ĐỀ THI ĐỀ NGHỊ THI HỌC SINH GIỎI OLYMPIC ĐỒNG BẰNG SÔNG CỬU LONG Năm học 2010 – 2011 - Trường THPT Chuyên Nguyễn Đình Chiểu docx

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SỞ GIÁO DỤC & ĐÀO TẠO ĐỒNG THÁP
Trường THPT Chuyên Nguyễn Đình Chiểu

ĐỀ THI ĐỀ NGHỊ
THI HỌC SINH GIỎI OLYMPIC ĐỒNG BẰNG SÔNG CỬU LONG
Năm học 2010 – 2011

I. LISTENING: (3m/ 20) Listen to two texts and choose True or False in 30 minutes

Text 27: Listen to part of conversation between two characters. Which of these sentences are true
(T) and which are false (F) ?

TRUE FALSE
1. Alan Turner speaks to Liza Carter.
2. Sylvie Dubois is French.
3. She lives In England now.
4. She's on holiday in Canada.
5. She works for an airline company.

TRUE FALSE
6. Sebastian knows Susan.
7. Sebastian knows Henry.
8. Susan is Sebastian's secretary.
9. Henry and Susan work in a bank.
10. Sebastian works for an Insurance company.

TRUE FALSE
11. David walks to work.
12. David's work is near his home.

13. Peter is a student.
14. Peter pays to park his car.
15. David wants to know about the
man in the blue jacket.


II. VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR: (7m/ 20)
A. Choose the best answer. (2 m/20)
1. It's distressing to see small children ____ in the street.
A. pleading B. imploring C. begging D. entreating
2. It never ____ his mind that his dishonesty would be discovered.
A. crossed B. came C. sprung D. paned
3. ____ I am aware, there were no problems during the first six months.
A. Except that B. So much as C. Much more than D. As far as
4. He's very amusing, and I like his ___ of humour.
A. meaning B. feeling C. mind D. sense
5. She ____in business as a dressmaker.
A. set, off B. set up C. set out D. set down
6. Although he was completely ____ as a furniture-maker, he produced the most, beautiful chairs.

A. unable B. untrained C. incapable D. uneducated
7. After a thorough search, the police ____ most of the missing jewels.
A. retreated B. refreshed C. recorded D. recovered
8. Because of road works, traffic is restricted to one ___ in each direction.
A. lane B. row C. alley D. path
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9. A trick in the mining industry is ____ to bring about a shortage of coal in the near future.
A. causing B. resulting C. threatening D. prospering
10. We expected him at eight but he finally ____ at midnight.

A. came to B. turned out C. turned up D. came off
11. The marathon runner _____ for almost one hour when she _____ to the
pavement. She received immediate medical attention.
A. has been running / collapses B. were running / collapse
C. had been running / collapsed D. will have running / will collapse
12. The teacher asked his students to go ____ charter three.
A. over B. to C upon D. off
13. We are in no hurry, so take your ______ .
A. attention B. concentration C. good care D. time
14. More men than women are _____
A. left-handing B. left-handed C. hand-left D. hand-lefting
15. One must obey the law, __________
A. however he is old or young B. however old or young he is
C. whatever he is old or young D. whatever old 01 young he is
16. We have nothing to do with your trouble.
A. have no intention of B. have no relation to
C. have no knowledge of D. have no good time
17. He earns _____ he used to last year.
A. twice as much as B. twice as many as
C. as much twice as D. as much as twice
18. We have managed to organize a meeting this afternoon.
A. set on B. set off C. set up D. set away
19. In our modern time, people communicate by telephone, radio, television , and computer.
A. talk to each other A. give and receive information
C. combine together D. have a date
20. ____ every industry in our modern word requires the work of engineers.
A. Wholly B. Hardly C. Only D. Virtually

B. Fill in each numbered space with a suitable word: (1m/20)

It was a cold night. The train travelled through some very lonely countryside. There was 1.
______ sign of human life and the station at Brest seemed like an oasis. The passengers__________
advised to get off the train because they were going to there 3. _____ a long time. The customs
officers had to do their duties, searching the entire train looking mainly 4. _____ illegal literature.
They found quite a lot, including some interesting magazines to 5. _____ home to their families.
While this was happening, the train moved away from the platform to 6. _____ its wheels changed. It
was lifted up and swung over onto 7. _____ wider set of wheels. But the passengers in the station did
not know about this. To them it was a long, unnecessary wait, 8. _____ worse by the fact that their
luggage disappeared with the train for at 9. _____ an hour. If they had been given a better explanation
of what was going on, they 10. _____ have been in a better mood.
Your answer:
1. __________________ 6. __________________
2. __________________ 7. __________________
3. __________________ 8. __________________
4. __________________ 9. __________________
5. __________________ 10. __________________

C. Complete each of the following sentences with an appropriate form of the word in block
capitals. Write your answers in the space provided. (1 m/20)
My (0) FAVOUR composer is Chopin and I am fortunate favourite
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enough to have a friend who is also a very (1) GIFT pianist. ___________________
As a professional (2) MUSIC, she believes strongly that ___________________
musical ability is (3) MOST something you learn, not a ___________________
(4) CHARACTER that you are born with . She thinks that ___________________
students can improve their ability enormously. I feel really
(5) ENVY when I hear my friend perform and the ecstatic ___________________
respond that she gets from her audience at the end
of a (6) PERFORM . Both the public and ___________________

(7) CRITICISE agree that she is one of the country's most ___________________
talented (8) ART . The huge amount of money she earns gives ___________________
her the freedom to do almost anything that she likes,
which I, as a humble (9) POEM , ___________________
can not (10) COMPETITOR with ___________________

D. Choose the correct verb form to be used in each numbered blank : (1 m/20)

Man has made great strides in all the fields of science , particularly medicine. For instance ,
research work in the laboratories at last (1) (conquer) poliomyelitis , one of the most
devastating diseases. Although the Salk vaccine (2) ( not be) one hundred percent effective ,
it (3) (decrease) the cases of polio considerably.
Tuberculosis once (4) ( know) as the white plague (5) ( study) intensively. As a matter of
fact, it is curable if it is detected in its early stages .We still have cancer (6) (deal) with, but
research workers and doctoral over the world are striving to find a way to prevent and cure
it.(7) (Judge) — from past experience we can expect that encouraging news (8) (issue) —
from time to time.
Heart disease , the greatest killer of mankind , is now in the process of being overcome An
example of the techniques that (9) (develop) is that of heart massage : when a heart stops
nowadays while the patient is under anesthesia , the doctor opens the chest, massages the
heart and revises the patient. Even a few years ago , such an operation would (10) (be)
inconceivable.
1. A. conquered B. is conquering C. has conquered D. has been conquering
2. A. is not B. hasn't been C. hadn't been D. won't be
3. A. is decreasing B. has decreased C. decreased D will decrease
4. A. know B. knew C. known D. to know
5. A. will be studied B. is studied C. has studied D. is being studied
6. A. dealing B. to deal C. dealt D. being dealt
7. A. Being judged B Judging C. To judge D. Having judged
8. A. will be issued B. has been issued C. is issued D will issue

9. A. had developed B. developed C. are developing D. have been developed
10. A. be B. have been C. has been D. be being

E. Fill each gap with a suitable preposition or adverbial particle. (1 m/20)
1. Robert resembles his grandfather ___________________ many respects.
2. His betrayal was brought ___________________our knowledge only recently.
3. Everybody must have noticed how embarrassed she was ______________ the unexpected
question.
4. He spoke ___________________ such assurance that we couldn't but believe him.
5. I asked him to repeat his request. I couldn't make ___________________ what it was.
6. We all knew that when the old man was out of temper, we'd better keep from him.
7. I've away found his attitude ___________________ me rather puzzling.
8. The train is due at five, which leaves us twenty minutes ___________________ a quick meal.
9. See what the sign reads: "Entrance ___________________ request".
10. He wasn't sure ______________ the effect it might have on the man's heart.
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F. Put in a , an , the , or 0 (zero article) .write your answer in the space provided : (1 m/20)

Today nearly all people have televisions in their homes , but (1)_______ few people buy
books and magazines. Many people say , "Why should I read (2) _______ article in (3) _______
magazine , when (4) _______TV news bring me (5) _______ information together with (6) ____
pictures in (7) ____ few minutes ? Why should I read (8) _______ novel, when a play on TV tells me
the same story with colors , pictures, and actions? Why should I read biographies of (9) _______
famous men and women , when (10) _______ hour-long program gives me enough information about
any of them.
1. _____ 6. _____
2. _____ 7. _____
3. _____ 8. _____

4. _____ 9. _____
5. _____ 10. ____

III. READING: (4 m/20)
A. Read the following passage carefully, then choose the best answer to complete each
sentence. (1 m)
GOOD NEIGHBOURS
The Neighbourhood Watch scheme all started a few years ago in the quiet village of Millington
after a number of burglaries in the village and the surrounding area. The residents of the village came
up with the idea that they themselves could keep an eye on their neighbours property while they were
away on holiday. Since then, and with the support of the government and police, more than 50,000
Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been set up all over the country.
The object of each Watch group is to reduce the opportunities that criminal have in any particular
street or area. Each resident who is a member of the scheme agrees to call the police whenever they
see something suspicious. Everything is done calmly and discreetly - it is the police who actually
check out each report and investigate what is happening. Residents who are part of the Watch are not
supposed to act as police or put themselves in any danger.
When a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme is set up in an area the first thing people notice is the
large, brightly coloured Neighbourhood Watch sign. This is a great deterrent to most burglars and
vandals, because very few of them will take a chance of breaking into someone's house if they know
that there is a high risk of being seen by Neighbours keeping a look-out. Burglars also know that
people who are part of Neighbourhood Watch scheme are more likely to have fitted good locks to
their door and windows.
There's another benefit too. In the time since the
Neighbourhood Watch scheme came into existence, there is growing evidence of a new community
spirit. It is bringing people together as never before and encouraging people to care for each other.
New friendships are being made, and contact is often established with old people living on their own,
who are often the most frightened and the most at risk.
1. The Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Millington was started
A. because the police could not protect people.

B. before any others in the country.
C. after 50,000 burglaries in the country.
D. because some residents wanted to go away for a holiday;
2. When members of a Watch group see suspicious individuals, they
A. try and frighten them away. B. contact the police.
C. try and arrest them. D. call the other member of the Watch group.
3. When a new Watch scheme starts in an area,
A. people fit new clocks to their doors and windows.
B. the police send fewer officers to the area.
C. burglars are less likely to break into houses
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D. residents put signs on their doors.
4. One other benefit of Watch schemes is that
A. people get to know each other better.
B. members of the Watch look after old people.
C. different kinds of people are attracted to live in the area.
D. old people are no longer frightened of crime.
5. In general the author seems to think that
A. the police should do more to protect people.
B. Watch schemes are not very useful in reducing crime.
C. the Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been successful.
D. it is hard to have any privacy in a Neighbourhood Watch area

B. Fill in each blank with the most suitable word: (1 m)
Man is a unique being. He is different from all other (1) because he does not
merely form part of the environment. Man reshapes his environment at will to suit his purposes. He
does not have a natural (2) and is able to adapt himself to living in different
environments. Among the many ways in which Man has (3) his environment are
the building of cities and roads, the utilization of (4) for farming and the

reclaiming of land from the sea. While some of the changes are (5) some are
extremely harmful to the environment.
An example of a harmful consequence of Man’s (6) is that of pollution.
Through the use of scientific knowledge and advanced technology, Man has (7)
his well being and life expectancy. In the (8) , however, he has also brought about
the growing problem of worldwide population. One of the main sources of air pollution is motor
vehicles. Gases emitted from the car (9) contain many chemicals, which are
harmful to people, animals and plants. Industry also contributes significantly to the pollution of the
(10) There is no majority city in the world today in which we can breathe fresh,
clean air.
It is therefore important for us to be environment –conscious and avoid actions, which bring
about harmful effects to our environment.
Your answer:
1. __________________ 6. __________________
2 __________________ 7. __________________
3. __________________ 8. __________________
4. __________________ 9. __________________
5. __________________ 10. __________________

C. Read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each space. (1, 5 m)
Reports that the government is about to (1) ………. the go ahead to plans for the building of a
new runway at London’s Gatwick airport have angered local (2)……….and raised fears of increased
noise and exhaust pollution. The (3) ………. plans also include permission for additional night flights
and will (4) ………the compulsory purchase of farmland, (5) ………. the demolition of a number of
private homes. According to sources close to the Ministry of Transport, the government is known to
be concerned by the increasing (6) ………. of traffic at London Heathrow, where there are no plans
for further runways in the foreseeable (7) ………. . Gatwick is widely (8) ………. as a better (9)
……….for expansion than London’s third airport, Stansted, which still (10) ………. from poor
transport links. A spokesperson for the Keep Gatwick Quiet association, (11) ………. up of local
people, accused the government of (12) ………. back on promises made before the General Election.

‘We were told then that the airport authority had no (13) ………. of building another runway, and we
believe that the government has a duty to (14) ………. its pledges.’ Prominent figures in the
government are also believed to be concerned at the news, although the Prime Minister, interviewed
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last night, is (15) ………. as saying that reports were ‘misleading’. However, he would not give an
assurance that plans for building a runway had definitely been rejected.
1. A sign B make C give D approve
2. A inhabitants B dwellers C occupants D residents
3. A controversial B debatable C notorious D doubtful
4. A involve B concern C assume D need
5. A further to B as well as C moreover D what’s more
6. A sum B size C volume D length
7. A years B period C time D future
8. A regarded B believed C felt D held
9. A potential B outlook C prospect D likelihood
10. A affects B undergoes C experiences D suffers
11. A made B set C brought D taken
12. A getting B falling C going D turning
13. A desire B intention C wish D objective
14. A bear out B count on C pull off D stand by
15. A quoted B known C thought D written

D. The paragraphs of this article were out of order. Read the paragraphs and arrange them
into a correct order. Write A, B, C, D, or E in the blank after 1, 2,3, 4, 5 below. (0,5 m)

A. One should be wary, however, of assuming that silent reading came about simply because
reading aloud is a distraction to others. Examination that factors related to the historical development
of silent reading reveals that it became the usual mode of reading for most adult reading tasks mainly
because the tasks themselves changed in character.

B. By the end of the century students were being recommended to adopt attitudes to books
and to use skills in reading them which were inappropriate, if not impossible, for the oral reader. The
social, cultural, and technological changes in the century had greatly altered what the term “reading”
implied.
C. Reading to oneself is a modern activity which was almost unknown to the scholars of the
classical and medieval worlds, while during the fifteen century the term “reading” undoubtedly meant
reading aloud. Only during the nineteen century did silent reading become commonplace.
D. Towards the end of the century there was still considerable argument over whether books
should be used for information or treated respectfully, and over whether the reading of material such
as newspapers was in some way mentally weakening. Indeed this argument remains with us still in
education. However, whatever its virtues, the old shared literary culture had gone and was replaced
by the printed mass media on the one hand and by books and periodicals for a specialized readership
on the other.
E. The last century saw a steady gradual increase in literacy, and thus in the number of
readers. As readers increased, so the number of potential listeners declined, and thus there was some
reduction in the need to read aloud. As reading for the benefit of listeners grew less common, so came
the flourishing of reading as a private activity in such public places as libraries, railway carriages and
offices, where reading aloud would cause distraction to other readers.
Your answers: 1. _____________
2. _____________
3. _____________
4. _____________
5. _____________

IV. WRITNG: (6 m)
A. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as
the sentences printed before it, using the word in brackets. Do not alter the word given.
(1 m)
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1. Let's clean the dishes in the morning. (washing)
Let's __________________________________ in the morning.
2. I haven't seen Henry since 1994. (time)
The last ___________________________________ in 1994.
3. It's a pity the weather isn't better today. (only)
If _______________________________________ better today.
4. Despite his age , he's still working. (retired)
He _________________________________________ despite his age.
5. "It's your fault the cat died, George", said Lucy. (blamed)
Lucy _______________________________________ of the cat.
6. The designers have made a dress for candy's party. (had)
Candy ______________________________________ for the party.
7. I haven't been able to relax for a long time. (since)
It's been a long time ______________________________ to relax.
8. Whose name should I write on the cheque? (make)
Who should I ________________________________________ to?
9. Very few cities are as expensive as Tokyo. (one)
Tokyo is__________________________________ cities in the world.
10. Excuse me, doesn't the council employ you? (work)
Excuse me, ____________________________________ the council?

B. Chart description: (2 m)
Part B : Study the graphs below. Write a short description on the birthrates of some
countries. Give your comments. ( in about 120 – 150 words )

Comparison on birthrates in some countries per thousands



0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Birthrates Per thousands
THOUThousand

Birthrates in Sweden

Birthrates in Australia

Birthrates in China

Birthrates in VietNam

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
2005

Year
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C. Essay writing: (3m)
Why should students go to university? Use your own ideas to support your writing with
examples and relevant reasons. You should write at least 250 words.
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