Read the following leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 6.

A.  Notice of Delay

Please accept our unreserved apologies for the delay in delivering order #V789. We understand that (1) ______ of our customers rely on timely shipping, and on this occasion, we have fallen short.

B.  Explanation

The delay was (2) ______ a technical glitch in our (3) ______ automated sorting system. We have since implemented a more sophisticated tracking tool to prevent such errors.

C.  Resolution

(4) ______ we have now expedited your shipment, it should arrive by tomorrow. To make (5) ______ for the frustration caused, we have credited your account with a $20 voucher (6) ______ your next purchase.

Question 1.         A. a great many         B. much                 C. the amount of         D. many a

Question 2.         A. attributed to         B. resulted from         C. accounted for         D. called for

Question 3.         A. new complex digital                         B. digital new complex                 

C.  new digital complex
D.  complex new digital

Question 4.         A. While                 B. Because                 C. Since                 D. Unless

Question 5.         A. progress                 B. headway                 C. amends                D. sense

Question 6.         A. on                         B. for                        C. at                         D. with

Read the following announcement and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 7 to 12.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The 2026 Global Trade Accord

GENEVA – Representative bodies from 40 nations have finally (7) ______ out a comprehensive trade agreement aimed at stabilizing global supply chains. This pact, (8) ______ covers everything from raw minerals to semiconductors, is expected to (9) ______ a major boost to emerging economies. Economists have noted a (10) ______ degree of optimism in the markets following the announcement. However, the (11) ______ of the deal depends on how quickly nations can align their domestic tax laws. Negotiators (12) ______ signatures are on the document claim this is the most significant economic reform since the 1990s.

(Adapted from https://www.euronews.com/business)

Question 7.         A. glossed                 B. weeded                 C. hammered                 D. palmed

Question 8.         A. who                 B. whom                 C. whose                 D. which

Question 9.         A. diminish                 B. provide                 C. withhold                 D. counteract

Question 10.         A. hollow                 B. fragile                 C. scarce                 D. substantial

Question 11.         A. viably                 B. viable                 C. viability                 D. vivacious

Question 12.         A. whom                 B. whose                 C. who                 D. that

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a cohesive and coherent exchange or text in each of the following questions from 13 to 17.

Question 13.

A. Tragically, this fleeting hope was abruptly shattered when societal prejudices vehemently rejected his desperate plea for redemption.

B. Prior to this pivotal event, his existence was merely a continuous cycle of inebriation and sheer violence.

C. Ultimately, driven to absolute despair, he committed a fatal act to completely sever his agonizing misery.

D. However, the unexpected care from a compassionate woman temporarily reawakened his long-lost human consciousness and desires.

e. In Nam Cao’s masterpiece, the protagonist undergoes a profound psychological awakening after a momentous and unexpected encounter.

A.  e – d – b – a – c        B. e – b – d – a – c        C. b – e – d – c – a        D. e – a – d – b – c

Question 14.

Dear Thomas,

A. Although your analytical skills are commendable, we have decided to move forward with candidates possessing more advanced proficiency.

B. Nevertheless, with your explicit consent, we would like to retain your professional profile for future relevant opportunities.

C. Thank you for investing your time to participate in the competency assessment for our Senior Data Analyst position.

D. We genuinely appreciate your interest in our organization and wish you tremendous success in your future endeavors.

e. Consequently, we will not be proceeding with your application during this current competitive recruitment cycle.

Yours sincerely,

Talent Acquisition Team

A.  c – a – e – b – d        B. c – e – a – b – d        C. a – c – b – e – d        D. c – b – a – d – e

Question 15.

A. Bookseller: It's twenty dollars, but I can offer a ten percent discount if you buy two.

B. Customer: Excuse me, how much is this historical fiction novel? It looks incredibly fascinating.

C. Customer: That sounds like a reasonable bargain. I'll take this one and the sequel.

A.  a – b – c                B. b – c – a                C. b – a – c                D. c – a – b

Question 16.

A. Chloe: In the end, both destinations offer magnificent therapeutic benefits for our wellbeing.

B. Chloe: Are you planning a sunny beach holiday or a quiet mountain retreat?

C. Chloe: Mountains are serene, but sandy beaches offer incredible opportunities for aquatic sports.

D. Ryan: I adore ocean waves, yet mountain retreats are becoming my preferred getaway.

e. Ryan: Exactly, those thrilling seaside activities bring immense vitality and boundless youthful energy.

A.  b – c – d – e – a        B. d – b – e – c – a        C. c – e – a – b – d        D. b – d – c – e – a

Question 17.

A. However, the oven malfunctioned, leaving the centerpiece utterly undercooked and the guests starving.

B. Consequently, I whipped up some quick pasta dishes to salvage the disastrous evening.

C. Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for my extended family seemed like a delightful culinary undertaking.

D. I went all out preparing a complex roast, anticipating a flawless festive feast.

e. That chaotic challenge highlighted the importance of adaptability and laughing off unpredictable mishaps.

A.  c – a – d – e – b        B. d – c – a – b – e        C. c – d – b – a – e        D. c – d – a – b – e

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 18 to 22.

As automation and artificial intelligence reshape the global economy, the definition of professional competency is evolving. HR departments now review thousands of applicants, (18) ________. While coding or data analysis can be taught or automated, traits like empathy and adaptability remain uniquely human. A candidate relying solely on technical certificates (19) ________ during the recruitment process if they cannot demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively. (20) ________. In a volatile market, a rigid set of technical skills may become obsolete within years, whereas the ability to communicate complex ideas remains eternally relevant. Employers are increasingly prioritizing "EQ" over "IQ" in their final hiring decisions. (21) ________. The modern office is no longer a factory of solitary tasks but a hub of interconnectivity. (22) ________. Without them, even the most brilliant engineer may find their career progression stalled by an inability to lead or inspire others.

(Adapted from Forbes Human Resources Council)

Question 18.

A.  all of whom are expected to demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence

B.  who are expected to demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence

C.  that are expected to demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence

D.  most of them expected to demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence

Question 19.

A.  likely finding themselves at a significant disadvantage against more rounded peers

B.  to be likely to find themselves at a significant disadvantage against more rounded peers

C.  is likely to find themselves at a significant disadvantage against more rounded peers

D.  being likely to find themselves at a significant disadvantage against more rounded peers

Question 20.

A.  As a result, behavioral adaptability is seen as less important than technical expertise

B.  This explains why companies are shifting their focus from hard skills to behavioral adaptability

C.  On the contrary, companies are doubling down on technical testing for all new recruits

D.  It is rare for companies to pay attention to behavioral adaptability during interviews

Question 21.

A.  It doesn't matter if you have interpersonal skills as long as you have technical proficiency

B.  Technical proficiency gets you the interview, but it is interpersonal skill that secures the job

C.  While technical proficiency gets you the interview, interpersonal skill is irrelevant

D.  Interpersonal skill is the only thing that matters, regardless of technical proficiency

Question 22.

A.  These soft skills are essential, though they are not considered the currency of the future

B.  So essential are these soft skills that they are now considered the currency of the future

C.  Such essential soft skills are they that they are considered the currency of the future

D.  Essential as these soft skills are, they are rarely considered the currency of the future

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 23 to 30.

The debate surrounding deep-sea mining has intensified as nations and corporations eye the mineral wealth lying beneath ocean floors. Vast reserves of cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements essential for renewable energy technologies rest in polymetallic nodules scattered across abyssal plains. Proponents argue that accessing these resources could reduce dependence on terrestrial mining, which often devastates landscapes and displaces communities. However, the environmental ramifications of disturbing ecosystems that have evolved over millions of years in complete darkness remain largely unknown. Scientists warn that sediment plumes generated by extraction equipment could smother marine life across hundreds of kilometres, while the removal of nodules may eliminate habitats for species yet to be discovered.

The prospective economic benefits of deep-sea mining have attracted significant investment from both private enterprises and national governments. Companies claim that advanced robotics and artificial intelligence will enable precise extraction with minimal ecological disruption. Furthermore, they emphasise that the recovered minerals are indispensable for manufacturing batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels – technologies crucial for combating climate change. Critics, however, challenge this narrative, pointing out that recycling existing materials and developing alternative technologies could meet future demand without jeopardising fragile ocean ecosystems. They also highlight the inadequacy of current international regulations, which lack enforcement mechanisms and fail to ensure equitable benefit-sharing among nations.

Environmental organisations have mobilised global campaigns demanding a moratorium on deep-sea mining until comprehensive impact assessments are completed. Marine biologists emphasise that the deep ocean supports biodiversity comparable to tropical rainforests, with countless species performing essential functions in global nutrient cycles and carbon sequestration. The loss of these organisms could trigger cascading effects throughout marine food webs, ultimately affecting fish stocks that billions of people depend upon for protein. Additionally, the deep sea serves as a critical reservoir for genetic resources that may hold solutions to medical and biotechnological challenges facing humanity.

The technological and logistical obstacles facing deep-sea mining operations remain formidable despite decades of research. Extraction machinery must withstand crushing pressures at depths exceeding six kilometres while operating with precision in complete darkness and near-freezing temperatures. Transporting minerals from ocean floor to surface vessels requires sophisticated systems prone to mechanical failure in such hostile conditions. Economic viability depends not only on technological breakthroughs but also on volatile commodity prices that fluctuate with global market trends. Some analysts suggest that even with successful extraction, processing costs and environmental remediation expenses may render many projects financially unviable, particularly as terrestrial mining techniques continue to improve in efficiency and sustainability.

(Adapted from https://www.nature.com)

Question 23. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a potential consequence of deep-sea mining?

A.  Destruction of undiscovered species' habitats        

B.  Generation of sediment plumes across vast distances

C.  Contamination of marine life with toxic chemicals        

D.  Smothering of marine organisms in affected areas

Question 24. The word prospective in paragraph 2 can be best replaced by ______.

A.  potential                B. historical                C. temporary                D. guaranteed

Question 25. The word challenge in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ______.

A.  dispute                B. support                C. question                D. examine

Question 26. The word They in paragraph 2 refers to ______.

A.  companies                B. critics                C. minerals                D. technologies

Question 27. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 1?

A.  Enormous quantities of minerals necessary for green technologies are found in rock formations on the deep ocean floor.

B.  Renewable energy production depends entirely on minerals extracted from polymetallic nodules in abyssal zones.

C.  Large amounts of metals crucial for clean energy systems exist in mineral deposits spread across deep seabeds.

D.  The ocean floor contains unlimited reserves of elements that can replace fossil fuels in energy production.

Question 28. Which of the following is TRUE according to paragraph 3?

A.  Environmental groups have successfully banned all deep-sea mining activities worldwide.

B.  The deep ocean's biodiversity levels are lower than those found in tropical rainforests.

C.  Marine biologists stress that deep-sea species play vital roles in global ecological processes.

D.  Fish stocks remain unaffected by potential disruptions to deep-sea ecosystems.

Question 29. Which paragraph mentions the inadequacy of existing governance frameworks?

A.  Paragraph 1                B. Paragraph 2        C. Paragraph 3        D. Paragraph 4

Question 30. Which paragraph mentions the operational challenges in extreme underwater conditions?

A.  Paragraph 1                B. Paragraph 2        C. Paragraph 3        D. Paragraph 4

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 31 to 40.

For decades, standardized English proficiency examinations such as the IELTS have reigned supreme as the undisputed gatekeepers of global mobility and academic admission. These certifications were once viewed as the sole verifiable metric of an individual’s ability to navigate an anglophone environment. [I] However, the hegemony of these rigorous assessments is facing an unprecedented existential threat from the exponential advancement of artificial intelligence, particularly in the realm of real-time translation. The ubiquitous presence of neural machine translation tools, which can now interpret complex dialogue with near-instantaneous latency, compels us to question whether the arduous acquisition of a second language remains a prerequisite for international integration.

The allure of AI lies in its ability to democratize communication, effectively dismantling the linguistic barriers that have historically stratified the global workforce. A business executive in Tokyo can now negotiate intricate contracts with a partner in New York without either party possessing fluency in the other's native tongue. [II] This technological leap suggests a future where the mechanical utility of language – the exchange of information – is fully outsourced to algorithms. Consequently, the pragmatic value of spending years mastering grammar rules and vocabulary lists is being scrutinized, leading some to predict the inevitable obsolescence of traditional language certificates.

Nevertheless, the demise of the IELTS may be premature, as language encompasses far more than the mere transmission of data. While algorithms can flawlessly execute syntactic conversions, they remain woefully inept at deciphering the subtle cultural nuances and emotional undercurrents that define human connection. [III] A machine might translate words accurately, but it often fails to capture irony, humor, or empathy – elements that are intrinsic to building trust in professional and personal relationships. Therefore, the role of language testing may evolve from assessing basic comprehension to evaluating a candidate’s cultural literacy and ability to interact without a digital intermediary.

Ultimately, we are witnessing a paradigm shift rather than a complete erasure of language learning. [IV] The focus of future assessments will likely pivot away from rote memorization of lexicon toward cognitive flexibility and cross-cultural adaptability. In this new era, an IELTS certificate might not just prove you can speak English, but that you can think and empathize in it, a feat that even the most sophisticated AI has yet to replicate.

(Adapted from The Economist)

Question 31. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A.  Although AI is capable of perfect grammatical translation, it completely lacks the ability to understand the cultural and emotional depths of human interaction.

B.  Algorithms are excellent at syntactic conversions, which allows them to decipher cultural nuances and emotional undercurrents better than humans.

C.  Because AI cannot understand emotional undercurrents, it is also incapable of performing flawless syntactic conversions during translation.

D.  The ability of algorithms to execute syntactic conversions is limited, making them inept at defining human connection through cultural nuances.

Question 32. The word obsolescence in paragraph 2 mostly means ______.

A.  gradual modernization                                B. outdated state

C.  sudden popularity                                        D. legal enforcement

Question 33. According to paragraph 1, standardized tests like IELTS are facing a threat because of ______.

A.  the strict regulations imposed by academic institutions

B.  the rapid development of real-time AI translation tools

C.  the increasing difficulty of navigating anglophone environments

D.  the decline in the number of international students

Question 34. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

For millions of students, high scores on these tests were the golden ticket to better employment and migration opportunities.

A.  [IV]                                B. [III]                        C. [II]                                D. [I]

Question 35. What challenge does AI face in translation according to paragraph 3?

A.  It cannot translate complex dialogue fast enough.

B.  It struggles to capture irony, humor, and empathy.

C.  It requires an internet connection to function properly.

D.  It fails to convert simple grammar rules accurately.

Question 36. Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?

A.  AI translation tools are creating barriers in the global workforce by favoring those who understand technology over those who know languages.

B.  The rise of AI translation facilitates cross-border communication, raising doubts about the necessity and value of traditional language learning.

C.  Business executives in Tokyo and New York prefer using English for negotiations rather than relying on AI translation devices.

D.  The mastery of grammar rules is becoming more important than ever to ensure that AI algorithms function correctly.

Question 37. The phrase technological leap in paragraph 2 refers to ______.

A.  global workforce                                        B. native tongue

C.  AI advancement                                        D. linguistic barrier

Question 38. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A.  Future language tests will likely prioritize cultural intelligence over simple vocabulary retention.

B.  The IELTS exam will be discontinued globally within the next five years due to AI dominance.

C.  AI translation tools will soon be able to replicate human empathy and cultural depth perfectly.

D.  Learning a second language is now considered a waste of time by all educational experts.

Question 39. What is the primary reason for the "allure of AI" mentioned in the text?

A.  Its ability to create new languages for specific industries.

B.  Its capacity to democratize communication and remove language barriers.

C.  Its potential to replace all human translators in the next decade.

D.  Its low cost compared to traditional language courses.

Question 40. Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A.  AI is making language learning irrelevant, and standardized tests like IELTS are no longer needed for global mobility or academic admission.

B.  While AI translation threatens the traditional utility of language tests, certifications like IELTS will likely evolve to assess cultural and cognitive depth.

C.  The IELTS exam is growing in popularity because AI translation tools are proving to be unreliable and culturally insensitive.

D.  Real-time translation devices are strictly prohibited in academic settings to preserve the integrity of traditional language learning.