Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 1 to 10.

The contemporary political landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, characterized by the erosion of traditional center-ground consensus and the resurgence of populist rhetoric. This phenomenon is not confined to a specific geography; rather, it manifests globally, challenging the post-war liberal democratic order. [I] At its core, this movement capitalizes on a growing sense of disenfranchisement among the electorate, who feel that the machinery of globalization has decoupled economic growth from social prosperity. The resulting vacuum has been filled by charismatic leaders who frame politics not as a debate over policy, but as an existential struggle between the "pure" people and a "corrupt" elite.

Central to this dynamic is the weaponization of polarization. Political discourse, once tempered by the necessity of coalition-building, has become increasingly tribal. This fragmentation is exacerbated by the digital echo chambers of social media, where confirmation bias reigns supreme. It transforms political opponents into enemies, rendering compromise—the very lifeblood of democracy—an act of betrayal. Consequently, legislative gridlock becomes the norm, further fueling the public’s cynicism regarding the efficacy of democratic institutions.

Perhaps the most deleterious impact of this trend is the systematic delegitimization of independent institutions. Judiciaries, the free press, and intelligence agencies, designed to act as checks and balances, are frequently categorized by populist leaders as obstacles to the "will of the people." By eroding trust in these pillars, the executive branch can consolidate power with fewer impediments. This gradual dismantling of norms is often subtle, occurring within the legal framework of the state, a process political scientists term "democratic backsliding."

Implicit in the populist appeal is the seductive notion that complex societal problems possess simple, immediate solutions that are being withheld by a self-serving establishment. This narrative is potent because it validates the grievances of voters without requiring them to engage with the intricate trade-offs inherent in governance. However, when these simple solutions inevitably fail to materialize, the blame is rarely accepted by the leadership; instead, it is deflected onto internal saboteurs or external threats, perpetuating a cycle of grievance and conflict.

Despite these challenges, the resilience of democratic structures should not be underestimated. [II] History is replete with examples of democracies correcting course after periods of intense volatility. [III] The current crisis may yet serve as a wake-up call, prompting a necessary renewal of civic engagement and a reimagining of the social contract. [IV] Whether this renewal occurs depends largely on the ability of established parties to address the root causes of discontent rather than merely dismissing the symptoms.

Question 1. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Globalization has successfully decoupled economic growth from social prosperity.

B. The rise of populism poses a significant threat to democratic norms and institutions globally.

C. Social media is the sole cause of modern political polarization and tribalism.

D. Legislative gridlock is a necessary component of a functioning liberal democracy.

Question 2. According to paragraph 1, populist leaders primarily characterize the political landscape as:

A. A collaborative effort to solve economic disparity.

B. A complex debate requiring nuanced policy adjustments.

C. A moral conflict between the virtuous public and a corrupt establishment.

D. A historical cycle that inevitably repeats itself every few decades.

Question 3. The word deleterious in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:

A. Harmful

B. Negligible

C. Beneficial

D. Unpredictable

Question 4. The pronoun "It" in paragraph 2 refers to:

A. The necessity of coalition-building.

B. The digital echo chamber.

C. Political discourse.

D. Confirmation bias.

Question 5. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Populists argue that the establishment is hiding easy fixes to difficult issues to serve their own interests.

B. Complex societal problems require immediate solutions, which the elite are trying their best to provide.

C. The appeal of populism is that it forces voters to understand the difficult trade-offs of governance.

D. Implicit in democracy is the idea that simple solutions are often the most effective way to handle corruption.

Question 6. According to paragraph 3, why do populist leaders attack independent institutions like the judiciary and the press?

A. Because these institutions have failed to uphold the legal framework of the state.

B. To remove obstacles that limit their ability to consolidate executive power.

C. Because these institutions are responsible for the economic decoupling mentioned earlier.

D. To encourage a more transparent and open form of democratic governance.

Question 7. What can be inferred from the passage regarding the author's view on the future of democracy?

A. The author believes that democratic collapse is inevitable and irreversible.

B. The author suggests that social media will eventually correct the polarization it created.

C. The author is cautiously optimistic, provided that root causes of discontent are addressed.

D. The author implies that a return to the post-war liberal order is impossible.

Question 8. Which of the following is mentioned as a consequence of polarization in paragraph 2?

A. An increase in the number of political parties.

B. The strengthening of independent institutions.

C. The viewing of compromise as an act of betrayal.

D. A reduction in the influence of social media.

Question 9. Look at the four markers [I], [II], [III], and [IV]. Where would the following sentence best fit?

"However, such pessimism overlooks the inherent adaptability of liberal systems."

A. [I]

B. [II]

C. [III]

D. [IV]

Question 10. What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?

A. To advocate for the removal of independent institutions to streamline governance.

B. To analyze the mechanisms and risks of modern populism while offering a balanced outlook.

C. To criticize voters for believing in simple solutions to complex problems.

D. To provide a historical timeline of the post-war liberal democratic order.

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 1 to 10.

The contemporary academic edifice is currently navigating a period of profound turbulence, fundamentally interrogating the siloed disciplinary structures that have defined scholarship since the Enlightenment. [I] Historically, the hallmark of higher education was the cultivation of hyper-specialization, encouraging scholars to excavate deep, vertical trenches of insight within a singular field. [II] Yet, the exponential proliferation of data and the encroaching capabilities of artificial intelligence are rendering this singular focus increasingly precarious. While profound domain expertise retains its intrinsic value, the capacity to amalgamate disparate concepts from divergent realms is rapidly becoming the definitive metric of intellectual capital. [III]

Detractors of the orthodox model contend that excessive specialization fosters a perilous form of intellectual myopia. As algorithmic systems progressively usurp routine analytical functions, the distinct human advantage retreats to the realm of creative synthesis—a cognitive agility often inhibited by rigid curricular demarcations. Consequently, progressive institutions are pivoting towards interdisciplinary frameworks. This does not imply a superficial engagement with multiple subjects; rather, it denotes a rigorous cultivation of the ability to transpose methodologies from one context to another, thereby illuminating solutions to multifaceted global crises that refuse to adhere to departmental boundaries.

However, it would be premature to declare the obsolescence of the specialist. Civilization remains dependent on the meticulous precision of the neurosurgeon and the esoteric knowledge of the particle physicist. The emerging pedagogical ideal is, therefore, not the dilettante, but the 'T-shaped' professional. This archetype possesses substantial depth in a specific domain (the vertical axis) augmented by a breadth of understanding that facilitates collaboration across the spectrum of human knowledge (the horizontal axis). [IV] Achieving this equilibrium demands a radical restructuring of curricula, prioritizing problem-based inquiry over rote retention.

Ultimately, the objective of modern education must shift from merely filling minds with established facts to training flexible intellects capable of navigating uncertainty. In a world where the half-life of a learned skill is shrinking dramatically, the ability to unlearn and relearn is paramount. Universities that cling to the rigid segmentation of the past risk becoming museums of thought rather than incubators of the future.

Question 1. What is the main topic of the passage?

A. The danger of artificial intelligence in higher education.

B. The shift from specialized to interdisciplinary educational models.

C. The history of academic scholarship since the Enlightenment.

D. The economic value of 'T-shaped' professionals in the workforce.

Question 2. In paragraph 1, the word siloed is closest in meaning to:

A. interconnected

B. segregated

C. antiquated

D. fortified

Question 3. According to paragraph 2, why are institutions moving towards interdisciplinary frameworks?

A. To reduce the cost of hiring specialized faculty members.

B. Because algorithms are better at synthesis than human beings.

C. To foster cognitive flexibility needed for complex global problems.

D. To encourage students to engage superficially with multiple subjects.

Question 4. The word "This" in paragraph 2 refers to:

A. The distinct human advantage.

B. Intellectual myopia.

C. The pivot towards interdisciplinary frameworks.

D. Routine analytical functions.

Question 5. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 1?

A. Although being an expert is still important, the ability to combine ideas from different fields is becoming the most valuable intellectual asset.

B. Deep expertise is losing its value because the economy now prefers people who have a general understanding of many different topics.

C. Intellectual capital is defined solely by how well a person can synthesize disparate concepts, rendering domain expertise obsolete.

D. The intrinsic value of domain expertise prevents scholars from amalgamating concepts from divergent realms effectively.

Question 6. According to the passage, what characterizes a 'T-shaped' professional?

A. A superficial knowledge of many things without any deep expertise.

B. Deep expertise in one area combined with the ability to collaborate across others.

C. The ability to perform neurosurgery while understanding quantum physics.

D. A focus on rote retention of facts rather than problem-based inquiry.

Question 7. It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes traditional universities:

A. Are currently leading the way in artificial intelligence research.

B. Should completely abandon the teaching of specialized subjects.

C. Are at risk of becoming irrelevant if they do not adapt their curricula.

D. Have always prioritized problem-based learning over memorization.

Question 8. Where would the following sentence best fit in the passage?

"Such an educational philosophy seeks to dismantle the artificial barriers that have long separated the sciences from the humanities."

A. [I]

B. [II]

C. [III]

D. [IV]

Question 9. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a driver of the changes in education?

A. The rapid pace of technological advancement.

B. The exponential proliferation of data.

C. The decreasing cost of university tuition.

D. The capability of AI to handle routine tasks.

Question 10. What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?

A. To criticize the lack of funding for the arts and humanities.

B. To argue for a balanced educational approach combining depth and breadth.

C. To predict the complete replacement of human workers by algorithms.

D. To outline the history of the Enlightenment's impact on scholarship.

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 1 to 10.

For centuries, love has been the domain of poets and philosophers, portrayed as an ineffable force transcending the physical realm. However, contemporary neuroscience offers a more grounded, albeit less romantic, perspective. [I] Far from being a purely spiritual connection, love is fundamentally a biological drive, distinct from sexual desire yet intricately linked to it. [II] It is a potent cocktail of neurochemicals designed to hijack the brain’s reward system, mirroring the effects of addictive substances.

The initial phase of attraction is fueled by dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and goal-directed behavior. This chemical surge creates a state of euphoria and obsessive focus on the partner. As the relationship deepens, the brain shifts gears, relying on oxytocin and vasopressin to foster attachment. This transition is crucial; without it, the high-energy demands of early romance would be metabolically unsustainable. While poets have long extolled the virtues of an eternal soulmate, evolutionary biologists suggest that such exclusivity is merely a strategic adaptation to ensure the survival of offspring.

[III] From an evolutionary standpoint, the purpose of this intense bonding is clear: human infants are born in a state of profound vulnerability. They require years of care, a burden too great for a solitary parent to bear effectively in the ancestral environment. Thus, the neurochemistry of love evolved to keep parents together long enough to rear their young to independence. However, this biological imperative is not without its flaws.

The modern world, with its ephemeral digital connections and extended lifespans, presents challenges that our Stone Age brains are ill-equipped to handle. [IV] The biological drive for pair-bonding clashes with a culture of limitless choice, leading to a dissonance between our hardwired instincts and our social reality. Ultimately, understanding love as a biological mechanism does not diminish its power; rather, it elucidates the profound hold it has over the human condition.

Question 1. What is the main topic of the passage?

A. The cultural differences in how love is perceived across history.

B. The biological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying human love.

C. The psychological impact of digital connections on modern relationships.

D. The comparison between poetic and philosophical definitions of love.

Question 2. According to paragraph 2, what is the primary function of the shift from dopamine to oxytocin?

A. To increase the intensity of sexual desire between partners.

B. To facilitate a sustainable long-term attachment.

C. To mimic the effects of addictive substances more effectively.

D. To reduce the metabolic energy required for child-rearing.

Question 3. According to the passage, why is the exclusivity of a "soulmate" considered an adaptation?

A. It allows individuals to focus their energy on a single goal.

B. It prevents the social complications of multiple partners.

C. It increases the likelihood of offspring survival.

D. It fulfills a spiritual need for deep connection.

Question 4. The word ephemeral in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to:

A. Transitory

B. Ubiquitous

C. Intangible

D. Superficial

Question 5. The phrase "This transition" in paragraph 2 refers to:

A. The movement from a spiritual to a biological perspective.

B. The change from attraction based on dopamine to attachment based on oxytocin.

C. The shift from solitary living to pair-bonding.

D. The conversion of metabolic energy into romantic obsession.

Question 6. Which of the following can be inferred about human infants from the passage?

A. They are biologically programmed to manipulate their parents' neurochemistry.

B. Their survival rate was historically independent of parental bonding.

C. They require a longer period of dependency compared to other species.

D. They are less vulnerable in the modern world than in the ancestral environment.

Question 7. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. Although poets praise the idea of a forever partner, scientists believe monogamy evolved primarily to protect children.

B. Biologists argue that poets are wrong about soulmates because love is just a temporary chemical reaction.

C. While science ignores the spiritual aspect of love, poets understand that exclusivity is necessary for survival.

D. Both poets and biologists agree that finding a soulmate is the ultimate goal of human existence, though for different reasons.

Question 8. In which position [I], [II], [III], or [IV] does the following sentence best fit?

Consequently, the defining characteristics of romantic passion can be analyzed through the lens of survival.

A. [I]

B. [II]

C. [III]

D. [IV]

Question 9. According to paragraph 4, what causes the "dissonance" in modern relationships?

A. The decline of traditional poetic values in a scientific age.

B. The conflict between ancient biological instincts and modern social abundance.

C. The inability of the brain to produce dopamine in a digital environment.

D. The metabolic exhaustion caused by extended lifespans.

Question 10. What is the author's primary tone in the passage?

A. Cynical and dismissive

B. Sentimental and nostalgic

C. Analytical and objective

D. Critical and argumentative

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 1 to 10.

The abyssal plains of the world’s oceans, once dismissed as desolate wastelands of eternal darkness, are now the focal point of a high-stakes geopolitical and environmental contest. As terrestrial reserves of critical minerals dwindle, nations and corporations are turning their gaze downward to the seabed, specifically toward polymetallic nodules. These potato-sized accretions, scattered across the sediment like marbles, are rich in manganese, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements—components indispensable for the production of electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. The irony is palpable: the green energy transition, designed to save the planet from climate change, may necessitate the industrialization of its last untouched frontier.

The extraction process, however, is far from benign. Deep-sea mining involves deploying massive robotic collectors to scour the ocean floor, harvesting nodules and pumping them to surface vessels. While proponents argue that this method is less invasive than deforestation-heavy terrestrial mining, marine biologists warn of catastrophic ecological consequences. The immediate destruction of the seabed habitat is inevitable, but the secondary effects are perhaps more insidious. The machinery kicks up vast sediment plumes that can drift for miles, smothering filter-feeding organisms and clouding the water column. Furthermore, noise pollution from the machinery travels efficiently through water, potentially disrupting the communication and navigation of cetaceans and other marine life.

Opposition to this nascent industry has been swift and organized. A coalition of environmentalists, scientists, and Pacific island nations has called for a moratorium, arguing that our understanding of deep-ocean ecosystems is too primitive to risk irreversible damage. The potential obliteration of unique ecosystems, many of which predate human existence, poses an ethical quandary that transcends mere economic calculation. Scientists point out that the deep sea is a major carbon sink; disturbing it could release stored carbon back into the cycle, undermining the very climate goals mining advocates claim to support.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), a UN-affiliated body, finds itself in the unenviable position of arbitrator. [I] Its mandate is dual and somewhat contradictory: to organize and control mineral-related activities in the international seabed area for the benefit of mankind as a whole, while simultaneously ensuring the effective protection of the marine environment. [II] The ISA is currently racing to finalize a "Mining Code" that would set the rules for commercial exploitation. [III] However, consensus remains elusive as member states debate liability clauses, royalty sharing, and environmental thresholds. [IV]

Ultimately, the debate over deep-sea mining forces a confrontation with the limits of sustainable growth. If the global demand for battery metals continues its exponential trajectory, the pressure to open the ocean floor may become politically insurmountable. The choice facing humanity is not merely technical but deeply philosophical: whether to limit our consumption patterns or to extend our extractive reach into the biosphere’s final sanctuary, gambling that technology can mitigate the fallout of our insatiable appetite for resources.

Question 1. Which of the following best serves as the main idea of the passage?

A. The International Seabed Authority is failing to regulate the mining industry due to conflicting mandates.

B. Deep-sea mining offers a perfect solution to the global shortage of minerals required for green technology.

C. The extraction of seabed minerals presents a complex dilemma between renewable energy needs and environmental preservation.

D. Marine biologists have proven that the environmental costs of deep-sea mining outweigh any potential economic benefits.

Question 2. According to paragraph 1, why is there a sudden interest in the abyssal plains?

A. They have been discovered to contain fossil fuels necessary for traditional energy.

B. Terrestrial mining has been banned by international environmental treaties.

C. They contain mineral deposits essential for the manufacturing of clean energy technologies.

D. Scientific exploration has revealed that the seabed is not as desolate as previously thought.

Question 3. The word These in paragraph 1 refers to:

A. Terrestrial reserves

B. Polymetallic nodules

C. Critical minerals

D. Abyssal plains

Question 4. The word nascent in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:

A. Burgeoning

B. Predatory

C. Waning

D. Unregulated

Question 5. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. We must calculate the economic value of these unique ecosystems before we decide to destroy them for profit.

B. The destruction of ancient marine habitats raises moral issues that cannot be resolved simply by looking at financial profits.

C. Because these ecosystems are older than humans, they have no economic value and should therefore be preserved.

D. The ethical problems caused by mining are insignificant compared to the potential economic gains from these ecosystems.

Question 6. According to paragraph 2, what is a secondary effect of the mining process?

A. The immediate destruction of the seabed habitat by robotic collectors.

B. The depletion of manganese and nickel reserves.

C. The dispersion of sediment that interferes with the feeding mechanisms of marine organisms.

D. The deforestation of land-based mining sites.

Question 7. What is the main focus of paragraph 4?

A. The specific environmental thresholds set by the Mining Code.

B. The refusal of member states to share royalties from mining.

C. The regulatory challenges and conflicting duties of the International Seabed Authority.

D. The history of the UN’s involvement in ocean conservation.

Question 8. It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes:

A. Technology will eventually solve all environmental problems caused by mining.

B. The transition to green energy is hypocritical and should be abandoned.

C. Current consumption patterns are a driving force behind the push for deep-sea mining.

D. The International Seabed Authority will likely ban all mining activities permanently.

Question 9. In which position [I], [II], [III], or [IV] does the following sentence best fit?

"Consequently, a regulatory stalemate has ensued, leaving the industry in a state of uncertainty."

A. [I]

B. [II]

C. [III]

D. [IV]

Question 10. Which of the following best describes the author's tone in the passage?

A. Optimistic and advocacy-driven

B. Objective and analytical

C. Cynical and dismissive

D. Indifferent and detached