Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 5.

Girls are once again falling behind in mathematics, widening a gender gap that had previously been declining. This trend is evident across many education systems, where boys increasingly outperform girls, especially by the end of primary school. (1) ________, they are more likely to be among lower performers and less likely to reach top achievement levels in mathematics.

The resulting disparity, stemming from gender stereotypes and insufficient support, (2) ________. Such influences, shaped by teacher expectations and learning experiences rather than innate ability, often lead girls to show lower confidence in mathematics compared to their male peers.

As a result, rather than moving forward with confidence, (3) ________. The reduced self-belief directly affects their engagement in mathematical activities. Consequently, they often shy away from challenging tasks (4) ________. Over time, the loss of confidence weakens both technical skills and future ambitions, with achievement gaps becoming increasingly apparent.

Since mathematics is essential for learning and key to accessing STEM careers where women make up only 36% of graduates, the existing divide has serious long-term implications. (5) ________. Specifically, education systems must prioritize gender-transformative pedagogy in teacher training to address emerging underachievement from the earliest years. By tracking progress through disaggregated data and tackling community stereotypes, we can create a lasting environment where girls truly thrive.

(Adapted from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles)

Question 1.

A. When educational opportunities for girls have expanded significantly compared with earlier periods

B. Although the proportion of girls attending school has risen significantly compared to earlier periods

C. Because the rate of girls gaining access to education has gone up significantly over the last decades

D. For the number of girls attending school to increase significantly compared with previous generations

Question 2.

A. clearly indicates that achieving success primarily depends on gaining access to classrooms

B. serves as a reminder that merely providing access to classrooms does not guarantee success

C. will demonstrate that educational achievement can eventually result from wider access to schooling

D. highlights the fact that giving students access to education can automatically ensure achievement

Question 3.

A. a steady discouragement develops through repeated setbacks

B. unfavorable learning experiences weaken girls' sense of confidence

C. girls gradually lose interest due to repeated negative experiences

D. girls experience an increase in motivation after facing ongoing difficulties

Question 4.

A. whose neglect results in a noticeable decline in classroom participation

B. where classroom participation becomes a less significant educational concern

C. in which we see a noticeable decline in classroom participation over time

D. which in turn leads to a noticeable drop in classroom participation

Question 5.

A. Closing it requires more targeted action to strengthen girls' confidence and support in mathematics

B. Greater female participation in STEM-related professions may gradually contribute to wider gender equality

C. Wider access to education remains the best solution to gender disparities in mathematics achievement

D. Addressing the issue calls for improving overall academic performance among all students nationwide