A complete skeleton of a 19- or 20-year-old Homo sapiens was found during 2020 excavations at a site
called Liang Tebo, in remote Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat region of eastern Kalimantan. Early human
remains are scarce in the region, and the researchers involved in this study suggest this may be the
oldest known burial of a modern human that has ever been found in the region’s islands. During the dig,
the find tool on a whole new level of intrigue as the team discovered that the skeleton’s lower leg was
entirely missing. The limb had been not broken or smashed, but cleanly removed, and the archaeologists
found unusual bony overgrowth on the remaining fragments of the tibia and fibula. That overgrowth
matched overgrowth seen in modern clinical cases of amputations.
Further investigations showed that the bone developed atrophy, indicating the part of the limb that
remained was a stump with limited use. Investigations into this remodeling of bone structure showed
some six to nine years of such changes. “This confirms that the surgery was not fatal, not infected and
likely occurred during late childhood,” says Tim Maloney, who specializes in the archaeology of Borneo at
Griffith University, in Australia, and co-authored the study.
To perform a successful operation, prehistoric surgeons must have had knowledge of anatomy. They
sliced through not only bone but muscles, veins and nerves in such a way that the patient didn’t bleed to
death or go into a fatal state of shock. Their scalpels were likely the flaked lithic edges common to the
era: a stone called chert, which can produce extremely sharp edges. Afterwards the surgeons may have
employed a tourniquet or cauterizing, though neither would leave clear evidence on the skeleton and so
remain unknown possibilities.
What seems certain, however, is that the patient enjoyed a considerable level of post-op care. “It is
highly unlikely that this individual could have survived the procedure without intensive nursing care,
including blood loss and shock management, and regular wound cleaning,” Maloney notes. He believes
the successful operation implies that the community also had some understanding of antiseptic and
antimicrobial management to prevent fatal infection. In this, their foraging lifestyle and forest
environment might have proved to be advantages.
1. Which information indicates the assertion that the early human survived the suggested amputation?
a. The skeleton does not include a lower leg part.
b. The bone of the amputated leg shrunk in size.
c. The amputated part was cleanly removed.
d. The remaining part of the leg shows no signs of infection.
e. There could have been post-op care.
2. What is the significance of the expression “the find took on a whole new level of intrigue”?
a. To emphasize the importance of the information that follows
b. To provide an example for the findings of the early human remains in Liang Tebo
c. To elaborate the finding of the oldest modern human burial site
d. To introduce the information about the finding of an advanced surgery method
e. To introduce the comparison between early and modern methods of amputation
amos The potential for genetic differences between the extinct and resurrected
posted: January organisms could have implications for the viability and success of the
13, 2023 at 7:28 de-extinct population in the wild.
p.m.
oryx The revival of extinct species has the potential to undo the progress made
posted: January in eradicating certain diseases and pathogens and jeopardize the health of
14, 2023 at 10:16 both resurrected and current species.
a.m.
kara De-extinction gives the false impression that it is a viable solution to the
posted: January loss of species due to human activities, which could lead to a lack of
14, 2023 at 2:54 concern for the welfare of vulnerable species.
p.m.
rahu In a world facing the challenges of climate change and mass extinction,
posted: January de-extinction could be a crucial part of a larger strategy for preserving the
14, 2023 at 7:23 diversity and health of our planet's ecosystems.
p.m.
vale The limited success rate and exorbitant cost of de-extinction efforts make it
posted: January an inefficient use of resources that could be better allocated toward the
15, 2023 at 8:41 conservation and preservation of existing species.
a.m.
auxi By reviving extinct species, we could revive traditional knowledge and
posted: January cultural practices associated with those species, providing a unique
15, 2023 at 11:58 opportunity for intergenerational learning and cultural revitalization.
p.m.
3. .According to the posts, those who are in favor of de-extinction efforts believe that it ….
i. prevents future extinctions
ii. restores lost cultural heritage
iii. promotes ecological restoration
iv. serves as a source of scientific advancement
a. I & II
b. I & III
c. II & III
d. II & IV
e. III & IV
4. Which of the following users suggests that the outcome of resurrected species depends on their
inherited traits and characteristics?
a. Vale
b. Kara
c. Oryx
d. Rahu
e. Amos
5. In the context of Vale’s post, the word “exorbitant” is closest in meaning to ….
a. Excessive
b. Disastrous
c. Impressive
d. Reasonable
e. Outstanding
6. Those who are against the idea of reviving extinct species express their point of view by doing the
following things, except ….
a. arguing that the efforts to bring extinct species back to life could be better spent on protecting
existing species
b. elaborating that the limited success rate of de-extinction could affect the cost and resources
used to fund conservation
c. highlighting how the wrong impression of de-extinction could discourage efforts to protect
endangered species
d. stating the unintended consequences of de-extinction due to the potential genetic changes in
the resurrected species
e. mentioning how the reintroduction of extinct species carries significant risks to the well-being of
both the resurrected and current species
7. Whose opinion is similar to the following opinion?
“Reintroducing extinct species would allow for the passing down of important customs and teachings
from one generation to the next, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the cultural
significance of these animals.”
a. Vale
b. Auxi
c. Kara
d. Oryx
e. Rahu
8. Which of the following statements best paraphrases the opinion of Oryx?
a. The revived species may not have immunity to diseases and pathogens that they did not
encounter in their original ecosystem, leading to their own demise.
b. Bringing back extinct species could reverse efforts to eliminate certain diseases and harmful
agents and pose a risk to both the revived species and existing ones.
c. Reviving extinct species could reintroduce diseases and pathogens that have been dormant for a
long period of time, but could still be harmful to other species.
d. The ecosystem may not be able to sustain the reintroduction of an extinct species, leading to
negative consequences for the resurrected species and current species.
e. The reintroduction of extinct species could lead to the spread of diseases to current species that
have not evolved to be resistant to these pathogens.
More than two billion cups of coffee are drunk every day and for many, working life would feel
impossible without it. As traditionally tea-drinking countries like China are seduced by coffee’s charms, it
may soon become the world’s favorite drink. What is driving this insatiable thirst, and how has the
beverage come to conquer the world? Coffee’s story starts in the lush highlands of Ethiopia, the natural
homeland of the delicate Coffee arabica plant. Although they are called “coffee beans”, the plant is not a
legume, and the fruits of the coffee tree look more like cherries when they are first picked. The seeds
inside are extracted and dried before the process of roasting turns them into the hard, nutty nodules we
feed into our grinders.
The Oromo people from Ethiopia are thought to have been the first to have noticed the stimulating
effects of these “beans”, and coffee still remains an important element of their traditional cuisine.
Exactly how and when it spread beyond Ethiopia is still the subject of many legends, but the available
historic records suggest that the Sufis of Yemen were the first truly devoted drinkers outside Africa in the
Middle Ages. Its caffeine helped them to continue their practices late into the night, while the roasting of
the bean was apparently taken as an analogy for the transcendence of the human soul.
Coffee houses soon spread across the Middle East and the Ottoman Empire, where they caught the
attention of Western traders, who took the beguiling drink back to their home countries in the 17th
Century. (...). One newspaper advert in 1657 described the drink as “having many excellent virtues,
closes the orifice of the stomach, fortifies the heart within, helps digestion, brightens up the spirit.”
Some studies suggest that coffee can offer some protection from certain common diseases. A recent
review of the evidence by Susanna Larsson at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that each cup of
coffee per day is associated with a 6% reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes. Laura Van Dongen at
Wageningen University, meanwhile, has found that regular coffee drinkers were at least 20% less likely to
die from heart disease.
9. People often mistakenly classify coffee as a type of plant to which peanuts, chickpeas or lentils belong.
Is this statement supported by the passage? Which information can prove it?
a. Supported, the passage mentions that coffee is grown in Ethiopia, a place where the other plants
are mentioned to not grow in.
b. Supported, the passage states that coffee is not a legume, unlike the other plants which fit the
definition of the word.
c. Not supported, the passage mentions how coffee was spread to the westerners through the
Middle East, same as the other plants.
d. Not supported, coffee was stated to be able to reduce someone’s risk of dying from heart
problems, much like the other plants.
e. Supported, it is mentioned that coffee is beguiling, which is a quality the other plants are not
exactly known for.
10. Which of the following statements is incorrect about coffee based on the text?
a. China is gradually becoming an emerging market for coffee.
b. Coffee became more popular in the western world thanks to the Yemeni sufis that drank coffee
outside Africa.
c. How coffee first got produced and consumed outside Ethiopia is still a question yet to be
answered.
d. Coffee can prevent us from getting some dangerous diseases such as diabetes.
e. Coffee had come out of Africa even before the westerners found out about it.
11. Which sentence below is the best fit for the blank in paragraph three?
a. Many businesses grew out of these specialized coffee houses.
b. The early drinkers were firm believers in its medicinal properties.
c. Not only did the patrons drink coffee and engage in conversation, but they also listened to
music, watched performers, played chess and kept current on the news.
d. Coffee began to replace the common breakfast drink beverages of the time — beer and wine.
e. Missionaries and travelers, traders and colonists continued to carry coffee seeds to new lands,
and coffee trees were planted worldwide.
“Coffee was first spread and consumed outside of Ethiopia by the Sufis in Yemen.”
12. Is it possible to dispute this statement using information mentioned in the passage?
a. Yes, since it’s mentioned that the Middle East and Ottoman Empire also contributed to its
spread.
b. Yes, as it is stated that the Oromo people were the first to discover the benefits of coffee.
c. No, as it is especially stressed how the historic records indicated that they were the first drinkers
of coffee.
d. No, because all other peoples mentioned in the passage started consuming coffee after the
Sufis.
e. Yes, since it is hinted that there exist mixed accounts about how coffee spread outside of Africa.
13. If coffee houses ______ to the middle east and Ottoman Empire, Western traders probably wouldn’t
have brought coffee back home.
a. didn’t spread
b. hadn’t spread
c. wouldn’t spread
d. wouldn’t have spread
e. were not spread
“More than two billion cups of coffee are drunk every day and for many, working life would feel
impossible without it.”
14. What meaning does the modal ‘would’ carry in this context?
a. it shows a possibility
b. it shows a request
c. it shows a habit in the past
d. it shows a hypothetical situation
e. it shows a wish
According to the passage, coffee is proven to have many _____ including association with lower risk of
getting diabetes and death from heart diseases.
15. Which one is the best fit to fill the blank?
a. Perks
b. Gratifications
c. Comforts
d. Welfares
e. Conveniences
Passage 1
What role should text-generating large language models (LLMs) have in the scientific research process?
According to a team of Oxford scientists, the answer—at least for now—is: pretty much none.
In a new essay, researchers from the Oxford Internet Institute argue that scientists should abstain from
using LLM-powered tools like chatbots to assist in scientific research on the grounds that AI's penchant
for hallucinating and fabricating facts, combined with the human tendency to anthropomorphize the
human-mimicking word engines, could lead to larger information breakdowns—a fate that could
ultimately threaten the fabric of science itself.
The scientists' argument hinges on the reality that LLMs and the many bots that the technology powers
aren't primarily designed to be truthful. As they write in the essay, sounding truthful is but "one element
by which the usefulness of these systems is measured." Characteristics including "helpfulness,
harmlessness, technical efficiency, profitability, [and] customer adoption" matter, too.
"LLMs are designed to produce helpful and convincing responses," they continue, "without any
overriding guarantees regarding their accuracy or alignment with fact."
Put simply, if a large language model—which, above all else, is taught to be convincing—comes up with
an answer that's persuasive but not necessarily factual, the fact that the output is persuasive will
override its inaccuracy. In an AI's proverbial brain, simply saying "I don't know" is less helpful than
providing an incorrect response.
But as the Oxford researchers lay out, AI's hallucination problem is only half the problem. The human
tendency to read way too far into human-sounding AI outputs due to our deeply mortal proclivity to
anthropomorphize everything around us, is a well-documented phenomenon. Because of this effect,
we're already primed to put a little too much trust in AI; couple that with the confident tone these
chatbots so often take, and you have a perfect recipe for misinformation.
Importantly, the scientists do note "zero-shot translation" as a scenario in which AI outputs might be a
bit more reliable. This, as Oxford professor and AI ethicist Brent Mittelstadt told EuroNews, refers to
when a model is given "a set of inputs that contain some reliable information or data, plus some request
to do something with that data."
"It's called zero-shot translation because the model has not been trained specifically to deal with that
type of prompt," Mittelstadt added. So, in other words, a model is more or less rearranging and parsing
through a very limited, trustworthy dataset, and not being used as a vast, internet-like knowledge center.
But that would certainly limit its use cases, and would demand a more specialized understanding of AI
tech—much different from just loading up ChatGPT and firing off some research questions.
And elsewhere, the researchers argue, there's an ideological battle at the core of this automation
debate. After all, science is a deeply human pursuit. To outsource too much of the scientific process to
automated AI labor, the Oxforders say, could undermine that deep-rooted humanity. And is that
something we can really afford to lose?
Adapted from [Link]
Passage 2
Machine learning systems have become increasingly popular in the world of scientific research. The
algorithms can save a great deal of person-hours, and many hope they'll even be able to find patterns
that humans, through more traditional methods of data analysis, can't.
Impressive, yes. But machine learning models are so complex that it's notoriously difficult even for their
creators to explain their outputs. In fact, they've even been known to cheat in order to arrive at a tidy
solution.
Add that reality to the fact that many scientists now leveraging the tech aren't experts in machine
learning, and you have a recipe for scientific disaster. As Princeton professor Arvind Narayanan and his
PhD student Sayash Kapoor explained to Wired, a surprising number of scientists using these systems
may be making grave methodological errors—and if that trend continues, the ripple effects in academia
could be pretty severe.
The duo became concerned when they came across a political science study that, using machine
learning-produced data, claimed it could predict the next civil war with a staggering 90 percent accuracy.
But when Narayanan and Kapoor took a closer look, they discovered that the paper was riddled with
false outcomes—a result of something called "data leakage."
In short, data leakage occurs when a machine learning system is using numbers that it shouldn't. It
usually happens when users mishandle data pools, skewing the way the model "learns."
After discovering the data leakage in the civil war paper, the Princeton researchers started searching for
similar machine learning mistakes in other published studies—and the results were striking. They found
data leakage in a grand total of 329 papers across a number of fields.
As they explain in the research, the proliferation of machine learning is resulting in something they're
calling a "reproducibility crisis," which basically means that the results of a study can't be reproduced by
followup research. The claim raises the specter that a sequel could be looming to another serious
replication crisis that's shaken the scientific establishment over the past decade, in which researchers
misused statistics to arrive at sweeping conclusions that amounted to nothing more than statistical noise
in large datasets.
If it holds up to further scrutiny, it'd be an extremely concerning revelation. Dead spider robots aside,
most research isn't done for no reason. The goal of most science is to eventually apply it to something,
whether it's used to carry out some kind of immediate action or to inform future study. A mistake in an
information pipeline anywhere will frequently lead to follow up errors down the road—and that could
have some pretty devastating consequences.
That's not to say that AI can't be useful for scientific study. We're sure that in many cases it has been,
and it will probably continue to be. Clearly, though, researchers who use it need to be careful, and really
ask themselves if they actually know what they're doing. Because in the end, these aren't machine
errors—they're human ones.
Adapted from [Link]
16. How does the author of Passage 1 utilize the concept of 'zero-shot translation' to highlight the
limitations of large language models (LLMs) in scientific research?
a. To indicate a specific scenario where LLMs might provide more reliable outputs.
b. As an example where LLMs outperform human researchers in certain tasks.
c. To showcase an advanced but limited AI capability that is still not fully exploitable.
d. To advocate for the enhancement and broader application of AI in scientific research.
e. s evidence of the prevalent but uncritical acceptance of AI in the scientific realm.
17. Which piece of evidence from Passage 2 most directly demonstrates how machine learning has led to
significant errors in scientific research?
a. The mention of machine learning models’ complexity causing difficulties in understanding and
interpreting their outputs.
b. The reference to a political science study’s false claim of predicting civil wars with high accuracy
due to flawed AI data.
c. The Princeton researchers’ finding of data leakage in numerous studies, highlighting the
prevalence of AI errors.
d. The challenge faced by creators in explaining how AI models arrive at their conclusions, leading
to potential misinterpretations.
e. The mention of researchers’ grave methodological errors while using AI, reflecting a lack of
understanding in its application.
18. In Passage 1, how is the term "hallucinating" metaphorically used to describe a specific flaw in AI's
functioning?
a. Creating responses based on hypothetical scenarios.
b. Generating responses not based on accurate data.
c. Producing outputs that are imaginative but irrelevant.
d. Interpreting data in a way that distorts its meaning.
e. Compiling responses based on outdated information.
19. Both passages agree that ….
a. AI has no place in scientific research at this stage
b. scientists need careful training before using AI tools
c. data transparency is essential for reliable scientific results
d. the human element remains crucial for scientific progress
e. AI is inherently flawed and should not be trusted
“The main arguments in both passages focus on the potential risks of AI in science. However, their
underlying concerns differ. “
20. Which of the following best describes this difference?
a. Passage 1 worries about AI replacing scientists, while Passage 2 highlights the challenges of
interpreting AI outputs.
b. Passage 1 critiques the potential for AI to deceive researchers, while Passage 2 focuses on its
limited ability to discover patterns.
c. Passage 1 is concerned about the ethical implications of AI, while Passage 2 highlights the
logistical challenges of integrating it.
d. Passage 1 emphasizes the inherent unreliability of AI, while Passage 2 focuses on the human
misuse of the technology.
e. Passage 1 focuses on the technical limitations of AI, while Passage 2 worries about its potential
to undermine the scientific process.