CHUYÊN ĐỀ LUYỆN THI TIẾNG ANH

TÀI LIỆU LUYỆN THI MÔN TIẾNG ANH DÙNG CHO HỌC SINH GIỎI, OLYMPIC, IOE VÀ THPT QUỐC GIA Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ và là file word, thoải mái chỉnh sửa nếu cần Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ Đây là bộ tài liệu hữu ích và hay. Có đáp án đầy đủ

TÀI LIỆU LUYỆN THI MÔN TIẾNG ANH

DÙNG CHO HỌC SINH GIỎI, OLYMPIC, IOE VÀ THPT QUỐC GIA

Tài liệu này của: ………

Lộc Ninh

Table of contents

Contents

Contents 3

GUIDED CLOZE TEST 4

READING COMPREHENSION 33

LEXICAL-GRAM 318

A CLOSEST MEANING 318

B OPPOSITE MEANING 324

TRANSFORMATION B 335

WRITING ESSAYS 353

KEY 356

Guided cloze test 356

READING COMPREHENSION 357

LEXICAL-GRAM 361

TRANSFORMATION B 368

GUIDED CLOZE TEST

Read the passage and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) which best fits each space

TEST 1

By the time we reach old age most of us have spent twenty years sleeping Yet nobody knows why we do it Most scientists believe that by resting our bodies, we allow time for (1)……… maintenance work to be done Any (2) ……… that there is can be put right more quickly if energy isn’t being used up doing other things

Sleep is controlled by certain chemicals These build up during the day, eventually reaching (3)

………… that cause tiredness We can control the effects of these chemicals to some extent Caffeine helps to (4)………… us awake while alcohol and some medicines make us sleepy

By using electrodes, scientists are able to (5)……… what goes on in people’s heads while they sleep They have (6)……… that when we first drop off everything slows down The heart (7)………… more slowly, and our breathing becomes shadow After about ninety minutes our eyes start to twitch, and we go into what is (8)……… REM sleep, which is a (9)………… that we’ve started to dream You have dreams every night, even if you don’t remember them There are many theories about why we dream, none of them conclusive A lot of people say they have to have eight hour’s sleep every night while others seem to (10)……… on a lot less One thing is certain-we all need some sleep Going without it can have some very strange effects

Question 1: A main B elementary C needed D essential

Question 2: A damage B suffering C harm D hurt

Question 3: A peaks B heights C positions D levels

Question 4: A stay B keep C make D maintain

Question 5: A exhibit B work C study D think

Question 6: A seen B researched C discovered D watched

Question 7: A beats B hits C moves D trembles

Question 8: A known B labelled C named D called

Question 9: A clue B proof C sign D signal

Question 10: A need B manage C get D deal

TEST 2

In the time it takes you read this article, it is absolutely certain that two events will have taken place on a very large (1) _ indeed The first of these certainties is that many crimes, mostly trivial but some serious, will have been (2) Crime has been an (3) _ fact of life for many centuries and it is safe so say, will continue to be so for the (4) _ future

The second undisputed event is that our world will be populated by hundreds, even thousands,

of new human beings, arriving bloody, screaming and kicking, and opening their eyes to (5) the future Inevitable, some of these new – born babies will grow up to become the adolescents and adults who steal from cars, (6) houses, mug people late at night, start fires, rape, and kill

And the million-dollar question is: Which of these new-born infants will become tomorrow’s criminals? There are several predictors that can give us some (7) Firstly antisocial childhood behaviour, including misbehaviour at school, dishonesty and aggressiveness There is a higher chance of the child (8) _ to crime if there is a history of criminality in the family, including convicted parents and delinquent older siblings Family poverty is also a contributing (9) , whether it be due to low family (10) _, large family size or poor housing Poor parental child-rearing behaviour, including harsh and authoritarian discipline, poor supervision, parental conflict and separation from parents also play their part

Question 1: A scale B size C area D grid

Question 2: A done B committed C made D tried

Question 3: A unpreventable B unstoppable C unchangeable D

inescapable

Question 4: A predictable B expected C known D foreseeable

Question 5: A face B confront C attempt D achieve

Question 6: A rob B burgle C thieve D steal

Question 7: A clues B help C tips D guesses

Question 8: A moving B tending C turning D going

Question 9: A fact B factor C circumstance D instance

TEST 3

Life involves a certain amount of risk, or at least it did These days, however, government seem to have become (1) _ with the idea of protecting us from it As a result, what we actually risk most is not being allowed to live at all

For example, take a recent edict which emerged from the British government’s health and safety department It would be amusing if it wasn’t so serious Circus artistes performing on tightropes

or the flying trapeze are being (2) _ to wear the type of hard hats more usually (3) _ with the construction industry Under a relatively new law (4) _ as the “Temporary work at heights directive”, such a hat must be worn for any working activity taking place above the height of

an “average stepladder” Now you might think that sounds (5) _ reasonable, but the absurd thing is that the rule is being (6) _ to circus performers as well

The first to be hit by this rule were baffled members of the Moscow State Circus, who were touring England at the time Used to flying through the air without even the (7) _ of a safety net, they (8) _ that trapeze artistes often break arms and legs, but (9) _ heads This simple fact was apparently (10) _ on the bureaucrats at the government department, however, who insisted that the rule be followed

Question 1: A prone B obsessed C addicted D devoted

Question 2: A proposed B challenged C required D demanded

Question 3: A regarded B associated C recognized D concerned

Question 4: A referred B called C entitled D known

Question 5: A fairly B duly C widely D closely

Question 6: A presided B enforced C directed D applied

Question 7: A profit B benefit C remedy D welfare

Question 8: A pointed out B came forward C put across D cleared up

Question 9: A barely B merely C rarely D usually

Question 10: A passed B lost C missed D left

TEST 4

Artist Kit Williams was always interested in trying new things, so when it was suggested that

he should illustrate a book, he (1)………… to write the story as well, rather than work with someone else He hit (2)………… a new idea What better way to attract people's (3)………… to his work than

to give his readers the chance to take part in a treasure hunt? So Kit made a golden pendant in the (4)

………… of a hare and buried it underground at a secret location The words and pictures in his

book, Masquerade, (5)………….clues as to where the hare was buried Almost two million readers

from all over the world joined in the rush to (6) ………… the puzzle The race was open to all, and no one had any advantage - the treasure was as (7)……… to be found by a clever child of ten as it was

by a university professor

After more than two years, the golden hare was found by a businessman who called himself

Ken Thomas, although this was actually a false name It appears that ‘Thomas’ subsequently sold the

hare for a large sum of money Afterwards, some people (8)……….that the discovery of the hare was

not (9)………… purely on the information in the book, but that 'Thomas' had been helped by a former girlfriend of Kit Williams However, 'Thomas' has always firmly (10)……… these claims.

Question 1: A selected B preferred C picked D liked

Question 2: A at B in C off D upon

Question 3: A attention B eyes C interest D curiosity

Question 4: A pattern B figure C shape D appearance

Question 5: A supported B made C identified D provided

Question 6: A guess B solve C correct D settle

Question 7: A probable B possible C suitable D likely

Question 8: A charged B threatened C claimed D accused

Question 9: A found B based C established D decided

Question 10: A disapproved B refused C denied D objected

TEST 5

Wearing fashionable clothes can be bad for you! This may surprise you, but it is said that some clothes can cause a (1) _ of problems Do you find this (2) to believe? Well, researchers have discovered that following the latest fashion (3) _ can be unhealthy For example, if you (4) a scarf or tie too tightly it increases your blood pressure Tight jeans

even sensible flat shoes may all cause (5) _

Experts say that things we wear can also (6) _ to stomach problems, rashes, backache and painful feet Yet how can we explain this? Very tight clothes can (7) _ people moving naturally, and this is not good for you If you wear trousers or skirts that are too tight around the waist, then your stomach does not have (8) to expand after you have eaten, and this can cause stomachache Rashes can be caused by an allergic (9) _ to synthetic material And last, but not least - wearing shoes with high heels can lead to foot and back problems Even practical shoes can cause backache if they don't (10) you properly

Question 1: A variety B group C bundle D collection

Question 2: A puzzling B complicated C complex D difficult

Question 3: A directions B trends C changes D cultures

Question 4: A fasten B fix C tie D install

Question 5: A complaints B conditions C illnesses D sickness

Question 6: A move B lead C go D grow

Question 7: A prevent B avoid C block D check

Question 8: A extent B area C place D room

Question 9: A reply B response C reaction D return

Question 10: A shape B match C suit D fit

TEST 6

It is well-known that babies and young children need milk in order to build a strong and healthy skeleton However, nutritionists are becoming increasingly worried that young people are not drinking enough milk, and as a result, are risking serious calcium (1) at a time when it is most essential for their development Calcium, is also present in dairy foods like cheese and yogurt, and in green vegetables, but the majority of adults and children don’t (2) _ enough of such foods to meet

their daily requirements, There are other reasons why milk is the (3) _ dietary source of this vital nutrient Unlike most other foods, milk contains Vitamin D, as well as natural fats and sugars which (4) _ the absorption of calcium.

Not only (5) calcium play a significant role in building healthy bones, but scientists are now proving that it can help lower blood pressure and (6) harmful cholesterol levels too (7) _, nutritionists recommend a calcium (8) equivalent to three glasses of milk daily for young children and, as teenagers require even more, it would seem sensible to make milk a staple food in our diet Nevertheless, it is more common for youngsters to choose soft drinks or fruit juices to (9) their thirst Health campaigners are promoting milk as a “cool" drink and have found that in schools where vending machines selling flavored and plain milk were (10) , sales indicate that

it can be immensely popular

Question 1: A deficiencies B disorders C supplements D poisoning

Question 2: A contain B consume C chew D let

Question 3: A preferential B preferring C preferred D preference

Question 4: A stir B make C benefit D aid

Question 5: A would B this C does D also

Question 6: A drop B vary C fall D reduce

Question 7: A adversely B ideally C namely D totally

Question 8: A intake B meal C portion D exposure

Question 9: A quench B erase C dry D liquidate

Question 10: A transformed B installed C adapted D enforced

TEST 7

My sister and my brother-in-law, Nell and Toti, (1) a circus It is (2) _ Giffords

Circus and it tours some of the loveliest parts of south-west England Circuses have always been a part

of Nell’s life, even when we were children When she met Toti, she had already worked in several circuses in Britain and Europe She had ridden elephants and worked as a ring mistress, but what she really (3) _ for was a circus of her (4) _

If the word ‘circus’ (5) _ you of images of clowns and lions, think again The show is (6) _ on traditional travelling circuses and aimed at a rural (7) _ There are no wild animals,

but horses play a (8) _ role in performances, which are a mixture of theatre, dance, traditional circus acts and clowns, all (9) _ by a circus band.

The circus (10) _ to people because it feels intimate, almost home-made The tent seats only a few hundred people, the performers moving in a ring small enough for you to reach out and touch them

I had visited Nell at the circus a lot, but this time I was going to spend the summer there.

Question 1: A belong B keep C own D possess

Question 2: A called B known C named D titled

Question 3: A desired B longed C wanted D wished

Question 4: A belonging B own C possession D properly

Question 5: A recalls B recollects C remembers D reminds

Question 6: A based B built C put D set

Question 7: A spectator B public C crowd D audience

Question 8: A winning B ruling C leading D.main

Question 9: A combined B accompanied C joined D linked

Question 10: A appeals B interests C attracts D suggests

TEST 8

The earliest known drawings, which survive in the depths of caves in Western Europe, date back about 30,000 years The fact that some people (1) considerable distances along underground passages in (2) _ darkness to create them is evident enough that the production

of such pictures was an (3) of great importance to these artists But what was their (4) _? Perhaps drawing was an essential part of the ceremonials enacted to bring success in hunting Perhaps the paintings were intended not to (5) the death of the creatures portrayed but, on the contrary, to ensure their continued fertility so that the people would have a goof supply of meat We cannot tell One thing, however, is certain These drawings are amazingly assured, wonderfully accurate and often (6) beautiful

This practice of painting (7) of animals on walls has continued throughout our history Five thousand years ago, when men in Egypt began to build the world's first cities, they too inscribed images of animals on their walls

There is no (8) about the function of at least some of these: the Egyptians (9) _ animals as gods But they also (10) _in their natural beauty of animals, adorning the walls of their own underground tombs with their pictures, so those in the next world would be reminded of the beauties and delights of this one.

Question 1: A approached B crawled C dawdled D proceeded

Question 2: A whole B entire C full D complete

Question 3: A act B exploit C operation D execution

Question 4: A profit B principle C purpose D procedure

Question 5: A take over B bring about C put across D make out

Question 6: A absolutely B completely C breathtakingly D considerably

Question 7: A copies B appearances C reflections D images

Question 8: A difficulty B reason C problem D doubt

Question 9: A celebrated B praised C worshipped D adored

Question 10: A delighted B loved C enjoyed D appreciated

Topic 5: Write about the causes of the fact that families now are not as close-knit as they were in the

past, about 250 words, using specific reasons and examples to support your opinion

TEST 9

At the Smithsonian Institute in Washington , the most striking aspect of the new Kogod courtyard is its canopy roof .The existing walls at the Smithsonian were not strong enough to (1) _the weight of a ceiling so , instead , the vast undulating glass roof is supported by eight aluminum columns , and carefully designed to (2) in with the original stonework The wave-like structure, the first of its (3) _ in the world , is constructed of deep , diamond-shaped glass panes , packed around the sides with (4) cotton from denim jeans to (5) as sound insulation This (6) conditions near perfect for musical performances in the courtyard

From inside the courtyard, cloud and aircraft are clearly (7) through the canopy But closer inspection reveals a milky surface covered in enamel dots, which cut out about two third of the light, (8) helping to keep the courtyard cool during the baking hot Washington summers

Water is also a vital element of the design When no event is being held, a wafer-thin ‘river’ flows through the courtyard, (9) the visiting children who splash in it The whole space is designed to be free , accessible and multi-purpose At night , when the windows of the museum are lit

up, the courtyard (10) the character of a town square, a place where people can meet friends , eat , drink and relax

Question 1: A suffer B endure C uphold D.bear

Question 2: A mix B blend C emerge D.combine

Question 3: A class B kind C brand D.set

Question 4: A reused B reclaimed C recycled D.reprocessed

Question 5: A react B behave C conduct D.act

Question 6: A causes B leaves C makes D.creates

Question 7: A visible B evident C apparent D.obvious

Question 8: A until B however C even D.thus

Question 9: A playing B enjoying C delighting D.rejoicing

Question 10: A takes in B takes up C takes on D takes over

TEST 10

Comie Relief is a charitable organisation based in London It was set (1) by comedians in 1985 in response to the famine in Ethiopia, and uses comedy and laughter to

(2) serious messages across Since then over two thousand celebrities have given their time and talent to Comic Relief, helping to raise over £300 million to date.

Every two years, Comis Relief organises a nationwide fundraising event (3) _ “Red Nose Day” It’s usually on a Friday in March On Red Nose Day everyone in the country is encouraged to put on a red nose and do something silly to raise money (4) charity In an event that unites the country, people from all walks of life do their bit for poor and under-privileged people in the UK and Africa

In schools, uniforms are replaced by fancy dress; in offices across the nation, assistants (5) over from their bosses for the day Every contribution is important, whether it is standing

in the street (6) money from passers-by, or taking (7) _ in a sponsored event like sitting in a bathtub full of baked beans for twenty-four hours, or not talking for a (n) (8) day

The event is televised in the evening, when the combination of comedy and hard-hitting documentaries persuades (9) to make donations on their credit cards – over the phone or (10) the Internet – to those less fortunate than themselves

Question 1: A on B off C out D up

Question 2: A have B do C get D make

Question 3: A known B named C called D described

Question 4: A to B for C towards D on

Question 5: A take B make C do D get

Question 6: A collecting B earning C asking D gathering

Question 7: A involvement B place C participationD part

Question 8: A whole B all C total D full

Question 9: A spectators B viewers C audience D observers

Question 10: A by B across C through D on

TEST 11

One magazine, more than any other, symbolizes the global dominance of Western youth culture

fashion Consmpolitan, the lifestyle and fashion guide for women in the 18 – 34 are group is now (1) _ in 28 languages, From Latvia to India women turn to Cosmo for advice and a taste of adult

content in a lighthearted, upbeat style Each local (2) secret 50-page instruction (3) _

which is summed up in its (5) _: fun, fearless, female But each local editor (6) that

Cosmo reflects local tastes and is (7) _ of local culture Photographs are mostly of local

celebrities who are easily recognized, and relationship advice is geared to the values of the local population In China, for example, (8) _ mention of sex would be unacceptable, although the magazine still offers beauty advice amongst articles (9) _ patriotism and good citizenship With

an international readership of 8.2 million, Cosmopolitan can be said to have succeeded in (10) for the needs and interests of women worldwide But to others, Cosmopolitan is just another American

product successfully marketed to the rest of the world

Question 1: A published B circulated C subscribed D quoted

Question 2: A manuscript B edition C résumé D volume

Question 3: A manual B outline C leaflet D draft

Question 4: A issue B agenda C complement D editor

Question 5: A slang B slogan C poster D supplement

Question 6: A enacts B endorses C ensures D strengthens

Question 7: A explicit B dutiful C respectful D colloquial

Question 8: A a B the C one D any

Question 9: A advocating B enabling C flourishing D approving

Question 10: A singling B catering C observing D sensing

TEST 12

I live on the first floor of a house that has been (1) _ in to three flats Five months ago, a couple moved into the flat above and since then my life has been a nightmare They get up at 6 a.m and make a terrible noise They listen to the radio at top (2) _, talk loudly and stamp on the floor In the evening they play the same record on their stereo over and over again It’s beginning to (3) me mad I’ve tried turning my own stereo up to (4) _ out the noise but I like peace and quite and find loud music stressful I have tried talking to them but it hasn’t done any (5) I realise I should live and (6) live, but I have begun to have quite irrational revenge fantasies about them – like switching off their electricity or deliberately making a lot of noise late at night when I know they are asleep What on earth can I do?

I understand your problem (7) _ to well Like you, I do not (8) loud music and shouting at 3 a.m, frequent occurrences in the block of flats where I live I, too, have found that

direct requests get (9) _ I contacted the environment health officers at the Town hall, who were very helpful I would (10) advise you to do the same The offices took action on my behalf and were able to solve the problem without going to court.

Question 1: A changed B converted C adapted D remade

Question 2: A power B volume C pitch D intensity

Question 3: A drive B force C turn D put

Question 4: A wipe B sound C deafen D drown

Question 5: A benefit B point C more D good

Question 6: A let B make C have D be

Question 7: A wholly B only C merely D except

Question 8: A agree B admire C appreciate D acknowledge

Question 9: A nowhere B somewhere C everywhere D anywhere

Question 10: A mainly B hardly C strongly D powerfully

TEST 13

If you want your daughter to succeed, buy her a toy construction set That is the from Britain's (1) female engineers and scientists Marie-Noelle Barton, who heads an Engineering Council campaign to encourage girls into science and engineering, maintains that some of Britain's most successful women have had their careers (2) _ by the toys they played with as children Even girls who end nowhere near a microchip or microscope could benefit from a better (3) _of science and technology

“It’s a (4) _ of giving them experience and confidence with technology so that when they are (5) with a situation requiring some technical know-how, they feel they can handle it and don't just (6) _ defeat immediately,' says Mrs Barton 'I believe that lots of girls feel unsure

of themselves when it comes technology and therefore they might be losing out on jobs because they are reluctant even to apply for them.”

Research recently carried (7) suggests that scientific and constructional toys should

be (8) to girls from an early age, otherwise the result is 'socialisation' into stereotypically female (9) _, which may explain why relatively few girls study science and engineering at

university in Britain Only 14% of those who have gone for engineering at university this year are women, although this figure does represent an improvement on the 7% (10) some years ago.

Question 1: A foremost B uppermost C predominant D surpassing

Question 2: A styled B shaped C built D modelled

Question 3: A hold B grasp C insight D realisation

Question 4: A matter B situation C state D cause

Question 5: A approached B encountered C presented D offered

Question 6: A admit B allow C receive D permit

Question 7: A off B through C forward D out

Question 8: A accessible B feasible C reachble D obtainable

Question 9: A characters B parts C states D roles

Question 10: A recorded B recording C records D record

TEST 14

The money that some professional sportsmen earn shouldn’t impress anyone when you take into consideration the fact that only a few of them manage to (1) _ immortality and everlasting fame And once they each their prime and display their talent at their best, they are (2) conscious that their brilliant careers won’t last forever They live under a constant pressure of being (3) and subsequently replaced by someone who is younger, faster and more accomplished For that reason, objectives like retirement benefits and pensions are of a great concern to all professional athletes

Some of the retired competitors go as far as to organize strikes and rallies to (4) their protest against any policy unresponsive to their demands whereas the younger professionals seek more upgrading solutions to the problem as more and more of them attach a proper significance to (5) a solid education, even at university level Such an approach should help them find interesting and well-paid jobs (6) their sports career is over

A completely new strategy has been (7) by the schools priding themselves (8) supporting their own teams Their authorities insist that the sports clubs members achieve high academic standards or they are debarred from partaking certain sports events, which may lead to further (9) in their professional career

By these practical and most effective combining education with sports activity, the (10) _of the professional athlete as being brainless and unintelligent may eventually be changing to the sportsmen’s benefit.

Question 1: A acquire B fulfill C attain D succeed

Question 2: A fully B extremely C terribly D very

Question 3: A out cast B outshone C outstayed D outgrown

Question 4: A voice B claim C insist D speak

Question 5: A mastering B learning C receiving D attending

Question 6: A right away B promptly C barely D once

Question 7: A assembled B installed C devised D emerged

Question 8: A with B on C for D in

Question 9: A disruption B disturbance C detachment D damage

Question 10: A. B outlook C image D judgment

of English Service, said: “Our language is (8) on statements by real people, like politicians and (9) , which the BBC has accurately recorded As broadcasters, we try to use a few idioms and metaphors but only to show that we (10) _ in the real world.”

Question 1: A connected B joined C attached D fixed

Question 2: A pointed B directed C trained D aimed

Question 3: A functional B traditional C conventional D partial

Question 4: A produced B written C broadcast D spoken

Question 5: A headed B chaired C dictated D treated

Question 7: A correctly B truly C sincerely D finely

Question 8: A designed B made C based D formed

Question 9: A so many B thus far C as to D so on

Question 10: A inhabit B live C stay D be

TEST 16

It is a well-known fact that Japanese people have a longer life expectancy than the population

of most other countries A (1) report shows that the Japanese also expect to remain healthier for longer

Scientists are trying to work (2) what keeps elderly Japanese people so healthy, and whether there is a lesson to be from their lifestyles Should we (3) any changes to our eating habits, for instance, or go jogging each day before breakfast? Is there some secret (4) _ in the Japanese diet that is particularly (5) _ for the human body?

Although the (6) of a longer, healthier life is a good thing for the individual, it can (7) create a social problem The number of people over the age of 65 in the population has doubled in the last 50 years and that has increased pension and medical costs Japan could soon be (8) an economic problem: there are more elderly people who need to be looked after and relatively fewer younger people working and paying taxes to support them

One solution could be to (9) retirement age from 65 to 70 After all, the elderly have a great deal to (10) If they continue to be active in society, younger generations will have the chance to learn more from their wisdom and experience

Question 1: A late B recent C modern D contemporary

Question 2: A for B out C in D off

Question 3: A do B make C set D give

Question 4: A ingredient B component C portion D helping

Question 5: A caring B supportive C positive D beneficial

Question 6: A view B outlook C prospect D wish

Question 7: A therefore B actually C even D as well

Question 8: A facing B meeting C adopting D encountering

Question 9: A put B move C rise D raise

Question 10: A grant B donate C contribute D aid

TEST 17

Last summer, air pollution in Paris reached dangerous levels on six separate occasions As a result, the government have recently decided that public transport in French cities will be (1) on days when pollution becomes a (2) to people’s health In a(n) (3) to encourage people to leave their cars at home

The mayor of Paris said that he had several other ideas to reduce the pollution problem, such as free parking on the (4) of the city on hot, still days when exhaust fumes tend to accumulate He has also announced a $6 million plan for 56 km of bicycle tracks, new pedestrianised zones and a new tram line for southern Paris His most popular measure (5) becoming mayor last May has been to (6) traffic from several streets on Sundays

Every summer, air quality is at its (7) in Paris during holiday weekends, especially one weekend in July when the (8) of the population leave by car for their summer holidays Conditions then improve for the summer, but deteriorate again when most residents return at the end of August

The free transport (9) is part of the response to a new environmental regulation which says that local authorities must guarantee safe air If it is (10) _ seriously, local can look forward to a cleaner Paris in the future

Question 1: A open B loose C off D free

Question 2: A risk B terror C threat D damage

Question 3: A try B pursuit C trial D effort

Question 4: A outskirts B areas C suburbs D provinces

Question 5: A as B since C from D then

Question 6: A discharge B expel C restrict D ban

Question 7: A top B limits C full D worst

Question 8: A lots B majority C most D plenty

Question 9: A measure B action C answer D move

Question 10: A taken B thought C help D formed

TEST 18

Working as a novelist is not really a career like being a doctor or a scientist Although a few known ones, like Harry Potter author J K Rowling, have become very (1) , most writers find it difficult even to make a (2) _ from their book sales Novels take a long time to write, and authors can get into financial (3) if they don’t have money coming in regularly from another job But for those (4) to write novels, it is without (5) _ one of the most enjoyable kinds of work to do The write has to be (6) thinking up completely new stories, and (7) , meaning they put all their time and effort into their work They also need to be able to (8) _ in a crisis, as nobody else can write their book for them For this, a good sense of (9) _ often helps Or the thought that maybe their novel might one day be turned into a film and become a Hollywood (10) !

well-Question 1: A worth B valuable C plenty D wealthy

Question 2: A life B living C being D use

Question 3: A trouble B problem C upset D worry

Question 4: A fixed B agreed C convinced D determined

Question 5: A doubt B difficulty C object D suspicion

Question 6: A dreamy B fictional C creative D imaginary

Question 7: A decided B deliberate C dedicated D delivered

Question 8: A deal B cope C handle D hold

Question 9: A laughter B joking C smiling D humour

Question 10: A victory B attraction C blockbuster D best-seller

TEST 19

Every year, half a million visitors make their way to Loch Ness in Scotland The loch is a dark and mysterious expanse of water, 300 metres deep in places, but most visitors come in the hope of (1) a glimpse of the famous monster, Nessie Those who believe in the monster's existence claim that it is a type of marine dinosaur otherwise presumed to have become extinct seventy million years ago More skeptical observers, however, regard the story as nothing more than a clever ploy to (2) _ the tourists Indeed, it was a local hotel owner who made the first modern (3) of the monster in 1933 The local newspaper ran the story, which was then picked up by the national and international press A photograph of the monster, taken the following year by Robert

Wilson, a local doctor, (4) an overnight sensation worldwide This photograph (5) _the most convincing evidence available of the monster's existence for almost sixty years.

Dr Wilson had, however, taken part in an elaborate hoax A fact only (6) _ following the deathbed confession of one of the other people involved in 1993 The photograph, which (7) _ a serpent-like head and neck rearing up from the waters of the loch had been achieved using

a (8) disguised toy submarine For the monster's millions of fans, this was something of a setback, but little more than that Only time will (9) whether the other photographs that exist are (60) or not, but meanwhile Nessie continues to intrigue people and the tourists keep coming

Question 1: A taking B catching C gaining D finding

Question 2: A admit B approach C announce D attract

Question 3: A meeting B viewing C seeking D sighting

Question 4: A made B created C took D gave out

Question 5: A persisted B remained C insisted D maintained

Question 6: A displayed B revealed C exhibited D unlocked

Question 7: A imagined B illustrated C visualized D featured

Question 8: A strongly B heavily C severely D powerfully

Question 9: A say B know C admit D tell

Question 10: A truthful B honest C genuine D sincere

TEST 20

The joys and tribulations of being a pet owner! During our lifetime most of us have some experience

of either owning a pet or being in (1) _ contact with someone who does Is there such as things

as the ideal pet? If so, what characterises the ideal pet? Various (2) influence one’s choice of pet, from your reasons for getting a pet to your lifestyle For example, although quite a few pets are relatively cheap to buy, the cost of (3) can be considerable Everything must be (4) _ into account, from food and bedding, to vaccinations and veterinary bills You must be prepared to (5) _ time on your pet, which involves shopping for it, cleaning and feeling it Pets can be demanding and a big responsibility Are you prepared to exercise and housetrain an animal or do you

energetic animal into a (7) space? Do you live near a busy road which may threaten the life of your pet? Pets (8) _ turtles and goldfish can be cheap and convenient, but if you prefer affectionate pets, a friendly cat or dog would be more (9) _ People get pets for a number of reasons, for company, security or to teach responsibility to children Pets can be affectionate and loyal and an excellent source of company as long as you know what pet (10) you and your lifestyle.

Question 1: A ear B close C marrow D tight

Question 2: A measures B elements C factors D points

Question 3: A upkeep B maintenance C upbringing D raising

Question 4: A considered B held C taken D kept

Question 5: A take B waste C occupy D spend

Question 6: A free B spare C empty D vacant

Question 7: A confined B detained C reduced D closed

Question 8: A so that B as for C as if D such as

Question 9: A suited B appropriate C likely D good

Question 10: A fits B matches C suits D goes with

TEST 21

In the past people suffered (1) a disease called scurvy Their gums bled, their skin became rough, their wounds did not (2) and their muscles wasted away The (3)

of these symptoms was a lack of vitamin C; people ate preserved meats and foods and

could not get fresh vegetables and fruits

The best (4) of vitamin C are oranges, lemons, grapefruit, cantaloupes, strawberries, and fresh vegetables These fruits must be fresh because vitamin C is destroyed by heat, storage, or exposure (5) air

Although today more people (6) vitamin C pills than any other supplement, some people still have scurvy, (7) some of the elderly, alcoholics, and the chronically ill Research shows that vitamin C reduces the (8) of colds and can help prevent cancer There is also evidence that vitamin C prevents heart disease, (9) wound

healing, helps prevent gum disease, and helps protect us from pollutants such as cigarette smoke Some recent research also shows that vitamin C has a positive effect on some mental (10) and increases life span.

TEST 22

Although the earth was formed about 4,500 million years ago, human beings have inhabited it for less than half a million years Within this time, population has increased hugely and people have had a vast (1) upon the earth They have long been able to (2) the forces of nature to use Now, with modern technology, they have the power to alter the balance of life on earth

Reports back from the first astronauts helped dispel the dangerous (3) that the world had no boundaries and had limitless resources Moreover, ecologists have shown that all forms of life on earth are interconnected, so it (4) that all human activity has an effect on the natural environment

In recent years, people have been putting the environment under stress As a result, certain (5) materials such as timber, water and minerals are beginning to (6) short Pollution and the (7) of waste are already critical issues, and the (8) of the environment is fast becoming the most pressing problem (9) us all The way we respond to the challenge will have a profound effect on the earth

1 A imprint B indication C impression D impact

TEST 23:

In the early morning of 23 January, 2009, the most powerful storm for a decade hit western France With wind speeds in (1) of 120 miles per hour, it flattened forests, (2) down power lines and caused massive destruction to buildings and roads But it also left behind an extraordinary creation Seven miles out to sea at the (3) where the Atlantic Ocean meets the estuary of the River Gironde, a small island had (4) _ out of water Locals soon gave it the name The Mysterious Isle What was so remarkable, (5) its sudden apparition, was the fact that the island (6) _ intact in what is often quite a hostile sea environment It could well become a permanent feature

Scientists (7) realized that the island's appearance (8) a unique opportunity to study the creation and development of a new ecosystem Within months, it had been colonised by seabirds, insects and vegetation Unfortunately, however, they were not alone in (9) the island attractive It became increasingly difficult to (10) the site from human visitors In its first year, day trippers came in powered dinghies, a parachute club used it as a landing strip, a rave party was even held there one night

1 A surplus B advance C excess D put

TEST 24

Everyone has got two personalities - the one that is shown to the world and the other that is (1)

………… and real You don’t show your secret personality when you are (2)………… , because you can control yourself But when you are asleep, your feeling position (3)………… the real you In

a normal (4) ………… , of course, people often change their position The important position is the one you go to sleep in

If you go to sleep on your back, you are a very (5)………… person You usually believe people and you accept new things or new ideas easily You don’t like to make people sad, so you never express your (6) ………… feeling You are quite shy

If you sleep on your stomach, you are a rather secretive person You (7)………… a lot and you always easily become sad You usually live for today not tomorrow This means that you (8)

………… having a good time

If you sleep curled up, you are probably a very (9)………… person You have a low opinion of yourself You are shy and don’t like meeting people You (10)………… to be on your own You are easily hurt.

TEST 25

How men first learnt to (1) ……… words is unknown; in other words, the origin of language is a (2)

….… All we really know is that men, unlike animals, (3).…….… invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed (4) ………… certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds, and which could be written down These sounds, (5) ………… spoken or written letters, are called words

Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words that (6) ………… powerfully to our minds and emotions This charming and telling use of words is what

we call literary (7) ………… Above all, the real poet is a master of words He can (8) ………… his meaning in words which sing like music, and which by their position and association can (9)

………… men to tears We should, therefore, learn to choose our words carefully, (10) ……… they will make our speech silly and vulgar

TEST 26 :

The ability to weep is a uniquely human form of emotional response Some scientists have

cry from the moment we enter this world, for a number of reasons Helpless babies cry to persuade their parents that they are ill, hungry or uncomfortable As they (2) _, they will also cry just to attract parental attention and will often stop when they get it.

The idea that having a good cry do you (3) _ is a very old one and now it has scientific validity since recent research into tears has shown that they (4) _ a natural painkiller called enkaphalin

By fighting sorrow and pain this chemical helps you feel better Weeping can increase the quantities of enkaphalin you (5) _

Unfortunately, in our society we impose restrictions upon this naturally (6) _ activity Because some people still regard it as a (7) _ of weakness in men, boys in particular are admonished when they cry This kind of repression can only increase stress, both emotionally and physically

Tears of emotion also help the body (8) _ itself of toxic chemical waste, for there is more protein

in them than in tears resulting from cold winds or other irritants Crying comforts, calms and can be very enjoyable – (9) _ the popularity of highly emotional films which are commonly (10) _

“weepies” It seems that people enjoy crying together almost as much as laughing together

TEST 27

Music is universal - it is produced by all cultures Some scientists believe that music came before speech and (1) as a development of mating calls In fact, there is one theory that the (2) languages were chanted or sung, rather than spoken Indeed, in some cultures, music is a form of (3) history The Aboriginal Australians, for example, use music as a means

to (4) on stories of the land and spirits to the next generation

New evidence suggests that music does not just (5) the feel - good factor but it is also good for the brain A study of intellectually (6) children showed that they could recall more information after it was given to them in a song than after it was read to them as a story

after listening to Mozart The so-called “Mozart effect” has also been (8) by findings that rats brought up on Mozart run faster through a complex network of paths or passages, (9) as a maze Overall, it seems that in most instances people who suffer from any form of mental (10) benefit from listening to music

TEST 28.

British parents are always complaining that their children spend too much time glued to the television and not enough time on other activities (1) _ sports and reading A survey recently (2) _ on people’s viewing habits does not disprove this It shows that young people in Britain spend on average 23 hours a week in front of the television, (3) _ works out at over three hours every day

(4) is surprising, however, is the fact that the average adult watches even more: incredible 28 hours a week We (5) to have become a nation of addicts Just about every household in the country has a television and over half have two or more According to the survey, people nowadays don’t just watch television sitting in their living-rooms, they watch it in the kitchen and in bed (6) _

The Education Minister said a few weeks ago that Britain’s pupils (7) _ spend more time reading Unfortunately, parents are not setting a good example: adults do (8) _ reading than young people In fact, reading is at the (9) _ of their list of favourite pastimes They would (10) _ listen to the radio, go to the cinema or hire a video to watch on their televisions

at home

TEST 29

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

TEST 30

Where will the current obsession with designer (1) _ all end? Over the last ten years or so (2) _ names have become the (3) way to sell anything Now everybody seems to have become a fashion (4) _so that people are constantly commenting

prices, even for jeans and trainers, just because they are a status (6) However, you can get copies of top designs as these are starting to become available to the (7) market Now anybody can get the latest (8) must – _ and the copies are so good that their friends need

to know that it cost so little So my advice is to (9) _ out these cheaper stores if you want to see what is coming (10) fashion next!

READING COMPREHENSION

READING 1:

One area of pale anthropological study involves the eating and dietary habits of hominids, erect bipedal primates—including early humans It is clear that at some stage of history, humans began to carry their food to central places, called home bases, where it was shared and consumed with the young and other adults The use of home bases is a

(5) fundamental component of human social behavior; the common meal served at a common

hearth is a powerful symbol, a mark of social unity Home base behavior does not occur among nonhuman primates and is rare among mammals It is unclear when humans began to use home bases, what kind of communications and social relations were involved, and what the ecological and food-choice contexts of the shift were Work on early tools,

(10) surveys of paleoanthropological sites, development and testing of broad ecological

theories, and advances in comparative primatology are contributing to knowledge about this central chapter in human prehistory

One innovative approach to these issues involves studying damage and wear on stone tools Researchers make tools that replicate excavated specimens as closely as possible

(15) and then try to use them as the originals might have been used, in woodcutting, hunting, or

cultivation Depending on how the tool is used, characteristic chippage patterns and microscopically distinguishable polishes develop near the edges The first application of this method of analysis to stone tools that are 1.5 million to 2 million years old indicates that, from the start, an important function of early stone tools was to extract highly

(20) nutritious food—meat and marrow-from large animal carcasses

Fossil bones with cut marks caused by stone tools have been discovered lying in the same

2-million-year-old layers that yielded the oldest such tools and the oldest hominid specimens (including humans) with larger than ape-sized brains This discovery increases scientists' certainty about when human ancestors began to eat more meat than present-day nonhuman

(25) primates But several questions remain unanswered: how frequently meat eating occurred;

what the social implications of meat eating were; and whether the increased use of meat coincides with the beginnings of the use of home bases

1 The passage mainly discusses which of the following aspects of hominid behavior?

A Changes in eating and dietary Practices

C Social interactions at home bases

D Methods of extracting nutritious food from carcasses

2 According to the passage, bringing a meal to a location to be shared by many individuals is

A an activity typical of nonhuman primates

B a common practice among animals that eat meat

C an indication of social unity

D a behavior that encourages better dietary habits

3 The word "consumed" in line 4 is closest in meaning to

A prepared

B stored

C distributed

D eaten

4 According to paragraph 2, researchers make copies of old stone tools in order to

A protect the old tools from being worn out

B display examples of the old tools in

museums

C test theories about how old tools were

used

D learn how to improve the design of modern tools

5 In paragraph 2, the author mentions all of the following as examples of ways in which early stone tools

were used EXCEPT to

(A) build home bases

(B) researchers

(C) tools

(D) specimens

8 The author mentions "characteristic chippage patterns" in line 16 as an example of

(A) decorations cut into wooden objects

(A) differences among tools made of

various substances

(B) impressions left on prehistoric animal

bones

(B) indications of wear on stone tools

9 The word "extract" in line 19 is closest in meaning to

(5) communicating information on science and conservation issues such as diversity.

Perhaps the aspect of butterfly diversity that has received the most attention over the past century is the striking difference in species richness between tropical and temperate regions For example, in 1875 one biologist pointed out the diversity of butterflies in the Amazon when

he mentioned that about 700 species were found within an hour's walk, whereas the total (10) number found on the British islands did not exceed 66, and the whole of Europe supported only

A general theory of diversity would have to predict not only this difference between

temperate and tropical zones, but also patterns within each region, and how these patterns vary (15) among different animal and plant groups However, for butterflies, variation of species richness within temperate or tropical regions, rather man between them, is poorly understood Indeed, comparisons of numbers of species among the Amazon basin, tropical Asia, and Africa are still mostly "personal communication" citations, even for vertebrates, In other words, unlike

comparison between temperate and tropical areas, these patterns are still in the documentation (20) phase.

In documenting geographical variation in butterfly diversity, some arbitrary, practical

decisions are made Diversity, number of species, and species richness are used synonymously; little is known about the evenness of butterfly distribution The New World butterflies make

up the preponderance of examples because they are the most familiar species It is hoped that (25) by focusing on them, the errors generated by imperfect and incomplete taxonomy will be

minimized.

1 Which aspect of butterflies does the passage mainly discuss?

(A) Their physical characteristics

(A) are simple in structure

(B) are viewed positively by people

(C) have been given scientific names

(A) are found mainly in temperate climates

4 The word "striking" in line 7 is closest in meaning to

(A) physical

(A) differences between temperate an tropical zones

(B) patterns of distribution of species in each region

(C) migration among temperate and tropical zones

(D) variation of patterns of distribution of species among different animals and plants

7 The author mentions tropical Asia in lines 17-18 as an example of a location

where

(A) butterfly behavior varies with climate

(B) a general theory of butterfly diversity has not yet been firmly

established

(C) butterflies are affected by human populations

(D) documenting plant species is more difficult than documenting butterfly species

8 Which of the following is NOT well understood by biologists?

(A) European butterfly habitats

(B) Differences in species richness between temperate and tropical regions

(C) Differences in species richness within a temperate or a tropical region

(D) Comparisons of behavior patterns of butterflies and certain animal groups

9 The word "generated" in line 25 is closest in meaning to

(A) requested

(B) caused

(C) assisted

(D) estimated

READING 3:

In seventeenth-century colonial North America, all day-to-day cooking was done in the

fireplace Generally large, fireplaces were planned for cooking as well as for warmth Those in

the Northeast were usually four or five feet high, and in the South, they were

Line often high enough for a person to walk into A heavy timber called the mantel tree was

(5) used as a lintel to support the stonework above the fireplace opening

This timber might be scorched occasionally, but it was far enough in front of the rising column of heat to be safe from catching fire.

Two ledges were built across from each other on the inside of the chimney On these rested the ends of a "lug pole" from which pots were suspended when cooking Wood

(10) from a freshly cut tree was used for the lug pole, so it would resist heat, but it had to be replaced

frequently because it dried out and charred, and was thus weakened Sometimes the pole broke and the dinner fell into the fire

When iron became easier to obtain, it was used instead of wood for lug poles, and later fireplaces

had pivoting metal rods to hang pots from.

(15) Beside the fireplace and built as part of it was the oven It was made like a small,

secondary fireplace with a flue leading into the main chimney to draw out smoke Sometimes the door of the oven faced the room, but most ovens were built with the opening facing into the

fireplace On baking days (usually once or twice a week) a roaring fire of "oven wood," consisting

of brown maple sticks, was maintained in the oven until its

(20) walls were extremely hot The embers were later removed, bread dough was put into the oven, and

the oven was sealed shut until the bread was fully baked.

Not ai! baking was done in a big oven, however Also used was an iron "bake kettle," which looked like a stewpot on legs and which had an iron lid This is said to have worked well when it was placed in the fireplace, surrounded by glowing wood embers, with more

(25) embers piled on its lid.

1 Which of the following aspects of domestic life in colonial North America does the passage mainly discuss?

(A) Methods of baking bread

(B) Fireplace cooking

(C) The use of iron kettles in a typical kitchen

(D) The types of wood used in preparing meals

2 The author mentions the fireplaces built in the South to illustrate

(A) how the materials used were similar to the materials used in northeastern fireplaces(B) that they served diverse functions

(C) that they were usually larger than northeastern fireplaces

(D) how they were safer than northeastern fireplaces

3 The word "scorched" in line 6 is closest

4 The word "it" in line 6 refers to

(A) the stonework

(B) the fireplace opening

(C) the mantel tree

(D) the rising column of heat

5 According to the passage, how was food usually cooked in a pot in the seventeenth century?

A By placing the pot directly into the fire

B By putting the pot in the oven

C By filling the pot with hot water

D By hanging the pot on a pole over the fire

6 The word "obtain" in line 12 is closest in meaning to

(A) maintain

(B) reinforce

(C) manufacture

(D) acquire

7 Which of the following is mentioned in paragraph 2 as a disadvantage of using a

wooden lug pole?

(A) It was made of wood not readily available

(B) It was difficult to move or rotate

(C) It occasionally broke

(D) It became too hot to touch

8 It can be inferred from paragraph 3 that, compared to other firewood, "oven wood" produced(A) less smoke

(B) more heat

(D) lower flames

9 According to paragraph 3, all of the following were true of a colonial oven EXCEPT:

(A) It was used to heat the kitchen everyday

(B) It was built as part of the main fireplace

(C) The smoke it generated went out through the main chimney

(D) It was heated with maple sticks

10 According to the passage, which of the following was an advantage of a "bake kettle"?

(A) It did not take up a lot of space in the fireplace

(B) It did not need to be tightly closed

(C) It could be used in addition to or instead of the oven

(D) It could be used to cook several foods at one time

READING 4

According to anthropologists, people in preindustrial societies spent 3 to 4 hours per day or about 20 hours per week doing the work necessary for life Modern comparisons of the amount of work performed per week, however, begin with the Industrial Revolution

Line (1760-1840) when 10- to 12-hour workdays with six workdays per week were the norm (5) Even with extensive time devoted to work, however, both incomes and standards of living

were low As incomes rose near the end of the Industrial Revolution, it became increasingly common to treat Saturday afternoons as a half-day holiday

The half holiday had become standard practice in Britain by the 1870's, but did not become

common in the United States until the 1920's

(10) In the United States, the first third of the twentieth century saw the workweek move

from 60 hours per week to just under 50 hours by the start of the 1930' s In 1914 Henry Ford reduced daily work hours at his automobile plants from 9 to 8 In 1926 he announced that henceforth his factories would close for the entire day on Saturday At the time, Ford received criticism from other firms such as United States Steel and Westinghouse, but the

(15) idea was popular with workers.

The Depression years of the 1930's brought with them the notion of job sharing to spread available work around; the workweek dropped to a modem low for the United States of 35 hours In 1938 the Fair Labor Standards Act mandated a weekly maximum of 40 hours to begin in 1940, and since that time the 8-hour day, 5-day workweek has been the standard in

(20) the United States Adjustments in various places, however, show that this standard is not