PART B: READ THE PASSAGE AND THEN CHOOSE FROM THE LIST A-G GIVEN BELOW THE BEST SENTENCE TO FILL IN EACH OF THE BLANKS. TWO OF THE SUGGESTED ANSWERS DO NOT FIT AT ALL. (5 PTS)

One of the strangest phenomena in the universe is the black hole. (1)                           . Like vacuum cleaners, black holes will suck up anything that crosses their path. The incredible sucking power that black holes generate comes from gravity. (2)

                      . Even light cannot escape the grasp of black holes. Since they are able to pull in light, black holes are nearly impossible to see even with high-powered telescopes. (3)                       . Black holes can originate in a few ways. (4)                                             . They can also occur when the mass of a neutron star becomes so great that it collapses in on itself. (5)                           . These cosmic collisions unleash immense energy and can lead to the formation of massive black holes, further expanding our understanding of the universe’s complexity and diversity.

(A) They can quickly swallow up anything, including planets, space debris, and anything else imaginable

(B)  One type of black hole occurs when a star comes to the end of its lifecycle and dies in a supernova explosion

(C)  In the vast expanse of the universe, black holes remain as enigmatic cosmic entities, shrouded in mystery and intrigue

(D)  However, scientists are able to detect the presence of black holes in space because of their effect on an observed area

(E)  For years, scientists have studied black holes in an attempt to better understand how they function

(F)  The first photograph of a black hole was captured by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2019, marking a significant achievement in astronomy

(G) Black holes may also occur when several large and dense stars collide with one another in space

Read the following passage about Typhoon Yagi and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 37.
        The death toll continues to climb from Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm Asia has seen this year. After making landfall in Vietnam on Saturday, it has already left a trail of destruction through the Philippines and China, resulting in dozens of casualties and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Southeast Asia correspondent Lauren Daye reports that despite Yagi being downgraded to a tropical depression, its impact has been catastrophic. The storm, which is the biggest of the year in Asia and the second largest globally after Cyclone Beryl, first hit the Philippines about a week ago, resulting in the death of 20 people and significant devastation.
         Yagi then intensified as it moved towards Hainan, a major tourist destination in China often referred to as China's Hawaii. Authorities managed to evacuate hundreds of thousands of residents before the storm's arrival, yet it still claimed four lives and caused around $100 million in damage to infrastructure. Following its path, Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Vietnam, bringing winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour that ripped roofs from buildings and uprooted trees. The resulting floods and landslides have been disastrous, particularly in northern Vietnam, where harrowing scenes emerged, including the sweeping away of a passenger bus and the collapse of a major bridge into the Red River.
         As the death toll continues to rise and with many still missing, the economic impact is also becoming apparent. The hardest-hit provinces host significant industrial operations, including factories for major companies like LG and Apple suppliers. The storm also severely affected power and telecommunications infrastructure, leading to the loss of power for approximately 5.7 million people. Although much power has been restored, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Authorities warn that further rain, flooding, and landslides are expected, keeping the entire region on edge as they prepare for potential additional impacts.

Question 31: The word catastrophic in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by _____________ .
A. unfortunate       B. devastating        C. appalling        D. detrimental
Question 32: The word harrowing in paragraph 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to _____________ .
A. inspiring          B. terrifying          C. distressing          D. disturbing
Question 33: What is the main reason for the high death toll linked to Typhoon Yagi?
A. The storm was unexpected and caught many off guard.
B. The storm's intensity increased as it approached land.
C. Evacuations were ineffective in preventing casualties.
D. Infrastructure damage hampered emergency response efforts.
Question 34: What can be inferred about the authorities' response to Typhoon Yagi?
A. They were carefully unprepared for the impact of the storm.
B. They acted proactively by evacuating residents in advance.
C. They prioritized the protection of tourist facilities over residential areas.
D. They delayed evacuations until the storm was imminent.
Question 35: The phrase keeping the entire region on edge in paragraph 3 suggests that residents are _____________ .
A. feeling calm and reassured about safety measures
B. experiencing anxiety and uncertainty about future storms
C. confident in the government's disaster response
D. indifferent to the potential for further rain and landslides
Question 36: What is the significance of mentioning "LG and Apple suppliers" regarding the impact of Typhoon Yagi?
A. It highlights the storm's effect on global supply chains.
B. It indicates that these companies assisted during the storm.
C. It suggests that these companies are responsible for the storm damage.
D. It demonstrates that the storm had little impact on major corporations.
Question 37: Which of the following best summarises the passage?
A. Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm of the year in Asia, caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Philippines and Vietnam, highlighting the need for better disaster preparedness and response measures.
B. The catastrophic impact of Typhoon Yagi on infrastructure and local economies underscores the vulnerability of regions to natural disasters, emphasizing the importance of effective evacuation and recovery strategies.
C. Typhoon Yagi resulted in extensive damage across several countries, prompting concerns about future storms and the region's ability to recover, while also revealing the inadequacies in current disaster response efforts.
D. As Typhoon Yagi swept through Southeast Asia, its devastating winds and floods led to big casualties and economic losses, illustrating the urgent need for improved disaster management and infrastructure resilience.