Professional Documents
Culture Documents
News Listening
You are going to hear a recorded material discussing the significance of ramen
in U.S prisons. For questions 1-10, fill in the gaps to complete the summary
below, using the information in the recording. Use NO MORE THAN FOUR
WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each gap.
- According to statistics from the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, ramen is the
most popular item in (1) ____________________ in terms of sales. In fact, American inmates
consider this good a currency, using it to buy things of value such as clothing, drugs, or even
favors.
- Gustavo “Goose” Alvarez, former prisoner and author of the book Prison Ramen, says that
one reason why ramen is preferred in prisons is its ubiquity among prisoners and that it is the
(2) ____________________ for everybody.
- Since cash is inaccessible in prison, inmates must find an alternative method of trading. An
ideal substitute for cash must be (3) ____________________ as well as durable, portable, and
highly valued. Ramen meets all of the mentioned requirements, in that it is inexpensive and
readily available.
- After being purchased officially by inmates, packs of ramen are valued by an (4)
____________________, with some prisoners establishing what Alvarez calls (5)
“____________________” by buying and stockpiling large amounts of ramen like in the
movie Orange Is the New Black. Surprisingly, such practices can significantly increase the value
of packs of ramen that are otherwise relatively cheap.
- Ramen can also supplement prison meals, which are hardly enough to live off of and, in
Alvarez’s own words, not (6) ____________________ and not “your four food groups”
- With federal and state governments under pressure to reduce expenses, less money is being
allocated on food, which has led to consequences. For example, Aramark, a private food
vendor for (7) ____________________, has allegedly given prisoners (8)
____________________ and fewer, smaller meals. This incident and several others have
instigated a number of (9) ____________________ in response to the deteriorating food
quality.
- Despite all the complications it entails, ramen can be, according to Alvarez, the (10)
“____________________” for inmates to have meals together without any worries or
concerns about happenings in the prison.
AMBROSIA
Millions of Hongkongers have taken to the streets against a(n) (1) ___________________.
The interviewed girl was in protest lest her freedom should be (2) ________________.
After the government failed to meet the demonstrators’ demands, there were signs of
(3) ______________.
Protesters quickly surrounded (4) _____________, imprisoning (5) __________________ in
their own van.
There were no negotiations between the government and protesters, but only
(6) ________________ was perceived at the scene.
A human shield was formed after the launch of (7) ___________________.
The reporter says there were (8) ___________________ last Wednesday.
No arrested protestors were let off although demonstrators (9) _________________ all day.
If the (10) _______________ continue(s) any longer, there will be deeper divisions between
the government and the youth of Hongkong.
AMBROSIA 1
Fill in each of the blanks with NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS.
• Sleep is a state of (1) __________ that almost all of us experience every night. It is
regulated by the
body clock, or (2) __________ located in the brain.
• The body clock responds to light cues, (3) __________ of the hormone melatonin at night
and switching
it off when it senses light.
• Sleep consists of four stages, occuring in cycles throughout the night:
▪ Stages one and two are light sleep - a (4) __________ from being awake to falling asleep.
Heart
rate and breathing begin to slow, body temperature falls, and muscles may (5) __________.
▪ Stage three is sometimes called delta sleep, due to the release of slow delta (6)
__________ during
this stage. Deep sleep starts to set in, and growth hormone is produced to (7) __________,
allowing
the body to repair itself.
▪ Dreams happen in stage four. During this stage, chemicals are released to prevent us from
acting
out our dreams. Although the eyes are closed, they (8) __________ as if in waking
condition.
• Compared to a century ago, humans are sleeping far less today. This is brought about by
modern
lifestyles, stress, and (9) __________.
• People who fail to get seven hours of sleep a day can suffer from (10) __________, thus
reducing life
expectancy.
Exercise 1:
Australia possesses an 1.________________ as it hasn't had a recession in nearly three decades. But
the deadly wildfires raging through large parts of the country are threatening key parts of the country's
economy.
The 2.________________ run by Fiona Austin is usually full in January, but tourists were ordered to
evacuate, and only a few people remain.
Things are becoming so volatile and people are still unsure as to whether they could
3.________________ again.
Australia calls itself the 4.________________, a nation so fortunate in geography and natural
resources that the economy has been growing steadily since 1991.
The wildfires have destroyed both residences and 5.________________. Besides, ferry service in the
city's world-famous harbor has sometimes been canceled because of 6.________________.
The Australian Open and the Tour Down Under 7.________________ are mentioned as major events
that may be rescheduled.
Housing prices, which have been 8.________________ in recent years, have fallen to a deep low.
Exercise 2:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is oftentimes misperceived as the world’s fiscal sponsor, the
omniscient and practically immeasurable 16______________________ for any suffering nations.
Indeed, the drive behind this organization’s assistance is likened to a 17______________________’s,
which is nothing but pressurizing the hard-hit countries to fulfill its requirements. Such a paradox can
be seen in the case of Malawi in 1990s-2000s. Besides the HIV/AIDS epidemic that was diminishing
overall life expectancy and 18______________________, the South East Asian country was also
harshly deteriorated by a food shortage due to extreme weather. Under the IMF’s policy conditions to
the early 1990s 19______________________, Malawi had to sell off its
20______________________ to private companies while abandoning its agricultural subsidy
program. The IMF’s suspension of economic aid as a punishment against the Malawi government for
violating such commitments was heavily criticized, with Action Aid’s 21______________________
of the food crisis being the accusation. In fact, the emergency situations were completely overlooked
by the organization’s rigid approach to 22______________________. It is by now crystal clear that
IMF’s assistance was intrinsically a loan at an 23______________________, an exchange for natural
resources and a vicious circle of corruption and inflation. Therefore, a handful of nations are
24______________________ this financial trap. Free market principles can be a cure for everything if
only 25______________________ the urgency to care for the best interests of citizens.
Exercise 1. Decide whether the following statements are True (T), False (F)
or Not Given (NG).
US, China and India fail to sign up to ending coal at COP26 – BBC News
1. Since the launch of COP26 conference, the use of coal has been
strictly limited
2. Coal-fired power stations did not receive full endorsement from
China.
3. Vietnam and Poland have passionately devoted themselves to
augment the use of environmentally-friendly energy.
4. The lockdown of Covid pandemic has engendered a massive upsurge
in the amount of carbon emissions
5. It is projected that carbon emissions will record a rise of 5.4%,
coming after a 4.9% reduction.
Designed by Nguyen Minh Long National Examination for gifted students in English
LISTENING TEST 1
Part 2. For questions 8-15, listen to a report from BBC about Zika virus and answer the following questions with
NO MORE THAN FIVE WORDS. Write your answers in the space provided.
8. What are indications of Zika besides fever, rash and headache?
8. ______________________________________________________
9. What is increasing in parallel with Zika cases?
9. ______________________________________________________
10. What are fatal conditions of the above diseases?
Designed by Nguyen Minh Long National Examination for gifted students in English
10. ______________________________________________________
11. What are the TWO diseases that Aedes mosquito also spreads?
11. ______________________________________________________
12. Why is Zika virus not new?
12. ______________________________________________________
13. What region is mostly affected by Zika?
13. ______________________________________________________
14. List TWO ways mentioned to prevent Zika virus in addition to covering up and avoiding pregnancy.
14. ______________________________________________________
15. ______________________________________________________
Part 3. For questions 16-25, listen to a scientist talking about an important discovery in molecular biology and
complete the sentences with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording. Write your answers in
the space provided.
THE DOUBLE HELIX
LISTENING TEST 2
Part 1. Listen to a representative from a travel agency explaining the benefits of her company.
For questions 1-5, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D. Write your answers in the
corresponding numbered boxes provided.
1. The company deals mostly with ______.
A. big cities B. jungle walking C. Nepal D. nature holidays
2. The overseas consultants deal mostly with ______.
A. Asia B. North America C. Europe D. Queensland
3. For ______, customers should come in the afternoon.
A. vistas B. gorges C. the outskirts D. domestic market
4. Trips to regional locations are good because ______.
A. the buses are comfortable B. there is storage for suitcases
C. they can be seen quickly D. they does not cause cramp
5. SleekLine buses particularly have eminent ______.
A. service B. size C. comfort D. destinations
Your answers
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
14. What is the current situation of the Congress considered by the President and supporters?
14. ___________________________________________
15. What did contribute to the flourishing of Brazil’s economy?
15. ___________________________________________
Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a nutritionist talking about the production and uses of
mastic, a spice that is found in Mediterranean area and complete the sentences with NO MORE
THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording. Write your answers in the space provided.
Previously, when mastic was in its prime, managing its (16) ________________________________ was
the goal of invaders into the peculiar regions of mastic owing to its tremendous value.
Mastic is collected from a tree which looks like a smaller form of the (17) _____________________ tree.
Mastic resin will (18) _______________________ only in the region around the Mediterranean.
Basic tools like (19) _______________________ are employed to remove impurities from the mastic,
which cannot be done by modern equipment.
Crystals of mastic have been referred to as (20) _____________________________ in literature.
The sale of mastic crystals is handled by a (21) ________________________________ to ensure that
the growers get a fair deal.
From the evidence accumulated by archaeologists, it is thought that mastic was first used as (22)
________________________________ by ancient people.
When mastic is added to (23) ______________________________, it slows down the melting process.
Flavoured drinks are made in (24) ___________________________ which have had mastic burned
under them.
Some people believe that mastic can help in the treatment of health problems, especially some (25)
_______________________________.