Read the passage below and fill each gap with the most appropriate option. The rise of social media has significantly altered the way people interact…

Question

Read the passage below and fill each gap with the most appropriate option. The rise of social media has significantly altered the way people interact with one another. In the past, communication was mostly (11) to face-to-face encounters or telephone conversations. Today, however, individuals can instantly (22) with others across the globe via platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. While this digital evolution has made communication faster and more (13), it has also introduced new challenges. One such challenge is the (14) of fake news, which spreads rapidly through social media networks, often without proper verification. Another downside of excessive social media use is the growing (15) of physical interaction. Many people now prefer chatting online to meeting in person, leading to a decline in interpersonal skills. Psychologists have even identified a correlation between heavy social media usage and increased levels of (16). Despite these issues, social media continues to (17) an important role in modern society. For businesses, it has become a powerful tool for (18). Politicians use it to share their views, and activists rely on it to (19) awareness about critical issues. In essence, while social media has its flaws, its benefits, when properly harnessed, far (20) its drawbacks. -13-

Answer 1

Read the passage below and fill each gap with the most appropriate option. The rise of social media has significantly altered the way people interact with one another. In the past, communication was mostly (11) to face-to-face encounters or telephone conversations. Today, however, individuals can instantly (22) with others across the globe via platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. While this digital evolution has made communication faster and more (13), it has also introduced new challenges. One such challenge is the (14) of fake news, which spreads rapidly through social media networks, often without proper verification. Another downside of excessive social media use is the growing (15) of physical interaction. Many people now prefer chatting online to meeting in person, leading to a decline in interpersonal skills. Psychologists have even identified a correlation between heavy social media usage and increased levels of (16). Despite these issues, social media continues to (17) an important role in modern society. For businesses, it has become a powerful tool for (18). Politicians use it to share their views, and activists rely on it to (19) awareness about critical issues. In essence, while social media has its flaws, its benefits, when properly harnessed, far (20) its drawbacks. -13-

influential
efficient ✓
accessible
flexible

Explanation

Market failure occurs when free markets do not allocate resources efficiently. Causes: monopoly power, externalities (costs/benefits affecting third parties), public goods, information asymmetry.

Government intervenes through: regulation, taxation (discourage negative externalities), subsidies (encourage positive externalities), provision of public goods, competition policy.

Government failure is also possible – intervention may make things worse. Balance needed between market freedom and government correction. No perfect solution exists.