Yes/No/Not Given Mock Tests

Passage excerpt: "Placebo effects occur when patients experience real improvement in their condition after receiving a treatment with no active therapeutic ingredient, simply because they believe they are being treated. Decades ago, placebos were considered mere contaminants in clinical trials that researchers sought to eliminate. Modern research, however, has revealed that placebo effects are genuine physiological phenomena. Brain imaging studies have shown that placebos can trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure. This has led to ethical debates about whether doctors should prescribe placebos knowingly, as it involves deceiving patients. Some researchers argue that placebos could serve as complementary treatments alongside conventional medicine, reducing the need for higher doses of medication with potentially harmful side effects." The writer believes that doctors should routinely prescribe placebos to their patients. a) YES b) NO c) NOT GIVEN

Passage excerpt: "The concept of the digital divide refers to the gap between those who have easy access to modern information and communication technologies and those who do not. While internet penetration has increased dramatically in developed nations, millions of people in developing countries still lack basic digital connectivity. Some experts argue that the digital divide is narrowing as mobile phone technology spreads to remote areas. Others contend that even as access improves, the quality of that access — including bandwidth, device capability, and digital literacy — creates a new form of inequality that may be harder to bridge." The writer believes that the digital divide is completely resolved. a) YES b) NO c) NOT GIVEN

Passage excerpt: "Sleep plays a critical role in human health, yet modern society's obsession with productivity has led to a significant reduction in average sleep duration over the past century. Adults are now averaging six to seven hours of sleep per night, compared to eight or more hours a century ago. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to a wide range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and weakened immune function. Despite this growing body of evidence, many employers and schools continue to start early, contradicting scientific research that shows humans function best with adequate sleep and later circadian rhythms, particularly during adolescence." The writer believes that employers and schools should prioritize sleep over productivity. a) YES b) NO c) NOT GIVEN

Passage excerpt: "The Hadza people of Tanzania are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers living in their traditional way of life. Studies of the Hadza diet have revealed remarkable differences from modern Western diets. A typical Hadza daily intake consists of approximately 2,300 calories, with roughly 30 per cent from fat, 50 per cent from carbohydrates, and 20 per cent from protein. Their fibre intake has been estimated at 100 to 150 grams per day — more than five times the average Western intake. This high fibre diet supports a diverse gut microbiome, with Hadza individuals harbouring up to 40 per cent more microbial diversity than people in industrialised countries. Researchers are investigating whether the loss of microbial diversity in modern populations contributes to the rise of autoimmune diseases, allergies, and inflammatory conditions in the developed world. The Hadza also show seasonal variation in their gut microbiome, shifting dramatically between the dry season, when they hunt animals, and the wet season, when they forage for berries and honey." The writer believes that studying the Hadza could lead to treatments for autoimmune diseases. a) YES b) NO c) NOT GIVEN d) YES AND NO

Passage excerpt: "The phenomenon of quiet quitting — where employees do the minimum required by their job description — has gained significant attention since the pandemic. Sociologists argue that quiet quitting reflects a broader shift in worker attitudes toward career commitment. Unlike traditional employment relationships where loyalty was exchanged for job security, the modern workplace demands a renegotiation of the psychological contract between employer and employee. Research from the Harvard Business Review indicates that 75% of millennials report feeling disengaged at work, citing lack of recognition and limited growth opportunities as primary factors. However, critics counter that quiet quitting is not a new phenomenon but rather a rebranding of long-standing workplace behaviors, and that the real issue lies in management practices rather than generational attitudes." The writer suggests that quiet quitting is fundamentally different from past workplace behaviors. a) YES b) NO c) NOT GIVEN

Passage excerpt: "Cryptocurrency, pioneered by Bitcoin in 2009, uses blockchain technology to enable peer-to-peer transactions without the need for a central banking authority. Proponents argue that cryptocurrencies offer financial inclusion for the unbanked, protection against inflation, and freedom from government control over money supply. Critics, however, point to extreme price volatility, use in illegal activities, and enormous energy consumption associated with Bitcoin mining — which some estimate is comparable to that of medium-sized countries. In response to these concerns, several governments have begun developing central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs, which would offer some benefits of digital currency while maintaining governmental oversight. The future of money may involve a hybrid system combining private cryptocurrencies with government-backed digital currencies." The writer believes that cryptocurrency will completely replace traditional currency within five years. a) YES b) NO c) NOT GIVEN

Passage excerpt: "The rise of antibiotic resistance has become one of the most pressing public health challenges of the modern era. Bacteria evolve resistance through natural selection: when antibiotics kill susceptible bacteria, the resistant mutants survive and multiply. The overprescription of antibiotics in human medicine and their widespread use in agricultural livestock have accelerated this evolutionary process. Some experts argue that the pipeline for new antibiotic development has dried up because pharmaceutical companies find it less profitable to develop antibiotics compared to drugs for chronic conditions, which generate recurring revenue. The World Health Organization has called for a global action plan, including better infection prevention, increased investment in new treatments, and improved diagnostic tools to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use." The writer believes that the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture is a minor contributor to antibiotic resistance.

Passage excerpt: "The debate over online education versus traditional classroom learning has intensified as technology advances. Proponents of online learning emphasize flexibility, accessibility, and the ability to learn at one's own pace. Students can access courses from anywhere in the world, often at a lower cost than on-campus programs. However, critics argue that online education lacks the social interaction and engagement that face-to-face instruction provides. Studies have produced mixed results: some research shows online students perform equally well on standardized tests, while others suggest that students in traditional settings demonstrate deeper comprehension and higher retention rates. The effectiveness of either approach may depend on the subject matter, the learning style of the individual, and the quality of the instructional design." The writer believes that online education is superior to traditional classroom learning in every aspect.