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 26 to 30.

        While greenwashing has received significant public attention, brownwashing remains less widely recognised. It occurs when companies intentionally minimise or obscure their genuine environmental progress in public communication. (26) ____________. As a result, firms may appear less environmentally responsible than they actually are.

        One reason for this behaviour is the increasing pressure placed on companies to meet ambitious sustainability targets. (27) ____________. In such situations, organisations may prefer to avoid strong claims altogether rather than draw attention to commitments they may struggle to fulfil. This cautious approach can be particularly common in highly competitive industries.

        However, brownwashing can also create unintended consequences, (28) ____________. When companies fail to communicate their achievements clearly, stakeholders may struggle to identify which firms are genuinely making progress.

        Another concern is that inconsistent communication practices make comparison difficult. (29) ____________, those that communicate more clearly may gain an advantage, regardless of their actual environmental performance.

        To address these challenges, experts suggest that improving both transparency and consistency is essential. The key issue is (30) ____________.

(Adapted from https://news.umich.edu)

Question 26. 

A. This may seem counterintuitive, as businesses are generally expected to highlight their achievements

B. This is often driven by companies’ desire to improve their image through environmental communication

C. In addition, sustainability reporting has become an important tool for corporate communication

D. For this reason, many firms attempt to expand their environmental campaigns to reach wider audiences

Question 27. 

A. In many cases, companies that fail to live up to these expectations may face criticism and reputational damage

B. As a result, companies invest more resources in promoting their environmental achievements to attract support

C. For example, some organisations prioritise internal improvements before sharing their results publicly

D. In addition, sustainability reporting helps firms communicate their long-term strategies more clearly to investors

Question 28. 

A. leaving responsible firms less recognised for their real environmental efforts

B. reflecting differences in standards across sectors and reporting systems

C. reinforcing the role of sustainability reporting in corporate communication

D. making sustainability reporting less common in competitive industries

Question 29. 

A. Since corporate communication strategies play an important role in shaping public perception

B. When companies adopt different ways of presenting their environmental results in reports

C. Because environmental reports are often used to support broader corporate messaging

D. Although many organisations aim to improve transparency in sustainability communication

Question 30. 

A. whether companies are communicating accurately or creating misleading impressions selectively

B. the extent to which environmental policies influence business decisions in competitive markets

C. how companies can strengthen their reputation through clearer environmental communication

D. why sustainability reporting has become increasingly important in modern corporate practices