When was the Sydney Harbor Bridge built?

Read the following passage and then answer the questions below it.

      In the world today there are 5,000 to 6,000 living languages, of which English is the most widely used. As a mother tongue, it ranks second only to Chinese, which is little used outside China.

      English is the most international of languages. It is used as the language of aviation, international sport and pop music. Sixty percent of the world’s radio stations broadcast in English, and more than half of the world’s scientific papers are printed in English.

      It is true that a great number of people are involved in the use of English. To people in Africa, Asia, and South America, English is an important foreign language to master. In most countries in the world, the English language is used as the language of business, commerce, and technology. English is now an effective medium of international communication. However, it is the written English which is not systematically phonetic, that causes difficulties to non-native speakers.

1.   Which language is used as the language of aviation, international sport and pop music?

      _______________________________________________________________

2.   Why is English an important foreign language used in many countries?

      _______________________________________________________________

3.   What difficulties may learners of English be confronted with? Why?

      _______________________________________________________________

4.   Name three countries in which English is spoken as a first language.

      _______________________________________________________________

5.   As a mother tongue, why does English rank second only to Chinese?

      _______________________________________________________________

Read the text below and choose the best answer for each question after the text.

SOME ANIMALS CAN PREDICT FUTURE EARTHQUAKES

      A recent investigation by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey shows that strange animal behavior might help predict future earthquakes. Investigators found such occurrences in a ten-kilometer radius of the epicenter of a fairly recent quake. Some birds screeched and flew about wildly: dogs yelped and ran around uncontrollably.

      Scientists believe that animals can perceive these environmental changes as early as several days before the mishap.

      In 1976, after observing animal behavior, the Chinese were able to predict a devastating quake. Although hundreds of thousands of people were killed, the government was able to evacuate millions of other people and thus keep the death toll at a lower level.

1.   What prediction may be made by observing animal behavior?

Read the text and choose the suitable words with the correct blank spaces.

      Ilive in a (1) .......................... village. My parents often tell me (2) .......................... about their life in the past. It’s not much like the village I can see nowadays.

      Some villagers now live in brick houses instead of earthen ones. Our housesare better equipped (3) .......................... electric fans and TVs. Thanks to theTV, we now know more about (4) .......................... outside our village. We don’tuse oil lamps (5) .......................... more. We have electric lights which aremuch brighter. More villagers are using motorcycles for transport instead of (6) .......................... a horse or walking. We – village children – no longer haveto walk a long way and cross a stream to get (7) .......................... school, which isdangerous in the rainy season. Now there’s a new school nearby. We also have more (8) .......................... from the city. They come to experience our way of life.

Choose the item among A, B, C or D that best answers the question aboutthe passage.

      Living in the country is something that people from the city often dream about.However, in reality, it has both advantages and disadvantages.

       There are certainly many advantages of living in the country. First, you can enjoy peace and quietness. Moreover, people tend to be friendlier. A further advantage is that there is less traffic, so it is safer for young children.

      However, there are certain disadvantages or drawbacks to life outside the city. First, because there are fewer people, you are likely to have few friends. In addition, entertainment is difficult to find, particularly in the evening. Furthermore, the fact that there are fewer shops and services so it is quite hard to find jobs. As a result, you may have to travel a long way to work, which can be extremely expensive.

            In conclusion, it can be seen that the country is more suitable for some people than others. On the whole, it is often the best place for those who are retired or who have young children. In contrast, young or single people who have a career are better provided for in the city.

1.   According to the passage, living in the country has                     .

Supply suitable words to complete the following passage.

      Our classes take place for three hours every morning                              (1) Monday to Friday.The maximum class size                            (2) twenty and the average is ten. We use modernmethods of                       (3) and learning, and the school has a language laboratory, a videocamera and recorder. You will only be successful                           (4) improving your English,however, if you work hard and              (5) speaking English as much as you can. Youwill take a short                             (6) in English as soon as you arrive. In this way, wecan put you in a                                 (7) at the most suitable level.

      There are two classes                                (8) the elementary level; one is for complete beginnersand the                         (9) is for students who know a                       (10) English. In both classes,you will practise simple conversations.

Read the text and decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).

      Tokyo is a famous city. There are a few good buildings and impressive temples; there are a few parks worth visiting. Everything has to be small in Tokyo: houses,          rooms, shops. Long-side streets consist of tiny houses only, and this often creates a toy-like, with small women tip-toeing along in their kimonos.

      Tokyo at night is a very different place from Tokyo in daytime. Millions of neon lights are switched on and nowhere in the world is more attractive.

      A town is not its buildings alone; it is an atmosphere, its pleasure, its sadness, its madness, and above all its people. Tokyo may lack architectural beauty but it has character and excitement; it is alive. I found it a mysterious and lovable city.

      1.   _________ There are many beautiful buildings in Tokyo.

      2.   _________ There is nothing to see in the parks in Tokyo.

      3.   _________ Many small houses found along long road.

      4.   _________ At night, Tokyo is not as attractive as many other cities.

      5.   _________ Tokyo has beautiful architecture.

      6.   _________ The author likes Tokyo.

Read the following passage and then answer the questions below it.

      Air pollution is a cause of ill-health in human beings. In a lot of countries there are laws limiting the amount of smoke which factories can produce. Although there isn’t enough information on the effects of smoke in the atmosphere, doctors have proved that air pollution causes lung diseases.

      The gases from the exhausts of cars have also increased air pollution in most cities. The lead in petrol produces a poisonous gas which often collects in busy streets surrounded by high buildings. Children who live in areas where there is a lot of lead in the atmosphere cannot think as quickly as other children and they are clumsy when they use their hands.

      There are other long-term effects of pollution. If the gases in the atmosphere continue to increase, the earth’s climate may become warmer. A lot of the ice near the Poles may melt and may cause serious floods.

1.   What can make people sick?

      ___________________________________________________

2.   Where does smoke come from?

      ___________________________________________________

3.   Can air pollution cause lung diseases?

      ___________________________________________________

4.   What else can cause air pollution in cities?

      ___________________________________________________

5.   Why does the earth’s climate become warmer?

      ___________________________________________________

Read the following passage and choose the best answer A, B, C or D.

      Sydney is Australia’s most exciting city. The history of Australia begins here. In 1788 Captain Arthur Philips arrived in Sydney with 11 ships and 1624 passengers from Britain (including 770 prisoners). Today there are about 3.6 million people in Sydney. It is the biggest city in Australia, the busiest port in the South Pacific and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In Sydney, the buildings are higher, the colors are brighter and the nightlife is more exciting. There are over 20 excellent beaches close to Sydney and its warm climate and cool winter have made it a favorite city for immigrants from overseas. There are two things that make Sydney famous: its beautiful harbor, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, which was built in 1932 and the Sydney Opera House, which was opened in 1973.

 1.   Where did Captain Arthur Philips arrive in 1788?

Complete the conversation between Nick and Mai about Vietnamese table manners with the sentences given (A-H). Practise the conversation with your partner.

      A.No. You should wait to be shown where to sit, and the oldest person should sit first.

      B.Yeah, you should try to finish everything on your plate.

      C.You should bring a small gift, such as fruits, sweets, flowers...

      D.You shouldn’t bring handkerchiefs, anything black, or yellow flowers.

      E.They are chopsticks and a flat spoon.

      E.You should rest your chopsticks on top of your rice bowl.

      G.Yes, and remember to cover your mouth when using a toothpick.

      H.Chopsticks should be placed on the table or a chopstick holder after a few mouthful or when breaking to drink or speak.

Peter:         What should I do first if I am invited to a Vietnamese home for dinner, Huong?

Huong:      (1)____________________________________________________________

Peter:         Which kinds of gift shouldn’t I bring?

Huong:      (2)____________________________________________________________

Peter:         Can I sit at the dining table as I would like to?

Huong:      (3)____________________________________________________________

Peter:         What are the most common utensils for a meal in Viet Nam?

Huong:      (4)____________________________________________________________

Peter:         Where should I place my chopsticks when breaking to drink or speak?

Huong:      (5)____________________________________________________________

Peter:         Is there anything else that I have to pay attention to during the meal?

Huong:      (6)____________________________________________________________

Peter:         What should I do when I finish dinner?

Huong:      (7)____________________________________________________________

Peter:         Do Vietnamese people often use toothpicks after finishing a meal?

Huong:      (8)____________________________________________________________

Peter:         Thank you so much, Mai.

Huong:      You’re welcome. I hope you’ll enjoy having a meal with a Vietnamese household.