SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO KỲ THI CHỌN HỌC SINH GIỎI TỈNH LỚP 9

NGHỆ AN NĂM HỌC 2021 – 2022

ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC Môn thi: TIẾNG ANH - BẢNG B

Thời gian: 150 phút (không kể thời gian giao đề)
(Đề gồm 9 trang)

ĐIỂM HỌ TÊN, CHỮ KÍ GIÁM KHẢO SỐ PHÁCH

Bằng số: Giám khảo 1:
…………………………….............. ………………………………………
Bằng chữ: Giám khảo 2:
………………..…………................ ………………………………………

SECTION A. LISTENING (50 points)

Part 1. (10 pts) Listen to a man called Steve and a woman called Caroline talking about summer
jobs. For questions 1-5, decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Write
your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
1. Steve hasn’t arranged any work for the summer yet.
2. Caroline’s work will allow her to have free time during the day.
3. Caroline’s work will be located in a city.
4. Caroline found out about the job from the internet.
5. Caroline says that work at music festivals is badly paid.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Part 2. (30 pts)You will listen to a lecture about the helix shape. For questions 1-15, complete the
sentences WITH NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS / PHRASES.

I'd like to turn now to the object which is the main point of this talk: the helix. This is a (1)_____
mathematical object which touches many parts of our lives. Movement, the natural world, the
manufactured world and our genetic make-up are all connected to the (2)_______ of the helix. A helix is
a type of three-dimensional curve that goes (3) _______ a central cylindrical shape in the form of a
spiral, like a corkscrew or a spiral staircase. The helix is a very popular shape in nature because it is very
compact . In fact, helices are (4)_______ referred to as 'nature's space saver'. In architecture too, the
helix shape of a spiral staircase is an attractive option in buildings where space is very (5)______. The
most renowned type of helix is probably the double helix of DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is
made of two helices that curve around each other, a bit like a twisted ladder. DNA (6)_______ the
genetic information or 'code' that determines the (7)________ and functioning of all known (8)______
things. The helix shape is a very efficient way to store a long molecule like DNA in the (9) ______
space of a cell. There are different types of helices. Helices can twist clockwise, right-handed, or anti-
clockwise, left-handed. An interesting experiment is to hold a clockwise helix, such as a corkscrew, up
to a (10)______. The clockwise helix appears to become counterclockwise. We can perceive examples
of helices in many areas of our world. Spiral staircases, cables, screws and ropes can be right-handed or
(11)______ helices. A helix that ramp a cone is called a conical helix. Examples of conical helices are
screws or the (12)_______ spiral ramp prevalent designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the
Guggenheim Museum in New York. Helices are also prevalent in the (13)______ world. The horns of
certain animals, viruses, seashells and the structure of plants, flowers and leaves can all contain helices.
The human umbilical cord is in fact a triple helix. With the discovery that the helix is the shape of the
DNA molecule, it is not surprising that the helix is found in so many (14)________. It's one of the most

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natural shapes in nature. Let's turn our attention now to the mathematical (15)________ of the helix.
You'll need a pen and paper for the next part of the talk as I am going to give you some variables to
write down. Take your time to notice the different ...
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Part 3. (10 pts) Listen to a woman talking to a group of college students about volunteering to help
other people then do the tasks that follow.
Questions 1 and 2
Which TWO activities that volunteers do are mentioned?
A     decorating
B     cleaning
C     delivering meals
D     shopping
E     childcare
Questions 3 and 4
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Which TWO ways that volunteers can benefit from volunteering are mentioned?
A     learning how to be part of a team
B     having a sense of purpose
C     realising how lucky they are
D     improved ability at time management
E     boosting their employment prospects
Questions 5-10
What has each of the following volunteers helped someone to do?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to Questions 5-10
What volunteers have helped people to do
A     overcome physical difficulties
B     rediscover skills not used for a long time
C     improve their communication skills
D     solve problems independently
E     escape isolation
F     remember past times
G     start a new hobby
Volunteers
5   Habib                   ________________
6   Consuela              ________________
7   Minh                    ________________
8   Tanya                   ________________
9   Alexei                  ________________
10   Juba                    ________________

Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

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 SECTION B. LEXICO – GRAMMAR (20 points)
Part 1. (12 pts) Choose the best answer to complete each of the following sentences. Write A, B, C
or D in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
1. I am _______________that people have spoiled this area.
A. disappointed B. disappoint C. disappointing D. disappointedly
2. Do you know all the guests _______________ to the party last night?
A. inviting B. invited C. who invited D. were invited
3. We had an argument last week. Now I want to have a long calm talk with her to _______________.
A. have a go B. clear the air C. keep my eyes open D. jump down my throat
4. The final examinations were hard, but most students _______________.
A. pulled out B. pulled down C. pulled through D. pulled on
5. _______________ that my headache had cleared, my brain was also beginning to work much better.
A. For B. Despite C. Since D. Now
6. Vietnam will move towards "normalizing" the Covid-19 pandemic and _______________ it an
endemic disease.
A. regard B. consider C. believe D. know
7. His house looks very large and beautiful. It is _______________house.
A. a seven-room B. a seven-rooms C. seven room D. seven rooms
8. I _______________ to the party if I had known Susan was going to be there.
A. will be going B. will go C. would go D. would have gone
9. You think she is coming to the meeting tonight, _______________ ?
A. don’t you B. won’t you C. isn’t she D. doesn’t she
Choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D to indicate the words CLOSEST in meaning to the
underlined words in the following question.
10. If we had taken his sage advice, we wouldn't be in so much trouble now.
A. unwilling B. clever C. unwise D. eager
Choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D to indicate the word OPPOSITE in meaning to the
underlined word in the following question.
11. He's really out of shape, so he'd better start exercising. Otherwise, he won't be able to join us on the
hiking trip next month.
A. out of work B. unhealthy and stressed
C. physically fit D. always joyful
Choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that best completes the following
exchange.
12. Jane: - “No one was killed in the forest fire two days ago.”
Goerge: - “_______________!”
A. Oh dear B. That’s shocking C. That’s a relief D. How terrible
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Part 2. (8 pts) Read the passage below, which contains 8 mistakes. Identify the mistakes and write
the corrections in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
Lin
e
1 To live this life, people need identity. But no everyone can recognize themselves respectively,
2 sometimes there are teenagers who have difficulty to find their own identity. At the stage of
3 adolescence, no doubt they need a model that they consider capable in describing what they want

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 4 to become. This model is called an idol. Idol can come from various domains including sports,
5 mass media, and music, and they can be quite powerful. They give considerable influence on
6 teens, especially if the idol managed to attract young people by their appear, songs, talents, fashion
7 style, achievements, or even their attitude. The teens then slowly began to identify all the things
8 that exist in the idols ranging from used clothes up to hairdos. A person whom can touch the hearts
9 of teenagers, then that person will be a teen idol. Factors that touch the hearts of teenagers is the
10 ability to understand and encourage the youth, genuine support and acceptance. For teens, idol is
11 the figure that is able to provide inspiration about life. The young people’s need to understand and
12 be understood requires a touch of emotional support to teenagers that gives an unique insight and a
13 wise direction.
Your answers:
Line Mistake Correction Line Mistake Correction
1. 5.
2. 6.
3. 7.
4. 8.

SECTION C. READING (70 points)

Part 1. (15 pts) Read the passage and choose the best answer. Write your answers A, B, C or D in
the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
PARENTS SPENDING MORE QUALITY TIME
Working parents are devoting more quality time to their children than previous generations,
despite time-consuming (1)______, research has shown. The findings of this study go against the (2)
______ that modern parents, especially working mothers, spend less time with their children. The study
found that parents devote more than twice as much time on the (3) ______of their chidren than they did
30 years ago. Full-time working parents were found to spend more time with their children than their
part-time and non-working counterparts. This time is spent talking to children and enjoying planned (4)
______activities, (5) ______swimming and trips to museum together.
The results of the research (6) ______that parents devote an average of 85 minutes a day to each
child. This compares with 25 minutes a day in the (7) ______1970s. And it is predicted that the figure
will (8) ______to 100 minutes a day by 2025.
The study highlighted a new concept of “positive parenting”, where mothers and fathers are (9)
______committed to working hard to be good parents and providing the best material end emotional
support for their children. The findings suggest that the “new man” is not a myth. Today’s fathers are
found to be more involved in their children’s lives than their own fathers and grandfathers were. More
fathers are said to be equal (10) ______in parenting.
During the study, three generations of families were (11) ______on their attitudes to parenting.
What is clear is that parents desire an increase in creative involvement (12) ______children, and for
family democracy. (13) ______, this increase in parental involvement also (14) ______ an increase in
the stress (15) ______ being a parent. In the future, parenting classes could become as commonplace as
antenatal classes are today.
1. A. jobs B. work C. positions D. occupations
2. A. saying B. thought C. statement D. claim
3. A. education B. upbringing C. training D. instruction
4. A. amusement B. free C. leisure D. pleasure
5. A. instead of B. on one hand C. as well as D. such as
6. A. show B. say C. display D. appear
7. A. mid B. middle C. medium D. halfway

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 8. A. arise B. arouse C. rise D. raise
9. A. equally B. hardly C. similar D. nearly
10. A. couples B. partners C. colleagues D. mates
11. A.questioned B. answered C. asked D. requested
12. A. of B. to C. for D. with
13. A. However B. Therefore C. Although D. Despite
14. A. says B. suggests C. estates D. hints
15. A. for B. of C. in D. to
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Part 2. (15 pts) Read the text below and fill in each gap with ONE suitable word. Write the
answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
Body language is a vital form of communication. In (1)______, it is believed that the various forms
of body language contribute about 70 percent to our comprehension. It is important to note, (2)_____,
that body language varies in different cultures. For (3)______, eye movement. In the USA a child is
expected to look directly at a parent or teacher (4)______ is scolding him/her. In other cultures the
opposite is true. Looking directly at a teacher or parent in (5)______a situation is considered a sign of
disrespect.
Another form of body language that is used differently, depending (6) _______ the culture, is
distance. In North America people don't generally stand as close to each (7)______as in South America.
Two North Americans who don't know each other well will keep a distance of four feet between them,
whereas South Americans in (8)________ same situation will stand two to three feet apart. North
Americans will stand closer (9)______ two feet apart only if they (10)_______having a confidential
conversation or if there is intimacy between them.
Gestures are often used to communicate. We point a finger, raise an eyebrow, wave an arm - or move
any other (11)______ of the body - to show what we want to say. However, this does not mean that
people all over the world use the same gestures to express the same meanings. Very often we find that
the same gestures can communicate (12)______ meanings, depending on the country. An example of a
gesture that could (13)______misinterpreted is sticking the tongue. In many cultures it is a sign of
making a (14)______, but in some places it communicates ridicule, intimacy misinterpreted it.
The dangers of misunderstanding one another are great. Obviously, it is not enough to learn the
language of another culture. You must also learn its non-verbal signals (15)_______you want to
communicate successfully.
(Adapted from "Reading Academic English" by Judy Rapoport, Ronit Broder and Sarah Feingold)
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15
.
Part 3. (20 pts) Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
Write your answers A, B, C or D in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
There is a natural balance to all things: life and death, good and bad, happiness and sadness,
pleasure and pain. The very idea that you should focus on positives and ignore negatives, likewise with
strengths versus weakness, is not only delusional; it’s a recipe for disaster.

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 Let me tell you a couple of stories to show you how dealing with reality as openly and genuinely
as possible is the path to success and happiness, while focusing only on the positives and strengths can
destroy your career and your company.
It’s no secret that Steve Jobs was forced out of Apple in 1984 because his management style had
become toxic to the company. Much later, Jobs would come to realize that getting fired from the
company he cofounded “was the best thing that could have happened” to him. He called it “awful-
tasting medicine” that “the patient needed.” He also likened it to life hitting him in the head with a
brick.
That forced Jobs to look in the mirror and see the truth that he wasn’t as capable or as strong a
leader as he could be. And as he addressed the issues that stood in his way, the result was the founding
of NeXT and Pixar, his eventual return to Apple, and the greatest turnaround in corporate history that
built the most valuable company on earth.
It’s easy to miss the obvious connection staring us right in the face, that it wasn’t just Apple that
had it a wall, fallen on hard times, and found itself in need of a turnaround. The same was true of Jobs.
And there was an undeniable connection between the two.
It’s also easy to miss the insightfulness of Jobs’ realization that none of his later achievements
would have occurred if he hadn’t faced reality. That sort of introspection only comes from someone
who’s had some sort of intervention and gone through gut-wrenching change as a result.
Not to compare myself with Jobs, but the truth is I’ve gotten a couple of those bricks to the head
myself. I’ve been fired more than once and lost my wife early in our marriage. But in every case I
looked in the mirror, faced what I saw, made some changes, and bounced back stronger than ever.
If I’d just tried to stay positive, focused on my strengths, and searched for the silver lining in the
clouds, I never would have figured out what was wrong and become a better person, a better husband,
and a better leader. I never would have achieved so much in my career or won my wife back.
While life is full of ups and downs, one thing is certain: if you attempt to filter your
consciousness and disallow negative thoughts or make believe the weaknesses holding you back don’t
exist, you’ll never get past those hurdles and get to the next stage in your personal and professional
development. And neither will your business.
1. What could be the best title for the passage?
A. Being Successful: Ignore the negatives
B. To Be Successful? Quit Being So Positive
C. Being Successful: Facing with Disasters
D. To Be Successful? Stop Being So Negative
2. The writer uses the phrase “recipe for disaster” in paragraph 1 to stress that ________.
A. focusing on positives can make the worse become the worst
B. ignoring the negative can be the key to dealing with any problem
C. focusing on positives and ignoring negatives destroy the reality
D. ignoring negatives goes against the natural balance to all things
3. The word “likened” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ________.
A. linked B. associated C. compared D. related
4. The writer uses the phrase “the two” in paragraph 5 to refer to ________.
A. strengths and weaknesses B. life and death
C. hard times and turnarounds D. happiness and sadness
5. The writer uses the “bricks” (as Steve Jobs did) in paragraph 6 to describe ________.
A. weaknesses he had at the times of being fired
B. hardships he faced with during his professional life
C. changes he led in order to make turnabouts
D. interventions he made in his own introspection

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6. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Steve Jobs according to the passage?
A. He got fired from Apple because of his poor management style.
B. He founded NeXT and Pixar to be able to return to Apple.
C. He made Apple the most valuable company in the world.
D. He considered being fired from Apple the best lesson learnt.
7. What is true about the story teller when facing failures according to the passage?
A. He tried to stay positive to bounce back stronger.
B. He focused on his strengths as the motivation for turnarounds.
C. He looked into the way Steve Jobs did to find his own solution.
D. He examined the situation, making necessary changes to be better.
8. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A. Only when you admit the negative as part of your life, you can proceed.
B. Positives and negatives can never go along with each other in reality.
C. It’s our weaknesses that save us in hardships and calamities.
D. To earn happiness, one has to experience the feeling of sadness.
9. The phrase “filter your consciousness” in the last paragraph mostly means ________.
A. release negative feelings from one’s heart
B. clear one’s mind from worries
C. push negative thoughts out of one’s mind
D. stay away from possible dangers
10. The tone of the passage is ________.
A. informative B. preventive C. persuasive D. argumentative
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Part 4. (20 pts) For questions 1-10 , choose from the people (A-E). The people may be chosen more
than once. When more than one answer is required, these may be given in any order.
Which person or people state(s) the following? Your answers

1. I used to avoid giving my opinions at work. 1. ______

2. Taking time off for your professional development can 2. ______
make you feel more self-assured.
3. I never thought I'd be a confident person. 3. ______
4. I'm not influenced by people's opinions of me. 4. ______
5. Initially, I misunderstood what confidence was. 5. ______
6. I find making notes very supportive in my work. 6. ______
7. I've worked on having a confident appearance. 7. ______
8. I am realistic about my abilities. 8. ______
9. My behaviour helps others relax too. 9. ______
10. Getting things wrong can have a positive result. 10. ______

CONFIDENT PEOPLE
WHAT’S THEIR SECRET?
Confident people may look as though they were bow that way, but most will tell you that it's a skill
they've learned because they had to. Nina Hathway asks Jive people how they did it.

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A. Jenny
When I left school I was very shy and I always thought I'd stay that way. I was about twenty-five
when I was asked to help out at my daughter's school. I was sure I wouldn't cope, but I surprised
myself by doing well and someone there suggested that I should do a university course.There was a
huge knot in my stomach the day I turned up for my first lecture. But my confidence gradually grew -
I became more outgoing. Looking back, working at the school was the turning point in my life that
has helped everything else fall into place.
B. Michaela
It all started four years ago when my father became ill and I had to take over the family business. I
was so scared, I went over the top and became a bit too aggressive and impatient. I thought that was
what confident people were like, but gradually I learned otherwise. To be confident you've got to
believe in yourself.
If things get too demanding for me at work, I don't let myself feel guilty if I save a number of tasks
until the next day. When I'm confronted with something difficult, I tell myself that I've got nothing to
lose. It's fear that makes you lack confidence, so I'm always having quiet chats with myself to put
aside those fears!
C. Lisa
People think I'm very confident but, in fact, the calmer I look, the more terrified I really am. I've had
to develop the ability to look confident because it's the most vital thing in TV. Interviewing people has
helped me realise that most - if not all — of us get tense in important situations, and we feel calmer
when we speak to someone who's genuinely friendly. The best ever piece of advice came from my
mother when I was agonising as a teenager about wearing the right clothes. She simply cried, 'Who's
looking at you? Everybody's too busy worrying about how they look.' I've found that's well worth
remembering.
I also think you gain confidence by tackling things that scare you. When I took my driving test I was
so nervous, but I passed. After that I felt sure that I'd never feel so frightened again, and I never have.
D. Barbara
My confidence comes naturally from really enjoying the work I do, but it's something that I've built
up over the years. If you just get on with it and leam from any mistakes you make, you're more
confident the next time round. I work hard and I'm popular in the restaurant, but it's probable that one
out often people doesn't like me. I don't let that affect me. You've got to like yourself for what you are,
not try to be what others expect.My company runs a lot of training courses, and going on those has
built up my self-esteem. The company also encourages employees to set manageable targets. It helps
no end if you can see you're achieving something tangible, rather than reaching for the stars all at
once, and ending up with nothing but air!
E. Kim
After I left college I worked for years as a secretary and would sit in meetings, not always agreeing
with what was being said, but too scared to speak up. Eventually, I summoned up the confidence to
start making my point. Even so, when I first worked in politics, I'd never spoken in public before and
always used to shake like a leaf. I would say to myself, 'Don't be so silly. People do this every day of
their lives, so there's no reason why you can't.' I also found it helpful to jot a few things down to refer
to - rather like having a comfort blanket! I don't think there is anyone who isn't a little shaky when it
comes to talking publicly. The real secret of confidence is in telling yourself over and over again,
'Nothing is impossible.'
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

SECTION D. WRITING (60 points)

Part 1. (20 pts) Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one. Use
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the word given in capital letters and the word mustn’t be altered in any way.
1. Amy asked what my reaction to her decision was. (FELT)
Amy asked _____________________________________ her decision.

2. What a pity! We don’t have any bread left. (RUN)

What a pity! We_____________________________________ bread.
3. I thought his behaviour was very silly. (BEHAVED)
I thought he ______________________________________ silly way.
4. It was foolish of you to ride your bike so fast. (SHOULD)
You ____________________________________ your bike so fast.
5. The heavy fall of snow prevented them from getting home that night. (ABLE)
Due to the heavy fall of snow, they __________________________________ home that night.
6. I regret not buying that necklace when I had a chance. (WISH)
I __________________________________________ that necklace when I had a chance.
7. I am afraid you are not old enough to travel abroad by yourself. (OWN)
You are not old enough to travel abroad______________________________, I am afraid.
8. We hadn’t expected the weather to be so bad. (WORSE)
The weather________________________________________expected.
9. They don’t let us use mobile phones in the library. (ALLOWED)
In the library, ____________________________________use mobile phones.
10. “ Why don’t you put a better lock, Harry? ” Jack said. (SUGGESTED)
Jack_______________________________________a better lock.

Part 2. (40 pts) One of your close friends is coming to visit your city for a couple of days. You have
made arrangements so that you can spend some time with your friend. However, for some unforeseeable
reasons, you won’t be available any more. Write to your friend to apologize and explain the reasons, and
tell him/ her what to do.
Write an e-mail to your friend (about 80-100 words). Use your name as Trang. DO NOT write
any addresses.
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________

_____ THE END _____

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