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

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace. Machine learning algorithms can now diagnose diseases from medical images with accuracy rivalling experienced physicians, translate languages in real time, and drive vehicles autonomously. The economic potential of AI is enormous — McKinsey Global Institute estimates that AI could add 13 trillion US dollars to the global economy by 2030. However, these advances also raise serious ethical and social questions. As AI automates routine cognitive tasks, millions of jobs in sectors such as manufacturing, finance, and customer service may be displaced. Critics also point to issues of algorithmic bias: if AI systems are trained on biased data, they may reproduce and amplify existing social inequalities. Ensuring that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably, and that its risks are properly regulated, will be one of the defining policy challenges of the coming decades.

Q. According to the passage, what is one major social risk associated with artificial intelligence?

A. The inability of AI to match human accuracy in medical diagnosis.
B. The displacement of jobs as AI automates routine tasks.
C. The excessive cost of AI research and development.
D. The failure of governments to invest in AI infrastructure.

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2. Sample Text 2

The world’s oceans absorb approximately 30 percent of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by human activities. While this has slowed the pace of climate change, it has come at a significant cost: the chemical reaction between CO₂ and seawater produces carbonic acid, making the oceans more acidic. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, ocean pH has decreased from 8.2 to 8.1 — a seemingly small change that actually represents a 26 percent increase in acidity. This acidification poses a severe threat to marine ecosystems, particularly organisms that build shells or skeletons from calcium carbonate, such as oysters, mussels, sea urchins, and corals. As acidity increases, it becomes harder for these organisms to form and maintain their protective structures. The consequences ripple through entire food webs, affecting fish populations and the millions of people who depend on the ocean for food and livelihoods.

Q. What is the direct chemical cause of ocean acidification?

A. The absorption of methane gas by seawater.
B. The reaction between CO₂ and seawater producing carbonic acid.
C. A decrease in the ocean’s salt concentration.
D. The industrial disposal of waste into the oceans.

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3. Sample Text 3

According to the United Nations, there are approximately 281 million international migrants worldwide, representing 3.6 percent of the global population. People migrate for a variety of reasons: to seek better economic opportunities, to escape conflict or persecution, or to reunite with family members. Economic migrants often fill critical gaps in the labour markets of receiving countries, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, construction, and agriculture. Host countries frequently benefit from the skills, entrepreneurship, and cultural diversity that migrants bring. However, large-scale migration can also generate social tensions, particularly when it occurs rapidly or when integration policies are inadequate. Managing migration effectively requires international cooperation, clear legal pathways for migrants, and policies that address both the needs of receiving communities and the rights of migrants themselves.

Q. According to the passage, what benefit do economic migrants most commonly provide to host countries?

A. They reduce competition for skilled jobs among native workers.
B. They fill critical gaps in the labour market.
C. They increase the host country’s rate of emigration.
D. They reduce the need for international cooperation.

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