30Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the given question.…
2025
30
Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the given question.
Studies indicate a steady decline in reading habits among young people, with digital entertainment and social media consuming much of their leisure time. Educators warn that reduced reading may affect vocabulary development, critical thinking, and concentration. Despite this, libraries and reading programs receive limited funding and attention.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate course of action based on the passage?
- A.
Ban the use of social media among students.
- B.
Increase funding for libraries and introduce engaging reading programs for youth.
- C.
Replace textbooks with short online summaries.
- D.
Ignore the trend as digital media is inevitable.
- E.
Reduce academic workload to allow more free time.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
In a 'course of action' question, the correct option must directly and proportionately address the specific problem the passage names — repairing the stated cause, not overreacting with an extreme step, not ignoring the concern, and not drifting into an unrelated fix.
Application
The passage flags two connected facts: reduced reading habits are hurting vocabulary, critical thinking, and concentration, and libraries and reading programs are starved of funding and attention even though this is happening. The fitting action must tackle that named cause — the funding shortfall — while also making reading appealing again for young people, since a lack of appeal is part of why they are turning to digital entertainment instead.
Why the other options fall short
Banning social media among students: the passage only notes that digital entertainment competes for young people's time; it never calls for prohibition, so this step goes well beyond what the passage supports.
Replacing textbooks with short online summaries: this moves in the opposite direction, trading deeper reading for quick summaries and shrinking the very vocabulary and concentration gains the passage says are already declining.
Ignoring the trend as inevitable: this dismisses a concern the passage explicitly raises through educators' warning, offering no response at all.
Reducing academic workload for more free time: this targets students' schedules, a factor the passage never mentions as a cause of the decline — it doesn't engage with what the passage actually identifies as the problem.
Increasing funding for libraries and introducing engaging reading programs is therefore the option that answers both parts of the passage — the funding gap and the loss of appeal — making it the most appropriate course of action.