GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY PART 1 For questions 1-15, read the text below and then decide which word best fits each space. Circle the letter you choose. Use only one word in each space. A Ballooning Challenge For those people who go out in search of adventure, a long-distance flight in a hot-air balloon is a particularly exciting (1) Indeed, a round-the-world balloon trip is widely regarded as the (2) challenge. One well-known adventurer, David Hemplemann-Adams would not agree, however. Recently, he became the first man to (3) the North Pole in a hot-air balloon, a more significant (4) in his eyes. Given that the distance and altitudes (5) are comparatively modest, you might wonder why the trip from Canada to the Pole, should present such a challenge. Part of the (6) was that such a flight had not even been attempted for over a century. In those days, such expeditions were huge events, with a nation's pride (7) on their success, and so resources were (8) to them. Although he eventually managed to secure a substantial sponsorship (9) from an insurance company, Hemplemann-Adams had the added challenge of having to (10) sufficient funds for his trip. Then, of course, he had to face major survival concerns, such as predicting the weather (11) and coping with the dangerously low temperatures. But most challenging of all was the incredibly complex problem of navigation. As the earth's magnetic field gets stronger, only the most (12) of satellite-linked navigation systems can (13) that one has got to the Pole. Without them, the chances of getting anywhere near it are extremely (14) Not to mention an even greater problem that (15) on Hemplemann-Adams' mind: getting back! 1 A campaign B prospect C motion D engagement 2 A ultimate B extreme C utmost D eventual 3 A meet B reach C attain D fulfil 4 A recognition B acquisition C achievement D realisation 5 A engaged B regarded C involved D connected 6 A appeal B beauty C charm D allure 7 A leaning B resting C waiting D standing 8 A commended B confided C confirmed D committed 9 A bargain B purchase C transaction D deal 10 A elevate B lift C raise D build 11 A tendencies B conditions C circumstances D elements 12 A sophisticated B refined C cultured D educated Biên soạn: Trương Ngọc Thành – Trường THPT Chuyên Lê Quý Đôn – Khánh Hòa GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY 13 A approve B confirm C reinforce D support 14 A thin B slight C slim D tight 15 A pushed B stressed C pressed D weighed PART 2 Complete each space in the text with a word formed from the word in capitals. It's 8.30 at the headquarters of the Boogy Woogers dance group, a (1) REHEARSE studio in Geneva. Dancers of all shapes and sizes begin to tumble (2) ENERGY through the doors. Some begin lumbering up, others splinter off into groups to try out new moves. One woman, lost in her own (3) THINK sits with her headphones on, preparing for the punishing routines to follow. A long-haired man with a goatee beard puts a tape in the hi-fi, and rap music blares out of the (4) SPEAK Soon the room is alive with whirling, spinning bodies and (5) LAUGH fills the air. The Boogy Woogers are the brainchild of Tomas Seeler, who handpicked many of his troupe from local street dancers. Seeler's own (6) BACK was in gymnastics, but others come from the worlds of martial arts, bodybuilding and ballet. Many different (7) NATIONAL are represented in the group, including Chilean, Fijian and Senegalese dancers. The group has been performing all over Europe, most notably in Paris, where they became (8) NIGHT celebrities. Famous for their (9) CREATE and novel interpretations, the Boogy Woogers have made several (10) APPEAR on TV, and look set to remain the 'in' thing for mangy years to come. PART 3 For questions 1-15, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space. Science Fact and Science Fiction When writers attempt to anticipate the future, they often only succeed in providing an interpretation of the present. This (1) be seen in the fantasies produced by science fiction writers in the middle of the twentieth century. Almost nothing has turned (2) the way that these writers expected. Although they (3) manage to predict intelligent robots, they completely (4) to anticipate the development in communications technology that would make them possible. This (5) that science fiction written before 1980 now seems absurdly dated, and what strikes you most (6) the curious absence of personal computers, e-mail and the Internet. Science fiction writers, it seems, were remarkably (7) on the uptake when (8) came to grasping the extent to (9) the nature of communication would change. Instead, their focus was (10) much on rocket technology and space travel. For they (11) not to know that the lunar landings, so exciting at the time, would actually lead nowhere. There are no human colonies on the Moon, (12) alone on Mars and the idea that people might eventually populate the cosmos seems even (13) within the realms of possibility now than it did then, despite half a century of bewilderingly rapid technological progress. What's (14) , scientists have even begun Biên soạn: Trương Ngọc Thành – Trường THPT Chuyên Lê Quý Đôn – Khánh Hòa GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY to ridicule the notion, fundamental to much science fiction, that one day we just (15) encounter intelligent aliens. PART 4 For questions 1-6, read the following text and then choose from the list A-J given below the best phrase to fill each of the numbered spaces. Write one letter (A-J) in the space after the question number in the list below the passage. Each correct phrase may only be used once. Some of the suggested answers do not fit at all. The example begins with an example (0). The History of @ The universal symbol of Internet era communications, the @ sign used in e-mail addresses (0) , is actually a 500-year-old invention of Italian merchants, a Rome academic has revealed. Giorgio Stabile, a science professor at La Sapienza University, claims (1) of the symbol's use, as an indication of a measure of weight or volume. He says the sign represents an amphora, a measure of capacity based on the terracotta jars used (2) in the ancient Mediterranean world. The professor unearthed the ancient symbol in the course of research for a visual history of the 20th century, (3) The first known instance of its use, he says, occurred in a letter written by a Florentine merchant on May 4, 1536. He says the sign made its way along trade routes to northern Europe, where it came (4) , its contemporary accountancy meaning. Professor Stabile believes that Italian banks may possess even earlier documents bearing the symbol lying forgotten in their archives. 'The oldest example could be of great value. It could be used for publicity purposes and (5) ,' he says. The race is on between the mercantile world and the banking world (6) A to describe the now omnipresent squiggle B to represent 'at the price of' C to see who has the oldest documentation of @ D to transport grain and liquid E to save space and work F to be published by the Treccani Encyclopedia G to learn how popular it has become H to have stumbled on the earliest known example I to enhance the prestige of the institution that owned it J to signify the word 'at' (0) J PART 5 Put one suitable word in each space. Biên soạn: Trương Ngọc Thành – Trường THPT Chuyên Lê Quý Đôn – Khánh Hòa GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY Unlikely as it may seem, there has now been expert confirmation that wild pumas and lynxes are (1) large in parts of Britain, rather than being the figments (2) some wild imaginations. Previous sightings (3) such large cats had been put down (4) exaggeration. (5) all, the argument went, some people are prone (6) seeing flying saucers and Loch Ness monsters, particularly when (7) the influence of one drink too many. Some newspapers were suspected (8) having made (9) stories such as that of the Beast of Exmoor, an animal which is responsible (10) the deaths of hundreds of sheep over the past ten years. But experts have now come (11) with proof that such stories were (12) earnest after all. The animals are (13) all likelihood pets which have escaped (14) small zoos, or been abandoned (15) their owners. Because the keeping (16) such animals is severely restricted (17) the terms of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976, owners of unlicensed animals might not report an escape (18) fear of prosecution. Britain's only surviving native species, the wild cat, is confined (19) Scotland. After examining hair samples, experts now say that the beast of Exmoor in the South of England is (20) doubt a puma or lynx, both of which are normally native to the Middle East and Asia. PART 6 In each sentence four words or expressions are underlined. In each case one of the underlined parts contains a mistake. Choose the one your think is incorrect. 1. While on our tour (A) of the refinery, we saw (B) that both propane also (C) gasoline are by-products of crude oil (D). 2. After analyzing (A) the steep rise in profits (B) according to your explanation, we were convinced (C) that your analyses was correct (D). 3. Initially (A), your loan application sent (B) to the loan officer, who must check (C) your credit standing before (D) making any preliminary decision. 4. When we entering (A) Tokyo proper, we drove (B) right through a tunnel (C) that opened into (D) the Royal Gardens. 5. Dozens of (A) applicants showed up (B) for the position, but when it came time (C) to interview them, we could talk to only handful (D) . 6. After our discussion (A), we decided to take (B) a later flight and so (C) that we could spend more time (D) with the clients. 7. Having been to Barcelona twice himself (A), Bob told us (B) last week that aquatics sports (C) are becoming increasingly popular (D) there. 8. Because it was structurally unsafe (A) and too (B) expensive to repair, the 75 years old (C) building had to be demolished (D). 9. Standard Tires have (A) agreed to fund (B) any further research into (C) the manufacture of (D) latex. 10. My secretary will book you (A) an afternoon flight and has (B) you picked up (C) at the airport when you arrive (D) . Biên soạn: Trương Ngọc Thành – Trường THPT Chuyên Lê Quý Đôn – Khánh Hòa GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY ĐÁP ÁN - GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY PART 1 1 B prospect 2 A ultimate 3 B reach 4 C achievement 5 C involved 6 A appeal 7 B resting 8 D committed 9 D deal 10 C raise 11 B conditions 12 A sophisticated 13 B confirm 14 C slim 15 D weighed PART 2 (1) REHEARSE >> rehearsal (2) ENERGY >> energetically (3) THINK >> thoughts (4) SPEAK >> speakers (5) LAUGH laughters (6) BACK >> background (7) NATIONAL >> nationalities (8) NIGHT overnight (9) CREATE >> creative (10) APPEAR >> appearances PART 3 (1) can (2) out (3) did (4) failed (5) means (6) is (7) slow (8) it (9) which (10) very (11) were (12) let (13) less (14) more (15) might PART 4 (1) H (2) D (3) F (4) B (5) I Biên soạn: Trương Ngọc Thành – Trường THPT Chuyên Lê Quý Đôn – Khánh Hòa GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY (6) C PART 5 (1) at (2) of (3) of (4) to (5) after (6) to (7) under (8) of (9) up (10) for (11) up (12) in (13) in (14) from (15) by (16) of (17) under (18) for (19) to (20) without PART 6 1. also (C) 2. was correct (D). 3. sent (B) 4. When we entering (A) 5. only handful (D) . 6. and so (C) 7. that aquatics sports (C) 8. 75 years old (C) 9. have (A) 10. has (B) Biên soạn: Trương Ngọc Thành – Trường THPT Chuyên Lê Quý Đôn – Khánh Hòa . APPEAR on TV, and look set to remain the 'in' thing for mangy years to come. PART 3 For questions 1-15, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only. an interpretation of the present. This (1) be seen in the fantasies produced by science fiction writers in the middle of the twentieth century. Almost nothing has turned (2) the way that these. Khánh Hòa GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY 13 A approve B confirm C reinforce D support 14 A thin B slight C slim D tight 15 A pushed B stressed C pressed D weighed PART