Kì thi chọn đội tuyển chính thức dự thi HSG quốc gia lớp 12 THPT Đà Nẵng năm học 2020-2021 môn thi Tiếng Anh - Vòng 2 chính thức

SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO
KỲ T HI CHỌN ĐỘI TUYỂN HỌC SINH GIỎI QUỐC GIA
THÀNH PHỐ ĐÀ NẴNG NĂM HỌC 2017 -2018 Môn : TIẾNG ANH
Thời gian làm bài: 180 phút (không kể thời gian phát đề)
ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC VÒNG 2
Đề thi có 11 trang. Học sinh làm bài trên đề thi. Giám khảo 1 Giám khảo 2 Điểm bằng số Điểm bằng chữ Mã phách SECTION A: LISTENING (30 pts)
Part 1. You will hear an interview in which two young entrepreneurs - Chloe Price, who sells
skincare products online, and Martin Moore, who is a distributor of snack foods - are talking about
their work. Circle the answer (A, B or C), which fits best according to what you hear. (5 pts)
1. Chloe attributes her success as an entrepreneur to her
A. exposure to unconventional business concepts. B. willingness to take risks.
C. ability to benefit from experience.
D. natural flair for money management.
2. Chloe thinks the greatest benefit new technology has brought her is in
A. being able to promote her products through friends. B. encouraging interaction with consumers.
C. reducing her ongoing business expenditure.
D. enabling her to manage her time more effectively.
3. What does Martin say about finding work in the food industry?
A. It was a long-held ambition.
B. It was something he soon regretted. C. It happened by chance.
D. It followed naturally from his studies.
4. Martin’s choice of product to distribute was based on his belief that A. it was a quality item.
B. it was effectively marketed.
C. it was part of a well-established brand.
D. it was endorsed by famous people.
5. Both Chloe and Martin have been surprised by the importance in their work of
A. collaborative decision-making.
B. paying attention to detail.
C. securing sound financial backing.
D. a total commitment to the enterprise.
Part 2. You will hear a marine wildlife photographer called Bruce Hind talking about his work.
Decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F). (5 pts)
6. ………… Taking photos is the most difficult part of marine photography.
7. ………… Bruce is trying to rule out the creative side of photography.
8. ………… People often need to get permission to take photos of whales and dolphins.
9. ………… Bruce doesn’t feel at ease when he is at sea.
10. ………. Bruce thinks photos shown from magazines are more widely accepted by the public.
Part 3. Listen to a piece of VOA news about Croatia Voters Back Same-Sex Marriage Ban and fill in
the missing information. Complete each gap with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording. (10 pts)
Government proposals to (11)……………………………… rights for same-sex couples prompted the petition.
Around (12) …………………………… of a million people signed it - out of a total population of just over 4 million.
The Catholic Church is a (13)………………………………… of Croat identity - and many people are
(14)…………………………… .
The referendum is an enormous (15) ………………………………… for Croatia’s government. It tried - and
failed - (16) …………………………………the vote through the courts.
Success is (17) ………………………………… Croatia appeared to be moving in (18) …………………………………
to other western Balkan countries (19) ………………………………… the EU in July. Now, like its neighbours, Serbia
and Montenegro, it has a (20) ………………………………… on the same-sex marriage. Vòng 2- Trang 1 / 11
Part 4. You will hear a talk about Australian domestic travel. Listen and complete the following
sentences. Complete each of the following gaps with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. (10 pts)
Industries that benefit from tourism are transport, (21)………………………………, (22)……………………………… and
(23)……………………………… .
The state or territory in which the highest number of overnight trips was made was (24)…………………………… .
The state or territory in which the lowest number of overnight trips was made was (25)…………………………… .
People travelling from state to state spent more than those travelling (26)…………………………… .
The two cheapest states or territories to travel to were (27)………………………… and (28)………………………… .
The category of people who spent the most on travel in Australia in 2002 were (29)……………………………… .
The category who spent the most on souvenirs were (30)……………………………… .
SECTION B: VOCABULARY AND STRUCTURE (60 pts)
I. Fill the gaps in the following sentences with the correct answer A, B, C or D. (20 pts)
1. The desk was so ______ with papers that it was hard to find anything. A. burdened B. cluttered C. overrun D. muddled
2. What ______ the drought and the neglect, the garden is in a sad condition" A. if B. with C. about D. of
3. Fred says that his present job does not provide him with enough ______ for his organising ability. A. scope B. space C. capacity D. range
4. A few political extremists ______ the crowd to attack the police. A. animated B. agitated C. incited D. stirred
5. The contemporary dialogue for me struck a slightly ______ note. A. disembodied B. discordant C. dismissive D. disconcerting
6. At first the children enjoyed the game but quite soon the ______ wore off. A. invention B. advance C. novelty D. innovation
7. I’m not keen on ______ control of the project to a relative newcomer. A. undertaking B. charging C. entrusting D. allotting
8. The train ______ the bay and then turned inland for twenty miles. A. coasted B. skirted C. edged D. sided
9. Short skirts are in ______ now. A. popularity B. vogue C. trend D. craze
10. Cyclists should take care to ______ the potholes and bumps in the road. A. evade B. shirk C. dodge D. duck
11. I'm not sure if her sympathy was really ______. A. genuine B. normal C. authentic D. natural
12. None of her books really ______ itself to being made into a film. A. helps B. offers C. provides D. lends
13. The golf course is surrounded by hills and ______ some of the finest scenery in the country. A. prides B. scores C. acquires D. boasts
14. Rhys Williams was very convincing and his books did much to whet my ______ to visit the vast Soviet empire. A. appetite B. taste C. perception D. passion
15. Romantic artists ______ nature as wild and powerful. A. illustrated B. implied C. portrayed D. demonstrated
16. A search ______ was sent out to look for the missing climbers. A. party B. gang C. crowd D. pack
17. My father will ______ me off if I’m home late again. Vòng 2- Trang 2 / 11 A. drop B. tick C. check D. take
18. In the 1980s, the economy ______ and many small businesses failed. A. limited B. reduced C. condensed D. contracted
19. Derek resisted the ______ to eat any more cake. A. pressure B. motive C. force D. impulse
20. John was ______ at the office after securing the biggest customer their business had ever had. A. the man in the street B. the man of the hour C. a man of few words D. a man of the people Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
II. There are TEN mistakes in the passage below. FIND, UNDERLINE and CORRECT them. (10 pts) Answers
The earliest known drawings, which survives in the depths of caves in 0. survives → survive
Western Europe, dates back about 30,000 years. The fact that some __________ → __________
people crawled considerable distances along underground passages in __________ → __________
complete dark to create them is evidence enough that the production of __________ → __________
such pictures was an act of great importance for these artists. But what __________ → __________
was their purpose? Perhaps drawing was an essential part of the __________ → __________
ceremonials enacted to bring success in hunting. Perhaps the paintings __________ → __________
were intended not to bring about the death of the creatures portraying __________ → __________
but, on the contrary, to ensure its continued fertility so that the people __________ → __________
would have a good supply of meat. We cannot tell. One thing, however, is __________ → __________
certain. These drawings are amazingly assured, wonderfully accurate and __________ → __________
often breathtakingly beautiful. __________ → __________
This practice of painting images of animals on walls has continued __________ → __________
throughout our history. Five thousands years ago, when people in Egypt __________ → __________
began to build the world’s first cities, they too has inscribed animals on __________ → __________
their walls. There is no doubt about the function of at least some of these: __________ → __________
the Egyptians worshiped animals like gods. But they also delighted in the __________ → __________
natural beauty of the animals, adorning the walls of their underground __________ → __________
tombs with their pictures, because those in the next world would be __________ → __________
reminding of the beauties and delights of this one. __________ → __________
III. Complete each sentence with ONE suitable word. (10 pts)
1. They seemed to respect each other, and simply _______ to disagree.
2. The company laid off employees and cut expenses to the _______.
3. Investors are biding their _______, trying to figure out what the next successful stock will be.
4. His plans for opening a coffee shop are completely _______ board.
5. John saw Mary across the street, just a stone's _______ away.
6. We’ll see what the weather’s like and play it by _______.
7. When his parents are away, his eldest brother calls the _______.
8. Sharon is such a positive person – she makes _______ of her problems, whatever they are.
9. No one knows which of the candidates Joan will vote for. She's sitting on the _______.
10. She was on _______ nine when being offered the job. Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Vòng 2- Trang 3 / 11
IV. Use one verb in box A and one particle or preposition in box B to complete each of the
following sentences. Use the correct form of the verb. (10 pts) A B
tip get peel paper carry fly
up over at up through off
tide iron water make
over round down out
1. I wish you wouldn’t _______ _______ me like that every time I made a mistake.
2. We can _______ _______ the problem of space by building an extension.
3. He tried to _______ _______ the country’s deep-seated problems
4. The two countries met at the conference to _______ _______ their differences.
5. Could you lend me some money to _________ me _________ to the end of the month?
6. As I leant on the table, it _______ _______ and I fell over.
7. You need to _______ _______ the paper the top of the ice cream before you eat it.
8. If the juice is too strong for you, why don’t you _________ it _________?
9. Jill and I had a terrible row, but we soon _______ _______ .
10. The government’s totally committed to _______ _______ these reforms. Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
V. Read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the space of the passage. (10 pts)
Complaining can be used constructively, for example to draw attention to (0) inefficiency (EFFICIENT) but all
too often in western society. It consists of (1)________ (SOCIAL) moaning and groaning which leads to
(2)________ (TRUST) and unnecessary arguments within relationships.
So it is refreshing to live in a society where people do not complain. Kiribati consists of thirty-three small
islands, located in the Central Pacific. By western standards, the islanders’ diet is plain and (3)________
(TONE), but, thanks to plentiful fish, none of the islanders suffer from (4)________ (NUTRIENT). Feasts are
popular social occasions, but if the fish is (5)________ (DO) or the rice proves to be (6)________ (EAT),
nobody complains. Similarly, in restaurants, if the waiter brings the wrong dish or the bill is (7)________
(CALCULATE), the error is pointed out with a calm smile, not a surly frown. Ships frequently leave hours later
than scheduled, yet the passengers wait with none of the signs of impatience which would be loudly evident elsewhere.
Other traits of the Kiribati people complement this (8)________ (INCLINE) to complain. Teachers find it
difficult to get their pupils to answer questions in class because it is culturally unacceptable to show yourselves
to be better than those around you. Competition is not exactly frowned upon in this society, but it is
refreshingly (9)________ (CHARACTER). Western tennis stars, well-known for their immodest behaviour on
court, could learn a lot from one young (10)________ (FINAL) here who, despite being the better player,
deliberately lost the match as his opponent was an older and more respected, member of the village. Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Vòng 2- Trang 4 / 11
SECTION C: READING COMPREHENSION (40 pts)
I. Choose the word that best fits each space to complete the text. (10 pts)
GERARD MERCATOR: THE MAN WHO MAPPED THE PLANET
When Gerard Mercator was born in 1512, the geography of the globe still (0) ______ a mystery. It was unclear
whether America was part of Asia, if there was a vast (1) ______ of sea at the top of the world or if Australia was connected to Antarctica.
Mercator’s childhood was spent chiefly in Rupelmonde, a Flemish trading town on the river, and it was here
that his geographical imagination was (2) ______ by the ships which passed to and from the rest of the world.
Alongside imagination, he developed two very different skills. The first was the ability to gather, (3) ______
and co-ordinate the geographical information provided by explorers and sailors who frequented the margins of
the known. He also had to be able to imagine himself (4) ______ from the heavens, to achieve the visionary
(5) ______ of gods in the skies, (6) ______ down on the world. The main reason why Mercator’s name is
familiar to us is because of the Mercator Projection: the solution he (7) ______ to represent the spheroidal
surface of the globe on a two-dimensional plane. It is less well known that Mercator was the first man to
conceive of mapping the (8) ______ surface of the planet or that he (9) ______ the idea of multiple maps
being presented in bound books, to which he gave the name ‘Atlas’.
It is difficult for us now to be surprised by maps, so many are there, and of such detail and coverage, but we
should bear in mind that Mercator lived at a time when such knowledge was far from (10) ______. He was the
man who altered our worldview for ever. 0. A. remained B. continued C. maintained D. endured 1. A. territory B. distance C. range D. expanse 2. A. raised B. reared C. supplied D. nourished 3. A. congregate B. amass C. assimilate D. construct 4. A. suspended B. located C. situated D. attached 5. A. inspection B. observation C. perspective D. assessment 6. A. glimpsing B. scutinizing C. watching D. gazing 7. A. invented B. contrived C. devised D. schemed 8. A. sheer B. full C. entire D. utter 9. A. pioneered B. initiated C. led D. prepared 10. A. typical B. common C. routine D. normal Answers: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
II. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. (10 pts) FOOD FOR A FUTURE
Jon Wynne-Tyson was an original thinker (0)whose best-known book ‘Food for a Future’ was published in
1975. In this classic work, a case was put forward for what can only be described as a more responsible and
humane attitude towards the world’s food resources. It had gradually become clear to Wynne-Tyson that the
economics and ecology of meat production did not make (1)_______. What justification was
(2)_______, he argued, for using seven tonnes of cereal to produce one tonne of meat?
Even today, the book’s succinct style (3)_______ it compulsively readable. Although his approach is basically
an emotional one, Wynne Tyson goes to great lengths to (4)_______up his every statement with considerable
supporting evidence and statistical data. Thus, even (5)_______of us who are widely read (6)_______ the
subject of vegetarianism will gain fresh insights from this book. It is generally agreed that his most successful
achievement is the slow revelation of his main thesis as the arguments unfold. The book concludes that a
move away from an animal based diet to (7)_______ which is based on plant sources is inevitable in the long Vòng 2- Trang 5 / 11
term, in (8)_______of the fact that there is no sound nutritional, medical or social justification for meat eating.
(9)_______ of whether you agree with such a conclusion or not, the book certainly makes a fascinating (10)_______. Answers: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
III. The following reading passage has six paragraphs, A-F. Choose the correct heading for each
paragraph from the list of headings below. Write the correct number, i-viii, in blanks 1-6. (10 pts) LIST OF HEADINGS i The power within each studio ii
The movie industry adapts to innovation iii
Contrasts between cinema and other media of the time iv
The value of studying Hollywood's Golden Age v
Distinguishing themselves from the rest of the market vi
A double attack on film studios' power vii
Gaining control of the industry
viii The top movies of Hollywood's Golden Age 1. Paragraph A __________ 2. Paragraph B __________ 3. Paragraph C __________ 4. Paragraph D __________ 5. Paragraph E __________ 6. Paragraph F __________
THE HOLLYWOOD FILM INDUSTRY A
This chapter examines the ‘Golden Age’ of the Hollywood film studio system and explores how a
particular kind of filmmaking developed during this period in US film history. It also focuses on the two
key elements which influenced the emergence of the classic Hollywood studio system: the advent of
sound and the business ideal of vertical integration. In addition to its historical interest, inspecting the
growth of the studio system may offer clues regarding the kinds of struggles that accompany the growth
of any new medium. It might, in fact, be intriguing to examine which changes occurred during the
growth of the Hollywood studio, and compare those changes to contemporary struggles in which
production companies are trying to define and control emerging industries, such as online film and interactive television. B
The shift of the industry away from ‘silent’ films began during the late 1920s. Warner Bros.’ 1927 film
The Jazz Singer was the first to feature synchronized speech, and with it came a period of turmoil for the
industry. Studios now had proof that ‘talkie’ films would make them money, but the financial investment
this kind of filmmaking would require, from new camera equipment to new projection facilities, made the
studios hesitant to invest at first. In the end, the power of cinematic sound to both move audiences and
enhance the story persuaded studios that talkies were worth investing in. Overall, the use of sound in
film was well-received by audiences, but there were still many technical factors to consider. Although full
integration of sound into movies was complete by 1930, it would take somewhat longer for them to
regain their stylistic elegance and dexterity. The camera now had to be encased in a big, clumsy,
unmovable soundproof box. In addition, actors struggled, having to direct their speech to awkwardly-
hidden microphones in huge plants, telephones or even costumes. Vòng 2- Trang 6 / 11 C
Vertical integration is the other key component in the rise of the Hollywood studio system. The major
studios realized they could increase their profits by handling each stage of a film's life: production
(making the film), distribution (getting the film out to people) and exhibition (owning the theaters in
major cities where films were shown first). Five studios, 'The Big Five', worked to achieve vertical
integration through the late 1940s, owning vast real estate on which to construct elaborate sets. In
addition, these studios set the exact terms of films’ release dates and patterns. Warner Bros.,
Paramount, 20th Century Fox, MGM and RKO formed this exclusive club. ‘The Little Three’ studios -
Universal, Columbia and United Artists - also made pictures, but each lacked one of the crucial elements
of vertical integration. Together these eight companies operated as a mature oligopoly, essentially running the entire market. D
During the Golden Age, the studios were remarkably consistent and stable enterprises, due in large part
to long-term management heads - the infamous ‘movie moguls’ who ruled their kingdoms with iron fists.
At MGM, Warner Bros. and Columbia, the same men ran their studios for decades. The rise of the studio
system also hinges on the treatment of stars, who were constructed and exploited to suit a studio’s
image and schedule. Actors were bound up in seven-year contracts to a single studio, and the studio
boss generally held all the options. Stars could be loaned out to other production companies at any time.
Studio bosses could also force bad roles on actors, and manipulate every single detail of stars’ images
with their mammoth in-house publicity departments. Some have compared the Hollywood studio system
to a factory, and it is useful to remember that studios were out to make money first and art second. E
On the other hand, studios also had to cultivate flexibility, in addition to consistent factory output. Studio
heads realized that they couldn't make virtually the same film over and over again with the same cast of
stars and still expect to keep turning a profit. They also had to create product differentiation. Examining
how each production company tried to differentiate itself has led to loose characterizations of individual
studios' styles. MGM tended to put out a lot of all-star productions while Paramount excelled in comedy
and Warner Bros. developed a reputation for gritty social realism. 20th Century Fox forged the musical
and a great deal of prestige biographies, while Universal specialized in classic horror movies. F
In 1948, struggling independent movie producers and exhibitors finally triumphed in their battle against
the big studios’ monopolistic behavior. In the United States versus Paramount federal decree of that
year, the studios were ordered to give up their theaters in what is commonly referred to as ‘divestiture’ -
opening the market to smaller producers. This, coupled with the advent of television in the 1950s,
seriously compromised the studio system’s influence and profits. Hence, 1930 and 1948 are generally
considered bookends to Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Complete the summary below. Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer. THE HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Throughout its Golden Age, the Hollywood movie industry was controlled by a handful of studios. Using a
system known as (7)______________, the biggest studios not only made movies, but handled their
distribution and then finally showed them in their own theaters. These studios were often run by autocratic
bosses - men known as (8)______________, who often remained at the head of organisations for
(9)______________. However, the domination of the industry by the leading studios came to an end in 1948,
when they were forced to open the market to smaller producers - a process known as (10)______________. Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
IV. You are going to read the transcript of a series of interviews with ordinary people conducted
for the Have your say feature of a daily newspaper. Choose from the people (A - D). The people Vòng 2- Trang 7 / 11
may be chosen more than once. (10 pts)
Which person gives each of these opinions about the education system? Answers
The testing of very young people to determine their academic pedigree is unethical. 1. ____
The education system is designed in such a way as to unfairly favour people who have the 2. ____
money to invest in private education.
Students in countries where extra evening classes have to be attended are more prone to 3. ____
feeling the effects of extreme tiredness.
The policy of giving out higher grades is making a mockery of the entire testing system. 4. ____
The degree of difficulty of modern examinations is a lot lower than was the case for students 5. ____
sitting the same exams in the past.
Children are more likely to engage with what they are learning if technology is incorporated 6. ____
into the teaching methods used.
While our third level education system is well funded and very modern, we have neglected the 7. ____
primary level, where more investment is required.
Students should not have to overly exert themselves study - wise in the evenings as they must 8. ____
also have the opportunity to enjoy their youth.
While we are often quick to criticise the education system, most of us appreciate how fortunate 9. ____
we are in this country to have such a good one.
Many capable people are prevented from pursuing a third level education due to the financial 10. ____ constraints they are under.
HAVE YOUR SAY ... ON EDUCATION
Four ordinary people give their views on the country's educational system. A. EDWARD
The British Education system is fundamentally flawed in numerous ways. For a start, I believe the 11-
Plus exam is morally reprehensible. Children develop at different speeds, so to promote a situation where
we divide up our young so early based on their performance in one stupid test seems to me ridiculous.
Those who pass the 11-Plus are classed as success stories and they are expected to go on to do great
things academically speaking in what essentially becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. Meanwhile, at such a
young age, those who don't manage to pass are already being labelled as failures and are told to set
their sights low. This, sadly, also becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy - of the worst kind; if you expect to
perform poorly and are of a mindset to do so, you will effectively underperform - it is as good as
guaranteed. I see no reason why we have to set children up for a fall like this so early in life and divide
them up into a two-tier education system which provides the upper tier with a massive advantage over
the lower one. I mean, our society has enough class-based problems without manufacturing more. And
that brings me to my next criticism. I believe the education system in this country is biased towards the
privileged. Let’s face it, the best education is the one which money can buy. Fee-paying schools
consistently outperform schools in the state system, and only the wealthy can exploit the unfair
advantage enjoyed by students who attend these exclusive institutions. And if that wasn't bad enough -
as if ordinary working class people didn't face an uphill struggle already, if they do manage to make it
through to university, they are then expected to pay astronomical fees. In many cases, they are simply
priced out of a third-level education or are forced to take on a massive burden of debt to finance their
studies. Meanwhile, mummy's little Eton boy can have his pick of universities and cost is no barrier. It is
sad really just how unfair the whole system is. Vòng 2- Trang 8 / 11 B. ELEANOR
People often groan about the faults of our education system, but I think we just like to complain; my gut
feeling is that most people are actually only too aware of how lucky they are to have such a high quality
of formal education open to them for free all the way up to the end of secondary school. What we take
for granted - free education – is not something students from other parts of the world necessarily enjoy.
The standard of teaching in our schools is also second-to-none. Another thing which can't be said
everywhere. I mean, in Greece, for example, state school teachers are often so indifferent that students
are forced to attend extra study classes at night - the cost of which has to be borne by their parents. Not
alone is this a waste of money, it also eats into students' free time. The situation is similar in South Korea
- students have private lessons in the evenings to help them improve their state school grades, and
sometimes, between state school classes, private lessons and homework, there are literally not enough
hours in the day, leading to exhaustion and burnout in a worst- case scenario, and, even in the best one,
a significant reduction in the amount of leisure time available to pursue healthy activities and partake in
the kind of fun and games that should characterize youth. In Britain, we go to school from 9 a.m. until 4
p.m.; we have the evening to enjoy being young and that is how it should be; to quote a well-known
proverb, 'you're only young once' C. MICHELE
I think our education system still commands a lot of respect and I think many other countries are still
envious of the kinds of programmes we have in place, but I also worry that we are not investing enough
money into schools to enable them to keep up with the latest classroom innovations. I mean, sure, our
universities are state-of-the-art, but the formative years are the most important of all, and, as far as
education is concerned, this means that it would be wise to invest more in the facilities and resources of
primary schools where young children will reap the benefits. Technologically speaking, I would say a lot
of our schools are behind the rest of the developed world. In Japan, for example, every classroom has at
least one computer, as well as a projector screen and a number of other technology-driven interactive
tools. It is vital, in this, the information age, that we introduce kids to technology as early as possible,
and that's why I strongly feel that there is now a greater need than ever to kit out our primary schools
with the latest gadgets. Besides, the children of the information age are becoming so accustomed to
using technology in the other areas of their lives that they will more likely respond well to technology-
based lessons than the traditional kind, which will ultimately see them learning more effectively,
engaging more genuinely and developing more speedily. D. ALAN
I have a problem with the testing mechanisms used today. I mean, if you look at the statistics for the
exams every year, there is one striking pattern; more and more people are getting As; the nation's
results on average are getting better and better year- on-year. So, that means one of two things: either
students today are smarter than ever before, or their examinations are watered down and do not
represent a fair test. I personally believe the latter is true and I am incensed that this is being allowed to
happen. In ten or fifteen years' time, it will have gotten to the stage where an A is meaningless if this
continues. In order for the education system to be taken seriously, it is vital, therefore, that a complete
overhaul of the examination system takes place and that we return to a situation where examinations
offer a meaningful challenge and a true test of ability. That way, when a child receives an A, his or her
achievement will feel genuine; it will have been earned and the child concerned will have the right to feel
very proud of themselves. The problem is, in this country, we have forgotten that there is absolutely no
shame in getting a B, or a C or D grade for that matter. Provided we do our best that is always good
enough. But, in this politically correct world gone - mad of ours, assessors seem to think the only way
forward is to give more and more of us the best grades, devaluing the grading system completely. It is Vòng 2- Trang 9 / 11
as though they don't think we could take it if we got anything less than an A; as though we should all
somehow be perfect students. The problem with that is that it is just not realistic, and, when you set
unrealistic objectives, the only way to achieve them is to 'play' with the figures to manufacture the right results. SECTION D: WRITING (30 pts)
I. Complete each of the following sentences in such a way that it is closest in meaning to the one
printed before it. Use the word given. (10 pts) 1.
We would always take great care when flying at night. WITS
We used to ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… . 2.
You have to tell the truth and acknowledge the corruption built into this system! SPADE
You have to …………………………………………… and acknowledge the corruption built into this system! 3.
I am fed up with his behaviour. ENOUGH
I have ……………………………………………………………………………… . 4.
You have to use logic and lateral thinking in equal measure in this job. STRIKE
You have to ………………………………………………………… logic and lateral thinking in this job. 5.
It’s not like her to behave like that as she’s normally very calm. KEEPING
Her behaviour ………………………………………………………… her normally calm nature. 6.
She’s not very good at arranging flowers. FLAIR
She ………………………………………………………… arranging flowers. 7.
The handling of the matter has been heavily criticized by the press. SCORN
The press has ………………………………………………………… the handling of the matter. 8.
Students at the school are not allowed to go into the Rain Bow Disco. BOUNDS
The Rain Bow Disco …………………………………………………………………………………… . 9.
I wish he wouldn’t keep asking me about my personal life. PRYING
I wish he wouldn’t …………………………………………………………………………………… .
10. She said it was none of my business. NOTHING
She said …………………………………………………………………………………… .
II. GRAPH WRITING (20 pts)
The chart below shows the amount of leisure time enjoyed by men and women of different employment
status. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
You should write at least 150 words.
leisure time in a typical week: by sex and
employment status: 1998- 1999 100 e 80 mit e 60 ursiel Males of 40 s Females our H 20 0
Employed full Employed part Unemployed Retired Housewives time time
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