Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer.
Vietnam is a densely-populated, developing country that in the last 30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war. Substantial progress was achieved from1986 to 1997 in moving forward from an extremely low level of development and significantly reducing poverty.
Since 2001, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic liberalization and international integration. They have moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. .
Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entry into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in December 2001.have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade and economic regime. Vietnam's exports to the US doubled in 2002 and again in 2003.
Vietnam joined the WTO (World Trade Organization) in January 2007, following over a decade long negotiation process. This should provide ail important boost to the economy and should help to ensure the continuation of liberalizing reforms.
Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet the challenge of a labor force that is growing by more than one million people every year. Vietnamese authorities have tightened monetary and fiscal policies to stem high inflation. Hanoi is targeting an economic growth rate of 7.5-8% during the next five years.
The word stem has a close meaning to _______.




A.succeed
B.stop
C.originate
D.increase

When the man crossed the street, he did notice that the traffic light has turned green.




A.crossed
B.did
C.that
D.has turned

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.




A.circles
B.symptoms
C.areas
D.complaints

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.




A.possesses
B.brushes
C.watches
D.indicates

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.




A.take
B.name
C.eight
D.back

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.




A.houses
B.clothes
C.matches
D.stages

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.




A.change
B.champagne
C.channel
D.choice

Choose the best answer to complete each of the following questions.
It was very cold _______ she did not put on her coat.




A.in case
B.but
C.even if
D.even though

Choose the best answer to complete each of the following questions.
Julie failed the exam _______ of working very hard.




A.despite
B.in spite
C.even if
D.though

Choose the best answer to complete each of the following questions.
Despite _______, we knew that he was guilty.




A.denied
B.denying
C.he denied
D.his denial