Đề cương ôn tập cuối kì 2 Tiếng Anh 9 Friends Plus có đáp án - Part 5: Reading

Task 1. Look at each sign, instruction or notice. Choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) that matches its meaning.

Task 2. Choose the word (A, B, C or D) that best fits each blank space in the following passage.

          The discovery of King Richard III’s remains was a significant archaeological achievement.

          The skeleton of King Richard III (6) ________ on 4th February 2013. He was buried in Greyfriars Church in Leicester, (7) ________ was destroyed in 1585. Luckily, historians (8) ________ written descriptions of the church's location and realised that it was probably under a car park in the centre of Leicester. (9) ________ the chances of finding Richard III were very low, they decided to excavate the site, and work started in August 2012. Fortunately, the old church was uncovered, along with a skeleton that showed battle injuries.

          After examining the skeleton carefully, experts discovered that it belonged to a man in his early 30s (10) ________ a back problem. Furthermore, the bones were dated between 1455 and 1540, which corresponded to the period of Richard’s death. Finally, they employed DNA techniques (11) ________ his identity. They used DNA from his sister’s descendants, and it (12) ________ the skeleton's DNA. Now the archaeologists were sure they had found the lost king. In March 2015, King Richard III was reburied in Leicester Cathedral. 

Task 3. Choose the word (A, B, C or D) that best fits each blank space in the following passage.

          Vaccines are used to protect the body against certain (13) ________ diseases before they come into the human body. Global vaccination programmes have (14) ________ or controlled many deadly diseases around the world. For example, smallpox was officially eradicated in 1980.

          Vaccines are biological substances made of the same microorganisms that cause disease.

          Vaccines help (15) ________ the body’s immunity by imitating a real infection. (16) ________ the vaccine is introduced into the body, usually by injection or orally, the immune system reacts to the invading substance as if it were a real disease. The white blood cells produce antibodies to attack and destroy the substance in the vaccine. These antibodies then stay in the body, and they create immunity. If the body (17) ________ into contact with the disease in the future, the immune system will respond immediately and protect against the infection.

          Different types of vaccines are used to immunise against different diseases. Most children are vaccinated against serious childhood diseases when they are babies. Several doses of the vaccine are needed to build up complete immunity; (18) ________, the vaccination is repeated three times. Some vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine, are only effective for a short time and need repeating every year. Others, like the yellow fever vaccine, are only necessary if you live in or visit a country (19) ________ the disease exists.

Task 4. Choose the word (A, B, C or D) that best fits each blank space in the following passage.

          Last summer, Linda and her friends took a road trip to a popular beach town which was often considered a must-visit destination in their country. They were (20) ________ excited about the adventure that they had planned the trip weeks in advance. However, it (21) ________ to be their (22) ________ unpleasant experience.

          First, they got stuck on the highway for two hours because of a massive tailback caused by an accident. Then, their car broke down, and they had to wait (23) ________ a mechanic arrived. Despite his great efforts, he failed to fix it, so they had to hire another car.

          When they finally reached the beach town, they were (24) ________ by the sight. The beach was overcrowded, littered with rubbish, and the water was polluted. They tried to make the best of it by (25) ________ the town, but it was filled with tourist traps and overpriced restaurants. To make matters worse, one of Linda’s friends suffered a broken ankle, so they decided to pack up and leave earlier than planned. In short, it was a (26) ________ experience; however, they learned the importance of being prepared for unexpected challenges during road trips.

Task 5. Choose the word (A, B, C or D) that best fits each blank space in the following passage.

          I've just completed a brilliant 'Creative Technologies' course, which is far (27) ________ than any other technology course I have ever attended. If you desire (28) ________ more self-confidence in your design skills and discover your strengths, this might be perfect for you.

          In this course, you (29) ________ new technology to design innovative things. It isn't easy at all - every day is challenging! Sometimes, you (30) ________ to work independently (31) ________ you can be more self-reliant. For example, I designed a new application (32) ________, and it took a week to complete! Although the product still had some display problems, my teacher encouraged me and rewarded me with a small gift. 

          Furthermore, you frequently collaborate with other students, which challenges and benefits some introverts. It really helps if you're friendly and sociable, as well as relaxed and easy-going. I'd say that one of the major benefits of this course is the opportunity to socialize with others (33) ________ have similar interests. 

Task 6. Read the following passage. Decide whether the statements from 34 to 37 are True or False. Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 38 to 40.

          One of the most interesting inventions of the 1920s was the polygraph, or lie detector. It was invented by a Californian policeman, John Larson in 1921. He used the ideas of some psychologists to make a machine that measured people’s heart rate, breathing and blood pressure while they were asked questions. Experts believed sudden changes in these measurements showed that someone was lying. Although this invention is well-known, it can’t really detect lies. Larson tried to use measurements from his polygraph in a court case in 1923, but they weren’t accepted as evidence and have never been since then. However, polygraphs are still used by some police forces and the FBI. Many people believe they work, so they tell the truth to avoid detection by the machine.

Task 7. Read the following passage. Decide whether the statements from 41 to 44 are True or False. Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 45 to 47.

Beyond Yourself: Character-Building Programmes for Teenagers

Do you want to do something different and meaningful this summer? Here are some examples of summer courses where you can develop crucial skills like teamwork, confidence, and communication.

Go whale-watching in Brazil

This programme is beneficial for nature-lovers who want to help protect humpback whales in their natural habitat. You can engage directly in practical tasks, from photographing whales and documenting their complex behavior, to providing information about the animals. To succeed in this role, you need to be responsible, confident, and patient because you’ll be working cooperatively with other teenagers and communicating with tourists most of the time.

Help save the coral reef ecosystem in Nha Trang Bay

If you are adventurous, experienced in diving, and passionate about nature preservation, this project might be perfect for you.  As a volunteer, you will work in groups under expert supervision to collect broken pieces of coral, re-grow them in underwater nurseries, and then re-attach them to reefs. This programme is ideal for those who are hard-working, reliable, and sociable. You also need to collaborate effectively to support marine experts.

Task 8. Read this tourist information leaflet. Decide whether the statements from 48 to 51 are True or False. Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 52 to 54.

Ottawa Landmarks

The National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada is one of Ottawa's most spectacular buildings. The gallery was constructed in 1988 in a modern style. It is made from stone, wood and glass. Looking up, you can see the glass roof, which is 43 metres high. The gallery is located in the waterfront area, and you can look across to the parliament buildings. Inside the building, there are paintings by many famous artists, and it is well worth a visit.

The Peacekeeping Monument

Look left when you walk out of the National Gallery, and you will see the Peacekeeping Monument across the street. This contemporary structure is one of the most fascinating monuments in Ottawa. If you look up at the top, you can see a statue of three peacekeepers. It was installed in 1992, and it is made from grey stone and metal. It commemorates the work of Canadian peacekeepers in war zones around the world.

Task 9. Read the following passage. Decide whether the statements from 55 to 58 are True or False. Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 59 to 61.

          A dream holiday turned into a nightmare for an American brother and sister, Dan and Kate Suski. During a fishing trip in the Caribbean, their boat sank.

          The weather wasn't brilliant that day, but Dan had caught a huge fish! He was trying to pull it onto the boat when the captain realised water was coming into the cabin. The boat was sinking fast. The captain used his radio to send a message for help. Then he shouted: “Jump out!”. So they did, and a few minutes later, the boat disappeared under the waves. They were about 15 km from land.

          The captain said that help was coming. The weather was now awful, but they were wearing life jackets. After an hour, the captain and the Suskis lost each other, and there was no sign of rescue. So Dan and Kate started to swim as fast as they could towards land. They were both thinking the same terrifying thought: sharks!

          A helicopter appeared, but nobody saw Dan and Kate in the water. Day turned to night, and the Suskis swam for fourteen hours. Finally, they saw some cliffs; they were near land! But they couldn't get out of the water here. There were dangerous, sharp rocks. By now, they were exhausted. Eventually, they reached a sandy beach. Out of the water at last, they lay down and rested.

          Then they found a town and picked some food on the way. Finally, they met a young farm worker who gave them water and food and stayed with them until the police arrived. He also gave them tragic news: the captain had been lost at sea. After a few days in the hospital, Dan and Kate were fine. Their story had another happy ending: a rescue boat found the captain after 23 hours at sea!