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Question 1

Text:

The discovery of penicillin in 1928 was a major milestone in medicine. Before this (1) _____ , many bacterial infections were often fatal, but the introduction of this antibiotic (2) _____ the treatment of such diseases and (3) _____ the door to modern antibiotics.
Options: [opened, changed, however, previously, revolutionised, consequently]

Answers:
1 → previously
2 → changed
3 → opened

Explanation:

  • “previously” fits blank (1) because it refers to a time before penicillin.

  • “changed” fits blank (2) because the antibiotic altered treatment.

  • “opened” fits blank (3) as it metaphorically opens a door (to modern antibiotics).

Question 2
Text:

Environmental scientists warn that rising sea-levels may eventually (1) _____ coastal cities, forcing mass evacuations and significant economic impacts. If no action is taken, the cost could (2) _____ billions of dollars by mid-century.
Options: [threaten, amount to, affect, exceed, however, including]

Answers:
1 → threaten
2 → exceed

Explanation:

  • “threaten” fits blank (1) because sea-levels pose a threat to coastal cities.

  • “exceed” fits blank (2) because the cost could go beyond (“exceed”) billions.

Question 3
Text:

Many species have developed adaptation strategies for arid environments; some plants store water in their stems, while others have leaves that (1) _____ evaporation. These mechanisms help them (2) _____ survival in extreme heat.
Options: [prevent, limit, enhance, ensure, prolong, reduce]

Answers:
1 → reduce
2 → ensure

Explanation:

  • “reduce” fits blank (1) because leaves that reduce evaporation make sense.

  • “ensure” fits blank (2) because these mechanisms help guarantee survival.

Question 4
Text:

The arts festival this year will not only showcase local talent but also invite international performers. Organisers hope the event will (1) _____ cultural exchange and provide fresh perspectives on traditional art forms. (2) _____, they have scheduled interactive workshops for young attendees.
Options: [therefore, facilitate, although, moreover, encourage, despite]

Answers:
1 → facilitate
2 → moreover

Explanation:

  • “facilitate” fits blank (1) since the festival is intended to help cultural exchange.

  • “moreover” fits blank (2) because what follows (“they have scheduled …”) adds another point.

Question 5
Text:

In the study, subjects were asked to complete a series of cognitive tasks under time pressure. The results (1) _____ that performance declined significantly when participants felt stressed. A surprising finding, however, was that the effect was (2) _____ among older participants compared to younger ones.
Options: [indicated, dramatic, similar, more pronounced, whereas, nonetheless]

Answers:
1 → indicated
2 → more pronounced

Explanation:

  • “indicated” fits blank (1) because the results showed that performance declined.

  • “more pronounced” fits blank (2) as the effect was stronger in older participants than younger ones.

Question 6
Text:

Urban planners are increasingly focused on creating “smart cities” where digital infrastructure helps manage traffic, energy use and waste disposal. Such initiatives aim to (1) _____ efficiency and sustainability, while also improving quality of life. The challenge, however, lies in the (2) _____ of legacy systems and upfront costs.
Options: [boost, raise, burden, transition, integration, maintaining]

Answers:
1 → boost
2 → integration

Explanation:

  • “boost” fits blank (1) because it means to increase efficiency and sustainability.

  • “integration” fits blank (2) because the challenge lies in combining legacy systems with the new.

Question 7
Text:

The novel uses a first-person narrator to immerse the reader in the protagonist’s mindset. This perspective gives a sense of immediacy and intimacy, allowing us to witness thoughts as they (1) _____. At the same time, it restricts our view to a single vantage point, which the author uses to (2) _____ unreliable narration.
Options: [evolve, frame, unfold, explore, heighten, emphasise]

Answers:
1 → unfold
2 → emphasise

Explanation:

  • “unfold” fits blank (1) because the reader witnesses thoughts as they unfold.

  • “emphasise” fits blank (2) because the author uses the limited viewpoint to highlight unreliable narration.

Question 8
Text:

Throughout history, trade has played a pivotal role in shaping societies. Not only did it facilitate the movement of goods, but it also (1) _____ ideas, technologies and cultural practices across continents. Today’s (2) _____ global connectivity is a direct outcome of those early exchanges.
Options: [convey, foster, modern, contemporary, current, transmission]

Answers:
1 → foster
2 → contemporary

Explanation:

  • “foster” fits blank (1) because trade helped nurture the spread of ideas/technologies.

  • “contemporary” fits blank (2) because it refers to present-day global connectivity.

Question 9
Text:

Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are becoming increasingly cost-competitive. In many regions, these technologies are now the (1) _____ choice for new power generation — even before government subsidies. As technology advances and manufacturing scales up, costs are set to (2) _____ further.
Options: [default, obvious, preferred, decline, continue, reduce]

Answers:
1 → preferred
2 → continue

Explanation:

  • “preferred” fits blank (1) as they are the choice for new power generation.

  • “continue” fits blank (2) because costs are set to keep moving in a trend (reduce - but “continue” is used with “further” to indicate ongoing reduction).

(Note: “reduce further” would also work grammatically but “continue” fits smoother with “costs are set to continue further”.)

Question 10
Text:

Conservationists argue that preserving ancient forests is not simply a matter of saving trees; it is about maintaining complex ecosystems whose functions cannot be (1) _____. Forests serve as carbon sinks, regulate hydrological cycles and support biodiversity — roles that are fundamental to planetary (2) _____.
Options: [underestimated, quantified, overstated, measured, stability, survival]

Answers:
1 → quantified
2 → stability

Explanation:

  • “quantified” fits blank (1) because some ecosystem functions cannot be easily measured or quantified.

  • “stability” fits blank (2) because those roles are fundamental to the planet’s stability.


Question 11 — Cognitive Science

Many psychologists argue that creativity is not merely an innate talent but a cognitive process that can be strengthened over time. Exposure to diverse experiences often encourages individuals to (1) _____ familiar patterns and consider alternatives. This flexibility allows the brain to (2) _____ new associations across different domains. However, excessive structure in educational systems can (3) _____ originality by promoting standardised thinking. To truly stimulate innovation, learning environments should (4) _____ curiosity and reward experimentation rather than (5) _____ mistakes.
Options: challenge / suppress / penalise / foster / generate / evaluate / disregard / form

✅ Answers & Explanations
1 → challenge — Creativity challenges fixed patterns
2 → generate — Creativity generates connections
3 → suppress — Structure can suppress originality
4 → foster — Foster curiosity is a natural collocation
5 → penalise — Punishing mistakes discourages creativity

Question 12 — Climate Policy

Transitioning toward renewable energy demands more than technological development; it requires strong political will. Policymakers must (1) _____ strategies that balance environmental concerns with economic growth. Although some industries resist change due to short-term costs, delaying action will only (2) _____ future risks. Experts argue that clean-energy incentives could (3) _____ adoption among businesses. Additionally, transparent information campaigns can help citizens (4) _____ the benefits of sustainable practices and (5) _____ misinformation spread by lobby groups.
Options: mitigate / accelerate / craft / comprehend / propagate / encourage / escalate / resist

✅ Answers
1 → craft
2 → escalate
3 → encourage
4 → comprehend
5 → mitigate

Explanation:

  • Craft strategies = create carefully

  • Delay escalates risk

  • Incentives encourage adoption

Question 13 — Genetics & Medicine

Recent breakthroughs in gene editing have transformed medical research. Scientists can now (1) _____ faulty DNA sequences with remarkable precision. While these technologies may one day (2) _____ genetic disorders before birth, ethical concerns remain. Critics fear that altering the human genome could (3) _____ unintended consequences. Therefore, global regulations must (4) _____ both innovation and safety by establishing clear guidelines. Without caution, public trust in biotechnology may significantly (5) _____.
Options: eliminate / collapse / replace / regulate / introduce / provoke / prevent / decline

✅ Answers
1 → replace
2 → eliminate
3 → provoke
4 → regulate
5 → decline

Explanation:

  • Replace DNA sequences fits gene editing

  • Ethical concerns provoke consequences

Question 14 — Economics & Behaviour

Consumers often believe they make rational decisions, yet subtle marketing cues can (1) _____ their behaviour. For example, attractive product placement is designed to (2) _____ attention and influence impulse purchases. Even price discounts may (3) _____ value perception rather than actual affordability. Companies that understand psychological triggers can (4) _____ customer loyalty and (5) _____ competitive advantage.
Options: capture / manipulate / distort / maintain / gain / drive / enhance / sustain

✅ Answers
1 → manipulate
2 → capture
3 → distort
4 → enhance
5 → gain

Explanation:

  • Marketing manipulates behaviour

  • Discounts distort perception of value

Question 15 — Artificial Intelligence

As AI systems become more advanced, transparency has become a critical concern. Users should understand how decisions are made to (1) _____ fairness and accountability. However, the complexity of deep neural networks can (2) _____ explanation, making it difficult to trace their internal reasoning. Researchers are developing models that (3) _____ interpretability without lowering accuracy. These efforts aim to (4) _____ trust in AI while preventing harmful biases from going (5) _____.
Options: establish / hidden / compromise / ensure / maintain / undermine / improve / complicate

✅ Answers
1 → ensure
2 → complicate
3 → improve
4 → establish
5 → hidden

Explanation:

  • AI opacity complicates interpretation

  • Trust must be established through transparency

Question 16 — Sociology & Culture

Cultural traditions can strengthen social identity by providing a shared sense of belonging. Yet, when societies become more diverse, conflicts may arise if groups (1) _____ change. Effective policies must therefore (2) _____ inclusion and respect for differences. When individuals feel valued, they are more likely to (3) _____ positively in the community and (4) _____ prejudice. Ignoring cultural needs, on the other hand, can (5) _____ division and hostility.
Options: encourage / foster / contribute / resist / reduce / intensify / dismiss / participate

✅ Answers
1 → resist
2 → foster
3 → participate
4 → reduce
5 → intensify

Explanation:

  • Resisting change creates conflict

  • Inclusion reduces prejudice

Question 17 — Astronomy

Observations of distant galaxies have revealed that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. This discovery led scientists to (1) _____ the existence of dark energy — a mysterious force driving the expansion. Although its nature remains unknown, researchers are attempting to (2) _____ its properties using sophisticated instruments. The challenge lies in detecting something that does not (3) _____ with light or matter directly. Because of these limitations, theories must (4) _____ new evidence from space missions and (5) _____ continually.
Options: propose / analyse / interact / evolve / depend on / incorporate / test / explain

✅ Answers
1 → propose
2 → analyse
3 → interact
4 → incorporate
5 → evolve

Explanation:

  • Dark energy does not interact with matter

  • Theories evolve with new data

Question 18 — Business Innovation

Companies that fail to innovate often struggle to remain (1) _____ in rapidly changing markets. Successful organisations constantly (2) _____ emerging trends and adapt their strategies accordingly. However, focusing solely on short-term profit may (3) _____ risk-taking and discourage experimentation. Leaders must (4) _____ a culture where creativity is rewarded, and employees feel empowered to (5) _____ new ideas.
Options: explore / suppress / competitive / encourage / evaluate / nurture / introduce / hinder

✅ Answers
1 → competitive
2 → evaluate
3 → hinder
4 → nurture
5 → introduce

Explanation:

  • Short-term profit hinders innovation

  • Nurturing culture encourages new ideas

Question 19 — Environmental Science

Wetlands play a critical role in maintaining natural ecosystems. They (1) _____ floodwaters, provide habitats for wildlife and (2) _____ water by filtering pollutants. Human activities that (3) _____ these ecosystems contribute to biodiversity loss. Conservation programs must (4) _____ restoration efforts and enforce regulations to (5) _____ further damage.
Options: control / degrade / support / prevent / store / purify / disrupt / expand

✅ Answers
1 → store
2 → purify
3 → disrupt
4 → support
5 → prevent

Explanation:

  • Wetlands store floodwaters and purify water

  • Disruption increases ecological damage

Question 20 — Globalisation

Globalisation has (1) _____ opportunities for economic collaboration and cultural exchange. Yet, it has also been criticised for encouraging inequality by allowing wealth to (2) _____ among a small number of corporations. Governments must (3) _____ fair labour policies that (4) _____ workers’ rights while still promoting growth. Without strong protections, vulnerable populations may (5) _____ the negative consequences.
Options: accumulate / ensure / endure / expanded / safeguard / disperse / implement / concentrate

✅ Answers
1 → expanded
2 → concentrate
3 → implement
4 → safeguard
5 → endure

Explanation:

  • Wealth concentration is a major criticism

  • Workers endure consequences if protections fail


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