Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, c, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 1 to 10.
Alzheimer's disease impairs a person’s ability to recall memories, both distant and as recent as a few hours before. Although there is not yet a cure for the illness, there may be hope for a cure with a protein called nerve growth factor. The protein is produced by nerve cells in the same region of the brain where Alzheimer’s occurs. Based on this relationship, scientists from the University of Lund in Sweden and the University of California at San Diego designed an experiment to test whether doses of nerve growth factor could reverse the effects of memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s. Using a group of rats with impaired memory, the scientists gave half of the rats doses of nerve growth factor while giving the other half a blood protein as a placebo, thus creating a control group. At the end of the four-week test, the rats given the nerve growth factor performed equally to rats with normal memory abilities. While the experiments do not show that nerve growth factor can stop the general process of deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s, they do show potential as a means to slowing the process significantly.
0Câu 1
With what topic is this passage mainly concerned?
A. The use of rats as experimental subjects.
B.
D. Nerve growth factor as a cure for Alzheimer’s.
C.
Impaired memory of patients.
D. Cures for Alzheimer’s disease.
Câu 2
The word "impairs” in line 1 is most similar to which of the following?
A. destroys
B.
diminishes
C. affects
D. enhances
Câu 3
According to the passage, where is nerve growth factor produced in the body?
A. In nerve cells in the brain.
B.In the pituitary gland.
C.
In the blood proteins.
D. In nerve cells in the spinal column.
Câu 4
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word ‘"region”?
A. plain
B.expanse
C.
orbit
D. vicinity
Câu 5
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “doses’”?
A. stipends
B.measures
C. pieces
D.
injections
Câu 6
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. More work needs to be done to understand the effects of nerve growth factor
B.Though unsuccessful, the experiments did show some benefits derived from nerve growth factor.
C. Alzheimer's disease is deadly.
D. The experiments did not show any significant benefits from nerve growth factor.
Câu 7
The passage most closely resembles which of the following patterns of organization?
A. chronological order
B.alphabetical order
C. cause - effect
D. statement and illustration
Câu 8
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word "deterioration"?
A. depression
B.disconnection
C. deduction
D. decline
Câu 9
Which of the following could best replace the word “significantly”?
A. considerably
B.knowingly
C. tirelessly
D. suggestively
Câu 10
The relationship between nerve growth factor and a protein is similar to the relationship between Alzheimer's and
A. a cancer
B.a cure
C. a disease
D. forgetfulness
A.
B.
C.
D.

Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. Not All Hackers Are the Same As computer use becomes more common, the need for security is more important than ever. One of the greatest security threats in the online world is computer hacking. Computer hacking is the unauthorized access to a computer or network of computers. Hackers are people who illegally enter systems. They may alter or delete information, steal private information, or spread viruses that can damage or destroy files. But how exactly can a hacker get into a system to do these things? Most hackers use information called protocols that are built into computer software. These protocols allow computers to interact with one another. Protocols are sort of like computer police officers. When a computer connects to another system, the protocols check to see if the access is valid. The protocols can also determine how much information can be shared between the two systems. Hackers can manipulate the protocols to get unlimited access to a computer system. In fact, just the act of entering a computer network is considered hacking. This is commonly called passive hacking. Passive hackers get a rush from just being able to access a challenging system like a bank or military network. Another kind of hacker tries to do damage to a system. After hacking into systems, these hackers release viruses or alter, delete, or take information. Known as active hackers, they are, by far, the more dangerous of the two. The easiest way to protect a system is with a good password. Long and unusual passwords are harder for hackers to guess. For even greater security, some online services now use “password-plus” systems. In this case, users first put in a password and then put in a second code that changes after the user accesses the site. Users either have special cards or devices that show them the new code to use the next time. Even if a hacker steals the password, they won’t have the code. Or if the hacker somehow gets the code, they still don’t know the password.
0Câu 6
What is the main idea of this reading?
A. Famous hackers
B.Funny things hackers do
C. Good ways to stop hackers
D. Hackers and computer security
Câu 7
What do hackers do to get into a computer?
A. Make a new password
B.Spread viruses
C. Change security programs
D. Manipulate codes
Câu 8
What is NOT considered hacking?
A. Illegally accessing a computer
B.Turning on a private computer
C. Releasing a virus
D. Changing unauthorized information
Câu 9
Why are active hackers probably considered more dangerous than passive ones?
A. Active hackers do damage
B.Passive hackers are caught more easily.
C. Passive hackers have more intense personalities.
D. Active hackers are more skilled
Câu 10

What does “plus” in “password-plus” probably mean?
A. Fast
B.Extra
C. Danger
D. Long
Câu 11
The word "get a rush" in the fourth paragraph is closest in meaning to
A. be comfortable
B.be busy
C. be thrilled
D. be hurry
Câu 12
The word "by far" in the fourth paragraph is closest in meaning to
A. difficultly
B.actually
C. surely
D. until now
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.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in Austria. He would become one of the most talented ______(1) to ever live. He started to write and play music before he was even eight years old! As a three-year-old, Mozart already loved music. He would listen to his father teach his older sister. She was learning to play the piano. Mozart ______(2) to his sister, and he copied her playing. Mozart’s father noticed Mozart’s ______(3) in music. He began to teach his son. Mozart was a fast learner. Before he was even five years old, Mozart could play full songs. Before long, Mozart wrote his own musical ______(4) at the age of five. He knew how to read and write music before he could read or write words! His first ______(5) was very short.
0Câu 1
A. composers
B.musicians
C. scientists
D. architects
Câu 2
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.
A. desire
B.defect
C. talent
D. aspiration
Câu 3
A. looked up
B.admired
C. looked down
D. envied
Câu 4
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.
A. composite
B.compositor
C. composition
D. composing
Câu 5
A. piece
B.slice
C. component
D. sequence
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.
Napoleon Bonaparte, a general in the French army, achieved fame when he led the army from one victory to another. Born of an Italian family, Napoleon studied in a military school in Paris. In every battle, he proved himself to be a courageous and brilliant leader. His successes led to peace in France, and the country demonstrated it appreciation by making Bonaparte Consul for Life. Napoleon was also a very good political leader and made positive changes in the country’s administration and economy. He also wrote the Civil Code which continues to be used in France even today. He became so popular that he was proclaimed Emperor in 1804. Although Napoleon Bonaparte led France well, he continued to engage in wars with European countries. The famous Battle of the Emperors resulted in the defeat of Austria and Russia. Napoleon then planned an invasion of Britain. His goal was to enforce a commercial boycott of Britain called the “Continental System”. Portugal and Spain did not follow this Continental System, so Napoleon invaded those countries. These wars that napoleon waged against the European countries are known as the Napoleonic Wars. When Napoleon failed again to control Moscow, Prussia, Sweden and Austria declared war on France. Napoleon was exiled on the island of Elba in 1814. During the time the leaders of the European countries met to make pants after Napoleon’s defeat, Napoleon escaped from Elba, quietly returned to France and regained his throne. He attacked the Allied forces in Waterloo, which is now known as Belgium. Great Britain, Prussia and Russia sent 150,000 soldiers each to Waterloo. The rest stayed behind to protect France. Napoleon’s plan of splitting his attacking army into two wings and of leaving reserve soldiers behind in France was brilliant. However, because Napoleon’s military commanders did not follow through on his commands and the Allied armies used their own strategies and were fierce in fighting Napoleon’s armies, Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in 1815. He may have been admired for his brilliance, but he should be condemned for bringing about the deaths of so many people.
0Câu 6
According to the first paragraph, the French made Napoleon Bonaparte Consul for Life because _____
A. he was a popular political leader
B.he was trained to find in France and Italy
C. the wars he won led to the absence of war in Europe
D. he made changes that improved the economy
Câu 7
The word “ proclaimed” in the passage is closest in meaning to _____
A. insisted
B.agreed
C. declared
D. adopted
Câu 8
Which of the following is stated in the second paragraph?
A. Bonaparte was a good leader, but he keep warning with other nations
B.European countries needed a leader as courageous and brilliant as Napoleon Bonaparte
C. Countries in Europe wanted to go to war with Bonaparte because he was a good leader
D. Bonaparte wanted to be the best leader of any country in Europe
Câu 9
Why does the author mention the island of Elba in paragraph 2?
A. to argue that Bonaparte would have won if he had fought the war elsewhere
B.to provide an example of what happened to French leaders who lost wars
C. to suggest that Bonaparte should not have tried to control Moscow
D. to explain what happened to Bonaparte after being unable to protect France
Câu 10
What can be inferred about the European leaders?
A. They did not have enough soldiers to fight the war against French
B.They were better leaders than Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe
C. They admired Bonaparte for his brilliance in commanding
D. They were not prepared when Bonaparte broke free from Elba
Câu 11
Which of the following words/ phrase in the reading mean “ The rest” ?
A. 150,000 soldiers
B.the Allied force
C. the reserve soldiers
D. Napoleon’s military commanders
Câu 12
Which of the following best expresses the author’s opinion about Napoleon Bonaparte?
A. Bonaparte should be admired for his brilliance
B.People never understood Napoleon Bonaparte
C. Bonaparte deserves criticism for the Napoleonic Wars
D.
Bonaparte did not know what he was doing at Waterloo
Câu 13
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Napoleon Bonaparte was the most brilliant general in Europe of all time
B.Napoleon was defeated in the war against the Belgian people in Waterloo
C. Napoleon Bonaparte was a man to admire, but he fought many unnecessary wars
D. Napoleon Bonaparte built a good empire for his country, France via making wars.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
Holidays
It is better to go on a package (1) ……., or to travel on your own? I suppose the answer depends on what kind of tourists you are. A complicated tour organized by a travel (2) ……. has some advantages. You have a/an (3)……., which gives you definite (4) ……. and arrival dates, and a list of all your (5) ……. The accommodation may be cheaper, as it has been (6) ……. in advance, so you spend less time worrying about where you are going to stay. If you book your own hotel, you might have trouble finding a/an (7) ……., unless you are going to stay for a (8) ……., for example. On the other hand, organizing your own trip can be fun. Many students (9) …….or buy cheap train tickets, and spend the night in students' hostels or guest-houses.
0Câu 1
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. journey
B.cruise
C. travel
D. tour
Câu 2
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. agent
B.tour
C. operation
D. office
Câu 3
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. timetable
B.itinerary
C. notice
D. scheme
Câu 4
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. leave
B.departure
C. parting
D. quitting
Câu 5
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. cancellations
B.destinations
C. expeditions
D. organizations
Câu 6
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. booked
B.preserved
C. hotels
D. reservation
Câu 7
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. free
B.available
C. empty
D. vacancy
Câu 8
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. fifteen days
B.daytime
C. passage
D. fortnight
Câu 9
Choose the best answer to complete the following paragraph
A. hitch-hike
B.journey
C. auto-stop
D. lift
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.
Tourism will always have an impact on the places visited. Sometimes the impact is good but often it is negative. For example, if lots of people visit one place, then this can damage the environment. The question is — how can we minimize the problems without preventing people from travelling and visiting places? The main aim of ecotourism is to reduce the negative impact that tourism has on the environment and local people. The idea is to encourage tourists to think about what they do when they visit a place. It's great to talk about protecting the environment, but how do you actually do this? There are a number of key points. Tourists shouldn't drop litter, they should stay on the paths, they shouldn't interfere with wildlife and they should respect local customs and traditions. Some people see ecotourism as a contradiction. They say that any tourism needs infrastructure — roads, airports and hotels. The more tourists that visit a place, the more of these are needed and, by building more of these, you can't avoid damaging the environment. But, of course, things aren't so black and white. Living in a place of natural beauty doesn't mean that you shouldn't benefit from things like better roads. As long as the improvements benefit the local people and not just the tourists, and the local communities are consulted on plans and changes, then is there really a problem? In 2002 the United Nations celebrated the "International Year of Ecotourism". Over the past twenty years, more and more people have started taking eco-holidays. In countries such as Ecuador, Nepal, Costa Rica and Kenya, ecotourism represents a significant proportion of the tourist industry.
0Câu 10
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Benefits and drawbacks of ecotoursim
B.Some Dos for ecotourists
C. A brief introduction about ecotourism
D. Some Don'ts for ecotourists
Câu 11
In paragraph 1, the word "it" refers to ______
A. damage
B.impact
C. environment
D. tourism
Câu 12
According to the passage, what does the ecotourism aim at?
A. preventing tourists from travelling
B.stopping ecotourism altogether
C. reducing the tourism problems
D. finding a new form of tourism
Câu 13
According to the passage, which of the following is not mentioned as an activity to protect the environment?
A. not hunting animals for food
B.not interfering with wildlife
C. respecting local customs and traditions
D. not littering
Câu 14
In paragraph 4, the word "avoid" is closest in meaning to ______
A. pretend
B.protest
C. prevent
D. present
Câu 15
Which of the following is TRUE about the author's opinion?
A. Governments are consulted about the plans to build new infrastructure.
B.New infrastructure could be accepted as long as it also helps local people.
C. Building extra infrastructure in ecotourism areas must be prohibited.
D. Tourists are consulted about the plans to build new infrastructure.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Choose the correct option a, b, c or d to complete this passage. Have you ever thought about inventing something? Did you worry that your idea was too strange or unrealistic? Well, maybe you should think again. Strange or unrealistic ideas never stopped Arthur Pedrick. Pedrick was a British inventor. Originally a government clerk, he spent his retirement in the 1960s and 1970s ______ new and unusual ideas. Some of these ideas contradicted basic physics, _____ that didn’t stop Pedrick. One of his strangest ideas was a plan ______ large tubes from the continent of Australia all the way to Antarctica, a distance of 10,000 km! These tubes would carry giant ice balls from Antarctica to Australia. This ice would then melt in the Australian desert, and the water would be used in irrigation. Another of Pedrick’s inventions was a radio-controlled golf ball. A golfer could change the speed and direction of the golf ball by small flaps, controlled ____ computer chips. Using radio waves, the golfer could also find lost golf balls. Arthur Pedrick had thousands of bizarre ideas for inventions, most of _____ were never built.
0Câu 1
Choose the correct option a, b, c or d to complete this passage.
A. which developing
B.developing
C. developed
D. to develop
Câu 2
Choose the correct option a, b, c or d to complete this passage.
A. so
B.and
C. although
D. but
Câu 3
Choose the correct option a, b, c or d to complete this passage.
A. connected
B.connecting
C. to connect
D. to connecting
Câu 4
Choose the correct option a, b, c or d to complete this passage.
A. by
B.in
C. into
D. on
Câu 5
Choose the correct option a, b, c or d to complete this passage.
A. who
B.whom
C. where
D. which
A.
B.
C.
D.

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.