X. Read the passage below and then choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

SPRING FESTIVAL

From (1) ______ times people have celebrated the end of winter and the new life that spring brings. One of the most important Christian festivals is Easter, (2) ______ Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter, however, is not the (3) ______ spring festival. In Sweden, people celebrate the end of the winter by making (4) ______ bonfires. Fire also plays an important part in the Hindu festival of Holi. In some villages children are (5) ______ round bonfires by their mothers to protect them (6) ______ danger in the coming year. Buddhists in Thailand soak (7) ______ in water when celebrating their New Year, which (8) ______ in the middle of April. In Antigua in Guatemala they carpet the streets with flowers. Chinese spring parades are (9) ______ colourful, but (10) ______ flowers they have large dragon puppets which dance in the streets. 

1. A. earliest B. latest C. previous D. old

2. A. which B. when C. because D. by then

3. A. single B. one C. only D. lonely

4. A. giant B. tremendous C. extreme D. huge

5. A. gone B. carried C. brought D. run

6. A. in B. out of C. against D. from

7. A. through B. one other C. each other D. mutually

8. A. falls B. appears C. happens D. occurs

9. A. the same B. as C. not less D. equally

10. A. instead of B. on behalf of C. in spite of D. place of

Read the passage, then choose the best answer A, B or C to fill in the gaps

Community service (1)_____ very important in social life. As you know, our social life (2)_____ both the rich and the poor people. So it is necessary for us to take part (3)_____ volunteer activities to help poor people and elderly people. We can help them in various ways. Firstly, it is easy for us (4)_____ old clothes which we don’t need. Besides, we can join volunteer activities to raise funds for the poor and the homeless in our country. Finally, we can spend time (5)_____with older people, sharing with poor children. Through these activities, we can develop our leadership skill by organizing fundraising, providing food as well.1. A.has                                 B.is                             C. are

2. A.has                                 B.is                             C. are

3. A. at                                    B.on                            C. in

4. A. to collect                       B.collect                     C. collecting

5. A. to talk                            B. talk             C. talking

VIII. Read the passage below and then circle the correct answer A, B, C or D.(10 p) For many people, traveling by plane is an exciting experience. Others, however, find the whole idea quite terrifying, (1)…………. flying is no more dangerous (2)…………… any other form of travel and some experts say it is considerably safer. It is known, however, that most accident occurs (3)………….. taking off and landing when (4)………… decisions are vitally important. The people (5)………… job it is to look (6)……….. the passengers, the stewards and stewardesses play an important part in helping passengers to (7)………….. safe and comfortable. Indeed for many passengers being (8)………… such care of is all part of the total experience. (9)………… other form of travel involves waiting for people in quite the same (10)………. with food, drink, newspapers, magazines, music, and even video films. 1. A. although B. too C. and D. because 2. A. than B. as C. then D. with 3. A. while B. during C. for D. through 4. A. leader’s B. chief’s C. driver’s D. pilot’s 5. A. whose B. which C. their D. that 6. A. for B. up C. after D. round 7. A. feel B. rest C. experience D. lie 8. A. given B. kept C. shown D. taken 9. A. Any B. No C. All D. Not 10. A. sort B. kind C. way D. part

EX: Read the passage, and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D for each question.

     For many of us, food isn't that important. However, for a few people, food is very improtant. For these people, meals are a kind of art.

     These people are interested in something called "haute cuisine" . Haute cuisine is French for "high cooking" . You can usually find haute cuisine in fancy French hotels anh high level restaurants.

     Haute cuisine has changed over the years, but the most important parst have remained the same. Haute cuisine meals are almost always very complicated, and they take a very long time to make. Usually, an haute cuisine meal has very many small dishes, instead of a few large ones. Also, with haute cuisine dishes, the appearance is very important. Of course, an haute cuisine dish must taste wonderful, but that is not enough. An haute cuisine dish must also look beautiful. Another very important part of haute cuisine is wine. Chefs and customers always try to select a wine that is a perfect match for their meal. The wine that people drink with haute cuisine is often very rare. You will not be surprised to hear that haute cuisine dishes are almost always very expensive.

     Haute cuisine is traditionally French, but other countries have similar concepts of food. People often compare Japanese kaiseki to haute cuisine. Kaiseki is another very complicated, very high level kind of food. In Japan, kaiseki is also considered a kind of art. When Japanese chefs prepare kaiseki, they don't just consider the taste of the food. They also consider the food's texture, colour, and appearance. Chefs even match the colour of the food to the colour of the plate and the chopsticks. Of course, although haute cuisine and kaiseki share many similarities, the food itself is quite different.

     If you ever get the chance to try kaiseki or haute cuisine , remember one thing: You are not just having a meal, you are enjoying a very special kind of art.

1. What can we say about the wines that people drink with haute cuisine?

A. Theyall come from France.

B. They are all quite common.

C. They are always red wine.

D. They are usually rare.

2. What is true about the dishes in haute cuisine?

A. Haute cuisine usually has many small dishes.

B. Haute cuisine usually has just a few large dishes.

C. Haute cuisine usually has many large dishes.

D. Haute cuisine usually has just a few small dishes.

3. What does the fifth sentence of the third paragraph mean?

A. Haute cuisine has to taste good, but is has to be good in other ways, too

B. Haute cuisine only has to taste good.

C. Haute cuisine has to look good, but it doesn't have to taste good.

D. Every haute cuisine dish tastes the same.

4. What does the passage NOT say about haute cuisine?

A. It is very expensive.

B. It takes a short time to make.

C. It is very complicated.

D. It is usually served in fancy hotels and high level restaurants.

5. What does the passage say about kaiseki and haute cuisine?

A. The food is the same in both.

B. People never care about them.

C. People often compare them.

D. Haute cuisine is older than kaiseki.

Exercise 2: Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions. Vietnamese food culture varies by regions from the north to the south. In Northern Vietnam, food is characterized by light and balanced. Northern Vietnam is seen to be the cradle of Vietnamese cuisine with many notable dishes like Pho, Bun Rieu, Bun Thang, Bun Cha, Banh Cuon, etc. Then, food culture in Northern Vietnam became popular in Central and Southern Vietnam with suitable flavors in each region. The regional cuisine of Central Vietnam is famous for its spicy food. Hue cuisine is typical Central Vietnam‟s food culture. Food in the region is often used with chili peppers and shrimp sauces, namely, Bun Bo Hue, Banh Khoai, Banh Beo, etc. In Southern Vietnam, the warm weather and fertile soil create an ideal condition for planting a variety of fruit, vegetables and livestock. Thus, food in the region is often added with garlic, shallots and fresh herbs. Particularly, Southerners are favored of sugar; they add sugar in almost dishes. Some signature dishes from Southern Vietnam include Banh Khot and Bun Mam. 1. It is considered that Vietnamese cuisine __________. A. originated from the North B. became more and more popular C. always combines taste and colour D. can be found only in Northern Vietnam 2. What are the features of Northern Vietnamese food? A. It‟s delicious and healthy. B. It‟s sweet and sour. C. It‟s light and balanced. D. It‟s a bit fatty and salty. 3. Hue cuisine is notable for its __________. A. colorful food B. spicy taste C. bitter taste D. light flavor 4. In Southern Vietnam, __________. A. the warm weather makes it hard to plant fruit and vegetables B. fresh herbs are always used in cooking C. people love sweet food D. sugar is often added to dishes 5. Which of the followings is NOT true? A. Food in Vietnam changes region to region. B. Southerners do not like northern food due to its light flavor. C. Chill peppers and shrimp sauces are among the frequently used ingredients. D. Bun Bo Hue is a typical dish of the Central Vietnam cuisine.

II. Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions that follow.

    Write your answer (A, B, C, or D) in the space given on the right. (5 pts)

Choosing the right career is very important. Most of us spend a great part of our lives at our jobs. For that reason, we should try to find out what our talents are and how we can use them. We can do this through aptitude tests, interviews with specialists and study of books in our field of interest. There are many careers open to catch of us. Perhaps we like science, then we might prepare ourselves to be chemists, physicists or biologists. Maybe our interests take us into the business world and  such work as accounting, personnel management or public relations. Many people find their place in government service, teaching, newspaper work, medicine, engineering. These and many other fields offer fascinating careers to persons with talent and training.

1.       It is important to find the right career because _____                                                                                          

A. It’s very easy to lose the job.                B. Most of us  spend a great part of our lives at our jobs.

C. We need money.                                  D. It’s difficult to find a job.

2.       We can find the right career by _____                                                  

A. asking for some useful advice.             B. finding out what our talents are and how we can use them.

C. travelling wherever we can.                 D. learning some foreign languages.

3.       We can find out what our talents are and how we use through _____

A. interviews with specialists.                   B. all are correct.

C. aptitude tests.                                      D. study of books in our field of interest.

4.       Careers found in the scientific world are _____                                                  

A. Biologists, chemists, physicists.           B. Physicists, biologists, accountants.

C. Businessmen, teachers, doctors.         D. Chemists, mathematicians, c.

5.       The theme of the passage is _____                                                  

A. Jobs in the society nowadays.              B. good jobs.

C. unemployment.                                    D. How  to find a right job nowadays.

Part IV. Read the passage below, then choose the correct answer A, B, C or D to each of the following questions (7 points)

   Basketball

     Although he created the game of basketball at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, Dr James A. Naismith was a Canadian. Working as a physical education instructor at the International YMCA, now Springfield college, Dr Naismith noticed a lack of interest in exercise among students during the wintertime. The New England winters were fierce, and the students balked at participating in outdoor activities. Naismith determined that a fast-moving game that could be played indoors would fill a void after the baseball and football seasons had ended.

     First he attempted to adapt outdoor games such as soccer and rugby to indoor play, but he soon found them unsuitable for confined areas. Finally, he determined that he would have to invent a game.

     In December of 1891, Dr Naismith hung two old peach baskets at either end of the gymnasium at the school, and using a soccer ball and all nine players on each side, organised the first basketball game. The early rules allowed three points for each basket and made running with the ball a violation. Every time a goal was made, someone had to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball.

      Nevertheless, the game became popular. In less than a year, basketball was being played in both the United States and Canada. Five years later, a championship tournament was staged in New York City, which was won by the Brooklyn Central YMCA.

      The teams had already been reduced to seven players, and five became standard in the 1897 season. When basketball was introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, it quickly spread throughout the world. In 1906, a metal hoop was used for the first time to replace the basket, but the name basketball has remained.

1. What does this passage mainly discuss?

    A. The Olympic Games in St. Louis in 1904                      B. The development of basketball

    C. The YMCA athletic program                                         D. Dr. James Naismith

2. When was the first demonstration game of basketball held during the Olympics?

    A. 1891                           B. 1892                            C. 1897                            D. 1904

3. The word “fierce” is closest in meaning to ____.

    A. long                            B. boring                          C. extreme                       D. dark

4. The word “them” refers to ____.

    A. indoors                       B. seasons                        C. games                          D. areas

5. What does the author mean by the statement “When basketball was introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, it quickly spread throughout the world”?

    A. Basketball was not considered an Olympic sport at the St. Louis games.

    B. Basketball became popular worldwide after its introduction at the Olympic Games in St. Louis.

    C. Basketball players from many countries competed in the Olympic Games in St. Louis.

    D. Basketball was one of the most popular sports at the Olympic Games in St. Louis.

6. Why did Naismith decide to invent basketball?

    A. He did not like soccer or rugby.                        

    B. He was tired of baseball and football.

    C. He wanted his students to exercise during the winter                                .

    D. He couldn’t convince his students to play indoors.

7. The author mentions all of the following as typical of the early game of basketball except

    A. Three points were scored for every basket.       

    B. Running with the ball was not a foul.

    C. Nine players were on a team.                            

    D. The ball had to be retrieved from the basket after each score.

Read the passage below and choose the best option A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions

Passage 1:

New Orleans, in Louisiana, is known as the most unique city in the United States with distinctive architecture, cross-cultural heritage and annual music festivals.

However, due to its location along the Mississippi River with lakes on the other side, and nearly half of the city below sea level, the city faces the danger of flooding. So, a levee system and drainage canals were built to protect the city.

Early in the morning of August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive natural disaster in the history of New Orleans, struck the city. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rains for several days. As a result, water from the river and lakes rose, breaking the levees and poured directly into the city. Soon 80 percent of the city was under the water. People scrambled to rooftops for safety, desperate for food and drinking water. The winds were so strong that even beds in Hyatt Hotel were seen flying out of the hotel windows. The loss was tremendous. Most of the major roads and bridges were destroyed, and houses collapsed. Nearly 2,000 people were killed. After the storm, several natural grounds for the breeding and migrating of different species of animals and birds were permanently lost.

Question 1: New Orleans is famous for ___________.

A.  its modern architecture                     C. its Mississippi River

B. its cross-cultural heritage                    D. its location

Question 2: Which statement is NOT correct about New Orleans?

A. It lies between the Mississippi River and lakes.

B. One of its attractions is its annual music festivals

C. The city is surrounded by water.

D. Most of the city is below sea level.

Question 3: Which one is NOT mentioned as being damaged by Hurricane Katrina?

A. Distinctive architecture         B. The levee system      C. Major roads        D. Houses

Question 4: The word ‘tremendous' means ___________.

A.puzzling                       B. huge                 C. unique                   D. legendary

Question 5: The word ‘permanently' is similar to ___________.

A.  temporarily            B.  partially                  C.  forever         D.  rarely

Passage 2:

        How can scientists predict earthquakes? Earthquakes are not scattered anywhere but happen in certain areas. They happen in places where pieces of the earth’s surface meet. For example, earthquakes often occur on the west-coast of North and South America, around the Mediterranean Sea, and along the Pacific coast of Asia.

Another way to predict earthquakes is to look for changes in the earth’s surface, like a sudden drop of water level in the ground. Some people say animals can predict earthquakes. Before earthquakes people have seen chickens sitting in trees, fish jumping out of the water, snake leaving their holes and other animals acting strangely.

After an earthquake happens, people can die from lack of food, water and medical supplies. The amount of destruction caused by an earthquake depend on types of building, soil conditions and population. Of the 6000 earthquakes on the earth each year, only about fifteen cause great damage and many deaths.

Question 1:  Earthquakes happen in certain areas where _______________.

A. the population is large             B. pieces of the earth’s surface meet

C. the soil conditions are stable      D. many buildings are built

Question 2: Earthquakes often happen along ________________.

A. the east-coast of North America          B. the east-coast of South America

C. the Pacific coast of Asia             D. the coast of Australia

Question 3: Looking for ____________ can help predict earthquakes.

A. changes in the earth’s surface        B. water beneath the earth’s surface

C. drops of water                     D. water currents

Question 4: After an earthquake, as a result of _________ people may die.

A. lack of food                              B. lack of friendship

C. lack of information              D. lack of knowledge

Question 5: The passage mainly discusses ______________.

A. the damage caused by earthquakes B. how strong earthquakes are

C. strange animal behaviors                         D. how to predict earthquakes