Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 31 to 35.
Have you ever heard some superstitions about birds? Usually, birds are considered bad luck, or even a sign of imminent death. For example, all over the world, both crows and ravens have some connection to war, and death. In early times, crows and ravens were thought to accompany the gods of war, or be signs of the gods’ approaching arrival. This idea later changed. Crows in particular were thought to be harbingers of ill fortune or, in some cases, guides to the afterlife. Woe be it to the person who saw a single crow or raven flying overhead, for this was most certainly a portent of death in the near future.
Interestingly, though potentially bad luck for people individually, the raven is considered to be good luck for the crown of England. So much so, in fact, that a “raven master” is, even today, an actual government position in London. He takes care of the ravens there and also clips their wings, ensuring that these birds can never fly far from the seat of the British government. This way, the kingdom will never fall to ill fortune.
Another bird that is thought to play a part in forecasting the fortunes of people is the swallow. Depending on how and when it is seen, the swallow can be a harbinger of either good or ill fortune. Perhaps inspired by the swallow’s red-brown breast, Christian people initially related the swallow to the death of Jesus Christ. Thus, people who saw a swallow fly through their house considered it a portent of death. Later, however, farmers began to consider swallows signs of good fortune. Any barn that has swallows living in it is sure to be blessed in the following year. Farmers also have to beware of killing a swallow; that would be certain to end any good luck they might have had.
Though many people think these superstitions are old wives’ tales, there is actually some evidence to support them. For example, crows and ravens, being scavengers, appear at the aftermath of battles. Thus, large numbers of crows and ravens could be good indications of war in an area. As well, swallows feed on insects that can cause infections in cattle. Thus, a farmer who has many swallows in his barn may actually have healthier animals on his farm. Therefore, the next time you feel inclined to laugh at an old wives’ tale, maybe you had better find out if there is any truth to it first!
What is the main idea of this reading?
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Đáp án:C
Kiến thức : Đọc hiểu
Giải thích: Nội dung chính của bài đọc là gì?
A. Chim mang lại vận rủi. B. Đừng nhìn vào mắt một con quạ.
C. Có nhiều sự mê tín xoanh quanh các loài chim. D. Chim rất quan trọng đối với người Anh.
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each
The last time my friend wrote a letter to me was in February.
Charles and Adam are talking about learning online.
- Charles: “There is no problem with online learning.”
- Adam: “_____. Looking at the screen most of the time can make students’ eyes tired.”
Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
Because of mobile phones’ explosion in popularity, many schools have opposed, or even banned, their use in the classroom. Yet an increasing ___(26) ___ of educators are now turning to cell phones in order to bolster student engagement and learning. ___(27) ___ mobile-phone use should be limited to situations (28) _______ the technology genuinely enhances instruction, the advanced functionality of today's cell phones makes them ideal for 2 1st century lessons. For example, many schools use the devices to poll students in class via text message.
Some schools encourage students to use their phones Cameras to snap pictures for use as inspiration in art classes. Others allow students to capture photographs of a post-lecture whiteboard. In seconds, kids car grab a detailed image of a teacher's notes on the board and email it themselves, resulting in incredible study tool.
On field ___(29) ___, students can participate in scavenger hunts by snapping pictures of items on a teacher-supplied list. Mobile phones can also help facilitate class discussion. Teachers might ask students to run a Google Search for information on a particular topic. An alternative to presenting the information via lecture or having students read it from a textbook, discussion-integrated Web searchers are ___(30)___ more engaging, increasing the adds that students will retain the information.
