BQ GIAO Dl,JC VA DAO T "- KY THI CHQN HQC SINH GIO!

QUOC GIA
0
TR UNG HQC PHO THONG
DE THI CHfNH TH(rc NAM HQC 2023 - 2024

M6n thi:
Tlf=NG ANH
Th&igian: s6 PHACH
180 phut (khOng k tho-i gian giao C, )
Ngaythi:
05/01/2024
Dd thi gdm c6 12 trang

• Thi sinh KH6NG <1uvc SU' dt,mg ta/ li u. k ca til c1i n.

• Gi m thi KH6NG giai thfch gl tMm .

,.LISTENING (5.0 points)

• The listening section is in FOUR parts. You will hear each part TWICE. At the beginning of each part,
you will hear a sound.
• There will be a piece of music at the beginning and at the end of the listening section. You will have
TWO minutes to check your answers at the end of the listening section.
• . All the other instructions are included in the recording.
Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to part of an Interview about brands of goods, and decide whether each
of the following statements Is True (T), False (F), or Not Given (NG) according to what you hear. Write T,
F, or NG in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
1. The interviewer disagrees that the obsession with brands these days is greater than it used to be.
2. According to Bill, consumers are so keen on brand names because they reflect societal levels.
3. Bill suggests that brands give consumers a sense of identity which society can no longer provide.
4. In Bill's opinion, the particular item people buy reveals something about their role models.
5. Bill says that big global brands are required by consumers to affirm the identity of their country.
Your answers:

11. 12. J 3. 14. 1 s.

Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to part of a talk about sushi and answer the following questions. Write NO
MORE THAN TWO WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the spaces provided.
6. Wrth which did farmers in China pack the fish under weights?

7. What was used to make the rice sour without waiting for it to ferment?

8. What did the invention of nori lead to?

9. What ingredient in the Philly roll is said to be atypical of Japanese?

10. What word does the speaker use to refer to Americans' feeling about seaweed?

Page 1 of 12 pages
Tiny Scanner
 discussing paparazzl's roles In society
I M8 rty and Lauren, t t .
Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to two peop e,
and write the letter A, B, C, or D In the numbered boxes P rovtded to indicate the coffee answer o each of
the following questions according to what you hear.
11. How does Lauren feel about pa_parazzi? erated.
A. Their fundamental role in enriching our culture has bee_nexagg Diana'sdeath.
B. Despite their infamy, they are not entirely to blame for princess. actresses.
C. Their misdeeds have led to immeasurable harm to up-and-coming tons
D. For all their dark side, they have contributed to sales of many publica 1 •
12. What point does Marty make about the public and paparazzi?
A. The public bizarre taste is satiated by paparazzi's photos.
B. The public accuse paparazzi of stealing moments from their idols..
C. Paparazzi's works ofter the public a new perspective to celebrities' lives.
D. The public love the human look paparazzi add to the photos of celebrities.
13. What does Marty say about paparazzi's photos?
A. Those that capture gorgeous moments are few and far between.
--- B. The photos of celebrities in a messy, unintentional style are substandard.-- - -- ·--
C. Those that he saw in tabloid magazines are more pleasant to look at.
D. Most of the photos were taken with poor technical skills.
14. Which of the following is NOT stated by Lauren about paparazzi?
A Many photographers try to emulate paparazzi's photos, in essence.
B. The results of paparazzi's and photographers' work are often very similar.
C. Paparazzi's ski/ls are admirable, though they are developed from dishonesty.
D. Paparazzi have their own dark side, which devalues the benefits they offer.
15. What is Marty's attitude towards placing limitations on
paparazzi? A He is ambivalent about any physically imposed
limitations.
8. He is pleased now that paparazzi cannot act without restraint.
C. He finds it unfair as he is heavily influenced by their works.
D. He wishes there was a task force to deal with this issue.
Your answers:

1 1_1. 11_2_. ._l_1_3. .._1l_4. 1s_............................ I

_.

Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to part of a talk about fibre optic cables, and complete the following
summary. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS taken from the recording for each blank. Write your answers
in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
Nearly all the transboundary (16) is largely facilitated by a few hundred fibre optic cables under
the sea. It is similar to the way people in a country are connected to one another. Though each cable is only the size
of a(n) (17) , together these cables are considered the essence of the Internet. Being shielded against
ocean water with Vaseline - a common name for (18) , the cables are vulnerable to earthquakes and
sometimes, attacks from (19) .I ns o m e places, they go as deep underwater as Mount Everest is
high.
The daring and even unthinkable process of making the Internet the global network involves embedding
the cable in a(n) (20) i nth e seabed and let it be buried by sand in a natural way thanks to the ocean
currents, which is said to be shockingly easy yet (21)
sophisticated, and is considered (22) _ Underwater "submarine cables" were an obvious
next step following the success of electric telegraphs across numerous cities attributed to the system of (23)
_
Despite having one of the first cables knocked out of commission by a fishing boat, undersea cables came
(24) reaching around the Atlantic by 1858 and then across the world. Though now the Internet can
be beamed from mobile phone towers or (25) and balloons powered by Google, undersea cables are
still the best choice of international corporates for speedy transcontinental information transmission.
Your answers:

16. 17.
18. 19.
20. 21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

Tiny Scanner
Page 2 of 12 pages

Tiny Scanner
 11. LEXICO-GRAMMAR {2.0 points)
part 1. For questions 26-35, write the lett A
correct answer to each of the f<ollowl er ' B, C, or D In the numbered boxes provided to Indicate the
. ng questions.
26. As the aircraft approached the airfield th 1
on the runway. ' e P1 ot began lo lower the altitude and to make a smooth landing
A throttle down B ch t
27. After Lucas' dreadful accident,
. • his urnfellow
ou workers were w1lhngC: blast off
to help him knuckle
. forD.which under
he was really grateful
A. aII w ays possible B in any wa y c .
· in some ways possibly 0. any ways possibly
•
28 T h ose h . • .
poss1·ble
• . avmg the --- are more hkely to escape unharmed from hazardous situations
A period piece B. corn circle C. horse sense D. co,.;,mon touch
29 -dRecent research suggests that, contrary to popular opinion, muscular performance by lactate production
unng exercise. ---
_A . i s actu lfy impr ved B. should actually improve C. will actually improve D. be actually improved
30. Elizabeth s father 1s a duke, so she undoubtedly has blood flowing through her veins.
A blue B. red C. green D. brown
--- 1. Under the pressure coming from the post-pandemic economic crisis, banks are increasing mortgage rates
higher property rentals-. ·
A. like signifying B. likely signifying C. which likely signifies D. to likely signify
32. The news of the earthquake in their homeland hit the expatriates _, causing them to be in a complete daze.
A begrudgingly B. forcibly c. ravishingly D. crushingly
33. The ternble weather in Sapa spoiled what a perfect family vacation during the festive
season. A would other than that would be B. would just as soon be
C. would otherwise have been D. had better would have been
34. David, young real estate agent, is making another sale this month! He's really !
A throwing a fit B. batting a thousand C. waving the flag 0. circling the wagons
35. In the end, Josh admitted having made the mistake, in a somewhat arrogant manner.
A albeit B. whereupon C. inasmuch as D. insofar as
Your answers:
I 26. 127. 128. 129. 130.
33. 34. 35.
Part 2. For questions 36-40, write the correct form of each bracketed word in the numbered space
provided in the column on the right to complete the passage. The first one has been done as an example.
The word 'security' has both positive and (NEGATE) connotations. Most of us would Your answers:
say that we crave security for all its positive virtues, both physical and psychological - its
(36. EVOKE) of the safety of home, of undying love, or of freedom from need. More E.g. negative
negatively, the word nowadays conjures up images of that huge industry which has
developed to protect individuals and property from invasion by 'outsiders', ostensibly 36. _
malicious and intent on theft or (37. WILL) damage.
Increasingly, because they are situated in urban areas of escalating crime, those 37. _
buildings which used to allow free access to employees and other users (buildings such as
offices, schools, colleges, or hospitals) now do not. (38. ENTER) areas which in another 38. _
age were called 'Reception' are now manned by security staff. Receptionists, whose task
was to receive visitors and to make them welcome before passing them on to the person 39
they had come to see, have been supplanted by those whose task is to bar access •---------------------
to the (39. AUTHORITY), the unwanted, or the plain unappealing. Inside, these buildings
are divided into 'secure zones' which often have all the (40. TRAP) of combination locks 4o---------------------
and
burglar alarms.
Part 3. The passage below contains 05 grammatical mistakes. For questions 41-45, UNDERLINE the
mistakes and WRITE YOUR CORRECTIONS in the numbered space provided in the column on the right The
first one has been done as an example.
Caffeine, !! any other drug, can potentially have a disastrous effect on your developing Your answers:
brain and body. The parts of the brain that are in charge of higher functions including the E.g. as like
prefrontal cortex and the temporal lobe and, at a young age, these areas are still being
developed and refined. The reason that caffeine makes you feel alert and less sleepy is 41
because it blocks the action of adenosine, the brain chemical which controls your sleep
patterns, and increases adrenaline production, speeds your metabolism. So, get out of the
habit of slamming down too many of those high caffeine energy drinks everyday; otherwise, 42•---------------------
you can wave goodbye to good quality sleep and have your brain potentially affected!
You can also stop kidding yourself that you're reaching for the caffeine just for the taste 43----------------------
because it is tasteless at the levels found in beverages. What you taste is the massive
amount of sugar that added to the drink. The caffeine is there to add the kick and to stimulate 44.
the production of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. This is the pleasure and rewarding
part of the br:ain which forms addictions. The upshot is that your brain associates the 45. _
pleasure of sugar with the stimulation of the caffeine, making you want more.

Tiny Scanner
Page 3 of 12 pages

Tiny Scanner
 Ill. READING (5.0 points) . .
. . h of the followmg numbered blanks with ONe
Part 1. For questions 46-55, read the passage and ft/Im eac rovided
suitabfe word. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes P :. .
·
In order to study how learners acqu ire a second language, ar operational definition of what 1s (46)
1 , ..
ace
been
by the term "acquisition" is needed. Unfortunately, researchers have "
to a g r ee o n su ch a d efin ition.
. .. . . " . .
(47)
"Acquisition" can mean several things. Some researchers distinguish between acquisition and learning • The
(48) r refers to the subconscious process of picking up a language through exposure nd the latter to the
(49) process of studying it. According to this view, it is possible for learners to acquire or to learn rules
independently and at separate times. Although such a distinction can have strong face validity (50) for
teachers, it is problematic, not (51) because of the difficulty of demonstrating whether the knowledge
learners possess is (52) the acquired or learnt kind. Researchers also disagree about what kind of
performance they think provides the best evidence of acquisition. It has already been noted that some researchers
work with production data, some study learners' intuitions about the second language, while others access
learners' introspections. Also,
_ ---some researchers-consider a feature-has-been-(53)-::::==-when it-appears for-the-first-time,-while-others-require--
the learner to use it to some predetermined criterion level of (54) usually
_, per cent. Thus, a
90 (55) _

can be made between ac-.quisition as emergence or onset and acquisition as accurate use.
Your answers:
I 46. I 47. 148. 149. 150.
1 s1. 1 52. 53. 54. 55.

Part 2. Read the following passage and do the tasks that follow.
WOMEN: HOW EQUAL ARE THEY?
The lives of women all over the world have changed dramatically in the course of the present century as
many of the social, economic, and political constraints that have hitherto been curtailing their freedom have been
eradicated. After succeeding in winning their right vote/ women have gained equality with men in many a field, and
to

one of the ma_in developments has been the increasing number of female population in paid employment. In other
words, society nowadays has every prerequisite for progress and success. Nevertheless, although most people have
been disabused of irrational beliefs regarding women's equality, and the latter enjoy a considerable amount of
freedom, there is plenty of evidence attesting to the contrary. It is an indisputable fact that, ever since turn of the
the

nineteenth century, women as a whole have gained, to some extent, the rights and freedom that they were formerly
deprived of, and are now regarded as an indispensable part of society. In the middle of nineteenth century,
the

women began to take steps to free themselves from the confines of the home, to which their entire lives were
doomed, and tried to emancipate, or rather extricate, themselves from men's gross domination. Living in an era of
complete subjugation, and deemed objects of desire, on which one could lavish love or vent animosity, they were
11
forced to rebel against "men's society, and prove that they were capable of various things, thus refuting the
accusations levelled against them.
What we might regard as the cornerstone of their triumphant victory is the fact that in England, in 1918,
they contrived to be enfranchised and have a say in the political, social, and economic affairs. Furthermore, the
important point is that women's struggle was not terminated as soon as their right to vote was bestowed upon
them; they strove far from, and beyond, the approbation of this fight: pertaining to education, women, who in
earlier centuries were denied this inalienable "men's right, have nowadays potentially equal opportunities. They
11

are able to attend universities and colleges, are awarded degrees, and can definitely pursue any sort of career. As
a result, they are increasingly represented in Parliament. In 1990, of the total six hundred and fifty members of British
Parliament, forty three were women. Moreover, in British society, as in many other countries in the world, women
occupy key posts and are designated roles that only a short time ago would have been entrusted to men. The
obvious example is Margaret Thatcher as Britain's first woman Prime Minister.
On a financial note, women are able to work in every field that is of interest to them, and are paid on the same
bases with men, since the former disparity between men's and women's pay-which was, undoubtedly, iniquitous
has recently been combated. For instance, the Equal Pay Act of 1970 made it unlawful for employers to pay a
woman less than a man for the same or similar work, while the Sex Discrimination Acts of 1975 and 1986 outlawed
discrimination in matters of employment or training. As a result, there is a degree of flexibility in several jobs, and
some employers provide help with child care for working mothers, although there is much to be desired as regards
"career breaks" for pregnant women. It is evident that women are no longer thought of as commodities that pass on
to their putative husbands, inasmuch as the institution of dowry has been abrogated.

Tiny Scanner
Page 4 of 12 pages

Tiny Scanner
 It may have been hard for t .
in the church; yet, it is true th . oneo envisage some decades ago that women wo ld someday o cupy positions
. 1986 d h . at in the Church of England and Ireland women were admitted for ordination as deacons
in. an t e following year the General Synod voted to proceed with legislation to allow them to be ordained as
•
t h
priests. However despite the fact th t" , · t
• a men s socI e seems o ave espoused women's rights and to some extent
"
y
has take_n steps to ensure that these rights are not violated, there are many instances that render moot point
th supposition t at women have the same opportunities with men. It is immensely reprehensible that manya
woman should be hindered from pursuing a career on account of men's indecorous behaviour. Rather
than being acknowledged as respectable members of a working community, females fall prey to male
misconduct and, consequently, are precluded from attaining their goals in life. A great number of women are
reported to have been repeatedly harassed and molested, which Is to be deprecated and condemned. But real
discrimination against women occurs in other quarters, as well; for example, women sentenced for criminal
offences are more likely than men to face incarceration, especially if they deviate from the popular image of
"woman as wife and mother."
With regard to women's emoluments, there is still a noticeable difference between the sexes. In Britain, as
eifrly asa decade ago, women·s--averag·Eflf6-Cirly~e'i1tnTrigs-were about three-quarters those-ormen-;-and-there-is-not-
a scintilla of evidence to show that the gap is not widening. Furthermore, there is a traditional division between
"boys' and girls' professions," since in the leading occupations women are represented by a proportion of less than
one to five. At present, the vocations where women are most frequently found are those of pharmacists, opticians,
veterinary surgeons, dentists, doctors, and solicitors, while only one qualified engineer in two hundred is a woman.
As is flagrantly obvious, amid this "rat-race.'' women have been overburdened with such onerous responsibilities as
bringing up children and attending to the husband and home. So, since it is incumbent on them to deal with so
many things, a great number of them are led to abandon their careers, in order to become diligent housewives. In
this light, it is impossible for a woman to "come into her own." And what really precipitates this decision is the way
they are still reared; the values inculcated into them by former generations practically enjoin upon them love and
sympathy towards men, along with a feeling of contrition and self-abnegation. In addition, women demean
themselves by taking part in television commercials, unable to prove that they have intellect as well, and inveigled
into believing that this is the best way to earn money.
For questions 56-61, decide whether each of the following statements is True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG).
Write T, F, or NG In the co"esponding numbered boxes provided.
56. Most of th.e changes in women's lives worldwide were brought about by the removal of social restrictions on them·.
57. One testament to women's victory in the right to vote was their increasing presence in paid employment.
58. The second half of the 19th century witnessed women's effortless escape from the clutches of men's power.
59. Women's initial success in enfranchisement bred their further success in other fields.
60. Despite having support with child care, working mothers are not entitled to paid leave schemes.
61. Women have supposedly overcome the stereotype of being their husbands' possessions.
Your answers:
156. 1 s1. / 58. j 59. 1 so. I s1.
For questions 62-68, read the summary and fill in each blank with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken
from the passage. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
Ever since women no longer stayed submissive to be (62) under men's complete domination and
were pushed to rebel against "men's society,· much progress has been made in women's quest for gender equality.
However, despite supports from the society, the assumption of equal opportunities for men and women still remains
a(n) (63) . Indeed, many women fall victim to men's (64) and are demoralised to achieve their career
goals. Discrimination against women has also extended beyond the workplace where many women are reportedly
(65) and under 20% of the leading posts are occupied by women. Even worse, women criminals are more
likely to be imprisoned if they (66) from their traditional roles. Given the hustle and bustle of the modern city
life, many women have had to compromise their careers in embracing their (67) , a decision which is fuelled
by the values instilled in them by (68) _
Your answers:
62. 63.
64. 65.
66. 67.
68.

Tiny Scanner
P::::in.::1 c; n! 1'? n::::in=-

Tiny Scanner
 fans 69.75 read the passage
Part 3. In the passage below, seven paragraphs have been removed. F_or quEes8 .:era arag;aph which you do
and choose from paragraphs A-H the one which fits each gap. There ts ON r P
not need to use. Write the letters A-Hin th corresponding numbered boxes provided.
LESS IS MORE
How do people cut down on their possessions in a digital age?
· · · • • • 11 t· n
The 17th century French art ist Poussi n I s well-known for hi s pai nti ngs, usua Y se 1 and idyllic pastoral
serene
.
nd
landscapes, which convey serious lessons for mankind. These messages are sometimes a bi obscure.'a
some continue to puzzle art historians, but in the picture Landscape with Diogenes, things seem relatively
rd
straightforwa •
The ancient philosopher Diogenes is depicted casting away his last possession, a drinking bowl.
1 69
There are hundreds of websites extolling the virtues of uncluttered living. "I can carry everything I own,· says
Kevin. "I have a few changes of clothing, laptop, two pots, bowl, spoon, fork, futon and flask. I like sitting on the
floor eating fruits, nuts, vegetables and rice."
70
Everyone is trying to cut down on things these days. People are trying to reduce their carbon footprints, their
waistlines, their monthly outgoings. What's more, there's a general fear that people are becoming asphyxiated
by their possessions, and this is fuelled by the knowledge that, according to innumerable sociological surveys,
the
leading pastime these days seems to be shopping.
I. 71 .,.
. ..
..: •. :i; - '\. • J. ••

However, today's new minimalists don't urge us to burn our books and crush our CDs, but just make sure we
I them as digital files. So, for example, I have digitised versions of some of my old vinyl LP records and
have
haven't, as yet, stirred myself to take the LPs to the nearest charity shop - and I admit I shall probably go on
keeping them.
I 72 .. l • . - . . ; : ; -· .. •- -- .• : c: <- : :,::_. .•-·:, :..· .- . .·. . - ....- _·. ......
We are not exactly suffering withdrawal symptoms as we try to break our addiction to objects. We are just
acquiring new stuff that means we can bin or recycle our old stuff.
.·, 73 •

A few years ago I wrote a piece predicting the demise of incredibly expensive watches, believing that they would
inevitably be eclipsed by the amazingly more versatile mobile phone, no matter how beautifully crafted and elegant
they might be, but they still seem to be covetable objects of conspicuous consumption. Clearly the ostensible
function
of a £20k watch is negligible enticement to owning it.
I 74·J .•. -- -1
I'm happy to have found another website which seems to solve a whole lot of problems at once - a thriving
online advice surgery offering storage solutions. The interior designer responsible for this does not counsel
getting rid of stuff, but rathe_rrecommends buying more stuff (elegant flexible rugs, colourful lidded containers) to
hide the first lot of stuff from view.
75
Missing Paragraphs:
A. I love this philosophy - get that decluttered minimalist look, convince yourself you've got your desire for
possessions under control, without having to lose a thing. There's no reason to think such bad faith will change
soon: we aren't ruthless enough to emulate Diogenes and cast away all our possessions.
B. Diogenes, who was quite the cynic philosopher, would have seen through this imposture in seconds. Those who
can afford to, buy the kit to make the minimalist dream a reality, but they are still investing in commodities, just
different ones from those they collected a decade earlier.
C. Minimalism, however, will soon be a buzzword because most of us tend to develop a strong sense of attachment
to our possessions that makes it really painful for us to part with them. Sooner or later we will end up filling our
houses with fully-stuffed cabinets.
D. It's true, sales of e-readers and e-books outstrip those of paperbacks, and we know that only losers and
reactionaries buy camera film today. As a result, the need for bookshelves and photo albums is cut out.
E. Here then is another manifestation of the lure of possessions - we are not only sentimental in our attachment
to them, but also status driven.
F. At this point I really hated Kevin, but I should have known better because he continued, "The nice thing about a
bare room is that you begin to notice other things like the changing sunlight during the day. Many possessions
Tiny Scanner
Page 6 of 12 pages

Tiny Scanner
 . \

tend to tie one down ment 11 • .

a Y a nd p h y sical ly - seeing too h
being awa the vitality of t h e outs i d ew I d muc permanence in inanimate objects rather than
f re f
o
G. He realises hed , . or o nature.
th . oesn t need it after seeing a th . .
at D,o enes' spiritual descendants kno:nou 7uppmg _a _han t drink from a river. The significance for us is
possession-free as he was. as new mm1ma11sts are now everywhere, if not as radically
T echnology h
H. • as, perhaps, gone beyond our dr d h · •
will crash and all will be lost Far I earns an t ere rs always the lurking suspicion that our hard drives
to our possessions that we n't 9: ix; n however, Is the fact that our memories are so inextricably
tied Your answers: o su • o matter how much glossy magazines insist that

we should.
59
[ • I 10. 111.
I n. I73. I 74. I 1s. 1.
;:,:t::St
: ; ; : n ::
P a r t 4 ':xt:rovlded to Indicate
, F o r questions 76-85,the correct
read a passage on thewh
answer far;,, ! o ;l gl ot":/::rrses::;:n:r

----1-;-The r North·seems to have a-special fascination-forall·peoples-whose-nations-errcompass-nortnem-1ands-For

Northen ns, Alaska represents the l st frontier and the most forbidding wilderness. Canadians have compa
ble ceptions about the vast Canadian north, characterised by a similar contradiction - the North is at
once a omeland and a distant foreign land. Northern Scandinavia fulfils the same role for Europeans while
for Swedes
. the northern part of their country is a place of hopes and dreams. ' '
2• One.of the most.in!eresting t ings about the far North is that academics do not seem to be able to agree on
preci ely where it 1s, somet ing _yo may have thought was a fair1y straightforward issue. But those people
studying the North at the various mst,tutes of Northern or Polar or Arctic Regions Studies (who, incidentally,
are more numerous than you might imagine) are having quite a tough time of it. The trouble is not, primarily,
that they are una le to reach a consensus on its geographical boundaries, although this may be partly true.
The real problem 1s that the North is not simply a place, but also an idea.
3. Perhaps the most concrete and mercenarv idea of the North is as a sort of colony of southern-based national
governm nt . In _th_is view, the northern hinterland is portrayed as a place overflowing with natural resources
ripe for explo1tation; 1t 1s not a place which has any real existence independent of the mother country. This is
the concept of the industrialist, whose goats are the promotion of industry, the extraction of raw materials, and
the making of money. For decades, these ideas have underpinned the exploitative and destructive activities of
governments whose territory includes Arctic regions.
4. This concept of the North, though slightly outdated now, has always existed in spite of the romantic view of the
North as the last bastion of wilderness. In this latter view, the North is a place of extremes: stark, barren land;
blinding, never-ending days in summer and endless dark nights in winter; biting winds and sub-zero
temperatures; extraordinary solitude. But even all this is seen as having a breath-taking beauty- the barren land
is awe-inspiring; the creatures majestic and resilient; the cold crisp and invigorating; the solitude liberating. The
North spells escape, wonder, freedom, and offers us the dream of a chance to assert our very humanity because,
in our imagination, it is there that we can be pitted against the elements in an exhilarating us-against-nature
struggle. The North challenges our very existence as human beings and, there, surviving is our greatest
achievement
5. Comprehensive studies of various national literatures reveal that the image of the North as described above is
widespread. A prime example of this is the role that Siberia plays in the Russian psyche. As with the other regions
mentioned previously, there is a duality in the fictional portrayal of Siberia - for Russians, it is the land of both
plenty and of darkness.
6. And, what of the reality? Outside of fiction, what do those who have had real-life experience of the North say
about it? Library shelves and lifestyle magazines are full of factual accounts of life in the North, ranging from
nineteenth-century explorers' accounts to interviews with nurses who, enticed by supplementary pay, have
gone there to work. Their tales all echo the sentiments expressed in literature: the contrast between the terrible
frozen wasteland and the final innocent frontier, the myth of the great escape into the unknown and the venue
for the .
glorious triumph of the human spirit.
7. Academics are not much different, in the sense that they are equally likely to create subjective definitions of the
North. Every researcher is governed by his or her own individual interests and inclinations, and every discipline
has its own criteria for defining the far North. When it comes to the North, it seems even scholarly writing is
replete
with flowery prose and metaphors.
8. The prevalence of the myth of the North testifies to its necessity. Even as humankind slowly and systematically
brings nature under its control in a short-sighted brutish display of strength, people continue to fabricatea
dream of untouched wilderness - another final frontier. Those who actually live the dream, the Inuit, havea
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theory. They believe that all physical beings have a spirit, called inua, and that this spirit characterises its host,
but is essentially

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 independent of it. People, animals and even the weather have spirits which live a life apart from the mat_erial
o_ne In the light of this conviction, it seems fitting that our image of the far North has a hfe of its own, which
exists independently of the actual place.
76. What can be inferred from paragraph 1?
A The concept of "the North" varies among different northern countries.
B. Northern countries are distinctive in their own way.
C. It's challenging to explain the existence of the north-south divide In many countries.
D. The North has great widespread attraction.
77. The word forbidding in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to _
A unfamiliar B. unexplored C. inadmissible D. inhospitable
78. In paragraph 2, the writer _
A expresses her disappointment with the contribution of the academics
B. shows surprise that the public are unaware of the scientific community studying the North
C. offers a possible explanation for academics' inabilitv to reach a consensus view
- challenges the value_o-_fond_u_c_ i_r:,_g fu.r.:.th:.::e::.:r....'.re:.:-.se::.:a::rc:'..'.h,o::n'. 't:'..'.he::'.....'...:No-: .:rt'.'..'h'._ _
79. The word mercenar:x in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to _
A materialistic B. idealistic c. altruistic • D. opportunistic
80. The writer implies that she _
A shares a similar view of the North with industrialists
B. sympathises with justification for the destruction and exploitation of the North
C. deems strategies employed by governments towards the North unwarranted
D. regards the evaluation of natural resources in the North as an overstatement
81. What is NOT mentioned about the romanticised view of the
North? A It characterises the North as a land of great contrasts.
B. It glamorises the hardships of living in the North.
C. It thrives at the expense of the outdated concept of the North.
D. It mostly describes the North in absolute terms.
82.The writer mentions flower:x prose and metaphors in paragraph 7 to imply that academic writing _
A employs rhetorical devices of other writing genres when mentioning the North
8. describes the North in all positive terms as used in factual accounts of life there
C. differs in subjects as academic writers vary in their interests and inclinations
D. shares similar sentimental narrative elements with other literary genres
83. What does the phrase short-sighted brutish in paragraph 8 mostly mean?
A systematic and thoughtful B. radical and authoritarian
C. impulsive and brutal D. favourable and supportive
84. Which of the following statements can be made about the writer?
A She anticipates the likelihood of environmental consequences entailed by human conquest of the North.
B. She believes in the proliferation of more in-depth empirical studies about the Inuit's theory about the North.
C. She calls for the production of more contemporary fiction with the setting in the North.
D. She believes in a fundamental change in the public perception of the North.
85. With which of the following conclusions does the writer mostly agree?
A The exploitation of the North is justifiable and thus is inevitable.
8. Literary portrayals of the North have misled academics in their research inclinations.
C. The North provides a shelter for those brutally battered in the fight against nature.
D. The North exists as an intangible entity, mythically and factually inclusive.

I
Your answers:
176.
81. I 77.
82.
78.
83.
179.
84.
180.
85.

Part 5. The passage below consists of five paragraphs marked A, B, C, D, and E. For questions 86-95, read
the passage and do the task that follows. Write the letter A, B, C, D, or E in the corresponding numbered
spaces provided.
FOOD BUDGETING
Five people tell us about different approaches to getting their weekly food shopping.
A. As a devoted advocate of "freeganism", I wholeheartedly embrace a unique approach to food budgeting that
focuses on minimising waste and maximising resourcefulness. For me, it is a lifestyle choice aimed at reducing
my ecological footprint while keeping my expenses in check. Instead of succumbing to the lure of consumerism,
1
actively seek out discarded food items that are still perfectly edible but have been put in waste bins nevertheless.
Through activities such as collecting edible food from waste bins and participating in food-sharing networks, I am
able to obtaina fantastic range of nourishment that would otherwise go to waste. My commitment to freeganism

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 requires a keen eye for understandin9 th d'Iff
ensuring that I consume onl s f e eren between spoil_ed food and food that can be eaten, thus
resourceful mindset I y a e and healthyprov1s1ons. By refram1ng my perception of waste and adopting
a profound sense of b I a able to enJoy fewer limitations on the food I can eat. This approach also fosters
8 aA . . ongmg to a community of freegans who stay in touch with and support each other
• d . . e hs a c ever
using practIt1oner
coupons of money
to save th on food - also known as couponingrt -O1f · •
onea . my skills in the pursuit of effective
have food budgeting. Armed with a range of meticulously collected and
organised coupons, I emb ark on my sh opp1ng . ventures with a steady determination to extract maximum
f
value rom every penny spent. My tireless . efforts in looking through newspapers, magazines and online
platforms enable me _to benefit rom numerous discounts, special offers and promotional deals. With a
discerning eye for strategic savings, I meticulously pla_n my gr cery shop_ping list to align with the available
coupons. By skilfully combining these tangible vouchers with ongoing store discounts, I am able to obtain as
many price reductions as possible
t the checkout counter. Such careful planning translates into tangible monetary savings that accumulate
over time, enabling me to stretch my food budget far beyond the limits that would otherwise be on it.
C. The art of bulk buying has become my hallmark when it comes to smart food budgeting. By purchasing wholesale
-----quantities-of-food;-l-am-able-to-achieve-substantial-savings-while-maintaining-well-stocked-food--cupboards.,---------1-
recognise that economies of scale can allow me to secure essential food items, things that don't go off for a
long time, and household necessities at significantly reduced prices. In my quest for the best savings, I
meticulously compare prices and seek out wholesale suppliers, whether online or at brick-and-mortar
establishments. By purchasing larger quantities of goods, I am not only able to negotiate better deals but also
reduce the frequency of my shopping trips, which saves me both time and money. However, the rewards of my
bulk-buying endeavours are, above all, enhanced cost efficiency and peace of mind. I know that my provisions
are readily available at a fraction of the regular cost.
0. I diligently practise the art of shopping around to master the realm of food budgeting. Rather than succumbing to
the convenience of shopping at a single store, I enjoy the adventure of exploring multiple establishments in
pursuit of the best deals and the most favourable prices. Armed with a discerning eye and a carefully compiled
shopping list, I make my way around the bustling aisles and vibrant marketplaces, adeptly comparing prices,
scrutinising quality and weighing up the overall value offered. Through this relentless pursuit of amazing savings,
I am able to capitalise on the dynamic nature of the food market. By keeping my finger on the pulse of prevailing
prices and staying informed about discounts and promotions, I can artfully coordinate my purchases to secure
the most advantageous deals. I am not only limited to physical stores but also love the convenience and
accessibility of online platforms. By making use of the internet, I can effortlessly compare prices across various
retailers, read customer reviews and make informed decisions that align with my budgetary goals.
E. One effective approach to food budgeting is meal planning. This involves carefully designing and organising
your meals for a specific period of time, such as a week or a month. This method allows you to make the most
of your budget by efficiently utilising ingredients and minimising waste. When practising meal planning, start by
creating a menu for the desired time frame. Consider the number of meals you need to prepare and the
dietary requirements of your household members. Next, make a detailed grocery list based on the planned
meals, taking stock of the ingredients you already have at home to avoid unnecessary purchases. Meal
planning provides several benefits beyond budgeting. By having a clear plan in advance, you can shop for
ingredients in bulk, taking advantage of cost-effective options and discounts. Additionally, it helps to eliminate
the costs associated with impulsive purchases and minimises food waste, as you only buy what you truly
need. To further improve your meal planning, consider incorporating versatile ingredients that can be used in
multiple dishes. This allows you to stretch your budget even further and create diverse meals from a limited
number of items.
In which section are the following mentioned? Your answers:
• forging a close bond among like-minded individuals 86.
• leading a worry-free life without paying the earth 87.
• the benefits that might go beyond financial aspects 88.
• being economical without sacrificing one's well-being 89.
• using past shoppers' experiences as a source of reference 90.
• a method that involves being environ_mentally aware and financially conscious 91.
• preparing foods in an orderly fashion 92.
• financial rewards gradually increasing proportionally to time 93.
• the ability to use the changing characteristic of the market to one's own advantage 94.
• improvising dishes from a narrow range of resources available 95.

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 IV. WRITING (6.0 points)
Part 1. Read the following extract and use your own words to summarise it
between 100 and 120 words.
Our obsession with taking photos these days cannot be denied. It is fuelled by social media and the need to
document our experiences in order to remember them better. The question is: do we actually remember them
better or do photos distract us from truly storing details of our experiences? The answer is not simple in that there
are various aspects that shape a memory. These inputs require our attention in order to be encoded and stored by
our brains as a memory.
While recent research does conclude that taking pictures helps us remember an experience, this is limited to
the visual aspects of an experience and ironically it reduces the non-visual details of our memories. These findings
are derived from a study that involved subjects participating in a museum tour while listening to an audio guide. Half
of the subjects were given a camera and told to photograph the exhibit. Upon the completion of the tour, all subjects
answered a series of multiple choice questions about the objects they had seen. Those who had cameras
recognised more objects compared to those without. At the same time, the subjects with cameras recalled
less auditory
,·ntormation.-lnterestingly,r.esearchers-found-that-subjects-with-Gameras--had-a-better-visual-r-ecollection--than-camera
less ones even for the items they had not photographed, suggesting that the intention to take pictures also
sharpened their focus on visual details and improved memory of them.
In contrast, earlier studies had suggested that taking photographs impairs our ability to remember all details.
The explanation is that we rely on the photograph and thus outsource the memory to free up space in our brains: a
concept referred to as cognitive offloading. We intentionally forget the information as we no longer need to store it

I
This offloading can be extended beyond using cameras to computers and our cell phones. Basically, any gadget that
we can offload our cognitive work to and reduce the demand on our brain can be used. Researchers now conclude
that this is the case for factual information but it does not apply when it comes to experiences we want to photograph.
These are meaningful to us and, as a result, we pay attention to the visual details of the experience and recall them
better after the fact. The more visual input we focus on, the less auditory information we retain, explaining the poor
recollection of these non-visual details.

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Part 2. The table and pie charts below provide information about school attendance rates together with
causes of poor school attendance In a particular city in 2007 and 2012.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant. You should write about 150 words.
,-----------y----,,-----------,
Attendance rates * 2007 2012
91 98
83 95
75 95
Vocational schools 71 88
t): In percentage

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Part 3. Write an essay of about 350 words on the following topic.
People should never compare their own lives with those glamorously portrayed on social media; otherwise, they will
always feel discontented and inferior.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant
examples from your own knowledge or experience•
..................................................................................................................................................................................
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(You may write overleaf if you need more space.)
-THE END-

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