HỘI CÁC TRƯỜNG CHUYÊN

VÙNG DUYÊN HẢI & ĐỒNG BẰNG BẮC BỘ ĐỀ THI MÔN: ANH VĂN

TRƯỜNG THPT CHUYÊN HƯNG YÊN KHỐI 10

ĐỀ THI ĐỀ XUẤT Năm học: 2015-2016

(Đề thi gồm 22 trang) Thời gian làm bài: 180 phút

I. LISTENING (40 points):

Section 1: Questions 1 – 5: You will hear two students talking about their presentations
at university. For each of the following questions, choose the option which fits best to
what you hear. You will listen to the recording twice. (10 pts)

1. Sarah felt nervous because____.

A. too many people were watching her.
B. she doesn’t like Professor Stone.
C. she realized the professor would be taking notes.
2. Sarah thought that Charlie’s main weakness was _____.
A. his Power Point presentation.
B. the accompanying music.
C. the speech itself.
3. Charlie feels that he can improve if he _______.
A. spends more time on his visuals.
B. provides more examples.
C. reduces the length of his speech by two minutes.
 4. Sarah is worried about her written work because ______.
A. her essays are too long.
B. she feels her grades are low.
C. she hasn’t done enough essays.
5. What does Charlie think about Sarah’s presentation?
A. He thinks it is useful.
B. He thinks it doesn’t have a focus.
C. He thinks some parts are redundant.

● Listening script

Charlie: Oh, I’m glad that’s over! How do you think you did in the presentation, Sarah?
Sarah: I don’t really know. It’s hard to tell. I followed all the instructions on my handout
but when I came to do it, I felt really nervous.
Charlie: How come? I always thought you’d be a good speaker. Was it because
Professor Stone was taking notes or because we were all watching?
Sarah: Well, I already knew that you’d all be watching me so I was prepared for that, but
I hadn’t thought about him writing anything down. He hardly looked at me. I don’t even
know if he noticed all the work I’d put into it.
Charlie: Of course, he did. He hardly looked at any of us. Anyway, I’m sure we all felt
the same. I certainly did. I’m much happier in front of the computer monitor. I’m not a
very confident speaker at the best of times. You know I hate giving speeches in front of
an audience. Remember what I was like when we all had to stand up and talk about
ourselves at the beginning of the course. Anyway, what did you think of mine? Be
honest.
Sarah: Well, I was impressed by the visuals. You’re certainly good with computers. I
wish my PowerPoint was as good as yours. The images conveyed your ideas really
clearly and the background music was great.
Charlie: You think so? Did you really like it? I changed my mind about the soundtrack at
the last minute but it was too late to do anything about it.
Sarah: No, the music was perfect. It wasn’t too loud either. We could hear you easily
right from the back of the room. Next time you can help me with mine. I can never find
the right piece of music. Um... My only criticism would be that you read from the screen
a bit too much without going into much detail.
Charlie: You mean that I needed to spend more time on developing my ideas (uhu).
Yeah, you’re right. I spent far too long on the visuals and not enough time on thinking
about what I was going to say and that’s why I finished with more than 2 minutes to
spare. I’ve got to include more examples in my next one.
Sarah: Well, I had the opposite problem. I kept going off the point and went well over
time. You see when I’m nervous; I tend to talk too much. I’m bound to lose points from
that.
Charlie: Oh, I don’t know – he might give you more content (laughs). He’s always
going on about not dropping below the word limit in our written assignments. You know
what he’s like. More is better.
Sarah: I do hope so. He’s always so critical about everything I write. I never get more
than a B.
Charlie: Cheer up! We’ve only done 2 essays so far and I only got a C in my first one.
So, how do you think I interacted with the audience?
Sarah: Well, I don’t know about Professor Stone, but we enjoyed it a lot. It was funny in
places but you kept to the point. How about mine?
Charlie: Well. You did make us feel personally involved and we did learn a lot but I
must admit some parts were much too long-especially the second slide. That went on for
over 5 minutes. We’ll both need to work on our timing next time.

Section 2: Questions 6 – 10: You will hear a conversation between a man, Marcus and
a woman, Cora, who work in the same office. Decide if each of the following statement
is true (T) or false (F) according to what you hear. You will listen to the recording
twice. (10 pts)

6. Cora disagrees with Marcus about the cause of the traffic jams. T

7. Marcus agrees that cycling to work would be good for him. F

8. Marcus believes employers should provide buses. F

 9. Marcus agrees to try coming to work by bus tomorrow. F

10. Cora suggests that Marcus is lazy. T

● Listening script

Marcus: Hi there!
Cora: Morning, or should I say afternoon?
Marcus: I'm not late, am I?
Cora: Only a few minutes today. But you're never exactly early, are you?
Marcus: Well, it's the traffic isn't it? There were queues of buses
stopping anything from moving up the London Road.
Cora: But that's where you're wrong. It's the cars that make traffic jams because there are
so many of them. And most of the time they have just one person in them - like you! At
least the buses have more than one person in them. Anyway, I don't know why you don't
come to work on your bike. You'd pass all the jams, and you'd be fitter.
Marcus: I just don't accept that. What about the air I'd breathe while I was cycling? I'd
get wet in the rain. And I'd arrive at work all hot and sticky.
Cora: But you wouldn't if you allowed enough time to come across the park. It's really
quite pleasant riding that way, and it's not much further. And it's cheaper.
Marcus: Yeah, anything would be cheaper than the buses in this town. If they weren't so
expensive, more people would catch them. They should make them cheaper, or
employers should pay part of people's bus fares. That would cut the traffic and we'd all
get to work in much less time.
Cora: And it'd be healthier for everyone, whether they were on a bike or not.
Marcus: If the buses weren't too old and smelly. Some of them are terrible.
Cora: But so are cars and lorries, of course. So, are you getting the bus tomorrow, then?
Marcus: Well, I might consider it, but unfortunately the bus stop's a long way from my
flat, so I'd have to get up earlier, and tomorrow's my day off anyway.
Cora: Honestly, I sometimes wonder how you manage to get out of bed in the mornings.
Marcus: Well, I don't have to tomorrow.
Cora: So we'd better get on with some work now.
Marcus: OK, OK.
Section 3: Questions 11 – 20: You will hear a woman talking to a man who works for a
travel agency. Complete the note below with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
AND/OR A NUMBER. Write your answer in the corresponding numbered boxes. You
will listen to the recording twice. (20 pts)
 SAFARI HOLIDAY

● Holiday begins on (11)_ May 21 __. st

● Minimum age is (12) __14__ years.

● Each day group covers (13) ___20 km____ of the Serengeti plains.

● Holiday costs (14) ___$675.99___ per person sharing.

● All food included except (15) ___evening meals___.

● More information is available at www. (16)____safarafaria____.com

● Price is inclusive of (17) ___flights____.

● The holiday promoter offers a (18) ___guarantee____ of your money back if

all the animals on the list are not spotted.

● Tour is popular, so tra velers are advised to (19) ___book early____.

● A (20) ___deposit___ of 500 pounds is required to secure your place.

● Listening script

Man: Morning. Can I help you?

Woman: I hope so. I wanted to inquire about booking a two-week vacation. I was
thinking of somewhere in Africa – to see the wild animals. Would you have any like that
available?
Man: Yes. We have a Safari Holiday offer running for the rest of the month. Tours last a
fortnight, so that sounds like you’re looking for.
Woman: Just the ticket! Have you any spaces in June; around the 20?
Man: June is all booked up. I’m afraid. The nearest date I have to that is May 21. Are you
booking for yourself?
Woman: Actually no; it’s a present for my two sons – they’re twins and they’ve just
turned 16.
Man: Right. That’s no problem; there is a minimum age for this tour in my notes, but it’s
14, so your sons are more than welcome to sign up. In fact, they’d probably be quite
excited by the prospect of going off to safari – I know I would have loved to at their age.
Woman: That’s what I’m hoping.
Man: Let me tell you a little bit about it then and you can see what you think. The tour
group isn’t based on one place but travels around 20km across e flatlands of the Serengeti
Park everyday.
Woman: Sounds very nice! Isn’t it expensive to go on safari like that though?
Man: It used to be that you couldn’t book a tour like this for an less than $1,000 per
person, but these days prices are much more reasonable. We charge $675.99 and that
includes morning and afternoon, though not evening meals.
Woman: How can I find out about the tour itinerary in detail?
Man: I would recommend that you go directly to the website- safarafaria.com. You’ll
find an answer there for any question you might have about the route and what they’re
likely to see.
Woman: Is that ‘safa’-s-a-f-a- ‘rafa’-r-a-f-a- and’ria’- r-i-a?
Man: Safarafaria, you got it.
Woman: What an odd name!
Man: By the way, I should tell you of course that the 675$-odd I quoted you includes
flights; they’re not additional expense. What’s more, though I am sure your twins will
love their adventure, the holiday promoter has given us a money-back guarantee, so, if
they are unhappy and if they don’t see all the animals listed on the website at one point or
another during the tour, you can reclaim what you’ve paid.
Woman: Wonderful! It sounds like a terrific holiday and I’ll definitely gave it some
thought.
Man: Don’t dwell too long though.
Woman: Oh, why not?
Man: This tour is in demand and there are a limited number of spaces left, so you may
miss out if you don’t book early.
Woman: I see. Well, that’s a shame.
Man: Why are you so disappointed?
Woman: I don’t have that kind of money to hand at the moment even if I want to book
for them.
Man: Never mind! You don’t have to pay it all upfront; all you need to do is place a
deposit to reserve your tour tickets; and that’s only $500.
Woman: Hmm, yes. I think I could manage that. Thank you. You’ve been very helpful
and informative.
Man: You’re very welcome.
II. LEXICO–GRAMMAR (60 points)

Part 1: Choose the best answer (A, B, C, or D) to each of the following questions and
write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes. (20 pts)
1. The _____ of the Syrian boy drowned off Turkey has aroused the world’s pity.
A. event B. situation C. case D. plight
- Event (n): sự kiện, sự việc
- Situation(n): tình huống, hoàn cảnh
- Case (n): trường hợp, ca, vụ án
- Plight (n): lời hứa, lời thề
2. At long last the building is nearing______.
A. finish B. termination C. completion D. finale
- Nearing completion: gần hoàn thành
- Termination (n): sự đình chỉ, huỷ bỏ
- Finale (n): kết cục, đêm chung kết
3. There is a(n)______ of difference between our two lifestyles.
A. land B. way C. world D. arm
- A world of difference: khác biệt hoàn toàn
4. People can make themselves walk on nails or through fire. It’s a question of mind
over______.
A. body B. material C. matter D. facts
- Mind over matter: tinh thần đứng trên vật chất, não kiểm soát cơ thể
5. Many people were wounded after the terrorists started ______ with machine guns.
A. blazing away B. whipping up C. shouting out D. blazing up
 - Blaze away: nổ súng/toả sáng
- Whip up: khơi dậy (cảm xúc)
- Shout out: hô hào
6. At the moment, the ruling party is on the ______ of a dilemma.
A. hooves B. points C. feet D. horns
- On the horns of a dilemma: tiến thoái lưỡng nan
7. By attacking the old lady, the youth committed a _____ crime.
A. naughty B. heinous C. bad D. evil
- Henious (adj) crime: tội ác kinh tởm
8. Twelve European countries ____ over to the euro on January 1st 2002.
A. shifted B. switched C. transformed D. altered
- Switch over to: chuyển qua làm việc gì/ dùng cái gì
9. Some of the chocolate bars were found to contain glass and the whole batch had to
be____.
A. overthrown B. overdrawn C. recalled D. retracted
- Overthrow (v): buộc từ chức
- Overdraw (v): nợ ngân hàng
- Recall (v): thu hồi sản phẩm
- Retract (v): rút lại lời nói
10.His voice has been_____ to that of Elton John.
A. equated B. equaled C. likened D. associated
- Liken SO/ST to SO/ST: so sánh cái gì giống với cái gì
11.The match was _____ and will be played next Wednesday.
A. pelted down B. poured out C. rained off D. seen through
- Pelt down: rơi xuống (mưa, tuyết)
- Pour our: rót nước
- ST be rained off: cái gì bị trì hoãn bởi cơn mưa
 - See through: nhìn thấu bản chất của ai
12.He didn’t have a ______ of evidence to support his claims.
A. scrap B. sign C. sense D. state
- Not have a scrap of ST: không có dẫu chỉ một chút về cái gì
13. I bought the chocolates on______: I saw them while I was queuing up to pay.
A. desire B. urge C. spontaneity D. impulse
- On impulse: không suy nghĩ, do bốc đồng
14.Members of the rock group were asked to ____ their behavior or else leave the
hotel.
A. modify B. amend C. transfer D. convert
- Modify (v): chỉnh sửa, thay đổi để trở nên phù hợp
- Amend (v): chỉnh sửa (thường là văn bản, luật, giấy tờ,…)
- Transfer (v): chuyển đổi
- Convert (v): biến đổi
15.We have all passed our final exams. We are going to ______ the town red to
celebrate.
A. color B. decorate C. paint D. make
- Paint st + color: sơn màu cho cái gì
16.The organizing committee should be quite small. Too many cooks spoil the _____.
A. soup B. porridge C. cake D. broth
- Too many cooks spoil the broth: lắm thầy thối ma, càng nhiều người càng
không thành công
17.I have a _____ in my throat. I think I am getting a cold.
A. fly B. bee C. toad D. frog
- Have a frog in one’s throat: bị khô cổ, nói chuyện khó khăn
18.Some supporters were _____ at the entrance because the ground was full.
A. sent off B. turned away C. booked up D. shut down
 - Send off: gửi hàng, vận chuyển
- Turn away: không cho phép ai đó vào
- Be booked up: hết dịch vụ (khách sạn, nhà hang)
- Shut down: đóng cửa/tắt
19.Suddenly a car ______ and an important-looking official got out.
A. stopped over B. drew up C. stopped out D. called by
- Stop over: dừng
- Draw up: đỗ xe, dừng xe
- Stop out: không về nhà vào ban đêm, ngủ ngoài
20.It’s a good idea to divide a task up into ______ chunks.
A. portable B. pliable C. manageable D. thinkable
- Portable (adj): di động
- Pliable (adj): mềm dẻo
- Manageable (adj): có thể quản lí được
- Thinkable (adj): có thể nghĩ ra, tưởng tượng ra được

Part 2: For questions 21–30, read the following text which contains 10 mistakes.
Underline the errors and write the corrections in the corresponding numbered boxes.
There is an example at the beginning (0). (10 pts)

Lin The Malaysian Airlines plane MH 370 is not the first disappearing without
e trace. Even if it is, this is highly unusual. In 2009, an Air France airbus jet
also vanished of radar screen. Wreckage from the lost aircraft were
eventually found in the Atlantic yet the causes of the crash remained
mystery until voice and data recorders were found years later. The final
5 report said human error was partly blamed. ‘Today aircrafts are incredibly
reliable and you do not get some sudden structure failure in a flight’, said
Mr. Louis, an aviation expert in New York said. ‘It just doesn’t happen. It
 just won’t happen’, he added. Boeing describes its 777 model a super star.
First flown in 1995, more than a thousand planes now rolled up the
10 production line. It can travel for 16 hours non-stop and experts point to its
impressive safe record with one fatal crash in 5 million flights. It could
take investigators months if years to determine what exactly happened to
the Malaysian aircraft but experts believe what happened was quick and
left the pilot no time to put a distress call.
15
You answer

0. line 1: to disappear 21. line 3: of->from 22. line 3: were->was

23. line 5: mystery-> 24. line 6: blamed-> 25. line 6: aircrafts->aircraft
a mystery/mysterious to blame
26. line 9: a->as a 27. line 10: rolled-> 28. line 13: safe->safety
have rolled
29. line 14: if->if 30. line 15: put->
not make/place
● Giải thích

21. Vanish from radar screen: biến mất khỏi màn hình hiển thị rada
22. Wreckage: đổng đổ nát (danh từ không đếm được) -> was
23. Remain + adj
24. ST be to blame: có lỗi, chịu trách nhiệm cho cái lỗi đó
25. Aircraft dạng số nhiều vẫn là aircraft
26. As a: như là một
27. Thì hiện tài hoàn thành -> have rolled
28. Impressive là tính từ nên theo sau là danh từ
29. If not: nếu không
30. Make a distress call: phát tín hiệu lâm nguy
Part 3: For questions 31–40, fill in the gaps in the following sentences with suitable
prepositions. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an
example at the beginning (0). (10 pts)

1. He finds it hard to put _________ the noise of the nearby factory.

31.President Obama’s statement was seen as an allusion___to___ the recent mass
shooting.
32.I don’t think Mr. Anderson is convinced ___of___ the man’s honesty.
33.Wealth is not necessarily synonymous ___with____ happiness.
34.Rob drove the audience mad because he spent half of his presentation
beating__about____ the bush.
35.They made a surprise assault ___on/upon___ their enemies and gained control of
the town.
36.___In___retrospect, she was the person who had made the greatest sacrifice to
him.
37.The film was so funny that everybody seemed to laugh their head__off___.
38.The police are combing the area for two men who held__up___ the local bank and
got away with a million dollar.
39.I was very impressed with the standard of the speaker. He was brilliant at
answering questions __off___ the cuff.
40.The mother was blind ___to__ her son’s fault and tried to defense him stubbornly.

● Giải thích

- An allusion to ST: lời ám chỉ bóng gió tới cái gì

- Be convinced of: bị thuyết phục
- Beat about the bush: vòng vo tam quốc
- A assault on SO/ST: tấn công, bạo hành
- In retrospect: nhìn lại
 - Laugh one’s head off: cười nghiêng ngả
- Hold up: đe doạ bằng vũ lực/ngăn chặn/hoãn
- Off the cuff: không trong dự định, bất chợt nghĩ ra
- To one’s fault: vì lỗi của ai

Part 4: For questions 41–50, use the word in capitals at the end of each of the following
sentences to form a word that fits suitably in the blank. There is an example at the
beginning (0). (20 pts)

ANGER

We’ve all felt anger at some time, whether as faint (0)________(ANNOY) or blind rage.
Anger is a normal, sometime useful human emotion, but uncontrolled (41)____ outbursts
_____ (BURST) of temper can be destructive. People who give free rein to their anger,
regardless of the (42) ____ offence______(OFFEND) this may cause, haven’t learned to
express themselves (43)_____ constructively_______(CONSTRUCT),’ says Martin
Smolik, who runs weekend residential courses in anger management. ‘It is important to
maintain your (44) ____ composure_____(COMPOSE) and put your case in an assertive,
not aggressive manner without hurting others. Being assertive doesn’t mean being pushy
or demanding; it means being (45) ____ respectful______ (RESPECT) of yourself and
other people.’ He adds that people who are easily angered are (46)_____
intolerant_______ (TOLERATE) of frustration, inconvenience or irritation and, not
surprisingly find relating to other people very difficult. But what causes people to behave
like this? It seems there is evidence to support the idea that some children may be born
(47) ____ irritable_____ (IRRITATE) and prone to anger and this tendency is sometimes
apparent from a very early age. However, research also suggests that a person’s family
(48)_____ background______(GROUND) may have an influence. Very often, people
who are (49)_____ quick-tempered________(TEMPER) and often find it difficult to
express their emotions come from (50)_____ disorganized______(ORGANIZE) and
disruptive families.

● Giải thích

41. Sau ‘’Uncontrolled’’ (không kiểm soát) cần dùng danh từ -> Outburst (bùng nổ)
42. Sau ‘’The’’ dùng danh từ -> Offence (sự xúc phạm)
43. Bổ ngữ cho động từ express -> Constructively (tính xây dựng)
44. Sau danh từ sỡ hữu ‘’your’’ dùng danh từ -> Composure (sư điềm tĩnh, bình tĩnh)
45. Sau ‘’being’’ dùng tình từ -> Respectful (Trân trọng)
46. Intolerant (không khoan dung, cố chấp, không chịu được)
47. Be born + adj: sinh ra đã như thế nào -> Irritable (dễ cáu kỉnh)
48. Family background (lí lịch gia đình)
49. Quick-tempered (dễ nóng nảy)
50. Cùng từ loại tính từ với Disruptive ‘’ (tan vỡ)-> Disorganized (bất hoà)

II. READING (60 points)

Part 1: For questions 1–15, read the following passages and decide which answer (A, B,
C, or D) best fits each gap. Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. There
is an example at the beginning (0). (15 pts)

KIWI SURPRISE

When a work project ()_______ me the opportunity to return to New Zealand, I spent
several weeks (1)_______ a country I had left in my early twenties. I’d forgotten about
the petrol stations where men in smart uniforms (2)_______ to you. They fill your tank,
(3)_______your oil and still (4)_______you less than one third of the British price for
fuel. And the people rush to your assistance if they see you (5)_______over a map. Or the
blissful (6)_______of tips. Locals simply cannot understand why anybody should
(7)_______to pay extra for friendly efficient service.

Given that New Zealand has about 3,000 kilometers of coastline, it should come as no
(8)_______that social life (9)_______around the sea. When Auckland office workers
leave their desks at the end of the working day, they don’t (10)_______home. Instead,
they (11)_______ a beeline for the marina and spend the evening (12)_______ sail on the
Hauraki Gulf. There are more yachts in Auckland than in any other city in the world- no
wonder it’s called the City of Sails. Even those who can’t afford a (13)_______ of their
own will always know someone who has one, or at the (14)_______ least, will windsurf
the offshore breezes at speeds that make the commuter ferries appear to stand
(15)_______.

0. A. gave B. offered C. sent D. lent

1. A. regaining B. recapturing C. refamiliarizing D. rediscovering
2. A. assist B. attend C. supply D. serve
3. A. control B. measure C. check D. calculate
4. A. charge B. ask C. require D. demand
5. A. pointing B. doubting C. clamoring D. puzzling
6. A. absence B. shortage C. removal D. neglect
7. A. accept B. insist C. expect D. respond
8. A. wonder B. surprise C. amazement D. news
9. A. centers B. revolves C. turns D. gathers
10. A. move B. aim C. head D. divert
11. A. have B. do C. get D. make
12. A. under B. by C. with D. on
13. A. vehicle B. hull C. vessel D. receptacle
14. A. simple B. single C. utmost D. very
15. A. still B. dead C. afloat D. upright

● Giải thích

1. Regain (v: lấy lại, chiếm lại/trở lại

Recapture (v): sự bặt lại (tù binh)
Rediscover (v): khám phá lại, tìm ra lại
2. Attend to SO: quản lí, chăm sóc ai
3. Control (v): kiểm soát, điều khiển
Measure (v): đo lường
Check (v): kiểm tra, kiểm lại
Calculate (v): tính toán, suy tính
4. Charge (v): thu tiền, tính giá
Ask (v): hỏi, xin, thỉnh cầu
Require (v) = Demand (v): yêu cầu, đòi hỏi
5. Puzzle over: giải quyết, suy nghĩ cẩn thận
6. Absence (n): sự vắng mặt, sự không có
Shortage (n): su thiếu hụt
Removal (n): sự dời đi, di chuyển (đồ đạc)
Neglect (n): sự bỏ bê, xao lãng
7. Accept (v): chấp nhận, thừa nhận
Insist (v): khăng khăng, nài nỉ
Expect (v): mong đợi, kỳ vọng
Respond (v): đáp lời, hưởng ứng lại
8. Come as a surprise: cái gì xảy ra bất ngờ
9. Revolve (v): quay tròn -> Revolve around: xoay quanh cái gì, cái gì là trung
tâm
10.Move (v): di chuyển, chuyển đổng
 Aim (v): hướng vào, tập trung vào cái gì
Head (v): tiến về, đi về phía nào
Divert (v): hướng sự chú ý/chuyển hướng đi
11.Make a beeline for: đi thẳng, nhanh đến nơi nào đó
12.Under sail: di chuyển bằng tàu thuyền có buồm
13.Vehicle (n): phương tiện, xe cộ
Hull (n): thân tàu thuỷ
Vessel (n): thuyền lớn, tàu lớn
Receptable (n): ổ cắm điện
14.At the very least: chí ít
15.Stand still: đứng vững, trụ vững

Part 2: For questions 16–25, read the text below and think of the word which best fits
each gap. Use only ONE word in each gap. Write your answers in corresponding
numbered boxes. (15 pts)

HERBS AND SPICES

There is nothing (16) ____new____in the use of herbs and spices. They have enriched
human life for thousands of years, providing (17) ___both____comfort and luxury. They
have flavored our food, cured our ailments and surrounded us with sweet scents. They
have also played their (18)___part___in our folklore and magic. It (19)___would____be
a very different world without them.

Nobody really knows who first used herbs and spices, or for (20) ___what___ purpose.
All their properties were known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians as well as those (21)
___living___ in early Biblical times. The knowledge that they employed, and that we still
use today, must have been based on the trial and (22) ___error___ of early human, who
was originally drawn to the plants (23)___because___ of their tantalizing aroma. He
gradually discovered their individual effects on his food and well-being and our use of
them comes from those early experiments. For centuries herbs and spices were
appreciated to the (24)___full____ but in modern times the arrival of the convenience
foods and new medicines of the twentieth century almost made us forget them. But
anything that has been so much loved and valued will never be completely neglected. The
knowledge has been (25) ___kept___ alive and in our present-day search for all things
natural, herbs and spices have come into their own again.

● Giải thích

16.There is nothing new in ST: không có cái gì đổi mới trong việc gì
17.Both ST and ST
18.Câu điều kiện không có thật nên dùng would
19.Play a part: đóng vai diễn
20.For what purpose: vì lí do gì
21.Mệnh đề quan hệ rút gọn who lived -> living
22.Trial and error: thử nghiệm và thất bại
23.Because of: bởi vì
24.Be appreciated to the full: được coi trọng
25.Keep alive: giữ tồn tại

Part 3: For questions 26–35, read the text below and choose the correct answer (A, B, C
or D). Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. (15 pts)

Forgetful Brains
 Humans have always had trouble remembering certain details. One person has the
unique experience of recalling in almost exact detail a memory from his childhood, but
he cannot remember what he ate for lunch yesterday. Another cannot recall names of
people she met five minutes ago, but she remembers the names of people she met from an
hour before. Psychologists have searched for answers to the memory phenomenon to
better understand how the brain functions and what triggers memory or causes
forgetfulness. After extensive research over the past century, they have come up with
some basic theories to help explain memory loss.

There are times when an individual loses all recollection of an event. This is referred to
as the decay theory, which states that if memories are not recalled from time to time, they
fade and then gradually drop from a person’s memory. Decay is proven to occur with
sensory memories, or short-term memories, if they are not recalled or rehearsed. Decay of
long-term memory is harder to explain because these memories last through the passage
of time. In fact, some knowledge can be accessed many years after it was first learned.
Research on students who took Spanish courses in high school revealed that they still
remembered a great deal of Spanish fifty years later, even though they had hardly used
the language. While some memories tend to decay, others remain burned into the recesses
of the brain, causing psychologists to further ponder the workings of memory.

Another explanation made by researchers concerning memory loss is known as

interference. Under this theory, an individual forgets a memory when similar information
enters the mind and interferes with the original memory in either the storage or retrieval
area of the brain. The information is somewhere in the person’s memory, but it gets
confused with other details. This occurs in both short-term and long-term memory and is
most common when a person tries to recall isolated facts. For instance, a woman goes to
a party and meets a man named Joe at the front door. Half an hour later, she is introduced
to Jason. When she sees Joe again, she accidentally calls him Jason. This is retroactive
interference. The newest information input replaces the old information, causing the
woman to mistakenly call the first man by the wrong name. Additionally, people may
suffer from proactive interference. A new student meets his first professor, Dr. Mack, in
his English class. When he has history, he meets Dr. Miller. However, he frequently calls
both teachers Dr. Mack, since that is the first name he had learned. Remembering the first
set of information and not remembering the next is proactive interference. The old
information interfered with the student’s ability to recall the newer information.

When a person needs to remember something, he frequently relies on cues, or

reminders, to help him retrieve a specific memory. When he lacks the cue to recall the
memory, the person suffers from cue-dependent forgetting. This may be the most
common type of forgetfulness. Psychologist Willem Wagenaar did a year-long study
during which he recorded events from his life daily. After a year’s time, he could not
remember twenty percent of the critical details, and after five years, he had forgotten
sixty percent. However, he compiled cues from ten witnesses to some events in his past
that he believed he had forgotten, and he was able to recall pieces of information about
all ten. Thus, when he had cues to help him retrieve his memories, he could remember his
experiences, illustrating that he was somewhat cue-dependent. Cognitive psychologists
believe that these specific cues help direct a person to the area of the brain where
the memory is stored or they match up with information linked to the actual
memory the person is seeking.

26. The word ‘triggers’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

(A) closes (B) cues (C) review (D) erases

● Giải thích: Trigger: gây ra (trigger memory: làm nhớ lại ký ức)
Cue: gợi ý, tín hiệu

27. According to paragraph 2, decay of short-term memories can be avoided by

(A) remembering associations

(B) removing immediate distractions

(C) recollecting information often

(D) taking time to acquire input

● Giải thích

27. Theo đoạn 2, sự suy thoái của ký ức ngắn hạn có thể tránh được bằng cách

(A) ghi nhớ các liên kết

(B) loại bỏ các gây nhiễu trực tiếp

(C) thường xuyên thu thập thông tin

(D) dành thời gian để thu thập thông tin đầu vào

Dẫn chứng: Decay is proven to occur with sensory memories, or short-term memories, if
they are not recalled or rehearsed (Ký ức giác quan hoặc ký ức ngắn hạn, đã được chứng
minh là sẽ suy yếu nếu chúng không được nhớ lại hoặc diễn tập).

28. What can be inferred about the decay theory from paragraph 2?

(A) Memories from big events always remain in the mind.

(B) Memory decay arises from specific circumstances.

(C) Recalling old memories prevent their decay.

(D) Most people suffer from some degree of memory decay.

● Giải thích
28. Có thể suy ra điều gì về lý thuyết phân rã từ đoạn 2?

(A) Những kỷ niệm về những sự kiện lớn luôn luôn đọng lại trong tâm trí.

(B) Suy giảm trí nhớ phát sinh từ những hoàn cảnh cụ thể.

(C) Nhớ lại những kỷ niệm cũ ngăn cản sự phân rã của chúng.

(D) Hầu hết mọi người đều bị suy giảm trí nhớ ở một mức độ nào đó

Dẫn chứng: There are times when an individual loses all recollection of an event. (Có
những lúc một cá nhân mất hết trí nhớ về một sự kiện)

29. Where can the following sentence be most possibly added to the passage?

However, the age of the memory does not enable psychologists to predict which
memories will disappear and which will remain.

(A) Right before the sentence “This is referred to as…a person’s memory”

(B) Right before the sentence “In fact, some knowledge…first learned”

(C) Right before the sentence “Research on students…the language”

(D) Right after the sentence “while some memories…of memory”

● Giải thích

29. Câu nào sau đây có thể được thêm vào đoạn văn?

Tuy nhiên, độ tuổi của ký ức không cho phép các nhà tâm lý học dự đoán ký ức nào sẽ
biến mất và ký ức nào sẽ còn lại.

(A) Ngay trước câu “Điều này được gọi là… ký ức của một người”

(B) Ngay trước câu “Trên thực tế, một số kiến thức… lần đầu tiên học được”
(C) Ngay trước câu “Nghiên cứu về sinh viên… ngôn ngữ”

(D) Ngay sau câu "trong khi một số kỷ niệm ... của ký ức"

Dẫn chứng: Bởi vì câu ‘’In fact, some knowledge can be accessed many years after it was
first learned.’’ bổ sung ý cho câu đã cho, chỉ ra rằng có những kiến thức đã học từ lâu
nhưng vẫn được ghi nhớ.

30. The word ‘ponder’ in the paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

(A) consider (B) explain (C) forget (D) understand

● Giải thích: ponder: suy ngẫm = consider

31. All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 3 as interference EXCEPT:

(A) Confusing newly learned facts with other details

(B) Confusing old memories with current situations

(C) Remembering the first information but forgetting the second set

(D) Recalling the last information acquired but losing the first

● Giải thích

31. Tất cả những điều sau đây được đề cập trong đoạn 3 là nhiễu NGOẠI TRỪ:

(A) Gây nhầm lẫn giữa các sự kiện mới học với các chi tiết khác

(B) Gây nhầm lẫn giữa ký ức cũ với tình huống hiện tại

(C) Nhớ thông tin đầu tiên nhưng quên thông tin thứ hai

(D) Nhớ lại thông tin cuối cùng có được nhưng mất thông tin đầu tiên
Dẫn chứng: The newest information input replaces the old information, causing the
woman to mistakenly call the first man by the wrong name. ->A Remembering the first
set of information and not remembering the next is proactive interference. -> C The old
information interfered with the student ability to recall the newer information-> D

32. In paragraph 3, the author discusses remembering and forgetting names in order to

(A) demonstrate memory interference

(B) refute proactive and retroactive interference

(C) advocate acquiring new memories

(D) reveal the workings of forgetfulness

● Giải thích

32. Ở đoạn 3, tác giả bàn về việc ghi nhớ và lãng quên tên để

(A) chứng minh nhiễu bộ nhớ

(B) bác bỏ sự can thiệp chủ động và hồi tố

(C) ủng hộ việc có được những ký ức mới

(D) tiết lộ hoạt động của sự đãng trí

Dẫn chứng: The information is somewhere in the person’s memory, but it gets confused
with other details. (Thông tin ở đâu đó trong trí nhớ của người đó, nhưng nó bị nhầm lẫn
với các chi tiết khác)

33. The word ‘isolated’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

(A) complex (B) angry (C) remote (D) ignored

 ● Giải thích: isolated: xa xôi, cô lập = remote

34. It can be inferred from paragraph 4 that a cue-dependent person

(A) can remember details or events when clues are present

(B) relies on clues too much when retrieving his memories

(C) cannot remember details or events without assistance from other people

(D) can only remember details or events unless clues are present

● Giải thích

34. Có thể suy ra từ đoạn 4 rằng một người phụ thuộc vào đầu mối

(A) có thể nhớ các chi tiết hoặc sự kiện khi có manh mối

(B) dựa vào manh mối quá nhiều khi lấy lại ký ức của mình

(C) không thể nhớ chi tiết hoặc sự kiện nếu không có sự hỗ trợ của người khác

(D) chỉ có thể nhớ chi tiết hoặc sự kiện trừ khi có manh mối

Dẫn chứng: When he lacks the cue to recall the memory, the person suffers from cue-
dependent forgetting (Khi anh ta thiếu dấu hiệu để nhớ lại ký ức, người đó mắc chứng
quên phụ thuộc vào dấu hiệu)

35. Which of the sentences below best express the essential information in the bold
sentence “Cognitive psychologists…..the person is seeking.” in the passage 4?
Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential
information.

(A) Cues about an event lead a person back to the part of the brain storing the memory.
(B) Psychologists are able to link cues to areas of a person’s brain when he or she is
forgetful.

(C) Information stored within the brain cannot be linked to specific memories after time.

(D) A person can find specific memories by using context cues about an experience.

● Giải thích

35. Câu nào dưới đây diễn đạt tốt nhất thông tin cần thiết trong câu in đậm “Các nhà tâm
lý học nhận thức… ..người đang tìm kiếm.” trong đoạn văn4? Lựa chọn không chính xác
làm thay đổi ý nghĩa theo những cách quan trọng hoặc bỏ qua thông tin cần thiết.

(A) Các câu hỏi về một sự kiện dẫn một người quay trở lại phần não lưu giữ bộ nhớ.

(B) Các nhà tâm lý học có thể liên kết các tín hiệu với các vùng não của một người khi
người đó hay quên.

(C) Thông tin được lưu trữ trong não không thể liên kết với những ký ức cụ thể theo thời
gian.

(D) Một người có thể tìm thấy những ký ức cụ thể bằng cách sử dụng các dấu hiệu ngữ
cảnh về một trải nghiệm.

Part 3. For questions 36–40, choose the correct heading for each paragraph A–F from
the list of headings below (i-ix). There are more headings than paragraphs. Write your
answers in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning.

List of Headings

i How fragile X syndrome was discovered

ii The genetic basis of the fragile X syndrome
iii Fragile X syndrome and developmental delays in the brain
iv New treatments for fragile X syndrome
v The comparative frequency of fragile X syndrome
vi Research into understanding fragile X syndrome
vii Reason for the increase of fragile X syndrome
viii Other conditions related to cognitive development
ix Examples of the symptoms of fragile X syndrome

Example Answer

Paragraph E v

36 Paragraph A vi
37 Paragraph B iii
38 Paragraph C ix
39 Paragraph D viii
40 Paragraph F ii

● Giải thích

36. Scientists at Northwestern University, Illinois, and the University of

Edinburgh explored fragile X syndrome, a condition associated with
hypersensitivity to sounds, touch, smells and visual stimuli that can result in
social withdrawal or anxiety.
37. Câu đầu và khổ cuối đoạn B
38. Khổ giữa đoạn C
39. Câu 1 và câu 3 đoạn D
 40. Fragile X syndrome is caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome –
one of the two chromosomes that determine the gender or sex of a person.
A. A condition that causes children to dislike being hugged and sometimes reject all
physical affection is closer to being understood following research into the part of
the brain responsible for our senses. Scientists at Northwestern University, Illinois,
and the University of Edinburgh explored fragile X syndrome, a condition
associated with hypersensitivity to sounds, touch, smells and visual stimuli that can
result in social withdrawal or anxiety. Hypersensitivity is a condition in which the
person affected responds in an excessive way to contact with the world around
them. Some sufferers are even hypersensitive to material on their skin.
B. The scientists found that critical phases in the brain’s development may be
wrongly timed in people with the condition. This may result in delayed
communication between certain neurons in the brain. By recording electrical
signals in the brains of mice, bred to exactly copy the effect of the condition, the
researchers found that connections in the brain’s sensory cortex were late to
develop fully. The study, published in the journal Neuron, found that normal neural
connections in the sensory cortex occur much earlier than previously thought: in
the first week of pregnancy in mice, which is equivalent to the middle of the
second trimester (or fifth month) of pregnancy in humans. In fragile X syndrome,
the mistiming also has a domino effect, causing further problems with the correct
wiring of the brain. The hope is that by understanding how and when the functions
of the brain are affected in fragile X syndrome, a therapy may become possible.
C. ‘There is a “critical period” during development, when the brain is very plastic and
is changing rapidly,’ said Anis Contractor, from the Feinberg School of Medicine
at Northwestern University. ‘All the elements of this rapid development have to be
coordinated so that the brain becomes wired correctly and therefore functions
properly.’ People with the syndrome have cognitive problems as well as sensory
 problems that make them physically weaker. ‘They have tactile defensiveness,’ Dr
Contractor said. ‘They don’t look in people’s eyes, they won’t hug their parents,
and they are hypersensitive to touch and sound. All of this causes anxiety for
family and friends as well as for the fragile X patients themselves.’ Peter Kind,
who led the study at the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘We know there are key
windows during which the brain develops, both in the womb and afterwards. The
general principle is that if these time windows have shifted, then that could explain
the cognitive problems.’
D. Professor Kind said that this could be demonstrated by the fact that a child with a
cataract (a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes less and less
transparent) that was not corrected would become permanently blind in the
affected eye, whereas an adult would be able to regain their sight after an
operation. ‘We’ve learnt that these changes happen much earlier than previously
thought, which gives valuable insight into when we should begin therapeutic
intervention for people with these conditions,’ he said. ‘It’s also has implications
for the treatment of autism since the changes in the brains of people with fragile X
syndrome and autistic people are thought to significantly overlap.’ Autism, as
many people know, is a disability that affects how a person communicates with
and relates to other people, and how they make sense of the world.
E. Fragile X syndrome is as common as cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that
commonly affects the lungs and causes breathing difficulties, and that affects about
1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 8,000 females worldwide. The Fragile X Society believes
that there are many people who have fragile X syndrome but have never been
diagnosed. It shows up in early infancy and progressively worsens throughout
childhood, causing intellectual disability as well as social, language and behavioral
problems.
 F. Fragile X syndrome is caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome – one of
the two chromosomes that determine the gender or sex of a person. The mutation
interferes in the production of a protein called fragile X mental retardation protein.
Fragile X is so-named because the X chromosome appears broken or kinked. Tim
Potter, of the Fragile X Society, said: ‘We welcome any research that helps us
understand fragile X and which may open the way to reversing the effect of
preventing them ever happening’.

Question 41-45

Complete the summary of paragraphs A and B below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in spaces 41-45

People with fragile X syndrome are extremely sensitive to sensory

(41)____stimuli_____. Some sufferers are even (42)___hypersensitive____ to clothing.
The condition is the result of the connections within the (43 ___sensory cortex____ of the
brain not being made at the right time. Instead, the neurons of people with the condition
establish connections later than should happen, which is normally in the second
(44)___trimester____ of pregnancy in humans. By understanding how the brain’s
(45)___functions____ are affected, scientists hope to develop a treatment.

● Giải thích

41. . Scientists at Northwestern University, Illinois, and the University of Edinburgh

explored fragile X syndrome, a condition associated with hypersensitivity to sounds,
touch, smells and visual stimuli that can result in social withdrawal or anxiety.

42. Some sufferers are even hypersensitive to material on their skin

43. . The study, published in the journal Neuron, found that normal neural connections in
the sensory cortex occur much earlier than previously thought

44. The study, published in the journal Neuron, found that normal neural connections in
the sensory cortex occur much earlier than previously thought: in the first week of
pregnancy in mice, which is equivalent to the middle of the second trimester (or fifth
month) of pregnancy in humans

45. The hope is that by understanding how and when the functions of the brain are
affected in fragile X syndrome, a therapy may become possible.

IV. WRITING (40 points)

Part 1:
For questions 1–5, finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means
exactly the There is an example at the beginning (0).

0. I haven’t enjoyed myself so much for years.

It’s years …………….…....since I enjoyed myself so much……….…... .
1. “I think opinion polls are worthless,” he said.
He dismissed opinion polls as (being) worthless
- Dismiss ST: chối bỏ cái gì
2. The harsh criticism of the Prime Minister was quite unjustified.
There was no justification for the harsh criticism of the Prime Minister
- There is no justification for ST: không có đủ lí lẽ để biện hộ cho cái gì
3. It was more of a business contract than a marriage.
It was not so much a marriage as a business contract
- Be more of ST than ST = Be not so much ST as ST: giống cái gì hơn là cái gì
4. They stand a good chance of winning the case.
The chances are that they will win the case
- The chances are that + clause: Cơ hội đó là
 5. It doesn’t matter what happens, we’ll stay side by side.
Come what may, we’ll stay side by side

- Come what may: dù sao đi nữa

For questions 6–10, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. There is an example
at the beginning (0).

0. It’s no use arguing: I’ve made up my mind.

point
…..…. There’s no point in arguing: ……… I’ve made up my mind.

6. I need someone to take my place at the ceremony. (STAND)

I need someone to stand in for me at the ceremony.
- Stand in for: thế chỗ
7. He owed his life to a passer-by. (INDEBTED)
He was indebted to a passer-by for his life.
- Be indebted to SO for ST = owe ST to SO : nợ ai đó cái gì
8. I had suspicion when they offered me such a high interest rate. (RAT)
I smelt a rat when they offered me such a high interest rate.
- Smell a rat: cảm thấy nghi ngờ
9. It is certain that the new cuts will worry the staff. (BOUND)
The new cuts are bound to worry the staff.
- Be bound to: sắp, chắc chắn sẽ xảy ra
10.Money has no value on a desert island. (COUNTS)
Money counts for nothing on a desert island.

- Count for nothing: không có ý nghĩa gì

Part 2:
 It has been said, “Not everything that is learned is contained in books.” Compare and
contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books, in
your opinion, which source is more important? Write a paragraph of about 150
words to express your opinion.

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………..The end………..

Người ra đề

Nguyễn Thu Hà

(Điện thoại liên hệ: 0988 838 638)