Hanoi National University of Education

HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIFTED STUDENTS Experimental test – grade 9

Name: _____________________ Time allowed: 90 minutes
Date: July, 24th , 2010
I. Choose the word whose underlined part is differently pronounced. (10p.)
1. A. filled B. destroyed C. washed D. prepared
2. A. honest B. honor C. hour D. hair
3. A. list B. underline C. highlight D. night
4. A. proud B. pronoun C. around D. enough
5. A. revision B. festival C. postcard D. promise
6. A. grew B. threw C. drew D. sew
7. A. crowd B. flow C. cloud D. scout
8. A. says B. prays C. plays D. days
9. A. ready B. overhead C. measure D. breathe
10. A. song B. send C. sure D. science
II. Choose the word that best completes each sentence. (10p.)
1. It was ……..serious accident that he was kept in hospital for a month.
A. such B. such a C. so D. so a
2. If you don't understand many words, you can ................ them up in the dictionary.
A. look B. get C. find D. finish
3. Tam . . . . . . . . . last night when the telephone . . . . . . . . . . .
A. slept-rang B. slept- was ringing C. was sleeping-rang D. was sleeping-was ringing
4. The book………. by Helen is on the top shelf.
A. a writes B. writing C. has written D. written
5. He hates.......................................to do something by others.
A. to be asked B. asking C. being asked D. to ask
6. This film must be new. We’ve ........................ seen it before.
A. ever B. never C. since D. yet
7. These medicines can ...................your headache.
A. ease B. elevate C. revive D. affect.
8. Viet Nam is a(n)............................. country.
A. export-rice B. exporting-rice C. rice-exporting D. rice-export
9. Liz is ……… in Vietnamese culture.
A. interesting B. interests C. to interest D. interested
10. He asked me …….. I was ready to go or not.
A. if B. weather C. whether D. where
III. Give the correct verb form. (5p.)
1. It is very exciting.............................(see) that film.
2. Would you mind if I (sit)………….. here?
3. I was not used to (drive)………. on the left when I was in London.
4. As I (come) ………………………to Lan’s yesterday, she (watch) ……………………… TV.
5. He (live) ……… in Hue for 2 years then he (move)………. to Ha Noi in 2007.
IV. Put in the gaps with the correct prepositions. (10p.)
1. Anne has been in hospital ….............……Monday.
2. My mother is very keen ……..................…growing roses.
3. John is extremely fond ……......................... music.
4. His father is very proud ……………… him.
5. The post office is not far …....................…my house.

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6. How many members participated …...................…..the rice cooking contest?
7. The children are really looking forward …..............…..Tet holiday.
8. Santa Claus is based ….....................….the description of Saint Nicolas.
9. You should learn…….. heart all the new words.
10. I'll pick you …...............…at the hotel at 9 o'clock.
V. Fill in each blank with the correct form of the word in capitals.(34p.)
1. There are many cultural ……………………….. between his country and mine. (DIFFER)
2. Playing table tennis is one of his favorite ........................ . (ACT)
3. These shoes are smart, but they are very …………………………... (COMFORT)
4. The chicken is good. It is very ................. ( TASTE )
5. Twenty ……… have taken part in the English Speaking Contest. (COMPETE)
6. It was .......of you to make fun of him like that. ( KIND )
7. Does this .................... suit you? (ARRANGE)
8. Angkor Wat was ..........................built to honor a Hindus God. (ORIGIN)
9. It is to eat too much sugar and fat. (HEALTH)
10. If you can give a reasonable for your bad behavior (EXPLAIN)
last night, I’ll forgive you.
11. My brother often does experiments about electricity for . (PLEASE)
12. The charged me 50.000 VND for each room. (DECORATE)
13. A toaster is a kitchen that cooks food. (APPLY)
14. in Viet Nam has brought a lot of big changes. (INDUSTRY)
15. After taking an aspirin, her headache . (APPEAR)
16. The she gave last night was marvelous. (PERFORM)
27. The in his provinces is very dramatic. (LAND)
VI. Fill in each blank with one suitable word. (20p.)
Learning a language is, in some way, like (1) ................. how to fly or play the piano. There
(2) ...................... important differences, but there is a very important similarity. It is this: learning how to do
such things needs lots (3) ............... practice. It is never simply to “know” something. You must be able to
“do” things with what (4) ................know. For example, it is not enough simply to read a book on
(5) ......................to fly an aeroplane. A (6) .............. can give you lots of information about how to fly, but if
only read a book and then try to (7) ............... without a great deal of practice first, you will crash and kill (8)
................ . The same is true of (9) ............... the piano. So you think it is enough simply to read about it?
Can you play the piano without having lots of (10)..................... first?
VII. Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer. (5p.)
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.
1. When did the first award ceremony take place7
A. 1895 B . 1901 C. 1962 D. 1968
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2. Why was the Nobel prize established?
A. To recognise worthwhile contributions to humanity.
B. To resolve political differences.
C. To honour the inventor of dynamite.
D. To spend money.
3. In which area have Americans received the most awards?
A. Literature B. Peace C. Economics D. Science
4. Which of the following statements is not true?
A. Awards vary in monetary value.
B. Ceremonies are held on December 10 to commemorate Nobel's invention.
C. Politics can play an important role in selecting the winners.
D. A few individuals have won two awards.
5. In how many fields are the prizes bestowed?
A. 2 B. 5 C. 6 D. 10
VIII. Read the following passage and then choose the word (A, B, C or D) that best completes each blank. (10p.) 
Mr and Mrs Gray live in a big city, and they …(1)….a son. His name is Peter, and he doesn’t like…
(2)….. One day Mrs Gray said…(3)….her husband, “Living in the city all the time isn’t good…(4)….Peter”.
So last summer they found a small house in the country and took Peter…(5)….for a vacation.
When they arrived…(6)…. the house, Mrs Gray said to Peter,”We are going to stay…(7)…. for two
weeks.”
The boy ran …(8)….the house and looked in all the rooms, and he ran back to …(9)….mother and
said to her, “ I haven’t found the bathtub, Mom. Where is it?”
“ This is a…(10)….small house, Peter,” his mother said. “ This is going to be a very nice vacation.”
1. a.have b.had c.are having d.has
2. a.washing b.washed c.to wash d.being washed
3. a.for b.with c.about d.to
4. a.to b.with c.for d.at
5. a.here b.there c.house d.countryside
6. a.at b.in c.to d.around
7. a.there b.this house c.here d.this place
8. a.into b.to c.at d.from
9. a.him b.his c.it d.its
10. a.every b.very c.so d.too
IX. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as the sentences
printed before it. (26p.)
1.It’s three years since I last spoke to her.
-> I ……………………………………………………………..
2. “You shouldn’t spend your weekend in the city”
->She advised me...................................................…..
3.They will show the time machine to the public when they finish it.
->The time machine …..……………
4.He failed the exams because of his laziness
-> Because he ………………………………………………
5.It was his dinner time when I came to his house.
->He was........................................................................
6. The water was so cold that the children couldn’t swim in it.
->The water wasn’t ....................................
7. It is six-hour drive from London to Edinburgh.
->It takes……………………………………………….
8. My brother stopped smoking cigarettes now.
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->My brother used……………………………………….
9. “Does your sister have a computer now?” Lan asked Nam.
-> Lan asked Nam………………………
10. I’m willing to help you repair the radio. (MIND)
→
11. He climbed the tree so that he could get a better view. (ORDER)
→
12. Was the steam engine invented by James Watt? (INVENT)
→
13. She has never seen a more unusual festival than this. (MOST)
→
X. Read the advertisements follow and match each tourist with a suitable one.(5p.)
A. EXPLORE AFRICA
Do you like adventure? Are you looking for a holiday you will never forget? Travel through Africa
for five weeks with a small group. Groups fly to Nairobi every Saturday. If you are aged 25 – 45, send now
for a brochure to Box 342.
B. SEAGULL SAILING HOLIDAYS
Suitable for all ages, learn to sail in three weeks. Teaching from qualified staff, no experience
necessary. Accommodation is provided in holiday flats in a quiet fishing village. Breakfast, dinner and a
packed lunch included in the price of the holiday.
C. HISTORY TOUR
Tour Egypt with guides. The tour includes lectures about the history of Egypt and visits to museums.
Travel by coach or river boat. Accommodation in top hotels. Tours last 2 or 3 weeks.
D. STUDENTS WORKING HOLIDAYS
For a really cheap (but healthy!) holiday. Pick fruits in the heart of the country. Accommodation
provided in farm houses or camp in tents. All meals included. Free transport to place of work from railway
station. If you are over sixteen, why not write for further details.
E. BELL ISLAND HOTEL
Short stays (3 – 7 days) available. Famous for excellent cooking, the hotel provides opportunities to
enjoy the heated swimming pool, the disco, the top class bar and restaurants every night. All rooms have sea
view.

1. John and Samantha are university students. They want to have a holiday in the summer but
they have very little money.
2. Peter Brown is a businessman. He is tired and needs a rest but he doesn’t have much free
time for a holiday. He wants to get away from the city life and stay somewhere near the sea.
3. The Robinson family like outdoor holidays. They have never tired sailing but they would like
to learn.
4. Susan James has three weeks to spend on holiday. She doesn’t like sports and she doesn’t like
relaxing on the beach, either. She enjoys sightseeing and learning about foreign countries.
5. Bill Jones is 30. He wants an active, exciting holiday. He likes hot weather, but he doesn’t
like the sea.
XI. Match the heading with its suitable passage. There is one extra heading. (5p.)
A. How I began D. My most frightening experience
B. The worst aspect of my hobby E. Why I like my hobby
C. My hopes for the future F. When and where I do it
1. For me, every weekday begins the same: I get up at 7.00 . I have breakfast, I catch the bus to
school, I go to lessons.. I don’t hate this daily routine, but it isn’t very thrilling. In the evenings, however, I

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drive Formula 1 cars, build enormous cities and defend my planet against aliens. In short, I play computer
games. It’s like entering a different world. That’s why I love playing them so much.
2. I first became interested in computer games about four years ago. I was staying with my
cousin for the weekend. He had some games and he taught me how to play them. I became hooked
immediately! When I got home, I decided to save all by money for buying games. Now, I’ve got about 20
different games.
3. Some of my friends from school are interested in computer games too. We normally meet at
my house in the evenings and play a few hours. We sometimes play at weekends, but if the weather’s good I
prefer to go cycling or play basketball instead.
4. Computer games are interesting because they often contain stories and characters. The games
are getting better all the time, but they’re also getting more expensive. The only thing I don’t like about my
hobby is the cost! New games are often around $50.
5. My interest in computer games has taught me a lot about computer graphics. I want to study
computing at college, and learn how to design and program games. Eventually, I’d like to start my own
software company, creating and testing new games. That way, I could spend all day doing what I love most.
XII. Choose the best answer for each question. (10p.)
BIRTH OF THE COMPUTER
Most people think of computers as very modern inventions, products of our new technological age.
But actually the idea for a computer (1.) worked out over two centuries ago by a man (2.)
Charles Babbage.
Babbage was born (3.) 1791 and grew up to be a brilliant mathematician. He drew up plans for
several calculating machines (4.) he called “engines”. But despite the fact that he (5.)
building some of these he never finished any of them. Over the years people have argued (6.) his
machines would ever work. Recently, however, the Science Museum in London has finished building (7.)
engine based on one of Babbage’s designs. (8.) has taken six years to complete
and more (9.) four thousand parts have been specially made. Whether it works or not, the machine
will be on show at a special exhibition in the Science Museum (10.) remind people of
Babbage’s work.
1. A. has B. was C. had D. is
2. A. known B. recognized C. written D. called
3. A. on B. in C. by D. for
4. A. whose B. who C. these D. which
5. A. wanted B. made C. started D. missed
6. A. until B. whether C. while D. though
7. A. some B. the C. an D. that
8. A. One B. He C. They D. It
9. A. than B. therefore C. when D. then
10. A. to B. as C. for D. so
XIII. There are 10 errors in the following passage. Write them down and correct. (20p.)
In 1783, two French brothers built the first balloon to take people into the air. One hundred and
twenty years lately, in 1903, the Wright brothers built the first plane with an engine and flied in it. This was
in the United States. Then, in 1918, the US Post Office begun the first airmail service. Aeroplanes changed a
much in the next thirty years. Then, in 1950s, aeroplanes became many faster because they had jet engines.
In 1976, Concorde was building in the UK and France. It is the faster passenger plane in the world and it
could fly at 2500 kilometers an hour, so the journey in London to New York is only four hours. Today
millions of people travel on aeroplane, and it is difficult to think of a world without them.
1. → 6. →
2. → 7. →

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3. → 8. →
4. → 9. →
5. → 10. →
XIV. Choose the best answer (10p.)
1. Nam gets up early so as his lessons.
A. that revise B. to revise
2. Liz said that she me some information about her school.
A. will send B. would send
3. Linh asked me books before going to bed every night.
A. if I read B. did I read
4. His car has the same color my uncle’s.
A. as B. like
5. She has waited for you a quarter to six.
A. for B. since
6. I’d rather you too much time on computer games.
A. not to spend B. didn’t spend
7. After studying new materials, the student could his score by 20 points.
A. rise B. raise
8. Mrs. Hoa divided the candies her three children.
A. between B. among
9. Is it to get to Nha Trang from here?
A. able B. possible
10. The Browns haven’t visited Ha Long Bay .
A. yet B. already
XV. Fill in the blank with one suitable word. (20p.)
Mother’s Day in Britain falls on the last Monday of March. On Mother’s Day sons and daughters
visit (1.) mothers and bring them flowers and little presents. The eldest son must (2.)
his mother a good cake. If sons or (3.) can’t be with their mother on that day, they
usually (4.) her presents.
Mother’s Day must be a day of rest (5.) the mother of the family, so her daughters cook
the dinner on that day and lay the (6.) and the sons help to wash the plates and dishes (7.)
dinner.
In the United States and Canada, Mother’s Day is (8.) second Sunday in May. They (9.)
a very beautiful stamp for Mother’s Day in the United States. It shows the portrait of the
mother of James Whistler, (10.) of the greatest American painters.

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XII. Write a short passage (about 100 – 150 words) to tell how to become a good student of English.

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§¸p ¸n K× THI CHỌN HỌC SINH GIỎI M«n : TIẾNG ANH – LỚP 8
NĂM HỌC: 2010 – 2011
I. Choose the word whose underlined part is differently pronounced. (2 points)
1. C.washed 6. D. sew
2. D. hair 7. B. flow
3. A. list 8. A. says
4. D. enough 9. D. breathe
5. A. revision 10. C. sure
II. Choose the word that best completes each sentence. (2 points)

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1. B. such a 6. B. never
2. A. look 7. A. ease
3. C. was sleeping - rang 8. C. rice-exporting
4. D. written 9. D. interested
5. C. being asked 10. C. whether
III. Give the correct verb form. (2 points)
1. Have you done…? 5. driving
2. to see 6. are taught
3. sat 7. came – was watching
4. didn’t go 8. lived - moved
IV. Put in the gaps with the correct prepositions (2 points)
1. since 6. in
2. on 7. to
3. of 8. on
4. of 9. by
5. from 10. up
V. Fill in each blank with the correct form of the word in capitals. (2 points)
1. differences 6. tasty
2. explanation 7. competitors
3. activities 8. unkind
4. sunny 9. arrangement
5. uncomfortable 10. originally
VI. Fill in each blank with one suitable word. (2 points)
1. learning 2. are 3. of 4. you 5. how
6. book 7. fly 8. yourself 9. playing 10. practice
VII. Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer: (1 points)
1.B 2.A 3.D 4.B 5.C
VIII. Read the following passage and then choose the word (A, B, C or D) that best completes each
blank.  (2 points)
1.a 2.c 3.d 4.c 5.b 6.a 7.c 8.a 9.b 10.b
IX. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as the sentences
printed before it. (2 points)
1. I haven’t spoken to her for three years.
2. She advised me not to spend my weekend in the city.
3. The time machine will be shown to the public when it is finished
4. Because he was lazy, he failed the exams.
5. He was having his dinner when I came to his house.
6. The water wasn’t warm enough for the children to swim (in).
7. Experiments on animals should be stopped.
8. It takes six hours to drive from London to Edinburgh.
9. My brother used to smoke cigarettes.
10. Lan asked Nam if/ whether his sister had a computer then (or not).
X. Write a short passage (about 100 – 150 words) to tell how to become a good student of English. (3
points) : Essays are assessed according to 4 criteria: 1 points for idea; 1 points for coherence and
cohesion; 1 points for syntax, spelling and vocabulary