I.       Read the following passage and choose the item (a, b, c, or d) that best answers each of the questions about it.

You wouldn’t believe what happened yesterday. As I look out my hotel window this morning, I’m not sure I believe it myself.

First, I went to see the parade of the Krewe of Zulu. It was great! The people in the parade were in African clothes. They threw beads to the crowd and handed out painted coconuts. I almost got a coconut, but a woman pushed me aside and grabbed it. I did get some beads though!

To get away from the crowds, I ducked into Pat O’Brien’s, a bar next to Preservation hall where I heard some great jazz a few nights ago. Guess what? Everybody was in Pat O’Brien’s, too! I had a hurricane, a drink the bar is famous for. It’s a combination of rum and passion fruit juice. I soon found out that although it tastes like juice, it works like rum!

To clear my head, I went to the Café du Monde and had café au lait and some warm beignets. The café overlooks the Mississippi River, and its beignets are delicious!

Then, as in Cinderella, at midnight it was all over and the crowds went home. Today it seems like Mardi Gras was just a strange but beautiful dream.

- Mardi Gras: Một lễ hội được tổ chức hàng năm ở một số thành phố

26. What can be the best title of the passage?

      a. The Day After Mardi Gras                                b. A Strange but Beautiful Dream

      c. The Parade of the Krewe of Zulu                     d. New Orleans During Mardi Gras

27. The word ‘its’ in line 11 refers to _____.

      a. the Café du Monde                                           b. café au lait

      c. the Mississippi River                                        d. my head

28. In the context of the passage, what does the word “works” mean?

      a. to make somebody work                                   b. to operate

      c. to succeed                                                         d. to have a particular effect

29. From reading the passage, it seems that the writer is _____.

      a. a native of New Orleans                                    b. a tourist

      c. a hotelier                                                            d. a musician

30. Which of the following is true?

      a. The writer did get a painted coconut.

      b. Everybody didn’t like Mardi Gras so they ducked into Pat O’Brien’s.

      c. There was a hurricane in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

      d. The drink that Pat O’Brien’s is famous for is a combination of rum and passion fruit juice.

. Read the following passage and choose the item (a, b, c, or d) that best answers each of the questions about it.

  My husband and I had a problem about our holiday last year. I wanted to have a lazy seaside holiday because I was tired and needed to relax. I loved lying in the sun, drinking iced beer and reading a good book. But Robert liked  busy cultural holidays. He liked visiting art galleries. He hated sunbathing because he always went red, not brown. The travel agent tried to help us and suggested Greece. I said I love to sail to a quiet island, but of course Robert said he’d like to stay in Athens. It was easy to decide what to do,  we flew to Athens together, Robert stayed there and I traveled to the island of Kos!

27. Why did the author want to have a lazy seaside holiday?

A. She liked a busy holiday        

B. She was tired and needed to relax          

C. She always went red, not brown                               

28. The author liked  _____ .                                           

A.  sunbathing                             B. visiting museum’s                                  C. art galleries

29. What does the word ‘island’ in line 5 mean?

A. a piece of land with water all around it          

B. a high piece of land that is not as high as a mountain                  

C. a big area of salty water

30. Which of the following is not true?

A. Robert liked lazy seaside holidays

B. Robert wanted to stay in Athens    

C. Robert’s wife loved to sail to a quiet island             

31. Kos is _____ .

A. a city in Greece                      B. an island                        C. a place which has many island

32. What is the passage written about?

A. a problem about the holiday  B. a trip to Greece              C. a busy cultural holiday 

. Read the following passage and choose the item (a, b, c, or d) that best answers each of the questions about it.

  My husband and I had a problem about our holiday last year. I wanted to have a lazy seaside holiday because I was tired and needed to relax. I loved lying in the sun, drinking iced beer and reading a good book. But Robert liked  busy cultural holidays. He liked visiting art galleries. He hated sunbathing because he always went red, not brown. The travel agent tried to help us and suggested Greece. I said I love to sail to a quiet island, but of course Robert said he’d like to stay in Athens. It was easy to decide what to do,  we flew to Athens together, Robert stayed there and I traveled to the island of Kos!

27. Why did the author want to have a lazy seaside holiday?

A. She liked a busy holiday        

B. She was tired and needed to relax          

C. She always went red, not brown                               

28. The author liked  _____ .                                           

A.  sunbathing                             B. visiting museum’s                                  C. art galleries

29. What does the word ‘island’ in line 5 mean?

A. a piece of land with water all around it          

B. a high piece of land that is not as high as a mountain                  

C. a big area of salty water

30. Which of the following is not true?

A. Robert liked lazy seaside holidays

B. Robert wanted to stay in Athens    

C. Robert’s wife loved to sail to a quiet island             

31. Kos is _____ .

A. a city in Greece                      B. an island                        C. a place which has many island

32. What is the passage written about?

A. a problem about the holiday  B. a trip to Greece              C. a busy cultural holiday 

I.       Read the following passage and choose the item (a, b, c, or d) that best answers each of the questions about it.

Lieutenant Ives was one of the first non-Indians to see the canyon. He wrote, “It seems intended by nature that the Colorado River ... shall be forever unvisited.”

In 1869, John Wesley Powell became the first to explore the Grand Canyon. The rapids of the Colorado River and the narrow, twisting canyon walls were extremely dangerous. Powell set off with ten men and four boats and emerged, several weeks later, with six men and two boats.

The prediction made by Lieutenant Ives couldn’t have been more wrong. Today, millions visit the Grand Canyon each year. Many come only for a quick look. But for those who want to explore the canyon, there are plenty of opportunities.

You can explore the canyon by helicopter. Going up and down the canyon sides can be a lot like being on a roller coaster.

You can hike down to the bottom of the canyon. It’s a two-day round trip, and you must bring lots of water. Once there, you can stay at the Phantom Ranch, which has a campsite and dining hall. If you prefer, you can make this trip by mule.

On foot or on muleback, you can also reach the village of the Havasupai, at the west end of the canyon.

Finally, you can go rafting on the Colorado River. Because of the danger, if you want to go alone you’ll need permission from the park superintendent. But you can also go with a group on a weeklong rafting and camping trip. The groups use rafts that are linked together and are too big to tip over. In this way you can enjoy the rapids without risking your life.

26. What can be the best title of the passage?

      a. The Amazing Grand Canyon

      b. Exploring the Grand Canyon

      c. How to Explore a Canyon Without Risking Your Life

      d. Lieutenant Ives’ Prediction

27. According to the author, _____.

      a. Lieutenant Ives was the first to see the Grand Canyon

      b. John Wesley Powell explored the Grand Canyon with six men and two boats

      c. the prediction made by Lieutenant Ives is now proved wrong

      d. the Colorado River will be forever unvisited

28. According to the passage, how can we explore the canyon?

      a. We can explore the canyon by helicopter.

      b. We can explore the canyon by hiking.

      c. We can explore the canyon by rafting.

      d. All are correct

29. In the context of the paragraph 2, “set off” means _____.

      a. to leave on a trip

      b. to cause something to operate

      c. to cause a situation to happen

      d. to arrange for someone to go to a place to do a job

30. Which of the following is true?

a.    On the canyon sides, there are a lot of roller coasters.

b.   People visit the Grand Canyon each year just for a quick look.

c.    You can go rafting on the Colorado River only when you have the park superintendent’s assistance.

d.   We can enjoy the rapids without risking our life by linking our rafts.

Ex4. Read the following passage and choose the item (A, B, C, or D) that best answers each of the questions about it.

Just a few years ago, this place was called Dumptown. The people living here didn’t think much about where waste went when they threw it out. Things that could be reused or recycled were thrown in the trash, because nobody believed recycling made a difference. And, eventually, that became a very big problem. The garbage heap grew and began to smell. Sometimes it caught fire, and making it hard for everyone to breathe. Dumptowners knew they had to fix it. They learned to reduce the amount of waste they threw away. For example, they learned to reuse things like washing out empty jars instead of throwing them away. And, they learned to recycle. They set up bins around town to collect glass, paper, and other things, then made into new products .

1.  The people living in Dumptown________________ .

A.  didn’t think much about where the waste went

B.  threw things that could be reused or recycled into the trash

C.  didn’t believe that recycling could make a difference

D.  all are correct

2.  Which of the following could replace the word 'trash' in line 2?

5. What did they do to solve their problems?

A.  They reduced the amount of waste they threw away.

B.  They learnt to reuse things.

C.  They learnt to recycle.

D.  all are correct

VI. Read the following passage and choose the item (A, B, C or D) that best answers each of the questions about it.

 A hobby can be almost what a person likes to do in his/ her spare time. Hobbyists raise pets, watch birds, or hunt animals. They also climb the mountains, fish, ski, skate, and swim. They also paint pictures, attend concerts and play musical instruments. They collect everything from books to butterflies and from shells to stamps.

People have hobbies because these activities offer enjoyment, friendship, knowledge, and relaxation. Sometimes they can bring financial profit. Hobbies also bring interesting activities for people who have retired. People, rich or poor, old or young, sick or well, can follow a satisfying hobby, regardless of their age, position, or income.

Hobbies can help a person’s mental and physical health. Doctors have found that hobbies are available in helping patients suffering from physical or mental illness. Hobbies give these patients activities to do, and provide interests that prevent them from thinking about themselves.

1. According to the passage, a hobby is what a person likes to do when…………………

2. The underlined word they in the passage refers to……………………

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as an advantage of having hobbies?

4. The word “income” is closest in meaning to………………………..

5. According to doctors, hobbies are helpful to……………………….

I.       Read the following passage and choose the item (a, b, c, or d) that best answers each of the questions about it.

After the Revolutionary War people in America were able to get news of European fashions. Fashion plates (= pictures) and dolls showing the latest fashions were sent to the US, and American women began wearing large hoop skirts. Some people thought that heavy hoops and corsets were bad for the health, and encouraged women to wear looser clothes. Amelia Bloomer designed light frilled trousers, called bloomers, but many people laughed at them. Though bloomers were not popular, there was a fashion for smaller, lighter skirts. American men also followed fashion and began wearing long trousers (or pants) instead of breeches.

26. When did American women begin to wear large hoop skirts?

      a. After the Revolutionary War

      b. After fashions plates and dolls showing the latest fashion

      c. After buying fashion plates and dolls

      d. After some people encouraged women to wear looser clothes

27. What can be the best title of the passage?

      a. The American Clothing After Revolution War

      b. The American Cloths After Revolution War

      c. The Influence of the European Fashions

      d. The History of Bloomers

28. In the context of the passage, the word “encouraged” means _____.

      a. suggested that someone did something

      b. helped someone do something

      c. gave someone hope

      d. helped so that someone continue doing something

29. The word “them” in sentence 5 refers to _____.

      a. hoops and corsets                                                b. bloomers                       

      c. some American people                                       d. American women

30. Which of the following is not true?

      a. Some people persuaded women not to wear heavy hoops and corsets.

      b. Amelia Bloomer was the one who designed frilled trousers.

      c. Americans liked wearing large hoop skirts.

      d. American men used to wear breeches.

I.       Read the following passage and choose the item (a, b, c, or d) that best answers each of the questions about it.

After the Revolutionary War people in America were able to get news of European fashions. Fashion plates (= pictures) and dolls showing the latest fashions were sent to the US, and American women began wearing large hoop skirts. Some people thought that heavy hoops and corsets were bad for the health, and encouraged women to wear looser clothes. Amelia Bloomer designed light frilled trousers, called bloomers, but many people laughed at them. Though bloomers were not popular, there was a fashion for smaller, lighter skirts. American men also followed fashion and began wearing long trousers (or pants) instead of breeches.

26. When did American women begin to wear large hoop skirts?

      a. After the Revolutionary War

      b. After fashions plates and dolls showing the latest fashion

      c. After buying fashion plates and dolls

      d. After some people encouraged women to wear looser clothes

27. What can be the best title of the passage?

      a. The American Clothing After Revolution War

      b. The American Cloths After Revolution War

      c. The Influence of the European Fashions

      d. The History of Bloomers

28. In the context of the passage, the word “encouraged” means _____.

      a. suggested that someone did something

      b. helped someone do something

      c. gave someone hope

      d. helped so that someone continue doing something

29. The word “them” in sentence 5 refers to _____.

      a. hoops and corsets                                                b. bloomers                       

      c. some American people                                       d. American women

30. Which of the following is not true?

      a. Some people persuaded women not to wear heavy hoops and corsets.

      b. Amelia Bloomer was the one who designed frilled trousers.

      c. Americans liked wearing large hoop skirts.

      d. American men used to wear breeches.

I.     Read the following passage and choose the item (A, B, C, or D) that best answers each of the questions about it.

My neighborhood is very convenient - it‟s near the shopping center and the bus station. It is also safe. But those are the only good things about living downtown. It is very noisy - the streets are always full of people! The traffic is terrible, and parking is a big problem! I can never park on my own street. I‟d like to live in the suburbs.

1.   What does the word „convenient‟ in line 1 mean?

A.   close to something                                     B. beautiful

C. far from other places                                  D. noisy

2.   What does the word „it‟ in line 2 refer to?

A.   the author‟s neighborhood                         B. shopping center

C. bus station                                                  D. downtown

3.   It‟s easy to             .

A.   find a place to park      B. live in the suburbs

C. move to another place D. go to the bus station

4.   The author             .

A.   likes to live in the suburbs

B.   thinks that his/ her neighborhood is too quiet

C.   thinks that living in the suburbs is very convenient

D.   feels that his/her neighborhood is not safe

5.   Which of the following is true?

A.   The author‟s neighborhood is inconvenient.

B.   The author doesn‟t want to move to anywhere.

C.   It‟s too difficult for the author to find a place to park his/her car.

D.   Living downtown is better than living in the suburbs.

I.         Read the following passage and choose the item (a, b, c, or d) that best answers each of the questions about it.

According to the census of 1800, the United States of America contained 5,308,483 persons. In the same year the British Islands contained upwards of fifteen million; the French Republic, more than twenty-seven million. Nearly one-fifth of American people were black slaves; the true political population consisted of four and a half million free whites, or less than one million able-bodied males, on whose shoulders fell the burden of a continent. Even after two centuries of struggle the land still untamed; forests covered every portion, except here and there a strip of cultivated soil; the minerals lay undisturbed in their rocky beds, and more than two-thirds of the people clung to the seaboard within fifty miles of tidewater, where alone the wants of civilized life could be supplied.

26. In the United States of America in 1800 _____.

      a. one out of every twenty-five Americans was a black slave

      b. one out of every four Americans was a black slave

      c. two out of every three Americans were black slaves

      d. one out of every five Americans was a black slave

27. What is the true political population in America in 1800?

      a. About four-fifths of the population.                  b. About one-fifth of the population.

      c. 5,308,483.                                                         d. Less than one million

28. Which of the following is not true?

      a. About one-fifth of American people were black slaves in 1800.

      b. Two-thirds of the American people live on the seaboard.

      c. In 1800, the land was still untamed.

      d. In 1800, strips of cultivated land were everywhere.

29. In the context of the paragraph, the word “untamed” means _____.

      a. calm                          b. dangerous                    c. uncultivable                 d. bad

30. How long had the struggle to tame the American continent been going on in 1800?

      a. About two hundred years.                                 b. A little more than a century.

      c. About fifty years.                                              d. Since 1750.