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

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a cohesive and coherent exchange or text in each of the following items from questions 1 to 5.

Question 1. 

A.  Ethan: That sounds exciting. What kind of activities are included in the program?

B.  Maya: I’m considering applying for a cultural exchange program next summer.

C.  Maya: Participants usually attend language classes and take part in community projects.

D.  Ethan: It must be a great opportunity to experience a different culture firsthand.

e. Maya: Exactly, and it could also improve my communication skills.

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

Question 2. 

Dear Mr. Daniel,

A. I am excited to join BlueSky Company because your values align with my passion for creativity and strategic marketing.

B. I am writing to apply for the Marketing Officer position at BlueSky Company, as advertised on your website.

C. With 3 years of marketing experience at Elite Vision Corporation, I have developed and implemented marketing strategies for new products, leading to a 20% revenue increase in the first year.

D. I believe my background and skills would allow me to contribute positively to BlueSky’s success.

e. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can add value to your team.

Yours sincerely, Ann

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

Question 3. 

A. Many young individuals believe that showcasing their successes will enhance their social status and attract attention.

B. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok encourage them to share curated versions of their lives, highlighting achievements, fashion and experiences.

C. As a result, the quest for likes and followers often overshadows genuine connections and personal fulfilment, intensifying pressure and anxiety.

D. However, this desire for validation can lead to a constant comparison with peers, fueling a competitive mindset.

e. Young people today often feel the need to show off, driven largely by social media culture.

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

Question 4. 

A. This shift means that future workers will need to focus on skills that machines cannot replicate, such as emotional intelligence and creative thinking.

B. In the future, the ability to adapt and learn continuously will become more valuable than ever.

C. As a result, employees and students must begin preparing today by developing skills that will be in demand tomorrow.

D. With the rise of artificial intelligence and robotics, the landscape of employment is undergoing a dramatic transformation.

e. Many traditional jobs are likely to disappear, especially those involving repetitive tasks that can easily be automated.

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

Question 5. 

A.  Linda: That would be great. Thanks.

B.  Linda: I like your shoes! They look very stylish. Where did you get them?

C.  Mai: Thank you. I saw them advertised on a fashion website and bought them online. I'll send you the link.

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

Read the 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 from 11 to 20.

        [I] Over the past decade, minimalism has evolved from a niche artistic philosophy into a cultural movement reshaping how people define happiness and success. [II] It promotes a lifestyle centered on simplicity, intentional consumption, and mindful living. [III] Rather than acquiring more possessions, minimalists advocate owning fewer but higher-quality items and prioritizing experiences over material goods. [IV] This shift reflects a growing dissatisfaction with modern consumerism, which often leaves individuals feeling overwhelmed despite their abundance.

        The appeal of minimalism lies not only in its simple and clean design but also in the peace of mind it offers. Research shows that messy and crowded spaces can make people feel stressed and tired, while simple and well-organised rooms help them stay calm and focused. Minimalism helps people think more clearly and live with less pressure. However, living this way is not always easy because people must decide what is truly important to them and avoid buying things they do not really need. More and more young professionals are choosing this lifestyle to find balance in their busy modern world.

        Critics, however, warn that minimalism can easily become a privilege rather than a principle. For people with limited means, “decluttering” or living with less is not a lifestyle choice but an economic necessity. Moreover, as minimalist aesthetics gain popularity, corporations have capitalised on the trend by selling expensive “simple” products - from plain white furniture to curated capsule wardrobes - under the banner of intentional living. This commercialisation risks turning a philosophy of restraint into yet another form of conspicuous consumption.

        Despite these contradictions, minimalism continues to resonate because it addresses deeper existential concerns of modern society: anxiety, burnout, and the search for purpose. It invites people to slow down, reflect, and detach from the illusion that material abundance guarantees fulfilment. Whether it remains a meaningful movement or merely a passing fashion will depend on how sincerely its followers practice what they preach - and whether simplicity can survive in a world built on endless growth.

(Adapted from The Guardian, Lifestyle, 2023 & Psychology Today, 2022)

Question 11. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. A significant proportion of individuals embrace minimalism primarily for its aesthetic simplicity and decorative elegance rather than for its underlying philosophical principles.

B. Minimalism completely eradicates every manifestation of consumerist behavior within modern society.

C. The value of minimalism lies in its genuine practice as a personal philosophy rather than in its commercialized interpretation as a marketable lifestyle trend.

D. The widespread appeal of minimalism is often attributed exclusively to findings derived from psychological research on human well-being and behaviour.

Question 12. According to paragraph 1, which of the following is NOT a lifestyle promoted by minimalism?

A. mindful living
B. purposeful utilization
C. excessive consumption
D. Simplicity

Question 13. The word “which” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.

A. consumerism
B. dissatisfaction
C. shift
D. minimalism

Question 14. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

It challenges the deeply rooted belief that personal worth can be measured by material possessions.

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

Question 15. Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 3?

A. The growing commercialization of minimalism risks transforming the philosophy into a market-driven trend that may inadvertently reinforce ostentatious spending.

B. Although originally intended to promote restraint, minimalism has largely succeeded in providing practical strategies that enable individuals of all economic backgrounds to reduce unnecessary consumption.

C. Minimalism has evolved from a personal lifestyle philosophy into a mainstream cultural movement that promotes intentional living and simplified consumption.

D. The growing popularity of minimalist aesthetics demonstrates how corporations have effectively encouraged consumers to replace excessive possessions with carefully selected high-quality items.

Question 16. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A. Minimalism represents both a personal philosophy and a social paradox, balancing simplicity with modern consumer pressures.

B. Minimalism has transformed from an art movement into a commercial industry that promotes luxury products.

C. Minimalism is widely rejected because it fails to address emotional and social challenges in daily life.

D. Minimalism is a temporary lifestyle trend that focuses mainly on interior design and aesthetic value.

Question 17. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Minimalism teaches that happiness depends entirely on rejecting all social interaction.

B. Minimalism insists that material wealth is the ultimate source of personal peace.

C. Minimalism encourages individuals to spend more time earning money and collecting possessions.

D. Minimalism urges people to focus on deeper satisfaction rather than endless material gain.

Question 18. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Minimalism has become popular partly because it helps people feel calmer and less stressed.

B. Minimalism encourages people to completely avoid buying any new products.

C. The popularity of minimalism proves that modern consumer culture is disappearing.

D. Critics believe minimalism mainly benefits people with limited financial resources.

Question 19. The word “niche” in paragraph 1 is CLOSEST in meaning to ____________.

A. temporary
B. popular
C. specialized
D. profitable

Question 20. According to paragraph 2, why do some young professionals embrace minimalism?

A. Because they want to follow social trends and gain popularity online.

B. Because they are influenced by luxury brands promoting simplicity.

C. Because they seek stability and mindfulness in an increasingly hectic world.

D. Because they wish to eliminate all emotional and material attachments.

Read the 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 from 21 to 28.

        “Woman Adopts Alien Baby in Texas!” sounds shocking, doesn't it? Stories like this grab our attention immediately. While it might seem ridiculous, headlines like this are examples of fake news, and they are spreading faster than ever in today's digital world. Fake news is false or misleading information created to trick people, often for political, financial, or personal reasons. Unfortunately, many people believe and share fake news without checking if they are true.

        The rise of the internet and social media has made fake news more powerful. Unlike traditional newspapers, social media platforms allow anyone to post anything, whether it is true or not. Some fake news is entirely made up to entertain or mislead, while others take a real event and twist the details to create confusion. For instance, a photo might be edited or a video taken out of context to tell a false story. Fake news spreads quickly because it appeals to our emotions. Sensational headlines - known as "clickbait" - make us curious, angry, or excited, encouraging us to share the story without thinking. Some websites even make money from the number of clicks they receive, so their main goal is to create content that grabs attention, not to tell the truth.

        Fake news can cause serious harm. It has influenced elections by spreading lies about political candidates. It has also caused public health scares, such as false information about vaccines leading to fear and mistrust. In some cases, fake news has even caused people to act dangerously, such as believing false rumors that lead to violence or panic.

        Combating fake news is a difficult process, requiring the ability to critically evaluate information. Always check the source of the information. Ask yourself: Is the author trustworthy? Is the story reported by other reliable websites? Use fact-checking websites to confirm whether a story is true. By being careful, we can help stop the spread of fake news and make the internet a better place for everyone.

(Adapted from The Guardian, TechCrunch, and Social Media Today)

Question 21. The word “ridiculous” in paragraph 1 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. boring
B. popular
C. reasonable
D. pleasant

Question 22. The word “twist” in paragraph 2 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. change
B. focus
C. create
D. skip

Question 23. The word “they” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. websites
B. fake news
C. clicks
D. headlines

Question 24. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a field affected by fake news?

A. politics
B. public safety
C. education
D. public health

Question 25. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Despite the challenges of fighting fake news, people can easily evaluate information by questioning sources.

B. Tackling fake news is challenging because it demands the ability to analyze information carefully and critically.

C. If combating fake news is a challenging process, the evaluation of information requires critical thinking.

D. Fighting fake news is a simple process as long as people focus on checking reliable sources of information.

Question 26. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Fake news primarily spreads through traditional newspapers and radio platforms.

B. Sensational headlines often cause people to share fake news without verifying the information.

C. All websites create fake news to provide entertainment and amusement to online readers.

D. Most fake news is created as a harmless joke and rarely causes serious consequences.

Question 27. In which paragraph does the writer mention the harm of fake news?

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

Question 28. In which paragraph does the writer say that social media empowers fake news by enabling the easy creation and sharing of sensational, misleading stories and visuals?

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

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 from 29 to 34.

Ways to Boost the Immune System Naturally

Maintaining a healthy immune system is essential for protecting the body from illness and infection. Your immune system will benefit from following healthy lifestyle choices:

• Exercise regularly. Try to exercise for about 30 minutes a day, five times a week. You can mix cardio activities with (29) ____________.

• Manage stress. Everyone faces stress in life. But when that stress becomes (30) ____________, it can weaken your immune system. To relieve stress, some people prefer meditation while (31) ____________ may opt for yoga or deep breathing.

• Refrain from alcohol consumption. If you do drink, remember that moderation is the (32) ____________ to protecting your health.

• Get proper sleep and practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly.

These habits are simple, (33) ____________ they can greatly support your immune system and protect you (34) ____________ common diseases.

(Adapted from https://www.brownhealth.org)

Question 29.
A. regular training strength
B. training strength regular

C. regular strength training
D. strength regular training

Question 30.
A. temporary
B. chronic
C. intensive
D. sudden

Question 31.
A. the others
B. other
C. others
D. another

Question 32.
A. gate
B. door
C. lock
D. key

Question 33.
A. although
B. so
C. but
D. because

Question 34.
A. about
B. against
C. with
D. to

Read the following announcement 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 from 35 to 40.

Dien Bien Bauhinia Flower Festival – A Cultural Celebration

        The Dien Bien Bauhinia Flower Festival is an annual event (35) ____________ celebrates the beauty of the Bauhinia flower and the historical importance of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954. Held during the blooming season, the festival plays an important role in promoting the cultural (36) ____________ of the province.

        The festival attracts a large (37) ____________ of tourists from different regions every year. One special highlight of this year is the opening program, which (38) ____________ modern stage technology to create impressive performances. In addition, visitors can explore various art performances, street carnivals and local markets. These activities aim at (39) ____________ the image of Dien Bien as an attractive tourist destination and allow tourists to (40) ____________ local specialties and immerse themselves in the local culture.

(Adapted from https://baonghean.vn)

Question 35.
A. whom
B. whose
C. which
D. who

Question 36.
A. identifiable
B. identify
C. identification
D. identity

Question 37.
A. deal
B. amount
C. number
D. range

Question 38.
A. produces
B. develops
C. invents
D. applies

Question 39.
A. promoted
B. promotes
C. promote
D. promoting

Question 40.
A. carry out
B. bring out
C. find out
D. try out