English Trial Test

Read the story below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A: From “Somewhere Towards the End” by Diana Athill

All through my sixties I felt I was still within hailing distance of middle age, not safe on its shores, perhaps, but navigating its coastal waters. My seventieth birthday failed to change this because I managed scarcely to notice it, but my seventy-first did change it. Being ‘over seventy’ is being old: suddenly I was aground on that fact and saw that the time had come to size it up. 

I have lived long enough to have witnessed great changes in being old as far as women are concerned – smaller ones for men, but for them less was needed. In my grandmothers’ day a woman over seventy adopted what almost amounted to a uniform. If she was a widow she wore black and gray clothes that disregarded fashion, and even if she still had a husband her garments went a bit drab and shapeless making it clear that this person no longer attempted to be attractive. 

Nowadays an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers. There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked. 

Even more than clothes, cosmetics have made age look, and feel less old. Until quite recently they could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot of make-up tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on their skin. One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner. Luckily today’s cosmetics are much better made and more subtle in effect, so that an ancient face that would look absurd if visibly painted can be gently coaxed into looking quite naturally better than it really is .

Extract B: From “Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time” by Penelope Lively

The extent of the challenge depends on when and where you experience old age. Social context is crucial. You don’t want to be old when circumstances mean that anyone who doesn’t contribute but requires support is a drag, and there is therefore a grim logic in failing to sustain them. Nomadic groups existing at subsistence level did better without the encumbrance of anyone who couldn’t keep up. The district nurse in Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield talks of the Suffolk cottages in the last century where a decaying grandparent was stacked away somewhere and nudged towards the grave. The anthropologist Colin Turnbull has given a horrific account in The Mountain People of the Ik, a Ugandan tribe whose flexible way of life was curtailed, forcing them to live in one area with insufficient resources, at starvation level. The effect was the erosion of any care or concern for others, with the old forced to starve first, and children also (further stark logic: keep the breeding group alive, you can always make more children if things improve). But the old, in this corner of Uganda in the mid-twentieth century, were around forty; ‘old’ is never a fixed feast.

There is evidence from elsewhere that in a hunter-gatherer society the old are valued simply for experience — they have a bank of hunter-gatherer knowledge. That again makes sense; you may not be all that fond of Granny, but she knows where to find those roots you need. Elephant groups also depend on the matriarch, it seems, to know where to head for water and for food; I like this elemental link with animal behavior. 

Things aren’t quite like this in a world powered by technology; just as well that increased affluence means that nobody disposes of the aged just because they can’t cope with a computer or a mobile phone. Rather the contrary; at the time of writing there is a heated debate about the quality of care for the elderly in hospital, and a scandal about conditions in a failing group of residential homes for old people. Things can go wrong, but it is beyond question that society assumes a responsibility towards the old; you don’t leave them by the wayside, you don’t push them into a cupboard and forget to feed them.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

How do both authors perceive the societal changes in the treatment of the elderly?

Read the story below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A: From “Somewhere Towards the End” by Diana Athill

All through my sixties I felt I was still within hailing distance of middle age, not safe on its shores, perhaps, but navigating its coastal waters. My seventieth birthday failed to change this because I managed scarcely to notice it, but my seventy-first did change it. Being ‘over seventy’ is being old: suddenly I was aground on that fact and saw that the time had come to size it up. 

I have lived long enough to have witnessed great changes in being old as far as women are concerned – smaller ones for men, but for them less was needed. In my grandmothers’ day a woman over seventy adopted what almost amounted to a uniform. If she was a widow she wore black and gray clothes that disregarded fashion, and even if she still had a husband her garments went a bit drab and shapeless making it clear that this person no longer attempted to be attractive. 

Nowadays an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers. There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked. 

Even more than clothes, cosmetics have made age look, and feel less old. Until quite recently they could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot of make-up tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on their skin. One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner. Luckily today’s cosmetics are much better made and more subtle in effect, so that an ancient face that would look absurd if visibly painted can be gently coaxed into looking quite naturally better than it really is .

Extract B: From “Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time” by Penelope Lively

The extent of the challenge depends on when and where you experience old age. Social context is crucial. You don’t want to be old when circumstances mean that anyone who doesn’t contribute but requires support is a drag, and there is therefore a grim logic in failing to sustain them. Nomadic groups existing at subsistence level did better without the encumbrance of anyone who couldn’t keep up. The district nurse in Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield talks of the Suffolk cottages in the last century where a decaying grandparent was stacked away somewhere and nudged towards the grave. The anthropologist Colin Turnbull has given a horrific account in The Mountain People of the Ik, a Ugandan tribe whose flexible way of life was curtailed, forcing them to live in one area with insufficient resources, at starvation level. The effect was the erosion of any care or concern for others, with the old forced to starve first, and children also (further stark logic: keep the breeding group alive, you can always make more children if things improve). But the old, in this corner of Uganda in the mid-twentieth century, were around forty; ‘old’ is never a fixed feast.

There is evidence from elsewhere that in a hunter-gatherer society the old are valued simply for experience — they have a bank of hunter-gatherer knowledge. That again makes sense; you may not be all that fond of Granny, but she knows where to find those roots you need. Elephant groups also depend on the matriarch, it seems, to know where to head for water and for food; I like this elemental link with animal behavior. 

Things aren’t quite like this in a world powered by technology; just as well that increased affluence means that nobody disposes of the aged just because they can’t cope with a computer or a mobile phone. Rather the contrary; at the time of writing there is a heated debate about the quality of care for the elderly in hospital, and a scandal about conditions in a failing group of residential homes for old people. Things can go wrong, but it is beyond question that society assumes a responsibility towards the old; you don’t leave them by the wayside, you don’t push them into a cupboard and forget to feed them.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

What role does personal appearance and fashion play in the authors’ discussion of aging?

Read the story below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A: From “Somewhere Towards the End” by Diana Athill

All through my sixties I felt I was still within hailing distance of middle age, not safe on its shores, perhaps, but navigating its coastal waters. My seventieth birthday failed to change this because I managed scarcely to notice it, but my seventy-first did change it. Being ‘over seventy’ is being old: suddenly I was aground on that fact and saw that the time had come to size it up. 

I have lived long enough to have witnessed great changes in being old as far as women are concerned – smaller ones for men, but for them less was needed. In my grandmothers’ day a woman over seventy adopted what almost amounted to a uniform. If she was a widow she wore black and gray clothes that disregarded fashion, and even if she still had a husband her garments went a bit drab and shapeless making it clear that this person no longer attempted to be attractive. 

Nowadays an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers. There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked. 

Even more than clothes, cosmetics have made age look, and feel less old. Until quite recently they could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot of make-up tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on their skin. One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner. Luckily today’s cosmetics are much better made and more subtle in effect, so that an ancient face that would look absurd if visibly painted can be gently coaxed into looking quite naturally better than it really is .

Extract B: From “Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time” by Penelope Lively

The extent of the challenge depends on when and where you experience old age. Social context is crucial. You don’t want to be old when circumstances mean that anyone who doesn’t contribute but requires support is a drag, and there is therefore a grim logic in failing to sustain them. Nomadic groups existing at subsistence level did better without the encumbrance of anyone who couldn’t keep up. The district nurse in Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield talks of the Suffolk cottages in the last century where a decaying grandparent was stacked away somewhere and nudged towards the grave. The anthropologist Colin Turnbull has given a horrific account in The Mountain People of the Ik, a Ugandan tribe whose flexible way of life was curtailed, forcing them to live in one area with insufficient resources, at starvation level. The effect was the erosion of any care or concern for others, with the old forced to starve first, and children also (further stark logic: keep the breeding group alive, you can always make more children if things improve). But the old, in this corner of Uganda in the mid-twentieth century, were around forty; ‘old’ is never a fixed feast.

There is evidence from elsewhere that in a hunter-gatherer society the old are valued simply for experience — they have a bank of hunter-gatherer knowledge. That again makes sense; you may not be all that fond of Granny, but she knows where to find those roots you need. Elephant groups also depend on the matriarch, it seems, to know where to head for water and for food; I like this elemental link with animal behavior. 

Things aren’t quite like this in a world powered by technology; just as well that increased affluence means that nobody disposes of the aged just because they can’t cope with a computer or a mobile phone. Rather the contrary; at the time of writing there is a heated debate about the quality of care for the elderly in hospital, and a scandal about conditions in a failing group of residential homes for old people. Things can go wrong, but it is beyond question that society assumes a responsibility towards the old; you don’t leave them by the wayside, you don’t push them into a cupboard and forget to feed them.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

How do the authors’ reflections on aging differ in terms of their focus on external versus internal changes?

Read the story below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A: From “Somewhere Towards the End” by Diana Athill

All through my sixties I felt I was still within hailing distance of middle age, not safe on its shores, perhaps, but navigating its coastal waters. My seventieth birthday failed to change this because I managed scarcely to notice it, but my seventy-first did change it. Being ‘over seventy’ is being old: suddenly I was aground on that fact and saw that the time had come to size it up. 

I have lived long enough to have witnessed great changes in being old as far as women are concerned – smaller ones for men, but for them less was needed. In my grandmothers’ day a woman over seventy adopted what almost amounted to a uniform. If she was a widow she wore black and gray clothes that disregarded fashion, and even if she still had a husband her garments went a bit drab and shapeless making it clear that this person no longer attempted to be attractive. 

Nowadays an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers. There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked. 

Even more than clothes, cosmetics have made age look, and feel less old. Until quite recently they could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot of make-up tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on their skin. One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner. Luckily today’s cosmetics are much better made and more subtle in effect, so that an ancient face that would look absurd if visibly painted can be gently coaxed into looking quite naturally better than it really is .

Extract B: From “Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time” by Penelope Lively

The extent of the challenge depends on when and where you experience old age. Social context is crucial. You don’t want to be old when circumstances mean that anyone who doesn’t contribute but requires support is a drag, and there is therefore a grim logic in failing to sustain them. Nomadic groups existing at subsistence level did better without the encumbrance of anyone who couldn’t keep up. The district nurse in Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield talks of the Suffolk cottages in the last century where a decaying grandparent was stacked away somewhere and nudged towards the grave. The anthropologist Colin Turnbull has given a horrific account in The Mountain People of the Ik, a Ugandan tribe whose flexible way of life was curtailed, forcing them to live in one area with insufficient resources, at starvation level. The effect was the erosion of any care or concern for others, with the old forced to starve first, and children also (further stark logic: keep the breeding group alive, you can always make more children if things improve). But the old, in this corner of Uganda in the mid-twentieth century, were around forty; ‘old’ is never a fixed feast.

There is evidence from elsewhere that in a hunter-gatherer society the old are valued simply for experience — they have a bank of hunter-gatherer knowledge. That again makes sense; you may not be all that fond of Granny, but she knows where to find those roots you need. Elephant groups also depend on the matriarch, it seems, to know where to head for water and for food; I like this elemental link with animal behavior. 

Things aren’t quite like this in a world powered by technology; just as well that increased affluence means that nobody disposes of the aged just because they can’t cope with a computer or a mobile phone. Rather the contrary; at the time of writing there is a heated debate about the quality of care for the elderly in hospital, and a scandal about conditions in a failing group of residential homes for old people. Things can go wrong, but it is beyond question that society assumes a responsibility towards the old; you don’t leave them by the wayside, you don’t push them into a cupboard and forget to feed them.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

In what way do the extracts differ in their portrayal of the elderly’s value in society?

Read the story below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A: From “Somewhere Towards the End” by Diana Athill

All through my sixties I felt I was still within hailing distance of middle age, not safe on its shores, perhaps, but navigating its coastal waters. My seventieth birthday failed to change this because I managed scarcely to notice it, but my seventy-first did change it. Being ‘over seventy’ is being old: suddenly I was aground on that fact and saw that the time had come to size it up. 

I have lived long enough to have witnessed great changes in being old as far as women are concerned – smaller ones for men, but for them less was needed. In my grandmothers’ day a woman over seventy adopted what almost amounted to a uniform. If she was a widow she wore black and gray clothes that disregarded fashion, and even if she still had a husband her garments went a bit drab and shapeless making it clear that this person no longer attempted to be attractive. 

Nowadays an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers. There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked. 

Even more than clothes, cosmetics have made age look, and feel less old. Until quite recently they could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot of make-up tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on their skin. One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner. Luckily today’s cosmetics are much better made and more subtle in effect, so that an ancient face that would look absurd if visibly painted can be gently coaxed into looking quite naturally better than it really is .

Extract B: From “Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time” by Penelope Lively

The extent of the challenge depends on when and where you experience old age. Social context is crucial. You don’t want to be old when circumstances mean that anyone who doesn’t contribute but requires support is a drag, and there is therefore a grim logic in failing to sustain them. Nomadic groups existing at subsistence level did better without the encumbrance of anyone who couldn’t keep up. The district nurse in Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield talks of the Suffolk cottages in the last century where a decaying grandparent was stacked away somewhere and nudged towards the grave. The anthropologist Colin Turnbull has given a horrific account in The Mountain People of the Ik, a Ugandan tribe whose flexible way of life was curtailed, forcing them to live in one area with insufficient resources, at starvation level. The effect was the erosion of any care or concern for others, with the old forced to starve first, and children also (further stark logic: keep the breeding group alive, you can always make more children if things improve). But the old, in this corner of Uganda in the mid-twentieth century, were around forty; ‘old’ is never a fixed feast.

There is evidence from elsewhere that in a hunter-gatherer society the old are valued simply for experience — they have a bank of hunter-gatherer knowledge. That again makes sense; you may not be all that fond of Granny, but she knows where to find those roots you need. Elephant groups also depend on the matriarch, it seems, to know where to head for water and for food; I like this elemental link with animal behavior. 

Things aren’t quite like this in a world powered by technology; just as well that increased affluence means that nobody disposes of the aged just because they can’t cope with a computer or a mobile phone. Rather the contrary; at the time of writing there is a heated debate about the quality of care for the elderly in hospital, and a scandal about conditions in a failing group of residential homes for old people. Things can go wrong, but it is beyond question that society assumes a responsibility towards the old; you don’t leave them by the wayside, you don’t push them into a cupboard and forget to feed them.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

What differences can be observed in the authors’ perspectives on aging in relation to technological advancements?

Read the story below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A: From “Somewhere Towards the End” by Diana Athill

All through my sixties I felt I was still within hailing distance of middle age, not safe on its shores, perhaps, but navigating its coastal waters. My seventieth birthday failed to change this because I managed scarcely to notice it, but my seventy-first did change it. Being ‘over seventy’ is being old: suddenly I was aground on that fact and saw that the time had come to size it up. 

I have lived long enough to have witnessed great changes in being old as far as women are concerned – smaller ones for men, but for them less was needed. In my grandmothers’ day a woman over seventy adopted what almost amounted to a uniform. If she was a widow she wore black and gray clothes that disregarded fashion, and even if she still had a husband her garments went a bit drab and shapeless making it clear that this person no longer attempted to be attractive. 

Nowadays an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers. There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked. 

Even more than clothes, cosmetics have made age look, and feel less old. Until quite recently they could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot of make-up tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on their skin. One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner. Luckily today’s cosmetics are much better made and more subtle in effect, so that an ancient face that would look absurd if visibly painted can be gently coaxed into looking quite naturally better than it really is .

Extract B: From “Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time” by Penelope Lively

The extent of the challenge depends on when and where you experience old age. Social context is crucial. You don’t want to be old when circumstances mean that anyone who doesn’t contribute but requires support is a drag, and there is therefore a grim logic in failing to sustain them. Nomadic groups existing at subsistence level did better without the encumbrance of anyone who couldn’t keep up. The district nurse in Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield talks of the Suffolk cottages in the last century where a decaying grandparent was stacked away somewhere and nudged towards the grave. The anthropologist Colin Turnbull has given a horrific account in The Mountain People of the Ik, a Ugandan tribe whose flexible way of life was curtailed, forcing them to live in one area with insufficient resources, at starvation level. The effect was the erosion of any care or concern for others, with the old forced to starve first, and children also (further stark logic: keep the breeding group alive, you can always make more children if things improve). But the old, in this corner of Uganda in the mid-twentieth century, were around forty; ‘old’ is never a fixed feast.

There is evidence from elsewhere that in a hunter-gatherer society the old are valued simply for experience — they have a bank of hunter-gatherer knowledge. That again makes sense; you may not be all that fond of Granny, but she knows where to find those roots you need. Elephant groups also depend on the matriarch, it seems, to know where to head for water and for food; I like this elemental link with animal behavior. 

Things aren’t quite like this in a world powered by technology; just as well that increased affluence means that nobody disposes of the aged just because they can’t cope with a computer or a mobile phone. Rather the contrary; at the time of writing there is a heated debate about the quality of care for the elderly in hospital, and a scandal about conditions in a failing group of residential homes for old people. Things can go wrong, but it is beyond question that society assumes a responsibility towards the old; you don’t leave them by the wayside, you don’t push them into a cupboard and forget to feed them.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Based on the two extracts, what can be inferred about the societal view on aging in the present compared to the past?

Read the story below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A: From “Somewhere Towards the End” by Diana Athill

All through my sixties I felt I was still within hailing distance of middle age, not safe on its shores, perhaps, but navigating its coastal waters. My seventieth birthday failed to change this because I managed scarcely to notice it, but my seventy-first did change it. Being ‘over seventy’ is being old: suddenly I was aground on that fact and saw that the time had come to size it up. 

I have lived long enough to have witnessed great changes in being old as far as women are concerned – smaller ones for men, but for them less was needed. In my grandmothers’ day a woman over seventy adopted what almost amounted to a uniform. If she was a widow she wore black and gray clothes that disregarded fashion, and even if she still had a husband her garments went a bit drab and shapeless making it clear that this person no longer attempted to be attractive. 

Nowadays an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers. There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked. 

Even more than clothes, cosmetics have made age look, and feel less old. Until quite recently they could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot of make-up tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on their skin. One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner. Luckily today’s cosmetics are much better made and more subtle in effect, so that an ancient face that would look absurd if visibly painted can be gently coaxed into looking quite naturally better than it really is .

Extract B: From “Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time” by Penelope Lively

The extent of the challenge depends on when and where you experience old age. Social context is crucial. You don’t want to be old when circumstances mean that anyone who doesn’t contribute but requires support is a drag, and there is therefore a grim logic in failing to sustain them. Nomadic groups existing at subsistence level did better without the encumbrance of anyone who couldn’t keep up. The district nurse in Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield talks of the Suffolk cottages in the last century where a decaying grandparent was stacked away somewhere and nudged towards the grave. The anthropologist Colin Turnbull has given a horrific account in The Mountain People of the Ik, a Ugandan tribe whose flexible way of life was curtailed, forcing them to live in one area with insufficient resources, at starvation level. The effect was the erosion of any care or concern for others, with the old forced to starve first, and children also (further stark logic: keep the breeding group alive, you can always make more children if things improve). But the old, in this corner of Uganda in the mid-twentieth century, were around forty; ‘old’ is never a fixed feast.

There is evidence from elsewhere that in a hunter-gatherer society the old are valued simply for experience — they have a bank of hunter-gatherer knowledge. That again makes sense; you may not be all that fond of Granny, but she knows where to find those roots you need. Elephant groups also depend on the matriarch, it seems, to know where to head for water and for food; I like this elemental link with animal behavior. 

Things aren’t quite like this in a world powered by technology; just as well that increased affluence means that nobody disposes of the aged just because they can’t cope with a computer or a mobile phone. Rather the contrary; at the time of writing there is a heated debate about the quality of care for the elderly in hospital, and a scandal about conditions in a failing group of residential homes for old people. Things can go wrong, but it is beyond question that society assumes a responsibility towards the old; you don’t leave them by the wayside, you don’t push them into a cupboard and forget to feed them.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

How do the extracts compare in terms of the authors’ attitudes towards aging and self-perception?

Read the story below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A: From “Somewhere Towards the End” by Diana Athill

All through my sixties I felt I was still within hailing distance of middle age, not safe on its shores, perhaps, but navigating its coastal waters. My seventieth birthday failed to change this because I managed scarcely to notice it, but my seventy-first did change it. Being ‘over seventy’ is being old: suddenly I was aground on that fact and saw that the time had come to size it up. 

I have lived long enough to have witnessed great changes in being old as far as women are concerned – smaller ones for men, but for them less was needed. In my grandmothers’ day a woman over seventy adopted what almost amounted to a uniform. If she was a widow she wore black and gray clothes that disregarded fashion, and even if she still had a husband her garments went a bit drab and shapeless making it clear that this person no longer attempted to be attractive. 

Nowadays an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers. There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked. 

Even more than clothes, cosmetics have made age look, and feel less old. Until quite recently they could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot of make-up tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on their skin. One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner. Luckily today’s cosmetics are much better made and more subtle in effect, so that an ancient face that would look absurd if visibly painted can be gently coaxed into looking quite naturally better than it really is .

Extract B: From “Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time” by Penelope Lively

The extent of the challenge depends on when and where you experience old age. Social context is crucial. You don’t want to be old when circumstances mean that anyone who doesn’t contribute but requires support is a drag, and there is therefore a grim logic in failing to sustain them. Nomadic groups existing at subsistence level did better without the encumbrance of anyone who couldn’t keep up. The district nurse in Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield talks of the Suffolk cottages in the last century where a decaying grandparent was stacked away somewhere and nudged towards the grave. The anthropologist Colin Turnbull has given a horrific account in The Mountain People of the Ik, a Ugandan tribe whose flexible way of life was curtailed, forcing them to live in one area with insufficient resources, at starvation level. The effect was the erosion of any care or concern for others, with the old forced to starve first, and children also (further stark logic: keep the breeding group alive, you can always make more children if things improve). But the old, in this corner of Uganda in the mid-twentieth century, were around forty; ‘old’ is never a fixed feast.

There is evidence from elsewhere that in a hunter-gatherer society the old are valued simply for experience — they have a bank of hunter-gatherer knowledge. That again makes sense; you may not be all that fond of Granny, but she knows where to find those roots you need. Elephant groups also depend on the matriarch, it seems, to know where to head for water and for food; I like this elemental link with animal behavior. 

Things aren’t quite like this in a world powered by technology; just as well that increased affluence means that nobody disposes of the aged just because they can’t cope with a computer or a mobile phone. Rather the contrary; at the time of writing there is a heated debate about the quality of care for the elderly in hospital, and a scandal about conditions in a failing group of residential homes for old people. Things can go wrong, but it is beyond question that society assumes a responsibility towards the old; you don’t leave them by the wayside, you don’t push them into a cupboard and forget to feed them.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

In contrasting the treatment and perception of the elderly, how do the extracts from Diana Athill and Penelope Lively differ in their portrayal of the role of the elderly in society?

Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow.

Nettles by Vernon Scannell

My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.

‘Bed’ seemed a curious name for those green spears,

 That regiment of spite behind the shed:

 It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears

The boy came seeking comfort and I saw

 White blisters beaded on his tender skin.

 We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.

 At last he offered us a watery grin,

 And then I took my billhook, honed the blade

And went outside and slashed in fury with it

 Till not a nettle in that fierce parade

 Stood upright any more. And then I lit

 A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead,

 But in two weeks the busy sun and rain

Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:

 My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer.

What emotion does the speaker convey in the lines, “‘Bed’ seemed a curious name for those green spears, / That regiment of spite behind the shed”?

Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow.

Nettles by Vernon Scannell

My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.

‘Bed’ seemed a curious name for those green spears,

 That regiment of spite behind the shed:

 It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears

The boy came seeking comfort and I saw

 White blisters beaded on his tender skin.

 We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.

 At last he offered us a watery grin,

 And then I took my billhook, honed the blade

And went outside and slashed in fury with it

 Till not a nettle in that fierce parade

 Stood upright any more. And then I lit

 A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead,

 But in two weeks the busy sun and rain

Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:

 My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer.

How does the speaker’s perspective on the “nettle bed” change throughout the poem?

Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow.

Nettles by Vernon Scannell

My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.

‘Bed’ seemed a curious name for those green spears,

 That regiment of spite behind the shed:

 It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears

The boy came seeking comfort and I saw

 White blisters beaded on his tender skin.

 We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.

 At last he offered us a watery grin,

 And then I took my billhook, honed the blade

And went outside and slashed in fury with it

 Till not a nettle in that fierce parade

 Stood upright any more. And then I lit

 A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead,

 But in two weeks the busy sun and rain

Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:

 My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer.

What does the imagery of “White blisters beaded on his tender skin” suggest about the impact of the nettle bed on the son?

Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow.

Nettles by Vernon Scannell

My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.

‘Bed’ seemed a curious name for those green spears,

 That regiment of spite behind the shed:

 It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears

The boy came seeking comfort and I saw

 White blisters beaded on his tender skin.

 We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.

 At last he offered us a watery grin,

 And then I took my billhook, honed the blade

And went outside and slashed in fury with it

 Till not a nettle in that fierce parade

 Stood upright any more. And then I lit

 A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead,

 But in two weeks the busy sun and rain

Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:

 My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer.

How does the speaker’s use of a “funeral pyre” contribute to the tone of the poem?

Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow.

Nettles by Vernon Scannell

My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.

‘Bed’ seemed a curious name for those green spears,

 That regiment of spite behind the shed:

 It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears

The boy came seeking comfort and I saw

 White blisters beaded on his tender skin.

 We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.

 At last he offered us a watery grin,

 And then I took my billhook, honed the blade

And went outside and slashed in fury with it

 Till not a nettle in that fierce parade

 Stood upright any more. And then I lit

 A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead,

 But in two weeks the busy sun and rain

Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:

 My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer.

In the context of the poem, what does the “busy sun and rain” symbolize?

Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow.

Nettles by Vernon Scannell

My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.

‘Bed’ seemed a curious name for those green spears,

 That regiment of spite behind the shed:

 It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears

The boy came seeking comfort and I saw

 White blisters beaded on his tender skin.

 We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.

 At last he offered us a watery grin,

 And then I took my billhook, honed the blade

And went outside and slashed in fury with it

 Till not a nettle in that fierce parade

 Stood upright any more. And then I lit

 A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead,

 But in two weeks the busy sun and rain

Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:

 My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Answer the questions by choosing the letter of the correct answer.

What is the recurring theme related to the son’s experience with the nettle bed in the poem?

Read the article below then answer the questions that follow. 

Navigating the Tapestry of Youth and Age

15.______. This juxtaposition, a perpetual dance between the vigor of youth and the wisdom that accompanies age, forms the essence of the human experience.

In the bloom of youth, the world unfolds as an expansive canvas, inviting exploration and discovery. The boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm characterize this stage, where possibilities seem limitless. It’s a time of firsts — first love, first job, first taste of independence. 16.______.

As the journey progresses, the ebullience of youth inevitably encounters the steady march of time. 17.______. The carefree spirit of youth yields to a more nuanced understanding of life’s intricacies. Yet, within the folds of aging, lies a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be unraveled.

18.______. The exuberance of one enriches the depth of the other. The mistakes made in youth become the stepping stones to the sagacity of age. It’s a cyclical metamorphosis — the exuberant caterpillar of youth transforms into the wise butterfly of age.

The interplay between generations further enriches this tapestry. The young bring innovation, challenging the status quo, while the old provide the invaluable gift of perspective. 19.______.

In a rapidly evolving world, the dynamics of youth and age are evolving too. Advancements in technology and changes in societal expectations redefine the boundaries of each phase. 20._______

Ultimately, the tapestry of youth and age is not a linear progression but a mosaic of moments, each contributing to the beauty of the whole. Embracing the vitality of youth while cherishing the insights of age, individuals navigate this intricate tapestry, creating a narrative uniquely their own. In this perpetual dance, the essence of the human experience is revealed — a timeless journey through the ebb and flow of youth and age.

Fill in the blanks #15

Read the article below then answer the questions that follow. 

Navigating the Tapestry of Youth and Age

15.______. This juxtaposition, a perpetual dance between the vigor of youth and the wisdom that accompanies age, forms the essence of the human experience.

In the bloom of youth, the world unfolds as an expansive canvas, inviting exploration and discovery. The boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm characterize this stage, where possibilities seem limitless. It’s a time of firsts — first love, first job, first taste of independence. 16.______.

As the journey progresses, the ebullience of youth inevitably encounters the steady march of time. 17.______. The carefree spirit of youth yields to a more nuanced understanding of life’s intricacies. Yet, within the folds of aging, lies a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be unraveled.

18.______. The exuberance of one enriches the depth of the other. The mistakes made in youth become the stepping stones to the sagacity of age. It’s a cyclical metamorphosis — the exuberant caterpillar of youth transforms into the wise butterfly of age.

The interplay between generations further enriches this tapestry. The young bring innovation, challenging the status quo, while the old provide the invaluable gift of perspective. 19.______.

In a rapidly evolving world, the dynamics of youth and age are evolving too. Advancements in technology and changes in societal expectations redefine the boundaries of each phase. 20._______

Ultimately, the tapestry of youth and age is not a linear progression but a mosaic of moments, each contributing to the beauty of the whole. Embracing the vitality of youth while cherishing the insights of age, individuals navigate this intricate tapestry, creating a narrative uniquely their own. In this perpetual dance, the essence of the human experience is revealed — a timeless journey through the ebb and flow of youth and age.

Fill in the blanks #16

Read the article below then answer the questions that follow. 

Navigating the Tapestry of Youth and Age

15.______. This juxtaposition, a perpetual dance between the vigor of youth and the wisdom that accompanies age, forms the essence of the human experience.

In the bloom of youth, the world unfolds as an expansive canvas, inviting exploration and discovery. The boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm characterize this stage, where possibilities seem limitless. It’s a time of firsts — first love, first job, first taste of independence. 16.______.

As the journey progresses, the ebullience of youth inevitably encounters the steady march of time. 17.______. The carefree spirit of youth yields to a more nuanced understanding of life’s intricacies. Yet, within the folds of aging, lies a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be unraveled.

18.______. The exuberance of one enriches the depth of the other. The mistakes made in youth become the stepping stones to the sagacity of age. It’s a cyclical metamorphosis — the exuberant caterpillar of youth transforms into the wise butterfly of age.

The interplay between generations further enriches this tapestry. The young bring innovation, challenging the status quo, while the old provide the invaluable gift of perspective. 19.______.

In a rapidly evolving world, the dynamics of youth and age are evolving too. Advancements in technology and changes in societal expectations redefine the boundaries of each phase. 20._______

Ultimately, the tapestry of youth and age is not a linear progression but a mosaic of moments, each contributing to the beauty of the whole. Embracing the vitality of youth while cherishing the insights of age, individuals navigate this intricate tapestry, creating a narrative uniquely their own. In this perpetual dance, the essence of the human experience is revealed — a timeless journey through the ebb and flow of youth and age.

Fill in the blanks #17

Read the article below then answer the questions that follow. 

Navigating the Tapestry of Youth and Age

15.______. This juxtaposition, a perpetual dance between the vigor of youth and the wisdom that accompanies age, forms the essence of the human experience.

In the bloom of youth, the world unfolds as an expansive canvas, inviting exploration and discovery. The boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm characterize this stage, where possibilities seem limitless. It’s a time of firsts — first love, first job, first taste of independence. 16.______.

As the journey progresses, the ebullience of youth inevitably encounters the steady march of time. 17.______. The carefree spirit of youth yields to a more nuanced understanding of life’s intricacies. Yet, within the folds of aging, lies a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be unraveled.

18.______. The exuberance of one enriches the depth of the other. The mistakes made in youth become the stepping stones to the sagacity of age. It’s a cyclical metamorphosis — the exuberant caterpillar of youth transforms into the wise butterfly of age.

The interplay between generations further enriches this tapestry. The young bring innovation, challenging the status quo, while the old provide the invaluable gift of perspective. 19.______.

In a rapidly evolving world, the dynamics of youth and age are evolving too. Advancements in technology and changes in societal expectations redefine the boundaries of each phase. 20._______

Ultimately, the tapestry of youth and age is not a linear progression but a mosaic of moments, each contributing to the beauty of the whole. Embracing the vitality of youth while cherishing the insights of age, individuals navigate this intricate tapestry, creating a narrative uniquely their own. In this perpetual dance, the essence of the human experience is revealed — a timeless journey through the ebb and flow of youth and age.

Fill in the blanks #18

Read the article below then answer the questions that follow. 

Navigating the Tapestry of Youth and Age

15.______. This juxtaposition, a perpetual dance between the vigor of youth and the wisdom that accompanies age, forms the essence of the human experience.

In the bloom of youth, the world unfolds as an expansive canvas, inviting exploration and discovery. The boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm characterize this stage, where possibilities seem limitless. It’s a time of firsts — first love, first job, first taste of independence. 16.______.

As the journey progresses, the ebullience of youth inevitably encounters the steady march of time. 17.______. The carefree spirit of youth yields to a more nuanced understanding of life’s intricacies. Yet, within the folds of aging, lies a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be unraveled.

18.______. The exuberance of one enriches the depth of the other. The mistakes made in youth become the stepping stones to the sagacity of age. It’s a cyclical metamorphosis — the exuberant caterpillar of youth transforms into the wise butterfly of age.

The interplay between generations further enriches this tapestry. The young bring innovation, challenging the status quo, while the old provide the invaluable gift of perspective. 19.______.

In a rapidly evolving world, the dynamics of youth and age are evolving too. Advancements in technology and changes in societal expectations redefine the boundaries of each phase. 20._______

Ultimately, the tapestry of youth and age is not a linear progression but a mosaic of moments, each contributing to the beauty of the whole. Embracing the vitality of youth while cherishing the insights of age, individuals navigate this intricate tapestry, creating a narrative uniquely their own. In this perpetual dance, the essence of the human experience is revealed — a timeless journey through the ebb and flow of youth and age.

Fill in the blanks #19

Read the article below then answer the questions that follow. 

Navigating the Tapestry of Youth and Age

15.______. This juxtaposition, a perpetual dance between the vigor of youth and the wisdom that accompanies age, forms the essence of the human experience.

In the bloom of youth, the world unfolds as an expansive canvas, inviting exploration and discovery. The boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm characterize this stage, where possibilities seem limitless. It’s a time of firsts — first love, first job, first taste of independence. 16.______.

As the journey progresses, the ebullience of youth inevitably encounters the steady march of time. 17.______. The carefree spirit of youth yields to a more nuanced understanding of life’s intricacies. Yet, within the folds of aging, lies a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be unraveled.

18.______. The exuberance of one enriches the depth of the other. The mistakes made in youth become the stepping stones to the sagacity of age. It’s a cyclical metamorphosis — the exuberant caterpillar of youth transforms into the wise butterfly of age.

The interplay between generations further enriches this tapestry. The young bring innovation, challenging the status quo, while the old provide the invaluable gift of perspective. 19.______.

In a rapidly evolving world, the dynamics of youth and age are evolving too. Advancements in technology and changes in societal expectations redefine the boundaries of each phase. 20._______

Ultimately, the tapestry of youth and age is not a linear progression but a mosaic of moments, each contributing to the beauty of the whole. Embracing the vitality of youth while cherishing the insights of age, individuals navigate this intricate tapestry, creating a narrative uniquely their own. In this perpetual dance, the essence of the human experience is revealed — a timeless journey through the ebb and flow of youth and age.

Fill in the blanks #20

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract does the author describe the boundless energy of the young fueling aspirations that reach for the stars?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract are the reflective moments of later years emphasized, revealing a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract does the intersection of youth and age create a dynamic interplay, forging connections that bridge generational gaps?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract is there a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract does the author describe dreams unfurling like banners in the wind, painting the world with hues of ambition?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract are the quiet corridors of age portrayed, where wisdom weaves its intricate patterns, and every wrinkle tells a story?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract is the exuberance of youth described as a dance, and setbacks as lessons, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract is there an emphasis on the older generation serving as seasoned guides, imparting the richness of experience?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract is the intersection of youth and age described as a harmonious blend of energy and experience shaping a collective narrative?

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow. 

Extract A:

In the vibrant tapestry of youth, dreams unfurl like banners in the wind. The boundless energy of the young fuels aspirations that reach for the stars. Every step is a dance, every setback a lesson, as they navigate the landscape of possibilities with unwavering enthusiasm. In this kaleidoscope of potential, the exuberance of youth paints the world with hues of ambition, sparking a sense of invincibility that propels them forward into the unknown. These formative years, filled with discovery and passion, lay the foundation for a future shaped by the dreams woven in the tapestry of their youthful spirit.

Extract B:

In the quiet corridors of age, wisdom weaves its intricate patterns. Each wrinkle tells a story, and every gray hair is a testament to a life well-lived. The older generation, like seasoned guides, imparts the richness of experience, offering pearls of insight that transcend the passage of time. In the reflective moments of later years, there is a profound understanding of the ebb and flow of life—a perspective earned through the tapestry of joy and sorrow, success, and failure. This accumulated wisdom becomes a beacon, casting a gentle light on the paths of those navigating the complexities of existence.

Extract C:

Where youth and age converge, a beautiful interplay unfolds. The exuberance of youth finds resonance in the seasoned reflections of age, creating a mosaic of shared stories and mutual growth. It is a dynamic intersection where the old guide, and the young invigorate, forging connections that bridge generational gaps. As the vigor of youth meets the contemplative grace of age, there emerges a symbiotic relationship—a harmonious blend of energy and experience that shapes a collective narrative. These intersecting paths become crossroads of understanding, fostering a sense of unity across the diverse landscapes of age and youth.

Extract D:

Youth, a fleeting moment, and age, an eternal journey, converge in the tapestry of existence. The vigor of youth, marked by exuberance and exploration, meets the seasoned grace of age, adorned with the beauty of enduring memories. Together, they form a continuum—a seamless flow where the vibrancy of youth adds color, and the depth of age adds substance to the canvas of life. In these ephemeral moments, the essence of existence is captured, transcending the limitations of time. It is a celebration of the perpetual cycle, where the energy of youth propels the journey, and the wisdom of age enriches every step along the way.

Answer the questions below by choosing the letter of the correct answer. 

Which extract is the essence of existence captured in ephemeral moments, transcending the limitations of time?