The Harry Potter phenomenonand make no mistake, it is a phenomenon – is unlike anything we have seen in recent history. Rather than being the result of clever marketing, Harry Potter’s popularity began at the grass roots level. And, what’s more, the craze is not derived from a movie, video game, or television series, but from one of the oldest forms of massentertainment: a book Of course, now that the cat is out of the bag, the marketing has begun in earnest. There are Harry Potter lunch boxes, trading cards, toys and even wrapping paper. But it is important to remember that these things followed the phenomenon, they don’t drive it. Much has been written about why Harry Potter is so popular with readers of all ages. While this analysis is fine, all you really have to do is read a few chapters of any of the Harry Potter novels and you will understand the appeal. Author J.K. Rowling has developed an intensely likable hero and put his adventures on paper with a freeandeasy style that mixes high adventure with light drama and lowkey comedy. The books manage to walk the literary lightrope of never taking themselves too seriously yet, avoiding the easy pitfall of selfparody.
Trang 1Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone The Harry Potter phenomenon-and make no mistake, it is a phenomenon – is unlike anything we have seen
in recent history Rather than being the result of clever marketing, Harry Potter’s popularity began at the grass roots level And, what’s more, the craze is not derived from a movie, video game, or television series, but from one of the oldest forms of mass-entertainment: a book! Of course, now that the cat is out of the bag, the marketing has begun in earnest There are Harry Potter lunch boxes, trading cards, toys and even wrapping paper But it is important to remember that these things followed the phenomenon, they don’t drive it
Much has been written about why Harry Potter is so popular with readers of all ages While this analysis is fine, all you really have to do is read a few chapters of any of the Harry Potter novels and you will
understand the appeal Author J.K Rowling has developed an intensely likable hero and put his adventures
on paper with a free-and-easy style that mixes high adventure with light drama and low-key comedy The books manage to walk the literary light-rope of never taking themselves too seriously yet, avoiding the easy pitfall of self-parody
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is unquestionably a member of the fantasy genre However, while
the majority of fantasy novels are sombre and give the reader a feeling of uncertainty, Rowling keeps it light The Harry Potter Books feature enough character development, plot, and thematic content to attract
an older audience as well Yet, in large part because of contemporary settings, Harry Potter’s popularity has greatly outstripped those of its predecessors To call the Harry Potter novels “children’s books” is to
underestimate them
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone tells the story of 11-year old Harry Potter who dwells with his aunt,
uncle and cousin Harry has lived with his mother’s sister’s family since shortly after birth, when his parents were murdered by the evil wizard Voldemort The cruel wizard tried to kill the infant Harry as well but failed leaving the boy undamaged except for a scar on his forehead After the incident, Voldemont vanished never
to be heard from again Now on his birthday, Harry is visited by the imposing Rubeus Hagrid who has come
to bring Harry to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, where he will study to fulfill his true calling as
a wizard When Harry arrives at Hogwarts, he meets classmates who become his close friends such as red-haired Ron Weasley and bossy Hermione Granger as well as antagonists such as the arrogant Draco Malfoy
The teachers at the school are also unusual characters They include the headmaster of Hogwarts, the venerable wizard Albus Dumbledore, and many others For Harry, however, there is more to attending Hogwarts than studying, as he begins to suspect one of the teachers of being in league with dark forces lurking in the forest
The book puts a spell on its readers Magic is not only a theme the book deals with, it is also the
atmosphere the readers enjoy
PART ONE: ACCESS TO INFORMATION FROM A WRITTEN TEXT (60 POINTS)
Read the passage below and then answer questions 1 - 7
5
10
15
20
25
30
Trang 2Answer questions 1 – 7 according to the content of the passage
.
1 What makes the Harry Potter phenomenon so unusual?
Complete
2 The critic claims that the marketing – promotion of the book started only when the appeal of
the book became obvious
T / F
Copy the phrase which supports your claim
3 The critic is full of praise for J K Rowling and her books
What does he like about her style?
Complete
i) Her hero ii) She writes iii) The fantasy
4 The books are suitable for adults as well.
Copy the sentence which supports this claim
5 .
The text describes the different stages in Harry Potter’s life
What are they
?
Complete with the missing information
8 points
9 points
7 points
The Harry Potter phenomenon is unusual because it did not
10 points
Trang 3
6 The critic says that “to call Harry Potter novels “children’s books” is to underestimate them.”
(lines 18-19)
What does he mean?
ANSWER:
7 Harry Potter was very reluctant to stay at Hogwarts because he didn’t want to be a wizard.
T / F
Copy the sentences which support your claim
10 points
4 points
4 points
Harry is orphaned of both of his
parents
Harry survives
Harry lives
Harry is taken
Harry befriends
Harry suspects one of his teachers
8 points
Trang 4PART TWO : WRITTEN PRESENTATION (40 POINTS)
Write in English on the following topic Write 120 – 140 words Write in pen, not in pencil Make sure
you write legibly and to the point
Many people enjoy reading fantasy books Some claim that reading these books may be a way of escaping the cruelty of real life.
State your personal opinion.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _