Chuyên đề Reading Skills

CHUYÊN ĐỀ READING SKILLS

1. CLOZE TESTS

A cloze test consists a text passage with some certain word removed (cloze text), test taker must replace the missing words from the given options. Usually students are given four choices. One choice is the best answer. The second is almost as good. The third is off the point. The fourth is the opposite of the correct answer.

• First, slowly read all the text without filling any of the gaps. Read it two or three times until you have a clear understanding of what the text is about.
• Then only complete the gaps you are absolutely sure of.
• Next try and find out what the missing words in the remaining gaps are. See which part of speech may fit in each gap (article?, pronoun?, noun?, adverb?, adjective?, preposition?, conjunction?, verb?) and pay special attention to the grammar around the words in each gap.

Many of the gaps may include the following:

– preposition following a noun, adjective or verb. (Example: good at languages)

– prepositional phrase. (Example: in spite of )

– adverb. ( Example: He moved to London two years ago )

– connector. (Example: First, he arrives; then he sits down; finally, he leaves.)

– conjunction. (Example: Although he is five, he can speak five languages.

– auxiliary verb . (Example: He has won 2 matches)

– an article or some other kind of determiner. (Example: I have no time)

– a relative . (Example: Bob, who I met two years ago, is my best friend)

– a pronoun , either subject or object. (Example : it is difficult to know)

– is there a comparative or superlative involved? (Example: she’s taller than me)

• Some sentences may seem to be complete and contain gaps that appear to be unnecessary. If you find gaps like this, you will probably need the following:

– an adverb. (Example: He is always late)

– a modal verb . (Example: They can swim very well)

– a word to change the emphasis of the sentence: She’s good enough to be queen

– The problems are too difficult

• A few gaps may demand a vocabulary item consistent with the topic of the text; or a word which is part of an idiomatic expression (example: Good heavens!); or a word which collocates with another one (example: do a job); or a word which is part of a phrasal verb (example: I was held up by traffic).

SKILL I: ANSWER MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS CORRECTLY

MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	What is the topic of the passage? What is the subject of the passage? What is the main idea of the passage? What is the author’s main point in the passage? With what is the author primarily concerned? Which of the following would be the best title?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	The answers to this type of question can generally be determined by looking at the first sentence of each paragraph.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Read the first line of each paragraph. 2. Look for a common theme or idea in the first lines. 3. Pass your eyes quickly over the rest of the passage to check that you have really found the topic sentence(s). 4. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers and choose the best answer from the remaining choices.

 SKILL 2: RECOGNIZE THE ORGANIZATION OF IDEAS

ORGANIZATION OF IDEAS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	How is the information in the passage organized? How is the information in the second paragraph related to the information in the first paragraph?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	The answer to this type of question can generally be determined by looking at the first sentence of the appropriate paragraphs
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Read the first line of each paragraph 2. Look for words that show the relationship between the paragraphsp 3. Choose the answer that best expresses the relationship

 SKILL 3: ANSWER STATED DETAIL QUESTIONS CORRECTLY

STATED DETAIL QUESTIONS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	According to the passage… It is stated in the passage… The passage indicates that… Which of the following is true..?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	The answers to these questions are found in the passage.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Choose a key word in the question. 2. Skim in the appropriate part of the passage for the key word or idea. 3. Read the sentence that contains the key word or idea carefully. 4. Eliminate the definitely wrong answers and choose the best answer from the remaining choices.

 SKILL 4: FIND “UNSTATED” DETAILS

“UNSTATED” DETAIL QUESTIONS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	Which of the following is not stated…? Which of the following is not mentioned…? Which of the following is not discussed…? All of the following are true except…
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	The answers to these questions are found in order in the passage.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Choose a key word in the question. 2. Scan the appropriate place in the passage for the key word (or related idea). 3. Read the sentence that contains the key word or idea carefully. 4. Look for the answers that are definitely true according to the passage. Eliminate those answers. 5. Choose the answer that is not true or not discussed in the passage.

 SKILL 5: FIND PRONOUN REFERENTS

PRONOUN REFERENTS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	The pronoun “…” in line X refers to which of the following?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	The line where the pronoun is located is given in the question. The noun that the pronoun refers to is generally found before the pronoun.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Locate the pronoun in the passage. 2. Look before the pronoun for nouns that agree with the pronoun. 3. Try each of the nouns in the context in place of the pronoun. 4. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers and choose the best answer from the remaining choices.

 SKILL 6- ANSWER IMPLIED DETAIL QUESTIONS CORRECTLY

IMPLIED DETAIL QUESTIONS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	It is implied in the passage that ….. It can be inferred from the passage that …. It is most likely that …. What probably happened ….?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	The answers to these questions are generally found in order in the passage.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Choose a key word in the question 2. Scan the passage for the key word (or a related idea) 3. Carefully read the sentence that contains the key word 4. Look for an answer that could be true, according to that sentence

 SKILL 7: ANSWER TRANSITION QUESTIONS CORRECTLY

TRANSITION QUESTIONS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	The paragraph preceding the passage probably … What is the most likely in the paragraph following the passage?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	The answers can generally be found in the first line of the passage for a preceding question. The answer can generally be found in the last line for a following question.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Read the first line for a preceding question. 2. Read the last line for a following question. 3. Draw a conclusion about what comes before or after. 4. Choose the answer that is reflected in the first or last line of the passage.

 SKILL 8: FIND DEFINITIONS FROM STRUCTURAL CLUES

STRUCTURAL CLUES
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	What is the meaning of “X” in line Y? The word “X” in line Y is closest in meaning to… The word “X” in line Y could best to replaced by…
TYPES OF CLUES	Punctuation	comma, parentheses, dashes
	Restatement	or, that is, in other words, i.e.
	Examples	such as, for example, e.g.
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	Information to help you determine what something means will generally be found the punctuation clue, the restatement clue, or the example clue.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Find the word in the passage. 2. Locate any structural clues. 3. Read the part of the passage after the structural clue carefully. 4. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers and choose the best answer from the remaining choices.

 SKILL 9: DETERMINE MEANINGS FROM WORD PARTS

When you are asked to determine the meaning of a long word that you do not know in the reading sec The following chart contains a few word parts that you will need to know.

A SHORT LIST OF WORD PARTS
PART	MEANING	EXAMPLE	PART	MEANING	EXAMPLE
CONTRA	(against)	contrast	DIC	(say)	dictate
MAL	(bad)	malcontent	DOMIN	(master)	dominant
MIS	(error)	mistake	JUD	(judge)	judgment
SUB	(under)	subway	MOR	(death)	mortal
DEC	(ten)	decade	SPEC	(see)	spectator
MULTI	(many)	multiple	TERR	(earth)	territory
SOL	(one)	solo	VER	(turn)	divert
TRI	(three)	triple	VIV	(live)	revive

 SKILL 10: USE CONTEXT TO DETERMINE MEANINGS OF DIFFICULT WORDS

VOCABULARY QUESTIONS CONTAINING DIFFICULT WORDS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	What is the meaning of “X” in line Y? The word “X” in line Y is closest in meaning to….
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	Information to help you understand the meaning of an unknown word can often be found in the context surrounding the unknown word.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Find the word in the passage. 2. Read the sentence that contains the word carefully. 3. Look for context clues to help you understand the meaning. 4. Choose the answer that the context indicates.

 SKILL 11: USE CONTEXT TO DETERMINE MEANINGS OF SIMPLE WORDS

VOCABULARY QUESTIONS CONTAINING SIMPLE WORDS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	What is the meaning of “X” in line Y? The word “X” in line Y could best to replaced by….
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	Information to help you understand the secondary meaning of a simple word can often be found in the context surrounding the word.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Find the word in the passage. 2. Read the sentence that contains the word carefully. 3. Look for context clues to help you understand the meaning. 4. Choose the answer that the context indicates.

SKILL 12: DETERMINE WHERE SPECIFIC INFORMATION IS FOUND

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE IN THE PASSAGE
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	Where in the passage…..?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	The answer can be in any of the lines listed in the answers to the question.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	1. Choose a key word or idea in the question. 2. Skim the appropriate part(s) of the passage looking for the key word or idea. 3. Choose the answer that contains the key word or idea.

SKILL 13: DETERMINE THE TONE, PURPOSE, OR COURSE

TONE, PURPOSE, OR COURSE
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION	What is the tone of the passage? What is the author’s purpose in this passage? In which course would this reading be assigned
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER	tone	Look for clues throughout the passage that show if the author is showing some emotion rather than just pressing facts.
	purpose	Draw a conclusion about the purpose from the main idea and supporting ideas.
	course	Draw a conclusion about the course from the topic of the passage and the supporting ideas.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION	Tone	1. Skim the passage looking for clues that the author is showing some emotion. 2. Choose the answer that identifies the emotion.
	Purpose	1. Study the main idea in the topic sentence and the details used to support the main idea. 2. Draw a conclusion about the purpose.
	course	1. Study the main idea in the topic sentence and the details used to support the main idea. 2. Draw a conclusion about the course.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D  to indicate the word or phrase that best fits each of the blank:

PASSAGE 1

Clean freshwater resources are essential for drinking, bathing, cooking, irrigation, industry, and for plant and animal (1) ____. Unfortunately, the global supply of freshwater is (2) ____ unevenly. Chronic water shortages (3) ____ in most ofAfricaand drought is common over much of the globe. The (4) ____ of most freshwater supplies – groundwater (water located below the soil surface), reservoirs, and rivers – are under severe and (5) ____ environmental stress because of overuse, water pollution, and ecosystem degradation. Over 95 percent of urban sewage in (6) ____ countries is (7) ____ untreated into surface waters such as rivers and harbors;

About 65 percent of the global freshwater supply is used in (8) ____ and 25 percent is used in industry. Freshwater (9) ____ therefore requires a reduction in wasteful practices like (10) ____ irrigation, reforms in agriculture and. industry, and strict pollution controls worldwide.

1.A. survive                   

B. survived                 

C. surviving                

D. survival

2. A. delivered               

B. distributed             

C. provided                

D. given

3. A. exist                       

B. lie                           

C. show                      

D. l:itay

4. A. resources               

B. springs                   

C. sources                   

D. starting

5. A. increasing              

B. growing                 

C. climbing                 

D. ascending

6. A. growing                 

B. miserable               

C. poverty                  

D. developing

7. A. recharged              

B. discharged             

C. charged                  

D. discharging

8. A. farming                  

B. planting                 

C. agriculture             

D. growing

9. A. reservation             

B. conservation         

C. preservation             

D. retention

10. A. ineffective             

B. illogical                  

C. irrational                

D. inefficient

PASSAGE 2

     Some time ago, scientists began experiments to find out (1)______ it would be possible to set up a “village” under the sea. A special room was built and lowered (2)______ the water of Port Sudan in the Red Sea. For 29 days, five men lived (3)______ a depth of 40 feet. At a (4)______ lower level, another two divers stayed for a week in a smaller “house”. On returning to the surface, the men said that they had experienced no difficulty in breathing and had (5)______ many interesting scientific observations. The captain of the party, Commander Cousteau, spoke of the possibility of (6)______ the seabed. He said that some permanent stations were to be set up under the sea, and some undersea farms would provide food for the growing population of the world.

The divers in both “houses” spent most of their time (7)______ the bottom of the sea. On four occasions, they went down to 360 feet and observed many extraordinary (8)______ of the marine life, some of which had never been seen before. During their stay, Commander Cousteau and his divers reached a depth of 1,000 feet and witnessed a gathering of an immense (9)______ of crabs which numbered, perhaps, hundreds of millions. They also found out that it was (10)______ to move rapidly in the water in a special vessel known as a “diving saucer”.

1.A. which

B. what                                 

C. how                          

D. whether

2. A. underneath

B. into                                   

C. down                       

D. below

3. A. in

B. at                                       

C. on                             

D. from

4. A. any

B. more                                 

C. much                       

D. some

5. A. made

B. exercised                         

C. caught                    

D. done

6. A. implanting

B. transplanting                   

C. growing                    

D. cultivating

7. A. inquiring

B. exploring                         

C. imploring                

D. enquiring

8. A. systems

B. forms                                

C. breeds                     

D. castes

9. A. pack

B. herd                                  

C. school                     

D. flock

10. A. able

B. possible                           

C. hardly                      

D. capable

PASSAGE 3

Eight out of ten British schools require students to wear school uniforms. Wearing a uniform has been …(1)………as part of British school tradition for a long time, and makes a good …(2)…on people. Some schools have used the idea of school uniform as a(n) (3)……….to let the students …(4)….themselves by designing their uniform so they could (5)…..a part in deciding what they would wear every day.

The UK government has just …(6)…… the results of a study which showed that many parents actually dread the beginning of the school year because they cannot (7)….to buy their children school uniforms. This is because schools in many areas make arrangements with one local shop so that their uniforms can only be bought there, and this (8)….the shop to increase the prices because it doesn’t have any …(9)… The result of the survey is that pressure will now be put on schools to (10)………with the problem and make sure that uniforms can be bought at reasonable prices.

1.A. regarded

B. considered                                   

C. thought                 

D. supposed

2. A. effect

B. reaction

C. recognition                      

D. impression

3. A. opportunity

B. ability

C. potential               

D. benefit

4. A. convey

B. express

C. produce                

D. identify

5. A. take

B. make

C. play                       

D. turn

6. A. told

B. discovered

C. portrayed             

D. announced

7. A. participate

B. allow

C. pay                                    

D. afford

8. A. suits

B. lets

C. enables                 

D. manages

9. A. critic

B. competition

C. consequence       

D. risk

10. A. affect

B. manage

C. relate                    

D. deal

 PASSAGE 4

 THE HISTORY OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL.

Beach volleyball is played by people around the world. For some, it is a serious sport. For others, it is simply an enjoyable … (1) ….which helps them to …. (2)……fit. It was probably first played in Hawaii in 1915. … (3)……….., surfers played this game once in a …. (4)………, as they were waiting for the right kind of waves to go surfing. But it soon developed into a more serious game and matches started taking place.. (5)….

Later the game reached California and in 1920, people began playing beach volleyball there. They discovered it was a great way to work .. (6)…and get plenty of…… (7)…. air at the same time. Another reason for the game’s .. (8)…….was that it was very cheap. Soon, volleyball nets began appearing on beaches in California and interest in the sport…. (9)…..

At first, there were six players on each side as in indoor volleyball. But one day in 1930, when only four people turned up for a match, they.. (10)…to play two on each side- which is how we play the game today.

1.A. activity

B. athlete

C. method                 

D. habit

2. A. make

B. do

C. keep                      

D. take

3. A. Luckily

B. Particularly

C. Properly               

D. Apparently

4. A. time

B. day

C. while                     

D. week

5. A. regularly

B. successfully

C. correctly              

D. probably

6. A. off

B. up

C. on                          

D. out

7. A. clear

B. fresh

C. cool                       

D. good

8. A. benefit

B. attention

C. popularity                        

D. fun

9. A. strengthened

B. repeated

C. improved             

D. grew

10. A. considered

B. decided

C. included               

D. explained

PASSAGE 5

English is the (1)………important in the world today. A very large (2)………..of people understand and use English in many (3)………….of the world.

Indeed English is a very useful language. If we (4)………English we can go to any place or country we like. We shall not find it hard to (5)………..people understand what we want to say.

English also helps us to learn all kinds of subjects. Hundreds of books are (6)……….in English everyday in many countries to teach people many useful things. (7)……..English language has therefore helped to spread ideas and knowledge to all the corners of the world. There is no subject that cannot be (8)………….in English.

As English is used so much everywhere in the world, it has helped to make the countries in the world more (9)………….The leaders of the world use English to understand one another. The English language has, therefore, helped to spread better understanding and friendship among countries of the world.

Lastly, a person who knows English is respected. It is  for all these (10)……that I want to learn English

1.A. most  

B. mostly                   

C. chiefly                     

D. best

2. A. few  

B. deal                          

C. amount                     

D. number

3. A. countries

B. places                     

C. sites                          

D. scenes

4. A. realize  

B. say                          

C. speak                        

D. tell

5. A. get   

B. let                          

C. persuade                  

D. make

6. A. published     

B. wrote                     

C. print                       

D. made

7. A. A   

B. An                          

C. That                       

D. The

8. A. recognized   

B. realized                  

C. known                   

D. taught

9. A. friend   

B. friendly                 

C. friendship              

D. friendliness

10. A. reasons

B. causes     

C. effects                   

D. results

PASSAGE 6

Nowadays people are more aware that the wildlife all over the world is in danger. Many (1)…….. of animals are threatened, and could easily become extinct if we do not make an effort to(2)………….

There are many reasons for this. In some cases, animals are (3)………for their fur or for other valuable parts of their bodies. Some birds, such as parrots, are caught (4)………….., and sold as pets. For many animals and birds, the problem is that their habitat- the place where they live – is (5)…………. More (6)……….is used for farms, for houses or industry, and there are fewer open (7)………than there once were. Farmers use powerful chemicals to help them grow better (8)………….., but these chemicals pollute the environment and (9)…………wildlife. The most successful animal on earth- human being – will soon be the only ones (10)………., unless we can solve this problem. 

1.A. species

B. series

C. kinds                  

D. families

2. A. harm

B. protect

C. safe                     

D. serve

3. A. extinct

B. game

C. chased                

D. hunted

4. A. alive

B. for life

C. for living            

D. lively

5. A. exhausting

B. disappearing

C. departing           

D. escaping

6. A. earth

B. soil

C. land                   

D. area

7. A air

B. up

C. parts                  

D. spaces

8. A. crops

B. products

C. fields                

D. herbs

9. A. spoil

B. harm

C. wound              

D. wrong

10. A. survived

B. over

C. left                    

D. missing

PASSAGE 7

       Although women now (1)____almost half of all workers in the US, nearly 80 percent of them are employed in low-paying clerical, sales, service, or factory jobs. Approximately a third of all women workers have clerical jobs, which pay(2)____average $12,000 or less. Partly as a result, women make only seventy-five cents for every dollar (3)___by men. (4)_____, men routinely make more money even    when education, experience, and responsibilties are (5)___

      The gap in male-female earning had great significance because more than 16 percent of US households are (6)_____by women. Low-paying jobs keep many of these households in poverty. Women’s groups such as National Organization for Women have demanded that equal opportunities and equal pay (7)______to women. According to women’s (8)_____Maggie McAnany, “It is imperative that the government help to change the stiation (of employment for women). We cannot wait for the companies to (9)_____themselves. Change must come (10)______the law.”

1.A. made of

B. make up

C. take up                   

D. take in

2. A. on

B. at

C. in                              

D. for

3.A. earns                         

B. earning                    

C. to earn                     

D. earned

4. A. Although

B. Whatever

C. Moreover                

D. Contrary

5. A. equally

B. equality

C. equal                        

D. equalizing

6. A. headed

B. hosted

C. carried                     

D. licensed

7. A. are giving

B. are given

C. is giving                  

D. be given

8. A. action

B. activity

C. activist                    

D. active

9. A. restore

B. regain

C. regard                      

D. reform

10. A. for

B. through

C. at                              

D. along

PASSAGE 8

If you are invited to someone’s house for dinner in the United States, you should (1) _______ a gift, such as a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates. If you give your host a (2) _______ gift, he/she may open it in front of you. Opening a present in front of the gift-giver is considered (3) _______. It shows that the host is excited about receiving the gift and wants to show his/her (4) ______ to you immediately. (5) _____ the host doesn’t like it, he/she will tell a “(6) _____ lie” and say how much they like the gift to prevent the guest from feeling bad. If your host asks you to arrive at a particular time, you should not arrive (7) _______ on time or earlier than the (8) _______ time, because this is considered to be potentially inconvenient and (9) _______ rude, as the host may not be (10) _______.

1. A. take	B give	C. bring	D. make
2. A. unwanted	B valuable	C. unpacked	D. wrapped
3. A. rude	B. polite	C. impolite	D. funny
4. A. appreciation	B. admiration	C. respect	D. enjoyment
5. A. Since	B. Only if	C. Even if	D. Whether
6. A. great	B. obvious	C. deliberate	D. white
7. A. gradually	B. exactly	C. perfectly	D. recently
8. A. expected	B. permitted	C. waited	D. wasted
9. A.  however	B. never	C. therefore	D. consequently

PASSAGE 9

Interpreting the feelings of other people is not always easy, as we all know, and we (1)……… as much on what they seem to be  telling us, as on the actual words they say. Facial (2)……… and tone of voice are obvious ways of showing our reaction to something, and it may well be that we (3)….express views that we are trying to hide. The art of being (4)……… …lies in picking up these signals, realising what the other person is trying to say, and acting so that they are not embarrassed in any way. For example, we may understand that they are in fact (5)… ……..to answer our question, and so we stop pressing them. Body movements in general may also indicate feelings, and interviewers often (6)…… ……particular attention to the way a candicate for a job walks into the room and sits down. However, it is not difficult to present the right kind of appearance while what many employers want to know relates to the candidate’s character traits, and (7)… …..stability. This raises the awkward question of whether job candidates should be asked to complete psychological tests, and the further problem of whether such tests actually produce reliable results. For many people, being asked to take part in such a test would be an objectionable (8)…… ……..into their private lives.

After all, a prospective employer would hardly ask a candidate to run a hundred metres, or expect his or her family doctor to provide (9)……… ….medical information. Quite apart from this problem, can such tests predict whether a person is likely to be a  (10)…… ……employee or a valued colleague?

1. A. estimate	B. rely	C. reckon	D. trust
2. A. looks	B. expression	C. image	D. manner
3. A. unconsciously	B. rarely	C. unaware	D. cannot
4. A. good at	B. humble	C. tactful	D. successful
5. A. reluctant	B. used	C. tending	D. hesitant
6. A. set	B. again	C. in	D. pay
7. A. similar	B. physical	C. psychological	D. relevant
8. A. invation	B. intrusion	C. infringement	D. interference
9. A. classified	B. secretive	C. reticent	D. confidential
10. A. thorough	B. particular	C. labourious	D. conscientious

PASSAGE 10

Ask anyone over forty to make a comparison  (1)…………………the past and the present and nine out of ten people will tell you that things have been getting (2)……………….worse for as long as they can remember. Take the weather for example, which has been behaving rather strangely lately. Everyone remembers that in their childhood the summers were (3)………………hotter, and that winter always included abundant falls of snow just when the school holidays had started. Of course, the food in those days was far superior too, as nothing was imported and everything was fresh. Unemployment was (4)……………….. , the pound really was worth something, and you could buy a sizeable house even if your means were (5)…………….. And above all, people were somehow better in those days, far more friendly, not inclined to crime or violence, and spent their free time making mordern boats and tending their stamp collections (6)………………. than gazing at the television screen for hours on end. As we know that this picture of the past (7)…………………cannot be true, and there are plenty of statistics dealing with health and prosperity which prove that it is not true, why is it that we all have a (8)………………..to idealize the past? Is this simply nostalgia? Or is it rather that we need to believe in an image of the world which is (9)………………..the opposite of what we see around us? Whichever it is, at least it leaves us with a nagging feeling that the present could be better, and perhaps (10)………………….us to be a little more critical about the way we live.

1. A. with	B. from	C. between	D. in
2. A. out	B. so	C. virtually	D. steadily
3. A. not only	B. at least	C. rarely	D. considerably
4. A. petty	B. negligible	C. miniature	D. trivial
5. A. mediocre	B. confined	C. rationed	D. limited
6. A. other	B. rather	C. usually	D. different
7. A. simly	B. hardly	C. especially	D. specifically
8. A. habit	B. custom	C. tendency	D. practice
9. A. quite	B. widely	C. utterly	D. rather
10. A. reassures	B. encourages	C. makes	D. supports

READING COMPREHENSION

STRATEGIES FOR THE READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS.

Skim the reading passage to determine the main idea and the overall organization od ideas in the passage. You do not neeed to understand every detail in each passage to answer the questions correctly. It is therefore a waste of time to read the passage with the intent of understanding every single detail before you try to answer the questions.

Look ahead at the questions to determine what types of questions you must answer. Each type of questions is answered in a different way.

Find the section of the passage that deals with each question. The question type tells you exactly where to look in the passage to find correct answers.

• For main idea questions, look at the first line of each paragraph
• For directly and indirectly answered detail questions, choose a key word in the question, and skim for that key word (or a related idea) in order in the passage.
• For vocabulary questions, the question will tell you where the word is located in the passage.
• For overall review questions, the answers are found anywhere in the passage.

Read the part of the passage that contains the answer carefully. The answer will probably in the same sentence (or one sentence before or after) thekey word or idea.

Choose the best answer to each question from the four answer choices listed. You can choose the best answer according to what is given in the appropriate section of thepassage, eliminate definitely wrong answer, and mark your best guess on the answer sheet.

Questions about the ideas of the passage

EXERCISES

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

PASSAGE 1

In the United States, presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four (1888, 1900, 1964, etc.). Since 1840, American presidents elected in years ending with zero have died in office, with one exception. William H. Harrison, the man who served the shortest term, died of pneumonia only several weeks after his inauguration.

Abraham Lincoln was one of four presidents who were assassinated. He was elected in 1860, and his untimely death came just five years later. James A. Garfield, a former Union army general from Ohio, was shot during his first year in office (1881) by a man to whom he wouldn’t give a job. While in his second term of office (1901), William McKinley, another Ohioan, attended the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. During the reception, he was assassinated while shaking hands with some of the guests. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas only three years after his election.

Three years after his election in 1920, Warren G, Harding died in office. Although it was never proved, many believe he was poisoned. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times (1932, 1936, 1940 and 1944), the only man to serve so long a term. He had contracted polio in 1921 and eventually died of the illness in 1945.

Ronald Reagan, who was elected in 1980 and reelected four years later, suffered an assassination attempt but did not succumb to the assassin’s bullets. He was the first to break the long chain of unfortunate events. Will the candidate in the election of 2020 also be as lucky?

1.All of the following were election years EXCEPT ________.

A. 1960

B. 1930                              

C.1888                               

D.1824

2. Which president served the shortest term in office?

A. Abraham Lincoln

B. Warren G. Harding

C. William McKinley   

D. William H. Harrison

3. Which of the following is true?

A. All presidents elected in years ending in zero have died in office.

B. Only presidents from Ohio have died in office.

C. Franklin Roosevelt completed four terms as president.

D. Four American presidents have been assassinated.

4. How many presidents elected in years ending in zero since 1840 have died in office?

A. 7

B. 5                                     

C. 4                                     

D. 3

5. The word “inauguration” in the first paragraph means most nearly the same as ________.

A. election

B. acceptance speech

C. swearing-in ceremony

D. campaign

6. All of the following presidents were assassinated EXCEPT ________.

A. John F. Kennedy

B. Franklin

C. Roosevelt

D. Abraham Lincoln 

7. The word “whom” in the second paragraph refers to ________.

A. Garfield

B. Garfield’s assassin       

C. a Union army general

D. McKinley

8. The word “assassinated” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to ________

A. murdered

B. decorated                      

C. honored          

D. sickened

9. In the third paragraph, “contracted” is closest in meaning to ________.

A. communicated about

B. developed                    

C. agree about                   

D. notified

10. How long did Warren G, Harding work as a president?

A. 2 years

B. 3 years                           

C. 4 years                           

D. 4 years

PASSAGE 2

After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its universally destructive powers too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor of dynamite, so in 1895, just two weeks before his death, he created a fund to be used for awarding prizes to people who had made worthwhile contributions to mankind. Originally there were five awards: literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first awards ceremony. Nobel’s original legacy of nine million dollars was invested, and the interest on this sum is used for the awards which vary from $30,000 to $125,000. Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death, the awards (gold medal, illuminated diploma, and money) are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the judges’ decisions. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prizes. No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War II. Some people have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes. No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War 11. Some people have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes.

1.The word “foresaw” in the first paragraph is nearest in meaning to ________.

A. prevailed

B. postponed                     

C. prevented            

D. predicted

2. The Nobel prize was established in order to ________.

A. A recognize worthwhile contributions to humanity       

B. resolve political differences

C. honor the inventor of dynamite  

D. spend money

3. In which area have Americans received the most awards?

A. Literature

B. Peace

C. Economics           

D. Science

4. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT ________.

A. Awards vary in monetary value

B. ceremonies are held on December 10 to commemorate Nobel’s invention

C. Politics plays an important role in selecting the winners

D. A few individuals have won two awards

5. In how many fields are prizes bestowed?

A. 2

B. 5                                     

C.6                                      

D. 10

6. It is implied that Nobel’s profession was in ________.

A. chemistry

B. medicine

C. literature                       

D. science

7. In the first paragraph, “worthwhile” is closest in meaning to ________.

A. economic

B. prestigious                    

C. trivial           

D. valuable

8. How much money did Nobel leaves for the prizes?

A. $30,000

B. $125,000

C. $155,000

D. from $30,000 to $125,000

9. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. Alfred Nobel became very rich when he invented dynamite.

B. Alfred Nobel created awards in six categories for contributions to humanity.

C. Alfred Nobel left all of his money to science

D. Alfred Nobel made a lasting contribution to humanity

10. The word “legacy” in the second paragraph means most nearly the same as ________.

A. legend

B. bequest                          

C. prize                              

D. debt

PASSAGE 3

For more than six million American children, coming home after school means coming back to an empty house. Some deal with the situation by watching TV. Some may hide. But all of them have something in commom. They spend part of each day alone. They are called “latchkey children”. They are children who look after themselves while their parents work. And their bad condition has become a subject of concern.

Lynette Long was once the principle of an elementary school. She said, “We had a school rule against wearing jewelry. A lot of kids had chains around their necks with keys attached. I was constantly telling them to put the keys inside the shirts. There were so many keys; it never came to my mind what they meant.” Slowly, she learned that they were house keys.

She and her husband began talking to the children who had keys. They learned of the effect working couples and single parents were having on their children. Fear was the biggest problem faced by children at home alone. One in three latchkey children the Longs talked to reported being frightened. Many had nightmares and were worried about their own safety.

The most common was latchkey children deal with their fears is by hidding. They may hide in a shower stall, under a bed or in a closet. The second is TV. They often turn the volume up. It’s hard to get statistics on latchkey children, the Long have learned. Most parents are slow to admit that they leave their children alone.

1.The phrase “an empty house” in the passage mostly means……..

A. a house with nothing inside

B. a house with no people inside

C. a house with too much space

D. a house with no furniture

2. One thing that the children in the pasage share is that………

A. They all watch TV.

B. They all wear jewelry

C.They spend part of each day alone                               

D. they are from single- parent families.

3.The phrase “ latchkey children” in the pasage means children who……….

A. look after themselves while their parents are not at home

B. close doors with keys and watch TV by themselves

C. are locked inside houses with latches and keys.

D. like to carry latches and keys with them everywhere

4. The main problem of latchkey children is that they……

A. watch too much television during the day

B. are growing in numbers.

C. suffer a lot from being left alone.

D. are also found in middle- class families

5. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?

A. Bad condition of latchkey children.

B. Children’s activities at home

C. How kids spend free time

D. Why kids hate going home

6. Why did a lot of kids have chains around their necks with keys attached?

A. Schools didn’t allow them wear jewelry, so they wore keys instead.

B. They would use the keys to enter their houses when they came home

C. The were fully grown and had become independent.

D. They had to use the keys to open school doors.

7. What do latchkey children suffer most from when they are at home alone?

A. Fear

B. Tidedness

C. Loneliness                       

D. Boredom

8. Lynette Long learned to latchkey children’s problems by….

A. talking to them

B. visiting their homes

C. interviewing their parents

D. delivering naires

9. What is the most common way for latchkey children to deal with fears?

A. Talking to the Longs

B. Hiding somewhere

C. Lying under a TV

D. Having a shower

10. It’s difficult to find out the number of latchkey children because……….

A. they hide themselves in shower stalls or under beds

B. they do not give information about themselves for safety reasons

C. there are too many of them in the whole country

D. most parents are reluctant to admit that they leave their children alone

PASSAGE 4

American Online is one of the big names on the Internet, and unlikely many other digital companies, it actually makes a profit. But the company which its rivals call the “Cyber- cockroach” was launched only in 1992. Before that it was a small firm called control Video Corporation, and it made video games. Then Steve Case, a former Pizza Hut marketing executive arrived and took the company online, innovative, fast moving, and user- friendly, American Online appeals to people who want to surf the Internet, but who do not have a lot of experience. For the same reason “ teachies”, people who think the are more expert with computers, look down on American Online and its users. Recently, American Online (or AOL, as it calls itself ) joined with Time Warner- a multi- million- dollar movie and magazine company- to create a multimedia giant.

Now, AOL has begun to expand abroad. In many Europe countries, including the United Kingdom, it is hard to buy a computer magazine that does not have a free AOL introductory offer. The company also puts advertisements onto the television, and employs people to hand out its free introductory disks at places like train stations. As the Internet gets faster AOL is changing. With many homes getting high- speech connections through fiber optic cables or the new ADSL technology, the “Cyber- cockroach” will have to show that, like real cockroaches, it can survive in almost any environment

1.What is the passage about?

A. A computer company

B. A software company

C. An Internet Company

D. a video company

2. The word “it” refers to…………

A. An American Online

B. Cyber- Cockroach

C. Control Video Corporation

D. Digital company

3. Who does Steve Case work for?

A. AOL

B. Pizza Huts            

C. Control Video Corporation       

D. None of these

4. How do “teachies” feel about American Online?

A. They think it is a Cyber- cockroach.

B. They think it is for expert

C. They think it is a movie and magazine company.

D. They feel superior to its users.

5. American Online has the following characteristics EXCEPT…….

A. innovative

B. fast moving          

C. user- friendly                 

D. experienced

6. People who use American Online are probably…….

A. video game players

B. “teachies”

C. movie fans

D. people new to the Internet

7. American Online is an unusual digital company because……..

A. it used to make video games

B. it is innovative

C. it makes money

D. it has joined with another company

8. Which marketing idea is not mentioned?

A. Advertisements on the Internet.

B. Advertisements on TV

C. Free disks in journals

D. people giving disks away

9. What does the articles say about AOL’s future?

A. It will do well

B. it will do badly

C. It will face challenges

D. The article doesn’t say

10. This passage is about …………

A. technology

B. a history of the Internet

C. computer users

D. a successful business

PASSAGE 5

            In addition to providing energy, fats have other functions in the body. The fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, are dissolved in fats, as their name implies. Good source of these vitamins have high oil or fat content, and the vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissues. In the diet, fats cause food to remain longer in the stomach, thus increasing the feeling of fullness for some time after a meal is eaten.

            Fats add variety, taste and texture to foods, which accounts for the popularity of fried foods. Fatty deposits in body have an insulating and protective value. The curves of the human female body are due mostly to strategically located fat deposits. Whether a certain amount of fat in the diet is essential to human health is not definitely known. When rats are fed a fat-free diet, their growth eventually ceases, their skin becomes inflamed and scaly and their reproductive systems are damaged. Two fatty acids, linoleic and arachidonic acids, prevents these abnormalities and hence are called essential fatty acids. They also required by a number of other animals, but their roles in human beings are debatable. Most nutritionists consider linoleic fatty acid an essential nutrient for humans.

Question 1: The passage probably appears in which of the following?
A. A diet book                                                         

B. A book on basic nutrition

C. A cook book

D. A popular women’s magazine

Question 2: The word “functions” is closest in meaning to                          .

A. forms

B. needs                          

C. jobs                             

D. sources

Question 3: All of the following vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissues EXCEPT_____.                       

A. vitamin A

B. vitamin D                   

C. vitamin B                   

D. vitamin E

Question 4: The phrase “stored in” is closet in meaning to                         .

A. manufactured in

B. attached to                 

C. measured by              

D. accumulated in

Question 5: The author states that fats serve all of the following body functions EXCEPT to_____.                   

A. promote the feeling of fullness

B. insulate and protect the body

C. provide energy

D. control weight gain.

Question 6: The word “essential” is closest in meaning to                            .

A. required for

B. desired for                 

C. similar to     

D. beneficial to

Question 7: Which of the following is true for rats when they are fed a fat-free diet?

A. They stop growing                                          

B. They have more babies

C. They lose body hair

D. They require less care

Question 8:Linoleic fatty acid is mentioned as                            .

A. an essential nutrient for humans

B. more useful than arachidonic acid

C. prevent weight gain in rats

D. a nutrient found in most foods

Question 9: The phrases “abnormalities” refers to                            .

A. a condition caused by fried foods.

B. strategically located fat deposits

C. curves of the human female body

D. end of growth, bad skin, and damaged reproductive systems.

Question 10: That humans should all have some fat in our diets is                            .

A. a commonly held view not yet

B. a proven fact

C. only true for women

D. proven to be true by experiments on rats

PASSAGE 6

COLORS AND EMOTIONS

            Colors are one of the most exciting experiences in life. I love them, and they are just as important to me as emotions are. Have you ever wondered how the two are so intimately related?

            Color directly affects your emotions. Color both reflects the current state of your emotions, and is something that you can use to improve or change your emotions. The color that you choose to wear either reflects your current state of being, or reflects the color or emotion that you need.

            The colors that you wear affect you much more than they affect the people around you. Of course they also affect anyone who looks at or sees you, but you are the one saturated with the color all day! I even choose items around me based on their color. In the morning, I choose my clothes based on the color or emotion that I need for the day. So you can consciously use color to control the emotions that you are exposed to, which can help you to feel better.

            Colors, sound, and emotions are all vibrations. Emotions are literally energy in motion; they are meant to move and flow. This is the reason why real feelings are the fastest way to get your energy in motion. Also, flowing energy is exactly what creates healthy cells in your body. So, the fastest way to be healthy is to be open to your real feelings. Alternately, the fastest way to create disease is to inhibit your emotions.

Question 1: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Colorful clothes can change your mood.

B. Emotions and colors are closely related to each other.

C. Colors can help you become healthy.

D. Colors are one of the most exciting.

Question 2: Which of the following can be affected by color?

A. Your need for thrills.

B. Your friend’s feeling

C. Your appetite.

D. Your mood.

Question 3: Who is more influenced by colors you wear?

A. The people around you are more influenced.

B. Neither A nor C.

C. You are more influenced.

D. Both A and C.

Question 4: According to the passage, what do color, sound, and emotion all have in common?

A. They all affect the cells of the body.

B. are all forms of motion.

C. They are all related to health.

D. None of the above

Question 5: According to this passage, what creates disease?

A. Wearing the color black

B. Exposing yourself to bright colors

C. Being open to your emotions

D. Inhibiting your emotions

Question 6: The word “intimately” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:

A. clearly

B. closely                        

C. obviously                   

D. simply

Question 7: The word “they” in paragraph 3 refers to………

A. emotions

B. people                        

C. colors              

D. none of the above

Question 8: Why does the author mention that color and emotions are both vibrations?

A. To show how color can affect energy levels in the body.

B. Because they both affect how we feel.

C. To prove the relationship between emotions and color.

D. Because vibrations make you healthy.

Question 9: The phrase “saturated with” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to……………

A. bored with

B. in need of                   

C. covered with             

D. lacking in

Question  10: What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To persuade the reader that colors can influence emotions and give a person move energy.

B. To show that colors are important for a healthy life.

C. To give an objective account of how colors affect emotions.

D. To prove the relationship between color and emotion.

PASSAGE 7       

 May 7, 1840, was the birthday of one of the most famous Russian composers of the nineteenth century Peter Illich Tchaikovsky. The son of a mining inspector, Tchaikovsky studied music as a child and later studied composition at the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

         His greatest period of productivity occurred between 1876 and 1890, during which time he enjoyed the patronage of Madame von Meck, a woman he never met, who gave him a living stipend of about $1,000.00 a year. Madame von Meck later terminated her friendship with Tchaikovsky, as well as his living allowance, when she, herself, was facing financial difficulties. It was during the time of Madame von Meck’s patronage, however, that Tchaikovsky created the music for which he is most famous, including the music for the ballets of Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky’s music, well known for its rich melodic and sometimes melancholy passages, was one of the first that brought serious dramatic music to dance. Before this, little attention had been given to the music behind the dance. Tchaikovsky died on November 6, 1893, ostensibly of cholera, though there are now some scholars who argue that he committed suicide.  

1.With what topic is the passage primarily concerned?

a. the life and music of Tchaikovsky

b. development of Tchaikovsky’s music for ballets

c. Tchaikovsky’s relationship with Madame Von Meck

d. the cause of Tchaikovsky’s death

2. Tchaikovsky’s father was most probably…………….

A. a musician

B. a supervisor       

C. a composer            

D. a soldier

3. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “productivity” in line 4?

A. fertility

B. maturity              

C. affinity                  

D. creativity

4. In line 5, the phrase “enjoyed the patronage of” probably means………….

A. liked the company of

B. was mentally attached to

C. was financially dependent upon

D. solicited the advice of

5. Which of the following could best replace the word “terminated” in line 6?

A. discontinued

B. resolved                

C. exploited                

D. hated

6. According to the passage, all of the following describe Madame von Meck EXCEPT

A. She had economic troubles.                      

B. She enjoyed Tchaikovsky’s music.

C. She was generous.

D. She was never introduced to Tchaikovsky.

7. According to the passage, for what is Tchaikovsky’s music most well known?

A. its repetitive and monotonous tones

B. the ballet-like quality of the music

C. the richness and melodic drama of the music

D. its lively, capricious melodies

8. According to the passage, “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty” are………..

A. dances

B. songs                     

C. operas                        

D. plays

9. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. Tchaikovsky’s influence on ballet music

B. Tchaikovsky’s unhappiness leading to suicide

C. the patronage of Madame von Meck

D. Tchaikovsky’s productivity in composing

10. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “behind” as used in line 11?

A. in back of

B. supporting                    

C. going beyond           

D. concealing

PASSAGE 8

The peregrine falcon, a predatory bird indigenous to North America, was once in danger of extinction. In the 1960s, scientists discovered byproducts of the pesticide DDT in the birds’ eggs, which caused them to be too soft to survive. The use of the pesticide had been banned in the United States, but the falcons were eating migratory birds from other places where DDT was still used. In order to increase the survival rate, scientists were raising the birds in laboratories and then releasing them into mountainous areas. This practice achieved only moderate success, however, because many of the birds raised in captivity could not survive in the wild.

There is now, however, a new alternative to releases in the wild. A falcon that has been given the name Scarlett chose to make her home on a ledge of the 33rd floor of a Baltimore, Maryland, office building rather than in the wild, and, to the surprise of the scientists, she has managed to live quite well in the city. Following this example, programs have been initiated that release birds like Scarlett into cities rather than into their natural wild habitat. These urban releases are becoming a common way to strengthen the species. Urban homes have several benefits for the birds that wild spots do not. First, there is an abundance of pigeons and small birds as food sources. The peregrine in the city is also protected from its main predator, the great horned owl. Urban release programs have been very successful in reestablishing the peregrine falcons along the East Coast.  Although they are still an endangered species, their numbers increased from about 60 nesting pairs in 1975 to about 700 pairs in 1992. In another decade the species may flourish again, this time without human help.

1.What is the main topic of the passage?

A. survival of peregrine falcons

B. releases into the wild

C. endangered species

D. harmful effects of pesticides

2. In line 1, the phrase “indigenous to” could be best replaced by…………..

A. typical of

B. protected by

C. adapted to

D. native to

3. The word “byproducts” in line 2 could best be replaced by which of the following?

A. derivatives

B. proceeds            

C. chemicals              

D. elements

4. In line 3, the word “banned” could be best replaced by

A. authorized

B. developed            

C. disseminated      

D. prohibited

5. Which of the following words is closest in meaning to the word “rate” as used in line 5?

A. speed

B. percentage             

C. continuation      

D. behavior

6. Why were the peregrine falcons in danger?

A. because of pesticides used by American farmers

B. because they migrated to countries where their eggs could not survive

C. because they ate birds from other countries where DDT was still used

D. because they were prized by hunters and hunted to near extinction

7. The word “releases” as used in line 8 most probably means……………
A. internment

B. regression

C. distribution

D. possessions

8. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a reason why a falcon might choose to live in a city?

A. There are high places to nest.

B. There are other falcons nearby.

C. There is a lack of predators.

D. There is abundant food.

9. As used in line 13, the word “spots” could best be replaced by…………..

A. places

B. dilemmas

C. jungles

D. materials

10. According to the passage, where have the release programs been the most successful?

A. in office buildings

B. on the East Coast

C. in mountainous areas

D. in the wild

PASSAGE 9

What geologists call the Basin and Range Province in the United States roughly coincides in its northern portions with the geographic province known as the Great Basin. The Great Basin is hemmed in on the west by the Sierra Nevada and on the east by the Rocky Mountains; it has no outlet to the sea. The prevailing winds in the Great Basin are from the west. Warm, moist air from the Pacific Ocean is forced upward as it crosses the Sierra Nevada. At the higher altitudes it cools and the moisture it carriers is precipitated as rain or snow on the western slopes of the mountains. That which reaches the Basin is air wrung dry of moisture. What little water falls there as rain or snow, mostly in the winter months, evaporates on the broad, flat desert floors. It is, therefore, an environment in which organisms battle for survival. Along the rare watercourses, cottonwoods and willows eke out a sparse existence. In the upland ranges, pinon pines and junipers struggle to hold their own.

             But the Great Basin has not always been so arid. Many of its dry, closed depressions were once filled with water. Owens Valley, Panamint Valley, and Death Valley were once a string of interconnected lakes. The two largest of the ancient lakes of the Great Basin were Lake Lahontan and Lake Bonneville. The Great Salt Lake is all that remains of the latter, and Pyramid Lake is one of the last briny remnants of the former.

          There seem to have been several periods within the last tens of thousands of years when water accumulated in these basins. The rise and fall of the lakes were undoubtedly linked to the advances and retreats of the great ice sheets that covered much of the northern part of the North American continent during those times. Climatic changes during the Ice ages sometimes brought cooler, wetter weather to midlatitude deserts worldwide, including those of the Great Basin. The broken valleys of the Great Basin provided ready receptacles for this moisture.

1. What is the geographical relationship between the Basin and Range Province and the Great Basin?

A. The Great Basin is west of the Basin and Range Province.

B. The Great Basin is larger than the Basin and Range Province.

C. The Great Basin is in the northern part of the Basin and Range Province.

D. The Great Basin is mountainous; the Basin and Range Province is flat desert.

2. According to the passage, what does the great Basin lack?

A. Snow        

B. Dry air                  

C. Winds from the west     

D. Access to the ocean

3. The word ‘prevailing’ in line 4 is closest in meaning to

A. most frequent      

B. occasional                       

C. gentle        

D. most dangerous

4. It can be inferred that the climate in the Great Basin is dry because …………..

A. the weather patterns are so turbulent                          

B. the altitude prevents precipitation

C. the winds are not strong enough to carry moisture   

D. precipitation falls in the nearby mountains

5. The word ‘it’ in line 5 refers to …………

A. Pacific Ocean      

B. air              

C. west          

D. the Great Basin

6. Why does the author mention cottonwoods and willows in line 11?

A. To demonstrate that certain trees require a lot of water

B. To give examples of trees that are able to survive in a difficult environment

C. To show the beauty of the landscape of the Great Basin

D. To assert that there are more living organisms in the Great Basin than there used to be

7. Why does the author mention Owens Valley, Panamint Valley, and Death Valley in the second paragraph?

A. To explain their geographical formation

B. To give examples of depressions that once contained water

C. To compare the characteristics of the valleys with the characteristics of the lakes

D. To explain what the Great Basin is like today

8. The words ‘the former’ in line 15 refer to ……………

A. Lake Bonneville             

B. Lake Lahontan    

C. The Great Salt Lake       

D. Pyramid Lake

9. The word ‘accumulated’ in line 17 is closest in meaning to …………

A. dried                     

B. flooded     

C. collected              

D. evaporated

10. According to the passage, the Ice Ages often brought about ………….

A. desert formation             

B. warmer climates             

C. broken valleys    

D. wetter weather

PASSAGE 10

The word laser was coined as an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Ordinary light, from the Sun or a light bulb, is emitted spontaneously, when atoms or molecules get rid of excess energy by themselves, without any outside intervention. Stimulated emission is different because it occurs when an atom or molecule holding onto excess energy has been stimulated to emit it as light.

          Albert Einstein was the first to suggest the existence of stimulated emission in a paper published in 1917. However, for many years physicists thought that atoms and molecules always were much more likely to emit light spontaneously and that stimulated emission thus always would be much weaker. It was not until after the Second World War that physicists began trying to make stimulated emission dominate. They sought ways by which one atom or molecule could stimulate many other to emit light , amplifying it to much higher powers.

         The first to succeed was Charles H.Townes, then at Colombia University in New York . Instead of working with light, however, he worked with microwaves, which have a much longer wavelength, and built a device he called a “maser” for Microwave Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Although he thought of the key idea in 1951, the first maser was not completed until a couple of years later. Before long, many other physicists were building masers and trying to discover how to produce stimulated emission at even shorter wavelength.

        The key concepts emerged about 1957. Townes and Arthur Schawlow, then at Bell Telephone Laboratories, wrote a long paper outlining the conditions needed to amplify stimulated emission of visible light waves. At about the same time, similar ideas crystallized in the mind of Gordon Gould, then a 37-year-old graduate student at Columbia, who wrote them down in a series of notebooks. Townes and Schawlow published their ideas in a scientific journal, Physical Review Letter, but Gould filed a patent application. Three decades later, people still argue about who deserves the credit for the concept of the laser.

1. The word ‘coin’ in line 1 could be replaced by ………….

A. created                 

B. mentioned                        

C. understood                      

D. discovered

2. The word ‘intervention’ in line 3 can best be replaced by …………

A. need                      

B. device                   

C. influence              

D. source

3. The word ‘it’ in line 5 refers to ……..

A. light bulb             

B. energy      

C. molecule              

D. atom

4. Which of the following statements best describes a laser?

A. A device for stimulating atoms and molecules to emit light

B. An atom in a high-energy state

C. A technique for destroying atoms or molecules

D. An instrument for measuring light waves

5. Why was Towne’s early work with stimulated emission done with microwaves?

A. He was not concerned with light amplification

B. It was easier to work with longer wavelengths.

C. His partner Schawlow had already begun work on the laser.

D. The laser had already been developed

6. In his research at Columbia University, Charles Townes worked with all of the following EXCEPT ….

A. stimulated emission       

B. microwaves                     

C. light amplification                      

D. a maser

7. In approximately what year was the first maser built?

A. 1917           

B. 1951                   

C. 1953                     

D. 1957

8. The word ’emerged’ in line 18  is closest in meaning to ………….

A. increased             

B. concluded                       

C. succeeded                        

D. appeared

9. The word ‘outlining’ in line 19 is closest in meaning to ……………

A. assigning              

B. studying               

C. checking              

D. summarizing

10. Why do people still argue about who deserves the credit for the concept of the laser?

A. The researchers’ notebooks were lost.

B. Several people were developing the idea at the same time.

C. No one claimed credit for the development until recently.

D. The work is still incomplete.

ĐÁP ÁN

PASSAGE 1

1.D	2.B	3.A	4.C	5.A
6.D	7.B	8.A	9.B	10.D

PASSAGE 2

1.D	2.B	3.B	4.C	5.A
6.D	7.B	8.B	9.C	10.B

PASSAGE 3

1.A	2.D	3.A	4.B	5.C
6.D	7.D	8.C	9.B	10.D

PASSAGE 4

1.A	2.C	3.D	4.C	5.A
6.D	7.B	8.C	9.D	10.B

PASSAGE 5

1.A	2.D	3.A	4.C	5.D
6.A	7.D	8.D	9.B	10.A

PASSAGE 6

1.A	2.B	3.D	4.A	5.B
6.C	7.D	8.A	9.B	10.C

PASSAGE 7

1.B	2.A	3.D	4.C	5.C
6.A	7.D	8.C	9.D	10.B

PASSAGE 8

1.C	2.D	3.B	4.A	5.C
6.D	7.B	8.A	9.C	10.B

PASSAGE 9

1.B	2.B	3.A	4.C	5.A
6.D	7.C	8.B	9.D	10.D

PASSAGE 10       

1.C	2.D	3.D	4.B	5.D
6.B	7.A	8.C	9.A	10.B

READING COMPREHENSION

PASSAGE 1

1.B	2.D	3.D	4.A	5.B
6.B	7.B	8.A	9.B	10.B

PASSAGE 2

 

1.D	2.A	3.D	4.B	5.C
6.A	7.D	8.D	9.B	10.B

PASSAGE 3

1.B	2.C	3.A	4.C	5.A
6.B	7.A	8.A	9.B	10.D

PASSAGE 4

1.C	2.A	3.A	4.D	5.D
6.D	7.C	8.A	9.C	10.D

PASSAGE 5

1.B	2.C	3.C	4.D	5.A
6.A	7.A	8.A	9.D	10.D

PASSAGE 6

1.B	2.D	3.C	4.D	5.D
6.B	7.C	8.A	9.C	10.A

PASSAGE 7       

1.A	2.B	3.D	4.C	5.A
6.B	7.C	8.A	9.B	10.B

PASSAGE 8

1.A	2.D	3.A	4.D	5.B
6.C	7.C	8.B	9.A	10.B

PASSAGE 9

1.C	2.D	3.A	4.D	5.B
6.B	7.B	8.B	9.C	10.D

PASSAGE 10

1.A	2.C	3.B	4.A	5.B
6.C	7.C	8.D	9.D	10.B

READING PRACTICE

READING 1

Humans have struggled against weeds since the beginning of agriculture. The global need for weed control has been answered mainly by the chemical industry. Its herbicides are effective and sometimes necessary, but some pose serious problems, particularly if misused. Toxic compounds threaten animals and public health when they are present in food plant, ground water, and drinking water. They also harm workers who apply them.

In recent years the chemical industry has introduced several herbicides that are more ecologically sound. Yet new chemicals alone cannot solve the world’s weed problems. Therefore, scientists are exploring the innate weed-killing powers of living organisms, primarily insects and microorganisms.

The biological agents now in use are harmless to humans, environmentally friendly, and offer the benefit of specificity. They can be chosen for their ability to attack selected targets and leave crops and other plants untouched. In contrast, some of the most effective chemicals kill almost all the plants they come in contact with, sparing only those that are naturally resistant to those that have been genetically modified for resistance. Furthermore, a number of biological agents can be administered only once, after that no added applications are needed. Chemicals, typically, must be used several times per growing season.

1. What is the passage primarily about?

A. The importance of the chemical industry

B. The dangers of toxic chemicals

C. Advantages of biological agents over chemical ones

D. A suggestion to ban the use of all herbicides.

2. According to the passage, the use of chemical agents ……………..

A. has become more dangerous in recent years.

B. is occasionally required.

C. is perfectly safe

D. should be increased

3. According to the passage, biological agents usually consist of ……………..

A. insects and micro organisms.                                 B. food plants

C. various types of mammals.                                    D. weeds

4. Which of the following is NOT given as an advantage of using biological agents over chemical herbicides?

A. They are less likely to destroy desirable plants.

B. They are safer for workers.

C. They are more easily available.

D. They do not have to be used as often.

5. The word ‘toxic’ in line 5 means …………….

A. useful                                                   B. useless       

C. poisonous                                             D. harmless

READING 2

Most of us are interested in one kind of sport or another, even if we don’t go in for it actively. Lots of people take up a particular sport at an early age, for example tennis, skiing, or ice-skating. If they get up to a suitably high standard, they may go in for local competitions or even championships. But special training is hard work and most young people don’t keep it up. Many of them opt out when they come up against tough competition.

To become a professional in any sport, you have to go through with a strict training schedule. And it’s not easy! It means doing without some of life’s little pleasures, too. For example, to build up your physical strength you may have to stick to a special diet and give up some of your favorite foods. Smoking and alcohol are out, and to keep fit you have to work out regularly every day.

Sometimes it all pays off, but the road to success is long and there are no guarantees. No wonder that countless young talents decide to settle for a regular job instead, and, as far as professional sport is concerned, for looking on as spectators.

1. The term of “go in for” in line 1 means ……

A. give up                   B. participate in

C. begin                       D. like

2. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE about special training?

A. It is not easy work.

B. It hardly works.

C. Most young people try to work out regularly.

D. Most young people strictly follows a special diet

3. To become professional in any sports, your strict training schedule would probably involve ……………..

A. enjoying all life’s pleasures

B. eating all kinds of foods

C. sticking to a special diet

D. smoking and drinking alcohol

4. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A. Few people take up a particular sport at an early age.

B. The road to success in sports is long but there are guarantees.

C. All of the people who play some sports can go in for local competitions or even championships.

D. There are many young talents who decide to settle for a regular job.

READING 3 – CLOZE TEST

In the home a dad is very important. He is the (1) ______  who provides us with money to feed and clothe ourselves. He can decorate your bedroom, mend your radio, make cages for your pets, repair a puncture in your bicycle tyre and help you with maths homework. A dad can be very useful for (2) ______  you in the car to and from parties, music and dancing lessons.

A dad is the person whom you ask for pocket money. He is the one who (3) ______  about the time you spend talking on the phone, as he has to pay for the bills. Dad is someone who will support you in a(n) (4) ______  , if he believes you to be right. He is someone who reads your school (5) ______  and treats if it is good. A dad likes to come into a nice happy home evening, and settle back in his chair with a newspaper.

1.         A. man                         B. someone                 C. person                     D. anyone

2.         A. bringing                  B. taking                     C. picking                    D. carrying

3.         A. explains                  B. shouts                     C. complains               D. groans

4.         A. talk                         B. discussion               C. disagreement          D. argument

5.         A. report                      B. result.                      C. record                     D. review

READING 4 – CLOZE TEST

If you want to (1) ______ your best in an exam, you should be relaxed and so one of the best things to do is to take regular breaks even if they are only for few minutes. During revision time, you (2) ______ take some time off to go for a walk or play your favorite sport. It is a mistake to take up all physical activity. Exercise can help you to relax. You should (3) ______ at least twenty minutes doing something different every day. Parents don't like it when their teenage children spend hours on the phone, but, in fact, (4) ______ to a friend is very good for you; parents think that children are (5) ______ time and money; but research says talking to friends gives you a chance to relax, and this will make the time you spend studying more effective.

1.         A. make                       B. do                           C. go                           D. write

2.         A. shall                        B. will                         C. should                     D. have

3.         A. spend                      B. waste                      C. use                          D. relax

4.         A. saying                     B. telling                     C. communicating       D. chatting

5.         A. wasting                   B. losing                      C. spending                 D. missing

READING 5 – CLOZE TEST

Like any other universities, the Open University can give you a degree. However, you don't have to (1) ______ working to study. It can also open up a whole variety of interest. If you have never studied before, you will enjoy the special, new pleasure of (2) _______ your knowledge. You will make friends of all kinds. You may also find that your qualification provides new career opportunities.

You don't actually (3) ______ to the Open University for lectures, but study at home, using television, radio and computer software. You can (4) ______ one class a month if you wish at an Open University centre. Of course, there are exams to take, as in any university. If you (5) ______ like to know more, all you have to do is to complete the form below. It could be the start of a wonderful new period in your life.

1.         A. stop             B. end             C. break           D. leave

2.         A. growing      B. changing     C. adding        D. increasing

3.         A. join             B. enter           C. arrive          D. go

4.         A. give             B. attend         C. learn            D. study

5.         A. did              B. will             C. would         D. can

READING 6 – CLOZE TEST

Another side effect of the human population explosion will be the conversion of more land to food production or cities. This habitat (1) ______ will cause progressive extinction of many more species. Globally, 45 species of birds and 40

species of mammals went (2) ______ between 1650 and 1969, more have disappeared since then, and many more are in endangered species list. It has been estimated that half of all the species on Earth reside in the Amazon rain forest, (3) ______ most of them in Brazil. Brazil's plans to colonize and cut down the rain forests and similar changes in Congo and Indonesia may very well (4) ______a major episode of extinction. Recent efforts to estimate the projected rate of extinction suggest (5) ______ half of all the species of mammals and birds will become extinct within the next 200 to 300 years.

1.         A. variety                    B. extinction               C. endanger                 D. destruction

2.         A. exhausted               B. exhaust                   C. extinction               D extinct

3.         A. as with                    B. with                         C. as to                        D. as for

4.         A. influence                B. result from              C. lead to                     D. cause to

5.         A. that                         B. this                          C. those                       D. these

READING 7 – CLOZE TEST

Books are written to provide knowledge and good books enrich the mind. By putting ourselves under the influence of superior mind, we (1) ______ our mental powers. (2) ______ good books, we learn that people everywhere are the same, in all ages, and in all places. This knowledge improves our love (3) ______ others and helps us to live in peace with them. We also recognize that the world was made not only for man alone but for every creature that can feel hunger and thirst, warmth and cold.

Though it may be possible for us to travel (4) ______ the world and see the things happening today, it is not possible for us to see the things that happened in the past. But good books (5) ______ us to see not only into the most remote regions of the world today, but also into the world in which our ancestors lived.

1.         A. set                           B. improve                  C. accelerate                D. move

2.         A. Through                  B. By                           C. On                          D. At

3.         A. with                        B. of                            C. forward                  D. into

4.         A. over                        B. throughout              C. on                           D. through

5.         A. help                         B. make                       C. let                           D. suggest

KEYS FOR READING PRACTICE

READING 1

KEY 1C          2A       3A       4C       5C

READING 2

KEY   1B       2A       3C       4D

READING 3

KEY    1C, 2B, 3C, 4D, 5A

READING 4

KEY1BC, 2C, 3A, 4D, 5A

READING 5

KEY 1A, 2D, 3D, 4B, 5C

READING 6

KEY  1D, 2D, 3B, 4C, 5A

READING 7

KEY  1B, 2A, 3B, 4B, 5A

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