ĐỀ THI Tiếng Anh 12
SECTION A. LISTENING (40pts: 2pts/each)
Part 1. You will hear an interview with someone who runs a company called The Perfume Shop,
which sells perfume in a group of shops in the UK. For questions 1 – 5, choose the best answer A, B, or C.
1. Which of these statements summarizes Jo’s sales philosophy?
A. People care about what they buy.
B. Names don’t sell products.
C. People are more important than products.
2. Jo says that one of the Fish principles concerns
A. thinking of enjoyment activities for staff.
B. deciding to be enthusiastic about your job.
C. persuading customers to buy.
3. Which of the following is true about perfume, according to Jo?
A. It has special connections for some people.
B. People often aren’t given the right advice about it.
C. Many people find it hard to decide which one they like best.
4. What problem did the girl in the shopping centre have?
A. She hadn’t been able to find the perfume she wanted.
B. She had used all of a certain perfume that she had.
C. She thought she wouldn’t be able to buy a certain perfume.
5. Jo says that the man who came into one of The Perfume Shop’s stores A. became a regular customer.
B. wanted a perfume that was no longer available.
C. was amazed when she sent him a bottle of her own perfume.
Part 2: You will listen to an interview. For questions 6 – 10, decide whether the statements are True
(T) or False (F). You will have some time to look at the questions before starting.
6. Jenny's guest works for an e-mail company.
7. David suggests not writing your e-mail address on a piece of paper.
8. David says it's better not to mix work and personal e-mail accounts.
9. Jenny claims not everyone can simply open a new e-mail account.
10. David advises people not to write e-mails in blue.
Part 3: Listen to a lecture. For questions 11–20, complete the notes with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer. Novel: 11 …………………
Protagonists: Mary Lennox; Colin Craven
Time period: Early in 12 ………………… Plot:
Mary →UK – meets Colin who thinks he’ll never be able to 13 …………………. They become friends.
Point of view: “Omniscient” – narrator knows all about characters’ feelings, opinions and 14………………… Audience:
Good for children – story simple to follow Symbols
(physical items that represent 15 …………………): the robin redbreast 16 …………………
the portrait of Mistress Craven Motifs (patterns in the story): the Garden of Eden
secrecy – metaphorical and literal transition from 17 ………………… Themes: Connections between
18 ………………… and outlook
19 ………………… and well-being
individuals and the need for 20 …………………
SECTION B. LEXICO-GRAMMAR (60pts)
Part 1: Choose the best option to complete each sentence. (1pt/each)
1. He crept in _______ his parents should wake up. A. lest B. otherwise C. whereby D. unless
2. They live about _______ from here.
A. an hour of drive B. a drive hour C. a drive of an hour D. an hour's drive
3. Did you really understand all _______ he said? A. what B. when C. that D. which
4. Do you have any figures showing the _______ of left-handedness is in the general population? A. occurrence B. incidence C. accidence D. persistence
5. I'm looking forward to meeting your new boss — you've been _______ his praises ever since he arrived. A. calling B. shouting C. singing D. crying
6. If you can win his attention _______ for you.
A. the so much better B. the better so much C. so much the better D. so the much better
7. Please come and see me _______ day you like. A. every B. all C. any D. some
8. No offence intended _______ I think you haven't understood the problem correctly. A. when B. as C. if D. but
9. Try as I _______ , I couldn't turn the key. A. might B. should C. could D. would
10. When I first came to Britain it took me a long time to _______ on the left.
A. be used to driving B. get used to driving C. get used to drive D. be used to drive
11. The President resigned; the whiff of scandal remained _______ A. therefore B. otherwise C. immediately D. nevertheless
12. Why do you object to _______ - he'll be an asset to the company? A. him being taken on B. he being taken on C. he be taken on D. him be taken on
13. Unfortunately, their house _______ while they were at the restaurant celebrating their anniversary. A. got burgled B. had burgled C. went burgled D. burgled
14. Thank you very much — I haven't been to _______ party for ages. A. a so enjoyable
B. the so enjoyable C. so enjoyable D. so enjoyable a
15. I'm afraid that argument really doesn't hold _______ A. water = true B. sense C. firm D. meaning
16. James never really broke the rules but he did _______ them a little bit when it suited him. A. curve B. move C. bend D. twist
17. The princess's nanny's autobiography really gives the _______ on life among the royals. A. know-how B. low-down C. show-down D. look-out
the most important facts and information about something:
18. I'm sure I was invited to join the committee as the _______ woman. A. sample B. token C. representative D. coupon
Token woman : little importance
19. I'd like to _______ my argument with an anecdote whose significance will soon become apparent. A. announce B. herald C. predict D. preface
20. Take care that your love for him doesn't _______ your judgment. A. cloud B. darken C. shadow D. topple
to make someone confused, or make something more difficult to understand:
Part 2: In the following passage, there are 10 mistakes. Identify and correct the mistakes. (1pt/each) Line1
Scientists have estimated that influenza viruses are taken from man can cause the disease in Line 2
animals. In addition, man can catch the disease from animals. In fact, a great amount of wild Line 3
birds seem to carry the virus without showing some evidence of illnesses. Some scientists Line 4
conclude that a large family of influenza viruses may have evolved in the bird kingdom, a group Line 5
that has been on the earth for 100 million years and is able to carry the virus without attracting Line 6
the disease. There is even convincing evidence to show that virus strains are transmited from Line 7
place to place and from continent to continent by migrating birds. Line 8
It is known that two influenza viruses can recombine when all are present in an animal at the Line 9
same time. The result of such recombinations is a great variety of strains containing different H Line 10
and N spikes. This rises the possibility that a human influenza virus can recombine with an Line 11
influenza virus from a lower animal produce an entirely new spike. Research is underway to Line 12
determine if that is the way that major new strains come into being. Other possibility is that two Line 13
animal influenza strains may recombine in a pig, for example, to produce a new strain which is Line 14 transmitted from man.
Part 3: Fill in each blank with the most suitable preposition(s) or particle(s). (1pt/each)
1. Jack's tactic is to wear _______his enemy and then finish him off with a sudden counter-attack.
2. The education expenses of the children are eating _______ their savings, but they do not mind at all.
3. The school has certainly lived _______ its reputation as one which produces top scholars year after year.
4. In any multi-racial county, racism cannot be rooted _______ without strong government action.
5. I really do not know how to go _______ organizing a social function of this scale.
6. When the manager resigned, M. Robertson took _______ all his duties.
7. After some careful consideration, James decided to turn _______ the post which carried heavy responsibilities.
8. The teacher's voice was drowned _______ by the incessant flow of traffic.
9. He had been arrested for murder, but the evidence just did not add _______.
10. The storm continued for three hours, with no sign of letting _______. Part 3 1. out 2. into ăn mòn 3. up to 4. out 5. about 6. over 7. down 8. out 9. up 10. up
Part 4: Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. There is an example at the
beginning (0). (2pts/each)
Working at a theme park
Working as a Personal (0) Assistant (ASSIST) at a theme park can be a lot of fun. It can offer a varied role
and a friendly teamwork atmosphere, (1) (ACCORD) to Suzy Baines who has worked at one of the largest
in England for 15 years. Suzy is now PA to the theme park's Head of (2) (MARKET). As she says, in her
job, no two days are the same. "I can't imagine working anywhere else - it really is so much fun. Apart from
PA duties, I organize (3) (CONFER) and the (4) (PRESENT) our staff make at them, and take the minutes
in meetings. The staff here are a (5) (CREATE) bunch, and so I get involved in the planning of new
attractions. But my main job is to act as a (6) (COMMUNICATE). I produce a weekly news-sheet for staff
to keep them up-to-date with all the latest (7) (DEVELOP). We have around 550 permanent staff and a
further 1,300 work here on a (8) (SEASON) basis during the summer months. The people here are all like
family and everybody (9) (GENUINE) cares about everybody else. But if you are having a
(10) (FRUSTRATE) day and things are getting on top of you, there's no better cure than leaving everything
and going for a ride on a rollercoaster!" Part 4 1. according 2. marketing 3. conferences 4. presentations 5. creative 6. communicator 7. developments 8. seasonal 9. genuinely 10. frustrating
SECTION C. READING (60pts)
Part 1: Read the text and choose the best option to complete the passage. (1pt/each)
LEARNING TO MAKE A PERFECT PIZZA
According to the European Pizza-Makers’ Association, making a good pizza is not a straightforward skill to
learn. The ingredients seem very (1)____________: flour, yeast, water and a bit of salt. But water and flour
can easily (2)____________ glue and anyone who has eaten a (3)____________ quality pizza will know
how bad it can make your stomach (4)____________.
“In Italy, 70 percent of pizza makers could improve on their product, not to (5)____________ all the pizza
makers around the world who (6)____________ uneatable,” says Antonio Primiceri, the Association’s
founder. He has now started a pizza school in attempt to (7)____________ the reputation of this traditional
dish. As part of an (8)____________ course, the students at Mr. Primiceri’s school are taught to
(9)____________ common mistakes, produce a good basic mixture, add a tasty topping and cook the pizza
properly. “Test the finished pizza by breaking the crust,” advises Mr. Primiceri. “If the soft
(10)____________ inside the pizza is white, clean and dry, it’s a good pizza. If it is not like this, the pizza
will (11)____________ your stomach. You will feel (12)____________ full and also thirsty.”
In Italy alone, the pizza (13)____________ has an annual (14)____________ of more than $12 billion. Mr.
Primiceri estimates that there are 10,000 jobs in pizza restaurants waiting to be (15)____________ by those
with real skill. “If you are a good pizza cook, you will never be without a job,” he says. 1. A. simple B. primary C. pure D. regular 2. A. mix B. construct C. assemble D. make 3. A. sad B. poor C. short D. weak 4. A. sense B. appear C. feel D. be 5. A. state B. mention C. remark D. tell 6. A. submit B. give C. serve D. deal 7. A. save B. provide C. deliver D. return 8. A. extensive B. extreme C. intensive D. intentional 9. A. pass B. escape C. miss D. avoid 10. A. spot B. part C. side D. slice 11. A. worry B. upset C. ache D. depress 12. A. hardly B. tightly C. uncomfortably D. heavily 13. A. activity B. body C. industry D. company 14. A. turnout B. output C. turnover D. input 15. A. employed B. filled C. completed D. covered
Part 2: Read the text and fill in each blank with one most suitable word. (1.5pt/each)
Silk is produced by the silkworm. The silkworm caterpillar is a very choosy eater, it
eats (1)_________ mulberry leaves. In silk factories, the caterpillars are reared (2)_________ huge numbers
on trays lined with mulberry leaves. (3)_________ the caterpillars are about to turn (4)_________ pupae,
twigs are put on the tray. The caterpillars then spin (5)_________ cocoon on the twigs. What we
know as silk is really a hardened liquid from the caterpillar's mouth. This liquid is produced
to (6)_________ itself at this vulnerable stage. 6
Ironically, in the silk factory, it is (7)_________ this stage that the silk workers harvest (8)_________. The
cocoon is heated to kill the pupa inside it. The threads from several cocoons are then twisted
(9)_________to make one strong silk thread. The threads may be dyed or used in its raw form
to make material for clothes. Perhaps now you may begin to (10)_________ why articles made of silk can
be so expensive. Can you imagine how many silkworms have to be killed in the heating process just to make one silk blouse? 1. only 2. in 3. When 4. into 5. their 6. protect 7. during 8. silk 9. together 10. understand
Part 3: Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate
the correct answer to each of the questions from 1 to 10. (1.5pt/each)
A new procedure has been developed to treat aneurysms, particularly those that occur near the brain stem,
where surgery is dangerous. Aneurysms are blood sacs formed by enlargement of the weakened wall of
arteries or veins. They are dangerous and thus must generally be removed before they cause considerable
damage. If one ruptures, it can cause strokes or fatal hemorrhaging, the latter of which occurs in 50 percent
of all patients. Before rupturing, an aneurysm frequently shows no sign or symptom that it exists. Brain
aneurysms occur in approximately 5 percent of the population. Most patients are between 40 and 65 years
old, with hemorrhages most prevalent in those between 50 and 54.
The new procedure involves inserting a soft, flexible micro-catheter through the femoral artery in the groin
area and snaking it up through blood vessels to the brain. Inside the catheter is a small, coiled wire, which
can be extruded after it reaches its destination. After the coil is outside the catheter, a low voltage electrical
current is applied, and the coil detaches at a preset solder point. Additional coils are snaked through the
catheter and also detached at the site, creating a basket, or metal framework, which causes the blood to clot
around it. The micro-catheter is withdrawn, the clot remains, and the healed aneurysm no longer is exposed
to the stress that can cause another rupture.
The procedure lasts two hours, which is half as long as invasive surgery, and recovery time is generally
limited to a few days instead of a few weeks. The procedure was discovered in the 1990s, was approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1995, and is available in various hospitals where there are advanced
neurology departments and specialists trained in the procedure. Many lives have been saved by use of the
procedure, because the alternative would have been to watch and wait rather than risk the hazards of surgery.
1.The author implies that the procedure described is useful for ______ A. all aneurysms.
B. aneurysms that occur near the brain stem only.
C. aneurysms that occur anywhere in the brain.
D. aneurysms that occur near large blood vessels.
2.The word “They” in the first paragraph refers to ______ A. Procedures B. aneurysms. C. brain stems. D. surgeries.
3.The word “snaking” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to ______ A. meandering. B. extruding. C. living. D. damaging.
4.An aneurysm is most similar to ______ A. a hernia. B. an ulcer. C. a heart attack. D. cancer.
5.The author indicates that the point of creating a basket near the aneurysm is to ______
A. dissolve the aneurysm.
B. catch the aneurysm when it breaks off. 7
C. provide a means of studying the aneurysm.
D. serve as a base for a blood clot to form.
6.The author indicates that the femoral artery is______ A. small. B. in the upper thigh. C. in the brain.
D. connected to the brain.
7.The author states that the electrical charge is applied in order to______ A. stimulate the brain.
B. stimulate the aneurysm.
C. dissolve the aneurysm. D
. separate the coil from the wire.
8.The author implies that the wire breaks off ______ A. randomly.
B. inside the micro-catheter.
C. by being cut with an additional tool.
D. at a predetermined and prepared location on the wire
9.According to the passage, traditional surgical techniques take______
A. less time and require less recuperation time than the new procedure.
B. less time but require longer recuperation time than the new procedure.
C. longer but require less recuperation time than the new procedure.
D. longer and require more recuperation time than the new procedure.
10.The author implies that the new procedure______
A. can be performed at any hospital.
B. is performed by any surgeon using special equipment.
C. is performed by certified doctors but requires no special equipment.
D. is performed only at hospitals containing the required equipment and certified doctors.
Part 4: Read the following passage and do the tasks that follow. (1.5pt/each)
Non-motorized Vehicles in Asia Section A
Non-motorized vehicles (NMVs), which include bicycles, cycle-rickshaws, and carts, continue to play a
vital role in urban transport in much of Asia. NMVs account for 25 to 80 percent of vehicle trips in many
Asian cities, more than anywhere else in the world. Ownership of all vehicles, including NMVs, is growing
rapidly throughout Asia as incomes increase. Section B
However, the future of NMVs in many Asian cities is threatened by growing motorization, loss of street
space for safe NMV use, and changes in urban form prompted by motorization. Transport planning and
investment in most of Asia has focused principally on the motorized transport sector and has often ignored
the needs of non-motorized transport. Without changes in policy, NMV use may decline precipitously in the
coming decade, with major negative effects on air pollution, traffic congestion, global warming, energy use,
urban sprawl, and the employment and mobility of low-income people. Section C
As cities in Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, and several other European nations demonstrate, the
modernization of urban transport does not require total motorization, but rather the appropriate integration
of walking, NMV modes, and motorized transport. As in European and Japanese cities, where a major share
of trips are made by walking and cycling, NMVs have an important role to play in urban transport systems
throughout Asia in coming decades. Section D
Transport investment and policy are the primary factors that influence NMV use and can have an effect on
the pace and level of motorization. For example, Japan has witnessed major growth of bicycle use despite
increased motorization, through policies providing extensive bicycle paths, bicycle parking at rail stations, 8
and high fees for motor vehicle use. Denmark and the Netherlands have reversed the decline of bicycle use through similar policies. S ection E
China has for several decades offered commuter subsidies for those people bicycling to work, cultivated a
domestic bicycle manufacturing industry, and allocated extensive urban street space to NMV traffic. This
strategy reduced the growth of public transport subsidies while meeting most mobility needs. Bicycles have
largely replaced buses as the principle means of urban vehicular transport in Tianjin. Buses are generally
slower for the same trip made by bicycle. Today, 50 to 80 percent of urban vehicle trips in China are by
bicycle and average journey times in China's cities appear to be comparable to those of many other more
motorized Asian cities, with much more favorable consequences on the environment, petroleum
dependency, transport system costs, and traffic safety. Section F
Bicycles should be encouraged as the most efficient transport mode for short trips in cities of all types and
income levels, particularly for trips too long for walking and too short for express public transport services
or where travel demand or economics do not permit high frequency public transport services. Bicycles are
most important for personal transport, but also accommodate light goods hauling, being capable of carrying loads of 100 to 180 kg. Section G
Cycle-rickshaws are not as efficient as bicycles for personal transport, but should be encouraged as a
complementary mode to motorized goods transport and as a passenger transit mode, particularly in countries
where low wages and surplus labor are sustainable features of the economy. Where they are in use, they
should be accepted as a useful part of the transportation system rather than as a nuisance or a barrier to
transport system modernization. Even in high-income, motor-vehicle dependent cities, there are
opportunities for appropriate use of cycle rickshaws for short-distance movement of persons and goods and
as the basis for small businesses providing goods and services at dispersed locations. They find greatest
utility where slow modes of transport are allocated road space separate from motorized traffic, in
neighborhoods where the majority of people go from one place to another on foot or in central areas with
slow traffic speeds, in large factories and shopping districts, and areas where private automobiles are restricted.
For questions 1 – 5, choose the most suitable headings from sections B – F from the list of headings
below. Write the appropriate numbers (i-x) in boxes on your answer sheet. One example is provided.
NB: There are more headings than sections so you will not use all of them. You may use any of the headings more than once. List of headings (i)
Benefits of bicycle use: one country’s experience (ii)
Situations that best fit bicycle use (iii)
Factors working against NMV use (iv)
The disadvantages of cycle rickshaw use (v)
The continuing importance of NMVs in Asia (vi)
Subsidizing public transport use in China
(vii) Appropriate use of cycle rickshaws
(viii) Use of NMVs to reduce motorization in Europe (ix)
The role of policy in promoting bicycle use (x)
Integrated approach to urban transport Example: Section A v 1. Section B 3 9 2. Section C 10 3. Section D 9 4. Section E 1 5. Section F 2
For questions 6 – 10, complete the notes below. Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage
for each answer. Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet. CYCLE RICKSHAWS
Best in economies with (6)________________ and (7)________________ Best for:
- Transporting people and goods short distances
- Helping (8)________________ make widely separated deliveries Best where:
- Motorized and non-motorized traffic are separated
- Most people travel (9)________________ - Traffic is kept slow - There are large factories - There are shopping centers
- Limited use of (10)________________
SECTION D. WRITING (40pts)
Part 1: Rewrite the following sentences without changing their meaning, starting with the words given. (1.5pt/each)
1. He never thought of telling her.
 It never ___________________________________________________________.
2. I met some old friends by chance in the pub.
 I bumped ___________________________________________________________.
3. I don’t mind where the money goes as long as the people are the real beneficiaries
 It doesn’t ___________________________________________________________.
4. He is very good at cooking spaghetti.
 He is a dab ___________________________________________________________.
5. I’ll have to wait before I know whether he’ll keep his promise or not.
 It remains ___________________________________________________________.
Part 2: Rewrite the following sentences without changing their meaning, using the words given. These
words must not be changed in any way. (1.5pt/each)
1. Sally became known throughout the country as a result of her popular TV series. HOUSEHOLD
2. I treated him in the same way as he had treated me. PAID
3. There is a risk that the black rhino will become extinct. THREATENED
4. Andrew doesn’t claim to have a lot of musical talent. PRETENCE
5. He was finally able to adjust himself to the new working condition. SWING
Part 3: Write a PARAGRAPH of within 150 words to express your opinion on the topic. (25pts/each) KEY SECTION A. LISTENING Part 1: 1. C 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. B Part 2: 6. F 10 7. F 8. T 9. T 10. F Part 3 11. The Secret Garden 16. roses
12. (the) 20th/twentieth century 17. dark(ness) to light(ness) 13. walk 18. health 14. motivations/motivation 19. environment 15. abstract ideas 20. human companionship
SECTION B. LEXICO-GRAMMAR Part 1 1. A 6. C 11. D 16. C 2. D 7. C 12. A 17. B 3. C 8. D 13. A 18. B 4. B 9. A 14. D 19. D 5. C 10. B 15. A 20. A Part 2
1. are taken => taken/ which are taken (line 1) 6. all => both (line 8)
2. amount => number (line 2)
7. rises => raises (line 10)
3. some evidence => any evidence (line 3)
8. produce => to produce (line 11)
4. attracting => contracting (line 5)
9. Other => Another (line 12)
5. transmited => transmitted (line 6) 10. from => to (line 14) Part 3 11. out 17. down 12. into ăn mòn
18. out (of a sound) to be loud enough 13. up to
to block the sound of 14. out something else
15. about to begin to do something 19. up
or deal with something 20. up 16. over
it stops or improves Part 4 11. according 16. communicator 12. marketing 17. developments 13. conferences 18. seasonal 14. presentations 19. genuinely 15. creative 20. frustrating SECTION C. READING Part 1 1. A 6. C 11. B 2. D 7. A 12. C 3. B 8. C 13. C 4. C 9. D 14. C 5. B 10. B 15. B Part 2 1. only 6. protect 2. in 7. during 3. When 8. silk 4. into 9. together 5. their 10. understand Part 3 11 1. B 6. B 2. B 7. D 3. A 8. D 4. A 9. D 5. D 10. D Part 3 1. iii 6. low wages (in either order) 2. x
7. surplus labour (in either order) 3. ix 8. small businesses 4. i 9. on foot 5. ii 10. private automobiles SECTION D. WRITING Part 1
 It never occurred to him to tell her./ crossed his mind that he might tell her.
 I bumped into some old friends in the pub.
 It doesn’t matter where the money goes as long as the people are real beneficiaries .  He is a dab ha nd at cooking.
 It remains to be seen whether he’ll keep his promise or not. Part 2
1. Sally became a household name as a result of her popular TV series.
2. I paid him back in his own coin.
3. The black rhino is threatened with extinction.
4. Andrew makes no pretence of having a lot of musical talent.
5. He finally got into the swing of the new working condition. Part 3 Paragraph writing Suggested marking criteria: 1. Organization: (5 points)
- Paragraph has three parts (topic sentence, supporting sentences, concluding sentence) - The idea is parallel
2. Content, coherence and cohesion: (10 points)
- Topic sentence: consists of topic and controlling idea.
- Supporting sentences: support directly the main idea stated in the topic sentence and provide logical, persuasive examples.
- Concluding sentence: summarizes the main supporting ideas/ restates the topic sentence and give personal opinion.
- The communicating intentions are expressed sufficiently and effectively.
- Appropriate transition signals.
3. Language use and accuracy: (10 points)
- A variety of vocabulary and structures appropriate to the level of English language for upper-secondary school students.
- Good use and control of grammatical structures.
- Correct use of punctuation and spelling. - Legible handwriting.
Penalty mark: If the whole paragraph is off-topic, it gets no mark. Tapescripts Part 1 12 13 Part 3
You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an
English literature test. First you have some time to look at questions 11 to 20. 14
Listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 20
Tutor: Hello Lorna, Ian. Glad you could make it. You’re the only two who put your names down for this
literature tutorial so let’s get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret
Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to.
Ian: Hey Lorna, have you got a spare pen? Lorna: Sure, here you are.
Tutor: Okay, so, the story follows two key characters – you should refer to them as protagonists – who go
by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the twentieth
century, and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together.
Lorna: That’s quite a common storyline, isn’t it?
Tutor: Yes, you’re right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary?
Lorna: Well, in the beginning she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and
forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle’s house in Yorkshire.
Tutor: That’s right – and there she meets Colin who spends his days in an isolated room, believing himself
to be permanently crippled with no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk. The two strike up a friendship
and gradually learn – by encouraging each other – that they can both become healthy, happy and fulfilled in life.
Ian: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam?
Tutor: Just the basic outline. Examiners don’t want to read a plot summary – they know what the book is
about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view. Lorna: What’s that mean?
Tutor: It’s all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is
called an “omniscient narrator”. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers we get to see how all the
characters feel about things, what they like and don’t like, and what their motivations are in the story.
Ian: Won’t it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it’s a kids’ book.
Tutor: Well, it was initially pitched at adults you know, but over the years it has become seen as a more
youth-orientated work. And you’re right in a sense – the simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing
make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to
analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance.
Lorna: Symbols are things, right? Material things – like objects – that stand for abstract ideas.
Tutor: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There’s the robin redbreast, for example, which
symbolises the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt – note that the robin is described as “not at
all like the birds in India”. Roses are used as well – as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven – you’ll see
they’re always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven’s portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit.
Ian: Are symbols just another name for motifs?
Tutor: No, motifs are a bit different. They don’t have as direct a connection with something the way that a
symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood.
Lorna: Are there any in this novel?
Tutor: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection
with the garden of the story. And then you’ve got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning,
everything is steeped in secrecy, and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from
darkness to lightness, metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning
has the curtains drawn, and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden.
Ian: Anything else we need to know about?
Tutor: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced – things like love,
family, loneliness, friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all centre
on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be
determined by our outlook on life. As Colin’s health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and
possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional
prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists; the 15
garden and natural environments allow them to blossom, just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at
connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the
novel’s most significant theme – because none of their development as individuals would have occurred
without their knowing each other. Well, that about sums it up, I think.
Lorna: That’s a great help, thanks. Ian: Yes, thanks very much. Narrator:
That is the end of section 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers. 16