ĐỀ THI HỌC SINH GIỎI LỚP 10

I. LISTENING (2 points)
Listen to the radio about jellyfish and then complete the table below.
JELLYFISH
Range and habitat - (1) ……………………………………………………………………. .
- (2) ……………………………………………………………………. .
Size - smallest : (3) ………………………………………………………… .
- largest : (4) …………………………………………………………... .
Feeding habits - (5) …………………………………………………………………….
- (6) …………………………………………………………………….
Offspring - (7) …………………………………………………………………….
- reproduces sexually, which develops in the lining of the gut
Life span - (8) …………………………………………………………………….
Special features - (9) …………………………………………………………………….
- (10) …………………………………………………………………...
II. PHONETICS (1 point)
1. Choose the word (A, B, C or D) whose the underlined part is pronounced differently
from that of the others (0.5 point).
11. A. bear B. year C. we’re D. idea
12. A. there B. they’re C. were D. square
13. A. bear B. beer C. wear D. fair
14. A. yellow B. juice C. student D. usually
15. A. danger B. orphanage C. guide D. soldier
2. Choose the word (A, B, C, or D) with the different stress pattern (0.5 point).
16. A. adorable B. ability C. impossible D. entertainment
17. A. engineer B. corporate C. difficult D. different
18. A. popular B. position C. horrible D. positive
19. A. selfish B. correct C. purpose D. surface
20. A. permission B. computer C. million D. perfection
III. LANGUAGE FOCUS (3 points)
1. Complete the following sentences by filling in each blank with A, B, C or D. Circle your
choice (2 points).
21. Please _______ yourself of all the audio visual facilities.
A. use B. avail C. advantage D. provide
22. Films set in his home country usually _______ feelings of nostalgia in him.
A. rekindle B. recharge C. remember D. remind
23. The Olympic Games are given world-_______ television coverage.
A. wide B. over C. global D. through
24. She _______ her husband by 20 years.
A. outstayed B. lived C. revived D. outlived
25. Science fiction is a very popular film _______ nowadays.
A. kind B. sort C. genre D. brand
26. It should be the responsibility of children’s TV producers to _______ moral values in
their viewers.
A. put B. instill C. teach D. take
27. The official report on the accident was a _______ of lies.
A. pack B. bundle C. heap D. bunch

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28. the producer decided on the _______ of the moment to cut the scene.
A. nich B. turn C. heat D. spur
29. Recent blockbuster movies have brought a new _______ of hope to the declining cinema
industry.
A. beam B. stroke C. light D. ray
30. I never get a _______ of sleep after watching a horror film.
A. blink B. wink C. night D. ounce
31. On getting lost, the children had the _______ of mind to keep together.
A. sense B. forethought C. presence D. thought
32. There have been numerous sightings of child _______ to the description of the missing
boy.
A. resembling B. answering C. taking after D. looking like
33. In the _______ of the moment, he forgot to keep a record of the discussion.
A. spur B. temper C. heat D. nick
34. The film was finished in the _______ of time to be shown at the festival.
A. nick B. moment C. right D. just
35. I will agree to 20 guests, but I _______ the line at 25.
A. put B. finish C. refuse D. draw
36. While you are admiring the big stars _______ a thought for the thousands who do not
make it.
A. give B. spare C. throw D. make
37. Some of those horror scenes really made my stomach _______.
A. pound B. fall C. churn D. sink
38. My heart was _______ as I waited anxiously for the news.
A. beating B. sinking C. turning D. pounding
39. The political situation _______ a feeling of desperation among the population.
A. enhanced B. engendered C. engaged D. enforced
40. The average film-_______ goes to the cinema twice a month.
A. viewer B. visitor C. goer D. attender
2. Give the correct form of the word in brackets to complete each of the following sentences
(1 point).
41. That’s the _______________ (FUN) thing I have ever heart.
42. The porch is a particularly _______________ (ATTRACT) feature of the building.
43. The play they performed was extremely _______________ (ENIOY).
44. Tom is responsible for all the travel _______________ (ARRANGE).
45. We found it _______________ (THRILL) to your wonderful news.
46. He left the room without any _______________ (EXPLAIN).
47. Fresh air is very _______________ (BENEFIT) to our health.
48. Many people expressed _______________ (DISAGREE) with the whole idea.
49. His _______________ (DECIDE) to retire surprised all of the workers.
50. Don’t put too much _______________ (CONFIDENT) in what the newspapers say.
IV. READING (2 point)
1. Complete the following paragraph by choosing the best option (A, B, C or D) to fit the
numbered blank (1 point).
BULLYING
In recent years, teachers and parents have become more concerned __ (51) __ the
problem of bullying. Bullying happens __ (52) __ one pupil (or a group) threatens and
sometimes physically __ (53) __ a younger. Weaker, quieter or more timid pupil. This type of

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behaviour is now considered a serious __(54)__ , and articles have been published in the
national press about the terrible effects that bullying can have __(55)__ young people. The
__(56)__ os bullying can suffer psychologically and the school can suffer, too. President
bullying of other pupils can __(57)__ to the bully being excluded (the __(58)__ cannot come
to the school for a few days or weeks; the parents have to __(59)__ the headmaster).
Exclusion is the worst __(60)__ punishment in a British school.
51. A. about B. with C. for D. after
52. A. though B. even if C. when D. while
53. A. beats B. assaults C. offend D. attacks
54. A. crime B. fault C. offence D. misconduct
55. A. on B. for C. with D. against
56. A. sufferer B. victim C. receiver D. undertaker
57. A. approach B. amount C. come up D. lead
58. A. offender B. criminal C. culprit D. accused
59. A. meet B. visit C. see D. encounter
60. A. possible B. probable C. likely D. realistic
2. Read the following passage and then choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) (1 point).
What biologists refer to as succession usually begins as a result of natural destruction,
such as by fire or flood. It can also be caused directly by man; he is responsible for the
destruction of a lot of the world’s nature. Succession, sometimes called secondary 5
succession, will occur when species of nature are destroyed and the land is left alone to
recover.
During the early decades of the settlement of North America a lot of beech-maple forest
in New England was cut down to make way for 10 farming. However, as is well-known in
American history, very many settlers moved west, abandoning their farms. Secondary
succession then began in the fields that were left untended. At first, stronger grasses and
weeds appeared in the fields. Then, shrubs started growing, followed by a re-emergence of
some trees, like junipers and pines. 15 Eventually, beaches and maples were able to grow
protected by the other trees, and after a time what was open land had become once again
forest.
This is still happening in New England and in many other parts of 20 the world. This
does of course mean that there is still hope for our planet, just so long as people keep on
moving as they have throughout history. The only real problem is the great amount of time
needed to achieve complete secondary succession.
61. What is the best title for the passage?
A. The Destruction of Nature B. Secondary Succession
C. Man’s Destruction of Nature D. Biologists’ Succession
62. Which of the following is NOT according to the passage a cause of the destruction of
nature?
A. Fire B. Man C. Flood D. Climate
63. What was NOT a reason for the start of secondary succession in New England?
A. Settlers moving west. B. Forests being cut down.
C. Farms being abandoned. D. Land being left untended.
64. What is the reason the author gives for the eventual re-growth of the beeches and
maples?
A. Shrubs grew around them. B. Grasses made the earth stronger.
C. Other trees sheltered them. D. The forest re-emerged.
65. What’s the tone of this passage?

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A. Optimistic. B. Inconclusive. C. Pessimistic. D. Neutral.
V. WRITING (2 points)
Some people prefer to live in a small town, Others prefer to live in a big city. Which
place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
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 THE END 

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 ANSWER KEY
* Tapescript:
Jellyfish have survived a long time in their watery habitats. Sea jellies have lived on earth for millions
of years. They can be found in all the oceans of the world. There are even some jellies that live in fresh water
lakes and rivers. Jellyfish may be tiny or quiet large. They are from 3 millimeters to 2 meters in diameter.
Individual jellyfish are either male or female and reproduce sexually, which develops in the lining of the gut.
Jellyfish eat small animals such as shrimp and plankton. They also eat other jellyfish of other species.
Jellyfish have no lungs, no gills or any special breathing organs. They normally live three to six months.
However, they are not an endangered species.
I. LISTENING
1. oceans worldwide
2. fresh water lakes and rivers
3. 3 millimeters in diameter
4. 4 2 meters in diameter
5. small animals such as shrimp and plankton
6. other jellyfish
7. jellyfish are either male or female
8. normally from 3 to 6 months
9. have no lungs, no gills or any special breathing organs
10. not an endangered species
II. PHONETICS
11. A 12. C 13. B 14. B 15. C
16. D 17. A 18. B 19. B 20. C
III. LANGUAGE FOCUS
21. B 22. A 23. A 24. D 25. C 26. B 27. A 28. D
29. D 30. B 31. C 32. B 33. C 34. A 35. D 36. B
37. C 38. D 39. B 40. C
41. funniest 42. attractive 43. enjoyable 44. arragements 45. thrilling
46. explanation 47. beneficial 48. disagreement 49. decision 50. confidence
IV. READING
51. A 52. C 53. D 54. C 55. A
56. B 57. D 58. A 59. C 60. A
61. B 62. D 63. B 64. C 65. A
V. WRITING
* Sample text :
I grew up in a small town and then moved to a big city, so I have experienced the good and bad sides of
both. I never thought that I would like living in a big city, but I was wrong. After ten years of living in one, I
can’t imagine ever living in a small town again.
Small towns and big cities both have some problems in terms of transportation. In a small town, you
have to own a car to ensure a comfortable living .you can’t get around without one because there isn’t any
kind of public transportation. Big cities generally have heavy traffic and expensive parking, but there you
have a choice of taking public transportation. It’s not free, but it’s often cheaper than driving when you
consider gas and time, especially if you don’t have a car, you’re better off in the city.
I love the excitement of big cities. Small towns have a slow pace. Large cities mean you have to adapt to
a variety of situations, like finding a new route to work or trvine a new restaurant. I enjoy that challenge very
much. Another part of the excitement of city living is the variety of cultural activities available. There is a
wild assortment of theatre music and dance performances available in big cities. These things are rare in
small ones.
The final thing I think about large cities is the diversity of the people. the United States is made up of
people of different races, religions, abilities, and interests. However, you seldom find such a variety of people
in a small town. I think that living in an area where everyone was just like me would quickly become boring.
Of course, security is a concern, and that one area where small towns are superior to big cities. Still, I
would rather be a bit more cautions and live a large city than to feel secure but bored.