Môn thi: TIẾNG ANH

SỐ PHÁCH
Thời gian: 180 phút (không kể thời gian giao đề)
Ngày thi:

• Thí sinh KHÔNG được sử dụng tài liệu, kể cả từ điển.

• Giám thị KHÔNG giải thích gì thêm.
____________________________________________________________

I. LISTENING (5,0 points)

HƯỚNG DẪN PHẦN THI NGHE HIỂU
• Bài nghe gồm 4 phần; mỗi phần được nghe 2 lần, mỗi lần cách nhau 10 giây; mở đầu và kết thúc mỗi phần
nghe có tín hiệu.
• Mở đầu và kết thúc bài nghe có nhạc hiệu. Thí sinh có 02 phút để hoàn chỉnh bài trước nhạc hiệu kết thúc
bài nghe.
• Mọi hướng dẫn cho thí sinh đã có trong bài nghe.

PART 1: Decide whether the statements are TRUE (T)/ FALSE (F) / NOT GIVEN (NG).
1. Melissa can extend berry production for 5 months in the years notwithstanding the severe frosty weather.
2. Melissa is contributing to making homesteading recognized as a domain of science.
3. Besides planting trees, Melissa is raising chickens principally for poultry.
4. Melissa often utilizes repurposed materials to create mobile chicken coops.
5. Melissa emphasizes the importance of having adequate fertilizers for springtime planting.

Part 2. For questions 1-5, listen to part of a podcast about wearable and answer the questions. Write no
more than THREE words taken from the recording for each answer.
This Wearable Allows You To Control Machines With Your Mind | CNBC
6. What is the aim of Control Lab?
7. What was Patrick and Thomas’ major in university?
8. Which system in the body is in charge of sending signals from brain to muscles?
9. What is the signal from brain processed by in the computer after it is collected by sensors?
10. What is needed for the wearable to identify a person’s intention?

Part 3. Listen to part of a talk about the history of Algorithm and complete the summary with the words
taken from the recording. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each blank.
The concept of an algorithm is not new; its origins can be traced back nearly a millennium. The term 'algorithm'
is derived from the name of a Persian mathematician, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, who lived in the 8th
century. Al-Khwarizmi was a prominent figure at (11) ________ in Baghdad during the 9th century. He is noted for
his significant contributions to various fields, including mathematics and geography.
One of his key works introduced the Hindu-Arabic numeral system to the Western world, replacing the (12)
________. This numeral system, featuring (13) ________, is the foundation of the number system used globally
today. The word 'algorithm' emerged when al-Khwarizmi's name was (14) ________ in one of his influential books.
Interestingly, al-Khwarizmi is also credited for the term (15) ________, derived from another of his works.
Initially, the term 'algorismus' in medieval Latin referred to the (16) ________. However, by the (17) ________,
the meaning of 'algorithm' evolved to signify a series of step-by-step (18) ________ for solving problems. This
concept was further developed by Alan Turing, a British mathematician, who theorized how machines could utilize
algorithms to perform complex calculations, marking the dawn of the computer age. Turing's work during World
War II, particularly on the Bombe machine which cracked (19) ________, highlighted the practical applications of
algorithms.
In modern times, the word 'algorithm', with its roots in (20) ________, has become integral in various aspects
of our lives, from navigation to internet searches and even in influencing personal choices.

Page 1 of 14 pages
Part 4. You will hear a scientist being interviewed about his new book on scientific hoaxes. For questions
1-5, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear.
21. The point Dr. Jenkins is trying to make in his book is that scientists
A are all idealists at heart.
B are not always dishonest.
C may act unethically.
D sometimes fail to act objectively.
22. The general public
A are distrustful of scientists.
B regard scientists as infallible.
C prefer religion to science.
D believe more in scientists than priests.
23. The discovery of a skull near Piltdown
A contradicted the leading theory of the time.
B was dismissed by most as a hoax.
C was given little attention by the Establishment at first.
D indicated a link between Africans and Europeans.
24. Piltdown Man is an example of
A the early history of man.
B the migration of populations.
C colonial expansion at the turn of the 19th century.
D the misuse of science for political ends.
25. Whoever planted the skull
A was probably an archaeologist.
B wanted to be found out eventually.
C supported racial equality.
D must have had a good understanding of science.

II. LEXICO-GRAMMAR (2,0 points)

Part 1. For questions 26-40, choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D to each of the following questions.
Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
26. During the late hours of the night, he would often engage in his philosophical _____, pondering the meaning
of existence and the mysteries of the universe.
A. meanderings B. strata C. gamut D. calibration
27. She improved her productivity by the simple _____ of organizing her tasks into a daily to-do list.
A. circulation B. latitude C. leeway D. expedient
28. Amid his busy schedule, he managed to read his favorite novel in brief _____, savoring each chapter during
short breaks throughout the day.
A. stints B. bouts C. snatches D. patches
29. The news of the unexpected loss hit her _____, leaving her overwhelmed with grief and disbelief.
A. ravishingly B. piercingly C. crashingly D. crushingly
30. The championship was decided in a _____ contested game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the
final seconds.
A. briskly B. toughly C. forcibly D. fervently
31. The soccer player delivered a _____ kick, sending the ball soaring into the top corner of the net for a spectacular goal.
A. hefty B. weighty C. sturdy D. husky
32. The government's decision to print excessive amounts of money without proper economic safeguards could
cause inflation to let _____ again, creating financial instability for the nation.
A. fray B. rip C. slash D. split
33. The mountainside was _____ with caves, some of which were believed to hold ancient artifacts and mysterious
secrets waiting to be discovered by intrepid explorers.
A. scattershot B. hamstrung C. honeycombed D. vouchsafed
34. She had no intention of actually dating him; she was just _____ him along, enjoying the attention and gifts he
showered on her without any real commitment.
A. dragging B. tugging C. stringing D. pulling
35. The grocery store was conveniently located within _____ distance of our apartment, making it easy to grab
essentials at a moment's notice.
A. stroking B. scratching C. patting D. spitting
36. He said my novel showed promise. He liked the style and the story-line, and he wasn’t _____ just to be kind.
A. pulling his punches B. sticking to his guns C. laboring the point D. fitting the bill
37. Leonora was fed up with her life in England. She felt bored and _____ in.
A. jammed B. clogged C. penned D. reined
38. After a long day of hiking in the mountains, I was completely _____ and could barely move a muscle when we
finally reached the campsite.

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 A. goofed off B. moldered away C. plumped down D. shagged out
39. As she walked into the room with a _____ smile, it was clear that she had some exciting news to share with them.
A. hale and hearty B. bright and breezy C. fair and square D. free and easy
40. The celebrity surprised everyone by showing _____ during a charity event, chatting warmly with volunteers
and donors from all walks of life.
A. the nitty gritty B. the upper crust C. the common touch D. the bright lights
Your answers:
26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.
34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
Part 2. For questions 41-45, write the correct form of each bracketed word in each sentence in the
numbered space provided in the column on the right.
Your answers:

41. The (UTILIZE) of waiting in long lines at the airport can be mitigated with the 41.
implementation of efficient check-in procedures and advanced technology.

42. He (JOKE) remarked that the office coffee was so strong it could power a rocket, 42.
eliciting laughter from his coworkers during their morning break.

43. The environmentalist argued that our (CENTRIC) worldview has often blinded us to 43.
the needs of other species.

44. The government's decision to allocate funds for (MISSION) the plant signaled their 44.
commitment to addressing environmental concerns and promoting cleaner energy
alternatives.
45.
45. Despite the (CLEMENT) of the weather, the hikers were determined to reach the
summit of the mountain.

III. READING (5,0 points)

Part 1. For questions 46-55, read the passage and fill each of the following numbered blanks with ONE
suitable word. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.

Urban legends, those tantalizing and often spine-chilling stories that thread through the fabric of societies, embody
a unique blend of folklore, morality, and collective fear. (46)_________________ traditional folklore, which is
deeply rooted in the (47)_________________, urban legends are dynamic, evolving with changing times and
technology, ensuring their (48)_________________ and capacity to unsettle.

The beauty of these tales lies in their (49)_________________-like ability to adapt. They mutate to fit the
(50)_________________ landscape, yet retain a universal thread that resonates (51)_________________
borders. At their core, urban legends often serve as (52)_________________ tales, reflecting societal anxieties.
They warn teenagers about the perils of reckless driving or the dangers lurking in shadowy alleyways. In a way,
these stories are a collective coping mechanism, a way for communities to confront and process their deepest
fears and insecurities.

The longevity and popularity of urban legends also speak to their (53)_________________ impact. They tap into
our deepest fears - of the unknown, of violation, of malevolent forces disguised in the mundane. These stories
linger in the psyche, leaving an indelible mark that transcends mere entertainment. They are a mirror, albeit a
(54)_________________ one, reflecting our collective psyche, and in this (55)_________________, they reveal
much about our deepest fears, societal norms, and cultural identity.

Your answers:
46. 47. 48. 49. 50.
51. 52. 53. 54. 55.

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Part 2. Read the following passage and do the tasks that follow.
SHOW ON THE ROAD
There are moments when you realise that the entire national consciousness has shifted slightly. Why?
Because something happens that would previously have been insanely impossible, but now passes almost without
comment. Take, for example, the newly completed London headquarters of the fashion retailer, Monsoon. Another
glittering high-tech business park building? No way. This is real, full-blooded, original 1960s architecture, brought
back from the dead. And it sings.
We've known for a while that some previously hated 1960s concrete architecture was coming to be regarded
with affection, especially by the cognoscenti. But Monsoon shows that 'historic' modernist architecture can now
command reverence bordering on awe. This successful company could have moved anywhere it wanted. And it
did, but not the way you'd expect. It chose to buy, restore and convert the derelict, long-abandoned Paddington
maintenance depot, which looms over the elevated urban motorway of the Westway like an ocean liner.
The result is electrifying. This was a building designed in the early 1960s, with the then unbuilt motorway in
mind. It's in love with the motorway; one curving wing slides underneath it, another virtually kisses it. At its prow
are two heroic funnels. It is set on a rising bend in the road, from which it seems to be sailing towards you, on a
collision course. It would be inconceivable for such a building to be built today. It would not be allowed to come so
close to vehicles that, from inside, you can make eye contact with the drivers. The staff restaurant is right by the
road. It's called, with dark humour, Bangers and Crash.
The building's original architect was Paul Hamilton, of the practice Bicknell and Hamilton. Today it has been
rejuvenated by a new generation, notably Ceri Davies, of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. Some of their own work
harks back to this period. But here they have dealt with a real, glorious period one-off.
Hamilton, who's still around, aged 77, somehow managed to make an exceptional building from a dull brief
in incredibly constrained surroundings. He was given a patch of land left over from the swirl of proposed motorway
and roads. This patch happened to be on the far side of the motorway from the railway goods yard it was intended
to serve, though it was linked up beneath the elevated road. On the southern motorway/goods yard side, all is
industrial desolation. The goods yard, its railway lines long gone, is now part of the vast, frenzied construction site
surrounding Paddington. But on the northern side, with that abrupt change of scale, pace and texture at which
London excels, you are immediately in a different world. This is the leafy world of Little Venice, where canals flow
between trees, where stuccoed villas abound, where people sip frothy lattes at open-air cafes. Hamilton's building
mediates between the two worlds.
He was in his thirties when the commission came in. So, in architectural terms, it's a young man's building.
He relates how it took just four weeks from getting the commission to getting planning permission. Moreover, he
had a totally free hand. 'The budget was left to me,' he recalls. 'I knew it would get no maintenance, so I designed
it to last. Everyone agreed they would take my word for it.
And today? Davies and her colleagues have made some fairly hefty alterations. They have inserted a
mezzanine floor on the ground level, where the parcel trucks used to drive in and out, and added some new
windows. But the only parts of the building that had decayed to the point of needing replacement were the bands
of projecting metal-framed windows.
For new items such as the main reception desk and the moveable furniture in the staff restaurant, Davies has
kept in touch with the curved lines of the original building. Fortunately, Monsoon, which employs about 200
designers, pattern-cutters and office staff, is an open-plan organisation, so there was little need to divide up the
spaces. The interior is clearly of 2001 rather than of 35 years ago - pastiche is avoided – but it is sympathetic to
the architecture.
There have been some losses. But you have to bear in mind that only a few years back it was all slated for
demolition. Monsoon has shown imagination and no little courage in taking the place on at all, spending about £10
million to convert it when many another such organisation would merely have rented an existing block.
Such buildings, when they are out of fashion, are strangely invisible. Brought back to life for a new use, they
suddenly become landmarks. Nobody paid the old Bankside power station much heed until it became the Tate
Modern art gallery. In its very different way, this other industrial building has now emerged from its long sleep. It
looks absolutely fresh.
Article by Hugh Pearman © The Sunday Times
For questions 56-62, decide whether the following statements are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG).
Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
56. The London headquarters of Monsoon is an example of rejuvenated 1960s architecture.
57. The building is located on the site of a derelict Paddington maintenance depot.
58. The architecture of the building is primarily described as high-tech and modern.

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59. The original architect, Paul Hamilton, is not involved in the current rejuvenation of the building.
60. The article does not provide information about the number of floors in the Monsoon building.
61. The article does not specify the exact date when the commission for the building was received.
62. Monsoon spent about £10 million to convert the building, demonstrating courage and imagination.
Your answers:
56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62.

For questions 63-68, read the following 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.
The newly completed Monsoon headquarters in London stands as a resurrected 1960s architectural masterpiece,
challenging norms associated with (63) ____________ parks. Indicating a cultural shift, the revival of this building
not only signals but also serves to (64) ____________, embodying appreciation for historic modernist architecture.
The structure, featuring (65) ____________, defies contemporary construction limitations, particularly its daring
proximity to the motorway. Architect Ceri Davies, navigating (66) ____________, led the rejuvenation, making (67)
____________ to transform the space while preserving its essence. The building successfully mediates between
industrial desolation and the leafy world of Little Venice, where (68) ____________ and open-air cafes abound.
Monsoon's courageous approach and £10 million investment have turned a previously neglected structure into a
landmark, echoing the transformative impact seen in Tate Modern's conversion of the Bankside power station.
Your answers:
63. 64. 65.
66. 67. 68.

Part 3. You are going to read an article about discrimination. Seven paragraphs have been removed from
the article. Choose from the paragraphs A-H, the one which fits each gap (1-7). There is one extra
paragraph which you do not need to use.
Discrimination

Discrimination is evident in most societies to a greater or lesser degree. We do not have to look very far to find
somebody being unfairly treated because they happen to differ from the dominant group. By not fitting in,
somebody is being denied the same rights as those around him. The truth of the matter is that prejudice stems
from our own fear of the unknown. It is so much easier to give in to our prejudices by giving somebody a wide
berth, than to risk being ostracised by the majority group ourselves.
69.

Today, it is in the best interests of everyone to eliminate discrimination; globalisation means that our world is
shrinking and our acceptance of each other is the recipe for its success. Steps have been taken to bring to light
the plight of the world's oppressed. Recognition of the problem itself on an international scale came about in 1945,
with the introduction of the UN Charter. Although, on the one hand, this was seen as a positive move towards
reducing the gap between the haves and the have-nots, on the other hand, countries are often reluctant to allow
outside interference in their internal affairs.
70.

Many female novelists of the nineteenth century have given us some insight into the way women's creativity was
stifled by male dominance. Looking at literature from around the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries can
be particularly enlightening as to how many female writers had to lead double lives in order to do something which
came naturally to them. After producing their work, many women realised that disclosure of their true identity was
not in their favour, so they adopted male pseudonyms. Not everyone is aware that George Eliot's real name was
Mary Ann Evans.
71.

This was not the only barrier faced by female writers. In order to see their work in print, they had to submit their
manuscript to a publisher. It was a foregone conclusion that male literary critics were more dismissive of the
feminine style of writing than they were of the male. So, by cloaking herself in masculinity, the female writer stood
a fairer chance - hence the abundance of male pseudonyms.
72.

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Virginia Woolf, writing on the brink of the Women's Liberation Movement, echoed the sentiments of the time. She
felt strongly about the conditions under which women had to write, which greatly affected the quality of their work.
She noticed that because women did not have access to longer hours of uninterrupted work, as a man would, it
was more common for women's fiction to develop into short stories.
73.

Besides sex discrimination, literature can be an eyeopener to other kinds of discrimination. Take, for example,
African authors who face the challenge of producing literary texts which will be published alongside the works of
their white counterparts. Some South African writers have bemoaned the unfairness of how white intellectuals
judge African art through their own eyes.
74.

It is a mistaken belief that the oppressed usually sit back and accept their fate. Ironically, the very thing they are
denied often becomes their tool. Many female and black writers have used their art as a voice to the world.
Literature has proved an effective medium for conveying important messages, and has the advantage of being
able to reach a wide audience.
75.

Although it seems that the world has come a long way in its appreciation of the predicament of the oppressed, it
does not mean that we should rest on our laurels, as there is always room for improvement. Even in the world of
literature, despite the fact that women are now able to express themselves freely within all the literary genres,
some female authors still argue that their work is being marginalised by male literary critics. Due to the fickleness
of human nature, there will always be discrimination of some sort in the world. Let's just hope that the oppressed
will find the courage to challenge their oppressors before any more talent goes to waste.

List of paragraphs

A. As there is no binding agreement, the way each country chooses to implement the charter may vary. However,
desperate times call for desperate measures. When somebody feels that their voice is not being heard, they
tend to resort to drastic action to make people sit up and take notice. Who are we to judge? Only if we too find
ourselves in a repressive state are we truly able to understand how it feels.
B. Even those women who were celebrated as writers often owed this privilege to their association with males.
Mary Shelley, for instance, who wrote Frankenstein, was married to the famous poet, Percy Shelley. Those
women who were brave enough to try their hand at poetry often used double-barrelled names when it suited
them. Elizabeth Barrett-Browning was the wife of Robert Browning, a renowned poet. Sadly, many women
settled for the simple inscription 'Anon'.
C. As it turns out, work produced by writers of African, Indian and Caribbean origin has added colour to the
traditional literary canon. In fact, they have used their art to spread the message of their oppression to a world
which was willing to look the other way.
D. In fact, it may not suit us to be in harmony with everyone. The frailties of human nature demand that we have
somebody to point the finger at in times of hardship. History has proved time and time again that people can
peacefully coexist until they start to feel the pinch. Feelings previously suppressed tend to resurface and are
vented towards the minority group - the scapegoat for the country's downfall.
E. We also hear of those living in the lap of luxury, who take delight in preventing weaker human beings from
succeeding in their struggle against those in authority. Believing that the weak should be kept down, the
stronger ones go out of their way to make the others' lives a misery.
F. One of her writings, in particular, pays tribute to all the underdeveloped female genius of the past. She writes
about 'Judith Shakespeare', William Shakespeare's fictional sister, who had an equal amount of creative talent
to her brother. However, being female meant that her destiny was already mapped out for her, and so her
writing ambitions fell by the wayside.
G. Alice Walker's novel, The Colour Purple, gives a realistic account of the maltreatment suffered by Africans in
America's Deep South through the eyes of Celie, her main character. Walker's illustrative narration of Celie's
life is cleverly written to have the reader feeling empathy for the way she has become the victim of three types
of discrimination: sex, colour and status. The enormous success the book has enjoyed gives us hope, seeing
as things have progressed so much in a hundred years.
H. The reason for the secrecy is that George Eliot and her contemporaries were writing at a time when two out
of the three literary genres were inaccessible to women. Only novels were regarded as an appropriate style of

Page 6 of 14 pages
 writing for the female mind because they did not depend on any classical education. The idea of women
receiving such learning was, for many, inconceivable.

Part 4. For questions 76-85, read the following passage and choose the answer A, B, C or D which fits best
according to the passage. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
How "wild" can animals be after several generations in captivity? A nature writer who has traveled to zoos
around the world discusses this subject in the excerpt below.
Many zoos in the United States have undergone radical changes in philosophy and design. All possible
care is taken to reduce the stress of living in captivity. Cages and grounds are landscaped to make gorillas feel
immersed in vegetation, as they would be in a Congo jungle. Zebras gaze across vistas arranged to appear (to
zoo visitors, at least) nearly as broad as an African plain.
Yet, strolling past animals in zoo after zoo, I have noticed the signs of hobbled energy that has found no
release — large cats pacing in a repetitive pattern, primates rocking for hours in one corner of a cage. These
truncated movements are known as cage stereotypes, and usually these movements bring about no obvious
physical or emotional effects in the captive animal. Many animal specialists believe they are more troubling to the
people who watch than to the animals themselves. Such restlessness is an unpleasant reminder that — despite
the careful interior decorating and clever optical illusions — zoo animals are prisoners, being kept in elaborate
cells.
The rationale for breeding endangered animals in zoos is nevertheless compelling. Once a species falls
below a certain number, it is beset by inbreeding and other processes that nudge it closer and closer to extinction.
If the animal also faces the whole-scale destruction of its habitat, its one hope for survival lies in being transplanted
to some haven of safety, usually a cage. In serving as trusts for rare fauna, zoos have committed millions of dollars
to caring for animals. Many zoo managers have given great consideration to the psychological health of the
animals in their care. Yet the more I learned about animals bred in enclosures, the more I wondered how their
sensibilities differed from those of animals raised to roam free.
In the wild, animals exist in a world of which we have little understanding. They may communicate with
their kind through "languages" that are indecipherable by humans. A few studies suggest that some species
perceive landscapes much differently than people do; for example, they may be keenly attuned to movement on
the faces of mountains or across the broad span of grassy plains. Also, their social structures may be complex
and integral to their well-being. Some scientists believe they may even develop cultural traditions that are key to
the survival of populations.
But when an animal is confined, it lives within a vacuum. If it is accustomed to covering long distances in
its searches for food, it grows lazy or bored. It can make no decisions for itself; its intelligence and wild skills
atrophy from lack of use. It becomes, in a sense, one of society's charges, completely dependent on humans for
nourishment and care.
How might an animal species be changed — subtly, imperceptibly — by spending several generations in
a pen? I posed that question to the curator of birds at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, which is a breeding center
for the endangered California condor. "I always have to chuckle when someone asks me that," the curator replied.
"Evolution has shaped the behavior of the condor for hundreds of years. If you think I can change it in a couple of
generations, you're giving me a lot of credit."
Recently the condor was reintroduced into the California desert — only a moment after its capture, in
evolutionary terms. Perhaps the curator was right; perhaps the wild nature of the birds would emerge unscathed,
although I was not convinced. But what of species that will spend decades or centuries in confinement before they
are released?
76. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) highlight the improvements in the conditions of American zoos.
(B) examine behavioral traits of animals living in zoos.
(C) prompt scientists to conduct more research on animal behavior.
(D) raise concerns about the confinement of wild animals in zoos.
(E) suggest alternative ways of protecting endangered species.
77. On the whole, the author's attitude toward captive breeding is one of
(A) sympathy. (B) puzzlement. (C) indifference. (D) ambivalence. (E) disgust.
78. The primary function of the second paragraph is to show that
(A) wild animals adapt to their cages by modifying their movements.
(B) improvements in zoo design have not had the intended effects.
(C) confined animals are not being seriously harmed.

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(D) zoos are designed with the reactions of spectators in mind.
(E) people are overly sensitive to seeing animals in captivity.
79. One of the major implications of the passage is that
(A) animals bred in captivity are as likely to survive in the wild as are wild animals.
(B) zoos do a disservice to animals by trying to entertain zoo visitors.
(C) animal extinctions can mainly be attributed to human activity.
(D) present methods of protecting animal populations may be flawed.
(E) public concerns about the extinction of species have been exploited by the media.
80. In the fourth paragraph, the author's most important point is that animals in the wild
(A) perceive landscapes differently than do animals in captivity.
(B) have modes of communicating that are very similar to those of humans.
(C) are likely to live longer than animals kept in zoos.
(D) depend on the care and support of others of their species.
(E) may have highly developed sensibilities about which scientists know little.
81. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the fourth paragraph and the fifth paragraph?
(A) The fourth paragraph presents a question that is answered in the fifth paragraph.
(B) The fourth paragraph contains an assertion that is evaluated in the fifth paragraph.
(C) The fifth paragraph describes a contrast to the situation presented in the fourth paragraph.
(D) The fifth paragraph discusses the second part of the process described in the fourth paragraph.
(E) The fifth paragraph describes the cause of the situation discussed in the fourth paragraph.
82. In the fifth paragraph, "charges" most nearly means
(A) cost. (B) responsibilities. (C) demands. (D) accusations. (E) attacks.
83. The curator's primary point in the sixth paragraph is that
(A) people's ideas about the power of humans to alter animal behavior are presumptuous.
(B) scientists should strive to mimic natural selection processes more closely.
(C) animals have little trouble adapting their behavior to captive environments.
(D) animals have been surviving for years without the intervention of humans.
(E) captive breeding is essential to the survival of animals.
84. The author's attitude toward the curator's statement in the sixth paragraph can best be described as
(A) ironic. (B) objective. (C) hopeless. (D) doubtful. (E) offended.
85. It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes that wild animals
(A) should be removed from their natural habitats only in dire circumstances.
(B) suffer few long-term consequences from changes in their habitat.
(C) are pawns in a political battle over the protection of wildlife habitats.
(D) provide an inadequate source of data for the experimental designs of captive breeding habitats.
(E) fulfill the expectations of zoo visitors who hope to see animals behave as they would have before they were
captured.
Your answers:
76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85.

Part 5. The passage below consists of five paragraphs (A-E). For questions 86-95, read the passage and do the
tasks that follow. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
You are going to read an extract from a book on women’s right. For questions 1-10, choose from the
sections (A-E). The sections may be chosen more than once.
In which section are the following mentioned?
86. Less than 20% of women occupy prestigious posts.
87. Women won their right to vote at the beginning of the 20th century.
88. Women began to escape the clutches of men's power after 1850.
89. Double standards in men's and women's pay were unfair.
90. Women are no longer thought of as their husbands' possessions.
91. Women are considered to be important.
92. Some women have had to compromise their career.
93. Women have even become MP's.
94. Women have been brought up to serve men.
95. It is implied that, sometimes, men harass women in the workplace.

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 Women: How equal are they?
A. 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 to vote, women have gained equality with men in many a field,
and one of the main 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
the turn of 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 the
nineteenth century, 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 forced to rebel against "men's society," and prove that they were capable of various things,
thus refuting the accusations levelled against them.
B. 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
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.
C. 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.
D. It may have been hard for one to envisage some decades ago that women would someday occupy positions
in the church; yet, it is true that in the Church of England and Ireland women were admitted for ordination as
deacons in 1986, and the following year the General Synod voted to proceed with legislation to allow them to be
ordained as priests. However, despite the fact that "men's society" seems to have espoused women's rights and,
to some extent, has taken steps to ensure that these rights are not violated, there are many instances that
render a moot point the supposition that women have the same opportunities with men. It is immensely
reprehensible that many a 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."
E. With regard to women's emoluments, there is still a noticeable difference between the sexes. In Britain, as
early as a decade ago, women's average hourly earnings were about three-quarters those of men, 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

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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.
Your answers:

86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95.

IV. WRITING (6,0 points)

Part 1. Read the following extract and use your own words to summarise it. Your summary should be
between 150 and 160 words.
Medical treatment is relevant to virtually everyone at some time in their life, and of course, patients and health
care professionals hope that treatments will be helpful. These optimistic expectations can have a very positive
effect on everybody's satisfaction with healthcare, as the British doctor Richard Asher noted in one of his essays
for doctors: 'If you can believe fervently in your treatment, even though controlled tests show that it is quite useless,
then your results look much better, your patients feel much better, and your income is much better too. I believe
this accounts for the remarkable success of some of the less gifted, but more credulous members of our profession,
and also for the violent dislike of statistics and controlled tests which fashionable and successful doctors are
accustomed to display' (Asher, 1972).
People often recover from illness without any specific treatment: nature and time are great healers. The
progress and outcome of illness if left untreated must obviously be taken into account when treatments are being
tested: treatment may improve or it may worsen outcomes. Writers over the centuries have drawn attention to the
need to be skeptical about claims that treatments can be more effective than nature. Put another way, 'If you leave
a dose of 'Au to nature, you'll probably get over it in a week; but if you go to the doctor, you'll recover in a mere
seven days.'
In the knowledge that much illness is self-limiting, doctors sometimes prescribe 'dummy' treatments in the
hope that their patients will derive psychological benefit - the so-called placebo effect. Patients may be given a
placebo and, because they believe that it will help to relieve their symptoms - even though the treatment, in fact,
has no physical effects - may well feel better. Doctors have recognized the importance of using placebos for
centuries. For example, William Cullen referred to his use of a placebo as long ago as 1772 (Cullen, 1772), and
references to placebos increased during the nineteenth century (e.g., Cummings, 1805; Forbes, 1846). Because
Austin Flint believed that orthodox drug treatment was usurping the credit due to 'nature,' he gave thirteen patients
with rheumatism a 'placeboic remedy' consisting of a highly dilute extract of the bark of the quassia tree. The result
was that 'the favorable progress of the cases was such as to secure for the remedy generally the entire confidence
of the patients' (Flint, 1863).
Treatment comparisons are made in people's minds: they have an impression that they or others are
responding differently to a new treatment compared with previous responses to treatments. For example, Ambroise
Paré, a French military surgeon, concluded that treatment of battle wounds with boiling oil (as was common
practice) was likely to be harmful. He concluded this when the supply of oil ran out and his patients recovered
more quickly than usual (Paré, 1575). Most of the time, impressions like this need to be followed up by formal
investigations, perhaps initially by analysis of healthcare records. Such impressions may then lead to carefully
conducted comparisons. The danger arises when impressions alone are used as a guide to treatment
recommendations and decisions. Treatment comparisons based on impressions, or relatively restricted analyses,
only provide reliable information in the rare circumstances when treatment effects are dramatic.

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Part 2. The chart below shows the value of one country’s exports in various categories during 2015 and
2016. The table shows the percentage change of each category of exports in 2016 compared with
2015.Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant. You should write about 150 words.

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Part 3. Write an essay of 350 words on the following topic.
While generally regarded as a negative emotion due to its association with anxiety and danger, fear can also be
protective, sharpening senses and instincts in critical situations.

Discuss the statement and state your opinion.

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SPEAKING TOPICS:

1. Globalization and Cultural Diversity: Some people believe that globalization enriches cultural diversity
by exposing societies to different traditions and perspectives. Others, however, argue that it leads to
cultural homogenization and the loss of unique cultural identities. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.

2. Technology and Social Interaction: Some individuals argue that technology enhances social interaction
by connecting people across long distances. Others contend that it diminishes the quality of face-to-face
interactions and leads to social isolation. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

3. Artificial Intelligence in Workplaces: Some believe that the integration of artificial intelligence in
workplaces significantly boosts productivity and innovation. Others, however, fear that it could lead to
widespread job loss and ethical concerns. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

4. Renewable Energy Investment: Some argue that governments should heavily invest in renewable
energy sources to combat climate change. Others believe that the immediate economic costs and
technological limitations make this impractical. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

5. Education System Reform: Some advocate for a complete overhaul of the education system to better
prepare students for modern challenges. Others, however, believe in preserving traditional educational
methods, arguing they have stood the test of time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

6. Social Media's Role in Politics: Some people believe that social media platforms play a positive role in
politics by fostering democratic discourse and activism. Others argue that they contribute to misinformation
and political polarization. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

7. Space Exploration Funding: Some argue that investing in space exploration is essential for scientific
advancement and potential future colonization. Others contend that such investments are extravagant and
resources should be used to address earthly problems. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

8. Telecommuting vs. Traditional Workplaces: Some people believe that telecommuting offers greater
flexibility and work-life balance. Others, however, argue that it leads to decreased collaboration and
corporate culture erosion. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

9. Universal Basic Income: Some advocate for the implementation of a universal basic income to address
inequality and automation-related job losses. Others fear it could discourage work and strain economic
resources. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

10. Genetic Engineering in Medicine: Some believe that genetic engineering is crucial for curing diseases
and enhancing human capabilities. Others, however, raise ethical concerns about its potential misuse and
long-term consequences. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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11. Urbanization and Environmental Sustainability: Some people believe that urbanization leads to more
efficient resource use and innovation in sustainability. Others argue that it causes environmental
degradation and loss of natural habitats. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

12. Automation in Manufacturing: Some argue that automation in manufacturing is essential for efficiency
and economic growth. Others contend that it leads to significant job losses and widens the income gap.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

13. Mandatory Military Service: Some believe that mandatory military service is beneficial for fostering
national unity and responsibility among citizens. Others, however, argue that it infringes on individual
freedom and is an outdated practice. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

14. Cashless Society: Some people advocate for a cashless society, citing increased convenience and
reduced crime. Others are concerned about privacy issues and the digital divide. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.

15. Genetically Modified Foods: Some believe that genetically modified foods are key to solving global
hunger and improving nutrition. Others worry about potential health risks and environmental impacts.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

16. Remote Learning in Education: Some argue that remote learning provides accessibility and flexibility in
education. Others believe it lacks the effectiveness of traditional in-person learning experiences. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.

17. Youth Participation in Politics: Some people believe that increasing youth participation in politics is
crucial for progressive change and representation. Others argue that it could lead to impulsiveness and
lack of experience in governance. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

18. Artificial Enhancement in Sports: Some advocate for the allowance of artificial enhancements in sports
to push human limits and evolve athletic performance. Others feel it undermines the spirit of fair
competition and poses health risks. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

19. Work-Life Balance in the Modern World: Some people believe that achieving work-life balance is
essential for mental health and productivity. Others argue that the competitive nature of the modern world
necessitates a work-centered lifestyle. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

20. Cultural Impact of Global Tourism: Some argue that global tourism promotes cultural understanding
and economic growth. Others believe that it leads to cultural commodification and environmental damage.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

(You may write overleaf if you need more space.)

– THE END –

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