BRACU Admission Test

Here’s an IELTS and TOEFL style cloze passage test by Bright Prep
University of Michigan plans to introduce a new policy for freshmen beginning in fall 2027. During their first semester, students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts will receive (1) ______ on their transcripts instead of traditional letter grades.

The university hopes the policy will reduce (2) ______ and help students adjust to college life. Although their actual grades will still be recorded (3) ______, they will not appear as conventional letter grades on the official transcript.

Supporters believe the policy may encourage students to take more (4) ______ courses without worrying about damaging their GPA. However, some experts fear that the change could reduce students' (5) ______ or contribute to grade inflation.

The policy is not entirely new. The (6) ______ Institute of Technology has used a similar system for incoming freshmen since 1968.

Questions

1.
A. numerical scores
B. pass or no-credit marks
C. letter grades
D. percentage grades

2.
A. academic pressure
B. tuition costs
C. competition
D. class attendance

3.
A. publicly
B. permanently
C. internally
D. internationally

4.
A. easier
B. shorter
C. more challenging
D. compulsory

5.
A. motivation
B. enrollment
C. attendance
D. independence

6.
A. Harvard
B. Stanford
C. Massachusetts
D. California

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Climate change represents an existential threat to both Bangladesh and Tuvalu. Although these two countries differ greatly in geography, culture, and history, they share a common vulnerability: both developed during the relatively stable conditions of the Holocene, when sea levels and climate patterns remained predictable. That stability is now being disrupted by global warming and rising seas.

A significant level of climate change is already unavoidable. Even if every country fulfills its existing climate commitments, global temperatures are still expected to rise well above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century. Such warming would bring substantial sea-level rise, placing Bangladesh’s low-lying Bengal Delta and Tuvalu’s small Pacific atolls at severe risk. Much of the Bengal Delta lies close to sea level, while Tuvalu’s islands rise only a few metres above the ocean. For both nations, climate change threatens land, livelihoods, and national security.

However, vulnerability is not determined by physical exposure alone. It is also shaped by a country’s ability to adapt. Wealthier nations often have far greater options: they can build protective infrastructure, reclaim land, relocate communities, and invest in technological solutions. Countries such as Bangladesh and Tuvalu have far fewer resources and therefore fewer choices. Their vulnerability is linked not only to geography but also to historical patterns of global inequality.

The scale of the challenge is unprecedented. No country has previously faced such a comprehensive threat to its territory and population. Adaptation can reduce many risks, but it cannot prevent all losses and damages. If adaptation efforts fail, the consequences for Bangladesh and Tuvalu could be catastrophic.

This situation raises fundamental questions of climate justice. Bangladesh has contributed only a small fraction of historical greenhouse gas emissions, and Tuvalu’s contribution is even smaller. By contrast, industrialised countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom account for a far larger share of cumulative emissions. Much of their wealth and development has been built through resource extraction and economic systems that have often disadvantaged developing countries.

Climate justice requires addressing these inequalities. Philosopher Nancy Fraser identifies three dimensions of justice that are particularly relevant: redistribution, representation, and recognition.

The first dimension, redistribution, concerns the fair allocation of resources and opportunities. Developing countries require far more climate finance than they currently receive. Bangladesh estimates that it needs billions of dollars annually for adaptation, while international support remains a small fraction of that amount. Similarly, adaptation costs for Tuvalu greatly exceed its available financial resources. Without significant redistribution of wealth and climate finance, vulnerable countries cannot achieve equal opportunities to protect their people.

Redistribution also applies to the remaining global carbon budget. A fair allocation of future emissions would require major reductions from countries with historically high emissions while allowing poorer countries greater space to develop. This highlights the unequal nature of the climate crisis: those who contributed least to the problem often face the greatest consequences.

The second dimension, representation, concerns who has influence in decision-making. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) allows all countries to participate, but its consensus-based system often gives powerful nations greater influence. Major emitters, wealthy countries, and powerful political blocs can delay or weaken decisions, meaning that vulnerable countries do not always have equal influence despite being among those most affected.

The third dimension, recognition, involves acknowledging historical and ongoing injustices. Bangladesh and Tuvalu have gained moral authority in climate negotiations because their vulnerability reflects a broader injustice: they are suffering from a problem they did little to create. Although international climate agreements recognise vulnerable countries, they often fail to fully acknowledge the specific harms experienced by individual nations.

The creation of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage represents an important step toward recognition justice. It acknowledges that some climate impacts cannot be avoided through adaptation alone and that vulnerable countries require support. However, the fund remains limited because developed countries have resisted framing climate assistance as compensation or accepting responsibility for historical emissions.

Recent developments in international law have strengthened arguments for climate justice. The International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on states’ obligations regarding climate change established that countries have legal duties to protect the climate system and support vulnerable nations. Although the opinion is not directly binding, it provides a significant legal and moral foundation for stronger climate action.

Given the scale of the threat facing Bangladesh and Tuvalu, symbolic actions such as formal political apologies from high-emitting countries could also play a role. An apology alone cannot deliver climate justice, but acknowledging responsibility may help create the political conditions needed for greater emissions reductions, adaptation support, and cooperation.

For Bangladesh and Tuvalu, climate justice is not an abstract principle—it is central to their survival. Both countries have demonstrated leadership in adapting to climate change despite having contributed very little to the crisis. Yet they cannot solve this problem alone. Achieving climate justice requires wealthy, high-emitting countries to accept responsibility, provide meaningful support, and transform the systems that created the crisis.

The opportunity to act remains, but it is narrowing. The choices made by today’s leaders will shape not only the future of Bangladesh and Tuvalu but also the global legacy of climate action—or inaction.

Here are SAT-style reading questions based on the passage.

Question 1: Main Idea

The primary purpose of the passage is to:

A. explain why Bangladesh and Tuvalu have failed to prepare for climate change
B. argue that climate change creates a problem of global injustice requiring greater responsibility from wealthy nations
C. compare the economic development strategies of Bangladesh, Tuvalu, and Singapore
D. describe how international organizations have successfully solved climate-related problems

Question 2: Central Claim

The author’s central argument is that:

A. climate change impacts can be avoided if vulnerable countries improve their economies
B. all countries should reduce emissions equally regardless of historical responsibility
C. countries that contributed most to climate change have a greater responsibility to support vulnerable nations
D. international climate agreements should exclude developing countries from decision-making

Answer: C
Explanation: The author repeatedly emphasizes historical emissions, unequal resources, and the responsibility of major emitters.

Question 3: Vocabulary in Context

The word “implacable” most nearly means:

A. unpredictable
B. unstoppable
C. temporary
D. manageable

Question 4: Function of an Example

The author mentions Singapore primarily to:

A. show that all countries face identical climate challenges
B. demonstrate how wealth gives countries more options for adaptation
C. argue that Singapore has contributed more emissions than Bangladesh
D. prove that adaptation efforts are unnecessary

Answer: B
Explanation: Singapore is used as an example of a country with greater financial resources and more adaptation choices.

Question 5: Inference

Which of the following can be inferred about Bangladesh and Tuvalu?

A. They have made no effort to address climate change.
B. Their vulnerability is partly caused by limited economic resources.
C. They are responsible for most historical greenhouse gas emissions.
D. They oppose international cooperation on climate issues.

Question 6: Evidence-Based Question

Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer to Question 5?

A. “Both civilisations developed during the Holocene, when sea levels and the climate were relatively stable.”
B. “Development typically increases those options.”
C. “Bangladesh is responsible for around 0.2% of the total stock of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, while Tuvalu accounts for no more than 0.001%.”
D. “The UNFCCC is, in many ways, a remarkable treaty that has achieved much.”

Question 7: Purpose of the Discussion of Nancy Fraser’s Theory

The author introduces Nancy Fraser’s three dimensions of justice mainly to:

A. provide a framework for analyzing different aspects of climate injustice
B. argue that climate change is only an economic issue
C. explain why international organizations should be eliminated
D. compare different philosophical theories unrelated to climate change

Question 8: According to the passage, a major weakness of the UNFCCC is that:

A. developing countries are not allowed to participate
B. decisions often require near-unanimous agreement, giving powerful countries greater influence
C. it focuses only on economic development rather than climate issues
D. it prevents countries from receiving adaptation funding

Answer: B
Explanation: The author argues that the consensus-based system allows powerful nations to delay decisions.

Question 9: The author’s attitude toward the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) is best described as:

A. completely dismissive because the fund has no value
B. cautiously supportive because it represents recognition but remains limited
C. enthusiastic because it has solved climate injustice
D. uncertain because the fund has not yet been created

Question 10: Which choice best describes the organization of the passage?

A. It presents a historical overview of climate science before describing future predictions.
B. It identifies a problem, explains its causes, analyzes justice issues, and proposes possible solutions.
C. It compares two countries and concludes that one has better climate policies.
D. It describes international agreements and argues they have been completely successful.

Answer: B
Explanation: The passage moves from climate risks → inequality → justice framework → international systems → possible actions.

Question 11: The statement that “climate justice is key to national and human security” suggests that:

A. climate change threatens both governments and individuals
B. climate change affects only political institutions
C. national security is unrelated to environmental issues
D. climate change can only be solved through military action

Question 12: The final paragraph primarily serves to:

A. introduce a new argument about economic development
B. summarize the author’s argument and emphasize the urgency of action
C. criticize Bangladesh and Tuvalu for their adaptation strategies
D. explain technical details about greenhouse gas emissions

Answer: B
Explanation: The conclusion reinforces the themes of responsibility, urgency, and the need for climate justice.

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Montclair State University has begun construction on a $120 million Interdisciplinary Science Building designed by HOK, representing a significant investment in STEM education, research and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Located on the university’s Montclair, New Jersey, campus, the 110,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to open for the 2028–29 academic year.

The new building will expand the university’s chemistry, physics and interdisciplinary science programs through advanced teaching laboratories, research spaces, technology-enabled classrooms, faculty offices, student collaboration areas and an event venue. The project is supported in part by a $60 million capital facilities grant from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.

Designed by HOK as a center for scientific exploration and collaboration, the facility will feature a range of flexible, technology-rich environments. The ground floor will include a virtual classroom, 360-degree projection studio, augmented and virtual reality lab, advanced computing facilities, collaborative commons and a 100-seat flexible lecture and event space. These spaces are intended to foster both structured learning and the informal exchange of ideas that drives innovation.

The building’s second and third floors will provide high-performance teaching and research laboratories for the chemistry and physics departments. The fourth floor will offer adaptable space for a future partner organization, along with a rooftop terrace overlooking the New York City skyline.

Additional features include the Imaginarium, an immersive environment designed for data analysis and visualization, as well as an indoor-outdoor classroom connected to an outdoor event plaza. The project is designed to meet LEED Silver standards and will incorporate sustainable elements such as solar energy harvesting, a native rain garden, a native bioswale and a dry stream bed.

The building’s design was shaped through an extensive planning process involving university leadership, academic deans, department chairs and facilities teams. Programming and visioning sessions helped align the project with Montclair State University’s goals for enrollment growth, faculty recruitment and expanded research capabilities.

“This building is a powerful expression of Montclair State University’s commitment to STEM education, environmental stewardship and interdisciplinary collaboration,” said John MacCallum, AIA, senior project designer at HOK. “Its advanced teaching and research environments are complemented by open, collaborative spaces that encourage discovery beyond the lab. The new plaza will serve as an important campus gathering point where students and faculty can connect, exchange ideas and extend learning beyond the classroom.”

Positioned at a key intersection within the university’s pedestrian core, the Interdisciplinary Science Building will enhance the campus’s academic infrastructure while establishing a prominent new gateway for science and innovation. HOK’s design organizes the facility into two interconnected volumes connected by a central collaboration zone, combining contemporary transparency and materials with architectural elements inspired by the campus’s Spanish Mission Revival style.

Upon completion, the building is expected to triple the university’s existing on-campus science laboratory capacity, strengthening Montclair State University’s commitment to expanding access to STEM education and research. The university currently graduates more minority STEM students than any other institution in New Jersey and is classified as an R2 High Research Activity institution.

HOK is providing architecture, interiors, laboratory planning, programming and sustainable design services for the project.

Here are SAT-style reading questions based on the passage.

Question 1: Main Idea

The primary purpose of the passage is to:

A. criticize the cost of expanding science facilities at public universities
B. describe the features and goals of a new science building at Montclair State University
C. compare architectural designs used by different universities
D. explain why STEM programs are declining in New Jersey

Answer: B
Explanation: The passage focuses on the new Interdisciplinary Science Building, its design, features, sustainability elements, and purpose.

Question 2: Function of Details

The passage mentions the virtual classroom, projection studio, AR/VR lab, and advanced computing facilities primarily to show that the building:

A. will replace traditional laboratory instruction
B. will focus only on technology-based research
C. is designed to support innovative and collaborative learning
D. will be used mainly by outside organizations

Question 3: Vocabulary in Context

As used in the passage, the word “hub” most nearly means:

A. obstacle
B. center
C. entrance
D. storage area

Answer: B
Explanation: The phrase “a new hub for interdisciplinary learning and discovery” means a central place where activities and ideas come together.

Question 4: Inference

Which of the following can be inferred about Montclair State University’s goals for the new building?

A. The university wants to reduce its focus on science programs.
B. The university wants to attract more students and researchers in STEM fields.
C. The university plans to move all science programs off campus.
D. The university intends to limit collaboration between departments.

Question 5: Evidence-Based Question

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to Question 4?

A. “The fourth floor will include customizable space that can accommodate a partnering organization.”
B. “The project is supported in part by a $60 million capital facilities grant.”
C. “Programming and visioning sessions helped align the project with the university’s goals for enrollment growth, faculty recruitment and expanded research capabilities.”
D. “The building will include a rooftop terrace with views of the New York City skyline.”

Answer: C
Explanation: This sentence directly identifies the university’s goals related to growth and research.

Question 6: Purpose of a Quotation

The quotation from John MacCallum mainly serves to:

A. provide criticism of the building’s design
B. explain the architectural philosophy behind the project
C. describe the history of Montclair State University
D. compare HOK with other architecture firms

Question 7: Organization

The passage is organized primarily by:

A. presenting a problem and proposing a solution
B. describing a project’s features, purpose, and expected impact
C. comparing two competing architectural approaches
D. explaining a historical timeline of campus development

Answer: B
Explanation: The passage moves from the building announcement to its design features, sustainability, planning process, and broader significance.

Question 8: Data Interpretation

The statement that the building will “triple the available on-campus science lab space” suggests that the project will:

A. significantly increase the university’s research capacity
B. reduce the number of science courses offered
C. eliminate the need for faculty offices
D. make science programs less accessible

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IELTS and BU Admissions Style MCQ Cloze Test by Bright Prep: IBM and Red Hat’s Lightwell Initiative

Read the passage carefully and choose the correct option to fill in the blanks.

IBM and Red Hat have announced a new program providing (1)_____ to more than 185 leading research universities and 100 major NGOs and think tanks. Eligible institutions can access Lightwell’s library of validated fixes for open source software (2)_____, helping them secure software and support public-interest work.

Open source software plays an important role in university research environments, teaching platforms and campus (3)_____. However, many institutions lack the resources and specialized engineering (4)_____ needed to address software security challenges as AI increases the discovery of vulnerabilities.

Through this initiative, institutions will receive access to a growing library of remediated, digitally signed and validated open source (5)_____. Lightwell provides fixes for the specific software versions organizations already use, reducing the need for disruptive (6)_____.

IBM and Red Hat launched Lightwell in May 2026 with a $5 billion commitment and a global force of more than 20,000 engineers. The platform combines a generative AI-powered remediation engine with human engineering ( 7 )_____ to identify and fix vulnerabilities.

Lightwell also helps organizations receive compliance artifacts, including Software Bills of ( 8 )_____. The initiative strengthens the open source ecosystem through Red Hat’s (9)_____ model, where fixes are submitted back to original communities.

Questions

1.
A) Software licenses
B) Free access
C) Cloud services
D) Research grants

2.
A) vulnerabilities
B) platforms
C) systems
D) applications

3.
A) operations
B) industries
C) markets
D) networks

4.
A) funding
B) capacity
C) equipment
D) policies

5.
A) dependencies
B) databases
C) devices
D) contracts

6.
A) upgrades
B) payments
C) purchases
D) transfers

7.
A) competition
B) expertise
C) investment
D) advertising

8.
A) Materials
B) Security
C) Software
D) Data

9.
A) closed-source
B) upstream-always
C) cloud-first
D) AI-only

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A University of Maryland, Baltimore instructor who recently received a “Teacher of the Year” award was detained by federal immigration officials while returning from an academic conference, according to multiple reports.

Berhanu Kibret, an instructor at the university’s School of Pharmacy was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, confirmed the detention, saying it was related to an expired visa.

The University of Maryland said Kibret was detained after attending a meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, where he had received recognition for his teaching. The university said Kibret had valid work authorization and expressed hope that any immigration issues would be resolved quickly so he could return to his position.

“Dr Kibret has a valid work authorization,” the university said, describing him as a valued member of the School of Pharmacy community. Officials called him an effective teacher and respected colleague, adding that his detention had caused concern and anxiety across campus.

Kibret’s research focuses on the role of the brain’s cannabinoid system in mental health, neurological disorders and addiction. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as his doctorate, in Ethiopia before completing postdoctoral research in New Jersey.

According to DHS, Kibret entered the United States on 21 June 2021 on a visa that expired on 31 May 2024. The agency said he remained in the country beyond the visa expiration date and would stay in ICE custody while his immigration case proceeds.

The detention has drawn attention amid broader criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. The administration has repeatedly said it is prioritizing the arrest and removal of people considered serious criminal offenders, while critics have pointed to cases involving individuals without criminal convictions.

Kibret’s arrest follows the detention of another Baltimore-area academic, Johns Hopkins University researcher Fatima Ameaka, who was held by ICE at Baltimore/Washington International Airport before being released. Ameaka, a Cameroonian citizen with a doctorate in pharmacy, had been working at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Johns Hopkins described Ameaka as a respected member of its community and said it was providing support, including access to legal assistance. Documents reported by ABC indicated that Ameaka had work authorization valid through 2029 and a pending asylum case. Her attorney later confirmed that she had been released from ICE custody.

SAT Reading and Writing–Style Questions Based on the Passage
Question 1: Central Idea

Which choice best states the main idea of the passage?

A. Universities in the United States have generally opposed immigration enforcement actions.

B. Two university-affiliated researchers were detained by immigration authorities, raising questions about visa enforcement, legal status, and the impact of such actions on academic communities.

C. Immigration laws in the United States prevent foreign researchers from working at universities.

D. Federal immigration officials have stopped arresting people with criminal records.

Question 2: Author’s Purpose

The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. argue that all immigration enforcement actions are unlawful.

B. describe recent immigration arrests involving university researchers and explain the reactions they generated.

C. criticize universities for hiring international researchers.

D. explain how academic awards are selected.

Question 3: Vocabulary in Context

As used in the passage, the word “detained” most nearly means

A. questioned publicly

B. temporarily held by authorities

C. permanently removed from employment

D. transferred to another institution

Question 4: Detail

According to the passage, why was Berhanu Kibret traveling when he was arrested?

A. He was attending a court hearing.

B. He was returning from a professional conference where he received an award.

C. He was applying for a new immigration status.

D. He was leaving the United States permanently.

Question 5: Evidence

Which choice best supports the claim that Kibret was valued by his university community?

A. “His research focuses on how the brain’s cannabinoid system influences mental health…”

B. “He obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science…”

C. “He is an effective and beloved teacher, and a highly regarded colleague.”

D. “He entered the US on 21 June 2021…”

Answer: C

Question 6: Inference

The University of Maryland’s statement suggests that university officials believed that

A. Kibret had committed a criminal offense.

B. immigration concerns could potentially be resolved without ending his employment.

C. immigration laws should not apply to university employees.

D. Kibret should immediately leave the United States.

Question 7: Function of a Paragraph

The paragraph describing Kibret’s academic background primarily serves to

A. demonstrate his qualifications and contributions as a researcher and educator.

B. explain why he violated immigration laws.

C. compare his education with that of other researchers.

D. describe the history of immigration policy in Ethiopia.

Question 8: Author’s Use of Contrast

The passage contrasts the Trump administration’s stated focus on “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens” with the cases of Kibret and Ameaka primarily to

A. suggest that immigration enforcement actions have sometimes involved individuals without criminal convictions.

B. prove that all immigration arrests are politically motivated.

C. show that universities oppose immigration laws.

D. explain why criminal records are unnecessary in immigration cases.

Answer: A

Question 9: Vocabulary in Context

As used in the passage, the word “apprehension” most nearly means

A. excitement

B. confusion

C. anxiety

D. disagreement

Answer: C

Question 10: Main Purpose of Including Ameaka’s Case

Why does the author include information about Fatima Ameaka’s detention?

A. To show that multiple university-affiliated individuals experienced immigration enforcement actions.

B. To prove that all asylum cases are unsuccessful.

C. To explain the requirements for pharmacy researchers.

D. To compare two universities’ academic programs.

Answer: A

Question 11: Inference

What can reasonably be inferred about the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University?

A. Both institutions considered the detained individuals important members of their communities.

B. Both universities refused to comment on immigration issues.

C. Both universities had hired the individuals without authorization.

D. Both institutions supported deportation proceedings.

Question 12: Rhetorical Purpose

The author includes details about Kibret’s research on the brain’s cannabinoid system mainly to

A. explain the scientific importance of his work.

B. suggest that his research caused his arrest.

C. criticize his field of study.

D. prove that researchers should not travel internationally.

Question 13: Transition

Which transition best completes the sentence?

"Kibret’s university described him as a respected educator and colleague. ______, federal officials stated that he had remained in the country beyond his visa expiration date."

A. Similarly

B. However

C. Therefore

D. For example

Answer: B

Question 14: Best Summary

Which choice best summarizes the passage?

A. Immigration officials arrested two university researchers because universities failed to follow federal regulations.

B. Two academic researchers were detained by immigration authorities, leading universities and others to debate the relationship between immigration enforcement, legal status, and academic communities.

C. Foreign researchers are no longer permitted to work at American universities.

D. Immigration courts have eliminated visa requirements for researchers.

Answer: B

Question 15: Command of Evidence

Which detail most directly supports the idea that the arrests caused concern among university communities?

A. Kibret completed a postdoctoral fellowship in New Jersey.

B. Ameaka held a doctorate in pharmacy.

C. The University of Maryland said Kibret’s detention created “a heightened sense of apprehension” on campus.

D. DHS oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement.