EXERCISES(ĐỌC P2)

Read the following passage, and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
questions:

PASSAGE 1
In the United States, presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four (1888, 1900, 1964,
etc.). Since 1840, American presidents elected in years ending with zero have died in office, with one exception.
William H. Harrison, the man who served the shortest term, died of pneumonia only several weeks after his
inauguration.
Abraham Lincoln was one of four presidents who were assassinated. He was elected in 1860, and his
untimely death came just five years later. James A. Garfield, a former Union army general from Ohio, was shot
during his first year in office (1881) by a man to whom he wouldn't give a job. While in his second term of office
(1901), William McKinley, another Ohioan, attended the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
During the reception, he was assassinated while shaking hands with some of the guests. John F. Kennedy was
assassinated in 1963 in Dallas only three years after his election.
Three years after his election in 1920, Warren G, Harding died in office. Although it was never proved, many
believe he was poisoned. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times (1932, 1936, 1940 and 1944), the only man
to serve so long a term. He had contracted polio in 1921 and eventually died of the illness in 1945.
Ronald Reagan, who was elected in 1980 and reelected four years later, suffered an assassination attempt
but did not succumb to the assassin's bullets. He was the first to break the long chain of unfortunate events. Will
the candidate in the election of 2020 also be as lucky?

1. All of the following were election years EXCEPT ________.

A. 1960 B. 1930 C. 1888 D. 1824
2. Which president served the shortest term in office?
A. Abraham Lincoln B. Warren G. Harding C. William McKinley D. William H. Harrison
3. Which of the following is true?
A. All presidents elected in years ending in zero have died in office.
B. Only presidents from Ohio have died in office.
C. Franklin D. Roosevelt completed four terms as president.
D. Four American presidents have been assassinated.
4. How many presidents elected in years ending in zero since 1840 have died in office?
A. 7 B. 5 C. 4 D. 3
5. The word "inauguration" in the first paragraph means most nearly the same as ________.
A. election B. acceptance speech
C. swearing-in ceremony D. campaign
6. All of the following presidents were assassinated EXCEPT ________.
A. John F. Kennedy B. Franklin D. Roosevelt
C. Abraham Lincoln D. James A. Garfield
7. The word "whom" in the second paragraph refers to ________.
A. Garfield B. Garfield's assassin C. a Union army general D. McKinley
8. The word "assassinated" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to ________
A. murdered B. decorated C. honored D. sickened
9. In the third paragraph, "contracted" is closest in meaning to ________.
A. communicated about B. developed C. agree about D. notified
10. How long did Warren G, Harding work as a president?
A. 2 years B. 3 years C. 4 years D. 4 years

PASSAGE 2
 After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its
universally destructive powers too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor of dynamite, so in
1895, just two weeks before his death, he created a fund to be used for awarding prizes to people who had made
worthwhile contributions to mankind. Originally there were five awards: literature, physics, chemistry, medicine,
and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first awards ceremony. Nobel's original
legacy of nine million dollars was invested, and the interest on this sum is used for the awards which vary from
$30,000 to $125,000. Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, the awards (gold medal,
illuminated diploma, and money) are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the
judges' decisions. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prizes. No awards
were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War II. Some people have won two prizes, but this
is rare; others have shared their prizes. No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World
War 11. Some people have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes.

1. The word "foresaw" in the first paragraph is nearest in meaning to ________.

A. prevailed B. postponed C. prevented D. predicted
2. The Nobel prize was established in order to ________.
A recognize worthwhile contributions to humanity B. resolve political differences
C. honor the inventor of dynamite D. spend money
3. In which area have Americans received the most awards?
A. Literature B. Peace C. Economics D. Science
4. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT ________.
A. Awards vary in monetary value
B. ceremonies are held on December 10 to commemorate Nobel's invention
C. Politics plays an important role in selecting the winners
D. A few individuals have won two awards
5. In how many fields are prizes bestowed?
A. 2 B. 5 C. 6 D. 10
6. It is implied that Nobel's profession was in ________.
A. chemistry B. medicine C. literature D. science
7. In the first paragraph, "worthwhile" is closest in meaning to ________.
A. economic B. prestigious C. trivial D. valuable
8. How much money did Nobel leaves for the prizes?
A. $30,000 B. $125,000
C. $155,000 D. from $30,000 to $125,000
9. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Alfred Nobel became very rich when he invented dynamite.
B. Alfred Nobel created awards in six categories for contributions to humanity.
C. Alfred Nobel left all of his money to science
D. Alfred Nobel made a lasting contribution to humanity
10. The word "legacy" in the second paragraph means most nearly the same as ________.
A. legend B. bequest C. prize D. debt

PASSAGE 3
For more than six million American children, coming home after school means coming back to an empty
house. Some deal with the situation by watching TV. Some may hide. But all of them have something in
commom. They spend part of each day alone. They are called “latchkey children”. They are children who look
after themselves while their parents work. And their bad condition has become a subject of concern.
Lynette Long was once the principle of an elementary school. She said, “We had a school rule against
wearing jewelry. A lot of kids had chains around their necks with keys attached. I was constantly telling them to
put the keys inside the shirts. There were so many keys; it never came to my mind what they meant. ” Slowly, she
learned that they were house keys.
She and her husband began talking to the children who had keys. They learned of the effect working couples
and single parents were having on their children. Fear was the biggest problem faced by children at home alone.
One in three latchkey children the Longs talked to reported being frightened. Many had nightmares and were
worried about their own safety.
The most common was latchkey children deal with their fears is by hidding. They may hide in a shower
stall, under a bed or in a closet. The second is TV. They often turn the volume up. It’s hard to get statistics on
latchkey children, the Long have learned. Most parents are slow to admit that they leave their children alone.

1. The phrase “an empty house” in the passage mostly means……..

A. a house with nothing inside B. a house with no people inside
C. a house with too much space D. a house with no furniture
2. One thing that the children in the pasage share is that………
A. They all watch TV. B. They all wear jewelry
C. They spend part of each day alone D. they are from single- parent families.
3. The phrase “ latchkey children” in the pasage means children who……….
A. look after themselves while their parents are not at home
B. close doors with keys and watch TV by themselves
C. are locked inside houses with latches and keys.
D. like to carry latches and keys with them everywhere
4. The main problem of latchkey children is that they……
A. watch too much television during the day
B. are growing in numbers.
C. suffer a lot from being left alone.
D. are also found in middle- class families
5. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
A. Bad condition of latchkey children.
B. Children’s activities at home
C. How kids spend free time
D. Why kids hate going home
6. Why did a lot of kids have chains around their necks with keys attached?
A. Schools didn’t allow them wear jewelry, so they wore keys instead.
B. They would use the keys to enter their houses when they came home
C. The were fully grown and had become independent.
D. They had to use the keys to open school doors.
7. What do latchkey children suffer most from when they are at home alone?
A. Fear B. Tidedness C. Loneliness D. Boredom
8. Lynette Long learned to latchkey children’s problems by….
A. talking to them B. visiting their homes
C. interviewing their parents D. delivering naires
9. What is the most common way for latchkey children to deal with fears?
A. Talking to the Longs B. Hiding somewhere
C. Lying under a TV D. Having a shower
10. It’s difficult to find out the number of latchkey children because……….
A. they hide themselves in shower stalls or under beds
B. they do not give information about themselves for safety reasons
C. there are too many of them in the whole country
D. most parents are reluctant to admit that they leave their children alone

PASSAGE 4
 American Online is one of the big names on the Internet, and unlikely many other digital companies, it
actually makes a profit. But the company which its rivals call the “Cyber- cockroach” was launched only in 1992.
Before that it was a small firm called control Video Corporation, and it made video games. Then Steve Case, a
former Pizza Hut marketing executive arrived and took the company online, innovative, fast moving, and user-
friendly, American Online appeals to people who want to surf the Internet, but who do not have a lot of
experience. For the same reason “ teachies”, people who think the are more expert with computers, look down on
American Online and its users. Recently, American Online (or AOL, as it calls itself) joined with Time Warner- a
multi- million- dollar movie and magazine company- to create a multimedia giant.
Now, AOL has begun to expand abroad. In many Europe countries, including the United Kingdom, it is
hard to buy a computer magazine that does not have a free AOL introductory offer. The company also puts
advertisements onto the television, and employs people to hand out its free introductory disks at places like train
stations. As the Internet gets faster AOL is changing. With many homes getting high- speech connections through
fiber optic cables or the new ADSL technology, the “Cyber- cockroach” will have to show that, like real
cockroaches, it can survive in almost any environment.

1. What is the passage about?

A. A computer company B. A software company
C. An Internet Company D. a video company
2. The word “it” refers to............
A. An American Online B. Cyber- Cockroach
C. Control Video Corporation D. Digital company
3. Who does Steve Case work for?
A. AOL B. Pizza Huts C. Control Video Corporation D. None of these

4. How do “teachies” feel about American Online?

A. They think it is a Cyber- cockroach. B. They think it is for expert
C. They thinlk it is a movie and magazine company. D. They feel superior to its users.
5. American Online has the following characteristics EXCEPT.......
A. innovative B. fast moving C. user- friendly D. experienced
6. People who use American Online are probably.......
A. video game players B. “teachies”
C. movie fans D. people new to the Internet
7. American Online is an unusual digital company because........
A. it used to make video games B. it is innovative
C. it makes money D. it has joined with another company
8. Which marketing idea is not mentioned?
A. Advertisements on the Internet. B. Advertisements on TV
C. Free disks in journals D. people giving disks away
9. What does the articles say about AOL’s future?
A. It will do well B. it will do badly
C. It will face challenges D. The article doesn’t say
10. This passage is about............
A. technology B. a history of the Internet
C. computer users D. a successful business

PASSAGE 5

In addition to providing energy, fats have other functions in the body. The fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E,
and K, are dissolved in fats, as their name implies. Good source of these vitamins have high oil or fat content, and
the vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissues. In the diet, fats cause food to remain longer in the stomach,
thus increasing the feeling of fullness for some time after a meal is eaten.
Fats add variety, taste and texture to foods, which accounts for the popularity of fried foods. Fatty deposits
in body have an insulating and protective value. The curves of the human female body are due mostly to
strategically located fat deposits. Whether a certain amount of fat in the diet is essential to human health is not
definitely known. When rats are fed a fat-free diet, their growth eventually ceases, their skin becomes inflamed
and scaly and their reproductive systems are damaged. Two fatty acids, linoleic and arachidonic acids, prevents
these abnormalities and hence are called essential fatty acids. They also required by a number of other animals,
but their roles in human beings are debatable. Most nutritionists consider linoleic fatty acid an essential nutrient
for humans.

Question 1: The passage probably appears in which of the following?

A. A diet book B. A book on basic nutrition
C. A cook book D. A popular women’s magazine
Question 2: The word “functions” is closest in meaning to .
A. forms B. needs C. jobs D. sources
Question 3: All of the following vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissues EXCEPT_____.
A. vitamin A B. vitamin D C. vitamin B D. vitamin E
Question 4: The phrase “stored in” is closet in meaning to .
A. manufactured in B. attached to C. measured by D. accumulated in
Question 5: The author states that fats serve all of the following body functions EXCEPT to_____.
A. promote the feeling of fullness B. insulate and protect the body
C. provide energy D. control weight gain.
Question 6: The word “essential” is closest in meaning to .
A. required for B. desired for C. similar to D. beneficial to

Question 7: Which of the following is true for rats when they are fed a fat-free diet?
A. They stop growing B. They have more babies
C. They lose body hair D. They require less care
Question 8:Linoleic fatty acid is mentioned as .
A. an essential nutrient for humans B. more useful than arachidonic acid
C. prevent weight gain in rats D. a nutrient found in most foods
Question 9: The phrases “abnormalities” refers to .
A. a condition caused by fried foods.
B. strategically located fat deposits
C. curves of the human female body
D. end of growth, bad skin, and damaged reproductive systems.
Question 10: That humans should all have some fat in our diets is .
A. a commonly held view B. not yet a proven fact
C. only true for women D. proven to be true by experiments on rats

PASSAGE 6

COLORS AND EMOTIONS

Colors are one of the most exciting experiences in life. I love them, and they are just as important to me as
emotions are. Have you ever wondered how the two are so intimately related?
Color directly affects your emotions. Color both reflects the current state of your emotions, and is
something that you can use to improve or change your emotions. The color that you choose to wear either reflects
your current state of being, or reflects the color or emotion that you need.
The colors that you wear affect you much more than they affect the people around you. Of course they
also affect anyone who looks at or sees you, but you are the one saturated with the color all day! I even choose
items around me based on their color. In the morning, I choose my clothes based on the color or emotion that I
need for the day. So you can consciously use color to control the emotions that you are exposed to, which can
help you to feel better.
Colors, sound, and emotions are all vibrations. Emotions are literally energy in motion; they are meant to
move and flow. This is the reason why real feelings are the fastest way to get your energy in motion. Also,
flowing energy is exactly what creates healthy cells in your body. So, the fastest way to be healthy is to be open
to your real feelings. Alternately, the fastest way to create disease is to inhibit your emotions.

Question 1: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Colorful clothes can change your mood.
B. Emotions and colors are closely related to each other.
C. Colors can help you become healthy.
D. Colors are one of the most exciting.
Question 2: Which of the following can be affected by color?
A. Your need for thrills. B. Your friend’s feeling
C. Your appetite. D. Your mood.
Question 3: Who is more influenced by colors you wear?
A. The people around you are more influenced.
B. Neither A nor C.
C. You are more influenced.
D. Both A and C.
Question 4: According to the passage, what do color, sound, and emotion all have in common?
A. They all affect the cells of the body.
B. are all forms of motion.
C. They are all related to health.
D. None of the above
Question 5: According to this passage, what creates disease?
A. Wearing the color black B. Exposing yourself to bright colors
C. Being open to your emotions D. Inhibiting your emotions
Question 6: The word “intimately” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
A. clearly B. closely C. obviously D. simply
Question 7: The word “they” in paragraph 3 refers to………
A. emotions B. people C. colors D. none of the above
Question 8: Why does the author mention that color and emotions are both vibrations?
A. To show how color can affect energy levels in the body.
B. Because they both affect how we feel.
C. To prove the relationship between emotions and color.
D. Because vibrations make you healthy.
Question 9: The phrase “saturated with” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to……………
A. bored with B. in need of C. covered with D. lacking in
Question 10: What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To persuade the reader that colors can influence emotions and give a person move energy.
B. To show that colors are important for a healthy life.
C. To give an objective account of how colors affect emotions.
D. To prove the relationship between color and emotion.

PASSAGE 7
 May 7, 1840, was the birthday of one of the most famous Russian composers of the nineteenth century Peter
Illich Tchaikovsky. The son of a mining inspector, Tchaikovsky studied music as a child and later studied
composition at the St. Petersburg Conservatory.
His greatest period of productivity occurred between 1876 and 1890, during which time he enjoyed the
patronage of Madame von Meck, a woman he never met, who gave him a living stipend of about $1,000. 00 a
year. Madame von Meck later terminated her friendship with Tchaikovsky, as well as his living allowance, when
she, herself, was facing financial difficulties. It was during the time of Madame von Meck’s patronage, however,
that Tchaikovsky created the music for which he is most famous, including the music for the ballets of Swan Lake
and The Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky’s music, well known for its rich melodic and sometimes melancholy
passages, was one of the first that brought serious dramatic music to dance. Before this, little attention had been
given to the music behind the dance. Tchaikovsky died on November 6, 1893, ostensibly of cholera, though there
are now some scholars who argue that he committed suicide.

1. With what topic is the passage primarily concerned?

A. the life and music of Tchaikovsky
B. development of Tchaikovsky’s music for ballets
C. Tchaikovsky’s relationship with Madame Von Meck
D. the cause of Tchaikovsky’s death
2. Tchaikovsky’s father was most probably…………….
A. a musician B. a supervisor C. a composer D. a soldier
3. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “productivity” in line 4?
A. fertility B. maturity C. affinity D. creativity
4. In line 5, the phrase “enjoyed the patronage of” probably means………….
A. liked the company of B. was mentally attached to
C. was financially dependent upon D. solicited the advice of
5. Which of the following could best replace the word “terminated” in line 6?
A. discontinued B. resolved C. exploited D. hated

6. According to the passage, all of the following describe Madame von Meck EXCEPT
A. She had economic troubles. B. She enjoyed Tchaikovsky’s music.
C. She was generous. D. She was never introduced to Tchaikovsky.
7. According to the passage, for what is Tchaikovsky’s music most well known?
A. its repetitive and monotonous tones
B. the ballet-like quality of the music
C. the richness and melodic drama of the music
D. its lively, capricious melodies
8. According to the passage, “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty” are………..
A. dances B. songs C. operas D. plays
9. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. Tchaikovsky’s influence on ballet music B. Tchaikovsky’s unhappiness leading to suicide
C. the patronage of Madame von Meck D. Tchaikovsky’s productivity in composing
10. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “behind” as used in line 11?
A. in back of B. supporting C. going beyond D. concealing

PASSAGE 8
The peregrine falcon, a predatory bird indigenous to North America, was once in danger of extinction. In
the 1960s, scientists discovered byproducts of the pesticide DDT in the birds’ eggs, which caused them to be too
soft to survive. The use of the pesticide had been banned in the United States, but the falcons were eating
migratory birds from other places where DDT was still used. In order to increase the survival rate, scientists were
raising the birds in laboratories and then releasing them into mountainous areas. This practice achieved only
moderate success, however, because many of the birds raised in captivity could not survive in the wild.

There is now, however, a new alternative to releases in the wild. A falcon that has been given the name
Scarlett chose to make her home on a ledge of the 33rd floor of a Baltimore, Maryland, office building rather than
in the wild, and, to the surprise of the scientists, she has managed to live quite well in the city. Following this
example, programs have been initiated that release birds like Scarlett into cities rather than into their natural wild
habitat. These urban releases are becoming a common way to strengthen the species. Urban homes have several
benefits for the birds that wild spots do not. First, there is an abundance of pigeons and small birds as food
sources. The peregrine in the city is also protected from its main predator, the great horned owl. Urban release
programs have been very successful in reestablishing the peregrine falcons along the East Coast. Although they
are still an endangered species, their numbers increased from about 60 nesting pairs in 1975 to about 700 pairs in
1992. In another decade the species may flourish again, this time without human help.

1. What is the main topic of the passage?

A. survival of peregrine falcons B. releases into the wild
C. endangered species D. harmful effects of pesticides
2. In line 1, the phrase “indigenous to” could be best replaced by…………..
A. typical of B. protected by
C. adapted to D. native to
3. The word “byproducts” in line 2 could best be replaced by which of the following?
A. derivatives B. proceeds C. chemicals D. elements
4. In line 3, the word “banned” could be best replaced by
A. authorized B. developed C. disseminated D. prohibited
5. Which of the following words is closest in meaning to the word “rate” as used in line 5?
A. speed B. percentage C. continuation D. behavior
6. Why were the peregrine falcons in danger?
A. because of pesticides used by American farmers
B. because they migrated to countries where their eggs could not survive
C. because they ate birds from other countries where DDT was still used
D. because they were prized by hunters and hunted to near extinction
7. The word “releases” as used in line 8 most probably means……………
A. internment B. regression
C. distribution D. possessions
8. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a reason why a falcon might choose to live in a city?
A. There are high places to nest. B. There are other falcons nearby.
C. There is a lack of predators. D. There is abundant food.
9. As used in line 13, the word “spots” could best be replaced by…………..
A. places B. dilemmas
C. jungles D. materials
10. According to the passage, where have the release programs been the most successful?
A. in office buildings B. on the East Coast
C. in mountainous areas D. in the wild

PASSAGE 9
What geologists call the Basin and Range Province in the United States roughly coincides in its northern
portions with the geographic province known as the Great Basin. The Great Basin is hemmed in on the west by
the Sierra Nevada and on the east by the Rocky Mountains; it has no outlet to the sea. The prevailing winds in the
Great Basin are from the west. Warm, moist air from the Pacific Ocean is forced upward as it crosses the Sierra
Nevada. At the higher altitudes it cools and the moisture it carriers is precipitated as rain or snow on the western
slopes of the mountains. That which reaches the Basin is air wrung dry of moisture. What little water falls there as
rain or snow, mostly in the winter months, evaporates on the broad, flat desert floors. It is, therefore, an
environment in which organisms battle for survival. Along the rare watercourses, cottonwoods and willows eke
out a sparse existence. In the upland ranges, pinon pines and junipers struggle to hold their own.
But the Great Basin has not always been so arid. Many of its dry, closed depressions were once filled
with water. Owens Valley, Panamint Valley, and Death Valley were once a string of interconnected lakes. The
two largest of the ancient lakes of the Great Basin were Lake Lahontan and Lake Bonneville. The Great Salt Lake
is all that remains of the latter, and Pyramid Lake is one of the last briny remnants of the former.
There seem to have been several periods within the last tens of thousands of years when water
accumulated in these basins. The rise and fall of the lakes were undoubtedly linked to the advances and retreats
of the great ice sheets that covered much of the northern part of the North American continent during those times.
Climatic changes during the Ice ages sometimes brought cooler, wetter weather to midlatitude deserts worldwide,
including those of the Great Basin. The broken valleys of the Great Basin provided ready receptacles for this
moisture.

1. What is the geographical relationship between the Basin and Range Province and the Great Basin?
A. The Great Basin is west of the Basin and Range Province.
B. The Great Basin is larger than the Basin and Range Province.
C. The Great Basin is in the northern part of the Basin and Range Province.
D. The Great Basin is mountainous; the Basin and Range Province is flat desert.
2. According to the passage, what does the great Basin lack?
A. Snow B. Dry air C. Winds from the west D. Access to the ocean
3. The word 'prevailing' in line 4 is closest in meaning to
A. most frequent B. occasional C. gentle D. most dangerous
4. It can be inferred that the climate in the Great Basin is dry because …………..
A. the weather patterns are so turbulent B. the altitude prevents precipitation
C. the winds are not strong enough to carry moisture D. precipitation falls in the nearby mountains
5. The word 'it' in line 5 refers to …………
A. Pacific Ocean B. air C. west D. the Great Basin
6. Why does the author mention cottonwoods and willows in line 11?
A. To demonstrate that certain trees require a lot of water
B. To give examples of trees that are able to survive in a difficult environment
C. To show the beauty of the landscape of the Great Basin
D. To assert that there are more living organisms in the Great Basin than there used to be
7. Why does the author mention Owens Valley, Panamint Valley, and Death Valley in the second paragraph?
A. To explain their geographical formation
B. To give examples of depressions that once contained water
C. To compare the characteristics of the valleys with the characteristics of the lakes
D. To explain what the Great Basin is like today
8. The words 'the former' in line 15 refer to ……………
A. Lake Bonneville B. Lake Lahontan C. The Great Salt Lake D. Pyramid Lake
9. The word 'accumulated' in line 17 is closest in meaning to …………
A. dried B. flooded C. collected D. evaporated
10. According to the passage, the Ice Ages often brought about ………….
A. desert formation B. warmer climates C. broken valleys D. wetter weather

PASSAGE 10
The word laser was coined as an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
Ordinary light, from the Sun or a light bulb, is emitted spontaneously, when atoms or molecules get rid of excess
energy by themselves, without any outside intervention. Stimulated emission is different because it occurs when
an atom or molecule holding onto excess energy has been stimulated to emit it as light.
Albert Einstein was the first to suggest the existence of stimulated emission in a paper published in 1917.
However, for many years physicists thought that atoms and molecules always were much more likely to emit light
spontaneously and that stimulated emission thus always would be much weaker. It was not until after the Second
World War that physicists began trying to make stimulated emission dominate. They sought ways by which one
atom or molecule could stimulate many other to emit light, amplifying it to much higher powers.
The first to succeed was Charles H. Townes, then at Colombia University in New York. Instead of working
with light, however, he worked with microwaves, which have a much longer wavelength, and built a device he
called a "maser" for Microwave Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Although he thought of
the key idea in 1951, the first maser was not completed until a couple of years later. Before long, many other
physicists were building masers and trying to discover how to produce stimulated emission at even shorter
wavelength.
The key concepts emerged about 1957. Townes and Arthur Schawlow, then at Bell Telephone Laboratories,
wrote a long paper outlining the conditions needed to amplify stimulated emission of visible light waves. At
about the same time, similar ideas crystallized in the mind of Gordon Gould, then a 37-year-old graduate student
at Columbia, who wrote them down in a series of notebooks. Townes and Schawlow published their ideas in a
scientific journal, Physical Review Letter, but Gould filed a patent application. Three decades later, people still
argue about who deserves the credit for the concept of the laser.
1. The word 'coin' in line 1 could be replaced by ………….
A. created B. mentioned C. understood D. discovered
2. The word 'intervention' in line 3 can best be replaced by …………
A. need B. device C. influence D. source
3. The word 'it' in line 5 refers to ……..
A. light bulb B. energy C. molecule D. atom
4. Which of the following statements best describes a laser?
A. A device for stimulating atoms and molecules to emit light
B. An atom in a high-energy state
C. A technique for destroying atoms or molecules
D. An instrument for measuring light waves
5. Why was Towne's early work with stimulated emission done with microwaves?
A. He was not concerned with light amplification
B. It was easier to work with longer wavelengths.
C. His partner Schawlow had already begun work on the laser.
D. The laser had already been developed
6. In his research at Columbia University, Charles Townes worked with all of the following EXCEPT ….
A. stimulated emission B. microwaves
C. light amplification D. a maser
7. In approximately what year was the first maser built?
A. 1917 B. 1951 C. 1953 D. 1957
8. The word 'emerged' in line 18 is closest in meaning to ………….
A. increased B. concluded C. succeeded D. appeared
9. The word 'outlining' in line 19 is closest in meaning to ……………
A. assigning B. studying C. checking D. summarizing
10. Why do people still argue about who deserves the credit for the concept of the laser?
A. The researchers' notebooks were lost.
B. Several people were developing the idea at the same time.
C. No one claimed credit for the development until recently.
D. The work is still incomplete.

ĐỌC P1
EXERCISES

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word or phrase that best fits each of the blank:
PASSAGE 1
 Clean freshwater resources are essential for drinking, bathing, cooking, irrigation, industry, and for plant and
animal (1) ____. Unfortunately, the global supply of freshwater is (2) ____ unevenly. Chronic water shortages (3)
____ in most ofAfricaand drought is common over much of the globe. The (4) ____ of most freshwater supplies -
groundwater (water located below the soil surface), reservoirs, and rivers - are under severe and (5) ____
environmental stress because of overuse, water pollution, and ecosystem degradation. Over 95 percent of urban
sewage in (6) ____ countries is (7) ____ untreated into surface waters such as rivers and harbors;
About 65 percent of the global freshwater supply is used in (8) ____ and 25 percent is used in industry.
Freshwater (9) ____ therefore requires a reduction in wasteful practices like (10) ____ irrigation, reforms in
agriculture and. industry, and strict pollution controls worldwide.
1. A. survive B. survived C. surviving D. survival
2. A. delivered B. distributed C. provided D. given
3. A. exist B. lie C. show D. l:itay
4. A. resources B. springs C. sources D. starting
5. A. increasing B. growing C. climbing D. ascending
6. A. growing B. miserable C. poverty D. developing
7. A. recharged B. discharged C. charged D. discharging
8. A. farming B. planting C. agriculture D. growing
9. A. reservation B. conservation C. preservation D. retention
10. A. ineffective B. illogical C. irrational D. inefficient

PASSAGE 2
Some time ago, scientists began experiments to find out (1)______ it would be possible to set up a “village”
under the sea. A special room was built and lowered (2)______ the water of Port Sudan in the Red Sea. For 29
days, five men lived (3)______ a depth of 40 feet. At a (4)______ lower level, another two divers stayed for a
week in a smaller “house”. On returning to the surface, the men said that they had experienced no difficulty in
breathing and had (5)______ many interesting scientific observations. The captain of the party, Commander
Cousteau, spoke of the possibility of (6)______ the seabed. He said that some permanent stations were to be set
up under the sea, and some undersea farms would provide food for the growing population of the world.
The divers in both “houses” spent most of their time (7)______ the bottom of the sea. On four occasions,
they went down to 360 feet and observed many extraordinary (8)______ of the marine life, some of which had
never been seen before. During their stay, Commander Cousteau and his divers reached a depth of 1,000 feet and
witnessed a gathering of an immense (9)______ of crabs which numbered, perhaps, hundreds of millions. They
also found out that it was (10)______ to move rapidly in the water in a special vessel known as a “diving saucer”.

1. A. which B. what C. how D. whether

2. A. underneath B. into C. down D. below
3. A. in B. at C. on D. from
4. A. any B. more C. much D. some
5. A. made B. exercised C. caught D. done
6. A. implanting B. transplanting C. growing D. cultivating
7. A. inquiring B. exploring C. imploring D. enquiring
8. A. systems B. forms C. breeds D. castes
9. A. pack B. herd C. school D. flock
10. A. able B. possible C. hardly D. capable
PASSAGE 3
Eight out of ten British schools require students to wear school uniforms. Wearing a uniform has been …(1)
………as part of British school tradition for a long time, and makes a good …(2)…on people. Some schools have
used the idea of school uniform as a(n) (3)………. to let the students …(4)…. themselves by designing their
uniform so they could (5)….. a part in deciding what they would wear every day.
The UK government has just …(6)…… the results of a study which showed that many parents actually dread
the beginning of the school year because they cannot (7)…. to buy their children school uniforms. This is because
schools in many areas make arrangements with one local shop so that their uniforms can only be bought there,
and this (8)…. the shop to increase the prices because it doesn’t have any …(9)… The result of the survey is that
pressure will now be put on schools to (10)………with the problem and make sure that uniforms can be bought at
reasonable prices.

1. A. regarded B. considered C. thought D. supposed

2. A. effect B. reaction C. recognition D. impression
3. A. opportunity B. ability C. potential D. benefit
4. A. convey B. express C. produce D. identify
5. A. take B. make C. play D. turn
6. A. told B. discovered C. portrayed D. announced
7. A. participate B. allow C. pay D. afford
8. A. suits B. lets C. enables D. manages
9. A. critic B. competition C. consequence D. risk
10. A. affect B. manage C. relate D. deal

PASSAGE 4

THE HISTORY OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL.

Beach volleyball is played by people around the world. For some, it is a serious sport. For others, it is
simply an enjoyable... (1).... which helps them to.... (2)...... fit. It was probably first played in Hawaii in 1915....
(3)..........., surfers played this game once in a.... (4)........., as they were waiting for the right kind of waves to go
surfing. But it soon developed into a more serious game and matchesstarted taking place.. (5)....
Later the game reached California and in 1920, people began playing beach volleyball there. They
discovered it was a great way to work.. (6)... and get plenty of...... (7).... air at the same time. Another reason for
the game’s.. (8)....... was that it was very cheap. Soon, volleyball nets began appearing on beaches in California
and interest in the sport.... (9).....
At first, there were six players on each side as in indoor volleyball. But one day in 1930, when only four
people turned up for a match, they.. (10)... to play two on each side- which is how we play the game today.

1. A. activity B. athlete C. method D. habit

2. A. make B. do C. keep D. take
3. A. Luckily B. Particularly C. Properly D. Apparently
4. A. time B. day C. while D. week
5. A. regularly B. successfully C. correctly D. probably
6. A. off B. up C. on D. out
7. A. clear B. fresh C. cool D. good
8. A. benefit B. attention C. popularity D. fun
9. A. strengthened B. repeated C. improved D. grew
10. A. considered B. decided C. included D. explained

PASSAGE 5
English is the (1)………important in the world today. A very large (2)……….. of people understand and use
English in many (3)…………. of the world.
Indeed English is a very useful language. If we (4)………English we can go to any place or country we like. We
shall not find it hard to (5)……….. people understand what we want to say.
English also helps us to learn all kinds of subjects. Hundreds of books are (6)………. in English everyday in
many countries to teach people many useful things. (7)…….. English language has therefore helped to spread
ideas and knowledge to all the corners of the world. There is no subject that cannot be (8)…………. in English.
As English is used so much everywhere in the world, it has helped to make the countries in the world more (9)
…………. The leaders of the world use English to understand one another. The English language has, therefore,
helped to spread better understanding and friendship among countries of the world.
Lastly, a person who knows English is respected. It is for all these (10)……that I want to learn English
.
1. A. most B. mostly C. chiefly D. best
2. A. few B. deal C. amount D. number
3. A. countries B. places C. sites D. scenes
4. A. realize B. say C. speak D. tell
5. A. get B. let C. persuade D. make
6. A. published B. wrote C. print D. made
7. A. A B. An C. That D. The
8. A. recognized B. realized C. known D. taught
9. A. friend B. friendly C. friendship D. friendliness
10. A. reasons B. causes C. effects D. results

PASSAGE 6
Nowadays people are more aware that the wildlife all over the world is in danger. Many (1)…….. of animals are
threatened, and could easily become extinct if we do not make an effort to(2)………….
There are many reasons for this. In some cases, animals are (3)………for their fur or for other valuable parts of
their bodies. Some birds, such as parrots, are caught (4)………….., and sold as pets. For many animals and birds,
the problem is that their habitat- the place where they live – is (5)…………. More (6)………. is used for farms,
for houses or industry, and there are fewer open (7)………than there once were. Farmers use powerful chemicals
to help them grow better (8)………….., but these chemicals pollute the environment and (9)…………wildlife.
The most successful animal on earth- human being – will soon be the only ones (10)………., unless we can solve
this problem.

1. A. species B. series C. kinds D. families

2. A. harm B. protect C. safe D. serve
3. A. extinct B. game C. chased D. hunted
4. A. alive B. for life C. for living D. lively
5. A. exhausting B. disappearing C. departing D. escaping
6. A. earth B. soil C. land D. area
7. A air B. up C. parts D. spaces
8. A. crops B. products C. fields D. herbs
9. A. spoil B. harm C. wound D. wrong
10. A. survived B. over C. left D. missing

PASSAGE 7
Although women now (1)____almost half of all workers in the US, nearly 80 percent of them are employed
in low-paying clerical, sales, service, or factory jobs. Approximately a third of all women workers have clerical
jobs, which pay(2)____average $12,000 or less. Partly as a result, women make only seventy-five cents for every
dollar (3)___by men. (4)_____, men routinely make more money even when education, experience, and
responsibilties are (5)___
The gap in male-female earning had great significance because more than 16 percent of US households are
(6)_____by women. Low-paying jobs keep many of these households in poverty. Women’s groups such as
National Organization for Women have demanded that equal opportunities and equal pay (7)______to women.
According to women’s (8)_____Maggie McAnany, “It is imperative that the government help to change the
stiation (of employment for women). We cannot wait for the companies to (9)_____themselves. Change must
come (10)______the law. ”

1. A. made of B. make up C. take up D. take in

2. A. on B. at C. in D. for
3. A. earns B. earning C. to earn D. earned
4. A. Although B. Whatever C. Moreover D. Contrary
5. A. equally B. equality C. equal D. equalizing
6. A. headed B. hosted C. carried D. licensed
7. A. are giving B. are given C. is giving D. be given
8. A. action B. activity C. activist D. active
9. A. restore B. regain C. regard D. reform
10. A. for B. through C. at D. along

PASSAGE 8

If you are invited to someone's house for dinner in the United States, you should (1) _______ a gift, such as a
bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates. If you give your host a (2) _______ gift, he/she may open it in front of
you. Opening a present in front of the gift-giver is considered (3) _______. It shows that the host is excited about
receiving the gift and wants to show his/her (4) ______ to you immediately. (5) _____ the host doesn't like it,
he/she will tell a "(6) _____ lie" and say how much they like the gift to prevent the guest from feeling bad. If your
host asks you to arrive at a particular time, you should not arrive (7) _______ on time or earlier than the (8)
_______ time, because this is considered to be potentially inconvenient and (9) _______ rude, as the host may not
be (10) _______.

1. A. take B give C. bring D. make

2. A. unwanted B valuable C. unpacked D. wrapped
3. A. rude B. polite C. impolite D. funny
4. A. appreciation B. admiration C. respect D. enjoyment
5. A. Since B. Only if C. Even if D. Whether
6. A. great B. obvious C. deliberate D. white
7. A. gradually B. exactly C. perfectly D. recently
8. A. expected B. permitted C. waited D. wasted
9. A. however B. never C. therefore D. consequently
10. A. willing B. ready C. welcome D. waiting

PASSAGE 9
Interpreting the feelings of other people is not always easy, as we all know, and we (1)……… as much on
what they seem to be telling us, as on the actual words they say. Facial (2)……… and tone of voice are obvious
ways of showing our reaction to something, and it may well be that we (3)…. express views that we are trying to
hide. The art of being (4)……… …lies in picking up these signals, realising what the other person is trying to
say, and acting so that they are not embarrassed in any way. For example, we may understand that they are in fact
(5)… …….. to answer our question, and so we stop pressing them. Body movements in general may also indicate
feelings, and interviewers often (6)…… ……particular attention to the way a candicate for a job walks into the
room and sits down. However, it is not difficult to present the right kind of appearance while what many
employers want to know relates to the candidate’s character traits, and (7)… ….. stability. This raises the
awkward question of whether job candidates should be asked to complete psychological tests, and the further
problem of whether such tests actually produce reliable results. For many people, being asked to take part in such
a test would be an objectionable (8)…… …….. into their private lives.
After all, a prospective employer would hardly ask a candidate to run a hundred metres, or expect his or her
family doctor to provide (9)……… …. medical information. Quite apart from this problem, can such tests predict
whether a person is likely to be a (10)…… ……employee or a valued colleague?

1. A. estimate B. rely C. reckon D. trust

2. A. looks B. expression C. image D. manner
3. A. unconsciously B. rarely C. unaware D. cannot
4. A. good at B. humble C. tactful D. successful
5. A. reluctant B. used C. tending D. hesitant
6. A. set B. again C. in D. pay
7. A. similar B. physical C. psychological D. relevant
8. A. invation B. intrusion C. infringement D. interference
9. A. classified B. secretive C. reticent D. confidential
10. A. thorough B. particular C. labourious D. conscientious

PASSAGE 10
Ask anyone over forty to make a comparison (1)…………………the past and the present and nine out of
ten people will tell you that things have been getting (2)………………. worse for as long as they can remember.
Take the weather for example, which has been behaving rather strangely lately. Everyone remembers that in their
childhood the summers were (3)………………hotter, and that winter always included abundant falls of snow just
when the school holidays had started. Of course, the food in those days was far superior too, as nothing was
imported and everything was fresh. Unemployment was (4)……………….., the pound really was worth
something, and you could buy a sizeable house even if your means were (5)…………….. And above all, people
were somehow better in those days, far more friendly, not inclined to crime or violence, and spent their free time
making mordern boats and tending their stamp collections (6)………………. than gazing at the television screen
for hours on end. As we know that this picture of the past (7)…………………cannot be true, and there are plenty
of statistics dealing with health and prosperity which prove that it is not true, why is it that we all have a (8)
……………….. to idealize the past? Is this simply nostalgia? Or is it rather that we need to believe in an image of
the world which is (9)……………….. the opposite of what we see around us? Whichever it is, at least it leaves us
with a nagging feeling that the present could be better, and perhaps (10)…………………. us to be a little more
critical about the way we live.

1. A. with B. from C. between D. in

2. A. out B. so C. virtually D. steadily
3. A. not only B. at least C. rarely D. considerably
4. A. petty B. negligible C. miniature D. trivial
5. A. mediocre B. confined C. rationed D. limited
6. A. other B. rather C. usually D. different
7. A. simly B. hardly C. especially D. specifically
8. A. habit B. custom C. tendency D. practice
9. A. quite B. widely C. utterly D. rather
10. A. reassures B. encourages C. makes D. supports