In September of last year, I joined a tour group and visited several Kenyan national parks on a tour that lasted about two weeks. It was an...

        In September of last year, I joined a tour group and visited several Kenyan national parks on a tour that lasted about two weeks. It was an absolutely exhilarating experience. The awe-inspiring wildlife, pristine natural settings, and warm interactions with the local people seemed to affect everyone, even the most jaded of tourists. [I]

        We saw an impressive array of wildlife at the Maasai Mara National Reserve–lions, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, giraffes, elephants, and many more. [II] Most of us were initially rather apprehensive to be in such close proximity to the animals, but slowly grew to appreciate the intimate experience. A woman screamed when a large lion came up to our minibus and started to lick the window. Our driver just laughed and said we had nothing to worry about–the lion was just offering his car-wash services. This calmed the woman down and she giggled along with the rest of us at his jokes.

        At Amboseli National Park, we had our first encounter with the Maasai people. [III] This famous warrior tribe still lives a semi-nomadic lifestyle, meaning they move around from time to time in search of food, water, and grazing land for their cattle. We were invited to one of their villages to learn more about their traditional culture and practices, and to browse and buy handmade jewelry made from small colorful glass beads. The villagers were exceptionally friendly and gregarious, and we were made to feel very welcome.

        On our last day in Amboseli, our tour guide had a special surprise–a group of Maasai were to perform traditional dances and songs for us. They sang without the accompaniment of any musical instruments and created wonderfully intricate music just by harmonizing their voices. The Maasai dances were very vigorous, with the men leaping high in the air. These dances are considered a ritual among the men to display their strength: the higher the jump, the stronger the warrior. Some people in our group joined in, dancing and leaping with the Maasai, but of course none of us could jump as high as them! The memory of the wonderful performance stayed with us long after the trip. [IV]

Question 21. In paragraph 2, the word "apprehensive" is closest in meaning to:

        A. intimidated                B. aggressive                        C. deceptive                        D. exhausted

Question 22. In paragraph 3, what does the word "they" refer to?

        A. local villagers            B. national parks                    C. natural settings                   D. the Maasai people

Question 23. Based on the entire text, which of the following sentences can be inferred?

A. The tour group spent the majority of their two-week trip in Maasai villages.

B. The Maasai people rely on modern instruments for their musical performances.

C. The lions in Maasai Mara are trained to interact safely with tourist vehicles.

D. Close encounters with wildlife eventually replaced fear with appreciation.

Question 24. Which of the following provides the best summary of paragraph 2?

A. A story about a woman who was terrified by a lion licking a minibus window.

B. A reflection on how intimate animal encounters shifted the group's perspective.

C. An account of how a driver used humor to ease the group's fear of wild animals.

D. A description of the various wildlife species found in the Maasai Mara Reserve.

Question 25. Which is the best paraphrase for the underlined sentence in the text?

A. Suspiciously warm and sociable, the local residents ensured that we felt completely at home during our stay.

B. The villagers embraced us with open arms, demonstrating a level of sociability and kindness that made us feel instantly uncanny.

C. We were treated with such immense warmth by the outgoing villagers that a sense of belonging was felt immediately.

D. A spirit of insincerity featured the village, where the residents' lively nature translated into a remarkably hostile reception for us.

Question 26. What can be inferred about the Maasai lifestyle from the details in the text?

A. Their survival is closely tied to the health and movement of their livestock.

B. They have abandoned their nomadic roots to build permanent tourist centers.

C. Their traditional music is designed to mimic the sounds of the African bush.

D. Their culture is strictly isolated from any form of modern international tourism.

Question 27. Based on paragraph 4, what distinguished the Maasai musical performance?

        A. The slow and rhythmic pacing                        B. The absence of instrumentation

        C. The high-pitched vocal solos                        D. The complex use of percussion

Question 28. What can be reasonably inferred about the overall impact of the tour guide's attitude on the travelers' experience?

A. The guide deliberately exaggerated dangers to heighten excitement and make the safari appear more adventurous.

B. The guide's humor and reassurance gradually reduced anxiety and encouraged tourists to appreciate close wildlife encounters.

C. The guide prioritized strict safety protocols, hindering tourists from interacting closely with animals or local communities.

D. The guide remained largely indifferent, allowing visitors to form their own opinions about wildlife and local culture.

Question 29. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

"We all emerged from the safari radiant with joy and inspiration."

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

Question 30. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A. The writer describes an adventurous journey through several Kenyan parks, focusing mainly on dangerous wildlife encounters and the travelers' constant fear of unexpected animal attacks.

B. The passage primarily explains the ecological importance of Kenyan national parks and the traditional lifestyle of the Maasai, emphasizing conservation challenges and cultural preservation efforts.

C. The text discusses how tourism in Kenya has transformed Maasai culture and wildlife habitats, highlighting the economic benefits and cultural tensions caused by increasing numbers of visitors.

D. The author recounts a Kenyan safari featuring remarkable wildlife encounters, meaningful interactions with the Maasai people, and memorable cultural performances that left a lasting impression on the travelers.