Professional Documents
Culture Documents
READING 1
Over the past 600 years, English has grown from a language of few speakers to become the dominant
language of international communication. English as we know it today emerged around 1350, after having
incorporated many elements of French that were introduced following the Norman invasion off 1066. Until
the 1600s, English was, for the most part, spoken only in England and had not expanded even as far as
Wales, Scotland, or Ireland. However, during the course of the next two centuries, English began to spread
around the globe as a result of exploration, trade (including slave trade), colonization, and missionary work.
Thus, small enclaves of English, speakers became established and grew in various parts of the world. As
these communities proliferated, English gradually became the primary language of international business,
banking, and diplomacy.
Currently, about 80 percent of the information stored on computer systems worldwide is in English. Two
thirds of the world's science writing is in English, and English is the main language of technology,
advertising, media, international airport, and air traffic controllers. Today there are more than 700 million
English users in the world, and over half of these are non-native speakers, constituting the largest number
of non-native users than any other language in the world.
[<br>] What is the main topic of the passage?
Question 28: In the first paragraph, the word "emerged" is closest in meaning to
A. appeared B. engaged C. hailed D. frequented
Question 29: How many non-native English speakers are there in the world?
A. more than 350 million B. less than 350 million
C. more than 700 million D. less than 700 million
Question 30: Approximately when did English begin to be used beyond England?
A. after 1600 B. In 1066
C. around 1350 D. before 1600
Question 31: What is the main topic of the passage ?
A. The use of English for science and technology.
B. The French influence on the English language.
C. The expansion of English as an international language.
D. The number of non-native users of English.
Question 32: According to the passage, all of the following contributed to the spread of English around the
world EXCEPT:
A. the slave trade. B. the Norman invasion C. colonization. D. missionaries
READING 2
In the earliest times children got their education directly from parents and other adults. They learned
mainly skills for survival. Adults passed down this knowledge through spoken language. Eventually cultures
around the world began inventing writing. As societies developed, they set up schools to teach reading,
writing, maths and other subjects. The first schools were usually just for boys. Most of the students came
from rich and powerful families. Often the purpose of their education was religious training. In many cultures,
the religious leaders formed the highest level of society. Some schools had other purposes as well. Many
schools focused on military training. Sometimes youths attended special schools to learn the art of public
speaking. These skills were meant to help them become future leaders. Most girls received their education
at home. They learned cooking, sewing and other useful skills. Over time education became available to more
people, not just the rich and powerful. The governments of some countries set up public systems of
education in the 1800s. More schools opened to girls.
During the 1900s marks, or grades, became a new measure of learning. Testing became a regular part
of formal education. As education became more important to people, teachers’ colleges opened. The
requirements for becoming a teacher became stricter. Teaching became a highly respected profession.
Question 28. In the earliest times, children learned mainly skills so that they could ________
A. invent writing B. pass this knowledge down
C.continue to exist D. make societies develop
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Question 29. The word “they” in the passage refers to _______
A. cultures B. societies C. schools D. subjects
Question 30. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. In the earliest times, knowledge was passed down through written records.
B. Art of public speaking was one of the skills that help youths become future leaders.
C. During the 1900s, testing became a regular part of formal education.
D. The first schools were usually just for boys from rich and powerful families.
Question 31. The phrase “set up” in the passage could be best replaced by ______
A. made B. based C. built D. founded
Question 32. The best title for the passage could be __________
A. The Development of Education B. Education in the Earliest Times
C. Education in Modern Times D. Testing - a Regular Part of Education
READING 3
Life in the big city is face-paced, fun and exciting. There are countless job opportunities and activities to
occupy your time. However, with the good, there also comes the bad. Although the big city has more job
opportunities; there are also more people competing for a single job. This can make your job search
frustrating. Oddly enough, you will see hundreds, if not thousands of jobs available each week, but you still
might remain unemployed, especially when the economy is down. In addition, the cost of living is typically
higher in big cities, and it can cost you an arm and a leg for a small apartment in a decent area of the city,
not to mention other costs to fulfill your basic demands. Diversity is a good thing, but the amount of people
can be a bit overwhelming if you are not accustomed to it. There will always be crowds and always be people
around. Moreover, traffic can be a nightmare in the big city. It can get so bad that it can turn you into an evil
person. If you hate driving in traffic, then the big city life is not for you. Heavy traffic also contributes to the
pollution, which is one of the biggest disadvantages of living in the city. Obviously, our health is affected most
with certain diseases relating to respiratory system and other body parts. A lot of premature deaths are
supposed to be the result of long-term exposure to small particles. Most importantly, there is always more
crime in a big city, causing you second case your decision for living in a big city. You are much more likely to
be a victim of a crime living in a big city than in a small town.
28. What does the passage mainly discuss ?
A. a lot of kinds of entertainment and shopping centers
B. excellent educational system and countless job opportunities
C. excellent educational system and recreational activities
D. good and bad things of living in a big city
29. While big cities have more job opportunities, it also gives .
A.higher salary B. more competition for a single job
C. growing economic crisis D. greater chances of being unemployed
30. What does the phrase “cost an arm and a leg”refer to?
A. cost a small amount of money B. cost a lot of money
C. you must work hard to earn money D. your legs and arms have good value
31. According to the paragraph, city is not a perfect place for .
A. people who hate driving in traffic B. introverted people
C. extroverted people D. people who prefer a busy life
32. Which of the following sentences is NOT true?
A. Cities are always crowded. B. Pollution causes health problems.
C. Crime is not a serious problem in big cities. D. It costs a lot of money to live in a big city.
READING 4
All over the world, all different cultures created interesting processed meat products, and one of the most
popular is undoubtedly sausage.
To begin with, sausage making may be considered disgusting as it deals with using various animal parts. Since
meat is ground up, certain cuts and parts of an animal that wouldn’t be served in their original forms can be
used. Literally, this means animal parts such as noses, ears, and other less appetizing areas of an animal’s
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body. Very often, the ground up meat and flesh is mixed with a certain percentage of fat, along with spices
and other fillers. After being mixed well, this meat mixture is then stuffed into the cleaned intestines of the
animal, which are then sealed at both ends. The result is sausage.
The meats used in sausages come from a variety of animals, although beef and pork are by far the favourites.
In some cultures, sausage made from the meat of horses is considered a delicacy. When sausages are cooked,
the cooking process sometimes adds to the flavour. While boiling is probably the simplest method, smoking
sausages will add a lot of smoky flavour.
Next time you bite into a sausage, it is probably best not to think too much about how it became the tasty
thing you are eating. After all, you don’t want to ruin a good snack.
28.Which is the best title of the passage?
A. Culture B. A world of Sausage
C. Snack D. Meat products
29.What won’t be served in their original forms?
A. Certain cuts and parts of animals B. Spices and fillers
C. Sausages of all types D. Intestines of an animal
30.What are by far the favourite meats for making sausages?
A. Chicken B. Horse meat C. Cuts of lamb D. Beef and pork
31.What is the simplest method of cooking sausages?
A. Grilling B. Smoking C. Boiling D. Baking
32. In paragraph 2, the word “it” refers to.........................
A. animal part B. meat C. sausage D. sausage making
READING 5
In the Mekong Delta, Long Dinh village of Tien Giang province is famous for its traditional craft of weaving
flowered mats. The mat's high quality makes them popular domestically, and they are also exported to
markets worldwide including Korea, Japan and AmericA.
In spite of its well-established reputation for this traditional craft, mat weaving only started here some 50
years ago. It was first introduced by immigrants from Kim Son, a famous mat weaving village in the northern
province of Ninh Binh. However, the technique of weaving sedge mats in Long Dinh, as compared with other
places in the South, is somewhat different. Long Dinh branded mats are thicker and have more attractive
colours and pattems.
Weaving sedge mats is similar to growing rice. Long Dinh mat production mainly occurs during the dry season,
from January to April. Weavers have to work their hardest in May and June, otherwise, when the rainy season
starts in July, they will have to put off finishing their products till the next dry season. No matter how much
work it requires, Long Dinh mat producers stick with this occupation, as it brings a higher income than
growing rice.
This trade provides employment for thousands of local labourers. At present, nearly 1,000 households in
Long Dinh village live on weaving mats. To better meet market demands, Long Dinh mat weavers have created
more products in addition to the traditional sedge mats. Particularly, they are producing a new type of mat
made from the dried stalks of water hyacinth, a common material in the Mekong DeltA.
Thanks to the planning and further investment, the mat weaving occupation has indeed brought in more
income for local residents. Their living standards have improved considerably, resulting in better conditions
for the whole village.
Question 28: All of the following are true about the craft in Long Dinh EXCEPT that _______.
A. the techniques are a little bit different from those in other regions
B. it has the origin from Kim Son, Ninh Binh
C. it has had the reputation for more than 50 years
D. the mats have more attractive colours and designs
Question 29: We can infer from the sentence "Weaving sedge mats is similar growing rice” that____.
A. both occur on the same land B. both occur at the same time
C. both bring similar income D. both depend on weather conditions
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Question 30: What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Mat craft village in Tien Giang Province
B. Growing rice in Tien Giang Province
C. The technique of weaving sedge mats in Long Dinh
D. A new type of mat in Mat Craft Village
READING 6
Package holidays, covering a two weeks" stay in an attractive location are increasingly popular, because they
offer an inclusive price with few extras. Once you get to the airport, it is up to the tour operator to see that
you get safely to your destination. Excursions, local entertainment, swimming, sunbathing, skiing - you name
it - it"s all laid on for you. There is, in fact, no reason for you to bother anything yourselves. You make friends
and have a good time, but there is very little chance that you will really get to know the local people. This is
even less likely on a coach tour, when you spend almost your entire time travelling. Of course, there are
carefully scheduled stops for you to visit historic buildings and monuments, but you will probably be allowed
only a brief stay overnight in some famous city, with a polite reminder to be up and breakfasted early in time
for the coach next morning. You may visit the beautiful, the historic, the ancient, but time is always at your
elbow. There is also the added disadvantage of being obliged to spend your holiday with a group of people
you have never met before, may not like and have no reasonable excuse for getting away from. As against
this, it can be argued that for many people, particularly the lonely or elderly, the feeling of belonging to a
group, although for a short period on holiday, is an added bonus. They can sit safely back in their seat and
watch the world go by.
28. In spite of its disadvantages, spending a holiday with a group is particularly good for ____
A. the lonely or elderly people B. schoolboys and schoolgirls
C. newly married young couples D. those who always travel by themselves
29. "Time is always at your elbow." This means ___________________
A. you can take your time visiting a place B. your time always is limited when visiting a place
C. you can’t take your time visiting a place D. your time is always limited when visiting a place
30. When you go on a package holiday, you don’t have to__________
A. pay for any extra activities B. arrange anything yourself
C. follow the tour schedules D. travel in an organised group
31. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. You get no chance to visit historic buildings in famous cities on a coach tour.
B. You are constantly on the move when you are on a coach tour.
C. A coach tour is always exhausting. D. You don"t get enough sleep on a coach tour.
32. What is the best title of the passage?
A. The advantages of package holidays. B. The benefits and the limitations of package holidays.
C. The limitations of package holidays. D. The package holiday is popular.
READING 7
Fathers used to act as the ‘breadwinner' of their family, and as the teacher of moral and religious values.
Today, however, those roles are gradually changing.
More and more women are going out to work and earn money. This increases the budget of the
family. Apart from that, there are various social welfare programmes which financially assist mothers in
supporting their children. Both these changes have greatly impacted the role of fathers because they make
paternal financial support less essential for many families.
With the burden of financial support reduced, and with a changing concept of a father's role,
modern day fathers tend to be more involved in children's caregiving. They are now spending more time
and energy on their children.
Psychological research across families from all ethnic backgrounds suggests that the influence of a father's
love and attention is as great as that of a mother's. Fatherly love helps children develop a sense of their place
in the world, which helps their social and emotional development. Moreover, children who receive more love
from their fathers are less likely to have behavioral problems.
28. What does the phrase “brings them back to their caveman roots” in paragraph 1 mean?
A. Cause people to act more sociable during festivals
B. Keep people from eating meat
C. Make people want to eat barbecue on an open flame
D. Make people think about how things were with their ancestors
29. Where is barbecue considered a way of life?
A. The United States B. Taiwan C. The Middle East D. Argentina
30. What are the sharp sticks that are used to cook meat called?
A. Shish-kebabs B. Specialities C. Skewers D. Asado
31. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Cooking over open fires makes people feel less sociable.
B. Shish-kebabs are well-known in Turkey.
C. People in the United States eat hamburgers and hot dogs.
D. Argentina’s asado is considered the national dish.
32. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Barbecue is a healthy way to eat meat.
B. People today are eating more vegetables with their barbecue.
C. Local barbecue specialities can be found all over the world.
D. People in some countries mostly use sausages when they barbecue.
READING 18
Have you ever noticed advertisements which says “Learn a foreign language in 6 weeks, or your money back.
From the first day your pronunciation will be excellent. Just send…” and so on? Of course, it never happens
quite like that. One’s mother language is easier to learn, but it also requires a lot of practice to be fluent. And
think how much practice that gets! Before the Second World War, people usually learned a foreign language
in order to read the literature of the country.
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Now speaking a foreign language is what most people want. Every year millions of people start learning one.
How they do it? Some people try it at home, with books and records of tapes; some use radio or television
programmes; some use computers and network; others go to evening classes. If they use the language only
2 or 3 times a week, it will take a long time, like learning a foreign language at school. A few people try to
learn a the language fast by studying for 6 or more hours a day. It is clearly easier to learn the language in
the country where it is spoken. However, most people cannot afford this, and for many it is not necessary.
They need the language in order to do their work better. For example, scientists and doctors chiefly need to
be able to read books and reports in the foreign language. Whether the language is learned quickly or slowly,
it is hard work. Machines and good books will help, but they cannot do the students’ work for him.
28. According to some advertisements, you______.
A. have to pay your money if you cannot master a foreign language in 6 weeks.
B. needn’t pay your money if you cannot master a foreign language in 6 weeks.
C. must pay your money if you cannot master a foreign language in 6 weeks.
D. will be paid much money if you cannot master a foreign language in 6 weeks.
29. Now most people try to learn a foreign language in order to________.
A.read the literature of the country
B. read books and reports
C.do their work better
D. go to foreign countries
30. The best way to learn a foreign language is________.
A. to go to the country where the language is spoken
B. to use machines and good books
C. to go to evening classes
D. to do as the advertisments tell you to
31. Learning a foreign language is a hard job______.
A. only for scientists and doctors
B. only for the students at schools
C. for those people at home
D. for most people
32. Which of the following sentences is NOT true?
A. it is very difficult to learn a foreign language, including the native language.
B. few people can afford to learn a foreign language in the country where it is spoken.
C. to learn one’s mother tounge also need a lot of practice.
D. machines and good books are useless for us to learn a foreign language.
READING 19
Today, millions of people want to learn or improve their English but it is difficult to find the best method. Is
it better to study in Britain or America or to study in your own country?
The advantages of going to Britain seem obvious. Firstly, you will be able to listen to the language all the time.
You will be surrounded completely by the language wherever you go. Another advantage is that you have to
speak the language if you are with other people. At home, it is always possible to speak Vietnamese if you
want to and the learning is slower.
On the other hand, there are also advantages to staying at home to study. You don't have to make big changes
to your life. As well as this, it is also a lot cheaper than going to Britain but it is never possible to achieve the
results of living in the UK. If you have a good teacher, I think you can learn in a more concentrated way than
being in Britain without going to a school.
So, in conclusion, I think that if you have enough time and enough money, the best choice is to spend some
time in the UK. This is simply not possible for most people, so being at home is the only viable option. The
most important thing to do in this situation is to maximise your opportunities: to speak only English in class
and to try to use English whenever possible outside the class.
Question 28. What is probably the topic of the passage?
A. How many people learn English.
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B. The best way to learn English.
C. English schools in England and America.
D. Learning English in Viet Nam.
Question 29. What is one of the advantages of going to the UK to learn English?
A. There are no Vietnamese people in Britain.
B. There are very good teachers of English there.
C. You will have to speak English and not your language.
D. The language schools in the UK are always better.
Question 30. What is one of the advantages of staying at home to learn English?
A. The teachers aren't very good in Britain.
B. You have to work too hard to make money in Britain.
C. You can concentrate on learning English only.
D. Your life can continue more or less as it was before.
Question 31. The underlined word "viable" in the passage probably means_____.
A. possible B. understandable C. important D. careful
Question 32. According to the passage, people who don't have a lot of time and money should_____.
A. learn English in Britain
B. try and speak English in class more often
C. go to America to learn English
D. write English more outside the class
READING 20
Education in England Every child in England between the age of five and fifteen must attend schools. There
are three main types of educational institutions, primary (elementary) schools, secondary schools, and
universities.
Like most countries in the world, there are two types of schools in England, independent schools (fee-paying
schools) and state schools in which students do not have to pay tuition fees. In both types, attendance is
compulsory. Morning classes begin at nine o dock and last until half past four in the afternoon. After classes,
most English children often stay at school and take part in extracurricular activities like sports, singing and
dancing. Schools are open five days a week. On Saturdays and Sundays there are no lessons. There are
holidays at Christmas, Easter and in summer. In London as in all cities there are two grades of schools for
those who will go to work at fifteen: primary schools for boys and girls between the ages of five and eleven,
and secondary schools for children from eleven to fifteen.
Besides such compulsory lessons as reading, writing, the English language, English literature, English history,
geography, science, and nature study, children in England can take many optional subjects like drawing,
painting, singing, or woodwork to develop their aptitudes.
Câu 28. What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. Entertainment for children in England B. Education in England
C. State schools in England D. Compulsory lessons
Câu 29. The writer mentions all of the following types of educational institutions EXCEPT________.
A. primary schools B. secondary schools C. kindergartens D. high schools
Câu 30. "Sports" is mentioned in the reading passage as
A. a compulsory lesson B. an extracurricular activity
C. an optional subject D. a bad subject
Câu 31. Which types of schools do 14-year-old children often attend?
A. primary schools B. universities C. secondary schools D. high schools
READING 21
Music influences people in different ways or the same person differently at different times. Music may seem
to influence people differently. That is because people can react differently to the music. We are able to apply
a choosing process to the music we hear. If someone hates jazz, then a jazz piece with a positive effect will
probably not make him feel good. A happy song might appear to make an angry person angrier, yet it is not
the music itself that is creating the anger; rather it is the positive effect of the music. The angry person does
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not want to accept the song's happy feeling: it points out his already existing anger, and makes that anger
come to the surface. When a piece of music is played and we are listening to it, our body, mind, and feelings
are being affected. The musicians of ancient cultures such as China, India, Turkey and Greece understood the
effects of music. In fact, Pathagoras, in ancient Greece, introduced a whole science that concerned
them. Because the musicians of these ancient cultures understood these effects, they created music that was
positive, uplifting, and beneficial. Once the effects of music are better understood, the next step is to gain a
better understanding of the music around us, and what effect it is actually having.
28. The text is about ........................
A. The science of music B. Music and an angry person
C. Understanding music D. The effects of music on human feelings
29. Music ...........................................
A. cannot be chosen B. affects us in different ways
C. affects everybody in the same way D. never makes us angry
30. According to the text, .......................................
A. Everybody likes jazz B. a very angry person sometimes do not accept music
C. No one likes jazz D. Jazz always makes us feel better
31. In ancient cultures, there used to be a science that concerned the effects of music in ............
A. Greece B. China C. India D. Turkey
32. The word "Once" has a close meaning to____________.
A. on time B. because C. when D. if
READING 22
Bamboo is an amazing plant. Did you know it is actually a grass? In fact, giant bamboo is the largest member
of the grass family. Some types can grow an incredible 90 centimetres in just one day. Some bamboo plants
can grow to over 30 metres tall, which is as tall as a gum tree.
You probably know that bamboo is the favorite food of pandas, but chimpanzees, gorillas and elephants eat
it too.
Bamboo is also extremely useful to people. It is a very valuable construction material because it is so strong.
In fact, whole houses can be built from bamboo. In some parts of the world, bamboo is used as scaffolding
(the frame used to support building work).
The range of things that can be made from bamboo is huge. Furniture, cooking utensils, and musical
instruments can all be made from bamboo. Bamboo fibres can be used to produce a soft, cotton-like material
for T-shirts and underwear. Bamboo fibres are also used to make paper. Bamboo can even be used to make
bicycle frames and boats.
28. Bamboo is a type of ________.
A. wood B. grass C. bush D. tree
29. According to the text, one way bamboo is amazing is that ________.
A. it grows near gum trees B. it can grow extremely fast
C. it comes in many sizes D. it grows anywhere
30. Which activity uses bamboo as scaffolding?
A. sailing B. plumbing C. cooking D. building
31. According to the text, which part of a bicycle can be made from bamboo?
A. the wheels B. the frame C. the pedals D. the seat
32. The main purpose of this text is ________.
A. to give interesting facts and uses for bamboo.
B. to list everything that can be made from bamboo
C. to encourage people to use bamboo more often.
D. to outline where bamboo is mainly grown and used
READING 23
We need to eat to meet our nutritional needs, but people often make their food choices for reasons other
than nutrition. The availability of foods and their cost, the taste and appearance of foods, personal food likes
READING 45
In comparison with other developing countries, Vietnam's population enjoys a relatively high standard of
education. In the past, Vietnam's educational system was affected by many cultures, of which the Chinese
and French had most significant influence.
The Imperial Academy - the first university in Vietnam - was built in 1076 under Emperor Ly Nhan Tong
for the education of sons of royalty and other high ranking officials. In 1252, the college was opened to
students from various backgrounds.
Before the French came, the old-type Mandarin system administered Vietnam for approximately 2,000
years. As the French took over the government's administration, it was converted from a Confucian system
into a Western-oriented one.
In order to participate in the service under the French rule, the Vietnamese had to convert to the French
system and were required to know the French language. In addition, they had to have a good facility with
the new version of their language instead of the traditional Chinese characters which had been in use for
hundreds of years.
At the beginning of 1900, the whole system was revised. An educational system of three levels was
established; elementary, secondary, and infant education. In addition, the use of the national language
(Quoc Ngu) was added to the curriculum. Emphasis was placed on rote learning, class discipline and other
French educational methods. Several new schools and colleges were established. Accordingly, French
became the second language of much importance to the students.
Question 28. When the French tool control of Vietnamese education, they________.
A. made Vietnamese people follow a Western-oriented education
B. took over the government's administration
C. converted the French system into the Confucian one
D. kept the old-type Mandarin system and the French education
Question 29. We can infer from the passage that in the French education system in Vietnam,
________________.
A. the Confucian system was banned in the beginning
B. the traditional Chinese characters have been widely used
C. the national language is the first language and French is the second one
D. students with different academic levels could attend the Imperial Academy since 1252
Question 30. The phrase "rote learning" in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to________.
A. learning the national language in three education levels
B. learning class discipline
C. learning something to repeat it from memory
D. learning the Mandarin Chinese for a while
Question 31. In the past, Vietnam enjoyed a relatively high standard of education with________.
A. the establishment of the Imperial Academy
B. the education of sons of royalty
C. the effects of the Chinese culture
D. the reign of Emperor Ly Nhan Tong
Question 32. All of the following are true about the education in Vietnam under the French rule EXCEPT
that ________.
A. most students paid much attention to French
B. several new schools and colleges were established
C. the system had three levels
D. students only used the national language at home
READING 46