Read the following passage about inventions 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.
A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison made more than 1,000 attempts before successfully inventing the incandescent light bulb. (I) History is replete with examples of inventors failing repeatedly before eventually succeeding. (II) However, not all inventions are the result of relentless effort. (III) Indeed, some inventions come about entirely by accident, often when inventors are attempting to create something else. (IV) These accidental discoveries have profoundly impacted the world, proving that innovation sometimes relies as much on luck as on determination.
In the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was trying to create a new substance for refrigeration. He mixed chemicals, placed them in a pressurized container, and cooled the mixture. The result was not a refrigeration material but Teflon, a substance now widely used to make nonstick cookware. Decades earlier, John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, sought to create a tonic to relieve headaches. Though unsuccessful in his original goal, he inadvertently invented Coca-Cola, which became one of the most popular beverages in the world. Both Plunkett and Pemberton demonstrate how unintended outcomes can lead to groundbreaking products.
Accidental discoveries have also played a critical role in scientific advancements. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, when he noticed that mold in a petri dish killed surrounding bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery has saved millions of lives and revolutionized medicine. Similarly, in 1946, Percy Spencer was experimenting with microwaves when he realized that a candy bar in his pocket had melted. Investigating further, he developed the microwave oven, a device that forever changed the way people prepare food.
These stories highlight the unpredictable nature of innovation. While persistence and hard work are often necessary, chance can also play an important role in shaping the modern world. Whether through deliberate effort or serendipity, accidental inventions have transformed industries, improved daily life, and opened new possibilities for the future.
Where in paragraph 1 does the following sentence best fit?
“Instead, some inventions are the result of spontaneous, unintended incidents.”
Hãy suy nghĩ và trả lời câu hỏi trước khi xem đáp án
Đáp án đúng là C
Giải thích:
Câu này nói về việc một số phát minh xảy ra do các sự kiện bất ngờ, không có chủ đích. Câu này phù hợp để đặt ngay trước câu "[III] Indeed, some inventions come about entirely by accident..." để làm rõ ý nghĩa và tạo sự liên kết chặt chẽ.
Bộ đề thi giúp học sinh lớp 12 làm quen với cấu trúc và nội dung đề thi tốt nghiệp THPT môn Tiếng Anh năm 2025. Đề thi được xây dựng theo định hướng của Bộ GD ĐT, bao gồm các phần Ngữ âm, Từ vựng - Ngữ pháp, Chức năng giao tiếp, Kỹ năng đọc hiểu, Kỹ năng viết và Phát âm - Trọng âm. Hệ thống câu hỏi đa dạng, bám sát chương trình học, giúp học sinh rèn luyện kỹ năng làm bài và nâng cao tư duy ngôn ngữ. Đáp án chi tiết đi kèm hỗ trợ học sinh tự ôn tập, đánh giá năng lực và chuẩn bị tốt nhất cho kỳ thi quan trọng.
Câu hỏi liên quan
Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions from 34 to 40.
1. Since the birth of the car in 1886, transport in big cities has changed a lot. It is no wonder many experts think that there will be extraordinary changes in the next few decades.
2. As technology develops, highways, skylines, subways will be all transformed. Smarter roadways and highways in cities outfitted with IoT sensors will process all kinds of data in real time and inform users of the best transport options. Weather, crashes, traffic conditions will be communicated to users and smart stops will be found everywhere providing renewable energy, green hydrogen or even greener energy, ensuring efficiency and safety on every highway. Tunnels will also be a smart choice because of the reduction of traffic congestion. Underground roads will be built in 3D with a lift system which will take vehicles deep underground and will allow traffic to attain the greatest speed without intersections.
3. There will also be innovations in the sky. Air taxis are not a new idea, but in the future they will be completely environment-friendly. Aviation gasoline will be no longer used. Green energy will be in place and cost-effective air taxis will enable people to travel from one busy urban city to another in record time.
4. New technologies such as AI and the rollout of 5G will pave the way for fully autonomous innovation. Cars will not be the only thing to go autonomous. Freight trucks, cargo vehicles, air taxis will all benefit from this technology and that is why the term 'driver' will become extinct.
5. Transport will go green. Electric or hydrogen power will be mainstream. There will still be issues to solve such as safety, speed and cost, and of course governments will need to make new traffic laws.
The word they in paragraph 3 refers to __________.
Choose the best one (A, B, C or D) to complete the sentence or replace the underlined word.
Look, it’s working. You can see the _______ of the cursor on the screen.
Read the following passage about human life expectancy 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 23 to 30.
An engine is a machine that creates mechanical motion from energy. In order to do this, an engine frequently requires some type of fuel to burn. Nowadays, many engines are used to power cars and other forms of transportation. These vehicles most commonly have an internal combustion engine and rely upon gasoline for power. However, there are several types of engines that can use alternative energy sources. Many people are trying to switch to them because gasoline, which is a fossil fuel, creates pollution and is also a non-renewable resource.
These days, engines that are able to burn biofuels are somewhat common. Biofuels are fuels that are made from biological material, such as corn, soybeans, and sugarcane. These biofuels burn cleanly, so they produce much less pollution than fossil fuels. In some countries, such as Brazil, cars with biofuel engines are standard. In fact, most of the cars in Brazil have engines that can operate on either gasoline or biofuel.
A second type of alternative engine is the electric engine. Cars with electric engines have been common for decades. Most are being used in hybrid cars at the moment. These are vehicles that have both a gasoline-powered engine and an electric one. In many cases, the gasoline-powered engine is used to operate the car at high speeds on expressways. The electric engine is utilised for city driving. One benefit of hybrid cars is that as the gasoline-powered engine runs, it simultaneously recharges the electric engine.
A third type of alternative engine is the hydrogen engine. It utilises hydrogen fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity that can power the car These days, there are many cars and buses that rely upon hydrogen engines. However, there are some problems associated with this type of engine. The hydrogen used in the engine must be processed from other materials, and it is also difficult to store. As a result, vehicles that run on hydrogen are expensive.
Alternative energy sources create less pollution and are often renewable sources of energy. It is hoped that more and more innovations help the use of alternative energy sources become easier and easier.
In which paragraph does the writer mention the engines running on H2.
Read the following passage about inventions 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.
A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison made more than 1,000 attempts before successfully inventing the incandescent light bulb. (I) History is replete with examples of inventors failing repeatedly before eventually succeeding. (II) However, not all inventions are the result of relentless effort. (III) Indeed, some inventions come about entirely by accident, often when inventors are attempting to create something else. (IV) These accidental discoveries have profoundly impacted the world, proving that innovation sometimes relies as much on luck as on determination.
In the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was trying to create a new substance for refrigeration. He mixed chemicals, placed them in a pressurized container, and cooled the mixture. The result was not a refrigeration material but Teflon, a substance now widely used to make nonstick cookware. Decades earlier, John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, sought to create a tonic to relieve headaches. Though unsuccessful in his original goal, he inadvertently invented Coca-Cola, which became one of the most popular beverages in the world. Both Plunkett and Pemberton demonstrate how unintended outcomes can lead to groundbreaking products.
Accidental discoveries have also played a critical role in scientific advancements. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, when he noticed that mold in a petri dish killed surrounding bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery has saved millions of lives and revolutionized medicine. Similarly, in 1946, Percy Spencer was experimenting with microwaves when he realized that a candy bar in his pocket had melted. Investigating further, he developed the microwave oven, a device that forever changed the way people prepare food.
These stories highlight the unpredictable nature of innovation. While persistence and hard work are often necessary, chance can also play an important role in shaping the modern world. Whether through deliberate effort or serendipity, accidental inventions have transformed industries, improved daily life, and opened new possibilities for the future.
According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
Rewrite the following sentences without changing their meaning. Use the given word(s) if any.
Hans Lipperhey invented the telescope in 1608. He was a Dutch eyeglass maker. (combine the sentences using Relative Clause)
Hans Lipperhey __________________________________________
Read the following passage about Marcel Bich 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 23 to 30.
Marcel Bich, a French manufacturer of traditional ink pens, was the man turning the ballpoint pen into an item that today almost anyone can afford. Bich was shocked at the poor quality of the ballpoint pens that were available, and also at their high cost. However, he recognised that the ballpoint was a firmly established invention, and he decided to design a cheap pen that worked well and would be commercially successful.
Bich went to the Biro brothers and asked them if he could use the design of their original invention in one of his own pens. In return, he offered to pay them every time he sold a pen. Then, for two years, Bich studied the detailed construction of every ballpoint pen that was being sold, often working with a microscope.
By 1950, he was ready to introduce his new wonder: a plastic pen with a clear barrel that wrote smoothly, did not leak and only cost a few cents. He called it the 'Bic Cristal'. The ballpoint pen had finally become a practical writing instrument. The public liked it immediately, and today it is as common as the pencil. In Britain, they are still called Biros, and many Bic models also say 'Biro' on the side of the pen, to remind people of their original inventors.
Bich became extremely wealthy thanks to his invention, which had worldwide appeal. Over the next 60 years his company, Société Bic, opened factories all over the world and expanded its range of inexpensive products. Today, Bic is as famous for its lighters and razors as it is for its pens, and you can even buy a Bic mobile phone.
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
Choose the best answer A, B, C or D to complete the sentences: The Wright brothers ______ the first airplane in 1903.
Choose the best one (A, B, C or D) to complete the sentence or replace the underlined word.
I think the first antibiotic was the greatest medical _______ .
Read the following advertisement and choose the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 6.
THE PERFECT DEVICE FOR BOOK LOVERS
Are you passionate (1) __________ books but tired of the heavy load? Try the ReadSmart E-Reader, the perfect solution for (2) __________ book lovers!
The ReadSmart E-Reader is lightweight, easy to carry, and has a clear, glare-free screen, even in bright sunlight. With a long-lasting (3) __________, you can read for weeks without charging, making it great for travel or everyday use.
The ReadSmart E-Reader (4) __________ thousands of books, articles, and documents. You can adjust the font size, lighting, and even use a built-in dictionary for a(n) (5) __________. The simple design makes it easy to find and organize your books.
Perfect for both relaxing and studying, the ReadSmart E-Reader makes reading (6) __________. Now you can carry your entire library with you, wherever you go!
Listen to the the conversation and choose True or False for the following statements. Question 36 to 40.
He bought the tablet last month.
Complete the sentences with correct form of words in the brackets.
Mobile phone technology has improved _______ in recent years. (DRAMA)
Read the following passage about Marcel Bich 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 23 to 30.
Marcel Bich, a French manufacturer of traditional ink pens, was the man turning the ballpoint pen into an item that today almost anyone can afford. Bich was shocked at the poor quality of the ballpoint pens that were available, and also at their high cost. However, he recognised that the ballpoint was a firmly established invention, and he decided to design a cheap pen that worked well and would be commercially successful.
Bich went to the Biro brothers and asked them if he could use the design of their original invention in one of his own pens. In return, he offered to pay them every time he sold a pen. Then, for two years, Bich studied the detailed construction of every ballpoint pen that was being sold, often working with a microscope.
By 1950, he was ready to introduce his new wonder: a plastic pen with a clear barrel that wrote smoothly, did not leak and only cost a few cents. He called it the 'Bic Cristal'. The ballpoint pen had finally become a practical writing instrument. The public liked it immediately, and today it is as common as the pencil. In Britain, they are still called Biros, and many Bic models also say 'Biro' on the side of the pen, to remind people of their original inventors.
Bich became extremely wealthy thanks to his invention, which had worldwide appeal. Over the next 60 years his company, Société Bic, opened factories all over the world and expanded its range of inexpensive products. Today, Bic is as famous for its lighters and razors as it is for its pens, and you can even buy a Bic mobile phone.
Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?
Read the text and answer the questions. Answer full sentence.
INVENTIONS THE WORLD FORGOT
The Telharmonium
The Telharmonium was the world's first electronic musical instrument. It was designed by Thaddeus Cahill in 1897. Music from the instrument was broadcast to people's homes using a telephone. Before the invention of the radio, people loved these first home concerts. After Cahill's death in 1934, his brother kept one of the three models, but in 1962 it was destroyed. No recordings of the music were kept, so the Telharmonium and its unique sound have disappeared forever.
The Writing Ball
Invented in 1865 by Rasmus Malling-Hansen from Denmark, the Writing Ball was a machine for typing onto paper. Its use of electricity made the movement faster. However, you could not see the paper as you were typing. Nevertheless, the Writing Ball was very successful. Since each model was made by hand, it was soon
replaced by other cheaper machines produced in factories. A new keyboard with a different key arrangement appeared. The once-popular Writing Ball was forgotten.
The Antikythera Mechanism
In 1901, parts of an ancient machine were discovered on a ship near the Greek island of Antikythera. It had been made about 1,900 years earlier, in 2 BCE. For many years after its discovery, nobody understood exactly what the machine was for. In the 1970s, scientists found that this ancient computer had been designed to predict the movements of the sun, the moon and the planets. It did this using more than thirty hand-made metal wheels of different sizes. The remains of the Antikythera mechanism are now kept at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, together with a number of reconstructions to demonstrate how it may have worked.
What happened to the device in 1962?
Read the following passage about Marcel Bich 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 23 to 30.
Marcel Bich, a French manufacturer of traditional ink pens, was the man turning the ballpoint pen into an item that today almost anyone can afford. Bich was shocked at the poor quality of the ballpoint pens that were available, and also at their high cost. However, he recognised that the ballpoint was a firmly established invention, and he decided to design a cheap pen that worked well and would be commercially successful.
Bich went to the Biro brothers and asked them if he could use the design of their original invention in one of his own pens. In return, he offered to pay them every time he sold a pen. Then, for two years, Bich studied the detailed construction of every ballpoint pen that was being sold, often working with a microscope.
By 1950, he was ready to introduce his new wonder: a plastic pen with a clear barrel that wrote smoothly, did not leak and only cost a few cents. He called it the 'Bic Cristal'. The ballpoint pen had finally become a practical writing instrument. The public liked it immediately, and today it is as common as the pencil. In Britain, they are still called Biros, and many Bic models also say 'Biro' on the side of the pen, to remind people of their original inventors.
Bich became extremely wealthy thanks to his invention, which had worldwide appeal. Over the next 60 years his company, Société Bic, opened factories all over the world and expanded its range of inexpensive products. Today, Bic is as famous for its lighters and razors as it is for its pens, and you can even buy a Bic mobile phone.
The word available in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by ________.
Read the text and answer the questions. Answer full sentence.
INVENTIONS THE WORLD FORGOT
The Telharmonium
The Telharmonium was the world's first electronic musical instrument. It was designed by Thaddeus Cahill in 1897. Music from the instrument was broadcast to people's homes using a telephone. Before the invention of the radio, people loved these first home concerts. After Cahill's death in 1934, his brother kept one of the three models, but in 1962 it was destroyed. No recordings of the music were kept, so the Telharmonium and its unique sound have disappeared forever.
The Writing Ball
Invented in 1865 by Rasmus Malling-Hansen from Denmark, the Writing Ball was a machine for typing onto paper. Its use of electricity made the movement faster. However, you could not see the paper as you were typing. Nevertheless, the Writing Ball was very successful. Since each model was made by hand, it was soon
replaced by other cheaper machines produced in factories. A new keyboard with a different key arrangement appeared. The once-popular Writing Ball was forgotten.
The Antikythera Mechanism
In 1901, parts of an ancient machine were discovered on a ship near the Greek island of Antikythera. It had been made about 1,900 years earlier, in 2 BCE. For many years after its discovery, nobody understood exactly what the machine was for. In the 1970s, scientists found that this ancient computer had been designed to predict the movements of the sun, the moon and the planets. It did this using more than thirty hand-made metal wheels of different sizes. The remains of the Antikythera mechanism are now kept at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, together with a number of reconstructions to demonstrate how it may have worked.
What was the name of world's first electronic musical instrument?
Choose the word or phrase that is CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word.
Tickets are checked manually at peak times because we don't have enough computers.
Read the texts. Match the writers (Katie, Ben, Gareth, and Davina) with the questions below.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
How do you become a successful entrepreneur while you’re still at school? Four young people explain how they did it.
Katie Bradley, 14 - The chef
I’ve always eaten cakes, but when I learned to make them I realised how unhealthy many of them were. So I wanted to find a way to make healthy cakes, without much sugar. Instead of lots of sugar, I used more fruit and healthy kinds of low-sugar chocolate. The results were amazing – they were delicious, and also good for you. My mum encouraged me to start selling them at our local market, and I came up with the name ‘Katie’s cakes’. I was surprised at how popular they were! Now I’ve been contacted by a big supermarket. They’re keen to sell my products, so I’m really excited!
Ben Stewart, 15 - The blogger
I love writing, so one day my teacher suggested I started a blog. But there are lots of blogs on the internet, and I wanted my blog to be different. Then I had a great idea. I'm really interested in shopping, and I also know more about money than most teenagers: you know, how to earn it and how to save it. So I started a shopping and money blog for teenagers. I give people advice about shopping − and if they have money problems, I tell them the best thing to do. I started the website a year ago, and it's grown and grown. Thousands of people visit my blog now, and I make money from adverts on the blog. I’ve had lots of great messages from people too. One person said that I had changed their life. That’s awesome!
Gareth Jones, 13 - The website designer
I’ve had a computer since I was six years old, so I’ve grown up with I.T. I use websites all the time to help me with my homework. But in the past I often couldn’t find the answers to simple questions very quickly. I realised that many teenagers were probably having the same problem. So I came up with an idea for a new website. It's designed to help people with their homework, and it's already become very popular. It's for young people and written by young people too. It doesn’t cost anything to use the website, but I have advertisements on there so I’m making a lot of money. It’s brilliant!
Davina Richards, 16 - The online seller
When I was twelve years old, I wanted to go on a school trip. But my mum said that she wouldn’t pay for it − I could only go on the trip if I paid for it myself. So, I needed to sell something and make money. My mum
showed me how to use eBay, and I looked through my old CDs, books and gadgets and decided which ones to sell. I made £100 in the first few days, and after that I couldn’t stop. Now I’ve got an online shop. I buy things to sell in my shop, and my friends and I make things to sell online too.
Which person gives free advice to people?
Listen to an interview about a competition for young inventors. Are the sentences TRUE or FALSE? Question 33 to 36.
Inventions can be original ideas or ways to make an old product better.
Read the passage and choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.
1. Imagine this: Your little brother's favourite toy car has a broken wheel, and he's about to cry. You're not worried, though. You take some pictures of the broken part and use your 3D printer to make a new one.
2. 3D printers are amazing machines that can create objects from digital designs. Surprisingly, people first thought of this idea way back in 1984, and by 1993, they started a company to make it happen! Since 2004, 3D printers have become small and affordable, so almost anyone can have one at home. In 2018, they sold more than half a million of them around the world.
3. How do they work? Well, instead of using ink like regular printers, 3D printers use materials like plastic or metal. They put these materials layer by layer to build a 3D shape.
4. People are using 3D printers to make all sorts of things, like jewelry and decorations. Even sports companies are using them to make shoes that fit perfectly. And doctors use 3D printers to make things like replacement bones. It makes surgeries easier and helps people get better faster.
5. 3D printers are developing all the time, and are becoming the piece of technology every home should have. And you might be able to print one soon, who knows yourself.
(26) Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
Choose the best one (A, B, C or D) to complete the sentence or replace the underlined word.
My brother writes applications for computers or smartphones – he’s a(n) _______ .
