genius in the world of technology, was born in 1955 and adopted by a working-class family. He dropped out of college, taking a leap into the unknown, where he found his passion for technology and creativity.

In 1976, Jobs met Steve Wozniak, and together they founded Apple, a company that would revolutionise the computer industry with cutting-edge innovations. Apple's Macintosh computer and the iconic iPhone are testaments to Jobs' commitment to cutting-edge design and user-friendly technology.

Apart from his work at Apple, Jobs also played a significant role in the success of Pixar Animation Studios, where he contributed to the creation of the first computer-animated film, Toy Story. Despite facing setbacks, such as being diagnosed with cancer, Jobs continued to lead Apple until his passing away in 2011.

His legacy lives on through the products and innovations that have shaped the way people live and work in the digital age.

Question 30. According to paragraph 1, which of the following is NOT TRUE about Steve Jobs?

Steve Jobs, a genius in the world of technology, was born in 1955 and adopted by a working-class family. He dropped out of college, taking a leap into the unknown, where he found his passion for technology and creativity.

In 1976, Jobs met Steve Wozniak, and together they founded Apple, a company that would revolutionise the computer industry with cutting-edge innovations. Apple's Macintosh computer and the iconic iPhone are testaments to Jobs' commitment to cutting-edge design and user-friendly technology.

Apart from his work at Apple, Jobs also played a significant role in the success of Pixar Animation Studios, where he contributed to the creation of the first computer-animated film, Toy Story. Despite facing setbacks, such as being diagnosed with cancer, Jobs continued to lead Apple until his passing away in 2011.

His legacy lives on through the products and innovations that have shaped the way people live and work in the digital age.

Question 31. The word they in paragraph 2 refers to

Steve Jobs, a genius in the world of technology, was born in 1955 and adopted by a working-class family. He dropped out of college, taking a leap into the unknown, where he found his passion for technology and creativity.

In 1976, Jobs met Steve Wozniak, and together they founded Apple, a company that would revolutionise the computer industry with cutting-edge innovations. Apple's Macintosh computer and the iconic iPhone are testaments to Jobs' commitment to cutting-edge design and user-friendly technology.

Apart from his work at Apple, Jobs also played a significant role in the success of Pixar Animation Studios, where he contributed to the creation of the first computer-animated film, Toy Story. Despite facing setbacks, such as being diagnosed with cancer, Jobs continued to lead Apple until his passing away in 2011.

His legacy lives on through the products and innovations that have shaped the way people live and work in the digital age.

Question 32. The word setbacks in paragraph 3 is opposite in meaning to

Steve Jobs, a genius in the world of technology, was born in 1955 and adopted by a working-class family. He dropped out of college, taking a leap into the unknown, where he found his passion for technology and creativity.

In 1976, Jobs met Steve Wozniak, and together they founded Apple, a company that would revolutionise the computer industry with cutting-edge innovations. Apple's Macintosh computer and the iconic iPhone are testaments to Jobs' commitment to cutting-edge design and user-friendly technology.

Apart from his work at Apple, Jobs also played a significant role in the success of Pixar Animation Studios, where he contributed to the creation of the first computer-animated film, Toy Story. Despite facing setbacks, such as being diagnosed with cancer, Jobs continued to lead Apple until his passing away in 2011.

His legacy lives on through the products and innovations that have shaped the way people live and work in the digital age.

Question 33. Which of the following is true about Steve Jobs?

A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison had to make more than 1,000 attempts to invent the incandescent light bulb before he finally succeeded. History is replete with numerous other examples of people trying, yet failing to make inventions before they eventually succeeded. Yet some inventions have come about not through hard work but simply by accident in most cases, when someone unintentionally invented something, the inventor was attempting to create something else. For example, in the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was attempting to make a new substance that could be used to refrigerate items. He mixed some chemicals together. Then, he put them into a pressurized container and cooled the mixture. By the time his experiment was complete, he had a new invention.

It was not a new substance that could be used for refrigeration though. Instead, he had invented Teflon, which is today most commonly used to make nonstick pots and pans. Similarly, decades earlier, John Pemberton was a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. He was attempting to create a tonic that people could use whenever they had headaches. While he was not successful in that endeavor, he managed to invent Coca-Cola, the world-famous carbonated soft drink.

        Scientists have also made crucial discoveries by accident when they were conducting experiments. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, an antibiotic in this manner. He discovered some mold growing in a dish with some bacteria. He noticed that the bacteria seemed to be avoiding the mold. When he investigated further, he determined some of the many useful properties of penicillin, which has saved millions of lives over the past few decades. Likewise, in 1946, scientist Percy Spencer was conducting an experiment with microwaves. He had a candy bar in his pocket, and he noticed that it suddenly melted. He investigated and learned the reason why that had happened. Soon afterward, he built a device that could utilize microwaves to heat food, the microwave oven.

Question 34. Which title best summarizes the main idea of the passage ____.

A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison had to make more than 1,000 attempts to invent the incandescent light bulb before he finally succeeded. History is replete with numerous other examples of people trying, yet failing to make inventions before they eventually succeeded. Yet some inventions have come about not through hard work but simply by accident in most cases, when someone unintentionally invented something, the inventor was attempting to create something else. For example, in the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was attempting to make a new substance that could be used to refrigerate items. He mixed some chemicals together. Then, he put them into a pressurized container and cooled the mixture. By the time his experiment was complete, he had a new invention.

It was not a new substance that could be used for refrigeration though. Instead, he had invented Teflon, which is today most commonly used to make nonstick pots and pans. Similarly, decades earlier, John Pemberton was a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. He was attempting to create a tonic that people could use whenever they had headaches. While he was not successful in that endeavor, he managed to invent Coca-Cola, the world-famous carbonated soft drink.

        Scientists have also made crucial discoveries by accident when they were conducting experiments. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, an antibiotic in this manner. He discovered some mold growing in a dish with some bacteria. He noticed that the bacteria seemed to be avoiding the mold. When he investigated further, he determined some of the many useful properties of penicillin, which has saved millions of lives over the past few decades. Likewise, in 1946, scientist Percy Spencer was conducting an experiment with microwaves. He had a candy bar in his pocket, and he noticed that it suddenly melted. He investigated and learned the reason why that had happened. Soon afterward, he built a device that could utilize microwaves to heat food, the microwave oven.

Question 35. In paragraph 1, the word "arduous" is closest in meaning to ____.

A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison had to make more than 1,000 attempts to invent the incandescent light bulb before he finally succeeded. History is replete with numerous other examples of people trying, yet failing to make inventions before they eventually succeeded. Yet some inventions have come about not through hard work but simply by accident in most cases, when someone unintentionally invented something, the inventor was attempting to create something else. For example, in the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was attempting to make a new substance that could be used to refrigerate items. He mixed some chemicals together. Then, he put them into a pressurized container and cooled the mixture. By the time his experiment was complete, he had a new invention.

It was not a new substance that could be used for refrigeration though. Instead, he had invented Teflon, which is today most commonly used to make nonstick pots and pans. Similarly, decades earlier, John Pemberton was a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. He was attempting to create a tonic that people could use whenever they had headaches. While he was not successful in that endeavor, he managed to invent Coca-Cola, the world-famous carbonated soft drink.

        Scientists have also made crucial discoveries by accident when they were conducting experiments. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, an antibiotic in this manner. He discovered some mold growing in a dish with some bacteria. He noticed that the bacteria seemed to be avoiding the mold. When he investigated further, he determined some of the many useful properties of penicillin, which has saved millions of lives over the past few decades. Likewise, in 1946, scientist Percy Spencer was conducting an experiment with microwaves. He had a candy bar in his pocket, and he noticed that it suddenly melted. He investigated and learned the reason why that had happened. Soon afterward, he built a device that could utilize microwaves to heat food, the microwave oven.

Question 36. In paragraph 2, the word "endeavor" is closest in meaning to ____.

A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison had to make more than 1,000 attempts to invent the incandescent light bulb before he finally succeeded. History is replete with numerous other examples of people trying, yet failing to make inventions before they eventually succeeded. Yet some inventions have come about not through hard work but simply by accident in most cases, when someone unintentionally invented something, the inventor was attempting to create something else. For example, in the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was attempting to make a new substance that could be used to refrigerate items. He mixed some chemicals together. Then, he put them into a pressurized container and cooled the mixture. By the time his experiment was complete, he had a new invention.

It was not a new substance that could be used for refrigeration though. Instead, he had invented Teflon, which is today most commonly used to make nonstick pots and pans. Similarly, decades earlier, John Pemberton was a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. He was attempting to create a tonic that people could use whenever they had headaches. While he was not successful in that endeavor, he managed to invent Coca-Cola, the world-famous carbonated soft drink.

        Scientists have also made crucial discoveries by accident when they were conducting experiments. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, an antibiotic in this manner. He discovered some mold growing in a dish with some bacteria. He noticed that the bacteria seemed to be avoiding the mold. When he investigated further, he determined some of the many useful properties of penicillin, which has saved millions of lives over the past few decades. Likewise, in 1946, scientist Percy Spencer was conducting an experiment with microwaves. He had a candy bar in his pocket, and he noticed that it suddenly melted. He investigated and learned the reason why that had happened. Soon afterward, he built a device that could utilize microwaves to heat food, the microwave oven.

Question 37. The word 'it' in paragraph 3 refers to _____ .

A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison had to make more than 1,000 attempts to invent the incandescent light bulb before he finally succeeded. History is replete with numerous other examples of people trying, yet failing to make inventions before they eventually succeeded. Yet some inventions have come about not through hard work but simply by accident in most cases, when someone unintentionally invented something, the inventor was attempting to create something else. For example, in the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was attempting to make a new substance that could be used to refrigerate items. He mixed some chemicals together. Then, he put them into a pressurized container and cooled the mixture. By the time his experiment was complete, he had a new invention.

It was not a new substance that could be used for refrigeration though. Instead, he had invented Teflon, which is today most commonly used to make nonstick pots and pans. Similarly, decades earlier, John Pemberton was a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. He was attempting to create a tonic that people could use whenever they had headaches. While he was not successful in that endeavor, he managed to invent Coca-Cola, the world-famous carbonated soft drink.

        Scientists have also made crucial discoveries by accident when they were conducting experiments. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, an antibiotic in this manner. He discovered some mold growing in a dish with some bacteria. He noticed that the bacteria seemed to be avoiding the mold. When he investigated further, he determined some of the many useful properties of penicillin, which has saved millions of lives over the past few decades. Likewise, in 1946, scientist Percy Spencer was conducting an experiment with microwaves. He had a candy bar in his pocket, and he noticed that it suddenly melted. He investigated and learned the reason why that had happened. Soon afterward, he built a device that could utilize microwaves to heat food, the microwave oven.

Question 38. What does the author say about Teflon?

A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison had to make more than 1,000 attempts to invent the incandescent light bulb before he finally succeeded. History is replete with numerous other examples of people trying, yet failing to make inventions before they eventually succeeded. Yet some inventions have come about not through hard work but simply by accident in most cases, when someone unintentionally invented something, the inventor was attempting to create something else. For example, in the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was attempting to make a new substance that could be used to refrigerate items. He mixed some chemicals together. Then, he put them into a pressurized container and cooled the mixture. By the time his experiment was complete, he had a new invention.

It was not a new substance that could be used for refrigeration though. Instead, he had invented Teflon, which is today most commonly used to make nonstick pots and pans. Similarly, decades earlier, John Pemberton was a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. He was attempting to create a tonic that people could use whenever they had headaches. While he was not successful in that endeavor, he managed to invent Coca-Cola, the world-famous carbonated soft drink.

        Scientists have also made crucial discoveries by accident when they were conducting experiments. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, an antibiotic in this manner. He discovered some mold growing in a dish with some bacteria. He noticed that the bacteria seemed to be avoiding the mold. When he investigated further, he determined some of the many useful properties of penicillin, which has saved millions of lives over the past few decades. Likewise, in 1946, scientist Percy Spencer was conducting an experiment with microwaves. He had a candy bar in his pocket, and he noticed that it suddenly melted. He investigated and learned the reason why that had happened. Soon afterward, he built a device that could utilize microwaves to heat food, the microwave oven.

Question 39. Who was John Pemberton?

A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison had to make more than 1,000 attempts to invent the incandescent light bulb before he finally succeeded. History is replete with numerous other examples of people trying, yet failing to make inventions before they eventually succeeded. Yet some inventions have come about not through hard work but simply by accident in most cases, when someone unintentionally invented something, the inventor was attempting to create something else. For example, in the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was attempting to make a new substance that could be used to refrigerate items. He mixed some chemicals together. Then, he put them into a pressurized container and cooled the mixture. By the time his experiment was complete, he had a new invention.

It was not a new substance that could be used for refrigeration though. Instead, he had invented Teflon, which is today most commonly used to make nonstick pots and pans. Similarly, decades earlier, John Pemberton was a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. He was attempting to create a tonic that people could use whenever they had headaches. While he was not successful in that endeavor, he managed to invent Coca-Cola, the world-famous carbonated soft drink.

        Scientists have also made crucial discoveries by accident when they were conducting experiments. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, an antibiotic in this manner. He discovered some mold growing in a dish with some bacteria. He noticed that the bacteria seemed to be avoiding the mold. When he investigated further, he determined some of the many useful properties of penicillin, which has saved millions of lives over the past few decades. Likewise, in 1946, scientist Percy Spencer was conducting an experiment with microwaves. He had a candy bar in his pocket, and he noticed that it suddenly melted. He investigated and learned the reason why that had happened. Soon afterward, he built a device that could utilize microwaves to heat food, the microwave oven.

Question 40. The author uses Alexander Fleming as an example of ____.

As a result of globalisation, the world is becoming more and more connected. This has changed people's way of life, beliefs, art and customs, or their culture, in many respects. Although people's experiences around the world have become very similar, globalisation has also encouraged cultural diversity. Below are some examples.

Fast food chains and international restaurants have become popular, offering a wide range of dishes and more food choices to local people. For example, here in Viet Nam, we can enjoy Italian pizza or Japanese sushi, in addition to our traditional food. Moreover, some international dishes use local ingredients, which make them unique and more suitable to local tastes. On the other hand, Vietnamese specialties, such as pho and banh mi, are also gaining popularity worldwide.

Thanks to globalisation, people can quickly discover new music from all over the world. People nowadays enjoy listening to music from different countries and cultures, and in different languages. For example, American teens are captivated by K-pop music and dance. There are also many music festivals around the globe that bring artists and music fans together. In today's connected world, it is very common for musicians across the world to work on music projects and share ideas together.

Globalisation has also impacted fashion by opening it up to a variety of styles and influences from around the world. Cross-cultural styles that blend both traditional and modern elements are on the rise. This presents opportunities for fashion designers to be creative and reflect the cultural richness of the world. It is now easier for people to keep up with fashion trends from different cultures and regions, and express their identities in new and exciting ways.

In conclusion, globalisation has helped strengthen cultural diversity in the world and made people appreciate different cultures and lifestyles.

Question 29. What does the passage mainly discuss?

As a result of globalisation, the world is becoming more and more connected. This has changed people's way of life, beliefs, art and customs, or their culture, in many respects. Although people's experiences around the world have become very similar, globalisation has also encouraged cultural diversity. Below are some examples.

Fast food chains and international restaurants have become popular, offering a wide range of dishes and more food choices to local people. For example, here in Viet Nam, we can enjoy Italian pizza or Japanese sushi, in addition to our traditional food. Moreover, some international dishes use local ingredients, which make them unique and more suitable to local tastes. On the other hand, Vietnamese specialties, such as pho and banh mi, are also gaining popularity worldwide.

Thanks to globalisation, people can quickly discover new music from all over the world. People nowadays enjoy listening to music from different countries and cultures, and in different languages. For example, American teens are captivated by K-pop music and dance. There are also many music festivals around the globe that bring artists and music fans together. In today's connected world, it is very common for musicians across the world to work on music projects and share ideas together.

Globalisation has also impacted fashion by opening it up to a variety of styles and influences from around the world. Cross-cultural styles that blend both traditional and modern elements are on the rise. This presents opportunities for fashion designers to be creative and reflect the cultural richness of the world. It is now easier for people to keep up with fashion trends from different cultures and regions, and express their identities in new and exciting ways.

In conclusion, globalisation has helped strengthen cultural diversity in the world and made people appreciate different cultures and lifestyles.

Question 30. The word them in paragraph 2 refers to__________.

As a result of globalisation, the world is becoming more and more connected. This has changed people's way of life, beliefs, art and customs, or their culture, in many respects. Although people's experiences around the world have become very similar, globalisation has also encouraged cultural diversity. Below are some examples.

Fast food chains and international restaurants have become popular, offering a wide range of dishes and more food choices to local people. For example, here in Viet Nam, we can enjoy Italian pizza or Japanese sushi, in addition to our traditional food. Moreover, some international dishes use local ingredients, which make them unique and more suitable to local tastes. On the other hand, Vietnamese specialties, such as pho and banh mi, are also gaining popularity worldwide.

Thanks to globalisation, people can quickly discover new music from all over the world. People nowadays enjoy listening to music from different countries and cultures, and in different languages. For example, American teens are captivated by K-pop music and dance. There are also many music festivals around the globe that bring artists and music fans together. In today's connected world, it is very common for musicians across the world to work on music projects and share ideas together.

Globalisation has also impacted fashion by opening it up to a variety of styles and influences from around the world. Cross-cultural styles that blend both traditional and modern elements are on the rise. This presents opportunities for fashion designers to be creative and reflect the cultural richness of the world. It is now easier for people to keep up with fashion trends from different cultures and regions, and express their identities in new and exciting ways.

In conclusion, globalisation has helped strengthen cultural diversity in the world and made people appreciate different cultures and lifestyles.

Question 31. According to paragraph 3, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an impact of globalization on music?

As a result of globalisation, the world is becoming more and more connected. This has changed people's way of life, beliefs, art and customs, or their culture, in many respects. Although people's experiences around the world have become very similar, globalisation has also encouraged cultural diversity. Below are some examples.

Fast food chains and international restaurants have become popular, offering a wide range of dishes and more food choices to local people. For example, here in Viet Nam, we can enjoy Italian pizza or Japanese sushi, in addition to our traditional food. Moreover, some international dishes use local ingredients, which make them unique and more suitable to local tastes. On the other hand, Vietnamese specialties, such as pho and banh mi, are also gaining popularity worldwide.

Thanks to globalisation, people can quickly discover new music from all over the world. People nowadays enjoy listening to music from different countries and cultures, and in different languages. For example, American teens are captivated by K-pop music and dance. There are also many music festivals around the globe that bring artists and music fans together. In today's connected world, it is very common for musicians across the world to work on music projects and share ideas together.

Globalisation has also impacted fashion by opening it up to a variety of styles and influences from around the world. Cross-cultural styles that blend both traditional and modern elements are on the rise. This presents opportunities for fashion designers to be creative and reflect the cultural richness of the world. It is now easier for people to keep up with fashion trends from different cultures and regions, and express their identities in new and exciting ways.

In conclusion, globalisation has helped strengthen cultural diversity in the world and made people appreciate different cultures and lifestyles.

Question 32. The word captivated in paragraph three is opposite in meaning to _____.

As a result of globalisation, the world is becoming more and more connected. This has changed people's way of life, beliefs, art and customs, or their culture, in many respects. Although people's experiences around the world have become very similar, globalisation has also encouraged cultural diversity. Below are some examples.

Fast food chains and international restaurants have become popular, offering a wide range of dishes and more food choices to local people. For example, here in Viet Nam, we can enjoy Italian pizza or Japanese sushi, in addition to our traditional food. Moreover, some international dishes use local ingredients, which make them unique and more suitable to local tastes. On the other hand, Vietnamese specialties, such as pho and banh mi, are also gaining popularity worldwide.

Thanks to globalisation, people can quickly discover new music from all over the world. People nowadays enjoy listening to music from different countries and cultures, and in different languages. For example, American teens are captivated by K-pop music and dance. There are also many music festivals around the globe that bring artists and music fans together. In today's connected world, it is very common for musicians across the world to work on music projects and share ideas together.

Globalisation has also impacted fashion by opening it up to a variety of styles and influences from around the world. Cross-cultural styles that blend both traditional and modern elements are on the rise. This presents opportunities for fashion designers to be creative and reflect the cultural richness of the world. It is now easier for people to keep up with fashion trends from different cultures and regions, and express their identities in new and exciting ways.

In conclusion, globalisation has helped strengthen cultural diversity in the world and made people appreciate different cultures and lifestyles.

Question 33. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

The world's population reached five billion on the day I was born. That was in Indonesia back in 1987, and my parents were amazed that there were so many people on the planet. However, since then the population has continued to increase.

The growth of our human population is extraordinary. For more than two million years, humans lived with no permanent home, finding plants to eat and hunting animals for meat. Then, just 10,000 years ago, we invented agriculture. At that time, there were only about five million humans, but this figure quickly doubled. The population reached a billion in 1805, and since then it has multiplied seven times.

The human population has never been bigger, but in some ways the planet seems to be getting smaller. In the past, travellers from Europe to Indonesia spent months at sea. Now you just have to sit on a plane for a few hours. When you arrived in another country a hundred years ago, you saw unfamiliar styles of clothing and architecture and discovered a completely different culture. In many places today, clothing and new buildings are very similar, and people enjoy the same sports, music, films and TV shows. We also buy the same products from huge, global companies. In our different continents, we are starting to live the same lives. Even the languages that we use are becoming more global. There are around seven thousand languages in use today, but the number is decreasing fast.

The same thing is happening around the world. Experts think that the number of different languages will halve to just 3,500 by the end of this century. Where will it stop? Will there be a time in the future when Earth's billions all speak just one language, and there are no cultural differences to divide us? Perhaps the planet would be more peaceful if this happened, but I must admit that the idea is quite depressing. I prefer to think that, as our population grows, we can celebrate not the similarity but the fascinating diversity of the human race.

Question 34. Which best serves as the title for the passage?

The world's population reached five billion on the day I was born. That was in Indonesia back in 1987, and my parents were amazed that there were so many people on the planet. However, since then the population has continued to increase.

The growth of our human population is extraordinary. For more than two million years, humans lived with no permanent home, finding plants to eat and hunting animals for meat. Then, just 10,000 years ago, we invented agriculture. At that time, there were only about five million humans, but this figure quickly doubled. The population reached a billion in 1805, and since then it has multiplied seven times.

The human population has never been bigger, but in some ways the planet seems to be getting smaller. In the past, travellers from Europe to Indonesia spent months at sea. Now you just have to sit on a plane for a few hours. When you arrived in another country a hundred years ago, you saw unfamiliar styles of clothing and architecture and discovered a completely different culture. In many places today, clothing and new buildings are very similar, and people enjoy the same sports, music, films and TV shows. We also buy the same products from huge, global companies. In our different continents, we are starting to live the same lives. Even the languages that we use are becoming more global. There are around seven thousand languages in use today, but the number is decreasing fast.

The same thing is happening around the world. Experts think that the number of different languages will halve to just 3,500 by the end of this century. Where will it stop? Will there be a time in the future when Earth's billions all speak just one language, and there are no cultural differences to divide us? Perhaps the planet would be more peaceful if this happened, but I must admit that the idea is quite depressing. I prefer to think that, as our population grows, we can celebrate not the similarity but the fascinating diversity of the human race.

Question 35. According to paragraph 1, the world's population______.

The world's population reached five billion on the day I was born. That was in Indonesia back in 1987, and my parents were amazed that there were so many people on the planet. However, since then the population has continued to increase.

The growth of our human population is extraordinary. For more than two million years, humans lived with no permanent home, finding plants to eat and hunting animals for meat. Then, just 10,000 years ago, we invented agriculture. At that time, there were only about five million humans, but this figure quickly doubled. The population reached a billion in 1805, and since then it has multiplied seven times.

The human population has never been bigger, but in some ways the planet seems to be getting smaller. In the past, travellers from Europe to Indonesia spent months at sea. Now you just have to sit on a plane for a few hours. When you arrived in another country a hundred years ago, you saw unfamiliar styles of clothing and architecture and discovered a completely different culture. In many places today, clothing and new buildings are very similar, and people enjoy the same sports, music, films and TV shows. We also buy the same products from huge, global companies. In our different continents, we are starting to live the same lives. Even the languages that we use are becoming more global. There are around seven thousand languages in use today, but the number is decreasing fast.

The same thing is happening around the world. Experts think that the number of different languages will halve to just 3,500 by the end of this century. Where will it stop? Will there be a time in the future when Earth's billions all speak just one language, and there are no cultural differences to divide us? Perhaps the planet would be more peaceful if this happened, but I must admit that the idea is quite depressing. I prefer to think that, as our population grows, we can celebrate not the similarity but the fascinating diversity of the human race.

Question 36. The word 'extraordinary' in paragraph 2 mostly means ________.

The world's population reached five billion on the day I was born. That was in Indonesia back in 1987, and my parents were amazed that there were so many people on the planet. However, since then the population has continued to increase.

The growth of our human population is extraordinary. For more than two million years, humans lived with no permanent home, finding plants to eat and hunting animals for meat. Then, just 10,000 years ago, we invented agriculture. At that time, there were only about five million humans, but this figure quickly doubled. The population reached a billion in 1805, and since then it has multiplied seven times.

The human population has never been bigger, but in some ways the planet seems to be getting smaller. In the past, travellers from Europe to Indonesia spent months at sea. Now you just have to sit on a plane for a few hours. When you arrived in another country a hundred years ago, you saw unfamiliar styles of clothing and architecture and discovered a completely different culture. In many places today, clothing and new buildings are very similar, and people enjoy the same sports, music, films and TV shows. We also buy the same products from huge, global companies. In our different continents, we are starting to live the same lives. Even the languages that we use are becoming more global. There are around seven thousand languages in use today, but the number is decreasing fast.

The same thing is happening around the world. Experts think that the number of different languages will halve to just 3,500 by the end of this century. Where will it stop? Will there be a time in the future when Earth's billions all speak just one language, and there are no cultural differences to divide us? Perhaps the planet would be more peaceful if this happened, but I must admit that the idea is quite depressing. I prefer to think that, as our population grows, we can celebrate not the similarity but the fascinating diversity of the human race.

Question 37. The word 'it' in paragraph 2 refers to______.

The world's population reached five billion on the day I was born. That was in Indonesia back in 1987, and my parents were amazed that there were so many people on the planet. However, since then the population has continued to increase.

The growth of our human population is extraordinary. For more than two million years, humans lived with no permanent home, finding plants to eat and hunting animals for meat. Then, just 10,000 years ago, we invented agriculture. At that time, there were only about five million humans, but this figure quickly doubled. The population reached a billion in 1805, and since then it has multiplied seven times.

The human population has never been bigger, but in some ways the planet seems to be getting smaller. In the past, travellers from Europe to Indonesia spent months at sea. Now you just have to sit on a plane for a few hours. When you arrived in another country a hundred years ago, you saw unfamiliar styles of clothing and architecture and discovered a completely different culture. In many places today, clothing and new buildings are very similar, and people enjoy the same sports, music, films and TV shows. We also buy the same products from huge, global companies. In our different continents, we are starting to live the same lives. Even the languages that we use are becoming more global. There are around seven thousand languages in use today, but the number is decreasing fast.

The same thing is happening around the world. Experts think that the number of different languages will halve to just 3,500 by the end of this century. Where will it stop? Will there be a time in the future when Earth's billions all speak just one language, and there are no cultural differences to divide us? Perhaps the planet would be more peaceful if this happened, but I must admit that the idea is quite depressing. I prefer to think that, as our population grows, we can celebrate not the similarity but the fascinating diversity of the human race.

Question 38. The word 'discovered' in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to_____.

The world's population reached five billion on the day I was born. That was in Indonesia back in 1987, and my parents were amazed that there were so many people on the planet. However, since then the population has continued to increase.

The growth of our human population is extraordinary. For more than two million years, humans lived with no permanent home, finding plants to eat and hunting animals for meat. Then, just 10,000 years ago, we invented agriculture. At that time, there were only about five million humans, but this figure quickly doubled. The population reached a billion in 1805, and since then it has multiplied seven times.

The human population has never been bigger, but in some ways the planet seems to be getting smaller. In the past, travellers from Europe to Indonesia spent months at sea. Now you just have to sit on a plane for a few hours. When you arrived in another country a hundred years ago, you saw unfamiliar styles of clothing and architecture and discovered a completely different culture. In many places today, clothing and new buildings are very similar, and people enjoy the same sports, music, films and TV shows. We also buy the same products from huge, global companies. In our different continents, we are starting to live the same lives. Even the languages that we use are becoming more global. There are around seven thousand languages in use today, but the number is decreasing fast.

The same thing is happening around the world. Experts think that the number of different languages will halve to just 3,500 by the end of this century. Where will it stop? Will there be a time in the future when Earth's billions all speak just one language, and there are no cultural differences to divide us? Perhaps the planet would be more peaceful if this happened, but I must admit that the idea is quite depressing. I prefer to think that, as our population grows, we can celebrate not the similarity but the fascinating diversity of the human race.

Question 39. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

The world's population reached five billion on the day I was born. That was in Indonesia back in 1987, and my parents were amazed that there were so many people on the planet. However, since then the population has continued to increase.

The growth of our human population is extraordinary. For more than two million years, humans lived with no permanent home, finding plants to eat and hunting animals for meat. Then, just 10,000 years ago, we invented agriculture. At that time, there were only about five million humans, but this figure quickly doubled. The population reached a billion in 1805, and since then it has multiplied seven times.

The human population has never been bigger, but in some ways the planet seems to be getting smaller. In the past, travellers from Europe to Indonesia spent months at sea. Now you just have to sit on a plane for a few hours. When you arrived in another country a hundred years ago, you saw unfamiliar styles of clothing and architecture and discovered a completely different culture. In many places today, clothing and new buildings are very similar, and people enjoy the same sports, music, films and TV shows. We also buy the same products from huge, global companies. In our different continents, we are starting to live the same lives. Even the languages that we use are becoming more global. There are around seven thousand languages in use today, but the number is decreasing fast.

The same thing is happening around the world. Experts think that the number of different languages will halve to just 3,500 by the end of this century. Where will it stop? Will there be a time in the future when Earth's billions all speak just one language, and there are no cultural differences to divide us? Perhaps the planet would be more peaceful if this happened, but I must admit that the idea is quite depressing. I prefer to think that, as our population grows, we can celebrate not the similarity but the fascinating diversity of the human race.

Question 40. Which of the following is TRUE, according to the passage?

The Chacaltaya ski area in Bolivia used to be the highest in the world. Although it was less than a kilometer long, it hosted international ski competitions. Today the snow has almost gone, and so have Chacaltaya’s days as a popular ski resort.

The ski area sits upon a small mountain glacier, which was already getting smaller when the ski area opened in 1939. In the past ten years, however, the glacier has been melting at an increased rate. As the glacier melts, dark rocks beneath it are uncovered. The sun then heats the rocks, causing faster melting. Despite attempts to make snow with snow machines, this cycle seems unstoppable in the long run.

As experts debate how to solve the global warming problem, ice in mountains such as Chacaltaya and near the North and South Poles is melting faster than even the most pessimistic? environmentalists may have once feared. Rising air and sea temperatures are two well-known causes, but researchers have recently discovered other unexpected processes that take place as glaciers melt. The effects are having an impact on humans even now, and they could change the face of the world in the future.

The glaciers of the Himalayas and the Andes? could disappear in this century. As a result, the millions of people in India, Bolivia, and Peru who now depend on melting water from mountain glaciers could find themselves in a critical situation. The ice sheet of Greenland is also melting more quickly than scientists predicted. Greenland’s largest outlet glacier, the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier, is moving toward the sea twice as fast as it was in 1995. One cause could be meltwaters that runs down to the bottom of the glacier and gets between the ice and the rock below. This water makes it easier for the glacier to slide along to the ocean.

Many ice researchers believe that Greenland’s melting if it continues, will add at least three feet to global sea levels by the year 2100. If the ice sheet of Antarctica, now largely unaffected, begins to melt, the next few centuries could see a six-foot rise in sea levels, forcing tens of millions of people out of their homes.

Question 29: What is the best title of the passage?

The Chacaltaya ski area in Bolivia used to be the highest in the world. Although it was less than a kilometer long, it hosted international ski competitions. Today the snow has almost gone, and so have Chacaltaya’s days as a popular ski resort.

The ski area sits upon a small mountain glacier, which was already getting smaller when the ski area opened in 1939. In the past ten years, however, the glacier has been melting at an increased rate. As the glacier melts, dark rocks beneath it are uncovered. The sun then heats the rocks, causing faster melting. Despite attempts to make snow with snow machines, this cycle seems unstoppable in the long run.

As experts debate how to solve the global warming problem, ice in mountains such as Chacaltaya and near the North and South Poles is melting faster than even the most pessimistic? environmentalists may have once feared. Rising air and sea temperatures are two well-known causes, but researchers have recently discovered other unexpected processes that take place as glaciers melt. The effects are having an impact on humans even now, and they could change the face of the world in the future.

The glaciers of the Himalayas and the Andes? could disappear in this century. As a result, the millions of people in India, Bolivia, and Peru who now depend on melting water from mountain glaciers could find themselves in a critical situation. The ice sheet of Greenland is also melting more quickly than scientists predicted. Greenland’s largest outlet glacier, the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier, is moving toward the sea twice as fast as it was in 1995. One cause could be meltwaters that runs down to the bottom of the glacier and gets between the ice and the rock below. This water makes it easier for the glacier to slide along to the ocean.

Many ice researchers believe that Greenland’s melting if it continues, will add at least three feet to global sea levels by the year 2100. If the ice sheet of Antarctica, now largely unaffected, begins to melt, the next few centuries could see a six-foot rise in sea levels, forcing tens of millions of people out of their homes.
Question 30: The word it in paragraph 1 refers to _______.

The Chacaltaya ski area in Bolivia used to be the highest in the world. Although it was less than a kilometer long, it hosted international ski competitions. Today the snow has almost gone, and so have Chacaltaya’s days as a popular ski resort.

The ski area sits upon a small mountain glacier, which was already getting smaller when the ski area opened in 1939. In the past ten years, however, the glacier has been melting at an increased rate. As the glacier melts, dark rocks beneath it are uncovered. The sun then heats the rocks, causing faster melting. Despite attempts to make snow with snow machines, this cycle seems unstoppable in the long run.

As experts debate how to solve the global warming problem, ice in mountains such as Chacaltaya and near the North and South Poles is melting faster than even the most pessimistic? environmentalists may have once feared. Rising air and sea temperatures are two well-known causes, but researchers have recently discovered other unexpected processes that take place as glaciers melt. The effects are having an impact on humans even now, and they could change the face of the world in the future.

The glaciers of the Himalayas and the Andes? could disappear in this century. As a result, the millions of people in India, Bolivia, and Peru who now depend on melting water from mountain glaciers could find themselves in a critical situation. The ice sheet of Greenland is also melting more quickly than scientists predicted. Greenland’s largest outlet glacier, the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier, is moving toward the sea twice as fast as it was in 1995. One cause could be meltwaters that runs down to the bottom of the glacier and gets between the ice and the rock below. This water makes it easier for the glacier to slide along to the ocean.

Many ice researchers believe that Greenland’s melting if it continues, will add at least three feet to global sea levels by the year 2100. If the ice sheet of Antarctica, now largely unaffected, begins to melt, the next few centuries could see a six-foot rise in sea levels, forcing tens of millions of people out of their homes.

Question 31: Which of the following is NOT mentioned the Chacaltaya ski area in Bolivia?

The Chacaltaya ski area in Bolivia used to be the highest in the world. Although it was less than a kilometer long, it hosted international ski competitions. Today the snow has almost gone, and so have Chacaltaya’s days as a popular ski resort.

The ski area sits upon a small mountain glacier, which was already getting smaller when the ski area opened in 1939. In the past ten years, however, the glacier has been melting at an increased rate. As the glacier melts, dark rocks beneath it are uncovered. The sun then heats the rocks, causing faster melting. Despite attempts to make snow with snow machines, this cycle seems unstoppable in the long run.

As experts debate how to solve the global warming problem, ice in mountains such as Chacaltaya and near the North and South Poles is melting faster than even the most pessimistic? environmentalists may have once feared. Rising air and sea temperatures are two well-known causes, but researchers have recently discovered other unexpected processes that take place as glaciers melt. The effects are having an impact on humans even now, and they could change the face of the world in the future.

The glaciers of the Himalayas and the Andes? could disappear in this century. As a result, the millions of people in India, Bolivia, and Peru who now depend on melting water from mountain glaciers could find themselves in a critical situation. The ice sheet of Greenland is also melting more quickly than scientists predicted. Greenland’s largest outlet glacier, the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier, is moving toward the sea twice as fast as it was in 1995. One cause could be meltwaters that runs down to the bottom of the glacier and gets between the ice and the rock below. This water makes it easier for the glacier to slide along to the ocean.

Many ice researchers believe that Greenland’s melting if it continues, will add at least three feet to global sea levels by the year 2100. If the ice sheet of Antarctica, now largely unaffected, begins to melt, the next few centuries could see a six-foot rise in sea levels, forcing tens of millions of people out of their homes.

Question 32: The word pessimistic in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to_______.

The Chacaltaya ski area in Bolivia used to be the highest in the world. Although it was less than a kilometer long, it hosted international ski competitions. Today the snow has almost gone, and so have Chacaltaya’s days as a popular ski resort.

The ski area sits upon a small mountain glacier, which was already getting smaller when the ski area opened in 1939. In the past ten years, however, the glacier has been melting at an increased rate. As the glacier melts, dark rocks beneath it are uncovered. The sun then heats the rocks, causing faster melting. Despite attempts to make snow with snow machines, this cycle seems unstoppable in the long run.

As experts debate how to solve the global warming problem, ice in mountains such as Chacaltaya and near the North and South Poles is melting faster than even the most pessimistic? environmentalists may have once feared. Rising air and sea temperatures are two well-known causes, but researchers have recently discovered other unexpected processes that take place as glaciers melt. The effects are having an impact on humans even now, and they could change the face of the world in the future.

The glaciers of the Himalayas and the Andes? could disappear in this century. As a result, the millions of people in India, Bolivia, and Peru who now depend on melting water from mountain glaciers could find themselves in a critical situation. The ice sheet of Greenland is also melting more quickly than scientists predicted. Greenland’s largest outlet glacier, the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier, is moving toward the sea twice as fast as it was in 1995. One cause could be meltwaters that runs down to the bottom of the glacier and gets between the ice and the rock below. This water makes it easier for the glacier to slide along to the ocean.

Many ice researchers believe that Greenland’s melting if it continues, will add at least three feet to global sea levels by the year 2100. If the ice sheet of Antarctica, now largely unaffected, begins to melt, the next few centuries could see a six-foot rise in sea levels, forcing tens of millions of people out of their homes.

Question 33: What is true about the reason of melting glacier?

By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the Earth’s population will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about three billion people by then. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming methods continue as they are practised today.

At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use. Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. The concept of indoor farming is not new, since hothouse production of tomatoes and other produce has been in vogue for some time. What is new is the urgent need to scale up this technology to accommodate another three billion people. Many believe an entirely new approach to indoor farming is required, employing cutting-edge technologies. One such proposal is for the ‘Vertical Farm’. The concept is of multi-storey buildings in which food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions. Situated in the heart of urban centres, they would drastically reduce the amount of transportation required to bring food to consumers. Vertical farms would need to be efficient, cheap to construct and safe to operate. If successfully implemented, proponents claim, vertical farms offer the promise of urban renewal, sustainable production of a safe and varied food supply (through year round production of all crops), and the eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming.

It took humans 10,000 years to learn how to grow most of the crops we now take for granted. Along the way, we despoiled most of the land we worked, often turning verdant, natural ecozones into semi-arid deserts. Within that same time frame, we evolved into an urban species, in which 60% of the human population now lives vertically in cities. This means that, for the majority, we humans have shelter from the elements, yet we subject our food-bearing plants to the rigours of the great outdoors and can do no more than hope for a good weather year. However, more often than not now, due to a rapidly changing climate, that is not what happens. Massive floods, long droughts, hurricanes and severe monsoons take their toll each year, destroying millions of tons of valuable crops.

A major drawback of vertical farming, however, is that the plants would require artificial light. Without it, those plants nearest the windows would be exposed to more sunlight and grow more quickly, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Question 34: Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the Earth’s population will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about three billion people by then. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming methods continue as they are practised today.

At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use. Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. The concept of indoor farming is not new, since hothouse production of tomatoes and other produce has been in vogue for some time. What is new is the urgent need to scale up this technology to accommodate another three billion people. Many believe an entirely new approach to indoor farming is required, employing cutting-edge technologies. One such proposal is for the ‘Vertical Farm’. The concept is of multi-storey buildings in which food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions. Situated in the heart of urban centres, they would drastically reduce the amount of transportation required to bring food to consumers. Vertical farms would need to be efficient, cheap to construct and safe to operate. If successfully implemented, proponents claim, vertical farms offer the promise of urban renewal, sustainable production of a safe and varied food supply (through year round production of all crops), and the eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming.

It took humans 10,000 years to learn how to grow most of the crops we now take for granted. Along the way, we despoiled most of the land we worked, often turning verdant, natural ecozones into semi-arid deserts. Within that same time frame, we evolved into an urban species, in which 60% of the human population now lives vertically in cities. This means that, for the majority, we humans have shelter from the elements, yet we subject our food-bearing plants to the rigours of the great outdoors and can do no more than hope for a good weather year. However, more often than not now, due to a rapidly changing climate, that is not what happens. Massive floods, long droughts, hurricanes and severe monsoons take their toll each year, destroying millions of tons of valuable crops.

A major drawback of vertical farming, however, is that the plants would require artificial light. Without it, those plants nearest the windows would be exposed to more sunlight and grow more quickly, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Question 35: The phrase them in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to ________.

By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the Earth’s population will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about three billion people by then. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming methods continue as they are practised today.

At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use. Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. The concept of indoor farming is not new, since hothouse production of tomatoes and other produce has been in vogue for some time. What is new is the urgent need to scale up this technology to accommodate another three billion people. Many believe an entirely new approach to indoor farming is required, employing cutting-edge technologies. One such proposal is for the ‘Vertical Farm’. The concept is of multi-storey buildings in which food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions. Situated in the heart of urban centres, they would drastically reduce the amount of transportation required to bring food to consumers. Vertical farms would need to be efficient, cheap to construct and safe to operate. If successfully implemented, proponents claim, vertical farms offer the promise of urban renewal, sustainable production of a safe and varied food supply (through year round production of all crops), and the eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming.

It took humans 10,000 years to learn how to grow most of the crops we now take for granted. Along the way, we despoiled most of the land we worked, often turning verdant, natural ecozones into semi-arid deserts. Within that same time frame, we evolved into an urban species, in which 60% of the human population now lives vertically in cities. This means that, for the majority, we humans have shelter from the elements, yet we subject our food-bearing plants to the rigours of the great outdoors and can do no more than hope for a good weather year. However, more often than not now, due to a rapidly changing climate, that is not what happens. Massive floods, long droughts, hurricanes and severe monsoons take their toll each year, destroying millions of tons of valuable crops.

A major drawback of vertical farming, however, is that the plants would require artificial light. Without it, those plants nearest the windows would be exposed to more sunlight and grow more quickly, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Question 36: What does the word hothouse in the second paragraph refer to?

By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the Earth’s population will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about three billion people by then. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming methods continue as they are practised today.

At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use. Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. The concept of indoor farming is not new, since hothouse production of tomatoes and other produce has been in vogue for some time. What is new is the urgent need to scale up this technology to accommodate another three billion people. Many believe an entirely new approach to indoor farming is required, employing cutting-edge technologies. One such proposal is for the ‘Vertical Farm’. The concept is of multi-storey buildings in which food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions. Situated in the heart of urban centres, they would drastically reduce the amount of transportation required to bring food to consumers. Vertical farms would need to be efficient, cheap to construct and safe to operate. If successfully implemented, proponents claim, vertical farms offer the promise of urban renewal, sustainable production of a safe and varied food supply (through year round production of all crops), and the eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming.

It took humans 10,000 years to learn how to grow most of the crops we now take for granted. Along the way, we despoiled most of the land we worked, often turning verdant, natural ecozones into semi-arid deserts. Within that same time frame, we evolved into an urban species, in which 60% of the human population now lives vertically in cities. This means that, for the majority, we humans have shelter from the elements, yet we subject our food-bearing plants to the rigours of the great outdoors and can do no more than hope for a good weather year. However, more often than not now, due to a rapidly changing climate, that is not what happens. Massive floods, long droughts, hurricanes and severe monsoons take their toll each year, destroying millions of tons of valuable crops.

A major drawback of vertical farming, however, is that the plants would require artificial light. Without it, those plants nearest the windows would be exposed to more sunlight and grow more quickly, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Question 37: According to the passage, Vertical farms would be _______.

By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the Earth’s population will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about three billion people by then. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming methods continue as they are practised today.

At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use. Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. The concept of indoor farming is not new, since hothouse production of tomatoes and other produce has been in vogue for some time. What is new is the urgent need to scale up this technology to accommodate another three billion people. Many believe an entirely new approach to indoor farming is required, employing cutting-edge technologies. One such proposal is for the ‘Vertical Farm’. The concept is of multi-storey buildings in which food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions. Situated in the heart of urban centres, they would drastically reduce the amount of transportation required to bring food to consumers. Vertical farms would need to be efficient, cheap to construct and safe to operate. If successfully implemented, proponents claim, vertical farms offer the promise of urban renewal, sustainable production of a safe and varied food supply (through year round production of all crops), and the eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming.

It took humans 10,000 years to learn how to grow most of the crops we now take for granted. Along the way, we despoiled most of the land we worked, often turning verdant, natural ecozones into semi-arid deserts. Within that same time frame, we evolved into an urban species, in which 60% of the human population now lives vertically in cities. This means that, for the majority, we humans have shelter from the elements, yet we subject our food-bearing plants to the rigours of the great outdoors and can do no more than hope for a good weather year. However, more often than not now, due to a rapidly changing climate, that is not what happens. Massive floods, long droughts, hurricanes and severe monsoons take their toll each year, destroying millions of tons of valuable crops.

A major drawback of vertical farming, however, is that the plants would require artificial light. Without it, those plants nearest the windows would be exposed to more sunlight and grow more quickly, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Question 38: The phrase despoiled in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to ________.

By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the Earth’s population will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about three billion people by then. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming methods continue as they are practised today.

At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use. Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. The concept of indoor farming is not new, since hothouse production of tomatoes and other produce has been in vogue for some time. What is new is the urgent need to scale up this technology to accommodate another three billion people. Many believe an entirely new approach to indoor farming is required, employing cutting-edge technologies. One such proposal is for the ‘Vertical Farm’. The concept is of multi-storey buildings in which food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions. Situated in the heart of urban centres, they would drastically reduce the amount of transportation required to bring food to consumers. Vertical farms would need to be efficient, cheap to construct and safe to operate. If successfully implemented, proponents claim, vertical farms offer the promise of urban renewal, sustainable production of a safe and varied food supply (through year round production of all crops), and the eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming.

It took humans 10,000 years to learn how to grow most of the crops we now take for granted. Along the way, we despoiled most of the land we worked, often turning verdant, natural ecozones into semi-arid deserts. Within that same time frame, we evolved into an urban species, in which 60% of the human population now lives vertically in cities. This means that, for the majority, we humans have shelter from the elements, yet we subject our food-bearing plants to the rigours of the great outdoors and can do no more than hope for a good weather year. However, more often than not now, due to a rapidly changing climate, that is not what happens. Massive floods, long droughts, hurricanes and severe monsoons take their toll each year, destroying millions of tons of valuable crops.

A major drawback of vertical farming, however, is that the plants would require artificial light. Without it, those plants nearest the windows would be exposed to more sunlight and grow more quickly, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Question 39: Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the Earth’s population will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about three billion people by then. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming methods continue as they are practised today.

At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use. Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. The concept of indoor farming is not new, since hothouse production of tomatoes and other produce has been in vogue for some time. What is new is the urgent need to scale up this technology to accommodate another three billion people. Many believe an entirely new approach to indoor farming is required, employing cutting-edge technologies. One such proposal is for the ‘Vertical Farm’. The concept is of multi-storey buildings in which food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions. Situated in the heart of urban centres, they would drastically reduce the amount of transportation required to bring food to consumers. Vertical farms would need to be efficient, cheap to construct and safe to operate. If successfully implemented, proponents claim, vertical farms offer the promise of urban renewal, sustainable production of a safe and varied food supply (through year round production of all crops), and the eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming.

It took humans 10,000 years to learn how to grow most of the crops we now take for granted. Along the way, we despoiled most of the land we worked, often turning verdant, natural ecozones into semi-arid deserts. Within that same time frame, we evolved into an urban species, in which 60% of the human population now lives vertically in cities. This means that, for the majority, we humans have shelter from the elements, yet we subject our food-bearing plants to the rigours of the great outdoors and can do no more than hope for a good weather year. However, more often than not now, due to a rapidly changing climate, that is not what happens. Massive floods, long droughts, hurricanes and severe monsoons take their toll each year, destroying millions of tons of valuable crops.

A major drawback of vertical farming, however, is that the plants would require artificial light. Without it, those plants nearest the windows would be exposed to more sunlight and grow more quickly, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Question 40: Which of the following can be inferred from the reading passage?