Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the questions. The...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the questions.

The rise of remote work has given birth to a new lifestyle: the digital nomad. These are professionals who perform their jobs online while constantly moving between cities or countries. For many, the lifestyle symbolises freedom and self-reliance. However, behind the Instagram-perfect images of laptops by the beach lies a complicated reality. True flexibility requires stable Internet access, financial discipline, and mental resilience qualities often romanticised but seldom discussed.

Companies, too, have discovered both benefits and drawbacks of employing remote teams scattered across time zones. On the one hand, firms gain access to a global talent pool, save on office rent, and enhance employee satisfaction. On the other hand, coordination becomes difficult, and maintaining team culture without face-to-face contact is challenging. [I] Some employers therefore adopt "digital surveillance," using software to monitor workers' keystrokes or screen activity— an approach that raises ethical concerns about privacy and trust.

This new culture has also transformed tourism. Cities from Lisbon to Bali now advertise co-working spaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, and short-term visas designed for nomads. The influx of remote workers boosts local economies but also pushes up housing prices, sometimes displacing residents. [II] Economists warn that such "nomad ghettos" may deepen inequality between foreigners and locals, especially in developing nations where salaries differ greatly.

While the future of work will likely remain hybrid, experts caution against assuming that mobility equals happiness. Constant travel can blur the line between leisure and labour, leading to burnout. True freedom, they argue, lies not in endless movement but in the ability to choose stability when desired. [III] If remote work is to be genuinely sustainable, it must balance flexibility with fairness for both employees and the communities they inhabit. [IV]

Question 20. According to paragraph 1, the digital nomad lifestyle ____________.

A. allows professionals to disconnect completely from work pressure

B. requires strong personal management and adaptability

C. ensures constant access to luxurious travel experiences

D. discourages people from pursuing financial independence

Question 21. Which of the following best summarises paragraph 1?

A. The digital nomad lifestyle promises freedom but also involves hidden difficulties.

B. The digital nomad lifestyle provides an ideal balance between work and leisure.

C. Digital nomads enjoy financial stability thanks to modern remote jobs.

D. Online work has entirely replaced traditional office culture.

Question 22. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of remote work for companies?

A. increased employee happiness                                B. reduced operational costs

C. wider recruitment opportunities                                D. simplified coordination between departments

Question 23. The word “ethical” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. practical                        B. moral                        C. financial                        D. logical

Question 24. The word “they” in paragraph 4 refers to ____________.

A. experts                        B. workers                        C. economists                        D. communities

Question 25. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. The freedom that comes from being able to remain in one place when needed is more genuine than constant travel.

B. The more one travels, the more freedom and stability one can achieve in life.

C. Stability and mobility are equally important forms of freedom, according to most travellers.

D. Choosing to move constantly from one place to another guarantees true happiness.

Question 26. According to paragraph 3, cities benefit from digital nomads because they ____________.

A. attract investment from multinational corporations

B. gain additional income through tourism and services

C. keep property prices affordable for local residents

D. promote equal income levels between citizens and foreigners

Question 27. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Digital nomads usually prioritise leisure over productivity.

B. Employers' surveillance software has successfully eliminated ethical concerns.

C. The popularity of remote work has created both new opportunities and new inequalities.

D. Most developing countries restrict nomads from staying long-term.

Question 28. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

Still, many companies continue to view remote work as a temporary experiment rather than a permanent shift.

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

Question 29. Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. Digital nomads represent a growing trend that eliminates inequality and promotes cultural harmony.

B. The flexibility of remote work offers only short-term happiness and should be discouraged.

C. The rise of remote work threatens global tourism and weakens community bonds permanently.

D. Remote work has evolved into a complex global culture that demands balance between freedom, fairness, and stability.