Read the passage, then choose the one best answer.
The pentathlon has been an event at the Olympics since 1912. From its name, it is easy to deduce the number of events that it comprises. The first event is shooting, followed by fencing, swimming, riding and running. This event requires the competitors to be physically fit and versatile as well.
The selection of these events was based on a notion of a soldier in the past whose horse was brought down in enemy territory. After defending himself with a pistol and a sword, he swam across a river and delivered a message on foot. Naturally, only military personnel participated in the pentathlon at first. In fact, the pentathlon became part of the final examinations at several European military academies. Today, the pentathlon is participated in by both male and female civilians.
What is interesting about the pentathlon is the point system that is used for each event. A target is set and contestants who fall above the target are awarded points. Those who fall below the target have their points deducted. The one whose points surpass the others after the four events has the privilege of starting the marathon before them. The difference in the points obtained determines the interval of the starting time for the other competitors in the marathon. Regardless of the outcome for the first four events the competitors participated, the winner is the one who crosses the finishing line first in the marathon.
0Câu 46
According to the passage, only those who are ______ can enter the pentathlon.
A. former soldiers
B.tall and well-built
C. skilled in many areas
D. professional athletes
Câu 47
The pentathlon came about because of the way a soldier ______
A. fought with his enemies
B.swam across a river
C. carried out his tasks
D. was defeated by his enemies
Câu 48
The phrase "part of the final examinations" tells us that the pentathlon is
A. a good gauge of the skills a soldier needs
B.very difficult for soldiers in the past
C.
only for soldiers who are fit
D. only suitable for the soldier
Câu 49
The one who starts the marathon first must have
A. met the target for the other events
B.obtained the highest points among all the competitors
C. scored a point in the other events
D. been the fastest runner among all the competitors
Câu 50
The winner of the pentathlon is the one who comes first in
A. the first four events
B.
the last two events
C. the final event
D. all the five events
A.
B.
C.
D.

Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
In Western cultures, particularly in the United States and Australia, birthday parties are often accompanied by colorful decorations, such as balloons apt streamers. A birthday cake is often (41) ______ with candles that are to be blown out after a "birthday wish" has been made. While the birthday cake is being brought to the table, the lucky song Happy Birthday to You is sung by the guests. A practice most (42) ______ among wealthy people and celebrities, but engaged in by many others as well, is to hire an event management agency or a party service to organize a birthday party.
A child's birthday party may be (43) ______ at his/her home or in a public place. Soft drinks are often had alongside water, and both sweet and savory foods are typically served to the guests. In many (44) ______, a birthday cake is served. Birthday parties for children often feature entertainment, costumes, party games, and a theme. Adults' birthday parties in Western countries are often held in bars or nightclubs, though some are held at a restaurant or even at home. A birthday party usually includes gifts (45) ______ the person whose birthday it is.
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Birthday customs and celebrations)
0Câu 42
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage
A. universal
B.common
C. general
D. ordinary
Câu 43
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage
A. arranged
B.run
C. held
D. entertained
Câu 44
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage
A. environments
B.peoples
C. cultures
D. civilizations
Câu 45
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage
A. at
B.with
C. for
D. by
A.
B.
C.
D.

Read the passage and then choose the best answer.
On average, American kids ages 3 to 12 spent 29 hours a week in school, eight hours more than they did in 1981. They also did more household work and participated in more of such organized activities as soccer and ballet. Involvement in sports, in particular, rose almost 50% from 1981 to 1997: boys now spend an average of four hours a week playing sports; girls log hall that time. All in all, however, children's leisure time dropped from 40% of the day in 1981 to 25%. "Children are affected by the same time crunch that affects their parents," says Sandra Hofferth, who headed the recent study of children's timetable. A chief reason, she says, is that more mothers are working outside the home. (Nevertheless, children in both double-income and "male breadwinner" households spent comparable amounts of time interacting with their parents 19 hours and 22 hours respectively. In contrast, children spent only 9 hours with their single mothers.) All work and no play could make for some very messed-up kids. "Play is the most powerful way a child explores the world and learns about himself," says T. Berry Brazelton, professor at Harvard Medical School. Unstructured play encourages independent thinking and allows the young to negotiate their relationships with their peers, but kids ages 3 to 12 spent only 12 hours a week engaged in it. The children sampled spent a quarter of their rapidly decreasing "free time" watching television. But that, believe it or not, was one of the findings parents might regard as good news. If they are spending less time in front of the TV set, however, kids aren't replacing it with reading. Despite efforts to get kids more interested in books, the children spent just over an hour a week reading. Let's face it, who's got the time?
0Câu 6
The author is concerned about the fact that American kids are ________.
A. increasingly cared for by their working mothers
B.engaged in more and more organized activities
C. involved less and less in household work
D. spending more and more time watching TV
Câu 7
What does Sandra Hofferth mean by mentioning "the same time crunch”
A. Children are not taken good care of by their working parents.
B.Children have little time to play with their parents.
C. Both parents and children have trouble managing their time.
D. Both parents and children suffer from lack of leisure time.
Câu 8
According to the author, the reason given by Sandra Hofferth for the time crunch is ________.
A. partially true
B.rather confusing
C. quite convincing
D. totally groundless
Câu 9
According to the author, a child develops better if he/she ________.
A. is left to play with his/her peers in his/her own way.
B.has more time taking part in school activities.
C. has plenty of time reading and studying.
D. is free to interact with his/her working parents.
Câu 10
The word “unstructured” in the passage probably means _______.
A. invaluable
B.impractical
C. not organized
D. not costly
Câu 11
The word “they” in the passage refers to ________.
A. kids
B.books
C. parents
D. efforts
Câu 12
We can infer from the passage that ________.
A. most parents believe reading to be of benefit to children
B.efforts to get kids interested in reading have been fruitful
C. organized activities improve children s intelligence
D. most children will turn to reading with TV sets switched off
A.
B.
C.
D.

Fill in the blanks to complete the passage.
It started two years ago. I run a summer arts festival in Munich called the Kulturstrand, at the Ludwigsbriicke, a bridge that stands (31) ________ the river Isar, where I have an office. I work there most days and when I do, I swim there. I’m one of those people who like to swim in all (32) ________ - I will swim in the Atlantic when it is 10 degrees, (33) ______ my wife thinks is a little strange. Sometimes, I swim the river with a group of friends in the autumn or winter, but I mainly swim to work in the summer. I live two kilometres upstream from my office. The river at that point is too wild to swim down unaided; it is like an Alpine river. I would not even consider it without a flotation device, but then I learned about a designer in Switzerland who (34) ______ a thing called a Wickelfisch. It’s a waterproof bag that you can keep your stuff in; it also locks in air so acts as a float. When I saw it I bought one, and the next day I swam to work (35) _______ the first time.
0Câu 1
Fill in the blanks to complete the passage.
A. along
B.over
C. through
D. across
Câu 2
Fill in the blanks to complete the passage.
A. situations
B.circumstances
C. conditions
D. requirements
Câu 3
Fill in the blanks to complete the passage.
A. which
B.that
C. why
D. what
Câu 4
Fill in the blanks to complete the passage.
A.
B.had invented
C. has invented
D. invent
Câu 5
Fill in the blanks to complete the passage.
A. in
B.at
C. by
D. for
A.
B.
C.
D.

Choose the correct words to complete the passage.
After a busy day of work and play, the body needs to rest. Sleep is necessary for good health. During this time, the body recovers from the (46) _______ of the previous day. The rest that you get while sleeping enables your body to prepare itself for the next day.
There are four levels of sleep, each being a little (47) ________than the one before. As you sleep, your muscles relax little by little. Your heart beats more slowly, and your brain slows down. After you (48) ______the fourth level your body shifts back and forth from one level of sleep to the other.
Although your mind slows down, from time to time you will dream. Scientists who study sleep state that when dreaming (49) ______, your eyeballs begin to move more quickly. This stage of sleep is called REM, which stands for Rapid Eye Movement.
If you have trouble falling asleep, some people recommend breathing very deeply. Other people believe that drinking warm milk will help make you (50) _____. There is also an old suggestion that counting sheep will put you to sleep!
0Câu 46
Choose the correct words to complete the passage.
A. actions
B.acts
C. activities
D. activeness
Câu 47
Choose the correct words to complete the passage.
A. higher
B.lighter
C. deeper
D. shorter
Câu 48
Choose the correct words to complete the passage.
A. attain
B.reach
C. achieve
D. arrive
Câu 49
Choose the correct words to complete the passage.
A. exists
B.appears
C. survives
D. occurs
Câu 50
Choose the correct words to complete the passage.
A. drowsy
B.awake
C. tired
D. dizzy
A.
B.
C.
D.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
Crocodiles are cold-blooded. Their body temperature changes (41) _______ the temperature of the air, water and land of its surroundings. Freshwater crocodiles can be (42) _____ at the rivers and swamps in some parts of Australia. They have narrow snout and reasonably straight jawline with even-sized teeth. Unlike the estuarine crocodiles, they are not 'man-eaters' and (43) ________ mainly on insects, frogs, lizards, turtles, with bats, birds and small mammals. The estuarine crocodiles, (44) _______, are found mainly in the warm climate of Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar as well as other some countries in Southeast Asia and Australia. They have broader snouts than freshwater crocodiles, with an uneven 'up and down' jawline and irregular-sized teeth. It is estimated that they can live for (45) ______ 70 to 100 years.
0Câu 41
(41)
A. depend on
B.opposed to
C. agreeing with
D. according to
Câu 42
(42)
A. recognised
B.founded
C. seen
D. found
Câu 43
(43)
A. take
B.
C. eat
D.
Câu 44
(44)
A. in contrast to
B.whereas
C. on the other hand
D. in spite of
Câu 45
(45)
A. from
B.up to
C.
D. at least
A.
B.
C.
D.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
When blood is sent to the lungs by the heart, it has come back from the cells in the rest of the body. So the blood that goes into the wall of an air sac contains much dissolved carbon dioxide but very little oxygen. At the same time, the air that goes into the air sac contains much oxygen but very little carbon dioxide.
You have learned that dissolved materials always diffuse from where there is more of them to where there is less. Oxygen from the air dissolves in the moisture on the lining of the air sac and diffuses through the lining into the blood. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air sac. The blood then flows from the lungs back to the heart, which sends it out to all other parts of the body.
Soon after air goes into an air sac. it gives up some of its oxygen and takes in some carbon dioxide from the blood. To keep diffusion going as it should, this carbon dioxide must be gotten rid of. Breathing, which is caused by movements of the chest, forces the used air out of the air sacs in your lungs and brings in fresh air. The breathing muscles arc controlled automatically so that you breathe at the proper rate to keep your air sacs supplied with fresh air.
Ordinarily, you breathe about twenty-two times a minute. Of course, you breathe faster when you are exercising and slower when you are resting. Fresh air is brought into your lungs when you breathe in, or inhale, while used air is forced out of your lungs when you breathe out, or exhale.
0Câu 46
In the respiratory process, only one of the following actions takes place: it is ________.
A. the diffusion of blood through capillary walls into air sacs
B.the diffusion of oxygen through the air sac and capillary walls into the blood
C. the exchange of nitrogen within air sacs
D. the diffusion of carbon dioxide through capillary and air sac walls into the blood
Câu 47
The word “which” in the passage refers to
A. the heart
B.the blood
C. the lungs
D. the body
Câu 48
The number of times per minute that you breathe is _______.
A. fixed at twenty-two times per minute
B.influenced by your age and sex
C. independent of your rate of exercise
D. controlled automatically by the body
Câu 49
The process by which carbon dioxide and oxygen are transferred does not depend on _______.
A. the presence of nitrogen in the blood
B.the moisture in the air sac linings
C. the flow of blood
D. breathing muscles
Câu 50
The author’s tone in this passage can best be described as _______.
A. ironical
B.personal
C. admirable
D. objective
A.
B.
C.
D.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
The UK has a vast variety of higher education opportunities to offer students with over 100 universities offering various degree programs for students from the UK and around the world. In the UK about one-third of all students go on to some form of higher education and this number is well over 50% for students from Scotland. This makes competition for places very fierce and so it is advised to apply early for courses.
In the UK most undergraduate degree programs take three years to finish; however, the "sandwich course" is increasing in popularity, which is four years and involves one year in the workplace (normally in your third year). In Scotland, the courses are four years in length for undergraduate programs.
For graduate or masters programs, they are generally shorter in length and undertaken after graduation of your undergraduate program. Some professional degrees like medicine, veterinary, law, etc. have longer programs that can be as much as five years.
From 2007, universities in the UK are allowed to charge students from the UK up to £3,070 per year (depending on the school and location). For students from the EU, you will also only have the pay the same fees as students from the UK, but international students from the of the world will have to pay the full school fees which will vary depending on the school. These fees for international students can range anywhere from £4,000 per year right up to £18,000 per year or more.
Choosing the right school is dependent on a large number of factors such as:
• Location of the school?
• How much it costs?
• Size of the school?
• Access to home comforts? Place of worship, home foods?
• Courses available?
(Source: http://www.intemationalstudent.com/study_uk)
0Câu 1
What can be the best title for the passage?
A. UK Higher Education System: Facts and Figures
B.UK Higher Education System: A Brief Overview
C. UK Tertiary Schools: Freedom of Choice
D. UK Education in Comparison with the Scotland's
Câu 2
The word "fierce" in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to ______.
A. challenging
B.aggressive
C. intense
D. competitive
Câu 3
The word "which" in paragraph 2 refers to ______
A.
B.sandwich course
C. popularity
D. degree programs
Câu 4
The word "undertaken" in paragraph 3 mostly means _______.
A. programed
B.observed
C. conducted
D. provided
Câu 5
Which of the following is mostly likely the reason why sandwich courses are increasingly popular?
A. The students can do apprenticeship for their career in another country.
B.The courses are more affordable because students can earn their living.
C. The courses are shorter, helping international students save money.
D. The courses help students gain practical work experience upon graduation.
Câu 6
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. School fees for international students at UK universities vary only according to school location.
B.Half of the students at UK universities are always those from Scotland as stated by laws.
C. It takes about eight years for a student of medicine to complete a professional degree.
D. A student from German has to pay £12,000 for his three-year course at a UK university.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
All human societies, past and present, have had a/an (7) ______ in education; and some wits have claimed that teaching (at its best an educational activity) is (8) ______ second oldest profession. While not all societies channel sufficient resources into support for educational (9) ______ and institutions, all at the very least acknowledge their centrality – and for good reasons. For (10) ______thing, it is obvious that children are born illiterate and innumerate, and ignorant (11) ______ the norms and cultural achievements of the community or society into which they have been thrust; but with the help of professional teachers and the (12) ______ amateurs in their families and immediate environs (and with the aid, too, of educational resources made (13) ______ through the media and nowadays the Internet), within a few years they can read, write, calculate, and act (at least often) in culturally-appropriate ways. Some learn these skills with more facility than others, and so education also (14) ______ as a social-sorting mechanism and undoubtedly has enormous impact on the economic fate of the individual. Put more abstractly, at its best education equips individuals (15) ______ the skills and substantive knowledge that allows them to define and to (16) ______ their own goals, and also allows them to participate in the life of their community as full-autonomous citizens.
(Source: Philosophy of Education - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
0Câu 7
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. love
B.interest
C. research
D. passion
Câu 8
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. an
B.zero
C. the
D. a
Câu 9
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. activities
B.actions
C. actors
D. acts
Câu 10
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. zero
B.the
C. a
D. one
Câu 11
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. on
B.with
C. for
D. of
Câu 12
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. dedication
B.dedicate
C. dedicating
D. dedicated
Câu 13
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. capable
B.existing
C. present
D. available
Câu 14
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. serves
B.obtains
C. refers
D. does
Câu 15
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. of
B.to
C. for
D. with
Câu 16
Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete this passage.
A. follow
B.practise
C. chase
D. pursue
A.
B.
C.
D.

Read the passage, then choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.
I’ve spent years studying happiness, and one of the most significant conclusions I’ve drawn is this: there is little correlation between the circumstances of people s lives and how happy they are. A moment's reflection should make this obvious. We all know people who have had a relatively easy life yet are essentially unhappy. And we know people who have suffered a great deal but generally remain happy.
The first secret is gratitude. All happy people are grateful. Ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to think that being unhappy leads people to complain, but it’s truer to say that complaining leads to people becoming unhappy.
The second secret is realizing that happiness is a by-product of something else. The most obvious sources are those pursuits that give our lives purpose - anything from studying insects to playing baseball. The more passions we have, the more happiness we're likely to experience.
Finally, the belief that something permanent transcends us and that our existence has some larger meaning can help us be happier. We need a spiritual or religious faith, or a philosophy of life.
Whatever your philosophy is, it should encompass this truism: if you choose to find the positive in virtually every situation, you will be blessed, and if you choose to find the awful, you will be cursed. As with happiness itself, this is largely your decision to make.
0Câu 41
What does the word “yet” in the first paragraph probably mean?
A. moreover
B.nevertheless
C. because
D. therefore
Câu 42
According to the writer, which of the following can be considered happy?
A. A man who believes that nobody but himself can bring happiness to him.
B.A patient who is to die in a week but is grateful that life has given him enough.
C. A student who fails to graduate but worries nothing as he thinks life is going on.
D. A man whose family ensures him of everlasting comfortable life.
Câu 43
By saying that “happiness is a by-product of something else”, the writer implies that …
A. one can find boundless happiness in sports.
B.
C. life without passions is like a man without a secret.
D. studying insects can bring happiness.
Câu 44
The word “encompass” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to …
A. contrast
B.explain
C. resemble
D. include
Câu 45
According to the text, the best policy in our life is to remain …
A. optimistic
B.secretive
C. pessimistic
D. indifferent
A.
B.
C.
D.