Read the following passage about the Navigating Educational Transformation in an Uncertain Era and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answ...

Read the following passage about the Navigating Educational Transformation in an Uncertain Era 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.

The OECD's Trends Shaping Education 2025 examines how contemporary global dynamics will fundamentally reshape learning systems worldwide. Organized into four progressive themes from global to personal dimensions, it explores conflict, labour, communication, and health. [I] The publication employs strategic foresight methodologies rather than conventional forecasting, presenting alternative scenarios—continuation, transformation, or collapse—to assist policymakers in stress-testing decisions amid uncertainty. This approach acknowledges that educational institutions cannot simply divide and conquer complex challenges through isolated interventions; instead, comprehensive, interconnected strategies prove essential for addressing multifaceted pressures.

Geopolitical tensions increasingly strain public finances, potentially constraining educational budgets while simultaneously disrupting schooling and undermining stakeholder well-being. [II] Meanwhile, labour markets undergo profound transitions driven by environmental imperatives and artificial intelligence automation, necessitating enhanced skill development and continuous learning opportunities. Without deliberate resilience-building measures, these transformations risk exacerbating existing inequalities, leaving vulnerable populations further marginalized.

Democratic governance and communal solidarity face mounting threats from polarisation, misinformation campaigns, and evolving civic participation patterns. Consequently, cultivating critical reasoning abilities, media literacy competencies, and responsible digital citizenship becomes paramount. [III] The report simultaneously emphasizes holistic health considerations, encompassing mental wellness and "One Health" frameworks that recognize interdependencies among human, animal, and planetary vitality. Care professions and socio-emotional capabilities gain prominence as societies acknowledge their fundamental importance.

Three overarching concerns permeate the analysis: navigating AI-integrated learning environments, advancing environmental sustainability, and combating systemic inequality. [IV] Rather than offering definitive predictions, the OECD presents stakeholder narratives and scenario planning tools, enabling education leaders to anticipate diverse possibilities and implement proactive measures. The publication ultimately argues that education systems must simultaneously respond to external forces while actively shaping societal trajectories. By fostering adaptability, equity, and critical consciousness, schools can transform from passive recipients of change into dynamic agents driving positive futures, ensuring learners develop capacities to thrive amid complexity and contribute meaningfully to collective well-being across generations.

https://www.oecd.org/z

Question 31: The phrase “divide and conquer” in paragraph 1 has the closest meaning to _________.

A. break down                                B. set apart                                C. cut off                                        D. split up

Question 32: Where in the paragraph does the following sentence best fit?

Migration flows generate fresh demands for inclusive practices and social cohesion mechanisms.

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

Question 33: All of the following challenges are mentioned EXCEPT?

A. Geopolitical tensions constraining educational budgets and disrupting schooling operations

B. Misinformation campaigns threatening democratic governance and communal solidarity

C. Labour market transitions driven by environmental imperatives and AI automation

D. Inadequate teacher training programs failing to incorporate modern pedagogical techniques

Question 34: The word “undermining” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _________.

A. bolstering                                        B. deteriorating                        C. diminishing                                D. eroding

Question 35: The word “their” in paragraph 3 refers to _________.

A. Holistic health considerations

B. Care professions and socio-emotional capabilities

C. Human, animal, and planetary vitality

D. Societies

Question 36: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Educational institutions should prioritize adapting to external changes over influencing future social directions.

B. Schools must focus on responding to immediate pressures before attempting to transform broader societal structures.

C. Learning systems need to both adapt to societal pressures and proactively influence community development directions.

D. Education systems should alternate between reacting to contemporary challenges and initiating emerging social reforms.

Question 37: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The OECD report provides definitive predictions to guide policymakers in making educational decisions.

B. The publication uses scenario planning rather than conventional forecasting to prepare for uncertain futures.

C. Educational institutions can effectively address complex challenges through isolated interventions targeting specific problems.

D. Labour market transitions primarily result from demographic shifts rather than environmental and technological factors.

Question 38: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 3?

A. Democratic challenges require educational focus on critical thinking, while environmental health frameworks demand separate institutional responses.

B. Misinformation threats necessitate media literacy development, and healthcare systems must prioritize mental wellness over physical health considerations.

C. Civic participation decline demands digital citizenship training, while care professions require enhanced funding to address societal wellness needs.

D. Democratic threats require critical thinking and media literacy, while holistic health frameworks and socio-emotional capabilities gain importance.

Question 39: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Educational institutions will inevitably collapse without immediate implementation of comprehensive artificial intelligence integration programs across all learning systems.

B. Migration flows primarily benefit host societies by automatically generating inclusive practices and strengthening social cohesion mechanisms without requiring interventions.

C. Current educational approaches may prove insufficient for addressing interconnected challenges unless institutions adopt more comprehensive and integrated strategic responses.

D. Labour market transitions will naturally resolve existing inequalities as environmental imperatives and automation create enhanced opportunities for all population segments.

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

A. The OECD report identifies geopolitical conflicts and migration as primary educational challenges, recommending isolated interventions to address budget constraints and promote inclusive practices.

B. The OECD report examines global forces reshaping education, advocating comprehensive strategies and scenario planning to help institutions proactively address interconnected challenges and shape futures.

C. The OECD report predicts inevitable educational collapse from AI automation and environmental crises, urging immediate implementation of digital citizenship programs to prevent systemic failures.

D. The OECD report prioritizes labour market transitions and health frameworks as central concerns, proposing conventional forecasting methods to guide policymakers toward definitive solutions.