Read the following advertisement and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option...

Read the following leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking is an essential skill that helps people communicate effectively. Whether you are a student or a professional, improving your speaking skills can boost your confidence and career prospects. Here are (7) ____________ practical tips to help you become a better speaker:

A. Prepare Thoroughly

✔ Before (8) ____________, take time to plan your speech. Outline your main points and support them with relevant examples. (9) ____________ useful tip is to practice in front of a mirror or record yourself. This will help you identify areas for improvement.

B. Engage Your Audience

✔ One of the most important aspects of public speaking is keeping your audience engaged. To do this, make eye contact, use gestures, and vary your tone of voice. (10) ____________, reading directly from notes can make your speech less interesting.

C. Overcome Nervousness

✔ Feeling nervous before a speech is natural, but there are ways to manage it. Take deep breaths and (11) ____________ your message. Many others have faced the same fear, yet they have successfully overcome it. The more you practice, the easier it will become. If needed, you can (12) ____________ techniques from experienced speakers to improve your delivery.

By following these tips, you will become a more confident speaker. Keep practicing, and don’t give up!

Question 7:
A. many
B. few
C. some
D. all

Question 8:
A. giving a presentation
B. making a decision                

C. telling the truth
D. having a look

Question 9:
A. Other
B. Another
C. Others
D. The other

Question 10:
A. At the same time
B. with regard to                

C. As a result of
D. On the other hand

Question 11:
A. Taking up
B. fall apart
C. focus on
D. get over

Question 12:
A. lend
B. hire
C. rent
D. borrow

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text in each of the following questions.

Question 13:        

A.  Nam: That’s nice! Learning new apps is fun.

B.  Linh: Thanks, Nam! I’ve been learning how to use a new app on my phone.

C.  Nam: Hi, Linh! Long time no see. Your phone looks new!      

                                                                                             (Adapted from Global Success)                                                                                                                                                    

A. c – b – a
B. a – b – c
C. c – a – b
D. a – c – b

Question 14:         

A.  Linh: I’m helping my dad wash the car this afternoon.

B.  Minh: That sounds fun! What kind of car do you have?

C.  Minh: Oh, nice! Do you often do things together with your family?

D.  Linh: Yes, we try to do something together every weekend. I really enjoy it.

e. Minh: My dad bought a VF3 last month. It is an electric car.      

(Adapted from i-Learn Smart World)

A. a – c – e – b – d
B. a – b – e – c – d
C. b – a – c – d – e
D. d – e – a – b – c

Question 15: 

Hi Lisa,

A. Thanks for inviting me to your birthday party. It was so much fun!

B. I really enjoyed meeting your friends and spending time with everyone.

C. Also, the decorations and food were amazing! Did you make the cake yourself?

D. I'm looking forward to our next gathering. Let me know when you’re free.

e. Hope you had as much fun as I did!

Best,

Mia                                                                                                                  

 (Adapted from THiNK)

A. a – c – b – e – d
B. a – b – c – e – d
C. d – e – a – b – c
D. e – c – b – d – a

Question 16:         

A. Arnel didn’t make much money this way, but he never gave up on his passion.

B. In 1982, at the age of fifteen, he joined a local band as a lead singer, singing pop songs by famous bands.

C. He has been passionate about singing since he was five years old and has achieved great success as a professional singer.

D. Arnel Pineda was born in Sampaloc, Manila, the Philippines in 1967, and he is an inspiring person.

e. Arnel’s success shows that anyone can achieve their dreams if they try hard enough.

                                                                                                                                      (Adapted from Bright)

A. d – c – b – a – e
B. a – b – c – d – e
C. b – c – d – a – e
D. c – a – d – b – e

Question 17:         

A. The population of New Orleans had some fluctuation between 1950 and 2010. It had a slight growth between 1950 and 1970.

B. During this time, Atlanta had the most significant change in population. The population of Atlanta in 1950 was around 500 thousand, and it rose significantly to 2.2 million by 1990.

C. Similarly, Charlotte's population went up over the 60-year period. It grew steadily from 100 thousand to 500 thousand between 1950 and 1990.

D. The chart shows how the populations of three major cities in the USA changed from 1950 to 2010. These cities are Atlanta, Charlotte, and New Orleans.

e. In general, the population in each city increased over the 60-year period.

(Adapted from i-Learn Smart World)

A. d – b – c – e – a
B. d – c – a – b – e
C. d – a – e – b – c
D. d – e – b – c – a

Read the following passage about humanoid robots and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Humanoid robots, eminent characters in science fiction novels and sci-fi films, are becoming a reality. Sophia, as an example, (18) ____________. One month later, she had her premiere in Texas, USA, and has made multiple public appearances around the world since then. At one such event, Sophia was granted Saudi Arabian citizenship in October 2017 and even became the first Innovation Champion of the United Nations Development Programme later that year. During Sophia's trip to Vietnam in 2018, she addressed the Industry 4.0 Summit and Expo.

        Sophia the Robot is the latest humanlike robot created by a Hong Kong-based company (19) ____________. Undoubtedly, Sophia together with other humanlike robots represents the rapid advancement in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence. (20) ____________.

        Sophia's physical appearance is inspired by both the famous actress Audrey Hepburn and the creator's wife. (21) ____________. But what makes her more lifelike than other robots is the patented artificial skin called Frubber®, which has the feel and flexibility of human skin.

        Sophia amazes the world with her ability to communicate naturally. The Sophia Intelligence Collective, which is a combination of AI and human input, and other sophisticated perception techniques enable Sophia to recognise human faces and identify human emotions and gestures. Equipped with machine learning algorithms, (22) ____________.

(Adapted from Friends Global)

Question 18:

A. of which the activation was launched on Valentine's Day, 2016

B. was first activated on Valentine's Day in 2016

C. that had her first Valentine's activation launched in 2016

D. having been initially activated on Valentine's Day, 2016

Question 19:

A. whose combined efforts in AI research, engineering, and design have given birth to robots

B. succeeded in bringing robots to life by combining research in AI, engineering, and design

C. brought robots to life thanks to its accomplishments in AI research, engineering, and design

D. of which the joint efforts in AI research, engineering, and design in building robots

Question 20:

A. She has been designed to assist humans in healthcare, customer support, and education

B. People in the fields of healthcare, customer service, and education helped create Sophia

C. Intending to aid humans in healthcare, customer support, and education, Sophia was developed

D. The assistance in customer support, education, and healthcare led to the creation of Sophia

Question 21:

A. Without cameras and microphones working as her eyes and ears, she could hear and see like humans

B. Her eyes and ears work as cameras and microphones so that people can see and hear her

C. She has cameras for eyes and microphones for ears, allowing her to see and hear like a human

D. Using cameras and microphones for eyes and ears, they allow her to see and hear as humans do

Question 22:

A. Sophia can understand human speech and interact with people

B. human speech and interaction are becoming so easy to Sophia

C. the machine can help Sophia speak and interact with humans

D. interaction in speech between Sophia and humans takes place

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions.

             Independence for young people is about trying new things, taking on more responsibility, making decisions by themselves, and working out who they are and what they want to be. Achieving independence is an essential part of the journey to adulthood.

As part of setting up healthy boundaries with your teenager, it is important for you to respect their privacy. As your teenager grows older and maturer, they need more privacy to figure out the person they want to be. Teenagers are prone to make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences. It is still important to monitor your teenager to help guide them and support them. If you are concerned about their online or offline activities, try to have a conversation with them. You can discuss your concerns with them and the potential risks of these activities.

You should also support your teenager's decisions. Supporting your teenager's choices fosters their independence and bolsters their confidence in decision-making. Everyday choices, like selecting clothes, can enhance their self-assurance. This approach encourages your child to accept the responsibility for their choices and learn from their mistakes. You do not always have to support your teenager's decision if they may be putting themselves or others at risk.

Moreover, some issues may appear trivial to you, yet they are pivotal to your teenager. Social media disputes or friendship conflicts can significantly affect them. They can be overwhelming for them and challenge their ideas of who they are and who is in charge. Listen to your teenager. If they ask for advice, give them advice. You can encourage them to look at different solutions and discuss them with you. However, sometimes they may just want to talk about their experiences with you, but do not want any advice.

(Adapted from https://cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/)

Question 23: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. Teenagers often make decisions carefully, considering all the possible outcomes.

B. Teenagers are likely to make fast decisions without considering the results.

C. Teenagers always think deeply before making their important decisions.

D. Teenagers sometimes prefer to make decisions slowly and deliberately.

Question 24: The word "bolsters" in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. weakens
B. supports
C. confuses
D. ignores

Question 25: The word "overwhelming" in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. insignificant
B. impossible
C. manageable
D. important

Question 26: The word “them” in paragraph 4 refers to ____________.

A. solutions
B. teenagers
C. ideas
D. experiences

Question 27: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the reading text?

A. Teenagers need more privacy as they become bigger and maturer.

B. Parents should guide teenagers when they make quick decisions.

C. Social media and friendship problems can impact teenagers.

D. Teenagers should be given unlimited freedom in making decisions.

Question 28: Which of the following statements is TRUE based on the passage?

A. Teenagers should never make decisions without adult supervision.

B. Parents should ignore their teenager's concerns about friendship conflicts.

C. Supporting teenagers' choices can help them develop independence.

D. Teenagers should not be allowed to make any choices on their own.

Question 29: In which paragraph does the writer mention the need to be independent?    

A. Paragraph 1
B. Paragraph 2
C. Paragraph 3
D. Paragraph 4

Question 30: In which paragraph does the writer mention the importance assisting teenagers in understanding and learning from their mistakes?    

A. Paragraph 1
B. Paragraph 2
C. Paragraph 3
D. Paragraph 4

Read the following passage about night shift workers and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

[I] Shift work involves individuals working at various time throughout a 24-hour period, ensuring that there is always someone available to do the job. [II] Historically, shift work dates back to ancient times when guards protected cities and nomadic groups and members stay awake to safeguard against dangers. [III] Generally, only a few of them took turns staying awake to protect their groups, but this changed significantly during the 19th century. [IV]

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in history, with large factories and complex machinery requiring constant operation to maximise productivity and meet the growing demand for good. Workers were divided into dayshifts and night shifts. The 20th century saw a further rise in shift work due to rapid economic growth and increased demand for energy, healthcare and transportation, nurses, for instance, worked overnight to care for patients, while train and lorry drivers transported goods during the night. In addition, the introduction of electric lighting further facilitated night work, allowing factories to operate efficiently around the clock.

However, working night shifts presents challenges. While some people are night owls, most struggle with disrupted sleep patterns, leading to a variety of health issues. Several night shift workers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and even mental health disorders. Irregular hours can also affect family life and social relationships and young people find it challenging to balance their shift work with their studies.

To deal with those issues, many companies have introduced certain rules that require employees to take breaks regularly or work on flexible schedules. To illustrate, in some nations, night-shift drivers are not allowed to drive over four hours continuously. Besides, night-shift workers are encouraged to do physical exercises and deep breathing exercised to reduce the risk of health issues.

To ensure round-the-clock operation and uninterrupted service delivery in numerous sectors, night shift work is indispensable. However, this type of work is associated with substantial health risks and social isolation, both of which can have detrimental effects on workers’ mental and physical health. Consequently, companies and their night shift workers must follow necessary regulations to mitigate those risks.  

(Adapted from I learn smart world)

Question 31: Where in paragraph 1 does the following sentence best fit?

Night shift workers with their tireless efforts, have become indispensable to the global economy ever since.

A. [I]
B. [II]
C. [III]
D. [IV]

Question 32: The word “them” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.

A. nomadic groups
B. dangers
C. group members
D. cities

Question 33: The word “facilitated” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. encouraged
B. assisted
C. ended
D. prevented

Question 34: According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT a job that requires night shifts?

A. factory workers
B. train mechanics
C. nurses
D. lorry drivers

Question 35: The phrase “night owls” in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. those who have no difficulty sleeping at night
B. those who rarely work night shifts

C. those who enjoy staying up through the night
D. those who are obligated to work all night

Question 36: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 3?

A. Night-shift workers played a key role in the Industrial revolution in the 19th century.

B. Electric lighting contributed to the increasing role of night-shift workers.

C. The rise of new factories required new types of work schedules in the 19th and 20th centuries.

D. Economic expansion and technological advancements in the 19th century led to a higher demand for shift work.

Question 37: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Nigh-shifts first stared during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.

B. Shift work first became more common because more employees were needed to supervise machines.

C. It is not compulsory for night-shift drivers to drive longer than four hours non-stop

D. Type 2 diabetes is the most common health condition in night-shift workers.

Question 38:  Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 5?

A. to maintain 24/7 operations and ensure uninterrupted services in many sectors, night shift work is crucial

B. Night shift work is essential in jobs related to maintenance and service delivery in different industries.

C. 24/7 operations and services in many sectors are crucial for night shift workers.

D. Night shift work has the most contributions to maintain 24/7 operations and services.

Question 39: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. There are certain rules that ensure the effectiveness of shift work.

B. Shift work doesn’t allow employees to work efficiently.

C. Shift work is very common in all age groups.

D. the night shift is among the most common causes of sleep problems.

Question 40:  Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. Shift work has become increasingly important since the Industrial Revolution, but it comes with significant health issues and social drawbacks.

B. To deal with the drawbacks of shift work, employers and employees must implement strategies like regular breaks, flexible scheduling and healthy lifestyle practices.

C. Although shift work is essential for maintaining 24/7 operations, it disrupts natural sleep patterns, leading to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems and diabetes.

D.  Shift work, a modern phenomenon, has revolutionized the world’s economy, but it caused severe issues in many industries.