VI. Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question.

            Percy Lebaron Spencer (1894-1970) was an American engineer and inventor. Like several great inventors, Dr Percy Spencer made his most famous discovery by accident. He was testing a new piece of radar technology called “ magnetron” in a laboratory in 1946 when the candy bar in his pocket started to cook. This interested him, so he put some corn next to the magnetron and that cook too !

            The next day Dr Spencer and his colleague placed an egg near the magnetron. Dr Spencer’s curious colleague took a step closer to check the egg-just in time for it to explode and cover his face !

            After a short time, the company Dr Spencer worked for was trying to find a more controlled way to use this microwave energy to cook food. In 1947, the first microwave oven became available. It was almost two metres tall and weighed over 350 kilos !

            Finally in 1966 technology became advanced enough to produce microwaves for everyday domestic use. By then they were such smaller and easier to control. Nowadays you can see microwave ovens all over the world. They are here to stay.

1.Dr Spencer discovered that…………………

            A. a new piece was called “magnetron”                     B. a candy bar could cook his pocket.

            C. magnetron could cook food                                   D. invention often happened by accident

2. The first microwave was invented in………….

            A. 1946                       B. 1947                       C. 1966                       D. 1970

3. Which of the following in NOT true, according to the passage?

            A. Dr Percy Spencer was a radar expert.

            B. His colleague had a minor accident in the experiment.

            C. The first microwave was hardly convenient to use.

            D. Microwave ovens are now part of our life.

4. The phrase “ by accident” in the first sentence mostly means……………

            A. on  purpose             B. by the way              C. not controlled         D. not planned

5. What could be the best tittle for the article?

            A. The Uses of Microwave Ovens                 B. The History of Microwave Ovens

            C. The story of Dr Percy Spencer                   D. The inventions of Dr Percy Spencer

Read the passage. Then read each question and choose the correct answer.

A    It seems every day that Elon Musk makes headline news. The inventor, engineer, and entrepreneur is involved with several innovative projects: Tesla electric cars, OpenAI artificial intelligence, Hyperloop high-speed transportation systems, supersonic jet aircraft, and SolarCity. But Musk's most noteworthy project is SpaceX which is dedicated to advancing rocket and spacecraft technology with the aim of establishing a self-sustaining settlement on Mars.

B   Space Exploration Technologies - better known by its nickname SpaceX - was started in 2002 with the long term goal of establishing "a spacefaring civilization." Musk is making a comparison with the seafaring that characterized the Age of Exploration from the late 1400s to the 1700s. During that period, Europeans explored parts of the world that had previously been unknown. The exploration led to settlements, trade, and exchanges between all parts of the world. Recently, Musk said, "The future of humanity is fundamentally going to bifurcate along one of two directions: Either we're going to become a multiplanet species and a spacefaring civilization, or we're going to be stuck on one planet until some eventual extinction event."¹

C  Musk is not exactly sure what might wipe out humans on planet Earth, but some ideas are an asteroid, a super volcano eruption, a virus or even catastrophic global warming. But aside from the threats, he is eager to move into space, not only to explore it but also to establish a human colony on Mars.

D  Around 2002, Musk saw flaws in the existing space program which was based on the space shuttle and expensive rockets that could only be used once. He was determined to design and create reusable rockets that make space exploration much less expensive. By 2015, SpaceX had developed and tested the first rocket booster that was able to land and be used again. NASA, the US national space agency, gave SpaceX contracts to transport crew and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) after they retired the space shuttle.

E  In September 2016, Musk announced his plans to send the first people to Mars by 2025. After that, large numbers of people would become settlers, but they would need to be supplied with everything necessary for life. Musk says, "What really matters is being able to send a large number of people, like tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people, and ultimately millions of tons of cargo."² That's why he thinks reusable rockets are so important.

F   Establishing a colony on Mars has many challenges. First is the need to fuel the spacecraft from the sun's energy outside Earth's atmosphere. There are problems transporting all the supplies needed to sustain life including air, food, and water. Landing a spacecraft on Mars gently would be tricky. Then there are the human problems. Research on astronauts at the ISS has shown that living for a long time in a weightless situation causes bone loss, vision problems, and perhaps psychological changes. Lastly, there's no quick trip back to Earth in emergencies.

G   Experts in space technology have had mixed reactions to Musk's plan. Some see the program as too ambitious or are concerned about the schedule. Others acknowledge the need for space exploration and settlement and admire Musk's vision. Kenny Todd, an operations manager for NASA's Johnson Space Center, put it this way: "You gotta start somewhere. You gotta start with dreaming," Todd said, "And sometime in there, things become actual."³

¹ Source of quote: Elon Musk: A Million Humans Could Live on Mars By the 2060s by Nadia Drake (news.nationalgeographic.com)

^{2, 3} Source of quotes: Mars: Inside the High-Risk, High-Stakes Race to the Red Planet by Joel Achenbach (nationalgeographic.com)

23. What is the best title for the entire reading?

24. Why are Musk's many ideas mentioned in Paragraph A?

25. What is the purpose of the quote in Paragraph B?

26. In the quote in Paragraph B, Musk uses the word bifurcate. What does it mean?

27. According to the passage, what is the main advantage of reusable rockets?

28. Which idea can you infer from Paragraph F?

29. Based on Todd's quote in Paragraph G, which statement would he agree with?

PART 7: Read the passage below carefully and choose the best answer.

Langston Hughes was one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. He was born in Joplin, Missouri, and moved to Cleveland at the age of 14. Several years later he spent one year in Mexico before attending Columbia University in New York. For a few years after that, he roamed the world as a seaman, visiting ports around the world and writing some poetry. He returned to the United States and attended Lincoln University, where he won the Witter Bynner Prize for undergraduate poetry. After graduating in 1928, he traveled to Spain and to Russia with the help of a Guggenheim fellowship. His novels include Not without Laughter (1930) and The Big Sea (1940). He wrote an autobiography in 1956 and also published several collections of poetry. The collections include The Weary Blues (1926), The Dream Keeper (1932), Shakespeare in Harlem (1942), Fields of Wonder (1947), One Way Ticket (1947), and Selected Poems (1959) A man of many talents, Hughes was also a lyricist, librettist, and a journalist. As an older man in the 1960s, he spent much of his time collecting poems from Africa and from African-Americans to popularize black writers. Hughes is one of the most accomplished writers in American literary history, and he is seen as one of the artistic leaders of the Harlem Renaissance, the period when a neighborhood that was predominantly black produced a flood of great literature, music, and other art forms depicting daily city life for African-Americans.

1. What is the main topic of this passage?

3.       As used in the passage, which of the following words could best replace the word "ports"?

A.  Islands     B. Ships         C. Friends.     D. Harbors

4.       To which of the following movements might Shakespeare in Harlem refer?

A.  The Civil War    B. The Harlem Riots

                   C. The Harlem Renaissance            D. The Civil Rights Movement

5.       What provided Hughes with assistance for his travel to Spain and Russia?

A.  His job as a reporter     B. His career as a soldier

                  C. A literary fellowship                               D. A college study program

6.       The word "talents" in the passage could be replaced by which of the following?

A.  Desires    B. Abilities    C. Strategies  D. Careers

7.       According to the author, what did Hughes do during the later years of his life? A. Write short stories    B. Popularize African-American writers

                   C. Advocate racial equality         .               D. Write about life in Harlem

8.       Which of the following could best replace the word "accomplished" as used in the passage?

A.  Successful          B. Prolific      C. Brilliant    D. Imaginative

9.       Which of the following can best substitute for the word "depicting" in the passage?

A.  Congratulating   Blessing         C. Screening  D. Portraying

10.  According to the passage, Langston Hughes was all of the following EXCEPT:

A.  A novelist           B. A poet       C. A historian           D. A journalism.

II. Read the following passage and then choose the best answer by writing the letter A, B, C or D on the answer sheet.

Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish inventor and philanthropist, bequeathed most of his vast fortune in trust as a fund from which annual prizes could be awarded to individuals and organizations who had achieved the greatest benefit to humanity in a particular year. Originally, there were six classifications for outstanding contributions designated in Nobel’s will, including chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine, literature and international peace.

The prizes are administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm. In 1969, a prize for economics endowed by the Central Bank of Sweden was added. Candidates for the prizes must be nominated in writing a qualified authority in the filed of competition. Recipients in physics, chemistry, and economics are selected by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; and physiology or medicine by the Caroline Institute; in literature by the Swedish Academy; and in peace by the Norwegian Nobel Committee appointed by Norway’s parliament. The prizes are usually in Stockholm on December 10, with the King of Sweden officiating, an appropriate tribute Alfred Nobel on the anniversary of his death. Each one includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award of about one million dollars.

1: What does this passage mainly discuss?  

A. The Nobel prizes  B. Alfred Bernhard Nobel

C. Swedish philanthropy  D. Great contributions to mankind  

2: Why were the prizes named for Alfred Bernhard Nobel?  

A. He won the first Nobel prize for his work in philanthropy 

B. He is now living in Sweden

C. He left money in his will to establish a fund for the prizes

D. He serves as chairman of the committee to choose the recipients

3: How often are the Nobel prizes awarded?

A. Five times a year B. Once every two years 

        C. Once a year                                    D. Twice a year

4:  The word “outstanding” in line 3 most closely means _______.  

A. recent B. exceptional C. unusual D. established  

5: The word “will” in line 4 could best be replaced by _____.

A. Nobel’s wishes B. a legal document

        C. a future intention D. a free choice  

6: A Nobel prize would NOT be given to _______.  

A. an author who wrote a novel                     B. a doctor who discovered a vaccine

C. a diplomat who negotiated a peace            D. a composer who wrote a symphony

7:  The word “one” in paragraph 2 refers to _____. 

A. tribute B. anniversary   C. candidate D. prize  

8:  The word “appropriate” in the passage most closely means _______.  

        A. prestigious B. suitable                   C. customary D. transitory 

9:  Which individual or organization serves as administrator for the trust?  

A. The King of Sweden  

B. The Nobel Foundation  

C. The Central Bank of Sweden

        D. Swedish and Norwegian academies and institutes  

10:  Why are the awards presented on December 10?  

            A. It is a tribute to the King of Sweden.                    

       B. Alfred Bernhard Nobel died on that day.  

       C. That date was established in  Alfred Nobel’s will.

       D. The Central Bank of Sweden administers the trust

III. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer. (5points).

Who are the best drivers? Which drivers are the safest on the roads? According to a recent survey, young and inexperienced drivers are the most likely to have an accident. Older drivers are more careful. Young men have the worst accident records of all. They often choose faster cars with bigger engines. One of the most interesting facts in the survey is that passengers have an effect on the driver. When young male drivers have their friends in the car, their driving become worse. When their wife or girlfriend is in the car, however, their driving is better. But opposite is true for women. Their driving is more dangerous when their husband or boyfriend is in the car.

1. According to the survey, who are the most likely to have an accident ?

A. Young and experienced drivers.             B. Old and inexperienced  rivers.

C. Young and old drivers.                            D. Young and inexperienced drivers.

2. Young men often choose .....................

A. expensive cars.                                        B. fast cars with big engines.

C. slow cars with big engines.                     D. fast car with small engines.

3. Who have an effect on the driver ?

A. passengers            B. policemen             C. children                 D. journalists.

4. When young male drivers have the wife or girlfriends in the car, their driving becomes ....................

A. worse                     B. better                     C. slower                    D. faster

5. When their husband or boyfriend is in the car, women’s driving is…..

A. more careful         B. better                     C. more dangerous   D. faster

II. Read the following passage then choose the best answer to fill in the blank.(10 points)

      Chu Van An was born in 1292 and died in 1370. From his childhood, he was (1)_________  for his intelligence. He did not have the dream of (2) _________ part in exams to become mandarins (3) _________  other students. Chu Van An stayed at (4)  _________ and taught himself by reading books, and opened schools. His school quickly became famous in the region and many students from other places went there to (5) _________.

      Emperor Tran Minh Tong (6) _________ Chu Van An to be the principal of the Imperial Academy to teach his crown prince and other students to become (7)         _________ people for the country. In 1359, Emperor Tran Minh Tong gave his crown (8) _________  his son, Tran Hien Tong, who was also a student of Chu Van An. Under the regime of Emperor Tran Hien Tong, the court and the country were peaceful. (9)_________, this period lasted only for 12 years. Then Emperor Tran Hien Tong died, and Tran Du Tong inherited the crown. The social situation became complicated, the people were very poor and many good people were killed.

      Chu Van An bravely submitted a petition which requested the Emperor to behead 7 perfidious mandarins, so it was (10) _________  “Seven Beheaded Petition” (That Tram So). “Seven Beheaded Petition” became the symbol of the courageous attitude of the real intellectuals, and of Chu Van An’s spirit.

      1.   A. like                        B. famous                  C. Such as                  D. Similar

      2.   A. approximately     B. expressively         C. taking                    D. progressively

      3.   A. like                        B. pioneering            C. pioneering            D. pioneers

      4.   A. custom                  B. waiter                    C. service                   D. home

      5.   A. tourists                  B. study                      C. pilot                       D. guess

      6.   A. invited                   B. orbition                 C. orbital                    D. orbiting

      7.   A. constructed          B. designed                C. talented                 D. painted

      8.   A. equipment            B. to                            C. equivalent             D. furniture

      9.   A. invitation              B. ticket                     C. space                     D. However

      10. A. called                    B. departures             C. islands                   D. destinations

I.                Read the passage and choose the best answer.       I                                       Gareth Ellis

Gareth Ellis, 13, is the younger son of Alan, an engineer, and Kath, a nursery teacher. His older brothers work in banking and computers, but Gareth’s dream was always to become a clown. Three years ago, Alan, Kath and Gareth joined the circus. ‘People laugh when we tell them,’ says Kath. ‘But it’s true. Gareth has wanted to be a clown since we took him to the circus when he was three.’

When Alan lost his job, he and Kath decided to see if they could find full-time circus jobs. They both got jobs with a famous circus and Gareth began training to become a clown. He calls himself Bippo. They travel with the circus during the summer and return home for the winter. Gareth’s brothers are old enough to look after the house while they are away.

‘I can’t say it was easy,’ says Kath. ‘There was a lot to think about and organize. We only had a car and a very small caravan to sleep in, and we were leaving behind our lovely house. The only thing Gareth missed was his long, hot baths.’

‘People ask about my education,’ says Gareth, ‘but from the beginning, wherever we go, someone has always come to teach me. I follow the same books as everyone back at school and I’ve got a computer. I’ve never fallen behind my classmates.’

And the future? ‘It was a difficult decision,’ says Kath, ‘but there was no other way to teach Gareth about being a clown. I’m happy to say it’s working, and we’re enjoying it.’ And Gareth? ‘I’m going to be the main clown in a circus one day,’ he says,’ perhaps Bippo’s circus.’

1.     What is the writer trying to do in the text?

      A. describe how one family changed their lives                      B. gives details about how to join the circus

      C. talk about the best way to educate a child                                    D. advise what to do when you lose your job

2.     What would a reader learn about Gareth from the text?

      A. He does not enjoy schoolwork.                                        B. He has a definite aim in life.

      C. He would like to be at home with his brothers.                  D. He wants to be the same as other boys.

3.     Alan and Kath joined the circus because ______.

      A. they want to spend time traveling in the summer               B. they needed money in order to buy a bigger car

      C. their older sons needed their house for themselves           D. their youngest son wanted to train as a performer

4.     When they first joined the circus, Kath ______.

      A. wanted to go back home                                                 B. did not have enough to do

      C. found things difficult                                                        D. was not able to sleep properly

5.     Which postcard did Gareth write just after he joined the circus?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, II, C or I) on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 31 to 35.

THANKS A MILLION

   Percy Ross was bom in 1916 in Michigan. His parents has come to the USA from Latvia and Russia and the family were poor. But Percy soon showed a talent (31)_________ business and made a (32)_______in the fur trade and auction business. Then disaster struck and he lost all his money. But he soon made a fortune again - this time by manufacturing plastic bags. In 1969, he sold his plastic bag company for millions of dollars.

   Ross started giving away in 1977: he gave $50,000 to 50 Vietnamese refugees so that they could make a new home in the USA. (33) ________ he held a Christmas party tor 1,050 poor children in the American town of Minneapolis. Ross bought a bike for every one of the 1,050 children at the party.

   After these first experiences of giving money away, Ross decided to do it on a (34)________basis. He started a newspaper column called “Thanks a Million”, and later a radio show, in order to (35)_________his money. It took years, but Ross finally succeeded in giving away his entire fortune.

Điền vào ô số 32

A. fortune  

B. money    

C. budget    

D. earnings 

* Read the following passage and mark the letter A, II, C or I) on your answer sheet to

indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 31 to 35.

THANKS A MILLION

  Percy Ross was bom in 1916 in Michigan. His parents has come to the USA from Latvia and Russia and the family were poor. But Percy soon showed a talent (31)_________ business and made a (32)_______in the fur trade and auction business. Then disaster struck and he lost all his money. But he soon made a fortune again - this time by manufacturing plastic bags. In 1969, he sold his plastic bag company for millions of dollars.

  Ross started giving away in 1977: he gave $50,000 to 50 Vietnamese refugees so that they could make a new home in the USA. (33) ________ he held a Christmas party tor 1,050 poor children in the American town of Minneapolis. Ross bought a bike for every one of the 1,050 children at the party.

  After these first experiences of giving money away, Ross decided to do it on a (34)________basis. He started a newspaper column called “Thanks a Million”, and later a radio show, in order to (35)_________his money. It took years, but Ross finally succeeded in giving away his entire fortune.

(Source: Solutions - Intermediate)

 Điền vào số 34

A. frequent

B. usual

C. occasional

D.regular