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 from...

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 from 23 to 30.

        When city planners merge individual green buildings into a "smart network", they use digital tools to make urban living far more effective for everyday residents. IoT sensors, smart meters, and traffic cameras build a live, shared picture of energy consumption, traffic flows, and air quality. Because everyone accesses the same data, local authorities can forge better infrastructure plans, determine when to reroute traffic, and track carbon emissions in real time. What once depended on rough estimates is now driven by verifiable information.

        With smart grid technology, districts can accurately map out their power needs and create customized energy plans. Automated solar panels change their angles on the fly to maximize absorption, smart windows adjust tint based on sunlight, and climate systems distribute cool air only where data shows a need. Because power goes exactly where it helps, building efficiency rises while energy waste falls. Trials consistently report considerable savings on electricity and maintenance costs.

        Waste and water management is just as precise in these interconnected neighborhoods. Specialized sensors track reservoir levels every hour, and forecast apps predict heavy rainfall or droughts with remarkable accuracy. Automated valves deliver measured water amounts to dry zones and stop when a storm is coming, curbing the risk of urban flooding and property damage. The result is steadier water supply in dry seasons and a cleaner environment for the whole community.

        The journey towards long-term sustainability is equally digital and forward-thinking. Cloud platforms record daily pollution levels and waste volumes the moment they change. Analytic tools browse the records to indicate weak points in the grid and suggest better urban policies for the next decade to city councils, ensuring continuous improvement. This makes modern urban development both highly efficient and eco-friendly.

(From https://www.sciencedirect.com)

Question 23. The word “forge” in paragraph 1 mostly means ____________.

        A. implement                B. create                        C. justify                        D. modify

Question 24. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as information displayed by digital tools?

        A. statistics on power consumption                        B. the water capacity of reservoirs

        C. the real-time movement of vehicles                D. the atmospheric conditions of the area

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

        A. districts                                                B. smart windows

        C. climate systems                                        D. automated solar panels

Question 26. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. As electricity is directed only to where it is needed, buildings operate more efficiently and less energy is wasted.

B. Because buildings become more efficient, electricity can then be redistributed more widely, which reduces waste.

C. Sending electricity to the right places improves efficiency, but it can also lead to greater overall energy use.

D. Lower energy waste mainly results from reducing total power use, rather than directing electricity to specific areas.

Question 27. The word “curbing” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

        A. reducing                B. restraining                        C. intensifying                        D. controlling

Question 28. Which of the following is TRUE according to paragraph 4?

A. Cloud platforms record changes in pollution and waste only after city councils request updated reports.

B. City councils manually inspect environmental records before analytic tools can identify system weaknesses.

C. Analytic tools use recorded data to detect weaknesses in the grid and recommend improved urban policies.

D. Because the grid is digitally monitored, it no longer contains weaknesses that need to be identified.

Question 29. Which paragraph mentions the use of weather forecasts and automated controls to manage water distribution and reduce flooding risk?

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

Question 30. Which paragraph mentions energy-related equipment automatically adjusting its operation in response to environmental conditions?

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