Exercise 1: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D indicate the word whose underlined part differs

from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.

Question 1: A. application B. combustion C. navigation D. recognition
Question 2: A. artificial B. remarkable C. smartphone D. carrot
Question 3: A. computer B. command C. complicated D. communication
Question 4: A. robot B. controller C. operator D. global
Question 5: A. advances B. diseases C. escape D. watches
Exercise 2: 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
from 1 to 5
Despite these drawbacks, [1] …..theretirement age is still considered by policymakers as one
of the key solutions to the ageing population problem in Vietnam. But these are only
temporary solutions. Complementary long-term solutions such as increasing labor
productivity must also be examined.
As Vietnam has specialized in manufacturing with its competitive advantage of a cheap labor
force in the global supply chain, (2) ….highereducation should be reoriented to focus more on
vocational training rather than university degrees. The Vietnamese government has already
taken action by simplifying the entrance exam to university. Previously, Vietnam’s national
entrance exam was very difficult and only a limited number of the most talented citizens
managed to enter universities.
However, as living standards in Vietnam improve and more families can afford to send their
children to university, universities have become more commercialized and entering university
is no longer a rare achievement. The low quality of Vietnamese universities also means the
majority of graduating students are unable to find an appropriate job. By simplifying entrance
exams to deemphasize university degrees, the government has encouraged students to opt for
vocational training. (3) …….., 2016 saw a
remarkable decrease in the number of students applying (4) …….university.
Another supplementary policy is to have productivity-based rather than seniority-based
salaries, (5) is common in Asian countries. This would address public concern about aged
seniors doing less work for more pay than younger employees. Companies and government
agencies would employ and appreciate the young while benefiting from the experience of the
old. But this issue feeds the Communist regime’s dilemma between adhering to Communist
principles and integrating into the capitalist culture of productivity for profits.
Question 6: A. raising B. rising C. plant D. feed
Question 7: A. nationally B. nationality C. national D. nation
Question 8: A. However B. As a result C. Otherwise D. But
Question 9: A. in B. with C. for D. at
 Question 10: A. what B. why C. that D. which
Exercise 3: 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 6 to 13.
August 8th this year marked the Earth Overshoot Day, which essentially means that we have
officially consumed far more than the Earth can replenish in a year. The Global Footprint
Network estimates that the current population requires resources equivalent to that of over 1.6
Earths. And the UN projects that our population may balloon to upwards of 8.5 billion by
2030. As the population grows, more and more lands are allocated for urbanization, taking up
resources that could be used for agriculture and vegetation. On top of this, the wastes and
pollution resulting from human activity speeds up the degradation and deterioration of
resources.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design research professor, Richard Forman and
professor of sustainability science at Arizona State University, Jianguo Wu wrote a call for
global and regional urban planning approaches. They say that existing communities are built
in the wrong places, places that should have been allocated for nature and agriculture. “Most
settlements began on good agricultural soil near a body of fresh water and natural vegetation,"
they wrote in Nature. “Episodes of urban expansion therefore cover or pollute once-valuable
natural resources at ever increasing range. Meanwhile, the exploding urban population is
inundated with solid waste, wastewater, heat and pollutants."
So, where do we put future humans?
Although plans of colonizing Mars have been making the rounds lately, that plan is too far
ahead and we need solutions here and now. The professors insist that a strategic, environment-
driven urban planning system is the key to minimizing the impact of population growth,
despite environmental protection being at the bottom of the pile when it comes to government
priorities. "Urban planning can slow such degradation, and even improve matters. But
protecting natural and agricultural land, water bodies and biodiversity are rarely top priorities
for municipal governments. Planners focus on creating jobs, housing, transport and economic
growth," they wrote. They say that strategically pinpointing locations for settlements must be
environment-conscious: "It must consider which areas are best placed to support higher
populations without greatly increasing the already heavy ecological footprint on our finite
Earth."
After ruling out areas with harsh conditions as well as areas more suitable for natural reserves,
according to the professors, these areas have the most suitable locations for building human
communities: South America, southern Canada, north and eastern United States, south-central
Africa, north of the Himalayas and an area from the Black Sea to north China, and Oceania.
Regardless of which argument people convoke in an attempt to "debunk" overpopulation as a
problem, strategic urban planning would benefit the quality of living for all, if executed
properly. However, this cannot easily be done without international cooperation, policies, and
proper implementation. "Society must think globally, plan regionally, then act locally," they
add.
(Source: https://futurism.com/]
Question 11: Which of the following could best reflect the main idea of the passage?
A. The Earth is too overpopulated to live.
B. Scientists are searching new suitable places for people to live.
C. Effective environmental measures should be discussed to protect the Earth from
overpopulation.
C. The Earth must globally be cared about overpopulation's consequences.
Question 12: The word "replenish" is closest in meaning to .
A. regenerate B. reduce C. repair D. germinate
Question 13: According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE about our
population?

A. The Earth may support more than a half our resources' demand.
B. The more population grows, the more resources are deteriorated.
C. Wastes and pollution from human activities do not cause much impact on natural
vegetation.
D. As the population increases, more lands are used for cultivation.
Question 14: What is the synonym of the word "inundated" in paragraph 2?
A. outdated B. established C. contaminated D. overwhelmed
Question 15: What does the word "it" in paragraph 3 refer to?
A. environmental protection B. the pile
C. the impact of population growth D. the key
Question 16: The following are what municipal governments most concern, EXCEPT .
A. employment B. economy
C. biodiversity D. accommodation
Question 17: What does the author mean by stating “Society must think globally, plan
regionally, then act locally"?
A. People should think of the problems wider, then make plans and implement each smaller
part.
B. All the governments should consider overpopulation as a global problem, join hands with
other countries to make reasonable plans but carry out suitable measures for their own
country.
C. The governments should base on the international and regional principles to solve the
problems of overpopulation and suggest solutions for their country.
D. Society should join hands to reduce the influence of overpopulation worldwide and in their
regions and only execute their country's part.
Question 18: It can be inferred from the passage that .
A. Overpopulation is not only a country’s problem, so every nation must let the world solve it.
B. If the world population continues to explode, future humans will have no place to live.
C. The fresh water and natural vegetation will be destroyed before we can find another place
for future humans to live.
D. People should reduce urbanization to control the overpopulation.
Exercise 3: 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 14 to 21
It is an undeniable fact that a woman's place was once in the home. In the past, women
were merely required to fulfil the role of mother and housewife. Today, this situation has
changed tremendously. If a woman possesses the attributes and qualities of her male
counterpart, she will definitely be given equal opportunities in the career world without much
bias. Therefore, women began to make the scene and, eventually, there was a steady flow of
women leaving their homes. A certain vacuum or emptiness was thus created in the
households. No more could the husbands turn to their wives after a hard day’s work. Society
marveled at the ability of women, but it also suffered at the realization of the important role
that women play in their homes. Should women be allowed to work after marriage then? The
answer is undoubtedly positive although this issue is highly debatable in terms of the nature of
the professions involved. If a woman pursues her career but is at the same time able to care for
her home and children, one simply cannot find any reason why she should not be allowed to
do so.
A woman's influence is greatly needed in the home, on the children. What a child needs
most is his mother’s care because how the child is molded depends greatly on her. It is a real
pity that women who leave their homes solely in search of a career seldom give a thought to
this. The children, being helpless and dependent creatures, may have nobody to turn to at
home, except servants or relatives. With the mother's back only after a hard day's toil, the
children surely do not get much attention.
Whether a woman should continue to work after marriage would depend on the nature of
her profession. It is a waste of resources if women, after seeking higher education,
immediately abandon their careers after matrimony. A woman's effort can also contribute to
the well-being and development of society. In the Malaysian context, a teacher is only
required to work a five-day week with term holidays every now and then. Moreover, she is in
school for only half of the day. The other half of the day can be devoted to her home. A
teacher, besides educating the society, can fulfil the role of both mother and housewife. There
are many other careers like those of nurses, clerks and typists where women can fulfil the
double role.
Nevertheless, there are many professions which would not be advisable for women to
indulge in after marriage. A public relations officer spends almost three-quarters of her time in
her career. She has heavy tasks to shoulder which might require her to entertain others till odd
hours at night. Women who venture into the business world should think twice before
plunging into it. It would be beyond their means to fulfil two demanding roles at the same
time.
As it is, a woman's most important responsibility still lies in her home. Without her around
in the house, one just cannot bear to think of the consequences. Unless and until she can fulfil
the basic role of a housewife and mother, she should not make a career her sole responsibility.

Question 19: What is the best title of the passage?

A. Should women be allowed to work after marriage?
B. The role of women in society.
C. What jobs are suitable for women after marriage?
D. The necessary characteristics for women to work after marriage.
Question 20: Which of the following about women is NOT true in paragraph 1?
A. The main role of women in bygone days was childbearing and homemaking.
B. Women will have equality of job opportunities if they are as qualified as men.
C. Women's going out to work didn't change anything in the life of their families.
D. Women play an important role in their homes.
Question 21: The word “marveled" in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by .
A. was amazed B. was excited C. was fascinated D. was frustrated
Question 22: The word "this" in paragraph 2 refers to .
A. the child of the woman
B. the woman's influence at her home
C. the mother's care which is the most necessary for a child
D. the career that the woman wants to do.
Question 23: The word "matrimony” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to
A. divorce B. remarriage C. celibate D. marriage
Question 24: According to the passage, what job is NOT suitable for women after getting
married?
A. nurses B. clerks
C. typists D. nubile relations officers
Question 25: Why should a businesswoman have the second thought before starting her
career?
A. Because she has heavy tasks to shoulder till very late at night.
B. As it would be hard for her to fulfil the double role at the same time.
C. Since she has to spend three quarters of her time on business.
D. Because she has to plunge into this job.
Question 26: Which can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. Women should stay at home to fulfil their responsibilities.
B. Women should think of the consequences in their houses.
C. Women should not have their own careers.
D. Women should fulfil their primary roles at home before making their own careers.