• Read the following passage and mark the letter (A, B, C, or D) on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
REMOTE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
With (1) .......................... transportation technologies, it is now possible to reach even the most distant regions in the world. (2) .........................., I would contend that the merits of this development are outweighed by its drawbacks.
(3) ..................., the ability to travel anywhere in the world offers (4) ................... benefits. At the outset, the discovery of new areas allows everyone to gain a better perception of the earth and new species. This newfound knowledge can act as a precursor to clinical (5) ................... or provide scientists with valuable insights to more effectively combat environmental issues such as climate change. Access to previously unreachable scenic beauty also suggests tourism opportunities, as travel enthusiasts are always on the lookout for new exotic getaways.
Nonetheless, I believe the (6) ................... perspectives of this trend are eclipsed by more immediate threats to life in this remote natural world. More often than not, as major corporations set foot on and (7) .................... tourism in these areas, the construction of tourism facilities drives out the indigenous people living there. Hotels and recreational facilities emerged at the expense of the locals' accommodation. These people are (8) .................... assimilation, which, as history has indicated, results in the loss of civilizations and cultures. The presence of foreign visitors in these places also poses certain threats to the natural environment, specifically water contamination, land degradation, and natural resource depletion.
In conclusion, (9) ........................ the thought of traveling to remote natural areas may sound, I conclude that they are better off left untouched.
1, A. the aid of B. the help of C. support of D. assistance of
2, A. That's why B. Nevertheless C. Even though D. All the same
3, A. On the one hand B. Other way C. Moreover D. On one side
4, A. appreciable B. substantial C. considerable D. extensive
5, A. breakthroughs B. steps forward C. improvements D. tapers off
6, A. constructive B. favorable C. peremptory D. positive
7, A. tap into B. expand C. exploit D. utilize
8, A. forced to B. coerced into C. influenced by D. pushed out
9, A. look interesting B. as attractive as C. as fascinating as D. as exciting as
1 B
2 C
3 A
4 C