THANH MAI DƯƠNG

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II. Reading time
Exercise 1: Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word that
best fits each of the numbered blanks.
Ocean pollution is far-reaching and prevailing across (1) ___ in all regions of the globe. While recent
years have seen human interest in environmental issues peak, the situation of ocean (2)____ is not
improving it is deteriorating. For many decades, scientists have collected evidence that demonstrates the
serious impact ocean pollution has on human health. (3) ___ , the full scope of this threat has not been
widely grasped.
A recent project led by Philip Landrigan, the results of which were published in the journal Annals
of Global Health in 2020, emphasizes the (4) ____ between ocean pollution and human health by
providing the very first comprehensive assessment of the multiple (5) _____ of ocean pollution on human
health.
Many factors (6) _________ to ocean pollution. Humans produce many different kinds of waste,
such as agricultural runoff, industrial waste, fertilizers, manufactured chemicals. (7) ____ chemicals,
pesticides, petroleum, plastics, sewage, toxic metals, and urban waste, a large portion of which end up in
our oceans. Around 80% of these pollutants enter the ocean from land-based (8)_____ via rivers, runoff,
deposition from the atmosphere, and dumping.

1 A watering B waterproof C waters D waterfalls

2 A pollutant B pollution C polluted D polluter
3 A Therefore B Besides C Moreover D However
4 A link B difference C similarity D consequence
5 A impacts B solutions C effects D causes
6 A result B contribute C regard D support
7 A pharmacist B pharmacy C pharmaceutics D pharmaceutical
8 A reserves B means C sources D resources

Exercise 2: Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word that
best fits each of the numbered blanks.
Many large cities around the world have struggled to keep up with the increase in traffic in recent
times. Densely populated areas, growing car ownership, as well as narrow roads brought for much lower
volumes of traffic all (1) ___ to this. In 1975, Singapore decided to introduce a congestion charge (2) ___
paid by drivers entering the most traffic-heavy zones of the city. London introduced a congestion charge
in 2003. Public opinion was initially opposed to the idea, (3) ___ people soon became more supportive of
the scheme. Despite this, its first decade brought mixed success, and the (4) ___ of cars in the city fell by
only 10%. However, the scheme proved massively profitable, (5) ___ allowed the city council to invest in
other measures aimed at improving traffic conditions in London. These included cycle lanes,
pedestrianized areas and better road surfaces.
(Adapted from Oxford Exam Trainer by Helen Weale)

1 A cause B contribute C induce D result

2 A pension B fine C stipend D fee
3 A otherwise B because C so D but
4 A other B little C number D many
5 A which B where C who D that

THANH MAI DƯƠNG

Contact for work: thanhmaiduong86@gmail.com / 0762671329
 THANH MAI DƯƠNG
Contact for work: thanhmaiduong86@gmail.com / 0762671329
Exercise 3: Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to
each of the questions.
Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade, and even then, it is not fully decomposed, it remains in the
environment in the form of microplastics. These tiny particles that can measure just a few nanometres are
becoming more concentrated in our environment. Recent studies have shown that there is now 60 times
more microplastic in the ocean than there was just 15 years ago. This presents a significant threat to
human health as microplastics have been linked with cancer, reduced fertility, psychological illnesses, and
birth defects. Plastics often contain a myriad of toxic chemicals that include neurotoxins, carcinogens, and
endocrine disrupters.
A new technique was recently developed by researchers at Arizona State University that allows
scientists to detect the presence of microplastics in human tissue. The results were alarming. The team
showed that microplastics were detectable in 100% of the tissues sampled. This is concerning as it shows
that microplastics are entering the human body and likely accumulating there, where, in greater quantities,
they are more likely to cause harm.
Studies have shown that microplastics easily enter the food chain and accumulate in the food we eat,
such as fish and shellfish. When we ingest seafood we are also ingesting large amounts of microplastics.
Unless plastic pollution is addressed, this problem will likely worsen, with greater amounts of plastic
waste ending up in the ocean each year. This may lead to an increase in the prevalence of diseases and
illnesses linked with microplastic exposure.
1 Which of the following best serves the title of the passage?
A Plastic Pollution B Research on Plastic Waste
C Forms of Microplastics D Microplastics
2 The word ‘detect’ in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to ______.
A examine B find C diagnose D demonstrate
3 Microplastics is dangerous for human health because they can cause ______.
A cancer and psychological illnesses B reduced fertility
C birth defects D all of the above
4 What does the phrase ‘this problem’ in the third paragraph refers to?
A Microplastics enter the food chain.
B We eat seafood such as fish and shellfish.
C Microplastics accumulate in the food we eat.
D None of the above
5 Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A There are more and more microplastics in our environment.
B Toxic chemicals such as neurotoxins, carcinogens, and endocrine disrupters can be found in
plastics.
C The researchers at Arizona State University showed that microplastics were detectable in most of
the tissues sampled.
D Greater amounts of plastic waste in the ocean may lead to an increase in diseases and illnesses.

THANH MAI DƯƠNG

Contact for work: thanhmaiduong86@gmail.com / 0762671329
 THANH MAI DƯƠNG
Contact for work: thanhmaiduong86@gmail.com / 0762671329
Exercise 4: Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to
each of the questions.
A group of researchers and experts in America and Australia listed 12 countries affecting considerably
to the ocean by the year 2018 and the Southeast Asia area has up to 5 representatives: Thailand, Vietnam,
Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. China ranks first with nearly 8.8 million plastic waste, and
Vietnam ranks fourth with 1.8 million. It is really alarming that developing countries are the main causes
of environmental pollution in 10 recent years. A terrible fact that probably occur by 2050 is that the
ocean contains much more waste than sea creatures if the plastic waste situation is still continuing,
according to the United Nations report. In addition, the unexpected fact is that it takes only 5 seconds to
produce a plastic bag, 1 second to throw, but up to 500 or even 1000 years to decompose.
A reason for water pollution in Vietnam is that many companies and enterprises cannot manage
rubbish and then pour waste into rivers and streams, which the government cannot control at all.
Meanwhile, rivers and streams are two main sources of water for use.
As a result, in many places in Vietnam, especially remote areas, people get diseases like cholera,
diarrhea or skin diseases by having to use water from rivers and streams. The basic reason is that many
households are not supplied with piped water and hygienic latrines, so they do not have water to use or do
not have a water filtration system. Also, many people take the water from hand-dug wells that are not
surely clean. In another hand, many marine creatures died from water pollution due to its heavy chemicals.
It is constantly urgent for the government and businesses to take responsibility for water pollution.
The government should have new strict laws to prevent companies from pouring wastes into the water
and manage better-piped water systems in many areas.
(Adapted from https://www.vietnam-tour.biz)
1 Which of the following best serves as the title of the passage?
A Water Pollution in Vietnam B Water Pollution in the World
C Water Pollution: The Statistics D Water Pollution: What Are the Main Causes?
2 The word "which" in paragraph 2 refers to ______.
A many companies and enterprises B wastes
C rivers and streams D companies and enterprises not managing rubbish and
pouring waste into rivers and streams
3 According to paragraph 1, which of the following is NOT true?
A Five out of twelve countries affecting significantly to the ocean by the year 2018 are in the
Southeast Asia area.
B It takes much more time to decompose a plastic bag than to produce it.
C Vietnam ranks fourth in the list of countries in the Southeast Asia area affecting considerably the
ocean.
D In the last decade, the main causes of environmental problems are developing countries.
4 The following are the reasons why the Vietnamese in remote areas get many kinds of diseases from
water, EXCEPT ______.
A many households are not supplied with piped water and hygienic latrines.
B the water from hand-dug wells is not clean enough.
C they do not have a water filtration system.
D many marine creatures died from water pollution due to its heavy chemicals.
5 What does the word "urgent" in the last paragraph most probably mean?
A trivial B pressing C nervous D dangerous

THANH MAI DƯƠNG

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