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 following questi...

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 following questions from 31 to 40.

[I] In today’s quickly changing job market, where long-term employment is now a luxury, the idea of career cushioning has become increasingly important. [II] The rapid changes that followed restructuring, AI-driven change and mergers revealed how fast even stable jobs can disappear. [III] Career cushioning means preparing alternative options – such as improving skills, building networks, or exploring part-time opportunities – before problems arise. [IV]

An essential component of career cushioning is broadening one’s work experience across diverse professional settings. Many individuals apply for apprenticeships, join short training courses, or take on casual work to expand their abilities. These experiences provide useful skills and insight into different fields. Although they may be temporary, they can still offer security by opening new opportunities. This ongoing development widens opportunities and helps them maintain momentum even when market conditions shift unexpectedly.

The growth of remote work and digital communication has also changed how people prepare for possible job loss. Workers now recognize the importance of transferable skills – such as digital literacy, strong communication, and analytical thinking – which can be used in many professions. Employers are increasingly interested in adaptable employees who show initiative and responsibility. As companies, together with their departments, divisions, and workers, reshape their structures to respond to global changes, workers with a wider range of skills usually have better protection against sudden layoffs or reorganization, whereas those who rely mainly on technical specialization may find it harder to adapt to new roles.

In the end, career cushioning represents a fresh way of thinking about job security. Rather than depending on only one full-time position, individuals create several paths toward stability. This approach can be a new mindset, a practical strategy, a rewarding method, and it helps people reduce stress while discovering new interests and career options. Although uncertainty will always exist, preparing early allows individuals to respond more confidently when change arrives.

(Adapted from https://theeverygirl.com/career-cushioning)

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Question 31. Where in paragraph 1 does the following sentence best fit?

Instead of reacting out of fear, many people see this as a practical way to stay safe.

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

Question 32. The word “casual” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. informal                B. permanent                        C. contractual                        D. seasonal

Question 33. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. A key area of career cushioning is gaining greater exposure to different types of work.

B. An essential part of career cushioning is relying mainly on one’s existing work experience.

C. A major aspect of career cushioning is broadening skills while keeping experience the same.

D. An essential element of career cushioning is developing experience focusing on familiar areas.

Question 34. The phrase “maintain momentum” in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by ____________.

A. give up                B. carry on                        C. slow down                        D. break off

Question 35. Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 3?

A. Workers with transferable abilities are better prepared for the job market changes.

B. Remote work and digital communication create stable positions for most employees.

C. Employers mainly value employees who follow instructions rather than show initiative.

D. Companies now appear to offer greater job security as they reshape their structures.

Question 36. Which of the following is NOT a transferable skill, according to paragraph 3?

A. digital literacy                                        B. effective interaction        

C. critical thinking                                        D. technical specialization

Question 37. The word “it” in paragraph 4 refers to ____________.

A. a fresh way                                                B. a new mindset                

C. this approach                                        D. a rewarding method

Question 38. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Career cushioning suggests simply waiting until problems occur before taking any action.

B. Expanding work experience helps workers gain valuable skills and insights into different areas.

C. Employers now focus only on technical knowledge instead of adaptability or responsibility.

D. Short-term or casual roles actually rarely offer any benefit for future career development.

Question 39. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Failing to build an alternative career plan may leave workers more vulnerable when the job market changes.

B. Employers increasingly favor workers who remain specialized in one area instead of developing broader transferable skills.

C. Some employees believe career cushioning can reduce the risk of unemployment, though it cannot completely remove uncertainty.

D. Remote work has made traditional job security less important, causing workers to rely mainly on digital tools rather than wider skills.

Question 40. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A. Career cushioning encourages individuals to cultivate a range of skills, gain experience in various roles, and establish multiple pathways to ensure stability in a constantly evolving job market.

B. Career cushioning highlights the value of developing diverse skills and improving work experience, mainly discussing these aspects while briefly mentioning alternative paths.

C. Career cushioning emphasizes gaining work experience and exploring different roles, mainly focusing on short-term jobs rather than long-term planning and skill development.

D. Career cushioning is described as a strategy placing more emphasis on reducing stress and discovering new interests relative to broader skills, work experience, or multiple career paths.