SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO KỲ THI CHỌN ĐỘI TUYỂN HỌC SINH GIỎI THPT

THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH NĂM HỌC 2023-2024

MÔN: TIẾNG ANH
ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC Ngày thi thứ nhất: 19/9/2023
Thời gian làm bài: 180 phút (không kể thời gian phát đề)
(đề thi gồm 08 trang)

USE OF ENGLISH (50 pts)

Choose the best answer A, B, C or D to complete each blank
1. If John had devoted himself to the work more, he ______ in great difficulty now.
A. wouldn't have been B. wouldn't be C. weren't D. might not be
2. ______, the news of the plane crash was being presented.
A. Turning on the TV B. Turned on the TV
C. When turning on the TV D. When I turned on the TV
3. The more John talks about his workplace, ______.
A. the more his brother feels bored. B. the less interested his brother becomes.
C. the least interested his brother is. D. the most boring his brother fools.
4. It was in the Netherlands ______ Jack did an M.A course.
A. where B. in which C. that D. which
5. The little girl is claimed ______ 4 gold medals in athletics events last year.
A. to win B. to have won C. that she won D. that she had won
6. We were at a disadvantage ______ we didn't have good knowledge of the language the others were using.
A. by which B. in that C. with which D. for that
7. The report is very critical and is clearly ______.
A. intend to be B. intended to C. intended D. intended to be
8. The old lady came near to ______ of pneumonia but to everyone’s amazement she pulled through.
A. death B. being dead C. dying D. die
9. He crept in ______ his parents should wake up.
A. unless B. lest C. otherwise D. whereby
10. Although Athur suffered from a long and painful illness, he never showed any sign of what he ______
through and continued to take on film roles until just a few months before his death.
A. must have had to go B. must go
C. must have to go D. must have been going
11. We ______ each other later that day, but we had to phone and cancel.
A. had been seeing B. is seeing C. be seeing D. were seeing
12. It was the collapse of the dotcom that finally did ______ him.
A. out B. for C. with D. of
13. ______ with being so busy both at work and at home, she became increasingly tired and bad-tempered.
A. Where B. Which C. How D. What
14. The team have been ______ at developing the new software and some unbelievable apps for our clients.
A. slogging away B. lagging behind C. reeking of D. goading into
15. Somehow I managed to______ my exams and got the grades I needed to get to university.
A. flesh out B. muddle through C. straggle to D. sag behind
16. ______, they slept soundly.
A. Hot though was the night air B. Hot though the night air was
C. Hot as was the night air D. Hot although the night air was
17. Into these vehicles ______, before they headed off to safety across the river.
A. the sick and the elderly climbed B. did the sick and the elderly climb
C. were climbed the sick and the elderly climbed D. climbed the sick and the elderly
18. The local authorities directed that each building ______ with efficient smoke detecting systems.
A. be equipped with B. to be equipped C. should equip D. would be equipped
19. I wouldn’t go ______ to say that he’s a liar.
A. so far B. further than C. as far as D. much farther
20. ______ the grant the received from a benefactor, he would have been unable to pursue his desired
higher education.
A. Except for B. Apart from C. Aside from D. But for
21. Solving that math problem is as easy as ______ for him, given his strong aptitude for numbers and
equations.
A. taking for a ride B. falling off a log C. having an axe D. giving a new lease of life
22. She had to ______ her pursue to buy a last-minute gift for her sister’s birthday, which she had forgotten
about.
A. look out for B. dip into C. indulge in D. deluge with
23. He could ______ vivid images in his mind using his creative imagination, allowing him to be an
exceptional artist.
A. connect with B. thrash out C. conjure up D. relate to
24. Her problem- solving skills ______ like a charm, enabling her to navigate through challenging situation
effortlessly.
A. act B. serve C. work D. turn
25. After the argument at the party, tensions were high, and I had to ______ my angry neighbor to the door
before things escalated further.
A. show B. guide C. take D. lead
26. The antique furniture, inherited from his grandparents, was ______ to years of neglect, leaving it in a
sorry state.
A. submerged B. subjected C. reduced D. objected
27. The unexpected rain ______ havoc with our outdoor wedding plans, causing some chaos and last-minute
adjustments.
A. wreaked B. played C. wrecked D. did
28. The victim decided to press ______ against her assailant, seeking justice for the harm she had suffered.
A. accusations B. trials C. charges D. convictions
29. He promised to ______ reparation for the damage caused by his mistake, offering to pay for the repairs
out of his own pocket.
A. make B. do C. pay D. fill
30. I had to ______ my neighbor to water my plants while I was away, and he kindly agreed to help.
A. return a favor to B. be in favor of C. ask a favor of D. find a favor with
31. It's your right to ______ a right and voice your opinion on matters that are important to you.
A. enjoy B. utilise C. exercise D. implement
32. After years of hard work and dedication, he finally had something substantial ______ his name, a
successful business and a loving family.
A. in B. under C. to D. for
33. As a dedicated nurse, she was always in ______ on her sick grandmother, providing care and comfort
during her illness.
A. attendance B. concentration C. charge D. supervision
34. Learning a second language can be challenging, but it will work to your ______ in the long run, opening
up new opportunities.
A. advantage B. profit C. benefit D. gain
35. The future held many opportunities and challenges, which kept me guessing what lay in ______ for me
and my career.
A. seek B. stock C. store D. supply
36. It is in the ______ that whether he will accept the job offer or not, as he weighs the pros and cons of
relocating for the position.
A. card B. balance C. question D. dark
37. Her skills and qualifications make her a ______ above the other applicants, making her the top choice for
the job.
A. cut B. division C. thrust D. drift
38. Their relationship is ______ due to constant arguments and disagreements, and they're considering
seeking couples counseling.
A. on the rocks B. on the ground C. on the cliffs D. on the fence
39. It's ______ he's clearly the superior athlete in this competition, outperforming all his rivals effortlessly.
A. no contest B. no test C. no exam D. no competition
40. The entire team decided to speak with one ______ during the negotiations, presenting a united front to
achieve their objectives.
A. tone B. hymn C. voice D. accent
41. The movie was a great box-office success. Besides, critics ______ praise on its plot and acting.
A. splashed B. heaped C. scattered D. flooded
42. All that manual work helps to work up a(n) ______. I'm waiting for dinner.
A. hunger B. starvation C. appetite D. foodie
43. The stage sets were obviously ______ influenced by the work of the surrealist artist.
A. extremely B. highly C. tremendously D. heavily
44. Ros: Congratulations! I hear you've won the lottery. Ana: Wow! ______
A. News travels fast. B. Sounds spread quickly.
C. It's lightning speed. D. News flies.
45. I'm more than happy to attend your party. ______ me an email with the details.
A. Forward B. Deliver C. Leave D. Drop
46. She's full of ______ promises. She never keeps her words.
A. vague B. empty C. vacant D. blank
47. I could hear a slight ______ of an Irish accent in her voice.
A. Irait B. trace C. track D. trail
48. He's by no means rude. He has a ______ manner and he's capable of open hostility if he thinks he is
manipulated.
A. outright B. downright C. forthright D. alright
49. Workers in the industrial zone have ______ about the cancellation of their perks and the new pay
structure.
A. beaten their menaces B. aired their grievances
C. voiced their disapproval D. showed their discontent
50. Getting back from he play, my cousin ______ recommended it and even gave me 2 tickets for it.
A. spectacularly B. thoroughly C. enthusiastically D. energetically

GUIDED CLOZE (30 pts)

Read the passage and choose the best option A, B, C or D or each blank.
PASSAGE A
In recent years, one (1)______ of music has captured the attention of music lovers around the world,
(2)______ language barriers and cultural differences. K-POP, short for Korean Pop, has become a global
sensation, captivating (3)______ with its infectious beats, stunning visuals and (4)______ performances. The
rise of K-POP has been (5)______ remarkable, and its impact on the global music industry is undeniable.
To understand the (6)______ rise of K-POP, you need to consider its history. K-POP emerged in South
Korea in the 1990s as a (7)______ of Western pop music, hip hop and traditional Korean music. Influenced by
American and European pop (8)______ such as Micheal Jackson and Madona, as well as the local Korean
music scene, K-POP artists began crafting a unique sound that blended catchy melodies with energetic
choreography. The first wave of K-POP groups, such as H.O.T and Seo Taiji and Boys, laid the foundation for
what was to come.
(9)______ it was in the late 2000s and early 2010s that K-POP (10)______ began to take off on the
global stage. This can be attributed to the emergence of talent agencies like SM Entertainment, YG
Entertainment and JYP Entertainment, which played a (11)______ role in shaping and promoting K-POP
performers. These agencies meticulously trained their artists in singing, dancing and stage presence, fostering
a(n) (12)______ of professionalism and perfectionism rarely seen in the music industry.
The influence of Western music on K-POP during these formative years cannot be (13)______ K-POP
draws inspiration from various genres, including pop, R&B, hip hop, EDM and rock. Collaborations with
Western (14)______ and songwriters such as Teddy Riley, William and Ryan Tedder have helped K-POP artists
create songs with an international (15)______. This cross-pollination of musical styles has been instrumental
in K-POP's success.
1 A. style B. genre C. type D. stanza
2 A. eliminating B. discarding C. breaking D. destroying
3 A. audiences B. spectators C. viewers D. attendants
4 A. hair-raising B. mouth-watering C. jaw-dropping D. mind-bending
5 A. anything but B. far from C. nothing short of D. nowhere near as
6 A. surging B. meteoric C. universal D. skyrocketing
7 A. combination B. fusion C. mixture D. blend
8 A. scenes B. symbols C. acts D. entertainers
9 A. However B. Moreover C. Otherwise D. Consequently
10 A. precisely B. factually C. truly D. rightly
11 A. pivotal B. piddling C. implicit D. perceptible
12 A. intensity B. extent C. standard D. level
13 A. overlooked B. overwhelmed C. overseen D. overshadowed
14 A. producers B. manufacturers C. directors D. businesses
15 A. attraction B. adoration C. appeal D. attachment

PASSAGE B
Demolishing Stereotypes
In a study titled Male and Female Drivers: How Different are They? Professor Frank McKenna of the
University of Reading looked at the accident risk between men and women. He found that men drive faster
commit more driving (16)______, and are more (17)______ to drink and drive. They look for thrills behind the
(18)______, while women seek independence. And, although anecdotal evidence might suggest (19)______
women are not starting to drive as aggressively as men.
The question of whether, as drivers, women differ from men is important, because it could affect
insurance (20)______, which are closely (21)______ to accident statistics.
Despite the increase in women drivers, McKenna's researchers found no evidence that this is changing
accident (22)______. It seems that age is far more important than gender in the car. The study also found
striking new evidence to confirm that young men drive less safely than any other group.
Nearly half of all accidents involving young men and one-third of those involving young women take
place when it is dark. Again, there is (23)______ in such accidents as drivers grow older, but gender differences
remain significant until drivers reach the age of 55.
Although there is little difference between men and women in the distance they keep from the car in front, there
are differences (24)______ age groups. Young drivers show less (25)______ for the danger of following more
closely, and young men are likely to 'close the gap' as an aggressive (26)______ to the driver in front to speed
up or to get out of the way.
(27)______ public belief, young drivers, as a group, are more likely to avoid drinking alcohol if they are
driving, white men in the 30 to 50 age group admitted to drinking the most alcohol before driving.
Men are most likely to (28)______ off, probably because they are willing to drive for longer (29)______
without a break-driver fatigue is another important factor in accidents.
According to Andrew Howard, of the Automobile Association. “We are to combat the group that speeds
for thrills. The key is how men are brought up to look at the car. It is this which needs to be (30) ______.”
16 A. crimes B. violations C. disturbances D. frauds
17 A. prone B. liable C. supposed D. inclined
18 A. scene B. wheel C. windscreen D. navigator
19 A. unwise B. otherwise C. likewise D. businesswise
20 A. subscriptions B. payments C. premiums D. installments
 21 A. accelerated B. estimated C. geared D. linked
22 A. patterns B. frequency C. correlations D. expectancy
23 A. a sharp increase B. a steady decrease C. an unxpected flu D. the same number
24 A. across B. between C. in D. through
25 A. reservation B. thought C. care D. regard
26 A. transmit B. urge C. signal D. message
27 A. According to B. Irrespective of C. As for D. Contrary to
28 A. head B. wave C. shake D. nod
29 A. durations B. lapses C. periods D. intervals
30 A. researched B. addressed C. handled D. investigated

READING COMPREHENSION (20 pts)

For passage A, choose the item A, B, C or D that best answers the question or best completes the unfinished
statement about the passage.
PASSAGE A
It's an unavoidable fact of life that there will always be certain people who know more about us than
we'd like them to: the therapist, the ex-boyfriend, and hotel housekeeping are among them. We've told them
our hang-ups, fallen in love with them once upon a time, or literally asked them to sift through our dirty laundry.
As a result, they know our secrets but that's usually because we've willingly spilled them.
There is another breed of person that knows a bit more about us, though. They see us on our drunken
late nights and equally on our hungover late mornings. They know that we don't go grocery shopping as often
as ve should and that, sometimes, a 40 oz. bottle of Red Stripe paired with tortilla chips is a suitable dinner for
a Thursday night. They are the corner-store owners.
Every urban dwelling human has probably entered an unspoken relationship of this kind. Each city has
its own iteration dotting the streets- the bodega in NYC, an off-license in London, or a liquor store in LA but
what takes place inside is largely the same. Each time you go to buy your brand of tobacco on your way to the
bar, stumble down the road to pick up milk and eggs on a Saturday morning without bothering to put on a bra
first, or purchase Cool Ranch Doritos and chocolate bars when you're drunk, depressed (or both), they learn
just a little bit more about you.
Taken individually, these habits may not reveal that much, but, over the course of a year or two, much
more if one were paying attention. My corner-store owners know that I drink Diet Coke in a can when I'm on a
deadline, Perrier when I'm hungover; I read the Guardian on Saturdays or the Observer on Sundays; and I
regard a bottle of dry rose as a panacea for most of my ills, so long as it's not an abstemious Monday.
Having grown up in suburbia, where big box chains and SUVS render the landscape impersonal, I
hadn't really experienced the intimacy of the corner-store relationship until I moved to cities. There was the flat
in Camden where the corner-store guys directly across the street could see into the second-story window that
I shared with another Australian girl; the corner store in Dalston where the Turkish proprietor once suggested
I buy the right-wing Daily Mail when he'd sold out of the weekend Guardian; and the Moroccan teenager in the
18th arrondissement of Paris who, despite my inability to speak his language, was incredibly gracious the time
I knocked over an entire display of roasted nuts and could only emphatically say 'Je suis desole!' before
scurrying out in utter humiliation.
After the nut incident, I was inclined to walk the extra few blocks to the slightly larger, more anonymous - or
safer - supermarche next time I wanted a late night snack. Along similar lines, the humorist David Sedaris
talked about his fraught relationship with a French corner-store owner who dismissively asked him if he was a
tourist on vacation despite the fact that he had bought his newspaper from that woman seven days a week for
a year and a half. Like me, Sedaris felt the weight of their silent judgment; the more they know about us, the
more self-conscious we become in our dealings.
Alas, if I can get past this possibly imagined neurosis of what the off-licence owner thinks of my
idiosyncrasies, perhaps there's something to be valued in this inescapable intimacy of urban life. We move
brough cityscapes with the protection of headphones, buy our cinema and train tickets from machines, and
benefit from same-day delivery of items ordered online via unmanned aerial vehicles. Perhaps the humble
corner store is the last stand of enforced human interaction. They are, after all, one of the few places where a
hello and goodbye are required to complete a transaction instead of a confirm-purchase button. If nothing else,
it's a hell of a lot easier to buy a pint of milk by walking down the road in your PJs than it is to wait for a drone
to deliver it.

1. What point is the writer making in the first paragraph?

A. There is a difference between information we have happily shared and that which we have not.
B. We should avoid sharing information with people.
C. It is impossible to avoid sharing intimate details about our lives.
D. Social media has made things worse.
2. What is the writer trying to say in paragraph 3?
A. Alcohol vendors gain access to most personal information.
B. Using corner shops can be depressing.
C. This sharing of personal information is very widespread.
D. You should dress appropriately when you leave your house.
3. What part does time play, according to the writer in paragraph 4, in this situation?
A. People forget your personal information over time.
B. People can build a very complete picture about you over time.
C. You will feel less worried about this situation after some time.
D. Most information is given at specific times of the day.
4. The word "ills" in paragraph 4 can be replaced by.
A. diseases B. headaches C. problems D. pains
5. The writer ___________.
A. has spent more time in the city than in the countryside
B. enjoys shopping in corner-store in the suburbs
C. have been treated quite well by corner-store owners
D. tends to opt for accommodation near corner-stores
6. What do we learn about the writer's feeling in paragraph 6?
A. The writer doesn't like living in France.
B. The writer enjoys interacting in French.
C. The writer doesn't feel that safe shopping in little shops.
D. The writer feels things are cheaper in little shops.
7. What feelings does the writer share with David Sedaris in paragraph 6?
A. They both dislike the feeling of being judged by strangers.
B. They both feel uncomfortable with other people knowing things about them.
C. They both enjoy a similar kind of humour.
D. They both prefer to shop in supermarkets
8. The word "idiosyncrasies" in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to
A. preferences B. purchases C. habits D. drinks
9. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Getting groceries delivered by drones is much more efficient than buying them in person.
B. Cutting-edge vending machines are taking place of shop assistants.
C. City-dwellers hate making interaction with people around.
D. Urban dwellers find comfort in going unrecognised.
10. What is the writer suggesting in the last paragraph?
A. The advantages of the corner shop outweigh the disadvantages.
B. The corner shop has a bleak future.
C. Buying on-line is more comfortable than dealing with people.
D. Headphones can be a very effective form of protection.
PASSAGE B
You are going to read an article on different underground urban railway systems of the world. For questions
20, select the system (A, B, C, D, E or F). Each system may be selected more than once.

The Underground
A look at the underground urban railway systems of the world.
(A) Paris
In Paris, they care about the people who use public transport. Travelling with the 4.4m people who daily
the world's best underground urban railway system is generally a pleasure. True, your average Parisian as
alienated and brittle as any tube traveller. And then there is the smell. For a long time I have been struck this
posited odour and have spent a lot of time sniffing. More than anything, the Metro is efficient. There are
drawbacks. Many Metro stations have too many stairs, and changing lines at big interchanges can be tiresome.
Then there is the in-carriage entertainment. Begging on the Metro merges with performance art, which is by
turns strange and depressing.
(B) Moscow
It is amazing the wonders that cruelty and despotism can sometimes produce. The Moscow Metro is
an example of a form of triumph over adversity. Inaugurated at the height of Stalin's dictatorship in the 30s, it
is probably the world's most bizarrely beautiful, most efficient, busiest and cheapest underground system. And
the trains take you through a parade of marbled, stuccoed, spacious, spotless stations which contrast totally
with the grubby streets, potholed roads, and crumbling buildings above ground. For tourists, it's a major
sightseeing draw, From Stalinist high kitsch, to Russian art deco, from neo-classical to pedestrian modern, the
metro stations are not to be missed.
(C) Tokyo
In terms of punctuality, safety and price. the Tokyo subway system is arguably the world's model urban
railway. But for overcrowding and groping, it must rank as one of the worst. As is the case throughout Japan
above or below ground. Tokyo's trains run with precision. Train driving is a prestigious job for life for which
applicants must pass a rigorous screening of health checks, interviews and written exams before they can don
the uniform, cap and white gloves. But overcrowding means this is far from a commuter paradise. The main
reason for such cramped conditions is that the Tokyo subway system has only 15 miles of track for every 1m
people, compared to 36 on the London Underground.
(D) New York
It doesn't take long to discover the shortcomings of New York's otherwise efficient subway system. First,
there's the absence of air conditioning in stations. Then there's the lack of escalators. A new lighting system
and a crackdown on fare dodgers also helped to halve crime rates during that period. A series of five-year
capital investment programmes has committed 34bn dollars to the subway until the end of 2004. About one-
third of this money comes from municipal bonds, which offer a coupon financed by increasing fare revenues.
The system finances the rebuilding of the subway without privatising it. Usage has increased 30% in the past
five years.
(E) Mexico City
Fast, relatively safe, and very cheap. Mexico City's underground is an oasis of order and efficiency.
Built by the French in the late 60s, it boasts rubber-tyred carriages and long connecting walkways that recall
the Paris Metro, although the army of vendors winding their way through the cars remind passengers where
they are. Mexico City's metro also attracts a sizeable contingent of middle class passengers who are unwilling
to spend hours in choking traffic jams, or risk the frequent muggings that sully the cute image of the city's
ubiquitous light green Volkswagen Beetle cabs.
(F) Prague
Taking into account the cost and efficiency, the heated stations and even heated seats in winter,
Prague's subway system, which was first constructed in 1974, is one of the best in the world. During the day it
is rare to wait longer than three minutes for the next train, at night no longer than 10. Not long ago, a Prague
man paid for adverts to be put up in all 940 trains, pleading with his girlfriend to take him back. Czechs
understand the romantic potential of the metro and it has found its way into a fair amount of the nation's modern
literature.
The Guardian
Which metro system
11. enables its users to avoid becoming victims of crime? _______________
12. has seen a substantial increase in the numbers using it? _______________
13. is the most unpleasant to use, especially if you are an attractive female? _______________
14. enables its users to enjoy a wide selection of artistic styles? _______________
15. offers passengers a way to stay warm in low temperatures? _______________
16. can cause some distress to the senses? _______________
17. highlights the stark contrast between life above and below ground? _______________
18. is in need of an upgrade of its ventilation systems? _______________
19. was constructed by another nation during the 20th century? _______________
20. is nationally recognised and appears in works of the country's literarians? _______________

WORD FORMS (20 pts)

A/ Use the correct form of the word given to fill in each blank.
1. This period of mass unemployment has ______ many families. (POVERTY)
2. He was a poor old man, down and out, with many wrinkles on his ______ face. (WEATHER)
3. His ______ style has resulted in a number of controversial incidents. (FRONT)
4. For consistency, all products were tested and laboratory analysis was completed ______. (TEMPORAL)
5. Climate systems are although cyclic, they are chaotic and ______. (LINE)
6. Injuries ______ he won the semi-final match. (WITHSTAND)
7. Demand has been so feverish that the company has a(n) ______ of unfilled orders for commercial satellites.
(LOG)
8. Arnold died in 1953. His wife, who ______ him by almost half a century passed away on the last day of
millennium. (LIVE)
9. I cannot comment; I have sworn to ______ on the matter. (SECRET)
10. She's a self-appointed moral guardian, an old-fashioned ______ who believes that she knows what's best
for everyone. (BOSS)
B/ Put the words given in the correct blanks. You have to use their correct forms to make a meaningful
passage. There are TWO words you cannot use.
INFORM CALL VOICE PERSON FACT USE
MAIN SUPPOSITION CRIME IMMERSE FRAUD SURPRISE

Voice cloning, a technology that enables the replication of human voices from large language models
using artificial intelligence (AI), presents both exciting possibilities and legal challenges. It's a development that
brings exciting possibilities for personalized and (11)______ experiences, such as creating realistic (12)______
for content, lifelike personal assistants and even preserving the voices of loved ones for future generations.
But, (13)______, there's a tremendous opportunity for Al-based voice cloning to be abused by (14)______ as
it could easily be used to spread (15)______ and generate fake audio evidence. In March 2023, when Silicon
Valley Bank collapsed, a fake audio recording of U.S. President Joe Biden emerged, directing his administration
to "use the full force of the media to calm the public." (16)______ were ultimately able to expose the fraudulent
nature of the clip, but by that point the audio had already been heard by millions and was well on its way to
stirring panic. Al voice generators can be used to (17)______ not just celebrities and people in authority, but
regular people as well. Elderly people are often targeted in (18)______ vishing (voice phishing) attacks, and in
some cases rush to the bark to withdraw money for a loved one who (19)______ just called in desperation,
only to find out it was just an Al-generated scam that replicated the loved one's voice without their consent. As
this technology becomes more (20)______ and available, certain abuses and misuses are surely to emerge.
CLOZE TESTS (60 pts)
Fill in each blank in the following passages with ONE suitable word to make meaningful passages.
PASSAGE A
Hidden Figures takes us back to 1961, (1)______ racial segregation and workplace sexism were widely
accepted facts of life and the word computer referred to a (2)______, not a machine. (3)______ a gigantic IBM
mainframe does appear in the movie, the (4)______ important computers are three African-American women
working at NASA headquarters in Hampton, Virginia. Assigned to data entry jobs and (5)______ recognition or
promotion, they would go on to play crucial roles in the American (6)______ program. Hidden Figures makes
a fascinating and timely companion (7)______ Loving, Jeff Nichols' film about the Virginia (8)______ who
challenged their state's law against interracial marriage, which was (9)______ down by the Supreme Court in
1967. The two (10)______ take place in the (11)______ state in the same era, and focus on the quiet dramas
that (12)______ history. They introduce you to real people you might (13)______ you had known more about
earlier. They can fill you with outrage at the persistence of injustice and gratitude (14)______ those who had
the grit to (15)______ up against it.
PASSAGE B
The name “Mars” has its (16)______ in Roman mythology. Over two thousand years ago, the Romans
named the planet after their (17)______ of war, Mars, who was considered the (18)______ to the Greek god
Ares. Mars was associated with aggression, strength and military prowess, making (19)______ a fitting name
for the red planet that appeared fiery and intense in the night sky. That reddish hue is caused by iron oxide
(rust) on its surface, by the way. Mars was considered at that time a symbol of masculine energy and was
frequently depicted in artwork and mythology. The (20)______ Egyptians also identified Mars in their celestial
observations. They referred to the planet as 'Horus the Red', associating it with their falcon-headed god, Horus,
who represented the sky and kingship. Mars played a central role in Egyptian astrology and religious beliefs,
as its movements (21)______ believed to hold divine messages and influence human affairs.
Humanity has (22)______ been captivated by the idea of Martians and 'little green men'. These
concepts gained popularity in the past, particularly during the golden (23)______ of science fiction in the mid-
20th century. The distant appeal of Mars became a fertile (24)______ for imaginative speculations. From H.G.
Wells' War of The Worlds to Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, Mars became the backdrop for thrilling
tales of alien civilisations, daring expeditions and encounters (25)______ extra-terrestrial beings. The notion
of Martians, often depicted as intelligent and advanced beings, fascinated the public's imagination and fuelled
greater interest in the prospect of life (26)______ Earth. These imaginative depictions of Mars and its possible
inhabitants shaped the popular perception of the red planet and (27)______ to its enduring status as a symbol
of extra-terrestrial exploration and the mysteries of the universe. As we became more scientifically capable in
the second half of the 20th century, we were able to get a better look at the surface of Mars and the reality of
(28)______ we might find there. (29)______ this scientific approach may have disappointed alien hunters, it
(30)______ in a new era of exploration of this distant world.
SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION (20 pts)
Rewrite the sentences so that they mean almost the same as the ones before them. You have to use the exact
words given in brackets.
1. He is so determined - it's certain that he'll be successful in the project. (BOUND)
 Such ___________________________________________________________ mark in the project.
2. John won't get the job because we have no trust in him. (INCH)
 John stands ____________________________________________________________________
3. Because the tax has been reduced, the price of imported goods were the cheapest. (COULDN'T)
 Given the reduction _______________________________________________________________
4. Jack can't cope with at all his new job, and that bothers me. (DEPTH)
 I'd rather ____________________________________________________________ in his new job.
5. You can't persuade Jack to move out of his wrecked house, since he simply can't make it. (GROOVE)
 It's no _________________________________________________________________________
6. When the interviewer stopped listening to my presentation, I knew it was the end of my hope. (CURTAINS)
 The judge turning __________________________________________________________ for me.
7. The exam was very challenging. but Hubert had no difficulty passing it. (SAILED)
 Challenging ____________________________________________________________________
8. Peter's funny stories make him popular with his colleagues. (COURT)
 It is because ______________________________________________________________ at work.
9. All you need to go bungee jumping is the courage to start. (PLUCK)
 Provided _______________________________________________________________________
10. You may persist in carrying out the project for a long time, but it will never succeed. (COWS)
 The project will never come ________________________________________________________