Read the following passage about The Growing Homelessness Crisis in England and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicat...

Read the following passage about The Growing Homelessness Crisis in England 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.

Recent data reveal that homelessness in England has reached unprecedented levels, affecting 382,618 individuals on any given night in 2025. This figure includes 175,025 children and represents approximately one person in every 153 residents. The situation has worsened by eight percent compared to the previous year, adding roughly 28,600 more people to these concerning statistics. As winter approaches, thousands face harsh conditions without proper shelter or security.

The majority of homeless individuals are not sleeping on the streets but residing in temporary housing arrangements. Around 350,480 people currently occupy such accommodation, marking the highest number ever documented. Additionally, approximately 4,667 individuals sleep rough nightly, showing a twenty percent annual increase. Another 16,294 single adults stay in hostels, while 4,031 receive housing through social services. These temporary solutions often become their permanent reality, with families spending nearly three years in inadequate conditions.

Although London accounts for over fifty percent of homeless cases, this challenge affects the entire nation. The Northwest experienced a fifteen percent surge, while Yorkshire, the Humber, and the West Midlands each saw eleven percent growth. Newham displays the highest concentration nationally, with one resident in eighteen experiencing homelessness. Outside the capital, Slough faces the worst situation, affecting one person in forty-three. These regional variations demonstrate the pervasive nature of this social problem.

The primary causes stem from systemic issues within the housing sector. A critical lack of social housing combines with excessive private rental prices to create unsustainable living situations. Furthermore, housing benefits remain frozen below actual rental expenses, preventing vulnerable families from securing stable homes. Experts recommend immediate government intervention, particularly unfreezing housing assistance to match at least thirty percent of private rental costs. Building affordable social properties could provide lasting solutions for displaced households.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/am

Question 23: According to the passage, which statement is NOT mentioned?

A. The number of children affected by homelessness in England

B. The specific poor conditions found in temporary accommodation

C. The percentage increase in rough sleeping over one year

D. The average time families spend in temporary housing

Question 24: The word “harsh” in paragraph 1 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _________.

A. austere                                        B. rigorous                                        C. clement                                        D. arduous

Question 25: The word “their” in paragraph 2 refers to _________.

A. families in temporary housing

B. single adults in hostels

C. social services providers

D. government housing officials

Question 26: The word “pervasive” in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by _________.

A. sporadic                                        B. ubiquitous                                C. negligible                                        D. peripheral

Question 27: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Housing aid stays fixed above market rents, helping at-risk families find permanent homes.

B. Rental subsidies are adjusted below housing costs, enabling needy households to secure shelter.

C. Housing support remains unchanged under real rent prices, blocking vulnerable families from stable housing.

D. Benefit payments fluctuate beneath rental rates, allowing disadvantaged groups to obtain temporary accommodation.

Question 28: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The Northwest region experienced a fifteen percent increase in homelessness cases last year.

B. Yorkshire and Humber regions showed a twenty percent growth in homeless population annually.

C. West Midlands recorded the highest concentration of homelessness outside London metropolitan area.

D. Newham district demonstrates approximately forty-three residents per single homeless individual nationally.

Question 29: In which paragraph does the writer mention what the main form of homelessness is?

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

Question 30: In which paragraph does the writer mention which area has the worst homelessness rate outside London?

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