Starting 30 days before the wedding, the bride spends an hour a day ____________ (9).

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Have you ever noticed advertisements which say “Learn a foreign language in 6 weeks or your money back. From the first day your pronunciation will be excellent. Just send…” and so on?  Of course, it never happens quite like that. One’s mother language is easier to learn, but it also requires a lot of practice to be fluent. And think how much practice that gets! Before the Second World War, people usually learned a foreign language in order to read the literature of the country.

Now speaking a foreign language is what most people want. Every year millions of people start learning one. How do they do it? Some people try it at home, with books and records of tapes; some use radio or television programs; some use computers and networks; others go to evening classes. If they use the language only 2 or 3 times a week, it will take a long time, like learning a foreign language at school. A few people try to learn the language fast by studying for 6 or more hours a day. It is clearly easier to learn the language in the country where it is spoken. However, most people cannot afford this, and for many, it is not necessary. They need the language in order to do their work better. For example, scientists and doctors chiefly need to be able to read books and reports in a foreign language. Whether the language is learned quickly or slowly, it is hard work. Machines and good books will help, but they cannot do the students’ work for him.

According to some advertisements, you______.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

CULTURE SHOCK

Many people dream of living in a foreign country. It can be an amazing experience for those (23)______are willing to settle down in a new place. (24)_________, there’s one potential problem you should be aware of Culture shock. Culture shock is the feeling we get from living in a place that is so different from where we grew up that we are not sure (25)______ to deal with it. Societies are (26)_________ in many different ways, and we can often be taken aback by some of the things we find in foreign countries. Customs and traditions can be very different and that can sometimes make it difficult to get on with local people who might not approve of things you do and might object to things you say. You might be banned from doing things in another country that is perfectly legal on your own. For example, in Singapore people can be forced to (27)_______ a large fine just for dropping rubbish. Eventually, though, most people who live abroad fall in love with their adopted country and learn to accept its difference.

27___________

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

When people think of domestic abuse, they often focus __________ (1) domestic violence. But domestic abuse includes any attempt by one person in __________ (2) intimate relationship or marriage to dominate and control the other. Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: __________ (3) and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under __________ (4) thumb

_________ (5) violence and abuse can happen to anyone; it does not discriminate. Abuse happens within heterosexual relationships and in same-sex partnerships. It __________ (6) within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And __________ (7) women are more often victimized, men also experience abuse—especially verbal and emotional. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never __________ (8), whether from a man, woman, teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

Domestic abuse often escalates __________ (9) threats and verbal assault to violence. And while physical injury may pose the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, __________ (10) to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your relationship is abusive.

I know what you’re thinking, ____________ (10) this is actually meant as an expression of joy and deep love.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

JOB INTERVIEW- SELLING YOURSELF

When you apply for a job, one of the most important things is a job interview. In order to make a good impression during a job interview, you need to prepare yourself for the interview carefully. Punctuality is very necessary. You should arrive in plenty of time so that you have a little time to relax and keep calm before the interview. You should be well—dressed. Do not wear a skirt which is too short or jeans. You also need to plan what you are going to say. You have to answer a lot of questions about your education and experience. You may be asked many things about yourself and especially about the reason why you decide to apply for the job. You can ask the interviewer about the salary you expect, the position you are applying for, and the duties you have to do in the job. You also must try to find out as much as possible about the company you want to work for.

You can ask the interviewer about______________

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

In the 1960s it took pop and rock groups one or two days to record their songs. Nowadays, it can take months and months. Many rock groups begin by recording only one instrument, for example, the voice. Then they record other instruments- electric piano, synthesizer, guitars, drums, and so on.

Next, they might use a computer to add special effects. Finally, they ‘mix’ all the instruments until they get the sound that they want. This means that a CD or cassette will always sound very different from a live concert.

Music engineers have developed a new computer program that will change the future of music. A computer can analyze a singer’s voice. Then if you give the computer the lyrics and music of a song, the computer can ‘sing’ it in that voice. This means that a singer only needs to record one song and the computer can then sing other songs in the singer’s voice. Singers can sing new songs many years after they have died.

Most of us listen to music for pleasure, but for record companies, music is a product, the same as soap powder. When a record company finds a new group (or “band”), they first try to develop the band’s ‘profile’. They will try to create an ‘image’ for the band that they think will attract young people. Instead of allowing the band’s full artistic freedom, they will often tell the band what they should wear, what they should say, and how they should sing and play.

In recent years, many rock groups have started their own record companies because they say that the big companies are too commercial.

Record companies don’t always _________.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

All over the world, all different cultures created interesting processed meat products, and one of the most popular is undoubtedly sausage.

To begin with, sausage-making may be considered disgusting as it deals with using various animal parts. Since meat is ground up, certain cuts and parts of an animal that wouldn’t be served in their original forms can be used. This means animal parts such as noses, ears, and other less appetizing areas of an animal’s body. Very often, the ground-up meat and flesh are mixed well, this meat mixture is then stuffed into the cleaned intestines of the animal, which are then sealed at both ends. The result is sausage.

The meats used in sausages come from a variety of animals, although beef and pork are by far the favorites. In some cultures, sausage made from the meat of horses is considered a delicacy. When sausages are cooked, the cooking process sometimes adds to the flavor. While boiling is probably the simplest method, smoking sausages will add a lot of smoky flavors.

Next time you bite into a sausage, it is probably best not to think too much about how it became the tasty thing you eat. After all, you don’t want to ruin a good snack.

What are by far the favourite meats for making sausages?

A composer is someone who ________ (6) and directs original music used to produce various types of media entertainment.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Did you know that reading can…. (23)….  your mind active and engaged well into old age? Several years ago when I was working as a newspaper reporter, I interviewed a woman who was a resident at a local nursing home.  She was 100 years old.  She read …. (24)….  one book per week.  She was bright, intelligent and fun to talk with.  “I love to read.  It helps me keep up with what is going …. (25)…… in the world,” she said.  “A friend of …. (26)….  brings me a new book every week.  I look forward to her visits and I look forward to the books.  We talk about the books we have read. ” Reading has other benefits, as well.  For one thing, reading a good story can help you forget some of the problems in your own life.  For the other thing, reading also sets a good …. (27)…… for younger generations.

24___________

Read the passage and choose the best option A, B, C or D to answer the question. Write your answers on the answer sheet.
Along with jogging and swimming, cycling is one of the best all-round forms of exercise. It can help to increase your strength and energy, giving you more efficient muscles and a stronger heart. But increasing your strength is not the only advantage of cycling. Because you’re not carrying the weight of your body on your feet, it’s a good form of exercise for people with painful feet or backs. However, with all forms of exercise it’s important to start slowly and build up gently. Doing too much too quickly can damage muscles that aren’t used to working. If you have any doubts about taking up cycling for health reasons, talk to your doctor and ask for his/her advice.
Ideally you should be cycling at least two or three times a week. For the exercise to be doing you good, you should get a little out of breath. Don’t worry that if you begin to lose your breath, it could be dangerous and there must be something wrong with your heart. This is simply not true; shortness of breath shows that the exercise is having the right effect. However, if you find you are in pain then you should stop and take a rest.

Which of the following is NOT included in the advantages of cycling?

Read the following passage, then choose the correct answer to questions 26 – 30.
Plants supply man with food clothing, and shelter- his most important needs.
Many of our most useful medicines are also made (26)_________ plants. In addition, plants add beauty and pleasure to our lives. Most people enjoy the smell of flowers, the sight field of waving grain, and the quiet of a forest. Not (27)_________  plants are helpful to man. Some species grow in fields and gardens as weed that choke off useful plants. Tiny hits of pollen from (28)_________ plants cause such (29)_________ as asthma and hay fever. Other plants destroy millions of dollars (30)_________ of crops yearly.
(29)..........................

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

When people think of domestic abuse, they often focus __________ (1) domestic violence. But domestic abuse includes any attempt by one person in __________ (2) intimate relationship or marriage to dominate and control the other. Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: __________ (3) and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under __________ (4) thumb

_________ (5) violence and abuse can happen to anyone; it does not discriminate. Abuse happens within heterosexual relationships and in same-sex partnerships. It __________ (6) within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And __________ (7) women are more often victimized, men also experience abuse—especially verbal and emotional. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never __________ (8), whether from a man, woman, teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

Domestic abuse often escalates __________ (9) threats and verbal assault to violence. And while physical injury may pose the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, __________ (10) to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your relationship is abusive.

Chọn từ thích hợp trong ô dưới đây điền vào mỗi chỗ trống để hoàn thành đoạn văn:
Malaysia is one of the (21)____________ of the Association of South-East Asia Nations  (ASEAN). It is divided into two regions, (22)__________ as West Malaysia and East Malaysia. They are separated by about 640 km of the sea and together comprise an area of 329,758 sq km. Malaysia enjoys (23)__________ climate. The Malaysian unit of currency is the ringgit. The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur and it is also the (24)__________ city of the country. The (25)__________ in 2001 was over 22 million. Islam is the country’s official religion. In addition, there are other religions such as Buddhism (26)__________ Hinduism. The national language is Bahasa Malaysia (also known simply as Malay). English, Chinese, and Tamil are also widely spoken.

(26).....................

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

My first piece of advice to people who want to start getting fit is don’t buy an exercise bike. Typically, people who buy them use them for a week or so and then forget about them. There are effective if they are used regularly but you need to be determined. Most people will find it much easier to go for a gentle jog around the park.

As well as being easy to do, jogging is also relatively cheap compared to most other sports. You don’t need to buy expensive clothes if you’re just going running around the park or on the beach. The main thing is that they’re comfortable and that they keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There is one piece of equipment, however, that you will have to spend time and money on, and that’s your running shoes. Remember that you are not looking for a fashion item, but for something that will support your feet and protect you from injury. They can be expensive, but if they are of good quality they will last you a long time. It’s always best to get expert advice, and the best place for that is a sports shop.

As for the actual jogging, the secret is to start gently, and not to do much at the beginning – especially if you haven’t had any exercise for a long time. Try a mixture of walking and running for ten minutes about three times a week at first. Once you are happy doing that you can then start to increase the amount you do gradually. After a few months, you should hope to be able to run at a reasonable speed for twenty minutes three or four times a week. It’s important that you feel comfortable with whatever you do. If you do, you’ll start to enjoy it and will probably keep doing it. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, you’ll probably stop after a short time and return to your bad habits. In any case, training too hard is not very effective. Research has shown that somebody who exercises for twice as long as or twice as hard as another person doesn’t automatically become twice as fit.

According to the author, you should________.

Read the following passage and choose the letter A, B, C, D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions: 
The Americans are keen to win the race to send human beings to Mars. In 1992, the new boss of NASA, Dan Goldin, called on the American people to be the first to send explorers to another planet in the solar system. He reminded them of the symbolic gift carried to the moon and back by the Apollo 11 mission. It bears a message intended for the crew of the first spaceship to visit Mars. Goldin thinks it is time to begin the preparation for this historic journey. His speech echoed the words of the President, who promised that in 2019, 50 years after Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon, the first astronaut would stand on Mars.
By the end of the twentieth century, various unmanned spaceships will have thoroughly investigated the surface of the planet. But, however clever a robot may be, it cannot match the type of information which can be gained from direct human experience. The first geologist on the moon, Harrison Schmitt, was capable of interpreting the story of the landscape on the spot. Until humans walk on the rod deserts of Mars, we will not be able to determine the history of this frozen world in any detail.

According to the American President, when would the first astronaut probably stand on Mars?

__________ (13), we find time to share our daily experiences

Choose the best answer: 
Can you imagine traveling in a tiny pod, inside a tube that can quickly shoot people to (1)...............they want to go? It sounds like something out of a silly cartoon or a movie about the future. But this futuristic tube may soon become (2)............... And it could be a faster, easier, and cheaper way to travel than anything we know now. Elon Musk is a very wealthy South African-American (3)...................... In the past, he has worked on private space flight and electric cars. Recently, Musk has been planning this futuristic traveling tube, called the Hyperloop. Musk said that he (4).................up with the idea for the Hyperloop whAe thinking about the train that takes people between Eos Angeles and San Francisco. That train is known for being one of the slowest trains in the country. But the Hyperloop would be (5).................faster. In fact, it could go about twice as fast as an airplane and three or four times as fast as the fastest train in the world. People using the Hyperloop would shoot (6) .............in pods, which are each just over six-and-a-half feet across. The pods would travel through tubes that are (7)............... above ground or under water. The Hyperloop could even run all day and night, and it could let people travel on their own schedule. People could (8) ................at the Hyperloop station.
5. 

A rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture, the Temple of Literature honors Vietnam’s finest scholars. Founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, the attractive complex is dedicated to Confucius (Khong Tu) and was the site of Vietnam’s first university (1076). The altars are popular with students praying for good grades; while the pagodas, ponds and gardens of the five courtyards make picturesque backdrops for student graduation photos. It is depicted on the 100,000d note. Gifted students from all over the nation headed to Hanoi to study the principles of Confucianism, literature and poetry. In 1484 Emperor Ly Thanh Tong ordered that stelae be erected to record the names, places of birth and achievements of exceptional scholars: 82 of 116 stelae remain standing, mostly atop turtle statues.

It is depicted on the _________ dong note.

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

When people think of domestic abuse, they often focus __________ (1) domestic violence. But domestic abuse includes any attempt by one person in __________ (2) intimate relationship or marriage to dominate and control the other. Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: __________ (3) and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under __________ (4) thumb

_________ (5) violence and abuse can happen to anyone; it does not discriminate. Abuse happens within heterosexual relationships and in same-sex partnerships. It __________ (6) within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And __________ (7) women are more often victimized, men also experience abuse—especially verbal and emotional. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never __________ (8), whether from a man, woman, teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

Domestic abuse often escalates __________ (9) threats and verbal assault to violence. And while physical injury may pose the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, __________ (10) to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your relationship is abusive.

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

The Cu Chi Tunnels are part of a massive war museum in Ho Chi Minh. They offer visitors a sneak-peek at the underground life of Vietnamese soldiers back ___________ (1) 1948. The site has over 120km of underground tunnels, with trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, armoury, hospitals, and command centres. After the war against the French, Vietnamese soldiers expanded ___________ (2) tunnels and included effective air filtration systems, which helped them survive the Cu Chi carpet-bombings. It is now one of Ho Chi Minh’s ___________ (3) iconic attractions. You can enjoy plenty of activities during your visit. A popular option ___________ (4) following the narrow routes of the underground tunnel. Before entering the underground tunnels, visitors watch a short film of Cu Chi Tunnels so that they can understand how the tunnel system works. There are emergency exit points every 10 metres for safety. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an hour's drive from Ho Chi Minh City. There are tour operators ___________ (5) can arrange for a half-day tour for VND 825,000 upwards.