An original Thinka practice paper modelled on the structure and difficulty of the May 2025 HL (TZ3) IB Diploma Programme Language B paper. Not affiliated with or reproduced from IB.
Paper 1: Writing
Complete one writing task of 450-600 words from a choice of three options, selecting the most appropriate text type.
1 Question · 30 marks
Question 1 · Extended Writing
30 marks
Many students at your school are experiencing digital fatigue and mental health challenges due to excessive screen time and constant online connectivity. As a member of the Student Wellness Committee, you want to raise awareness about this issue and promote healthier digital habits among your peers. Write a text of 450–600 words in which you highlight the negative impacts of digital burnout on students' physical and mental well-being, and propose practical, daily strategies for achieving a healthier balance between online and offline life.
Choose the most appropriate text type from the three options below: - Blog post - Official letter to the Principal - Speech to the student body
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Worked solution
### Recommended Text Type Analysis: 1. **Speech to the student body** (Highly Appropriate): - **Rationale**: Directly addresses peers in an engaging, persuasive, and motivating manner. - **Conventions**: Opening address (e.g., 'Dear fellow students...', 'Good morning everyone...'), engaging introduction, rhetorical questions, clear structure with transitioning signposts, call to action, and a concluding thank-you to the audience. - **Register**: Semi-formal, warm, encouraging, and inclusive ('we', 'our').
2. **Blog post** (Highly Appropriate): - **Rationale**: An effective, modern digital medium to share advice and reflections with a school community. - **Conventions**: Catchy title, reader-friendly layout (use of subheadings, bullet points), first-person perspective ('I', 'we'), interactive conclusion (asking readers to leave comments/feedback). - **Register**: Semi-formal to informal, personal, engaging, and conversational.
3. **Official letter to the Principal** (Inappropriate/Less Appropriate): - **Rationale**: The prompt asks you to raise awareness and promote habits *among your peers*. Writing to the Principal would shift the focus to school policy rather than directly encouraging and advising fellow students.
### Suggested Content Outline: - **Introduction**: Hook the audience by describing a relatable scenario of digital fatigue (scrolling late at night, feeling anxious about notifications). - **Body Paragraph 1 (The Problem)**: Discuss the physical and mental consequences of digital burnout (sleep deprivation, anxiety, social comparison, eye strain, lack of focus). - **Body Paragraph 2 (Practical Solutions)**: Propose 3-4 actionable tips for students (e.g., 'screen-free' hours before bed, using app-limiters, scheduling outdoor activities, turning off non-essential notifications). - **Conclusion**: A strong closing statement emphasizing that technology should enhance, not control, our lives. End with a call to action (e.g., 'Let’s pledge to unplug for one hour tonight!').
Marking scheme
Assessment is based on the official IB Language B Paper 1 writing criteria (Total: 30 marks):
### Criterion A: Language (12 marks) - **9–12 marks**: Command of the language is very effective. Highly accurate use of a wide range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures. Very few errors, which do not impede communication. Appropriate register and style throughout. - **5–8 marks**: Language is mostly accurate and effective. Vocabulary and grammatical structures are sufficient to convey the message clearly, though there may be some repetition or occasional errors that do not hinder understanding. - **1–4 marks**: Language is limited or contains frequent errors that hinder communication. Register is inappropriate or inconsistent.
### Criterion B: Message (12 marks) - **9–12 marks**: The task is fully addressed. Ideas are developed logically, systematically, and with excellent supporting details. The response falls well within the 450-600 word limit. - **5–8 marks**: The task is mostly addressed. Some ideas are well-developed, but others may be superficial or lack support. The structure is mostly coherent. - **1–4 marks**: Ideas are disorganized, irrelevant, or undeveloped. The message is difficult to follow.
### Criterion C: Conceptual Understanding (6 marks) - **5–6 marks**: The chosen text type is highly appropriate for the target audience and purpose. Register, tone, and formatting conventions (e.g., speech or blog post layout) are applied consistently and effectively. - **3–4 marks**: The chosen text type is generally appropriate, but there are some inconsistencies in register, tone, or formatting conventions. - **1–2 marks**: The chosen text type is inappropriate (e.g., choosing the letter to the Principal, resulting in a misdirected message) or conventions are completely ignored.
Paper 2: Reading Comprehension
Answer all questions based on three accompanying texts of varying styles and topics.
40 Question · 40 marks
Question 1 · Short Answer
1 marks
Text: 'In today's fast-paced corporate world, burnout has become a silent epidemic. Dr. Aris Thorne argues that the primary culprit is not the volume of work, but the always-on digital culture that expects employees to respond to emails late into the night.' Question: According to Dr. Aris Thorne, what is the main cause of burnout in the modern corporate world?
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Worked solution
The passage states that Dr. Aris Thorne identifies the primary culprit of burnout as the 'always-on' digital culture that expects employees to answer emails late into the night.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for answers indicating the 'always-on digital culture' or the expectation to respond to emails late at night. Do not accept 'volume of work'.
Question 2 · Short Answer
1 marks
Text: 'In today's fast-paced corporate world, burnout has become a silent epidemic. Dr. Aris Thorne argues that the primary culprit is not the volume of work, but the always-on digital culture. To combat this, some forward-thinking firms have introduced digital detox weekends, banning all internal communications from Friday evening to Monday morning.' Question: What specific measure have some forward-thinking firms implemented to address this digital culture?
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Worked solution
The text mentions that forward-thinking firms have introduced 'digital detox' weekends, which ban all internal communications from Friday evening to Monday morning.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for referencing 'digital detox weekends' or the 'banning of internal communications from Friday evening to Monday morning'.
Question 3 · Short Answer
1 marks
Text: 'The Mural of Hope project transformed the neglected industrial district of Oakhaven. Local coordinator Clara Vance noted that the primary goal of the massive 50-meter artwork was to revitalize public spaces and visually narrate the town's historical transition from coal mining to renewable energy.' Question: What was the main objective of creating the Mural of Hope?
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Worked solution
According to the coordinator Clara Vance, the primary goal was to revitalize public spaces and visually represent the town's transition from coal mining to renewable energy.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning 'revitalizing public spaces' or 'visually narrating/representing the historical transition of the town'.
Question 4 · Short Answer
1 marks
Text: 'The Mural of Hope project transformed the neglected industrial district of Oakhaven. Local coordinator Clara Vance noted that the project, funded entirely by community donations, features vibrant depictions of local historical figures.' Question: How was the Mural of Hope project financed?
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Worked solution
The passage clearly states that the project was funded 'entirely by community donations'.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for referencing 'community donations' or 'donations from the community'.
Question 5 · Short Answer
1 marks
Text: 'When Mateo decided to leave his hometown of San Cristobal, it wasn't the lack of jobs that drove him away, but rather the severe water shortages caused by five consecutive years of drought.' Question: What was the main reason Mateo decided to migrate away from San Cristobal?
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Worked solution
The text explains that Mateo was driven away not by employment scarcity, but by severe water shortages due to five consecutive years of drought.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for answers identifying 'water shortages' or 'drought'. Do not accept answers identifying 'lack of jobs' as the reason.
Question 6 · Short Answer
1 marks
Text: 'To combat the urban heat island effect, the city council of Metropolia has launched the Green Canopy initiative. Under this scheme, developers who cover at least 40% of their building roofs with living vegetation are granted a 15% reduction in local property taxes.' Question: What financial benefit is offered to developers who comply with the Green Canopy initiative?
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Worked solution
The text indicates that complying developers are rewarded with a 15% reduction in their local property taxes.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning the '15% reduction in local property taxes' or a 'tax reduction/discount of 15%'.
Question 7 · Short Answer
1 marks
Text: 'St. Jude’s Academy has recently revamped its curriculum to integrate hands-on coding classes starting in the third grade. Principal Helen Vance emphasized that this shift is not intended to turn every student into a software engineer, but to cultivate critical algorithmic thinking from an early age.' Question: According to Principal Helen Vance, what is the ultimate goal of introducing coding classes?
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Worked solution
The principal clarifies that the curriculum shift is designed to cultivate critical algorithmic thinking in young students rather than turning them all into software engineers.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning 'cultivating critical algorithmic thinking' or 'developing algorithmic thinking skills'. Reject answers suggesting the goal is 'to turn students into software engineers'.
Question 8 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Based on Text A (below), what is the author's primary concern regarding the modern 'digital detox' trend?
*Text A*: 'While many wellness gurus champion a weekend of total disconnection, this short-term escape often masks the deeper problem. A 48-hour retreat does little to alter our daily compulsive relationship with screens; instead, it creates a cycle of binging and purging digital content. What we truly need is sustainable digital hygiene, integrated into our daily routines, rather than sporadic, dramatic retreats that serve as temporary band-aids.'
A.It is too expensive for most citizens to afford.
B.It does not address the underlying, everyday habits of screen usage.
C.It encourages people to abandon technology permanently.
D.It has been proven to cause more psychological stress than benefit.
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Worked solution
The correct answer is B. The passage states that 'this short-term escape often masks the deeper problem' and that 'A 48-hour retreat does little to alter our daily compulsive relationship with screens.' This directly points to the concern that temporary retreats do not address daily habits. Option A is incorrect as cost is not mentioned. Option C is incorrect because the author advocates for 'sustainable digital hygiene,' not permanent abandonment of technology. Option D is incorrect as the text does not claim that retreats cause more psychological stress, only that they are ineffective temporary solutions.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct option (B). Award 0 marks for incorrect or empty options.
Question 9 · multiple_choice
1 marks
According to Text A, what does the author mean by the phrase 'digital hygiene'?
A.The physical cleaning of electronic devices to prevent illness.
B.A complete and permanent cessation of all social media use.
C.Healthy, consistent habits of technology use built into everyday life.
D.Using specialized software to filter out negative online interactions.
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Worked solution
The correct answer is C. The author contrasts 'digital hygiene' with 'sporadic, dramatic retreats,' explaining that hygiene should be 'sustainable' and 'integrated into our daily routines.' This defines it as healthy, consistent everyday habits. Option A refers to physical cleaning, which is not the metaphorical meaning here. Option B describes complete cessation, which contradicts 'sustainable integration.' Option D refers to software filters, which is not discussed.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct option (C). Award 0 marks for incorrect or empty options.
Question 10 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Based on Text A, what is the author's view on 'sporadic, dramatic retreats'?
A.They are the most effective way to cure severe internet addiction.
B.They are only beneficial for older generations.
C.They offer a temporary solution without long-term benefits.
D.They should be legally mandated by employers.
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Worked solution
The correct answer is C. The author describes these retreats as 'temporary band-aids' that do 'little to alter our daily compulsive relationship with screens,' indicating that they offer only a temporary fix without lasting benefits. Option A is incorrect as the author views them as ineffective. Option B is incorrect because age groups are not mentioned. Option D is incorrect because mandatory employer policies are not discussed in the text.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct option (C). Award 0 marks for incorrect or empty options.
Question 11 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Based on Text B (below), how did the local community initially react to the street art initiative?
*Text B*: 'When the municipality first announced the Alleyways Art Project, local shopkeepers were highly skeptical, fearing it would attract vandalism and decrease property values. However, as the drab concrete walls were transformed into vibrant depictions of historical local figures, foot traffic increased dramatically. Skepticism quickly turned into pride, and shopkeepers now actively sponsor new murals.'
A.They immediately embraced it as a tourism booster.
B.They were doubtful and worried about negative consequences.
C.They protested outside the town hall to stop the funding.
D.They ignored it until international artists arrived.
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Worked solution
The correct answer is B. The text explicitly states that local shopkeepers were 'highly skeptical, fearing it would attract vandalism and decrease property values.' This indicates they were doubtful and worried about negative outcomes. Option A is incorrect as community support was not immediate. Option C is incorrect because protest actions are not mentioned. Option D is incorrect as shopkeepers did not ignore it; they had active fears.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct option (B). Award 0 marks for incorrect or empty options.
Question 12 · multiple_choice
1 marks
According to Text B, what was the main catalyst for the shift in the community's attitude?
A.The direct financial compensation paid to the shopkeepers.
B.The introduction of strict security patrols around the murals.
C.The visual transformation of the space and increased local engagement.
D.The involvement of famous international street artists.
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Worked solution
The correct answer is C. The text notes that 'as the drab concrete walls were transformed into vibrant depictions... foot traffic increased dramatically' and 'skepticism quickly turned into pride.' This highlights the physical transformation and the positive community outcome. Option A is incorrect as there is no mention of direct compensation. Option B is incorrect because security patrols are not mentioned. Option D is incorrect because international artists are not mentioned.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct option (C). Award 0 marks for incorrect or empty options.
Question 13 · multiple_choice
1 marks
According to Text B, what do the murals primarily depict?
A.Abstract geometric patterns and modern logos.
B.Historical figures of local importance.
C.Warnings about climate change and urbanization.
D.Advertisements for the nearby local businesses.
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Worked solution
The correct answer is B. The text explicitly mentions that the walls were transformed into 'vibrant depictions of historical local figures.' Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they are not supported by the text.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct option (B). Award 0 marks for incorrect or empty options.
Question 14 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Based on Text C (below), what was the protagonist's primary challenge during their first month in the new country?
*Text C*: 'Arriving in a new country at thirty was not the grand adventure I had envisioned. The language barrier felt like an invisible wall, turning every simple task, like buying milk or asking for directions, into an exhausting negotiation. While the bureaucracy of securing a work visa was tedious, it was this daily, silent isolation—the inability to share a joke or express a complex thought—that weighed most heavily on my spirits during those initial weeks.'
A.Finding safe and affordable accommodation.
B.Navigating the complex legal bureaucracy of work visas.
C.The emotional burden of daily isolation caused by the language barrier.
D.Coping with the extreme difference in weather and climate.
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Worked solution
The correct answer is C. The text notes that although visa bureaucracy was tedious, 'it was this daily, silent isolation... that weighed most heavily on my spirits.' This highlights isolation caused by the language barrier as the primary struggle. Option A is not mentioned. Option B was a secondary challenge (tedious, but not what weighed most heavily). Option D is not mentioned.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct option (C). Award 0 marks for incorrect or empty options.
Question 15 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Based on Text C, how does the writer contrast their initial expectations of migration with the reality of their experience?
A.They expected it to be a legal nightmare, but it turned out to be very simple.
B.They envisioned an exciting adventure, but faced unexpected emotional difficulties.
C.They expected to lose touch with their culture, but found a vibrant local diaspora.
D.They anticipated financial struggle, but quickly secured a high-paying job.
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Worked solution
The correct answer is B. The author states that moving 'was not the grand adventure I had envisioned,' and goes on to describe the 'exhausting negotiation' and 'silent isolation' they faced. This represents a contrast between an expected exciting adventure and real emotional difficulties. Options A, C, and D are not supported by the text.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct option (B). Award 0 marks for incorrect or empty options.
Question 16 · multiple-choice
1 marks
Read the following text: 'When Elena first arrived in Toronto from Madrid, she expected the language barrier to be her greatest obstacle. However, she soon realized that the silent codes of social etiquette—such as maintaining physical distance in queues or the subtle art of small talk with strangers—were far more challenging to decode. While back home, conversations were animated, overlapping, and filled with physical gestures, here she had to learn the value of comfortable silence and structured turn-taking.' According to the text, what did Elena find more challenging than the language barrier?
A.Learning to speak English fluently in professional settings.
B.Understanding the unspoken rules of local social etiquette.
C.Reconciling her Spanish background with Canadian values.
D.Coping with the physical distance when queuing in public?
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Worked solution
The text states that although Elena expected the language barrier to be her greatest obstacle, she 'soon realized that the silent codes of social etiquette... were far more challenging to decode.' This directly aligns with option b, which refers to 'unspoken rules of local social etiquette'.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for selecting option b. Award 0 marks for any other choice or multiple choices.
Question 17 · Heading Matching
1 marks
Read Text A below. Choose the most appropriate heading from the list (A to F) for Paragraph 1. TEXT A: Green Spaces and Mental Well-being. Paragraph 1: In recent years, urban planners and public health researchers have increasingly focused on the vital connection between natural elements and mental health. The presence of parks, community gardens, and even small tree clusters within cities has been shown to drastically reduce stress and anxiety levels among residents. Paragraph 2: While the benefits are clear, the mechanisms behind this relationship are complex. Some researchers point to the 'attention restoration theory,' which suggests that looking at nature allows the brain to rest from the cognitive fatigue caused by constant urban stimulation, such as traffic, advertisements, and screen time. Paragraph 3: Beyond psychological recovery, these green pockets foster a sense of community. When people gather in local parks or work together in community allotments, they build stronger social ties. This social cohesion acts as a powerful buffer against isolation and depression, especially in densely populated areas. Paragraph 4: However, access to these spaces is often unequally distributed. Low-income neighborhoods frequently lack high-quality parks or safe green areas, a disparity that experts refer to as 'green gentrification' or environmental injustice. Ensuring equitable access to nature must become a priority for future municipal developments. List of Headings: A. The cognitive science behind nature's healing power | B. Social benefits and community resilience | C. Urban greening and its economic impacts | D. An unequal landscape: challenges in accessibility | E. The growing focus on green spaces and mental wellness | F. Historical developments of public parks
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Worked solution
Paragraph 1 introduces the increasing attention that researchers and urban planners are paying to the relationship between city greenery and mental health, making E the most appropriate heading.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct letter E.
Question 18 · Heading Matching
1 marks
Read Text A (refer to the text in Question 1). Choose the most appropriate heading from the list (A to F) for Paragraph 2.
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Worked solution
Paragraph 2 explains the psychological and cognitive theories (such as the 'attention restoration theory') behind how nature relieves brain fatigue, making A the correct heading.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct letter A.
Question 19 · Heading Matching
1 marks
Read Text A (refer to the text in Question 1). Choose the most appropriate heading from the list (A to F) for Paragraph 3.
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Worked solution
Paragraph 3 discusses social cohesion, community gathering, and the prevention of isolation through shared green spaces, which matches heading B.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct letter B.
Question 20 · Heading Matching
1 marks
Read Text A (refer to the text in Question 1). Choose the most appropriate heading from the list (A to F) for Paragraph 4.
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Worked solution
Paragraph 4 details the unequal distribution of quality parks and the obstacles low-income populations face in reaching green zones, making D the correct heading.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct letter D.
Question 21 · Vocabulary Matching
1 marks
Read Text B below. Find a word in the text that matches the definition: 'to move to a new place to live'. TEXT B: The Journey of Economic Migrants. For many individuals, the decision to relocate to another country is driven by the search for economic stability. These economic migrants often face a dual reality. On one hand, they find job opportunities that allow them to send vital financial remittances back to their families. On the other hand, they must navigate the challenges of integration, often dealing with linguistic barriers and cultural differences that can leave them feeling alienated. Over time, however, many establish a strong sense of belonging, enriching their host societies culturally and economically.
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Worked solution
In the first sentence, the word 'relocate' is used to describe the decision to move to another country to live.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'relocate' (accept capitalization variations like 'Relocate').
Question 22 · Vocabulary Matching
1 marks
Read Text B (refer to the text in Question 5). Find a word in the text that matches the definition: 'sums of money sent in payment or as a gift'.
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Worked solution
The third sentence describes economic migrants sending vital financial 'remittances' back to their families.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'remittances' (accept capitalization variations). Do not accept singular forms unless they appear exactly in the text.
Question 23 · Vocabulary Matching
1 marks
Read Text B (refer to the text in Question 5). Find a word in the text that matches the definition: 'the process of combining or incorporating into a social group or society'.
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Worked solution
The text states that migrants 'must navigate the challenges of integration,' which refers to the process of becoming part of the host society.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'integration' (accept capitalization variations).
Question 24 · Vocabulary Matching
1 marks
Read Text B (refer to the text in Question 5). Find a word in the text that matches the definition: 'feeling isolated, estranged, or excluded from a group or society'.
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Worked solution
The fourth sentence describes how cultural differences can leave economic migrants 'feeling alienated,' matching the definition.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'alienated' (accept capitalization variations).
Question 25 · Vocabulary & Heading Matching
1 marks
Read the text fragment below and choose the most appropriate heading from the options provided. [Text: 'As urban heat islands continue to elevate city temperatures, municipal planners are turning to vertical forests and rooftop gardens. These living architectural elements not only absorb carbon dioxide but also significantly reduce the demand for air conditioning by naturally insulating concrete structures.'] [Options: A. Economic challenges of urban expansion | B. The thermal benefits of integrating nature into architecture | C. Traditional gardening methods in countryside areas | D. Regulating vehicle emissions in central business districts]
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Worked solution
The passage discusses vertical forests and rooftop gardens (integrating nature into architecture) and how they insulate buildings to reduce cooling demands (thermal benefits). Therefore, Option B is the correct heading.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for selecting 'B'. Do not award marks for any other choice.
Question 26 · Vocabulary & Heading Matching
1 marks
Read the text fragment below. Identify the word from the text that is closest in meaning to 'connected without interruption' or 'continuous'. [Text: 'The municipal government's newly initiated green corridor has successfully mitigated the fragmented nature of local parks, creating a contiguous pathway for pedestrian transit and wildlife migration.']
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Worked solution
In the text, the word 'contiguous' describes a pathway that is connected without interruption, addressing the fragmented nature of the parks.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for 'contiguous'. Accept capitalizations like 'Contiguous'. Do not accept any other terms.
Question 27 · Vocabulary & Heading Matching
1 marks
Read the text fragment below and choose the most appropriate heading from the options provided. [Text: 'For many modern expats and displaced individuals, maintaining a sense of cultural heritage while adapting to host-nation norms is a delicate tightrope walk. Language apps, cultural association centers, and culinary traditions imported from home serve as vital anchors that prevent complete assimilation.'] [Options: A. Mechanisms for preserving cultural identity in foreign environments | B. The economic impacts of global workforce migration | C. Policies regulating border crossings in regional blocs | D. Psychological stages of reverse culture shock]
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Worked solution
The text focuses on how migrants preserve their cultural heritage in host nations using language apps, centers, and culinary traditions. This directly matches the concept of preserving cultural identity in foreign environments.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for selecting 'A'. Do not award marks for any other choice.
Question 28 · Vocabulary & Heading Matching
1 marks
Read the text fragment below. Identify the word from the text that is closest in meaning to 'to make a process faster or more efficient'. [Text: 'The influx of skilled workers into the tech hub has prompted local authorities to streamline the bureaucratic hurdles associated with acquiring residency permits, reducing wait times from nine months to just three weeks.']
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Worked solution
The verb 'streamline' means to design or adapt something to make it simpler and more efficient, matching the definition perfectly.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for 'streamline'. Accept variations like 'streamlined'. Do not accept any other terms.
Question 29 · Vocabulary & Heading Matching
1 marks
Read the text fragment below and choose the most appropriate heading from the options provided. [Text: 'While early nutritional sciences focused heavily on caloric intake and basic macronutrient ratios, contemporary research emphasizes the profound influence of gut microbiota on mental health and mood regulation. This gut-brain axis suggests that diet plays a pivotal role not just in physical form, but in psychiatric resilience.'] [Options: A. The historical progression of physical fitness regimens | B. The marketing of artificial sweeteners in modern foods | C. How digestive health correlates with emotional well-being | D. Standardized dietary guides for athletic performance]
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Worked solution
The text highlights how gut microbiota (digestive health) influences mental health, mood, and psychiatric resilience (emotional well-being), making Option C the ideal match.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for selecting 'C'. Do not award marks for any other choice.
Question 30 · Vocabulary & Heading Matching
1 marks
Read the text fragment below. Identify the word from the text that is a synonym for 'harmfully' or 'adversely'. [Text: 'Chronic sleep deprivation is known to deleteriously affect cognitive functions, deteriorating working memory and diminishing a person's capability to process complex logical problems under pressure.']
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Worked solution
The adverb 'deleteriously' means in a manner that causes harm or damage, representing a direct synonym for harmfully.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for 'deleteriously'. Accept capitalizations like 'Deleteriously'. Do not accept other terms.
Question 31 · Vocabulary & Heading Matching
1 marks
Read the text fragment below and choose the most appropriate heading from the options provided. [Text: 'In contrast to conventional classroom setups that prioritize passive lectures, the flipped classroom model encourages pupils to acquire foundational knowledge at home via instructional videos, freeing up valuable contact hours for collaborative problem-solving and peer-to-peer critique under the teacher's active guidance.'] [Options: A. The challenges of assessing online coursework | B. The decline of physical school spaces in rural areas | C. Standardizing national exams for secondary students | D. Redefining instructional time through inverted class structures]
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Worked solution
The paragraph explains the 'flipped classroom' model where instructional roles are inverted (studying at home and practicing in class), redefining classroom time. Option D is correct.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for selecting 'D'. Do not award marks for any other choice.
Question 32 · Sentence Completion
1 marks
Text Excerpt: "While physical fitness has long been the focus of public health campaigns, modern research emphasizes that mindfulness practice can significantly lower cortisol levels, leading to a profound reduction in chronic stress."
Based on the text excerpt, complete the following sentence using **no more than three words** directly from the text.
According to modern research, practicing mindfulness can lead to a ____________ in chronic stress.
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Worked solution
The text states that "mindfulness practice can... [lead] to a profound reduction in chronic stress." By matching this with the sentence frame, the missing words are "profound reduction".
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for "profound reduction". Do not accept "reduction" alone or any phrasing that introduces external vocabulary.
Question 33 · Sentence Completion
1 marks
Text Excerpt: "Street art, once dismissed as mere vandalism, has transformed urban landscapes into open-air galleries. This shift has allowed marginalized voices to reclaim public spaces and spark dialogue on social injustice."
Based on the text excerpt, complete the following sentence using **no more than two words** from the text.
The evolution of street art has enabled ____________ to express themselves and initiate discussions on social injustice.
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Worked solution
The passage highlights that this shift "has allowed marginalized voices to reclaim public spaces and spark dialogue on social injustice." The words that fit the blank are "marginalized voices".
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for "marginalized voices". Do not accept synonyms such as "marginalized people" or "vulnerable groups" as the words must come directly from the text.
Question 34 · Sentence Completion
1 marks
Text Excerpt: "For many immigrants, securing stable employment in their host country is the primary catalyst for long-term integration, helping them establish social networks and achieve financial independence."
Based on the text excerpt, complete the following sentence using **no more than three words** from the text.
The most important factor for the long-term integration of immigrants is ____________.
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Worked solution
The text describes "securing stable employment" as the "primary catalyst" (most important factor) for long-term integration.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for "securing stable employment" or "stable employment". Reject answers containing more than three words or words not in the text.
Question 35 · Sentence Completion
1 marks
Text Excerpt: "To combat the urban heat island effect, city planners are increasingly incorporating green roofs, which not only absorb rainwater but also lower ambient temperatures naturally."
Based on the text excerpt, complete the following sentence using **no more than three words** from the text.
City planners are using green roofs to mitigate the urban heat island effect because they can absorb rainwater and ____________.
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Worked solution
According to the excerpt, green roofs "not only absorb rainwater but also lower ambient temperatures naturally." Thus, the phrase "lower ambient temperatures" completes the comparison.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for "lower ambient temperatures" or "lower temperatures". Do not accept words outside the text.
Question 36 · Sentence Completion
1 marks
Text Excerpt: "Recent clinical trials demonstrate that habitual sleep deprivation severely impairs cognitive function, making individuals highly susceptible to memory lapses and decreased attention spans."
Based on the text excerpt, complete the following sentence using **no more than two words** from the text.
People who suffer from habitual sleep deprivation are highly likely to experience ____________ and a shorter attention span.
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Worked solution
The text notes that habitual sleep deprivation makes individuals "highly susceptible to memory lapses and decreased attention spans." The term corresponding to the blank is "memory lapses".
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for "memory lapses". Do not accept "decreased attention spans" as this is already paraphrased in the sentence prompt ("a shorter attention span").
Question 37 · true_false_justification
1 marks
Text: When Elena first arrived in Costa Rica, she expected standard tourist resorts. Instead, she found communities deeply committed to conservation. At the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, her guide, Carlos, explained that a quarter of the country's land is protected. Unlike traditional destinations where hotels dominate the beachfront, local regulations guarantee that coastal areas are left undisturbed. However, this green transition faced hurdles. Local farmers initially opposed transforming their fields into nature reserves because they worried about losing their income. Fortunately, many of these individuals eventually found work as bilingual guides, which proved to be far more profitable than farming.
Statement: Elena's initial expectations of Costa Rica did not align with the reality of its conservation efforts.
Based on the text, state whether this statement is True or False and justify your answer using a direct quote from the text.
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Worked solution
The statement is True. According to the first two sentences of the text, Elena expected typical resorts but instead encountered widespread community dedication to conservation, showing her expectations did not match the reality.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct choice ('True') combined with the exact or closely matching justification quote: 'When Elena first arrived in Costa Rica, she expected standard tourist resorts. Instead, she found communities deeply committed to conservation.' (or a substantial part of it showing the contrast). No mark is awarded if only 'True' is selected without a valid justification, or if the justification is correct but the choice is incorrect.
Question 38 · true_false_justification
1 marks
Text: When Elena first arrived in Costa Rica, she expected standard tourist resorts. Instead, she found communities deeply committed to conservation. At the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, her guide, Carlos, explained that a quarter of the country's land is protected. Unlike traditional destinations where hotels dominate the beachfront, local regulations guarantee that coastal areas are left undisturbed. However, this green transition faced hurdles. Local farmers initially opposed transforming their fields into nature reserves because they worried about losing their income. Fortunately, many of these individuals eventually found work as bilingual guides, which proved to be far more profitable than farming.
Statement: Coastal areas in Costa Rica are heavily built up with large hotel chains.
Based on the text, state whether this statement is True or False and justify your answer using a direct quote from the text.
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Worked solution
The statement is False. The text notes that local regulations ensure that coastal areas remain undisturbed, directly contrasting with traditional destinations where hotels dominate the beach.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct choice ('False') and the exact justification: 'local regulations guarantee that coastal areas are left undisturbed' (or 'Unlike traditional destinations where hotels dominate the beachfront, local regulations guarantee that coastal areas are left undisturbed'). Both the choice and justification must be correct to receive the mark.
Question 39 · true_false_justification
1 marks
Text: When Elena first arrived in Costa Rica, she expected standard tourist resorts. Instead, she found communities deeply committed to conservation. At the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, her guide, Carlos, explained that a quarter of the country's land is protected. Unlike traditional destinations where hotels dominate the beachfront, local regulations guarantee that coastal areas are left undisturbed. However, this green transition faced hurdles. Local farmers initially opposed transforming their fields into nature reserves because they worried about losing their income. Fortunately, many of these individuals eventually found work as bilingual guides, which proved to be far more profitable than farming.
Statement: The creation of nature reserves was initially met with resistance from local agricultural workers.
Based on the text, state whether this statement is True or False and justify your answer using a direct quote from the text.
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Worked solution
The statement is True. The text mentions that local farmers (agricultural workers) initially opposed the conversion of their land into reserves because they worried about losing their livelihood.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct choice ('True') and the justification: 'Local farmers initially opposed transforming their fields into nature reserves' (accept full sentence including 'because they worried about losing their income'). Both the correct choice and correct justification must be present to earn 1 mark.
Question 40 · true_false_justification
1 marks
Text: When Elena first arrived in Costa Rica, she expected standard tourist resorts. Instead, she found communities deeply committed to conservation. At the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, her guide, Carlos, explained that a quarter of the country's land is protected. Unlike traditional destinations where hotels dominate the beachfront, local regulations guarantee that coastal areas are left undisturbed. However, this green transition faced hurdles. Local farmers initially opposed transforming their fields into nature reserves because they worried about losing their income. Fortunately, many of these individuals eventually found work as bilingual guides, which proved to be far more profitable than farming.
Statement: Working as a bilingual guide is less financially rewarding than farming was.
Based on the text, state whether this statement is True or False and justify your answer using a direct quote from the text.
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Worked solution
The statement is False. According to the text, the transition to guiding 'proved to be far more profitable than farming,' which means it is more financially rewarding, not less.
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for the correct choice ('False') combined with the justification: '...which proved to be far more profitable than farming' or 'Fortunately, many of these individuals eventually found work as bilingual guides, which proved to be far more profitable than farming.' Both the choice and exact justification are required for 1 mark.
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