ASSORTED PRACTICE TEST 19-02-2021
II. LEXICO–GRAMMAR (60 points)
Part 1: Choose the best answer (A, B, C, or D) to each of the following questions and write your answers
in the corresponding numbered boxes. (20 pts)
1. The _____ of the Syrian boy drowned off Turkey has aroused the world’s pity. A. event B. situation C. case D. plight
2. At long last the building is nearing______. A. finish B. termination C. completion D. finale
3. There is a(n)______ of difference between our two lifestyles. A. land B. way C. world D. arm
4. People can make themselves walk on nails or through fire. It’s a question of mind over______. A. body B. material C. matter D. facts
5. Many people were wounded after the terrorists started ______ with machine guns. A. blazing away B. whipping up C. shouting out D. blazing up
6. At the moment, the ruling party is on the ______ of a dilemma. A. hooves B. points C. feet D. horns
7. By attacking the old lady, the youth committed a _____ crime. A. naughty B. heinous nhân tâm C. bad D. evil
8. Twelve European countries ____ over to the euro on January 1st 2002. A. shifted B. switched C. transformed D. altered
9. Some of the chocolate bars were found to contain glass and the whole batch had to be____. A. overthrown
B. overdrawnC. recalled thu hồi D. retracted
10. His voice has been_____ to that of Elton John. A. equated B. equaled C. likened D. associated
11. The match was _____ and will be played next Wednesday. A. pelted down B. poured outC. rained off D. seen through
12. He didn’t have a ______ of evidence to support his claims. A. scrap B. sign C. sense D. state
13. I bought the chocolates on______: I saw them while I was queuing up to pay. A. desire B. urge C. spontaneity D. impulse
14. Members of the rock group were asked to ____ their behavior or else leave the hotel. A. modify B. amend C. transfer D. convert
15. We have all passed our final exams. We are going to ______ the town red to celebrate. A. color B. decorate C. paint D. make
16. The organizing committee should be quite small. Too many cooks spoil the _____. A. soup B. porridge C. cake D. broth
17. I have a _____ in my throat. I think I am getting a cold. A. fly B. bee C. toad D. frog
18. Some supporters were _____ at the entrance because the ground was full. A. sent off B. turned away C. booked up D. shut down
19. Suddenly a car ______ and an important-looking official got out. A. stopped over B. drew up C. stopped out D. called by
20. It’s a good idea to divide a task up into ______ chunks. A. portable B. pliable C. manageable D. thinkable Your answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Part 2: For questions 21–30, read the following text which contains 10 mistakes. Und er l ine the errors
and write the corrections in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0). (10 pts)
Line The Malaysian Airlines plane MH 370 is not the first disappearing without
trace. Even if it is, this is highly unusual. In 2009, an Air France airbus jet also
vanished of - from radar screen. Wreckage from the lost aircraft were - was
eventually found in the Atlantic yet the causes of the crash remained mystery –
5 mysterious until voice and data recorders were found years later. The final
report said human error was partly blamed – to blame. ‘Today aircrafts - s are
incredibly reliable and you do not get some sudden structure failure in a flight’,
said Mr. Louis, an aviation expert in New York said. ‘It just doesn’t happen. It
just won’t happen’, he added. Boeing describes its 777 model a – as a super star.
10 First flown in 1995, more than a thousand planes now rolled – have rolled up
the production line. It can travel for 16 hours non-stop and experts point to its
impressive safe - safety record with one fatal crash in 5 million flights. It could
take investigators months if – if not years to determine what exactly happened to
the Malaysian aircraft but experts believe what happened was quick and left the
15 pilot no time to put - make a distress call.
Part 3: For questions 31–40, fill in the gaps in the following sentences with suitable prepositions. Write
your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0). (10 pts)
1. He finds it hard to put _________ the noise of the nearby factory.
31. President Obama’s statement was seen as an allusion___to___ the recent mass shooting.
32. I don’t think Mr. Anderson is convinced __of__ the man’s honesty.
33. Wealth is not necessarily synonymous ___with____ happiness.
34. Rob drove the audience mad because he spent half of his presentation beating___ab/around___ the bush.
35. They made a surprise assault ______ their enemies and gained control of the town.
36. ___in___retrospect, she was the person who had made the greatest sacrifice to him.
37. The film was so funny that everybody seemed to laugh their head__off___.
38. The police are combing the area for two men who held_____ the local bank and got away with a million dollar.
39. I was very impressed with the standard of the speaker. He was brilliant at answering questions __off___ the cuff.
40. The mother was blind __to__ her son’s fault and tried to defense him stubbornly. Your answers 0. up with 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
Part 4: For questions 41–50, use the word in capitals at the end of each of the following sentences to form
a word that fits suitably in the blank. There is an example at the beginning (0). (20 pts) ANGER
We’ve all felt anger at some time, whether as faint (0)________(ANNOY)ance or blind rage. Anger is a
normal, sometime useful human emotion, but uncontrolled (41)_________ out(BURST) of temper can be
destructive. People who give free rein to their anger, regardless of the (42) __________(OFFENce) this
may cause, haven’t learned to express themselves (43)____________(CONSTRUCT)ively,’ says Martin
Smolik, who runs weekend residential courses in anger management. ‘It is important to maintain your (44)
_________(COMPOSure) and put your case in an assertive, not aggressive manner without hurting others.
Being assertive doesn’t mean being pushy or demanding; it means being (45) __________ (RESPECT)ful
of yourself and other people.’ He adds that people who are easily angered are (46)____________
(TOLERAnt) of frustration, inconvenience or irritation and, not surprisingly find relating to other people
very difficult. But what causes people to behave like this? It seems there is evidence to support the idea
that some children may be born (47) _________ (IRRITAble) and prone to anger and this tendency is
sometimes apparent from a very early age. However, research also suggests that a person’s family
(48)___________back(GROUND) may have an influence. Very often, people who are
(49)_____________(TEMPER)ed and often find it difficult to express their emotions come from
(50)___________dis(ORGANIZE)d and disruptive families. Your answers 0. Annoyance 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. III. READING (60 points)
Part 1: For questions 1–15, read the following passages and decide which answer (A, B, C, or D) best fits
each gap. Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0). (15 pts) KIWI SURPRISE
When a work project (0)_______ me the opportunity to return to New Zealand, I spent several weeks
(1)_______ a country I had left in my early twenties. I’d forgotten about the petrol stations where men in
smart uniforms (2)_______ to you. They fill your tank, (3)_______your oil and still (4)_______you less
than one third of the British price for fuel. And the people rush to your assistance if they see you
(5)_______over a map. Or the blissful (6)_______of tips. Locals simply cannot understand why anybody
should (7)_______to pay extra for friendly efficient service.
Given that New Zealand has about 3,000 kilometers of coastline, it should come as no (8)_______that
social life (9)_______around the sea. When Auckland office workers leave their desks at the end of the
working day, they don’t (10)_______home. Instead, they (11)_______ a beeline for the marina and spend
the evening (12)_______ sail on the Hauraki Gulf. There are more yachts in Auckland than in any other
city in the world- no wonder it’s called the City of Sails. Even those who can’t afford a (13)_______ of
their own will always know someone who has one, or at the (14)_______ least, will windsurf the offshore
breezes at speeds that make the commuter ferries appear to stand (15)_______. 1. A. gave B. offered C. sent D. lent 2. A. regaining B. recapturing C. refamiliarizing D. rediscovering 3. A. assist B. attend C. supply D. serve 4. A. control B. measure C. check D. calculate 5. A. charge B. ask C. require D. demand 6. A. pointing B. doubting C. clamoring D. puzzling 7. A. absence B. shortage C. removal D. neglect 8. A. accept B. insist C. expect D. respond 9. A. wonder B. surprise C. amazement D. news 10. A. centers B. revolves C. turns D. gathers 11. A. move B. aim C. head D. divert 12. A. have B. do C. get D. make 13. A. under B. by C. with D. on 14. A. vehicle B. hull C. vessel D. receptacle 15. A. simple B. single C. utmost D. very 16. A. still B. dead C. afloat D. upright Your answers 0. B 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Part 2: For questions 16–25, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only
ONE word in each gap. Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. (15 pts) HERBS AND SPICES
There is nothing (16) ____new____in the use of herbs and spices. They have enriched human life for
thousands of years, providing (17) ___both____comfort and luxury. They have flavored our food, cured
our ailments and surrounded us with sweet scents. They have also played their (18)___roles___in our
folklore and magic. It (19)___would____be a very different world without them.
Nobody really knows who first used herbs and spices, or for (20) ___what___ purpose. All their properties
were known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians as well as those (21) ___living___ in early Biblical
times. The knowledge that they employed, and that we still use today, must have been based on the trial
and (22) ___errors___ of early human, who was originally drawn to the plants (23)______ of their
tantalizing aroma. He gradually discovered their individual effects on his food and well-being and our use
of them comes from those early experiments. For centuries herbs and spices were appreciated to the
(24)___full____ but in modern times the arrival of the convenience foods and new medicines of the
twentieth century almost made us forget them. But anything that has been so much loved and valued will
never be completely neglected. The knowledge has been (25) ___kept___ alive and in our present-day
search for all things natural, herbs and spices have come into their own again. Your answers 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Part 3: For questions 26–35, read the text below and choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D). Write
your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. (15 pts) Forgetful Brains
Humans have always had trouble remembering certain details. One person has the unique experience of
recalling in almost exact detail a memory from his childhood, but he cannot remember what he ate for
lunch yesterday. Another cannot recall names of people she met five minutes ago, but she remembers the
names of people she met from an hour before. Psychologists have searched for answers to the memory
phenomenon to better understand how the brain functions and what triggers memory or causes
forgetfulness. After extensive research over the past century, they have come up with some basic theories to help explain memory loss.
There are times when an individual loses all recollection of an event. This is referred to as the decay
theory, which states that if memories are not recalled from time to time, they fade and then gradually drop
from a person’s memory. Decay is proven to occur with sensory memories, or short-term memories, if
they are not recalled or rehearsed. Decay of long-term memory is harder to explain because these
memories last through the passage of time. In fact, some knowledge can be accessed many years after it
was first learned. Research on students who took Spanish courses in high school revealed that they still
remembered a great deal of Spanish fifty years later, even though they had hardly used the language.
While some memories tend to decay, others remain burned into the recesses of the brain, causing
psychologists to further ponder the workings of memory.
Another explanation made by researchers concerning memory loss is known as interference. Under this
theory, an individual forgets a memory when similar information enters the mind and interferes with the
original memory in either the storage or retrieval area of the brain. The information is somewhere in the
person’s memory, but it gets confused with other details. This occurs in both short-term and long-term
memory and is most common when a person tries to recall isolated facts. For instance, a woman goes to a
party and meets a man named Joe at the front door. Half an hour later, she is introduced to Jason. When
she sees Joe again, she accidentally calls him Jason. This is retroactive interference. The newest
information input replaces the old information, causing the woman to mistakenly call the first man by the
wrong name. Additionally, people may suffer from proactive interference. A new student meets his first
professor, Dr. Mack, in his English class. When he has history, he meets Dr. Miller. However, he
frequently calls both teachers Dr. Mack, since that is the first name he had learned. Remembering the first
set of information and not remembering the next is proactive interference. The old information interfered
with the student’s ability to recall the newer information.
When a person needs to remember something, he frequently relies on cues, or reminders, to help him
retrieve a specific memory. When he lacks the cue to recall the memory, the person suffers from cue-
dependent forgetting. This may be the most common type of forgetfulness. Psychologist Willem
Wagenaar did a year-long study during which he recorded events from his life daily. After a year’s time,
he could not remember twenty percent of the critical details, and after five years, he had forgotten sixty
percent. However, he compiled cues from ten witnesses to some events in his past that he believed he had
forgotten, and he was able to recall pieces of information about all ten. Thus, when he had cues to help
him retrieve his memories, he could remember his experiences, illustrating that he was somewhat cue-
dependent. Cognitive psychologists believe that these specific cues help direct a person to the area of
the brain where the memory is stored or they match up with information linked to the actual
memory the person is seeking.
26. The word ‘triggers’ in the passage is closest in meaning to (A) closes (B) cues (C) review (D) erases
27. According to paragraph 2, decay of short-term memories can be avoided by (A) remembering associations
(B) removing immediate distractions
(C) recollecting information often
(D) taking time to acquire input
28. What can be inferred about the decay theory from paragraph 2?
(A) Memories from big events always remain in the mind.
(B) Memory decay arises from specific circumstances.
(C) Recalling old memories prevent their decay.
(D) Most people suffer from some degree of memory decay.
29. Where can the following sentence be most possibly added to the passage?
However, the age of the memory does not enable psychologists to predict which memories will
disappear and which will remain.
(A) Right before the sentence “This is referred to as…a person’s memory”
(B) Right before the sentence “In fact, some knowledge…first learned”
(C) Right before the sentence “Research on students…the language”
(D) Right after the sentence “while some memories…of memory”
30. The word ‘ponder’ in the paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to (A) consider (B) explain (C) forget (D) understand
31. All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 3 as interference EXCEPT:
(A) Confusing newly learned facts with other details
(B) Confusing old memories with current situations
(C) Remembering the first information but forgetting the second set
(D) Recalling the last information acquired but losing the first
32. In paragraph 3, the author discusses remembering and forgetting names in order to
(A) demonstrate memory interference
(B) refute proactive and retroactive interference
(C) advocate acquiring new memories
(D) reveal the workings of forgetfulness
33. The word ‘isolated’ in the passage is closest in meaning to (A) complex (B) angry (C) remote (D) ignored
34. It can be inferred from paragraph 4 that a cue-dependent person
(A) can remember details or events when clues are present
(B) relies on clues too much when retrieving his memories
(C) cannot remember details or events without assistance from other people
(D) can only remember details or events unless clues are present
35. Which of the sentences below best express the essential information in the bold sentence “Cognitive
psychologists…..the person is seeking.” in the passage4? Incorrect choices change the meaning in
important ways or leave out essential information.
(A) Cues about an event lead a person back to the part of the brain storing the memory.
(B) Psychologists are able to link cues to areas of a person’s brain when he or she is forgetful.
(C) Information stored within the brain cannot be linked to specific memories after time.
(D) A person can find specific memories by using context cues about an experience. Your answers 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.
Part 3. For questions 36–40, choose the correct heading for each paragraph A–F from the list of
headings below (i-ix). There are more headings than paragraphs. Write your answers in the
corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning. List of Headings i
How fragile X syndrome was discovered
ii The genetic basis of the fragile X syndrome
iii Fragile X syndrome and developmental delays in the brain
iv New treatments for fragile X syndrome
v The comparative frequency of fragile X syndrome
vi Research into understanding fragile X syndrome
vii Reason for the increase of fragile X syndrome
viiiOther conditions related to cognitive development
ix Examples of the symptoms of fragile X syndrome Example Answer Paragraph E v 36 Paragraph A 37 Paragraph B 38 Paragraph C 39 Paragraph D 40 Paragraph F Your answers 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
A. A condition that causes children to dislike being hugged and sometimes reject all physical affection
is closer to being understood following research into the part of the brain responsible for our
senses. Scientists at Northwestern University, Illinois, and the University of Edinburgh explored
fragile X syndrome, a condition associated with hypersensitivity to sounds, touch, smells and visual
stimuli that can result in social withdrawal or anxiety. Hypersensitivity is a condition in which the
person affected responds in an excessive way to contact with the world around them. Some
sufferers are even hypersensitive to material on their skin.
B. The scientists found that critical phases in the brain’s development may be wrongly timed in people
with the condition. This may result in delayed communication between certain neurons in the brain.
By recording electrical signals in the brains of mice, bred to exactly copy the effect of the
condition, the researchers found that connections in the brain’s sensory cortex were late to develop
fully. The study, published in the journal Neuron, found that normal neural connections in the
sensory cortex occur much earlier than previously thought: in the first week of pregnancy in mice,
which is equivalent to the middle of the second trimester (or fifth month) of pregnancy in humans.
In fragile X syndrome, the mistiming also has a domino effect, causing further problems with the
correct wiring of the brain. The hope is that by understanding how and when the functions of the
brain are affected in fragile X syndrome, a therapy may become possible.
C. ‘There is a “critical period” during development, when the brain is very plastic and is changing
rapidly,’ said Anis Contractor, from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.
‘All the elements of this rapid development have to be coordinated so that the brain becomes wired
correctly and therefore functions properly.’ People with the syndrome have cognitive problems as
well as sensory problems that make them physically weaker. ‘They have tactile defensiveness,’ Dr
Contractor said. ‘They don’t look in people’s eyes, they won’t hug their parents, and they are
hypersensitive to touch and sound. All of this causes anxiety for family and friends as well as for
the fragile X patients themselves.’ Peter Kind, who led the study at the University of Edinburgh,
said: ‘We know there are key windows during which the brain develops, both in the womb and
afterwards. The general principle is that if these time windows have shifted, then that could explain the cognitive problems.’
D. Professor Kind said that this could be demonstrated by the fact that a child with a cataract (a
medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes less and less transparent) that was not
corrected would become permanently blind in the affected eye, whereas an adult would be able to
regain their sight after an operation. ‘We’ve learnt that these changes happen much earlier than
previously thought, which gives valuable insight into when we should begin therapeutic
intervention for people with these conditions,’ he said. ‘It’s also has implications for the treatment
of autism since the changes in the brains of people with fragile X syndrome and autistic people are
thought to significantly overlap.’ Autism, as many people know, is a disability that affects how a
person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they make sense of the world.
E. Fragile X syndrome is as common as cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that commonly affects the
lungs and causes breathing difficulties, and that affects about 1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 8,000
females worldwide. The Fragile X Society believes that there are many people who have fragile X
syndrome but have never been diagnosed. It shows up in early infancy and progressively worsens
throughout childhood, causing intellectual disability as well as social, language and behavioral problems.
F. Fragile X syndrome is caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome – one of the two
chromosomes that determine the gender or sex of a person. The mutation interferes in the
production of a protein called fragile X mental retardation protein. Fragile X is so-named because
the X chromosome appears broken or kinked. Tim Potter, of the Fragile X Society, said: ‘We
welcome any research that helps us understand fragile X and which may open the way to reversing
the effect of preventing them ever happening’. Question 41-45
Complete the summary of paragraphs A and B below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in spaces 41-45
People with fragile X syndrome are extremely sensitive to sensory (41)_________. Some sufferers are
even (42)_______ to clothing. The condition is the result of the connections within the (43 _______ of the
brain not being made at the right time. Instead, the neurons of people with the condition establish
connections later than should happen, which is normally in the second (44)_______ of pregnancy in
humans. By understanding how the brain’s (45)_______ are affected, scientists hope to develop a treatment. Your answers 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. IV. WRITING (40 points) Part 1:
For questions 1–5, finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the There is
an example at the beginning (0).
1. I haven’t enjoyed myself so much for years.
It’s years …………….…....since I enjoyed myself so much……….…... .
1. “I think opinion polls are worthless,” he said.
He dismissed…………………………………………………………
2. The harsh criticism of the Prime Minister was quite unjustified.
There…………………………………………………………………
3. It was more of a business contract than a marriage.
It was not so…………………………………………………………..
4. They stand a good chance of winning the case.
The chances..…………………………………………………………..
5. It doesn’t matter what happens, we’ll stay side by side.
Come………………………………………………………………….
For questions 6–10, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given. Do not change the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
0. It’s no use arguing: I’ve made up my mind. point
…..…. There’s no point in arguing: ……… I’ve made up my mind.
6. I need someone to take my place at the ceremony. (STAND)
…………………………………………………………………………
7. He owed his life to a passer-by. (INDEBTED)
…………………………………………………………………………
8. I had suspicion when they offered me such a high interest rate. (RAT)
…………………………………………………………………………
9. It is certain that the new cuts will worry the staff. (BOUND)
…………………………………………………………………………
10. Money has no value on a desert island. (COUNTS)
………………………………………………………………………… Part 2:
It has been said, “Not everything that is learned is contained in books.” Compare and contrast
knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books, in your opinion, which source
is more important? Write an essay of 250 words to express your opinions.