GRAMMAR TEST 1
(25 questions - 12 minutes)

Write your answers (A-C) to questions 1-25 on your answer paper.

1. A: Do you think you will get the job?
B: _______, but I'm not sure.

2. I _______ 25 years old.

3. I have _______ English for three years.

4. A: I enjoy working on challenging projects at work.
B: So _______ I!

5. We could cook dinner. _______, we could buy some takeaway food.

6. You really should _______ to Barcelona - it's a wonderful city.

7. You need _______ new shoes - those ones are too old!

8. When I was at school I used _______ a good student.

9. I've got no plans for the weekend. Maybe _______ visit my parents.

10. I'm reading a really _______ book on the history of Europe.

11. He's about 40, but in this photograph he looks much _______.

12. She has _______ two books.

13. I don't recommend driving in the morning because there's too _______ traffic.

14. I never do my homework _______ I hate studying at home.

15. They're so different, I _______, there's no way they'll be happy together.

16. Because of computers, many people don't watch a lot of _______ now.

17. I think, in the future, people _______ live much longer than they do now.

18. Call me tomorrow after 8.30, because I will just _______ at home.

19. The doctor says I will _______ much better by the end of the week.

20. _______ been reading this book now for a week and it isn't getting any better!

21. The garden is looking untidy - you need to get rid _______ the weeds.

22. The next meeting _______ on the sixth of June.

23. _______ of China is very interesting.

24. You _______ have bought that car. What a waste of money!

25. This is a _______ train to London. It doesn't stop on the way.

Câu 1: The woman _______ sold me those flowers spent twenty minutes wrapping them.

Câu 2:
A: I've just seen Mark.
B: You _______ have seen him. He's on holiday at the moment.

Câu 3: He emphasised in his speech that _______ education he received when younger had been excellent.

Câu 4: She takes the bus to work _______ day.

Câu 5: I'll call you when I _______ home.

Câu 6: We ate dinner and _______ we watched a film.

Câu 7: We're _______ in a beautiful holiday home at the moment.

Câu 8: When I got home, Jenny _______ on the telephone.

Câu 9: Coffee _______ to be much cheaper a few years ago.

Câu 10: I'm not sure about my future. _______ I will start a business.

Câu 11: They ate their lunch while they _______ coming home from school.

Câu 12: She bought it herself, _______ she?

Câu 13: If the dress _______ been so expensive, she would have bought it.

Câu 14: I _______ a great book this morning – I really want to finish it.

Câu 15: Excuse me? Can I try _______ this jacket to make sure it fits?

Câu 16: I saw Wi Joo this morning and she _______ if you were free tomorrow.

Câu 17: When I go to university, I may _______ history.

Câu 18: It _______ be meat free – it tastes just like chicken!

Câu 19: It was a dark, moonlit night when the traveller _______ at the inn.

Câu 20: If I hadn't gone out last night, I _______ be so tired now.

Câu 21: I _______ like mushrooms, but I can't stop eating them now.

Câu 22: The newspaper China Today _______ published for over 60 years.

Câu 23: They said they _______ been studying for ages.

Câu 24: My father, _______ is a dentist, told me not to drink sugary drinks.

Câu 25: _______ memory of the day I met the president is very special to me.

Câu 1: Which present has the man bought?

Câu 2: Listening to the weather forecast. What will the weather be like tomorrow?

Câu 3: What time will the train arrive at the station?

Câu 4: How much will they pay to hire a car?

Câu 5: What is the first program after the news?

Câu 6: A girl and her father are talking on the phone. How will the girl travel from the airport?

Câu 7: Anna sends a message to her husband. Why is she going to be late?

Câu 8: Listen to the conversation between a boy and a girl. What did the girl like best about her school trip?

Câu 9: Listen to a police report on the news. What was stolen on Saturday?

Câu 10: Listen to the conversation between a man and a woman. What pet are they going to buy?

Câu 11: Listen to the conversation between Sally and Mark. Where has Sally been?

Câu 12: Mrs Jackson receives a message from the travel agency. What time will the flight leave?

Câu 13: A boy and a girl are talking about the sports center. Which sport will the boy do soon at the center?

Four people are talking about their last holidays. Complete the sentences below.

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN ĐÁP ÁN BẰNG CHỮ THƯỜNG*

Question 14: Speaker A...

Question 15: Speaker B...

Question 16: Speaker C...

Question 17: Speaker D...

Listen to a man and a woman talking about their likes and dislikes. Read the statements below and decide which opinion belongs to the man, the woman, or both.

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN BẰNG CHỮ THƯỜNG*

18. He/She does the washing up very frequently.

19. Visiting relatives can be very enjoyable.

20. He/She sees his/her family very often.

21. Cleaning the shoes is a task He/She can't stand.

Listen to a man talk at a lecture about his TV program on endangered animals and answer the questions below.

22. What is his opinion about the children's relationship to nature these days?

23. What is his opinion about how endangered animals should be seen?

Listen to a writer of crime novels at a lecture and answer the question below.

24. What is her opinion about the economic benefits of writing?

25. What is her opinion about the reasons to write?

LISTENING TEST 2
(25 questions)

You will hear 25 short recordings. You will hear each recording twice.

Câu 1: Ken calls to plan a visit. When does Ken want to visit?

Câu 2: Alan calls his friend to suggest ways of travelling to his city. How do most people get there?

Câu 3: Monica leaves you a message about her son Mark. What does he eat every morning?

Câu 4: Ana calls you to change when her party is. What day will the party be?

Câu 5: Martin leaves his friend Maggie a message after a party. What did he lose?

Câu 6: Listen to two friends discussing their plans. What do they decide to do?

Câu 7: Listen to a woman in a shop. What type of TV does she want to buy?

Listen to four people talking about what they read. Match the person (Speaker 1, Speaker 2, Speaker 3, or Speaker 4) to the opinion (A-E).

*THÍ SINH ĐIỀN ĐÁP ÁN BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA A-E*

Question 8: Speaker 1

Question 9: Speaker 2

Question 10: Speaker 3

Question 11: Speaker 4

Listen to a woman talking to a friend about her neighbours. What is the man's opinion? What is the woman's opinion?

*THÍ SINH ĐIỀN ĐÁP ÁN BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA A-D*

Question 12: The man thinks...

Question 13: The woman thinks...

Listen to a conversation about holidays. What did each person do?

Question 14: What did Mark do?

Question 15: What did Ann do?

Question 16: What did the man do?

Question 17: What did the woman do?

Listen to a conversation between a man and a woman about their childhood. What did the man like doing? What did the woman like doing?

Question 18: What did the man like doing as a child?

Question 19: What did the woman like doing as a child?

Listen to a student talking to a university adviser. What is the student's problem? How does the adviser suggest solving it?

Question 20: What is the student's problem?

Question 21: How does the adviser suggest solving it?

Listen to a debate between two academics. What is the woman's main argument? What is the man's main argument?

Question 22: What is the woman's main argument?

Question 23: What is the man's main argument?

Question 24: What does the woman think about creativity?

Question 25: What does the man think about critical thinking?

Part 1: Five short tracks

1. Where is the Egyptian collection located?

2. What is the student's punishment for cheating?

3. Why is the woman late?

4. The first 60 customers receive ________ with purchase.

5. The young woman is most excited to try ________ on her holiday.

Part 2: Three monologues

6. Why did she decide to go to the concert alone?

7. How did she feel when the concert was over?

8. Why is the man taking his driving test today?

9. What made him feel nervous?

10. What was the problem with her appointment?

11. Why was she upset?

Part 3: Social Issue Discussion

Listen to two people discussing a social issue. Read the statements and decide whose opinion matches the best: the man's, the woman's or both.

12. Men hold more than the recorded amount of manager positions.

13. Genetical makeup should not account for the difference in roles.

14. Women are more emotional than men.

15. The statistics in the article are disproportionate.

16. Abandoning your responsibilities is the worst thing a leader can do.

17. Flexibility is an important quality for a leader.

Part 4: New House Mates

Listen to a person telling her parents about her new house mates. Then, choose one option for each of the four key elements.

18. Gurpreet's origin:

19. Gurpreet's language ability:

20. Sophie's occupation:

21. Sophie's nationality:

READING TEST 1
(25 questions – 30 minutes)

Choose one word (A, B or C) for each space and write the letter on the answer paper.
The first one (0) is done for you as an example with the answer A marked on your answer paper.

EXAMPLE: 0. A. information B. eat C. watch

1. A. hour B. afternoon C. week

2. A. say B. tell C. speak

3. A. when B. where C. what

4. A. then B. next C. later

5. A. home B. traffic C. job

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA*

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

Question 4:

Question 5:

Order the sentences (B-G) below to make a story.
Write your answers on the answer paper (Questions 6-11).

The first sentence of the story (A) is given for you on the answer paper as an example.

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN SỐ THỨ TỰ (từ 2 đến 7)*

A Writer's Life

A Kim was born in 1890 into a rich family in the English city of Leeds. (1)
B Kim wrote her last book at the age of 90, and two months later died peacefully at home. (Position: (6) __________)
C When she was a young girl she was sent to France by her parents to live with her aunt. (Position: (7) __________)
D Kim's first full book, The Vengeance, was also very successful. (Position: (8) __________)
E As a young adult she achieved success writing short stories in England. (Position: (9) __________)
F Kim returned from the continent to England after five years. (Position: (10) __________)
G She eventually wrote over 100 books, for which she won the Grand Master Award. (Position: (11) __________)

Question 6: What is the correct position for sentence B?

Question 7: What is the correct position for sentence C?

Question 8: What is the correct position for sentence D?

Question 9: What is the correct position for sentence E?

Question 10: What is the correct position for sentence F?

Question 11: What is the correct position for sentence G?

Read the text and complete each gap with a word from the list at the bottom of the page.

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA*

Bread

Example: K - one

A - which
B - whose
C - wondered
D - evidence
E - variety
F - believed
G - available
H - plenty
I - basic
J - hold

Question 12:

Question 13:

Question 14:

Question 15:

Question 16:

Question 17:

Question 18:

Read the text below. Match the headings A-H to the paragraphs 19-25.
There is one more heading than you need.

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA*

The Hula Hoop

0. (J) Many adults and children love the hula hoop, either for exercise or simply for fun. You can whirl it around your waist; spin it on your arms or legs or even rotate it around your neck at an extremely high speed. Hula hoops can be made from bendy wood or even strong grass twisted together. However, these days they are primarily solid plastic tubes. Hula hoops have endured throughout history, never quite fading away, and are still popular today.

19. So, when did this fascination for hula hooping really begin? Many believe it started in the 1950s, simply as a means of pleasure. However, it actually dates back much further, as far back as the fifth century in ancient Greece where it was a means of exercising. It re-emerged in thirteenth century Scotland as a therapy for those who suffered from heart disease or back conditions. In those early days it was simply called the ‘hoop,’ the word ‘hula’ was added by British soldiers on a visit to Hawaii in the nineteenth century; they believed that the action was similar to that of the traditional island Hula dance. (19) __________

20. In 1950s America, Californian toy company Wham-O perfected a plastic version of the toy which attracted global interest. In as little as four months, 25 million of the hoops were sold. Within two years, over 100 million had been sold, starting a trend which swept throughout the country. In the USA alone, 50,000 were produced in a single day. Many people in countless corners of the world developed a passion for the trend, from infants to grandparents and from factory workers to CEOs. (20) __________

21. Many popular songs were written about the hula hoop during the 1960s. Nevertheless, the toy’s popularity began to fade over the next few decades. However, the hula hoop never completely vanished from the public arena and most toys stores continued to stock the toy. Recently it staged a spectacular revival, rallying a new generation of fans. Even the wife of the President of the USA was spotted ‘hooping’ on the White House Lawn. Nowadays, the circular toy has been incorporated in a range of fitness schemes. These use special weighted hoops to suit individual needs, including ‘collapsible’ ones designed for easy storage. (21) __________

22. The hula hoop is associated with many different world records. In 1960, a group of American 11 year olds established a record for the longest ‘non-stop’ spinning session, lasting precisely 11 hours and 34 minutes. In 1976, an even younger contestant won an uninterrupted 10 hour 47 minutes contest at just eight years old. The present-day record holder, Bric Sorenson, was able to keep his hula hoop spinning from April 2 to April 6, 1987, accumulating an incredible 90 non-stop hours. (22) __________

23. Another record is for 132 hoops spun by an individual at once. This record was established by Paul Blair on November 11, 2009, earning him the nickname “Dizzy Hips.” This act involves participants holding all the hula hoops without any help from anyone else and spinning them between the shoulders and hips. As soon as the hoops have started to rotate competitors cannot touch them again with their hands. If they do, their record attempt fails. (23) __________

24. In another record event, the contestant runs while simultaneously spinning. A ribbon tied around the hoop allows the judges to check if it is still revolving. The hoop must be rotating before crossing the starting line. If it ceases to spin, then contestants must stop and start it again. This is the only time that they can touch the hoop with their hands. The current female holder for this record is Australian Boo Crystal Chan, who completed 10 Km in one hour, 27 minutes and 25 seconds on March 12th 2009. The male champion, Paul “Dizzy Hips” Blair, was 20 minutes and 50 seconds faster than Boo. (24) __________

25. In 2005, an American man, Ashrita Furman, successfully spun the world’s largest hula hoop at 13.88 metres in diameter. While the heaviest recorded was actually a tractor tyre which weighed 53 pounds! This monster was spun for a total of 71 seconds in Austria, 2000, by Roman Schedler. And in Chung Cheng sport arena, Taiwan, on October 28, 2,496 people managed to spin their hula hoops at the same time for over three minutes without dropping one, making it the world record for mass simultaneous hula hooping. (25) __________

Headings
A A Collection of Records
B Without a Single Break
C Hooping Back In Fashion
D Hooping Appeals to Both Genders Alike
E Fun, Fitness or Treatment?
F The Hula Hoop Goes Global
G Spinning Multiple Hoops
H Hooping and Running at the Same Time
J What is it? (EXAMPLE)

Question 19:

Question 20:

Question 21:

Question 22:

Question 23:

Question 24:

Question 25:

READING TEST 2
(25 questions – 30 minutes)

Choose one word (A, B or C) for each space and write the letter on the answer paper.
The first one (0) is done for you as an example with the answer A marked on your answer paper.

EXAMPLE: 0. A. buy B. eat C. watch

1. A. very B. more C. same

2. A. think B. remember C. forget

3. A. closes B. loses C. works

4. A. hospital B. room C. business

5. A. almost B. around C. nearly

*THÍ SINH ĐIỀN ĐÁP ÁN BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA TỪ A-C*

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

Question 4:

Question 5:

Order the sentences (B-G) below to make a story.
Write your answers on the answer paper (Questions 6-11).

The first sentence of the story (A) is given for you on the answer paper as an example.

*THÍ SINH ĐIỀN SỐ THỨ TỰ 2-7*

A Life with Horses

A William Bell was born in Argentina in 1953. (1)
B He used his popularity to help many young people learn to ride and take care of horses. (Position: (6) __________)
C When he was a child, he lived on a farm and he loved animals. (Position: (7) __________)
D After his success, he went on to win many international competitions and he became very famous. (Position: (8) __________)
E Eventually he retired and returned home to his farm in Argentina. (Position: (9) __________)
F He won his first riding competition when he was fifteen. (Position: (10) __________)
G He worked with horses on the farm after school and became a very good horse rider. (Position: (11) __________)

Question 6: What is the correct position for sentence B?

Question 7: What is the correct position for sentence C?

Question 8: What is the correct position for sentence D?

Question 9: What is the correct position for sentence E?

Question 10: What is the correct position for sentence F?

Question 11: What is the correct position for sentence G?

Read the text and complete each gap with a word from the list at the bottom of the page.

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN CHỮ IN HOA A-K*

Occupational Stress

Example (0): K - effects

A - illness
B - assistance
C - complication
D - survey
E - increasing
F - significant
G - conflict
H - reducing
I - employers
J - management

Question 12:

Question 13:

Question 14:

Question 15:

Question 16:

Question 17:

Question 18:

Read the text below. Match the headings A-H to the paragraphs 19-25.

The Kon-Tiki

0. (J) In 1947, the strangest craft to set sail in 500 years crossed the South Pacific from Peru to Indonesia. A Norwegian scientist called Thor Heyerdahl built the boat, Kon-Tiki, named after the Indonesian Sun god, and made the massive journey across open seas with the aim of proving his theory about the origins of the Indonesian people.

19. (19) __________
Heyerdahl believed that the Indonesian people had come from Peru. He said, stone heads found on Easter Island were so similar to those around Lake Titicaca in Peru that there had to be a connection. But other scientists claimed that it would have been impossible for the Peruvians to make the journey across open sea. They said, the stone figures had been made by Indonesians to frighten a local enemy they were fighting. Heyerdahl thought these battles were really between Indonesian natives and Peruvian invaders, and that the Peruvians could have made the journey. It was this that he wanted to prove.

20. (20) __________
Kon-Tiki was designed by copying pre-Columbian illustrations and paintings. It was built in Peru using local materials like wood, reeds and rope made from plants. There was no metal used at all in the construction. The finished boat was 15 metres long and 5 metres wide. The six man crew, and a parrot called Lorita, shared a small cabin of 5 metres long and 2 metres wide. They also had to carry enough supplies for the 100-day crossing. They carried with them 1,250 litres of water and 200 coconuts as well as fruits and roots. The US Army had also given them emergency rations and survival equipment. Their diet was supplemented with the wide variety of fish that they were able to catch while at sea.

21. (21) __________
The crew members - four Norwegians and a Swede - who went with Heyerdahl included a steward, an engineer, a sociologist and translator, a guide and radio experts. The only modern equipment they carried was a compass and a radio, which was mainly used for giving weather reports and relaying their position to the Norwegian government.

22. (22) __________
They set out from the Peruvian sea port of Callao on April 28th, 1947. A navy boat pulled them 50 miles out to sea before releasing them. From there they sailed west, carried along by the Humbolt current. Their first sight of land, Puka-Puka island, was made 93 days later. Four days after that they saw Angatau Island and spoke to people from there but could not land. Finally, after 101 days at sea and sailing 6,980 kilometres, they touched dry land on the desert island of Raroia. However, people from nearby islands arrived in boats and took them to their village where they were welcomed with traditional dancing and parties.

23. (23) __________
Heyerdahl's trip sparked a number of reactions in other scientists. They said that he and his team hadn't sailed but drifted, and that it was chance that they reached their destination. They also claimed that there was more evidence that the people of the Indonesian islands had originally come from the West, and not from the East. However, as recently as 2011, genetic evidence has been found which supports Heyerdahl's claims.

24. (24) __________
Since the Kon-Tiki's ambitious crossing, there have been several similar expeditions. Not all of them were successful, but in 1970, the Spanish explorer, Vital Alsar, succeeded in crossing the Pacific Ocean in the longest recorded journey of its kind. Alsar was convinced that ancient sailors could read the ocean currents like road maps. He successfully proved the point in 1973 when he repeated the voyage. More recently still, a Norwegian team recreated the trip with a copy of Thor Heyerdahl's craft and made an award-winning documentary of the experience.

25. (25) __________
Thor Heyerdahl's impressive journey has captured the imagination of generations. His book, The Kon-Tiki expedition was published in 1948 and immediately became a best-seller. His documentary, made on 8mm film, taken during the journey and including interviews with the crew, won an Academy Award in 1951. The Kon-Tiki museum in Oslo is one of the most visited places in Norway. And as recently as 2012, Kon-Tiki, the most expensive Norwegian feature film of the journey was nominated for an Oscar.

Headings
A Where they went, others have followed
B A debatable success
C Water shortage
D An experienced team
E Three months in the Pacific
F He had something to prove
G The technical aspects
H People are still talking about it
J A sight not seen in 500 years (EXAMPLE)

Question 19:

Question 20:

Question 21:

Question 22:

Question 23:

Question 24:

Question 25:

READING TEST 3
(25 questions – 30 minutes)

Money Saving Habits

Person A
I have never been one to spend much. As a university student, I was incredibly tight-fisted. For example, I used to walk 40 minutes to campus in order to save on bus fare. I’d also only buy necessities from shops that offered a student discount. Now that I have a high-paying job, you’d think that I have loosened the reins a bit, so to speak, but that’s not the case. I’d like to buy my own house in the next year or so, so I need to pinch every penny.

Person B
I am awful at keeping money in my bank account. Once I have it, I feel like it’s a hot potato and I need to immediately use it. Sometimes I really don’t even know where it goes. Ignorance is bliss, I suppose. If only my high school had offered a financial literacy course! Why were we studying algebra and geometry when we all lacked practical knowledge? And I can’t forget about my parents. They never made me have a piggy bank or encouraged me to save. I whole heartedly believe that I was set up for failure from the get go.

Person C
I used to have a part time job in a shopping centre, at a shoe store when I was in university. I think that’s when I started to really spend frivolously. Having to walk through the mall on my way to work was dangerous! I would see the new merchandise in the windows and sale signs everywhere and be tempted. I justified it as having the responsibility to be on trend while I was in the fashion industry. Since moving to a corporate role in a different sector, I no longer frequent the mall unless it’s absolutely necessary. Just like that, my savings account has been growing steadily.

Person D
I’ve always believed in the importance of tracking your income and expenses. When I was a kid, I remember my mom meticulously noting down each cent she spent in a calendar. I’d do it too, from time to time, but I never seemed to have had much success. That is to say, until my roommate introduced me to his spreadsheet software in university. It was incredible and the organization was unmatched. He sent me the template and I downloaded it on my phone. It works really well for me and has helped me get my finances in order.

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG GHI BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA*

Four people were interviewed for an article on Money Saving Habits. Read the four opinions. Then, match the opinions to the statements.

Question 1: uses technology to help them save?

Question 2: has always been frugal?

Question 3: values having a budget?

Question 4: blames others for their spending problem?

Question 5: doesn’t keep track of their finances?

Question 6: believes a change in career helped them?

Question 7: has a savings goal?

The Film Genre: Western

0. (Geographical Location) The region of Western United States, affectionately nicknamed the “Old West” comes with an interesting topographical history. While originally bound by the Appalachian Mountains, as the states expanded westward, the Mississippi River came to be the new boundary. It was from that point all the way to the Pacific Ocean with plenty of dry, arid landscapes in between, that inspiration for the film genre of the Western was born.

1. (8) __________ It is worth noting that it was not just the terrain that gave birth to this new genre. While it is true that mass migration of Americans westbound was encouraged by the government in the 17th century, it would be a gross generalization to say that it was based on borders. Instead, the ideology of the ‘American Frontier’ encompassed the historical and geographical intricacies as well as the culture that helped popularize the Western. Think about it – the brave American undergoes an endeavour of exploring the unknown and annexing new lands. It was new, exciting and very much a representation of the time. For Hollywood appeal, this notion was further glamorized with exaggerations of romance, disorder and violence which appear throughout the genre.

2. (9) __________ When you hear the ‘Wild West’, the first thing that pops into your mind is flat, dry land with cowboys and horses. This idyllic scene is most certainly accompanied by a rolling tumbleweed, just before an action scene where a bandit comes into town. Just as he begins to start trouble, the swinging doors smack open exposing rugged men swigging back whiskey and tossing their chewing tobacco into a spittoon. The county sheriff and deputy emerge and a shoot-out begins.

3. (10) __________ Yet, a true Western buff would know that the films are more complex than that overgeneralized story line. Of course, the most identifiable subgenres include some sort of power struggle between the righteous protagonists versus a criminal antagonist who is causing harm or terrorizing the town. Alongside this, the ‘bad guy’s’ motivation could be revenge-based, in which the outlaws are out to get someone who wronged them in the past. Alternatively, plots could be centred around a land dispute where rustlers attempt to annex a ranch that does not belong to them. Other varieties are centered around the building of technological advancement or transportation system.

4. (11) __________ It is those iconic tropes and plotlines that make Westerns such a recognizable genre. In their prime, tales set in the Old West were the most popular Hollywood genre in the United States, with their reign lasting from the early 1900s all the way to the middle of the century. However, they experienced some trials and tribulations before arriving at that status. While wildly popular in the era of silent movies, they were quickly discarded by cinema-goers when sound was introduced into film. Despite this period of inactivity, a resurgence of admiration for the genre was restored in the 1930s with some of Western films’ most popular features being released such as Stagecoach, Dodge City and Destry Rides Again.

5. (12) __________ Though the genre eventually lost its steam among American viewers, its legacy spread to international frontiers so to speak. As they were on the way out of the United States in the sixties, they gained traction and success in Italy. Dubbed ‘Spaghetti Westerns’ by American critics, the term was actually coined by Alfonso Sanchez, a Spanish journalist. A unique feature of these films is a lack of a central language. Although they were led by an Italian director, staff and actors were often from other countries such as Spain, Germany and even the US. Because of this, movies were often voiced over in Italian for their audience. As most of these films were produced with a Spanish partnership, ‘Paella Western’ is the name given to those shot and made in Spain.

6. (13) __________ Although it might be hard to catch the latest Western flick, its legacy lives on in pop culture and has for decades. Most recently, as of 2019, fashion runways were filled with fringe jackets and cowboy boots with farm-themed spreads. What’s more is that the look of the Wild West has been modernized to include funkier patterns and textures on the same traditional attire as seen on celebrities on the red carpet or on street-style posts on the social media platform, Instagram.

7. (14) __________ So, where does it go from here? As a new decade dawns, nearly a century after Westerns began their peak, we are left wondering what comes next. While some more modern Western-inspired films have seen some success, like Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight, they are being produced at 1/10th the rate of what they used to be. The bottom line is that the dominant motif of the expansion of a young nation into unexplored lands is no longer as prevalent in modern society. Perhaps as the United States increases its presence in space, we may see a resurgence in the production of this genre. Only time will truly tell. Nevertheless, at the present moment, the attraction of Westerns remains stagnant.

Question 8: Paragraph 1

Question 9: Paragraph 2

Question 10: Paragraph 3

Question 11: Paragraph 4

Question 12: Paragraph 5

Question 13: Paragraph 6

Question 14: Paragraph 7

Social Media and the BLM Movement

With the rise of social media as a tool for communication, it is not surprising that it is being used beyond posting selfies and earning followers. Superficial aspects aside, it has played an important role in spreading information about social injustices that are happening around the world. Following a consecutive series of police incidents A.(15) __________ the lives of African-Americans, young people acted on their right to protest police brutality and racism in favour of Black Lives Matter (BLM) on the weekend of June 6th–7th, 2020. However, when they were met with challenges in blocked-off or restricted areas along with negative response from law enforcement, they took to their devices to share information. Reports from New York City state that in the face of these B. (16) __________ youth took to Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to exchange information about real-time protest locations. Moreover, C. (17) __________ the event, through the use of hash-tagging, images, factual information and practical knowledge were shared including what to bring to a protest and who to contact in case you are held by police.

Nonetheless, the use of social media as a successful platform for activism is not as new as one may believe. In fact, these movements are not a D. (18) __________ of the present decade. Rather, they are a continuation of outrage dating back to the killing of unarmed teen, Trayvon Martin, and the subsequent acquittal of his shooter, George Zimmerman back in 2013. What began as a Facebook post voicing public outrage, bearing the title Black Lives Matter, soon went viral and continues to draw attention to the victims of race crimes and violence. With thousands of daily shares, likes, and retweets, BLM has become a global phenomenon. Without a shadow of a E. (19) __________ social media will only continue to amplify social issues of varying concern in the future all around the world.

A – declaring
B – claiming
C – honoring
D – roadblocks
E – checkpoints
F – openings
G – following
H – during
I – prior to
J – product
K – cause
L – symptom
M – skepticism
N – doubt
O – certainty

Question 15: Gap A

Question 16: Gap B

Question 17: Gap C

Question 18: Gap D

Question 19: Gap E

Article 1

Some scientists subscribe to the belief that the massive extinctions of the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary (more commonly referred to as the K–T Boundary) were the result of a beyond-earthly phenomenon. In fact, followers of The Alvarez Hypothesis blame the loss of species including the dinosaurs on a large extraterrestrial impact, such as an asteroid striking the Earth. However, researchers (20) __________ the plausibility of this theory due to its lack of physical evidence. Despite maintaining that this collision did in fact occur, the concept rests on the notion that a crater of 100km in diameter existed at the time of impact, but has since disappeared. Notwithstanding this minor flaw, supporters (21) __________ when the large crater in Chicxulub, Mexico was discovered and fit the bill of the description proposed in The Alvarez Hypothesis.

A recent study conducted by Yale University suggests that it was not the asteroid alone that led to the demise of thousands of species. Rather, these researchers (22) __________ the idea presented by another school of thought, maintaining that it was in fact a huge disruption in the global atmosphere to which plants and animals could no longer adapt. They were led to believe this on the newly-discovered information that the asteroid hit sulphur-rich rocks, which caused a brief yet substantial period of climate cooling.

Article 2

Many scholars stand by the principle that the disappearance of the dinosaurs is a result of a change in the Earth’s composition. These claims have been (23) __________ by the believers of the widespread notion that an apocalyptic asteroid was responsible for the mass loss of life. Nevertheless, some propose that a series of volcanic eruptions, or volcanism more generally, is the true cause. Recent studies show that the Indian volcanoes, termed the Deccan Traps, erupted over half a million cubic kilometres of lava in a one-million-year time-frame. Moreover, these eruptions preceded the estimation of dating on the Chicxulub crater, ultimately (24) __________ on full supporters of The Alvarez Hypothesis.

Conversely, there is still varying disagreement amongst enthusiasts of this intrinsic explanation of extinction. By erupting, these volcanoes released gases and particles into the air, ultimately creating a nuclear winter and leaving life on Earth unable to adapt. Thus, it is believed that the alteration of the sky's chemical composition over the course of the volcanic emissions is the direct cause, with the eruption being the lesser one. Notwithstanding the notion of abrupt atmospheric conditions, this theory (25) __________ The Alvarez Hypothesis of a quick catastrophic event.

Headings

A – had doubts about
B – subscribed to
C – neglected
D – joined forces
E – hopped on the bandwagon
F – rallied
G – argued against
H – added on to
I – were opposed to
J – disputed
K – altered
L – revived
M – cheering
N – echoing
O – casting doubt
P – proves
Q – fully supports
R – goes against

Question 20:

Question 21:

Question 22:

Question 23:

Question 24:

Question 25:

Question 1

Don't eat ______ fast. You'll have a stomach ache.

Question 2

My mom is the ______ woman I know.

Question 3

I'm stuck in traffic. I ______ about half an hour late.

Question 4

His boss, ______ from Turkey, is quite understanding.

Question 5

By 2030, I ______ my Master's Degree.

Question 6

The doctor told me ______ if I am still unwell.

Question 7

Sarah said that she ______ here the following week.

Question 8

If only I ______ more self-esteem!

Question 9

I wish I ______ harder for the exam I failed.

Question 10

John's car keys aren't here. He ______ out.

Question 11

The concert was postponed ______ the rain.

Question 12

______ our differences, Nadia and I are great friends!

Question 13

I ______ grocery shopping, but I finished work late.

Question 14

The new skyscraper ______ finished by now.

Question 15

We ______ basketball for a few minutes before I felt tired.

Question 16

I thought the party would be boring, but it ______ to be so much fun.

Question 17

I found that last novel really difficult to ______.

Question 18

______ would I go to nightclubs when I was younger.

Question 19

______ did he break his arm, but he also chipped his tooth in the accident.

Question 20

Look at those clouds! There ______ be a storm!

Question 21

By the time I ______ breakfast, the baby woke up crying.

Question 22

The package ______ to the office yesterday.

Question 23

When I was a student, I ______ wake up at 7:00 am every day.

Question 24

______ the promotion comes with benefits, I won't accept it.

Question 25

If she ______ with him, she wouldn't be so happy now.

Question 26

Find the word with a similar meaning to 'giggle'.

Question 27

Find the word with a similar meaning to 'wind down'.

Question 28

Find the word with a similar meaning to 'opt'.

Question 29

Find the word with a similar meaning to 'build on'.

Question 30

Find the word with a similar meaning to 'report'.

Question 31

Complete the definition: To run quickly is to...

Question 32

Complete the definition: To ask for information is to...

Question 33

Complete the definition: To live with someone else is to...

Question 34

Complete the definition: To make someone redundant at work is to...

Question 35

Complete the definition: To look up to someone is to...

Question 36

Finish the sentence: I became aware of the ______ in my knowledge when we took that trivia quiz.

Question 37

Finish the sentence: Nothing tastes quite like my mother-in-law's homemade pumpkin pie. It's so ______ that I'd eat it every day if I could.

Question 38

Finish the sentence: Shopping at the outlet mall is the only way to get a good ______ around here.

Question 39

Finish the sentence: While he had an excellent ______ of the material, he was unable to achieve the mark he had hoped for.

Question 40

Finish the sentence: Rollerblading is a ______ dangerous activity. You can easily break a limb.

Question 41

Find the word with the most similar meaning to 'flawless'.

Question 42

Find the word with the most similar meaning to 'sweat'.

Question 43

Find the word with the most similar meaning to 'confusing'.

Question 44

Find the word with the most similar meaning to 'feeble'.

Question 45

Find the word with the most similar meaning to 'keen'.

Question 46

Find the word most often used with 'travel'.

Question 47

Find the word most often used with 'free'.

Question 48

Find the word most often used with 'widely'.

Question 49

Find the word most often used with 'ill'.

Question 50

Find the word most often used with 'kind'.

VOCABULARY TEST 1
(25 questions – 13 minutes)

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG GHI BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA*

Write the letter (A-K) of the word that is most similar in meaning to a word on the left (1-5). Use each word once only.

Question 1: design

Question 2: policy

Question 3: fortune

Question 4: wonder

Question 5: opportunity

Finish each sentence (6-10) using a word from the list (A-K). Use each word once only.

*Thí sinh vui lòng ghi rõ từ bằng CHỮ THƯỜNG*

6. The group of people who protect a country is a/an (6) __________.
7. A covering for floors is called a/an (7) __________.
8. A type of house in the country is called a/an (8) __________.
9. A large group of people together is called a/an (9) __________.
10. A type of table used for work is called a/an (10) __________.

A. figure
B. board
C. cottage
D. army
E. crowd
F. desk
G. carpet
H. character
J. case
K. example

Question 6: The group of people who protect a country...

Question 7: A covering for floors...

Question 8: A type of house in the country...

Question 9: A large group of people together...

Question 10: A type of table used for work...

Finish each sentence (11-15) using a word from the list (A-K). Use each word once only.

*Thí sinh vui lòng ghi rõ từ bằng CHỮ THƯỜNG*

11. Just one more (11) __________ is enough to end the project.
12. The jacket has a/an (12) __________ to protect your head.
13. The ship sailed into the (13) __________ on time.
14. The actors read their lines from the (14) __________.
15. The cycling (15) __________ broke the world record.

A. sock
B. hood
C. light
D. script
E. witness
F. error
G. port
H. call
J. champion
K. country

Question 11: Just one more _____

Question 12: The jacket has a/an _____

Question 13: ...sailed into the _____

Question 14: ...lines from the _____

Question 15: The cycling _____

Finish each sentence (16-20) using a word from the list (A-K). Use each word once only.

*Thí sinh vui lòng ghi rõ từ bằng CHỮ THƯỜNG*

16. The board will (16) __________ the plan tomorrow.
17. Can I (17) __________ some money from you?
18. This fact is going to (18) __________ everything.
19. Two teams are going to (19) __________ in the race.
20. She couldn't (20) __________ on the question.

A. fly
B. involve
C. approve
D. benefit
E. complicate
F. compete
G. focus
H. presume
J. borrow
K. catch

Question 16: The board will _____

Question 17: Can I _____

Question 18: ...is going to _____

Question 19: ...are going to _____

Question 20: She couldn't _____

Write the letter of the word on the right (A-K) that is most often used with a word on the left (21-25). Use each word once only.

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA*

Question 21: adverse

Question 22: vacant

Question 23: collaborative

Question 24: unanimous

Question 25: humble

VOCABULARY TEST 2
(25 questions – 13 minutes)

*THÍ SINH VUI LÒNG ĐIỀN ĐÁP ÁN BẰNG CHỮ IN HOA TỪ A-K*

Write the letter (A-K) of the word that is most similar in meaning to a word on the left (1-5).

Question 1: choose

Question 2: close

Question 3: improve

Question 4: care

Question 5: practise

Finish each sentence (6-10) using a word from the list (A-K).

A. concern
B. challenge
C. instruct
D. appear
E. worry
F. obtain
G. wish
H. compensate
J. assume
K. approve

6. To oppose someone is to _____

7. To teach someone is to _____

8. To accept something is to _____

9. To get something is to _____

10. To pay someone is to _____

Write the letter of the word on the right (A-K) that matches the definition on the left (11-15).

A. artificial
B. brave
C. crucial
D. curious
E. fierce
F. lazy
G. obscure
H. peculiar
J. smooth
K. emotional

11. Wanting to know or learn something.

12. Not natural or real.

13. Not clear and difficult to understand or see.

14. Having a flat, even surface.

15. Having a lot of strong emotion.

Finish each sentence (16-20) using a word from the list (A-K).

A. atmosphere
B. canteen
C. ceiling
D. corridor
E. discipline
F. envelope
G. fringe
H. hedge
J. museum
K. wardrobe

16. He had to walk down a long dark _____ to get to his room.

17. The teacher should maintain _____ in the classroom.

18. She opened the _____ and took a coat out of it.

19. You should cut your _____ regularly.

20. The local _____ has an exhibit about the history of this area.

Write the letter (A-K) that is most often used with a word on the left (21-25).

Question 21: abstract

Question 22: athletics

Question 23: congested

Question 24: frantic

Question 25: housework