Passage 1 (P.1)
In recent years, the global conversation around climate change has shifted from mere acknowledgment of the problem to urgent debates about responsibility and action. While there is broad scientific consensus regarding the causes and consequences of climate change, political responses have remained uneven and often contentious. Developed nations, having historically contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions, are frequently called upon to take the lead in mitigation efforts. However, these nations often argue that rapidly developing economies must also bear responsibility, given their increasing emissions.
This debate is complicated by questions of equity and historical accountability. Developing countries contend that strict emission controls could hinder their economic growth and limit their ability to alleviate poverty. From their perspective, industrialised nations have already benefited from decades of unregulated emissions and should therefore shoulder a greater share of the burden. On the other hand, some policymakers in developed countries argue that future emissions, rather than past ones, are more relevant in determining responsibility.
Adding another layer to the issue is the role of international agreements. While frameworks such as global climate accords aim to create a unified approach, enforcement mechanisms are often weak. Countries may commit to ambitious targets but fail to meet them without facing significant consequences. This gap between commitment and implementation raises questions about the effectiveness of international cooperation.
Despite these challenges, there is growing recognition that climate change cannot be addressed through isolated national efforts. The interconnected nature of global ecosystems means that actions taken in one region can have far-reaching consequences elsewhere. As a result, there is increasing emphasis on collaborative solutions that balance environmental sustainability with economic development.
Ultimately, the debate over climate responsibility reflects deeper tensions between equity, development, and global governance. Resolving these tensions will require not only technological innovation but also a willingness among nations to reconcile competing interests in pursuit of a common goal.
1. The central conflict highlighted in the passage is?
a. scientific evidence and political denial
b. economic development and environmental responsibility across nations
c. developed nations and international organisations
d. technology and environmental degradation
b. economic development and environmental responsibility across nations
c. developed nations and international organisations
d. technology and environmental degradation
2. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument made by developing countries?
a. Developed nations reduce emissions significantly in the next decade
b. Climate change impacts are felt equally across all countries
c. International agreements impose strict penalties on all countries
d. Developing nations contribute the majority of current global emissions
b. Climate change impacts are felt equally across all countries
c. International agreements impose strict penalties on all countries
d. Developing nations contribute the majority of current global emissions
3. The passage suggests that international climate agreements are limited primarily because?
a. they lack participation from developing countries
b. they are scientifically inaccurate
c. they lack strong enforcement mechanisms
d. they focus only on economic growth
b. they are scientifically inaccurate
c. they lack strong enforcement mechanisms
d. they focus only on economic growth
4. Which of the following best describes the author’s view on solving climate change?
a. It requires global cooperation despite conflicting interests
b. It requires only technological solutions
c. It can be solved by developed nations alone
d. It is unlikely to be resolved
b. It requires only technological solutions
c. It can be solved by developed nations alone
d. It is unlikely to be resolved
5. Which of the following assumptions underlies the argument in the passage?
a. Economic growth is incompatible with environmental protection
b. Nations are willing to cooperate if incentives are aligned
c. Climate change is a local issue
d. Technology alone can resolve global conflicts
b. Nations are willing to cooperate if incentives are aligned
c. Climate change is a local issue
d. Technology alone can resolve global conflicts
Passage 2 (P.2)
The concept of meritocracy is often invoked as a foundational principle of modern societies. It suggests that individuals should be rewarded based on their abilities, efforts, and achievements rather than their social background or inherited advantages. In theory, such a system promotes fairness and efficiency by ensuring that the most capable individuals occupy positions of influence and responsibility.
However, critics argue that meritocracy, as it functions in practice, may reinforce existing inequalities rather than eliminate them. Access to quality education, professional networks, and economic resources often plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s opportunities. Those who begin with advantages are more likely to succeed, not necessarily because of superior ability, but because of the conditions that support their development.
Moreover, the belief in meritocracy can have unintended social consequences. When success is attributed solely to individual effort, those who do not succeed may be viewed as lacking merit, regardless of structural barriers they may have faced. This can lead to a form of moral judgment that overlooks systemic inequalities and reduces complex social outcomes to individual responsibility.
At the same time, abandoning the idea of merit altogether raises its own challenges. Without some system of evaluation, it becomes difficult to allocate roles and responsibilities in a way that maintains efficiency and accountability. The question, therefore, is not whether merit should matter, but how it should be defined and measured in a way that accounts for unequal starting points.
The debate over meritocracy thus reflects a broader tension between ideals of fairness and the realities of social inequality. Addressing this tension requires a more nuanced understanding of both individual achievement and structural disadvantage.
6. The primary criticism of meritocracy presented in the passage is that it?
a. discourages individual effort
b. ignores the role of structural inequalities
c. eliminates competition
d. promotes unfair advantages intentionally
b. ignores the role of structural inequalities
c. eliminates competition
d. promotes unfair advantages intentionally
7. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the critics’ argument?
a. Individuals from privileged backgrounds perform better in competitive exams
b. Merit-based systems increase productivity
c. Governments invest heavily in education
d. All individuals have equal access to opportunities
b. Merit-based systems increase productivity
c. Governments invest heavily in education
d. All individuals have equal access to opportunities
8. The passage suggests that completely abandoning merit as a principle would lead to?
a. greater equality
b. inefficiency in allocating roles
c. elimination of inequality
d. increased social mobility
b. inefficiency in allocating roles
c. elimination of inequality
d. increased social mobility
9. Which of the following best captures the author’s stance on meritocracy?
a. It should be completely rejected
b. It is flawless and fair
c. It should be redefined to account for inequality
d. It is irrelevant in modern society
b. It is flawless and fair
c. It should be redefined to account for inequality
d. It is irrelevant in modern society
10. The passage assumes that?
a. success is entirely based on effort
b. structural inequalities affect outcomes
c. merit can never be measured
d. competition is unnecessary
b. structural inequalities affect outcomes
c. merit can never be measured
d. competition is unnecessary
Passage 3 (P.3)
In the age of rapid information exchange, the line between expertise and opinion has become increasingly blurred. The accessibility of digital platforms has enabled individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to public discourse, often bypassing traditional gatekeepers such as academic institutions and established media organisations. While this democratisation of knowledge has expanded the range of voices in public debate, it has also created challenges in distinguishing credible expertise from uninformed opinion.
One consequence of this shift is the erosion of trust in traditional authorities. Experts, who were once regarded as reliable sources of knowledge, are now frequently questioned or dismissed. In some cases, this scepticism is justified, particularly when institutions fail to maintain transparency or accountability. However, it can also lead to a situation where all perspectives are treated as equally valid, regardless of their evidentiary basis.
This tendency is further amplified by the dynamics of online platforms, where visibility is often determined by engagement rather than accuracy. Content that is provocative or emotionally charged is more likely to gain attention, even if it lacks factual grounding. As a result, misinformation can spread rapidly, shaping public opinion in ways that are difficult to counter.
Yet it would be inaccurate to conclude that the presence of diverse viewpoints is inherently problematic. A plurality of perspectives can enrich public discourse and challenge entrenched assumptions. The difficulty lies in developing mechanisms that allow for open participation while maintaining standards of evidence and reasoning.
Ultimately, the challenge is not to restrict access to discourse but to cultivate a more discerning public capable of evaluating competing claims. This requires not only access to information but also the critical skills necessary to interpret it effectively.
11. The central concern of the passage is?
a. lack of access to information
b. difficulty in distinguishing expertise from opinion
c. decline of digital platforms
d. absence of public participation
b. difficulty in distinguishing expertise from opinion
c. decline of digital platforms
d. absence of public participation
12. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the author’s concern?
a. Experts frequently disagree with each other
b. Viral online content often contains inaccurate information
c. Digital platforms increase access to knowledge
d. Traditional media remains widely trusted
b. Viral online content often contains inaccurate information
c. Digital platforms increase access to knowledge
d. Traditional media remains widely trusted
13. The passage suggests that scepticism toward experts is?
a. always harmful
b. always justified
c. sometimes justified but potentially problematic
d. irrelevant
b. always justified
c. sometimes justified but potentially problematic
d. irrelevant
14. Which of the following best weakens the argument of the passage?
a. Studies show that users can reliably identify credible sources online
b. Social media usage is increasing globally
c. Experts publish more research than before
d. Public debates include more participants
b. Social media usage is increasing globally
c. Experts publish more research than before
d. Public debates include more participants
15. The author’s proposed solution to the problem is?
a. restricting public participation
b. eliminating digital platforms
c. developing critical thinking among the public
d. relying only on traditional institutions
b. eliminating digital platforms
c. developing critical thinking among the public
d. relying only on traditional institutions
Answers
- B – The passage revolves around the tension between economic growth and environmental responsibility across countries.
- D – If developing nations are now the biggest contributors, their argument about historical responsibility weakens.
- C – The passage clearly points out that lack of enforcement is the main issue with international agreements.
- A – The author stresses cooperation and balancing interests, not isolated or purely technical solutions.
- B – The argument assumes that cooperation is possible if nations align their interests and responsibilities.
- B – The criticism is that meritocracy ignores unequal starting points and systemic disadvantages.
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Adtiya Aryan
Contributing author
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