Task reminder: Read the passage, then select the one correct answer. No negative marking. Read the question first, then skim for the relevant paragraph.

1. Sample Text 1

The concept of the “attention economy” holds that human attention is a scarce and valuable resource that digital platforms compete to capture and monetise. Advertisers pay platforms not for clicks but for time spent — the longer a user scrolls, the more advertising revenue is generated. Critics argue that this economic model creates perverse incentives: platforms are rewarded for maximising engagement at any cost, including through the amplification of emotionally provocative, divisive, or misleading content. Platform defenders counter that users freely choose how to spend their time and that the services provided — social connection, entertainment, information — are genuinely valued.

Q. According to the passage, what is the central problem with the attention economy model?

A. It makes digital platforms financially unsustainable.
B. It rewards platforms for maximising engagement regardless of content quality.
C. It gives advertisers too much control over platform content.
D. It limits user freedom to choose what to watch online.

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2. Sample Text 2

Photosynthesis converts sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. It occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, which contain chlorophyll — the pigment that absorbs light energy. Photosynthesis takes place in two stages: the light-dependent reactions, which capture solar energy and produce ATP and NADPH, and the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions), which uses this energy to synthesise glucose from carbon dioxide. The efficiency of photosynthesis in converting sunlight to chemical energy is relatively low — typically between one and two percent — which is why artificial photosynthesis research aims to exceed natural plants’ performance.

Q. Why is artificial photosynthesis research considered significant?

A. Natural photosynthesis destroys chlorophyll under high light conditions.
B. Natural photosynthesis converts sunlight to chemical energy at a relatively low efficiency.
C. Artificial systems can produce oxygen more rapidly than plants.
D. Glucose produced by photosynthesis cannot be used by animals directly.

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3. Sample Text 3

Gentrification refers to the process by which a neighbourhood undergoes renovation and rising property values as wealthier residents move in, typically displacing lower-income residents who can no longer afford to live there. The debate around gentrification is fierce: proponents argue that investment in neglected areas improves infrastructure, reduces crime, and revitalises local economies. Critics counter that the benefits accrue primarily to new arrivals and property owners, while long-term residents — often communities of colour — are systematically displaced from their homes and social networks. The net effect on community welfare remains contested in the urban planning literature.

Q. What does the passage say about the overall impact of gentrification?

A. It reliably improves outcomes for all residents in affected areas.
B. It primarily harms new arrivals who face high property costs.
C. Its net effect on community welfare is still disputed by researchers.
D. It has been shown to increase crime rates in affected neighbourhoods.

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