SỞ GIÁO DỤC & ĐÀO TẠO KỲ THI HỌC SINH GIỎI LỚP 12 THPT CẤP THÀNH

PHỐ TP HỒ CHÍ MINH KHÓA THI NGÀY: 7-4-2022 – NĂM HỌC: 2021-2022
MÔN: TIẾNG ANH
Thời gian làm bài: 120 phút

ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC
Đề này gồm 4 trang

PART ONE. Multiple choice (20 pts)

Choose the word or phrase (A, B, C, or D) that best completes the sentence.
1. “I propose that the meeting .”
A. should postpone B. be postponed C. has been postponed D. postpones
2. Sean had made a silly mistake, but he is lucky a second chance.
A. to be giving B. to be given C. to have been giving D. to have been given
3. Jeremy wear glasses when she reads; she’s nearsighted.
A. has to B. must C. can D. may
4. Don’t be so careless like that again. You could have spoiled the party.
A. surely B. possible C. well D. soon
5. Who was the receptionist the phone at the time?
A. answering B. was answering C. having answered D. to answer
6. Let’s go to the beach; it’s to sit indoors.
A. nice enough B. so nice C. too nice D. such nice
7. When we were in Athens, I bought a statuette.
A. white beautiful marble little B. marble beautiful little white
C. beautiful marble little white D. beautiful little white marble
8. Overexposure to the sun can produce some toxic chemicals.
A. more than damage to the skin B. more damage than to the skin
C. more damage to the skin than D. damage more than to the skin
9. Oxygen and nutrients reach the body’s tissues from the blood through the capillary wall.
A. pass B. by passing C. to be passing D. have passed
10. Barely the fire broke out.
A. when the fuel pump exploded B. exploded the fuel pump when
C. had the fuel pump exploded than D. did the fuel pump explode when
11. Electricity and gas supplies have been seriously by the floods.
A. alerted B. disrupted C. destroyed D. erupted
12. He was offered a deal a multi-million-pound contract, a new car and a house in London.
A. comprising B. holding C. having D. consisting
13. People often darkness with mystery.
A. relate B. connect C. associate D. resemble
14. The roar of the crowd the music which was playing in the background.
A. deafened B. muted C. cut D. drowned
15. The rubber is to snap if you stretch it any more.
A. liable B. prone C. probably D. due
16. You need to be able to every small chance you have.
A. take advantage of B. make fun of C. take effect of D. make allowance for
17. The sound quality was poor, so we couldn’t appreciate the music.
A. greatly B. easily C. properly D. widely
18. Ian Mills won the election all the odds.
A. despite B. against C. without D. below
19. Having a lot of problems at work, my father came home tired but happy.
A. broken into B. got through C. come up against D. brought round
20. The Piranha is a(n) fish which is very dangerous for other creatures living around it.
A. eaten-flesh B. flesh-eaten C. eating-flesh D. flesh-eating

PART TWO. Word forms (40 pts)

A. Use the correct form of the word given to fill in each blank. (20 pts)
1. The Swedes are not alone in finding their language under pressure from the spread of English.
(ubiquity)
2. Why do we always talk about duties; it merely suggests the idea of sex discrimination. (wife)
3. I am always a strong advocate of ; all wars are wrong whatsoever. (pacify)
4. Many folk songs are played to the of traditional music instruments. (company)
5. Each of the functions of the body, even thinking, requires the of energy. (expend)
6. Searching for alternative forms of energy does not mean the abandonment of fossil fuels as an energy
source. (necessity)
7. When fear is out of proportion to any real danger, it is called a phobia. (occur)
8. Roger Federer is a(n) champion of all times as a tennis player. (dispute)
9. The battle is between two of Vietnam’s retail giants. (take)
10. The staff all wish to join the union. You can have their names in the following list. (mention)

B. Put the words given in the correct blanks. You have to use their correct forms to make a
meaningful passage. There are two extra words that you cannot use. (20pts)
progress slow stand up move land
able mobile come access go ease
It’s ironic that the very things that are supposed to provide access to the (11) floors of buildings –
stairs – often, in fact make them (12) . For many elderly people and others with limited (13) ,
getting upstairs can be a daily problem to be (13) . However, stairlifts have been helping people to solve
that problem since they first appeared in the US in the 1930s. Designs have (15) many changes over the
years and stairlifts have become (16) safer and (17) easier to use. Most consist of a seat which
moves along rails that run along the wall.
The user controls how rapid the seat moves along the rails as it travels from the bottom of the stairs to the
(18) at the top. In today’s models, the (19) is controlled by computers to give a smooth ride and
the components are designed to (20) constant use. Many people have been given a new lease of life by the
stairlift.

PART THREE. CLOZE TESTS (90 pts)

Read the passage and choose the best option (A, B, C or D) for each blank space.
PASSAGE A (30 pts)
Windsor Castle dates back to Saxon times in the 9th century. The castle is situated above the north bank
the River Thames. In 1070, William I the Conqueror developed the present (1) and built the original
fortress to (2) London from enemy attacks, as it was only one day’s march from the city centre. Windsor
Castle was (3) to residential apartments for the monarchs and it is now the world’s oldest royal
(4) .
A tour of the castle is (5) interesting, and one of the main (6) is the famous dolls’ house
(7) for Queen Mary by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It took three years to (8) and more than a thousand
artists and craftsmen were (9) . The upper ward of the castle houses the royal library, which contains a
(10) collection of paintings by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
The State Apartments in Windsor Castle are used for ceremonial, state and official (11) . They
have (12) been restored after a fire in 1992, which destroyed more than a hundred rooms. Fortunately,
most of the paintings, furniture and works of art were saved. It reopened in 1997 when the restoration of the
(13) area was successfully completed. Visiting Windsor Castle is like stepping (14) in history, and
visitors have often managed to catch a (15) of the Royal Family, whose members still spend part of the
year there.
1. A. sight B. site C. district D. section
2. A. prevent B. ban C. stop D. protect
3. A. converted B. replaced C. substituted D. renovated
4. A. habitat B. residence C. area D. location
5. A. extremely B. fully C. totally D. entirely
6. A. facilities B. attractions C. locations D. sites
7. A. done B. provided C. supplied D. created
8. A. terminate B. end C. finalize D. complete
9. A. included B. involved C. invited D. informed
10. A. valueless B. priceless C. worthless D. invaluable
11. A. moments B. events C. happenings D. occasions
12. A. recently B. generally C. rarely D. originally
13. A. affected B. infected C. influenced D. infested
14. A. after B. further C. reverse D. back
15. A. glimpse B. glance C. notice D. sight
Fill in each of the blanks in the following passage with ONE suitable word.
PASSAGE B (30 pts)
Found in 1952, the Global Influenza (1) and Response System, or GISRS, is (2) 70 years
of success as a worldwide network founded to protect people from the (3) of influenza, reviewing its
added value to other respiratory virus threats including COVID-19, and setting its (4) to the future.
“GISRS is a proven global network that has provided a first (5) of defence against influenza for 70
years.” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Influenza is a serious global (6) problem that impacts all countries: every year, there are an (7)
one billion cases of seasonal Influenza causing three to five million severe (8) including up to
650.000 influenza-related respiratory (9) globally. Moreover, new influenza viruses are constantly (10)
– these can cause (11) that lead to widespread societal disruption and millions of deaths.
Influenza viruses constantly (12) into new variants and spread rapidly, similar to SARS-CoV-2, the
virus that causes COVID-19. GISRS (13) as a network of over 150 laboratories in 127 countries, areas or
(14) that continuously monitor influenza viruses and diseases globally. Millions of specimens are tested
and (15) of thousands of viruses are exchanged within GISRS every year.
PASSAGE D (30 pts)
The 2015 Paris Agreement
COP26 (Conference of the Parties 26) is an opportunity to get the world on (16) to meet the
objectives of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which was (17) at COP21. The Paris Agreement represented an
important (18) in the climate change process because it was the first time there was a legal agreement
(19) countries together to act. Since then, 190 countries have (20) the Paris Agreement. The

goal is to keep global warming to (21) below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C. To do this, countries need to reduce CO2
emissions as much and as fast as possible. However, time is running out. (22) the Paris Agreement, not
enough has been done to limit climate change or to manage its (23) on people and the planet.
What’s the plan now?
The aim of the COP26 conference is to bring international (24) together to make faster progress
towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. The UN is asking the biggest CO 2-(25) countries to come to
COP26 with ambitious (26) to cut their emissions. The 2021 event has four goals, set by its (27) ,
the UK and Italy:
- agreeing to more ambitious action to reduce carbon emissions
- strengthening adaptation to the effects of climate change
- making money available for climate action
- improving the way countries work together on energy change, clean road (28) and nature.
COP26 brings together country leaders, experts and environmental campaigners to work on the biggest
(29) the world faces today. It is time for people to come together to (30) ambitious and fast action
against the climate crisis.

PART FOUR. Reading Comprehension (20 pts)

Choose the item (A, B, C or D) that best completes the unfinished statement about the passage.
Often enough the craft worker’s place of employment in ancient Greece was set in rural isolation. Potters,
for instance, found it convenient to locate their workshops near their source of clay, regardless of its relation to
the center of settlement, At Corinth and Athens, however, two of the best-known potters’ quarters were situated on
the cities’ outskirts, and potters and makers of terra-cotta figurines were also established well within the city of
Athens itself. The techniques of pottery manufacture had evolved well before the Greek period, but marked
stylistic developments occurred in shape and in decoration, for example, in the interplay of black and other glazes
with the red surface of the fired pot. Athenian black-figure and red-figure decoration, which emphasized human
figures rather than animal images, was adopted between 630 and 530 B.C.; its distinctive color and luster were the
result of the skillful adjustments of the kiln’s temperature during an extended three-stage period if firing the
clayware. Whether it was the potters or the vase-painters who initiated changes in firing is unclear; the functions of
making and decorating were usually divided between them, but neither group can have been so specialized that
they did not share in the concerns of the other.
The broad utility of terra-cotta was such that workers in clay could generally afford to confine themselves
to either decorated housewares like cooking pots and jars or building materials like roof tiles and drainpipes. Some
sixth-and fifth-century B.C. Athenian pottery establishments are known to have concentrated on a limited range of
fine ware, but a rural pottery establishment on the island of Tliasos produced many types of pottery and roof tiles
too, presumably to meet local demand. Molds were used to create particular effects for some products, such as
relief-decorated vessels and figurines; for other products such as roof tiles, which were needed in some quantity,
they were used to facilitate mass production. There were also a number of poor-quality figurines and painted pots
produced in quantity by easy, inexpensive means- as numerous featureless statuettes and unattractive cases
testify.

1. The passage mainly discusses ancient Greek pottery and its

(A) production techniques. (B) similarity to other crafts.
(C) unusual materials. (D) resemblance to earlier pottery.
2. The phrase “regardless of” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to
(A) as a result of (B) no matter what. (C) proud of. (D) according to.
3. It can be inferred from the passage that most pottery establishments in ancient Greece were situated
(A) in city centers. (B) on the outskirts of cities.
(C) where clay could be found. (D) near other potters’ workshops.
4. The word “marked” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to
(A) original. (B) attractive. (C) noticeable. (D) patterned.
5. The word “confine” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
(A) adapt (B) train (C) restrict (D) organize
6. It can be inferred from the passage that terra-cotta had which of the following advantages:
(A) It did not break during the firing process. (B) It was less expensive than other available materials.
(C) Its surface had a lasting shine. (D) It could be used for many purposes.
7. The word “presumably” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
(A) frequently. (B) practically. (C) preferably. (D) probably.
8. The word “they” in paragraph 2 refers to
(A) molds. (B) particular effects. (C) products. (D) vessels and figurines.
9. According to the passage, all of the following are true of ancient Greek potters and vase painters EXCEPT:
(A) Their functions were so specialized that they lacked common concerns.
(B) They sometimes produced inferior ware.
(C) They produced pieces that had unusual color and shine.
(D) They decorated many of their works with human images.
10. The purpose of this passage is
(A) to advertise. (B) to argue. (C) to cast doubt. (D) to inform.

PART FIVE: SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION (30 points)

Rewrite each sentence in such a way that it means almost the same as the one printed before it. Use the
word in brackets without making any change to it.
1. She was imprisoned for three months for being rude to the judge. (earned)
 Her rudeness
2. Everyone is sure that he will beat his opponent in the round. (win)
 In all
3. Mike is not the only person who is good-looking in that family. (monopoly)
 Mike
4. A friend of ours fixed the car for us. (friends)
 We had
5. The police have put barriers around the building because of a suspected bomb. (cordoned)
 In view
6. I’d discuss the deal with Phil before making a decision. (mind)
 I’d have
7. The adverts look exactly the same as the articles in this magazine. (difference)
 It’s impossible
8. Quang Hai has so much talent that many football clubs are interested in him. (footballer)
 So
9. Getting a later train was our only option when we arrived at the station. (but)
 We arrived at the station only to
10. We weren’t surprised by his success in the contest. (succeeded)
 It came

THE END OF THE TEST

 KEY
USE OF ENGLISH (1 pt each correct answer)

1. B. be postponed 11. B. disrupted

2. D. to have been given 12. A. comprising
3. A. has to 13. C. associate
4. A. surely 14. D. drowned
5. A. answering 15. A. liable
6. C. too nice 16. A. take advantage of
7. D. beautiful little white marble 17. C. properly
8. C. more damage to the skin than 18. B. against
9. B. by passing 19. B. got through
10. D. did the fuel pump explode when 20. D. flesh-eating

WORD FORMS (2 pts each correct

answer) A. B.
1. ubiquitous (11) upper / uppermost
2. wifely (12) inaccessible
3. pacifism (13) mobility
4. accompaniment (14) overcome
5. expenditure (15) undergone
6. necessarily (16) progressively
7. reocurring (17) easier
8. undisputed (18) landing
9. takeover (19) movement
10. undermentioned (20) withstand

CLOZE TESTS (2 pts each correct

answer) PASSAGE A

1. B. site 6. B. attractions 11. B. events

2. D. protect 7. D. created 12. A. recently
3. A. converted 8. D. complete 13. A. affected
4. B. residence 9. B. involved 14. D. back
5. A. extremely 10. B. priceless 15. A. glimpse

PASSAGE B

(1) Surveillance (6) health (11) pandemics

(2) celebrating (7) estimated (12) evolve
(3) threat (8) cases (13) operates
(4) sights (9) deaths (14) territories
(5) line (10) emerging (15) hundreds

PASSAGE C (30 pts) (2 pts each correct answer)

(16) track (21) well (26) plans
(17) signed (22) Despite (27) hosts
(18) moment (23) impact (28) transport / transportation
(19) bringing (24) leaders (29) challenge
(20) joined (25) emitting (30) take
READING COMPREHENSION (2 pts each correct answer)

1. (A) production techniques.

2. (B) no matter what.
3. (C) where clay could be found.
4. (C) noticeable.
5. (C) restrict.
6. (D) It could be used for many purposes.
7. (D) probably.
8. (A) molds.
9. (A) Their functions were so specialized that they lacked common concerns.
10. (D) to inform.

SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION (3 pts each correct answer)

1. Her rudeness to the judge earned her three months’ / three-month imprisonment.
2. In all likelihood / probability, he will win against // have / claim a win over his opponent in
the next round.
3. Mike does not have a / the monopoly on good looks in that family.
4. We had our car fixed by one of our friends / one of our friends fix our car.
5. In view of a suspected bomb, the police have cordoned off the building.
6. I’d have a discussion with Phil on / about the deal before making up my mind.
7. It’s impossible to tell the difference between the adverts and the articles in this magazine.
8. So talented as a footballer is Quang Hai // much talent does Quang Hai have as a footballer
that many football clubs are interested in him.
9. We arrived at the station only to find (that) we couldn’t but to get a later train.
10. It came as no surprise to us when he succeeded in the contest.

THE END OF THE TEST

6
 SUGGESTED KEY
USE OF ENGLISH
4. Official answer is ‘C. well’ but this is incorrect, because only ‘could/may/might well + infinitive without to’ exist to
mention the future. If C is correct, then A is as well because they are both adverbs that can go between a modal
verb and a verb.

WORD FORMS
2. ‘housewifely’ is also a correct answer.
8. ‘indisputable’ is also a correct answer.
11. ‘uppermost’ is also a correct answer.

GUIDED CLOZE
PASSAGE A
3. Official answer is ‘D. renovated’ but this is incorrect, because ‘renovate’ is followed by a noun, not the
preposition ‘to’. We have construction ‘be converted to / into something’.

PASSAGE B
2. ‘marking’ is also a correct answer.
7. ‘approximate’ is also a correct answer.
8. ‘ones’ is also a correct answer.
9. ‘fatalities’ is also a correct answer.
12. ‘mutate’ is also a correct answer.
13. ‘functions’ or ‘works’ are also correct answers.
15. ‘tens’ is also a correct answer.

PASSAGE C
17. ‘presented’ or ‘featured’ are also correct answers.
18. ‘step’ is also a correct answer.
20. ‘signed’ is also a correct answer.
21. ‘far’ is also a correct answer.
22. ‘Notwithstanding’ is also a correct answer.
23. ‘effect’ is also a correct answer.
26. ‘schemes’ is also a correct answer.
29. ‘issue’ or ‘problem’ are also correct answers.

SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION
1. ‘to the judge earned her three months in prison / imprisonment for three months.’ are also correct
answers. One of the official answers is ‘to the judge earned a three-month imprisonment’ but this is incorrect,
because ‘imprisonment’ is uncountable. The word ‘a’ is unwanted here.
2. ‘likelihood / probability, he will claim a win against his opponent in the next round’ are also correct answers.
One of the official answers is ‘likelihood / probability, he will win over his opponent in the next round.’ but this is
incorrect, because ‘win over someone’ means ‘persuade someone’. The word ‘over’ is to be replaced with the word
‘against’.
3. ‘does not have a / the monopoly on / in / of being good-looking / good looks in that family.’ are also
correct answers.
4. ‘the car fixed by one of our friends / one of our friends fix the car.’ are also correct answers.
5. ‘a suspected bomb, the building has been cordoned off by the police.’ is also a correct answer.
6. ‘a discussion on / about the deal with Phil before making up my mind / making my mind up / I make up my mind
/ I make my mind up.’ are also correct answers.
7. ‘to tell any difference between the adverts and the articles in this magazine.’ is also a correct answer.
8. ‘talented a footballer is Quang Hai that many football clubs are interested in him.’ is also a correct answer.
One of the official answers is ‘much talent does Quang Hai has as a footballer that many football clubs are
interested in him.’ but this is incorrect, because the infinitive ‘have’ follows the auxiliary ‘does’, not the third person
form ‘has’.
9. ‘find out / realize (that) we had no choice / could not do anything but to get a later train.’ are also
correct answers.