Reading Passage 1: Reading Correspondence

Read the following passage.

Dear Christen,

How was your trip to Korea? I heard the weather there is very pleasant this time of the year. I’m not
sure but I think it’s warmer than -5°C from what Derek told me. Which city did you go to? I heard the
food scene there is pretty awesome! It would’ve been nice if Carrie would let me have a vacation, but
she and I had prior commitments. You know how work gets!

It has been freezing here. Global warming is for real! You know, they say it’s just not about hot
temperatures but about extreme temperatures! Maybe that’s why this winter is a killer! And don’t
get me started on the mountains of snow that are piling up! The city is doing a lot and we are doing
all we can to not slip or fall on the ice; no one would bet against the ice in Canada!

Once again, the city is contributing in a way by creating some heated bus shelters. You will find that
especially useful! Commute needs to be made more comfortable for the winter months. It’s almost
like we assume that we’re like other countries by keeping some bus stops outdoors but we clearly
could use a model tweak! How is the commute there? Are you renting a car or doing the usual? I
have just so many questions to ask you! Oh, one more thing, due to the pandemic, the interest rates
are really down on cars. Getting a good deal could have been very possible if cars were not selling
like pancakes but I guess I’m late to everything! Sigh. Do you want me to look at a few deals for you?
What are your thoughts on peer to peer commute? When you get back, we can probably think about
that.

On top of the cost savings, what I really need is a little entertainment in my morning commute. This
snow is not doing my mood any good! As you can see, I’m already planning everything expecting
your return! Oh, and I just got the latest edition of the Korean DVDs that we watch. Still though, I’m
curious to know if you find deals cheaper than $10 per DVD for those dramas; let me know!

Can’t wait to have you back. Miss you lots!

Take care,

Cara

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Now choose the best way to complete each statement using the appropriate information from the
passage:

According to Cara, the winter weather in Korea is usually

minus 10 degree Celsius

minus 5 degree Celsius

30 degree Celsius

minus 2 degree Celsius

2. Cara says global warming

has a different meaning than what people think

kills people in the winters

is making things extremely hot

is causing ice

3. The bus stops in Canada

are heated

need to model the ones internationally

are mostly cold inside

are all being upgraded by the city

4. Christen usually:

rents a car

buses

drives

uses peer to peer commute

5. Cara

can get a good deal if she buys a car now

cannot find the right car since she was late

cannot find a good deal

will rather go for peer to peer commute

6. Cara

loves the snow

has anxiety about Christen’s return

will buy Korean DVDs if Christen finds a cheaper deal

probably paid over $10 for Korean DVDs

__

The following is a response to the message. Complete the following by selecting the best choice and
filling in the blanks.

Hi Cara!

You are crazy! I was reading things twice to catch up with all your thoughts jumbled into one letter!
Well, you are right that the ice scene in Korea 7. (is very comparable to Canada/is less slippery than
Canada/is nothing like Canada/can be betted against); I do miss it though. I haven’t been commuting
much actually as buses can be pretty crowded in Seoul so 8. (life hasn’t changed much/not the
usual/I am renting a car/I am avoiding the cold bus stops). That’s where I am staying for now, and
yes, 9. (the food is great/the bus stops are heated/we don’t have mountains of snow here/people
don’t fall on ice here)!

I don’t ever think 10. (your thirst for entertainment will die/you will find good deals on cars/you will
find good deals on DVDs/the snowfall will lessen). Update me on your work situation though. Why
are you 11. (not being allowed to travel/not too optimistic/and Carrie working so hard/taking
instructions from Carrie)? After all, you are a hard worker and you deserve better!

Well, I have to go now but I will write back to you ASAP!

Love,

Christen

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Reading passage 2: Reading to Apply to a Diagram

Read the following passage as it related to the picture above. Select the best answer to fill in the
blanks:

Subject: Brochures

To: Maria C. <[email protected]>

From: Charles <[email protected]>

Hi Maria,

Hope you are well. I just forwarded you the email regarding the three brochure styles.

With regards to the Book Style, while it appeals to us 1. (financially/visuals/content-wise/business-

wise), it might cause strains in the time delay due to the overwhelming amount of pages that are to
be produced.
On the other hand, the Mac Style might appeal to the younger audience more given 2. (its latest
design/the jam-packed information/the visuals and graphics/the lesser pages). I think we should
really think about that!

Statistically, however, for businesses, the Landscape Style blows the other two out of the water in
terms of 3. (its sales/its effectiveness for businesses/its dominance/a reasonable mix) and we can
really leverage that. Not only that, it might also 4. (save us money/give more text/be more
detailed/be more underwhelming) when compared with the Book Style. Plus, comparatively, I do feel
like it will overcome the 5. (non-vintage design/excessive graphics/number of pages/lack of
information) issue that the Mac Style faces.

Curious to know your thoughts!

Best

Charles

__

Complete the following statements by selecting the best answer.

6. Part of the reason why Charles is prejudiced to go for the Landscape style comes from:

definite facts

curiosity

his dislike of the other two styles

his dislike of the Book Style

7. Charles is

Definite about his choice

Asking Maria for help in deciding the right brochure

Presenting his opinions with doubt

Presenting his opinions with reasonable confidence

8. Charles
just wants to present his opinion

is waiting for feedback

has come to a final conclusion

needs confirmation from Maria on her decision

__

Reading passage 3: Reading for information

Read the following passage:

A:

Blockchain is a new technology that is taking over the old ways of how money was managed.
Blockchain is used mainly for cryptocurrency where the nodes of computer networks record
transactions and keep an online log of all transactions that are taking place between different
people. This is managed very accurately in order to create transparency and a complete record of
every single transaction that has taken place. A blockchain compiles pieces of information in what is
known as a block, however, due to the storage capacities, it has to be combined with other blocks
within the same chain of transactions, which leads the blocks to form a chain, and hence, the name,
block chain.

B:

The aspect of decentralization makes a lot of people fond of blockchain technology. In essence, with
different nodes of computers storing information, the complete sequence of transactions of, let’s say
a company or an individual, or someone’s payment history, is all recorded in multiple locations by
multiple computers worldwide. This has the benefit of giving the user access to information in case
their own hard drive fails or their data is lost. The information will still be stored on the blockchain
network that can be retrieved at any time. Moreover, in case someone tries to commit fraud and
changes one transaction, it doesn’t derail the other sequence of transactions in the blockchain. That
means, if there is faulty data or any discrepancy, the other nodes will pinpoint that and make it easily
detectable.

C:

Although the records stored in most blockchains are completely encrypted, they can be decrypted by
the owner. This has the benefit of preventing fraud. In the past and predictably, in the near future,
there have been and there will be frauds and scams. By allowing transparency in the blockchain, the
scammer can easily be detected and caught by authorities, which has happened in the past. Any
amount of crypto that is spent by the scammer can easily be detected and pinpointed as to where it
was found, who spent it and how much was spent.
D:

When talking about blockchain technology versus banks, there are a lot of differences to keep in
mind. Although the fees for both are competitive, the speed of transactions for blockchain far
outweighs the value that a bank would provide in the same area. Moreover, while banks can have
control over your money and see your accounts (if the government wants to take action against you),
it is virtually impossible to do that in the blockchain networks. Also, identification is needed for
banks; not the case with blockchain! Finally, the hours are 24/7 when it comes to blockchain
compared to the limited business hours of banks.

E:

Not given

__

Decide which paragraph A to D matches with the following statements. Insert ‘E’ if it is not given.

The person who spends a certain amount of money can be found.

A name for the concept is formulated.

Blockchain leaves no digital footprint due to no identification.

Government control.

Impossible for governments to take action against you if you use blockchain.

Another component is needed due to constraints.

Protects the hard drive.

Several devices are used to execute the workings of blockchain.

A global application.

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Reading part 4: Reading for Viewpoints

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Read the following article:

Francis Goodwin, CEO of Audi’s Eastern branch, claims that German cars are the most popular ones
in the world due to the demand, but also due to the very basics of human needs that are included,
relating to comfort, performance and luxury. He deems these aspects of cars essential to provide
value. The pros outweigh the concerns with expenses associated with German cars, according to his
opinion.

George Pallister, Chief Financial Officer at St. Jose’s Toyotas branch, has quite the contrary opinion.
For George, financial conditions of people are something to be catered to. He believes when
reasonable reliability and warranties are offered, savings in the long-term as well as in the short-
term, go through the roof, in a good way! Car maintenance, repairs or even the purchase of a new
car are things that are not deemed necessary if the ride can push beyond 200,000 kms. Reliability is
one of Toyota’s chief offerings. It is also something that the German car manufacturers really need to
compete against.

But what about profitability? It would seem that with the majority of people owning Japanese cars,
all over the world, Pallister would score in this area, nonetheless, it’s possibly the competitors who
may maintain an edge. The quality and value, claimed by Goodwin, delivered by companies like Audi,
Mercedes and BMW insist a certain price level which albeit paid by a few, results in the needed
numbers to keep the German car companies in the lead. Areas such as interior, comfort, the shine
and elegance, all come at a price tag that investors and CEOs, of companies like Audi, relish.

Statistically, in terms of safety ratings, once again, German cars are a step ahead. The giant German
car industry goes through intense testing, innovation and safety protocols to ensure security.
Nonetheless, George is adamant that despite this area, where the winner is debatable, Japanese cars
have the overall edge in terms of being the available product for the majority which automatically
labels them as winners in the race of car manufacturers. Nevertheless, if the profitability of both
competitors is noted, he might not be completely accurate.

__

Complete each statement by selecting the best option:

In terms of profitability

Goodwin prefers charging people more for German cars

Japanese cars do much better due to more sales

Goodwin clearly wins the debate

German cars may have an edge

2. Francis Goodwin
has made a pros and cons list

thinks that the pros of German cars cost more

feels the high cost of German cars is justified

claims that German cars offer more warranties

3. Pallister does not care too much about the safety ratings

is concerned about the safety ratings

has self-assurance that his industry leads the race

is a very stubborn person

4. Francis Goodwin is the type of person who insists his customers pay more

is appreciative if his company’s revenues are good

is proud of German cars’ safety ratings

debates George Pallister on what “basic needs” are

5. Japanese cars can push beyond 200,000 kms with no issues

offer more warranties than German cars

have more focus on reliability as a selling point

are preferred for long-term use