Two minutes ______ , the yacht was sinking

Read the passage and choose the correct answer for each question.
If you travel by air across the center of Africa or South America, you fly over forests for thousands of kilometers. These great forests are the oceans of trees. There are thousands and thousands of different kinds of plants and animals.
However, the world’s forests are getting smaller all the time. We are cutting down the trees because we need wood, and we need more farmland. Some people say that there will not be any forests like these in 20 or 30 years. What will happen if they disappear?
If we cut down our forests, a lot of plants and animals will disappear from the world. In a lot of places, the new farmland will soon look like the old deserts. Crops will not grow there. It will not rain very often, and the weather will get very hot. Perhaps the climate of the world will change. This will be dangerous for everyone in the world. That is why we must take care of our forests.
The passage mainly tells us about ………….

Read, then choose the best answer by circling the corresponding letter A, B, C, or D. 

Radar is an electronic device that can “see” great distances (1) ……. fog, rain, snow, cloud, and darkness. It can find and (2) ……… locate missiles, aircraft, ships, cities, rainstorms, and mountains. Radar uses radio waves, (3) ……….. light waves, which the human eye uses in seeing. This makes it (4) …….. for radar to locate many kinds of objects at (5) …….. greater distances than the eye can see. Radar became an important military device during World War II. Today, networks of radar lookout stations guard the United States and Canada 24 hours a day against (6) ……. missiles and airplanes. Patrol planes and ships (7) …….. the oceans with radar for hostile ships and aircraft. Airports use radar to (8).…. planes safety to earth in fog or storms. Ships use it to steer clear of other (9) ……… or icebergs.  Radar helps weathermen warn of (10) ……. hurricanes or tornadoes.

10...................

Choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D that best fits each space in the following passage from 23 to 32:

Malaysia (23)__________one of the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It consists (24)________ the Malay Peninsula and Sarawak and Sabah on the island Borneo. It is (25) ________into two regions, known as West Malaysia and East Malaysia. It has a tropical (26)________.

The (27)________of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is (28)________world’s biggest producer of palm oil, and it exports rubber, tin, and gas. In addition to Islam, the country’s official (29)__________, there are Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity. Malaysian people speak Bahasa Malaysia as (30)_________mother tongue. It is the language of (31)______in all secondary schools. English, Chinese, and Tamil are also widely spoken in (32)_____country.

Question 27:___________

Đọc văn bản và trả lời các câu hỏi sau. 
Independence Day in the United States is observed every year on the Fourth of July. Today, for most communities throughout the nation, the traditional celebration includes parades down the main streets, picnics with hot dogs and lemonade, and, of course, a fireworks display at night. In some towns across the country, however, special events are planned in honor of the annual occasion. In Bristol, Rhode Island, fire engine teams from communities throughout New England compete in a contest to squirt water from their fire hoses. Flagstaff, Arizona hosts a huge three-day powwow, including a rodeo, for twenty Native American tribes. The annual Eskimo games with traditional kayak races are held in Kotzebue, Alaska. Two auto races are always scheduled for the Fourth, including- a four-hundred-mile stock car event at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida, and an annual auto race up the fourteen-thousand-foot precipice at Pike's Peak in Colorado.

Several small towns celebrate in other unique ways. Hannibal, Missouri, the hometown of Mark Twain, invites the children to participate in a fence-painting contest, reenacting a scene from Twain's novel Tom Sawyer. Lititz, Pennsylvania congregates in the Lititz Springs Park to light thousands of candles and arrange them in various shapes and images.

In Ontario, California, the townspeople combine the traditional with the unusual by setting up tables along Euclid Avenue for what they describe as "the biggest picnic table in the world". In this way, everyone in town has a front-row seat for the two-mile parade.

Children take part in a fence- painting contest in _______________.

Read the following passage and then choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D.
One of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century was the method of using natural gas for cooking and heating. Large amounts of natural gas are found in the United States, usually several feet below the surface of the earth. Natural gas is most often found in places where petroleum, the oil from which gasoline is made, is found. Often the natural gas must be removed before the oil itself can be reached.
For many years after natural gas was first discovered, it was thought to have no value. Finally, however, people began to understand its use and to find ways of storing it and moving it from place to place. Today natural gas is stored in large tanks and used for lighting, cooking, and heating. It has also been used for electric generators and hybrid cars recently. In many ways, natural gas is one of our finest fuels. It can be used for cooking without making the room hot. It is cheap and can be moved easily from one place to another through long pipelines, some of which are hundreds of miles in length.

This passage as a whole is about__________ .

Read the text and then choose the best answer A, B, C, or D.

    Visit the Edinburgh Festival

Every year, thousands of people come to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, to be part of the Edinburgh Festival. For three weeks every August and September the city is filled with actors and artists from all over the world. They come to Edinburgh for the biggest arts festival in Britain. During this time, the streets of the city are alive with music and dance from early in the morning untill late at night. You can even see artists painting pictures on the streets.

Tens of thousands of tourists come to the festival to see new films and plays and to hear music played by famous musicians. This year, you can see over five hundred performances with actors from more than forty countries.

The tickets for these performances are quite cheap, and it is usually easier to see your favourite star in Edinburgh than it is in London. So come to Edinburgh next summer!

What can you even see artists doing on the streets?

Read this passage carefully and then choose the best answers to the questions below by circling the corresponding letter A, B, C, or D. 

A recent investigation by scientists at the US Geological Survey shows that strange animal behavior might help predict the future earthquake.
Investigators found such occurrences in a ten-kilometer radius of the center of a fairly recent quake. Some birds screeched and flew about wildly. Dogs yelped and ran uncontrollably.
Scientists believe that animals can perceive these environmental changes as early as several days before the disaster.
In 1976 after observing animal behavior, the Chinese were able to predict a terrible quake. Although hundreds of thousands of people were killed, the government was able to evacuate millions of people and thus keep the death toll at a lower rate.

If scientists can accurately predict earthquakes, there will be ……….

Đọc đoạn văn sau đó chọn phương án thích hợp cho mỗi câu dươi dây.

Almost all our energy comes from oil, coal, and natural gas. We call them fossil fuels. The earth’s fossil fuels are running out. What would happen if there were no oil, coal, and gas on earth?

Scientists are trying to find and use other alternative sources of energy. We can use energy from the sun, the wind, and the water.

Solar energy is unlimited. It supplies all the energy used to grow plants, evaporate water for rain, and maintain the temperature of the planet. All are necessary for human life. If we’re able to collect solar energy, we’ll be sure to make good use of this abundant source of power.

Another source of energy from nature is the wind. Wind power is clean and plentiful. Energy from the wind has been used for centuries to move ships, grind grain, pump water, and do other kinds of work. In more recent times, wind power has been used to generate electricity.

Water can also provide power. For a long time, people have used water to power machines. Some early uses of water power were to mill grain, saw wood, and power machinery for the textile industry. Today water power is mostly used to generate electricity.

Centuries ago, people used wind power to…………………………….

Read the text carefully and then choose the best answers to the questions below by circling the corresponding letter A, B, C, or D. 
 
In the early years of television, educational specialists believed that it would be very useful in teaching and learning. Many schools have bought television sets intending to use them effectively to improve the quality of education, but actually, they are rarely used properly in classrooms. Meanwhile, children spend the majority of their out-of-school hours watching TV and their typical school days proceed as if television did not exist.

There are some explanations for the failure of television to get the interest of the teachers. Firstly, the schools that purchased television sets have not set aside money for equipment repairs and maintenance, so these television sets are sooner and later out of work. Secondly, these schools have not found an effective way to train teachers to integrate television into their ongoing instructional programs. Lastly, most teachers do not regard the quality of television and its usefulness in the classroom.

Teachers at the schools work hard for at least twelve years to train their students to become good readers. However, according to recent statistics, teenagers seldom spend their free time reading books and newspapers but watching television instead.

According to the text, TV ________

Pick out ONE best option (A, B, C, or D) to fill in each numbered blank, completing the meaning of the passage. 

   Before the (25)……of newspapers, town criers would go through city streets ringing a bell. They shouted the latest news as they were walking.

   In Vietnam, people love reading newspapers and magazines. The Tuoi Tre is one of the (26)……newspapers and is widely read by young and old alike.

   Thanks to television people can get the latest information and enjoy interesting programs in an inexpensive and convenient way. Nowadays, viewers can watch a (27)……of local and international programs on different channels.

   The next stage in the development of television is interactive TV. Viewers are able to ask questions about the show (28)……their remote controls.

   The Internet has (29)……developed and become part of our everyday life. People find the Internet useful. People use the Internet for many purposes. Some access the Internet to look for information, some surf the web for entertainment, and (30)……rely on the Internet as a means of education.

   The mass media plays an important (31)……in collecting and passing on information. The information may be local, national, or international. It can cover a wide range of topics, from news and weather to entertainment. News stories contain information about politics, the economy, and such international affairs (32)……wars or natural disasters.

27_________

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Circle A, B, C, or D to indicate your answers.

Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish inventor, and philanthropist bequeathed most of his vast fortune in trust as a fund from which annual prizes could be awarded to individuals and organizations who had achieved the greatest benefit to humanity in a particular year. Originally, there were six classifications for outstanding contributions designated in Nobel’s will, including chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine, literature, and international peace.

The prizes are administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm. In 1969, a prize for economics endowed by the Central Bank of Sweden was added. Candidates for the prizes must be nominated in writing a qualified authority in the field of competitions. Recipients in physics, chemistry, and economics are selected by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; and physiology or medicine by the Caroline Institute; in literature by the Swedish Academy; and in peace by the Norwegian Nobel Committee appointed by Norway’s parliament. The prizes are usually in Stockholm on December 10, with the King of Sweden officiating, an appropriate tribute to Alfred Nobel on the anniversary of his death. Each one includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award of about one million dollars.

Why were the prizes named for Alfred Bernhard Nobel?

Decide if the following statements are True or False or Not Given according to the text.

Hello students. Today I'd like to tell you some information about types and sources of energy. Energy is classified into two main groups: renewable and non-renewable.

The energy generated from natural sources such as the sun, wind, rain, and tides is called renewable energy. They are plentiful and can be generated again and again. They also have low carbon emissions so they are considered green and environment-friendly. Moreover, using renewable energy can reduce your electricity bills. Unfortunately, solar energy can be only used during the daytime but not during night or the rainy season. Geothermal energy also can bring toxic chemicals beneath the earth's surface to the top and can create environmental changes.

Non-renewable energy is the energy taken from other sources that are available on earth. They are limited and will run out in the future. They can't be re-generated in a short time. Fossil fuels - natural gas, oil and coal - are examples of them. They are cheap and easy to use. However, when burnt, they release toxic gases in the air so they cause serious environmental changes such as global warming. And the important thing is that non-renewable sources will expire someday.

There is a large amount of non-renewable energy.

Decide if the following statements are True or False or Not Given according to the text.

Hello students. Today I'd like to tell you some information about types and sources of energy. Energy is classified into two main groups: renewable and non-renewable.

The energy generated from natural sources such as the sun, wind, rain, and tides is called renewable energy. They are plentiful and can be generated again and again. They also have low carbon emissions so they are considered green and environment-friendly. Moreover, using renewable energy can reduce your electricity bills. Unfortunately, solar energy can be only used during the daytime but not during night or the rainy season. Geothermal energy also can bring toxic chemicals beneath the earth's surface to the top and can create environmental changes.

Non-renewable energy is the energy taken from other sources that are available on earth. They are limited and will run out in the future. They can't be re-generated in a short time. Fossil fuels - natural gas, oil and coal - are examples of them. They are cheap and easy to use. However, when burnt, they release toxic gases in the air so they cause serious environmental changes such as global warming. And the important thing is that non-renewable sources will expire someday.

Non-renewable energy can be generated in a short time.

They jumped into the life-raft and watched the boat go ______ the water.

Read this passage carefully and then choose the best answers to the questions below by circling the corresponding letter A, B, C, or D. 

A recent investigation by scientists at the US Geological Survey shows that strange animal behavior might help predict the future earthquake.
Investigators found such occurrences in a ten-kilometer radius of the center of a fairly recent quake. Some birds screeched and flew about wildly. Dogs yelped and ran uncontrollably.
Scientists believe that animals can perceive these environmental changes as early as several days before the disaster.
In 1976 after observing animal behavior, the Chinese were able to predict a terrible quake. Although hundreds of thousands of people were killed, the government was able to evacuate millions of people and thus keep the death toll at a lower rate.

Which of the following statements is not true?

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Circle A, B, C, or D to indicate your answers.

Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish inventor, and philanthropist bequeathed most of his vast fortune in trust as a fund from which annual prizes could be awarded to individuals and organizations who had achieved the greatest benefit to humanity in a particular year. Originally, there were six classifications for outstanding contributions designated in Nobel’s will, including chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine, literature, and international peace.

The prizes are administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm. In 1969, a prize for economics endowed by the Central Bank of Sweden was added. Candidates for the prizes must be nominated in writing a qualified authority in the field of competitions. Recipients in physics, chemistry, and economics are selected by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; and physiology or medicine by the Caroline Institute; in literature by the Swedish Academy; and in peace by the Norwegian Nobel Committee appointed by Norway’s parliament. The prizes are usually in Stockholm on December 10, with the King of Sweden officiating, an appropriate tribute to Alfred Nobel on the anniversary of his death. Each one includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award of about one million dollars.

The word “appropriate” in the passage most closely means ………

Pick out ONE best option (A, B, C, or D) to fill in each numbered blank, completing the meaning of the passage. 

   Before the (25)……of newspapers, town criers would go through city streets ringing a bell. They shouted the latest news as they were walking.

   In Vietnam, people love reading newspapers and magazines. The Tuoi Tre is one of the (26)……newspapers and is widely read by young and old alike.

   Thanks to television people can get the latest information and enjoy interesting programs in an inexpensive and convenient way. Nowadays, viewers can watch a (27)……of local and international programs on different channels.

   The next stage in the development of television is interactive TV. Viewers are able to ask questions about the show (28)……their remote controls.

   The Internet has (29)……developed and become part of our everyday life. People find the Internet useful. People use the Internet for many purposes. Some access the Internet to look for information, some surf the web for entertainment, and (30)……rely on the Internet as a means of education.

   The mass media plays an important (31)……in collecting and passing on information. The information may be local, national, or international. It can cover a wide range of topics, from news and weather to entertainment. News stories contain information about politics, the economy, and such international affairs (32)……wars or natural disasters.

31.__________

Pick out ONE best option (A, B, C, or D) to fill in each numbered blank, completing the meaning of the passage: 

   The International Space Station (ISS) is a large spacecraft that was launched in 1998. It orbits the Earth and is the place where astronauts live and conduct research in microgravity (25)…..

   Below is about the day in the life of an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.

   Astronauts sleep in sleeping bags. The microgravity makes them (26)……. They have to attach themselves so they don’t float about.

   Hair is washed with a “senseless” shampoo that does not need water. For toothbrushing, a small (27)……of water is used with toothpaste and then swallowed.

   The crew spend their day doing science experiments. They also carry out checks for the maintenance of the station. The Mission Control Centre on Earth (28)……their operations.

   The astronauts eat various foods (29)……fruits, nuts, chicken, beef, seafood, brownies, salt and pepper (in liquid forms), etc. Drinks include coffee, tea, and fruits juice (all packaged). Foods can be heated up or kept cool with special machines.

   A popular pastime while orbiting Earth is (30)……looking out of the windows to admire its beauty. In their free time, astronauts exercise, watch movies, play music, read books, play cards, and talk to their families.

   How are astronauts trained? Anyone can apply to train as an astronaut as long as they have a bachelor’s degree in science, mathematics, or engineering, experience as a jet pilot, and are (31)…… If they get accepted, there are several phases of training. The first phase requires them to pass a swimming test in a flight suit. They take parabolic flights that produce weightlessness. They also learn about various spaceship systems. In the second phase, they are trained to operate spacecraft systems and deal with emergencies. The training is often (32)……in a water tank laboratory so that trainees become familiar with crew activities in simulated microgravity in order to perform spacewalks.

27__________

Read the passage below then pick out ONE best option (A, B, C or D . to complete each of the following sentences:

Britain is now a highly industrialized country and there are only 238,000 farms in the UK. More and more farmers leave the land because they can not earn enough money to survive. Only large farms are economic and because of this most British farm are big. They usually grow cereals in the east of England and raise sheep and cowsin the north of England and Scotland. The small family farms often have to earn more money by offering bed and breakfast accommodation to tourists.

Farming methods in Britain have also changed. Fields used to be quite small, divided by hedges which were sometimes a thousand years old and full of wild flowers and birds. Many hedges were pulled up to allow farmers to use mordern machinery. Now most fields in England are large by European standards.

Question: British farmers give up working on their farms because________ .

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

Every nation and every country has its own customs and traditions. In Britain, traditions play a more important part in the life of the people than in other countries. Englishmen are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up.

It has been the law for about 300 years that all theaters are closed on Sundays. No letters are delivered, only a few Sunday papers are published.

To this day an English family prefers a house with a garden to a flat in a modern house with central heating. English people like gardens. Sometimes the garden in front of the house is a little square covered with cement painted green in imitation of grass and a box of flowers.

Holidays are especially rich in old traditions and are different in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England. Christmas is a great English national holiday, and in Scotland, it is not kept, except by clerks in banks, all shops and factories are working.

What is the best title for the passage?