Task reminder: Read the passage then select all correct answers. Negative marking applies — do not guess randomly. Each correct answer scores +1, each incorrect answer scores −1.

1. Sample Text 1

Soil is a complex living ecosystem that underpins all terrestrial food production. A single teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microorganisms than there are people on Earth. Soil organisms decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients, suppress plant diseases, and maintain the structure that allows soils to hold water and oxygen. Modern industrial agriculture — through ploughing, synthetic fertiliser application, pesticide use, and monoculture — has degraded soils at alarming rates. The United Nations estimates that a third of the world’s soils are moderately to highly degraded, threatening the long-term productive capacity of agricultural land.

Q. Which of the following functions of soil organisms are mentioned in the passage?

A. Decomposing organic matter
B. Generating atmospheric oxygen
C. Cycling nutrients
D. Suppressing plant diseases
E. Maintaining soil structure for water retention

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2. Sample Text 2

Urban biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal life found within cities. Despite the challenges of the urban environment — fragmentation, pollution, artificial lighting, and heat — many species have adapted successfully to city living, including foxes, pigeons, peregrine falcons, and a growing range of insects and plants. Urban green spaces, including parks, street trees, green roofs, and private gardens, play a critical role in supporting this biodiversity. Research shows that urban biodiversity provides measurable benefits to human health and wellbeing: exposure to nature reduces stress and improves mental health, and urban pollinators support community gardens and street planting.

Q. According to the passage, which of the following are benefits of urban biodiversity?

A. Reduction in urban temperatures
B. Reduction in human stress
C. Improved mental health for city residents
D. Support for community garden pollination
E. Elimination of urban pest species

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3. Sample Text 3

The science of materials is central to the development of new technologies. Graphene — a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice — has attracted enormous research interest since its isolation in 2004. It is the strongest material ever tested, an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, and nearly transparent. Potential applications include ultra-strong composite materials, flexible electronics, more efficient batteries, and biomedical devices. Despite decades of research, the challenge of producing high-quality graphene at low cost and integrating it into commercial products at scale remains significant.

Q. Which of the following properties of graphene are mentioned in the passage?

A. It is the strongest material ever tested
B. It is completely opaque
C. It conducts electricity and heat effectively
D. It is nearly transparent
E. It is composed of silicon atoms

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