III. Reading comprehension:
Passage 1
Our growing need for food, goods and energy has had many harmful effects on the
environment.
Gases produced by cars, power stations and factories cause acid rain, which kills
trees and damages buildings. By using more environmentally – friendly forms of transport,
we help reduce this form of pollution.
A layer of carbon dioxide and other gases traps heat and keeps the earth at the right
temperature. This is called the greenhouse effect. By burning fossil fuels we are producing
too much carbon dioxide, which is causing temperatures to rise gradually. This global
warming could lead to dramatic changes in climate.
A layer of a gas called zone protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Certain chemicals used in industry, such as CFCs, have caused a hole to develop in the
ozone layer. The increased levels of ultraviolet radiation damage plants and sea life, and
increase the risk of skin cancer.
Most of the energy we use to heat and light buildings, run machines, etc. is made by
burning fossil fuels. This will eventually run out, so we need to use more alternative sources
of energy, such as wind and solar power that are renewable and do not pollute the air. We
should also avoid wasting energy by using less electricity and water and insulating our
houses.
We are destroying our forests, which produce oxygen and provide habitats for
animals and birds. Deforestation also allows rain to wash away the soil, making the land
useless for growing things. We pollute water by dumping waste from factories and houses,
and by accidentally spilling chemicals and oil. Chemical fertilizers damage rivers and lakes
by causing a layer of tiny plants, called algae, to cover the surface of the water. Organic
farming does not harm the water supply.
Burying rubbish in landfills can let harmful chemicals leak through the ground into
rivers, and it uses a lot of land. Burning rubbish adds to global warming. By sorting out
rubbish for recycling, we can cut down on waste.
1. The passage is mainly about Environmental problems.
A. Man and Nature

sets at a phenomenal rate. By the evening of the debate, 88 percent of all American families
owned a television set, and a very large percentage turned into the debate.
The format was really less like a debate than like a press conference. Each candidate
was allowed an opening statement of eight minutes, and then two and a half minutes to
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respond to each question proposed by a panel. There was no provision for dialogue between
the candidates. As White observed, despite this format, Nixon proceeded as though he was
in a personal debates with Kennedy, trying to score points from the reporters on the panel.
In contrast, Kennedy spoke directly to the television viewers, concentrating on creating a
dynamic and appealing image in order to influence them.
Later Kennedy claimed that the debate were the single most important factor in the
election. In White’s view the debates did change the direction of the campaign. From
research studies, Including Gallup Poll, it appeared that Kennedy had gained at least 2
million votes as a result of the televised programs. When you consider that Kennedy won by
a little more than 100,000 votes, the debates had to have made the difference. It has been
clear to candidates since then that television debates are a very powerful tool.
6. What is the author’s main point?
A. Television should be removed from politics
B. The Gallup Poll was an accurate predictor of the 1960 election
C. Kennedy’s style in the TV debate affected the outcome of the election
D. Eight-eight percent of all Americans owned televisions in 1960
7. How many votes did Kennedy gain as a result of the debate?
A. 88 percent B. 100,000
C. 1,960,000 D. 2 million
8. The author mentions all the following as characteristics of the debate except:
A. A large television audience
B. A dialogue between the candidates
C. An opening statement by each candidate
D. Questions by a panel of reporters
9. The word “dynamic” in line 16 is closest in meaning to

you. If you’re involved in an accident in affects a lot of other people as well, not least the
person you might kill or injure.
1. The amount of alcohol a person can drink before reaching the legal limit is
a. 800 mg of pure alcohol,
b. approximately three standard drinks.
c. Different for different people.
d. Exactly proportional to body weight.
2. When might you be taken to court by the police for drinking and driving?
a. When you have driven a vehicle after drinking any alcohol at all.
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b. When you have drunk at least three drinks before driving.
c. Only when tests show that you have 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood.
d. When the police think that you have been drinking from the way you
are driving.
3. When you have been drinking heavily in the evening, the next day you might be
a. still drunk until lunchtime.
b. unable to drive until the evening.
c. Over the legal limit in the morning.
d. unable to drive all day.
4. Alcohol is a major cause of road accidents in that
a. most drivers who die in these accidents have been drinking.
b. More young men die in drink-related accidents than in any other way.
c. Drinking affects people’s eye-sight.
d. One in three drivers drink heavily.
5. What does this article urge you to remember particularly about driving after
drinking?
a. You may be taken to court by the police.
b. You are putting yourself in danger.
c. You may hurt another road-user.
d. You put many other people at risk.

D. He lives at home with his parents
7. David’s greatest problem is …………………………………
A. making the banks treat him as an adult
B. investing computer games
C. spending his salary
D. learning to drive
8. He was employed by the company because …………………………
A. he had worked in a computer shop
B. he had written some computer programs
C. he works very hard
D. he had learnt to use computers at school
9. He left school after taking O-levels because ………………………………….
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A. he did not enjoy school
B. he wanted to work with computers and staying at school did not help him
C. he was afraid of getting too old to start computing
D. he wanted to earn a lot of money
10. Why does David think he might retire early?
A. You have to be young to write computer programs
B. He wants to stop working when he is a millionaire
C. He thinks computer games might not always sell so well
D. He thinks his firm might go bankrupt
Passage 1:
Unlike the eye, the ear has no lid; therefore noise penetrates without protection .Loud
noises instinctively signal danger to any organism with a hearing mechanism, including
human beings. In response, heartbeat and respiration accelerate. In fact, there is a general
increase in functioning brought about by the flow of adrenaline released in response to fear.
Because noise is unavoidable in a complex, industrial society, we are constantly
responding in the same ways that we could respond to danger. Recently, researchers have
concluded that noise and our response may be much more than an annoyance. It may be a

thousand times a day the difference between the language he uses and the language those
around him use. Bit by bit, he makes the necessary changes to make his language like other
people. In the same way the children learn to do all the other thing s. They learn to do
without being taught – to – talk, run, climb, whistle, ride a bicycle – compare their own
performances with those of more skilled people, and slowly make the necessary changes.
But in school we never give a child a chance to find out his mistake himself, let alone
correct them. We do it all for him. We act as if we thought that he would never notice a
mistake unless it was pointed out for him or correct it unless he was made to. Soon he
became dependent on teachers. Let him do it himself. Let him work out, with the help of
other children if he wants it. What this word says, what the answer is to that problem,
whether this is a good way of saying or doing this or not.
If it is the matter of right answers, as it may be in mathematics or science, give him
the answer book. Let him correct his own papers. Why should we teachers waste time on
such routine work? Our job should be to help children when he tells us that he can’t find the
way to get the right answer. Let’s end all this nonsense of grades exams, marks. Let us
throw them all out, and let children learn what all educated people must someday learn, how
to measure their own understanding, how to know what they know or do not know.
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Let them get on this job in the same way that seems most sensible to them, with our
help as school and used for the rest of one’s life is nonsense in a word as complicated and
rapidly changing as ours. Anxious parents and teacher say, “but suppose they fail to learn
something essential, something they will need to get on in the world?” don’t worry, if it is
essential, they will go out into the world and learn it.
6. What does author think is the best way for children to learn things?
A. By copying what other people do.
B. By making mistakes and having them corrected.
C. By asking questions
D. By answering questions
7. What does the author think teachers should NOT do?
A. They give children correct answer.

airships were invented in the mid-1800s. There were balloon with engines so that flying
direction could be controlled. Unfortunately, many of these airships caught fire during the
flight. As a result, they were never used again after the 1930s.
It is strange to think that at the beginning of this century, no one had ever flown in an
aero plane. However a few brave people were making their test flights in gliders. A German
inventor designed the hang-glider in the 1890s. His experiments helped to show that aircraft
with wings could be controlled in the air.
A few years later, two American brothers built the first aero plane. This was, in fact,
a glider fixed with a small engine. It was called Flyer I, and had his flight in 1903.
Unfortunately, it never flew for longer than a minute. Their aero planes improved quickly,
however, in 1908, Flyer III flew more than 100 kilometers. The next year, a Frenchman
flew from France to England. The aero plane he designed formed the shape of the aero
plane that is used today.
1. Traveling by air is ____________.
A. more expensive than traveling by land or by sea
B. the fastest way of traveling long distances
C. the least common way for people to travel
D. the best way to travel to places nearby
2. Balloons were able to stay up in the air because they _________.
A. were filled with cold air B. used the wind’s strength
C. were lighter than hot air D. were filled with hot air
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3. The difference between airships and balloons is that airships ___________.
A. had an engine B. didn’t catch fire
C. used the wind D. were safer
4. When using a hang glider in the air, the person would ________________.
A. sit on top of it B. lie across the wings
C. stand on top of it D. hang underneath it
5. On its first flight, Flyer I stayed in the air for __________________.
A. just over one kilometer B. about one minute

C. Some children have dropped matches on their clothing.
D. Hot water has fallen over their clothing.
9. Which one of the following is the cause of many other accidents in the home?
A. playing with electricity B. Eating too many sweets.
C. Sick children playing with things D. Playing tricks on other children
10. What is the best way to see to it that accidents do not happen in the home?
A. Wear clothes that do not burn easily
B. Don’t keep knives and medicine in the house
C. Turn off the electricity supply.
D. Don’t touch anything that appears unsafe.
Passage 1:
Many people from rural areas are leaving behind their traditional way of life and
moving to the city. They believe that well-paying jobs are plentiful in the city.
At home on the farm, life is always a struggle with nature. Typhoons, floods or
droughts can easily destroy a harvest and leave the farmer with little or no money until the
following year. Often farmers look for other work when they need more money for their
family.
The increase in population, however, has led to overcrowding in many cities. This
puts a strain on schools and hospitals, as well as water and electricity supplies. Increased
pollution is another unpleasant result.
There is almost a human side to this tragedy. Families sometimes have to live apart.
In these cases, children may live at home with relatives, while their parents go and live in an
urban area.
Governments all over the world are trying to provide facilities for these migrants, but
it can be quite a problem.
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1. Why are many people leaving their countryside for the city?
A. To get jobs B. Because they like that
C. To avoid their traditional way of life D. Because they believe in people in the city.
2. What is life in rural areas like?

“ Oh, what’s that, then?” he asked, as he pointed to a wad of pound notes on the table.
6. When did Mrs. Smith go shopping ?
A. After awhile B. On her birthday
C. The day after her birthday D. Ten days ago
7. What did Mrs. Smith see in the old lady’s hand bag ?
A. a pound note B. a wad of ten pound notes
C. a wad of one pound notes D. ten pounds
8. What was Mrs. Smith sure the old lady had done ?
A. stolen her money B. call the police
C. given her money to her husband D. taken her bag
9. Why did Mrs. Smith look around the bus ?
A. to call the police B. to make sure nobody was watching
C. to make a fuss D . to look for her money
10. What did Mr. Smith point to ?
A. Mrs. Smith’s beautiful hat B. Mrs. Smith’s handbag
C. The table D. A wad of ten pound notes
PASSAGE 1:
In 776 B.C. the first Olympic Games were held at the foot of mount Olympus to
honor the Greek’s chief god, Zeus. The warm climate for outdoor activities, the need for
preparedness in war, and their lifestyle caused the Greeks to create competitive sports. Only
the elite and military could participate at first, but later the games were open to all free
Greek male who had no criminal record. The Greeks emphasized physical fitness and
strength in their education of youth. Therefore, contests in running, jumping, discuss and
javelin throwing, boxing, and horse and chariot racing were held in individual cities, and the
winners competed every four years at mount Olympus. Winners were greatly honored by
having olive wreaths placed on their heads and having poems sung about their deeds.
Originally these contests were held as games of friendship, and any wars in progress were
halted to allow the games to take place. They also helped to strengthen bonds among
competitors and the different cities represented.
The Greek attached so much importance to the games that they calculated time in

army general from Ohio, was shot during his first year in office (1881) by a man to whom
he wouldn’t give a job. While in his second term of office (1901), William McKinley,
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another Ohioan, attended the pan – American exposition in buffalo, New York. During the
reception, he was assassinated while shaking hands with some of the guest. John F Kennedy
was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas only three years after his election.
Three years after his election in 1920, warren g. Harding died in office. Although it
was never proved, many believe he was poisoned. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four
times (1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944), the only man to serve so long a term. He had
contracted polio in 1921 and eventually died of the illness in 1945.
Ronald Reagan, who was elected in 1890 and re-elected four years later, suffered an
assassination attempt but did not succumb to the assassin’s bullets. He was the first to break
the long chain of unfortunate events. Will the candidate in the election of 200 also be as
lucky?
1. All of the following were election year EXCEPT
(A)1960 (B) 1930 (C) 1888 (D) 1824
2. Which president served the shortest term in office?
(A) Abraham Lincoln (B) Warren G. Harding
(C ) William McKinley (D) William H. Harrison
3. Which of the following is true?
(A)all presidents elected in years ending in zero have died in office
(B)only presidents from Ohio have died in office
(C)Franklin D. Roosevelt completed four terms as president
(D)four American presidents have been assassinated
4. How many presidents elected in years ending in zero since 1840 have died in office?
(A)7 (B) 5 (C) 4 (D) 3
5. The word “inauguration” in line 5 means most nearly the same as
(A)election
(B)acceptance speech
(C)swearing-in ceremony

A. flexible B difficult to achieve
C. feasible D. likely to increase
30. The word “ approach” in line 8 most nearly means
A. access B. plot
C. solution D. method
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PASSAGE 2 :
To modern women: love or career first?
On the threshold of life, love and career are very important for young people. However,
many young women are now afraid of getting married because of their career.
In modern society, women have the same opportunity as men now, they can decide
their life. To them, the family is not everything any more, but the career is that the
reason why more and more women get married late. When they are still at university,
these women want to have two or three graduate degrees or to go abroad for further
study. After graduation, they indulge in their job to earn a lot of money. When they have
a little free time, they spend it learning foreign language or surfing the internet to get
information. As a result, they have no time for their love.
When asked, they say that getting married is very complicated. They like to be free to
pursue their career, which makes their life meaningfully. Some say: “When we are still
young, we should not miss any opportunity”. However , When they are successful in
their career, have a lot of money and position in society , they realize that choosing a life
partner is not easy at all because they can not accept those who are not equal to them .
At present, women mentioned above are more and more popular. Being different
from those who get married early and are pleased with their families.
31. Why are many young women now afraid of getting married?
A. because of their freedom.
B. because of their career.
C. because of their parents.
D. because of their degrees.
32. What do women want to have when they are still at university?

are followed when eating sweets .
26. What does this passage mainly discuss?
(A) A healthy diet (B) Food with fiber
(C) Sweets and cavities (D) Tooth decay
27. The word “influences” in line 4 closest in meaning to
(A) deters (B) affects
(C) increases (D) undertakes
28. What can be concluded from the passage about sweets?
(A) All sweets should be avoided.
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(B) Sweets should be eaten with care.
(C) It is better to eat sweets a little at a time throughout the day.
(D) Sticky sweets are less harmful than other sweets.
29. According to the passage, the value of eating foods with fiber is that
(A) they contain Vitamin A.
(B) they are less expensive than a toothbrush.
(C) they are able to remove the plague from your teeth.
(D) they contain no sugar.
30. The author of the passage states that the amount of acid produced by the bacteria
in your saliva increases
(A) with the amount of sweets you eat.
(B) with the number of times you eat sweets.
(C) if you eat sweets with your meals.
(D) if you eat sticky sweets.
PASSAGE 2 :
The causes of headaches, whether they are the common kind of tension or migraine
headaches, or any other kind, are usually the same. During periods of stress, muscles in the
neck, head, and face are contracted so tightly that they exert tremendous pressure on the
nerves beneath them. Headaches, taking many forms from a constant, dull pain to an
insistent hammering result.

(A) suppress (B) cover
(C) support (D) promote
IV. READING COMPREHENSION:
Passage 1:
In 1920, after some thirty-nine years of problems with disease, high costs, and
politics, the Panama Canal was officially opened, finally linking the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans by allowing ships to pass through the fifty-mile canal zone instead of traveling some
seven thousand miles around Cape Horn. It takes a ship approximately eight hours to
complete the trip through the canal and costs an average of fifteen thousand dollars, one-
tenth of what it would cost an average ship to round the Horn. More than fifteen thousand
ships pass through its locks each year.
The French had initiated the project but sold their rights to the United States. The
latter had controled it until the end of the twentieth century when Panama took over its
duties.
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26. What is the passage about?
A. Pacific Oceans C. Cape Horn
B. Panama D. Panama Canal
27. Who currently controls the Panama Canal?
A. France C. Panama
B. United States D. Canal Zone
28. On the average, how much would it cost a ship to travel around Cape Horn?
A. $1,500 C. $150,000
B. $15,000 D. $ 1,500,000
29. In what year was construction probably begun on the canal?
A. 1881 C. 1939
B. 1920 D. 1999
30. What can we conclude about Panama Canal?
A. This is a costly project which should be reevaluated.
B. Despite all the problems involved, the project is beneficial.