HỘI CÁC TRƯỜNG THPT CHUYÊN
KÌ THI HỌC SINH GIỎI
VÙNG DUYÊN HẢI VÀ ĐỒNG BẰNG NĂM HỌC 2017-2018 BẮC BỘ
MÔN THI: TIẾNG ANH LỚP 10
TRƯỜNG THPT CHUYÊN BẮC GIANG Ngày thi: …….. ĐỀ THI ĐỀ XUẤT
A. SECTION I: LISTENING (50 points)
Part 1: For questions 1 – 5, listen to part of a discussion about a book on laughter. Write NO MORE
THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER taken from the recording for each answer in the
spaces provided. (10 points)
1. Provine’s book proposes that laughter is used to improve human ____ interaction _(sự tương tác)__ .
2. Mark says that today people often only laugh at TV _________ comedy _______________ .
3. Diana says that women think a good _______ sense of humour _________________ is vital in
personal male/female relationships.
4. Diana thinks that the fact that there haven’t been many ___ female comedians ______ in the past
reflects a commonly held attitude.
5. Although laughter is important in relationships, there is no evidence to suggest that our ________
health or longevity / longevity or health ________ would benefit. Longevity: tuổi thọ
Part 2: Listen to a conversation between two psychologists about modern childhood. For questions 1-
5, decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F). Write your answers in the
numbered boxes below. (10 points)
1. Daniel implies that past images of childhood are entirely fictional. F
2. According to Daniel, children are failing to learn adequate social skills. T
3. Louise believes that modern life has a negative effect on children. T
4. Louise says that the media encourages celebrities to inspire young children. F
5. Daniel implies that machines are more of a menace to children than people are. T
Part 3: For questions 1 - 5, listen to Tim Cole talking about guidebooks and choose the best answer
(A, B, C or D), which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding
numbered boxes. (10 points)
1. Once, when Tim used a guidebook in Australia, _____.
A. he found the best budget hotel ever
B. it took him ages to find the place he was looking for
C. he ended up at an unexpected destination
D. he travelled a lot to his favourite places
2. Tim believes the problem with guidebooks is that _____.
A. some of them are very poorly researched
B. many things have changed by the time you read the book
C. they are only regularly updated
D. some passengers cannot book their hotels
3. The thing Tim particularly dislikes about guidebooks is _____.
A. the recommendations about where to eat
B. that they have too much information about nightlife
C. the limited amount of information about history and culture
D. that they are too heavy to carry
4. Other things which should be included in guidebooks are _____.
A. clear and detailed maps of the area
B. as much information as possible about an area Page 1 of 10
C. good pictures of well-known tourist sites D. as much money as possible
5. What is Tim’s view on digital guidebooks?
A. They can be problematic when downloading.
B. He can’t find what he wants as easily as he can in a traditional guidebook.
C. He likes the fact that they’re tailored to your individual requirements.
D. Too many travellers are too trusting of their guidebooks.
Part 4: Listen to the news about Reindeer and fill in each blank of the news summary with the missing
information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer in the
corresponding numbered boxes. (20 points)
Polar bears aren't the only beloved Arctic animal threatened by climate change. Scientists believe
reindeer are at risk as a warming world makes their main winter food source disappear. But reindeer on
one Alaskan island are (1) ______ surprising researchers ________.
Historically, the reindeer population on St. Paul island ate (2) __ lichen _(rêu)_, a small type of
plant or fungus that grows on rocks in areas with cold weather. However, climate change has made it
harder for lichen to grow on this island, and the reindeer ate the lichen faster than it could grow back.
Researchers thought that the reindeer population would starve without access to lichen, but these
reindeer have found another way to survive.
Reindeer are not (3) ____ native _______ to Alaska, and they were introduced to rural villages
around the state in the (4) _____ late 1800s _____, in order to provide an alternative food source for
residents of the villages. In communities like St. Paul, where grocery prices are (5) ____ astronomical
___(đắt đỏ)____, residents depend on reindeer to feed their families. And to (6) ____ make it through
___(sống sót qua)_____ winter, the reindeer need something as well.
Fortunately, after the reindeer on this island depleted the lichen supply, they went (7) ______
underground _______. They began digging and discovered new sources of food: roots and grass shoots.
Plants like these grow more quickly than lichen in the warmer, wetter conditions introduced by climate
change, and the reindeer’s (8) _____ ability to adapt __(khả năng thích ứng)____ to their new diet is a
good sign for the survival of the species. However, reindeer researchers are not so (9) _____ optimistic
__(lạc quan)____. They warn that global reindeer populations are still in danger, as climate change
warms and alters their (10) ______ habitat ___(môi trường sống)______, as are many other animals
that depend on colder conditions to survive.
(Adapted from “When Their Food Ran Out, These Reindeer Kept Digging”)
B. SECTION TWO: LEXICO-GRAMMAR (50 points)
Part 1. For questions 1 – 20, choose the most suitable word to complete each sentence (20 points)
1. I’ve got something of great importance to………to you A. impair
B. impart C. compare D. deport impart :truyền đạt
2. He praised his wife for her dignity under the……… of the tabloid press. A. onslaught B. assault C. onset D. offensive
under the onslaught of : dưới sự tấn công của
3. The Roundhouse Hotel is……… named for its shape. A. despicably B. eerily C. aptly D. wantonly
aptly: thông minh, khéo léo, thích hợp
4. Commentators should think twice before reviving this ugly stereotype in an attempt to……… police for killing a black teenager.
A. apportion B. decriminalize C. exculpate D. discharge
exculpate: bào chữa, biện hộ
5. She’s still……… over whether to accept the job she’s just been offered.
A. tottering B. doddering C. dithering D. faltering dither over: phân vân
6. Several fans have claimed that they were……… by security guards. A. inundated B. cloaked C. manhandled D. acquiesced Page 2 of 10
manhandle: cư xử thô bạo, xử lí bằng tay
7. You could feel the child's……… rise as we neared the amusement park. A. spectacle B. exuberance C. abundance D. plethora exuberance: sự thích thú
8. Brain cancer requires treatment such as……… surgery.
A. aggressive B. confrontational C. malignant D. rigorous
aggressive: (điều trị) tích cực
9. She went on and on about how she admired his work - laid it on a bit………, if you ask me.
A. sticky B. sick C. soft D. thick
lay it on a bit thick: làm quá, thổi phồng, phóng đại
10. I’m……… my brother is. A. nowhere like ambitious as
B. nothing near as ambitious as C. nothing as ambitious like
D. nowhere near as ambitious as
nowhere near as adj as = nothing like as adj as: không adj bằng…
11. The police……… off the street where the bomb had gone off. A. battened B. cordoned C. fastened D. shuttered
cordon off: phong tỏa, vây lại
12. The smell of the burnt cabbage was so ……… that it spread to every zoom. A. pervasive B. effusive C. extensive D. diffuse pervasive: lan tỏa khắp
13. Why did you ……… and mention the party to Roger? It was supposed to be a surprise. A. have kittens
B. put the cat among the pigeons C. let the cat out of the bag
D. kill two birds with one stone
let the cat out of the bag: tiết lộ bí mật
14. The judge released him on ……… but he’ll have to appear in court again next week. A. sentence B. bail C. punishment D. fine
release sb on bail: bảo lãnh để được thả tự do
15. You will be putting your life on the ……… if you take up skydiving. A. ground B. way C. lane D. line
put one's life on the line: liều mạng, đánh cược tính mạng
16. After the concert, everyone had to……… home through the thick snow. A. trudge B. tread C. trace D. trickle trudge: lê từng bước
17. When his parents are away, his older brother……… A. knocks it off B. calls the shot
C. draws the line D. is in the same boat
call the shot: đảm nhận trách nhiệm
18. Unfortunately, not all of us obtain our j.ust……… in life.
A. demands B. gains C. deserts D. wins
our just deserts in life: những điều mà mình xứng đáng được nhận
19. It is public knowledge that new magazines often use free gifts or other………to get people to buy them. A. gimmicks B. snare C. plots D. scams
gimmicks :mánh lới quảng cáo
20. When his manager went on a business trip, Mario stepped into the……… and chaired the meeting. A. hole B. breach C. pool D. crack
step into the breach : thay thế
Part 2. The passage below contains 10 mistakes. For questions 1- 10, find out and correct them.
It was the human factor that contributes to the absolute majority of road accidents which involves
the tremendous toll of fatalities each year. Other, less decisive, causes are vehicle functions or road Page 3 of 10
shortcomings. Speeding motorists are notorious about failing to give way at junctions, judging the
situation on the road or being unable to accurately estimate the distance while overtaking the
“snailpacers” ahead. Drinkers who settle behind the wheel after one glass or two may be running the
risk of causing a tragedy through their impairing perception, which is not so rare a case, again.
Unfortunately, it is much simpler to introduce the necessary alterations in the traffic system that
change the behavioural patterns of drivers. There are voices that more severe disciplinary resolutions
ought to put into practice if the vehicle users are to benefit from greater security on the road. The idea
of producing safe road users through pre-school parental instruction or through incorporating the safety
regulations for school curriculum has been widely acclaimed in many communities and are expected to
yield the required results as the first step in bettering the qualifications of the future drivers and acquaint
them with the potential hazards that may arise en route.
1. ……… 2……… 3……… 4……… 5………
6……… 7……… 8……… 9……… 10………
Part 3. Fill in each blank with a suitable preposition or particle. (10 points)
1. Thomas is always flying ______off________ the handle at the slightest thing.
fly off the handle: tức giận
2. He is an expert _______in_______ name only; he actually knows very little about the subject.
in name only: chỉ trên danh nghĩa
3. Mr. John, an impatient and aggressive person, is not at all cut _____out for______ being a teacher.
cut out for Ving: thích hợp, đủ khả năng làm gì
4. She drew the lecture _____ out______ to nearly three hours although it was only supposed to last an hour.
draw sth out: kéo dài cái gì
5. Gareth Bale is a brilliant young footballer who is ______on________ the up and up.
on the up and up: ngày càng thành công
6. Jan's good at keeping secrets, so you'll have to worm it ____out of_________ her!
worm sth out of sb: cố gắng moi thông tin từ ai
7. None of us could fathom ____out_______ why the experiment wasn't working.
fathom out: hiểu điều gì
8. Jim seems to be_____under______ the misapprehension that tomorrow’s a holiday. It isn't.
under the misapprehension: hiểu lầm
9. Josh can while _____away________ a whole day playing online computer games with his mates.
while away: giết thời gian bằng việc gì
10. That’s enough TV! It’s time to knuckle _____down______ and get on ___with_____ your homework now.
knuckle down: nghiêm túc làm gì
get on with: bắt đầu làm gì
Part 4: For questions 1 – 10, write the correct form of each given word in corresponding numbered box. (10 points)
Every Picture Tells a Story
Adapting novels for film almost always involves a process of reduction, (1)
condensation (sự súc tích) and deletion. This can be very frustrating for the 1. CONDENSE
writer, but also illuminating. Working on a script, I was struck by how much of
the dialogue and narrative description in a (2)…given…(cho trước)… scene in 2. GIVE
the novel I could (3) …dispense…(dispense with = get rid of)…with, while still 3. DISPENSATION
getting across the same point. This does not necessarily mean that the dialogue
and description of the origin were (4) …superfluous…(dư thừa, vô dụng)… It 4. SUPERFLUITY
is a matter of the type of attention demanded of the audience by narrative in
each medium, and a matter of the type of redundancy each (5) …employs…… 5. EMPLOYEE
I do not mean “redundancy” in the usual (6)…colloquial (thân mật, thông 6. COLLOQUY
tục)…..sense of material which is unnecessary, but in a technical sense. In a 7. ALLUDE Page 4 of 10
novel, such redundancy would include the repeated (7)…allusion…(lời dèm
pha)… to certain traits by which characters are identified, as well as speech tags
such as “he said”. Strictly speaking a character trait needs to be described only
once, but it assists comprehension if we are constantly reminded of it. And
usually we can infer who is speaking in a scene of dialogue from the content and
layout on the page, but speech tags make reading easier. Stage drama, which 8. PRODUCTION
consists mostly of speech, imitates and (8) …reproduces…(sao lại)… the 9. STYLIST
redundancy of real speech with various degrees of (9) …stylisation…(sự cách
điệu)… . In some modern dramas, this is taken to an extreme, so that the dialogue
seems to consist almost entirely of redundant language, whose function is purely 10. COMMUNICATE
phatic (merely establishing contact between the two speakers), leaving us in the
dark as to what is being …communicated…(10) .
C. SECTION III: READING (50 points)
Part 1. For questions 1- 10, read the passage and choose the best answer A, B, C or D (10 points) The value of walking
New research reveals that walking just 9,5 kilometers (six miles) a week may make your brain sharper as
you get older. Research published in the October 13 online issue of Neurology (1) ……… that walking
may protect aging brains from growing smaller and, in (2) ………, preserve memory in old age.
‘Brain size shrinks in late adulthood, which can cause memory problems,' study author Kirk Erickson of
the University of Pittsburgh said in a news release. ‘Our findings should encourage further well-designed
scientific (3) ……… of physical exercise in older adults as a very (4) ………approach for preventing
dementia and Alzheimer's disease.’ For the study, the team asked 299 dementia-free seniors to record
the (5) ……… they walked each week.
Four years later, the participants were tested to see if they had developed (6) ……… of dementia. Then
after nine years had passed, scientists (7) ……… the participants’ brains to measure size. At the four-
year test, researchers discovered subjects who walked the most had reduced their risk of developing
memory problems by 50 per cent. At the nine-year checkpoint, those who walked at least 9.5 kilometers
a week, had brains with a larger (8). ……… than those who didn't walk as much. This is not the first
study to (9) ……… the benefits of walking in seniors. For example, last spring, Harvard University
found that women who walked regularly at a (10) ……… pace had an almost 40 per cent lower risk of stroke. 1. A. informs B. provides C. suggests D. notifies Suggest that: chỉ ra rằng
2. A. result B. turn C. sequence D. case In turn: do đó
3. A. trials B. attempts C. searches D. courses Trial: thử nghiệm 4. A. indicative
B. promising C. fortunate D. ideal Promising: đầy hứa hẹn 5. A. distance B. length C. duration D. extent Distance: quãng đường 6. A. signals B. factors C. signs D. features Sign: dấu hiệu 7. A. skimmed
B. scanned C. screened D. sounded Scan: quét
8. A. volume B. amount C. dimension D. quantity Volume: thể tích 9. A. advertise B. promote C. respect D. admire
Promote: quảng bá (lợi ích) 10. A. brisk B. hard C. crisp D. brief
At a brisk pace: với tốc độ nhanh Page 5 of 10
Part 2: For questions 1 - 10, fill each of the following numbered blanks with ONE suitable word.
Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. (15 points) ENGLISH ETYMOLOGY
Etymology is the study of word origins. It is a subiect which seems to hold a remarkable
fascination for people, as can be seen from the numerous blogs and Internet sites dedicated (1) __to___
lengthy discussions and speculations about the origin of a given word. Below are a few examples of
words that are of particular etymological interest.
According to the lexicographer, Samuel Johnson, the original meaning of this word suggests
somewhat cynically that marriage begins with the sweetness and tenderness of honey, but soon wanes
(2) __like___ the moon. It still retains those connotations today in the expression honeymoon period
which refers to the first stage of a new activity - a government's first term in office, for example - when
people are prepared temporarily to ignore (3) __any___ imperfections. Nowadays, in the context of
marriage, the pessimistic implications have faded and the word simply refers to a holiday taken by a newly married couple.
This word originated from Latin, where salarium, a derivative of sal- meaning 'salt', referred to
'an allowance given to soldiers to buy salt'. In former times salt was a valued commodity, over which
wars were (4) __fought___. It was not taken for (5) __granted___ as it is today. Use of the word soon
broadened out to the current meaning of 'fixed periodic payment of work done' and passed in this sense
via Anglo-Norman into English.
This word describes something stylishly luxurious. In Britain it also means somebody or
something typical (6) __of___ the upper classes. It first appeared in the early twentieth (7) __century___
and was widely (8) __ assumed / thought / believed ___ to be an acronym for 'Port Out, Starboard Home',
referring to the location of the more desirable cabins on passenger ships travelling (9) __between___
Britain and India. Those on the port (left) side on the way out, and the starboard (right) on the return trip
benefited from the sea breeze and shelter from the sun. (10) __although___ it provides a very neat
explanation, there isn't a shred of evidence for it. A more plausible solution is that the modern adjective,
posh, is the same word as the now obsolete noun posh, meaning 'dandy' (a man who cares a lot about his
clothes) a slang term current in the late nineteenth century.
- Dedicate to sth: tận tâm cho cái gì
- Wane like the moon: khuyết dần đi như mặt trăng
- Take sth for granted: xem điều gì là hiển nhiên
- Of the upper classes: thuộc tầng lớp thượng lưu
- Be widely assumed / thought / believed to be: bị cho rằng/nghĩ/tin rộng rãi rằng
Part 3. Read the extract taken from Darwin's book The Voyage of the Beagle then choose the best
answer A, B, C or D to complete each statement. (10 pts)
That large animals require a luxuriant vegetation, has been a general assumption which has
passed from one work to another; but I do not hesitate to say that it is completely false, and that it has
vitiated the reasoning of geologists on some points of great interest in the ancient history of the world.
The prejudice has probably been derived from India, and the Indian islands, where troops of elephants,
noble forests, and impenetrable jungles, are associated together in every one's mind. If, however, we
refer to any work of travels through the southern parts of Africa, we shall find allusions in almost every
page either to the desert character of the country, or to the numbers of large animals inhabiting it. The
same thing is rendered evident by the many engravings which have been published of various parts of
the interior. Dr. Andrew Smith, who has lately succeeded in passing the Tropic of Capricorn, informs
me that, taking into consideration the whole of the southern part of Africa, there can be no doubt of its
being a sterile country. On the southern coasts there are some fine forests, but with these exceptions, the
traveller may pass for days together through open plains, covered by a poor and scanty vegetation. Now,
if we look to the animals inhabiting these wide plains, we shall find their numbers extraordinarily great,
and their bulk immense. We must enumerate the elephant, three species of rhinoceros, the hippopotamus,
the giraffe, the bos caffer, two zebras, two gnus, and several antelopes even larger than these latter
animals. It may be supposed that although the species are numerous, the individuals of each kind are
few. By the kindness of Dr. Smith, I am enabled to show that the case is very different. He informs me,
that in lat. 24', in one day's march with the bullock-wagons, he saw, without wandering to any great
distance on either side, between one hundred and one hundred and fifty rhinoceroses - the same day he Page 6 of 10
saw several herds of giraffes, amounting together to nearly a hundred. At the distance of a little more
than one hour's march from their place of encampment on the previous night, his party actually killed at
one spot eight hippopotamuses, and saw many more. In this same river there were likewise crocodiles.
Of course it was a case quite extraordinary, to see so many great animals crowded together, but it
evidently proves that they must exist in great numbers. Dr. Smith describes the country passed through
that day, as 'being thinly covered with grass, and bushes about four feet high and still more thinly with
mimosa-trees.' Besides these large animals, every one the least acquainted with the natural history of the
Cape, has read of the herds of antelopes, which can be compared only with the flocks of migratory
birds. The numbers indeed of the lion, panther, and hyena, and the multitude of birds of prey, plainly
speak of the abundance of the smaller quadrupeds: one evening seven lions were counted at the same
time prowling round Dr. Smith's encampment. As this able naturalist remarked to me, the carnage each
day in Southern Africa must indeed be terrific! I confess it is truly surprising how such a number of
animals can find support in a country producing so little food. The larger quadrupeds no doubt roam
over wide tracts in search of it; and their food chiefly consists of underwood, which probably contains
much nutriment in a small bulk. Dr. Smith also informs me that the vegetation has a rapid growth; no
sooner is a part consumed, than its place is supplied by a fresh stock. There can be no doubt, however,
that our ideas respecting the apparent amount of food necessary for the support of large quadrupeds are
much exaggerated. The belief that where large quadrupeds exist, the vegetation must necessarily be
luxuriant, is the more remarkable, because the converse is far from true. Mr. Burchell observed to me
that when entering Brazil, nothing struck him more forcibly than the splendour of the South American
vegetation contrasted with that of South Africa, together with the absence of all large quadrupeds. In
his Travels, he has suggested that the comparison of the respective weights (if there were sufficient data)
of an equal number of the largest herbivorous quadrupeds of each country would be extremely curious.
If we take on the one side, the elephants hippopotamus, giraffe, bos caffer, eland, five species of
rhinoceros; and on the American side, two tapirs, the guanaco, three deer, the vicuna, peccary, capybara
(after which we must choose from the monkeys to complete the number), and then place these two
groups alongside each other it is not easy to conceive ranks more disproportionate in size. After the
above facts, we are compelled to conclude, against anterior probability, which among the mammalian
there exists no close relation between the bulk of the species, and the quantity of the vegetation, in the countries which they inhabit.
Adapted from: Voyage of the Beagle, Charles Darwin
1. The author is primarily concerned with ______.
A. discussing the relationship between the size of mammals and the nature of vegetation in their habitats
B. contrasting ecological conditions in India and Africa
C. proving the large animals do not require much food
D. describing the size of animals in various parts of the world
2. According to the author, the ‘prejudice’ has lead to ______.
A. errors in the reasoning of biologists
B. false ideas about animals in Africa
C. doubt in the mind of the author
D. incorrect assumptions on the part of geologists Prejudice: định kiến
3. The author uses information provided by Dr. Smith to ______.
A. supply information on quality and quantity of plant life in South Africa
B. indicate the presence of large numbers of animals
C. give evidence of numbers of carnivorous animals D. A, B and C are correct
4. The flocks of migratory birds are mentioned to ______.
A. describe an aspect of the fauna of South Africa B. indicate the abundance of wildlife
C. contrast with the habits of the antelope
D. suggest the size of antelope herds
5. The ‘carnage’ refers to the ______.
A. number of animals killed by hunters
B. number of prey animals killed by predators
C. number of people killed by lions
D. amount of food eaten by all species
Carnage: số lượng bị tàn sát
6. To account for the ‘surprising’ number of animals in a ‘country producing so little food’, Darwin
suggests all of the following as partial explanations except ______. Page 7 of 10
A. food requirements have been overestimated
B. rapid regrowth of plant material
C. large area for animals to forage in D. mainly carnivorous animals
7. The author makes his point by reference to all of the following except ___________. A. historical documents B. published illustrations C. private communications D. recorded observations
8. Darwin quotes Burchell’s observations in order to ______.
A. describe a region of great splendor
B. counter a popular misconception
C. account for a curious situation
D. illustrate a well-known phenomenon
9. Darwin apparently regards Dr. Smith as ______. A. reliable and imaginative B. observant and excitable C. intrepid and competent D. foolhardy and tiresome Intrepid: dũng cảm
10. Anterior probability refers to ______.
A. what might have been expected B. ideas of earlier explorers
C. likelihood based on data from India
D. hypotheses of other scientists
Part 4. The reading passage below has 7 paragraphs A-G. Choose the correct heading for each
paragraph from the list of headings below. Choose the most suitable heading from the List of
Headings below. Write the appropriate numbers (i - xii) in Boxes. Paragraphs C and G have been
done for you. (15 pts) 1. 1. Paragraph A: List of Headings ____xii____
i. Co-ordination- important for all 2. 2. Paragraph
B: ii. Tension and daily routine _____x___
iii. Brushing one’s teeth and slicing bread 3. Paragraph
C: iv. Fitting the technique to the disability ____xi___
v. Challenges for the Alexander teacher 4. 3. Paragraph D: vi. Musical solutions _____iv___ vii. Potential drawbacks 5. 4. Paragraph
E: viii. Helping the disabled through their helpers _____ii___ ix. Pain problems 6. 5. Paragraph
F: x. Better body “use” for all _____viii___ xi. Retraining limbs 7. Paragraph G: xii. Breaking bad habits ____v___
THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE AND DISABILITY
A. The Alexander Technique is a method of psychophysical re-education developed by F.
Matthias Alexander more than a century ago, initially as a result of trying to solve a vocal problem. It is
a technique for the elimination of ingrained habits of 'misuse' that interfere with the healthy and
harmonious functioning of ourselves as a whole, often the underlying cause of many conditions, such as
back pain, neck and shoulder tension, fatigue, breathing disorders and other stress-related illnesses.
B. Our natural reflex mechanisms for balance and posture are largely dependent on the co-
ordination of the head, neck and back. The Technique addresses the causes of 'misuse' and lack of poise
that may be interfering with this relationship. When these mechanisms are allowed to work in harmony,
'good use' spontaneously returns, resulting in easier breathing, freer, lighter movement and a greater
ability to control our reactions and our movements. In other words, the Technique enables us to 'use'
ourselves better, and, in that sense, is concerned with helping anybody - the so called 'able bodied' as
well as disabled people to overcome their disabilities. Hence, the Alexander teacher's approach when
working with the disabled is, in essence, the same as with any pupil of the Technique.
C. For example, if we take a violinist with a 'misuse' problem of the upper limbs causing technical
limitations to his or her playing, the Alexander teacher will work on improving the pupil's overall 'use'
by encouraging the inhibition of the habitual muscular tension pattern that interferes with the co-
ordination of the head/neck/back relationship in order to enable him /her to play with more ease.
Similarly, when working with a pupil who has lost mobility in the left arm from a stroke, the teacher
will first of all address the head/neck/back relationship, and the inhibition of extraneous tension that Page 8 of 10
prevents maximum use of the affected limb. In this way, it is possible to enable the stroke patient to
retrain mobility of the paralyzed part of the body.
D. The approach and w hat results can be expected vary greatly depending on the disability. For
the stroke patient, especially if lessons are commenced early after the stroke, the Alexander Technique
can play an important role in rehabilitation and mobility retraining. With a blind person, the work is
likely to focus instead more directly on eliminating tension habits that have developed to compensate
for the loss of sight, e.g. insecurity leading to stiff and overcautious walking, balancing difficulties and poor head poise.
E. Working with the disabled pupil, the Alexander teacher can offer help with everyday
activities, things that the average person takes for granted, such as the ability to brush one's teeth, shave,
tie one's shoelaces or cut a slice of bread. By looking at compensatory tension patterns, the teacher can,
in many instances, help the disabled person find a new means whereby they can perform these everyday tasks.
F. In this respect, the lessons may extend to include the disabled person's carer, for example the
person who regularly has to help someone in and out of a wheelchair. Using the Alexander Technique,
the carer learns not only to lift and give support in the most efficient way to avoid damaging his/her own
back, but, as the two learn together, they also become better skilled at working out strategies enabling
the disabled person to become more independent.
G. There are, of course, several factors which have to be taken into consideration when working
with disabled pupils. They may suffer intense pain and discomfort, loss of Kinaesthetic awareness
(sometimes with total loss of sensitivity in parts of the body), severe lack of co-ordination, loss of
mobility, memory loss, blindness, deafness, and speech impairment. The effect this has on the person's
emotional and psychological state also has to be taken into account. Some disabled pupils may need
longer lessons, because of the time required to move them from the wheelchair, take o ff casts, slings
and other movement aids, etc. Others may only be able to concentrate for short periods of time and,
therefore, require shorter lessons more frequently. It often requires a certain amount of inventiveness on
the part of the Alexander teacher, both as far as practical arrangements and the approach to teaching are
concerned, a challenge that, in most cases, is greatly rewarded by the positive results.
Complete the summary below using information from the passage. You may use no more than TWO
WORDS from the passage for each blank.
Example: Alexander Matthias ____developed ____ the technique named after him more than a hundred years ago.
With the Alexander Technique, people are re-educated in a psychophysical way. The technique
works on the body’s (6) _____ reflex mechanisms/ reflexes (cơ chế phản xạ)_____ so that they all
operate harmoniously. As a result, bad habits are eliminated and the individual is able to live a healthy
life. Alexander’s technique can help any of us to (7) _______use_________ ourselves better. As regards
(8) ________the disabled________ person, the expected results and exact method used vary, according
to the requirements of the individual, e.g. shorter and more regular sessions in the case of clients who
find it difficult to concentrate. With disabled clients, in fact, a number of (9) ______factors__________
have to be considered, and for the teacher, who often needs to be very inventive, this is (10)
______challenge/challenging__________.
D. SECTION IV: WRITING (50 points)
Part 1. For questions 1 to 5, complete the second sentence so that it has it has a similar meaning to
the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between THREE
and SIX words, including the word given (10 points)
1. The handling of the matter has been heavily criticised by the press. (scorn)
-> The press ………has poured scorn on the handling……… of the matter.
pour scorn on sth/sb: nói xấu, phỉ báng ai/cái gì
2. The direct aim of the statement is to make the public aware of the present situation. (boils)
-> The statement ……… boils down to making the public …… aware of the present situation.
boil down to doing sth: mục đích chính là làm gì
3. Don't think the police are going to drop your case so quickly. (hook) Page 9 of 10
-> Don't think the police are going to … get/ let you off the hook …… so quickly.
let/get sb off the hook: giải thoát cho ai
4.I don't really know why, but I don’t trust him. (finger)
-> I can’t … put my finger on the reason ………. ,but I don’t trust him
put sb’s finger on sth: tìm hiểu để biết chắc chắn
5. If you work without a break, you are more likely to make an error. (prone)
-> Working without a break ……… makes you more prone to …………… error.
prone to: dễ bị, có xu hướng
Part 2. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it has the same meaning as the
printed above. (10 points)
1. I expected the book to be far better because it had been written by such a good novelist.
The book fell short of my expectations even though it had been written by such a good novelist
fall short of: không đáp ứng, không được như (kì vọng)
2. The new deal has introduced many changes in the cooperation
Many a ...... change has been introduced in the cooperation by the new deal............
N(s) = Many a N: nhiều… + động từ chia ngôi thứ 3 số ít
3. I am not certain, but there may be twenty applications for the job.
At a .......... guess, there may be twenty applications for the job...........
At a guess: theo như tôi đoán
4. In a nutshell, Joseph’s not up to the job.
The long ........ and the short of it is that Joseph’s not up to the job............
The long and the short of it = in a nutshell: dùng để tóm tắt
5. Alternative medicine is a complete mystery to some people.
Some people are .......... mystified by alternative medicine...........
Be mistified by = be in the dark about: không biết gì về…
Part 3: Paragraph writing (30 points)
Write a paragraph of about 200-250 words on the importance of IT in modern life
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