II. Read this passage carefully and then choose the best answers to the questions below by circling the corresponding letter A, B, C, or D. (1.0 point)

Although speech is the most advanced form of communication, there are many ways of communicating without using speech. Signals, signs, symbols, and gestures may be found in every known culture. The main function of a signal is to impinge upon the environment in such a way that it attracts attention, as for example, the dots and dashes of a telegraph circuit. Coded to refer to speech, the potential for communication is very great. Less adaptable to the codification of words, signs also contain meaning in and of themselves. A stop sign or a barber pole conveys meaning quickly and more difficult to describe than either signals or signs because of their intricate relationship with the receiver’s cultural perceptions. In some cultures, applauding in a theatre provides performers with an auditory symbol of approval. Gestures such as waving and handshaking also communicate certain cultural messages.

Although signals, signs, symbols, and gestures are very useful, they do have a major disadvantage. They usually do not allow ideas to be shared without the sender being directly adjacent to the receiver. As a result, means of communication intended to be used for long distances and extended periods are based on speech. Radio, television, and the telephone are only a few.

1. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

     A. Signs, Signals, and Symbols B. Gestures

     C. Communication D. Speech

2. What does the author say about speech?

     A. That it is the only true form of communication.

     B. That it is dependent upon the advances made by inventors.

     C. That it is necessary for communication to occur.

     D. That it is the most advanced form of communication.

3. Applauding was cited as an example of

     A. a sign B. a signal C. a symbol D. a gesture

4. Why were the telephone, radio, and TV invented?

     A. Because people were unable to understand signs, symbols, and signals.

     B. Because people wanted to communicate across long distances.

     C. Because people believed that signals, and symbols were obsolete.

     D. Because people wanted new forms of entertainment.

5. It may be concluded from this passage that

     A. signals, signs, symbols, and gestures are forms of communication.

     B. symbols are very easy to define and interpret.

     C. only some cultures have signals and symbols.

     D. waving and handshaking are not related to culture.

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 following questions.
Television is one of man’s most important means of communication. It brings events and sounds from around the world into millions of homes. A person with a television set can sit in his house and watch the President making a speech or visit a foreign country. He can see a war being fought and watch statesmen try to bring about peace. Through television, home viewers can see and learn about people, places, and things in faraway lands. Television even takes its viewers out of this world. It brings them coverage of America’s astronauts as the astronauts explore outer space. In addition to all these things, television brings its viewers a steady stream of programs that are designed to entertain. In fact, TV provides much more entertainment programs than any other kinds. The programs include action-packed dramas, light comedies, sporting events and motion pictures.
1. According to the passage, what does television bring us?

A. noise from around the world​

B. man’s most important means of talking

C. events and sounds from around the world​

D. president making a speech

2. According to the passage, what don’t entertainment programs include?

A. dramas​

B. news​

C. motion pictures​

D. comedies

3. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

A. Television can bring us entertainment.​

B. Television can take us out of this world.

C. Television can help us widen our knowledge.

D. Television can help us make money.
4. The word “provides” in the second paragraph is best replaced by ________.

A. supplies​

B. divides​

C. admires​

D. separates

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 following questions.
 Television is one of man’s most important means of communication. It brings events and sounds from around the world into millions of homes. A person with a television set can sit in his house and watch the President making a speech or visit a foreign country. He can see a war being fought and watch statesmen try to bring about peace. Through television, home viewers can see and learn about people, places, and things in faraway lands. Television even takes its viewers out of this world. It brings them coverage of America’s astronauts as the astronauts explore outer space. In addition to all these things, television brings its viewers a steady stream of programs that are designed to entertain. In fact, TV provides much more entertainment programs than any other kinds. The programs include action-packed dramas, light comedies, sporting events and motion pictures.

1. According to the passage, what does television bring us?

A. noise from around the world​

B. man’s most important means of talking

C. events and sounds from around the world​

D. president making a speech

2. According to the passage, what don’t entertainment programs include?

A. dramas​

B. news​

C. motion pictures​

D. comedies

3. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

A. Television can bring us entertainment.​

B. Television can take us out of this world.

C. Television can help us widen our knowledge.

D. Television can help us make money.

4. The word “provides” in the second paragraph is best replaced by ________.

A. supplies​

B. divides​

C. admires​

D. separates

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   22  to  26

A.   Read the passage carefully, then choose the correct answer.

The ruined temples of Angkor are perhaps one of the mast impressive Seven Wonders of the World. Located in modern day Cambodia near Lake TonIe Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Asia, Angkor was the seat of power for the Khmer Empire from the ninth to the fifteenth century. The ruins of Angkor are documented as same .of the mast impressive ones in the world, rivaling the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Why this mighty civilization died out is a question that archeologists are now only beginning to ponder. The answer, it turns out, may be linked with the availability of fresh water.

One possible explanation far the downfall of the Khmer Empire has to do with the inhabitants' irrigation system. The temple and palaces of Angkor were constructed around a series of artificial reservoirs and canals which were annually flooded to capacity by the Mekong River. Once filled, they were used to irrigate the surrounding rice patties and farmland during the course of the year. Farmers were completely dependent upon the water for their crucial rice crop. Without consistent irrigation, the farmers would have been unable to maintain functional crop production.

Scientists speculate that toward the end of the Khmer Empire the hydraulic systems of the reservoirs and canals broke down. The construction of hundreds of sandstone temples and palaces required an enormous amount of physical labor. In addition, as the capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor contained upwards of one hundred thousand people who resided in and around Angkor. In order to feed so many people, the local farmers were driven to grow food quicker and more efficiently. After centuries of continual use, the irrigation system was pushed beyond its capacity. Soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and the loss of water led to decrease in the food supply. With less food available, the people of Angkor slowly began to migrate to other parts of Cambodia thus leaving the marvelous city of Angkor to be swallowed by the jungle. Therefore, it is speculated that the Khmer Empire may have fallen victim to its own decrepit infrastructure.

22. What is the passage mainly about?

A. Modern day agricultural procedures in Cambodia.

B. A possible explanation for the, decline of a civilization.

C. The essential role water plays in farming.

D. Religious temples of the ancient Khmer Empire.

23. The passage preceding the passage most likely discusses ______.

A. architecture of ancient Asian civilization

B. religious practices of the people of Angkor

C. the form of government practiced by the Khmer Empire

D. the other six wonders of the world

24. According to the passage, Lake Tonle Sap in Cambodia ______.

A. is an enormous fresh body of water in Asia

B. was unable to supply enough fish for the people of Angkor

C. became polluted due to a population explosion

D. is one of the Seven Wonders of the World

25. Why does the author mention the hydraulic systems of the reservoirs?

A. They supplied irrigation from the Indian Ocean.

B. They became non-functional due to overuse.

C. They were destroyed by nearby warrior tribes.

D. They helped transport the sandstones for constructing temples.

26. It can be inferred from the passage that the inhabitants of the Khmer Empire ______.

A. were intentionally starved by the farmers

B. lost their food source due to excess rainfall

C. supplemented their diets with 'meat hunted in the nearby jungles

D. depended upon rice as their main source of food

27. All the following are mentioned as events that can affect food supply EXCEPT.

A. erosion of soil                                       B. contamination of soil

C. reduction of nutrients                            D. loss of water supply

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

Charlie Chaplin was an English actor, director, producer, and composer. He is known as the most creative person of the silent-film era. Charlie Chaplin's portrayal of the tramp won the hearts of people all over the world.

Chaplin was born in London on the 16th of April, 1889. He spent his childhood in poverty and hardship. In 1910 he began to perform pantomime in the United States. He first appeared on screen in 1914. He created his world-famous character, the Tramp, and he played this classic role in more than 70 films during his career. He also composed background music for most of his films. In 1972 Chaplin received an Honorary Academy Award for 'the incalculable effect he has had in

making motion pictures the art form of this century'. Chaplin died on the 25th of December, 1977, at his home in Switzerland.

Question 37: When did he start appearing in films?

              A. ln 1910                   B. ln 1914                    C. In 1972                D. In 1975

Question 38: In about how many films did he play the Tramp?

              A. Over Seventy      B. Seventeen              C. Twenty-five      D. Fifty

Question 39: Charlie Chaplin is very famous for___________.

              A. his background music                               C. his background music        

              B. his character "the Tramp"                         D. his songs

Question 40: Which of the following is NOT true?

            A. Charlie Chaplin was an English artist.       C. He died on the 25th of December.

            B. He received an award in 1972.                   D. He played classical music

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 36 to 40.

What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Human ancestors became predominantly right-handed when they began to use tools.

B. It is difficult to interpret the significance of anthropological evidence concerning tool use.

C. Humans and their ancestors have been predominantly right-handed for over a million years.

D. Human ancestors were more skilled at using both hands than modern humans.

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 36 to 40.

What is the main idea of the passage?

A. outline

B. hand

C. wall

D. paint

Read the passage below and choose the best option A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions

Passage 1:

New Orleans, in Louisiana, is known as the most unique city in the United States with distinctive architecture, cross-cultural heritage and annual music festivals.

However, due to its location along the Mississippi River with lakes on the other side, and nearly half of the city below sea level, the city faces the danger of flooding. So, a levee system and drainage canals were built to protect the city.

Early in the morning of August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive natural disaster in the history of New Orleans, struck the city. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rains for several days. As a result, water from the river and lakes rose, breaking the levees and poured directly into the city. Soon 80 percent of the city was under the water. People scrambled to rooftops for safety, desperate for food and drinking water. The winds were so strong that even beds in Hyatt Hotel were seen flying out of the hotel windows. The loss was tremendous. Most of the major roads and bridges were destroyed, and houses collapsed. Nearly 2,000 people were killed. After the storm, several natural grounds for the breeding and migrating of different species of animals and birds were permanently lost.

Question 1: New Orleans is famous for ___________.

A.  its modern architecture                     C. its Mississippi River

B. its cross-cultural heritage                    D. its location

Question 2: Which statement is NOT correct about New Orleans?

A. It lies between the Mississippi River and lakes.

B. One of its attractions is its annual music festivals

C. The city is surrounded by water.

D. Most of the city is below sea level.

Question 3: Which one is NOT mentioned as being damaged by Hurricane Katrina?

A. Distinctive architecture         B. The levee system      C. Major roads        D. Houses

Question 4: The word ‘tremendous' means ___________.

A.puzzling                       B. huge                 C. unique                   D. legendary

Question 5: The word ‘permanently' is similar to ___________.

A.  temporarily            B.  partially                  C.  forever         D.  rarely

Passage 2:

        How can scientists predict earthquakes? Earthquakes are not scattered anywhere but happen in certain areas. They happen in places where pieces of the earth’s surface meet. For example, earthquakes often occur on the west-coast of North and South America, around the Mediterranean Sea, and along the Pacific coast of Asia.

Another way to predict earthquakes is to look for changes in the earth’s surface, like a sudden drop of water level in the ground. Some people say animals can predict earthquakes. Before earthquakes people have seen chickens sitting in trees, fish jumping out of the water, snake leaving their holes and other animals acting strangely.

After an earthquake happens, people can die from lack of food, water and medical supplies. The amount of destruction caused by an earthquake depend on types of building, soil conditions and population. Of the 6000 earthquakes on the earth each year, only about fifteen cause great damage and many deaths.

Question 1:  Earthquakes happen in certain areas where _______________.

A. the population is large             B. pieces of the earth’s surface meet

C. the soil conditions are stable      D. many buildings are built

Question 2: Earthquakes often happen along ________________.

A. the east-coast of North America          B. the east-coast of South America

C. the Pacific coast of Asia             D. the coast of Australia

Question 3: Looking for ____________ can help predict earthquakes.

A. changes in the earth’s surface        B. water beneath the earth’s surface

C. drops of water                     D. water currents

Question 4: After an earthquake, as a result of _________ people may die.

A. lack of food                              B. lack of friendship

C. lack of information              D. lack of knowledge

Question 5: The passage mainly discusses ______________.

A. the damage caused by earthquakes B. how strong earthquakes are

C. strange animal behaviors                         D. how to predict earthquakes

Read the following passage and choose the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 11 to 20.

Although speech is generally accepted as the most advanced form of communication, there are many ways of communicating without using words. In every known culture, signals, signs, symbols, and gestures are commonly utilized as instruments of communication. There is a great deal of agreement among communication scientists as to what each of these methods is and how each differs from the others. For instance, the basic function of any signal is to impinge upon the environment in such a way that it attracts attention, as, for example, the dots and dashes that can be applied in a telegraph circuit. Coded to refer to speech, the potential for communication through these dots and dashes—short and long intervals as the circuit is broken—is very great. Less adaptable to the codification of words, signs also contain agreed upon meaning; that is, they convey information in and of themselves. Two examples are the hexagonal red sign that conveys the meaning of stop, and the red and white swirled pole outside a shop that communicates the meaning of barber.

Symbols are more difficult to describe than either signals or signs because of their intricate relationship with the receiver’s culture perceptions. In some cultures, applauding in a theater provides performers with an auditory symbol of approval. In other cultures, if done in unison, applauding can be a symbol of the audience’s discontent with the performance. Gestures such as weaving and handshaking also communicate certain culture messages.

Although signals, signs, symbols, and gestures are very useful, they also have a major disadvantage in communication. They usually do not allow ideas to be shared without the sender being directly adjacent to the receiver. Without an exchange of ideas, interaction comes to a halt. As a result, means of communication intended to be used across long distances and extended periods must be based upon speech. To radio, television, and the telephone, one must add fax, paging systems, electronic mail, and the internet, and no one doubts but that there are more means of communication on the horizon.

What does the author say about speech?

A. It is the only true form of communication 

B. It is necessary for communication to occur 

C. It is the most advanced form of communication 

D. It is dependent upon the advances made by inventors

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 following questions from 1 to 5.

     Most Americans look forward to their vacations. Most American employees receive an annual vacation with pay. It is traditional to use this time off for travel.

    Travelling within the United States is very popular because foreign travel generally takes more time and money. However, those who want to travel outside the USA are free to go almost everywhere. Obtaining a passport is not difficult. Every year about thirteen million people travel abroad. The most popular periods are during the Summer and the two-week retool break on Christmas and New Year holidays. These periods are so the most crowded and the most expensive time to travel, so people who can adjust their schedules sometimes choose to travel in the autumn.

    American tourists often travel by car. Most families own a car, and those who do not have a car can rent one. Cars are usually the most economical way to travel, especially for families. It is also fairly fast and convenient. Excellent highways with motels and restaurants nearby connect the nation's major cities. They enable tourists to travel at a speed of 55 to 66 miles an hour. Tourists that want to travel faster often fly to their destination and then rent a car when they get there.

Câu 1: According to the writer, most American employees traditionally use their annual vacations for

     A. jogging                       B. shopping                    C. travelling                  D. cycling

Câu 2: In the USA, to obtain a passport is ______.                           

     A. easy                             B. difficult                     C. expensive                 D. time consuming

Câu 3: There are many American people travelling ______.

     A. in the autumn                                                     B. on Thanksgiving

     C. on Christmas and New Year holidays               D. on Women's Day

Câu 4: How do American tourists often travel?                                

     A. By car                         B. By bicycle                 C. By bicycle                D. By plane

Câu 5: The word “They" in paragraph 3 refers to ______.

     A. restaurants                  B. highways                   C. motels                       D. major cities