PART A

(Đọc đoạn văn và chọn từ điền vào chỗ trống)

No. 1
HONEY
Honey is a sweet liquid made by bees. It (1)……….. of water and sugars. Bees may travel as (2)
……….. as seventy-five thousand kilometres and visit over two million flowers to produce just
half a kilo of honey. The colour and flavour of honey depend on the type of flower visited. In fact,
there are more than three hundred (3)……….. of honey. The lighter- coloured ones are generally
milder in flavour than darker honey.
In ancient times, honey was the main sweet food, as sugar was very rare. Honey was of great (4)
……….. to the ancient Egyptians, who used it as payment.
Today, honey is produced and eaten in (5)……….. part of the world. Research suggests that it
prevents tiredness and improves athletic performance. However, honey is not just food - it can be
taken for sore throats and is used inmany skin and hair-care products.

1 A involves B consists C includes

2 A well B far C soon
3 A varieties B differences C sets
4 A cost B charge C value
5 A all B every C most

No. 2
The History of Shoes
In the past, importance was not given to shoes being comfortable or fashionable. These early foot
coverings were probably animal skins, (1)……….. people tied round their ankles during cold
weather. We still use leather today, but (2)……….. materials such as silk, plastic, or cotton are
also popular, dependingon what is infashion.
It was only one hundred and fifty years (3)……….. that people began to wear a different shoe on
each foot. Formerly, the two shoes had been straight instead of shaped and (4)……….. be worn
on the left or the right foot. All shoes used to be made by hand, but now, although there are
shoemakers still using their traditional skills, most shoes are now machine-made in large
factories. The introduction of sewing machines (5)……….. the shoe industry to produce large
quantities of cheaper shoes for a wider range of buyers.

1 A where B why C which

2 A other B both C another
3 A after B beyond C ago
4 A might B could C ought
5 A got B allowed C gave

No. 3
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise is one of the most successful actors in cinema history. However, life hasn't always
been that easy for him. As a young boy, Tom was shy and had (1) ……….. in finding friends,
although he really enjoyed (2)……….. part in school plays.
Afterhe had finished High School, Tom went to New York to look for work. He found
employment as a porter, and at the same time he (3)……….. drama classes. In 1980, the film
director Franco Zeffirelli (4)……….. Tom his first part in a film. Ten years later, he had become
so successful that he was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, earning millions of dollars
for each film.
Today, Tom still appears in films and is as (5) ………..as ever with his thousands of fans from all
around the world.

1 A difficulty B problem C fear

2 A making B holding C taking
3 A prepared B waited C attended
4 A suggested B offered C tried
5 A popular B favourite C preferred

No. 4
ZOOS
People began to keep animals in zoos over 3,000 years ago, when the rulers of China opened an
enormous zoo called the Gardens of Intelligence. In many of the early zoos, animals (1)………..
taught to perform for the visitors. This no longer (2)……….. and it is accepted that the purpose of
zoos is for people to see animals behaving naturally.
Today, most cities have a zoo or wildlife park. However, not everybody approves of zoos. People
who think that zoos are a good idea say they (3) ……….. us with the opportunity to learn about
the natural world and be close to wild animals. Both of (4) ………..would not be possible
withoutzoos. On the other hand, some people disapprove of zoos because they (5) ……….. it is
wrong to put animals in cages, and argue that in zoos which are not managed properly, animals
live in dirty conditions and eat unsuitable food.

1 A had B have C were

2 A happens B becomes C develops
3 A make B bring C provide
4 A these ​ B what C whose
5 A believe B expect C imagine

No. 5
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was born on a farm in Michigan in 1863 but he did not like farming. When he was
fifteen he began work as a mechanic and in 1893 he built his first car. After he (1)
… driven it 1,500 kilometres, he sold it and built two bigger cars. Then, in 1903, he started the
Ford Motor Company. By (2)……….. strong but light steel, he built cheap cars for ordinary
people to buy. In 1908, he built the first Ford Model 'T', which sold for $825. He was soon selling
100 cars a day. By 1927, the Ford Motor Company was (3)……….. $700 million. Early Ford cars
were simple and cheap, but (4)……….. things simple sometimes (5) ……….. less choice. 'You
can have any colour you like,’ said Henry Ford of the Model T, 'as long as it's black.’

1 A is B was C had
2 A putting B operating C using
3 A rich B worth C expensive
4 A remaining B staying C keeping
5 A meant B decided C planned

No. 6
Approximately 350 million people speak English as their first (1) …....... .About the same number
use it asa second language. It is the language (2) …....... aviation, international sport and world
trade. 75% of the world's mail is in English, 60% of the world's radio stations (3) …....... in
English, and more than half of the world's newspapers are printedin English. It is an official
language in 44 countries. In (4) …....... others, it is the language of business, commerce and
technology. There are many varieties of English, but Scottish, Australian, Indian and Jamaican
speakers of English, in spite of the differences in pronunciation, structure and vocabulary, would
(5) …....... that they are all speaking the same basic language.

1 A. language B. linguist C. linguistics

2 A. on B. of C. from
3 A. broadcast B. show C. write
4 A. an B. much C. many
5 A. use B. recognize C. invent
No. 7
I had a terrible time last Saturday. It (1)……….. cold, but quite sunny, so after lunch I walked
into town. I wanted to buy a pullover. I was looking in the window of a clothes (2)……….. when
someone stole my wallet. While I was walking home, it started (3)……….. and I arrived home
cold and miserable. I decided to have a hot bath. I was getting ready to have my bath (4)………..
the doorbell rang. It was a flower seller and it took me several minutes to make him go away.
Unfortunately, all the time he was talking (5)……….. me, the water was running. You can
imagine how the kitchen was!

1 A. was B. has been C. were

2 A. café B. bar C. shop
3 A. rains B. to rain C. rained
4 A. where B. so C. when
5 A. to ​ B. out C. on

No. 8
There are five different types of rhino in the world today. The Black and White Rhino live in the
open fields of Africa. The others live in forests in Asia. All rhinos have big, heavy bodies. Their
skin is very hard and they have very (1) …...... hair. The great body of the rhino stands (2) …......
four short legs. Each foot has three toes. They usually walk very slowly, but they can run at 50
kilometres an hour. Rhinos are usually quiet and calm animals, and they only (3)…...... grass and
other plants.

A baby rhino weighs 40 kilos when it is born. It has been inside its mother (4) …...... about fifteen
months. An adult rhino weighs over 200 kilos and may (5) …...... to be 50 years old.

1 A little B many C few

2 A on B in C at
3 A eat ​ B eats C ate
4 A since B during C for
5 A lives B living C live

No. 9
The Korean education system basically consists of primary schools, secondary schools, high
schools, and colleges (1)…...... universities, with graduate courses leading to Ph.D.degrees.
Primary education is compulsory for children aged six (2)…...... eleven. The basic primary school
curriculum is generally divided into eight subjects: the Korean language, social studies, science,
(3)…...... , ethics, physical education, music and fine arts. Students in secondary schools are
required to take a number of additional subjects, such as English, and can take electives, (4)…......
as technical or vocational courses. Afterwards, students can choose between general education
and vocational high schools.
(5) …...... general, high school tends to be strict, as college and university admission is very
competitive.

1 A. as B. or C. but
2 A. to ​ B. for C. with
3 A. B. mathematics C.
mathematician mathematically
4 A. so B. alike C. such
5 A. On B.In C.Of

No. 10
When Bo the cat decided to explore a furniture van, she had a bigger adventure than she expected.
She was discovered (1)………..the driver, after he had completed a trip of over 500 kilometres. It
was the end of a long day. The driver and the cat were both hungry! He gave her some milk and
started making enquiries. He telephoned his last (2)………..,but they had not lost a cat. It was
getting late, so he took Bo home for the night and (3)………..morning delivered her to an animal
hospital.
The cat’s owner had done some detective work too. After (4) ………..everywhere for the cat, he
suddenly remembered the furniture van which had made a delivery to a neighbour. Fortunately, he
remembered the name of the company. He called their office and in a short time Bo was (5)
………..safely.

1 A by B from Cat
2 A shoppers B buyers C customers
3 A next B following C tomorrow
4 A seeing B searching C watching
5 A given B brought C returned

No. 11

What is money? The pound, the dollar or the euro are actually just like a gram or a kilometre. The
difference is that you can exchange money for something (1) ………... A ten pound note may buy
a book, a huge bag of sweets, or a couple of cinema tickets. But the note itself is only a printed
(2)……….. of paper which costs almost nothing to make. Thousands of years ago, people didn’t
have money as we know (3) ……….. . There were no banks or even shops. In those days, Mr.
Green the farmer exchanged the corn he had grown for Mr. Hive’s honey. This was an exchange
arranged between two people each of whom had something that the other wanted. But in time,
most societies invented their own ‘currencies’ (4) ……….. that people could exchange more. The
different currencies began to join together, which is why (5) ………..everyone uses the same
currency in their country

1 A other B else ​ C another

2 A piece B part C side
3 A them B it ​ C some
4 A for B by C so ​
5 A tomorrow B today ​ C recently

No. 12
PONY EXPRESS
Before 1860 there was no quick way of getting mail between the east and the west of the United
States. There were no railways at that time and most mail was sent by coach. It usually (1)
……….. at least 25 days for coaches to reach the coast. So in 1860 it (2)……….. decided to send
mail by ‘Pony Express’, which was much faster. Riders with very fast horses were placed along
the route.
They were at (3)……….. distances from each other and the mail was handed fromone rider to the
next. Riders were all (4)……….. to travel between twenty and thirty kilometers a day on very
bad roads. At each stop two minutes were(5)……….. for exchanging the mail bags, but riders
were often held up by awful weather which closed the roads. With the invention of the telegraph
in 1861, the demand for Pony Express disappeared.

1 A spent B lasted C took

2 A had B was C has
3 A like B equal C same
4 A wished B wanted C expected
5 A let B allowed C done

No. 13
CAMPING
Although some groups of people have always lived outdoors in tents, camping as we know it
today only began to be (1) ……….. about 50 years ago. The increase in the use of cars and
improvements in camping equipment have allowed more people to travel longer (2)………..into
the countryside and to stay there in greater comfort.
Many campers like to be by themselves in quiet areas, so they take their tent and food and walk or
cycle into the forests or the mountains. Others, preferring to be near people, drive to a public or
privately-owned campsite (3)……….. has up-to-date facilities, likehot showers and swimming
pools.
Whether campers are (4)……….. in the mountains or on a busy site, they should remember to (5)
……….. the area clean and tidy. In the forests, they must put out any fires and keep food hidden
to avoid attracting wildanimals.

1 A famous B popular C favourite

2 A distances B directions C voyages

3 A where B who C which

4 A alone B single C separate
5 A remain B stay C leave

No. 14

THE ESCALATOR
An American, Charles D. Seeberger, invented moving stairs to transport people in the 1890s. He
(1)……….. this invention an ‘escalator’, taking the name from the Latin word ‘scala’, (2)
……….. means ‘ladder’. Escalators move people up and down short distances. Lifts do the same,
but only move (3)……….. small number of people. If an escalator breaks down, it can still be (4)
……….. as ordinary stairs. An escalator can move between 8,000 and 9,600 people an hour, and
it does not need a person to operate it.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, cities were (5)……….. more crowded and the first
escalators were built at railway stations and in big department stores, so that people could move
about more quickly. Today we see escalators everywhere.

1 A announced B called C translated

2 A which B whose C who

3 A the Ba C some
4 A walked B made C used
5 A coming B becoming C continuing

No. 15
WILLIAM THE HERO
Brave William Baldock, who is six years old, is a hero after helping his mother when she fell
downstairs. William quickly rang (1)……….. an ambulance when he discovered his mother had
broken her leg. In spite of being frightened, he told the emergency services what had happened
and answered all the questions they asked him. He also telephoned his father at work, and then his
grandmother, to explain what he had done.While waiting for (2)……….. people to come,William
looked after his 18-month-old sister.
When ambulance man Steve Lyn went to the house, he was amazed: 'It's great that a young boy of
six knew the right number to (3)……….., and was able to give us the correct information. (4)
……….. of William's quick thinking, we were able to get there immediately.'
Mrs. Baldock left hospital yesterday, very (5)………..to both William and the ambulance service.

1 A to B off C for
2 A these B every C each
3 A put B set C dial
4 A Since B Because C As
5 A agreeable B happy C grateful

PART B
(Đọc đoạn văn và chọn từ điền vào chỗ trống)
No. 1

The History of Film

The world's first film was shown in 1895 by two French brothers, Louis and Auguste Lumiere.
Although it only (1)………..of short, simple scenes, people loved it and films have been popular
ever since. The first films were silent, with titles on the screen to explain the story.
Soon the public had their favourite actors and actresses and, in this (2) ………..the first film stars
appeared. In 1927, the first 'talkie', a film with sound, was shown and from then on, the public (3)
……….. only accept this kind of film.
Further improvements continued, particularly in America, (4)……….. produced 95% of all
films. With the arrival of television in the 1950s, fewer people went to see films, but in (5)
……….. years cinema audiences have grown again. More countries have started to produce films
that influence film-making and there are currently many national film industries

1 A consisted B contained C belonged

2 A reason B way C method
3 A should B would C might
4 A who B where C which
5 A recent ​ B now C modern

No. 2
San Francisco
San Francisco lies on the coast of northern California. The earliest Europeans to discover the (1)
……….. were led by a Spanish explorer whose name was Gaspar de Portola. He first saw it in
1769. Surprisingly, although San Francisco Bay is a wonderful natural harbour, it was discovered
by land (2)……….. than by sea.
In 1849, people arrived in San Francisco in their thousands (3)……….. to find gold. However, it
was not the men looking for the gold that got rich. The richest people made their money from
owning banks and law firms and they built themselves large houses on one of the hills. This was
(4)……….. as Nob Hill.
Nowadays, tourists are (5)……….. to San Francisco because there they can see famous places
like Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge. Many even take the short boat trip to the island of
Alcatraz to see the former prison.

1 A area ​ B part C position

2 A except B instead C rather
3 A wondering B hoping C depending

4 A told B called C known

5 A interested B attracted C excited

No. 3

As you turn on the radio for your favourite music programme, do you ever wonder how you can
hear those sounds? How do they travel through the air and (1) ………..your radio exactly as they
are sent out?
It all began nearly a hundred years ago when a young Italian called Guglielmo Marconi
discovered how to send sounds through the air. Marconi was born in Bologna, (2)
………..northern Italy, in 1974. His father was a rich Italian businessman, and his mother was a
Scot who had lived in Ireland and had gone to Italy to study music. The family lived in a country
house just outside Bologna.
(3)………..he was a boy, people did not think that Marconi was clever. He was a quiet boy who
spoke little but thought a lot. He liked to sit and read science books (4) ………..his father's big
library. He also loved to do experiments with electricity. For most of his early life, he was (5)
……….. at home. He did not go to school.

1 A. make B. reach C. travel

2 A. in B. on C. at
3 A. If B. Where C. When
4 A. on B. from C. in
5 A. made B. taught C. discovered

No. 4

AVOIDING A COLD OR THE FLU

You can get a flu shot to help keep you from catching the flu. A flu shot, or vaccination, helps
your body fight off flu germs if they attack. But it doesn’t always work. The flu virus keeps
changing. When it changes, the old vaccine no (1)……….. works. Doctors have to keep making
new (2)………... For this reason, you need a new flu shot every year. Sometimes the flu changes
enough in a single year that you can still catch it even if you’ve been vaccinated.
There is no vaccine against the common cold because more than 100 different kinds of viruses (3)
……….. colds. These viruses also keep changing.
One thing you can do to protect against cold and flu germs is washing your hands (4)……….. you
eat anything or touch your face. Your hands may pick up the germs from door knobs or other
things touched by someone with a cold. Washing your hands thoroughly kills the germs.
You can also try not to spread germs when you have a cold or the flu. Use tissues when you
sneeze. Cover your (5)……….. when you cough. And wash your hands frequently to keep from
spreading cold germs to others.

1 A. shorter B. long C. longer

2 A. vaccinated B. vaccines C. vaccinating
3 A. cause ​ B. do C. kill
4 A. during B. while C. before
5 A. face B. mouth C. ear
No. 5

CARTOON FILMS
Cartoon films have very few limits. If you can draw something, you can(1)………..it move on
the cinema screen. The use of new ideas and advanced computer programs means that cartoons
are becoming exciting again for people of (2)……….. ages.
By the end of the 1970s, the cinema world had decided that cartoons were only for children. But
soon (3)……….. , one or two directors had some original new ideas. They proved that it was
possible to make films in which both adults and children could share the fun.
However, not every cartoon film was successful. The Black Cauldron, for example, failed,
mainly because it was too (4)……….. for children and too childish for adults. Directors learnt
from this (5)……….., and the film companies began to make large amounts of money again.

1 A get B make C wish

2 A more B other C all
3 A afterwards B later C next
4 A nervous B frightening C afraid
5 A damage B crime C mistake

No. 6

A person who tosses a can or a napkin on the ground is contributing to land pollution. This (1)
……….. of pollution mainly involves the depositing on land of solid wastes that cannot be broken
down quickly or, in some cases, at all. Heaps of trash are not only unpleasant to look at - they can
(2)……….. interfere with the lives of plants and animals.
Land pollution also includes the build-up of (3)……….. chemicals on land. The use of pesticides
in farming is a major source of this type of pollution. These chemicals are spread over fields to
kill insects, weeds, fungi, or rodents that are a threat to crops. But pesticides harm or (4)………..
other living things too. When they drift with the wind or become absorbed (5)……….. fruits and
vegetables, they can become a source of health problems such as cancer and birth defects.

1 A. type ​ B. use C. train

2 A. so B. also C. too
3 A. poisonously B. poison C. poisonous
4 A. make B. kill C. get
5 A. of B. up C. into

No. 7
Grass

Grass is probably the most successful living plant in the world. There are over 9,000 different
types of grasses and they are (1)……….. in every region on the earth. They are the (2)
………..flowering plants that can exist in the freezing environment of the Arctic and the
Antarctic.
Grasslands support a wide range of animal life, from tiny insects and birds to huge animals like
cows and lions. All of them (3)……….. on grass in one way or another.
Grass (4) ……….. very quickly after it is cut or damaged. Unlike other plants, the new leaves
grow from (5)……….. the soil, not from the top of the plant. That is why large families of
animals are able to live together in one area. As soon as they have eaten all the grass there, a fresh
meal is always available because the plants start to grow again.

1 A found B realised C caught

2 A single B one C only
3 A depend ​ B build C turn
4 A repeats B recovers C reduces
5 A beside B behind C below

No. 8

SAMUEL PEPYS

The most famous diary in English was written by Samuel Pepys. It gives a detailed and
interesting (1)………..of everyday life in England between1660 and 1669. Pepys writes about
important news stories of the time, like disease, an enemy navy (2)………..up the River Thames
and the Great Fire of London.
He also writes about himself, even about his (3)………..- he often slept during church or looked
at the pretty girls. He describes his home life - a (4)………..with his wife and how they became
friends again, his worry about her illness. As well as books, he liked music, the theatre, card
games, and parties with good food and (5)………..of fun. Pepys was a busy man who had many
important jobs - he was a Member of Parliament and President of the Royal Society. He is also
remembered for his work for the British Navy.

1 A description B letter C notice

2 A driving B sailing C running
3 A faults B plans C dreams
4 A conversation B discussion C quarrel

5 A amount B plenty C much

No. 9
Sweden’s Ice Hotel

The village of Jukkasjarvi is in Swedish Lapland, and winter temperatures there can reach
-40° C. But 6,000 holidaymakers still go there annually, to visit what is probably Europe’s most
unusual accommodation.
In this hotel you eat, drink, and sleep in rooms made(1)………..ice. If you want, you can even get
married in one. The bar is ice too, and putting hot drinks on it is obviously not (2)………..! The
bedrooms are around -4° C, but fortunately guests are (3)……….. with special sleeping bags that
will keep them warm in the coldest of temperatures.(4)……….. outdoor clothes can be supplied
too, if needed.
The hotel is never more than six months old because it melts in summer, and (5)……….. winter it
is rebuilt. Creating the hotel takes 10,000 tonnes of ice, plus 30,000 tonnes of snow.

1 A by B of ​ C within
2 A supported B recognized C recommended
3 A given B offered C provided
4 A Suitable B Convenient C Acceptable
5 A other B any C each
No. 10

NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH AN OPEN UNIVERSITY DEGREE

Like any other university, the Open University can give you a degree. However, you don’t have to
stop working to study. It can also open up a whole variety (1) ………..interests.
If you have never studied before, you will enjoy the special, new pleasure of (2) ……….. your
knowledge. You will make friends of all kinds.
You may also (3) ..... that your qualification provides new career opportunities. You don’t actually
(4)………..to the Open University for lectures, but study at home, using television, radio and
computer software. You can attend one class a month if you wish at an Open University centre.
Of course, there are exams to take, as in (5)………..university.
If you like to know more, all you have to do is complete the form below. It could be the start of a
wonderful new period in your life.

1 A from B of C for
2 A growing B changing C increasing
3 A suggest B find C want
4 A join B enter C go
5 A any B some C most

No. 11
Today, supermarkets are found in almost every large city in the world. But the first supermarket
(1)……….. opened only fifty years ago. It was opened in New York by a man named Michael
Cullen.
A supermarket is different (2)……….. other types of stores in several ways. In supermarkets,
goods are placed on open shelves. The (3)……….. choose what they want and take them to the
checkout counter. This means that fewer shop assistants are needed than in other stores. The way
products are displayed is another difference between supermarkets and many other types of
stores; (4)………..example, in supermarkets, there is usually a display of small inexpensive items
just in front of the checkout counter: candies, chocolates, magazines, cheap foods and so on.
Most customers (5)……….. go to a supermarket buy goods from a shopping list. They know
exactly what they need to buy. They do the shopping according to a plan.

1 A. was B. were C. has been

2 A. from ​ B. with C. in
3 A. managers B. assistants C. customers
4 A. in B. of C. for
5 A. who B. what C. whom

No. 12
There are a lot of things you should follow to be a welcome guest in America. When you are (1)
……….. to have dinner at your friend’s house, it’s necessary to bring a small present. Flowers are
always nice; or you may bring a bottle of (2)……….. if you know that your friend likes drinking.
You are expected to arrive for dinner on time or just a few minutes late. Don’t get there early. If
you are going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.
Try to relax and enjoy yourself at the dinner table. If you don’t know about choosing the (3)
……….. fork or knife, just watch the other people, and follow them. If you still have no idea of
(4)……….. to do, ask the person next to you.
When it comes to the food, if you like it, say so. They are looking forward to hearing your
compliments. Of course, you will thank them for the meal and for their kindness. It is also a good
idea to send a (5)……….. note the day after.

1 A. demanded B. invited C. forced

2 A. wine B. lemonade C. Coke
3 A. main B. big C. right
4 A. which B. why C. what
5 A. goodbye B. message C. thank-you

No. 13

Driving a car can be expensive. The bicycle, on the other hand, is a cheap form of (1)
………..because it doesn’t need any fuel. In fact, it costs practically nothing after you’ve bought it.
It also helps keep you fit because you get exercise when you ride it. Another good thing (2)
……….. a bicycle is that it doesn’t pollute the air. If everyone rode bicycles instead of driving
cars, we wouldn’t be using up the world’s oil so quickly.
While the bicycle has these advantages, it has some disadvantages too. It is convenient only for
relatively short journeys, (3)……….. you can travel quite a long way in comfort in a car. Another
problem is that the cyclist is not protected from the weather and gets wet when it rains.
Cycling isn’t very nice in heavy traffic (4)………... The best place for a bike ride is a quiet
country lane. Main roads and city streets are often so busy that it needs some courage to (5)
……….. a bike on them.

1 A. delivery B. communication C. transport

2 A. about ​ B. off C. in
3 A. wherever B. when C. whereas
4 A. too B. either C. also
5 A. operate B. ride ​ C. go

No. 14
THE FIRST WOMAN SCIENTIST
Hypatia was born in Alexandria, in Egypt, in 370 A.D. For many centuries she was (1)
………..only woman scientist to have a place in the history books.
Hypatia’s father was director of Alexandria University, and he made sure his daughter had the
best education available. This was unusual, as most women then had few (2)………..to study.
After studying in Athens and Rome, Hypatia returned to Alexandria where she began teaching
mathematics. She soon became famous (3)………..her knowledge of new ideas.
We have no copies of her books, but we know that she wrote several important mathematical
works. Hypatia was also interested in technology and (4)………..several scientific tools to help
with her work.
At the time many rulers were afraid of science, and (5)………..connected with it was in danger.
One day in March 415, Hypatia was attacked in the street and killed.

1 A one B the ​ Ca
2 A classes B customs C opportunities
3 A from B by C for
4 A did B experimented C invented
5 A anyone B nobody C all
No. 15
THE ROCKIES

The Rocky Mountains run almost the length of North America. They start in the North- west, but
lie only a (1)………..hundred miles from the centre in more southern areas. Although the Rockies
are smaller than the Alps, they are no less wonderful.
There are many roads across the Rockies, but the best way to see them is to (2)……….. by train.
You start from Vancouver, the most attractive of Canada’s big cities. Standing with its feet in the
water and its head in the mountains, this city (3)………..its residents to ski on slopes just 15
minutes by car from the city(4)………..
Thirty passenger trains a day used to (5)……….. off from Vancouver on the cross - continent
railway. Now there are just three a week, but the ride is still a great adventure. You sleep on
board, which is fun, but travel through some of the best scenery at night.

1 A many B lot C few

2 A drive B travel ​ C ride
3 A lets B allows ​ C offers
4 A centre B circle C middle
5 A leave B get C set
 PART C
No. 1

Valentine's Day
February 14 is a day for people who have fallen in love. On this day, these men and women give
gifts and cards to each other to celebrate Valentine's Day.
At first, February 14 was the old Roman festival, Lupercalia. Then, one story says, on February
14, 270 A.D., a man named Valentine was killed by the Romans' because of his beliefs. Before
Valentine was killed, he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer' and would pass notes to her.
His final note read, "From your Valentine." Later, February 14 became known as Valentine's Day.
Since then, people in love around the world have given gifts and cards to each other on
Valentine's Day. Gloves, chocolates, and even underwear have all been popular as gifts.
Valentine cards did not become popular until the 1750s.The first Valentine cards were made by
hand. People wrote their own words on the cards, usually a kind or funny message. By around
1850 there were lots of machines for making cards. All of a sudden, sending Valentine cards
became very popular.
Now, every year around February 14, cards and chocolates fill stores around the world, for all the
people who have fallen in love.

1. A good title for this Reading Passage is ...

A. The History of Valentine's Day
B. Why People Fall in Love
C. The Most Romantic Valentine's Day Ever

2. What was Lupercalia?

A. a jail
B. a Roman festival
C. a type of card
3. Who was Valentine?
A. a man who killed someone
B. a Roman
C. a man who was in love

4. Why is Valentine thought to be romantic?

A. He was killed by the Romans.
B. He fell in love with his jailer.
C. He passed love notes to the daughter of his jailer.

5. When did Valentine cards first become popular?

A. about 270
B. about 1750
C. about 1850

No. 2
A Computer problem

Computers make people's lives easier. People can use their computers for working, shopping, or
playing games. Laptop computers make people's lives even easier! Instead of just using a
computer at home, people can take laptops anywhere. They can work, shop, or play games any
place at any time. But there is a problem with laptops. People can be burned by them!
People who sit with laptops on their legs for hours and hours have noticed they get dark marks on
their legs. The hot laptop is toasting the skin. Doctors have noticed more people show up with
"toasted skin” syndrome. They use their laptops every day for hours and hours for a month or
more and this results in a burn. The marks are not dangerous, but they look strange because they
are just in one spot on people's legs.
Companies that make computers tell people not to let warm computers touch bare skin for a long
time. Wearing pants and putting a laptop's case under the laptop is usually enough to protect one's
skin from the computer's heat. But the best way to avoid toasted skin is not to put a laptop on
your lap when you use it for a long time.

1. This reading is about ...

A. a problem that laptops may have.
B. a problem that electronic devices may have.
C. a problem that people may have.

2. What does toasted skin syndrome result in?

A. a burn
B. a hot laptop
C. a dangerous problem

3. How long does a person need to sit with a laptop on his or her lap to experience this
problem?
A. a few hours
B. about one week
C. more than a month

4. Which of the following is NOT true about toasted skin syndrome?

A. It covers a person's whole leg.
B. It is not a dangerous problem.
C. It is a burn.

5. What can be guessed about the people who got toasted skin syndrome?
A. They did not protect their laps well while using their laptops.
B. They felt pain when their pants touched the burns on their legs.
C. They tried to make the laptop companies pay the doctors' bills.
No. 3
A Long Weekend

Many people have to work on the weekend. Some people do not mind. Other people think it is
terrible. One man thinks that working on the weekend can be dangerous. He is Graham Coates.
Mr. Coates worked in an office in Brighton, England.
One Saturday, he went to the office to do some work. When he got in the elevator to go home, it
stopped between floors. Mr. Coates could not get out of the elevator. He was trapped! He did not
have a cell phone, so he started to shout. However, no one heard him. Then Mr. Coates
remembered that Monday was a holiday. No one was going to come to work until Tuesday!
There was nothing for Mr. Coates to do. He had to wait until one of his coworkers came to work
and found him. With nothing to eat or drink, Mr. Coates ended up sleeping for most of the time.
Early on Tuesday morning, the vice president of the company came into work and found the
elevator was not working. When someone finally opened the elevator, Mr. Coates came out cold,
weak, and tired. He had been in the elevator for sixty-two hours!

1. What is the best title for this story?

A. Elevator Safety
B. A Busy Weekend
C. Trapped in an Elevator

2. Why could Mr. Coates not get out of the elevator?

A. It was broken.
B. It was the weekend.
C. It was in an office.

3. What is NOT a reason why Mr. Coates spent so long in the elevator?
A. It was a three-day weekend.
B. He had no food or drink.
C. The elevator was stuck between two floors.

4. How long was he in the elevator?

A. twenty-four hours
B. more than sixty hours
C. from Saturday to Monday

5. How was Mr. Coates able to get out of the elevator?

A. He telephoned his coworkers.
B. The elevator started again.
C. The vice president discovered the elevator was not working.

No. 4
Lizards

Lizards are unusual, but they can make good pets because most of them are small and easy to care
for. They do not make loud noises, and they do not need to go for walks or take baths.

Of course, some lizards make better pets than others. One of the most popular lizards in pet stores
is the bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are active during the day and do not mind people holding
them. Geckos are another popular pet lizard. They are a little more difficult to care for. Geckos
are active at night and need a warm place to live. Like bearded dragons, they can be held by their
owners. Both of these lizards can live ten years or more when they are well cared for.

Two lizards that are bad choices for pets are iguanas and chameleons. Iguanas can grow to be
almost two meters (nearly six feet), so they need a big space to live in. They can also bite or
scratch their owners. Chameleons do not hurt their owners, but they are quite difficult to care for.
While iguanas can live up to twenty years, chameleons do not live very long. Most do not live
more than five years.

1. This reading is about

A. good and bad pets.
B. how to tell male from female lizards.
C. why lizards are disappearing.

2. What is true according to the passage?

A. It is not hard to care for most lizards.
B. Lizards are better than dogs or cats.
C. Lizard bites can be dangerous.

3. Which lizard would be good for a child to watch and play with during the day?
A. a bearded dragon
B. a chameleon
C. a gecko

4. Which lizard lives the longest?

A. a chameleon
B. a gecko
C. an iguana

5. What would the writer of the passage probably say is true?

A. Iguanas are not good pets for children.
B. It is more difficult to care for a gecko than for a chameleon.
C. Most lizards are dangerous, so do not keep them as pets.

No. 5
Lions

Lions have been called the kings of the animal world. These animals can be found wild in Africa
and India. Lions in Africa can go without water for up to one month, so they have no trouble
during dry times.
Without question, lions are also one of the most popular animals to see in zoos. Almost every zoo
around the world has a few lions.
It is very easy for people to tell male and female lions apart. Lions are the only kind of cat that
shows this big difference between males and females. A male lion has a ‘mane,' a large collar of
hair around the lion's face. Females do not have manes.
Male lions are also larger than females. A male lion usually weighs about 200 kilograms. Both
male and female lions have very strong mouths. They can break the backs of other animals with
one bite. One lion will usually kill between ten and twenty large animals each year for food.
It is unusual for lions to kill people. However, in 1898 two lions killed and ate over one hundred
people in Kenya before they were shot by a British colonel named P. J. Patterson. This story
became the subject of a Hollywood movie called The Ghost and the Darkness.

1. The passage is about ...

A. countries with lots of lions.
B. lions in books and movies.
C. male and female lions.

2. How are lions different from other cats?

A. Lions are from Africa.
B. Many zoos keep them.
C. Males and females look very different.

3. Male lions
A. have manes.
B. weigh more than most people.
 C. all of the above

4. Female lions
A. are larger than males.
B. have manes.
C. can break the back of an animal with one bite.

5. How many large animals does a lion usually kill for food in one year?
A. less than ten
B. between ten and twenty
C. over one hundred

No. 6
A university professor in the Southwest tells of a student who went on a one-day trip to the Grand
Canyon. She didn’t return until a week later. When asked what had happened, she answered that
the Grand Canyon was so amazing that she had needed three days just to get used to it.
The Grand Canyon was formed by the mighty Colorado River cutting into a plateau in Arizona.
The canyon is 277 miles long and about 1 mile deep. Because it is so deep, the top and the bottom
have very different weather and vegetation. Going from the top to the bottom is somewhat like
going from Canada to Mexico.
Known as one of the seven tourist travel wonders, which include the Great Wall of China, the Taj
Mahal, and Machu Picchu, it is visited by millions of people each year.

1. What does the word ‘it’ in line 3 refer to?

A. The university
B. The trip
C. The Grand Canyon

2. What is the depth of the Grand Canyon?

A. 277 miles
B. 278 miles
C. 1 mile

3. What does the word ‘wonder’ in line 8 mean?

A. A feeling of surprise and admiration.
B. Something that causes you to feel surprise or admiration.
C. A place in a desert that has trees and water.

4. Not only the Grand Canyon but also ​is one of the seven tourist travel wonders.
A. the Taj Mahal
B. Machu Picchu
C. all are correct

5. Which of the following could be the best title of the passage?

A. The Seven Tourist Travel Wonders
B. The Grand Canyon
C. The Story of a Student

No. 7
More than two hundred years ago, the term “environmental pollution” was quite strange to
people. They lived healthily, drank pure water, and breathed fresh air. Nowadays, the situation is
quite different. People all over the world are worried about things that are happening to the
environment. Actually it is man that is destroying the surroundings with many kinds of wastes.
Everybody knows that motorbikes and cars emit dangerous gases that cause poisonous air and
cancer, but no one wants to travel on foot or by bicycle. Manufactures know that wastes from
factories make water and soil polluted, but they do not want to spend a lot of their money on
treating the wastes safely. Scattering rubbish is bad for our health, but no one wants to spend time
burying it. Is it worth talking a lot about pollution?

1. More than two hundred years ago ​.

A. the environment was polluted as much as it is today
B. people knew nothing about environmental pollution
C. air was polluted badly

2. In former days, people ​.

A. led a healthy life
B. lived in the polluted environment
C. were worried about pollution

3. Nowadays, many people are concerned about ​.

A. the polluted water
B. the wastes from the factories
C. the pollution of the environment

4. Everybody knows that cars emit dangerous gases ​.

A. so they do not travel by car
B. so they prefer travelling by bicycle
C. but they still prefer traveling by car

5. Factory owners ​.
A. have no awareness of pollution
B. treat wastes from their factories safely
C. do not want to spend money on treating the wastes safely

No. 8
Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, in 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.

Thomas Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light. Although the electric light
was the most useful, it was not his only invention. He also invented the record player, the motion
picture camera, and over 1,200 other things. About every two weeks he created something new.
He worked 16 out of every 24 hours. Sometimes he worked so intensely that his wife had to
remind him to sleep and eat.

Thomas Edison died in 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey. He left numerous inventions that
improved the quality of life all over the world.

1. Thomas Edison was ​.

A. a teacher
B. an explorer
C. an inventor

2. In 1854 Edison’s family ​.

A. moved to Port Huron, Michigan
B. bought a new house in Milan, Ohio
C. decided to settle in Milan, Ohio

3. The word “self-educated” in the passage mostly means ​.

 A. “having been well taught”
B. “having had good schooling”
C. “having taught himself”

4. Edison died at the age of ​.

A. 76
B. 84
C. 47

5. Which of following statements is NOT true about Edison?

A. He invented the motion picture camera.
B. He didn’t go to school at all.
C. He made numerous inventions.

No. 9
Britain is now a highly industrialized country and there are only 238,000 farms in the UK. More
and more farmers leave the land because they cannot earn enough money to survive. Only large
farms are economic and because of this, most British farms are big. They usually grow cereals in
the east of England and raise sheep and cows in the north of England and Scotland. The small
family farms often have to earn more money by offering bed and breakfast accommodation to
tourists.
Farming methods in Britain have also changed. Fields used to be quite small, divided by hedges
which were sometimes a thousand years old and full of wild flowers and birds. Many hedges were
pulled up to allow farmers to use modern machinery. Now most fields in England are large by
European standards.
1. British farmers give up working on their farms because ​.
A. they are tired of the farm work
B. they can’t earn their own living by farming
C. they want to continue to live

2. Most British farms are big because .​

A. there are plenty of abandoned land
B. farming is now industrialized
C. small farms are uneconomic

3. The small family farms often offer bed and breakfast accommodation to tourists
​.
A. to show their friendship
B. because they want to have more tourists to their farms
C. in order to improve their earnings

4. Fields on British farms were ​.

A. separated from each other by hedges
B. full of wild flowers and birds
C. all are correct

5. Which of the following sentences is not true?

A. Industries are developed in Britain
B. Breeding farms are usually in the north of England
C. Farming methods in Britain have remained unchanged up to now

No. 10
Probably you have seen someone reading a book on an electronic reading device. Over the past
few years, these small computers have become more popular. For that reason, more companies
that make traditional paper books are now making electronic books (ebooks). Most ebooks are the
same as paper books, but people download a file into a reading device rather than buying the
paper book. This way they can carry many books.
Book companies are adding special features to some ebooks. These extra features might include
sound files, picture files, or video files. When the readers click on these files they learn more
about the book, the story or the writer.
The latest electronic readers are smaller and cheaper, but they are also much more powerful. They
can store much more information, so writers and book companies can do more with their ebooks.
They do not want to just add files to a completed book.
They are making the sound, picture, and video files part of the story. Readers need these files to
understand the whole story. Readers can even change the story. Readers already have a lot of
books to choose from. If they can change the way stories end, they will have even more choice!

1. This reading is about ...

A. books about the future.
B. books about animals.
C. electronic books.

2. Which sentence is true about the devices described in the passage?

A. You can use them to read ebooks.
B. They change paper books into ebooks.
C. You can use them to make videos.

3. According to the passage, what special feature might some ebooks include?
A. copies of the paper book
B. extra files
C. devices for other ebooks

4. Which of the following ebooks is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. an ebook that has sold over one million copies
B. an ebook that is only text
C. an ebook with a sound file that tells part of the story

5. How are some ebooks today different than older ebooks?

A. Companies sell them in many files.
B. Readers can change the stories.
C. Devices make them easier to read.

No. 11
I was born in Newcastle, a city in the North East of England. Newcastle is on the bank of the
River Tyne. It is quite big, with a population of about 200,000 people. There is a cathedral and a
university. There are five bridges over the River Tyne, which link Newcastle to the next town,
Gateshead, where there is one of the biggest shopping centres in the world. A few years ago, the
main industries were shipbuilding and coal mining, but now the chemical and soap industries are
important.

I moved to London ten years ago but I often return to Newcastle. I miss the people, who are very
friendly, and I miss the beautiful countryside near the city, where there are so many hills and
streams.

1. Newcastle is ............................ .
A. a city near the North East of England
B. a small town in England
C. a city in the North East of England

2. The population of Newcastle is .................... .

A. about 200,000 people
B. much less than 200,000 people
 C. much more than 200,000 people

3. Gateshead has one of ................................ in the world.

A. the biggest shopping centres
B. the most important shipbuilding industries
C. the most beautiful countrysides

4. According to the passage, the writer ...................... .

A. is still living in Newcastle
B. has never returned to Newcastle
C. doesn't live in Newcastle any more

5. Which of the following is NOT true about Newcastle?

A. Its people are friendly.
B. Its main industry now is shipbuilding.
C. It has a cathedral and a university.

No. 12
The leaning tower

Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy lean? It leans because of a mistake. It has leaned
almost since the day the tower was built.
In 1173, the people of Pisa, Italy, wanted to build a bell tower. They wanted the tower to be the
most beautiful bell tower in all of Italy. The city also needed a bell tower because the church did
not have one. However, there was a problem. As soon as the third floor of the building was
finished, the tower started to lean. Builders tried to make the building straight again as they added
more floors, but they could not figure out how to make it stop leaning. When the building was
finished in 1350, it had eight floors and was 54.5 meters tall.
After it was built, the tower continued to lean by another millimeter every year. By 1990, it was
leaning by about four meters to one side. It was also slowly sinking into the ground. Many people
became worried that it would soon fall apart. In 1998, repair works began on the tower. Workers
took nearly three years to move it back by 45 centimeters. It is still leaning, but it is safe now.

1. Why did the people of Pisa want to build the tower?

A. They needed a new church.
B. They needed a bell tower.
C. They wanted to build the tallest tower in Italy.

2. When did the tower begin to lean?

A. from the first day it was built
B. after the third floor was built
C. after the last floor was built

3. When was the tower finished?

A. in 1173
B. in 1180
C. in 1350

4. Before being repaired, the tower leaned every year by another ...
A. 1 millimeter.
B. 54.5 millimeters.
C. 45 centimeters.

5. Which of the following is NOT true about the tower?

A. It was sinking into the ground.
B. It was repaired between 1990 and 1998.
C. People were worried it might fall apart.
No. 13
A smart dog

Rico is a collie who lives in Germany. His owners trained him from a young age to find his toys.
When they say the name of a certain toy, Rico can find it. In fact, he seems to know the names of
200 toys!
Some researchers in Germany wanted to test Rico. They put his toys in a room and then told him
to go in the room and find a certain toy. Since nobody was in the room with Rico, he had no help
from anyone finding the right toy. The researchers did this test forty times. Rico found the right
toy thirty-seven times!
Then the researchers tried something else. They put seven of Rico's toys in the room plus one new
toy that Rico had never seen before. Then they told Rico to go into the room and get the new toy.
This new toy had a name Rico had never heard before. Rico found the right toy seven out of ten
times!
Researchers cannot really say that Rico knows words or language. However, these tests seem to
show that Rico can think about what he hears and think about what he knows. In fact, Rico seems
to think and remember things as well as a three-year-old child. From these tests, animal
researchers know one thing for sure. Rico has given them a lot to think about.

1. A good title for the passage is ...

A. German Collies Are the Smartest Dogs
B. Rico Surprises Researchers
C. How Dogs Use Language

2. What is Rico good at?

A. Catching things
B. Finding things
C. Counting things

3. What did researchers ask Rico to do at first?

A. Bring a certain toy out of a room
B. Name toys plus put them away
C. Choose a toy that he liked playing with

4. How many times did Rico go into the room to find a new toy he did not know?
A. Seven
B. Ten
C. Thirty-seven

5. Why were researchers surprised by what they saw?

A. Rico always knew which toys were his and which were not.
B. Rico seems to remember things as well as a young child
C. Rico showed that he understands language.
D.
No. 14
The Salt Palace Hotel

There are many unique hotels around the world. In Sweden, you can stay in a hotel made out of
ice, open between December and April every year. In Turkey, you can stay in a cave hotel with a
television, and a bathroom in each room. And in Bolivia, you can stay at the Palacio de Sal
(Palace of Salt).
Thousands of years ago, the area around the Palace of Salt was a large lake. But over time, all the
water disappeared. Today, the area has only two small lakes and two salt deserts. The larger of the
two deserts, the Uyuni salt desert, is 12,000 square kilometers. During the day, the desert is bright
white because of the salt. There are no roads across the Uyuni desert, so local people must show
guests the way to the hotel.
In the early 1990s, a man named Juan Quesada cut big blocks of salt from the desert. He used the
blocks to build the hotel. Everything in the hotel is made out of salt: the walls, the roof, even the
furniture, so the tables, the chairs, the beds, and the hotel's bar are all made of salt. The sun heats
the walls and roof during the day. At night the desert is very cold, but the rooms stay warm. The
hotel has sixteen rooms. A single room costs about $100 a night, and a double room costs about
$130. A sign on the hotel's wall tells guests, "Please, do not lick the walls."

1. What is unique about Palacio de Sal?

A. its long history
B. what it is made of
C. the price of the rooms

2. Who is Juan Quesada?

A. a hotel quest
B. a guide
C. the hotel's owner

3. Where did the salt used for the hotel come from?
A. a salt factory
B. the ground
C. Turkey

4. What keeps the rooms warm at night?

A. heat from the walls
B. the desert air
C. the sun

5. Which sentence about the area around Palacio de Sal is NOT true?
A. It was a lake many years ago.
B. It is white during the day.
C. There are several roads to the hotel.

No. 15
The Taj Mahal

Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, in the 1600s. He wanted to make a beautiful place
where he could bury his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Mumtaz Mahal was only one of Shah Jahan's
wives, but he liked her the most. After Mumtaz died, the Shah built the Taj Mahal. It took twenty-
two years to complete all of the work. The main building is made of white marble and the main
roof is white and round. It is one of the most famous things to see in India. The Taj Mahal is
beautiful. The Jumna River flows beside the north wall, but inside the walls, a smaller river runs
through a pretty garden.
Some people who study history think that Shah Jahan was also a cruel man. They say that after
the Taj Mahal was completed, Shah Jahan killed the man who made it. He did this because he did
not want the man to build anything more beautiful than the Taj Mahal. That was not all they
found out. Stories also say the Shah cut off the hands of all of the artists who took part in building
the Taj Mahal.
As for Shah Jahan, when he died he was also buried in the Taj Mahal, next to his wife.

1. Why did Shah Jahan build the Taj Mahal?

A. He needed a new place to live.
B. He liked beautiful gardens.
C. He wanted to bury his wife there.

2. Who was Mumtaz Mahal?

A. one of the Shah's wives
B. a person who studied history
C. the man who made the Taj Mahal

3. What can you NOT see when you visit the Taj Mahal?
A. the Jumna River
B. a round bell tower
C. a pretty garden
4. Why did Shah Jahan kill the man who made the Taj Mahal?
A. The Shah did not like the Taj Mahal.
B. The man made a mistake.
C. The Shah did not want him to make another building.

5. What did Shah Jahan do that makes people think he was a cruel man?
A. He buried his wife.
B. He built the Taj Mahal.
C. He cut off the hands of the artists.

No. 16
The Mona Lisa

Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa, one of the most famous paintings of all time, in
1503. He was working on a special painting for a church at the time, but it was not going well.
The woman who can be seen in the Mona Lisa is said to be Madonna Lisa del Giocondo. She was
the wife of an Italian businessman who asked da Vinci to paint a portrait of her. After da Vinci
finished the painting in 1506 he was invited by the French King, Francois I, to visit France, and
he took the painting with him. Today the Mona Lisa is kept in the Louvre, an art museum in Paris,
and it is seen by about six million visitors a year.
The painting measures only 77 centimeters by 53 centimeters and is painted with oil on wood. In
1911, Vincenzo Peruggia, a worker at the Louvre, stole the painting. He took it out of the museum
by hiding it under his coat. Two years later, police officers found the painting under Mr.
Peruggia's bed after he tried to sell it.
In 1962, the Mona Lisa was taken to Washington and New York for an exhibition. For the
journey, the museum wanted to insure the painting. The insurance company set the value of it at
100 million dollars, making it the most valuable painting ever! Today, the value of the painting
would be over 700 million dollars.

1. What is the best title for the passage?

A. Leonardo da Vinci - an Interesting Painter
B. The Louvre - a Famous French Art Museum
C. The Mona Lisa - the Most Valuable Painting of All Time

2. Who is Madonna Lisa del Giocondo said to be?

A. the painter of the Mona Lisa
B. the woman in the painting
C. the wife of the French king

3. When did Leonardo da Vinci finish painting the Mona Lisa? A.

1503
B.1506
C. 1911

4. Why did da Vinci go to France?

A. to visit the Louvre
B. to paint the Mona Lisa
C. He was invited by Francois 1.

5. What sentence about Vincenzo Peruggia is NOT true?

A. He worked in an art museum.
B. He stole the Mona Lisa.
C. He sold the painting.
No. 17
The word jeans comes from a kind of material that was made in Europe. The material, called
jean, was named after sailors from Genoa in Italy because they wore clothes made from it. In the
18th century jean cloth was made completely from cotton and workers at that time loved
wearing it because the, material was very strong and it did not wear out easily. In the 1960s many
university and college students wore jeans. Designers made different styles of jeans to match the
1960s' fashions: embroidered jeans, painted jeans and so on.
In the 1970s more and more people started wearing jeans because they became cheaper. In the
1980s jeans finally became high fashion clothing, when famous designers started making their
own styles of jeans, with their own labels on them. Sales of jeans went up and up. But in the
1990s the worldwide economic situation got worse, and the sales of jeans stopped growing.
However, jeans have never been out of fashion, and today young generation is still fond of
wearing them.

1. The material that was used to make jeans first came from
A. Asia
B. Europe
C. America

2. In the 18th century workers wore jean cloth because

A. the material was very strong and durable
B. the material was the cheapest
C. the material was very eye-catching

3. In the 1960s jeans became popular with

A. teenagers
B. workers
C. designers

4. In the 1970s more and more people wore jeans because

A. there were labels on them
B. there were different styles of jeans
C. they became cheaper

5. Nowadays, jeans are

A. popular with young people
B. out of fashion
C. the highest fashion clothing

No. 18
David Hempleman Adams is an explorer and adventurer. In April 1984, he walked through
northern Canada to the North Pole. He walked 400 kilometres in 22 days. He was 27 years old
when he did it. David was the first person to walk to the North Pole by himself. Other people
travelled to the North Pole before David but they had a sled and a dog team. David didn't have a
dog team. David was a brave man to go on this adventure on his own. He was also a lucky man
because the bear and the icy water didn't kill him.

1. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
A. David drove to the North Pole.
B. No one travelled to the North Pole before David.
C. David was the first person to walk to the North Pole alone.

2. David travelled to the North Pole with..................... .

A. a dog team
B. another person
C. nobody

3. Which of the following is NOT true?

 A. He was killed by the bear.
B. He walked to the North Pole alone.
C. He walked 400 kilometres.

4. The phrase "by himself" can be replaced by .................. .

A. alone
B. successfully
C. with other people

5. Which of the following is the best title of the passage? (A)

A. A Lucky Man
B. A Walk to the North Pole
C. Without a Dog Team

No. 19
For many people the language of the Internet is English. “World, Wide, Web: Three English
Words” was the name of an article by Michael Specter in the New York Times a few years ago.
The article went on to say: “If you want to take full advantage of the Internet, there is only one
real way to do it: learn English.”
In general, it is not difficult to learn to use Internet services. But although Internet services are
rather easy to use, you will have considerable difficulties if you are not familiar with English. In
fact, a good knowledge of English is one of the most important aspects that help you use the
Internet.

Learning to use a new Internet service may take a few hours, a few days or some weeks, but it
takes years to learn a language so that you can use it fluently and confidently. Of course, when
you know some English, you can learn more just by using it on the Internet. But at least your
English should be good enough to understand commonly used words and to know what to do on
the Internet.

1. It ​to learn to use Internet services.

A. is easy
B. is difficult
C. takes a few minutes

2. According to the article by Michael Specter, you should ​to take full advantage
of the Internet.
A. learn to type fast
B. learn to use the Internet services
C. learn English

3. Learning to use a language fluently and confidently may take ​.

A. a few years
B. a few hours
C. a few weeks

4. If you do not know English very well, you will ​when using the Internet.
A. be laughed at
B. have many difficulties
C. feel more comfortable

5. Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?
A. “English and the Internet”
B. “Ways to take full advantage of the Internet”
C. “Practising your English on the Internet”

No. 20
George Washington was born on February 22nd, 1732 in Virginia. His parents were Augustine
and Mary Washington. George grew up on a farm in Virginia. Little is known of his early
childhood. He attended school irregularly from his 7th to his 15th year. His favourite subject was
mathematics. He learned to be a surveyor of land when he grew up. He joined the army and was a
leader during the American Revolution. He later became the first President of the United States.
George Washington is called by his people the "Father of our country". The Americans celebrate
his birthday on Presidents' Day in February. His picture is on the one-dollar bill.

1. When was George Washington born? A.

In 1732.
B. In 1932.
C. In 1772.

2. Where did he grow up?

A. On a farm in Chicago.
B. On a farm in Virginia.
C. On the grassland in Virginia.

3. What subject did he like when he was a child?

A. Chemistry.
B. Mathematics.
C. Literature.

4. His people call him ​.

A. the "Leader of our country"
B. the "Hero of our country"
C. the "Father of our country"

5. The Americans celebrate his birthday on ​.

A. Presidents' Day
B. May Day
C. Labor Day

No. 21
A combination of water, salt, air pollution, sun, sand, and wind is destroying the huge statue just
outside Cairo. This five-thousand-year-old statue, which has the body of a lion and the face of a
human being, is too badly damaged to be completely saved. First, there is not a good drainage
system around the statue and too much water has been running into the stone statue for several
years. As a result, tiny pieces of salt have been left on the stone and have damaged it. Second, air
pollution from the increasing amount of traffic in Cairo is also destroying the ancient statue. The
air is so full of poisonous gases that it is damaging the statue even faster. Third, the statue is being
destroyed by extremes of temperature. The air is very cold at night, but during the day the stone of
the statue becomes very hot under the strong sunlight. Other natural forces such as severe
sandstorms attack the statue as well. Finally, the tourists who visit the statue every day also
cause a lot of damage to it.

1. Which of the following is NOT true about the statue?

A. Part of it looks like a person.
B. It is in the centre of Cairo.
C. It is very big.

2. According to the passage, the statue was built ​.

A. 5,000 years ago
B. 500 years ago
C. in the 10th century
3. All of the following are mentioned as causes of damage to the statue EXCEPT ​.
A. temperature
B. fires
C. air pollution

4. The word “ancient” in the passage mostly means ​.

A. very old
B. very big
C. modern

5. It can be inferred from the text that ​.

A. human beings as well as nature cause much damage to the statue.
B. there is little damage to the statue
C. the statue was built for entertainment many years ago

No. 22
People usually sing because they like music or because they feel happy. They express their
happiness by singing. When a bird sings, however, its song usually means much more than that
the bird is happy. Birds have many reasons for singing. They sing to give information. Their
songs are their language.
The most beautiful songs are sung by male birds. They sing when they want to attract a female
bird. It is their way of saying that they are looking for a wife. Birds also sing to tell other birds to
keep away. To a bird, his tree or even a branch of a tree is his home. He does not want strangers to
come near him, so he sings to warn them.
If a bird cannot sing well, he usually has some other means of giving important information.
Some birds dance, spread out their tails or make other signs.

1. People sing because ​.

A. they feel happy
B. they are good at singing
C. they want to tell a story

2. What is one of the main reasons why birds sing?

A. They are in a bad temper.
B. They want to give information.
C. They are sad.

3. Which birds sing the most beautiful songs?

A. Male birds
B. Young birds which attract male birds
C. Female birds which attract male birds

4. According to the passage, a bird sings ​.

A. to stop sadness
B. to tell strangers to keep away
C. to warn about the approach of people

5. Most birds usually ​if they cannot sing well.

A. give information in another way
B. warn other birds to go away
C. find a wife

No. 23
Smoking causes lung cancer, which is the number one cancer among men. Ninety percent of the
people who get lung cancer die. Smoking is also the leading cause of mouth cancer, tongue
cancer, and throat cancer.
Many smokers have heart disease and pneumonia. Smoking causes about one million early deaths
in the world every year.
Smokers not only harm themselves but also harm others. Smokers breathe smoke out into the air.
They breathe it out on their children and on their wives or husbands. Children whose parents
smoke have more breathing and lung problems than other children. Women who are married to
smokers are more likely to have lung cancer than those married to non- smokers. We are all aware
that smoking is bad. So why do people smoke?

1. The number one cancer among men is ​.

A. lung cancer
B. throat cancer
C. tongue cancer

2. The main cause of mouth cancer, tongue cancer and throat cancer is ​.
A. overeating
B. smoking
C. breathing

3. Every year, smoking causes about one million ​.

A. early deaths
B. injured men
C. cancer patients

4. The word “it” in the passage refers to ​.

A. air
B. cancer
C. smoke

5. Who are more likely to have lung cancer and lung problems?
A. People who live in the city.
B. People who live in the country.
C. People who live with smokers.

No. 24
These days, power is a big concern for many countries. People are using more and more
electricity, but our traditional sources of electricity, coal and oil, are getting smaller and smaller.
In addition, both coal and oil power plants create a lot of pollution. How will we get enough
electricity in the future? Some scientists are looking to the sky for answers.
The sun is an almost endless source of energy. Every minute, the Earth gets enough energy from
the sun to provide the world with electricity for a year. The problem is that this energy is in the
form of heat and light. To use this energy, we need to change it into electricity. Solar cells already
do this for calculators and other electronics. Unfortunately, solar cells only produce a small
amount of electricity. We can make larger solar cells, but it is very expensive.
Instead, scientists are now trying to build solar power plants. These power plants would use
thousands of huge mirrors to focus the light of the sun on a small place, where it would create a
lot of heat. The heat would then be used to create electricity. This creates more electricity than
solar cells, but not enough. The biggest solar power plant in the world creates 15 mega watts of
electricity. In contrast, most nuclear power plants create about 1,000 mega watts of electricity.

1. According to the passage, which of the following is a traditional source of electricity?

A. oil
B. the nuclear power
C. water
2. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Solar cells only produce a small amount of electricity.
B. The sun is a limited source of energy.
C. People are using more and more electricity.

3. As mentioned in the passage, making larger solar cells is ​.

A. quite cheap
B. not expensive
C. very expensive

4. The underlined word “create” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to ​.

A. work
B. protect
C. produce

5. The biggest solar power plant in the world creates ​mega watts of electricity. A. 150
B. 100
C. 15

No. 25
By adopting a few simple techniques, parents who read to their children can considerably increase
their children's language development. It is surprising, but true. How parents talk to their children
makes a big difference in the children's language development. If a parent encourages the child to
actively respond to what the parent is reading, the child's language skills increase.
A study was done with two or three-year-old children and their parents. Half of the thirty children
participants were in the experimental study; the other half acted as the control group. In the
experimental group, the parents were given a two-hour training session in which they were taught
to ask open-ended questions rather than yes-no questions. For example, the parent should ask,
"What is the doggy doing?" rather than, "Is the doggy running away?" Experimental parents were
also instructed how to expand on their children's answer, how to suggest alternative possibilities,
and how to praise correct answers.
At the beginning of the study, the children did not differ on levels of language development, but
at the end of one month, the children in the experimental group were 5.5 months ahead of the
control group on a test of verbal expression and vocabulary. Nine months later, the children in the
experimental group still showed an advance of 6 months over the children in the control group.

1. Parents can give great help to their children's language development by______them.
A. responding to
B. experimenting
C. reading to

2. What does the word "they" in the second paragraph refer to?
A. Questions.
B. Children.
C. Parents.

3. During the training session, experimental parents were taught to .

A. use yes-no questions
B. give correct answers
C. ask open-ended questions

4. What was the major difference between the control group and the experimental one in the
study?
A. The training that parents received.
B. The books that were read.
C. The age of the children.
5. What conclusion can be drawn from this passage?
A. Children who read actively always act six months earlier than those who don't.
B. Children's language skills increase when they are required to respond actively.
C. Two or three-year-old children can be taught to read actively.

PART D
READING
No. 1
A month ago I had no idea that on a Saturday afternoon in November I’d be hanging 30 metres
above the ground and enjoying it. Now I looked down at the river far below me, and realised why
people love rock-climbing.
My friend Matt and I had arrived at the Activity Centre on Friday evening. The accommodation
wasn’t wonderful, but we had everything we needed (beds, blankets, food), and we were pleased
to be out of the city and in the fresh air.
On Saturday morning we met the other ten members of our group. Cameron had come along with
two friends, Kevin and Simon, while sisters Carole and Lynn had come with Amanda. We had
come from various places and none of us knew the area
We knew we were going to spend the weekend outdoors, but none of us was sure exactly how.
Half of us spent the morning caving while the others went rock- climbing and then we changed at
lunchtime. Matt and I went to the caves first. Climbing out was harder than going in, but after a
good deal of pushing, we were out at last - covered in mud but pleased and excited by what we’d
done.

1. What is the writer trying to do in the text

A say how she spent some free time
B advertise the Activity Centre
C describe some people she met

2. What can the reader learn from the text?

A when to depend on other people at the Centre
B how to apply for a place at the Centre
C what sort of activities you can experience at the Centre

3. How do you think the writer might describe her weekend?

A interesting
B frightening
C unpleasant

4. What do we learn about the group?

A Some of them had been there before.
B They had already chosen their preferred activities.
C Some of them already knew each other.

5. The word ‘rock-climbing’ in the passage can be understood as

A A computer game
B An outdoor activity
C A music program

No. 2
Winter Driving
Winter is dangerous because it’s so difficult to know what is going to happen and accidents take
place so easily. Fog can be waiting to meet you over the top of a hill. Ice might be hiding beneath
the melting snow, waiting to send you off the road. The car coming towards you may suddenly
slide across the road.
Rule Number One for driving on icy roads is to drive smoothly. Uneven movements can make a
car suddenly very difficult to control. So every time you either turn the wheel, touch the brakes or
increase your speed, you must be as gentle and slow as possible. Imagine you are driving with a
full cup of hot coffee on the seat next to you. Drive so that you wouldn’t spill it.
Rule Number Two is to pay attention to what might happen. The more ice there is, the further
down the road you have to look. Test how long it takes to stop by gently braking. Remember that
you may be driving more quickly than you think.
In general, allow double your normal stopping distance when the road is wet, three times this
distance on snow, and even more on ice. Try to stay in control of your car at all times and you will
avoid trouble

1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A give information about winter weather
B warn people against driving in winter
C advise people about safe driving in winter

2. Why would somebody read this text?

A to find out about the weather
B for information on driving lessons
C to learn about better driving

3. What does the writer think?

A People should avoid driving in the snow.
B Drivers should expect problems in winter.
C People drive too fast in winter.

4. Why does the writer talk about a cup of coffee?

A to explain the importance of smooth movements
B because he thinks refreshments are important for drivers
C because he wants drivers to be more relaxed

5. The word ‘distance’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

A length
B work
C speed

No. 3
When I opened the first ‘Body Shop’ in 1976 my only object was to earn enough to feed my
children. Today ‘The Body Shop’ is an international company rapidly growing all around the
world. In the years since we began I have learned a lot. Much of what I have learned will be
found in this book, for I believe that we, as a company, have something worth saying about how
to run a successful business without giving up what we really believe in.
It’s not a normal business book, nor is it just about my life. The message is that to succeed in
business you have to be different. Business can be fun, a business can be run with love and it can
do good. In business, as in life, I need to enjoy myself, to have a feeling of family and to feel
excited by the unexpected. I have always wanted the people who work for ‘The Body Shop’ to
feel the same way.
Now this book sends these ideas of mine out into the world, makes them public. I’d like to think
there are no limits to our ‘family’, no limits to what can be done. I find that an exciting thought. I
hope you do, too

1. What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this text

A to tell the reader her life story
B to introduce her ideas to the reader
C to explain how international companies operate

2. What did the writer want when she opened the first ‘Body Shop’ in 1976?
A to make a lot of money
 B to write a book about business
C to earn enough money to feed her children

3. How does the writer feel about the business she runs?
A She doesn’t care about success if her children are fed.
B She just runs it for her own entertainment.
C It is not like any other company.

4. What kind of workers does the writer like to employ?

A workers who can explain her ideas
B workers who get on well with the public
C workers who have the same attitudes as she does

5. What kind of person does the writer seem to be?

A She seems to be someone with strong opinions.
B She doesn’t seem to be very confident.
C She is mainly interested in making money.

No. 4
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a special program of the United Nations, is
devoted to aiding national efforts to improve the health, nutrition, education, and general welfare
of children.
UNICEF was created in 1946 to provide relief to children in countries devastated by World War
II. After 1950 the fund directed its efforts toward general programs for the improvement of
children’s welfare, particularly in less-developed countries and in various emergency situations.
The organization’s broader mission was reflected in the name it adopted in 1953, the United
Nations Children’s Fund. UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1965. It is
headquartered in New York City.
UNICEF has concentrated much of its effort in areas in which relatively small expenditures can
have a significant impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged children such as the prevention
and treatment of diseases. In keeping with this strategy, UNICEF supports immunization
programs for childhood diseases and programs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS; it also
provides funding for health services, educational facilities, and other welfare services. Since 1996
UNICEF programs have been guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which
affirms the right of all children to “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and
to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health”. UNICEF’s activities are
financed by both government and private contributions.

1. What was the objective of UNICEF when it was created in 1946?

A. to improve the health, nutrition, education of nations
B. to devote to the general welfare of children all over the world
C. to help children in countries devastated by World War II

2. When did UNICEF win the Nobel Prize for Peace?

A. In 1946
B. In 1950
C. In 1965

3. The underlined word “It” in paragraph two refers to ​.

A. New York
B. the Nobel Peace Prize
C. UNICEF

4. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. UNICEF stands for the United Nations Children’s Fund.
B. UNICEF provides funding for health services and educational facilities.
C. UNICEF has guided the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
5. UNICEF receives money from ​.
A. international corporations
B. national and international businesses
C. governments and individuals

No. 4
Dear Sir,
Last Tuesday evening I went with two friends to your restaurant for my 18th birthday. I’d booked
the table for eight o’clock and we arrived about ten minutes late, but that was not a problem. The
waiter, who was very polite, showed us to our table and we studied the menu. I ordered a fish pie
and my friends ordered some salads. However, after about fifteen minutes, the waiter informed us
that there was no more fish pie. He apologised and suggested ordering something else. I looked at
the menu again and decided to have the same as my friends - a salad.
When the food came, it was very good. After we’d finished, we decided to order some desserts.
The waiter said that, unfortunately, it was too late. There wasn’t enough time for us to order
desserts. He said he was very sorry but our table was reserved by another group at nine thirty
and we would have to leave.
We paid the bill and left feeling very disappointed. It spoilt my birthday. Nobody told us when we
arrived that there was a time limit. It was very unsatisfactory and I doubt that we’ll go to your
restaurant again.
Yours faithfully,
Martin Cary
1. What is Martin Cary trying to do in the letter?
A make an enquiry
B cancel a booking
C make a complaint

2. What will the restaurant manager discover from the letter?

A One of his waiters behaved badly.
B Some customers had a bad experience.
C His food is unsatisfactory.

3. What does Martin think about their experience?

A They got to the restaurant too late.
B There was not much choice on the menu.
C They won’t return to the restaurant.

4. Martin and his friends couldn’t have any dessert because

A someone had booked their table.
B it was too expensive.
C there was none left

5. The phrase ‘ a fish pie’ in the passage is probably

A A kind of meat
B A kind of cake
C A kind of ice-cream

No. 6
John Fisher, a builder, and his wife Elizabeth wanted more living space, so they left their small
flat for an old 40-metre-high castle tower. They have spent five years turning it into a beautiful
home with six floors, winning three architectural prizes.
‘I love the space, and being private,’ Elizabeth says. ‘You feel separated from the world. If I’m in
the kitchen, which is 25 metres above the ground floor, and the doorbell rings, I don’t have to
answer it because visitors can’t see I’m in!’
‘There are 142 steps to the top, so if I go up and down five or six times a day, it’s very good
exercise! But having to carry heavy things to the top is terrible, so I never buy more than two
bags of shopping from the supermarket at a time. Apart from that, it’s a brilliant place to live.’
‘When we first saw the place, I asked my father’s advice about buying it, because we couldn’t
decide. After paying for it, we were a bit worried because it looked awful. But we really loved it,
and knew how we wanted it to look.’
‘Living here can be difficult - yesterday I climbed a four-metre ladder to clean the windows. But
when you stand on the roof you can see all the way out to sea on a clear day, and that’s a
wonderful experience. I’m really glad we moved.

1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A describe how to turn an old tower into a house
B describe what it is like to live in a tower
C explain how to win prizes for building work

2. From this text, a reader can find out

A why Elizabeth exercises every day.
B why Elizabeth asked her father to buy the tower.
C why John and Elizabeth left their flat

3. Which of the following best describes Elizabeth’s feelings about the tower?
A She wanted it as soon as she saw it.
B She likes most things about it.
C She has been worried since they paid for it.

4. What problem does Elizabeth have with living in such a tall building?
A She feels separated from other people.
B She cannot bring home lots of shopping at once.
C It is impossible to clean any of the windows.

5 The word ‘exercise’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

A training
B homework
C holiday

No. 7
The shoemaker
Bill Bird is a shoemaker who cannot make shoes fast enough for his growing number of
customers - and he charges more than £300 for a pair! Customers travel hundreds of kilometres to
his London shoe clinic or to his workshop in the countryside to have their feet measured. He
makes shoes for people with feet of unusual sizes: very large, very small, very broad or very
narrow. The shoes are at least as fashionable as those found in ordinary shops.
Mr Bird says: ‘My problem is that I cannot find skilled workers. Young people all seem to
prefer to work with computers these days. We will lose the necessary skills soon because there
are fewer and fewer shoemakers nowadays. I am 45, and now I want to teach young people
everything I know about making shoes. It’s a good job, and a lot of people want to buy beautiful
shoes specially made for them.’
He started in the business 19 years ago and now he employs three other people. His customers
pay about £500 for their first pair of shoes. He says: ‘Our customers come because they want
comfortable shoes which are exactly the right size.’ Extra pairs of shoes cost between £320 and
£450, as it takes one employee a whole week to make just one shoe

1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A encourage people to wear comfortable shoes
B advertise a job selling expensive shoes
C show Mr. Bird’s worries about his trade

2. What can readers find out from this text?

A how many customers Mr. Bird has
B how to get to Mr. Bird’s London shop
C how much Mr. Bird’s shoes cost
3. What is Mr. Bird’s opinion of young people?
A They are difficult to train.
BThey prefer other jobs.
CThey don’t work hard enough.

4. Customers choose Mr. Bird because his shoes

A are the most fashionable.
B fit perfectly.
C look very unusual.

5. The phrase ‘skilled workers’ in the passage means

A workers with much experience
B workers who like working during daytime
C workers coming from other countries

No. 8
If you want to take the whole family on holiday, and keep everybody happy, then I have found
just the place for you. I recently went with a group of friends to stay at the Greenwood Holiday
Village, which is open from May until October.
Built in the centre of a forest, Greenwood is a great place to stay whatever the weather. Its main
attraction for families is the indoor World of Water, where young and old can have fun in the
different pools. Some of these, however, are for serious swimmers only.
For sporty people, the Country Club offers tennis, squash and badminton. If your children are too
young to join in these sports, there are activity clubs. Greenwood is a good place for families as it
is traffic-free - you explore on foot or by bike. Some people complained that this was
inconvenient, but I was pleased to be out in the fresh air. For evening entertainment, there are
shows and cinemas
Accommodation is in a variety of apartments of different sizes. These have up to four bedrooms,
a kitchen and a bathroom, as well as a dining area. Before going, I thought the apartments might
not be big enough for all of us, but I was pleasantly surprised - it was not too crowded at all.
I’ll definitely go back to Greenwood next year. Why don’t you give it a try? Visit their website for
further information now!

1. What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this text?

A to give her opinion of the holiday village
B to describe what her family did at the holiday village
C to give advice to a friend going to the holiday village

2. From the text, the reader can find out

A the best way to get to the holiday village.
B the best time of year to visit the holiday village.
C what activities are available at the holiday village.

3. What does the writer think about the holiday village?

A It is not convenient because you cannot use your car.
B It can only be enjoyed in good weather.
C There is something there for all ages.

4. What does the writer say about the apartments?

A There is not much space between them.
B Each one has its own bathroom.
C They all have four bedrooms.

5. ‘Traffic-free’ in the passage means

A. without traffic
B. a lot of traffic
C. you don’t have to pay for traffic
No. 9
Orbis is an organisation which helps blind people everywhere. It has built an eye hospital inside
an aeroplane and flown it all over the world with an international medical team. Samantha
Graham, a fourteen-year-old schoolgirl from England, went with the plane to Mongolia.
Samantha tells the story of Eukhtuul, a young Mongolian girl.
‘Last year, when Eukhtuul was walking home from school, she was attacked by boys with sticks
and her eyes were badly damaged. Dr Duffey, an Orbis doctor, said that without an operation she
would never see again. I thought about all the everyday things I do that she couldn’t, things like
reading schoolbooks, watching television, seeing friends, and I realised how lucky I am.’
‘The Orbis team agreed to operate on Eukhtuul and I was allowed to watch, together with some
Mongolian medical students. I prayed the operation would be successful. The next day I waited
nervously with Eukhtuul while Dr Duffey removed her bandages. “In six months your sight will
be back to normal,” he said. Eukhtuul smiled, her mother cried, and I had to wipe away some
tears, too!’
‘Now Eukhtuul wants to study hard to become a doctor. Her whole future has changed, thanks to
a simple operation. We should all think more about how much our sight means to us.’

1. Orbis is an organisation
A which helps blind people everywhere
B which transports patients by plane
C which offers free operation for English patients

2. What can a reader learn about in this text?

A the life of a schoolgirl in Mongolia
B the difficulties for blind travellers
C the best way of studying medicine

3. After meeting Eukhtuul, Samantha felt

A grateful for her own sight.
B surprised by Eukhtuul’s courage.
C angry about Eukhtuul’s experience.

4. What is the result of Eukhtuul’s operation?

A After some time she will see as well as before.
B She can see better but will never have normal eyes.
C Before she recovers, she will need another operation.

5. Thanks to the operation of Orbis doctors

A Eukhtuul’s health is much improved
B Eukhtuul’s life has become worse
C Eukhtuul’s future has changed

No. 10
I never expected to spend some of my first year at university filming The Finnegans. I’d only
ever acted at school, but I’d loved the book since I was eleven. My grandmother used to say I was
just like Polly Finnegan and I always imagined myself playing her.
I’d taken a year off to go travelling before university. While I was in Chile, my mother emailed
me to say there were plans to turn the book into a TV drama. I knew I had to go for the part. She
was surprised at first, but sent my photograph to the director and persuaded him to meet me. I
flew back and got the part.
The outdoor filming started a week into term, so I got permission from the university to be away
for three weeks. Once I was back at university, I got up at 6.00 am to write the essays I’d missed.
I didn’t tell my university friends, but they found out and thought it was great.
It was an amazing experience - I’m so lucky. After university, I definitely want to make acting my
career. I’m not from an acting family, though my grandfather was an opera singer. I’ve tried for
other TV parts but haven’t received any offers yet.
1. In this text, Caroline Benson is
A advising students to finish studying before taking up acting.
B describing how pleased she was about this opportunity to act.
C warning other young people that acting is a difficult career.

2. Why did Caroline decide to try for a part in The Finnegans?

A She thought the book would make a great TV drama.
B She agreed with her grandmother that she should apply.
C She felt she was perfect for the part of Polly.

3. What does Caroline say about her mother?

A She felt Caroline would be a good actor.
B She was sorry she had emailed Caroline.
C She helped Caroline to get the part.

4. How did Caroline manage to find time to do the filming?

A She missed lectures and hoped nobody would notice.
B She delayed going to university until filming was over.
C She took time off and did her college work later.

5. The word ‘expected’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

A looked forward to
B decided
C travelled

No. 11

Dear Mr Landers,
I run 'Snips' hairdressing shop above Mr Shah's chemist's shop at 24 High Street. I started the
business 20 years ago and it is now very successful. My customers have to walk through the
chemist's to the stairs at the back which lead to the hairdresser's. This has never been a problem.
Mr Shah plans to retire later this year, and I have heard from a business acquaintance that you
intend to rent the shop space to a hamburger bar. I have thought about trying to rent it myself and
make my shop bigger but I cannot persuade anyone to lend me that much money. I don't know
what to do. My customers come to the hairdresser's to relax and the noise and smells of a burger
bar will surely drive them away. Also, they won't like having to walk through a hot, smelly burger
bar to reach the stairs.
I have always paid my rent on time. You have told me in the past that you wish me to continue
with my business for as long as possible. I believe you own another empty shop in the High Street.
Could the burger bar go there, where it would not affect other people's businesses?

I hope you think carefully about this.

1. What is the writer's main aim in the letter?

A to show why her business is successful
B to explain why her customers are feeling unhappy
C to avoid problems for her business

2. Who was the letter sent to?

A the writer's landlord
B the writer's bank manager
C the owner of the burger bar

3. What does the writer think about the burger bar?

A It will make her lose money.
B It will not be successful.
C The High Street is not the place for it.

4. Why is the writer worried about her customers?

A They do not like eating burgers.
 B They may not be allowed to use the stairs.
C The smells will not be pleasant.

5. The words “ drive them away” in paragraph 2 can be replaced by which of the
following?
A ask them to agree
B make them leave
C force them to lie down

No. 12

Maria Mutola
In 1988, Maria Mutola was playing football as the only girl in an all-boys team in a local
competition in Mozambique. 'We won’ she said. 'At first no one thought it was a problem that I
was a girl. But then the team we beat complained.’
The story appeared in a local newspaper and Jose Craveirinha, who had encouraged other African
athletes, learnt about Maria. He went to meet her and found her kicking a ball around outside the
football club. He realised immediately that she was fast. 'He talked to me about athletics. I had no
idea what he meant. The only sport I knew about was football. Then he bought me running shoes
and took me training. It was such hard work and my legs really ached.' But Jose visited her
parents and persuaded them she could be successful and this would help end their poverty. They
agreed to let him take her away to train.
In 1991, she finally accepted an invitation to train in the United States. She had refused
previously because she knew she would miss her family. Her background was unlike those of the
girls she met in the US. She explains, 'They were good athletes but, while I worried about my
parents having enough to eat, they worried about dresses and make-up. They knew very little
about me and even less about my problems. But I knew I was lucky to be there. The trainers were
brilliant and I learnt a lot.' Today, Maria still runs and for most of the year she lives happily in
South Africa with her mother.

1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A persuade more Africans to take up athletics
B describe how Maria became a top athlete
C give information about Mozambique

2. Jose Craveirinha found out about Maria when

A he went to watch a local football competition.
B she was blamed for her team losing a football competition.
C he saw an article about her role in a football match.

3. When Jose first introduced Maria to athletics, she

A didn’t know what was involved.
B was worried about being injured.
C was keen to learn everything he knew.

4. What does Maria say about the girls she met in the United States?
A Their training programmes were less demanding than hers.
B They did not show enough respect for the trainers
C Their experiences of life were very different from hers

5. The word ‘ached’ in the passage can be best replaced by

A made
B hurt
C trained

No. 13

Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis, 13, is the youngest son of Alan, an engineer, and Kath, a nursery teacher. His older
 brothers work in banking and computers, but Gareth’s dream was always to become a clown.
Three years ago, Alan, Kath and Gareth joined the circus. ‘People laugh when we tell them,’
says Kath. ‘But it’s true. Gareth has wanted to be a clown since we took him to the circus when
he was three.’
When Alan lost his job, he and Kath decided to see if they could find full-time circus jobs.
They both got jobs with a famous circus and Gareth began training to become a clown. He calls
himself Bippo. They travel with the circus during the summer and return home for the winter.
Gareth’s brothers are old enough to look after the house while they are away.
‘I can’t say it was easy,’ says Kath. ‘There was a lot to think about and organise. We only had a
car and a very small caravan to sleep in, and we were leaving behind our lovely house. The only
thing Gareth missed was his long, hot baths.’
‘People ask about my education,’ says Gareth, ‘but from the beginning, wherever we go,
someone has always come to teach me. I follow the same books as everyone back at school and
I’ve got a computer. I’ve never fallen behind my classmates.’

1 What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A describe how one family changed their lives
B give details about how to join the circus
C talk about the best way to educate a child

2 What would a reader learn about Gareth from the text?

A He does not enjoy school work.
B He has a definite aim in life.
CHe would like to be at home with his brothers.

3 Alan and Kath joined the circus because

A they needed money in order to buy a bigger car.
B their older sons needed their house for themselves.
C their youngest son wanted to train as a performer.

4 When they first joined the circus, Kath

A wanted to go back home.
B did not have enough to do.
C found things difficult.

6. The opposite of ‘a full-time job’ probably is

A a part-time job
B a well-paid job
C a hard job

No. 14
Some people have complained about this year’s collection, New Writing 3, although I cannot
understand why. Surely 500 pages of original writing of this quality, for £6.99, is pretty amazing?
Fiction - both parts of novels and complete short stories - makes up most of the book. There are
some enjoyable pieces by famous writers, such as Candia McWilliam and Rose Tremain. It’s a
strange fact that the less well-known people seem to have written mainly about food. Take my
advice about Jane Harris’s Those Nails - this piece should definitely not be read just after meals.
It contains some very unpleasant scenes which could turn your stomach!
There is fine work from nineteen poets, including R. S. Thomas and John Burnside. There are
pieces from novels-in-progress by Jim Crace and Jane Rogers. Finally, there is a little non-fiction,
which includes a very funny article by Alan Rusbridger on certain newspapers, and an
extraordinary piece about herself from Ursula Owen. This is an exceptional collection and I for
one can’t wait to see what next year’s choice will include.

1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A give her opinions about a new book
B give some information about new writers
C give some advice to writers
2. Why would somebody read the text?
A to find out more details about something
B to learn what next year’s collection will contain
C to find out about Alan Rusbridger’s new novel

3. What does the writer think of New Writing 3?

A It’s too long.
B It’s very amusing.
C It’s very good.

4. How might you feel after reading Jane Harris’s piece?

A sick
B excited
C unhappy

5. The word ‘stomach’ in the passage is

A a toy
B a part of the body
C a TV program

No. 15
‘The best age to start learning the violin is between three and six,’ says Margaret Porter, a
violinist and music teacher. ‘It’s the time when you are learning about the world.’ Margaret, who
lives in London, prefers to take pupils at three and four, although she has made lots of exceptions
for keen five-year-olds. When she started teaching the violin in 1972, her first class consisted of
her children’s five- year-old school friends.
Margaret’s pupils have group lessons. Each group has about a dozen pupils and each lesson lasts
an hour, once a fortnight. In addition, each pupil has one individual lesson a week with her.
Parents also have to attend the classes. It is important that the parents take an active interest in the
lessons.
From the earliest lessons pupils learn to play by ear. They do not even try to read music until they
have been playing for several years, and for a long time there is a big difference between their
playing and reading of music. Margaret says that her method is not supposed to produce great
violinists, and always suggests that pupils who perform particularly well should leave and study
the violin using more traditional methods.

1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A explain why Margaret likes teaching the violin
B describe a different way of learning the violin
C give advice on how to find a music teacher

2. Why should someone read the text?

A to discover how Margaret learnt the violin
B to learn why it is important to read music
C to find out about Margaret’s teaching method

3. What opinion does Margaret have about her best pupils?

A They ought to find another teacher.
B They will become great violinists using her method.
C They could try harder.

4. Margaret’s first pupils were

A three- and four-year-olds. B
her own friends.
C her children’s friends.

5. The word ‘dozen’ in the passage can be understood as number

A 10
 B 12
C 20

No. 16
Atlantic College
Last week I went to visit Atlantic College, an excellent private college in Wales. Unusually, it
gives young people much needed experience of life outside the classroom, as well as the
opportunity to study for their exams. The students, who are aged between 16 and 18 and come
from all over the world, spend the morning studying. In the afternoon they go out and do a really
useful activity, such as helping on the farm, looking after people with learning difficulties, or
checking for pollution in rivers.
One of the great things about Atlantic College students is that they come from many different
social backgrounds and countries. As few can afford the fees of £20,000 over two years, grants
are available. A quarter of the students are British, and many of those can only attend because
they receive government help.
‘I really admire the college for trying to encourage international understanding among young
people’, as Barbara Molenkamp, a student from the Netherlands, said. ‘You learn to live with
people and respect them, even the ones you don’t like. During the summer holidays my mother
couldn’t believe how much less I argued with my sister.’ To sum up, Atlantic College gives its
students an excellent education, using methods which really seem to work.

1 What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A give an opinion about a particular student
B give an opinion about a special type of education
C describe the activities the students do in their free time

2 What can a reader find out from this text?

A how to become a student at Atlantic College
B what kind of programme Atlantic College offers
C what the British education system is like

3 What is the writer’s opinion of Atlantic College?

A Its students are taught to like each other.
B It doesn’t give good value for money.
C Its way of teaching is successful.

4 Since being at Atlantic College, Barbara

A has learnt a lot about other countries.
B has become more confident than her sister.
C finds it easier to get on with other people.

5 The word ‘opportunity’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

A chance
B performance
C population

No. 17
When I injured my back I had to take a break from my running career. I decided to introduce
more women to the sport, to show them how much fun it can be and to give them the confidence
to get out and run.
I decided to start a running club for women in my area because I was annoyed by the attitude of
many race organisers. They complain about the lack of women in the sport but also use this as an
excuse for not providing separate changing facilities.
I put up posters and 40 women, young and old, fit and unfit, joined. All of them were attracted by
the idea of losing weight but I don’t think they had really thought about running before. When or
if they did, they had a picture of painful training. They didn’t think of chatting and smiling while
running in beautiful places, like by a river.
At first they ran for only a minute - now they can run for thirty minutes. They’ve also learned
from other runners about diet and keeping fit in general
I wanted to do something for women’s running and I’ve had so much pleasure watching their
progress - almost as much as they’ve had themselves.

1. What is the writer’s main aim in writing the text?

A to describe her own running career
B to complain about race organisers
C to talk about women runners

2. What would a reader find out from the text?

A the best kinds of places for running
B how runners can avoid injuring themselves
C the progress made by the women in the club

3. What is the writer’s opinion of the runners she trained?

A They were too serious.
B They needed encouraging.
C They couldn’t develop their skills.

4. The women joined the running club to

A have a good time.
B meet other people.
C help them lose weight.

5. The word ‘painful’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

A hard
B interesting
C easy

No. 18
The government published a report yesterday saying that we need to eat more healthily - more
fruit and vegetables, less fat and sugar. So that means fewer burgers, chips and fried food as well
as cutting down on sweet things. We went into central London yesterday at lunchtime and asked
people what they thought about it. 'It's got nothing to do with the government what I eat,' says
Paul Keel, a building worker, as he eats a beef-burger and chips washed down with strawberry
milkshake. “I think I have a healthy diet. You see, I don't normally eat a beef burger for lunch.
Normally I just have the chips.” Any fish? “I like cod. But I've only ever had it once.” Tim
Kennor, a librarian, welcomes the government advice. But he also has his own rules. 'I think,' he
explains, eating his fried chicken and chips, 'it's important to eat a variety of food.' We then asked
Dorothy Matthews, aged 74. 'I don't think it's the government's business to tell us what to eat.' We
went into Simpson's restaurant and asked the manager if people had changed what they were
eating. 'I don't think people believe all these reports any more. What they say is good for you in
June, they say is bad for you in July. People have stopped taking notice. We serve what we've
always served. Almost all of it is fattening.'

1. What is the writer trying to explain in the text?

A what people think
B his own opinion
C the government report

2. What can the reader learn from the text?

A what the government is going to do
B which meals are healthiest
C whether the advice will be followed

3. What is Paul Keel's opinion?

 A The government's advice is wrong,
B Fish isn't good for you.
C He doesn't need to change his habits.

4. In order to eat more healthily

A People don’t need to stop eating three meals per day
B People need to eat more fruit and vegetables, less fat and sugar
C People need to eat more fat and sugar than fruit and vegetables

5. The word ‘worker’ in the passage is

A a kind of drink.
B a kind of job.
C a kind of weather

No. 19
My name's Mandi. Three months ago, I went to a disco where I met a boy called Tom. I guessed
he was older than me, but I liked him and thought it didn't matter. We danced a couple of times,
then we chatted. He said he was 18, then asked how old I was. I told him I was 16. I thought that
if I told him my real age, he wouldn't want to know me, as I'm only 13.

After the disco we arranged to meet the following weekend. The next Saturday we went for a
burger and had a real laugh. Afterwards he walked me to my street and kissed me goodnight.
Things went really well. We see each other a couple of times a week, but I've had to lie to my
parents about where I'm going and who with. I've always got on with them, but I know that if they
found out how old Tom was they'd stop me seeing him.

Now I really don't know what to do. I can't go on lying to my parents every time we go out, and
Tom keeps asking why he can't come round to my house. I'm really worried and I need some
advice.

1. Why has Mandi written this? A

to describe her boyfriend
B to prove how clever she is
C to explain a problem

2. Who is she writing to?

A her boyfriend
B her parents
C a teenage magazine

3. Why is Mandi worried?

A Tom has been behaving strangely.
B She's been telling lies.
C She's not allowed to go to discus.

4. Why can’t Tom come to Mandi’s house

A She doesn’t want her parents to meet him.
B Her parents don’t like him
C He’s nervous of meeting her parents

5. The word ‘Afterwards’ in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to A

Before
B Then.
C In the end

No. 20
There's an old saying in the theatre world 'Never work with children or animals'. It's a pity that
Herman Gross has never heard this piece of advice, or if he has, that he didn't pay attention to it.
It's not so much that Pet Doctor is a bad film, although I can't really find many reasons for saying
it's a good one. It's more that it makes me angry. Gross is a good actor. His appearance on the
New York stage last winter in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet showed that he really can act. So
what's he doing in this nonsense?

It's a story about a small town doctor who finds he's making more money by looking after the
local children's pets than he is by looking after humans. Then he gets into trouble with the police,
because he doesn't have the right sort of license to do this and, surprise, the children and their pets
find a way to solve his problems. I won't say how, as it's the only part of the film that's even
slightly original or amusing. If you have to see it, you'd be annoyed with me for telling you. But
my advice is, when it comes to a cinema near you - stay in and shampoo the cat.

1 What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A compare Herman Gross with another actor
B give his or her opinion about using animals in films
C give the opinion about Pet Doctor

2 What would a reader expect to get from this text?

A information about a new film
B ideas about how animals should be cared for
C news about the lives of film stars

3 How did the writer feel about Pet Doctor?

A It's funny.
B It ends too suddenly.
C It's not worth seeing.

4 Why did the writer mention Romeo and Juliet?

A It’s an example of a really good play
B Gross proved he’s good actor in it
C It was produced in New York

5 Which of the following can best replace the word ‘license’ in the second paragraph
A attention
B permission
C audience

No. 21
I know that it is my job to make sure that everything goes well for the tourists and I feel I work
hard for the company. I cannot be blamed for last week. I met the group at the airport and took
them to the coach. The coach driver was a bit annoyed because the flight was late. But it wasn't
far to the hotel and everyone was looking forward to their dinner. We hadn't used the Hotel
Riviera before but our normal one had a conference in it so was fully booked. When I announced
our arrival at the reception desk, they said they were full. I had booked rooms for the group but
the manager said they were cancelled by phone a few days before. He insisted that he recognized
my voice and that I had made the phone call. We had a bit of an argument but they obviously
didn't have enough rooms. In the end the manager phoned other hotels in the town and found
rooms for everyone but in four different hotels. By this time the coach had gone so we had to get
taxis and some of the tourists started to get very angry with me. I still don't know who made that
phone call but it definitely wasn't me.

1. What is the writer trying to do? A

argue
B apologise
C explain

2. Who was the text written to? A

one of the tourists
B the writer's employer
C the hotel manager

3. Why weren’t any rooms available at the Hotel Riviera?

A A conference was taking place there
B There were more people in the group
C Someone had said they were not needed

4. What happened in the end?

A The tourists got angry with the hotel manager.
B The tourists couldn’t stay together.
C The writer found other hotels with rooms.

5. The word ‘an argument’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

A a disagreement
B an approval
C an agreement

No. 22
It is well known that the building development company Cityspace wants to knock down the
existing seafront sports club in Layton and replace it with a leisure centre that will consist of a
multi-screen cinema, restaurants and an entertainment centre. But a local action group has
promised to fight the £30 million redevelopment of the sports club, which has provided family
facilities for over 25 years.
The action group was set up three weeks after the project was announced. Members of the group
argue that the new centre will be too big and will totally change the way the town looks. They
also dislike the removal of sports facilities from the centre and the change to less healthy
activities such as video games and films. Apart from the size of the project, they say that the 550
parking spaces provided will be too few and parking will become more difficult as a result.
Local hotel owners have welcomed the project, but the action group says that in general it will
only have a bad effect on the neighbourhood. According to one group member it will result in up
to 4,000 people being around Layton seafront late at night. ‘A lot of old people and families live
nearby,’ he explained. A meeting is being held tonight to discuss the plans.

1. What is the writer trying to do in the article?

A show why the new leisure centre is needed
B give her own opinion about the new leisure centre
C describe the arguments against the new leisure centre

2. The sports club has been in Layton for

A less than 15 years
B over 20 years
C over 25 years

3. What does the action group think about the new leisure centre?
A It will not be right for the area.
B It will cost too much to build.
C It will not attract enough people.

4. Which group of people is keen on having the new leisure centre?

A The action group
B Local hotel owners
C People who come into Layton by car

5. The words ‘set up’ in the second paragraph can be best replaced by
A invited
B established
C cancelled
No. 23
Imagine if everyone in your street suddenly came out into the road one day and started singing
together. Singing teacher Ruth Black believes it would make everyone so friendly that they would
never walk past each other again without saying hello.
Singing helps people live in peace together, she says. All over the world people have always sung
together and in most places they still do, but in England it is no longer traditional. Nowadays,
says Ruth, people only sing together in churches and football grounds, although it could be done
anywhere. Everyone is able to sing, she says, but most of us either think we can't or have
forgotten what we learned as children However, as with everything musical, you need to practise
and the same applies to your voice. Ruth believes that singing itself brings other benefits. It
encourages good breathing, for example. Through singing, people often become more confident
and also learn to control stress. But more than anything, it brings people together.
When Ruth first started singing, there was little opportunity to sing with others. Then, through a
friend, she discovered an excellent singing class and became so keen that she started running her
own classes. These are held twice a month for all singers, whatever their level, and are now
enormously successful.

1. What is the writer trying to do in this article?

A explain why singing has become less popular everywhere
B describe a teacher’s ideas about the importance of singing
C advertise a teacher’s singing classes

2. What can the reader find out from the article?

A how singing is something anyone can do
B where the best places to learn to sing are
​ C why traditional singing has disappeared

3. Ruth believes the main benefit of singing with other people is that
A you learn to breathe more easily.
B you are able to improve your speaking.
C you can get to know other people.

4. What made Ruth start her own class?

A She was asked to teach people she knew.
B She wanted to improve her own teaching.
C She enjoyed going to a singing class herself.

5. The word ‘opportunity’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

A emotion
B movement
C chance

No. 24
When musician Colin Baker won five hundred thousand pounds in a competition, it seemed the
answer to his dreams. Almost immediately, he bought a house and made his own CD recording of
some classical music. He intended to save the rest of his money and retire, even though he was
only in his late forties.

Then he saw a violin in a shop. It was of such high quality that even top professional players are
rarely able to afford one like it. ‘I’d never felt money was important until then,’ he explained.
‘Even with the money I’d won, I wasn’t sure I could afford to buy the violin, so I started to leave
the shop. Then I thought I’d just try it, and I fell in love with the beautiful sound it made. I knew
it was perfect both for live concerts and for recordings.’

Now all the money has gone. ‘My wife can’t have the study room I promised her, and I can’t
retire,’ says Colin, ‘but it doesn’t matter.’ His wife says, ‘I sometimes wish he was more
responsible with money, but I’m still pleased for him. I’ve always helped him in his career, as
he’s helped me, by sharing everything. We weren’t unhappy with our jobs, so we didn’t really
need the money to escape, and although Colin considered retiring, I know he wouldn’t be happy
doing that - he loves music too much. I think he did the right thing.’

1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A advise musicians to enter competitions
B explain why someone spent a lot of money
C describe how someone got a CD recorded

2. The high quality violin he saw in a shop was

A brand new
B very cheap
C very expensive

3. What does Colin’s wife say about what he did?

A She feels she didn’t really benefit from the money.
B She is sorry she has lost her study room.
C She accepts the decision that he made.

4. When Colin first found the violin, he thought

A he might not have enough money to buy it.
B he should not spend all of his money on it.
​ C he was not a good enough player to own it.

5. The word ‘retire’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

A start working
B stop working
C apply for a new job

No. 25
Breaking the Ice

It's just before 7 a.m. and I’m at an outdoor swimming pool in London, where the temperature of
the water is only 11 degrees above freezing! Amazingly, there are already eight people swimming
I had intended to discover, by taking a swim myself, why anyone would want to swim in such
cold water. However, in the end, I decided to ask people instead. Peter Smith has been a
swimmer here for three years, coming every morning before work. ‘It’s wonderful on a cold
winter morning,’ he says. ‘I thought it would make me healthier and I haven’t been ill once since I
started.’
All the swimmers here say the same thing. They all feel fitter. However, not everyone agrees with
them. Some doctors say it helps fight illness, while others say it could be dangerous, especially
for your heart.
I asked Peter what they did on the days when the pool was frozen. ‘That’s easy,’ he said. ‘There’s
a place in the middle where the ice is thin and easy to break. You have to avoid the sides where
the ice is thicker. I did try to swim there once just to see what it was like, but I found that it was
impossible to break through the ice.
I would like to be able to say that I too dived happily into the water and swam a couple of
hundred metres. But the truth is, fearing the worst, I walked very carefully into the pool, stood
there almost in shock and then got out again after 30 seconds before I became a block of ice.

1. What is the writer trying to do in this text?

A explain why some people like swimming in the
cold
B prove an idea he has had about keeping fit
C warn people not to go swimming in cold water
2. What do some doctors say about swimming in the cold?
A it improves heart problems
B it helps fight illness
 C it is a dangerous sport
3. What does Peter Smith say about his morning swim?
A It has helped him recover from a recent illness.
B He enjoys it when the pool is covered in ice.
C It is the reason why he keeps well all year.
4. What did the writer feel about swimming at the pool?
A It was very cold.
B He did not like the ice.
C It made him feel healthier.
5. The word ‘dangerous’ in the passage is opposite to
A hard-working
B safe
C rich​

PART E
(Chọn câu có nghĩa tương đương với câu đã cho trước)

1 We didn't go on holiday last year because we didn't have enough money.

AIf we hadn’t had enough money, we wouldn’t have gone on holiday last year.
B If we had had enough money, we would have gone on holiday last year.
C If we hadn't had enough money, we would have gone on holiday last year.

2 People protesting against pollution are marching to London.

A People who protest against pollution are marching to London. B
People who protests against pollution are marching to London.
C People who protesting against pollution are marching to London.

3 Although he is intelligent, he doesn't do well at school.

A Despite being intelligent, he doesn't do well at school.
B In spite of intelligent, he doesn't do well at school.
C In spite he is intelligent, he doesn't do well at school.

4 People have discovered a new source of energy.

A A new source of energy have been discovered by people.
B A new source of energy has discovered.
C A new source of energy has been discovered.

5 Jill drives more carefully than Rose.

A Rose drives less careful than Rose.
B Rose drives carelessly than Rose.
C Jill is a more careful driver than Rose.

6 His team won the match last week

A Last week’s match was won by his team
B Last week the match won his team
C His team has been won by his team last week

7 There are three teams at his school

A His school has got three teams since the Open Day
B His school has got three teams
C There are three leading football teams at his school

8 He was chosen for the team two years ago

A He was asked to be the team leader two years ago
B He applied for a post in the team for two years ago
C He has been in the team for two years
9 The film is called ‘The River of Hope’
A There is a movie ‘The River of Hope’ on TV tonight
B ‘The River of Hope’ is the name of the film directed by Richards Howlands
C The name of the film is ‘The River of Hope’

10 The film ends with an exciting car chase

A The film end with a happy ending and a car chase
B There is an exciting car chase at the end of the film
C There is an exciting film about the car chase

11 The airport bus is cheaper than a taxi

A The airport bus is more expensive than a taxi
B Taxis are much cheaper than the airport bus
C Taxis are more expensive than airport buses

12 There is a post office in the main building

A A post office is located next to the main building
B The main building has a post office
CThe main building is opposite the post office

13 The Hotel Atlanta belongs to one of the airlines

A One of the airlines owns the Hotel Atlanta
B The Hotel Atlanta is the owner of several airlines
C One of the airlines has its ticket office at the Hotel Atlanta

14 They sell duty-free goods in the departure lounge

A The departure lounge has got a lot of duty –free goods
B You can not buy duty-free goods in the departure lounge
C Duty-free goods are sold in the departure lounge

15 The Happy Traveller Café is very popular

A Nobody likes The Happy Traveller Café
B The Happy Traveller Café is not very nice for everybody
C Everybody likes The Happy Traveller Café

16 The doctor hasn’t enough time to see you now

A If you make an appointment in advance the doctor will have time to see you
B The doctor is finding time to see you now
C The doctor is too busy to see you now

17 The new hospital is bigger than the old one

A The new hospital is as big as the old one
B People don’t think that the old hospital is better than the new one
C The old hospital is smaller than the new one

18 You should take these tablets after meals

A These tablets should be taken after meals
B You should use these tables when you are having meals
C Meals are always best time for taking these tablets

19 The librarian told Danny to return the book on Monday

A The librarian strongly requested Danny to return the book on next Monday

B The librarian said: “You’d better keep the book until Monday next week”
C The librarian said: “You must return the book on Monday”

20 The library lends books to both students and teachers

 A Everyone except students and teachers can borrow books from the library
B The library lends books to teachers, but not to students
C Both students and teachers can borrow books from the library

21 My parents prefer jazz to classical music

A My parents don’t like jazz, but they want to listen to classical music
B My parents thinks classical music is much nicer than jazz
C My parents think jazz is better than classical music

22 If I finish my work I can go out at weekends

A Unless I finish my work I can not go out at weekends
B If I haven’t finished my work I can go out at weekends
C I will try all my best to finish my work at this weekend

23 My parents are annoyed by pop music

A My parents are satisfied with pop music
B Pop music makes my parents annoyed
C Pop music makes my parents feel relaxed

24 When she has to walk to the supermarket she finds it tiring

A When she has to walk to the supermarket she finds it tired
B She doesn’t feel tired when she has to walk to the supermarket
C She gets tired when she has to walk to the supermarket

25 She is often driven to the supermarket by her neighbor

A She can drive so she often gives her neighbor a lift to the supermarket
B She often refuses to drive her neighbor to the supermarket
C Her neighbor often drives her to the supermarket

26 It was very crowded in the cinema

A A crowd of people were standing in front of the cinema
B The cinema was full of children
C The cinema was very crowded

27 Jane had a worse seat than Dave

A Dave had a better seat than Jane
B Jane’s seat was better than Dave’s
C Jane and Dave had the same excellent seats

28 Tom said that he had seen the film before

A Tom said: “ I had seen the film before”
B Tom said: “I have already seen this film before”
C Tom said: “I have just seen this film yesterday”

29 They spent two hours in the cinema and felt excited

A They sat almost two hours in the cinema and got tired
B They were in the cinema for two hours and the film was exciting
C Because the film was not exciting they left the cinema after two hours

30 I started living here two years ago

A I have been living here for two years
B I lived here for two years
C Two years ago I stopped living here

31 Mary lives a long way from her office

A Mary’s house is not far from her office
B Mary’s office isn’t located close to her home
 C Mary’s office is on the way to the Central Town Hall

32 Driving cars in the town center is not allowed

A Driving cars in the town center is very dangerous
B You are allowed to drive cars in the town center
C You are not allowed to drive cars in the town center

33 Maria sometimes takes a taxi to work although it is expensive

A Mary likes going to work by taxi because it is not expensive
B Mary only goes to work by taxi when it is raining heavily
C Maria doesn’t often take a taxi to work because it is expensive

34 Yesterday she got up too late to catch the bus

A Yesterday she got up so late that she missed the bus
B Because she wanted to catch the bus she got up very late yesterday
C Getting up too late made it easy for her to catch the bus yesterday

35 Check your tires before a long journey

A Tires needn’t to be checked before long journey
B Checking tires is not necessary before long journey
C Before a long journey, remember to check your tires

36 After seeing an advertisement for Italian lessons, Daniel decided to go

A Daniel first saw an advertisement for Italian lessons and then decided to go
B Daniel decided to attend the Italian class before seeing the advertisement
C When seeing the advertisement for Italian lessons Daniel did not want to go any more

37 Susan thinks that speaking English is easier than writing it

ASusan thinks that both writing and speaking English is easy
B Susan doesn’t want to speak English because it is not easy
C Susan doesn’t think that speaking is as difficult as writing English

38 It’s six months since I last went swimming

A I went swimming for six months then I stopped
B I started to learn swimming six months ago
C I have not been swimming for six months

39 If you can not swim, you are not allowed in the deep end
A You are not allowed in the deep end unless you can swim
B Swimming in deep water is very dangerous
C You are a good swimmer so you can swim in deep water

40 Nobody is sure of the identity of the woman in the painting

A The woman in the painting is hardly famous
B The identity of the woman in the painting is clear
C Nobody is sure whothe woman in the painting is

41 Spielberg is one of Hollywood’s most famous directors.

A Spielberg is more famous than many other Hollywood directors
B Many other Hollywood directors are much more famous than Spielberg
C Spielberg is not one of Hollywood’s most famous directors.

42 Arriving in Montreal was really exciting for me

A I felt really surprised when we arrived in Montreal
B I was very excited when we arrived in Montreal
C When we arrived in Montreal I was not very excited
43 My uncle didn’t see any bears in the forest, but I did
A I didn’t see any bears in the forest. Neither did my uncle.
B My uncle and I didn’t see any bears in the forest
C I saw some bears in the forest, but my uncle didn’t

44 One evening, we sang lots of songs around a campfire

A Singing lots of songs around a campfire was very exciting
B We didn’t spend the evening singing lots of songs around a campfire
C We spent one evening singing lots of songs around a campfire

45 We were given some money for the journey by our mother

A We asked to borrow some money from our mother for the journey
B Our mother promised to lend us some money for the journey
C Our mother gave us some money for the journey

46 The trip was so good that we will never forget it.

A It was such a good trip that we will never forget it.
B We always thought of the trip
CWe will never forget the trip because it reminds me of the friendship

47 Mr. Smith is an accountant in a joint stock company

A Mr. Smith wants to become an accountant in a stock company
B Mr. Smith works as an accountant in a joint stock company
C Working as an accountant in a stock company makes Mr. Smith very happy

48 We found that the movie we saw last week was very exciting
A The movie we saw last week was very excited
B There were a lot exciting details in the movie we saw last week
C We found the movie we saw last week very exciting

49 Ben didn’t have enough money to buy a new car

A Ben couldn’t afford to buy a new car
B Ben tried his best to buy a new car but he couldn’t.
C In order to buy a new car Ben saved a lot of money

50 The train from London to York takes about two hours

A The London train to York is leaving in two hours
B The train from London to York doesn’t take a long time
C It takes about two hour to travel from London to York by train

51 I’m always nervous when I travel by air

A. Travel by air always makes me nervous
B. Travelling by air always makes me nervous
C. I never travel by air always makes me nervous

52 I’ve never eaten this food before

A. It’s the first time I’ve eaten this food
B. It’s the most tasty food I’ve ever eaten
C. I’ve never eaten such a good food before

53 We couldn’t go out because the weather was so bad

A. It was such a bad weather that we couldn’t go out
B. It was so bad weather that we couldn’t go out
C. It was such bad weather that we couldn’t go out

54 Caroline asked me what time the meeting would end

 A. Caroline said: “What time will the meeting end?”
B. Caroline said, “What time would the meeting end?”
C. Caroline said, “What time the meeting will end?”

55 Your sister isn’t old enough to get married

A. Your sister is so young getting married
B. Your sister isn’t as old as to get married
C. Your sister is too young to get married

56 My friend can’t speak English so he can’t apply for the job.

A. If my friend couldn’t speak English, he couldn’t apply for the job

B. If my friend couldn’t speak English, he could apply for the job

C. If my friend could speak English, he could apply for the job

57 We had lunch and then went for a walk

A. Before we had lunch, we went for a walk
B. After we had lunch, we would go for walk
C. After we had had lunch, we went for a walk

58 My uncle doesn’t smoke any more

A. My uncle isn’t used to smoking
B. My uncle didn’t used to smoke
C. My uncle used to smoke

59 It’s over ten years since we got married

A. We have married for over ten years
B. We were married for over ten years
C. We have been married for over ten years

60 They were building a new shopping centre when we came

A. A new shopping centre was being built when we came
B. A new shopping centre was built when we came
C. A new shopping centre was being built when we were come

61 The boy is too young to understand the problem

A. the boy isn’t enough old to understand the problem
B. The boy isn’t old enough to understand the problem
C. The boy isn’t young enough to understand the problem

62 They will build a factory in this area

A. This area will build a factory
B. A factory will build in this area
C. A factory will be built in this area

63 I don’t like boxing and my sister doesn’t either

A. I don’t like boxing, but my sister does
B. Neither I nor my sister likes boxing
C. Both I and my sister like boxing

64 He wrote the letter in two hours

A. It took him two hours to write the letter
B. He took two hours to write the letter
C. He spent two hours to write the letter

65 She said to us, “Don’t be late again”

 A. She told us to be not late again
B. She told to us not to be late again
C. She told us not to be late again

66 I thought this film would be better

A The film was boring
B I didn’t like the film because it was boring
C The film wasn’t as good as I expected

67 Mary said that she was going to the cinema that night
A Mary said, “I’m going to the cinema tonight”
B Mary said, “I was going to the cinema that night”
C Mary said, “She was going to the cinema tonight”

68 The trip was boring but we enjoyed it a lot AWe are

bored with the trip
B The trip bored us
C We liked the trip very much even though it was boring

69 Which language is spoken by most people in the world?

A Which language do most people speak in the world?
B Which language are most peoples speak in the world?
C Which language are most peoples speaking in the world?

70 Mr. Smith won’t be at home until 7 p.m.

A Mr. Smith works in the office until 7 p.m.
B At 7 p.m. he will leave home for work
C Don’t come to see Mr Smith after 7 p.m. because he isn’t at home then

71 He seemed very reluctant to take my advice.

A. He seemed quite willing to take my advice.
B. It seemed he was not ready to give me advice
C. It seemed he was not willing to take my advice.

72 You can’t visit the United States unless you get a visa.
A. You can’t visit the United States if you get a visa.
B. If you don’t get a visa, you cannot visit the United States.
C. Although you get a visa, you can’t visit the United States

73 He can hardly see at all without glasses.

A. He can’t see everything without glasses
B. He can see even if he doesn’t wear glasses
C. He is practically blind without glasses.

74 I don’t agree with prohibiting smoking in bars.

A. I am not in favor to prohibiting smoking in bars.
B. I am not in favor of prohibiting smoking in bars.
C. I am not in favor with prohibiting smoking in bars.

75 If it hadn’t been for his carelessness, we would have finished the work.

A. He was careless because we hadn’t finished the work.

B. If he was careful, we would finish the work.
C. If he had been more careful, we would have completed the work.

76 “Have you ever been to Singapore?” he asked me.

 A. He told me if I have ever been to Singapore.
B. He asked me if I had ever been to Singapore.
C. He advised me to go to Singapore.

77 My mother never lets me go out by myself at night.

A. I am never allowed to go out alone at night.
B. My mother seldom allows me going out on my own at night.
C. I am never given a chance to go out on myself at night.

78 We have to delay our plan due to lack of time.

A. Our plan has to be postponed because we don’t have enough time.
B. Our plan has to be cancelled because we don’t have enough time.
C. We have to cancel our plan due to lack of time.

79 Police reported that a man had been helping them with their inquiries.
A. A man was reported to help police with their inquiries.
B. A man was reported to have been helping police with their inquiries.
C. It is reported that a man had been helping police with their inquiries.

80 If you don’t spend less, you won’t be able to buy the car.
A. Don’t spend any more and you’ll be able to buy the car.
B. If you buy the car, you won’t have to spend less.
C. Save more and you may be able to buy the car.

81The lady informed me that tickets are sold out.

A. The tickets have just gone sale.
B. All the tickets have been sold.
C. The concert has been cancelled.

82 The sisters looked forward to getting new clothes for Christmas.

A. The sisters expected new clothes as Christmas gifts.
B. The sisters wanted to wear new clothes on Christmas day.
C. The sisters looked for new clothes for Christmas.

83 Anne has the T.V on when her parents entered the room.
A. Anne’s parent told her to turn on the T.V.
B. Anne noticed her parents watching T.V.
C. Anne’s parents found her watching T.V.

84 It may work if you use a new battery.

A. You should try using a new battery.
B. Why don't you try to use a new battery?

C.Use a new battery and it will work.

85 Anyone can tell you where he is.

A. Some people know where he is
B. Only one person knows where he is
C. Everybody knows where he is

86 " I am going to Paris next week" said Jim.

A. Jim said that he was going to Paris the following week.
B. Jim told me to go to Paris next week.
C. Jim invited me to Paris with him the following week

87 The coffee was not strong, so it didn't keep us awake.

 A. We were kept awake because the coffee was strong.
B. The coffee was so hot that didn't keep us awake.
C. The coffee was not strong enough to keep us awake.

88 My mother had the house decorated.

A. The house is going to be decorated by my mother.
B. My mother has just decorated the house.
C. My mother had someone decorate the house.

89 People say that playing football is the most interesting.

A. It was said that playing football is the most interesting.
B. It is said that playing football was the most interesting.
C. Playing football is said to be the most interesting.

90 If I had time, I would go with you.

A. I am free and surely go with you.
B. I am too busy to go with you.
C. I will go with you because I have time.

91 I don't like him so I never talk about him at all.

A. If I liked him, I would talk about him.
B. I don't like to talk about him so don't ask me anything about him.
C. He never liked and never talked about.

92 “Don't come home late, Jenny, it 's dangerous! "- her father said.
A. Jenny's father told her not to come home late and it is dangerous.
B. Jenny's father told her not to come home late because it was dangerous.
C. Jenny's father advised her go home late.

93 Apart from my father, no one in my family has been to Russia

A. Everyone in my family hasn't been to Russia yet.
B. My father is the only one in the family who has ever been to Russia.
C. Nobody in my family has ever been to Russia yet.

94 Can I help you carry those heavy suitcases?

A. Do you mind if I helped you carry those heavy cases?
B. Would you mind if I help you carry those cases?
C. Do you mind if I am helping you carry those cases?

95 John didn't attend the class because he was seriously ill

A. John never attended the class.
B. John was absent from the class some times.
C. John was too ill to attend the class.

96 Many people died of typhoid in the last century

A. Typhoid was the cause for much death in the last century
B. Typhoid is the cause for many deaths in the last century
C. Typhoid was the cause of many deaths in the last century

97 She has been very happy since she married Tom

A. She has been very happy since her marriage to Tom
B. She has been very happy since her marriage with Tom
C. She has been very happy since her marriage by Tom

98 Prices have increased by five percent in the last year

A. There has been an increase of five percent in prices in the last year
 B. There has been an increase about five percent in prices in the last year
C. There has been an increase at five percent in prices in the last year

99 You’d better not buy that house

A. It’s better to buy that house
B. You shouldn’t buy that house
C. You must buy that house

100 They used to be in the army

A. They liked to be in the army
B. They were in the army but now they are not in the army any longer
C. They will be in the army in some years