PASSAGE 1
It is estimated that about 200 million people who use the Internet computer network around the world. The Internet allows people to work at home instead of traveling to work.
The Internet allows businesses to communicate with customers and workers in any part of the world for the cost of a local telephone call. Email allows users to send documents, pictures and other data from one part of the world to another in at least 5 minutes. People can use the Internet to do shopping. This saves a lot of time. It is possible to use the Internet for education – students may connect with their teachers from home to send or receive email or talk their problems through “on-line” rather than attend a class.
1. The Internet allows people _____.
A. to stay at home and rest B. not to work C. to travel to work D. to work at home 2. To a business, the Internet is _____ to communicate with customers.
A. a cheap way B. a very expensive way
C. an inconvenient way D. a difficult way 3. Email can be used to send _____.
A. documents B. information C. data D. all are correct 4. Shopping on the Internet ______.
A. is expensive B. saves a lot of time
C. is difficult D. is surprising
5. To use the Internet for education is _____.
A. impossible B. possible C. inconvenient D. difficult PASSAGE 2
Malaysia is one of the countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is divided into two regions, known as West Malaysia and East Malaysia. The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. The population in 2001 was over 22 million. Islam is the country’s official religion. In addition, there are other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. The national language is Bahasa Malaysia. English, Chinese, and Tamil are also widely spoken. Bahasa Malaysia is the primary language of instruction in all secondary schools, although some students may continue learning in Chinese or Tamil.
1. How many regions is Malaysia divided into?
A. 3 B. 2 C. 5 D. 6
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2. What is the capital of Malaysia?
A. ASEAN B. West Malaysia C. Kuala Lumpur D. Islam 3. In which year did Malaysia have a population of over 22 million?
A. 2001 B. 2005 C. 2006 D. 2000
4. What is the national language of Malaysia?
A. Buddhism and Hinduism B. Bahasa Malaysia C. English, Chinese, and Tamil D. Islam
5. What is the official religion of Malaysia?
A. Islam B. Buddhism C. Hinduism D. Tamil PASSAGE 3
If you are the type of person who loves to meet many different people from different cultures and social status, then the city life is better for you. The city is where people from all different background and status come to work and live because everything is so centralized in the city. The city's population is also more concentrated, so you also have a higher chance of meeting people. In the country, the distance between other people is harder, so it is less convenient to meet other people. Hence, if you want a busy social life, the city is better.
If you have asthma or you are really sensitive to pollution, then the country lifestyle is best for you. In the country there is much less pollution because there are less cars, traffic and industrial plants in the country. There are also more trees, rivers and other natural scenery. If you want your kids to run around in open and safe environments, then the country is also much better.
You should live in the city if ______.
23you have asthma
24you have problems with breathing diseases 25you want to meet people from social status
26you want your children to run around in open environments The country life is better for you if ______.
23you love to meet people from different cultures 24you want a busy social life
25you would like to work for international companies 26you are really sensitive to pollution
There is much less pollution in the country than in the city because ______.
23everything is so centralized in the city.
24there are not as many cars in the country as in the city 25the distance between other people is harder
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D. there are much more trees in the city
4. The word “plants” in the passage means ______.
A. factories B. trees C. buildingsD. restaurants
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
23The population in the city is concentrated.
24You have higher opportunities of meeting people in the city.
25There is more traffic in the country than in the city.
26The environment in the country is safer than in the city.
PASSAGE 4
Nha Trang is one of the most important tourist hubs of Viet Nam, thanks to its beautiful beaches with fine and clean sand and the clear ocean water with mild temperatures all year round. There are several resorts - such as Vinpearl, Diamond Bay and Ana Mandara - and amusement and water parks, both in the city and on islands off the coast. The possibly most beautiful street of Nha Trang is Tran Phu Street along the seaside, sometimes referred to as the Pacific Coast Highway of Viet Nam.
Lying off Nha Trang is the Hon Tre Island (Bamboo Island), with a major resort operated by the Vinpearl Group. The Vinpearl Cable Car, a gondola lift system, links the mainland to the five-star resort and theme park on Hon Tre Island.
Why is Nha Trang one of the most important tourist hubs in Viet Nam?
23Because it has clean beaches and clear sand.
24Because it has clear ocean and beautiful sand.
25Because it has beautiful beaches and clear ocean water.
26Because it has clear beaches and beautiful temperatures.
Diamond Bay is the name of a/an ______.
A. resort B. amusement park
C. island D. water park
3. Where are resorts and parks?
A. in the city only B. in the city and on islands C. on islands only D. on islands and off the coast 4. The Pacific Coast Highway of Viet Nam refers to ______ in Nha Trang.
A. Hon Tre Island B. Vinpearl Group C. Ana Mandara Resort D. Tran Phu Street 5. The Vinpearl Cable Car is a ______.
A. five-star resort B. gondola lift system C. theme park D. mainland link
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PASSAGE 5
Hari Raya Puasa is an important celebration in the Muslim calendar. The word
“Hari Raya” means “a day of celebration”. Many people mistake Hari Raya Puasa for the Muslim New Year but it is not. In actual fact, Hari Raya Puasa is a festival celebrated by the Muslims to mark the end of the one-month fasting.
Prior to Hari Raya Puasa, the Muslims fast for a one-month period. This is known as Ramadan. The fasting time begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. Everyone, including young children, has to fast. Only the sick are excused from fasting.
For this special occasion, the Muslims buy new clothes, give their homes a new coat of paint and buy new furniture. On the morning of Hari Raya Puasa, the Muslims wear their new clothes to the mosque to pray and offer thanks to their God. Then they will seek forgiveness from their elders before visiting friends and relatives.
Unmarried children will receive money placed in green packets fromt their elders. Many delicious dishes will also be served for this special occasion.
1. Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated by the Muslims so as to ______.
A. fast for a month B. mark the end of fasting for a month
C. welcome the Muslim New Year D. wait for the sunrise
2. Muslims eat ______ during Ramadam.
A. when they are hungry B. after sunrise and before sunset
C. before sunrise and after sunset D. only one meal
3. Only ______ are excused from fasting.
A. ill people B. elderly people
C. young children D. pregnant women
Muslims go to the mosque to ______ on the morning of Hari Raya Puasa before visiting their relatives and friends.
23pray to their parents 24purchase food and drinks
25buy clothes for themselves and family members 26pray and offer thanks to their God
The children are the happiest lot during Hari Raya Puasa probably because they ______.
A. can seek forgiveness for being naughty B. have food to eat
C. get a new home D. receive money from their elders
PASSAGE 6
In the United States, people celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. On this occasion, mother usually receives
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greeting cards and gifts from her husband and children. The best gift of all for an American Mom is a day of leisure. The majority of American mothers have outside jobs as well as housework, so their working days are often very hard. The working mother enjoys the traditional Mother’s Day custom of breakfast (or brunch) cooked by her family and served to her on a tray in bed. Later in the day, it is also traditional for the extended family group to get together for dinner, either in a restaurant or in one of their homes. Flowers are an important part of Mother’s Day. Mothers are often given a corsage or plant for the occasion, particularly if they are elderly.
Father’s Day is celebrated throughout the United States and Canada on the third Sunday in June. The holiday customs are similar to Mother’s Day. Dad also receives greeting cards and gifts from his family and enjoys a day of leisure.
1. According to the passage, where do people celebrate Father’s Day?
A. In Viet Nam B. In the USA
C. In many countries D. In the USA and Canada 2. When is Mother’s Day celebrated?
A. On the second Sunday in May B. On the third Sunday in June
C. On October 20th D. On March 8th
Why are the working days of most American mothers often very hard?
23Because they have to do all the housework.
24Because they have outside jobs.
25Because they receive greeting cards and gifts.
26Because they have outside jobs as well as housework.
What is the best gift for a mother on Mother’s Day?
A. A corsage or plant B. A flower C. A day of leisure D. A greeting card
Which of the following can’t be mentioned from the passage.
23 Mothers are often given greeting cards and flowers for the Mother’s Day, particularly if they are elderly.
24Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.
25It is also traditional for the extended family group to get together for dinner.
26Flowers are an important part of Mother’s Day.
LEVEL A2 PASSAGE 1
Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft, the world’s largest PC software company. He is among the richest people in the world. Bill Gates’ interest in computers started when he was a teenager. After high school, he was accepted to several top colleges in the USA: Harvard,
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Yale, and Princeton. He chose to go to Harvard to study law. At Harvard, he focused more on his interest in computer than on coursework. He often relaxed by playing video games in Harvard’s computer lab. He left Harvard before graduating because he wanted to open a software company with his friend Paul Allen. However, he later said, “I don’t think dropping out is a good idea.” In 2007, he received an honorary degree from Harvard. He began his speech by saying this to his father in the audience. “I’ve been waiting more than 30 years to say this: Dad, I always told you I’d come back and get my degree.” Bill Gates is no longer working full time for Microsoft. He is now, with his wife, running The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which aims to improve healthcare, reduce poverty, and promote education around the world
1. When did Bill Gates first develop his interest in computers?
A. During his teenage years B. When he went to university C. When he was at nursery school D. When he left Harvard 2. What did he study at Harvard University?
A. Computer science B. Law
C. Business D. Marketing
3. What did he often do to relax while at Harvard?
A. Playing sports B. Going to parties
C. Playing video games D. Reading books
Why did he leave university?
23He wanted to study another university.
24He wanted to open a software company with his friend Paul Allen.
25He thought that dropping out was a good idea.
26He didn’t want to study university anymore.
What did he receive from Harvard in 2007?
A. A job B. A company
C. A certificate D. An honorary degree
6. Bill Gates started his talk at Havard by saying something to his______
A. wife B. father C. daughter D. son
7. What is the purpose of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation?
A. Improving healthcare B. Reducing poverty C. Promoting education D.A,B&D
PASSAGE 2
Many people now think that teachers give pupils too much homework. They say that it is unnecessary for children to work at home in their free time. Moreover, they argue that most
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teachers do not properly plan the homework tasks they give to pupils. The result is that pupils have to repeat tasks, which they have already done at school.
Recently many parents complained about the difficult homework which teachers gave to their children. The Greek parents said that most of the homework was a waste of time, and they wanted to stop it. Spain and Turkey are two countries, which stopped homework recently. In Denmark, West Germany and several other countries in Europe, teachers cannot set homework at weekends. In Holland, teachers allow pupils to stay at school to do their homework. The children are free to help one another. Similar arrangements also exist in some British schools.
Most people agree that homework is unfair. A pupil who can do his homework in a quiet and comfortable room is in a much better position than a pupil who does his homework in a small, noisy room with the television on. Some parents help their children with their homework. Other parents take no interest at all in their children’s homework.
It is important, however, that teachers talk to parents about homework. A teacher suggests suitable tasks for parents to do with their children. Parents are often better at teaching their own children.
According to the writer, many parents would like their children to_____. A. do more difficult homework
B. do homework both at school and at home C. have test homework D. do homework at school only According to many parents, _____.
A. a lot of homework has not been planned properly B. children are too lazy to do
C. teachers do not set enough homework.
D. children shouldn’t be given marks for homework 3. Greek parents thought ______.
A. more time should be allowed for homework B. their children’s homework was useful
C. their children’s homework was useless D. their children’s homework was too easy
4. In some countries, especially in Europe _____.
A. teachers cannot have their children do homework at weekends B.
few people think homework to children only at weekends
C. most people agree that it is fair to have children do homework at home D. teachers are allowed to give children homework only at weekends
5. Pupils from ______ didn’t need to do homework recently.
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A. Spain and Turkey C. England
6. Homework is unfair because _____.
B. Denmark D. Germany
A. Some pupils do their homework in a quiet and comfortable room while some others do homework in a small, noisy room
B. Some parents help their children with their homework while some others do not C. Some pupils have to help their parents with housework and some others do not D. A&B
7. Pick out the statement that is not true.
A. Teachers should advise the parents about how to work together with their children at home.
B. Only a small number of people think homework is fair.
C. All parents show great interest in their children’s homework.
D. Children can do their homework at school and help each other in some schools in Britain.
PASSAGE 3
In order to stay healthy it is important to have a balanced diet. We should eat enough three main groups of food. These groups are protein, carbohydrate, and fat.
Proteins are very important for building our body. They help us to build new cells as old ones die. Meat and milk products are major sources of protein.
We can also get protein from fish, eggs and beans.
Carbohydrate and fat are important to enable us to store energy. Carbohydrates are found in sugar and in cereals. Fat can be found in vegetable oil, in butter and in nuts.
Our body also needs minerals, such as iron and calcium, and vitamins. Fish, vegetables and milk contain most of the minerals we need. Vitamins are found in fresh vegetables and fruit. 1. According to the passage, a balanced diet _____.
A. is needed for good health B. contains lot of fruit and vegetables C. is rich in minerals and vitamins D. is high in protein
2. Proteins _____.
A. can only be found in meat B. help our body to build new cells C. produce meat and milk D. can be gotten from rice 3. We can get protein from _____.
A. only meat B. sugar, meat and beans
C. meat, milk, fish, eggs, and beans D. new cells 4. We can get fat from _____.
A. cereals B. sugar C. butter D. vegetables
5. Carbohydrates _____.
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A. allow the body to store energy B. are not found in rice and cornmeal
C. supply a lot of protein D. can be found in vegetable oil
6. We can get minerals from _____.
A. Fish B. Vegetables C. Milk D. A, B&C
Which of the following is not true? A. It’s important to eat a balanced died. B. Fish contain both protein and mineral.
C. Iron and calcium are also essential for good health. D. Vitamins are not necessary for our body.
PASSAGE 4
These days, most people in Britain and the US do not wear very formal clothes.
But sometimes it is important to wear the right thing. Many British people don't think about clothes very much. They just like to be comfortable. When they go out to enjoy themselves, they can wear almost anything. At theatres, cinemas and concerts you can put on what you like from elegant suits and dresses to jeans and sweaters. Anything goes, as long as you look clean and tidy.
But in Britain, as well as in the US, men in offices usually wear suits and ties, and women wear dresses or skirts (not trousers). Doctors, lawyers and business people wear quite formal clothes. And in some hotels and restaurants men have to wear ties and women wear smart dresses.
In many years, Americans are more relaxed than British people, but they are more careful with their clothes. At home, or on holiday, most Americans wear informal or sporty clothes. But when they go out in the evening, they like to look elegant. In good hotels and restaurants, men have to wear jackets and ties, and women wear pretty clothes and smart hairstyles.
It is difficult to say exactly what people wear informal or formal in Britain and the US, because everyone is different. If you are not sure what to wear, watch what other people do and then do the same. You'll feel more relaxed if you don't look too different from everyone else.
1. Many British people wear freely when they_____
A. attend lectures B. attend meetings
C. spend their spare time D. work in offices
2. Who doesn’t usually wear suits and ties?
A. lawyers B. doctors
C. drivers D. businessmen
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If you visit an American friend at home in the evening, you may find that your friend wears_____.
A. pretty clothes B. formal clothes C. dirty clothes D. informal clothes
4. If you are in a foreign country, the best way the writer suggests to you is to wear A. strange clothes B. as the people there do
C. your native clothes D. comfortable clothes 5. The word “they” in paragraph 3 refers to ______.
A. American peple B. British people
C. men D. women
6. The word “elegant” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to _______.
A. Decent B. confident C. comfortable D. neat 7. What do you think the passage is mainly about?
A. Recent dressing habits in Great Britain and the United States.
B. The reason why informal clothing is popular in the UK and USA.
C. When we should wear in a formal way.
D. Where we should wear in a informal way.
PASSAGE 5
Most Americans look forward to their vacation. Most American employees receive an annual vacation with pay, and it is traditional to use this time off for travel.
Travelling within the United States is very popular because foreign travel generally takes more time and money. Every year about thirteen million people travel abroad. The most popular periods are during the summer and the two-week school break on Christmas and New Year holidays. These periods are also the most crowded and the most expensive time to travel, so people who can adjust their schedules sometimes choose to travel in the autumn.
American tourists often travel by car. Most families own a car, and those who do not have a car can rent one. Cars are usually the most economical way to travel, especially for families. It is also fairly fast and convenient. Excellent highway with motels and restaurants nearby connect the nation’s major cities. They enable tourists to travel at a speed of 55 to 66 miles an hour. Tourists that want to travel faster often fly to their destination and then rent a car when they get there.
According to the writer _____. A.
Americans have no vacations B.