Đáp án phần đọc hiểu Anh văn thi công chức Tỉnh Quảng Nam 2016

READING COMPREHENSION (20)
C1. Spiders Webs
All spiders spin webs. That's because webs help spiders. Webs help spiders do three things. Webs
help spiders hold eggs. Webs help spiders hide. And webs help spiders catch food. Webs help spiders
hold eggs. Many spiders like to lay their eggs in their webs. The webs help keep the eggs together.
Webs help spiders keep their eggs safe. Webs help spiders hide. Most spiders are dark. They are brown,
grey, or black. But spider webs are light. They are white and cloudy. When spiders hide in their webs,
they are harder to see. Webs help spiders catch food. Spider webs are sticky. When a bug flies into the
web, it gets stuck. It moves around. It tries to get out. But it can't. It is trapped! Spiders can tell that the
bug is trapped. That's because spiders feel the web move. And the spider is hungry. The spider goes to
get the bug. As you can see, webs help spiders hold eggs. Webs help spiders hide. And webs help
spiders catch food. Without webs, spiders would not be able to live like they do. Spiders need their
webs to survive.
1. This passage is mostly about
A. spider colors
B. spider webs
C. spider eggs
2. Spider webs help spiders
I. hold eggs
II. catch food
III. find water
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. I, II, and III
3. As used in paragraph 4, the word trapped most nearly means
A. stuck
B. hidden
C. eaten
4. How can spiders tell when something is trapped in their web?
A. They hear it.
B. They smell it.

C. They feel it.
5. As used in the last sentence of the passage, the word survive means to stay
A. alive
B. hidden
C. caught
C2. Most human beings are awake during the day and sleep all night. Owls live the opposite way. Owls
are nocturnal. This means that they sleep all day and stay awake at night. Because owls are nocturnal,
this means they must eat at night. But finding food in the dark is difficult. To help them, they have
special eyes and ears. Owls have very large eyes. These eyes absorb more light than normal. Since there
is little light during the night, it is helpful to be able to absorb more of it. This helps owls find food in
the dark. Owls also have very good hearing. Even when owls are in the trees, they can hear small


animals moving in the grass below. This helps owls catch their prey even when it is very dark. Like
owls, mice are also nocturnal animals. Mice have an excellent sense of smell. This helps them find food
in the dark. Being nocturnal helps mice to hide from the many different animals that want to eat them.
Most of the birds, snakes, and lizards that like to eat mice sleep at night—except, of course, owls! Some
animals are nocturnal. This means they are active at night. The owl and the mouse are good examples of
nocturnal animals that use their senses to find food in the dark.
1. In paragraph 1, we learn that "Owls are nocturnal." The word diurnal is the opposite of the word
nocturnal. Using information in the passage as a guide, we can understand that an animal that is
diurnal.
A. sleeps at night and is awake during the day
B. hunts during the day and is awake at night
C. sleeps every other night and is awake during the day
D. hunts during the day and night
2. Based on information in paragraph 2, it can be understood that an animal with small eyes
A. must be diurnal
B. has trouble seeing in the dark
C. can see very well at night

D. is likely to be eaten by an owl
3. According to the passage, owls can find food in the dark using their sense of
I. sight
II. sound
III. smell
A. l only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
4. In paragraph 3 the author writes, "This helps owls catch their prey even when it is very dark."
Based on its use in the passage, we can understand that prey is
A. a noise that an animal makes during the night
B. a small animal such as a pet dog or cat
C. an animal that is hunted by other animals
D. an animals that hunts other animals
5. Based on information in the final paragraph, it can be understood that mice sleep during the day
in order to
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A. find food that other animals can not
B. keep themselves safe
C. store energy for night time activities
D. release stress
6. Based on information in the final paragraph, it can be understood that
A. owls hunt mice
B. mice can hide from owls
C. mice and owls both hide from birds, snakes, and lizards
D. birds and snakes often hunt lizards
7. If added to the end of this passage, which of the following conclusions would fit best?

A. The owl is a nocturnal animal. This means it is active at night. The owl's excellent sense of
sight and sound enable it to find food in the dark.
B. Mice are nocturnal animals. This means they are active at night. Similar to the owl, mice
use their excellent sense of smell to find food in the dark.
C. Both mice and owls are nocturnal. This means they are active at night. Because these
animals are active at night, they must sleep during the day. This makes them especially
vulnerable to attack from diurnal animals.
D. Some animals are nocturnal. This means they are active at night. The owl and the
mouse are good examples of nocturnal animals that use their senses to find food in the
dark.
C3. When we are young, we learn that tigers and sharks are dangerous animals. We might be scared of
them because they are big and powerful. As we get older; however, we learn that sometimes the most
dangerous animals are also the smallest animals. In fact, the animal that kills the most people every year
is one that you have probably killed yourself many times: the mosquito. While it may seem that all
mosquitoes are biters, this is not actually the case. Male mosquitoes eat plant nectar. On the other hand,
female mosquitoes feed on animal blood. They need this blood to live and produce eggs. When a
female mosquito bites a human being, it transmits a small amount of saliva into the blood. This saliva
may or may not contain a deadly disease. The result of the bite can be as minor as an itchy bump or as
serious as death. Because a mosquito can bite many people in the course of its life, it can carry diseases
from one person to another very easily. Two of the most deadly diseases carried by mosquitoes are
malaria and yellow fever. Mosquitoes have many natural enemies like bats, birds, dragonflies, and
certain kinds of fish. Bringing more of these animals into places where mosquitoes live might help to
cut down the amount of mosquitoes in that area. This is a natural solution, but it does not always work
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very well. Mosquitoes can also be killed with poisons or sprays. Even though these sprays kill
mosquitoes, they may also harm other plants or animals.
1. According to the author, some people are more afraid of tigers and sharks than mosquitoes
because tigers and sharks . . .

A. Kill more people than mosquitoes
B. Are big and powerful
C. Are found all over the world
D. Have no natural enemies
2. Based on the information in paragraph 2, we can understand that . . .
I. Male mosquitoes and female mosquitoes have different eating habits
II. Male mosquitoes are harmless to humans
III. Female mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting diseases to humans
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
3. In paragraph 2 the author writes, "This saliva may or may not contain a deadly disease." The
purpose of this statement is to . . .
A. Oppose a previous argument
B. Question an upcoming conclusion
C. Confirm a hypothesis
D. Support a later statement
4. As used in paragraph 2, minor most nearly means
A. insignificant
B. deadly
C. frustrating
D. dangerous
5. Based on information in paragraph 3, it can be understood that if you get sick with malaria or
yellow fever, your chances of survival are
A. terrible
B. mediocre
C. good
D. excellent
6. It can be understood that the introduction of dragonflies might reduce the number of flies in a

given area because dragonflies
A. work together with mosquitoes
B. kill mosquitoes
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C. cannot be killed by poisons or sprays
D. attract bats
7. Which of the following best summarizes the information in paragraph 4?
A. Mosquito nets provide adequate protection from deadly mosquitoes
B. Poisons and sprays provide adequate protection from deadly mosquitoes
C. The introduction of the mosquito's natural enemies provides adequate protection from
deadly mosquitoes
D. There is no perfect solution to the mosquito problem.
8. Which of the following words best describes the author's overall attitude towards the prospect of
solving the mosquito problem?
A. despondent, meaning hopeless or dejected
B. exasperated, meaning extremely irritated or annoyed
C. equivocal, meaning doubtful or uncertain
D. optimistic, meaning hopeful or taking a favorable view
C4. Rainforests circle the globe for twenty degrees of latitude on both sides of the equator. In that
relatively narrow band of the planet, more than half of all the species of plants and animals in the world
make their home. Several hundred different varieties of trees may grow in a single acre, and just one of
those trees may be the habitat for more than ten thousand kinds of spiders, ants, and other insects. More
species of amphibians, birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles live in rainforests than anywhere else on
earth. Unfortunately, half of the world’s rainforests have already been destroyed, and at the current rate,
another 25 percent will be lost by the year 2030. Scientists estimate that as many as fifty million acres
are destroyed annually. In other words, every sixty seconds, one hundred acres of rainforest is being
cleared. By the time you finish reading this passage, two hundred acres will have been destroyed! When
this happens, constant rains erode the former forest floor, the thin layer of soil no longer supports plant

life, and the ecology of the region is altered forever. Thousands of species of plants and animals are
condemned to extinction and since we aren’t able to predict the ramifications of this loss to a delicate
global ecology, we don’t know what we may be doing to the future of the human species as well.
1. What is the main point of view that the author expresses in this passage?
A. The author believes that the rainforest will survive.
B. The author believes that preserving the rainforest is important to the global ecology
C. The author believes that he can predict the future of global ecology.
D. The author believes that the extinction of species is a natural process.
2. According to the passage, more than half of all the species of plants and animals...........
A. live in twenty rainforests.
B. Live in several hundred different varieties of trees
C. Live in a forty-degree band of latitude.
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D. Live in areas where the rainforest has been cleared
3. What is the meaning of the word “just” in line 5?
A. fairly
B. only
C. correctly
D. precisely
4. How many of the world’s rainforests are projected to be destroyed if the current rate continues?
A. All of them will be gone by the year 2020.
B. Three-quarters of them will be gone by the year 2020.
C. Half of them will be gone by the year 2020.
D. One-quarter of them will be gone by the year 2020.
4’. How many of the world’s rainforests are projected to be destroyed by the year 2000 if the current
rate?
A. All of them will be gone.
B. Three-quarters of them will be gone.

C. Half of them will be gone.
D. One-quarter of them will be gone.
5. The author of this passage believes that
A. the rainforest will survive.
B. preserving the rainforest is important to the global ecology.
C. he can predict the future of global ecology.
D. the extinction of species is a natural process.
6. According to the passage, more than half of all the species of plants and animals
A. live in twenty rainforests.
B. live in several hundred different varieties of trees.
C. live in a forty-degree band of latitude.
D. live in areas where the rainforest has been cleared.
7. The word “relatively” in line 2 is closest in meaning to ___________.
A. temporarily
B. typically
C. comparatively (correct)
D. extremely
8. The word “this” in line 13 refers to ___________.
A. the destruction of the acres
B. the reading of the passage
C. the erosion of the forest floor
D. the constant rains
9. What will NOT happen if the rainforest continues to be cleared?
A. The land will be eroded by the rains.
B. The rainforest will grow, but at a much slower rate.
C. The future of the human species may be changed.
D. Many species of plants and animals that depend on the rainforest will become extinct.
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C5. Should women find their happiness inside or outside the home? In the United States people used to
believe the saying, “A woman’s place is in the home.” But now both women and society are changing.
More than fifty percent of American women continue their work even after they are married. What has
brought about these changes? What is happening to the American family today? Up until the 1950’s a
typical American woman got married in her early 20’s. In those days she quit her job and became a
mother. “A woman’s place is in the home” was a popular saying. Most women felt that taking care of
their home and family was their full-time job. But times have changed. Women are getting married later
these days and more have chosen to stay single. Others get married but decide not to have any children.
Today more than fifty percent of all married women work full-time. Many others run businesses in their
homes. What has caused these major changes? One reason is economic necessity. It may be that the
husband has lost his job and the wife must support the family. Or even if the husband is working, some
families say they can’t survive on only one paycheck. But probably a more important influence has
been the “women’s liberation movement.” Women are being told in many magazines and TV programs:
“You can be successful on your own. Don’t be satisfied with just being a wife and mother. Use your
intelligence and talents to do something bigger. And you should be paid as much as a man.”
No doubt this movement has accomplished much good. But it has also contributed to a selfish “me
first” attitude that is breaking up many families. Sometimes women who are happy staying at home feel
that working women look down on them. There are no easy answers to these problems. But certainly
women’s influence will continue to grow in business, education and politics.
1. It is obvious that the major influence that has brought about a change in women’s role in
society comes from ………. .
A. the women’s liberation movement
B. magazines and TV programs
C. women who chose to stay single
D. men who are unemployed or underpaid
2. In the US nowadays, women who continue to work after they get married ……. .
A. are in minority
B. account for more than half of all women
C. are doing so unwillingly
D. because their husbands want them to

3. Which of the following is NOT true?
A. Up until the 1950’s, “A woman’s place is in the home” was a popular saying.
B. The American women who continue to work after marriage are more than fifty percent.
C. People used to believe that women should work as hard as men and be paid as much as
men.
D. It seems that women’s influence and role in American society will increase in the near future.
4. According to the passage, the women’s liberation movement ……… .
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A. encourages a “me first” attitude which may threaten to break up the family.
B. looks down on women who don’t work
C. has less influence than it once did
D. has succeeded in solving social problems

C6. When John Mills was going to fly in an aeroplane for the first time, he was frightened. He did not
like the idea of being thousands of feet up in the air. “I also didn’t like the fact that I wouldn’t be in
control,” says John. “I’m a terrible passenger in the car. When somebody else is driving, I tell them
what to do. It drives everybody crazy”. However, John couldn’t avoid flying any longer. It was the only
way he could visit his grandchildren in Canada. To get ready for the flight John did lots of reading
about aeroplanes. When he booked his seat, he was told that he would be flying on a Boeing 777, which
is better known as a jumbo jet. “I needed to know as much as possible before getting on that plane. I
suppose it was a way of making myself feel better. The Boeing 777 is the largest passenger aircraft in
the world at the moment. Even though I had discovered all this very interesting information about the
jumbo, when I saw it for the first time, just before I was going to travel to Canada, I still couldn’t
believe that something so enormous was going to get up in the air and fly. I was even more impressed
when I saw how big it was inside with hundreds of people!”. The biggest surprise of all for John was
the flight itself. “The take-off itself was much smoother than I expected although I was still quite scared
until we were in the air. In the end, I managed to relax, enjoy the food and watch one of the movies and
the view from the window was spectacular. I even managed to sleep for a while! Of course,” continues

John, “the best reward of all was when I arrived in Canada and saw my son and his family, particularly
my beautiful grandchildren. Suddenly, I felt so silly about all the years when I couldn’t even think of
getting on a plane. I had let my fear of flying stop me from seeing the people I love most in the world. I
can visit my son and his family as often as I like now!”
1. Why did John Mills fly in an aeroplane?
A. He wanted to go on holiday
B. He wanted to try it.
C. He wanted to see his family
D. He had to travel on business.
2. Why did John read about aeroplane?
A. He wanted to know how they work.
B. It was his hobby.
C. It made him feel safer.
D. He had found a book on them.
3. What happened when he saw the jumbo jet for the first time?
A. He felt much safer.
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B. He liked the shape of it.
C. He couldn’t believe how big it was.
D. He thought the wings were very small.
4. How did John feel when the aeroplane was taking off?
A. excited
B. happy
C. sad
D. frightened
5. What surprised John most about the flight?
A. that he liked the food.
B. that he was able to sleep

C. that there was a movie being shown
D. that the view was good
6. How did John feel about his fears in the end?
A. He thought he had wasted time being afraid.
B. He realized it was okay to be afraid.
C. He hoped his grandchildren weren’t afraid of flying.
D. He realized that being afraid kept him safe.
C7. With the onset of the winter season, man’s natural enemies, the common cold and the flu, arrive
with full force. It seems that the fluctuations in temperature and weather are guarantees that coughs and
sneezes will spread infecting germs among family and friends. More than 100 different types of
bacteria can cause a cold, and doctors sometimes use antibiotics to treat bacterial colds. However, there
are an equal number of viruses that can cause influenza, and modern science offers no drug capable of
curing viral infections. In most cases, the best advice is the usual prescription: get plenty of rest, drink
lot fluids, and be prepared to suffer for three to ten days. Some home cures help to relieve the
symptoms of colds and flus. Mother’s chicken soup, rich in fats and oils, helps to revitalize a tired body
and to soothe a sore throat. Garlic, containing the active ingredient allicin, has long been used to fight
off the effects of bacteria and viruses. Hot toddies consisting of small amounts of liquor mixed with
honey, sugar, and lemon juice can relieve soreness and draw out cold germs. Finally, recent evidence
suggests that large doses of vitamin C not only boost the immune system before a cold arrives, but also
relieve cold symptoms after they have set in.
1. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Man's natural enemies
B. The nature of colds and flu.
C. Fluctuations in temperature
D. The onset of winter.
2. It can be inferred from the passage that germ are spread
A. through the air.
B. only in winter weather.
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C. when the temperature is high.
D. with great force
3. In line 4, the word "infecting" can best be replaced by
A. escaping
B. unavoidable
C. contaminating
4. It can be inferred from the passage that antibiotics
A. have been on the market for a short time
B. are not yet effective on bacterial colds
C. may kill beneficial organisms
D. cannot be used to treat influenza
5. According to the passage, most cases of the flu
A. are intensified by drinking too many fluids
B. last several days
C. are not caused by a lack of rest
D. result in excessive suffering

D. debilitating

C8. Today’s cars are smaller, safer, cleaner, and more economical than their predecessors, but the car of
the future will be far more pollution-free than those on the road today. Several new types of automobile
engines have already been developed that run on alternative sources of power, such as electricity,
compressed natural gas, methanol, steam, hydrogen, and propane. Electricity, however, is the only zeroemission option presently available. Although electric vehicles will not be truly practical until a
powerful, compact battery or other dependable source of current is available, transportation experts
foresee a new assortment of electric vehicles entering everyday life: shorter-range commuter electric
cars, three-wheeled neighborhood cars, electric delivery vans, bikes, and trolleys. As automakers work
to develop practical electric vehicles, urban planners and utility engineers are focusing on infrastructure
systems to support and make the best use of the new cars. Public charging facilities will need to be as
common as today’s gas stations. Public parking spots on the street or in commercial lots will need to be

equipped with devices that allow drivers to charge their batteries while they shop, dine, or attend a
concert. To encourage the use of electric vehicles, the most convenient parking in transportation centers
might be reserved for electric cars. Planners foresee electric shuttle buses, trains, buses, and
neighborhood vehicles all meeting at transit centers that would have facilities for charging and renting.
Commuters will be able to rent a variety of electric cars to suit their needs: light trucks; one-person
three-wheelers; small cars; or electric, gasoline hybrid cars for longer trips, which will no doubt take
place on automated freeways capable of handling five times the number of vehicles that can be carried
by a freeway today.
1. The following electrical vehicles are all mentioned in the passage EXCEPT _____.
A. vans
B. trains
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C. trolleys
D. planes
2. The author’s purpose in the passage is to ________.
A. describe the possibilities for transportation in the future
B. narrate a story about alternative energy vehicles
C. support the invention of electric cars
D. criticize conventional vehicles
3. The passage would most likely be followed by details about _____ .
A. electric shuttle buses
B. pollution restrictions in the future
C. automated freeways
D. the neighborhood of the future
4. The word “compact” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to_____ .
A. squared (adj) : được tạo thành hình vuông
B. long-range (adj) : có tầm xa
C. concentrated (adj) : tập trung, cô đặc, rắn chắc

D. inexpensive (adj) : rẻ, không đắt
5. In the second paragraph, the author implies that _________
A. a single electric vehicle will eventually replace several modes of transportation.
B. everyday life will stay much the same in the future.
C. electric vehicles are not practical for the future.
D. a dependable source of electric energy will eventually be developed.
6. According to the passage, public parking lots of the future will be _____.
A. as common as today’s gas stations
B. equipped with charging devices
C. much larger than they are today
D. more convenient than they are today
7. The word “charging” in this passage refers to __________.
A credit cards (n) : thẻ tín dụng
B lightning (n) : chớp, tia chớp
C aggression (n) : cuộc xâm lược, cuộc công kích
D electricity (n) : điện, điện lực, điện lực học
8. The word “foresee” in this passage could best be replaced with_____.
A invent (v) : phát minh, sáng chế
B count on (v) : tin, tin chắc
C rely on (v) : tin cậy vào, tin vào
D imagine (v) : tưởng tượng, hình dung, đoán được
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9. The word “commuters” in paragraph 4 refers to _______.
A. visitors
B. cab drivers
C. shoppers
D. daily travelers
10. The word “hybrid” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _____.

A. futuristic
B. combination
C. hazardous
D. automated
C9. Being able to forecast the weather isn’t just to do with informing people about whether or not they
can go to the beach or have a picnic. When there are going to be severe weather conditions, the ability
to prepare for them can be a matter of life or death. A hurricane needs certain weather conditions to
start forming: warm tropical oceans with moisture and heat above them. The centre of the hurricane is
very calm and it is called the “eye”, but the most violent activity takes place in the area immediately
around the eye which is called the “eyewall”. When hurricanes move onto the land from the sea, the
heavy rain, strong winds and huge waves can cause unbelievable damage to buildings and trees, and
cars can be picked up and thrown like matchboxes. The greatest danger, however, is in the rise in the
sea level as it hits the land. This is called the ‘storm surge’ and can be catastrophic. To measure how
powerful an approaching hurricane is, meteorologists use something called the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Scale. This means that a hurricane coming towards the land is given a number from 1 to 5
depending on how fast its winds are. The calmest hurricane is given the number 1 on the scale. As
technology has developed and we can now forecast the weather, it has meant that the advance warnings
given have greatly reduced the number of deaths caused by hurricanes. However, the damage to
property, which cannot be avoided, still costs billions of dollars to repair.
1. What does 'them' in line 3 refer to?
A. hurricanes
B. weather forecasts
C. picnics
D. severe weather conditions
2. Where do hurricanes take place?
A. in various areas of the world
B. in tropical areas
C. only in the USA
D. in cold countries
3. Which is the least active part of a hurricane?

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A. die eye wall
B. the eye
C. the storm surge
D. the winds
4. At which point is the hurricane most dangerous?
A. when it has an eye
B. when it moves out to sea
C. when it knocks down trees
D. when it moves onto the land
5. What does the Saffir-Simpson Scale measure?
A. which way a hurricane is moving
B. how big the waves are
C. how powerful a hurricane is
D. the number of hurricanes expected
6. Being able to forecast hurricanes has
A. reduced damage to property.
B. saved governments money.
C. reduced the number of people killed.
D. helped protect trees and bushes.
C10. To be successful, a business traveler must be able to maintain contact with the office, no matter
what the time or place. Negotiations often involve decisions based on the latest figures. New
telecommunications products and services now on the market make staying in touch easier than ever
before. The most widespread device is the cellular telephone, the price of which has dropped from
several thousand dollars to a few hundred, including installation. There are over two million mobile
cellular phones in use today, including both car phones and cordless transportable units. Car phones
have proven indispensable for road emergencies as well as routine business transactions. Phone service
is also available on airplanes and on the rails. Recently introduced pocket-size organizers help business

travelers with heavy schedules keep track of clients. These are tiny computers that can store all kinds of
information. They can serve as phone and address directories, calendars, electronic memo pads, and
calculators, among other uses. Another invaluable telecommunications tool is smaller, lighter fax
machines that plug into any standard electrical outlet and phone line. The devices allow instantaneous
transmission of hard copy to any location having a compatible fax machine. It is expected that faxing
will soon become the primary means of sending and receiving short documents requiring prompt action.
1. What is the best title for passage ?
A. New Telecommunications Products and Services
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B. The Business Traveler
C. Office Communications
D. Computers and Businessmen
2. According to the passage, why do business travelers need to keep in touch with the office?
A. They may not know where they are
B. Company guidelines require frequent contact
C. They must have the latstest information for negotiations
D. So many new products and services are on the marker
3. According to the passage, mobile phone service
A. is very useful in the case of road accidents
B. still cost several thousands of dollars
C. is not yet available on trains and airplanes
D. does not come in transportable form
4. In line 12, the word” these” refers to
A. clients
B. schedules
B. organizers
D. travelers
5. Pockect- sized compters are especially useful for business who

A. have to maintain frequent contact with the office
B. have very busy itineraries
C.are unable to afford cellular phones
D. do not have too many clients to deal with
6. In line 15, the word “ invaluable” most closely means
A. reasonable in price
B. newly developed
C. cheaply made
D . very practical
7. It can be inferred from the passage that fax machines probably
A. will eventually replace mail delivery of short documents
B. are still far from becoming a standard business tool
C. cannot be used in conjunction with phone service
D. are now as small and light as they can ever be
8. What does the paragraph following the passage most probably discuss?
A. Types of hard copy
B. Compatibility among fax machines
C. Handling documents in a timely fashion
D. Another practical telecommunications device
9. Where do you think the passage is taken from ?
A. a newspaper
B. a guidebook
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C. a magazine for businessman
D. a technology magazine
10. Which one below is not mentioned as a telecommunication tool in the passage?
A. cellular telephone
B. pocket size organizer

C. fax machine
D. calculator
C11. During the nineteenth century, women in the United States organized and participated in a large
number of reform movements, including movements to reorganize the prison system, improve
education, ban the sale of alcohol, grant rights to people who were denied them, and, most importantly,
free slaves. Some women saw similarities in the social status of women and slaves. Women like
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucy Stone were not only feminists who fought for the rights of women but
also fervent abolitionists who fought to do away with slavery. These brave people were social leaders
who supported the rights of both women and blacks. They were fighting against a belief that voting
should be tied to land ownership, and because land was owned by men, and in some cases by their
widows, only those who held the greatest stake in government, that is the male landowners, were
considered worthy of the vote. Women did not conform to the requirements. A number of male
abolitionists, including William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips, also supported the rights of
women to speak and to participate equally with men in antislavery activities. Probably more than any
other movement, abolitionism offered women a previously denied entry into politics. They became
involved primarily in order to better their living conditions and improve the conditions of others.
However, they gained the respect of those they convinced and also earned the right to be considered
equal citizens. When the civil war between the North and the South ended in 1865, the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution adopted in 1868 and 1870 granted citizenship and suffrage to
blacks but not to women. Discouraged but resolved, feminists worked tirelessly to influence more and
more women to demand the right to vote. In 1869, the Wyoming Territory had yielded to demands by
feminists, but the states on the East Coast resisted more stubbornly than before. A women’s suffrage
bill had been presented to every Congress since 1878, but it continually failed to pass until 1920, when
the Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote.
1. With what topic is the passage primarily concerned?
A. The Wyoming Territory
B. The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments
C. Abolitionists
D. Women’s suffrage
2. The word ban in paragraph 1 most nearly means to?

A. Encourage
B. Publish
15


C. Prohibit
D. Limit
3. The word primarily in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to?
A. above all
B. Somewhat
C. finally
D. always
4. What had occurred shortly after the Civil War?
A. The Wyoming Territory was admitted to the Union
B. A women’s suffrage bill was introduced in Congress
C. The eastern states resisted the end of the war
D. Black people were granted the right to vote
5. The word suffrage in paragraph 3 could best be replaced by which of the following?
A. pain
B. Citizenship
C. freedom from bondage
D. the right to vote
6. The word it in paragraph 3 refers to?
A. bill
B. Congress
C. Nineteenth Amendment
D. vote
7. What does the Nineteenth Amendment guarantee?
A. Voting rights for blacks
B. Citizenship for blacks

C. Voting rights for women
D. Citizenship for women
8. When were women allowed to vote throughout the United States?
A. After 1866
B. After 1870
C. After 1878
D. After 1920
C12. The first settlers who came to America were not rich. The ships, food, tools and weapons
necessary for voyage to America and new life there were financed by companies in England. One
person’s voyage to the New World cost about ten pounds. Settlers also needed help until they harvested
crops. The total cost was probably more than ten thousand dollars, in today’s dollars, for each settler.
Settlers had to find out how to repay this debt. Almost all the settlers became farmers and raised food
and made material for their clothes. They also produced raw materials which they could send back to
England. In the South, in such colonies as Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, tobacco was found
most profitable. In South Carolina and Georgia, rice was the most popular crop. Slaves worked in the
16


tobacco and rice fields on large plantations. There were also some independent farms which raised
them. On farms from New York to Pennsylvania, settlers produced large quantities of grain, beer, beef
and pork, and they exported them to England and the West Indies. They also exported large quantities
of furs, which they received in trade from Indians. Settlers in New England had a hard time at the
beginning. Raising crops in the stony soil was difficult, so they had to find other means to make a
profit. They depended on lumber and other natural resources. They had to use the sea to make a living.
They did ship-building, fishing and trading.

C13. Thomas Alva Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light. Without him, the
world might still be a dark place. However, the electric light was not his only invention. He also
invented the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and over 1,200 other things. About every two
weeks he created something new. Thomas A. Edison was bom in Milan, Ohio, on February 11, 1847.

His family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, when he was seven years old. Surprisingly, he attended
school for only two months. His mother, a former teacher, taught him a few things, but Thomas was
mostly self-educated. His natural curiosity led him to start experimenting at a young age with electrical
and mechanical things at home. When he was 12 years old, he got his first job. He became a newsboy
on a train that ran between Port Huron and Detroit. He set up a laboratory in a baggage car of the train
so that he could continue his experiments in his spare time. Unfortunately, his first work experience did
not end well. Thomas was fired when he accidentally set fire to the floor of the baggage car. Thomas
then worked for five years as a telegraph operator, but he continued to spend much of his time on the
job conducting experiments. He got his first patent in 1868 for a vote recorder run by electricity.
However, the vote recorder was not a success. In 1870, he sold another invention, a stock-ticker, for
$40,000. Thomas Edison was totally deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the ether, but thought of his
deafness as a blessing in many ways. It kept conversations short, so that he could have more time for
work. He left numerous inventions that improved the quality of life all over the world.
1. Thomas Edison did things in this order
A. he became a telegraph operator,a newsboy,and then got his first patent
B. he became a newsboy, got his first patent, and then became a telegraph operator
C. he got a patent,became a telegraph operator,and then became a newsboy
D. he became a newsboy,a telegraph operator,and then got a patent
2. Of all the inventions, was probably the most important for civilization.
A. the vote recorder
B. the stock ticker
C. the light bulb
D. the motion picture camera
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3. The main idea of this passage is that ___
A. Edison was always interested in science and inventions ,and he inventea many
important things
B. Thomas Edison could not keep a job

C. Thomas Edison worked day and night on his experiments
D. deaf people make good inventors without the distraction of spoken conversation
C14. Have you ever heard someone use the phrase “once in a blue moon?” People use this expression to
describe something that they do not do very often. For example, someone might say that he tries to
avoid eating sweets because they are unhealthy, but will eat chocolate “once in a blue moon.” Or
someone who does not usually like to go to the beach might say “I visit the shore once in a blue moon.”
While many people use this phrase, not everyone knows the meaning behind it. The first thing to know
is that the moon itself is never actually blue. This is just an expression. The phrase “blue moon”
actually has to do with the shape of the moon, not the color. As the moon travels around the earth, it
appears to change shape. We associate certain names with certain shapes of the moon. For example,
when we can see a small part of the moon, it is called a crescent moon. A crescent is a shape that looks
like the tip of a fingernail. When we cannot see the moon at all, it is called a new moon. When we can
see the entire moon, it is called a full moon. Usually, there is only one full moon every month.
Sometimes, however, there will be two full moons in one month. When this happens, the second full
moon is called a “blue moon.” Over the next 20 years, there will only be 15 blue moons. As you can
see, a blue moon is a very rare event. This fact has led people to use the expression “once in a blue
moon” to describe other very rare events in their lives.
1. Which of the following would be a good example of someone doing something “once in a blue
moon”?
A. Mary likes to go to the mountains every weekend. Mary goes to the mountains once in a
blue moon.
B. Tom rarely remembers to take out the trash. Tom takes out the trash once in a blue
moon.
C. Cindy hates to wash the dishes. Nevertheless, she does it every day. Cindy washes the
dishes once in a blue moon.
D. Ming sometimes forgets to do his homework. Ming forgets to do his homework once in a
blue moon.
2. When does a blue moon happen in nature?
A. when there are two full moons in one month
B. when the moon has a blue color

C. when we cannot see the moon at all
D. when we can only see a small part of the moon
3. Using the passage as a guide, it can be understood that which of the following sentences does
not contain an expression?
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A. Thomas has lost his mind.
B. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
C. I'll mow the grass after I finish my homework.
D. It's never a bad time to start something new.
4. As described in paragraph 3, what is another example of something that has a crescent shape?
A. your thumb
B. a distant star
C. the letter “C”
D. the letter "H"
5. In the final paragraph, the author states: “Over the next 20 years, there will only be 15 blue
moons.” This means that over the next 20 years, a blue moon will happen
A. once a year
B. less than once a year
C. more than once a year
D. not enough information is provided
6. As used in the final paragraph, which is the best antonym for rare?
A. common
B. strange
C. colorful
D. infrequent
7. In the final paragraph the author writes, "As you can see, a blue moon is a very rare event."
The purpose of this statement is to
A. answer an earlier question

B. provide an example
C. support an upcoming conclusion
D. challenge a previous statement
C15. Many people like to eat pizza, but not everyone knows how to make it. Making the perfect pizza
can be complicated, but there are lots of ways for you to make a more basic version at home. When you
make pizza, you must begin with the crust. The crust can be hard to make. If you want to make the crust
yourself, you will have to make dough using flour, water, and yeast. You will have to knead the dough
with your hands. If you do not have enough time to do this, you can use a prepared crust that you buy
from the store. After you have chosen your crust, you must then add the sauce. Making your own sauce
from scratch can take a long time. You have to buy tomatoes, peel them, and then cook them with
spices. If this sounds like too much work, you can also purchase jarred sauce from the store. Many
jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you make at home. Now that you have your crust and
your sauce, you need to add the cheese. Cheese comes from milk, which comes from cows. Do you
have a cow in your backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow? Do you know how to turn that milk
into cheese? If not, you might want to buy cheese from the grocery store instead of making it yourself.
When you have the crust, sauce, and cheese ready, you can add other toppings. Some people like to put
meat on their pizza, while other people like to add vegetables. Some people even like to add pineapple!
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The best part of making a pizza at home is that you can customize it by adding your own favorite
ingredients.
1. The author's main purpose in writing this passage is to
A. describe the history of pizza
B. teach a healthier way to make pizza
C. outline steps to make a basic pizza at home
D. provide tips about how to make your pizza especially delicious
2. As used in paragraph 1, which word means the opposite of complicated?
A. difficult
B. simple

C. easy
D. manageable
3. As used in paragraph 3, which is the best synonym for purchase?
A. forget
B. buy
C. ask
D. cook
4. In paragraph 3, the author writes, "Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you
make at home." The purpose of this statement is to
A. clarify a later statement
B. provide an example
C. clarify an earlier statement
D. support the previous paragraph
5. In paragraph 4, the author asks a series of questions in order to
A. support the idea that most people cannot make homemade cheese
B. reinforce the idea that most people probably live on farms
C. prove that store-bought cheese tastes better than homemade cheese
D. emphasize the superiority of homemade cheese over store bought cheese
6. As used in paragraph 5, which is the best definition for customize?
A. to make personal
B. to prepare for more than one
C. to eat while hot
D. to desire
7. According to the author, which of the following ingredients do you need to have ready before
you can add the toppings?
I. crust
II. sauce
III. cheese
A. I only
B. I and II only

C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
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8. Which of the following words best describes how the author feels about making a pizza from
scratch?
A. helpful
B. understanding
C. enthusiastic
D. negative
9. Which of the following conclusions would work best at the end of this passage.
A. Although the crust, sauce, and toppings are all important ingredients in pizza, it is clear
that the cheese is most important. Therefore, be sure your cheese is homemade.
B. It can be understood that making your pizza from scratch should be avoided at all costs.
Use store bought ingredients and save yourself a heap of trouble.
C. As you can see, cooking a pizza can be fun, but it can also be very expensive. But, as you
can see, the best things are worth paying for.
D. Once you have prepared the crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings, you are ready to bake
your pizza. I think you will see that making pizza at home can be a good alternative
to purchasing it from the store.

C16. When you imagine the desert, you probably think of a very hot place covered with sand. Although
this is a good description for many deserts, Earth’s largest desert is actually a very cold place covered
with ice: Antarctica. In order for an area to be considered a desert, it must receive very little rainfall.
More specifically, it must receive an average of less than ten inches of precipitation—which can be
rain, sleet, hail, or snow—on the ground every year. Antarctica, the coldest place on earth, has an
average temperature that usually falls below the freezing point. And because cold air holds less
moisture than warm air, the air in Antarctica does not hold much moisture at all. This is evident in the
low precipitation statistics recorded for Antarctica. For example, the central part of Antarctica receives

an average of less than 2 inches of snow every year. The coastline of Antarctica receives a little bit
more—between seven and eight inches a year. Because Antarctica gets so little precipitation every year,
it is considered a desert.When precipitation falls in hot deserts, it quickly evaporates back into the
atmosphere. The air over Antarctica is too cold to hold water vapor, so there is very little evaporation.
Due to this low rate of evaporation, most of the snow that falls to the ground remains there
permanently, eventually building up into thick ice sheets. Any snow that does not freeze into ice sheets
becomes caught up in the strong winds that constantly blow over Antarctica. These snow-filled winds
can make it look as if it is snowing. Even though snowfall is very rare there, blizzards are actually very
common on Antarctica.
1. The main purpose of paragraph 1 is to
A. accept a conclusion
B. introduce an argument
C. provide a brief history
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D. deny a common belief
2. The best title for this passage would be
A. Earth’s Many Deserts
B. Antarctica: The Coldest Place on Earth
C. A Desert of Ice
D. Unusual Blizzards
3. Africa’s Sahara Desert is the second-largest desert on earth. Based on the information in the passage,
what characteristic must the Sahara share with Antarctica?
A. low temperatures
B. high temperatures
C. frequent blizzards
D. low precipitation
4. As used in paragraph 2, which is the best definition for precipitation?
A. moisture in the air that falls to the ground

B. any type of weather event
C. weather events that only happen in very cold areas
D. a blizzard that occurs in areas with limited snowfall
5. In paragraph 2 the author writes, "And because cold air holds less moisture than warm air, the air in
Antarctica does not hold much moisture at all." Using this information, it can be understood that
A. air in Africa holds more moisture than the air in Antarctica
B. air surrounding a tropical island holds less moisture than the air in Antarctica
C. air in the second floor of a house is typically warmer than air on the first floor
D. air at the mountains is typically colder than the air at the beach
6. According to the final paragraph, any snow that falls over Antarctica
I. becomes part of the Antarctic ice sheet
II. is blown around by strong winds
III. evaporates back into the atmosphere
A. l only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
7. Based on the information in the final paragraph, it can be understood that blizzards in Antarctica are
mainly the result of
A. freezing cold temperatures
B. large amounts of snowfall
C. low amounts of precipitation
D. strong winds
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C17. A recent survey of crime statistics shows that we are all more likely to be burgled now than 20
years ago and the police advise everyone to take a few simple precautions to protect their homes. The
first fact is that burglars and other intruders prefer easy opportunities, like a house which is very
obviously empty. This is much less of a challenge than an occupied house, and one which is wellprotected. A burglar will wonder if it is worth the bother. There are some general tips on how to avoid

your home becoming another crime statistic. Avoid leaving signs that your house is empty. When you
have to go out, leave at least one light on as well as a radio or television, and do not leave any curtains
wide open. The sight of your latest music centre or computer is enough to tempt any burglar. Never
leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place. The first place a burglar will look is under the doormat
or in a flower pot and even somewhere more ‘imaginative’ could soon be uncovered by the intruder.
But if your house is in a quiet, desolate area be aware that this will be a burglar’s dream, so deter any
potential criminal from approaching your house by fitting security lights to the outside of your house.
But what could happen if, in spite of the aforementioned precautions, a burglar or intruder has decided
to target your home. Windows, no matter how small, are usually the first point of entry for many
intruders. For extra security, fit window locks to the inside of the window.
1. A well-protected house _________ .
A. is less likely to be burgled.
B. is regarded as a challenge by most criminals.
C. is a lot of bother to maintain.
D. is very unlikely to be burgled.
2. According to the writer, we should ________ .
A. avoid leaving our house empty.
B. only go out when we have to.
C. always keep the curtains closed.
D. give the impression that our house is occupied when we go out.
3. The writer thinks that hiding a key under a doormat or flower pot __________.
A. is predictable.
B. is useful.
C.is imaginative.
D. is where you always find a spare key.
4. What word best replaces “desolate” in paragraph 4?
A. isolated
B. populous
C. dissatisfying
D. depressing

5. What word best replaces “aforementioned” in paragraph 5?
A. foreseen
B. predicted
C. foresaid
D. forethought
6. Gaining entry to a house through a small window _________ .
A. is surprisingly difficult.
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B. is not as difficult as people think.
C. is less likely to happen than gaining entry through a door.
D. is tried only by very determined burglars.
7. According to the writer, window locks, security locks and burglar alarms ________.
A. cost a lot of money but are worth it.
B. are good value for money.
C. are luxury items.
D. are absolutely essential items.
8. The writer argues that fitting a chain and an eye hole _________.
A. will prevent your home being burgled.
B. avoids you having to invite people into your home.
C. is only necessary for elderly people.
D. gives you time to check if the visitor is genuine.
9. What word best replaces “scrutinise” in paragraph 7?
A. glance
B. gaze
C. search
D. examine Question
10. The best title for the text is _________.
A. Increasing household crime.

B. Protecting your home from intruders.
C. What to do if a burglar breaks into your home.
D. Burglary statistics
11. The 'aforementioned precautions' refer to steps that …………
A. will tell a burglar if your house is empty or not.
B. are the most important precautions to take to make your home safe.
C. will stop a potential burglar.
D. will not stop an intruder if he has decided to try and enter your home.
C18. Today, Mike and his mom are going to the library. Mike wants to find a book to read. His mom
wants to use a computer there. When they get to the library, Mike finds a book about detectives. He also
finds a book with chapters about a friendly ghost. Finally, he finds a book about a man who lives in the
woods without food or water. He puts the books on the front desk and waits for his mom.
Mike's mom sits at one of the computers in the library. She checks her email and looks at pictures of
flowers on the internet. Then she reads a news article on a website. Mike's mom leaves the computer
and walks over to Mike, holding up something out for him. Mike looks at her quizzically. It takes him a
moment to recognize what she is holding. “I got that movie for us to watch tonight," says Mike's mom.
“Are you ready to leave?”. "Sure," Mike says, now holding the movie out in front of him. He reads the
cover while walking back to the library entrance. He puts his books and the movie on the front desk to
check out. A librarian stands behind the counter holding an electronic scanner. "How long can we keep
24


them?" Mike asks her. "Three weeks," says the librarian. "Cool," says Mike. Suddenly, Mike is
surprised. His mother is checking out something else that is too big to put on the desk. It’s a picture of
the ocean. "What is that for?" Mike asks. "To put on our wall at home," says Mike's mom. "You can do
that?" Mike asks. Mike's mom smiles at the librarian. "Yes," she says, "but we have to return it in three
months".
1. Based on the books Mike finds to check out, we can tell that he is interested in
A. science
B. nature

C. mystery
D. adventure
2. While at the computer, Mike's mom
I. checks her mail
II. looks at pictures
III. reads an article
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
3. According to the passage, how long can Mike and his mother use the books and the movie before
they must return them to the library?
A. one week
B. two weeks
C. three weeks
D. four weeks
4. Based on its use in paragraph 4, it can understood that quizzically belongs to which of the following
word groups?
A. abnormally, strangely, weirdly
B. casually, carelessly, indifferently
C. passionately, keenly, intensely
D. inquisitively, questioningly, curiously
5. As used in paragraph 5, the phrase "check out" most nearly means
A. to see
B. to rent
C. to find
D. to buy
6. What does Mike's mom want to do with the picture of the ocean?
A. She wants to buy it.
B. She wants to hang it on her wall.

C. She wants to give it to her friend as a gift.
D. She wants to donate it to the library.
25