If you do not already have a hobby or if you are looking at trying something new, there are a couple things to keep in mind. Find something that are progressively (1) ________ challenging but does not have such a huge learning curve that it (2) ________ be years before you see any progress.    It is a good idea (3) ________ on something that you have some natural ability at. If you are scared (4) ________ heights you would not try rock climbing and if you don’t like (5) ________ outside you probably would not take up mountain biking. Take (6) ________ account your fitness level, finances, education and passion when (7) ________ a hobby. Take into consideration the level of stress that the hobby (8) ________ One of my (9) ________ is playing Texas Hold’em which has great qualities, but it is a very high stress game. I have to balance that hobby (10) ________ another one that has a lower level of stress.

1. A. many            B. more        C. much        D. most

2. A. will            B. should        C. would        D. could

3. A. focus            B. focusing        C. focused        D. to focus

4. A. in                B. at            C. of            D. with

5. A. to be            B. be            C. been            D. being

6. A. into            B. onto            C. over            D. after

7. A. choose            B. to choose        C. choosing        D. chose

8. A. have            B. has            C. having        D. to have

9. A. hobbies            B. hobby        C. works        D. work

10. A. to            B. under        C. with            D. of

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Let's see if you can correctly answer the following question: At what age are Latter-day Saint youth allowed to date? Of course, you probably immediately said, "16". OK, then, how about this one: At what age are you allowed to have a boyfriend or girlfriend? You may be thinking, “Um, 16. Didn't I just answer that?" Well, if that was your answer, then, even though you aced the first question, you missed the second one. Just because you can date when you turn 16 doesn't mean you should immediately start looking for a steady boyfriend or girlfriend. [….]

To begin with, there are two different types of dating: casual dating and steady (or serious) dating. The distinction between the two has to do with exclusivity. With casual dating, there is no exclusivity. The two people aren't “a couple” or “an item”, and they don't refer to each other as a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend”. They don't pair off. People who are casually dating are simply friends. This is the kind of dating the Church encourages you to do after you turn 16. You should put aside a need to find a “one and only”. If you're dating casually, you don't expect a relationship to become a romance. You have fun; you do a variety of things with a variety of people. On the other hand, steady dating means the couple is exclusive with one another. They expect each other not to date anyone else or to be emotionally or physically close with other people. Couples who date seriously consider the future, because there is a real possibility they could stay together. This is the kind of dating the Church encourages young adults (generally, people in their 20s) to progress toward, because that's the age when they should be thinking of marrying. [….]

Question 3: According to the passage, what is NOT true about casual dating?

A. You can be friend with each other.

B. You don't pair off exclusively.

C. You find your "one and only”.

D. You meet different kinds of people.

II. Read the following text and answer the questions by choosing the option A, B, C or D.

BENEFITS OF VIDEO CONFERENCING

Video conferencing is the technology that allows you to hold meetings with people who are in different places while seeing them and talking to them in real time. It is different from simple video calling, which is often one-to-one video communication. In the past, video conferencing needed complex and expensive equipment. Today, it's easy to join in a video conference on your computer or smart phone with Internet connectivity. Moreover, video conferencing is also an important tool for people who work away from the office, often at home because it helps to save time and money for them.

Video conferencing can help teachers in teaching, too. Video conferencing is a great way of learning and sharing knowledge beyond distance. Courses can take place with the teacher and each different student living in a different location. This will help education spread even to remote mountainous areas.

1. Video conferencing helps people _____________.

A. send message B. send snail mail

C. send snail mail D. hold meetings

2. How does video conferencing help people?

A. It helps connect people in different places in real time.

B. It helps connect people in different places in future time.

C. It helps connect people in same places in real time.

D. It helps connect people in same places in future time.

3. What can people do with video conferencing?

A. People can see and touch each other.

B. People can see and use telepathy.

C. People can see and talk to each other.

D. People can talk and touch each other.

4. Which statement below is NOT TRUE?

A. Video calling is often one-to-one communication

B. Video conferencing can happen between many people.

C. In the past, video conferencing needed simple equipment.

D. Today, video conferencing only needs smartphone with Internet connectivity.

5. How can video conferencing help people who work away from the office?

A. It saves time. B. It saves money.

C. It saves time and money. D. None of them.

6. Who will get benefits from video conferencing?

A. farmer B. teacher

C. engineer D. housewife

7. What is the advantage of studying through video conferencing?

A. Teacher can start class late.

B. Teacher doesn't know his/her students.

C. Teacher and students can be in same places.

D. Teacher and students can be in different places.

8. What does the word "mountainous" mean?

A. a place has rivers B. a poor place

C. a place has mountains D. a far place

VII. Read the following text and answer the questions by choosing the option A, B or C.

How to train your dog to play basketball

      Start by getting your dog to fetch a ball and bring it to you. If your dog can’t do that, you should stop now. Your dog will probably not make a great basketball player.

     Instead of taking the ball directly from the dog, hold a box or container at ground level and make the dog drop the ball into the box. Give the dog a treat every time she correctly drops the ball in the container.

     All good dog tricks should be learned in small steps. Every time the dog brings the ball back to you, raise the box up off the ground just a little bit more. Soon the dog will have to stand on her hind legs to reach it. Don’t forget to reward the dog every time.  Once the dog has learned to drop the ball in the container, try using a basketball hoop instead of a box. To begin with, keep the hoop low to the ground. Then gradually raise the height. Reward the dog with a treat each time she gets a basket. Pretty soon your dog will start jumping to reach the hoop and a basketball star will be born!

1. What is the first step in training your dog to play basketball?

A. Teach the dog to jump                                                      

B. teach the dog to bring a ball to you

C. Teach the dog to stand on her legs

2. What do you do whenever the dog do correctly what you tell her?

A. Give her a treat                                                             

B. Reward her with a treat

C. A and B are correct.

3. When the dog can drop the ball in the container, what do you do next?

A. Hold a box or container at ground level

B. Raise the box up off the ground instead a box.

C. Try using a basketball hoop instead of a box.

4. To be a good dog trainer, what should you do?

A. Speak to the dog loudly                                                

B. Teach the dog when she is young

C. Do it in small steps and usually reward the dog

5. How do you get the dog to jump up to the basketball bet?

A. Put a reward in basket.

B. Start with the basket low to the ground and keep raising it in small steps.

C. Clap your hands

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Let's see if you can correctly answer the following question: At what age are Latter-day Saint youth allowed to date? Of course, you probably immediately said, "16". OK, then, how about this one: At what age are you allowed to have a boyfriend or girlfriend? You may be thinking, “Um, 16. Didn't I just answer that?" Well, if that was your answer, then, even though you aced the first question, you missed the second one. Just because you can date when you turn 16 doesn't mean you should immediately start looking for a steady boyfriend or girlfriend. [….]

To begin with, there are two different types of dating: casual dating and steady (or serious) dating. The distinction between the two has to do with exclusivity. With casual dating, there is no exclusivity. The two people aren't “a couple” or “an item”, and they don't refer to each other as a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend”. They don't pair off. People who are casually dating are simply friends. This is the kind of dating the Church encourages you to do after you turn 16. You should put aside a need to find a “one and only”. If you're dating casually, you don't expect a relationship to become a romance. You have fun; you do a variety of things with a variety of people. On the other hand, steady dating means the couple is exclusive with one another. They expect each other not to date anyone else or to be emotionally or physically close with other people. Couples who date seriously consider the future, because there is a real possibility they could stay together. This is the kind of dating the Church encourages young adults (generally, people in their 20s) to progress toward, because that's the age when they should be thinking of marrying. [….]

Question 2: The word “aced” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ____.

A. gave up

B. misled

C. succeeded in

D. understood

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Let's see if you can correctly answer the following question: At what age are Latter-day Saint youth allowed to date? Of course, you probably immediately said, "16". OK, then, how about this one: At what age are you allowed to have a boyfriend or girlfriend? You may be thinking, “Um, 16. Didn't I just answer that?" Well, if that was your answer, then, even though you aced the first question, you missed the second one. Just because you can date when you turn 16 doesn't mean you should immediately start looking for a steady boyfriend or girlfriend. [….]

To begin with, there are two different types of dating: casual dating and steady (or serious) dating. The distinction between the two has to do with exclusivity. With casual dating, there is no exclusivity. The two people aren't “a couple” or “an item”, and they don't refer to each other as a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend”. They don't pair off. People who are casually dating are simply friends. This is the kind of dating the Church encourages you to do after you turn 16. You should put aside a need to find a “one and only”. If you're dating casually, you don't expect a relationship to become a romance. You have fun; you do a variety of things with a variety of people. On the other hand, steady dating means the couple is exclusive with one another. They expect each other not to date anyone else or to be emotionally or physically close with other people. Couples who date seriously consider the future, because there is a real possibility they could stay together. This is the kind of dating the Church encourages young adults (generally, people in their 20s) to progress toward, because that's the age when they should be thinking of marrying. [….]

Question 1: It can be inferred from the first paragraph that ____.

A. dating doesn't mean having exclusive boyfriend or girlfriend

B. teenagers are supposed to have a steady boyfriend or girlfriend

C. teenagers date as many boyfriends or girlfriends as they can

D. young people shouldn't be allowed to date at 16

Read the text and answer the following questions by choosing the best option A, B, C, or D.

                                       How Do You Celebrate?

New Year’s Day

       New Year is one of the most popular festivals in the world, even though it is celebrated at different times and in different ways. In many western countries, people get together with family and friends on December 31st to eat, drink, and dance as they wait for January 1st. Some of the biggest parties are held on New Year’s Eve. In many countries, crowds gather in the centre of town to welcome the new year at midnight with fireworks.

      For many Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, the New Year is based on lunar calendar. The date changes year to year, but usually falls between January 21st to February 21st. It is traditionally seen as a time for family reunions, with people travelling across the country and from overseas. Many people wear red clothes, as it is thought to be a lucky colour. They also give “lucky money” in red envelopes to friends and family, and set off firecrackers to scare away bad luck.

      What's common among these celebrations is the meaning of the new year; it is a time to say goodbye to the past and to think about new beginnings. For example, in Japan, people organize bonenkai parties ("year forgetting parties"), which are dedicated to leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind. In many countries, people make New Year's resolutions - promises to themselves to make changes in their lives over the coming year, such as to lose weight, stop smoking, or learn a new skill.

Carnival

In late February or early March, some countries celebrate a special festival called Carnival. Carnival is thought to have originated in Italy or Greece, and was held just before Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. People dressed in costumes, wore colourful masks, ate, drank, and danced all night. This tradition spread to France, Spain, Portugal, and later to Brazil and the United States.

       Now, two of the biggest Carnival celebrations take place in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and New Orleans in the United States. There are grand parades where people wear flashy costumes and dance and sing in the streets. In New Orleans, Carnival is known as Mardi Gras. Many roads and shops are shut down for the celebrations which can last for up to three weeks. Millions of visitors travel from around the world to join the party, and many more watch the event on television.

1. Which is NOT true about New Year’s Day all over the world?

A. It is celebrated in the same ways at the same time country to country

B. It is one of the most popular festivals worldwide

C. New Year’s Day celebration is based on both lunar and solar calendar

D. It’s an occasion for people to gather with their beloved ones

2. Where do Western people gather to welcome the new year with fireworks?

A. In the city centre                     B. At the church                                     

C. At home                                  D. Along the river banks

3. The phrase "bad luck" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _____.

A. big hit       B. misfortune          C. godsend             D. triumph

4. Why do a majority of Asian people wear red in the New Year’s day?

A. Because it is matched with other decorations like firecrackers

B. Because it is thought to scare away bad luck

C. Because it is believed to be a lucky colour

D. Because it makes people look more cheerful in the new year

5. What is the common meaning of the new year celebrations?

A. The New Year’s celebration is the time to say goodbye to friends and family

B. The New Year’s celebration is the time for people all over the world have bonenkai parties

C. The New Year’s celebration is the time to welcome new beginnings and let the past behind

D. The New Year’s celebration is the chance for people to lose weight, stop smoking and learn a new skill

6. What is 'Lent'?

A. a period of 40 days before Christmas

B. a period of 20 days after Christmas

C. a period of 40 days before Easter

D. a period of 20 days after Easter

7. What did people NOT do in Carnival?

A. danced all night                                               B. wore colourful masks

C. dressed in frightening costumes                     D. ate and drank

8. Where are the biggest Carnivals held nowadays?

A. Spain and the US                   B. Brazil and the US

C. France and Brazil                   D. Portugal and Spain

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions 46 to 50.

In today’s fast-paced industry, learning will most likely involve seeking new skills in ways that challenge the norm. But thankfully, there is a promise for such lifelong learning online - the promise that will save your time and money while helping you earn more of both.

Provided you have access to a decent computer and the Internet, the barrier to getting started is probably lower than it ever has been. And with those things in place, it is a matter of finding the content you wish to learn. So, to help others who may be looking to maximize their own learning efforts, I have listed some quick tips below.

First, set achievable goals. When you start learning, it is a good idea to set goals about what you want to learn or what you might do with your newly acquired knowledge. It might be landing that new job, building a tangible product, or impressing your current management. The goals may vary in size and complexity, but do revisit these goals throughout your learning process. Within a couple weeks, ask yourself: “Am I getting closer to my goal?” or “Am I learning the skills necessary to reach my goals?”. If you are not, then you may need to look elsewhere.

Second, learn with others. By yourself, learning anything has a high propensity to become frustrating. Try teaming up with friends or colleagues. They can often be your best resource for maintaining motivation while you learn.

Third, make it a habit. Online habits often include scrolling through social media or watching videos on YouTube. If you have the downtime for such activities, then you could spend that downtime learning something. And why not learn something? If you do, then you will have plenty more to talk about on social media anyways. So, make learning your new online habit by making a commitment to learn something new each day

According to the passage, what are the basic conditions for learning online? 

A. A smart phone and a 4-G sim card 

B. A computer and the Internet 

C. A goal and learning efforts 

D. A content and the wish to learn 

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 43 to 50.

MEMORY

          "Memorize these words". "Learn this spelling rule". "Don't forget about the quiz tomorrow".

          You remember things every day, but how do you do it? 

          When you want to call a store or an office that you don't call often, you look in the telephone book for the number. You dial the number, and then you forget it! You use your short-term memory to remember the number. Your short-term memory lasts about 30 seconds, or half a minute. However, you don't need to look in the telephone book for your best friend’s number because you already know it. This information is in your long-term memory. Your long-term memory has everything that you remember through the years. 

          Why do you forget things sometimes? Is there a reason? Yes, there are several. The major reason for forgetting something is that you did not learn it well in the beginning. For example, you meet some new people, and right away, you forget their names. You hear the names but you do not learn them, so you forget them. 

          You can help yourself remember better. Here are some ideas: 

1. Move information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. You can do this if you practice the new information. Say it to yourself out loud. Think about it. 

2. After you learn something, study it again and again. Learn it more than you need to. This process is called overlearning. For example, when you learn new words, practice using them in sentences. Don't try to memorize words from a list only. 

3. Make sure that you understand new information. It is very difficult to remember something that you don't understand. Ask questions when you learn something new to be certain that you understand. 

4. Do not listen to music or watch TV when you study. You will remember better if you concentrate on one thing at a time. 

5. Try to connect new information with something that you already know. For example, when you learn the name of a new kind of food, think of a similar kind of food that you already know. 

6. Divide new information into several parts (about five or six). Learn one part at time and stop for few minutes. Don't sit down and try to learn a very large amount of new information all at once. 

7. Try to make a picture in your mind. For example, if you hear or see a new word, make a picture of how it looks to you in your mind. This “mental” picture will help you remember that word the next time you see or hear it. 

8. Think of word clues to help you remember information. One very helpful kind of word clue is an acronym. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter of a group of words. For example, many American schoolchildren learn the names of the Great Lakes in the North America by remembering the word homes. Homes is an acronym that comes from the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior. 

9. Relax when you study! Try to enjoy yourself. You are learning new things every minute. You will remember better if you are happy and relaxed.

The following things should help you remember things better when you study, EXCEPT______.

A. asking questions when you don’t understand something

B. connecting new information with something you already know

C. trying to learn a large amount of new information all at once

D. overlearning them