1. Choose the one that is grammatically INCORRECT.
The committee, comprised of experts from various fields, (1) is expected to release (2) its findings next month, (3) which will address the economic impact of the new policy and (4) recommending several courses of action.
2. Choose the one that is grammatically INCORRECT.
(1) Despite the storm warnings, many residents chose to remain in their homes, (2) a decision they would later regret (3) when the floodwaters began to rise much faster (4) than had been forecasting.
3. Choose the one that is grammatically INCORRECT.
(1) Had the researcher had access to more advanced equipment, he (2) would have been able to complete the experiment (3) much more efficiently and with a higher degree of (4) accurate.
4. Choose the one that is grammatically INCORRECT.
The manager insisted that every employee (1) attends the mandatory safety training session, (2) regardless of their previous experience, to ensure (3) compliance with the new company-wide (4) protocols.
5. Choose the one that is grammatically CORRECT for the blank.
Not until the final act of the play 빈칸 the true identity of the mysterious benefactor.
6. Choose the one that is grammatically CORRECT for the blank.
The ancient manuscript, 빈칸 in a forgotten monastery, is believed to contain secrets lost for centuries.
7. Choose the one that is grammatically CORRECT for the blank.
The professor recommended that the student 빈칸 her thesis to focus on a more specific aspect of sociolinguistics.
8. Choose the one that is grammatically CORRECT for the blank.
The more he practiced, 빈칸 he became at articulating his complex ideas to a general audience.
9. Choose the one that is grammatically CORRECT for the blank.
It is imperative that a solution 빈칸 before the situation escalates further.
10. Choose the one that is grammatically CORRECT for the blank.
빈칸 for his contributions to quantum physics, he remained a humble and accessible mentor to his students.
Vocabulary and Idioms
11. Choose the one that is closest in meaning to the underlined word.
The lawyer's trenchant analysis of the case exposed the flaws in the prosecution's argument.
12. Choose the one that is closest in meaning to the underlined word.
The CEO's profligate spending habits were a major cause of the company's financial downturn.
13. Choose the one that is closest in meaning to the underlined word.
The diplomat's adroit handling of the sensitive negotiations prevented a major international crisis.
14. Choose the one that is closest in meaning to the underlined word.
The artist's work was a pastiche of various historical styles, yet it felt entirely original.
15. Choose the one that is closest in meaning to the underlined word.
The ancient philosopher's teachings were often abstruse, requiring deep contemplation to fully grasp.
16. Choose the most appropriate word for the blank.
The documentary did not shy away from the 빈칸 realities of life in the war-torn region.
17. Choose the most appropriate word for the blank.
Despite the initial setbacks, the research team remained 빈칸 and eventually achieved a breakthrough.
18. Choose the most appropriate word for the blank.
The novel is a 빈칸 tale of love and loss, set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution.
19. Choose the most appropriate word for the blank.
The government's attempts to 빈칸 the rebellion through force only served to strengthen the resolve of the insurgents.
20. Choose the most appropriate word for the blank.
His speech was filled with platitudes and empty rhetoric, lacking any 빈칸 insight or original thought.
Reading Comprehension
Passage · 21-22
The concept of 'biomimicry'—innovation inspired by nature—is gaining significant traction in fields ranging from engineering to materials science. Rather than viewing nature as a resource to be plundered, biomimicry sees it as a mentor. For instance, the aerodynamic design of Japan's Shinkansen bullet train was modeled on the beak of a kingfisher, allowing it to exit tunnels without creating a loud sonic boom. Similarly, Velcro was invented after a Swiss engineer observed how burdock seeds clung to his dog's fur. These examples highlight a fundamental shift in design philosophy: solving human problems by emulating the time-tested patterns and strategies of the natural world.
21. What is the main purpose of the passage?
22. The author mentions Velcro to ________.
Passage · 23-25
The Stoic philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome offers a compelling framework for navigating the complexities of modern life. At its core, Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. The philosophy proposes that while we cannot control external events, we can control our responses to them. This dichotomy between what is within our control (our thoughts, judgments, and actions) and what is not (external events, the actions of others) is central to Stoic practice. By focusing our energy on what we can control, we can achieve a state of 'apatheia,' or tranquility, free from overwhelming anxiety and emotional turmoil. It is not about suppressing emotion, but rather about transforming it through rational thought and perspective.
23. According to the passage, what is the primary goal of Stoicism?
24. Which of the following is NOT within a person's control, according to Stoic philosophy?
25. The word "dichotomy" in the passage is closest in meaning to ________.
Passage · 26-29
The rise of the "gig economy" represents one of the most significant transformations in the labor market in decades. Characterized by short-term contracts and freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs, it offers both unprecedented flexibility and profound instability. Proponents argue that this model empowers workers, allowing them to be their own bosses, set their own hours, and pursue a variety of interests. For companies, it provides a nimble workforce that can scale up or down as needed, reducing the costs associated with traditional employment, such as benefits and payroll taxes.
However, critics paint a much bleaker picture. They contend that the gig economy erodes worker protections, leading to a precarious existence without the safety nets of sick pay, retirement plans, or health insurance. The intense competition on digital platforms can drive down wages, and the lack of a traditional workplace isolates individuals, hindering the formation of unions and collective bargaining efforts. As this economic model continues to expand, the debate intensifies over how to balance its innovative potential with the fundamental need for worker security.
26. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
27. According to the passage, which of the following is a benefit of the gig economy for workers?
28. The word "precarious" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to ________.
29. It can be inferred from the passage that a major point of contention regarding the gig economy is ________.
Passage · 30-33
Dark matter and dark energy are two of the greatest enigmas in modern cosmology. Together, they are believed to constitute about 95% of the universe's total mass-energy content, yet their nature remains a complete mystery. Dark matter, which accounts for about 27% of the universe, does not emit, absorb, or reflect any electromagnetic radiation, making it invisible to our telescopes. Its existence is inferred only through its gravitational effects on visible matter, such as the rotation of galaxies and the bending of light from distant objects. Without the extra gravitational pull of dark matter, galaxies would fly apart.
Dark energy, on the other hand, is even more perplexing. It makes up roughly 68% of the universe and is hypothesized to be the force driving the accelerated expansion of the cosmos. While Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity allows for the existence of such a repulsive force, its origin and properties are unknown. Scientists are exploring various theories, from a property of space itself (the "cosmological constant") to new, undiscovered energy fields. Unraveling the secrets of dark matter and dark energy is a paramount goal of 21st-century physics, as it holds the key to understanding the ultimate fate of our universe.
30. What is the main difference between dark matter and dark energy discussed in the passage?
31. How do scientists know that dark matter exists?
32. The passage suggests that a universe without dark energy would ________.
33. The author describes the quest to understand these phenomena as "paramount" because ________.
Passage · 34-37
The placebo effect is a fascinating and powerful demonstration of the mind-body connection. It occurs when a patient experiences real physiological or psychological improvements after receiving a treatment with no active therapeutic element, such as a sugar pill or a saline injection. The key factor is the patient's belief in the treatment's efficacy. This belief can trigger the brain to release endorphins, which are natural painkillers, or modulate neurotransmitter levels, leading to reduced symptoms of pain, depression, or Parkinson's disease.
While some once dismissed the placebo effect as imaginary, modern brain imaging techniques have provided concrete evidence of its physiological impact. Studies have shown that placebos can activate the same brain regions as actual drugs. This has profound implications for medicine. It highlights the critical role of the patient-practitioner relationship, trust, and positive expectations in the healing process. However, it also raises complex ethical questions. Is it acceptable for a doctor to prescribe a placebo? How can researchers design clinical trials that account for the placebo effect without withholding potentially effective treatments from control groups? These questions are central to ongoing debates in medical ethics and research methodology.
34. What is the primary topic of the passage?
35. According to the passage, the placebo effect is primarily driven by ________.
36. The passage suggests that modern brain imaging has ________.
37. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an ethical issue related to the placebo effect?
Passage · 38-40
In literary theory, the concept of the "unreliable narrator" refers to a narrator whose credibility has been seriously compromised. This narrator might be naive, mentally unstable, biased, or deliberately deceptive. The use of such a narrator forces readers to question the version of events presented and to actively participate in the construction of the "true" story. Instead of passively receiving information, the reader must become a detective, sifting through evidence, identifying inconsistencies, and judging the narrator's motives.
This technique creates a profound sense of irony and ambiguity. The gap between the narrator's perception of reality and the reality suggested by the text's subtext is where much of the story's meaning resides. For example, in Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day, the butler Stevens narrates his life with a veneer of professional dignity, but the reader gradually pieces together a portrait of a man in deep denial about his personal and political failings. The power of the unreliable narrator lies in this ability to reveal a deeper truth not through direct statement, but through the very fabric of the narrator's flawed and filtered consciousness.
38. What is the main function of an unreliable narrator in a story?
39. The passage uses the example of The Remains of the Day to illustrate ________.
40. It can be inferred from the passage that a story with an unreliable narrator often requires ________.