2025 July National Unified Academic Achievement Evaluation

Question 1

W: Good morning, students. This is your school nutritionist, Ms. Jinny. As you all know, our school provides a vegetarian option on our lunch menu every Wednesday. To ensure that we continue to improve our lunch service and satisfy your needs, we kindly ask for your feedback. A brief survey about the vegetarian menus will be made available for three days starting from today on our school's website. It'll only take a few minutes to complete, and your honest opinions are greatly appreciated. Your survey responses will help us create better lunch menus and provide meals that everyone can enjoy. Thank you for your participation.

The speaker, Ms. Jinny, a school nutritionist, is announcing a survey to gather student feedback on the vegetarian lunch options to improve the service.

Question 2

M: Hey, Mia! You look stressed. Is everything okay?

W: Hey, Rami! Yeah, I've been dealing with a lot of stress lately, so I'm researching effective ways to relieve it.

M: I understand. In my opinion, doing breathing exercises regularly is a very effective way of relieving stress.

W: Really? How so?

M: When you take long deep breaths, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease, which helps calm your entire body.

W: Okay, I see.

M: It also slows down your thinking, which can help your brain to relax and let go of stress.

W: Ah! So it can help me clear my thoughts.

M: Exactly! And it's something that you can do anywhere at any time.

W: That's true. I can just do the exercises in my room each morning.

M: Right. That's why performing regular breathing exercises is so useful for relieving stress.

W: Thanks for the advice. I'll make them part of my daily routine.

The speaker is advising Mia on stress relief, recommending regular breathing exercises. He explains that deep breaths lower blood pressure and heart rate, and slow down thinking, which helps calm the body and clear thoughts. Mia agrees to incorporate them into her routine.

Question 3

W: Hello, listeners! This is Dr. Mitch from the Innovation Committee, and today I'd like to share an effective way of coming up with good ideas when your team gets stuck during meetings. Instead of sitting around in an office, try having walking meetings. During walking meetings, both the change of environment and physical movement help stimulate brain activity. When walking, our minds become more open to new perspectives, which eventually leads us to more creative ideas. So, the next time you need to brainstorm with your coworkers, try having a discussion while walking. You'll be surprised by how it helps produce creative ideas.

Dr. Mitch from the Innovation Committee suggests 'walking meetings' as an effective method for brainstorming. He explains that changing the environment and engaging in physical movement stimulates brain activity, leading to more creative ideas.

Question 4

M: Hey, Sunny! What are you looking at?

W: I'm looking at a photo of my remodeled dining room.

M: Let me see. Wow! I like the shelf installed on the wall.

W: Yeah, I put it there to display plates.

M: Good idea. And I like the picture on the wall next to the shelf.

W: Thanks. I took down the old one and hung up a framed picture.

M: Looks great! What about the floor lamp? It looks like it's in a new spot.

W: Yes, I moved it to a new spot near the window.

M: It makes more sense to put it there. And the table looks different.

W: Right. I replaced the old table with a round one. It fits the space better.

M: That's a nice change! And the chairs, are those new?

W: Yes, the new ones have armrests. Hopefully, my family will be more comfortable.

M: I think they will!

The conversation is about Sunny's remodeled dining room. The speakers discuss changes made, including a new shelf for plates, a framed picture, a repositioned floor lamp, a round table, and new chairs with armrests, all aimed at improving comfort and aesthetics.

Question 5

W: Alden, tomorrow's the big day for the coding competition we're organizing.

M: I know, but we're almost ready.

W: Okay, good. I set up the desks and arranged them in a circle to have enough space for the equipment.

M: Really? Thank you for doing that.

W: No problem. I also checked to see if all of the computers are connected to the Internet.

M: Thanks. I made a name tag for each participant.

W: Perfect! I'll put them on the desks this afternoon.

M: Sounds good. Let me think about what else we need to do. [Pause] Oh, I almost forgot to wrap the gifts for the participants.

W: That's already taken care of. They were pre-wrapped. All we need to do is get a cart to move the boxes.

M: Thank goodness! I'll borrow a cart from the Student Union today.

W: Great. I think we're all set!

The speakers are discussing preparations for a coding competition. They confirm tasks completed, such as setting up desks, checking computer connections, making name tags, and pre-wrapping gifts. The remaining task is to get a cart to move the gift boxes, which Alden will arrange.

Question 6

M: Hello! Welcome to Sky Tower Observatory. How may I help you today?

W: Hi, I'd like to purchase tickets for my family.

M: Sure! Our admission prices are $30 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens. How many tickets would you like?

W: I'll take two adult tickets and one child ticket.

M: Great! We also offer a special guided tour for an additional $10 per person. You'll have the chance to learn fascinating facts about Sky Tower from our experienced guides.

W: That sounds interesting, but we don't need a guided tour.

M: No problem. We also offer a 10% discount for local residents. Do you happen to live in the area?

W: Yes, we all do.

M: Wonderful! Okay, so that's two adult tickets and one child ticket with the local resident discount, is that correct?

W: Yes, that's right. Here's my credit card and our IDs.

A customer is purchasing tickets for Sky Tower Observatory. She buys two adult tickets and one child ticket. The observatory offers a guided tour for an extra $10 and a 10% discount for local residents, which the customer utilizes.

Question 7

M: Mom, the rain has finally stopped. Are you going to the farm this weekend?

W: Unfortunately, I don't think I can go.

M: Why not? Is it because of the project at work you've been busy with?

W: No, I finished that project last week.

M: Then, are there other things you need to do?

W: Not really, I already took care of all the housework.

M: Then why can't you go? I thought you were planning to go to the farm.

W: I was, but I have a gathering with my friends this weekend.

M: Oh, I see. But will the crops be okay?

W: Yes, they'll be fine. Skipping one week is not a big deal. And I'll visit the farm with new farming equipment next weekend.

M: Great. I'll go with you then.

The son asks his mother if she's going to the farm. She declines because she has a gathering with friends. She reassures him that skipping one week won't harm the crops and plans to visit with new equipment next weekend, to which the son agrees to join.

Question 8

M: Lily, are you interested in going to Pastry Paradise?

W: Oh, isn't that the famous bakery fair? When is it?

M: Yeah, that's the one! It's on September 2nd at the convention center.

W: Oh, that's coming up soon! What kinds of things will they have on display?

M: They'll be showcasing all sorts of amazing baked goods like fresh pastries, breads, and cakes from top bakeries. On top of that, they'll be selling popular baking tools.

W: That sounds like fun! Who's organizing the fair?

M: It's being hosted by the National Cooking Association.

W: Oh, I know who they are. They always do a great job! Is there an entry fee?

M: Yes, it's $10 per person. That's not a bad price for everything they are going to have.

W: I agree. That's reasonable. [Pause] I'm in. Let's get tickets and make a day of it!

The speakers are discussing the 'Pastry Paradise' bakery fair. It's on September 2nd, organized by the National Cooking Association, featuring baked goods and baking tools. The entry fee is $10 per person. Lily decides to attend.

Question 9

M: Hello, fitness lovers! Are you ready to witness the future of exercise? Join our Virtual Reality Workout Program and discover a new way to stay active. The program will be held from July 15th to July 17th at the Hi-Tech Gym. Come and enjoy two hours of intense workouts. Each day, the program will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can try virtual cycling and boxing and compete against computer-generated rivals. All necessary equipment, including VR headsets and controllers, will be available for you to borrow at the gym. In order to register for this program, participants must be at least 12 years old. The registration fee is $15. Don't miss this opportunity to see how combining technology and fitness together can create a unique workout experience. Spots are limited, so sign up today!

This is an announcement for a Virtual Reality Workout Program. It takes place from July 15th-17th at Hi-Tech Gym, from 6-8 p.m. daily, offering VR cycling and boxing. Participants must be at least 12 years old, and the fee is $15. Equipment is provided. Registration is required due to limited spots.

Question 10

M: Honey, what are you searching for right now?

W: I'm trying to find a desktop aquarium. The one we have now is too small for the fish.

M: You're right. Let me see what you're looking at.

W: Sure, take a look. [Pause] We need one that is at least 7 liters in volume.

M: I agree. What about the shape?

W: I think we should get a rectangular one because we already had a round one.

M: Good point. What about the material?

W: Let's go with plastic. It's lighter and less likely to break than glass.

M: That makes sense. [Pause] Oh, I really love this one with the LED lighting!

W: Me too! It'll light up the aquarium beautifully. I'll order this one.

A couple is choosing a new desktop aquarium. They agree on a rectangular shape and plastic material. They decide on one with LED lighting, ensuring it has at least a 7-liter volume.

Question 11

M: Mom, can you help me with my homework? I have to make a cooking video.

W: Alright. What kind of dish are you thinking of making?

M: I'm thinking of making a dish made of eggs, but I need a good suggestion for something easy to make.

W:

A son is asking his mother for help with a homework assignment to make a cooking video. He wants to make a dish with eggs and is looking for an easy suggestion.

Question 12

W: Excuse me, Sir, could you drive me to the train station, please? My train is in an hour, so I'm in a bit of a hurry.

M: Sure! Normally, it takes about 30 minutes, but with rush hour traffic, it might take longer.

W: I'm a little anxious about making it on time. Can you get me to the station before my train leaves?

M:

A woman is asking a driver for a ride to the train station, expressing concern about making her train due to potential rush hour traffic.

Question 13

M: Hey, Joanna, have you heard about the Digital Detox Weekend coming up?

W: No, I haven't. What is it?

M: It's a weekend program where you avoid using all electronic devices and instead focus on outdoor activities like hiking, meditation, and group exercise.

W: That sounds really nice! Where is it being held?

M: It's at a retreat center on Uphill Mountain, far away from the city.

W: Wow! That would be a good experience!

M: Would you like to join me?

W: Of course I would, but there's one problem.

M: What's that?

W: I'm not sure I'll be okay without my phone for the entire weekend.

M: I understand. It'll be tough at first, but you'll probably find it revitalizing. How about preparing something to focus on during your free time while you're there?

W:

Joanna is invited to a 'Digital Detox Weekend' which involves outdoor activities and avoiding electronic devices. While interested, she expresses concern about being without her phone. The speaker suggests it might be revitalizing and advises preparing activities.

Question 14

M: Hello, Doctor.

W: Good afternoon. What brings you in today?

M: My teeth have really been hurting.

W: Alright, let me take a look. Open wide, please. [Pause] It looks like your wisdom teeth have come in.

M: Oh, I see, but why do my teeth hurt?

W: Your teeth hurt because your wisdom teeth are pushing against the rest of your teeth. The best thing to do is to have them removed.

M: I understand. Can I have them taken out today?

W: Yes, but you won't be able to eat anything for several hours.

M: Really? Then I can't do it today. I have a dinner appointment with one of my clients this evening. It's really important.

W: Okay, but you are still going to be in pain, so I recommend having your wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible.

M:

A patient is experiencing tooth pain due to wisdom teeth. The dentist confirms they are coming in and pushing against other teeth, recommending removal. The patient cannot have them removed today due to a client dinner but is advised to proceed as soon as possible.

Question 15

M: David and Sienna are close friends. Sienna is preparing for an acting audition, which is scheduled for next month. She is looking for someone to help her rehearse because she needs a partner for her audition scene. She asks David if he can assist her with her audition. David knows how to act because he was a member of a drama club in high school. However, because he recently started a part-time job during the week, he can't help Sienna on weekdays. David wants to tell Sienna that he can only assist her with rehearsing on the weekends. In this situation, what would David most likely say to Sienna?

David needs to tell Sienna he can only help her rehearse for her acting audition on weekends because he has a part-time job during the week. He should convey his willingness to help while setting the availability constraint.

Question 16-17

W: Hello, Students! There are many idiomatic expressions found in the English language. Today, we are going to learn about interesting fruit-related expressions. First, the word apple is used in the phrase "apple of the eye" to describe someone or something deeply precious. It stems from ancient times when the "apple" represented the pupil of the eye. Second, grapes can be found in the expression "sour grapes." This phrase comes from the Aesop fable, "The Fox and the Grapes," where a fox rejects grapes he can't reach as sour and undesirable. Next, the fruit cherry appears in the term "cherry-picker." A "cherry-picker" is someone who selects the best items or opportunities, often in a way that seems overly selective. Finally, a "lemon" is used to describe something disappointing or unpleasant, like the sour taste of lemons. For example, if you buy a car that keeps breaking down, you might say, "This car is a lemon!" Now that we've learned about these idiomatic expressions, let's look at some sample sentences to see how they are used in context.

The speaker is teaching students about English idiomatic expressions related to fruits: "apple of the eye" (precious), "sour grapes" (rejecting what one cannot have), "cherry-picker" (selective person), and "lemon" (disappointing item). The lesson will proceed to show these expressions in context.

Question 18

[Translation] To our readers, We hope you are doing well and enjoying the latest issue of our magazine, Kitchen Gazette. As always, we strive to provide you with the most useful content and thank you for your continued support. While we aim to perfect each recipe, we sometimes make mistakes. We have discovered that the recipe for Banana Cream Pie in our June issue was incomplete. The instructions mentioned adding milk, but we did not include it in the ingredient list. The correct list should specify 1 and 3/4 cups of milk. We hope you will try it again using the corrected version. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to providing you with more delicious recipes in the future! Warmly, Jenny Perker, Kitchen Gazette Food Content Producer.

This is a correction notice from Kitchen Gazette magazine. It addresses an incomplete recipe for Banana Cream Pie in the June issue, specifying that 1 and 3/4 cups of milk were omitted from the ingredient list and should be added. The magazine thanks readers for their understanding and continued support.

Question 19

[Translation] In the summer of 2019, I got married in a small forest outside Cambridge. The night before my wedding, it started to rain. At 2 AM, the rain sounded like a biblical storm. I moved to the spare bedroom, and with my stomach churning with anxiety, I stayed awake all night imagining the tables, chairs, hay bales, and sofas I had placed in the forest that day getting completely soaked, and my family and in-laws covered in mud. However, by noon the next day, there was no sign of the storm in the forest. Sunlight streamed through the leaves, falling on the heads of my family members who I had thought for years would never attend my wedding. I looked at my wife, and after that, until the moment I went to bed, I was truly happy for the next 10 hours.

The speaker recounts the night before their wedding, which was plagued by heavy rain and anxiety about the outdoor setup. The next morning, the storm had passed, the sun shone, and family members attended, leading to a period of great happiness.

Question 20

[Translation] The thought of eliminating any budget item might make you uneasy. But managing your spending doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing game. Instead of telling yourself to cut it out completely, try reducing your spending on that item by just 10 percent each month. You won't see dramatic changes in your budget, but the changes will be much easier to digest. For example, let's say you spent $148 at coffee shops last month. The thought of never buying coffee again might be enough to make you want to hide from your budget forever, but what if you asked yourself to spend just 10 percent less on coffee this month? That's spending $14.80 less, for a total of $133.20. Then, next month, see if you can reduce that spending by another 10 percent to $119.88. By introducing gradual changes instead of drastic ones, you're more likely to stick with your new, moderately reduced habits.

The speaker advises a gradual approach to budget management, suggesting a 10% monthly reduction in spending on specific items rather than complete elimination. This method is presented as easier to manage and more likely to lead to sustainable habit changes, using coffee spending as an example.

Question 21

[Translation] The media coverage of sports is ephemeral in nature. The momentary loss is tolerated when we consume sports coverage delivered through the media as a welcome break from the pressure of everyday demands. Nevertheless, many sports fans will admit that games that once seemed urgent and important often fade into the background within a week and are instantly forgotten. The ubiquity of sports games and the blur of discussion about them in contemporary media contribute to this liquidity. A new 'big game' is always seemingly just around the corner, and newly stoked expectations routinely replace reflection on results that quickly fade from our memories and become trivial in sports records. What rises above the ubiquitous sports games, however, as a cultural amnesia, are those that hold the promise of being watershed moments in life experience and collective culture. These are the events and championship tournaments that define sports, solidify people's fandom, and serve as historical markers that bring order, meaning, and significance to the sports landscape.

The text discusses the ephemeral nature of sports media coverage, where events are quickly forgotten. It contrasts this with 'watershed moments' that define sports, solidify fandom, and bring meaning to the sports landscape, suggesting these are the truly significant aspects that endure.

Question 22

[Translation] What makes marketing for customers fun is getting them to talk about you to other people. This is the basis of viral marketing, or word-of-mouth, which ultimately generates more business than all advertising campaigns combined. Humor is good too, but anything that encourages customers to pass the message on to friends, business associates, family, and indeed anyone else will generate a stronger customer perception of your brand and a heightened awareness of what your company is. The message doesn't have to be too serious, or indeed an obvious marketing slogan. Simply conveying the brand name and associating it with something fun and enjoyable is quite enough. Your other marketing promotions will fill in the gaps, and no single promotion can contain all the messages you want anyway. Your best bet is to have one message make customers receptive to subsequent ones.

The author argues that making marketing fun and encouraging customers to talk about the brand (viral marketing) is more effective than traditional advertising. Associating the brand with enjoyable experiences, even without explicit slogans, is key to generating customer perception and receptiveness to future promotions.

Question 23

[Translation] The extent of disease spread among wild animals can be likened to that of an iceberg. What is visible to us is only the tip, a minuscule part of the whole. There are two main causes that converge to bring about this scenario. First, until very recently, research into wild animal diseases has been an under-explored field of inquiry. Wild animal diseases are considered significant only to the extent that they help improve knowledge concerning the treatment of diseases affecting human and domestic animal populations. Second, disease is inherently a secretive phenomenon, often arising from numerous interacting factors. Unlike humans and other animals under human management, wild animals are not known. We can estimate their numbers and locations, but we do not have precise records of them. Furthermore, sick or dead animals are quickly absorbed back into the environment by predators and scavengers. As a result, the consequences of wild animal deaths due to disease remain largely hidden from us.

The spread of diseases in wild animals is like an iceberg, with most of it hidden. This is due to under-exploration of wild animal disease research and the secretive nature of diseases themselves. Wild animals are not precisely documented, and sick animals are quickly removed by predators, making disease consequences largely invisible.

Question 24

[Translation] What distinguishes literary works from texts expressed in other narrative forms is that they have undergone a process of selection. That is, they have been published, reviewed, and reprinted, so readers approach them with the assurance that others have found them to be well-crafted and 'worthwhile.' Thus, the cooperative principle in literature is 'strongly upheld.' We can tolerate much ambiguity and apparent irrelevance, and we do not assume that this is nonsensical. Readers assume that in literature the complexity of language ultimately serves a communicative purpose, and instead of imagining that the speaker or writer might be uncooperative, they try to interpret elements that seem to be flouting the principles of efficient communication for some communicative goal. 'Literature' is an institutional mark that provides us with reasons to expect that the results of our reading efforts will be 'worthwhile.' And many of the features of literature arise from an attitude of willingness to attend, to explore uncertainty, and not to immediately ask, 'What does that mean?'

Literary works are distinguished by a selection process, implying they are well-crafted and worthwhile. Readers assume complexity serves a communicative purpose and try to interpret it, expecting the effort to be rewarding. This institutional assurance shapes reader attitudes towards literature.

Question 25

[Translation] The graph below shows the frequency of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) usage in the United States in October 2023, categorized by generation. In each generational group, respondents who had never used GAI accounted for the largest proportion. Among the four generational groups, Baby Boomers showed the smallest proportion for both respondents who had used GAI at least once a day and those who had used GAI from once a week to a few times. For Generation X, the proportion of respondents who had never used GAI was four times (→ three times) that of respondents who had used GAI a few times. The generation with the smallest gap between the proportion of respondents who had used GAI at least once a day and those who had never used GAI was Millennials. The proportion of respondents who had used GAI at least once a day was higher for Millennials than for Generation Z.

The graph illustrates GAI usage frequency in the US in October 2023 by generation. Baby Boomers used GAI least frequently. For Gen X, never-users outnumbered users 3:1. Millennials had the smallest gap between daily users and never-users, and more Millennials than Gen Z used GAI daily.

Question 26

[Translation] Barbara Ann Scott was one of Canada's most famous figure skating athletes. She was born in Ottawa in 1928. At the age of seven, she began skating at the Minto Skating Club. When she was just 10 years old, she became the youngest Canadian to pass the 'gold figures test.' She attempted to win the Canadian Senior Championship in 1941 and 1942, but finished second both years. Later, Scott went abroad and became the first North American to win both the European and World Figure Skating Championships. She gained widespread fame by winning the gold medal at the Olympics in Switzerland in 1948. She toured in ice shows and participated in various other activities. After getting married, she settled in Chicago and passed away in Florida in 2012. She was known as 'Canada's Sweetheart' and had a lasting impact on Canadian figure skating history.

Barbara Ann Scott, born in 1928, was a renowned Canadian figure skater. She achieved early success, becoming the youngest Canadian to pass the 'gold figures test' at 10. She later won European and World Championships and Olympic gold in 1948. Known as 'Canada's Sweetheart,' she significantly impacted Canadian figure skating.

Question 27

National Kite Festival

Enthusiasts of kites from all over the country are invited to City Park in San Francisco to showcase their kite-flying skills. This event celebrates cultural diversity through kite making and kite flying skills.

Event Details

• Date: August 10, 2025

• Time: 10 AM to 6 PM

• Age Restriction: None

Competitions

Categories: Largest kite, highest kite, most creative design

• All competition participants must use handmade kites. (Purchased kites are not allowed.)

Additional Activities

• Kite-making workshop available for $10 per person

• Face painting and kite-themed costume parade

✔ Scan the QR code for the latest information and event registration.

The National Kite Festival will be held in San Francisco's City Park on August 10, 2025, from 10 AM to 6 PM. It celebrates cultural diversity with kite-making and flying skills, featuring competitions for largest, highest, and most creative kites (handmade only). Activities include a workshop and face painting. QR code for registration.

Question 28

FREE CPR Class Downtown Los Angeles

Learn life-saving skills with a CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training course in Downtown Los Angeles.

• Date & Time: November 30, 2025, 2 PM to 5 PM

• Location: Blue Healthcare Training Center

• Room: 5th Floor, Suite 510

• Certificate: Upon completion, participants will receive a CPR certificate valid for 2 years.

• Reservations are required.

• Free parking is available.

✔ Scan the QR code for reservations and more information.

We look forward to seeing you!

A free CPR class is offered in Downtown Los Angeles on November 30, 2025, from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Blue Healthcare Training Center. Participants will receive a 2-year valid CPR certificate. Reservations are required, and free parking is available. QR code for details.

Question 29

[Translation] There is a type of AI application that is often advertised, which can be described as 'vaporware.' Vaporware refers to applications that have been announced or made available for sale but do not yet fully function as AI applications. Often, they appear to operate with AI technology, but in reality, they do not. Instead, they are frequently built by having people manually add the content that AI applications are supposed to handle. This is often done because it is less expensive to pay people to add this content initially than to enhance full AI performance and fill in data. Vaporware can be used for many reasons. Sometimes, products may start selling before they are fully developed. Bringing vaporware products to market means that developers can validate ideas with customers before investing the total amount required to build a full application, allowing for more flexibility in development and more time to build data.

The text defines 'vaporware' as AI applications that are announced but not fully functional. It explains that manual content addition is often used, which is cheaper than full AI development. Vaporware allows developers to validate ideas and gain flexibility before full product launch.

Question 30

[Translation] Although we may never admit it, a large part of our purchasing decisions are made by unconscious cues, partly because we are unlikely to recognize them. For example, car research has found that consumers tend to buy cars that they emotionally associate with, cars that represent their lifestyle and personality. They then look for data to justify their decisions. Car specifications are important, but not to inspire someone to buy a particular car. Quite the opposite. They are used to justify the car that has already been chosen. We are exposed to millions of pieces of information and stimuli every second through all our senses. Clearly, we cannot pay attention to all of it. So, we consciously focus on the new, the threatening, the particularly interesting, and the problems that need solving. The rest, which accounts for 99.99 percent of the information we receive, is sent to 'internal processing,' which is officially known as our unconscious mind and is colloquially known as things like intuitive responses, desires, habits, and impulses. Although unconscious thought may be hidden from us, it does not diminish its power. The fact that people generally, and mistakenly, believe that they make decisions logically and consciously only serves to increase its influence.

The text explains that purchasing decisions are largely driven by unconscious cues and emotional associations, rather than logic. Consumers seek data to justify pre-existing choices. Our unconscious mind processes most information, influencing desires and habits, and this influence is amplified by the mistaken belief that decisions are purely conscious and logical.

Question 31

[Translation] No matter how surprisingly well written, all characters lack the complexity, detailed history, duality, and sheer amount of detail that your own life possesses. What makes your work in that role unique and distinctive is your life. Bring your life to the role! By considering the characters and events of the play and comparing them to your own life, and by understanding them through your life, you personalize the role. By personalizing the role, you deepen your interest and desire to play this particular role. You know well enough that the greater your interest in a task, the better you will do it. Once you have sufficiently considered the situations in the script, find similar situations from your past. Even if they are not exactly similar in the way the events occurred, you can extract the essence of the situation. You may never have killed a person, but you have been driven to harm. Understanding that moment fully in your own words connects you consciously and subconsciously to the role. Parallel experiences sometimes offer what you might 'do,' and doing so often brings back and releases the original emotion within you. The acting of the role is your own life, considered in light of the play's situations and central themes.

To personalize a role in acting, one should relate the character's situations to their own life experiences, even if not exact parallels. Extracting the essence of situations and understanding them through personal context helps connect consciously and subconsciously to the role, deepening interest and improving performance.

Question 32

[Translation] Historically, power has come from the fact that only a few know the truth. It also comes from the ability to maintain social order among many. Suppose you want to build an atomic bomb. In such a case, it is still necessary to protect the fact that the species are not falling below the critical point, but that alone is not enough. Sustainability now demands much more: it requires preserving and enhancing ecosystems and habitats to a level sufficient for countless interconnected species to survive. Weak sustainability becomes a much more serious and complex problem.

Historically, power stemmed from exclusive knowledge and social order. Building an atomic bomb, for example, requires not just knowledge but also the cooperation of millions, including miners and laborers. True sustainability, however, goes beyond protecting individual species to preserving entire ecosystems and habitats for interconnected species.

Question 33

[Translation] The 'rosy view' phenomenon suggests tourists overestimate the happiness they experienced on vacation. The actual experience is perceived as less enjoyable than the anticipated and remembered experiences. Some researchers have gone further by investigating how anticipated, ongoing (i.e., during vacation), and remembered vacation experiences predict the desire to repeat a vacation, not the experience itself. They found that remembered experiences predict the desire to repeat a vacation. Therefore, rosy memories, whether accurate or not, are a major determinant in planning future vacation trips. More recent neurological studies support these observational findings by revealing that the brain areas that provide humans with the ability to imagine the future are the same areas that enable them to recall the past.

The 'rosy view' phenomenon suggests tourists overestimate vacation happiness, with remembered experiences being more influential than actual ones in planning future trips. Neurological studies support this, showing that brain areas for imagining the future and recalling the past are the same.

Question 34

[Translation] If the species is not really a problem, it is usually considered important to ensure that the species does not become extinct. Since most species are above the critical point, the 'overall' problem is actually non-existent, according to this argument. The focus is only on a 'specific' few that are endangered. However, let's consider the unit to be not species, but ecosystems and the habitats that support them. Within an ecosystem, everything depends on each other. Then, the critical point that must be above (not species, but) the 'system' is.

The text argues that focusing solely on individual endangered species is insufficient. Instead, the focus should be on preserving entire ecosystems and their habitats, as all elements within an ecosystem are interdependent. The critical point for survival applies to the 'system' as a whole.

Question 35

[Translation] It was not until 1960 that the market for photographic art began to form in the United States. This development coincided with a rejection of traditional concepts of art, namely the idea that art is a handcrafted object, and thus each piece is a unique creation. Prices were still modest, but collectors began to emerge, and finally, in the 1970s, a true art market was established, with control over the uniqueness and scarcity of works (limited edition prints), exhibitions, galleries, and museums. The most valuable prints are those for which the film negative has disappeared; for this reason, some contemporary photographers destroy their film negatives after producing a set number of prints. When the film negative is still available and theoretically infinite prints can be made, the market distinguishes between recent prints and 'vintage' prints. (The early 1990s saw a renewed interest in photo-realism, thanks to new technologies in the form of digital equipment that offered greater accuracy with cameras.) This market requires experts who can look at a print and identify when it was made from the film negative.

The market for photographic art developed in the US starting in the 1960s, solidifying in the 1970s with limited editions and gallery control. The value of prints depends on the availability of the negative, with some photographers destroying negatives to maintain scarcity. The market distinguishes between recent and vintage prints, requiring expert appraisal.

Question 36

[Translation] Social insects use warning pheromones to alert related individuals to danger. (C) These chemical signals are often used to warn the colony about an intruder, and this warning may cause many individual ants or bees to leave their nests to defend their colony mates or simply to flee. Chemical signals can also be transmitted to other individuals. (A) Beetles, species of stick insects, and many other insects have glands that produce unpleasant, sometimes strongly irritating or even corrosive and harmful, liquids to ward off attackers. Blister beetles are so named because their defensive secretion, cantharidin, is particularly potent and can cause chemical burns. (B) Toxic species often alert their predators to these characteristics through color patterns, which signal 'do not touch.' For example, some blister beetles have conspicuous red, orange, or yellow bands or spots on a black background, signaling 'do not touch.' On the other hand, some blister beetles are entirely black or blue, but still possess the ability to inflict painful burns.

Social insects use warning pheromones to alert others to danger, often causing them to defend or flee. Some insects, like beetles, secrete unpleasant or corrosive liquids to deter attackers. Toxic species often use conspicuous color patterns (like red, orange, or yellow bands on black) to signal danger, though some toxic insects may be entirely black or blue.

Question 37

[Translation] Tidal sanctuaries are semi-artificial environments that at first glance appear quite similar to a zoo. The animals are confined to enclosures designed to resemble their natural habitats, similar captive-care techniques are used, and sometimes animals are even exhibited for tourists. (B) However, unlike zoos, the purpose of tidal sanctuaries is not to keep animals in captivity, but to temporarily house them until they can be rehabilitated and safely released back into the wild. Some animals are housed indefinitely due to complex problems that hinder their survival in the wild. (A) Many tidal sanctuary models operate as hybrid facilities with parts that are open to eco-tourists and parts that are inaccessible to the public, where animals can recover undisturbed. (C) Furthermore, there are also pre-release enclosures that are designed to be as close to natural habitats as possible to ensure that animals are ready for release after spending time in artificial environments for medical rehabilitation.

Tidal sanctuaries are semi-artificial environments for animal rehabilitation and release, resembling zoos but with a focus on returning animals to the wild. They may house animals indefinitely if rehabilitation is complex. Many sanctuaries combine public eco-tourism areas with private recovery zones and use pre-release enclosures mimicking natural habitats.

Question 38

[Translation] Sometimes theories that have been out of favor for some time can be reconsidered in light of later developments. A case in point is an idea proposed by Lord Kelvin around 1867, in which atoms (the smallest particles constituting matter in his day) were thought to be composed of very small knot-like structures. This idea attracted some considerable interest at the time, and the mathematician J. G. Tait began a systematic study of knots based on it. However, the theory did not lead to any apparent correspondence with the actual physical movements of atoms, and so it was largely forgotten. Recently, however, these general kinds of ideas have begun to regain support in light of their connection with string theoretical concepts. The mathematical theory of knots has also faced a revival, starting around 1984 with the work of Vaughan Jones, whose important ideas were rooted in theoretical considerations within quantum field theory. The methods of string theory were subsequently used by Edward Witten to obtain a kind of quantum field theory that, in some sense, includes these new developments in the mathematical theory of knots.

Lord Kelvin's 1867 theory that atoms were knot-like structures, initially studied by J. G. Tait but later forgotten, is being reconsidered due to its connection with modern string theory. Vaughan Jones's work on knot theory, rooted in quantum field theory, has also seen a revival, with Edward Witten using string theory methods to incorporate these developments.

Question 39

[Translation] Music licensing has always been an essential and lucrative part of the music business, but there has often been tension between music publishers and record companies. Although music is a shared value for both publishers and record companies, their goals and their business models differ. For music publishers, or the licensing departments of full-service music companies, licensing opportunities are the lifeblood of their business. There is no other kind of revenue besides the royalties paid by the licensee. From the perspective of record companies, licensing serves a completely different purpose, and that purpose is to promote the act. The royalties paid by the licensee are merely the icing on the cake, as most traditional record company revenue is generated by selling audio recordings (primarily CDs) to consumers. In competition to get songs included in movies, etc., record companies may be inclined to forgo royalties to gain media presence.

Music licensing creates tension between publishers and record companies due to differing goals. For publishers, licensing is a primary revenue source. For record companies, it's a promotional tool, with royalties being secondary to CD sales. Record companies may waive royalties to secure media placements for artists.

Question 40

[Translation] Early navigational aids, particularly those that were accessible and affordable to the average person, were navigational aids themselves. They were designed to give travelers a greater awareness of the world around them, sharpening their sense of direction, providing advance warning of danger, highlighting nearby major landmarks and other points of orientation, and generally helping them to confirm their location in both familiar and unfamiliar environments. Satellite navigation systems can do all of this and more, but they are not designed to make our relationship with our environment more profound. They are designed to relieve us of the need for such a relationship. By controlling navigational technology, and by reducing our own role to that of following rote instructions, the systems ultimately alienate us from our environment, whether operated through a dashboard, a smartphone, or a dedicated GPS receiver. As a Cornell University research team stated in a 2008 paper, "With GPS, you no longer need to know where you are, where your destination is, or pay attention to physical landmarks as you travel along the road, or even ask other people for help when you are on or off the road."

Early navigational aids enhanced users' awareness of their surroundings. In contrast, modern satellite navigation systems, while more capable, reduce user involvement to following instructions, thereby alienating them from their environment and diminishing the need to know their location or landmarks.

Question 41-42

[Translation] The speed at which we form language can carry as much meaning as the words we speak. Silence is not neutral or meaningless. For example, if a job applicant hesitates for too long before answering a difficult question in a job interview, we may assume that the applicant is unprepared and has lost their train of thought. We may interpret an awkward silence following a declaration of love as a sign that the other person does not feel the same way. Other nonverbal cues can help inform our interpretation of these silences. This is also a factor to consider when we communicate online or via text message. Most modern electronic communication services and apps notify us when a message has been read by its recipient, and so an uncomfortable type of silence can occur when we know that the recipient has read the message but, for whatever reason, has not responded. This is often referred to as leaving someone 'on read,' and it is generally considered rude in online communication. Compared to face-to-face situations, where one can still read the other person's facial expressions or body language, these online silences can feel unacceptable (→unacceptable) and can be much more hurtful if sensitive or difficult topics are involved. For example, having a potential love interest leave an invitation for a second date 'on read' can be much more disappointing than a complete rejection in many cases. Social media has created new forms of anxiety for people. Waiting for a response makes us anxious. Therefore, we are pressured by social media to respond quickly.

The speed and use of silence in communication carry significant meaning. Awkward silences in interviews or after declarations of love can convey unpreparedness or lack of reciprocation. Online, being left 'on read' is considered rude and can be more hurtful than direct rejection, creating anxiety and pressure for quick responses due to social media.

Question 43-45

[Translation] (A) It was a bleak midwinter, and a pair of wanderers were roaming the cold night in search of shelter. The father-to-be was desperately looking for a safe place for his companion, who was walking heavily with new life inside her. When her time came, they could not stay in the harsh cold. Their names were Pepper and Cooper, two beagles wandering the country roads near Bethel, Ohio. As Gus Kiebel, a local wildlife officer, was driving home in a snowstorm, his headlights illuminated the two dogs. (D) Their collars and tags suggested they were someone's property, but why were they out in such harsh weather? Gus pulled his truck over and approached the two dogs, who did not try to run away. He read the names on their tags, Pepper and Cooper, but when he called the number listed, the man on the phone said, "I sent them to another home. They are no longer my dogs." When Gus asked where he sent them, the man paused, then said, "I don't know." Then, he abruptly hung up, leaving Gus feeling surprised and worried. The beagles had nowhere to go. (C) Gus could not leave the dogs in the storm. That night, he prepared a warm bed with food and water nearby. As a child, he had dreamed of owning beagles, but having this pair was not an option. Gus already had one dog. However, Gus knew someone at an animal welfare league in Batavia. The next morning, he took the dogs to the shelter, making one condition. (B) "If you are going to separate these dogs, I will not sign over the dogs to you," Gus said. The shelter staff promised him that they would keep the pair together. A few days later, Gus called the shelter to check on the dogs. Christmas had just passed, and the beagles were adopted as a pair into a loving home. Gus practiced kindness by providing shelter to a pair of wanderers, and in doing so, he showed his best self. When kindness and love triumph over cruelty and the forces of nature, it can feel like the greatest miracle.

This narrative describes Gus Kiebel, a wildlife officer, finding two beagles, Pepper and Cooper, abandoned in a snowstorm. After discovering they were unwanted, Gus took them in temporarily, ensuring they were kept together at an animal shelter. The beagles were later adopted as a pair into a loving home, highlighting Gus's act of kindness.