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 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 7 to 12.

CITIES OF THE FUTURE: BUILDING TOMORROW S URBAN LANDSCAPE

Define the Vision

(7) ____________ sustainable cities, it is essential to establish clear urban goals. From reducing carbon footprints to increasing connectivity, setting these (8) ____________ will steer urban development and ensure that our cities are ready to meet future demands.

Design infrastructure

A (9) ____________ city must incorporate advanced infrastructure that promotes both resilience and adaptability. Smart energy grids, green buildings, and sustainable transportation are essential to creating an urban environment that (10) ____________ as one of the most charming among global cities.

Connect Communities and Technology

By connecting communities with (11) ____________ innovative technologies such as digital platforms, data analytics, and loT, we can create an inclusive urban ecosystem giving everyone a(n) (12) ____________ in accessing services, amenities, and opportunities.

                                                                                                                                       (Adapted from bbc.com)

Question 7.
A. Regardless of
B. On account of
C. For the sake of
D. In spite of

Question 8.
A. essentials
B. basics
C. commercials
D. objectives

Question 9.
A. historic
B. weird
C. futuristic
D. local

Question 10.
A. gets off
B. stands out
C. breaks out of
D. brings up

Question 11.
A. some
B. another
C. little
D. the others

Question 12.
A. verge
B. brink
C. edge
D. side

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 from 13 to 17.

Question 13. 

A.  Lan: Yeah, I write a few lines every night - it helps me clear my mind.

B.  Nam: Do you still keep a diary these days?

C.  Nam: That sounds nice; I think that writing things down makes life feel more meaningful.

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

Question 14. 

A.  Mia: Hey, have you started revising for the graduation exam yet?

B.  Sam: That'd be awesome. We could quiz each other and sort out the tricky topics.

C.  Mia: Perfect! Let's meet at my place on Saturday and power through those practice tests.

D.  Sam: Yeah, I've been hitting the books hard, especially for math. It's tougher than I thought!

e. Mia: Tell me about it! I'm freaking out over chemistry. Want to study together this weekend?

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

Question 15. 

A. However, this sudden exposure can be overwhelming, placing immense pressure on its delicate  ecosystems and resources.

B. Once considered a hidden gem, known only to a few locals and accessible via an unmarked  trail in the early 1990s, its visitor numbers have dramatically surged.

C. A prime example is Horseshoe Bend, a spectacular U-shaped curve in the Colorado River.

D. Social networking platforms, particularly Instagram, have acted as a powerful catalyst for this  transformation.

e. The rise of social media has profoundly transformed how natural landmarks are discovered  and experienced.

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

Question 16. 

Dear Ms. Lan,

A. A few local singers, including Minh Anh and Quoc Bao, have already expressed their willingness to perform without charge.

B. Our community has recently shown great interest in supporting families affected by last month’s floods, and a benefit concert could turn that goodwill into meaningful action.

C. The town square would be an ideal venue, as it can accommodate both the audience and the equipment needed for live music.

D. Please consider this idea as a way to blend music, compassion, and community spirit into one remarkable evening.

e. With your charity’s experience in event coordination, this collaboration could bring energy, unity, and much-needed funds to those in need.

Best regards,

Nguyen Phong

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

Question 17. 

A. As a guardian of cultural diversity, UNESCO's initiatives have been pivotal in countering the destruction of invaluable heritage due to conflict, climate change, and urbanization.

B. However, the protection of world heritage sites often faces significant challenges, such as funding constraints and political instability, which hinder preservation efforts.

C. Therefore, UNESCO's role in monitoring and advocating for the conservation of heritage sites serves as a crucial mechanism for promoting global responsibility and intergenerational equity.

D. UNESCO's commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage is integral in fostering a deeper global understanding and appreciation of diverse civilizations.

e. Through international cooperation, UNESCO strives to deal with those challenges in the preservation of heritage while ensuring sustainable development.

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

Read the following passage 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 18 to 22.

        Cities often feel noticeably hotter than the surrounding countryside, a phenomenon known as  the urban heat island (UHI). An urban heat island is a metropolitan area that becomes significantly warmer than nearby rural regions, largely because concrete, asphalt, and buildings absorb and retain heat. In such  environments, waste heat, generated by cars, public transport, factories, homes, and even people  themselves, (18) ____________. When buildings and paved surfaces are constructed close together, they trap  heat, and this insulation effect, which slows the release of warmth, causes temperatures in the spaces between structures to remain high even after sunset.

        At night, the contrast becomes especially clear. Surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and parking lots  act like vast reservoirs of heat, preventing warmth from escaping into the cooler night sky. In a dense city core, skyscrapers and narrow streets restrict airflow, (19) ____________. The consequences are serious: poorer  air quality develops because pollutants released by vehicles and industry cannot disperse easily, while  local water systems are harmed when heated runoff enters streams and rivers, damaging aquatic species  adapted to cooler conditions. Urban heat islands also place a heavy strain on energy networks, since  residents increasingly rely on air conditioning during summer peaks, (20) ____________.

        To reduce these effects, urban planners, policymakers, and architects are developing both modest  and ambitious strategies. Green roofs, essentially gardens on rooftops, help cool buildings by absorbing sunlight and converting it into biomass rather than heat. (21) ____________. Expanding urban vegetation and  creating more open layouts improves air circulation, allowing heat to dissipate. Though urban heat islands  represent a modern challenge, thoughtful design and collective action can lessen their impact, (22) ____________.

(Adapted from https://education.nationalgeographic.org)

Question 18. 

A. in addition to the rising temperatures
B. adds to the rising temperatures

C. which adds to the rising temperatures
D. with addition of the rising temperatures

Question 19. 

A. but heat trapped close to ground level lingers

B. so trapped heat lingers close to ground level

C. while heat lingers close to ground level that is trapped  

D. in which trapping heat close to ground level lingers  

Question 20. 

A. with blackouts or power shortages leading to a surge in demand  

B. but the demand for blackouts or power shortages may also surge  

C. whereas blackouts or power shortages may also demand a surge  

D. and this surge in demand may lead to blackouts or power shortages

Question 21. 

A. Using lighter-coloured materials that reflect more solar radiation can also reduce warming

B. Reflecting lighter-coloured materials in order to reduce warming for more solar radiation  

C. Lighter-coloured materials that reduce warming can be used to reflect more solar radiation

D. The reflection of lighter-coloured materials for more solar radiation can reduce warming  

Question 22. 

A. so that a healthier city life becomes more unsustainable  

B. whose health rests on the sustainability of city life  

C. which sustaining the health of city life  

D. making city life healthier and more sustainable

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 23 to 30.

        Alison Wright has one of the most inspiring jobs in the world. As a photojournalist for National Geographic, she has travelled to countless countries, capturing powerful images of people, nature, and cultures. Her work is more than just photography - it is a way of telling human stories through her lens. Over the years, she has developed a deep love for exploration and adventure, which earned her the title of National Geographic Traveller of the Year in 2013. Yet, behind her achievements lies an unforgettable story of survival and courage.

        While travelling through Laos several years ago, Alison experienced a horrendous accident that changed her life. The bus she was on collided with a truck and burst into flames. Two tourists managed to pull her from the wreckage and brought her to a nearby village. The local people did everything they could to help, but the situation was critical. There were no doctors or medical supplies, and Alison’s injuries were severe - many of her bones were broken, leaving her unable to move.

        In the midst of this crisis, a man she had never met offered his help. Without hesitation, he drove her for eight long hours to a hospital in Thailand. There, Alison finally received the treatment she desperately needed. Her recovery was slow and painful, but she remained determined to regain her strength. Throughout the long months of healing, her goal of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania kept her motivated.

        A few years later, Alison achieved that goal. Standing on the summit of Africa’s highest mountain, she felt not only triumph but deep gratitude for those who had helped her survive. To this day, she believes that she owes her life to the kindness of strangers. This lesson continues to shape both her outlook on life and her extraordinary work as a storyteller.

                                                                                                   (Adapted from Look)

Question 23. What is NOT indicated about Alison Wright in paragraph 1?

A. She gained recognition for her work in 2013.

B. She has travelled to different countries for her job.

C. She has a great passion for travelling.

D. She recently started a new job at a magazine.

Question 24. The word “horrendous” in paragraph 2 can be best replaced by ____________.

A. puzzled
B. restricted
C. terrifying
D. negligible

Question 25. The word “they” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. tourists
B. doctors
C. medical supplies
D. the local people

Question 26. The word “hesitation” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. verification
B. willingness
C. reluctance
D. approval

Question 27. Which of the following is TRUE about Alison according to the passage?

A. On the way to the hospital, she was seriously injured and unable to walk.

B. She called for help when she had a bus accident with two tourists in Laos.

C. Without the stranger’s help, she might not have received treatment in time.

D. She climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to give back to those who had helped her.

Question 28. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

“To this day, she believes that she owes her life to the kindness of strangers.”

A. She still believes that the compassion of strangers is the reason she survived.

B. She still believes that her kindness once saved the lives of several strangers.

C. She still believes that strangers survived thanks to the kindness she showed them.

D. She still believes that her survival proved how kind people can become strangers.

Question 29. Which paragraph mentions a surprising accomplishment?

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

Question 30. Which paragraph describes an unpleasant situation?

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

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 31 to 40.

        Imagine the following scenario: on your way home, a so-called tourist approaches you in the street and politely asks you to take a photograph with their camera. You oblige, and afterwards they begin describing how they recently purchased the camera and how it happens to be on special offer. [I] This is the essence of stealth marketing. You may assume you have never encountered such a tactic, yet that assumption is precisely what makes it effective. In all probability, you already have. [II]

        Unlike conventional advertising, stealth or so-called word-of-mouth marketing is not openly recognisable. We immediately identify advertisements on billboards or in glossy magazines, but stealth marketing is deliberately concealed; it relies on subtle manipulation. Globally, more than $500 billion is spent on advertising each year, yet compared with large-scale campaigns, stealth strategies are comparatively inexpensive and strikingly effective. How does this mechanism function in practice? Consider Company X. Hoping to launch a product aimed at teenagers, the company seeks to ensure that it appears cool and desirable. [III] To achieve this, they recruit young people to discreetly promote it. Seventeen-year-old Tanya Fulham is one such participant. As the campaign expanded online, Company X gradually took over several popular teen blogs without users realising they were being commercially influenced.

        Tanya is attractive, athletic, and academically capable. She follows fashion, enjoys shopping, and listens to the latest music trends. With over 150 friends on her social media page, she exerts considerable influence over her peers’ opinions and choices. She is now engaged by an undercover marketing agency. Individuals like Tanya promote brands in blogs and across digital platforms. “It’s exciting to receive free samples of fashionable new products that my friends don’t yet know about,” Tanya remarks. “It makes me feel significant, as though I possess privileged, insider knowledge.” But do her friends realise she is financially compensated? “No, they don’t,” she admits, “but I don’t regard it as dishonest. If I genuinely like something, I share it. Payment does not change that fact.”

        Perhaps Tanya is justified. After all, people frequently recommend a novel they are reading, a café they have discovered, or a device they have purchased. Moreover, in an age where we are continuously connected - bombarded with more than 3,000 advertisements a day - the difference may seem negligible.

        [IV] Nonetheless, critics remain concerned. “We assume that a person is simply being helpful,” explains retail psychologist David Green, “yet it is entirely different when their comments are motivated by payment. Such practices erode authenticity, leaving us uncertain about whom to trust.” In reality, stealth marketers are already among us - and what makes the phenomenon so disquieting is that they are indistinguishable from everyone else.

                                                                                                                         (Adapted from Insight)

Question 31. As stated in paragraph 1, the effectiveness of stealth marketing ____________.

A. goes unnoticed by experts
B. lies in its invisibility

C. involves exploiting generosity
D. hides its true purpose

Question 32. The phrasal verb “took over” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. gained control of
B. replaced completely

C. copied the content of
D. took responsibility for

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

A. delicate
B. noticeable
C. indirect
D. vague

Question 34. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

“Globally, more than $500 billion is spent on advertising each year, yet compared with large-scale campaigns, stealth strategies are comparatively inexpensive and strikingly effective.”

A. Because stealth marketing is low-cost and efficient, the yearly global expenditure on advertising exceeds $500 billion, unlike conventional promotional campaigns.

B. Were traditional campaigns more affordable and impactful than stealth marketing, companies would not be spending over $500 billion a year on advertising worldwide.

C. Although more than $500 billion is invested in advertising globally each year, stealth marketing remains a less expensive and more successful alternative to standard campaigns.

D. Rarely is over $500 billion allocated to advertising annually in a traditional way without favouring economical and influential methods such as stealth marketing.

Question 35. The word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. Company X
B. stealth marketing
C. product
D. advertising

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

A. Tanya enjoys fashion and music, shares product reviews, but refuses to tell her friends when she’s promoting something for money unless she is required to do so.

B. A marketing agency trained Tanya to advertise products she enjoys, and she often posts brand promotions on social media to gain attention from her friends.

C. Tanya promotes products online and influences her friends, but she doesn’t find that it makes any difference to her daily life.

D. Tanya is a popular teen who promotes brands online but doesn’t tell her friends she’s paid, which she has no issue with.

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

A. Tanya’s friends are unaware of her getting paid to promote products, which is deemed dishonest.

B. Many companies today mainly choose young social media influencers to advertise and endorse their brands.

C. Tanya is not allowed to share with her friends the fact that she promotes products for payment.

D. Tanya considers it natural and acceptable not to tell her friends that she receives money to promote products.

Question 38. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

New acquaintance – or calculated deception?

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

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

A. Stealth marketing is like an epidemic as it is deceptive, appealing, and hard to detect.

B. Stealth marketers can be ordinary people, which makes stealth marketing so effective.

C. We are constantly bombarded with ads, so we fail to realise the power of marketing.

D. Living in a modern society means we’ve lost our ability to distinguish real and fake ads.

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

A. Stealth marketing uses ordinary people like Tanya to promote products online without clearly revealing they're paid, making it hard to tell advertising from friendly advice.

B. Young influencers like Tanya promote trendy products openly on social media, helping companies advertise more effectively than traditional campaigns like magazines or billboards.

C. Stealth marketing often involves influencers like Tanya sharing product recommendations with friends, making it an honest and affordable approach to advertising.

D. Tanya shares products she likes with friends online, and stealth marketing relies on teens’ opinions to spread excitement about new items.