Read the following passage about the workforce of the future and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answ...

Read the following passage about the workforce of the future 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 6 to 13.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PROCRASTINATION

        Most people have experienced procrastination — the act of delaying tasks despite knowing the negative consequences. While it’s often viewed as laziness or poor time management, recent research suggests it may be more deeply rooted in emotional regulation and neurobiology. This emotional explanation of procrastination challenges the traditional notion that it stems solely from disorganization. In fact, procrastination is increasingly recognized as a failure to manage negative feelings associated with certain tasks — such as boredom, anxiety, or self-doubt.

        From a neurological perspective, procrastination involves a tug-of-war between the limbic system (the brain’s emotion center) and the prefrontal cortex (responsible for planning and self-control). When a person anticipates that a task will be unpleasant or difficult, the limbic system may override rational thought, prompting them to seek temporary mood repair — like watching a video or scrolling social media. This tendency to prioritize immediate emotional relief over long-term goals is known as "present bias."

        Interestingly, some studies indicate that chronic procrastinators often have heightened sensitivity to failure. They may avoid starting tasks not because they’re lazy, but because they fear being judged or performing poorly. Ironically, by delaying action, they create conditions (e.g., rushed work or missed deadlines) that reinforce their fear of incompetence. This self-defeating cycle is referred to as the procrastination feedback loop.

        Fortunately, researchers have proposed strategies to break this loop. Techniques such as “temporal distancing” -imagining how completing the task will benefit one’s future self - and “implementation intentions”- making specific when-where-how plans - have been shown to significantly reduce procrastination. However, as psychologist Dr. Tim Urban argues, breaking free of procrastination often requires more than tactics; it involves reworking one's mindset about discomfort, risk, and self-worth.

Question 6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a negative emotional states linked to procrastination?

        A. A lack of interest in the task                        B. Feelings of worry or nervousness

        C. Doubts about one’s own abilities                        D. A sense of frustration caused by others

Question 7. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Procrastination is mainly caused by poor time management and lack of discipline.

B. The limbic system helps individuals focus on long-term goals and make rational decisions.

C. Chronic procrastinators may delay tasks due to fear of being judged or failing.

D. Strategies like temporal distancing have little impact on reducing procrastination.

Question 8. In which paragraph does the writer describe a cycle in which delaying tasks exacerbates a sense of inadequacy?

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

Question 9. In which paragraph does the writer discuss practical strategies to overcome procrastination and mentions expert opinion?

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

Question 10. The word “significantly” in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

        A. substantially        B. marginally                        C. considerably                D. dramatically

Question 11. The word “override” in paragraph 2 could be best replaced by ____________.

        A. dominate                B. surrender                        C. stimulate                        D. complement

Question 12. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. This pattern reflects a preference for short-term emotional comfort at the expense of long-term objectives.

B. This behavior shows that individuals are capable of balancing immediate and future goals effectively.

C. This tendency indicates that people are indifferent to emotional outcomes when making decisions.

D. This behaviour demonstrates a consistent focus on long-term achievements rather than short-term satisfaction.

Question 13. The word “they” in paragraph 3 refers to:

        A. negative feelings        B. chronic proscrastinators        C. certain tasks                D. researchers