Read the following 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 31 to 40.
For more than fifteen years, environmental organisations, scientists and Indigenous communities campaigned for stronger protection of the High Seas – the vast areas of ocean beyond national jurisdiction. These waters, covering nearly half of the planet, had long remained largely unregulated and vulnerable to intensive resource exploitation. In early 2026, their efforts culminated in the entry into force of the Global Ocean Treaty, creating a new legal framework for international marine governance.
Before the Treaty, less than one percent of the High Seas was fully or highly protected. Industrial fishing fleets operated with minimal restrictions, and proposals for deep-sea mining raised concerns about irreversible ecological damage and long-term habitat degradation. [I] By establishing a formal process to designate marine protected areas, the Treaty provides governments with tools to conserve biodiversity on a scale not previously possible in international waters.
Supporters argue that protecting the High Seas is essential not only for marine life but also for climate stability. Oceans absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide and regulate global temperatures. Moreover, billions of people depend on healthy marine ecosystems for food security and economic livelihoods. In this context, ocean conservation is increasingly viewed as central to sustainable development rather than a purely environmental objective.
Nevertheless, adoption of the Treaty did not occur without resistance. [II] Some governments were initially reluctant to accept binding obligations that might limit industrial expansion. Negotiations required compromise, and implementation will depend on continued political will and institutional coordination. Under the agreement, proposals for protected areas must be based on scientific evidence and involve consultation with affected communities, ensuring legitimacy and accountability.
World leaders have committed to protecting 30 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030 – the “30x30” goal. [III] Achieving this target will demand consistent monitoring, transparent reporting and meaningful enforcement. Past environmental agreements demonstrate that ambitious pledges alone do not automatically produce measurable results.
[IV] The Global Ocean Treaty therefore represents both a diplomatic achievement and a test of global commitment. Its ultimate impact will depend on whether governments transform negotiated promises into sustained protection for marine ecosystems.
(Adapted from https://www.greenpeace.org.uk)
Question 31. According to paragraph 1, the coming into force of the Global Ocean Treaty can best be seen as the result of ____________.
A. economic incentives generated by expanding marine industries worldwide
B. a sudden rise in international disputes over ocean resource exploitation
C. a rapid shift in government policy triggered by recent scientific discoveries
D. prolonged and coordinated pressure from environmental and scientific advocates
Question 32. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for protecting the High Seas?
A. Maintaining planetary climate stability
B. Supporting coastal economic livelihoods
C. Preserving global marine biodiversity
D. Expanding international trade networks
Question 33. The word “their” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.
A. environmental groups, scientists and Indigenous communities
B. environmental advocacy organisations
C. national governments in treaty negotiations
D. scientific research institutions
Question 34. The word “culminated in” paragraph 1 mostly means ____________.
A. accelerated
B. initiated
C. resulted in
D. complicated
Question 35. Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?
A. Rising concern over deep-sea mining encouraged stronger international regulation of marine activities.
B. Some protections in international waters existed, but they remained too limited to prevent ecological damage.
C. Industrial exploitation in the High Seas revealed regulatory failings that the Treaty was designed to address.
D. Weak protection and growing exploitation in the High Seas highlighted the need for the Treaty framework.
Question 36. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?
A. Efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems are mainly promoted for environmental reasons, while their developmental role remains uncertain.
B. The protection of marine ecosystems is increasingly discussed within sustainability debates, yet still treated chiefly as an ecological issue.
C. Beyond environmental considerations, protecting the oceans is increasingly regarded as integral to long-term social and economic progress.
D. Policies supporting marine protection are increasingly linked to economic development, though environmental priorities are becoming less central.
Question 37. According to paragraph 4, one challenge during negotiations was that some governments ____________.
A. withdrew from multilateral discussions entirely
B. rejected community involvement requirements
C. resisted accepting legally binding obligations
D. opposed formal scientific consultation processes
Question 38. It can be inferred from the passage that the Treaty’s effectiveness will hinge on ____________.
A. legal adoption automatically producing ecological recovery
B. preventing economic expansion in marine industries altogether
C. the 30x30 pledge guaranteeing universal compliance
D. national priorities aligning with collective enforcement mechanisms
Question 39. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?
“Such hesitation illustrates the tension between environmental ambition and economic calculation.”
A. [II]
B. [I]
C. [III]
D. [IV]
Question 40. Which of the following best summarises the passage?
A. International marine agreements often project ambitious goals but risk remaining symbolic unless backed by rigorous enforcement and political commitment.
B. Structural challenges in regulating international waters continue to undermine attempts at comprehensive ocean protection, despite diplomatic progress.
C. The Treaty is a landmark achievement, yet its credibility depends on governments translating negotiated promises into sustained ecological protection.
D. Efforts to conserve the High Seas reveal persistent tensions between environmental imperatives and economic expansion, complicating global governance.
