2)  The Life

   Life today is much more comfortable and easier than it was. First, technology has made modern-day life much more comfortable than in the past. During my grandparents’ time, life was rough and hard because all the work was done without any modern tool, so they had to do their laundry by hand, walked from one place to another by feet. Furthermore, there was limited in entertainment choices in the past. They could at best listen to the radio or perhaps watch a black-and-white movie for pleasure. Today, however, living has become a lot easier thanks to technological developments. We launder our clothes with washing machine, uses buses, subways, or cars to move around. We also enjoy home theater systems, DVDs, and video games. Technology has definitely improved our lives. In addition, many people today, including my parents, simply work from nine to five on weekdays and take weekends off. They have much free time than my grandparents did, so they can spend more time on leisure activities.

1/. How was life in the past like ?

    A. Comfortable and hard.    B. Easy and rough      C. Comfortable and easy    D. Hard and rough

2/. There is not much in the way of entertainment now.

    A. True                              B. False                            C. It depends                 D. No information

3/. The word improved means………………..

    A. bettered                        B. grown.                         C. developed                  D. All are correct    

4/. How did people clean their dirty clothes?                                                      

A. They used modern tools.                        B.They used their hands.  

C.They used technology.                             D.They used washing machines.

5/ In the past people had ……… free time than today.

A. less                        B. fewer                    C. more                      D. most 

EXERCISE 1 Give the correct form of the adjectives and adverbs in brackets: 1. This chair is ..........................………………….. than that one. (comfortable) 2. Your flat is .....................………....... than mine. ( large) 3. The weather today is ........................……… than it was yesterday. (hot) 4. The Nile is the ........................……………………….. river in the world. (long) 5. Chinese bicycles are ................…........……………….. than Japanese ones. (bad) 6. Mathematics is ........................…………………...….. than English. (difficult) 7. Ho Chi Minh is the ............................………………. city in Viet Nam. (big) 8. He drives ................................. .. ……………than his friend. (careful) 9. She sings ........................……………………….. in this school. (beautiful) 10. I read ............................……………………….. than my sister. (slow) 11. Grace is ...........................………………….. girl in our class. (old) 12. This exercise is .........................…….…………..than that one. (easy) 13. He is twice .........................…….…………..as you. (fat) 14. Nam is .........................…….………….. student of all. (noisy) 15. My cold is .........................…….………….. today than it was yesterday. (good) EXERCISE 2 Choose the best option to complete the following sentences: 1. The more she smiles , ................ she becomes. A. more graceful B. the most graceful C. most graceful D. the more graceful 2. Hotels have developed …………………… restaurants. A. as rapidly as B. so rapidly as C. as rapid as D. more rapid 3. Can Tho bridge is the …………………… one in the South of Viet Nam . A. long B shortest C. longest D. longer 4. Albert Einstein’s contributions to scientific theory were ................ those of Galileo and Newton A. important than B. more important C. the most important D. as important as 5. Impalas cannot move as ................ cheetahs but they are more efficient runners. A. faster than B. fast as C. fast D. are fast as 6. Both are informative articles, but this one is ................ . A. best B. the best C. most D. better 7. She is the .………… girl in our town . A. more beautiful B. beauty C. most beautiful D. more beautifully 8. The harder you learn............. A. The better is your English B. The better will be your English C. The better becomes your English D. The better your English will be 9. Jim is the ................. in his class. A. clever B. cleverest C. cleverer D. more clever 10. Of the two shirts, this one is ................... A. the prettiest B. the most pretty C. prettier D. the prettier 11. Your house is ................. mine. A. as bigger as B. many times as big as C. much big as D. not many times big 12. Last year it wasn’t as cold as this year. A. This year it is as colder than last year. B This year it is colder than last year. C. This year it isn’t as cold as last year. D. This year it isn’t colder than last year. 13. She is older than me. A. I’m more younger than her. B. I’m as younger as her. C. I’m more young than her. D. I’m younger than her. 14. The test is not ………………… A. as difficult as it was last month. B. so difficult as it was last month C. more difficult as it was last month. D. Both A & B are correct 15. The Nile River is ………………… of all. A. longer B. the longest C. long D. longest 16. .................. we read, .................. we know. A. The most/ the most B. The more/ the more C. Most/ most D. More/ more 17. It gets ................... Let’s go swimming. A. hot and hot B. the more hot C. more and more hot D. hotter and hotter 18. Peter usually drives .................. Mary. A. more fast B. more fast than C. more fast D. faster 19. The problem seems to be .................. A. more serious B. more serious than C. more serious as D. more and more serious 20. Peter can not earn .................. his wife. A. as many money as B. as much money as C. as many money than D. as much money than 21. Prices get .................. A. high and high B. highest and highest C. more and more high D. higher and higher 22. The more manufacturers advise, .................. they sell. A. the most products B. the products more C. the more products D. most products 23. ................. a car is ................. it is. A. The more expensive/ the comfortabler B. The most expensive/ the most comfortable C. The more expensive/ the more comfortable D. The less expensive/ the more comfortable- 24. Of the five students. Mary is ................. A. more intelligent B. the more intelligent C. most intelligent D. the most intelligent 25. Steel is ................ than wood. A. more heavy B. as heavy C. heavier D. more heavier 26. A super market is …………………… a shopping center. A. less convenient as B. less convenient than C. not so convenient than D. the most convenient as 27. Viet Nam becomes …………………… to foreign tourists. A. more and most attractive B. the more attractive C. much and more attractive D. more and more attractive 28. This car is …………………… than mine. A. less expensive B. as expensive C. expensive D. not so expensive 29. Tim’s grades are …………………… than John. A. worse B. worst C. as bad D. so bad 30. The …………………… we start, the sooner we will be back. A. early B

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

The technology of the North American colonies did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of wood.

The first colonists did not, as many people imagine, find an entire continent covered by a climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest was broken at many points. Nevertheless, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through the early colonial period, those who pushed westward encountered new forests. By the end of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still extremely abundant.

The availability of wood brought advantages that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a foundation of the economy. Houses and all manner of buildings were made of wood to a degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it was used as the source of important industrial compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; charcoal, a component of gunpowder; and tannic acid, used for tanning leather.

The supply of wood conferred advantages but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at that time was produced by heating iron ore with charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron mines. But the American colonies had both iron ore and wood; iron production was encouraged and became successful. However, when Britain developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not follow suit because they had plenty of wood and besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innovations and was linked to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth century, the former colonies lagged behind Britain in industrial development because their supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal iron

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

The technology of the North American colonies did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of wood.

The first colonists did not, as many people imagine, find an entire continent covered by a climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest was broken at many points. Nevertheless, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through the early colonial period, those who pushed westward encountered new forests. By the end of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still extremely abundant.

The availability of wood brought advantages that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a foundation of the economy. Houses and all manner of buildings were made of wood to a degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it was used as the source of important industrial compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; charcoal, a component of gunpowder; and tannic acid, used for tanning leather.

The supply of wood conferred advantages but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at that time was produced by heating iron ore with charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron mines. But the American colonies had both iron ore and wood; iron production was encouraged and became successful. However, when Britain developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not follow suit because they had plenty of wood and besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innovations and was linked to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth century, the former colonies lagged behind Britain in industrial development because their supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal iron

According to the passage, why was the use of coke smelting advantageous?

A. It led to advances in technology

B. It was less expensive than wood smelting

C. It produced a stronger type of iron than wood smelting

D. It stimulated the demand for wood

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

The technology of the North American colonies did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of wood.

The first colonists did not, as many people imagine, find an entire continent covered by a climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest was broken at many points. Nevertheless, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through the early colonial period, those who pushed westward encountered new forests. By the end of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still extremely abundant.

The availability of wood brought advantages that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a foundation of the economy. Houses and all manner of buildings were made of wood to a degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it was used as the source of important industrial compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; charcoal, a component of gunpowder; and tannic acid, used for tanning leather.

The supply of wood conferred advantages but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at that time was produced by heating iron ore with charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron mines. But the American colonies had both iron ore and wood; iron production was encouraged and became successful. However, when Britain developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not follow suit because they had plenty of wood and besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innovations and was linked to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth century, the former colonies lagged behind Britain in industrial development because their supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal iron.

Question 44: The word strikingly in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to _______.

A. realistically

B. dramatically

C. completely

D. immediately

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

The technology of the North American colonies did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of wood.

The first colonists did not, as many people imagine, find an entire continent covered by a climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest was broken at many points. Nevertheless, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through the early colonial period, those who pushed westward encountered new forests. By the end of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still extremely abundant.

The availability of wood brought advantages that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a foundation of the economy. Houses and all manner of buildings were made of wood to a degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it was used as the source of important industrial compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; charcoal, a component of gunpowder; and tannic acid, used for tanning leather.

The supply of wood conferred advantages but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at that time was produced by heating iron ore with charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron mines. But the American colonies had both iron ore and wood; iron production was encouraged and became successful. However, when Britain developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not follow suit because they had plenty of wood and besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innovations and was linked to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth century, the former colonies lagged behind Britain in industrial development because their supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal iron

The word strikingly in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to _______.

A. realistically

B. dramatically

C. completely

D. immediately

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 following questions.

The technology of the North American colonies did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of wood.

The first colonists did not, as many people imagine, find an entire continent covered by a climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest was broken at many points. Nevertheless, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through the early colonial period, those who pushed westward encountered new forests. By the end of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still extremely abundant.

The availability of wood brought advantages that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a foundation of the economy. Houses and all manner of buildings were made of wood to a degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it was used as the source of important industrial compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; charcoal, a component of gunpowder; and tannic acid, used for tanning leather.

The supply of wood conferred advantages but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at that time was produced by heating iron ore with charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron mines. But the American colonies had both iron ore and wood; iron production was encouraged and became successful. However, when Britain developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not follow suit because they had plenty of wood and besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innovations and was linked to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth century, the former colonies lagged behind Britain in industrial development because their supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal iron.

 The word strikingly in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to__________.

A. realistically                  

B. dramatically      

C. completely                  

D. immediately

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

The technology of the North American colonies did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of wood.

The first colonists did not, as many people imagine, find an entire continent covered by a climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest was broken at many points. Nevertheless, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through the early colonial period, those who pushed westward encountered new forests. By the end of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still extremely abundant.

The availability of wood brought advantages that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a foundation of the economy. Houses and all manner of buildings were made of wood to a degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it was used as the source of important industrial compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; charcoal, a component of gunpowder; and tannic acid, used for tanning leather.

The supply of wood conferred advantages but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at that time was produced by heating iron ore with charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron mines. But the American colonies had both iron ore and wood; iron production was encouraged and became successful. However, when Britain developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not follow suit because they had plenty of wood and besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innovations and was linked to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth century, the former colonies lagged behind Britain in industrial development because their supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal iron.

Question 47: According to the passage, by the end of the colonial period, the price of wood in Eastern cities ________.

A. rose quickly because wood was becoming so scarce.

B. was much higher than it was in Britain.

C. was slightly higher than in previous years.

D. decreased rapidly because of lower demand for wood.

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 following questions.

The technology of the North American colonies did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of wood.

The first colonists did not, as many people imagine, find an entire continent covered by a climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest was broken at many points. Nevertheless, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through the early colonial period, those who pushed westward encountered new forests. By the end of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still extremely abundant.

The availability of wood brought advantages that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a foundation of the economy. Houses and all manner of buildings were made of wood to a degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it was used as the source of important industrial compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; charcoal, a component of gunpowder; and tannic acid, used for tanning leather.

The supply of wood conferred advantages but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at that time was produced by heating iron ore with charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron mines. But the American colonies had both iron ore and wood; iron production was encouraged and became successful. However, when Britain developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not follow suit because they had plenty of wood and besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innovations and was linked to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth century, the former colonies lagged behind Britain in industrial development because their supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal iron.

According to the passage, by the end of the colonial period, the price of wood in Eastern cities__________.

A. rose quickly because wood was becoming so scarce.

B. was much higher than it was in Britain.

C. was slightly higher than in previous years.

D. decreased rapidly because of lower demand for wood.

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

The technology of the North American colonies did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of wood.

The first colonists did not, as many people imagine, find an entire continent covered by a climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest was broken at many points. Nevertheless, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through the early colonial period, those who pushed westward encountered new forests. By the end of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still extremely abundant.

The availability of wood brought advantages that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a foundation of the economy. Houses and all manner of buildings were made of wood to a degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it was used as the source of important industrial compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; charcoal, a component of gunpowder; and tannic acid, used for tanning leather.

The supply of wood conferred advantages but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at that time was produced by heating iron ore with charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron mines. But the American colonies had both iron ore and wood; iron production was encouraged and became successful. However, when Britain developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not follow suit because they had plenty of wood and besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innovations and was linked to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth century, the former colonies lagged behind Britain in industrial development because their supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal iron

According to the passage, by the end of the colonial period, the price of wood in Eastern cities ________.

A. rose quickly because wood was becoming so scarce

B. was much higher than it was in Britain

C. was slightly higher than in previous years

D. decreased rapidly because of lower demand for wood