Read the Writing Strategy. Does the writer follow all of the advice? Give examples.

Read the Reading Strategy. Then complete these tasks.

1 Look at question 1 in exercise 4. Read the second paragraph of the text.

2 Circle the correct option and identify the sentence of the paragraph which gives the answer.

3 Which words are used in the sentence instead of the words in the correct option?

A perfect companion

A: Hello there.

B: How are you?

A: I am doing very well. How are you?

B: Fine.

A: Glad to hear it. What's for today?

B: Nothin'.

A: Fair enough. What do you want to study?

B: I dunno.

A: You don't know what you want to study?! Lazy humans!

B: Say what I need to study.

A: You have not yet told me what you want to study.

This conversation is between a visually-impaired student, Nick, and his digital tutor named Ann Sullutor.

Ann Sullutor is the brainchild of a 22nd century scientist modelled on and named after the dedicated tutor of Helen Keller. You can have conversations with Ann Sullutor via a wristwatch or any piece of jewellery. The idea of the digital tutor was to help disabled children study in mainstream schools.

Early in the morning, Ann Sullutor wakes up from a full charge of energy, ready for a 20-hour non-stop working day. Nick is quite independent in familiar situations, but if he comes across something unexpected, he can turn to Ann Sullutor for help by using his voice to control the watch on this wrist. Similarly, if he is in an unfamiliar place, he can get directions from Ann through a tiny set of earphones. In an emergency, for example, if there is an obstacle or unexpected vehicle, Nick receives a tiny vibration as a warning. Ann sends reports to the child's parents on a regular basis or on demand.

Registered in the school system and equipped with an immense database, Ann can easily keep track of Nick's schedule and curriculum. During class, Ann gives off a warning beep when Nick is distracted, quicky converts the new material into braille or dictates what the teacher has just written on board. Ann is there to bridge the gap between Nick and his classmates. In Nick's individual sessions, Ann suggests lessons depending on his preference and ability. She can adapt the lesson to aid Nick's learning process, but she doesn't jump in immediately to offer him a hand. Nick has to work on his own for a while before Ann makes a few suggestions. She may even ask Nick to read some extra materials to get a grasp of the topic. Nick often complains about Ann's persistence and strictness. In his fury, Nick sometimes does wish to turn Ann off for a while, which can only be done by his parents.

Ann Sullutor is much more than a beautifully-designed gadget for a visually-impaired child. She can make a perfect companion to any child that needs a tutor or a friend to talk with.

 Read paragraphs 1 and 2 of the text quickly to find the words below. What part of speech are they? Explain their meaning in your own words.

1. The reason is that the farmers often get very little because the companies who buy bananas want to make big profits. Life isn’t easy on a banana plantation. The farmers work long hours and can get harmed by dangerous pesticides.

2. Fairtrade is an international movement that tries to help farmers and workers in developing countries. Fairtrade products include items like bananas, coffee, sugar, cocoa and rice. When you buy a product with Fairtrade label, you know the farmers received a fair price and worked in good conditions.

KEY PHRASES Read the Speaking Strategy and the phrases below. Check that you understand them all. Then listen again. Which of the phrases did the students use?

KEY PHRASES Complete the useful phrases with the words below and find them in the text in exercise 3.

1 Introducing your opinions

I (strongly) believe that

In my ¹___________ / ²___________

It ³___________ to me that

As I ⁴___________,

2 Introducing other people's opinions

It is a ⁵___________ held view that

It is often ⁶___________ that

It is a ⁷___________ belief that

3 Making an additional point

⁸___________is more,

Moreover,

Furthermore,

4 Introducing proposals and solutions

One ⁹___________ might be to

What ¹⁰___________ (instead) is that

I ¹¹___________strongly recommend that

5 Concluding

To ¹²___________up,

In ¹³___________,

To conclude,

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.

Most languages have several levels of vocabulary that may be used by the same speakers. In English, at least three have been identified and described.

Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in any situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these words and expressions are well defined and listed in standard dictionaries. Colloquialisms, on the other hand, are familiar words and idioms that are understood by almost all speakers of a language and used in informal speech or writing, but not considered acceptable for more formal situations. Almost all idiomatic expressions are colloquial language. Slang, refers to words and expressions understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as appropriate formal usage by the majority. Colloquial expressions and even slang may be found in standard dictionaries but will be so identified. Both colloquial usage and slang are more common in speech than writing.

Colloquial speech often passes into standard speech. Some slang also passes into standard speech, but other slang expressions enjoy momentary popularity followed by obscurity. In some cases, the majority never accepts certain slang phrases but nevertheless retains them in their collective memories. Every generation seems to require its own set of words to describe familiar objects and events.

It has been pointed out by a number of linguists that three cultural conditions are necessary for the creation of a large body of slang expressions. First, the introduction and acceptance of new objects and situations in the society; second, a diverse population with a large number of subgroups; third, association among the subgroups and the majority population.

Finally, it is worth noting that the terms “standard”, “colloquial”, and “slang” exist only as abstract labels for scholars who study language. Only a tiny number of the speakers of any language will be aware that they are using colloquial or slang expressions. Most speakers of English will, during appropriate situations, select and use three types of expressions.

Which of the following could be the best title for the passage? 

A. Standard speech 

B. Idiomatic phrases

C. Different types of vocabulary 

D. Dictionary usage 

3. Read the Writing Strategy. Match the bold conjunctions in the letter with the meaning below.

(Đọc Chiến lược Viết. Nối các từ nối được in đậm trong bức thư với ý nghĩa dưới đây.)

Writing Strategy 

Remember when writing a formal letter of complaint:

(Hãy nhớ rằng khi viết một bức thư phàn nàn trang trọng:)

• State the reason for writing clearly in opening paragraph.

(Nêu lý do viết một cách rõ ràng trong đoạn mở đầu.)

• Use formal language. (Sử dụng ngôn ngữ trang trọng.)

• Be clear and concise. (Rõ ràng xúc tích)

• State what you want done. (Nêu điều bạn muốn làm.)

1. because (x2) _____, _____

2. instead of _____

3. if there is not _____

4. for that reason _____

IV. Find the correct forms of the words in brackets:

1. The program was ………….............…. to both the community and individuals. (benefit)

2. I find your magazine very ……...............…(inform)

3. The school drama society will give a….......…………. of Hamlet. (perform)

4. It is ……………to eat too much sugar and fat. (health)

5. There are a lot of…....................……. festivals in Vietnam. (tradition)

6. Go Green is a non-profit ……………………. that protects the environment. (organize)

7. Then the ………..................…… is ground, rolled and poured into molds. (mix)

8. Gordon G is an American……....................…. who invented laser? (invent)

9. Water is clear and colorless…….....................……(liquid)

10. Paris is………..............…. for the Eiffel Tower. (fame)