BỘ đề THI CHỌN HSG TỈNH môn TIẾNG ANH 12

SỞ GIÁO DỤC & ĐÀO TẠO
TỈNH BÀ RỊA – VŨNG TÀU
ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC
SỐ ĐIỂM

KỲ THI CHỌN HỌC SINH GIỎI CẤP TỈNH
LỚP 12 THPT, NĂM HỌC 2008 – 2009
MÔN THI: TIẾNG ANH
Thời gian làm bài: 180 phút
Ngày thi: 11 – 11 – 2008
*Lưu ý: Đề thi gồm 06 trang; Thí sinh làm bài vào đề thi.

GIÁM KHẢO 1

GIÁM KHẢO 2

SỐ PHÁCH

I. Listen to two people, Sophie and Sally, arranging a party TWICE and choose the best answers to the
questions. Circle your choices. (1 pt)
1. Who is going to book the restaurant?
A. Sally
B. Sophie
C. Susie

2. How many people will be at the dinner?
A. 50
B. 15
C. 55
3. What time will the booking be for?
A. 7.00
B. 7.15
C. 7.30
4. What extra thing should the restaurant provide?
A. A cake
B. A special dish
C. A plate with his name on
5. What are they thinking of doing after dinner?
A. going home
B. going to the movies
C. dancing
II. You are to hear one traveller talking about a recent holiday that he had with his wife in India. Listen
TWICE and complete the notes that the man made during his holiday. (2 pts)
Holiday in India.
With:
(1) ………………………………..company.
Hotel name:
The Shelton (Hyderabad)
Number of days:
(2) ………………………………………………………………
Total cost:
(3) ………………………………………………………………
Problems
Room:
(4) ………………………………… Bathroom not cleaned everyday.

Food:
(5) ……………………..…and spicy (6) …………………………………….
Service:
(7) ………………………………………….
Waiters:
(8) ………………………………………….
Excursions:
(9) ……………………………………….(10) ……………………………….
Action to take:
Get some of our money back!
III. Complete the passage by writing the correct form of the words/verbs given in brackets (2 pts):
Going home after midnight – It was a cold December morning, two days before Christmas. When I looked at
my wristwatch, it was almost 1 a.m. I had to hurry home because my aunt didn’t know I had (1.sneak)
……………....… out of the house to meet my friends. We were out singing carols. We would walk from house to
house singing Christmas songs. In exchange for our good tidings, each (2.house) ……..………… would give us a
little present.
One night, we were requested to sing at the Christmas party hosted by a rich man. Upon receiving the invitation,
we were (3.joy) ……….….…….–really excited. So my friends and I thoroughly rehearsed the Christmas songs
that our host wanted to hear. At the party, we sang Joy to the World, Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, and The
Christmas Song. After each song, the audience broke into (4.applaud) ……….…….. Everybody, especially the
host, enjoyed our performance. Afterwards, he offered us fine food and a (5.substance) …………....…… amount
of money. We were having so much fun at the party that we lost track of time. Suddenly I realized that I had to
go home. I felt nervous upon reaching our doorstep. I was dreading my aunt’s reaction. She was very strict, and
my late (6.arrive) ……………….……. would surely make her angry. I was already imagining the (7.pain)
………………… words she would throw in my direction. Even so, I knocked on the door, leaving my situation
to fate. When the door opened, I saw my (8.smile) ………..……… aunt. She let me in without a word.
Surprising? I couldn’t explain her reaction. Perhaps her unusual cheer was due to the spirit of Christmas.
My aunt’s positive mood didn’t last long – it was Christmas cheer, indeed. However, I have learned a couple of
lessons from that experience. First, life is funny and (9.predict) ………..…………. Just when you’re expecting
something bad, the opposite happens. You simply have to roll with the punches. Second, I would no longer sneak

out of the house late at night and put my own safety at risk. If I have to go anywhere, I’d ask
(10.permit)……………..…….. from an adult. Whether I’m allowed to go or not, at least I’d be free from fear.
IV. Choose the words or phrases that best complete the sentences. Circle your choices (2 pts)
1. By 2 o’clock, he _____________ on the drum for three hours. I hope he stops soon!
a. will have been practicing
b.will be practicing
c.has been practicing
d.is practicing
2. I dread ___________ what would have happened if the lifeguard hadn’t seen you.
a. thinking
b. to think
c. think
d. thought
3. As ______ captain of __________ ship, I have complete __________ authority.
a. the / the / Ø
b. Ø / the / Ø
c. a / a / the
d. a and b
4. Neither Julie nor Sue ____________ to work today because they are both ill.
a. goes
b. go
c. is going
d. are going
5. Indigo is a vat color, _______called because it does not dissolve in water.
a. which it
b. it is
c. but
d. so

6. Helen’s parents were very pleased when they read her school _____________.
a. report
b. papers
c. diploma
d. account
7. Our teacher ___________ us some difficult exercises for homework.
a. set
b. put
c. obliged
d. made
8. Why don’t we go to the park _____________?
a. in the car
b. with a car
c. with car
d. by the car
9. Not only ___________ to assess students’ ability, but it is also used to arrange classes.
a. to use the exam result
b. is the exam result used c. the exam result is used d. using the exam result
10. The two cars for sale were in poor condition, so I didn’t buy ___________.
a. both of them
b. either of them
c. neither of them
d each of them
11. They had ________ ashtrays on the table.
a. two square glass
b. square two glass
c. glass two square
d. two glass square
12. The air inside a house or an office building often has higher concentrations of contaminants __________
heavily polluted outside air.

a. than does
b. more
c. as some that are
d. like of
13. Following the guidelines for speaking and voting established by the book Robert’s Rules of Order,
_________ during meetings.
a. and avoid large decision-making organizations' procedural confusion
b. large decision-making organizations avoid procedural confusion
c. is procedural confusion avoided by large decision making organizations
d. are avoiding procedural confusion in large decision making organizations
14. I was told yesterday that the car had been fixed but it’s broken down ___________ again.
a. even
b. still
c. yet
d. right
15. Practically ___________ in the group passed up the opportunity to attend the computer skills seminar.
a. each one
b. anyone
c. someone
d. no one
16. For the new museum visitor ____________ for the veteran museum goer, the Museum Highlights Tour offers
an excellent opportunity to see the most popular exhibits.
a. too
b. in addition
c. as well as
d. further
17. Bright colors _________ people with dark complexions.
a. fit
b. effect
c. match

d. suit
18. Please don’t _______________ the phone on me again!
a. hang over
b. hang out
c. hang up
d. hang on
19. None of the children would ____________ breaking the window.
a. put in for
b. own up to
c. live up to
d. come down to
20. You’re having problems now but I’m sure things will change __________ the better soon.
a. on
b. to
c. by
d. for
V. IDENTIFY underlined words or phrases that are wrong and then CORRECT them (2 pts).
Ex: 0. (A)No matter how (B)hardly she tried, she (C)failed the (D)entrance exam. => 0. B: hard
1. (A)The aircraft is traveling 50 times (B)faster than the (C)speed of (D)a pistol bullet.
2. Today (A)the number of people (B)who enjoy sports (C)is almost double (D)those of twenty years ago.
3. Natural predators, (A)disturbing from tourists, and pollution (B)have all (C)contributed to the (D)decline of the
animal.
4. In some societies, (A)hiring people (B)cook, clean, (C)take care of children, and (D)do the yard work.
5.Some paper dolls, (A) which were once (B) relatively cheap, are (C) previously considered valuable
collectors’(D)items.
6. Crickets rub (A)the legs (B)together to make (C)their chirping (D)sound.


7. Conservationists (A)hope that (B)someday captive wildlife (C)populations will be reestablished in (D)a wild.
8. The (A)scars of (B)the earthquake remain in the (C)naked rock, and stunted trees mark (D)their fault line.

9. Blowing out birthday candles is an (A)ancient test to see if a (B)growing child is (C)very strong to blow out a
greater (D)number each year.
10. (A)Unlike a tractor (B)is, a mule (C)won’t turn over on a steep hillside (D)and crash the driver.
=> 1……………….. 2………………….. 3. ………………… 4. ………………….5. …………………
6………………..
7…………………. 8. ………………… 9. ……………..….10. ……………….
VI. Comple the passage by writing in each blank with ONE suitable word. (2 pts)
War Against Illiteracy Continues - In 1939 only 15 per cent of the school-age population attended school,
while 80 per cent of the (1) ……………… population was illiterate. In 1945, President Hồ Chí Minh promised to
provide all Vietnamese (2) …………… the chance to read and write. He wanted to eradicate illiteracy. The
campaign was (3) ………..…huge success, and over 10 million people became literate between 1946 and 1954.
From 1954 to 1975, illiteracy was eradicated in the 12-50 age group in (4) ………………northern provinces.
Based on this success, the population of remote regions was targeted next. Finally, the third campaign came into
(5) ………..……in the south, and from 1975 onwards 1.5 million people learned to read and write.
Việt Nam now enjoys an excellent literacy rate of 94 per cent, and figures (6) ……………that more than 80 per
cent of school-age children attend school. Now our challenge is (7) ……….……..… ensure that the remaining 20
per cent join them.- President Hồ Chí Minh insisted on (8)………..…..….…being learning opportunities for
everybody. The areas (9) …..……… the illiteracy rate remains highest, however, are often remote mountainous
regions. Here the population is sparse, communication is often difficult, there is a lack of transportation, and there
are (10) …………… opportunities for economic development than in highly populated urban areas.
VII. Read the passage and choose the word that best completes each blank. Circle your choices (3 pts)
A FUTURE IN THE DARK - For many of us, we are working, traveling and shopping in hours that used to be
(1) ......... for relaxation and sleep. But, according (2) ......... the results of tests being (3) ......... by scientists, we
are no longer getting enough darkness in our lives. In fact, (4) ......... shows that a growing number of health and
environmental problems are (5) ......... a loss of darkness.
Life has evolved with a day/night circle. People who go (6) ......... this day/night rhythm will notice an adverse
impact on (7) ......... immune systems, and that’s not a good sign. We are (8) ......... a conflict between what our
mind wants, and what our internal body clock prepares for us. Some experts (9) ......... that our biological clock is
similar to the conductor of an orchestra, with the multiple rhythms of the body (10) ......... the various orchestra
sections. The body clock is (11) .........on the light/dark cycle and it governs us for every (12) .........of activity and

rest in our lives. It ensures that all our various internal systems are working together – this is its sole (13) ..........
By moving to 24-hour living, and not taking into (14) .........the dark side, we will effectively be throwing away
the advantages of evolution, (15) ......... we care to admit it or not.
1. a. conserved
b. reserved
c. upheld
d. defended
2. a. to
b. at
c. in
d. with
3. a. carried out
b. carried through
c. worked up
d. worked off
4. a. demonstration b. display
c. research
d. confirmation
5. a. prone to
b. open to
c. due to
d. next to
6. a. down with
b. without
c. through
d. behind
7. a. its
b. his
c. her
d. their

8. a. creating
b. contributing
c. giving
d. increasing
9. a. explain
b. discuss
c. enquire
d. debate
10. a. describing
b. corresponding
c. expressing
d. representing
11. a. done
b. based
c. decided
d. established
12. a. prospect
b. attitude
c. position
d. type
13. a. reason
b. project
c. purpose
d. desire
14. a. interest
b. importance
c. detail
d. account
15. a. so that
b. whether

c. unless
d. in case
VIII. Read the passage then choose the best answers. Circle your choices (1 pt)
LIMITS OF THE HUMAN BODY - In the second millennium, one frequently asked question is: What are the limits
of the human body? Is there a point at which it is physically impossible to do something? ‘One thing we’ve all learned
in the last 30 years or so is that just about anything is humanly possible,’ says Dr. Jack Wilmore, from Texas A&M
University and author of The Physiology of Sport and Exercise, part of which examines the limits of the human body.
‘As the new millennium progresses, I think you’ll see more records continue to fall in every sport. The talent pool is
better than ever. Never before have so many good athletes competed, and not just in this country, but all over the
world. With more people involved and competing, records will fall and new standards will be set.’
Many believed that it was physically impossible for a human to run a mile in under four minutes, but Roger
Bannister proved that theory wrong with a three minute, 59 second mile (1.609 kilometers) in 1954. Today, sub


four-minute miles are considered routine even in high school. And Bob Beamon stretched human performance in
the 1968 Olympics with his historic long jump of 8.9027 meters. In an event in which a record is usually broken
by mere inches, he shattered the previous jump by 0.6096 meters, but even his record was broken in 1991.
‘We’ve all seen reports of people doing superhuman feats of strength under duress, such as a man lifting a car off
a child,’ Wilmore adds. ‘So we know that the human body can do things that go far beyond normal activity.
That’s why it’s foolish to say any record can’t be broken. Who’s to say it won’t happen?’
One additional factor is just now becoming more understood and heavily emphasized: sports psychology. Getting
inside the athlete’s head can be as effective as training and long workouts.
According to Wilmore, the psychological aspect of sports should not be discounted because we now know that
what makes the athlete tick mentally can be all-important. He points out that ‘most professional teams have hired
sports psychologists for their players. It’s just another way of tapping into a human’s full potential.’
‘In addition, every aspect of athletics – training, nutrition, injury treatment – is far better than it’s ever been.
Better coaching, training techniques, equipment and other factors all contribute to make today’s athletes more
competitive than ever,’ he believes. ‘Children today tend to specialize in one or two sports instead of competing
in several as was common twenty five years ago,’ Wilmore says. ‘That means they start concentrating on a sport
much earlier and more intensely, and they become much better at it.’

Wilmore also says that the chances of women achieving new heights in athletics could be greater than men, as
more women are now involved in sports than at any other time and they are starting at about the same age as
boys, meaning that they are more skilled than the previous generation of girls. ‘Plus, women are taller and
stronger than ever. It used to be rare to see a girl who towered above you. Now it seems like you see them every
day.’ ‘There’s a lot we don’t know yet about the human body,’ he adds. ‘And one of those things is the full range
of human potential. It can be foolish to try and put limits on what the human body can do.’
1. What initial comment does Dr. Jack Wilmore make?
a. There will always be limits to what the human body can achieve.
b. It will become more and more difficult for athletes to break records.
c. Athletics will become one of the most popular forms of exercise.
d. Athletes will continue to surprise us with what they can achieve.
2. The writer mentions athletes like Bannister and Beamon in order to __________.
a. demonstrate the effect their determination to win had on them
b. prove that even their amazing achievements can be bettered.
c. exemplify what athletes can achievement under stressful conditions
d. demonstrate how accurately we can measure what athletes are capable of.
3. Dr. Wilmore feels that attitudes within athletics are changing because ____________.
a. coaches have begun to realize the importance of more intensive training
b. experts have begun to highlight the need for more unusual workouts
c. athletes are now being given mental as well as physical training by experts
d. coaches now encourage athletes to unwind between training sessions
4. Dr. Wilmore believes that women ______________.
a. have physically developed and advanced over the years
b. perform equally well whether they are tall or short
c. now have the same chance as boys of realizing their potential
d. are beginning to play sports at a much younger age than boys
5. What conclusion does Dr. Wilmore make?
a. We try to push the human body to its limits at our peril.
b. We must congratulate ourselves on what athletes have achieved so far.
c. We need to do more research into what the human body is capable of.

d. We should not prejudge what might be beyond our physical capabilities.
IX. Complete the sentences, keeping the meaning unchanged, and using exactly the words given (2 pts):
1. Peter couldn’t speak Vietnamese well until he had lived in Vietnam for some years. (able)
=> It …………………………………………………………………………………………………….…well.
2. He prefers cycling to walking. (preferable)
=> He finds ……………………………………………………………………………………………..walking.
3. It is hard for him to make the best choice of jobs because there are not many. (finds)
=> So …………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
4. How foolish I was to pay all the money before collecting the goods! (which)
=> I ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….me.
5. Would you be kind enough to visit the teacher? (as)
=> Would ………………………………………………………………………….……………………..a visit?


X. Composition (3 pts):
Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students. Others believe that
higher education should be available only to good students.
Write a composition (250 – 300 words) to express which view you agree with and explain your reasons.
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GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!


SỞ GIÁO DỤC & ĐÀO TẠO
TỈNH BÀ RỊA – VŨNG TÀU

KỲ THI CHỌN HỌC SINH GIỎI CẤP TỈNH
LỚP 12 THPT, NĂM HỌC 2008 – 2009
MÔN THI: TIẾNG ANH
Thời gian làm bài: 180 phút
HƯỚNG DẪN CHẤM ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC
Ngày thi: 11 – 11 – 2008
I. Listen to two people, Sophie and Sally, arranging a party and choose the best answers to the questions. Circle your
choices. (1 pt)
1. Who is going to book the restaurant?
A. Sally
B. Sophie
C. Susie
2. How many people will be at the dinner?
A. 50
B. 15
C. 55
3. What time will the booking be for?
A. 7.00
B. 7.15

C. 7.30
4. What extra thing should the restaurant provide?
A. A cake
B. A special dish
C. A plate with his name on 5.
What are they thinking of doing after dinner?
A. going home
B. going to the movies
C. dancing
II. You are to hear one traveller talking about a recent holiday that he had with his wife in India. Listen and
complete the notes that the man made during his holiday. (2 pts)
Holiday in India.
With:
1. Travel International company.
Hotel name:
the Shelton (Hyderabad)
Number of days:
2. 10
Total cost:
3. 3,000 pounds
Room:
4. too small- Bathroom not cleaned everyday.
Food:
5. too hot and spicy
6. Breaksfast too small (just coffee and toast)
Service:
7. terrible
Waiters:
8. slow and rude
Excursions:

9. no tour guide
10. no lunch.
Action to take: Get some of our money back!
III. Complete the passage by writing the correct form of the words given(2 pts):
Going home after midnight – It was a cold December morning, two days before Christmas. When I looked at my
wristwatch, it was almost 1 a.m. I had to hurry home because my aunt didn’t know I had (1.sneak) (sneaked) out of the
house to meet my friends. We were out singing carols. We would walk from house to house singing Christmas songs. In
exchange for our good tidings, each (2.house) (household) would give us a little present. One night, we were requested to
sing at the Christmas party hosted by a rich man. Upon receiving the invitation, we were (3.joy)(overjoyed) – really
excited. So my friends and I thoroughly rehearsed the Christmas songs that our host wanted to hear. At the party, we sang
Joy to the World, Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, and The Christmas Song. After each song, the audience broke into
(4.applaud) (applause). Everybody, especially the host, enjoyed our performance. Afterwards, he offered us fine food and a
(5.substance) (substantial) amount of money. We were having so much fun at the party that we lost track of time. Suddenly
I realized that I had to go home. I felt nervous upon reaching our doorstep. I was dreading my aunt’s reaction. She was very
strict, and my late (6.arrive) (arrival) would surely make her angry. I was already imagining the (7.pain) (painful) words
she would throw in my direction. Even so, I knocked on the door, leaving my situation to fate. When the door opened, I saw
my (8.smile) (smiling) aunt. She let me in without a word. Surprising? I couldn’t explain her reaction. Perhaps her unusual
cheer was due to the spirit of Christmas.
My aunt’s positive mood didn’t last long – it was Christmas cheer, indeed. However, I have learned a couple of lessons
from that experience. First, life is funny and (9.predict) (unpredictable). Just when you’re expecting something bad, the
opposite happens. You simply have to roll with the punches. Second, I would no longer sneak out of the house late at night
and put my own safety at risk. If I have to go anywhere, I’d ask (10.permit)(permission) from an adult. Whether I’m
allowed to go or not, at least I’d be free from fear.
IV. Choose the words or phrases that best complete the sentences. Circle your choices (2 pts)
1. By 2 o’clock, he _____________ on the drum for three hours. I hope he stops soon!
a. will have been practicing
b.will be practicing
c.has been practicing
d.is practicing
2. I dread ___________ what would have happened if the lifeguard hadn’t seen you.

a. thinking
b. to think
c. think
d. thought
3. As ______ captain of __________ ship, I have complete __________ authority.
a. the / the / Ø
b. Ø / the / Ø
c. a / a / the
d. a and b
4. Neither Julie nor Sue ____________ to work today because they are both ill.
a. goes
b. go
c. is going
d. are going
5. Indigo is a vat color, ……..called because it does not dissolve in water.
a. which it
b. it is
c. but
d. so
6. Helen’s parents were very pleased when they read her school _____________.
a. report
b. papers
c. diploma
d. account
7. Our teacher ___________ us some difficult exercises for homework.


a. set
b. put
c. obliged

d. made
8. Why don’t we go to the park _____________?
a. in the car
b. with a car
c. with car
d. by the car
9. Not only ___________ to assess students’ ability, but it is also used to arrange classes.
a. to use the exam result b. is the exam result used c. the exam result is used d. using the exam result
10. The two cars for sale were in poor condition, so I didn’t buy ___________.
a. both of them
b. either of them
c. neither of them
d each of them
11. They had ________ ashtrays on the table.
a. two square glass
b. square two glass
c. glass two square
d. two glass square
12. The air inside a house or an office building often has higher concentrations of contaminants __________ heavily
polluted outside air.
a. than does
b. more
c. as some that are
d. like of
13. Following the guidelines for speaking and voting established by the book Robert’s Rules of Order, _________ during
meetings.
a. and avoid large decision-making organizations' procedural confusion
b. large decision-making organizations avoid procedural confusion
c. is procedural confusion avoided by large decision making organizations
d. are avoiding procedural confusion in large decision making organizations

14. I was told yesterday that the car had been fixed but it’s broken down ___________ again.
a. even
b. still
c. yet
d. right
15. Practically ___________ in the group passed up the opportunity to attend the computer skills seminar.
a. each one
b. anyone
c. someone
d. no one
16. For the new museum visitor ____________ for the veteran museum goer, the Museum Highlights Tour offers an
excellent opportunity to see the most popular exhibits.
a. too
b. in addition
c. as well as
d. further
17. Bright colors _________ people with dark complexions.
a. fit
b. effect
c. match
d. suit
18. Please don’t _______________ the phone on me again!
a. hang over
b. hang out
c. hang up
d. hang on
19. None of the children would ____________ breaking the window.
a. put in for
b. own up to
c. live up to

d. come down to
20. You’re having problems now but I’m sure things will change __________ the better soon.
a. on
b. to
c. by
d. for
V. IDENTIFY underlined words or phrases that are wrong and then CORRECT them (2 pts).
1. (A)The aircraft is traveling 50 times (B)faster than the (C)speed of (D)a pistol bullet.
2. Today (A)the number of people (B)who enjoy sports (C)is almost double (D)those of twenty years ago.
3. Natural predators, (A)disturbing from tourists, and pollution (B)have all (C)contributed to the (D)decline of the animal.
4. In some societies, (A)hiring people (B)cook, clean, (C)take care of children, (D)do the yard work.
5. Some paper dolls, (A)which were once (B)relatively cheap, are (C)previously considered valuable collectors’(D)items.
6. Crickets rub (A)the legs (B)together to make (C)their chirping (D)sound.
7. Conservationists (A)hope that (B)someday captive wildlife (C)populations will be reestablished in (D)a wild.
8. The (A)scars of (B)the earthquake remain in the (C)naked rock, and stunted trees mark (D)their fault line.
9. Blowing out birthday candles is an (A)ancient test to see if a (B)growing child is (C)very strong to blow out a greater
(D)number each year.
10. (A)Unlike a tractor (B)is, a mule (C)won’t turn over on a steep hillside (D)and crush the driver.
=> 1. A: as fast as
2. D: that
3. A: disturbance
4. A: hired
5. C: now
6. A: their
7. D: the wild
8. D: its fault line
9. C: strong enough
10. B: Omit “is”
VI. Comple the passage by filling in each blank with ONE suitable word. (2 pts)
War Against Illiteracy Continues - In 1939 only 15 per cent of the school-age population attended school, while 80 per

cent of the (1) total population was illiterate. In 1945, President Hồ Chí Minh promised to provide all Vietnamese (2) with
the chance to read and write. He wanted to eradicate illiteracy. The campaign was (3) a huge success, and over 10 million
people became literate between 1946 and 1954. From 1954 to 1975, illiteracy was eradicated in the 12-50 age group in (4)
most northern provinces. Based on this success, the population of remote regions was targeted next. Finally, the third
campaign came into (5) effect in the south, and from 1975 onwards 1.5 million people learned to read and write.
Việt Nam now enjoys an excellent literacy rate of 94 per cent, and figures (6) show that more than 80 per cent of school-age
children attend school. Now our challenge is (7) to ensure that the remaining 20 per cent join them. - President Hồ Chí
Minh insisted on (8) there being learning opportunities for everybody. The areas (9) where the illiteracy rate remains
highest, however, are often remote mountainous regions. Here the population is sparse, communication is often difficult,
there is a lack of transportation, and there are (10) fewer opportunities for economic development than in highly populated
urban areas.
VII. Read the passage and choose the word that best completes each blank. Circle your choices (3 pts)
A FUTURE IN THE DARK - For many of us, we are working, traveling and shopping in hours that used to be (1) ....... for
relaxation and sleep. But, according (2) .......the results of tests being (3)...... by scientists, we are no longer getting enough
darkness in our lives. In fact, (4) ...... shows that a growing number of health and environmental problems are (5) ........a loss


of darkness. Life has evolved with a day/night circle. People who go (6) ........this day/night rhythm will notice an adverse
impact on (7)........ immune systems, and that’s not a good sign. We are (8) ........a conflict between what our mind wants,
and what our internal body clock prepares for us. Some experts (9).......that our biological clock is similar to the conductor
of an orchestra, with the multiple rhythms of the body (10).....the various orchestra sections. The body clock is (11)......on
the light/dark cycle and it governs us for every (12).......of activity and rest in our lives. It ensures that all our various
internal systems are working together – this is its sole (13)........By moving to 24-hour living, and not taking into (14)......the
dark side, we will effectively be throwing away the advantages of evolution, (15) ......... we care to admit it or not.
1. a. conserved
b. reserved
c. upheld
d. defended
2. a. to
b. at

c. in
d. with
3. a. carried out
b. carried through
c. worked up
d. worked off
4. a. demonstration
b. display
c. research
d. confirmation
5. a. prone to
b. open to
c. due to
d. next to
6. a. down with
b. without
c. through
d. behind
7. a. its
b. his
c. her
d. their
8. a. creating
b. contributing
c. giving
d. increasing
9. a. explain
b. discuss
c. enquire
d. debate

10. a. describing
b. corresponding
c. expressing
d. representing
11. a. done
b. based
c. decided
d. established
12. a. prospect
b. attitude
c. position
d. type
13. a. reason
b. project
c. purpose
d. desire
14. a. interest
b. importance
c. detail
d. account
15. a. so that
b. whether
c. unless
d. in case
VIII. Read the passage then choose the best answers. Circle your choices (1 pt)
LIMITS OF THE HUMAN BODY - In the second millennium, one frequently asked question is: What are the limits of the
human body? Is there a point at which it is physically impossible to do something?
‘One thing we’ve all learned in the last 30 years or so is that just about anything is humanly possible,’ says Dr. Jack
Wilmore, from Texas A&M University and author of The Physiology of Sport and Exercise, part of which examines the
limits of the human body. ‘As the new millennium progresses, I think you’ll see more records continue to fall in every

sport. The talent pool is better than ever. Never before have so many good athletes competed, and not just in this country,
but all over the world. With more people involved and competing, records will fall and new standards will be set.’ Many
believed that it was physically impossible for a human to run a mile in under four minutes, but Roger Bannister proved that
theory wrong with a three minute, 59 second mile (1.609 kilometers) in 1954. Today, sub four-minute miles are considered
routine even in high school. And Bob Beamon stretched human performance in the 1968 Olympics with his historic long
jump of 8.9027 meters. In an event in which a record is usually broken by mere inches, he shattered the previous jump by
0.6096 meters, but even his record was broken in 1991. ‘We’ve all seen reports of people doing superhuman feats of
strength under duress, such as a man lifting a car off a child,’ Wilmore adds. ‘So we know that the human body can do
things that go far beyond normal activity. That’s why it’s foolish to say any record can’t be broken. Who’s to say it won’t
happen?’
One additional factor is just now becoming more understood and heavily emphasized: sports psychology. Getting inside the
athlete’s head can be as effective as training and long workouts.
According to Wilmore, the psychological aspect of sports should not be discounted because we now know that what makes
the athlete tick mentally can be all-important. He points out that ‘most professional teams have hired sports psychologists
for their players. It’s just another way of tapping into a human’s full potential.’
‘In addition, every aspect of athletics – training, nutrition, injury treatment – is far better than it’s ever been. Better
coaching, training techniques, equipment and other factors all contribute to make today’s athletes more competitive than
ever,’ he believes. ‘Children today tend to specialize in one or two sports instead of competing in several as was common
twenty five years ago,’ Wilmore says. ‘That means they start concentrating on a sport much earlier and more intensely, and
they become much better at it.’
Wilmore also says that the chances of women achieving new heights in athletics could be greater than men, as more women
are now involved in sports than at any other time and they are starting at about the same age as boys, meaning that they are
more skilled than the previous generation of girls. ‘Plus, women are taller and stronger than ever. It used to be rare to see a
girl who towered above you. Now it seems like you see them every day.’ ‘There’s a lot we don’t know yet about the human
body,’ he adds. ‘And one of those things is the full range of human potential. It can be foolish to try and put limits on what
the human body can do.’
1. What initial comment does Dr. Jack Wilmore make?
a. There will always be limits to what the human body can achieve.
b. It will become more and more difficult for athletes to break records.
c. Athletics will become one of the most popular forms of exercise.

d. Athletes will continue to surprise us with what they can achieve.
2. The writer mentions athletes like Bannister and Beamon in order to __________.
a. demonstrate the effect their determination to win had on them
b. prove that even their amazing achievements can be bettered.
c. exemplify what athletes can achievement under stressful conditions
d. demonstrate how accurately we can measure what athletes are capable of.


3. Dr. Wilmore feels that attitudes within athletics are changing because ____________.
a. coaches have begun to realize the importance of more intensive training
b. experts have begun to highlight the need for more unusual workouts
c. athletes are now being given mental as well as physical training by experts
d. coaches now encourage athletes to unwind between training sessions
4. Dr. Wilmore believes that women ______________.
a. have physically developed and advanced over the years
b. perform equally well whether they are tall or short
c. now have the same chance as boys of realizing their potential
d. are beginning to play sports at a much younger age than boys
5. What conclusion does Dr. Wilmore make?
a. We try to push the human body to its limits at our peril.
b. We must congratulate ourselves on what athletes have achieved so far.
c. We need to do more research into what the human body is capable of.
d. We should not prejudge what might be beyond our physical capabilities.
IX. Complete the sentences, keeping the meaning unchanged, and using exactly the words given (2 pts):
1. Peter couldn’t speak Vietnamese well until he had lived in Vietnam for some years. (able)
=> It was not until Peter had lived in Vietnam for some years that he was able to speak Vietnamese well.
2. He prefers cycling to walking. (preferable)
=> He finds cycling preferable to walking.
3. It is hard for him to make the best choice of jobs because there are not many. (finds)
=> So few (choices of) jobs are there that he finds it hard to make the best choice/ one.

4. How foolish I was to pay all the money before collecting the goods! (which)
=> I paid all the money before collecting the goods, which was foolish of me.
5. Would you be kind enough to visit the teacher? (as)
=> Would you be so kind as to pay the teacher a visit?
X. Composition (3 pts): Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students.
Others believe that higher education should be available only to good students.
Write a composition (250 – 300 words) to express which view you agree with and explain your reasons.
NOTES:
1. Pay attention to the form, style of a piece of argumentative writing.
2. The ideas, and the links of the ideas.
3. The proper use of language.