Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Question 1: Although she had been told quite sternly to ______ herself together, she simply couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
A. bring    
B. pull    
C. force    
D. push

Question 2: In most countries, photocopying books without the publisher's permission is clearly a copyright ______.
A. interference
B. interpretation    
C. infringement    
D. infliction

Question 3:  ______ to fame at an early age may have a negative influence on children's psychological development.
A. Approaching    
B. Reaching    
C. Going    
D. Rising

Question 4: The coastal city is ______ extra buses during the summer because of a considerable increase in the number of tourists.
A. making up    
B. turning out    
C. putting on    
D. taking off

Question 5: Participating in teamwork activities helps students develop their ______ skills.
A. social    
B. society    
C. socially    
D. socialise

Question 6: If our teacher were here now, he ______ us with this difficult exercise.
A. has helped    
B. helps    
C. will help    
D. would help

Question 7: The children ______ by social networks are likely to suffer from depression and other health problems.
A. are obsessed 
B. obsessing 
C. obsessed 
D. who obsessed 

Question 8: The boy denied ______ the cake even though there was some cream left on his chin.
A. to eat    
B. eat    
C. to eating    
D. eating

Question 9: Her parents rarely let her stay out late, ______?
A. do they    
B. don't they    
C. does she    
D. doesn't she

Question 10: Only after the teacher ______ the procedure clearly were the students allowed to go ahead with the experiment.
A. would explain 
B. had explained 
C. was explaining 
D. has explained 

Question 11: These volunteer programmes aim to provide education for children in ______ regions.
A. far-reaching    
B. far-flung    
C. far-fetched    
D. far-sighted

Question 12: They were at the stadium with us last night, so they ______ at the theatre then.
A. needn't have been    
B. should have been    
C. might have been    
D. can't have been

 

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that best completes each of the following exchanges.

Question 13: Adam and Janet are at the school canteen.
Adam: "______"
Janet: "Yes, please."
 
A. Do you mind if I sit here?
B. Can you pass me the salt, please?
C. It's a bit hot in here, isn't it?
D. Would you like a cup of coffee?
 
Question 14: Jenny and Jimmy are talking about university education.
Jenny: "I think having a university degree is the only way to succeed in life."
Jimmy: "______. There are successful people without a degree."

A. That's life    
B. That's all right
C. I don't quite agree    
D. I can't agree more
 
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

Question 15: Despite careful preparation, the candidate got cold feet when asked a challenging question and gave an unsatisfactory answer.
A. had a fever 
B. stayed confident 
C. got nervous 
D. became aggressive 

Question 16: Winning the first prize in the National Math Competition was the highest achievement he got when he was at school.
A. failure    
B. success    
C. comprehension    
D. completion

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

Question 17: It is high time more intensive campaigns were initiated to protect endangered species all over the world.
A. rebuilt 
B. adapted 
C. improved 
D. introduced 

Question 18: The team entered the competition with great confidence after getting sound advice from their coach.
A. tentative    
B. sensitive    
C. audible    
D. sensible

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.

Question 19:    
A. meat    
B. threat    
C. beat    
D. seat
                                                    
Question 20:    
A. wonders    
B. problems    
C. mountains    
D. moments        

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress in each of the following questions.

Question 21: 
A. president
B. opponent
C. assistant
D. companion

Question 22: 
A. obtain
B. perform
C. affect
D. happen
 

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that best combines each pair of sentences in the following questions.

Question 23: He fulfilled his dream of travelling the world. He decided to get a job and settle down.
A. If he had fulfilled his dream of travelling the world, he would have decided to get a job and settle down.
B. Having fulfilled his dream of travelling the world, he decided to get a job and settle down.
C. Although he had fulfilled his dream of travelling the world, he decided not to get a job and settle down.
D. As he decided to get a job and settle down, he didn't fulfil his dream of travelling the world.

Question 24: She gave a great performance at the festival. We now know she has artistic talent.
A. Amazing as her artistic talent is, we don't know about her great performance at the festival.
B. Hardly had we known about her artistic talent when she gave a great performance at the festival. 
C. Although she gave a great performance at the festival, now we still don't know she has artistic talent.
D. But for her great performance at the festival, we wouldn't know about her artistic talent now.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions.

Question 25: My close friends spends most of their free time helping the homeless people in the community.
A. close   
B. spends   
C. of   
D. helping

Question 26: It was the year 2014 that Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
A. the year 2014   
B. was made   
C. a   
D. by

Question 27: Drawing on her own experience in psychology, the writer successfully portrayed a volatile character with dramatic alternatives of mood.
A. in psychology    
B. portrayed   
C. character   
D. dramatic alternatives

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.

Question 28: "I'm sorry I haven't finished the assignment," Fiona said.
A. Fiona denied having finished the assignment.    
B. Fiona regretted having finished the assignment.
C. Fiona refused to finish the assignment.    
D. Fiona apologised for not finishing the assignment.
 
Question 29: Many people think that the new regulations will encourage people to use less energy.
A. Lower consumption of energy is thought to lead to the introduction of the new regulations.
B. The new regulations are thought to encourage lower consumption of energy.
C. It is thought that the new regulations will encourage people to consume more energy.
D. It was thought that lower consumption of energy was stimulated by the new regulations.

Question 30: It usually takes her an hour to drive to work.
A. She usually spends an hour driving to work.    
B. She used to drive to work in an hour.
C. She doesn't usually drive to work in an hour.    
D. She never spends an hour driving to work.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 31 to 35.

Taking piano lessons and solving math puzzles on a computer significantly improve specific math skills of elementary schoolchildren, according to a new study. The results, (31)______ were published in the journal Neurological Research, are the latest in a series that links musical training to the development of higher brain functions.

Researchers worked with 135 second-grade students at a school in Los Angeles after (32)______ a pilot study with 102 students. Children that were given four months of piano training as well as time playing (33)______ newly designed computer software scored 27 percent higher on math and fraction tests than other children.

Piano instruction is thought to enhance the brain's "hard wiring" for spatial-temporal reasoning, or the ability to visualise and transform objects in space and time, says Professor Gordon Shaw, who led the study. At the same time, the computer game allows children to solve geometric and math puzzles that boost their ability to (34)______ shapes in their mind.

The findings are significant (35)______ a grasp of proportional math and fractions is a prerequisite to math at higher levels, and children who do not master these areas of math cannot understand more advanced math that is critical to high-tech fields.

(Adapted from "Eye on Editing 2" by Joyce S. Cain)

Question 31: A. whose           B. which        C. that               D. who
Question 32: A. conducting    B. carrying    C. composing    D. concerning
Question 33: A. for                B. of              C. at               D. with
Question 34: A. manipulate    B. accumulate    C. stimulate    D. accommodate
Question 35: A. before       B. because        C. although        D. unless

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 42.

When we meet people for the first time, we often make decisions about them based entirely on how they look. And of course, we too are being judged on our appearance. Undoubtedly, it's what's inside that's important but sometimes we can send out the wrong signals and so get a negative reaction, simply by wearing inappropriate clothing.

When selecting your clothes each day, it is therefore important to think about who you're likely to meet, where you are going to be spending most of your time and what tasks you are likely to perform. Clearly, on a practical level, some outfits will be more appropriate to different sorts of activity and this will dictate your choice to an extent. However, there's no need to abandon your individual taste completely. After all, if you dress to please somebody else's idea of what looks good, you may end up feeling uncomfortable and not quite yourself.

Some colours bring your natural colouring to life and others can give you a washed-out appearance. Try out new ones by all means, but remember that dressing in bright colours when you really like subtle neutral tones or vice versa will make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. You know deep down where your own taste boundaries lie. It may be fun to cross these sometimes, but do take care not to go too far all at once.

Reappraising your image isn't selfish because everyone who comes into contact with you will benefit. You'll look better and you'll feel a better person all round. And if in doubt, you only need to read Professor Albert Mehrabian's book Silent Messages, which showed that the impact we make on each other depends 55 percent on how we look and behave, 38 percent on how we speak, and only seven percent on what we actually say.

(Adapted from "Expert First" by Jan Bell and Roger Gower)
 
Question 36: Which could be the best title for the passage?
A. Making Your Image Work for You
B. Choosing Appropriate Business Suits
C. Making Judgements about People's Appearance
D. Creating a Professional Image

Question 37: According to paragraph 1, people can get a negative reaction from others by ______.
A. wearing inappropriate clothes    
B. expressing too strong emotions
C. sending out right signals    
D. talking about other people's behaviours

Question 38: The word "outfits" in paragraph 2 mostly means ______.
A. types of gestures            
B. sets of equipment
C. sets of clothes    
D. types of signals

Question 39: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 2 as a factor to be considered when choosing clothes?
A. Places you spend time in    
B. Kinds of tasks you perform
C. Other people's views on beauty    
D. People you meet    

Question 40: The word "others" in paragraph 3 refers to ______.    
A. taste boundaries    
B. colours    
C. means    
D. neutral tones

Question 41: The word "Reappraising" in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. reconsidering    
B. reapplying    
C. reminding    
D. recalling

Question 42: According to Professor Albert Mehrabian, the impact we make on each other depends mainly on ______.
A. how we look and behave    
B. what we read
C. what we actually say    
D. how we speak

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.

While watching sports on TV, the chances are children will see professional players cheating, having tantrums, fighting, or abusing officials. In addition, it's highly likely that children will be aware of well-known cases of sportspeople being caught using drugs to improve their performance. The danger of all this is that it could give children the idea that winning is all that counts and you should win at all costs. Good behaviour and fair play aren't the message that comes across. Instead, it looks as if cheating and bad behaviour are reasonable ways of getting what you want. This message is further bolstered by the fact that some of these sportspeople acquire enormous fame and wealth, making it seem they are being handsomely rewarded either despite or because of their bad behaviour.

What can parents do about this? They can regard sport on television as an opportunity to discuss attitudes and behaviour with their children. When watching sports together, if parents see a player swearing at the referee, they can get the child's opinion on that behaviour and discuss whether a player's skill is more important than their behaviour. Ask what the child thinks the player's contribution to the team is. Point out that no player can win a team game on their own, so it's important for members to work well together.

Another thing to focus on is what the commentators say. Do they frown on bad behaviour from players, think it's amusing or even consider it's a good thing? What about the officials? If they let players get away with a clear foul, parents can discuss with children whether this is right and what effect it has on the game. Look too at the reactions of coaches and managers. Do they accept losing with good grace or scowl and show a bad attitude? Parents can use this to talk about attitudes to winning and losing and to remind children that both are part of sport.

However, what children learn from watching sports is by no means all negative and parents should make sure they accentuate the positives too. They should emphasise to children the high reputation that well-behaved players have, not just with their teammates but also with spectators and the media. They can focus on the contribution made by such players during a game, discussing how valuable they are in the team. In the interviews after a game, point out to a child that the well-behaved sportspeople don't gloat when they win or sulk when they lose. And parents can stress how well these people conduct themselves in their personal lives and the good work they do for others when not playing. In other words, parents should get their children to focus on the positive role models, rather than the antics of the badly behaved but often more publicised players.

(Adapted from "New English File - Advanced" by Will Maddox)
  
Question 43: Which of the following does the passage mainly discuss?    
A. Different attitudes toward bad behaviour in sport    
B. Moral lessons for children from watching sports
C. The importance of team spirit in sport    
D. The influence of model sportspeople on children

Question 44: The word "bolstered" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. inspired    
B. reinforced    
C. represented    
D. energised

Question 45: According to paragraph 1, misconduct exhibited by players may lead children to think that ______.
A. it brings about undesirable results    
B. it is an acceptable way to win the game
C. it is necessary in almost any game    
D. it is disadvantageous to all concerned

Question 46: According to paragraph 2, what should parents teach their children through watching sports? 
A. Cheating is frowned upon by the majority of players.
B. A player's performance is of greater value than his behaviour.
C. Collaboration is fundamental to any team's success.
D. A team with badly-behaved players will not win a game.

Question 47: The word "accentuate" in paragraph 4 can be best replaced by ______.        

A. embolden    
B. actualise    
C. highlight    
D. consolidate

Question 48: The word "They" in paragraph 4 refers to ______.    
A. teammates    
B. spectators    
C. parents    
D. children

Question 49: Which of the following about sport is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. Misconduct from sportspeople may go unpunished despite the presence of officials.
B. Many sportspeople help others so as to project good images of themselves.
C. A well-behaved player enjoys a good reputation among his teammates, spectators and the media.
D. Reactions of coaches and managers when their teams lose a game may be of educational value.

Question 50: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. Well-mannered players sometimes display strong emotions after winning or losing a game.
B. The media tend to turn the spotlight more on sportspeople's wrongdoings than on their good deeds.
C. The well-behaved players in a game invariably display desirable conducts when not playing.
D. Players with good attitudes make a greater contribution to their teams' budgets than others.

 

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