Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

              Over the last 5 years, more and more students from the school have taken part in environmental projects, such as tree planting and improving the school grounds. But, no matter how much we do, there’s always more that can be (25) _______ to improve the place where we live.

            This year students from the Conservation Club plan to work with local people to make a community garden near the school. As Tim, a student, says: “No one (26) _________ to live in an unattractive area. If we work together, we can turn these areas into spaces that we can enjoy (27) _______ time in.” This kind of local action is not just about (28) ________ environment. It also helps people get to know (29) _______ neighbors and it can help build strong communities.

           If you care (30) ________ the state of your town and you are interested in taking part in the project, please contact the school for further information.

25. A. did                       B. done                                C. does                        D. do

26. A. stays                    B. stay                                  C. wants                      D. want

27. A. giving                  B. doing                               C. spending                 D. paying

28. A. the                       B. X C. a                              D. an

29. A. her                       B. his                                    C. its                            D. their

30.  A. at                        B. in                               C. about                    D. on

Question 35 Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 36 to 40. 

The world is currently experiencing a pandemic of an infectious disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people (36) ___ are infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience cold or flu-like symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, and cancer are more likely to (37) ___ serious illness. COVID-19 impacts the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions most severely. 

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is well informed about the COVID-19 virus, what  the disease causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and (38) ___ people from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face, 

The COVID-19 virus spreads (39) ___ through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it's important that you minimize the potential that you infect someone else. At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. (40) ___ there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon a clinical finding become available. 

(Source: https://www.who.int/emergencles/disease/novel-coronavirus 2019)  

Question 36.  A. who                      B. which                      C. whose                     D. whom 

Question 37.  A. treat                      B. develop                   C. prevent                   D. detect

Question 38.  A. the other               B. others                      C. another                   D. other  

Question 39.  A. partly                    B. slowly                     C. primarily                 D. especially 

Question 40.  A. Therefore                         B. Furthermore           C. Otherwise               D. However 

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

                  Sydney is Australia’s most exciting city. The history of Australia begins here. In 1788 Captain Arthur Philips arrived in Sydney with 11 ships and 1624 passengers from Britain (including 770 prisoners). Today there are about 3.6 million people in Sydney. It is the biggest city in Australia, the busiest port in the South Pacific and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In Sydney, the buildings are higher, the colors are brighter and the nightlife is more exciting. There are over 20 excellent beaches close to Sydney and its warm climate and cool winter have made it a favorite city for immigrants from overseas. There are two things that make Sydney famous: its beautiful harbor, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, which was built in 1932 and the Sydney Opera House, which was opened in 1973.

28. Where did Captain Arthur Philips arrive in 1788?

A. South Pacific                B. Sydney Harbor              C. Britain             D. Sydney

29. Which of the following should be the title of the reading passage?

A. Sydney’s Opera House                                            B. The history of Sydney

C. Sydney’s beaches and harbors                                 D. An introduction of Sydney

30. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Sydney?

A. Sydney is not a favorite city for immigrants from overseas.

B. Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

C. Sydney is the most exciting city in Australia.

D. Sydney is the biggest port in the South Pacific.

31. How many beaches are there close to Sydney?

A. 11 beaches             B. over 20 beaches        C. nearly 20 beaches                D. 770 beaches

32. When was the Sydney Harbor Bridge built?

A. 1788                       B. 1973                         C. 1932                                     D. 1625

• Read the following passage and mark the letter (A, B, C, or D) on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

                                                                                        SMARTPHONES - A NECCESITY

Smartphones have spread beyond the boardroom and keeping a close eye on what's new is Mike Lazaridis, chief executive of RIM, the company that makes the BlackBerry smartphone. His device may no longer be quite as trendy as it once was but it is still (21) .................. − particularly for Argentinian milk farmers. Mr. Lazaridis says: "I like the way it's being used by the farmers so they are always up to date. Milk is a (22) .................. item, so delivery and production standards are incredibly important." He is reminded of the company's early days: "This is where we started in 1987, with a wireless vertical data business for the Swedish lumber (23) .................., and then on to fire brigades, ambulances, and garbage trucks."

    While the BlackBerry was quick to (24) .................. itself as the accessory of choice for business professionals such as Wall Street traders, the cheaper price (25) .................. and new, more colorful handsets now (26) .................. offer have opened it up to a much wider market. Mr. Lazaridis says: "It was obvious that business people and self-employed professionals would buy the BlackBerry, but we were not expecting the (27) .................. we had from ordinary consumers."

    The greatest challenge for RIM, however, could lie in an economic (28) ..................., when individuals and companies alike may see devices like the BlackBerry as luxuries they can (29) .................. without. The company has to make its product indispensable to the lifestyles of consumers or prove that they bring a real (30) .................. on investment for business users.

_{+ ANSWER:}

21, A. constructive     B. functional     C. active     D. operative

22, A. perishable     B. short-lived     C. decaying     D. destructible

23, A. manufacturers     B. enterprise     C. commerce     D. industry

24, A. install     B. establish     C. create     D. demonstrate

25, A. designs     B. programmes     C. plans     D. systems

26, A. at            B. on             C. for            D. under

27, A. return     B. retort     C. reply     D. response

28, A. downturn     B. tall     C. decrease     D. drop

29, A. make      B. carry      C. do      D. stay

30, A. return      B. gain      C. interest      D. profit

PART C: READING (2 marks)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from ($) to (#).

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the [21]   ________    musicians in the world. He created some of the most beautiful music ever heard, which made him become people's favorite composer of all time. Mozart was [22]   ________     in 1756 in Austria. Mozart's father, Leopold, was a musician. He played the violin and he worked as a music teacher. His son Mozart [23]   ________   plays the piano when he was 3. At the age of 4 he started to write music. He simply took a violin and started to play before anyone showed him how to play the instrument. Mozart's sister, Maria Anna, was good at music, too. Mozart and his sister invented their own secret language. They told stories about a magic kingdom where they were a king and a queen. Leopold took his two children to Vienna. There they played for the Emperor of Austria at his palace. Everyone [24] ______ their talent and the Emperor called Mozart a “little magician”.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 34 to 38.

The human body is a symphony of intricate rhythms, orchestrated (34) _____ an invisible conductor known as the body clock. It is the mastermind behind our sleep-wake (35) _____, regulating our internal processes with unwavering precision. Like a skilled maestro, it synchronises our biological functions, guiding us through the ebb and flow of each day.

This internal timekeeper, also (36) _____ as the circadian rhythm, governs our sleep patterns, hormone production, and metabolism. It dances to the beat of external cues, such as sunlight and darkness, aligning our bodies with the (37) _____ rhythms of the world around us. But this remarkable clock isn't just a mechanical timepiece. It has the power to shape our physical and mental well-being. When in harmony, it bestows us with vitality, alertness, and a sense of balance. However, (38) _____ disrupted, it can unleash chaos, leading to sleep disorders, mood swings, and even compromised immune function.

34. A. with B. by C. on D. for

35. A. circle B. recycle C. cycle D. archive

36. A. nominated B. famous C. famed D. known

37. A. superficial B. natural C. dominant D. obvious

38. A. until B. because C. since D. when

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D  to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 5.

An important part of building independence is allowing your teenagers to do things for themselves, (1)____________their own decisions, and make mistakes. These are natural processes in life and people are wired to desire autonomy early in life. This need for early independence is designed to prepare individuals for adulthood. Allowing your children to become independent earlier in life can (2) ____________rebellion during the later stages of the teenage years. All teenagers have a need to express their individuality. Teenagers (3)____________are not allowed to express their individuality are more likely to revolt.

(4) ____________, practicing self-reliance via independence will help eliminate public shyness and teach your kids to stand up for themselves when needed, including peer (5) ____________Early choice will also add confidence and prepare them for decision-making in adulthood.

Question 1. A. take             B. do                                 C. get                                D. make

Question 2. A. minimize      B. increase                         C. interfere                        D. maximize

Question 3. A. whom          B. which                            C. where                           D. that

Question 4. A. However     B. In addition                   C. But                               D. In contrast

Question 5. A. stress           B. help                               C. pressure                        D. advice

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Question 2

A. media

B. bulletin

C. programme

 D. journalism