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

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 6 to 12.

        Smartphones have reshaped how people work, socialize, and access services around the world. Pocket-sized computers put photography, maps, and entire libraries within reach of billions. App ecosystems create new jobs and industries overnight, (6) _______. Affordable hardware and expanding networks let small businesses reach customers they could never contact before. Mobile payments, delivery apps, and remote customer support have changed local commerce, (7) _______. Governments and regulators struggle to keep up as new business models disrupt established rules. Privacy concerns follow widespread tracking and data collection by apps, (8) _______. Tech firms, municipal authorities, and advocacy groups are experimenting with clearer consent frameworks and better default settings. Developers also learn how design choices affect behavior and inclusion, (9) _______. If those lessons spread, smartphones can support both innovation and civic protections. (10) _______.

(Adapted from https://www.vox.com/recode/22686585/iphone-apple-land-of-the-giants-podcast)

Question 6.   A. whereby platform consolidation enables a handful of dominant companies to control global content distribution and establish industry trends

B. as platforms integrate multiple services into unified interfaces, making previously separate functionalities feel seamless and immediately accessible

C. though significant populations in certain countries still lack reliable mobile connectivity and remain offline without consistent network access

D. since consumers frequently upgrade devices annually, pursuing the latest camera technology and features promoted through intensive marketing

Question 7.   A. so local merchants who adopt digital tools can scale operations beyond immediate neighborhoods and reach national or international markets rapidly

B. whereas traditional retailers must undergo extensive renovations to survive and often close when unable to meet evolving consumer expectations

C. although e-commerce continues expanding, physical foot traffic remains the primary revenue source for many small vendors and market stalls

D. yet the ability to establish online presence does not automatically ensure sustained profitability without marketing, logistics, and service improvements

Question 8.   A. although developers designing applications for low-literacy users need simpler interfaces and clearer explanations about permissions and costs

B. yet these concerns are sometimes neglected when companies prioritize rapid feature deployment over comprehensive testing with diverse user groups

C. citizens universally accepted application tracking because perceived benefits consistently outweighed privacy risks across all communities and contexts

D. since legal frameworks have immediately emerged that comprehensively covered cross-border data flows and clarified responsibilities for all actors

Question 9.   A. as numerous early design decisions were rushed, producing confusing default settings requiring manual adjustments by users or subsequent policy corrections

B. yet several stakeholders had minimal interest in sharing user data, preferring proprietary systems that impede cross-platform interoperability

C. which enables regulators draft more coherent rules when every products follow the same predictable interaction model consistently

D. that developers frequently decline responsibility to unintended consequences of addictive interface patterns and opaque monetization strategies

Question 10. A. Ultimately, whether smartphones prove liberating depends on coordinated policy, inclusive design practices, and meaningful education about risks and rights

B. While some technology enthusiasts celebrate every new capability, others worry that constant updates fragment ecosystems and necessitate perpetual relearning

C. Despite criticism, some argue that smartphones primarily benefit urban elites while rural communities experience minimal tangible changes in opportunity

D. Therefore, simply distributing devices to populations automatically resolves deeper structural challenges like poverty, infrastructure gaps, and educational disparities