Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.

Cancel culture has emerged as one of the most controversial aspects of today’s digital society. At its core, it means publicly criticizing or refusing to support people or organizations that are believed to have violated social rules or values. While forms of public shaming have existed throughout history, the rise of the Internet has dramatically accelerated both the speed and scale of such reactions. [I] This instant spread of criticism has turned cancel culture into a powerful tool for accountability, but also a source of controversy regarding fairness, freedom of expression, and potential social harm.

Historically, movements such as the abolitionist movement and the Civil Rights Movement used boycotts and social pressure to fight for justice. [II] From this perspective, cancel culture may be viewed as a digital-era version of those strategies. Online platforms enable communities to mobilize quickly, using hashtags, petitions, or viral posts to call out perceived wrongdoing. Celebrities and influencers also influence public opinion, either intensifying criticism or helping to mitigate its effects. Their participation often affects whether a cancellation becomes powerful or disappears, showing the strong connection between media influence and public attitudes.

Cancel culture can have worrying consequences. Individuals targeted online may face reputational damage, professional consequences, and psychological strain. [III] Nevertheless, public criticism can create positive outcomes, such as policy reforms and greater awareness of discrimination and injustice. Even so, many critics argue that cancel culture can discourage open discussion, lead to unfair punishment, and spread false information. Since online judgments are often formed rapidly and impulsively, individuals may be attacked because of comments that are misunderstood or taken out of context. This raises concerns about whether cancel culture truly promotes justice or simply fuels social division.

Looking forward, cancel culture will likely continue evolving alongside technological innovation and social movements. Artificial intelligence and algorithms may further amplify online criticism while platforms will face ongoing challenges in balancing free expression with user safety. The future of cancel culture will depend on how society responds, including improving media literacy, promoting critical thinking, and building fairer systems of accountability. [IV] Ultimately, cancel culture reflects both the influence and the dangers of online communities. It can hold individuals accountable for harmful actions, but it must be guided by fairness, empathy, and respect for human dignity to avoid becoming destructive.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the opt...