Text 1:

 

 Read the passage below. Use the word given in bold to form a word that fits in the numbered gap.

BLACK WIDOW SPIDER

The black widow spider’s notoriety is not without foundation. However, an element of exaggeration has led to certain ___ (1. CONCEPT) regarding its evil nature. Firstly, this spider is not as dangerous as is often thought. While it is indeed one of the most ___ (2. VENOM) species of spider, its venom being fifteen times stronger than that of the prairie rattlesnake, its bite injects such as amount of venom by ___ (3. COMPARE) that it is unlikely to kill humans. In fact, ___ (4. FATAL) are rare. Black widows bite only if they are touched or their web is threatened. Furthermore, only the adult female is poisonous. Those most at risk from the female are the spider’s natural pray-insects-and male black widow spiders. The latter are vulnerable as the female is ___ (5. SOLITUDE) by nature, and has been known to kill and eat the male after mating. Such ___ (6. OCCUR) are rare, but they explain how the spider got its name – and its reputation. Nevertheless, the ___ (7. PLEASE) effects of this spider’s bite should not be ___ (8. ESTIMATE), and if you live in a temperate climate and have a fireplace in your home, it is advisable to take ___ (9. CAUTION). Black widow spiders often inhabit wood piles, so you should wear gloves when handling firewood. Furthermore, since black widow spiders are ___ (10. RESIST) to many insecticides, you should regularly clean out likely hiding places.

Text 2:

 Read the passage and fill in each of the blanks with ONE suitable word.

True relaxation is most certainly not a matter of flopping down in front of the television with a welcome drink. Nor is it about drifting (1) ___ an exhausted sleep. Useful though these responses to tension and over-tiredness (2) ___ be, we should distinguish between them and conscious relaxation in (3) ___ of quality and effect. (4) ___ of the level of tiredness, real relaxation is a state of alert yet at the same time passive awareness, in which our bodies are (5) ___ rest while our minds are awake.           Moreover, it is as natural for a healthy person to be relaxed when moving as resting. (6) ___ relaxed in action means we bring the appropriate energy to everything we do, so as to have a feeling of healthy tiredness by the end of the day, (7) ___ than one of exhaustion. Unfortunately, as a result of living in today’s competitive world, we are under constant strain and have difficulty in coping, (8) ___ alone nurturing our body’s abilities. What needs to be rediscovered is conscious relaxation. With (9) ___ in mind we must apply ourselves to understanding stress and the nature of its causes (10) ___ deep-seated.

- Tiêu đề SEO: Nor is it about drifting (1) ___ an exhausted sleep.

Text 3:

 Read the following passage and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) to each question. Write your answer in the numbered box.

A recent survey of crime statistics shows that we are all more likely to be burgled now than 20 years ago and the police advise everyone to take a few simple precautions to protect their homes. The first fact is that burglars and other intruders prefer easy opportunities, like a house which is very obviously empty. This is much less of a challenge than an occupied house, and one which is well-protected. A burglar will wonder if it is worth the bother. There are some general tips on how to avoid your home becoming another crime statistic. Avoid leaving signs that your house is empty. When you have to go out, leave at least one light on as well as a radio or television, and do not leave any curtains wide open. The sight of your latest music centre or computer is enough to tempt any burglar. Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place. The first place a burglar will look is under the doormat or in a flower pot and even somewhere more 'imaginative' could soon be uncovered by the intruder. It is much safer to leave a key with a neighbour you can trust. But if your house is in a quiet, desolate area be aware that this will be a burglar's dream, so deter any potential criminal from approaching your house by fitting security lights to the outside of your house. But what could happen if, in spite of the aforementioned precautions, a burglar or intruder has decided to target your home. Windows are usually the first point of entry for many intruders. Downstairs windows provide easy access while upstairs windows can be reached with a ladder or by climbing up the drainpipe. Before going to bed you should double-check that all windows and shutters are locked. No matter how small your windows may be, it is surprising what a narrow gap a determined burglar can manage to get through. For extra security, fit window locks to the inside of the window. What about entry via doors? Your back door and patio doors, which are easily forced open, should have top quality security locks fitted. Even though this is expensive it will be money well spent. Install a burglar alarm if you can afford it as another line of defence against intruders. A sobering fact is that not all intruders have to break and enter into a property. Why go to the trouble of breaking in if you can just knock and be invited in? Beware of bogus officials or workmen and, particularly if you are elderly, fit a chain and an eye hole so you can scrutinise callers at your leisure. When you do have callers never let anybody into your home unless you are absolutely sure they are genuine. Ask to see an identity card, for example. If you are in the frightening position of waking in the middle of the night and think you can hear an intruder, then on no account should you approach the intruder. It is far better to telephone the police and wait for help. 

Danh sách câu hỏi:

Câu 7:

We ___ have been happier in those days.     

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Câu 9:

The storm ripped our tent to ___

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Câu 16:

The sixth time he called me at night was the ____

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Câu 19:

“Shall we go out tonight?”        - “____”

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Câu 20:

It's no use ___ over ___ milk.

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Câu 52:

Read the text and do the tasks as follow.

OUT OF THE ASHES

Paragraph A

On the afternoon of 30th August 1989, fire broke out at Uppark, a large eighteenth century house in Sussex. For a year builders had been replacing the lead on the roof, and by a stroke of irony, were due to finish the next day, on August 31st. Within fifteen minutes of the alarm being sounded, the fire brigade had arrived on the scene, though nothing was to survive of the priceless collection on the first floor apart from an oil painting of a dog which the firemen swept up as they finally retreated from the blaze. But due to the courage and swift action of the previous owners, the Meade-Featherstonhaugh family, and the staff, stewards and visitors to the house, who formed human chains to pass the precious pieces of porcelain, furniture and paintings out on to the lawn, 95 percent of the contents from the ground floor and the basement were saved. As the fire continued to rage, the National Trust’s conservators were being mobilised, and that evening local stationers were especially opened to provide the bulk supplies of blotting paper so desperately needed in the salvage operation.

Paragraph B

The following morning, Uppark stood open to the sky. A sludge of wet charcoal covered the ground floor and basement, and in every room charred and fallen timbers lay amongst the smoke. It was a scene of utter devastation.

Paragraph C

After the initial sense of shock, the days which followed the fire were filled with discoveries. Helped by volunteers, the National Trust’s archaeologists and conservators swung into action, first of all marking the site out into a grid and then salvaging everything down to the last door handle. The position of each fragment was recorded, and all the debris was stored in countless dustbins before being sifted and categorised.

Paragraph D

There was great excitement as remnants of the lantern from the Staircase Hall were pulled out from the debris of two fallen floors, and also three weeks later when the Red Room carpet, thought to have been totally lost, was found wrapped around the remains of a piano. There was a lucky reprieve for the State Bed too. Staff who had left the scene at 3 a.m on the night of the fire had thought its loss was inevitable, but when they returned the next morning it had escaped largely undamaged. Firemen, directed by the National Trust’s conservators from outside the Tapestry Room window, dismantled the silk-hung bed and passed it out piece by piece. Twenty minutes later the ceiling fell in.

Paragraph E

The scale of the task to repair Uppark was unprecedented in the National Trust. The immediate question was whether it should be done at all. A decision had to be taken quickly, as the building was unsound and whatever had not been damaged by the fire was exposed to the elements. Within a month, after consulting many experts and with the agreement of the National Trust’s Executive Committee, the restoration programme began. It was undertaken for three main reasons. After the fire it had become apparent just how much remained of the structure with its splendidly decorated interiors; to have pulled the house down, as one commentator suggested, would have been vandalism. Also the property was covered by insurance, so the repairs would not call upon the National Trust’s own funds. Lastly, much had been saved of the fine collection acquired especially for Uppark from 1747 by Sir Matthew Featherstonhaugh and his son Harry. These objects belonged nowhere else, and complete restoration of the house would allow them to be seen and enjoyed again in their original setting.

Paragraph F

The search for craftsmen and women capable of doing the intricate restoration work was nation-wide. Once the quality and skill of the individual or company had been ascertained, they had to pass an economic test, as every job was competitively tendered. This has had enormous benefits because not only have a number of highly skilled people come to the fore - woodcarvers for example, following in the footsteps of Grinling Gibbons - but many of them, for example plasterers, have relearnt the skills of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries which can now be of use to other country house owners when the need arises.

Paragraph G

In June 1994 the building programme was completed, on time and on budget. The total cost of the work to repair the house and its contents came to be nearly £20 million, largely met from insurance. In addition, it made economic sense for the National Trust to invest time and money in upgrading water and heating systems, installing modern environmental controls, and updating fire and security equipment.

Paragraph H

The final stages of restoration and the massive programme of reinstallation took eight months. The family and the room stewards were visibly moved when returning to their old haunts, perhaps the best testament that the spirit of Uppark had not died. But the debate will no doubt continue as to whether or not it was right to repair the house after the fire. The National Trust has done its best to remain true to Uppark; it is for others to judge the success of the project. Note: The National Trust is a charitable organisation in Britain set up over a hundred years ago to preserve the national heritage.

The text has eight paragraphs, AH. Which paragraphs contain the following information? Write the appropriate letters, AH, in the boxes.

The procedure for sorting through the remains of the fire.


Câu 62:

Text 3

A well-protected house …………

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Câu 63:

Text 3

According to the writer, we should …………

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Câu 64:

Text 3

The writer thinks that hiding a key under a doormat or flower pot …………

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Câu 66:

Text 3

The phrase “aforementioned precautions” in paragraph 5 refers to steps that …………

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Câu 67:

Text 3

Gaining entry to a house through a small window …………

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Câu 68:

Text 3

According to the writer, window locks, security locks and burglar alarms …………

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Câu 69:

Text 3

The writer argues that fitting a chain and an eye hole…………

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Câu 71:

Text 3

The best title for the text is …………  

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