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ĐẠI HỌC QUỐC GIA TP HCM
TRƯỜNG PHỔ THÔNG NĂNG KHIẾU
________________________
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Đề thi có 10 trang

ĐỀ THI THỬ TUYỂN SINH LỚP 10 THPT
Năm học 2013-2014
Môn thi: TIẾNG ANH (chuyên)

Thời gian làm bài: 120 phút, không kể thời gian phát đề PHẦN TRẮC NGHIỆM (5 điểm)
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to show the underlined part that needs correction.
1. As interesting and lively as it is, included in your story are several historical inaccuracies, i.e. your hero
A B
Miss Swinton might not have offered shelter under his umbrella, for they weren’t invented until a
C D
hundred years later.
2. At ground level, it is dangerous enough a substance, but in the upper atmosphere, it bonds with free ions
A B C
to create deadening smog particles.
D
3. Having unshakeable confidence in his ability, he carried off the role of Hamlet with faultless skill.
A B C D
4. In winning the 1998 Kentucky Derby, Swiftilocks showed a burst of speed not unlike that of Man
A B C
o’War, who had been winning 20 of 21 races in 1919 and 1920.
D

13.
A. STUFFED
B. PICKED C. RAGGED D. FOCUSED
14.
A. BOROUGH
B. THOROUGH C. TOUGHEN D. THOUGHT
15.
A. INSTEAD
B. STEADY C. SWEATER D. BEEFSTEAK
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Read the following article about environment and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to
indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 16 to 25.
BRITAIN’S OILMEN TRAMPLE ON LAST GREAT WILDERNESS
Anthony Browne, The Observer, Sunday 20 August 2000
Above ground are the caribou, essential to the livelihood of Alaska’s Gwich’in tribe. Below ground lies
up to 16 billion barrels of oil. Britain’s BP is the invader and the battlefield is one of the most ecologically
fragile sites on earth. Anthony Browne reports from inside the Arctic Circle.
1 They hiked over mountains and canoed along crashing Arctic rivers. They were guided by a sun that set
for only an hour a night and braced by freezing winds. For 800 miles across the wilderness they trekked,
from the Yukon in Canada to remotest Alaska, far above the Arctic Circle. When they finally made it to the
log cabins of Arctic Village on Friday, their cries of joy and their dancing and singing for a moment
drowned out the deep fear that drove them on their odyssey. The 100,000-strong Gwich’in tribe’s
‘millennium trek’ was a desperate plea for survival. One of the last tribes of native Americans to live by
subsistence, they fear that they – and the caribou on which they depend – are about to lose a 25-year battle
that could end in one last Klondike-like scramble for oil. It is a battle that has pitched Alaska against the rest
of America and the Indians and environmentalists against Britain’s biggest oil company.

2 The age-old conflict between development and environment has nowhere been so stark as in this fragile
corner of the world. Nowhere are man’s thirst for oil – and the effects of global warming – having such an
impact. The remote Gwich’in community of Arctic Village, 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle and with no

jobs, and opening up the refuge will create up to 700,000 more, and with current oil fields drying up,
pressure for new jobs is intense.
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6 Prudhoe Bay is one of the largest industrial developments in the world, with hundreds of miles of
pipelines snacking across the damp tundra, disappearing off to the horizon in every direction. There are
hundreds of well heads and processing facilities, flares, landing strips, roads, sea water processing plants and
accommodation blocks. In between, the land is indeed clean and major oil spills have been avoided.
However, the company’s record here is far from unblemished: earlier this year it had to pay a $15m fine for
toxic waste dumping.

7 For the Gwich’in, there is a far more fundamental issue. Faith Gemmill, their spokeswoman, showed me
around her ancestors’ cemetery, on a bend in a river overlooked by the mountains. She then declared: “This
is how we have lived for thousands of years. No one has a right to take this away from us for money or
greed. This is what they did to the Sioux when they killed the buffalo. When is this country going to learn
they can't do that to a people?”

16. The Gwich’in tribe seem to have __________.
A. travelled to gain publicity
B. taken part in a traditional dance ritual
C. recently become aware of a threat
D. been at war with neighbouring tribes
17. What is meant by the phrase “live by subsistence” in paragraph 1?
A. People depend only on the natural resources available to them in their immediate environment for
their survival.
B. People deal with a clash between industrial and environmental interest.
C. People live in an area where the caribou breed – perhaps one which is being threatened by oil
pollution.
D. People suffer one of the various forms of anti-environmental activity which threaten the caribou’s
habitat.
18. Their destination, Arctic Village __________.

to other Alaskan communities.
C. The Sioux are a tribe of North American Indians famed for their struggle to protect their territories
and buffalo from the white settlers in the mid-nineteenth century.
D. The benefits of drilling for oil in the area where caribou graze is: the huge quantity of crude oil
which lies beneath the caribou grazing ground; and the wealth which would greatly improve the
quality of life for thousands of people living and working in the area.
25. Regarding the clash between the environmentalists and the oil companies, the writer’s attitude can best
be described as __________.
A. cynical B. balanced C. partisan D. aloof

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Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct
word for each of the blanks from 26 to 35.
THE RAVEN
A very large fierce black bird, the raven has always been (26) __________ with evil omen. But the
myths and stories that surround ravens also take account of their unusual intelligence, their ability to (27)
__________ sounds and voices and the way they seem to (28) __________ up a situation. The fact is, people
have never known quite how to (29) __________ the raven. In many northern myths he was creator of the
world, bringer of daylight, but also an aggressive trickster. Many traditional stories (30) __________ the
unpleasant ways in which Raven gets the (31) __________ of a human adversary.
Legend (32) __________ it that when there are no more ravens in the Tower of London, the monarchy
will fall. In the seventeenth century King Charles II (33) __________ that at least six ravens should always
be kept in the Tower. Today there are seven; six to preserve the monarchy, and a seventh in (34)
__________. To the amusement of tourists, the ravens are officially enlisted as defenders of the kingdom,
and, as is the (35) __________ with soldiers, can be dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct.
26. A. relaxed B. coupled C. associated D. accompanied
27. A. fake B. mimic C. mirror D. simulate
28. A. size B. match C. eye D. catch
29. A. put B. work C. pick D. take
30. A. turn on B. bring about C. spark off D. make up

was an unwelcome interruption to their research work. After all, we were students and what did we know? I
would deliberately pitch my essays to this kind of academic so that my opinions appeared more as evidence
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that I had read and understood the key contributions to the debate, rather than as an attempt to pull down
monuments. The other type of academic were those who enjoyed teaching and discussing new ideas. They
wanted more. They wanted something different inspirational, iconoclastic. I would present my arguments to
show that I had done my reading and understood the key concepts, but I would also try to add something
more to the issue rather than rake over familiar ground. Essentially, it was a case of working out what was
wanted and then delivering it. I can’t state exactly how successful this tactic was, except to say that I sold
more essays than I had returned as faulty.

5 I could guarantee every book on my reading list was out on long loan from the university library within
five seconds of the list being issued. This was worrying at first, but I quickly learned that it was impossible
to read all of the books on an average reading list anyway. I sought shortcuts. Collections of selected
readings or journal articles were excellent sources that often saved me the bother of reading the original
texts. References in books dragged me all over the place but, with all the courses I had to do, there wasn’t
enough time to be dragged too far. I would flick through the book, read the introduction, note any
summaries, look at diagrams, skim the index, and read any conclusions. I plucked out what was needed
and made my escape.

6 I revised by discarding subject areas I could not face revising; reading; compiling notes; and then
condensing them onto one or two sheets of A4 for each subject area. Leading up to the exam, I would
concentrate on just the condensed notes and rely on my memory to drag out the detail behind them when the
time came. I didn’t practise writing exam questions, although it was recommended. I prefer to be
spontaneous and open-minded. I don’t want pre-formed conclusions filling my mind.

7 And nor should you; there is no secret to getting a First – this is just an account of how I got my First. Be
a happy student by striking the right balance between working and enjoying yourself. Take what you do
seriously and do your best. And, no matter what you do, don’t forget to appreciate every day of your
university studies: it is one of the greatest periods of your life.

C. He was selective.
D. He summarised them.
42. The word “flick through” in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to “__________”.
A. search quickly B. discard C. absorb D. feel for
43. What does the writer mean by the phrase “plucked out what was needed” in paragraph 5?
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A. This means dredging up things from memory, recalling from the author’s memory information that
was essential to him passing the exams.
B. This means taking out exactly what is important or the information the author felt would help him
the most in preparing for the exams.
C. This means reading everything that might be in the exams, instead of just skimming texts for
information.
D. It means trying to study in advance of exams instead of waiting until the last minute, and making a
study plan is a good idea as it helps him to be organised and focused on what needs to be done.
44. Why did the writer not practise writing exam questions?
A. He was advised not to.
B. He thought the practice was rather boring.
C. He wanted to answer exam questions critically.
D. He thought it might prejudice staff against him.
45. The writer concludes by advising students to __________.
A. follow his recipe for success
B. make the most of being a student
C. concentrate on passing exams
D. aim for a First at all costs

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct
word for each of the blanks from 46 to 55.
PICTURE IMPERFECT
A couple who arranged a second wedding ceremony after photographs of the (46) __________
ceremony were ruined are claiming compensation from the photographer who captured their special day on

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Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following
questions.
61. Business has been thriving in the past year. Long __________ it continue to do so.
A. could B. does C. may D. might
62. What the accused has done is confidently __________ that he is innocent.
A. conserved B. defend C. maintained D. preserve
63. She was so ungrateful for my help that I __________ the problems for her.
A. could well not have tackled
B. might as well not have addressed
C. might as well not have risen above
D. would rather not to have combatted
64. Come in. We are __________ dinner in two minutes.
A. due to start
B. going to start
C. just about to start
D. on the point of starting
65. Whenever he read the letter, tears __________ in his eyes.
A. had weighed down
B. used to fill in
C. were welling up
D. would soak up
66. In the director’s opinion, it was high time the actress __________.
A. began acting her age
B. began to reach her age
C. didn’t behaving childishly
D. wasn’t young whatsoever
67. Being very frustrated by his behaviour, she has no alternative but __________ the boat.
A. rattling B. shake C. to rock D. to roll
68. __________ in one leg, I wasn’t able to swim for a few weeks.

A. considerable B. dramatic C. far-reaching D. political
81. My watch is __________ several minutes a day.
A. forwarding B. gaining C. moving on D. progressing
82. As time __________, the power of newspapers seems to be on the increase.
A. drags on B. flies away C. passes over D. wears on
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83. “__________. It was the first time in two years that I didn't buy a lottery ticket, and four of my usual
numbers came up – I would have won a thousand pounds or more!”
A. I could have kicked myself
B. I couldn’t agree more
C. I might have guessed
D. Pigs might fly
84. The book you’re looking for is right there under your __________!
A. chin B. eyes C. look D. nose
85. There was a real panic behind the __________ before the wedding!
A. appearance B. scenes C. show D. stage
86. House prices seem to have gone through the __________ recently.
A. ceiling B. floor C. roof D. sky
87. It’s just __________ on me that it’s my mum’s birthday tomorrow and I haven’t bought her anything!
A. dawned B. dropped C. occurred D. struck
88. I’ll __________ a bargain with you. If you do my homework, I’ll pay for the movie tickets.
A. hit B. punch C. slap D. strike
89. When I tried to apologise to my friend, I was met with a blank __________.
A. shrug B. sneer C. stare D. state
90. Sandra’s been a real __________ this week, helping me like that.
A. dunce B. gem C. stone D. treasury
91. Paul is a real introvert in contrast __________ his brother Andrew.
A. against B. by C. to D. with
92. Flats which are both comfortable and reasonably priced are few and far __________ nowadays.
A. among B. away C. between D. off

essential (5) _________ of freedom and individualism. The normal pattern is: ‘You get more money, you
spend more money,’ says Cornell economist Robert Frank. And (6) _________, since the mid-1970s, when
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the disposable income of 80% of the US population (7) _________ stopped growing, our spending patterns
have bewilderingly (8) _________ expanding.
Much of our ferocious consumption (9) _________ simply from the sheer (10) _________ of goods
available. But, according to Professor James Twitchell, mass branding also (11) _________ us to shop.
Take, for example, Ralph Lauren’s (12) _________ of the Polo philosophy: ‘What began with a tie… has
grown into an entire world that has redefined how American style and quality is perceived.’ Now, says
Twitchell, to (13) _________ our acquisitiveness we would have to de-brand: ‘It’s a scarf; it’s not a Hermes
scarf. It’s a car; it’s not a Lexus. You put it around your neck or you drive it.’
And after you get all the loot home, then what? Just as American as the need to buy, social observers
say, is buyer’s remorse. The backlash (14) _________ American consumerism (15) _________ nearly to its
conception. These days, our ambivalence and need to purge come in slick, packaged form: a magazine
called Real Simple that specialises in de-cluttering. It can be yours for just $3.95.
B. Use the words given in capitals at the end of each sentence to form a word that fits in the space.
1. Don’t you think that’s a rather _________ argument? What about the other point of view? LATE
2. He argued _________ when he said to himself that her heart was not indexed in the honest freshness of
her face. ERROR
3. He talks _________ about how he has passed the exam, which makes me annoyed. CEASE
4. High school students should not be _________ with too much facts and figures. FEED
5. My friends started going out late to nightclubs so I decided to _________ myself from the group.
SOCIAL
6. She looked absolutely _________ when I told her what had happened. She could hardly say a word.
DUMB
7. Some critics say that 21st modern Vietnamese literature portraits a generation of _________ youths.
ANGST
8. The _________ among the peasants was cruelly put down by the king’s army. RISE
9. The number of _________ from junior high school is increasing in a worrying way. DROP
10. While she was a high school student, she _________ her best friend. FRIEND

____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Some people say that the politician lied to the Prime Minister. ALLEGED
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. The ministers were clearly felt by the president not to have acted swiftly enough. OPINION
____________________________________________________________________________________
E. Write at least 250 words giving your opinions on the following question.
All education and healthcare should be funded by the government and free for everyone.