Hey all.. yes, I know you have been waiting in anticipation for my suggested answers. This session's reading comprehension exam paper is a little tough, but doable. Although there is Charles Dickens, and some iffy questions especially of the Dam in Part 7, overall this is a good reading paper. Much better than the questionable quality of the first 2 sessions for 2023 but hey, this is just my personal unprofessional opinion.
Anyway, do check your answers here. I think I have 2 questions that I cannot say for sure what the answer really is, but it is up to you to fight it out in the comments (politely please).
1. B - acai berry
2. C - sold online round the clock
3. A - RM100 per box for 3 weeks
4. A - 3 weeks vs 1 month
5. B - Memory Stone
6. B - leaving behind all the memories
7. C - stone, but nothing happened, it was the photographs that jogged the memories
8. B - when she was 11, childhood days
9. C - it will be able to trigger rememberances
10. A - thinking of terminology
11. A - thinks too much, face of an old man who thinks too much, no mention of same looks
12. C - to give a simple explanation
13. C - refuses to accept answers
14. B - anxious due to 'resent the idea'
15. B - preserving photos and memories
16. B - Nick Dymond took the pictures
17. A - who knew my parents
18. C - violets in spring, summer ..patchwork of colour
19. C - Text 1, para 2: dirt roads winding, Text 2, Wendy: narrow winding roads
20. A - photos of landscapes, memories of locals
Q 21- 26 I cross-checked with the actual article in Nat Geo 2021:
21. G
22. D
23. A
24. C
25. E
26. F
27. A - language dev delay = learning disability
28. C - critical period
29. D - lasting effects on their development
30. C - learning process, all other options should be avoided as listed in the para 6 & 7
31. D - think creatively and abstractly
32. B - develop children's range
33. C - gives advice that these may be the years that matter the most for children's development so make use of the opportunity
34. D - its image has never been entirely absent
35. A - alternative views/perspectives
36. B - it is quite descriptive: it doesn't talk about causes, there is no real comparison to Mindanao Trench and no calculations/enumerations mentioned
37. D - brightest promise lay in American engineering
38. C - abandoned: flags whipped, empty can clatters, frozen in time
39. A - my hands on the turbine
40. This is the trickiest question: I'm going to go with A because of the line 'splendid at last in its absolute isolation'. Feel free to disagree.
Good luck to all... I'm sure you're on a downer cos the essay question was a killer. Well, as long as you tried your best. Will blog about the other papers soon, if I feel inspired. :)