SỞ GD-ĐT QUẢNG NGÃI ĐỀ THI HỌC SINH GIỎI CẤP TRƯỜNG

TRƯỜNG THPT CHUYÊN LÊ KHIẾT NĂM HỌC : 2020-2021

Môn thi : Tiếng Anh 12
Ngày thi: 19/09/2019
Thời gian làm bài : 180 phút (không kể thời gian giao đề)

(Đề thi này gồm có 10 trang)

A. LISTENING (4.0 pts)

Part 1. You will hear part of an interview with someone who founded a magazine. For
questions 1-5, choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D (1 pt)
1. How was Time Out unlike other publications in 1968?
A. It was written by one person . B. Information was more accurate.
C. It had a comprehensive list of events. D. It was in the form of a magazine.
2. What experience did Tom have of publishing?
A. He had worked for What's On.
B. He had written numerous articles.
C. He had transformed an existing magazine.
D. He had started a student magazine.
3. Why did Tom leave university?
A. He wanted to go to France.
B. He didn't have time to study.
C. He had failed his French examinations.
D. He had found an alternative career.
4. What led to the magazine becoming a weekly?
A. Some market research B. The quantity of information
C. Technical improvement D. External pressure
5. Why were the big publishers not interested in this type of magazine?
A. It was popular with students. B. It was considered too expensive.
C. It came out too frequently. D. It threatened the publications.

Part 2. Listen and decide whether each of the following statements is true (T) or false (F).
(1pt)
1. The canals were built despite the fact that there was no public finance and very little
technology.
2. From 1919 to 1929, there were many canals that were competing with each other but were
not uniform in size.
3. The new union of canals provided a continuous link between major industrial cities.
4. There are plenty of natural habitats for a variety of wildlife on and around the canals.
5. Walkers can go to the nearest waterway office to get information on circular walks so they
can start and end at the same place.

Part 3. For questions 1-10, listen to part of a news report on the 2018 technology and
complete the following sentences. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from
the recording in each blank.(2pts)
 The top ten (1) __________________________ are key trends that the enterprise
cannot afford to ignore.
 Artificial intelligence and machine learning is a foundation component of all of the
applications and services and things in our world around us which lead us to the two
(2)________________________: Intelligent apps and analytics and intelligent things.
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  We think of intelligent users who interface with things like (3)
_________________________ .
 We think of intelligent actions so our applications themselves have (4)
___________________ and look at how AI improves the business intelligence and (5)
______________________ for end users.
 We think of that term AI not just as artificial intelligence and robotic things replacing
people but think (6)_____________________ and assisting humans.
 Multiple intelligent things: (7) _____________________, robots, autonomous
vehicles working cooperatively together. (8)____________________ are the digital
representations of the real-world things
 The next trend is cloud to the edge. Edge computing and using the processing power
at the edge of these edge devices can act as (9)____________________.
 We’ve got to think of this distributed computing environment and finally the last two
trends are looking at conversational systems and (10)____________________.

B. LEXICO - GRAMMAR (2 pts)

Part 1. Choose the correct answer (A,B,C or D) to complete each of the following
sentences. (1,0 pt)
1. That’s a really stupid idea! You be serious, surely!
A. can’t B. mustn’t C. needn’t D. shouldn’t
2. So that none of them finished the race.
A. were the runner exhausted B. the runners were exhausted
C. were the exhausted runners D. exhausted were the runners
3. When John was arrested for drunken driving, he expected to lose his driving license, but
he was __________ with a fine.
A. let through B. let off C. let out D. let down
4. I am in a real __________ and just don’t know what to do.
A. dilemma B. query C. paradox D. hunch
5. Materialism traps us __________ in a world of possessions hag-ridden by irrational fears
of likely loss and lurking dangers.
A. impromptu B. off the cuff C. on a whim D. unawares
6. Although she had been told quite __________ to pull herself together, she simply couldn’t
stop crying.
A. rigidly B. unsympathetically C. unrelentingly D. sternly
7. The police arrested the wrong man mainly because they __________ the names they had
been given by the witness.
A. bewildered B. merged C. confused D. puzzled
8. It was such a shock to receive a letter like that __________.
A.in the red B. out of the blue C.in the pink D. over the moon
9. A: He thinks the exam will be easy.
B: Oh, _________.
A. if you like B. famous last words
C. go ahead D. I wouldn’t say no
10. I am not able to go anywhere this weekend because I am up to my __________ in work.
A. neck B. nose C. head D. eyes

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Part 2. Complete each space in the text with a word formed from the word in capitals. There is
an example at the beginning (0) (1 pt)
Example: out => outsider
The job of being a journalist may look to an (0) (OUT) like it is a (1) (CARE) existence but in fact
nothing could be further from the truth. Covering stories on such (2) (WEIGH) issues as social
(3) (DEPRIVE), juvenile delinquency, teenage rebellion and people suffering from
(4) (TERMINATE) illness requires a journalist to be sympathetic enough to effectively
communicate other people's suffering while maintaining their (5)(JOURNAL) detachment. This
latter skill is especially important when reporting on such a controversial matter as
(6) (SOLUTION) abuse. A journalist must, from the (7) (SET) put aside any preconceived notions
about the topic and the people he may encounter. He must clear from his mind any memories that
in his younger days he was, or was not quite (8) (PART) to certain recreational drugs himself, in
(9) (READY) for each interview he has to conduct. This is vital if he is going to avoid
(10) (LOOK) some crucial point that will make his report more insightful and more memorable
than all the others on that topic.
C. READING (5pts)
Part 1. Read the following passage and decide which answer (A,B,C,D) best fits each
space(1 pt)
Public opinion polls that crime is viewed as one of the most serious problems of many
societies. Yet, (1)____studies have revealed that the amount of violent crime is (2)____. Our
peculiar awareness and fear is largely brought about by the great attention it is (3)___in the
mass media and also because of violent crime being a popular theme for television series and
films.
Among all crimes, murder makes the headlines and there is a little doubt that homicides still
continue to be a (4)____question in a number of countries. The various causes of severe
crime are being constantly (5)___and innumerable reasons for is are being polluted out.
Among these are unemployment, drug (6)___, inadequate police enforcement, ineffective
courts, racial discrimination, television and the general (7)___in social values.
An acknowledged fact is that it is mainly poverty that (8)___crime. Individuals incapable of
securing for themselves and their families the rudimentary means of living unavoidably take
to stealing, burgling or (9)____other offences. We may try to explain crime on different
(10)___cultural, economics, psychological or political, but criminologists are still far from
detecting the exact source of violent offences as the direct link between these particular
factors isn’t possible to specify.
1. A. pervading B. infiltrating C. examining D. penetrating
2. A. outspoken B. overestimated C. presupposed D. upgraded
3. A. granted B. awarded C. devoted D. entrusted
4. A. burdening B. obstructing C. nagging D. contending
5. A. debated B. conversed C. uttered D. articulated
6. A. escalation B. abuse C. maltreated D. disuse
7. A. flop B. impediment C. shortfall D. decline
8. A. rears B. nurtures C. breeds D. urges
9. A. committing B. performing C. fulfilling D. conducting

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10. A. motives B. arguments C. reasons D. grounds

Part 2. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only
ONE WORD in each space. Write your answers in the box provided. (1 pt)
The citizens of four major European countries think the (1) __________ of climate change
such as severe floods and storms are already affecting them, according to a major new
polling study. The research dispels the idea that global warming is widely seen as a future
problem, and also shows strong support for action to tackle global warming, (2) __________
subsidies for clean energy and big financial penalties for nations that refuse to be part of the
international climate deal signed in Paris in 2015 – (3) __________ US president Donald
Trump has threatened. There was also strong support for giving financial (4) __________ to
developing nations to cope with the impacts of climate change. Renewable energy was
viewed very positively in all nations, but fracking had little support, with just 20% of people
seeing it positively in the UK, 15% in Germany and 9% in France. Nuclear power was also
unpopular: only 23% of those in France, (5) __________ it supplies the vast majority of
electricity, have a favourable opinion.
Overwhelming majorities of people in the UK, Germany, France and Norway said climate
change was at (6) __________ partly caused by human activities, such as burning fossil
fuels. But only a third thought the vast majority of scientists agreed with this, despite about
97% of climate scientists doing so. “It is encouraging to see that most people in this very
large study recognise that climate change is happening, and that support for the need to tackle
it remains high (7) __________ the people we surveyed,” said Prof Nick Pidgeon at Cardiff
University, who led the international project. He said the firm backing of the public could be
important in the light of Trump’s opposition to climate action: “(8) __________ the recently
shifting political mood in some countries, climate policy is now entering a critical phase. It is
therefore even (9) __________ important that the public’s clear support for the Paris
agreement is carried (10) __________ by policymakers Europe and worldwide.”

Part 3. For questions 1-10, read the article on the disappearance of a marine species and
choose the answer A, B, C or D which you think fits best according to the text.
The Disappearing Menhaden

Most people have never heard of it, and they certainly have not eaten it in its original
form, but menhaden is the most important fish in the ocean. However, it is disappearing at an
alarming rate. The east coast of the United States once teemed with immense schools, some
as many as a mile across, but the devastation of the menhaden sticks over the last sixty years
has led to severe dislocations in the ocean’s ecosystems. The decline of the menhaden has
had particularly disastrous effects on fish species that feed on it, on bird species that use it as
a food source, and on how clean the oceans are.
Menhaden are a small fish belonging to the haddock family, and they are not very
palatable to humans, having a foul, oily taste and consisting of many bones. Commercial
fishing of menhaden since the end of World War II has primarily been for the production of
feed for livestock, with ground-up fish used to make meal for chicken, pigs and cows.
Companies use spotter planes to find large schools and direct fishing boats to the location.
Catches have declined almost forty percent since the 1960s and show no sign of leveling off
or increasing. Unlike other species that are protected by the government quotas, menhaden
are not, most likely because they are not a species consumed directly by humans. This is
unfortunate since the loss of the menhaden spells an eco-disaster of epic proportions.
Of principle importance are the many species of fish and other animals that feed on
menhaden. They are the main diet for bluefish and striped bass, and both species have shown
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a serious decline in numbers. The striped bass was once the prized catch of the Chesapeake
Bay area, but the specimens brought in by rod and reel now are weak sisters compared to the
past. Not only do they lack the bulk of their ancestors, but they are also dying at alarming
rates. Fish are not the only predators of menhaden, as birds also depend on them as a source
of nourishment. Large colonies of osprey all along the eastern seaboard have disappeared in
recent years, with the numbers of nests and birds reduced by fifty percent in some areas over
the last ten years. There are similar statistics for loons in Chesapeake Bay.
The greatest threat from the loss of the menhaden is that the oceans have lost one of
their great natural filterers. Menhaden swim in massive schools with their mouths open,
allowing water to flow through their gills, which serve to absorb oxygen and grab plankton
and other detritus from the water. They act like gigantic vacuum cleaners for the ocean. The
cleaner water allows sunlight to penetrate to greater depths, which stimulates plant life that
harbors other fish and shellfish and produces oxygen for the water. With the decline of the
menhaden, this process is in serious jeopardy. Chemical run-off from farms, lawns, and
houses ends up in the oceans, increasing the nitrogen and phosphorous levels in the water.
Algae grow in greater numbers in these conditions, block the sunlight, and deplete oxygen of
the water. Entire coastal areas are lifeless, with the algae’s killing the fish. Menhaden had
reduced the levels of these chemicals, but now that there are fewer menhaden, the algae have
taken over.
The large companies that process menhaden disagree with the findings of
environmental scientists. Since there is no accurate way to count the amount of menhaden in
the oceans, they claim that the fewer menhaden are a result of a cyclical event and that the
stocks will grow again in time. Yet, much of the menhaden catch consists of smaller fish,
often less than one year old. These fish have not had a chance to mature long enough to
become reproductive, and thus the commercial fishing companies are destroying future
menhaden stocks in order to make a profit at the moment. The largest companies have had to
lay off many employees, and many of their vessels sit idle at the wharf. In the long run, the
menhaden will probably rebound once their numbers have reached the point where catching
them is no longer profitable. Hopefully, laws will soon be in place to protect them from their
greatest predator, mankind.

1. According to the passage, the Atlantic Ocean menhaden are ______.

A. quite well-known to most people in the United States
B. eaten only by other fish and not at all by humans
C. not in any immediate danger of disappearing from the ocean
D. eaten by birds and other fish as a part of their diets
2. The word “palatable” in the passage is closest in meaning to ______.
A. partial B. edible C. disgusting D. stable
3. According to the passage, all of the following are reasons for the decline of the menhaden
stocks EXCEPT: ______
A. There is a lack of laws providing government protection.
B. Improved fishing technology has helped catch more fish.
C. People desire directly to consume them as a food fish.
D. Farmers have a strong dependence on fish-fed livestock.
4. It can be inferred from the passage that humans consume menhaden ______.
A. as a result of eating livestock raised on menhaden meal
B. directly from the oceans in their original form
C. only in the eastern coastal areas of the United States
D. for the healthy benefits from eating its oily flesh

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5. Which of the following sentences best expresses the meaning of the underlined sentence in
Paragraph 3?
A. There are prizes given for the best striped bass caught by sport fishermen in
Chesapeake Bay.
B. The striped bass caught by sport fishermen in Chesapeake Bay are not as large as
those caught in the past.
C. The Chesapeake Bay area is prized for the striped bass that can be caught by
fishermen there.
D. In the past the Chesapeake Bay striped bass fishery was more valuable than it is
nowadays.
6. According to the passage, the main influence on the oceans as a result of declining
menhaden numbers is ______.
A. an increase in the number of lifeless areas
B. an overbalance of plankton near the coast
C. the decline of fish stocks that feed on menhaden
D. increased human dumping of chemicals in the ocean
7. Which of the following square brackets [A], [B], [C], or [D] best indicates where in the
paragraph the sentence “In addition, the algae sink to the ocean floor and prevent shellfish
and oxygen-producing plants from growing.” can be inserted?
[A] With the decline of the menhaden, this process is in serious jeopardy. [B] Chemical run-
off from farms, lawns, and houses ends up in the oceans, increasing the nitrogen and
phosphorous levels in the water. [C]Algae grow in greater numbers in these conditions, block
the sunlight, and deplete oxygen of the water.[D]
A. [A]
B. [B]
C. [C]
D. [D]
8. The word “their” in the passage refers to ______.
A. commercial fishing companies B. menhaden stocks
C. largest companies D. many employees
9. According to the passage, large commercial fishing companies argue that the shrinking
menhaden stocks are the result of ______.
A. a normal cycle that will end sometime in the near future
B. environmental factors that are totally beyond their control
C. fishing technology that has developed in recent years
D. a lack of oxygen in the ocean as a result of too much algae
10. Why does the author mention the fact that commercial fishing companies are catching
smaller and younger fish?
A. To show that menhaden stocks are not safe for the future
B. To prove that the declining menhaden stocks are not an illusion
C. To counter their disagreements with the environmental scientists
D. To explain why they have had to lay off employees and leave boats idle

Part 4.(2pts)
The reading passage has seven paragraphs, A–G. Choose the correct heading for
paragraphs A–G from the list below.
List of Headings
i Unusual way of hatching the chicks
ii Feeding habit of the red-footed booby
iii Folding wings for purpose
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iv Rearing the young
v Classification of boobies
vi Diving for seafood
vii Surviving mechanism during the food shortage period
viii Mating and breeding
ix Origin of the booby’s name
Paragraph C Ix
1   Paragraph A
2   Paragraph B
3   Paragraph D
4   Paragraph E
5   Paragraph F
6   Paragraph G

Blue-footed Boobies 2
A   Boobies are a small group of seabirds native to tropical and subtropical oceans
throughout the world. Their diet consists mainly of fish. They are specialized fish eaters
feeding on small school fish like sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and flying fish. When their
prey is in sight, they fold their long wings back around their streamlined bodies and plunge
into the water from as high as 80 feet, so streamlined they barely make a splash. They travel
in parties of about 12 to areas of water with large schools of small fish. When the lead bird
sees a fish shoal in the water, it will signal the rest of the group and they will all dive
together. Surprisingly, individuals do not eat with the hunting group, preferring to eat on
their own, usually in the early morning or late afternoon.
B   There are three varieties on the Galapagos: the blue-footed, red-footed, and masked
boobies. They are all members of the same family, and are not only different in appearance
but also in behaviours. The blue-footed and red-footed boobies mate throughout the year,
while the masked boobies have an annual mating cycle that differs from island to island. All
catch fish in a similar manner, but in different areas: the blue-footed booby does its fishing
close to shore, while the masked booby goes slightly farther out, and the red-footed booby
fishes at the farthest distances from shore.
C   Although it is unknown where the name “Booby” emanates from, some conjecture it may
come from the Spanish word for clown, “bobo”, meaning “stupid”. Its name was probably
inspired by the bird’s clumsiness on land and apparently unwarranted bravery. The blue
footed booby is extremely vulnerable to human visitors because it does not appear to fear
them. Therefore these birds received such name for their clumsiness on land in which they
were easily, captured, killed, and eaten by humans.
D    The blue-footed booby’s characteristic feet play a significant part in their famous
courtship ceremony, the ‘booby dance’. The male walks around the female, raising his bright
blue feet straight up in the air, while bringing his ‘shoulders’ towards the ground and
crossing the bottom tips of his wings high above the ground. Plus he’ll raise his bill up
towards the sky to try to win his mate over. The female may also partake in these activities –
lifting her feet, sky pointing, and of course squawking at her mate. After mating, another
ritual occurs – the nest-building which ironically is never used because they nest on the bare
ground. When the female is ready to lay her eggs, they scrape the existing nest away so she
can nest on exposed ground. Sun-baked islands form the booby’s breeding grounds. When
ready the female Blue Footed Booby lays one to three eggs.
E    After mating, two or three eggs are laid in a shallow depression on flat or gently sloping
ground. Both male and female take turns incubating the eggs. Unlike most birds, booby

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doesn’t develop brood patches (areas of bare skin on the breast) to warm the eggs during
incubation. Instead, it uses its broad webbed feet, which have large numbers of prominent
blood vessels, to transmit heat essential for incubation. The eggs are thick-shelled so they can
withstand the full weight of an incubating bird.
F   After hatching, the male plays a major role in bringing fish home. He can bring back a
constant supply of small fish for the chicks, which must be fed continuously. The reason is
that the male has a longer tail than the female in relation to his body size, which makes him
able to execute shallower dives and to feed closer to shore. Then the female takes a greater
part as time proceeds. Sooner or later, the need to feed the young becomes greater than the
need to protect them and both adults must fish to provide enough.
G   When times are good, the parents may successfully fledge all three chicks, but, in harder
times, they may still lay as many eggs yet only obtain enough food to raise one. The problem
is usually solved by the somewhat callous-sounding system of “opportunistic sibling
murder.” The first-born chick is larger and stronger than its nest mate(s) as a result of
hatching a few days earlier and also because the parents feed the larger chick. If food is
scarce, the first born will get more food than its nest mate(s) and will outcompete them,
causing them to starve. The above system optimizes the reproductive capacity of the blue-
foot in an unpredictable environment. The system ensures that, if possible, at least one chick
will survive a period of shortage rather than all three dying of starvation under a more
‘humane’ system.
Questions 7-10 
Complete the summary below, using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the reading
passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 7 –10  on your answer sheet.
The courtship of the Blue-footed Booby consists of the male flaunting his blue feet and
dancing to impress the female. During the dance, the male will spread his wings and stamp
his feet on the ground with his bills 7  …………. After mating, the booby’s unusual
demeanor continues with ritual 8 ………… that really serves no purpose. When the female
Booby lays eggs, the parental boobies incubate the eggs beneath their 9 …....… which
contain 10  ………… to transmit the heat, because of the lack of brood patches.
D. WRITING (6pts)
Part 1.Summary (1.5 pts)
Read the following extract and use your own words to summarize it. Your summary should
be about 100 words long. You MUST NOT copy the original.

The sea turtles, especially the leatherbacks, are undoubtedly one of nature's most amazing
creatures. They roam the warm seas of the world throughout their life and come ashore only
to lay eggs. Malaysia with its long sandy shorelines has been destined as one of their
breeding grounds. Unfortunately, the number of leatherback turtles landing on the beaches
has been declining over the years. According to the WWF estimates, about 2000 leatherbacks
arrived on Malaysian beaches in 1970. In 1989, only between 30 and 60 leatherbacks were
found. The drastic drop within such a short span is certainly a great cause for concern. Where
have they gone to? Are they avoiding the beaches of Malaysia? Whatever it is, if no
concerted effort is taken to check the decline now they may become an extinct species soon,
that is, if no concerted effort is taken to check the decline now. The belief that the declining
landings of turtles in Malaysia is the result of increasing landings in other parts of the world
is a fallacy. This is because the scenario is the same in other countries known to have been
visited by the turtles. What has caused the species to dwindle at such a rapid rate? There are
many reasons but an obvious one is none other than man's greed. As we know, turtles are
killed for their meat. In the days before refrigeration, turtles had been a source of fresh food
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for the sailing ships. Today, turtle soup is a favorite dish among the Asians. Their shells have
become coveted items fir decorations and jewelry. Their eggs which are meant to be hatched
into young turtles, are instead harvested and eaten. When deep sea fishing nets inadvertently
trap the turtles, fishermen often kill the turtles instead of cutting their nets to release them.
Pollution in the sea has also reduced the number of turtles. Many are choked to death by the
plastic bags that they mistake for jelly fish. It appears that the turtles are no longer safe in the
sea where they spend most of their lives.
Neither are they safe when the females come ashore to lay eggs. In fact this is the time when
they are particularly vulnerable as their movements are slow on land. The nesting places for
these turtles have also been greatly reduced. As more and more beaches are taken over for
tourism with the construction of hotels, chalets and condominiums, the breeding grounds are
reduced in the process. The intrusion of tourists into these places make it difficult for the
turtles to lay their eggs. Unfortunately these ideal places are few to come by now. Too much
development has taken place even along the coastline in most countries. Perhaps all is not
lost yet. Sincere efforts are being taken to check the decline. In Malaysia, it is heartening to
note that concrete steps have been taken to protect the turtles that come ashore to lay eggs.
The indiscriminate collection of turtle eggs on the beaches is no more allowed. Turtle
sanctuaries have been set up in Rantau Abang in Terengganu. The eggs collected by
designated officials are sent to hatcheries in the sanctuaries. In this way, the loss of eggs and
the rate of mortality among the baby turtles are reduced. In other words, more baby turtles
are now able to return to sea and grow into adulthood.
In an effort to discourage the public from eating turtle eggs, a Turtle Enactment Act has been
introduced to prohibit the sale of leatherback eggs. The WWF has also launched the 'Save the
Turtle Campaign' to create an awareness among the public to help save the endangered
species. In this way, the consumption of turtle eggs and turtle meat will be discouraged. Let
us hope that it is not too late to save these fascinating creatures from becoming extinct.
Part 2: (1.5 pts)
The graph below shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in
one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.Summarize the information by selecting and
reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write
about 150 words.

Part 3. Essay writing (3.0 pts

Write an essay of about 300 words on the following topic.

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We are becoming more and more dependent on machines to function in the modern world.
Some people think this is a very negative development. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge
or experience.

------- THE END-----

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