Taj Mahal is the most famous of all India's ancient buildings and a price monument of Mughl Art. It was built as the mausoleum of Arjumand Banu Bagam , known as Mumtaz Mahal , wife of Shan Jahan. The Taj Mahal was built on the Yamuna river in 1630. It took 22 years to construct ; 20,000 men was said to have been involved in the project . The tomb is over 73 meters high , and is lavishly decorated with Koranic inscriptions and carved relidefs 

True of False 

1. Taj Mahal is an ancient mausoleum ..........

2. Taj Mahal was built for Mughal ........

3. Taj Mahal was completed in 1652 .....

4. Taj Mahal is decorated with words in the Korean 

5. What does this passage say about ? 

A. Taj Mahal 

B. India 

C. Shan Jahan 

D. Yamuna 

6. What does ''it'' in line 3 refer to ? 

A. mausoleum 

B. river 

C. house 

D. temple  

Read the passage then answer the questions.

San Francisco has been called one of the most beautiful cities in the world.It is built on fourteenhills, with Pacific Ocean on one side, and San Francisco Bay on the other. Ach hill has a viewover the water. People of San Francisco are proud of their views. Everyone wants a house with aview. Most big cities in the United States are built on flat land. People can’t see very far. Theycan only see tall buildings. When they choose their homes, they look inside. They want a housewith pleasant room to look at. When people in San Fracisco choose their homes, they lookoutside. They want a house with a view.

1. What is San Francisco different from other big cities in the United States ?

..........................................................................................................................................................

2. What are people of San Francisco proud of ?

.........................................................................................................................................................

3. How do people of San Fracisco choose their homes?........................................................................................................................................................

79. Which is the best main idea of the passage ?.........................................................................................................................................................

I. Fill in each gap with a word from the box : attractions | house | lies | many | tourist | famous | as | visit
The ancient town of Hoi An (1) ____________ on the Thu Bon River, 30km south of Da Nang.
It was formerly a major trading center in Southeast Asia between the 16th
and 17 th centuries. Hoi An is (2) ____________ for its old temples, pagodas, small tile-roofed houses and
narrow streets.
One of the main (3) ____________ of Hoi An is the Japanese Covered Bridge, which was built
in the 16th century and is still well-preserved. All visitors to Hoi An are recommended a (4)

____________ to the Cantonese Assembly Hall, which was built in 1855and still keeps
(5)____________ precious objects. Another attractive address to tourists is Tan Ky (6)
___________, which was constructed nearly two centuries ago as a house of a Vietnamese
merchant. In recent years, Hoi An has become a popular (7) ____________ destination in Vietnam. In
1999, it was certified by UNESCO (8) ____________ a World Cultural Heritage Site.

In 1783, two French brothers built the first balloon to take people into the air. One hundred and twenty years ..., in 1903, the Wright brothers built the first plane with an engine and flew in it. This was ... the United States. Then, in 1918, the US Post Office began the first airmail service.

Aeroplanes changed a lot in the next thirty years. Then, in the 1950s, aeroplanes became much ... because they had jet engines.

In 1976, Concorde was built in the UK and France. It was the fastest passenger plane in the world at that time and it ... fly at 2300 kilometres an hour, so the journey from London to Newyork was only four hours.

Today, millions of people travel ... aeroplane, and it is difficult to think of a world without them.

Read the following passage, and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local governments. Arriving immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs. But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who was willing to work could find a job. Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the programs Social Security - has become an American institution. Paid for by deductions from the paychecks of working people, Social Security ensures that retired persons receive a modest monthly income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and other assistance to those who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65, when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social Security fund may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated. In the years since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These include Medicaid and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and public housing which is built at federal expense and made available to persons on low incomes.

        Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than the government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is available. Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S. households contribute money to charity.

Most of the public assistance programs ________ after the severe economic crisis.

A. were introduced into institutions

B. did not become institutionalize

C. functioned fruitfully in institutions

D. did not work in institutions

Exercise 4: There is one mistake in each of the following sentences. Find and correct it.

Exercise 5: Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of he following questions.

86. “ I’m taking my driving test tomorrow” –“ ___________!”

    A. Luck            B. Best wishes        C. Good luck        D. Good time

87. Susan: “ Can you do the cooking today?”_ Bill: “ _________.”

    A. Oh, all right     B. No, thank you    C. I know that        D. Yes, please

88. John: “My life’s got stuck these days. I am so depressed and unable to think of anything.”  

- Jane:  “_________”

    A. You will be tired.     B. Stay stuck there      C. Stay calm. Everything will be alright.    D. No, let it.

89. "I've passed my driving test" - "_________________"

    A. Congratulations!                B. That's a good ideal

    C. It’s nice of you to say so            C. Do you?

90. “ I’d recommend a place called Shanti – the food there is delicious.” -  “……………..”

    A. No, more expensive            B. I like staying there        

    C. Thanks, that’s useful            D. No way

C- CLOSEST AND OPPOSITE MEANING: 

Exercise  6: Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word in each of the following questions. 

91. The society was set up to protect endangered species from extinction.

    A. put            B. prevented         C. preserve        D. keeping

92. Fishing is an enjoyable pastime for people of all ages.

    A. hobbies        B. interest        C. activity        D. game

93. We don’t remember exactly when our parents started this workshop.

A. set on             B. set up        C. set out        D. to set

94. The artisans in my village can earn enough money from sweater knitting to live.

A.live on            B. live up to         C. live with        D. live at    

95. I'm becoming increasingly absent- minded. Last week, I locked myself out of my house twice.

    A. considerate    B. sensitive        C. warm- hearted    D. forgetful

96. Sports and festivals from an important part of every human society.

    A. informative        B. delighted        C. exciting        D. essential

97. It took me a very long time to recover from the shock of her death.

    A. turn off        B. take on        C. get over        D. keep up with

    Exercise  7- Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined part in each of the following questions. 

98. Any form of hunting or fishing within the wildlife reserve is strictly forbidden.

    A. prohibited    B. allowed    C. conceded    D. consented

99. I can't stand people who treat animals cruelly.

    A. gently    B. cleverly    C. reasonably    D. brutally

100. Ha Long Bay is one of the most wonderful man-made wonders of Vietnam that we need to protect and preserve. 

    A. enormous    B. natural    C. huge    D. amazing

D- READING: 

Exercise 8: Read the following passage carefully and choose the best option to fit each space. 

When you visit London, one of the first things you will see is Big Ben, the famous clock which can be heard all over the world on the BBC. If the Houses of Parliament hadn't burned (101)________ in 1834, the great clock would never have been erected. Big Ben takes its (102)________from Sir Benjamin Hall who was responsible for the making of the clock when the new Houses of Parliament were being built. It is not only of immense size. But is extremely accurate as well. Officials from Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked (103)________a day. On the BBC, you can hear the clock when it is actually striking because microphones (104)________to the clock tower. Big Ben has rarely gone wrong. Once, however, it failed to give the correct time. A painter (105)________had been working on the tower hung a pot of paint on one of the hands and slowed it down.

101. A. up             B. on             C. down             D. off

102. A. place         B. name         C. fame             D. time

103. A. two             B. two time         C. couple             D. twice

104. A. connects         B. are connected     C. is connected         D. connect

105. A. who             B. whom         C. which             D. where

Choose the word which best fits each gap.

    Many visitors come to Tatterbridge to see the wonderful art (106)________ and museums, the beautiful buildings and the fantastic parks. Few people go outside the city, and so they miss out on (107)________ the scenery and the fascinating history of this beautiful area. This brochure will tell you what you can see if you take a short bus ride out of the city.

    The beautiful village of Tatterbridge was home to the children’s writer Jane Potter, whose stories of Benjamin Bear (108)________ loved by adults and children around the world. Jane Potter’s home is now a museum and tea shop, and is well worth a visit just for its wonderful gardens. It also has a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs and books. Tatterbridge has a number of interesting shops including an excellent cake shop, and ‘Wendy’s Giftshop’ where you can find lots of unusual gifts made (109)________ hand by local artists. Lovers of Jane Potter’s books should also walk to the Green Valley woods, which have not changed since Jane Potter (110)________ her stories there one hundred years ago.

Exercise  9. Read the following passage and circle the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions

The value of friendship

    Recent research into the world of teenagers has suggested that they value friendship above everything else.  Children aged between 12 and 15 were asked what was important to them. Their answers included possessions such as money and computer gadgets but also relationships with people. The teenagers questioned said that friends were the most important to them, more even than family, or boyfriends and girlfriends.

We wanted to find out more about the results of this research so we asked our readers what they thought about the value of friendship. Here are some examples of what they said about their friends:

Ben, 15:  Every time I   have a fight with my parents, I need some time on my own.  But after that, the first thing I do is meet up with my friends. After playing football for a while, or skateboarding, I usually feel much happier again.

Rory, 13:

    When I moved to a village in the countryside, I thought that it would be the end of my friendships.  But my old friends have kept in touch and they come and visit during the holidays. There’s a lake nearby, so we often go sailing, water-skiing or windsurfing.  And I have made some new friends here too, at school, and since I joined the rugby club.

Carlos, 11:

    Last year, I broke my arm on a skiing holiday. Unfortunately, it was my left arm and I am left-handed.  My school friends all helped and copied their notes for me.

It seems that our readers value their friendships very highly.  From what they told us, they spend a lot of time with their friends, just hanging out, or sharing hobbies and interests. They seem to need their friends for advice, help, chats, and for having fun.  Clearly, friends make each other feel better. Looking at what our readers told us, the results of the recent research are not really surprising.

111. Why are Ben, Rory and Carlos mentioned in the article?

112. Which of the following best describes Ben?   

113. What do we know about the lake that Rory visits?  

114. Carlos mentions that he is left-handed because __________. 

A. It makes skiing harder.            

B. It makes it worse that he broke the arm he uses most.   

C. It is an interesting fact about himself and he was talking about his left arm.   

D. It is very unfortunate when you break your left arm.

115. The answers to the recent research and the answers from the readers _________.   

Read the text carefully, then choose the most suitable answers.

It is often considered that the schoolyard is where bullies go to make other kids a miserable school life, but a new study suggests that classrooms are another popular place.

    The study, presented recently at the American Public Health Association’s yearly meeting in Philadelphia, is based on the results of the research from more than 10,000 middle school students who answered questions online.

    Of those researched, 43% said they’d been physically bullied within the last month. A bit more than half said they had been laughed at in an unfriendly way, and half reported being called hurtful names. About one third said groups had excluded them to hurt their feelings. 28% said their belongings had been taken or broken; 21% said someone had threatened to hurt them. According to the results, two-thirds of the students said they had been bullied in more than one way over the previous month.

    The study authors mentioned that 8% of the students who answered said they had missed school at least once during the school year because of fear of being bullied, 25% said they had taken other actions, such as missing recess, not going to the bathroom or lunch, missing classes, or staying away from some area of the school to escape from experiencing a bully. Bullies did too much to the school life.

116. Bullies can happen in the following places EXCEPT_________.

  A. schoolyards

B. classrooms 

C. bathrooms

D. teachers’ offices

117. The  underlined phrase “laughed at” in the passage is closest in meaning to_________.

  A. made fun of 

B. smiled nicely 

C. shouted at 

D. looked after well

118. Which of the following might some students do to protect themselves from bullies? 

  A. They miss school. 

   B. They call their parents for help. 

C. They try to hurt others. 

D. They break others’ belongings

119. The word “they” in the last paragraph refers to ______.

A. authors            B. students            C. schools            D. actions    

120. Which of the following is probably the best title for the passage?

   A. Bad school life        B. Bullies at school        C. Fear at school        D.School problems

E- WRITING: 

Exercise 10- Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the sentence that has the closest meaning to the original one.

121. You should visit the historical places of the area.

    A. It is worth visiting the historical places of the area.

    B. It is worth visit the historical places of the area.

    C. You are worth to visit the historical places of the area.

    D. You are worth visiting the historical places of the area.

122. It's a pity I didn't take my doctor's advice.

    A. I wish the doctor had taken my advice.

    B. I wish I took the doctor’s advice.

    C. I wish I had taken the doctor’s advice.

    D. I wish I would take the doctor’s advice. 

123. Many people think that the rule of the game is too complicated. 

    A. It is thought to be too complicated for the game.

    B. It was thought that the rule of the game is too complicated.

    C. It is thought that the rule of the game is simple.

    D. The rule of the game is thought to be too complicated. 

124. “Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Minh said to me  

    A. Minh suggested asking her myself.

    B. Minh suggested that I should asking her myself.     

    C. Minh suggested that I should ask her myself.

    D. Minh suggested to ask her myself.                                                                         

125. Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend. The train arrived.

    A. Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend as soon as the train arrived.

    B. After the train arrived, Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend.

    C. The train arrived while Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend.

    D. Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend whenever the train arrived.

126. Richard is very wealthy. He can afford almost anything he wants.

        A.Although Richard is very wealthy, he can afford almost anything he wants.

        B.Richard is so wealthy that he can afford almost anything he wants.

        C.Richard is very wealthy so that he can afford almost anything he wants.

        D.Richard can afford almost anything he wants, but he is very wealthy.

    127. Mary thinks Melbourne is the most liveable city in Australia.

        A. Mary thinks Melbourne is less liveable than any other cities in Australia.

        B. Mary thinks Melbourne is as liveable as any other cities in Australia.

        C. Mary thinks Melbourne is more liveable than any other cites in Australia.

        D. Mary thinks Melbourne is as liveable than any other cities in Australia.

128. "Please don’t tell anyone my new address, Tom," said Jane.

        A. Jane told Tom to tell everyone her new address.

        B. Jane asked Tom not to tell anyone her new address.

        C. Jane said to Tom and anyone else her new address.

        D. Tom wanted Jane to know his new address. 

129. We started living here fifteen years ago.  

    A. We have started living here for fifteen years.         B. We have lived here since fifteen years.

    C. We have lived here for fifteen years ago.             D. We have lived here for fifteen years.

130. People believed he won a lot of money on the lottery.

    A. He is believed that he won a lot of money on the lottery.

    B. He won a lot of money on the lottery, it is believed.

    C. He is believed to have won a lot of money on the lottery.

    D. He was believed to win a lot of money on the lottery.

Exercise 11. Mark the letter A, B, C, on your answer sheet to indicate the most meaningful sentence written from the given words. 

131. He/ said/ he/ send/ us/ postcard/ following day.

    A. He said that he will send us a postcard the following day.

    B. He said that he would send us a postcard the following day.

    C. He said that he send us a postcard the following day.

    D. He said that he would sends us postcard the following day.

132. After/ live/ France/ a year, I/ feel/ much/ more/ confident/ my French.

    A. After live in France for a year, I felt much more confident about my French.

    B. After living in France since a year, I felt much more confident about my French.

Read the following passage on transport, and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 43 to 50

Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local governments. Arriving immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life. In the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs. But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who was willing to work could find a job.

Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the programs - Social Security - has become an American institution. Paid for by deductions from the paychecks of working people, Social Security ensures that retired persons receive a modest monthly income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and other assistance to those who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65, when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social Security fund may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated.

In the years since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These include Medicaid and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and public housing which is built at federal expense and made available to persons on low incomes.

Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than the government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is available. Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S. households contribute money to charity.

The word “instituted” in the first paragraph mostly means ______. 

A. “executed”

B. “studied”

C. “introduced”

D. “enforced”

Read the following passage on transport, and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 43 to 50

    Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local governments. Arriving immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs. But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who was willing to work could find a job.

    Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the programs - Social Security - has become an American institution. Paid for by deductions from the paychecks of working people, Social Security ensures that retired persons receive a modest monthly income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and other assistance to those who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65, when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social Security fund may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated.

    In the years since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These include Medicaid and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and public housing which is built at federal expense and made available to persons on low incomes.

    Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than the government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is available. Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S. households contribute money to charity.

The word “instituted” in the first paragraph mostly means ______.

A. “executed”

B. “studied”

C. “introduced”

D. “enforced”

Read the following passage, and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local governments. Arriving immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs. But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who was willing to work could find a job. Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the programs Social Security - has become an American institution. Paid for by deductions from the paychecks of working people, Social Security ensures that retired persons receive a modest monthly income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and other assistance to those who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65, when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social Security fund may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated. In the years since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These include Medicaid and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and public housing which is built at federal expense and made available to persons on low incomes.

        Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than the government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is available. Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S. households contribute money to charity.

Public assistance has become more and more popular due to the ________.

A. young people’s voluntarism only

B. volunteer organizations

C. people’s growing commitment to charity

D. innovations in the tax system