Phuong Xa High School
English Test - 12
(time: 45’)
code: 001
I. Choose the word which pronounced differently from the rest:
1. A. heat B. scream C. meat D. dead
2. A. tease B. beat C. break D. weak
3. A. stopped B. followed C. rained D. believed
4. A. rains B. hands C. works D. seems
5. A. laughs B. books C. tops D. phones
II. Choose the best answer:
1.Hellen: “ Congratulation!” – Jane: “ …………………
A. What a pity B. Thank you C. I’m sorry D. You’re welcome
2. Although his parents are very busy at work, they try ……… as much time with their
children as possible.
A. spending B. to spend C. spent D. much
3. He was often made ………… milk by his mother.
A. drink B. drinks C. to drink D. drank
4. At the end of the letter Mary wrote “ Give my best …………. to your parents.”
A. wishes B. hopes C. words D. belief
5. During the school year, he is not allowed …………. watch TV until he has finished his
household chores.
A. watching B. to watching C. watched D. to be watched
6. Many people believed that “ Men build the house and women make it home”. It means
that ………………………
A. In the home only men build the house
B. At home both the women and the men join hand to build a happy home.
C. At home, only women make her house.
D. At home, both parents and the children make their home.
7. Jone reminded me …………. his motorbike by 8o’clock.
A. please return B. not forget to return C. remember to return D. to return

hand and invited us to have dinner with their families on special occasions. In short, I highly
valued the close ties in human relationship shown in the villagers’ way of living.
1. What has the writer learned according to the passage?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Was the writer impressed by some of their beautiful traditional customs?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
3. What did the villagers do when the writer stayed there?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Were people in the family willing to help each other? Give example(s)?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
5. What are your responsibilities in your family?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
The end.

Ha Noi celebrates 1,000
years

Celebrations to mark 1,000 years since the foundation of Thang
Long-Ha Noi began at the Ly Thai To Garden yesterday. —
VNS
Photos Truong Vi Leaders attend the opening ceremony of festivities to mark the

hands of working people have converged to construct the capital."
Doi moi (renewal) had highlighted Ha Noi's role as nation's capital, said Nghi as he described the city's
achievements of the past two years.
"Ha Noi is determined to fulfill the tasks of socio-economic development" and better serve its residents, he
said.
Honour
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) general director Irina Bokova
presented Ha Noi with a certificate recognising the Thang Long Royal Citadel as a World Cultural Heritage
site at the opening. General Director of UNESCO Irina Bokova hands over a
certificate recognising the Thang Long Royal
Citadel as a
World Heritage site to Chairman of Ha Noi People's Committee
Nguyen The Thao.
Viet Nam's lively memories of the capital transfer 1,000 years ago, which "few countries could match," was
to be admired, she said.
But the general director, who dressed a traditional ao dai, cautioned that although UNESCO's recognition
was an honour, it would require new commitment to their city from its residents.
"You carry the responsibility to promote and preserve the heritage for the future generations," she said.
The grand ceremony indicated the profound respect the Vietnamese people had for their predecessors and
the mass attendance showed their strong link to their splendid past.
The ceremony ended with the release of 1,000 pigeons as a symbol of peace.
Phong Dieu (Bird Release) Club member Do Van Vuc of Soc Son District said: "The release of the 1,000
pigeons represents our memory of King Ly Cong Uan - the birth name of Ly Thai To.
"It was a great honour to contribute pigeons and take part in the ceremony. I have never attended such a
great event."
The opening ceremony was followed with performances from thousands of artists on five grand stages
around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Historical force
: On Friday, at King Ly Thai To Garden in Ha
Noi, an art programme was held with the theme "Thang Long-
Ha Noi, histo
ric city with heroic traditions" to welcome the
1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi. VNA/VNS Photo
Doan Tan
City of peace: On Friday
, a pigeon
was released by Returned Sword Lake
(Ha Noi). VNA/VNS Photo Phuong
Hoa Old tunes:
On the stage in front of Ba
Kieu Temple by the Returned Sword
Lake, art shows were held to welcome
the great 1,000th anniversary of Thang
Long-
Ha Noi. VNA/VNS Photos Nhat
Anh Cross cultural:
Thousands of domestic
and foreign visitors attend the

descend on the capital soon. Workers have buried cable networks underground to clean the streets and made
flower arrangements that spell out slogans in celebration of the capital's birthday.
Doan Mon gate, Kinh Thien Palace, Princess' Pavilion and other buildings inside the ancient Thang Long
citadel have completed and are ready for the celebrations. Visitors will have a chance to visit the citadel,
which opened on Saturday.
Party
: Hanoian and Russian children
perform a dance with s
tuffed animals.
VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tung
The Museum of Ha Noi will also be a new, attractive destination in the city. Located in Me Tri Commune,
Tu Liem District, the 54,150sq.m museum includes exhibition rooms, stores, seminar rooms and an outdoor
exhibition area.
Associate Professor Dr Pham Mai Hung, the deputy chairman of the Viet Nam History Science Association,
says the museum will be the most modern museum in Viet Nam.
"The museum will also express the three features of Ha Noi: civilisation, heroic tradition, and loving peace."
Grand parade
A solemn and grand military march will help celebrate the 1,000-year old capital. The National Defence
Ministry mobilised 12,000 soldiers to participate in the parade.
During the last two months, the participating soldiers have practised many hours a day.
"As a pilot, it is a dream to have the honour of flying in the historic Ba Dinh Square's sky," says pilot Senior
Lieutenant Colonel Luong Van Lam.
Lam will command and lead a squadron of 10 helicopters to fly over the Square on the morning of October
10.
"The honour is great, but the responsibility for us is also very heavy," Lam says. "I was assigned the task of
leading the squadron. I have to make exact decisions while commanding the squadron in the air. Flight
speed will be very important to reach Ba Dinh Square at the precise moment during the parade."

Ha Noi also upgraded the city's infrastructure and decorated many boulevards and gardens with decorative
lights, flowers and ornamental trees.
Culture and history researcher Bui Thiet acknowledged that many construction projects were completed in
time.
"But we should not focus on appearance," he says. "Some publishers have also issued too many books about
the anniversary, with some errors which may easily confuse readers."
Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Thi Minh Thai, a lecturer at the Ha Noi University of Social Sciences and
Humanity, says material and spiritual elements are equally important during the festivities.
Construction projects cel
ebrate
anniversary
Construction projects to celebrate the
anniversary include: upgrading the
King Le Thai To statue; Thang Long
Tu Tran (four sacred temples that
protected the four corners of the
ancient Thang Long citadel); Ha Noi
Library; August Revolut
ion Square;
Dan Xa Tac Square; Kim Lien-
O Cho
Dua route and Lac Long Quan
Boulevard.
The city finished more than 30
constructions before September 30
including: Statue of Saint Giong,
Statue of President Ho Chi Minh
standing with President Ton Duc
Thang, H
a Noi ancient citadel, Hoa

by Ngoc Duy
As you look at the thousands of name cards and keepsakes that
visitors have left in Tan Ky House in the ancient city of Hoi An,
you won't have to ask how much interest there is in a house that
has been recognised by the Government as a historical and
cultural monument since the 1980s.
Others may have their own reasons for loving the house, but for
me, as I let the lady of the house guide me around, I feel like
spending hours here just to contemplate truly old Oriental
architecture, learn about the history that is integrated with every
detail of the house, and meditate on life's ancient philosophies.
The house, located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, was built
more than two centuries ago. The same family has lived in the
home for seven generations. The name Tan Ky, meaning
"Progress Shop", was given to the house by the second generation
to express the owner's wish for a prosperous business.
"Tan Ky still offers evidence of an era when trade with foreigners
flourished in this major commercial port city from the 18th until
the first half of the 19th century, a time when wealthy merchants
built imposing houses like this," said Huynh Thi Tan Xuan, the
house's mistress.
At that time, the Tan Ky family traded in agricultural products.
Their customers included local and foreign merchants from
Southeast Asia and Europe.
Boats sailed up the Thu Bon River to reach the house. Goods
ready for sale were kept on the ground floor, while products to be
sold later were moved to the upper storage floors by a pulley system.
The storage area is just one of the many details of the house that has remained unchanged to this day.
However, by the beginning of last century, Hoi An was no longer among the most important business
centres of the region as a result of continuous floods that silted up the river and prevented big ships from

The edge of the roof is decorated with four half-dragon fish, a symbol of people who succeed through hard
work.
"All of the carvings here are expressions of our ancestors' wishes for something," said Xuan.
"Peaches symbolise the hope for longevity, bats for happiness (in the Han Chinese language the words for
bats and happiness have the same sound), rolls of poetry for knowledge, wine gourds for pleasure, and
pumpkins with many seeds for plentiful descendants."
"The furniture and art in the house, much of which are original, are also typical of a bygone era," she said.
One of the famous pieces is a pair of wood panels, which are inscribed with parallel sentences. Each stroke
of writing is an image of a bird. One hundred birds in total represent honourable men and perfection, she
said. "Another unique piece has an interesting story behind it," Xuan said, pointing at what she called the
"Cup of Confucius".
A legend says that when ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius nearly died of hunger and thirst on a
journey through the desert, he met an old man who led him to a pond and gave him a cup to scoop water.
He scooped up a full cup but when he brought it to his mouth, there was no water. Surprised, he found that
the cup had a small hole at the bottom which water fell through when the cup was full. He finally
understood that he could not drink the water unless he only partially filled the cup.
Confucius then theorised that human beings needed to control their behaviours and keep their minds level,
not in extremes, and live as gentleman with human love, faith, righteousness, wisdom and loyalty. Later on,
the legendary cup that saved Confucius was named the Cup of Confucius and his followers produced similar
cups in order to practise and propagate his doctrine.
The Cup of Confucius in Tan Ky house maintains its original strangeness because if someone attempts to
fill it more than 80 per cent, all the water falls out, said Xuan.
Xuan said Tan Ky, recognised as one of the best preserved and most beautiful old houses in Hoi An today,
has the honour of receiving thousands of visitors every year. Many national and international leaders who
have visited the house have left their autographs behind.
"Preserving all of these values has become an age-old tradition in our family," she said. "My husband lives
and works in Da Nang, but I stay here to look after this property and conserve our traditions." — VNS

Basking in the unspoilt wild of tranquil Quan Son Lake
by Minh Thus

which is also home to many different
types of bird species.

In Quan Son, there are many wonderful destinations, including Trau Trang (White Buffalo) Mountain, Su
Tu (Lion) Island, Doc Lap Island, Voi Phuc (Kneeling Elephant) Hill and Hoa Qua Son (Flowers and Fruits
Hill), each with its own natural attractions.
The area is also famous for Linh Son and Ngoc Long caves, which are not large but are dramatic, with
stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes of eagles, dragons, phoenix, unicorns and tortoises. Tourists
who arrive in the rainy season in June and July may not have a chance to visit the caves, because the water
level rises.
But in this season, waterfalls run down into the lake from the high mountains, creating white spumes that
add to the splendid scenery.
After the boat tour, a rest on the islands is suggested, where stilt-houses serve as places to stop for a picnic.
Visitors can bring meals from home or ask the ferrywomen to buy food for a delectable midday feast. Local
specialities include chicken and goat raised on the island, as well as fish, crab and snails from the lake.
Standing on the shore of Quan Son Lake, visitors marvel at the magnificent and peaceful environment, with
imposing cliffs overlooking the green water and flocks of white egrets leisurely stretching their wings.
From October to March, Voi (Elephant) Valley – the bird watching point in Quan Son – is especially
appealing, with a great number of species flocking to build nests and shelters.
Next to the valley, Huyen, our boatwoman, led us to an area filled with lotus. She said that we are so lucky
to visit this place while the lotus were in bloom. The boat runs slowly through the kingdom of lotus,
hindered by roots and sprigs of flowers and leaves. We were charmed by the perfume of the blossoms.
Huyen suggested that we pick a leaf and use it as an umbrella to shade us from the sun. Because there were
plenty of flowers, we were allowed to pluck a small bunch to bring home.
There are also some pagodas in Quan Son, such as Cao and Ham Yen. However, Linh Son Pagoda, built
during the Mac dynasty in the 16th century, is located at the foot of the mountain near Linh Son Cave and
reflects on the surface of the lake.
About 20 rowboats and several motor boats are available at the lake to serve tourists, Huyen said. — VNS
established Nha Trang Xua in 2009.
In the beginning it was just a small garden and a food court. But even then, about 200 people would visit
daily – three times that number on the weekends.
To create a local atmosphere, Yen has bought plants native to the area to her garden. There are also
vegetables, fruit trees and herbs.

Garden of Eden: On entering Nha
Trang Xua visitors go back in time to
a golden era of peace and tranquility.
— Photos courtesy of Nha Trang Xua

Tranquillity: A lotus pond is a
resfreshing respite from the heat of
summer.

"The resort reminds me a lot of my grandparents' house in Vinh Phuong Village 30 years ago," says local
resident Huynh Phuong.
"Every corner of the resort is a reflection of different parts of Nha Trang in days gone by. The wet yin-yang
roofed house in the middle of the garden, the pond, the mossy brick path."
Yen has relocated houses dating back 100 to 300 years to the resort, which now comprises 11 houses; a food
court capable of accommodating 250 diners; a food centre for package tourists and formal functions, which
has a capacity of 700 guests; and a seven-room hotel.
The restaurants offers more than 100 traditional local dishes, which are served authentically.
"The resort is unique, local but professionally run," says Bui Minh Thang, director of Phuong Thang

visit.
"The road to the village is very nice, our car moves smoothly.
The landscape is beautiful, too, with immense green fields and
stilt houses going in and out of view as we pass through cloud
covered mountain valleys," said Chan.
"But we were amazed when we stumbled across Lac Village
and the nearby Poong Coong hamlet, both nestled in a
breathtakingly beautiful mountain valley. Gentle villagers did
not hesitate to offer us food and accommodation, as well as a
glimpse of a traditional lifestyle that has changed little by little
over the centuries," said Chan.
Lo Van Then, the owner of a stilt house, said his village has 25
wooden and bamboo hotels which have been built according to
a plan approved by the district authorities.
"Many people called our stilt houses ‘hotels' but they're more
than that because they are built out of wood and bamboo, and
include modern conveniences such as bathrooms, toilets and massage rooms. They are all very clean and
fragrant with the scent of the wild flowers that surround the area," said Then, adding that almost all villagers
earn their living from tourism.
The stilt houses are built in the traditional design. They're very large, about 100-150sq.m each. For only
VND30,000 (US$1.55), a traveller can enjoy a 1.2 by 2 sq.m sleeping area. A delicious meal for six costs
only VND200,000 ($10.31) for the group.
"Our favourite memories of the trip were the community activities. Groups of travellers can join in
traditional song and dance performances, such as the mua sap (bamboo pole dance), with young Thai men
and women," one of Chan's American friends said.

Peaceful environment:
Visitors wander Lac Village
which has become a tourist
attraction in Hoa Binh

The number of visitors to the village has increased from a mere 400-500 in 1993 to 400,000-500,000 by the
end of last year.
Hemmed in between the fierce Da and Ma rivers, Mai Chau is the gateway to Viet Nam's vast north-western
mountain region, home to various ethnic groups including the Thai, Muong, Dao, Mong and Hoa.
During their journey, travellers will meet Thai women donned in their customary colourful garb, commonly
comprised of a tight shirt half indigo, half white, a white waist band, and a long indigo skirt that touches the
ground.
Thai women always grow their hair long, but the style differs according to marital status. Single young
women wear their hair loose, but arrange it in a chignon after marriage. The women also dye their teeth
black after marriage.
Like women everywhere, the Thai save their best clothes for special occasions. Whether it's the rite when
villagers pray for rain, or the procession to offer new rice to the gods, Thai women can be seen wearing
elaborately patterned costumes. They consist of a black and white shirt adorned with floral embroidery at
the hem and a colourful waist band. Jewellery includes silver bracelets, jade earrings and small bells
attached at the waist.
"These women make our life more significant and meaningful," said Tim.
The Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism already invested some VND10 billion to improve
infrastructure such as roads, electricity and internet to Lac Village, said Tim.
Trekking tours to grottoes believed to have been inhabited by ancient tribes and Thai cemeteries hidden
among the limestone mountains had also been opened for tourists, said Tim.
Public buses from Ha Noi to Hoa Binh travel along Highway 6 straight to the village. Tim said that Lac
Village in particular and Mai Chau District in general were still poor and the local authorities were calling
on local and foreign firms and organisations to invest more to help it develop and prosper. — VNS

Tourists develop eco-awareness
by Minh Thu

I often tell myself that if in a given day I don't learn anything new
or do something useful, then I have wasted that day.
Before going on a trip with Peace Trees Viet Nam (PTVN), I

Nong ethnic people in the Central
Highlands province of Dac Lac. —
VNA/VNS Photo Hong Ky
as the border between the two regions between 1954 and 1975.
After visiting these destinations, I felt that I had learned a lot about the bravery of the Vietnamese people
and the soldiers who fought during the war. However, I also felt that I understood the true cost of the war,
which still affects people today.
After the inspiring tour, the group visited and worked at a friendship village that PTVN built for UXO and
Agent Orange victims and impoverished poor children.
I will never forget playing with the children. The children at the centre were overcome with joy as they
played with the balloons and stickers that tourists bought for them. While the children that live in the city
where I am from may not be that impressed with such gifts, the poor children here thoroughly enjoyed them.
Nguyen Thi Cuc lost her legs in an accident caused by a UXO. Now unable to work, Cuc continues to live
an active lifestyle and even won several medals during the province's special olympics.
She has had a hard life, but now she looks relaxed and is able to teach courses on how to properly prepare
sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Interesting
"Vietnamese people love these snacks, especially during Tet (lunar new year) or when they are receiving
guests," she says. "I don't know why they are so popular, perhaps because they are delicious and they make
interesting noises when you bite into their shells."
This type of trip is known as responsible travel, which encourages travellers to participated in tour packages
that are designed by companies to form responsible relationships with local communities. This new
approach to tourism can help improve businesses incomes and create more jobs for people. The concept is
new to Viet Nam.
Le Nguyen Travel is one the first companies that has implemented this new paradigm into their travel
packages in Viet Nam. The company works with its Canadian counterpart, Cegep Marie Victoria Company,
to recruit Canadian tourists to visit Hoi An. Participating travellers can stay up to one month in the area,
where they will live together with the locals and volunteer in social programmes.
The tourists are able to help with household chores, study Vietnamese, and learn how to cook Vietnamese
food. They can also help village elders and disabled residents and teach English to orphans.

vẫn tiếp tục đứng đầu danh sách các kỳ quan trên thế giới. Qủa là danh bất hư truyền. Người Ai Cập cổ đại
đáng nể thật!

2. Grand Canyon
Arizona - U.S.A.

Grand Canyon quả thực là một tác phẩm vĩ đại của thiên nhiên. Hẻm núi rộng đến 29km (18 dặm) từ bờ núi
này đến bờ núi kia và sâu 1600m (1 dặm). Grand Canyon trải qua quá trình hình thành dài đến hàng triệu
năm nhờ ảnh hưởng xói mòn của sông Colorado đã tạo nên đường cắt xuyên những lớp đá hàng tỉ năm tuổi.
Sự bao la mênh mông và hoang vắng của quang cảnh đã khiến cho những du khách ở đây không thể thốt
nên lời !

3.Vạn lý trường thành
Trung Quốc

Nếu như bạn đứng trên tường thành trong một khung cảnh hoang dã không một bóng người, bạn sẽ thấy bức
tường uốn lượn như một con rắn chạy dài từ phía trước và từ phía sau bạn. Đó thực sự là một cảnh hùng vĩ,
hoành tráng của Vạn Lý Trường Thành.
Vạn Lý Trường Thành là một công trình kiến trúc vĩ đại, được khởi công từ thời Tần Thủy Hoàng, vị Hoàng
Ðế đầu tiên của Trung Hoa, và trở thành một trong những kỳ quan thế giới. Có thể nói đây là niềm tự hào
của văn hóa Trung Quốc. Khởi nguyên của nó chỉ là một bức tường trấn thủ và bảo vệ nướcTrung Hoa tránh
làn sống xâm lược của quân Hung Nô từ phía Bắc.
Vạn Lý Trường Thành không phải là một chuỗi tường dài liên tục, mà là một kết hợp của những đọan tường
kiên cố được xây dựng một cách riêng biệt vào những thời đại khác nhau qua hai thiên niên kỷ, cuối cùng
tạo nên một tường thành bảo vệ dài 7200 km, nằm về phía Bắc của Trung quốc, làm nổi bật đường biên giới
xa xưa của vương quốc nhà Tần rộng lớn chạy dài suốt từ Sơn Hải Quan ở phía đông đến tận Gia Dụ Quan
ở phía tây, nó vẫn còn đứng sừng sững đến tận ngày nay. Dưới thời Tần Thủy Hoàng Ðế vào năm 221 cho
đến 210 trước Tây Lịch, tường thành đầu tiên của Vạn Lý Trường Thành, như chúng ta gọi ngày nay, đã
được xây dựng. Thoạt tiên tường thành ấy chỉ được đắp bằng bùn và đá, chạy dài ngăn cách Trung quốc và
phần đất của Mông Cổ. Bao nhiêu triều đại phong kiến của xứ sở Trung Hoa đến rồi đi, một vài triều đại đã