Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as envelopes or packages with stamps on them. It is one of the world’s most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of collectors ranging up to million in the United States alone. Many collectors enjoy accumulating stamps without worrying about the tiny details, but the creation of a large or comprehensive collection generally requires some philatelic knowledge. This is especially important for those who intend to spend large amounts for stamps. Stamp collectors are an important source of revenue for some small countries that create limited runs of elaborate stamps designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors. The stamps produced by these countries far exceed the postal needs of the countries. Some collectors, observing the generally rising prices of rare stamps, have taken to Philatelic Investment. Rare stamps are among the most portable investments, and are easy to store. They offer an attractive alternative to art, other collectible investments, and precious metals.
0Câu 1
Stamp collecting___________ .
A. is popular in the USA
B.does not consist of collecting envelopes
C. is a rare hobby
D. is not rather popular
Câu 2
The word “accummulating” has the closest meaning to____________.
A. estimating
B.counting
C. collecting
D. purchasing
Câu 3
According to the passage, ___________ .
A. there are some people who spend a lot money on stamp collecting
B.stamp collecting needs no knowledge
C. about 20 million people in the USA are not interested in stamp collecting
D. all stamp collectors are intestested in tiny details of a stamp
Câu 4
Which sentence is true?
A. Stamps cannot bring revenue.
B.Elaborate stamps are designed for postal needs.
C. All stamps are created for the postal needs.
D. There are stamps created to be bought by stamp collectors.
Câu 5
Stamps___________.
A. are easy to store
B.are unportable investments
C. cannot be invested
D. are not easy to store
A.
B.
C.
D.

Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. Examples include collecting, creative and artistic pursuits, making, tinkering, sports and adult education. Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge, and experience. However, personal fulfilment is the aim.
What are hobbies for some people are professions for others: a game tester may enjoy cooking as a hobby, while a professional chef might enjoy playing (and helping to debug) computer games. Generally speaking, the person who does something for fun, not remuneration, is called an amateur (or hobbyist), as distinct from professional.
An important determinant of what is considered a hobby, as distinct from a profession (beyond the lack of remuneration), is probably how easy it is to make a living at the activity. Almost no one can make a living at cigarette card or stamp collecting, but many people find it enjoyable; so it is commonly regarded as a hobby.
Amateur astronomers often make meaningful contributions to the professionals. It is not entirely uncommon for a hobbyist to be the first to discover a celestial body or event.
In the UK, the pejorative noun anorak (similar to the Japanese 'otaku' meaning a geek or enthusiast) is often applied to people who obsessively pursue a particular hobby that is considered boring, such as train spotting or stamp collecting.
0Câu 6
Which of the following is NOT true?
A. Hobbies are recreational activities.
B.Hobbies are mainly practised for profit.
C. Hobbies can give people knowledge and experience.
D. Hobbies make people feel relaxed and satisfied.
Câu 7
According to the passage, a hobbyist ________.
A. may enjoy his work as a hobby
B.indulges in many hobbies
C. is usually paid for his hobbies
D. is distinguished from a professional
Câu 8
Stamp collecting is commonly regarded as a hobby because ____.
A. people find it easy to pursue
B.people find it profitable
C. people can make a living at it
D. people find it enjoyable
Câu 9
Which of the following is NOT called 'celestial bodies'?
A. the sun
B.planet
C. the Galaxy
D. stars
Câu 10
What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. Stamp collecting is not popular nowadays.
B.The word 'anorak' is derived from japanese.
C. People who are very interested in boring hobbies are criticized.
D. “People who are very interested in boring hobbies are criticized” & “Stamp collecting is not popular nowadays” are correct.
A.
B.
C.
D.

The (1) _____ of book knowledge is one part of school education but this kind of learning can be and often is carried to (2) _____ in many countries so that no time for other interests is (3) _____ to young people. Not only must they attend school (4) _____ five-hour periods on six days of the week, studying possibly as many as thirteen different subjects, but in addition they may even go to afternoon institutes for (5) _____ instruction. They have almost no chance of taking (6) _____ any of their own hobbies or becoming familiar with the plants and (7) _____ life of the countryside except during their summer holidays. Early youth should be a time of exploration and adventure, of reading books for (8) _____ as well as study, of freedom to enjoy life before the responsibilities of working for a living and (9) _____ a family (10) _____ an end to study, to freedom and only too often to carefree enjoyment.
0Câu 11
1
A. gathering
B.accumulation
C. collection
D. obtaining
Câu 12
2
A. boundary
B.extremity
C. limits
D. excess
Câu 13
3
A. reserved
B.available
C. devoted
D. provided
Câu 14
4
A. in
B.during
C. for
D. throughout
Câu 15
5
A. further
B.farther
C. extra
D. additional
Câu 16
7
A. original
B.untamed
C. wild
D. natural
Câu 17
6
A. up
B.back
C. on
D. over
Câu 18
8
A. pleasure
B.entertainment
C. joy
D. amusement
Câu 19
9
A. creating
B.building
C. bringing
D. raising
Câu 20
10
A. put
B.indicate
C. mark
D. hold
A.
B.
C.
D.

The making and showing of motion pictures became a source of profit almost as soon as film was invented. In 1898, some first commercial movies were ever produced. Other films soon followed, and motion picture became a separate industry that was greater than any other industries. Several theaters and companies were formed specifically to produce and distribute films, while film stars became famous and often asked for huge salary for their performances. In 1917, Charlie Chaplin had a contract that called for an annual salary of one million dollars. In the United States today, much of the film industry is centered around Hollywood. Other centers exist in many parts of the world, and the film industry produces the largest number of films in the world every year. It is expensive to make movies so some film producers are sometimes dependent on movie studios. However, recent advances in film making equipment have allowed film producers to be more independent. A typical Hollywood style filmmaking production cycle consists of five main stages: Development, Preproduction, Production, Post-production, Distribution. This production cycle typically takes three years. The first year is taken up with development. The second year comprises preproduction and production. The third year, post-production and distribution. Profit is a key force in the industry, because filmmaking is expensive many filmmakers try to create works of lasting social significance. The Academy Awards, also known as The Oscars, are the most prominent film awards in the US, providing recognition each year to films, based on their artistic values.
0Câu 1
The text is about_____.
A. making films
B.showing films
C. Hollywood
D. movie studios
Câu 2
Making a film is_____.
A. simple
B.expensive
C. easy
D. independent
Câu 3
According to the text, _____.
A. there are not any film studios in the US
B.sometimes film producers have to be dependent on movie studios
C. there is no equipment invented for film making
D. there have never been famous film stars
Câu 4
There are _____stages to make a film.
A. 5
B.6
C. 3
D. 4
Câu 5
The Oscars Awards are based on_____of a film.
A. artistic values
B.producing stages
C. expenditure
D. film stars
A.
B.
C.
D.

From as early as the 1920s millions of Americans were moviegoers. In the beginning, movies had simple plots and were quickly over. Often they lasted only fifteen minutes. The first Western, The Great Train Robbery, had three small scenes - a train robbery, a pursuit on horseback, and a surprise ending where the crook pointed his gun at the movie audience and fired.
During the 1900s, Hollywood and New Jersey were competitors for the movie industry. New Jersey was desirable because so many actors and actresses worked on Broadway, which is near New Jersey. However, all filming had to take place outside where the light was strong enough. As a result, Hollywood, nestled in the hills of sunny southern California, became the better choice for year-round filming.
By the 1920s, Hollywood films became a booming industry. Actors such as Charlie Chaplin were making $10,000 per week instead of a few dollars per day on Broadway. Directors began producing longer movies with more placated plots. In time, Hollywood stood for films and the rich people who starred in them.
0Câu 6
According to paragraph 1, what kind of movies were being produced?
A. Movies that were filmed outdoors.
B.Short movies with simple story lines.
C. Slow-moving and silent films
D. Black and white movies
Câu 7
According to paragraph 2, what was the main reason that Hollywood, came a prime location for making films?
A. Southern California has a year-round sunny climate.
B.The city government promised a tax break if movie companies relocated.
C. All films had to take place outside.
D. Many actors and actresses worked there.
Câu 8
According to paragraph 3, what did Hollywood come to symbolize?
A. The center of Broadway entertaining.
B.An ideal place for film makers.
C. The ultimate vacation spot for the rich.
D. The film industry and its glamorous movie stars.
Câu 9
It can be inferred from the passage that .................
A. nowadays, movies attract more audiences than plays.
B.before the rise of the film, Broadway was the place where actors each become famous.
C. in the future, Hollywood will produce longer and more expensive works.
D. Hollywood movies are admired by audiences all over the world.
Câu 10
According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A. Because of its sunny weather, Hollywood became the capital of film
B.New Jersey was attractive because great actors worked on road
C. By the 1920s, film makers earned more money than actors.
D. Hollywood had an enormous influence on the American culture.
A.
B.
C.
D.

The popularity of the movies began early in the 20th century and continues today. People of all ages find movies (1) .......... Movies are a worldwide phenomenon, as the internationalism of movie distribution has helped to (2) .............ideas around the globe. One movie can quickly influence other movies. But why are movies so popular?
Movies are a kind of storytelling. They try to describe an idea or record an observation about our culture. These (3) ......... are recorded using moving visual images. Some movies portray the situation accurately and realistically, whereas other movies find visual symbols to (4) ..........those situations.
On the most simple level, movies are a secession of (5) .......... images. These successive images are captured on film. Directors film a wide (6)…….. of shots - long, medium, and close up - to create a visual composition. The visual images, along with plot, characterization, and sound, produce the desired nar­rative. The shots are joined together in any number of combinations in a (7) ........ called editing.
Making a film is a massive, complex, and expensive task that (8) ....... art and business. Making a movie (9)………… the talents of hundreds, and some‑times thousands, of artists, producers, and business people. It can take months, even years, for a film to be (10) ......... into a movie theater.
0Câu 11
1
A. terrifying
B.amusing
C. thrilling
D. entertaining
Câu 12
2
A. change
B.break
C. disperse
D. show
Câu 13
3
A. combinations
B.introductions
C. descriptions
D. observations
Câu 14
4
A. record
B.influence
C. replace
D. represent
Câu 15
5
A. move
B.moving
C. moved
D. movement
Câu 16
6
A. range
B.series
C. row
D. line
Câu 17
7
A. project
B.product
C. progress
D. process
Câu 18
8
A. connects
B.contains
C. combines
D. describes
Câu 19
9
A. involves
B.develops
C. touches
D. attains
Câu 20
10
A. moved
B.sent
C. delivered
D. released
A.
B.
C.
D.

Choose the suitable word/phrase to complete the text.
Friends are defined (1)… people whom you can have several types of relations with and feel several emotions for. A good friend is someone (2)… might go to in time of need. However, friendships differ between people. For example, the friendship that someone may have (3)… him and an old man would be different from the friendship they might have with someone at the same age. There are many different friendships that people have. Friendship can exist between best friends, friends, lovers, children, parents, siblings, and many more. All of those differ (4)… some way. Everyone has a best friend, (5)… it is with a person or an animal.
0Câu 41
A. like
B.as
C. about
D. since
Câu 42
A. that
B.who
C. which
D. whom
Câu 43
A. between
B.both
C. with
D. but
Câu 44
A. from
B.with
C. in
D. at
Câu 45
A. that
B.whether
C. as though
D. if
A.
B.
C.
D.

Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer.
It is said that most people have no more than 30 friends at any given time, and 400 over the whole of their lives. However, on social networking sites, most users have about 150 friends. If these numbers are correct, then friendship means different things in different situations.
One of the reasons for having more online friends than real friends at a certain point in time is that online friendships do not require much time and energy: it is easy to accept friendships and keep them forever. Another possibility is that it is difficult to say ‘no’ when somebody asks us to be their friend online, even if we feel we don’t really know them. The fact that they ask us suggests that they do consider us a friend, which is a nice feeling. Alternatively, they may be ‘collectors’ of online friends and just want to use us to get a higher number of friends and appear to be popular.
Online friendships are quite easy, but in the real world decisions about friendships are harder to make. There are no rules about friendship. There are no guidelines about how to make friends, how to keep friendships going, and how to finish friendships if we want to move on. People have very different opinions about this: some people would die for their friends and they value them more than family. Others say that friends are temporary, only there to help each other until they are no longer needed. If people with such different views become friends, this can lead to problems.
Because of these different definitions of friendship, it is easy to be unhappy about our friendships. We may want them to be deeper or closer, or we may want to have more friends in our lives. Sometimes we simply do not have the time to develop our friendships, or we fear we have left it too late in life to start. If we move to another country or city, we have to find ways to make new friends again.
This dissatisfaction shows us how important friendships are for most of us. We should not think that it could be too late to build friendships. We also need to understand that the need to be around other people is one that is shared by many. Therefore, we should not be too frightened about starting to talk to people who in the future may become our friends: it is likely that they too would like to get closer to us. Remember what people say: strangers are friends we have not met yet.
0Câu 46
How many friends do the majority of people probably have?
A. 400 internet friends over the course of their lives
B.a minimum of 30 real friends
C. 150 internet friends
D. 30 real friends or fewer
Câu 47
It is difficult _________
A. to trust what you read on social networking sites.
B.to believe the numbers about friendship.
C. to keep your friends happy.
D. to give a definition of 'friendship'.
Câu 48
Friendship means __________
A. dying for your friends if you need to
B.different things to different people.
C. helping each other until it is no longer necessary.
D. accepting people with different views.
Câu 49
Sometimes people worry because __________
A. there are no guidelines about friendship.
B.they think they are too old to make friends.
C. they spend too much time with friends.
D. they think that they have too many friends.
Câu 50
Most of us _________
A. are frightened to talk to strangers.
B.need to be with others.
C. build friendships late in life.
D. are dissatisfied with our friends.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE OVERSEAS VSO
VSO is a registered charity dedicated to assisting in developing countries. More specifically, selects and places volunteers in response to overseas requests. This work makes it distinctive among other charities and organizations in the UK. It sends people, not money, to that its services are, in effect, entirely complementary to the efforts being made by agencies like Oxfam, Christian Aid and Save the Children Fund with whom it often works directly.
VSO tries to respond to request from overseas which ask for volunteers. Its bias is firmly towards the poorest members on the community and it takes great care to avoid undermining job opportunities for local people. Both staff and volunteers also play a special attention to women's role in development projects. This is because women's role in child-rearing, in education and community cohesion are essential in any healthy process of change.
Over the past 38 years, more than 21,000 volunteers have worked abroad with VSO. There are now over 1,900 volunteers working in 59 of the less developed countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean.
The application of each volunteer is carefully considered in order to select and interview candidates against each job request from the field, to seek the person with the right blend of skills and personality.
VSO, the work
VSO volunteers do not go to developing countries as visiting experts with all the answers. It is always a process of sharing and learning. The aim is that when the volunteer returns home, there exists a community with a stronger sense of independence and self-reliance... and a volunteer with a new understanding and appreciation of life and people everywhere. The range of jobs required of VSO is wide-reflecting the needs of any society in the modern world.
0Câu 1
VSO is different from other charities and organization from UK because it________.
A. is a registered body.
B.sends volunteers to help abroad.
C. Recruits volunteers to work in Britain.
D. sends financial aid to developing countries.
Câu 2
Requests from overseas most likely to be dealt with are those which__________.
A. need help and advice for health care.
B.require volunteers to work with local inhabitants.
C. require help and advice for health care.
D. specifically ask for female staff and volunteers.
Câu 3
According to those who work for VSO, who plays the most important part in bringing about change?
A. staff who recruit volunteers
B.
women in local communities
C. volunteers from abroad
D. charitable organizations
Câu 4
What happens when VSO wants to appoint new volunteers?
A. They refer applications to countries requesting volunteers.
B.They match all applicants to jobs very carefully.
C. They give preference to applicants living abroad.
D. They give each applicants several interviews.
Câu 5
The volunteers chosen to go out to a developing country____________.
A. must have experience of working overseas.
B.must leave the country before it becomes independent.
C. will gain more knowledge about the world we live in.
D. will quickly become an expert in the field.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Choose the correct option a,b,c or d to complete this passage.
Playing a musical instrument is a great hobby to have. I started playing the piano when I was five years old and still really enjoy it now: it’s a perfect way to relax and it cheers me up when I’m feeling down. When I lived at home with my parents, we had a lovely reddish brown piano in the house and I had piano lessons every week. However, when I went to university, I had to leave my family, my home and my piano (46)……....
I missed (47)……… the piano so much that I spent all the money I got for my eighteenth birthday (48)……… a brand new electric piano. It was quite difficult getting it from the music shop to my house: I had to take a friend with me to get it into a taxi and then carry it to the door. I am very glad I bought it though. I was (49)…….. to play whenever I wanted, using headphones so that I wouldn’t disturb my flatmates. When I was studying or writing an essay, I used to take a break to play something (50)……. It really helped ease my frustration! When I was feeling a bit homesick, playing the music that I learned on my old piano made me feel better.
0Câu 41
What does the word "earn" in the first paragraph mean?
A. pick
B.sell
C. get
D. lose
Câu 42
What color are the blueberries before they are ready to be picked?
A. green
B.brown
C. red
D. blue
Câu 43
Where do the blueberry pickers work?
A. in a bam
B.in a field
C. in a forest
D. near a stream
Câu 44
What happens to blueberries after they are picked?
A. They are put into boxes.
B.Farmers plant them.
C. They need sun and rain.
D. They become sweet and ripe.
Câu 45
Which of the following can be the best title for this passage?
A. Fating Blueberries
B.How to Cook with Blueberries
C. All About Blueberries
D. All About Strawberries
A.
B.
C.
D.