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 36 to 40.

Urbanization, (36) _______, has been a defining trend of the 21st century. While this phenomenon has brought about numerous benefits, including increased economic opportunities and improved access to services, it has also had a profound impact on local communities, often leading to their decline.
The rapid growth of cities has led to a mass exodus from rural areas, (37) _______. This migration has resulted in a brain drain from smaller communities, with young, educated individuals being the most likely to leave. As a result, many rural areas have older populations and fewer workers, making it difficult to support local economies and basic services.
(38) _______. As cities grow, they encroach upon surrounding rural areas, leading to the loss of farmland and green spaces. This (39) _______, further eroding the character of rural communities.
The rise of big-box stores and online shopping has dealt another blow to local communities. (40) _______. This has led to the closure of many local shops, leaving once-vibrant main streets eerily quiet and diminishing the sense of community.
(Adapted from https://ielts.net)

Question 36.
A. the process by which rural areas become urbanized as a result of economic development and industrialization
B. which is the process of rural areas become urbanized by economic development and a result of industrialization
C. the result of economic development and industrialization by which the process of rural areas become urbanized
D. by which the process of rural areas become urbanized as a result of economic development and industrialization

Question 37.
A. this is because better prospects of jobs and higher life standards
B. as people seek better job prospects and higher standards of living
C. albeit with neither better job prospects nor higher standards of living
D. so that better job prospects can be sought here as well as higher standards of living

Question 38.
A. Moreover, the expansion of urban areas often comes at the expense of agricultural land and natural habitats
B. The expansion of agricultural land and natural habitats, by contrast, comes at the expense of urban areas
C. The expansion of urban areas, moreover, are the expense to come to agricultural land and natural habitats
D. Therefore, agricultural land and urban areas expands at the expense of natural habitats

Question 39.
A. affects food production and disrupts ecosystems and biodiversity
B. ecosystem and biodiversity affects and disrupts ecosystems.
C. food production is affected and disrupted by ecosystems and biodiversity
D. being affected food production and disrupted ecosystems and biodiversity

Question 40.
A. Once formed small businesses, the backbone of rural economies is now struggling to compete with large corporations and e-commerce giants
B. Small businesses, large corporations and e-commerce giants are now struggling to form the backbone of rural economies
C. The competition between large corporations and e-commerce giants against small businesses is forming the backbone of rural economies
D. Small businesses that once formed the backbone of rural economies are struggling to compete with large corporations and e-commerce giants