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

      Although no one knows for certain who the original Saint Valentine was, once a year, on February 14, there is a day in his honor. Some historians believe that the original Saint Valentine was a priest who lived in the city of Rome about 300 years after the birth of Christ. The emperor of Rome was not a Christian and refused to allow people to be married in a Christian ceremony. Saint Valentine didn’t obeythe emperor and performed many Christian marriages, in spite of the emperor’s order. When the Romans found out, they sent Saint Valentine to prison and later killed him. While his romantic efforts to help many Christians in love cost him hislife, he was honored in his own days. But his story has been mostly forgotten after people have come to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a special time for sweethearts. On Valentine’s Day people express their affections by sending Valentine cards to friends, families, and boyfriends and girlfriends.

      21.This writing is mostly about                 .

            A. Christian marriages                                        C. why we celebrate Valentine’s Day

            B. different kind of Valentine cards                   D. the history of Rome

      22. Long ago, February 14 was made a special day                     .

              A. to honor Saint Valentine                             C. just for sweethearts

              B. for everyone to go out and express love      D. to honor the Roman emperor

      23. The emperor of Rome             .

                A. was a good Christian and made Valentine a saint         C. established Saint Valentine’s Day in his Honor

                B. refused to allow people to be married in a Christian ceremony            D. didn’t believe in marriages

      24. St. Valentine was killed because he                .

            A. was a Christian priest

            B. was not a follower of Christ

            C. had a secret sweetheart, which was illegal

            D. continued to perform Christian wedding ceremonies against the emperor’s wishes

      25. All the above story of Saint Valentine                       .

            A. really happened long ago                                  C. is just a guess from some historians

            B. is only an invented story                                   D. cannot be believed at all

Dịch

St. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romance and love. This holiday comes from an ancient Roman festival called the Feast of Lupercalia after a Roman called St. Valentine who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14th, and the date was set aside to honor him. St. valentine was named the patron saint of lovers and February 14th became the dated for exchanging love letters or massages and for sending flowers (usually red roses), and chocolate candy to a loved one. St. valentine's Day colors are red and white. School children have classroom parties with Valentine candy and pass out Valentine cards to each other.

1. Đọc và trả lời:

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday which is celebrated on February 14 by many people in the world.

In the English- speaking countries, it is the traditional day on which lovers show their love to each other by sending Valentine's cards, giving flowers, or going out for dinner together. One of the most common presents on thisday is chocolate. The holiday is named after a Chiristian priest- Valentine. The most common symbol os St. Valentine's Day is Cupld- the Rorman saint of love. Cupld is a young boy with bow and arrows. The first St. Valentine's Day was celebrated in England, and then around the world including many countries in Europe, Asla, and South America.

However in some countries such as india, Valentine's Day is not allowed. In India, many lovers are even not allowed to go out together or show their love to each othet in puviic places.

1. What do people send to their lovers in England on Valentine day?

2. What is the most popular present?

3. What is the Roman saint of love?

4. What is the Roman saint of love like?

5. Can lovers in India go out together?

On April Fools' Day, people in many countries play tricks on each other. Usually, the tricks (1) ______ making friends believe something ridiculous. On this day you could, for example, tell a friend there is a huge spider on their shoulder. If they believe you, you have succeeded (2) ______ fooling them, and even if you only trick them for a second, you have (3) ____ right to shout "April Fool!" This day, 1st April, is also known as All Fools’ Day. In some countries, such as Ireland or Cyprus, you can only try to fool someone before twelve noon. If you do play tricks after midday, you will become the fool (4) ______. So it is advisable for you to do that in the morning. (5)______ you do for, all you want is fun rather than do harm to others. And if you don’t want to be foolish, be sensitive! But how did this (6) _____ begin? Some say April Fools’ Day originated in France when that country adopted the new Gregorian calendar. In the previous calendar, New Year was celebrated (7) _____ 25th March until 1st April, not on 1st January, as in the Gregorian calendar. Some people refused to (8) _____ the new calendar, and continued to celebrate the New Year in spring. Other people made fun of them and laughed at them (9) _____ they were old-fashioned and didn't want to change. Now April Fools' Day has become a global tradition, and no one is safe! People play tricks on anyone, not just on (10) ______ who don't want to change with the times.

St.Valentine’s Day is a celebration for romance and love. This holiday comes from an ancient Roman festival called the Feast of Lupercalia after a Roman called St.Valentine who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14th, and the date was set aside to honor him. St.Valentine was named a patron saint of love and February 14th became the date of exchanging love letters or messages and for sending flowers ( usually red rose) and chocolate candy to a loved one. St.Valentine’s Day colors are red and white. School children have classroom party with Valentine candy and pass out Valentine cards to each other.

1. Is St. Valentine’s Day a celebration of romance and love?

……………………………………………

2. Where does this holiday come from?

………………………………………………

3. Whey is St. valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14th?

……………………………………………………

4. What do people do on this day?

……………………………………………………

5. List the two colors of St. valentine’s Day?

……………………………………………………

6. How do school children hold St. Valentine’s Day?

…………………………………………………

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the invention __________ (6) the telephone. There have been court cases, books, and articles generated about the subject. Of course, Alexander Graham Bell is the father of the telephone. After all it was his design that was first __________ (7), however, he was not the first inventor to come up __________ (8) the idea of a telephone.

Antonio Meucci, an Italian immigrant, began developing the design of a talking telegraph or telephone __________ (9) 1849. In 1871, he filed a caveat (an announcement of an invention) for his design of a talking telegraph. Due to hardships, Meucci could not renew his caveat. His role in the invention of the telephone was overlooked until the United States House of Representatives __________ (10) a Resolution on June 11, 2002, honoring Meucci's contributions and work. You can read the resolution (107th Congress, H Res 269) on Congress.gov.

To make matters even more interesting some researchers suggest that Elisha Gray, a professor at Oberlin College, applied for a caveat of the telephone on __________ (11) same day Bell applied for his patent of the telephone- these gentlemen didn’t actually visit the Patent Office, their lawyers did __________ (12) their behalf. In Historical First Patents: The First United States Patent for Many Everyday Things (Scarecrow Press, 1994), Travis Brown, reports that Bell’s lawyer got to the patent office first. The date was February 14, 1876. He was the fifth entry of that day, __________ (13) Gray’s lawyer was 39th. Therefore, the U.S. Patent Office ___________ (14) Bell with the first patent for a telephone, US Patent Number 174,465 rather than honor Gray's caveat. _________, (15) some authors dispute this story and suggest that there was malfeasance by certain individuals at Patent Office, and possibly Bell himself.

Question 14:

A. provided

B. supported

C. objected

D. awarded

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the invention __________ (6) the telephone. There have been court cases, books, and articles generated about the subject. Of course, Alexander Graham Bell is the father of the telephone. After all it was his design that was first __________ (7), however, he was not the first inventor to come up __________ (8) the idea of a telephone.

Antonio Meucci, an Italian immigrant, began developing the design of a talking telegraph or telephone __________ (9) 1849. In 1871, he filed a caveat (an announcement of an invention) for his design of a talking telegraph. Due to hardships, Meucci could not renew his caveat. His role in the invention of the telephone was overlooked until the United States House of Representatives __________ (10) a Resolution on June 11, 2002, honoring Meucci's contributions and work. You can read the resolution (107th Congress, H Res 269) on Congress.gov.

To make matters even more interesting some researchers suggest that Elisha Gray, a professor at Oberlin College, applied for a caveat of the telephone on __________ (11) same day Bell applied for his patent of the telephone- these gentlemen didn’t actually visit the Patent Office, their lawyers did __________ (12) their behalf. In Historical First Patents: The First United States Patent for Many Everyday Things (Scarecrow Press, 1994), Travis Brown, reports that Bell’s lawyer got to the patent office first. The date was February 14, 1876. He was the fifth entry of that day, __________ (13) Gray’s lawyer was 39th. Therefore, the U.S. Patent Office ___________ (14) Bell with the first patent for a telephone, US Patent Number 174,465 rather than honor Gray's caveat. _________, (15) some authors dispute this story and suggest that there was malfeasance by certain individuals at Patent Office, and possibly Bell himself.

Question 14: 

A. provided

B. supported

C. objected

D. awarded

SAINT DAVID’S DAY

Saint David is the patron saint of Wales. St. David was a Christian holy man and teacher. Saint David’s Day is celebrated on the first day of March every year, in remembrance of the anniversary of his death in the year 589. In 2014, Saint David’s Day falls on a Saturday.

Wales is part of the United Kingdom. It is a country with a long and interesting history. Welsh people have their own language (Cymraeg), customs and traditions. Saint David’s Day is an important festival for Welsh people. Saint David’s Day has been an important national day in Wales for many centuries. Leeks and daffodils are Welsh national symbols. On Saint David’s Day, it is traditional for Welsh people to pin a leek or a daffodil to their coasts or jackets. Many girls in Wales dress up in traditional Welsh national costumes on the day. Concerts and parades to celebrate Saint David’s Day are held in Cardiff (the Welsh capital city) and also lots of other towns and cities. The flag of St. David is flown throughout Wales. Many people in Wales go to poetry readings or attend special church services.

31. On which day is Saint David’s Day celebrated?

A. the date changes yearly      B. May 1^st               C. March 1^st                        D. March 3^rd

32.How long has Saint David’s Day been celebrated as an important national day in Wales?

A. for hundreds of years          B. for tens of years  

C. for a hundred year D. for some of years

33. Which city is the capital of Wales?

A. Cardiff            B. Belfast     C. London         D. Edinburgh

34. What are the Welsh national symbols?

A. the daffodil and the thistle            B. the leek and the thistle

C. the leek and the potato      D. the daffodil and the leek

35.How do people celebrate Saint David’s Day in towns and cities?

A. with readings and services B. with fireworks displays and parties

C. with concerts and parades D. with carnivals and fiestas

III. Chọn một đáp án trong số A, B, C hoặc D điền vào mỗi chỗ trống để hoàn thành đoạn văn sau.

        Plants supply man with food clothing, and shelter- his most important needs.

Many of our most useful medicines are also made (36)_________plants. In addition, plants add beauty and pleasure to our lives. Most people enjoy the smell of flowers, the sight field of waving grain, and the quiet of a forest. Not (37)_______plants are helpful to man. Some species grow in fields and gardens  as weeds that choke off useful plants. Tiny hits of pollen from (38)_______plants cause such (39)_________as asthma and hay fever. Other plants destroy millions of dollars (40)_______of crops yearly.

36.    A. of                               B. from                        C. by                           D. with

37.    A. all                              B. every                       C. any              D. some

38.    A. any                            B. certain                     C. most                        D. all

39.    A. accidents                   B. diseases                  C. misfortune  D. disasters

40.    A. worth                        B. value                        C. price                        D. money         

===============================================================

II. Đọc đoạn văn sau và chọn câu trả lời đúng cho các câu hỏi.

           Did you ever wonder why it is so difficult for adults to start to learn English or a foreign language? Every year, millions of grown-ups around the world spend a handsome amount of money to learn English but not many of them succeed in becoming fluent English speakers. This is because it is not easy to pick up a new language after a certain age.
        However, little children learn foreign languages without much difficulty. This is because they have a special ability that helps them learn languages fast. This ability weakens when people grow older. Think of the little time children need to learn their native language.So, if you have the desire to learn English or any other foreign language, you should begin as soon as possible. Remember that the longer you wait, the harder it will become.
31. The best title for the passage would be _____.
A. Built-in Abilities for Language                B. Languages: the Younger the Better
C. Children and Grown-ups                          D.The necessity to learn English
32. The word "grown-ups" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to _____.
A. adults                         B. children               C. teenagers                     D.speakers

33. According to the passage, “a handsome amount of money” means _____.
A. good-looking money                                        B. a big sum of money
C. a new amount of money                                   D. some money
34. Children learn a foreign language fast because _____.
A. they have much time to do it                B. they are smarter than grown-ups
C. they have a special ability                    D. they are stronger than aldults
35. If you wish to learn English, you should ______.
A. become younger                                   B. learn from children
C. begin as soon as possible                     D. think carefully

III. Chọn một đáp án trong số A, B, C hoặc D điền vào mỗi chỗ trống để hoàn thành đoạn văn sau.

    EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION

        In general, there are three major effects of noise pollution. Firstly, long exposure to noise will (36) ______people's eardrum, which may result in a permanent hearing loss. Secondly, excessive noise affect aquatic animals in one way (37) ______ another. For example, noise pollution is (38) ______ a lot of injuries and deaths to whales. Thirdly, health effects of noise (39) ______ anxiety and stress. Some people are stressed and tired because they listen to loud music (40) ______ karaoke bars every day. In short, the consequences can be very worrying.

                                                  (Adapted from: http://eschooltoday.com)

36. A. pollute                B. make                    C. damage                      D. cause

37. A. or                       B. but                        C. so                   D. however

38. A. resulting             B. causing                 C. leading                      D. making

39. A. including            B. to include          C. includes                       D. include

40. A. from                   B. to            C. in                   D. between