EXTRA READING PRACTICE

Read the following passage and Circle the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to
each of the questions
1. At the moment, there is a significant risk of ecosystem imbalance and biodiversity degradation,
(24)_________ directly affects food security and puts people at risk for poverty, the depletion of genetic
resources, and most importantly, climate change. As a result, maintaining and restoring ecosystems and
(25)__________is now a global concern.
With a total size of (26) ________2.5 million hectares, Vietnam presently has 173 conservation zones,
comprising 33 national parks, 66 nature reserves, 18 species and habitat conservation areas, and 56
landscape protection zones. Specifically, the nation is home to ten ASEAN Heritage Parks, nine ramsar sites,
three "World Natural Heritage Sites," and nine "World Biosphere Reserves" certified by UNESCO.
Vietnam's system of protected areas consists of 128 special-use forests, the majority of which are tiny and
dispersed. (27)_________, the habitat quality and amount of many of them have declined.
Localities around the nation have reacted forcefully to the movement of planting trees to (28)_________ the
ecological environment and lessen the adverse effects of climate change, in an effort to ameliorate the
decreasing state of the environment.
(https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-joins-efforts-to-restore-ecosystems/228897.vnp)
Question 24. A. what B. where C. which D. when
Question 25. A. biodiversity B. diversity C. environment D. variety
Question 26. A. on B. with C. in D. about
Question 27. A. Although B. Nevertheless C. Therefore D. Hence
Question 28. A. preserving B. preservative C. preserve D. preservation

2. Ice melting adds to rising sea levels, (29) _________ increases coastal erosion and storms as
warming air and ocean temperatures create more frequent and stronger coastal storms like hurricanes and
typhoons. Specifically, the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are the largest contributors (30) _________
global sea level rise. Right now, the Greenland ice sheet is disappearing four times faster than in 2003 and
already contributes 20% of (31) _________ sea level rise.
How much and how quickly the Greenland and Antarctic ice melts in the future will largely determine
how much ocean levels rise in the future. (32) _________ emissions continue to rise, the current rate of melting
on the Greenland ice sheet is expected to double by the end of the century. Alarmingly, if all the ice on
Greenland melted, it (33) _________ global sea levels by 20 feet.
Adapted from: https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/why-are-glaciers-and-sea-ice-melting

Question 29: A. whom B. who C. which D. that

Question 30: A. on B. in C. from D. of
Question 31: A. current B. old C. important D. wonderful
Question 32: A. While B. If C. Although D. Despite
Question 33: A. will raise
B. raised C. had raised D. would raise
GREEN ENERGY
3. Fossil fuels are used to generate the majority of the world's energy, and they come in different
forms. For example, coal and (19) ____ types of fuels may be burned in a power plant to generate electricity,
but gasoline is burned in a car's engine to make it run. Neither of these two sources is considered green
energy (20) ____ they produce much pollution when they are burned. In addition, they come from a source
that is inevitably going to run out.
Green energy can be defined as any energy (21) ____ that is to some degree non-polluting. When it is
called sustainable, this means that a person can replace the same amount of energy that was consumed by
that person within that person's lifetime. Since it took millions and millions of years to create the fossil fuels
(22) ____ we now burn, we know that they cannot be replaced by us.
Wind power and solar power, when harnessed properly, are two excellent sources of green energy.
Once the necessary parts such as wind turbines to (23) ____ wind power and solar panels to create solar
power have been produced, only the pollutant from the production is left.
Question 1. A. another B. others C. much D. other
Question 2. A. although B. but C. and D. because
Question 3. A. material B. source C. matter D. issue
Question 4. A. when B. where C. which D. why
Question 5. A. move B. generate C. implant D. resolve

4. Imagine a world where air pollution is no longer a problem. Clean air is all around us. People don't
have to worry polluting the air (24) _____ time they drive their cars. Fuel shortages are no longer a problem
either.
 Although scientists have been trying for decades to develop a new kind of car that does not need
gasoline, they have been unsuccessful. (25) ________, automobile engineers have succeeded in creating a
new kind of car that runs on gasoline and electricity. This is the famous "hybrid car" (26) ______ gets its name
from the fact that it has a gasoline engine and an electric motor inside. Hybrid cars are less (27) ______ to the
(28) __________ and cost drivers less money because they require less fuel than ordinary cars.
Question 1. A. every B. many C. a few D. few
Question 2. A. Although B. So C. Therefore D. However
Question 3. A. who B. which C. why D. when
Question 4. A. harm B. harmfully C. harmful D. harms
Question 5. A. country B. environment C. individual D. pollution
5. Ecotourism is a form of tourism based (29) __________ organising travel to places of natural beauty
but in a way that avoids damaging the environment while also helping local people. It can (30) __________ as
limiting the damage caused by travelling to natural areas while trying to leave a positive impact.
Generally speaking, ecotourism strongly focuses on areas with plant life, animal life, and cultural
heritage. There is also often an educational (31) __________ of ecotourism, with travellers aiming to learn
something from their trip and give something back to the people in the area.
Ecotourism is a kind of responsible tourism and is especially popular with environmentalists and those
concerned with protecting the natural world. Another key aim of ecotourism is to reduce negative
consequences (32) __________ may be linked to a human presence in locations of natural beauty (33)
__________ future generations can enjoy them, too.
Source: https://www.revfine.com/ecotourism/

Question 29: A. in B. at C. on D. from

Question 30: A. view B. be viewed C. be viewing D. be view
Question 31: A. aspect B. brochure C. waste D. local
Question 32: A. who B. when C. where D. that
Question 33: A. although B. besides C. so D. because

6. Offline learning is better than online learning because it allows you to interact with fellow students
in a real-life environment. You can ask questions and solve problems, and you can get one-on-one feedback
from your teacher. (29) __________ advantage of offline classes is the fact that they are more reliable.
Students who attend offline classes can’t cheat on tests or complete homework assignments without the
supervision of a teacher. You can also have more personal (30) __________ with your teacher, (31) __________ is
important if you want to succeed. (32) __________, online learning is also beneficial. While teachers may not
be able to save as much time as students using the computer, they may be able to complete a project more
quickly and online tutoring can supplement offline learning when a student finds that studying offline is a bit
difficult.
In the end, it is important to balance between online and offline studies because this is crucial for any
learning program. By creating the online-offline balance, students can learn more (33) __________ while
reducing the risk of injury.

Question 29: A. other B. Every C. Each D. Another

Question 30: A. distraction B. schedule C. interaction D. control
Question 31: A. which B. that C. whom D. whose
Question 32: A. Moreover B. However C. Therefore D. Though
Question 33: A. availably B. traditionally C. efficiently D. commonly

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
following questions.
1. THE BALANCE OF NATURE
All the different plants and animals in a natural community are in a state of balance. This balance is achieved
by the plants and animals interacting with each other and with their non-living surroundings. An example of a
natural community is a woodland, and a woodland is usually dominated by a particular species of plant, such
as the oak tree in an oak wood. The oak tree in this example is therefore called the dominant species but
there are also many other types of plants, from brambles, bushes, and small trees to mosses, lichens and
algae growing on tree trunks and rocks.
The plants of a community are the producers: they use carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen to build up their
tissues using energy in the form of sunlight. The plant tissues form food for the plant-eating animals
(herbivores) which are in turn eaten by flesh-eating animals (carnivores). Thus, plants produce the basic food
supply for all the animals of a community. The animals themselves are the consumers, and are either
herbivores or carnivores.
Examples of herbivores in a woodland community are rabbits, deer, mice and snails, and insects such as
aphids and caterpillars. The herbivores are sometimes eaten by the carnivores. Woodland carnivores are of
all sizes, from insects such as beetles and lacewings to animals such as owls, shrews and foxes. Some
carnivores feed on herbivores, some feed on the smaller carnivores, while some feed on both: a tawny owl
will eat beetles and shrews as well as voles and mice. These food relationships between the different
members of the community are known as food chains or food webs. All food chains start with plants. The links
of the chain are formed by the herbivores that eat the plants and the carnivores that feed on the herbivores.
There are more organisms at the base of the food chain than at the top; for example, there are many more
green plants than carnivores in a community.
Another important section of the community is made up of the decomposers. They include the bacteria and
fungi that live in the soil and feed on dead animals and plants. By doing this they break down the tissues of
the dead organisms and release mineral salts into the soil.
123. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. All the plants in a wood are eaten by animals.
B. All the animals in a wood depend on plants for their food supply.
C. Plants and animals in a natural community do not interact with their non-living surroundings.
D. The balance of a natural community means there is no primary species.
124. The best definition for the word “dominant" in paragraph 1 is ____.
A. having the most important position B. covering the majority of the area
C. providing food for others D. making up the whole community
125. All of the following statements are true, EXCEPT ____.
A. some animals eat other animals
B. plants depend on the sun to grow
C. plants depend on the gasses in the atmosphere to grow
D. not every food chain starts with plants
126. The word "tissues" in paragraph 2 can be best replaced by ____.
A. leaves B. roots C. cells D. trunks
127. Which of the following is NOT an example of carnivores?
A. shrew B. lacewings C. owl D. aphids
128. What makes the links in a food chain?
A. the plants and the herbivores B. the herbivores and the carnivores
C. the carnivores and the decomposers D. the plants and the decomposers
129. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Some animals eat plant-eating animals and also flesh-eating animals.
B. There are more organism at the base of a food chain than at the top.
C. Green plants outnumber carnivores in a food chain.
D. The consumers are at the base of a food chain.
130. The word “organism" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ____.
A. plants B. animals C. herbivores D. living things

2. Ecotourism is a unique way for travellers to engage in sustainable tourism while vacationing. Throughout
the years, specific "Eco" organizations, including Eco-resorts, wurs, and Non-Governmental Organizations,
have developed across the globe. This specific type of tourism is now increasingly becoming one of the more
popular, with growth rates increasing every year. The United Nations, aware of the fact that tourism could be
one of the most detrimental activities if not planned in accordance with the threshold imposed by nature,
has declared the celebration of the International Day of Ecotourism, to promote sustainable practices in this
growing industry.
Recently, The Division for Sustainable Development, Small Island Developing States Unit, decided that in
preparation for the International Day of Ecotourism, it would be beneficial to identify successful practices of
ecotourism on small islands. In order for ecotourism to be categorized as successful, it must meet the
following criteria: it must combine natural and cultural tourism; it must involve local populations in the
program, including providing educational resources to the local community; it must identity, manage, and
conserve the natural and cultural environment, as well as the resources on the island; it must generate
practices that will lead to the future sustainability of the island. If these criteria are followed by an
organization, it deserves to be recognized as successful.
In order to locate these certain organizations, the SIDS Unit started a thoughtful internet search for
ecotourism organizations. The focus was on four different categories: Eco-resorts and hotels, Eco-tours, Non-
Governmental Organizations involved in ecotourism, and Government Codes of Conduct and Guidelines
regarding ecotourism for travellers. Once an Internet-site that filled the criteria was located, further contact
with the organizations was initiated, enabling us to obtain further information directly from the source. Many
of the organizations were delighted to correspond with us and are eager to show all that their organization
has achieved.
The stories presented come from across the globe and vary in success levels. While all of the organizations
engage in practicing ecotourism, some focus in different areas than others. This is due to a various number of
reasons, including the size of an organization, length of time the organization has been in existence, amount
of funding available, and economic/political situations occurring on the island. However, it is important to
recognize that although some ecotourism organizations are more developed than others, the ultimate goal of
sustainable development, conservation and education through ecotourism remains consistent.
124. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Ecotourism and its related issues B. Sustainable development
C. Environment pollution and its causes D. Job opportunities for local people
125. In paragraph 1, the word "detrimental" is closest in meaning to ____.
A. constructive B. destructive C. supportive D. beneficial
126. Why has the United Nations declared the celebration of the International Day of Ecotourism?
A. to raise people's awareness about ecotourism
B. to encourage more people to experience ecotourism
C. to boost sustainable practices in ecotourism
D. to stop ecotourism services completely
127. In paragraph 2, the word "categorized" is closest in meaning to ____.
A. prioritized B. typified C. examined D. classified
128. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT metioned as a criterion for successful
ecotourism?
A. combination of natural and cultural tourism
B. local populations' involvement in the program
C. conservation of the natural and cultural environment
D. improvement in the infrastructure for more tourist attraction
129. In paragraph 3, the word “their” refers to ____.
A. organisations' B. travellers' C. hotels' D. guidelines'
130. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for the differences in
organizations' focuses?
A. How big the organization is.
B. How long the organization has been in existence
C. How much money is available to the organization.
D. How much the organization is supported.

3. Every drop of water in the ocean, even in the deepest parts, responds to the forces that create the
tides. No other force that affects the sea is so strong. Compared with the tides, the waves created by the
wind are surface movements felt no more than a hundred fathoms below the surface. The currents also
seldom involve more than the upper several hundred fathoms despite their impressive sweep.
The tides are a response of the waters of the ocean to the pull of the Moon and the more distant Sun.
In theory, there is a gravitational attraction between the water and even the outermost star of the universe.
In reality, however, the pull of remote stars is so slight as to be obliterated by the control of the Moon and, to
a lesser extent, the Sun.
Just as the Moon rises later each day by fifty minutes, on the average, so, in most places, the time of
high tide is correspondingly later each day. And as the Moon waxes and wanes in its monthly cycle, so the
height of the tide varies. The tidal movements are strongest when the Moon is a sliver in the sky, and when it
is full. These are the highest flood tides and the lowest ebb tides of the lunar month and are called the spring
tides. At these times the Sun, Moon, and Earth are nearly in line and the pull of the two heavenly bodies is
added together to bring the water high on the beaches, to send its surf upward against the sea cliffs, and to
draw a high tide into the harbors. Twice each month, at the quarters of the Moon, when the Sun, Moon and
Earth lie at the apexes of a triangular configuration and the pull of the Sun and Moon are opposed, the
moderate tidal movements called neap tides occur. Then the difference between high and low water is less
than at any other time during the month.
Question 34. What is the main point of the first paragraph?
A. The waves created by ocean currents are very large.
B. Despite the strength of the wind, it only moves surface water.
C. Deep ocean water is seldom affected by forces that move water.
D. The tides are the most powerful force to affect the movement of ocean water.
Question 35. The words “In reality” in line 6 are closest in meaning to_______.
surprisingly B. actually C. characteristically D. similarly
Question 36. It can be inferred from the passage that the most important factor in determining how much
gravitational effect one object in space has on the tides is _______.
size B. distance C. temperature D. density
Question 37. What is the cause of spring tides?
A. Seasonal changes in the weather
B. The gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon when nearly in line with the Earth
C. The Earth's movement around the Sun
D. The triangular arrangement of the Earth, Sun, and Moon
Question 38. The word “configuration” is closest in meaning to _______.
unit B. center C. surface D. arrangement
Question 39. Neap tides occur when _______.
A. the Sun counteracts the Moon's gravitational attraction
B. the Moon is full
C. the Moon is farthest from the Sun
D. waves created by the wind combine with the Moon's gravitational attraction
Question 40. According to the passage, all of the following statements about tides are true EXCEPT _______.
A. The time of high tide is later each day
B. Tides have a greater effect on the sea than waves do.
C. The strongest tides occur at the quarters of the Moon.
D. Neap tides are more moderate than spring tides.
4. Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation issue only in the past two
decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests, which are the ecosystems with the highest known
species diversity on Earth, has awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The
high rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to recognize the
significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human population continues to expand, it will
negatively affect one after another of Earth’s ecosystems. In terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine
ecosystems (such as wetlands), the most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the
result is irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through other types of
activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less than two centuries, by significantly reducing
the variety of species on Earth, they have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions have occurred. The extinction
of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical event, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less
dramatic extinctions, as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present, and it was largely chance
that determined which species survived and which died out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which the human species is altering the
physical and chemical world and demolishing the environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the
rate of change humans are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and chemical changes have occurred
on Earth, but life needs time to adapt-time for migration and genetic adaptation within existing species and
time for the proliferation of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.
Question 34: What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. The variety of species found in tropical rain forests
B. The cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs
C. The time required for species to adapt to new environments
D. The impact of human activities on Earth’s ecosystems
Question 35: The word “jolting” is closest in meaning to______.
A. illuminating B. unknown C. shocking D. predicted
Question 36: The author mentions all of the following as examples of the effect of humans on the
world’s ecosystems EXCEPT______.
A. damage to marine ecosystems B. habitat destruction in wetlands
C. the introduction of new varieties of plant species D. destruction of the tropical
rain forests
Question 37: The author mentions the extinction of the dinosaurs in paragraph 2 to emphasize
that ______.
A. not all mass extinctions have been caused by human activity
B. actions by humans could not stop the irreversible process of a species’ extinction
C. Earth’s climate has changed significantly since the dinosaurs’ extinction
D. the cause of the dinosaurs’ extinction is unknown
Question 38: According to the passage, natural evolutionary change is different from changes
caused by humans in that changes caused by humans _______.
A. affect fewer ecosystems B. are occurring at a much faster rate
C. are reversible D. are less devastating to most species
Question 39: The word “they” in paragraph 1 refer to _________.
A. humans B. marine ecosystems
C. other types of activities D. poisonous waste
Question 40: With which of the following statements would the author be most likely to agree?
A. The extinction of a few species is an acceptable consequence of human progress
B. Technology will provide solutions to problems caused by the destruction of ecosystems
C. Human influence on ecosystems should not be a factor in determining public policy
D. Humans should be more conscious of the influence they have on ecosystems
 5. Scientists have identified two ways in which species disappear. The first is through ordinary or
“background” extinctions, where species that fail to adapt are slowly replaced by more adaptable life forms.
The second is when large numbers of species go to the wall in relatively short periods of biological time.
There have been five such extinctions, each provoked by cataclysmic evolutionary events caused by some
geological eruption, climate shift, or space junk slamming into the Earth. Scientists now believe that another
mass extinction of species is currently under way – and this time human fingerprints are on the trigger.
How are we are doing it? Simply by demanding more and more space for ourselves. In our assault on
the ecosystems around us we have used a number of tools, from spear and gun to bulldozer and chainsaw.
Certain especially rich ecosystems have proved the most vulnerable. In Hawaii more than half of the native
birds are now gone – some 50 species. Such carnage has taken place all across the island communities of the
Pacific and Indian oceans. While many species were hunted to extinction, others simply succumbed to the “
introduced predators’ that humans brought with them: the cat, the dog, the pig, and the rat.
Today the tempo of extinction is picking up speed. Hunting is no longer the major culprit, although
rare birds and animals continue to be butchered for their skin, feathers, tusks, and internal organs, or taken
as savage pets. Today the main threat comes from the destruction of the habitat of wild plants, animals, and
insects need to survive. The draining and damming of wetland and river courses threatens the aquatic food
chain and our own seafood industry. Overfishing and the destruction of fragile coral reefs destroy ocean
biodiversity. Deforestation is taking a staggering toll, particularly in the tropics where the most global
biodiversity is at risk.
Source: Final Countdown Practice Tests by D.F Piniaris, Heinle Cengage Learning, 2010
Question 34. What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. Human activity and its impact on a mass extinction of species
B. The two ways in which species disappear
C. The tempo of extinction of species today
D. Deforestation as a major cause of mass extinctions of species
Question 35. It can be inferred from the passage that ………………
A. the current mass extinction is different from the other five in that it is caused by humans
B. hunting is the major contributing factor that speeds up the extinction of species
C. habitat destruction makes a minor contribution to the current mass extinction of species
D. it’s impossible for scientists to identify the causes of mass extinctions of species
Question 36. The word assault in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ………………
A. development B. attack C. effort D. influence
Question 37. What was the main threat to biodiversity in Hawaii and other islands in the Pacific and Indian
oceans until recently?
A. tools used by human beings B. human assault on ecosystems
C. vulnerable rich ecosystems D. hunters and introduced predators
Question 38. The word them in paragraph 2 refers to ………………
A. species B. oceans C. humans D. predators
Question 39. Which is no longer considered a major cause of the mass extinction under way currently?
A. the killing of animals for their body parts B. the destruction of habitats of species
C. the shrinking of rainforests in the tropics D. the building of dams across rivers
Question 40. All of the following are mentioned as a form of habitat destruction EXCEPT ………………
A. destroying coral reefs B. cutting down forests
C. damming wetlands and rivers D. hunting rare birds and animals
6. Pollution is a threat to many species on Earth, but sometimes it can cause species to thrive. Such is
the case with Pfiesteria piscicida. A one-celled creature called a dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria inhabits warm
coastal areas and river mouths, especially along the eastern United States. Although scientists have found
evidence of Pfiesteria in 3,000-year-old sea floor sediments and dinoflagellates are thought to be one of the
oldest life forms on earth, few people took notice of Pfiesteria.
Lately, however, blooms – or huge, dense populations – of Pfiesteria are appearing in coastal waters,
and in such large concentrations the dinoflagellates become ruthless killers. The blooms emit powerful toxins
that weaken and entrap fish that swim into the area. The toxins eventually cause the fish to develop large
bleeding sores through which the tiny creatures attack, feasting on blood and flesh. Often the damage is
astounding. During a 1991 fish kill, which was blamed on Pfiesteria on North Carolina’s Neuse River, nearly
one billion fish died and bulldozers had to be brought in to clear the remains from the river. Of course, such
events can have a devastating effect on commercially important fish, but that is just one way that Pfiesteria
causes problems. The toxins it emits affect human skin in much the same way as they affect fish skin.
Additionally, fisherman and others who have spent time near Pfiesteria blooms report that the toxins seem to
get into the air, where once inhaled they affect the nervous system, causing severe headaches, blurred
vision, nausea, breathing difficulty, short-term memory loss and even cognitive impairment.
Question 34: What is true of Pfiesteria?
A. It seems to flourish in the presence of certain pollutants
B. It has been a menace to fish and humans for over 3000 years.
C. It is the oldest life form on earth
D. In large concentrations, it poses a threat to fish but not to humans.
Question 35: The word “astounding” in the passage is closest in meaning to _______.
A. continual B. incredible C. spectacular D. apprehensive
Question 36: What were bulldozers used for in the Neuse River?
A. cleaning up the sediment at the bottom of the river
B. excavating holes to bury the dead fish
C. scooping up the vast number of dead fish in the water
D. removing the huge amount of Pfiesteria from the river
Question 37: According to the paragraph 2, what will NOT happen if one breathes the toxic air?
A. vomiting B. visual impairments C. circulatory difficulty D.terrible headaches
Question 38: All of the following are true, according to the passage, EXCEPT _____
A. Pfiesteria caused the death of about one billion fish in the late 1990s
B. animal and chemical waste from farmlands, livestock and mining operations may contribute to the
expansion of Pfiesteria
C. Pfiesteria was not commonly noticed despite scientific findings
D. the toxic subtances emitted by Pfiesteria have a similar effect on human and fish skins
Question 39: What is especially worrying about Pfiesteria blooms?
A. Conditions are becoming increasingly favourable for their spread
B. They are fatal to humans who come in contact with them
C. They have devastated the fishing industry in U.S coastal waters
D. Researchers have no idea as to exactly what causes them
Question 40: In which environment would you NOT expect a Pfiesteria bloom to develop?
A. a marsh which absorbs waste water from a nearby pig farm
B. a river located near a rock quarry
C. a cool mountain lake teeming with fish
D. a river that flows through rich farmland
7. In the world today, particular in the two most industrialized areas, North America and Europe,
recycling is the big news. People are talking about it, practicing it, and discovering new ways to be sensitive
to the environment. Recycling means finding ways to use products a second time. The motto of the recycling
movement is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.
The first step is to reduce garbage. In stores, a shopper has to buy products in blister packs, boxes
and expensive plastic wrappings. A hamburger from a fast food restaurant comes in lots of packaging:
usually paper, a box and a bag. All that packaging is wasted resources. People should try to buy things that
are wrapped simply, and to reuse cups and utensils. Another way to reduce waste is to buy high-quality
products. When low-quality appliances break, many customers throw them away and buy new ones - a loss of
more resources and more energy. For example, if a customer buys a high-quality appliance that can be easily
repaired, the manufacturer receives an important message. In the same way, if a customer chooses a
product with less packaging, that customer sends an important message to the manufacturers. To reduce
garbage, the throw-away must stop.
The second step is to reuse. It is better to buy juices and soft drinks in returnable bottles. After
customers empty the bottles, they return them to the stores. The manufacturers of the drinks collect bottles,
wash them, and then fill them again. The energy that is necessary to make new bottles is saved. In some
parts of the world, returning bottles for money is a common practice. In those places, the garbage dumps
have relatively little glass and plastic from throw-away bottles.
The third step being environmentally sensitive is to recycle. Spent motor oil can be cleaned and used
again. Aluminum cans are expensive to make. It takes the same amount of energy to make one aluminum
can as it does to run a color TV set for three hours. When people collect and recycle aluminum (for new cans),
they help save one of the world’s precious resources.
Question 34. Which is the most suitable title for the passage?
A. How to live sensitively to the environment. B. How to reduce garbage disposal.
C. What is involved in the recycling movement. D. What people understand the term “recycle”
Question 35. The word “sensitive” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to______.
cautious B. logical C. responding D. friendly
Question 36. According to the passage, it is a waste when customers buy low-quality products because
_______.
A. they have to be repaired many times. B. they will soon throw them away
C. customers always change their idea D. they are very cheap.
Question 37. The word “motto” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to______.
A. meaning B. value C. belief D. reference
Question 38. The word “them” in paragraph 3 refers to ______.
A. juices B. soft drinks C. the bottles D. customers
Question 39. People can do the following to reduce waste EXCEPT _______.
A. buy high-quality products B. buy simply-wrapped things
C. reuse cups D. buy fewer hamburgers
Question 40. What best describe the process of reuse?
A. The bottles are filled again after being returned, collected and washed.
B. The bottles are collected, washed, returned and filled again.
C. The bottles are washed, returned filled again and collected.
D. The bottles are collected, returned, filled again and washed.
8. Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet. They help people thrive and survive by, for
example, purifying water and air and providing people with jobs; some 13.2 million people across the world
have a job in the forest sector and another 41 million have a job that is related to the sector. Many animals
also rely on forests. Forests are home to more than three-quarters of the world’s life on land. Forests also
play a critical role in reducing climate change because they act as a carbon sink - soaking up carbon
dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and contribute to ongoing changes in climate.
But forests around the world are under threat, which affects these benefits. The threats are
deforestation and forest degradation. The main cause of deforestation is agriculture (poorly planned
infrastructure is developing as a big threat too) and the main cause of forest degradation is illegal tree-
cutting. In 2019, the tropics lost close to 30 soccer fields’ worth of trees every single minute.
Deforestation is a particular concern in tropical rain forests because these forests are home to much
of the world’s biodiversity. For example, in the Amazon around 17% of the forest has been lost in the last 50
years, mostly due to forest change for cattle raising. Deforestation in this region is particularly common in
more populated areas, roads and rivers, but even remote areas have been polluted when valuable gold and
oil are discovered.
Adapted from: https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation
Question 39: What would be the most suitable title for the passage?
A. The Threats to Biodiversity in Tropical Rainforests
B. The Impact of Deforestation on Climate Change
C. Forests: Our Treasure in Danger
D. Jobs in the Forest Sector and Related Industries
Question 40: The word “thrive” in paragraph 1 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
A. protect B. decline C. ban D. develop
Question 41: The word “they” in paragraph 1 refers to ________.
A. animals B. forests C. people D. changes
Question 42: How do forests help in reducing climate change?
A. by providing jobs B. by purifying water and air
C. by acting as a carbon sink D. by being wildlife
Question 43: The phrase “soaking up” in paragraph 1 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
A. absorb B. refuse C. conserve D. plant
Question 44: Which of the following is a major cause of deforestation in tropical rainforests?
A. population growth B. industrialisation C. cattle raising D. road construction
Question 45: Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Agriculture is becoming a big threat to forests.
B. Deforestation is the main cause of forest degradation.
C. The Amazon has lost 17% of its forest in the last 50 years.
D. 41 million people across the world have a job in the forest.
9. The pandemic hit the tourism industry with a steep 74% decline in international travel. Many
countries had lockdowns in place to prevent COVID-19 transmission from foreign places. While this
contributed to a significant drop in carbon emissions in 2020, tourist-dependent nations suffered huge
economic losses.
Three years after, the pandemic is finally winding down and international travel is continuing, with
air traffic set to reach 2019 levels soon. Last year saw a 153% increase in air travel compared to 2021 and
about 62% pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, air traffic is expected to continue rising as most countries lift
restrictions.
The comeback of tourism means the same will happen in terms of emissions. In 2022, GHG emissions
increased by 7% in the first quarter compared to 2020.
It is critical to practise ecotourism as global warming becomes clearer. You’ll benefit from learning and
becoming a better friend to the environment. Ecotourism comes with many benefits. Firstly, the most
significant benefit of ecotourism is educating yourself on environmental issues. If you find ways to be
environmentally conscious on your trip, you are more likely to repeat those behaviours at home. Moreover,
sustainable travel means using natural and renewable resources to improve the planet’s health. You’re
protecting the environment around you from the negative impacts of travel. If you believe in leaving
something better than when you found it, ecotourism is the way to go.
Source: https://earth.org/ecotourism/

Question 39: What would be the best title for the passage?
A. The Global Impact of Tourism on the Economy
B. The Fall of International Travel During the Pandemic
C. The Impact of International Travel
D. The Importance of Ecotourism in a Post-Pandemic World
Question 40: The word “steep” in paragraph 1 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
A. healthy B. moderate C. sharp D. gentle
Question 41: The phrase “winding down” in paragraph 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
A. developing B. easing C. weaving D. expressing
Question 42: How was international travel in 2022 after the pandemic winded down?
A. It increased by 74% compared to 2021.
B. It decreased by 74% compared to 2021.
C. It decreased by 153% compared to 2021.
D. It increased by 153% compared to 2021.
Question 43: Why is practising ecotourism important?
A. It leads to a decline in international travel.
B. It educates individuals about environmental issues.
C. It brings more tourists to the destination.
D. It only benefits travellers, not the environment.
Question 44: What is the primary benefit of educating oneself on environmental issues through ecotourism?
A. a decrease in air travel
B. contributing to global warming
C. experiencing economic gains
D. repeating environmentally conscious behaviors at home
Question 45: Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Many countries had lockdowns in place to prevent COVID-19 from foreign places
B. Air traffic in 2022 was at the same level as it was before the pandemic.
C. Sustainable travel involves using natural and renewable resources to improve the planet’s health.
D. The pandemic led to a significant drop in carbon emissions in 2020.

10. Online learning divides opinion like few other issues in the world of higher education. Despite
claims about the equality in education through free online university courses and open educational
resources, some potential students are being left on the wrong side of the digital divide. Learners need not
only the physical connections to the Internet and appropriate hardware, but also the familiarity with
technology to make online learning work. Universities and governments need to do more to improve access
to these resources or risk leaving some of the most disadvantaged students behind.
Governments and universities must understand that online learning needs to be available, preferably
24/7 on as many devices as possible, to meet the diverse geographical, cultural and resource needs of our
students. Moreover, the government has got it right with the National Broadband Network: it provides the
essential service of fast, widespread broadband access and leaves it to individual users and/ or organisations
to decide how best to use it for their own needs. Flexible learning demands that governments and
educational institutions at all levels engage directly with target communities, giving them the required
resources, yet allowing them the freedom to use the resources to meet specific needs.
Online learning can address some forms of educational inequity, but it can also have some drawbacks.
Like access to private schooling, online learning comes with a cost barrier. Those who can afford smarter
technology, better and faster connectivity and 24-hour access will benefit while those who can’t, will not
enjoy the same quality of access.
We have to decide, as a society, whether high-quality online learning is a privilege or a fundamental
right.
Adapted from https://theconversation.com/online-education-can-we-bridge-the-digital-divide-9725
Question 39: Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A. The Gender Inequality in Online Learning
B. The Benefits of Online Education
C. The Role of Governments in Online Learning
D. The Digital Divide in Education
Question 40: The word “divide” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ________.
A. connection B. gap C. project D. strategy
Question 41: The word “them” in paragraph 2 refers to ________.
A. demands B. governments C. educational institutions D. communities
Question 42: The word “fundamental” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ________.
 A. basic B. additional C. complex D. impressive
Question 43: According to paragraph 2, what is TRUE about the digital divide in education?
A. It’s narrowing thanks to free online university courses.
B. It doesn’t affect students’ access to online resources.
C. It brings challenges to some disadvantaged students.
D. It only impacts physical Internet connections.
Question 44: According to the passage, which of the following is one of the drawbacks of online learning?
A. limited access to learning resources B. lack of government support
C. overwhelming amount of information D. high cost and inequality in access
Question 45: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. National Broadband Network provides fast and limited broadband access.
B. Online learning provides equal educational opportunities for all students.
C. Governments and schools should give communities the freedom to use resources.
D. Online learning is available only to students who are rich.