Question 13: a. Noah: That’s why I still carry cash—going fully cashless can lock people out. b. Maya: The subway app is down, so I can’t ta...

Question 13:

a. Noah: That’s why I still carry cash—going fully cashless can lock people out.

b. Maya: The subway app is down, so I can’t tap my phone to pay.

c. Maya: True. Maybe cards and cash should stay as a backup, not disappear.

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

Question 14:

a. Jordan: If you use “pay in 4,” have you checked the late fees and what happens if a payment fails?

b. Ella: I’m tempted to grab those headphones—checkout keeps flashing “split into 4 payments.”

c. Ella: It says “0% interest,” but I could still get hit with fees if I’m late, and it might mess up my budget.

d. Jordan: Right—set calendar reminders, link it to your budget app, and only use it for something you’d buy anyway.

e. Ella: You’re right. I’ll wait until payday and compare prices first, then decide calmly.

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

Question 15:

Dear Priya,

a. Some passengers welcomed the change, believing it would help prevent fake IDs and make it harder for criminals to slip through unnoticed.

b. Yesterday at the train station, I noticed a new high-tech gate that scans passengers' faces instead of checking physical tickets.

c. Yet not everyone felt at ease — a man nearby expressed concern about possible data leaks, and an elderly lady quietly asked whether people could choose to opt out.

d. The system moved the crowd along quickly, but it also left me with an uneasy feeling: being tracked without consent, even for a daily commute, feels oddly intrusive.

e. I walked away thinking that while digital ID systems offer clear benefits, they must be guided by strict rules and respect people's right to choose.

Best,
Linh

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

Question 16:

a. A friend of mine showed up in what looked like a simple sweater — she called the brand 'private,' but the price tag alone could have covered my monthly rent.

b. I've always appreciated understated fashion, but moments like that make me question whether we're valuing comfort — or silently competing over hidden price tags.

c. Quiet luxury has quietly taken over my classroom: plain logos, muted colors, and that carefully curated look of "effortless" style that floods social media.

d. The unspoken effect? Some students began comparing wallets in secret; even affordable outfits started to feel like something to hide.

e. Devotees argue that this aesthetic reflects true taste — buying fewer, better things, and rejecting the need for loud displays of wealth.

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

Question 17:

a. These apps save precious time — small noodle shops near my dorm still receive orders even on rainy days, which helps keep their staff employed and the local food scene alive.

b. However, the pile of plastic containers on my balcony grew unsettlingly fast; I also caught myself ordering salty midnight snacks more than proper meals, as endless scrolling made every craving feel urgent and irresistible.

c. Food delivery apps have transformed my quiet street into a bustling moving kitchen — with just a few taps, any busy evening can suddenly feel solvable.

d. These days, I stick to a simple "delivery budget," cook at least twice a week, and only open the app as a backup plan; convenience is wonderful, but daily habits ultimately decide the real cost.

e. During exam week last semester, my friends and I pooled a discount code, ordered together, and ate in the study room — for a moment, the glow of screens felt almost like warmth and company.

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