CHUYÊN QUỐC HỌC - HUẾ KỲ THI HỌC SINH GIỎI CÁC TRƯỜNG THPT

ĐỀ THI ĐỀ XUẤT CHUYÊN KHU VỰC DUYÊN HẢI

(Đề thi gồm 19 trang) VÀ ĐỒNG BẰNG BẮC BỘ
LẦN THỨ XV, NĂM HỌC 2023 - 2024
ĐỀ THI MÔN: TIẾNG ANH - LỚP 10
Thời gian: 180 phút (Không kể thời gian giao đề)

I. LISTENING (50 POINTS)

Part 1. You will hear a man talking to teenagers about archery and do the following
tasks. (10 points)
Questions 1-3: Complete the flow chart below.
Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ARCHERY
Archery first used to hunt and in warfare - bows were straight
String removed from curved bows when (1) ___it put back_______
↓

All cultures had bows and arrows - (2) __through________ best-known for using them
↓

Advent of (3) _____europe_____ saw a decline in use of bows and arrows

↓

Archery as recreational activity grew in popularity

Questions 4-5: Complete the summary below.

Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
SAFETY PROCEDURES
All equipment must be used properly and safely. Archers must not think of the bows and a
rrows as (4) __________. Nobody is allowed to enter the (5) __________ until told to do
so by the group supervisor. Each participant must use their weapon only when instructed t
o do so.
YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Part 2. You will hear a podcast about how to make better decisions. For questions 1-
5, decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F). (10 points)
1. Barack Obama eliminated wardrobe choices to save mental energy for more critical
decisions.
2. Research shows that all decisions, regardless of their size, consume different amounts of
energy.
3. Scientists have found that staying well-hydrated and consuming a breakfast with slow-r
elease carbohydrates can help improve decision-making.
4. Daniel Kahneman's research indicates that people are generally more motivated by pote
ntial gains than by the fear of loss in big decisions.
5. When making an important decision, it is beneficial to seek advice from an objective fri
end.
YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Part 3. You will hear a radio interview in which two ecologists, called Jack Benson an
d Trisha Roberts, are talking about sand. For questions 1-5, choose the correct answe
r (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. (10 points)
1. Jack thinks the main reason people are attracted to beaches is because
A. we enjoy a feeling of timelessness there.
B. we find breathing the fresh salty air invigorating.
C. the sound of the waves is hypnotic.
D. the quality of the light is special.
2. What was Trisha’s reaction when she read an article about ‘pop-up’ beaches?
A. She was surprised the topic hadn’t been explored before.
B. She wanted to research the phenomenon more.
C. She was ashamed at having visited one.
D. She questioned the advice in the article.
3. Jack and Trisha agree that the practice of adding fresh sand to beaches
A. is less effective against coastal erosion than building a seawall.
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 B. can only be a short-term solution to coastal erosion.
C. interferes with the normal movement of the sea.
D. must be harmful to the wildlife there.
4. Why does Jack mention the fact that more people live in cities nowadays?
A. to criticise people’s lack of awareness of environmental issues
B. to illustrate that natural resources are becoming scarce
C. to suggest society’s major concern is making money
D. to explain why the demand for sand is so high
5. What does Jack hope will solve the problem of taking sand from beaches?
A. Scientists will develop a new form of sand.
B. Architects will rethink the design of buildings.
C. Governments will impose stricter regulations.
D. The public will become better informed.

YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Part 4. You will hear a podcast about the history of the color pink. For questions 1-5,
complete the sentences with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. (20 points)
In 1927, Time Magazine surveyed major (1) __________ for girls' clothing colors, with va
ried results.
A 1918 catalog suggested that (2) __________ blue was suitable for young girls.
Pink gained its current (3) __________ after World War II.
In 1953, Mamie Eisenhower's appearance in a (4) __________ pink ballgown marked a si
gnificant moment for pink's history.
Mamie Eisenhower was known for her love of the color pink, which she believed comple
mented her blue eyes and (5) __________, leading to the term "Mamie pink" frequently ap
pearing in newspaper headlines. This is humorously captured in the song "Think Pink" fro
m "Funny Face," where the (6) __________ editor, inspired by Diana Vreeland, encourage

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s women to embrace pink and abandon the wartime colors of
(7) __________ and __________.
Pink gained popularity in fashion and (8) __________ decor.
While many women embraced this trend, others like Diana Vreeland resisted returning to
(9) __________, and pink started to represent unconventional and empowered women.
Examples include racecar driver Donna Mae Mims with her pink gear, the Pink Ladies in
"Grease," the Plastics in "Mean Girls," and Hillary Clinton on the cover of People magazi
ne in a pink jacket advocating for breaking the highest (10) __________.
This shift challenged norms, revealing pink's influence on shaping personalities and abilities.

YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 3. 5. 7. 9.
2. 4. 6. 8. 10.

II. LEXICO AND GRAMMAR (40 POINTS)

Part 1. Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) that best completes each sentence. (3
0 points)
1. Her __________ remarks about the seriousness of the situation offended those who wer
e genuinely concerned.
A. flippant B. scrawny C. arrogant D. assertive
2. The journalist managed to __________ out the information by going through all the old file
s.
A. beetle B. cow C. ferret D. badger
3. Joanna has a real __________ for interior design - her home stunning!
A. likeness B. flair C. prospect D. popularity
4. If the warning light should come on, turn the red __________ to off.
A. button B. dial C. knob D. lever
5. He has a morbid fear of going outside his home, known to doctors as __________.
A. agoraphobia B. arachnophobia C. claustrophobia D. xenophobia
6. The peach pie was so delicious that we __________ the whole thing.
A. coughed up B. polished off C. wound up D. sponged off
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7. She could talk the hind legs off a __________ with her endless anecdotes and stories.
A. dog B. donkey C. cow D. snake
8. It was a __________ moment when I realized that there were other people who watched the sho
w.
A. lowly B. scholastic C. righteous D. revelatory
9. A(n) __________ shift in the global oil market is under way.
A. epochal B. transient C. fleeting D. mundane
10. The singer wished it to be known that he had left the band out of his own __________.
A. accord B. eagerness C. volition D. willingness
11. Since the coup, the country has sunk deeper into a(n) __________ of violence and lawlessnes
s.
A. resolution B. extrication C. quagmire D. fluidity
12. Deadlines are getting closer and everyone is rushed off their __________ at the mome
nt!
A. feet B. eyes C. hands D. knees
13. It was such a(n) __________ novel that I couldn't put it down.
A. fictitious B. riveting C. zealous D. endowed
14. The rain __________ down slowly under his coat collar, making him feel thoroughly d
amp and miserable.
A. crept B. waded C. trickled D. teemed
15. A price war looks likely now that a leading supermarket has __________ to its competitors.
A. thrown down the gauntlet :thách đấu B. turned a blind eye :giả ngơ
C. taken with a grain of salt:nửa tin nửa ngờ D. been a wolf in sheep's clothing:sói đội
lốt cừu
16. I don't really believe all that - I was just __________ devil's advocate.
A. getting B. doing C. playing :giả vờ phản đối để tạo cuộc
tranh luận D. turning
17. You can tell her to clean her room until you are __________ in the face, but she won’t do i
t.
A. red B. orange C. blue D. green

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18. I hate the way Tony __________ around looking so self- important.
A. struts B. scampers C. slithers D. slinks
19. Environmentalists have no political axe to __________ - they just want to save the plan
et.
A. cut B. sharpen C. grind D. trim
20. I always clean the flat before my mum comes round, but she always finds at least one
__________ of dust and says it's filthy!
A. scrap B. gust C. speck D. blade
21. Almost __________ person I've asked says they're going on the anti-war demonstratio
n next Saturday.
A. every B. each C. all the D. the entire
22. __________ hundreds of people dead during the evacuation from the war-torn area in t
he Middle East.
A. It is estimated to be B. There is estimated to be
C. There are estimated to be D. It is estimated that
23. She had spent hours browsing through various stores, trying on countless outfits;
__________, she left the mall empty-handed, undecided about her purchase.
A. moreover B. nonetheless C. consequently D. whereas
24. Formerly close friends, they had been estranged __________ each other for many year
s.
A. from B. with C. over D. in
25. We heard of a __________ country that was the first to discover this.
A. certain Middle Eastern small B. small Middle Eastern certain
C. Middle Eastern certain small D. certain small Middle Eastern
26. This delicious __________ is high in protein and suitable for any vegetarian diet.
A. goats cheese B. goats' cheese C. cheese of goat D. goat's cheese
27. It isn't a big difference, but it is a difference __________.
A. for example B. in addition C. above all D. all the same
28. __________ train.
A. There goes the B. Goes there the C. There goes D. There go the

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29. __________ at the University of London, she has written several books on the history
of graphic design.
A. If a professor B. Now is a professor
C. Now a professor D. Whether a professor
30. I'm __________ my brother is.
A. nowhere like so ambitious B. nothing near as ambitious as
C. nothing as ambitious than D. nowhere near as ambitious as

YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 4. 7. 10. 13. 16. 19. 22. 25. 28.
2. 5. 8. 11. 14. 17. 20. 23. 26. 29.
3. 6. 9. 12. 15. 18. 21. 24. 27. 30.
Part 2. Give the correct form of the words in the brackets to complete the following
sentences. (10 points)
1. He was the (PERSON) of courage with all the illnesses he went through. Personificati
on:ví dụ điển hình
2. The unions were opposed to the (PRIVATE) of water, rail and electricity.SELF-privati
zation
3. An odd (JUXTAPOSE) of talents worked exceedingly well on the project.
JUXTAPOSition
4. The politician's explanation for the budget deficit was completely (SENSE), lacking an
y coherent reasoning or factual basis.nonsensical: ngu ngốc
5. Many people gave (STINT) of their time and energy to reduce the difficulties experienced
by the refugees. unstintingly: 1 cách hào phóng,ko tiếc công
6. The country's great influence in the world is (PROPORTION) to its relatively small size.
DISPROPORTIONATE: thiếu cân đối
7. She decided to have a more (RELAX) attitude towards her work-life balance, prioritizin
g her well-being over constant stress.RELAXed
8. Despite his outward charm, he behaved (DESPISE) towards his colleagues, betraying their
trust for personal gain.DESPICABLy

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9. An (DETERMINE) number of workers have already been exposed to the danger.
inDETERMINate:ko xác định
10. The Barnstaple Herald has managed to (LIVE) all of its rivals, none of which survived
the last recession.outlive:sống lâu hơn
YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 3. 5. 7. 9.
2. 4. 6. 8. 10.

III. READING (60 POINTS)

Part 1. Read the following text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each
gap. (15 points)
A BLACK DAY FOR SPORT

Appeals were being made last night for Corsicans to come (1) __________ and donate
blood following the collapse of the football stadium in Bastia. The tragedy (2)
__________ 26 fans dead; the number of injured has been put at 700.

(3) __________ to eyewitnesses, workers were still tightening bolts on the temporary
scaffolding only an hour and a half (4) __________ the match was (5) __________ to begin,
and as fans passed into the stadium, the structure, which holds up to 10,000, swayed violently
and (6) __________ collapsed.

Many of the (7) __________ were given emergency treatment on the pitch while more
serious cases were (8) __________ to hospitals on the mainland.

A spokesman from the firm responsible for the stand's construction could only (9)
__________ horrified disbelief. According to him, although some of the bars had
collapsed, others should have (10) __________ the structure, thus preventing it from
falling down.
1. A. across B. over C. up to D. forward
2. A. did B. left C. made D. remained
3. A. With a view B. As far as C. According D. Referring
4. A. before B. until C. since D. after

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 5. A. up B. about C. bound D. due
6. A. gradually B. actually C. eventually D. definitely
7. A. injured B. wounded C. damaged D. wrecked
8. A. delivered B. trafficked C. travelled D. transferred
9. A. speak B. express C. say D. tell
10.A. supported B. held C. defended D. carried

YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 3. 5. 7. 9.
2. 4. 6. 8. 10.

Part 2. Read the following text and think of the word that best fits each space. Use on
ly ONE WORD in each space. (15 points)
THE CUCKOO ROLLER OF MADAGASCAR

This bird is about the same size as the European roller, and has many features in common
with its near relatives. (1) ___unlike_______ the European family, however, the cuckoo r
oller can reverse its outer toes, allowing it to perch (2) ___by_______ gripping a branch w
ith two toes forward and two back. Its eating habits are also quite different. While nearly al
l other rollers take food on the wing or pluck reptiles or large insects from the ground, the
cuckoo roller stays high up in the forest canopy, (3) __feeding________ on caterpillars, sti
ck insects and,
(4) ______most____ important of all, chameleons.

Subtly blending its colours to the forest backcloth, and (5) ____never______ leaving the s
afety of the branches except to cross from one tree to another, the chameleon is an elusive
prey. (6) ___when_______ on open ground, (7) ___whose_______ myriad dangers it nor
mally avoids, the chameleon's slow, swaying walk makes it difficult to see against the leav
es. (8) ____so______ good is its camouflage that the cuckoo roller has to put up with long
periods of watching and waiting, (9) _______before___ a tell-tale movement betrays its vi
ctim's presence. At least, experts assume this is what happens, because despite the fact that

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this bird is widespread throughout Madagascar, no observer has yet seen it in the (10) __
_process_______ of catching its prey.
YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 3. 5. 7. 9.
2. 4. 6. 8. 10.

Part 3. Read the following text and choose the best option (A, B, C or D) to answer th
e question. (15 points)
THERMOREGULATION

Mammals and birds generally maintain body temperature within a narrow range (36-38°C
for most mammals and 39-42°C for most birds) that is usually considerably warmer than t
he environment. Because heat always flows from a warm object to cooler surroundings, bi
rds and mammals must counteract the constant heat loss. This maintenance of warm body t
emperature depends on several key adaptations. The most basic mechanism is the high met
abolic rate of endothermy itself. Endotherms can produce large amounts of metabolic heat
that replace the flow of heat to the environment, and they can vary heat production to matc
h changing rates of heat loss. Heat production is increased by such muscle activity as m
oving or shivering. In some mammals, certain hormones can cause mitochondria to increa
se their metabolic activity and produce heat instead of ATP. This nonshivering thermogen
esis (NST) takes place throughout the body, but some mammals also have a tissue called b
rown fat in the neck and between the shoulders that is specialized for rapid heat production.
Through shivering and NST, mammals and birds in cold environments can increase their
metabolic heat production by as much as 5 to 10 times above the minimal levels that occu
r in warm conditions.

Another major thermoregulatory adaptation that evolved in mammals and birds is insulatio
n (hair, feathers, and fat layers), which reduces the flow of heat and lowers the energy cost
of keeping warm. Most land mammals and birds react to cold by raising their fur or feather
s, thereby trapping a thicker layer of air. [A] Humans rely more on a layer of fat just benea
th the skin as insulation; goose bumps are a vestige of hair-raising left over from our furry
ancestors. [B] Vasodilation and vasoconstriction also regulate heat exchange and may cont
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ribute to regional temperature differences within the animal. [C] For example, heat loss fro
m a human is reduced when arms and legs cool to several degrees below the temperature o
f the body core, where most vital organs are located. [D]

Hair loses most of its insulating power when wet. Marine mammals such as whales and se
als have a very thick layer of insulation fat called blubber, just under the skin. Marine ma
mmals swim in water colder than their body core temperature, and many species spend at l
east part of the year in nearly freezing polar seas. The loss of heat to water occurs 50 to 10
0 times more rapidly than heat loss to air, and the skin temperature of a marine mammal is
close to water temperature. Even so, the blubber insulation is so effective that marine mam
mals maintain body core temperatures of about 36-38°C with metabolic rates about the sa
me as those of land mammals of similar size. The flippers or tail of a whale or seal lack in
sulating blubber, but countercurrent heat exchangers greatly reduce heat loss in these extre
mities, as they do in the legs of many birds.

Through metabolic heat production, insulation, and vascular adjustments, birds and mamm
als are capable of astonishing feats of thermoregulation. For example, small birds called ch
ickadees, which weigh only 20 grams, can remain active and hold body temperature nearly
constant at 40°C in environmental temperatures as low as -40ºC - as long as they have eno
ugh food to supply the large amount of energy necessary for heat production.

Many mammals and birds live in places where thermoregulation requires cooling off as we
ll as warming. For example, when a marine mammal moves into warm seas, as many whal
es do when they reproduce, excess metabolic heat is removed by vasodilation of numerous
blood vessels in the outer layer of the skin. In hot climates or when vigorous exercise adds
large amounts of metabolic heat to the body, many terrestrial mammals and birds may allo
w body temperature to rise by several degrees, which enhances heat loss by increasing the
temperature gradient between the body and a warm environment.

Evaporative cooling often plays a key role in dissipating the body heat. If environmental te
mperature is above body temperature, animals gain heat from the environment as well as fr
om metabolism, and evaporation is the only way to keep body temperature from rising rapi
dly. Panting is important in birds and many mammals. Some birds have a pouch richly sup

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plied with blood vessels in the floor of the mouth; fluttering the pouch increases evaporati
on. Pigeons can use evaporative cooling to keep body temperature close to 40°C in air tem
peratures as high as 60°C, as long as they have sufficient water. Many terrestrial mammals
have sweat glands controlled by the nervous system. Other mechanisms that promote evap
orative cooling include spreading saliva on body surfaces, an adaptation of some kangaroo
s and rodents for combating severe heat stress. Some bats use both saliva and urine to enha
nce evaporative cooling.
ATP: energy that drives certain reactions in cells
mitochondria: a membrane of ATP
1. According to paragraph 1, the most fundamental adaptation to maintain body temperatur
e is
A. the heat generated by the metabolism B. a shivering reflex in the muscles
C. migration to a warmer environment D. higher caloric intake to match heat loss
2. Based on information in paragraph 1, which of the following best explains the term “the
rmogenesis”?
A. Heat loss that must be reversed
B. The adaptation of brown fat tissue in the neck
C. The maintenance of healthy environmental conditions
D. Conditions that affect the metabolism
3. Which of the sentences below best expresses the information in the highlighted statement i
n the paragraph 1? The other choices change the meaning or leave out important information.
A. An increase in heat production causes muscle activity such as moving or shivering.
B. Muscle activity like moving and shivering will increase heat production.
C. Moving and shivering are muscle activities that increase with heat.
D. When heat increases, the production of muscle activity also increases
4. The word “minimal” in the paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to
A. most recent B. most active C. newest D. smallest
5. In paragraph 2, the author explains the concept of vasodilation and vasoconstriction by
A. describing the evolution in our ancestors
B. giving an example of heat loss in the extremities

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 C. comparing the process in humans and animals
D. identifying various types of insulation
6. According to paragraph 3, why do many marine animals require a layer of blubber?
A. Because marine animals have lost their hair during evolution
B. Because heat is lost in water much faster than it is in air
C. Because dry hair does not insulate marine animals
D. Because they are so large that they require more insulation
7. The word “those” in the passage 3 refers to
A. marine animals B. core temperatures C. land mammals D. metabolic rates
8. Why does the author mention “chickadees” in paragraph 4?
A. To discuss an animal that regulates heat very well
B. To demonstrate why chickadees have to eat so much
C. To mention an exception to the rules of thermoregulation
D. To give a reason for heat production in small animals
9. In paragraph 6, the author states that evaporative cooling is often accomplished by all of
the following methods EXCEPT
A. by spreading saliva over the area B. by urinating on the body
C. by panting or fluttering a pouch D. by immersing themselves in water
10.Which of the following square brackets [A], [B], [C], or [D] best indicates where in the
paragraph the sentence ‘The insulating power of a layer of fur or feathers mainly depe
nds on how much still air the layer traps.’ can be inserted?
A. [A] B. [B] C. [C] D. [D]

Part 4. Read the text below and do the following tasks. (15 points)
HOW HUMAN LANGUAGE COULD HAVE EVOLVED FROM BIRDSONG

Linguistics and biology researchers propose a new theory on the deep roots of human speech.

'The sounds uttered by birds offer in several respects the nearest analogy to language,' Cha
rles Darwin wrote in The Descent of Man (1871), while contemplating how humans learne

13
d to speak. Language, he speculated, might have had its origins in singing, which 'might ha
ve given rise to words expressive of various complex emotions.'

Now researchers from MIT, along with a scholar from the University of Tokyo, say that D
arwin was on the right path. The balance of evidence, they believe, suggests that human la
nguage is a grafting of two communication forms found elsewhere in the animal kingdom:
first, the elaborate songs of birds, and second, the more utilitarian, information bearing typ
es of expression seen in a diversity of other animals. 'It's this adventitious combination that
triggered human language,' says Shigeru Miyagawa, a professor of linguistics in MIT's De
partment of Linguistics and Philosophy, and co-author of a new paper published in the jou
rnal Frontiers in Psychology.

The idea builds upon Miyagawa's conclusion, detailed in his previous work, that there are t
wo 'layers' in all human languages: an 'expression' layer, which involves the changeable or
ganisation of sentences, and a 'lexical' layer, which relates to the core content of a sentence.
His conclusion is based on earlier work by linguists including Noam Chomsky, Kenneth
Hale and Samuel Jay Keyser. Based on an analysis of animal communication, and using M
iyagawa's framework, the authors say that birdsong closely resembles the expression layer
of human sentences, whereas the communicative waggles of bees or the short, audible mes
sages of primates are more like the lexical layer. At some point, between 50,000 and 80,00
0 years ago, humans may have merged these two types of expression into a uniquely sophi
sticated form of language.

'There were these two pre-existing systems,' Miyagawa says, 'like apples and oranges that jus
t happened to be put together.' These kinds of adaptations of existing structures are common i
n natural history, notes Robert Berwick, a co-author of the paper, who is a professor of comp
utational linguistics in MIT's Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems, in the Depar
tment of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. 'When something new evolves, it is o
ften built out of old parts,' he says. 'We see this over and over again in evolution. Old structur
es can change just a little bit, and acquire radically new functions.'

The new paper, 'The Emergence of Hierarchical Structure in Human Language,' was co-wr
itten by Miyagawa, Berwick and Kazuo Okanoya, a bio-psychologist and expert on animal

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communication. To consider the difference between the expression layer and the lexical la
yer, take a simple sentence: 'Todd saw a condor.' We can easily create variations of this, su
ch as, 'When did Todd see a condor?' This rearranging of elements takes place in the expre
ssion layer and allows us to add complexity and ask questions. But the lexical layer remain
s the same, since it involves the same core elements: the subject, 'Todd,' the verb, 'to see,' a
nd the object, 'condor.'

Birdsong lacks a lexical structure. Instead, birds sing learned melodies with what Berwick
calls a 'holistic' structure; the entire song has one meaning, whether about mating, territory
or other things. The Bengalese finch, as the authors note, can loop back to parts of previou
s melodies, allowing for greater variation and communication of more things; a nightingal
e may be able to recite from 100 to 200 different melodies.

By contrast, other types of animals have bare-bones modes of expression without the same
melodic capacity. Bees communicate visually, using precise waggles to indicate sources of
foods to their peers; other primates can make a range of sounds, comprising warnings abou
t predators and other messages.

Humans, according to Miyagawa, Berwick and Okanoya, fruitfully combined these system
s. We can communicate essential information, like bees or primates, but like birds, we also
have a melodic capacity and an ability to recombine parts of our uttered language. For this
reason, our finite vocabularies can generate a seemingly infinite string of words. Indeed, th
e researchers suggest that humans first had the ability to sing, as Darwin conjectured, and t
hen managed to integrate specific lexical elements into those songs. 'It's not a very long ste
p to say that what got joined together was the ability to construct these complex patterns, li
ke a song, but with words,' Berwick says.

As they note in the paper, some of the 'striking parallels' between language acquisition in b
irds and humans include the phase of life when each is best at picking up languages, and th
e part of the brain used for language. Another similarity as Berwick puts it is that 'all huma
n languages have a finite number of stress patterns, a certain number of beat patterns. Well,
in birdsong, there is also this limited number of beat patterns.'

15
Norbert Hornstein, a professor of linguistics at the University of Maryland, says the paper
has been 'very well received' among linguists, and 'perhaps will be the standard go-to pape
r for language-birdsong comparison for the next five years.' He adds that he would like to s
ee further comparison of birdsong and sound production in human language, as well as mo
re neuroscientific research, pertaining to both birds and humans, to see how brains are stru
ctured for making sounds.

The researchers acknowledge that further empirical studies on the subject would be desirable.
'It's just a hypothesis,' Berwick says. 'But it's a way to make explicit what Darwin was talkin
g about very vaguely, because we know more about language now.' Miyagawa, for his part, a
sserts it is a viable idea in part because it could be subject to more scrutiny, as the communic
ation patterns of other species are examined in further detail. 'If this is right, then human lang
uage has a precursor in nature, in evolution, that we can actually test today,' he says, adding t
hat bees, birds and other primates could all be sources of further research insight.

MIT-based research in linguistics has largely been characterised by the search for universa
l aspects of all human languages. With this paper, Miyagawa, Berwick and Okanoya hope
to spur others to think of the universality of language in evolutionary terms. It is not just a
random cultural construct, they say, but based in part on capacities humans share with othe
r species. At the same time, Miyagawa notes, human language is unique, in that two indep
endent systems in nature merged, in our species, to allow us to generate unbounded linguis
tic possibilities, albeit within a constrained system. 'Human language is not just freeform, i
t's rule-based,' Miyagawa says. 'If we are right, human language has a very heavy constrai
nt on what it can and cannot do, based on its antecedents in nature.'

Questions 1-2: Answer the questions. Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answ
er.
1. Who initially identified similarities between human language and birdsong?
2. Which word in the second paragraph is used to emphasise that the development of huma
n language probably happened by chance?

Questions 3-6: Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-H from the box below.
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3. The waggle of bees
4. Human language
5. The expression layer of human language
6. The lexical layer of human language

A. is as complex as human language.

B. is characterised by form changes that express different meaning.
C. is principally used to indicate danger.
D. conveys simple but clear messages.
E. consists of relatively few components.
F. conveys both emotional and practical concepts.
G. existed before birdsong.
H. is less well understood than other forms of communication.

Questions 7-8: Complete the summary. Use ONE WORD ONLY from the passage fo
r each answer.
Norbert Hornstein admits that (7) __________ are complimentary about the paper but wou
ld like to see more investigation. He would especially like to know more about the formati
on of both bird and human brains.
Miyagawa, Berwick and Okanoya agree that further research now needs to be
(8) __________ rather than theoretical.

Questions 9-10: Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

9. Miyagawa, Berwick and Okanoya want their research to
A. give people the confidence to challenge theories of evolution.
B. persuade people that early humans imitated birds.
C. help people appreciate the achievements of mankind.
D. encourage people to understand more about how language has evolved in humans and anima
ls.
10. What is the conclusion that can be drawn from reading this passage?
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 A. Birdsong is more complex than most people would imagine.
B. Humans probably sang before they talked.
C. Human language is less sophisticated than we tend to believe.
D. Insufficient research has been conducted into the origins of human language.

YOUR ANSWERS:
1. 3. 5. 7. 9.
2. 4. 6. 8. 10.

IV. WRITING (50 POINTS)

Part 1. (20 points)
The graph below gives information on the number of participants for different activit
ies at one social centre in Melbourne, Australia for the period 2000 to 2020.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Number of participants, by activity 2000-2020

Number of participants
70

60

50 Film club
Martial arts
40
Amateur dramatics
30 Table tennis
Musical performances
20

10

0
2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Year
The provided graph illustrates participant numbers across five distinct activities at a social
centre in Melbourne, Australia, spanning the years from 2000 to 2020.

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Overall, the data indicates fluctuating participation in each activity, with notable declines i
n certain pursuits alongside varying trends in others.
In terms of specific activities, the Film Club maintained a relatively stable participant coun
t, experiencing minor fluctuations. Initially, in 2000, it attracted 67 participants, which dec
reased slightly to 59 in 2010 before recovering to 67 by 2020. Conversely, Martial Arts de
monstrated a downward trajectory over the 20-year period, starting with 45 participants in
2000, peaking at 48 in 2005, but ultimately falling to 36 by 2020. Furthermore, Amateur D
ramatics exhibited a significant decline, plummeting from 34 participants in 2000 to merel
y 11 by 2020. This steady decrease highlights a waning interest in this particular activity.
With regards to Table Tennis and Musical Performances, divergent trends can be observed.
Table Tennis began with 27 participants in 2000, peaked at 32 in 2005, and notably surge
d to 46 participants by 2020, indicating a resurgence in popularity. In contrast, Musical Per
formances saw an initial increase from 11 participants in 2000 to 36 in 2015 but then drop
ped to 21 by 2020, reflecting fluctuating interest levels. These varied trends across the acti
vities underscore the shifting preferences of participants over the two decades.
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Part 2. Write an essay of about 250 words on the following topic. (30 points)
It is important for everyone, including young people, to save money for their future.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Support your arguments with reasons and/or examples from your experience and
observations.

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-THE END-

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