Question 21.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 36 to 40.

A wealthy family, grown over the generations to include thousands of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins, owned 100% of every stock in the country. Each year, they reaped the rewards of investing: all the earnings growth that those thousands of corporations generated and all the dividends that they distributed. Each family member grew wealthier at the same pace, (36)_____. Their investment had compounded over the decades, creating enormous wealth, because the family was playing a winner's game.

But after a while, a few fast-talking consultants arrive on the scene, and they persuade some “smart” cousins (37). These consultants convince the cousins to sell some of their shares in the companies to other family members and (38). The consultants handle the transactions, and as brokers, they receive commissions for their services. The ownership is thus rearranged among the family members.

(39)_____. Why? Because some of the return is now consumed by the consultants, and the family's share of the generous pie that the industry of that country bakes each year – all those dividends paid, all those earnings reinvested in the business – 100% at the outset, starts to decline, simply because some of the return is now consumed by the consultants.

To make matters worse, while the family had always paid taxes on their dividends, some of the members are now also paying taxes on the capital gains they realise from their stock-swapping back and forth, (40)_____.

(Adapted from The Little Book of Common Sense Investing)

Question 36. _____

Question 18.
A. Promoting women in leadership helps address historical societal inequalities
B. Aiming to address historical societal inequalities, women are promoted in leadership
C. Women in leadership help promote and address historical societal inequalities
D. Addressing historical societal inequalities assists in promoting women in leadership

Read the following passage 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 17 to 21.

Despite these efforts, persistent obstacles continue to hinder gender equality in various spheres. (21) ______. Progress has been made, but achieving true equality, driven by policies and changing mindsets, remains an ongoing endeavour.

Question 21.

Additionally, (23)________, which can have a negative impact on physical and mental health.

Often, (24) ________ that makes it difficult to maintain a balanced diet.

Furthermore, (25)________, making it challenging to adopt healthier eating habits.