KỲ THI KHẢO SÁT ĐỘI TUYỂN HSG LỚP 12

Môn thi: TIẾNG ANH

ĐỀ LUYỆN TẬP
(Đề thi có 14 trang) Thời gian làm bài: 180 phút, không kể thời gian phát đề

SECTION A – PHONETICS

I. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose
underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following
questions.
1. A. pheasant B. weary C. tearaway D. tread
2. A. awry B. hawk C. crawl D. jaw
3. A. noose B. soothe C. boot D. hooky
4. A. island B. aisle C. pesto D. debris
5. A. cinder B. ceiling C. cello D. celebrate
II. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word that differs
from the other three in the position of the primary stress in each of the following
questions.
6. A. manure B. fertile C. creature D. decade
7. A. carpenter B. forefinger C. aesthetic D. boundary
8. A. diplomacy B. synonymous C. elephantine D. petroleum
9. A. register B. orchestra C. dramatist D. deposit
10. A. lunatic B. nomadic C. republic D. heroic

SECTION B – VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR

I. Choose the best answer from A, B, C or D to complete the following sentences.

11 Given recent events, _____ cancel their holiday at any moment.
A they were on the verge of B they were going to
C we expected them to D they were due to
12 In later years she came to the conclusion that, as she preferred animals to people, she
_____ become a vet not a doctor.
A should’ve B might well have C could have D may have
13 You _____ tell your brother – you know how much that car means to him.
A don’t need to B had better not C couldn’t D weren’t able
to
14 I don’t believe for a moment that if you play that record backwards, you’ll hear a
_____ message in the background.
A telepathic B subliminal C subsiding D sublingual
15 Aunt Doris has always been a bit of a hoarder but when we realised just how much
_____ she had accumulated of late, even we were shocked.
A chaos B confusion C muddle D clutter
16 He’s always been a _____ , so we weren’t at all surprised when he decided to buck
the system and do his own thing.
A nonconformist B unconformist C misconformist D
reconformist
17 _____ they couldn’t have told us all that we were likely to lose our jobs because the
business was failing is beyond me.
A When B Why C How D Whether
18 Whether or not I _____ work and travel for a while depends very much on my
father’s health.
A have decided to quit B ’m quitting C will be quitting D decide to
quit
19 Yawning in a meeting isn’t considered polite so I knew I had to _____ the one I
could feel coming.
A smother B squash C hush D stifle
20 He maintains that he has managed to keep his youthful appearance by always taking
a short _____ in the afternoon.
A nap B slumber C nod D roost
21 We were _____ disappointed when the award for best project went to our main
competitors.
A virtually B bitterly C absolutely D completely
22 The party can regain public confidence _____ it tackles the issue of expense claims
in a just and open manner.
A otherwise B not unless C unless D providing that
23 If we had known it was going to be so difficult to reach the summit before nightfall,
we wouldn’t even _____ to attempt it.
A begin B had begun C have begun D have been beginning
24 He’s such a charming young man. It’s clear that his parents have _____ good
manners in him.
A inserted B instilled C inspired D incited
25 He didn’t mention his recent promotion for fear that it would _____ trouble amongst
his colleagues.
A set off B spark off C set out D lead off
26 What do you think would be the best venue for the party then, _____ place or ours?
A theirs B there C they’re D their
27 If you fancy _____ while you’re in the area, give us a bell.
A to meet up B to meeting up C meet up D meeting up
28 The boat struggled _____ course in the gale force storms.
A to stay on B staying on C to stay for D staying for
29 The _____ green paisley tie he wore really set him apart from the other interview
candidates.
A vibrant B lively C vital D dynamic
30 When she’s that excited, it’s nigh on impossible to get a word in _____ . Believe me,
I’ve tried!
A sideways B sidelong C edgewise D edgeways

31 _____ returned home that I realised just how much I missed seeing my brother.
A It wasn’t until I B It was only by C The reason why I D It’s only by
32 She said that what she _____ most about living away from home would be our daily
walks in the dunes.
A misses B missed C will miss D would miss
33 _____ help me make this decision. I’m just so unsure of which direction to take for
my future.
A I’d sooner you willB I wish you will C If only you could D I rather you
34 After a momentary _____ in concentration, Simon managed to regain his focus and
complete the test.
A lapse B fault C failure D error
35 If it were possible to find a property within our budget and _____ from the beach,
that’d be wonderful.
 A shouting distance B close range C a stone’s throw D near
36 Try as I might, the car’s wheels _____ to budge from the mud.
A have refused B refused C refuse D will refuse
37 Would you believe, he says he’s _____ busy to come out with us this month?
A too much B much too C so much D much so
38 The report confirmed that pensioners were _____ to try internet banking.
A the little afraid B hardly afraid C the more afraid D too afraid
39 Since signing a rather _____ sponsorship deal, his career has gone from strength to
strength.
A sufficient B lucrative C ample D wealthy
40 The recession has heavily impacted our small business, so much so that we have had
no option but to _____ staff.
A let up B give up C lay off D leave off
II. There are 10 errors (41-50) in the following passage. Identify, then underline and
correct them. Some lines are correct. Indicate these lines with a tick (). (0) has been
done as an example.
0. for - to Alzheimer's disease impairs a person's ability for recall memories,
both distance and as recent as a few hours before. Although there is
not been a cure for the illness, there may be hope for a cure with a
protein called nerve growth factor. A protein is produced by nerve
cells in the same region of the brain where Alzheimer's occurs. Based
on this relationship, scientists of the University of Lund in Sweden
and the University of California at San Diego designed an experiment
to test how doses of nerve growth factor could reverse the effects of
memory loss caused by Alzheimer's. Using a group of rats with
impaired memory, the scientists give half of the rats doses of nerve
growth factor while giving the other half a blood protein with a
placebo, thus creating a control group. At the end of the four-week
test, the rats given the nerve growth factor performed equally to rats
with normal memorial abilities. While the experiments do not show
that nerve growth factor can stop the general procedure of
deterioration caused by Alzheimer's, they do show potentially as a
means to slowing the process significantly.

III. Supply the correct forms of the words in brackets.

51. The doctor suggested that my __________ to sleep was stress-related and prescribed
sleeping pills to help me catch up on much-needed sleep. (ABLE)
52. Although many cuts have been made, the local authorities have promised that the
hospital will remain open in the __________ future. (FORESEE)
53. The moment the project was deemed __________ , the funding was stopped.
(FEASIBLE)
54. I think our cat is ill. Not only is he completely __________ in food but he’s hardly
moved an inch all day. (INTEREST)
55. Taking advantage of someone’s trust or innocence is completely __________ .
(DESPISE)
56. Our yoga teacher told us never to __________ the power of positive thinking and said it
was a lot more effective than we imagined. (ESTIMATE)
57. His nasty comments were completely uncalled for and left an __________ taste in my
mouth. (SAVOUR)
58. Parking spaces are at such a premium in this city that many houses in the area come with
an _________ parking space that you have to pay for. (ALLOT)
59. After leaving his job in law __________ , Juan retrained and became a surveyor.
(ENFORCE)
60. Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to find a new __________ for our
products. (DISTRIBUTE)

SECTION C – READING

I. Reading comprehension:

PASSAGE 1: Read the following passages, and then choose the best answer from A, B, C
or D.
The first peoples to inhabit what today is the southeastern United States sustained
themselves as hunters and gathers. Sometimes early in the first millennium A.D., however,
they began to cultivate corn and other crops. Gradually, as they became more skilled at
Line gardening, they settled into permanent villages and developed a rich culture, characterized
(5) by the great earthen mounds they erected as monuments to their gods and as tombs for
their distinguished dead. Most of these early mound builders were part of the
Adena-Hopewell culture, which had its beginnings near the Ohio River and takes its name
from sites in Ohio. The culture spread southward into the present-day states of Louisiana,
Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Its peoples became great traders, bartering jewellery,
(10) pottery, animal pelts, tools, and other goods along extensive trading networks that
stretched up and down eastern North America and as far west as the Rocky Mountains.
About A.D. 400, the Hopewell culture fell into decay. Over the next centuries, it was
supplanted by another culture, the Mississippian, named after the river along which many
of its earliest villages were located. This complex civilization dominated the Southeast from
(15) about A.D. 700 until shortly before the Europeans began arriving in the sixteenth century.
At the peak of its strength, about the year 1200, it was the most advanced culture in North
America. Like their Hopewell predecessors, the Mississippians became highly skilled at
growing food, although on a grander scale. They developed an improved strain of corn,
which could survive in wet soil and a relatively cool climate, and also learned to cultivate
(20) beans. Indeed, agriculture became so important to the Mississippians that it became
closely associated with the Sun – the guarantor of good crops. Many tribes called
themselves "children of the Sun" and believed their omnipotent priest-chiefs were
descendants of the great sun god.
Although most Mississippians lived in small villages, many others inhabited large towns.
(25) Most of these towns boasted at least one major flat-topped mound on which stood a
temple that contained a sacred flame. Only priests and those charged with guarding the
flame could enter the temples. The mounds also served as ceremonial and trading sites,
and at times they were used as burial grounds.

61. What does the passage mainly discuss?

(A) The development of agriculture
(B) The locations of towns and villages
(C) The early people and cultures of the United States
(D) The construction of burial mounds

62. Which of the following resulted from the rise of agriculture in the southeastern United
States?
(A) The development of trade in North America
(B) The establishment of permanent settlements
 (C) Conflicts with other Native American groups over land
(D) A migration of these peoples to the Rocky Mountains.
63. What does the term "Adena-Hopewell" (line 7) designate?
(A) The early locations of the Adena-Hopewell culture
(B) The two most important nations of the Adena-Hopewell culture
(C) Two former leaders who were honored with large burial mounds.
(D) Two important trade routes in eastern North America

64. The word "bartering" in line 9 is closest in meaning to

(A) producing (B) exchanging (C) transporting (D) loading

65. The word "supplanted" in line 13 is closest in meaning to

(A) conquered (B) preceded (C) replaced (D) imitated

66. According to the passage, when did the Mississippian culture reach its highest point of
development?
(A) About A.D. 400 (B) Between A.D. 400 and A.D. 700
(C) About A.D. 1200 (D) In the sixteenth century

67. According to the passage, how did the agriculture of the Mississippians differ from that
of their Hopewell predecessors?
(A) The Mississippians produced more durable and larger crops of food.
(B) The Mississippians sold their food to other groups.
(C) The Mississippians could only grow plants in warm, dry climates.
(D) The Mississippians produced special foods for their religious leaders.

68. Why does the author mention that many Mississippians tribes called themselves
"children of the Sun" (line 22)?
(A) To explain why they were obedient to their priest-chiefs.
(B) To argue about the importance of religion in their culture.
(C) To illustrate the great importance they placed on agriculture.
(D) To provide an example of their religious rituals.

69. The phrase "charged with" in line 26 is closest in meaning to

(A) passed on (B) experienced at
(C) interested in (D) assigned to

70. According to the passage, the flat-topped mounds in Mississippian towns were used for
all of the following purposes EXCEPT
(A) religious ceremonies (B) meeting places for the entire
community
(C) sites for commerce (D) burial sites

PASSAGE 2: Read the following passages, and then choose the best answer from A, B, C
or D.
In Death Valley, California, one of the hottest, most arid places in North America, there is
much salt, and salt can damage rocks impressively. Inhabitants of areas elsewhere, where
streets and highways are salted to control ice, are familiar with the resulting rust and
Line deterioration on cars. That attests to the chemically corrosive nature of salt, but it is not
(5) the way salt destroys rocks. Salt breaks rocks apart principally by a process called crystal
prying and wedging. This happens not by soaking the rocks in salt water, but by moistening
their bottoms with salt water. Such conditions exist in many areas along the eastern edge
 of central Death Valley. There, salty water rises from the groundwater table by capillary
action through tiny spaces in sediment until it reaches the surface.
(10) Most stones have capillary passages that suck salt water from the wet ground. Death
Valley provides an ultra-dry atmosphere and high daily temperatures, which promote
evaporation and the formation of salt crystals along the cracks or other openings within
stones. These crystals grow as long as salt water is available. Like tree roots breaking up a
sidewalk, the growing crystals exert pressure on the rock and eventually pry the rock apart
(15) along planes of weakness, such as banding in metamorphic rocks, bedding in sedimentary
rocks, or preexisting or incipient fractions, and along boundaries between individual
mineral crystals or grains. Besides crystal growth, the expansion of halite crystals (the same
as everyday table salt) by heating and of sulfates and similar salts by hydration can
contribute additional stresses. A rock durable enough to have withstood natural conditions
(20) for a very long time in other areas could probably be shattered into small pieces by salt
weathering within a few generations.
The dominant salt in Death Valley is halite, or sodium chloride, but other salts, mostly
carbonates and sulfates, also cause prying and wedging, as does ordinary ice. Weathering
by a variety of salts, though often subtle, is a worldwide phenomenon. Not restricted to
(25) arid regions, intense salt weathering occurs mostly in salt-rich places like the seashore,
near the large saline lakes in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, and in desert sections of
Australia, New Zealand, and central Asia.

71. What is the passage mainly about?

(A) The destructive effects of salt on rocks.
(B) The impressive salt rocks in Death Valley.
(C) The amount of salt produced in Death Valley.
(D) The damaging effects of salt on roads and highways.

72. The word "it" in line 9 refers to

(A) salty water (B) groundwater table (C) capillary action
(D) sediment

73. The word "exert" in line 14 is closest in meaning to

(A) put (B) reduce (C) replace (D) control

74. In lines 13-17, why does the author compare tree roots with growing salt crystals?
(A) They both force hard surfaces to crack.
(B) They both grow as long as water is available.
(C) They both react quickly to a rise in temperature.
(D) They both cause salty water to rise from the groundwater table.

75. In lines 17-18, the author mentions the "expansion of halite crystals...by heating and of
sulfates and similar salts by hydration" in order to
(A) present an alternative theory about crystal growth
(B) explain how some rocks are not affected by salt
(C) simplify the explanation of crystal prying and wedging
(D) introduce additional means by which crystals destroy rocks

76. The word "durable" in line 19 is closest in meaning to

(A) large (B) strong (C) flexible (D) pressured

77. The word "shattered" in line 20 is closest in meaning to

(A) arranged (B) dissolved
 (C) broken apart (D) gathered together

78. The word "dominant" in line 22 is closest in meaning to

(A) most recent (B) most common
(C) least available (D) least damaging

79. According to the passage, which of the following is true about the effects of salts on
rocks?
(A) Only two types of salts cause prying and wedging.
(B) Salts usually cause damage only in combination with ice.
(C) A variety of salts in all kinds of environments can cause weathering.
(D) Salt damage at the seashore is more severe than salt damage in Death Valley.

80. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about rocks that are found in
areas where ice is common?
(A) They are protected from weathering.
(B) They do not allow capillary action of water.
(C) They show similar kinds of damage as rocks in Death Valley.
(D) They contain more carbonates than sulfates.
II. Choose the best answer from A, B, C or D to fill in the gaps in the following passage.
A GREAT COMPOSER
The classical composer Ernst Hoffsberger, who passed away earlier this week,
truly (81)_______ the world of contemporary classical music and was a great (82)______ of
inspiration to a whole generation of (83)_______ young artists in various fields. In many
ways his three symphonies completely (84)_______ the achievements of all other
composers of the late twentieth century and by (85)______ the classical genre with jazz,
rock and latterly hip-hop, his work at times bore little (86)________ to what is commonly
considered to be a classical sound.
Born in California just after the Second World War, Hoffsberger had a strict
religious (87)________ during which he was taught classical piano by his father. He first
found work as a(n) (88)________ journalist, playing and composing music in his free time.
During the late sixties, he worked together in (89)________ with a number of other amateur
musicians before finally (90)_______ professional with the first public performance of his
inspirational Tenor Sax Concerto in 1971.
From then on, throughout the seventies and eighties, each new work seemed
to (91)_________ the limits of the orchestral medium and also helped to bring classical
music to a wider audience. What many people consider Hoffsberger's defining quality that
kept his music fresh and original was that he never lost the human (92)_________ which
gave him the ability to sit down and jam with musicians and artists from all walks of life.

81. A revolutionised B restored C renovated D refurbished

82. A form B kind C source D outlet
83. A branching B budding C blooming D bursting
84. A overcame B overshadowed C overturned D overwhelmed
85. A adjoining B attaching C co-joining D fusing
86. A similarity B familiarity C resemblance D identification
87. A family B background C childhood D upbringing
88. A non-contract B off-the-books C freelance D odd-job
89. A collaboration B combination C coordination D contribution
90. A taking B getting C making D turning
91. A overpass B bypass C surpass D encompass
92. A touch B feeling C contact D aspect
SECTION D – WRITING
I. Rewrite the following sentences using the words
III. Composition:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other
important professions. Some people think is fully justified while others think it is unfair.

Discus both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reason for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge
or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
YOUR WRITING HERE:
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