Read the 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 1...

Read the 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 11 to 20.

        [I] Over the past decade, minimalism has evolved from a niche artistic philosophy into a cultural movement reshaping how people define happiness and success. [II] It promotes a lifestyle centered on simplicity, intentional consumption, and mindful living. [III] Rather than acquiring more possessions, minimalists advocate owning fewer but higher-quality items and prioritizing experiences over material goods. [IV] This shift reflects a growing dissatisfaction with modern consumerism, which often leaves individuals feeling overwhelmed despite their abundance.

        The appeal of minimalism lies not only in its simple and clean design but also in the peace of mind it offers. Research shows that messy and crowded spaces can make people feel stressed and tired, while simple and well-organised rooms help them stay calm and focused. Minimalism helps people think more clearly and live with less pressure. However, living this way is not always easy because people must decide what is truly important to them and avoid buying things they do not really need. More and more young professionals are choosing this lifestyle to find balance in their busy modern world.

        Critics, however, warn that minimalism can easily become a privilege rather than a principle. For people with limited means, “decluttering” or living with less is not a lifestyle choice but an economic necessity. Moreover, as minimalist aesthetics gain popularity, corporations have capitalised on the trend by selling expensive “simple” products - from plain white furniture to curated capsule wardrobes - under the banner of intentional living. This commercialisation risks turning a philosophy of restraint into yet another form of conspicuous consumption.

        Despite these contradictions, minimalism continues to resonate because it addresses deeper existential concerns of modern society: anxiety, burnout, and the search for purpose. It invites people to slow down, reflect, and detach from the illusion that material abundance guarantees fulfilment. Whether it remains a meaningful movement or merely a passing fashion will depend on how sincerely its followers practice what they preach - and whether simplicity can survive in a world built on endless growth.

(Adapted from The Guardian, Lifestyle, 2023 & Psychology Today, 2022)

Question 11. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. A significant proportion of individuals embrace minimalism primarily for its aesthetic simplicity and decorative elegance rather than for its underlying philosophical principles.

B. Minimalism completely eradicates every manifestation of consumerist behavior within modern society.

C. The value of minimalism lies in its genuine practice as a personal philosophy rather than in its commercialized interpretation as a marketable lifestyle trend.

D. The widespread appeal of minimalism is often attributed exclusively to findings derived from psychological research on human well-being and behaviour.

Question 12. According to paragraph 1, which of the following is NOT a lifestyle promoted by minimalism?

        A. mindful living        B. purposeful utilization        C. excessive consumption         D. Simplicity

Question 13. The word “which” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.

        A. consumerism        B. dissatisfaction                C. shift                                D. minimalism

Question 14. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

It challenges the deeply rooted belief that personal worth can be measured by material possessions.

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

Question 15. Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 3?

A. The growing commercialization of minimalism risks transforming the philosophy into a market-driven trend that may inadvertently reinforce ostentatious spending.

B. Although originally intended to promote restraint, minimalism has largely succeeded in providing practical strategies that enable individuals of all economic backgrounds to reduce unnecessary consumption.

C. Minimalism has evolved from a personal lifestyle philosophy into a mainstream cultural movement that promotes intentional living and simplified consumption.

D. The growing popularity of minimalist aesthetics demonstrates how corporations have effectively encouraged consumers to replace excessive possessions with carefully selected high-quality items.

Question 16. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A. Minimalism represents both a personal philosophy and a social paradox, balancing simplicity with modern consumer pressures.

B. Minimalism has transformed from an art movement into a commercial industry that promotes luxury products.

C. Minimalism is widely rejected because it fails to address emotional and social challenges in daily life.

D. Minimalism is a temporary lifestyle trend that focuses mainly on interior design and aesthetic value.

Question 17. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Minimalism teaches that happiness depends entirely on rejecting all social interaction.

B. Minimalism insists that material wealth is the ultimate source of personal peace.

C. Minimalism encourages individuals to spend more time earning money and collecting possessions.

D. Minimalism urges people to focus on deeper satisfaction rather than endless material gain.

Question 18. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Minimalism has become popular partly because it helps people feel calmer and less stressed.

B. Minimalism encourages people to completely avoid buying any new products.

C. The popularity of minimalism proves that modern consumer culture is disappearing.

D. Critics believe minimalism mainly benefits people with limited financial resources.

Question 19. The word “niche” in paragraph 1 is CLOSEST in meaning to ____________.

        A. temporary                B. popular                        C. specialized                        D. profitable

Question 20. According to paragraph 2, why do some young professionals embrace minimalism?

A. Because they want to follow social trends and gain popularity online.

B. Because they are influenced by luxury brands promoting simplicity.

C. Because they seek stability and mindfulness in an increasingly hectic world.

D. Because they wish to eliminate all emotional and material attachments.