1

PAPER 3

SET READING
(Time: 90 minutes)

Instructions to candidates:
• There are forty-five questions in this test. For each question, choose the most appropriate answer.
• Answer all the questions.

Questions 1 to 7 are based on the following passage.

1 Espresso is a popular beverage in Europe, particularly in Italy, from where it originated. Espresso
is brewed by forcing very hot water through finely ground coffee beans at high pressure for 25
to 30 seconds. This results in a strong shot of coffee with a rich texture and intense flavour. The
high concentration of dissolved solids means that there is a higher concentration of caffeine in
espresso than in other coffee beverages. However, contrary to popular belief, the total caffeine 5
content in espresso is less than that of a mug of standard brewed coffee as the serving size is
much smaller. Another misconception is that espresso is made from a particular type of coffee
bean, but the truth is that almost any type of coffee bean can be used to make espresso, as it is
the grind size and preparation that makes an espresso what it is.
2 Espresso is usually served in a small cup called a demitasse. The maximum capacity of an 10
espresso cup should be 60 millilitres, but it should only be filled two-thirds of the way full. If the
cup is too large, the espresso will cool down too quickly from its ideal serving temperature of
71°C. Coffee aficionados point out that espresso should be served immediately and consumed
quickly. This is because espresso begins to lose flavour within minutes. The quick loss of flavour
is also common to all other forms of brewed coffee. It probably comes as little surprise that 15
espresso is the base for other drinks, including caffè latte, cappuccino, mocha, Americano and
macchiato.
3 An espresso shot consists of three layers: the crema, the body and the heart. The crema is
the thin and foamy top layer that is most commonly a golden-brown colour. It contains
concentrated sugars and oils. A hint of sweetness can often be found here. A well-made espresso 20
should have the capability to hold a sprinkling of sugar on top of its crema for approximately
thirty seconds before allowing it to sink into its body. The body is the caramel-brown middle
layer in between the crema and the heart. The heart is a deep brown hue and consists of
sufficient bitterness to provide balance to the crema’s sweetness.
4 Figure 1 details coffee consumption per capita in several nations. 25

800/3
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Asha Latha Bala Subramaniam I Hemalatha Bala Subramaniam MODEL PAPER SET 1 1
 Figure 1: Top Ten Coffee–Consuming Countries
12

9.6
10
Kilograms consumed per capita

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6.1
6 5.5
5.4 5.3 5.2 4.9 4.8

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ia
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ia

il
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ar
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en

az
iu
rb
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lg
nl

ov
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Br
Se
Au

en
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Fi

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Country

 1 Espresso was first made in Italy.  5 The crema is the most bitter part of the
A True C Not stated espresso.
B False A True C Not stated
B False
 2 There is more caffeine in an espresso than
there is in a mug of standard brewed coffee.  6 Europeans drink more coffee than any other
A True C Not stated beverage everyday.
B False A True C Not stated
 3 Espresso is made from a specific coffee bean. B False
A True C Not stated  7 Twice as much coffee is consumed in
B False Finland than in Brazil.
 4 Espresso is usually served in a demitasse. A True C Not stated
A True C Not stated B False
B False

Questions 8 to 14 are based on the following passage.

1 Bicycles are ideal for those who are environmentally conscious. Bicycles are a popular form of
transport in many regions around the world, such as in the Netherlands, which has an excellent
cycling infrastructure. Besides commuting, bicycles can be used for exercising, racing and
delivering mail or goods. Mail couriers, police, military personnel, messengers and paramedics
have all used this form of transportation as a dependable workhorse; a mode to carry out their 5
work or to serve customers or clients. In many armies, bicycles are still used for communications,
reconnaissance, carrying supplies and patrolling.
2 Originally, bicycles were single-framed, chain-driven machines, but with the passing of time
the basic shape and configuration changed. Since the appearance of the first bicycle in the late
1700s, this machine has evolved from a simple wooden contraption with two wheels and a seat to 10
a complex, metallic-alloy vehicle made of numerous components. Lighter and stronger materials
are now available to manufacturers, as is computer-aided design. This has resulted in a proliferation
of specialized designs to accommodate the different needs and profiles of consumers.
3 One interesting design is the Grass Chopper, a bicycle created by Mateusz Chmura and
inspired by an insect. The Grass Chopper is a distinctive bicycle that meets the needs of the cruiser, 15
the rider who likes to take his or her time. When viewed from straight on, either from the front or
the rear, the Grass Chopper bicycle has a grasshopper-like appearance. The green colour of the
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2 MODEL PAPER SET 1 Asha Latha Bala Subramaniam I Hemalatha Bala Subramaniam
 frame and its elegantly curved shape mimic the wings and folded legs of the critter. The Chopper’s
chrome forks meld seamlessly into the arched handlebars. This resembles a grasshopper’s antennae
and head. The headlights give the appearance of the bug’s eyes, and the pedals protrude like the
spindly front legs of the insect. 20
4 Another bicycle that caters for a specific niche is the Gyutto bicycle. This power-assisted
bicycle is designed to accommodate two children as well as the adult cyclist. Its compact
structure is fitted with one baby seat over the handlebars and another fixed to the rear. To meet
this weight capacity, smaller wheels are used for stability. The manufacturers have added extra
safety features to ensure the bicycle stays steady when the rider dismounts. This bike has proven 25
a boon to parents with young children who have errands to run.
5 Although the overall look of bicycles has not changed substantially over the years, bicycle
designs and materials are constantly being researched and improved, and many disciplines of
engineering are necessary to make the bicycle what it is today. Recent changes in regulations set
by UCI, the governing body of sports cycling, may herald a revolution in bicycle design as 30
manufacturers explore more radical possibilities in aerodynamics in their constant quest for
increased speed.

8 Cycling is popular in the Netherlands 12 meets the needs of a cruiser (line 15) means
because it is environmentally friendly. A fulfils multiple uses
A True C Not stated B is designed to attain high speeds
B False C caters for those who like to travel at a
relaxed pace
9 Bicycles are used in the military as they are
cheap to run. 13 Which of the following is true of paragraph 4?
A True C Not stated A The Gyutto bicycle is specially designed
B False for children.
B The Gyutto bicycle has special features to
10 The first bicycles had a wooden frame.
keep it stable.
A True
C The Gyutto bicycle has a large frame to
B False
accommodate passengers.
C Not stated
14 The passage ends with
11 Paragraph 2 is mainly about
A a directive
A the origins of the first bicycle
B a prediction
B the evolution of bicycle designs
C a suggestion
C the impact of bicycles on consumers

Questions 15 to 21 are based on the following passage.

1 A telenovela is a short television serial drama. Telenovela combines tele, short for ‘television’, and
novela, the Spanish and Portuguese word for ‘novel’. Originating from Latin America, telenovelas
are similar to soap operas. The main difference between soap operas and their Latin American
counterparts is that soap operas have open-ended plots and continue year after year, whereas
telenovelas have self-contained stories and typically run for less than a year. Telenovelas are 5
renowned for their convoluted plots, with confusing turns and romantic episodes.
2 Telenovelas can generally be categorized according to genre. The historical romance usually
features revolutions, colonialism and even famous wars. A common plot of the working-class
telenovela involves a poor and destitute woman falling head over heels for a rich man, whose
family happens to be openly against their relationship. Teen melodramas revolve around the 10
lives of high school teenagers and the challenges encountered with bad relationships and other
coming-of-age issues. Mysteries and thrillers, on the other hand, portray mysterious deaths or
disappearances. Another genre, familiar to many audiences, is the romantic comedy. Besides
these, a genre that has been growing in popularity in recent years is the youth telenovela. This
is similar to the teen drama but is usually more family-oriented. Interestingly, telenovelas have 15

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Asha Latha Bala Subramaniam I Hemalatha Bala Subramaniam MODEL PAPER SET 1 3
 been exploited by the authorities in some countries to influence the behaviour of viewers. In
Mexico, the idea of family planning was successfully introduced through telenovelas. However,
such strategies often result in decreased viewership in the long run.
3 Watching telenovelas is a good way to learn a foreign language, such as Spanish. One can
pick up useful expressions and vocabulary due to exposure to all kinds of situations. Huge doses 20
of colloquial language, slang and a variety of accents will help those wanting to brush up on
conversational Spanish. A common device used by telenovela writers is repetition—the same
phrases and expressions are used in repeated scenes such as flashbacks. For a learner of the
language, such elements help to consolidate the language.
4 In spite of the linguistic treasure offered by the Spanish telenovela, fans have to be careful 25
not to be taken in by the characters. Many of these characters are caricatures who speak like the
stereotypes they are portraying. For instance, the rich heroine will speak in a posh manner,
while the poor peasant girl will affect a country accent. These dramas are meant to be enjoyed
for what they are—fun escapism into a world of make-believe!

15 The writer begins the passage with 19 In Mexico, the idea of family planning was
A an opinion successfully introduced through telenovelas
B a definition (lines 16–17). This comment supports the
C a justification idea that
A audiences are easily influenced by
16 Paragraph 1 is mainly about
telenovelas
A the popularity of telenovelas
B governments use telenovelas to promote
B the languages spoken in telenovelas
their own agendas
C comparisons between telenovelas and
C changing social attitudes through
soap operas
telenovelas is an effective strategy
17 The word convoluted (line 6) can be replaced
20 consolidate (line 24) means
with
A master
A twisted
B reinforce
B lengthy
C comprehend
C fascinating
21 The main idea of paragraph 4 is
18 A genre that has had an increase in the
A telenovelas are an enjoyable form of
number of followers is
escapism
A the youth telenovela
B the characters portrayed in telenovelas
B the romantic comedy
often do not reflect reality
C the historical romance
C people may be offended by the portrayal
of some of the characters

Questions 22 to 29 are based on the following passage.

1 The term ‘viral marketing’ describes an advertising approach underpinned by a degree of
consumer participation to popularize a message or product. It can be traced back to the launch
of the first PlayStation by Sony Computer Entertainment in the 1990s. The strategy was
developed as a way of overcoming people’s reluctance to accept things that are foisted on them.
Sony worked stealthily by targeting people whose opinions mattered in society and exploiting 5
people’s attraction to things that contained an element of mystery and intrigue. Sony’s marketing
campaign was rewarded with the hugely successful launch of its PlayStation console.
2 While it operates in much the same way as word-of-mouth marketing, in today’s era of
social media, viral marketing relies on pre-existing social networking services and other
technologies. The concept is analogous to the spread of a virus. Advertisers aim to achieve 10
product sales through the process of self-replication as ideas spread from person to person on
social media.

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4 MODEL PAPER SET 1 Asha Latha Bala Subramaniam I Hemalatha Bala Subramaniam
 3 In Malaysia, an example of somewhat unintended viral marketing is provided by a certain
cendol stall in Ipoh. The stall took the Internet by storm when a regular customer shared
photographs of the young and handsome cendol maker running the family business. Thanks to 15
the photos going viral, crowds now queue up at his stall, as much to take a look at him as to
taste his cendol.
4 The strength of viral marketing lies in the fact that the message has the potential to spread
exponentially. The message is initially taken up by a few individuals, who then pass it on to
others, each of whom pass it on in turn. Within just a few iterations, the message has gained 20
tremendous exposure. As a marketing strategy, it is an efficient and effective way to achieve the
aims of the advertisers. For a relatively low cost, a wide audience can be reached in a short
amount of time. Viral marketing is a powerful way of establishing brand recognition quickly, as
through its appeal the message finds credibility and acceptance, and people are therefore more
willing to try the product. 25
5 Engineering an effective viral marketing campaign is, however, difficult to accomplish. It is
impossible to predict what will become an Internet sensation, and a fair amount of luck is
involved. The message being promoted by advertisers must be subtly presented within a story
that is interesting and unexpected. It must appeal to the emotions. Simply promoting a product
is not going to find any traction on social media as people are unlikely to share advertisements. 30
6 The flip side of viral marketing is that an advertising faux pas may become subject to
unwanted global attention through social media—a public relations nightmare for a business. A
misjudged take on a serious issue or inappropriate treatment of a customer caught on video
stands a good chance of going viral. The more shocking the incident, the more likely it will
spread like wildfire. The negative publicity such controversy garners causes intense 35
embarrassment for the affected company and plays into the hands of competitors.
7 Therefore, while viral marketing offers a cost-effective method of reaching a large audience,
the uncontrollable, unpredictable nature of social media makes a successful viral marketing
campaign difficult to achieve, and the consequences of a marketing misstep are far-reaching.

22 The word underpinned (line 1) means 26 What can be concluded from paragraph 5?
A supported C distinguished A Advertisers should temper expectations
B undermined that a viral marketing campaign will be
successful.
23 Sony’s marketing campaign was successful
B It is difficult to measure the success of a
because
viral marketing campaign.
A it aroused people’s curiosity
C People do not pay attention to
B consumers were keen to try something
advertisements.
new
C the product was well reviewed by people 27 spread like wildfire (line 35) means the
whose opinions mattered information will
A become distorted
24 The comment The concept is analogous to the
B cause a great deal of damage
spread of a virus (line 10) suggests that
C become known to a lot of people very
A viral marketing targets vulnerable
quickly
consumers
B consumers are unaware of the stealthy 28 The passage ends with
marketing drive A a piece of advice
C ideas spread through a population by a B a note of caution
process of replication C a counter argument
25 The success of the cendol stall demonstrates 29 From the passage we can conclude that
that viral marketing A viral marketing is a risky enterprise
A has the potential to spread exponentially B consumers need to be wary of viral
B results in a greater acceptance of the marketing
product C viral marketing can have enormous
C is driven by consumers rather than benefits if it is successful
advertisers
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Asha Latha Bala Subramaniam I Hemalatha Bala Subramaniam MODEL PAPER SET 1 5
Questions 30 to 37 are based on the following passage.
1 A cottage industry is a business in which goods are produced by people working from home, as
opposed to a factory. As such, most of the products of cottage-based industries are not mass
produced and tend to be distinctive and unique. Before the Industrial Revolution, cottage
industries were integral to people’s livelihoods. For instance, during the slow months of winter
when farmers could not venture out to farm, they might weave cloth to sell to a retailer in order 5
to earn some extra income. However, in modern times, manufacturing plants have all but
eliminated the demand for such home-made goods.
2 There are many who consider cottage industries to be a thing of the past. But are they?
Despite the competition from factories, a few tenacious businesses strive to keep traditional
methods of manufacture alive. There are numerous reasons for doing so. Many young 10
homemakers are fuelled by the desire to work from home and care for their family. There are
others who work in a cottage industry to supplement their income from full-time jobs. Another
attraction is that working from home means less money is spent on transport, work clothing
and other work-related expenses.
3 There is one family in rural Malaysia that firmly believes in keeping traditional cottage 15
industries alive. They have a cottage industry that specializes in making traditional labu sayong,
or water pitchers. This family is headed by Mohammad, who is a single father with two children.
After his wife died in an accident, Mohammad was left to care for his two young children,
Zamrud and Belian. Zamrud was six and her sister Belian was seven when they lost their
mother. Mohammed decided to leave his job as a taxi driver and pursue his hobby. He loves 20
making labu sayong as it has a therapeutic effect—handling the clay reminds him of his own
childhood, when his late parents moulded beautiful water pitchers from shapeless clay. When
they passed away, he became a taxi driver to make ends meet. Yet, fate had other plans for
Mohammad, and he turned his passion for making labu sayong into a cottage industry. This
gave him the ability to operate from home and to provide for his two daughters. 25
4 The girls soon picked up his skills. Instead of watching television or surfing the Net, these two
youngsters learnt how to use the potter’s wheel. They learnt from their father how to extract and
pound the clay, and to sift it into fine powder before mixing it with water. They started by making
little pots, and before long they had mastered the secrets of the trade. As their business grew,
Mohammad taught the girls to use moulds to speed up the process. Mohammad says he does not 30
want to be complacent. He hopes to pass some business acumen to his daughters. He realizes he has
to prepare them for the future so that the cottage industry can maintain its niche in the market.
5 ‘I cannot let this cottage industry fade into bankruptcy. That is why I have taught my girls to
diversify their products. Now, my girls are making pitchers of all shapes and sizes to demonstrate
their creativity and personalize their products. I have taught them not to neglect their studies and 35
pay their dues to less fortunate people. It is important to work sincerely,’ he said.
6 Mohammad has taught his daughters to sell their products online. He has also used auction
or retail sites to sell their goods. Mohammad and his two daughters are definitely good
ambassadors of the cottage industry.

30 In paragraph 1, the writer is making the 31 The sentence But are they? (line 8) casts
point that doubt on the idea that
A cottage industries were once profitable A cottage industries have adapted
businesses B cottage industries were once popular
B the loss of cottage industries has serious C factories have eliminated cottage industries
repercussions D cottage industries use traditional
C The Industrial Revolution reduced manufacturing techniques
manufacturing costs
32 What is true about Mohammad?
D cottage industries are being undermined
A He is reliable.
by mass-produced goods
B He is wealthy.
C He is resilient.
D He is complacent.
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6 MODEL PAPER SET 1 Asha Latha Bala Subramaniam I Hemalatha Bala Subramaniam
33 In what way does working with clay have a 36 Paragraph 4 is mainly about
therapeutic effect (line 21) on Mohammad? A the difficulties of mastering a trade
A It relaxes him. B the knowledge Mohammad passed on to
B It stirs fond memories. his daughters
C It gives him time to think. C the lack of modern technology in
D It gives him a sense of purpose. Mohammad’s household
D the challenges Mohammad’s daughters
34 After his wife’s death, Mohammad turned to
will face in the future
making labu sayong for the following reasons
except 37 The writer ends the passage by mentioning
A he could not make ends meet ambassadors (line 39) to make the point that
B he wanted to work from home A Mohammad and his two daughters must
C he wanted to pursue his passion seek new places to sell their goods
D he had to care for his two daughters B Mohammad and his daughters must
create a niche market for themselves
35 The writer uses the word Yet (line 23) to
C Mohammad and his two daughters can
show
expand their business by promoting their
A contrast
goods overseas
B emphasis
D cottage industries are kept alive through
C an example
the efforts of people like Mohammad and
D cause and effect
his two daughters

Questions 38 to 45 are based on the following passage.

1 Millennials have given a whole new spin to the phrase ‘taking selfies’. A number of attention-
seeking youths have revealed themselves to be avid risk-takers by making this activity a
dangerous fad. These young people upload pictures or videos of themselves in precarious
positions to Instagram, YouTube or other social media platforms. Fame is the catalyst that feeds
their thirst to scale tall buildings and to jump, climb and roll across structures spanning dizzying 5
heights. It has become the new non-competitive extreme sport that requires a mixture of
acrobatics and athletics. However, the latest spate of tragedies highlights the serious risks
involved in this daredevil pursuit.
2 The current trend may be seen as an extension of buildering, which in itself is not new.
‘Buildering’ is the term given to climbing on the outside of buildings and other tall structures. 10
It is often done illegally and without the aid of ropes or other supporting equipment. One of the
first people to document their buildering exploits was Geoffrey Winthrop Young, a British rock
climber. In 1859 he started to climb the roofs of Cambridge University. He later wrote A Roof-
Climber’s Guide to Trinity, which parodied mountaineering guidebooks. In the early 1900s, the
buildering craze reached America, particularly in New York City, where many skyscrapers now 15
featured against the skyline. During these years, several daredevils fell to their deaths, and the
practice was banned by the city authorities in 1920.
3 Perhaps the most famous builderer is Frenchman Alain Robert. He has climbed many
famous landmarks and has also been arrested for doing so many times in various countries. In
1997 he attempted to climb the Petronas Twin Towers but was apprehended by police upon 20
reaching the 60th floor of the 88-storey building. He repeated the attempt in 2007, again
reaching the 60th floor before getting arrested. In 2009 Robert made his third attempt, and this
time succeeded in reaching the top, where he unfurled the Malaysian flag. He was arrested on
his way down. Not all of Robert’s building-climbing feats were illegal acts. In 2011 he was
granted permission to climb the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. In this 25
instance, he wore a harness to comply with safety requirements. Robert took over six hours to
ascend the 828-metre building.
4 While some people may look upon the exploits of Alain Robert with admiration, the
subculture of ‘roofing’, that is taking a photo or video of oneself in a high-risk pose, such as on

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Asha Latha Bala Subramaniam I Hemalatha Bala Subramaniam MODEL PAPER SET 1 7
 the ledge of a high-rise building, is concerning. The number of selfie-related fatalities in Russia 30
has prompted Russian police to launch a ‘Safe Selfie’ campaign, with the tagline: ‘even a million
likes on social media are not worth your life’. The practice of taking such selfies has been
criticized for being narcissistic and dangerous. The deaths that have occurred were unnecessary,
and social media sites hosting these brazen acts need to address the fact that the practitioners
of such extreme sports, whether it is called buildering, urban climbing or roofing, are risking 35
injury or death for the sake of perceived popularity.

38 In paragraph 1, the writer indicates that 42 The following are true of Alain Robert
A millennials are finding novel ways to use except
technology A he comes from France
B youths are going to dangerous lengths to B he climbed the Burj Khalifa in Dubai
get attention without any safety equipment
C social media is responsible for risky C his antics have landed him in trouble
behaviour in youths with authorities all over the world
D young people are being encouraged to D he succeeded in climbing the Petronas
participate in extreme sports Twin Towers on his third attempt
39 The word fad (line 3) means 43 According to paragraph 4, ‘roofing’ involves
A cult A posing for narcissistic photos
B trend B taking photos of high-rise buildings
C whim C recording oneself in precarious positions
D standard D climbing up the side of high-rise
buildings
40 Buildering became popular in New York
City because 44 What prompted Russian police to launch a
A it was a banned activity ‘Safe Selfie’ campaign?
B it was encouraged by the authorities A A spate of tragedies
C people were inspired by climbing B Pressure from the public
guidebooks C A plea from building owners
D there were many tall buildings in New D Controversy from social media
York City
45 In the last paragraph, the author
41 The purpose of paragraph 2 is to A denounces extreme sports
A outline the dangers of buildering B criticizes the practice of roofing
B describe the origins of buildering C admires the bravery of urban climbers
C list the different types of buildering D urges practitioners of extreme sports to
D suggests reasons why people take up be more careful
buildering

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8 MODEL PAPER SET 1 Asha Latha Bala Subramaniam I Hemalatha Bala Subramaniam