Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

    Urbanization degrades the environment, according to conventional wisdom. This view has led many developing countries to limit rural - urban migration and curb urban expansion. But this view is incorrect. There are a number of reasons urbanization can be good for the environment, if managed properly.

      First, urbanization brings higher productivity because of its positive externalities and economies of scale. Asian urban productivity is more than 5.5 times that of rural areas. The same output can be produced using fewer resources with urban agglomeration than without. In this sense, urbanization reduces the ecological footprint. The service sector requires urbanization because it needs a concentration of clients. As services generally pollute less than manufacturing, this aspect of urbanization is also beneficial to the environment.

      Second, for any given population, the high urban density is benign for the environment. The urban economics literature shows that compactness is a key determinant of energy use. High density can make public transport more viable and reduce the length of trips. Urban living encourages walking and cycling rather than driving. Third, environment-friendly infrastructure and public services such as piped water, sanitation, and waste management are much easier and more economical to construct, maintain, and operate in an urban setting. Urbanization allows more people to have access to environment-friendly facilities and services at affordable prices.

     Fourth, urbanization drives innovation, including green technologies. In the long term, environment-friendly equipment, machines, vehicles, and utilities will determine the future of the green economy. Green innovations in Asia's cities will be supported by the region's vast market as the billions of people who will be buying energy-efficient products will create opportunities and incentives for entrepreneurs to invest in developing such products. Finally, the higher standard of living associated with urbanization provides people with better food, education, housing, and health care. Urban growth generates revenues that fund infrastructure projects, reducing congestion and improving public health. Urbanization fosters a pro-environment stance among property owners and the middle class, which is crucial for the introduction and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.

      Of course, urbanization also comes with costs. Millions of people are migrating to Asian cities and companies are locating there to employ them. Urban sprawl and industrial activities, such as power generation, transportation, construction, garbage and waste disposal, harm the environment. An assessment of the impact of urbanization on the environment must balance its benign and adverse effects.

(Source: https://www.asiapathways-adbi.org/)

Which best serves as the title for the passage?

Running can make your heart work __________ harder than just walking.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the option that best completes following exchanges.

- A: “____________.” - B: "That's a good idea."

Many others certainly don't see it that way and are adamant that the late politician was largely to blame for having a(n) ______________for the vision but scant regard for the detail.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

      Tattooing has been around for thousands of years. The act of making a permanent design or mark on the body was originally thought to (23) ______________ magical protection against disease and misfortune. Later, it was used to show a person's social status. The Romans, for example, used to tattoo slaves and criminals.

       With the arrival of Christianity in Europe, tattooing was forbidden. It virtually died out for hundreds of years, until European explorers came into (24) ________ with American Indians and Polynesians in the 17th and 18th centuries. Sailors would return from long voyage, decorated with large and elaborate designs. Many of these sailors later joined circuses, and earned a living by showing their tattoos to the public.

       Nowadays, tattooing is neither as unusual, nor as popular as it once was. Tattoo parlors do exist, but most people are unwilling to go (25) ____________ the rather painful procedure. On the other hand, temporary tattoos are becoming increasingly common. The design, (26)_______lasts for three to six weeks, is painted painlessly onto the skin.

       Other people still prefer the (27) _________, permanent techniques, of course. The world record for the most-tattooed person is held by Tom Leppard from Scotland. His leopard-skin design covers 99.2% of his body surface!

(Source: https://www.britannica.com/art/tattoo)

A: "Jenny is always late for appointments." - B: “Yes. ________________”

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.

"You mustn't forget to put a stamp on," said the clerk.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

No matter how the connection between language and music is parsed, what is apparent is that our sense of music, even our love for it, is as deeply rooted in our biology and in our brains as language is.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

Successful desert plants are resilient to scorching summers and frigid winters, drought, and high-salt conditions.

Many people_____________ the advanced learning of some children who take music lessons to other personality traits, such as motivation and persistence, which are required in all types of learning.

But some of the weird writing calls that composer to mind, especially in the more reflective moments of the second movement.

Nutritionists report that diets that are high in saturated fat clog up our arteries, _______________ reducing the blood flow to our hearts and brains.