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 9 to 16
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 9 to 16.
Human actions are affecting the environment, and if we don’t try to change things, we will lose more of the natural world. Even though it is hard, we can make a difference.
In Madagascar, a fisherman named Samson is helping his community take better care of its local waters. He and the other fishermen realized that they were overfishing. Working with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Samson learned that they shouldn’t catch so many young fish because if there are too few of them in the ocean, there won’t be enough adult fish to reproduce. Samson now works to help fishermen change their techniques so that fishing can be sustainable. He believes that protecting the ocean is everybody’s job. “Take your responsibilities with courage and never think that you are alone. We are all in this together.”
In Florida, in the US, the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) organization noticed that there were always a lot of single-use plastic items, like coffee stirrers, bottles, and drinking straws, on the beaches. All of these items can hurt the ocean wildlife terribly. Straws are especially dangerous for turtles: they can get stuck in turtles’ noses and hurt them very badly. So, the STC started the project “Where are the straws?” asking local restaurants to stop giving customers straws with their drinks. Now, many restaurants will only give straws if customers ask for them, and the straws they do give out are paper, not plastic.
Those are just two of the many conservation efforts found all over the world today. These projects all show us that change is possible and that it can start with small actions in our own community. We are part of the problem. It’s time to be part of the solution.
(Adapted from English Workbook 11 – Explore New Worlds)
Question 25. The word “job” in paragraph 2 can be best replaced by ________.
A. duty B. chore C. origin D. purpose
Question 26. The word “them” in paragraph 2 refers to ________.
A. local waters B. other fishermen C. young fish D. the WWF
Question 27. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 3 as one of the plastic items?
A. bottles B. coffee stirrers C. fishing nets D. drinking straws
Question 28. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?
Now, many restaurants will only give straws if customers ask for them, and the straws they do give out are paper, not plastic.
A. In certain restaurants, plastic straws are still automatically provided, even if customers don’t ask for them first.
B. Today, in many restaurants, paper straws rather than plastic ones are only handed out when customers ask for them.
C. A number of restaurants have completely stopped giving straws, regardless of whether customers request them or not.
D. In most restaurants nowadays, all customers are given paper or plastic straws without needing to make a request.
Question 29. The word “single-use” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ________.
A. repetitive B. alone C. disposable D. reusable
Question 30. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Overfishing continues in Madagascar because fishermen believe the ocean will fix itself.
B. Change can begin with small actions that individuals take in their communities.
C. In the US, restaurants are encouraged to give plastic straws to every customer.
D. Many people think the environment is too damaged to improve, so they do nothing.
Question 31. In which paragraph does the author mention a consequence of the lack of human attempts?
A. paragraph 1 B. paragraph 2 C. paragraph 3 D. paragraph 4
Question 32. In which paragraph is the discouragement of giving something mentioned?
A. paragraph 1 B. paragraph 2 C. paragraph 3 D. paragraph 4
Read the following passage about Singapore and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 1 to 8.
Singapore is known as a "City in a Garden" because of its many parks, trees, and green spaces. Despite being a busy modern city, Singapore has made nature a priority. Tall buildings are surrounded by gardens, and streets are lined with trees. The government has strict rules to protect the environment, making sure that development does not destroy greenery. This balance between urban life and nature makes Singapore unique.
One of the most famous green spots in Singapore is Gardens by the Bay. This huge park has giant tree-like structures covered in plants, called Supertrees. At night, they light up in beautiful colours. The park also has large greenhouses that grow plants from all over the world. Another popular place is the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with rare flowers and peaceful walking trails. These places show how much Singapore values nature.
Singapore also works hard to be eco-friendly. The city uses solar power, recycles water, and has an efficient public transport system to reduce pollution. Many buildings are designed to save energy, with green roofs and walls covered in plants. Even the airport has a stunning indoor waterfall and a forest inside! These efforts help keep the air clean and make the city more sustainable.
Thanks to smart planning, Singapore proves that a big city can still be green. It shows how nature and modern life can work together. Other cities around the world can learn from Singapore’s example. By caring for the environment, Singapore remains a beautiful and healthy place to live.
Question 33. According to paragraph 1, Singapore is known as a "City in a Garden" because of all of the following EXCEPT ________.
A. green spaces B. parks C. tall buildings D. trees
Question 34. The word “unique” in paragraph 1 can be best replaced by ________.
A. popular B. special C. polluted D. crowded
Question 35. The word “they” in paragraph 2 refers to ________.
A. green spots B. greenhouses C. plants D. Supertrees
Question 36. The word “values” in paragraph 2 is opposite in meaning to ________.
A. maintains B. challenges C. neglects D. requires
Question 37. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4? Thanks to smart planning, Singapore proves that a big city can still be green.
A. Because of good thinking ahead, Singapore shows that a large city is always able to stay green.
B. From its wise preparation, Singapore makes clear that a huge city certainly keeps its green spaces.
C. With smart planning, Singapore ensures that a big city constantly finds a way to be green.
D. With clever plans, Singapore shows that even a large city can still have green areas.
Question 38. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. To achieve sustainability, other cities must learn from Singapore’s green initiatives.
B. Singapore puts an emphasis on public transport to become a pollution-free city.
C. The Singapore Botanic Gardens features only rare plants, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
D. Many buildings in Singapore are designed with green elements in mind.
Question 39. In which paragraph does the writer mention a surprising fact about a structure in Singapore?
A. Paragraph 1 B. Paragraph 2 C. Paragraph 3 D. Paragraph 4
Question40. In which paragraph does the writer mention a recognised green place in Singapore?
A. Paragraph 1 B. Paragraph 2 C. Paragraph 3 D. Paragraph 4