Part 3: Read the passage below and choose the best answer for each question. (0,5pt)

These days we hear a lot of nonsense about the ‘great classless society’. The idea that the twentieth century is the age of the common man has become one of the great clichés of our time. The same old arguments are put forward in evidence. Here are some of them: monarchy as a system of government has been completely discredited. The monarchies that survive have been deprived of all political power. Inherited wealth has been savagely reduced by taxation and, in time, the great fortunes will disappear altogether. In a number of countries the victory has been complete. The people rule; the great millennium has become a political reality. But has it? Close examination doesn’t bear out the claim.

It is a fallacy to suppose that all men are equal and that society will be leveled out if you provide everybody with the same educational opportunities. (It is debatable whether you can ever provide everyone with the same educational opportunities, but that is another question.) The fact is that nature dispenses brains and ability with a total disregard for the principle of equality. The old rules of the jungle, ‘survival of the fittest’, and ‘might is right’ are still with us. The spread of education has destroyed the old class system and created a new one. Rewards are based on merit. For ‘aristocracy’ read ‘meritocracy’; in other respects, society remains unaltered: the class system is rigidly maintained.

Genuine ability, animal cunning, skill, the knack of seizing opportunities, all bring material rewards. And what is the first thing people do when they become rich? They use their wealth to secure the best possible opportunities for their children, to give them ‘a good start in life’. For all the lip service we pay to the idea of equality, we do not consider this wrong in the western world. Private schools which offer unfair advantages over state schools are not banned because one of the principles in a democracy is that people should be free to choose how they will educate their children. In this way, the new meritocracy can perpetuate itself to a certain extent: an able child from a wealthy home can succeed far more rapidly than his poorer counterpart. Wealth is also used indiscriminately to further political ends. It would be almost impossible to become the leader of a democracy without massive financial backing. Money is as powerful a weapon as ever it was.

In societies wholly dedicated to the principle of social equality, privileged private education is forbidden. But even here people are rewarded according to their abilities. In fact, so great is the need for skilled workers that the least able may be neglected. Bright children are carefully and expensively trained to become future rulers. In the end, all political ideologies boil down to the same thing: class divisions persist whether you are ruled by a feudal king or an educated peasant.

(Source: http://ebooks.grsu.by/ot_slov_k_rechi/6-3-a-fair-society.htm)

1. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. Equality of opportunity in the twentieth century has not destroyed the class system.

B. Equality means money.

C. There is no such society as classless society.

D. Nature can’t give you a classless society.

2. According to the author, the same educational opportunities can’t get rid of inequality because _______.

A. The principle ‘survival of the fittest’ exists.

B. Nature ignores equality in dispensing brains and ability.

C. Material rewards are for genuine ability.

D. People have the freedom how to educate their children.

3. Who can obtain more rapid success?

A. Those with wealth. B. Those with the best brains.

C. Those with the best opportunities. D. Those who have the ability to catch at opportunities.

4. Why does the author say the new meritocracy can perpetuate itself to a certain extent? Because _______.

A. Money decides everything.

B. Private schools offer advantages over state schools.

C. People are free to choose the way of educating their children.

D. Wealth is used for political ends.

5. According to the author, ‘class divisions’ refers to ___________.

A. The rich and the poor. B. Different opportunities for people.

C. Oppressor and the oppressed. D. Genius and stupidity.

Part 6: Read the text about dreams. Then decide whether the sentences 1 to 7 are Right or Wrong. If there is not enough information in the text tick the column “doesn’t say”. Tick (ü) the ones that you choose. (0,7pt)

What’s in a dream?

Sometimes, after you wake up, you can’t stop thinking about a dream you had. But most of the time you forget your dreams very quickly or feel like you haven’t had any dreams. But you have. Most 15-year-olds have spent 15 months of their lives dreaming. But they only remember a few of their dreams.

Experts aren’t sure why we dream. But a lot of people think dreams show how we feel about things in our lives. All teens have to deal with similar things, like exam stress and hormones. So they often have similar dreams. For example they are flying over mountains and trees and feel very happy. This means that they are in control of their life and feel powerful. But if they find it difficult to fly, they feel powerless in real life and if there are things that get in their way, like trees or aeroplanes, there could be something that won’t let them do what they want.

III. WRITING: (2,0pts)

Part 1: Read the first sentence, and then complete the second setence with the same meaning. (1,0pt)

1. Doing regular exercise often helps improve your attitude to life. (DO)

® Many ________________________________________________________________________ on life.

2. I suppose she finally gave way to demands for an interview with the tabloid press. (CONSENTED)

® I dare ______________________________________________________________ by the tabloid press.

3. Due to his repentance of the sins, as it were, he will not be executed. (OWING)

® His immunity _____________________________________________________________ over the sins.

4. He needs to obtain the tuition exemption; otherwise he will be forced to leave. (GOES)

® Unless exempted __________________________________________________________________ ear.

5. Although the office received a flood of complaints, it managed to achieve positive outcomes. (BROUGHT)

® The office, deluged ____________________________________________________________ unturned.

6. They designed the stadium to make hooliganism impossible. (SUCH)

® The stadium ____________________________________________________________ out hooliganism.

7. The new manager needs more time to finish his incomplete work, so he assigns the team to recruit more staff before they take over KFC. (HELM)

® Pending _________________________________________________________________ on his backlogs.

8. We resorted to supporting for clearing the man’s name since the public so strongly protested against the judge’s statement. (CLAMOURED)

® We might _________________________________________________________ at the judge’s statement.

9. If he only continued to play the main role when the proposal was drafted. (INSTRUMENTAL)

® Long ____________________________________________________________________ of the proposal.

10. The novel may be outstanding, but I have read a better one of this genre as yet. (EXCEPTION)

® By ________________________________________________________________________ of this genre

Part 1: CIRCLE the word/phrase (A, B, C or D) that best completes each of the sentences. (2,0pts)

1. I’ll give you the phone number of my hotel, so that you can reach me if anything happens. ______ anything happen, I want you to look after my children.

2. I suppose you’re not serious, ______?

3. Nguyen Thi Anh Vien is a 19-year-old Vietnamese woman who is the fastest swimmer in Southeast Asia in ______ races.

4. _____ are still ending up in prison – over 700 in 1972 – merely for using cannabis.

5. A strong westerly ______ flattened the standing corn though it brought no rain.

6. After going to the zoo, the mall, and the movies, Cassie was sick of _______ to entertain her nieces.

7. Choose the word or phrase that is CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined part.

At that time Herschel was a professional musician and only an amateur astronomer, one who had a knack for building telescopes.

8. If it wasn’t an accident, he ______ it on purpose.

9. They played a great game and brought our local basketball teams to their ______.

10. Every large city has its shifting population of vagrants. But in most cases these are men, usually with an unhealthy appetite ______ alcohol.

11. Teachers like students to be _____ and listen to what they are saying.

12. Helen: “This is your first trip abroad, isn’t it?” – Peter: “______.”

13. Senior officials from ASEAN and other Pacific, _____ countries met in Canberra, Australia, in November 1989 to inaugurate APEC.

14. Choose the word or phrase that is CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined part.

The study also notes a steady decline in the number of college students taking science courses.

15. ______ is medical technology that allows the prolongation of life artificially while the world is already over-populated?

16. Honour still ______, they got back into their lorries and were off again, this time trying to edge each other into a deep ravine that fell away at one side of the road.

17. I have lived near the railway for so long now that I’ve grown _____ to the noise of the trains.

18. We are short of clean safe drinking water, which is found to be the ______ in many third world countries.

19. It is said that many children of high intelligence do not allow themselves to be “discovered” – for fear of becoming an _____.

20. Until the current warming trend exceeds the range of normal climatic fluctuations, there will be, among scientists, considerable ______ the possibility that increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 can cause long-term warming effects.

Part 2: Use the word given in brackets to form a word that fits in the space. The first one has been done as an example. (0,5pt)

Ex: Windfarms are hailed as powedul weapons in the battle against __global__ warming; it is considered by many to be politically incorrect to criticise them. (GLOBE)

1. They are clean, green and therefore ____________________ and viewed as such throughout the world. (VIRTUE)

2. One turbine standing alone in a windswept setting could be described as beautiful, but can the same description be applied to a whole host of them? But all these drawbacks pale into _____________________ , we are told, compared to the great benefits that will result from this renewable energy. (SIGNIFY)

3. Furthermore, tears can be shed _________________________, rather to our embarrassment, when we hear inspiring music or moving speeches. (VOLUNTEER)

4. However _____________________ the case in general against windfarms may be, the district councils that decide whether or not they may go ahead are not allowed to take this into account. (PERSUADE)

5. The course aimed to adapt students’ technical ________________ skills into business-appropriate ones, while also giving you access to work experience. (ANALYSE)

____________________________ of this genre.

II. READING: (4,2pts)

Part 1: Read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits each space. (1,0pt)

As gasoline prices continue to (1)_____, many people are looking for ways to reduce the (2)_____ of higher prices while still doing the driving necessary to their work and other activities. (3)_____ are some suggestions which will save you a (4)_____ amount of money on gasoline.

1. Ask yourself every time you (5)_____ to use your car, truck, SUV, or van, “Is this trip really necessary?” Every mile you drive your vehicle will cost you at least an (6)_____ of 36 cents. If the trip is not necessary, think twice before using your vehicle.

2. Drive at a (7)_____ speed on the highway. According to the Department of Energy, most automobiles get about 20 percent more miles per gallon on the highway at 55 miles per hour than they do at 70 miles per hour.

3. Consider (8)_____ an automobile which gets the best gas mileage. For example, generally, the following get better gas mileage: lighter weight vehicles, vehicles with smaller engines, vehicles with manual transmissions, those with four cylinders, and those with fewer accessories. Check the “fuel economy” labels (9)_____ to the windows of new automobiles to find the average estimated miles per gallon for given makes and models.

4. Decrease the number of short trips you make. Short trips (10)______ reduce gas mileage. If an automobile gets 20 miles per gallon in general, it may get only 4 miles per gallon on a short trip of 5 miles or less.

(Adapted from “The Vocabulary Files C1”)

D. Writing. (6.0 points)

Part 1. Rewrite the following sentences so that they are the nearest in meaning to the sentences before them. (2.0 points)

1. Mai’s presence made him feel better.

* He felt .

2. He dislikes it when people criticize him unfairly.

* He objects .

3. She regrets speaking to him so rudely yesterday.

* She wishes .

4. Tommy understood very little what the teacher said.

* Tommy could hardly .

5. His lawyer said he shouldn’t say anything to the police.

* His lawyer advised .

Part 2. Rewrite the following sentences, using the word given in capital. Do not change this word in any way. (2.0 points)

Ex: I hadn’t made speeches before, so I was very nervous. (USED)

ð Because I wasn’t used to making speeches, I was very nervous.

1. Fresh fruit is plentiful at this time of year. (SHORTAGE)

* There is .

2. Tung’s effort really impressed the audience and judges. (LEFT)

* It was .

3. We have to go to bed early. (ALLOWED)

* We .

4. The first May Day meeting was held in America. (IN)

* America is .

5. If you worry, you will find it difficult to get to sleep. (MORE)

The

Part 3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Circle A, B, C or D to indicate your answers. (1.0 point)

The search for alternative sources of energy has led in various directions. Many communities are burning garbage and other biological waste products to produce electricity. Converting waste products to gases or oil is also an efficient way to dispose of wastes.

Experimental work is being done to derive Synthetic fuels from coal, oil shale and coal tars. Other experiments are underway to harness power with giant windmills. Geothermal power is also being tested.

Some experts expect companies to revive hydroelectric power derived from streams and rivers. Fifty years ago hydroelectric power provided one

third of the electricity used in the United States, but today it supplies only four percent. The oceans are another potential source of energy. Scientists are studying ways to convert the energy of ocean currents, tides and waves to electricity. Experiments are also underway to make use of the temperature differences in ocean water to produce energy.

1. Which is the best title of the passage?

A. New Discoveries in Geothermal Power.

B. The Use of Water Production for Energy.

C. The Search for Alternative Sources of Energy.

D. Efficient Ways of Disposing of Waste.

2. Fifty years ago one third of the electricity in the United States was provided by...

A. water B. waste products C. wind D. oil

3. In the second paragraph, the phrase “Synthetic fuels” could be best replaced by which of the following?

A. Low burning fuels B. Artificial made fuels

C. Biological fuels D. Fast burning fuels

4. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as an alternative source of energy?

A. Synthetic fuels B. Burning of garbage C. Geothermal power D. Electricity

5. According to the author, the impracticality of using coal, shale oil and coal tars as sources of energy is due to...

A. the lack of technology B. the scarcity of sources

C. their being money consuming D. their being time consuming

Part 2. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only ONE word in each space. (2.0 points)

SAFE CAMPING

Camping in the country is usually great fun, but sometimes things can go wrong. Accidents can happen, so it is essential to think about safety (1).......... before you go and while you are there. This will prevent your fun camping trip turning into something less pleasant.Firstly, you need to plan ahead. Check out the weather forecast a few days in (2) .................... and watch out for any reports of fires in the area you are thinking of going to. (3) .......................... an emergency kit in case you or anyone with you has an accident or illness while you are there.

Choose your campsite carefully, avoiding any places (4).............. there is risk of flooding before you put up your tent, make (5).................... there are no sharp objects on the ground, or ants or wasps’ nests nearby.

In order to keep insects out of the tent, close it whenever you go in or out. If you need a camp fire for cooking, be (6) ............... not to build it anywhere near your tent, and before you go to bed, remember to put it out completely, preferably (7).................... lots of water.

After meals, pick up any bits of food that (8) ...................be left on the ground, as these can attract insects - or larger creatures. It also makes senses, for the same reason, to keep (9) ...................... food in closed containers away from the camp. You don’t want a hungry bear or another (10)............................ suddenly appearing in your tent!

Part 1. Read the passage below and circle the correct answer A, B, C, or D. (1.0 point)

The media are the means by which people learn what is (1) in the city, in the country and in the world. The news media can be classified (2)

two general categories: the categories of print media and electronic media. Print media use the written material to communicate news to (3) . Electronic media use air waves to (4) news to homes, offices and public places. Print media are usually divided into magazines and newspapers. Most newspapers are printed news daily. For example, the newspaper “The New York Time” is (5) daily. However, Newsweek and Time magazines are published once a week. The electronic media are (6) divided into radio and television. (7) news is news that you listen to. In the United States many radio (8) broadcast five minutes of news every hour. Television news is news that you not only listen to but also watch. In Canada and the United States, for example, many people watch an hour of news on TV at six o’clock in the evening. In the future, new categories of news media will (9)

even today computers are beginning to influence the transmission and reception (10) news.

1. A. showing B. making C. doing D. happening

2. A. for B. into C. about D. to

3. A. spectators B. viewers C. readers D. listeners

Part 5. Circle the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word or phrase that is CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined part of the following sentences. (1.0 point)

1. All students can take part in the annual English-speaking competition.

A. happening once a month B. happening once a term

C. happening once a year D. happening twice a year

2. Sue was offered a job as a translator but she turned it down.

A. got it B. refused it C. accepted it D. considered it

3. We spent an enjoyable afternoon boating in the river.

A. free B. comfortable C. boring D. pleasant

4. Tidal waves are the result of an abrupt shift in the underwater movement of the earth.

A. sudden B. slight C. clear D. impressive

5. Finally, we’ll have to make the decision ourselves.

A. Basically B. Ultimately C. Generally D. Consequently

Part 3. Identify the one underlined word or phrase A, B, C or D that should be corrected or rewritten. (1.4 points)

1. Some people believe that (A) humans will never (B) use away (C) all the natural resources of (D) the earth.

2. Each year (A) people around the world spending (B) billions of dollars buying (C) goods on the internet (D).

3. Lora hardly never (A) misses an (B) opportunity to play (C) in (D) the tennis tournaments.

4. Alex always wishes (A) that he owned (B) a modern racing car (C), but he

didn’t (D).

5. It was (A) an extremely (B) frightened (C) experience in (D) his life.

6. It was surprising (A) that the storm (B) had caused (C) little destroy (D) in the area.

7. She was (A) waiting nervous (B) in the waiting (C) room for (D) the interview.

Part 2. Use the correct form of the words in parentheses. (1.4 points)

1. Hoang has the to become a professional badminton player.

(ABLE)

2. We don’t know why they call Peter a . (LIE)

3. My grandfather wants me to have this photograph .

(LARGE)

4. Tony is very generous. Everyone admires his . (SELFISH)

5. Ants and bees are described as insects. (INDUSTRY)

6. They are awaiting the test results. (ANXIETY)

7. The article I read the day before was quite . That’s why I

keep it for later reference. (INFORM)

A. Grammar and use (7.0 points)

Part 1. Circle the best answer. (2.0 points)

1. Be quiet, please. Our principal would like to a few words.

A. tell B. talk C. mention D. say

2. being ill, she still went to class yesterday.

A. Because B. Despite C. Since D. Even though

3. Can you give me the for carrot soup?

A. recipe B. method C. formula D. order

4. Phu: “I’m sorry about that!” - Quang: “ !”

A. You’re welcome B. That’s right C. It’s OK D. Of course

5. Australia is one of the countries.

A. English speaking B. English spoken C. spoken English D. speaking English

6. It’s a good idea for Mr. Bill to see his doctor regularly for a medical .

A. control B. revision C. check up D. investigation

7. Lan’s sister bought jacket when she was in Taiwan last month.

A. a leather brown expensive B. a brown leather expensive

C. an expensive leather brown D. an expensive brown leather

8. Kathy: “Have a nice weekend!” - Amy: “ ”

A. I’m going to take it easy. B. Thanks. You too!

C. Are you going anywhere? D. Do you have any plan?

9. A new study group has been by the United Nations.

A. made up B. put up C. set up D. drawn up

10. Jane’s parents wouldn’t her go to the demonstration.

A. let B. permit C. allow D. agree