Compiled by FrankBau

A. PHONETICS (10 points)

Question 1: Pick out the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from those of the other
words. Write your answers in the numbered blanks provided below (5p)
01. A. random B. canal C. many D. explanatory
02. A. good B. moon C. food D. balloon
03. A. provide B. product C. production D. procedure
04. A. kite B. bite C. Christian D. Christ
05. A. voltage B. voyage C. massage D. dosage

Question 2: Choose the word whose stress pattern is differently from those of the other words. Write
your answers in the numbered blanks provided below (5p)
06. A. argumentative B. psychological C. contributory D. hypersensitive
07. A. atomic B. brilliant C. determined D. ambitious
08. A. trigonometry B. explanatory C. immediately D. democracy
09. A. photograph B. payroll C. accent D. regretful
10. A. majority B. ceremony C. astronomy D. investiture

B. GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY (60 points)

Question 3: Give the correct tense/ form of the verbs in the brackets. Write your answers in the
numbered blanks provided below (30p)
a. It’s time we (11. go). If we (12. not leave) now, we (13. miss) the train.
b. I know I (14. not write) to you before, but I (15. be) so busy recently that I (16. not have) time for
writing letters. I (17. telephone) you instead, but I (18. forget) your number.
c. Why didn’t you tell me you could lend me the money? I (19. not borrow) it from the bank.
d. He is walking (20. hurry) to the place where his ex-wife, a famous naturalist now (21. lie) (22. bury)
among the animals she (23. love) so much.
e. We will see Alice at the corner, she (24. wait) for us when we (25. arrive).
f. He resents (26. be) (27. tell) what (28. do).
g. Her mother (29. go) abroad last month, so it (30. not be) her you see at the theater last Sunday.

Question 4: The passage below contains 10 errors. IDENTIFY and CORRECT them. (0) has been
done as an example. Write your answers in the numbered blanks below (20p)

Question 5: Fill in each blank with a suitable PREPOSITION or PARTICLE. Write your answers in
the numbered blanks provided below the passage. (10p)
41. We’re all very obliged_________ you
42. When the wound has healed_________ you can remove the plaster.
43. Without a fridge, fresh food will go_________ very quickly.
44. I’m faithful_________ my principle.

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45. I haven’t heard_________ Mandy since she wrote in July.

46. This service is free_________ charge.
47. They went ahead contrary_________ my advice.
48. The weather was fine, and everyone was making_________ the coast.
49. We’re going_________ Tom’s car tomorrow.
50. Have a card_________ your sleeve.

C. READING (40 points)

Question 6: Read the following passage and choose the best answer. Write your answers in the
numbered blanks provided below the passage. (20p)
In addition to the great ridges and volcanic chains, the oceans conceal another form of undersea
mountains: the strange guyot, or flat-topped seamount. No marine geologist even suspected the existence
of these isolated mountains until they were discovered by geologist Harry H. Hess in 1946. He was
serving at the time as naval officer on a ship equipped with a fathometer. Hess named these truncated
peaks for the nineteenth-century Swiss-born geologist Arnold Guyot, who had served on the faculty of
Princeton University for thirty years. Since then, hundreds of guyots have been discovered in every ocean
but the Arctic. Like offshore canyons, guyots present a challenge to oceanographic theory. They are
believed to be extinct volcanoes. Their flat tops indicate that they once stood above or just below the
surface, where the action of waves leveled off their peaks. Yet today, by definition, their summits are at
least 600 feet below the surface, and some are as deep as 8,200 feet. Most lie between 3,200 feet and
6,500 feet. Their tops are not really flat but slope upward to a low pinnacle at the center. Dredging from
the tops of guyots has recovered basalt and coral rubble, and that would be expected from the eroded tops
of what were once islands. Some of this material is over 80 million years old. Geologists think the
drowning of the guyots involved two processes: The great weight of the volcanic mountains depressed the
sea floor beneath them, and the level of the sea rose a number of times, especially when the last Ice Age
ended, some 8,000 to 11.000 years ago.
51. What is the author's main purpose in writing this passage?
A. To trace the career of Arnold Guyot.
B. To describe feature of the undersea world.
C. To present the results of recent geologic research.
D. To discuss underwater ridges and volcano chains
52. The word “conceal” is closest in meaning to which of the following?
A. Contain B. Erode C. Hide D. Create
53. The passage implies that guyots were first detected by means of________.
A. a fathometer B. computer analysic
C. a deep-sea diving expedition D. research submarines
54. The author indicates that Arnold Guyot________.
A. was Harry Hess's instructor B. invented the fathometer
C. named the guyed after himself D. taught at Princeton University
55. What does the passage say about the Arctic Ocean?
A. The first guyot was discovered there.
B. No guyots have ever been found there.
C. There are more guyots there than in any other ocean.
D. It is impossible that guyots were ever formed there.
56. The author states that offshore canyons and guyots have which of the following characteristics in
common?
A. Both are found on the ocean floor near continental shelves.
B. Both present oceanographers with a mystery.
C. Both were formed by volcanic activity.
D. Both were, at one time, above the surface of the sea.
57. According to the passage, most guyots are found at a depth of________.
A. less than 600 feet. B. between 600 and 3,200 feet.

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C. between 3,200 and 6,500 feet D. more than 8,200 feet

51. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “rubble”?
A. Fragments B. Mixture C. Columns D. Core
51. According to the passage, which of the following two processes were involved in the submersion of
guyots?
A. Erosion and volcanic activity.
B. The sinking of the sea floor and the rising of sea level.
C. Mountain building and the action of ocean currents
D. High tides and earthquakes
60. According to the passage, when did sea level significantly rise?
A. In 1946 B. In the nineteenth century
C. From 8,000 to 11,000 years D. 80 million years ago

Question 7: Read the following passage and choose the best answer. Write your answers in the
numbered blanks provided below the passage. (20p)
As Christmas evolved in the United States, new customs were adopted and many old ones were
reworked. The legend of Santa Claus, for example, had origins in Europe and was brought by Dutch
settlers to New York in the early 18 th century. Traditionally, Santa Claus - from the Dutch Sinter Klaas -
was depicted as a tall, dignified, religious figure riding a white horse through the air. Known as Saint
Nicholas in Germany, he was usually accompanied by Black Peter, an elf who punished disobedient
children. In North America he eventually developed into a fat, jolly old gentleman who had neither the
religious attributes of Saint Nicholas nor the strict disciplinarian character of Black Peter.
Santa’s transformation began in 1823, when a New York newspaper published the poem A Visit
from Saint Nicholas, which Clement Clark Moore had written to amuse his daughter. The poem
introduced many Americans to the story of a kindly saint who flew over housetops in a reindeer-drawn
sleigh. Portraits and drawings of Santa Claus by American illustrator Thomas Nast further strengthened
the legend during the second half of the 19 th century. Living at the North Pole and assisted by elves, the
modern Santa produced and delivered toys to all good children. By the late 19 th century he had become
such a prominent figure of American folklore that in 1897, when Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to the New
York Sun newspaper asking if Santa was real, she received a direct answer: “Yes, Virginia, there is
a Santa Claus”.
61. Who brought the legend of Santa Claus to the USA according to the passage?
A. Sinter Klaas B. Saint Nicholas C. A German D. Dutch
settlers
62. Santa Claus was traditionally described as a________.
A. tall man who could walk through the air. B. fat, jolly, old man.
C. religious figure. D. fat man riding a white horse.
63. Santa Claus in North America was depicted as________.
A. a man with the strict disciplinarian character of Black Peter.
B. a good old man with less religious character.
C. one with religious attributes of Saint Nicholas.
D. a jolly man on horseback.
64. Who was Black Peter?
A. an elf accompanying Saint Nicholas. B. an elf who rode a white horse.
C. one of the disobedient children. D. a popular traditional figure.
65. What word is closest in meaning to “attributes”?
A. symbols of a person B. natural qualities C. effects D. outer appearance
66. Where did the legend of Santa Claus come from?
A. the North Pole B. Europe C. North America D. the City of New
York
67. 1823 was mentioned as a year when________.
A. Clement Clark Moore wrote his first poem

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B. Clement Clark Moore’s poem made him popular

C. Saint Nicholas visited New York
D. the image of Santa Claus was transformed

68. According to Clement Clark Moore’s poem

A. Santa Claus had nothing different in appearance from the traditional one.
B. Santa Claus had wings and could fly.
C. Santa Claus liked poetry.
D. Santa Claus was a kindly saint who flew over housetops in a sleigh.
69. The answer “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” is an illustration for the fact that________.
A. the New York Sun was popular with children.
B. Santa Claus was a prominent figure at that time.
C. newspapers are unreliable.
D. Virginia O’Hanlon was a reader of the New York Sun
70. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Santa Claus was an imaginary old man created by artists based on traditional figures.
B. Living in the North Pole, Santa Claus visited children at Christmas.
C. Santa Claus was a real figure living in northern America.
D. Santa Claus was a story based on Saint Nicholas and Black Peter.

D. USE OF ENGLISH (30 points)

Question 8: Choose the word that best fits each of the blanks in the following passage. Write your
answers in the numbered blanks provided below the passage. (0) has been done as an example. (10p)
Vietnamese generally shake hands when greeting and parting. Using both hands shows respect as
does a (71)________ bow of the head. In rural areas, elderly people do not extend their hand are greeted
with a bow. Women are more (72)________ to bow the head than to shake hands. Vietnamese names
begin with the family name and are (73)________ by a given name. For example, in the name Nguyen
Van Due, Nguyen is the family name. People address (74)________ by their given names, but add a
title that indicates their perceived (75)________ to the other person. These titles are family related rather
than professional. Among colleagues, for example, the (76)________ of the two might combine the given
name with the title of Anh ("Older Brother"). A(n) (77)________ greeting combined with the given
name and title is Xin chao ("Hello."). Classifiers for gender and familiarity are also combined with the
greeting. In formal meetings, business cards are sometimes (78)________ on greeting.
Vietnamese people have a strong (79)________ of hospitality and feel embarrassed if they cannot
show their guests full respect by preparing for their arrival. Therefore, it (80)________ to visit someone
without having been invited. Gifts are not required, but are appreciated. Flowers, incense, or tea may be
proper gifts for the hosts. Hosts also appreciate a small gift for their children or elderly parents
71. A. light B. slight C. lightly D. lighted
72. A. possible B. capable C. probable D. likely
73. A. continued B. chased C. followed D. taken
74. A. each one B. one other C. one the other D. one another
75. A. relation B. relationship C. relation D. relatives
76. A. younger B. most young C. youngest D. young
77. A. easy B. basic C. fundamentally D. elementary
78. A. changed B. transferred C. reserved D. exchanged
79. A. sense B. sensation C. sensitivity D. sensible
80. A. inactive B. inaccurate C. inappropriate D. inexact

Question 9: Fill each blank with ONE suitable word. Write your answers in the numbered blanks
provided below the passage. (0) has been done as an example. (10p)
Cell Phones

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Cell phones have been popular in Japan (0. since) the early 1990s, but it was (81)________ until
1999 that their use really took off. The age of cell phones has emerged, but with it come problems.
Cell phones are used on buses and trains, in restaurants, and in all areas of (82)________. They
cause problems when they (82)________ during meetings, concerts, weddings, or even funerals.
What's more, people speak loudly in public, and students read and text messages during lessons.
(83)________ seriously, when a cell phone is used near a person (84)________ a pacemaker to fegulate
his heartbeat, its radio waves may interfere with the functioning of the pacemaker.
Now, something is being done to solve these (86)________. In many places, new technology is
being used to block cell phone calls. Airline (87)________ are requested to stop using cell phones while
on board. Concert halls ask their audience to switch their phones to the (88)________ mode. However,
phone users fear that if they do not (89)________ their phones, they will lose valuable business
opportunities. That's why many do not (90)________ off their phones even when they are asked to.

Question 10: Write the correct FORM of each bracketed word. Write your answers in the numbered
spaces provided below. (10p)
91. Those (theatre) group has never lost its appeal.
92. Dolphins, (mammal) species, sometimes jump above the surface of the water.
93. The situation is so (chaos) in some countries now that it is difficult to see any solution
94. He’s the most (please), ill-mannered person I’ve ever met.
95. Good friends can enrich the quality of our lives (measure).
96. This famous singer had two (enter) in the Guinness Book of World Records.
97. Beauty is in the eye of the (hold).
98. Computers are now considered (dispense) in the business world.
99. Due to (electric) the difference between urban life and rural life is more and more reduced.
100. A doctor may prescribe (biotic) if the patient has an infection.

E. WRITING (30p)
Question 11: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the
sentence printed before it (10p).
101. Someone stole the old lady’s handbag.
→ The old lady was .........................................................................................
102. A true story forms the basis of Mary’s new novel.
→ Mary’s new novel .........................................................................................
103. If you have completed your test, you can go home.
→ Get ......................................................................................................................
104. Absolute secrecy was crucial to the success of the mission.
→ Without ............................................................................................................
105. Something must be done to solve this problem.
→ Urgent .......................................................................................... ....................
Question 12: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar its possible in
meaning to the original sentence. Use the word given and other words as necessary. Do not change the
form of the given word (10p).
106. The job received over a hundred applications. (APPLIED)
→ .......................................................................................................................
107. Alan prides himself on his punctuality. (TAKES)
→ .......................................................................................................................
108. Many people attended this year’s festival. (TURNOUT)
→ .......................................................................................................................
109. He is becoming quite famous as an interviewer. (NAME)
→ .......................................................................................................................
110. The whole team was in a happy mood. (SPIRITS)
→ .......................................................................................................................

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Question 13: Writing an essay (40p)

It is widely believed nowadays that social knowledge and the ability to adapt in a changing society make
a school-leaver succeed in getting a job.
What do you think about the saying?
Write an essay of around 250 words to prove your points.
KEYS
A. PHONETICS (10p)
Question 1: (5p) 01. C 02. A 03. B 04. C 05. C
Question 2: (5p) 06. C 07. B 08. A 09. D 10. B
B. GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY (20p)
Question 3: (10p)
11. went 12. don’t leave13. will miss 14. shouldn’t/ oughtn’t have written
15. have been 16. haven’t had 17. should/would have telephoned 18. have forgot(ten)
19. needn’t have borrowed 20. hurrying 21. lies 22. buried
23. loved 24. will be waiting 25. arrive 26. being 27. told
28. to do 29. went 30. can’t/ couldn’t have been
Question 4: (10p)
31. visiting → to visit 32. no → not 33. right address → the right address
34. their → its 35. up → down 36. had → had been
37. risen → raised 38. extending → extended
39. previous → previously 40. untidy gravel yard → an untidy gravel yard
Question 5: (5p)
41. to 42. over 43. off 44. to 45. from
46. of 47. to 48. for 49. in 50. Up
C. READING (20p)
Question 6: (10p)
51. B 52. C 53. A 54. D 55. B 56. B 57. C 58. A 59. B 60. C
Question 7: (10p)
61. D 62. C 63. B 64. A 65. A 66. B 67. D 68. D 69. B 70. A
D. USE OF ENGLISH (20p)
Question 8: (10p)
71. B 72. D 73. C 74. D 75. B 76. A 77. B 78. D 79. A 80. C
Question 9: (10p)
81. not 82. life 83. ring 84. More 85.using
86. problems 87. passengers 88. silent 89. answer 90. turn/switch
Question 10: (10p)
91. theatrical 92. mammalian 93. chaotic 94. unpleasant 95. immeasurably 96.
entries 97. beholder 98. Indispensable 99. Electrification 100. antibiotics
E. WRITING (30p)
Question 11: (10p)
101. The old lady was robbed of her hand bag.
102. Mary’s new novel is based on a true story.
103. Get your test completed/ finished and you can go home.
104. Without absolute secrecy this mission would not have succeeded/ been successful/ been a success/
would have failed.
105. Urgent action is/ measures are necessary/ essential to solve this problem.
Question 12: (10p)
106. Over a hundred people applied for the job.
107. Alan takes (a) pride in his punctuality.
108. This year’s festival attracted a record/ high turnout.
109. He is making quite a name for himself as an interviewer.
110. The whole team was in good spirits.

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Question 13: (20p) ESSAY WRITING

___________THE END___________