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

Read the following piece of news 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.

Social Media Skills Workshop for Teens

Are you worried about spending too much time online? Join our Social Media Skills Workshop designed especially for high school students:

• Offer a (1) ____________ solution to help you use social media wisely and safely.
• Help you (2) ____________ healthy online habits and manage your screen time better.
• Lessons (3) ____________ by digital experts provide practical tips and real-life situations.
• With (4) ____________ useful advice and interactive activities, students can understand both the benefits and risks of social networks.
• Have the chance to make (5) ____________ in your communication and critical thinking skills.
• After the course, you will feel (6) ____________ and more confident when using social media platforms.

Question 1.
A. practice
B. practical
C. practically
D. practicality

Question 2.
A. make up
B. hold up
C. build up
D. pick up

Question 3.
A. preparing
B. prepared
C. prepare
D. to prepare

Question 4. 

A. a wide variety of
B. a vast deal of
C. a huge amount of
D. a large number of

Question 5.
A. research
B. homework
C. advantage
D. progress

Question 6.
A. more safe
B. safe
C. safest
D. safer

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.

Smart Learning in the Digital Age

        Feeling stressed about exams and constant online distractions? Many students spend hours scrolling through social media; (7) ____________, this habit can reduce concentration and academic performance. Our new leaflet introduces practical strategies to help teenagers study more effectively. The school has recently launched an advanced (8) ____________ to support independent learning and skill development. Although there is (9) ____________ time left before the final tests, small improvements can still lead to meaningful results. Students are encouraged to talk (10) ____________ teachers if they face academic pressure. The leaflet also offers professional (11) ____________ to enhance critical thinking skills. Remember, when challenges appear, every cloud has a silver (12) ____________.

Question 7.
A. therefore
B. because
C. moreover
D. however

Question 8. 

A. e-learning support system
B. support e-learning system

C. e-learning system support
D. system e-learning support

Question 9.
A. few
B. little
C. another
D. other

Question 10.
A. with
B. of
C. about
D. for

Question 11.
A. guiding
B. guideline
C. guidance
D. guide

Question 12.
A. future
B. opportunity
C. chance
D. lining

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.  Ethan: Hi, Mia! Yes, I went there last weekend. The coffee was fantastic!

B.  Mia: That’s great to hear! I’ll have to check it out soon.

C.  Mia: Hey, Ethan! Have you tried that new café on Maple Street?

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

Question 14. 

A.  Robert: No, I haven’t, but I really want to try.

B.  Sarah: You should definitely take lessons; it’s easier with guidance.

C.  Robert: Good idea! I’ll look for a teacher in my area.

D.  Robert: I’m thinking about learning to play the piano.

e. Sarah: That sounds like a fun challenge! Have you ever played before?

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

Question 15: 

Dear students,

A. As you may have heard, we will be switching to online classes for the next few weeks because of the severe storm.

B. I hope everyone is doing well despite the weather conditions.

C. I appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this time, and I’m confident we can make this work together.

D. I know this might be an adjustment for some of you, but it’s important to prioritize safety.

e. Please ensure you have access to your online resources, and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best wishes, Mrs. Linda

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

Question 16: 

A. Additionally, choosing eco-friendly products and supporting renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, contributes to a greener planet.

B. Planting trees helps reduce carbon dioxide levels and improves air quality.

C. Simple actions like reducing plastic use, recycling, and conserving water can make a significant difference.

D. It’s important for individuals, businesses, and governments to work together to preserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and combat climate change for future generations.

e. Protecting the environment is crucial for ensuring a healthy and sustainable future.

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

Question 17: 

A. On the positive side, celebrating these festivals encourages extracurricular activities and fosters creativity and teamwork among the youth.

B. Many young Vietnamese are increasingly embracing global festivals like Christmas and Halloween, which has both positive and negative effects.

C. However, there is a risk of losing cultural identity if local traditions are neglected in favor of foreign celebrations.

D. Exposure to different cultures through global festivals also helps young people gain a broader understanding of the world

e. Ultimately, maintaining a balance between embracing foreign cultures and preserving local traditions is crucial for positive growth.

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

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

        Throughout history, human populations have grown steadily. As societies expanded, people began forming larger communities, eventually leading to the development of cities. The shift from rural to urban living has been significantly influenced by industrialization. The Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century, marked a turning point in urban growth, as people moved to cities in search of better job opportunities and improved living conditions.

        Today, urbanization continues at an unprecedented rate. More than half of the global population now resides in urban areas, and this number is expected to rise. Developing nations, in particular, are experiencing rapid urban growth due to advancements in technology, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. However, with the benefits of this process come significant challenges, such as overcrowding, pollution, and inadequate public services.

        One major consequence of urbanization is the rise of megacities—cities with over 10 million residents. These massive urban centers, such as Mumbai, São Paulo, and New York City, often struggle with housing shortages, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. Additionally, urban sprawl, the uncontrolled expansion of cities into surrounding rural areas, has led to deforestation and increased reliance on automobiles, contributing to air pollution and climate change.

        Despite these challenges, urbanization also offers numerous advantages. Cities provide better access to education, healthcare, and cultural experiences. Economic growth is often concentrated in urban areas, leading to higher wages and improved standards of living for many people. Governments and urban planners are continuously working on sustainable solutions, such as green spaces, efficient public transport systems, and smart city technologies, to ensure that urbanization remains beneficial for future generations.

        As the world’s population continues to grow, the future of urbanization depends on effective planning and innovative solutions. Finding a balance between development and sustainability will be crucial in shaping livable and resilient cities for the future.

Question 23: The word "expanded" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. increased
B. shrank
C. decreased
D. narrowed

Question 24: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a consequence of urbanization?

A. environmental degradation
B. job shortages

C. traffic congestion
D. air pollution

Question 25: The phrase "unprecedented" in paragraph 2 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. unusual
B. unmatched
C. unbelievable
D. predictable

Question 26: The word "this" in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. technology
B. global population
C. urbanization
D. advancement

Question 27: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Economic growth tends to be concentrated in cities, leading to lower wages and a poorer quality of life for many individuals.

B. Economic growth, although common in parts of the world, does not always bring better living conditions for people.

C. Frequently concentrated in urban areas is economic growth, causing wages to rise and improving living standards for everyone.

D. Frequently found in urban areas is economic growth, resulting in increased wages and better living conditions for a large number of people.

Question 28: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Many large cities struggle with problems related to housing and traffic.

B. The global population living in urban areas is decreasing.

C. Urban sprawl has no environmental impact.

D. Industrialization has had no effect on urbanization.

Question 29: In which paragraph does the author mention a contrasting relationship?

A. Paragraph 1
B. Paragraph 2
C. Paragraph 4
D. Paragraph 5

Question 30: In which paragraph does the author discuss future solutions for urbanization?

A. Paragraph 1
B. Paragraph 2
C. Paragraph 4
D. Paragraph 5

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

        In a study published in 2012, the author Noah Wasserman - then a professor at Harvard Business School - studied 10,000 startups, of which 40% were founded by those who are friends. [I] And his research showed that companies with friend - founders were less likely to work.

        [II] Wasserman says that when people are establishing a company, having a familiar face along for the ride can be very comforting. [III] But he says starting up with friends is just like playing with fire: “It can either forge a stronger team and relationship or blow up the team and relationship.” His research showed that the most stable structure for starting a company is, in fact, a group of strangers, rather than co - workers, family or friends. [IV] This is because strangers have fewer expectations of each other, and there’s no concern about affecting a friendship or close personal relationship when bringing up mistakes or issues.

        Companies created by friends, Wasserman says, are more likely to fail for reasons linked to people being overconfident and underprepared. “When we found with friends, we are confident that our team will be of the stronger variety,” says Wasserman. Yet friends often have no experience of each other professionally, and don’t test the waters before founding. “We assume that we know each other, but have you ever seen your best friend in a work context and know how he or she acts there?”, he comments.

        Even when friend - founders know each other both professionally and personally discussing tough topics can be hard. Wasserman explains that a common experience among friends is a tendency to avoid necessary but tension – filled conversations for fear of souring their relationship. But this can have severe consequences: “Because we avoid discussing that bad scenario and how we could avoid it, we increase the chances that it will occur.” Hamish Grierson, CEO of a London - based health - tech firm, agrees that awkward conversations need to take place. A lifestyle brand he set up with a friend didn’t work, and the relationship was partly to blame. “We spent way too much time focused on improving our launch product than we did on identifying whether anyone wanted the thing we were creating.”

        Despite these challenges, Gabrielle Adams, a social psychologist at the University of Virginia, believes that going into business with someone you already know well has advantages. “Good friends know how to work out conflict,” she explains. In fact, friendship may be what keeps you going in difficult times. Researchers from London’s Cass Business School and the University of Pennsylvania examined how friendship between founding members impacts on behavior when a startup’s finances start to suffer and found that startups established by people with a strong friendship were more likely to persist if a venture looked like it was failing.

[Adapted from bbc.com]

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

“This sense of familiarity can help ease the stress and uncertainties of starting a new venture.”

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

Question 32: The word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. starting up with friends
B. having a familiar face

C. establishing a company
D. playing with fire

Question 33: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason why companies created by friends may fail?

A. Friends tend to be overconfident about their team's strength.

B. Friends typically struggle to agree on financial decisions.

C. Friends often lack professional experience working together.

D. Friends don’t test each other’s compatibility in a work environment before founding.

Question 34: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. Friends usually know each other well but don’t lack professional background, do evaluate their working relationships before launching a company.

B. Friends often have professional backgrounds but do not consider their compatibility before beginning a partnership.

C. Friends commonly experience challenges in professional environments, so they should thoroughly examine their relationships before starting a business together.

D. Friends frequently lack professional familiarity with one another and fail to assess compatibility before starting a business.

Question 35: The word “souring” in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. provoking
B. damaging
C. elevating
D. strengthening

Question 36: Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 4?

A. Friend -founders often prioritize product development over market research, ruining their business.

B. Addressing difficult conversations is essential for maintaining relationships in business.

C. Friends may hesitate to discuss challenging issues, which can lead to business failure.

D. Friend – founders may experience tension – filled discussions, affecting their company’s success.

Question 37: The phrase “work out” in paragraph 5 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. decode
B. resolve
C. clarify
D. unfold

Question 38: Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A. When people are ready to talk openly about bad business scenarios, they will never occur in real life.

B. According to Wasserman’s research, company founders who are strangers are the most likely to succeed.

C. Discussing difficult topics can still be challenging for company founders who know each other well.

D. Start - ups have a higher chance of overcoming financial difficulties if their founders are very close.

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

A. A group of co - workers is a more stable structure for starting a company than family or friends.

B. Most business conversations between founders who are friends are filled with a lot of tension.

C. Grierson’s lifestyle brand failed because he and his friends never discussed what they want to do.

D. More problems will arise when friend - founders do not know much about each other professionally.

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

A. Friend - founded companies often fail due to overconfidence and lack of preparation, but friendship can also help navigate challenges.

B. While starting a company with friends may offer a sense of comfort, it can also lead to challenges that may threaten the business’s success.

C. Starting a business with friends can lead to success because friends are more likely to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

D. Research shows that companies with friend - founders are generally more successful, as they can resolve conflicts better than strangers.