PASSAGE 1

THE MODERN CARS OF THE FUTURE

Today's car are smaller, safer, cleaner, and more economical than their predecessors, but the car of the
future will be far more pollution-free than those on the road today. Several new types of automobile
engines have already been developed that run on alternative sources of power, such as electricity,
compressed natural gas, methanol, steam, hydrogen, propane. Electricity, however, is the only zero-
emission option presently available.
Although electric vehicles will not be truly practical until a powerful, compact battery or another
dependable source of current is available, transportation expects foresee a new assortment of electric
vehicles entering everyday life: shorter-range commuter electric cars, three-wheeled neighborhood cars,
electric delivery vans, bikes, and trolleys.
As automakers work to develop practical electric vehicles, urban planners and utility engineers are
focusing on infrastructure systems to support and make the best use of the new cars. Public charging
facilities will need to be as common as today's gas stations. Public parking spots on the street or in
commercial lots will need to be equipped with devices that allow drivers to charge their batteries while
they stop, dine, or attend a concert. To encourage the use of electric vehicles, the most convenient parking
in transportation centers might be reserved for electric cars.
Planners foresee electric shuttle buses, trains, and neighborhood vehicles all meeting at transit centers that
would have facilities for charging and renting. Commuters will be able to rent a variety of electric cars to
suit their needs: light trucks, one-person three-wheelers, small cars, or electric/ gasoline hybrid cars for
longer trips, which will no doubt take place on automated freeways capable of handling five times the
number of vehicles that can be carried by a freeway today.
Question 1. The following electric vehicles are all mentioned in the passage EXCEPT:
A. trolleys B. trains C. vans D. planes
Question 2. The author's purpose in the passage is to
A. criticize conventional vehicles
B. describe the possibilities for transportation in the future
C. narrate a story about alternative energy vehicles
D. support the invention of electric cars
Question 3. The passage would most likely be followed by details about
A. the neighborhood of the future B. pollution restrictions in the future
C. automated freeways D. electric shuttle buses
Question 4. The word "compact" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to
A. long-range B. concentrated C. inexpensive D. squared
Question 5. In the second paragraph the author implies that
A. everyday life will stay such the same in the future.
B. a dependable source of electric energy will eventually be developed.
C. a single electric vehicle will eventually replace several modern of transportation.
D. electric vehicles are not practical for the future.

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Question 6. According to the passage, public parking lots of the future will be
A. more convenient than they are today B. as common as today's gas stations
C. much large than they are today D. equipped with charging devices
Question 7. The word "charging" in this passage refer to
A. parking B. credit cards C. electricity D. lightening
Question 8. It can be inferred from the passage that
A. the present cars are more economical than their future generation
B. electricity is the best alternative source of power as it is almost free of pollution
C. the present electric engines are the best option as being practical
D. many new types of practical electric engines have been developed
Question 9. he word "hybrid" in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to
A. automated B. hazardous C. futuristic D. combination
Question 10. The word "commuters" in paragraph 4 refer to
A. cab drivers B. visitors C. daily travelers D. shoppers

PASSAGE 2
Scientists have discovered the bones of what may be the largest meat-eating dinosaur ever to walk the
earth. The discovery was made by a team of researchers from Argentina and North America in Patagonia,
a desert on the eastern slopes of the Andes in South America. Besides the interesting fact that the
dinosaur was huge and horrifying, it is even more astounding that the bones of a number of the
dinosaurs were found together. This discovery challenges the prior theory that the biggest meat-eaters
lived as loners and instead indicates that they may have lived and hunted in packs. The Tyrannosaurus
Rex lived in North America and was believed to hunt and live alone.The newly discovered meat-eater
appears to be related to the Giganotosaurus family, being as closely related to it as a fox would be to a
dog. It is actually not of the same family at all as the Tyrannosaurus Rex, being as different from it as a
cat is from a dog. The fossilized remains indicate that the animals lived about 100 million years ago. With
needle-shaped noses and razor sharp teeth, they were larger than the Tyrannosaurus Rex, although their
legs were slightly shorter, and their jaws were designed to be better able to dissect their prey quickly and
precisely.
Question 1. The author states that the newly discovered dinosaur remains are evidence that it was the
largest
A. dinosaur ever. B. carnivorous dinosaur.
C. herbivorous dinosaur. D. South American dinosaur.
Question 2. The word Besides in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to
A. in spite of. B. in addition to. C. although. D. mostly
Question 3. The word horrifying in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to
A. frightening. B. large. C. fast. D. interesting
Question 4. The word astounding in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to
A. terrifying. B. pleasing. C. displeasing. D. surprising
Question 5. The author implies that the most interesting fact about the find is that this dinosaur
A. lived and hunted with others. B. had a powerful jaw and sharp teeth.
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 C. was found in the Andes. D. was larger than Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Question 6. The passage indicates that prior to this discovery scientists believed that
A. meat-eating dinosaurs lived alone. B. there were no meat-eating dinosaurs in the Andes.
C. Tyrannosaurus Rex lived in the Andes. D. meat-eating dinosaurs were small in stature.
Question 7. The word “ it” in the second paragraph refers to
A. newly discovered meat – eater B. relationship
C. Giganotosaurus D. Dog
Question 8. The author states that the newly discovered meat-eating dinosaur is
A. closely related to Tyrannosaurus Rex. B. not closely related to Tyrannosaurus Rex.
C. not closely related to Giganotosaurus. D. closely related to the large cat family.
Question 9. The word “dissect” in the last sentence is closet in meaning to
A. dismember B. swallow C. chew D. escape
Question 10. The word “prey” in the last sentence of the passage is closet in meaning to
A. victim B. enemy C. dinosaurs D. attacker

PASSAGE 3
[1] Escalators are very common today in shopping malls, government buildings, amusement parks, and
many other locations. They are known to be staircases which move via a conveyor belt, with tracks which
maintain each step in a horizontal position. However, the escalator began as an amusement and not as a
practical transport. [2] In 1892, Jesse Reno patented his moving stairs, or “inclined elevator”. Three years
later, he created a novelty ride at Coney Island from his patented design: a moving stairway that elevated
passengers on a conveyor belt at a 25 degree angle.
[3] Charles Seeberger, together with the Otis Elevator Company, produced the first commercial escalator
in 1899 at the Otis factory in Yonkers, N.Y. The Seeberger sold his patent rights for the escalator to the
Otis Elevator Company in 1910, which also bought Jesse Reno’s escalator patent in 1911. [4] Otis has
dominated escalator production since that time, by combining and enhancing various designs including
the cleated, level steps still in use today. The word “escalator”, which was at first a trademarked name,
has become a common descriptive term.
Question 1. What is the topic of the passage?
A. the history of the escalator B. the differences between elevators and escalators
C. Jesse Reno’s invention D. how escalators work
Question 2. How long have elevators been produced as a mode of transport?
A. more than 50 years B. more than 75 years C. more than 100 years D. more than 150 years
Question 3. Which of the following is true of the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris?
A. It showed how money could be made from this new ride.
B. It introduced the escalator to the world.
C. It showed how versatile wood is in making things.
D. It showed a new use for the steam engine.
Question 4. Why has Otis been able to dominate escalator production?
A. It is the only company to produce commercial escalators.

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 B. It has improved escalator designs.
C. It designed the first escalator.
D. It bought all rights to escalator patents by 1910.
Question 5. The word “which” in paragraph 2 refers to
A. Otis Elevator Company B. patent
C. rights D. escalator
Question 6. Which is the best place for the following sentence?
“The first patent relating to an escalator-like machine was granted in 1859 to a Massachusetts man
for a steam-driven unit.”
A. [1] B. [2] C. [3] D. [4]
Question 7. The word “enhancing” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
A. selling B. designing C. improving D. finding
Question 8. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. The elevator was invented before the escalator.
B. The Otis Elevator Company is still producing escalators.
C. Escalators today are different from Jesse Reno’s.
D. all of the answers.
Question 9. Why does the author mention Coney Island?
A. The first escalator for practical transport was built there.
B. The first escalator was built there as an amusement park ride.
C. It was Jesse Reno’s hometown.
D. The Otis Elevator Company is located there.
Question 10. Complete the summary of the passage below by choosing the answer that contains the most
important information.
This passage discusses the development of the escalator. Jesse Reno patented the first escalator as a
ride in 1892. …………………………………..
A. Escalators are very common today as novelty rides at amusement parks.
B. An escalator designed by the Otis Elevator Company won a prize at the Exposition 1900 in Paris.
C. The Otis Elevator Company was the first to make a commercial escalator and has dominated
escalator production ever since.
D. The Otis Elevator Company bought Jesse Reno’s and Charles Seeberger’s patents.

PASSAGE 4
Stellar Astronomy
Stellar Astronomy Many parameters are used to describe a star. One of them is its temperature, which
can be determined by simple observation; the color of a star and its temperature are related. Once the
color of a star is identified, its temperature can be calculated through the use of scientific principles such
as Wien’s Law.
There are different types of stars in the universe. For our purposes, we can classify them into two
categories: variable and binary. Variable stars are those which show some degree of variability in their
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luminosity and magnitude. Luminosity refers to the amount of energy radiated by a star, while
magnitude refers to its brightness.
At time the degree of variability may be high, requiring a telescope with an equally high light-gathering
power. This can be achieved by using a lens of large diameter, such as that of a reflecting telescope.
Binary stars are those found in pairs that revolve around a common center.
The closest star to the sun, Proxima Centauri, is a binary star. To observe a binary star, the resolving
power of a telescope – its ability to distinguish between two close objects having a small angular
separation – must be very high. Stellar astronomy is possible for a everyone, well beyond mere looking
at the sky with the naked eye in order to identify constellations. With two basic of telescopes and
rudimentary knowledge, much exploration can be achieved.
Question 1. What is the topic of the passage?
A. Types of stars and how to observe them.
B. The differences between binary and variable stars
C. Types of telescopes
D. The color and temperature of stars
Question 2. The temperature of a star can be determined by its
A. Size B. Color C. Movement D. Luminosity
Question 3. Which of the following is true of variable stars?
A. They vary in brightness
B. They rotate around each other.
C. They vary in color.
D. The size of the telescope must vary in order to observe them.
Question 4. Why does the author write that “stellar astronomy is possible for everyone”?
A. To emphasize that it is easy to become an astronomer
B. To encourage people to try observing stars
C. To show that most people know a lot about stars
D. To explain why astronomy is popular
Question 5. Why does a telescope need to have a high-gathering ability?
A. To view stars which do not give off very much light
B. To view stars with a high variability
C. To support a lens of large diameter
D. All of the above
Question 6. The word “parameters” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to
A. Measurements B. Laws C. Categories D. Numbers
Question 7. The word “ rudimentary” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to
A. Advanced B. Formal C. Basic D. Important
Question 8. The word “radiated” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
A. Received B. Sent out C. Burnt D. Controlled

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PASSAGE 5
PLANET EARTH
The planet Earth is 4,600 million years old. It is difficult for us to think about such an enormous length of
time because it has little meaning for us. We can, however, simplify the idea to make it more
understandable. We can compare a Planet Earth to a person of forty-six years of age.
Nothing is known about the first seven years of this person’s life. Very little information exists about the
middle period either. It was only at the age of forty-two that Earth began to flower.
Dinosaurs and great reptiles did not appear until one year ago, when the planet was forty-five. Mammals
only arrived eight months ago. In the middle of last week, man-like apes became ape-like man and began
to communicate with each other. Last weekend, the Ice Age covered the Earth.
Modern man has only been around for four hours. During the last hour man discovered agriculture. The
Industrial Revolution and the rise of large cities began just sixty seconds ago.
During that short time, modern man has made a rubbish tip of the Earth. In one minute, he has increased
his numbers to terrible proportions, and has caused the death of hundreds of species of animals. He has
robbed and destroyed the planet in his search of fuels. Now he stands, like a violent, spoilt child,
delighted at the speed of his rise to power, on the edge of the final mass destruction and of killing all the
life which exists in the solar system.
Question 1. The passage tells us that
A. a great deal is known about how the Earth was created.
B. life on Earth began relatively recently.
C. more is known about the first part of the Earth’s life than the middle part.
D. Scientists are well-informed about the middle part of the Earth’s life.
Question 2. We are informed by the author that
A. the dinosaurs appeared during the middle period.
B. mammals and great reptiles both appeared at the same time.
C. there were more than forty-five kind of great reptiles.
D. ape-like men appeared before the last Ice Age.
Question 3. The author is mainly interested in
A. the time when the man first evolved from apes.
B. what has happened since the Industrial Revolution.
C. the effects of farming.
D. the period before the last Ice Age.
Question 4. It would appear that the main danger ahead is that
A. man will destroy everything on Earth. B. man will use up all the fuels.
C. there will be a population explosion. D. more species of animals may die out.
Question 5. he author’s general view of man seems to be that
A. he has no right to be so destructive. B. he has been the most successful animal.
C. he will be able to control the environment. D. he has learnt a lot from past mistakes.

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 ĐÁP ÁN
1-D 2-B 3-C 4-B 5-B
6-D 7-C 8-B 9-D 10-C

LỜI GIẢI CHI TIẾT

Question 1: D
planes = máy bay
Question 2: B
describe the possibilities for transportation in the future = mô tả khả năng về giao thông trong tương lai
Question 3: C
automated freeways = các con đường được tự động hóa
Question 4: B
concentrated = được tập trung
Question 5: B
a dependable source of electric energy will eventually be developed
Thông tin ở đoạn sau: “Although electric … and trolleys.” (Dù các xe bằng điện sẽ không thực sự thiết
thực cho đến khi các pin khỏe và rắn chắc hoặc một nguồn năng lượng đáng tin cậy nào đó đi vào cuộc
sống thường ngày: ô tô điện ngắn hạn, các ô tô ba bánh, xe tải chở hàng bằng điện, xe đạp và xe đẩy tay.)
Question 6: D
equipped with charging devices
Thông tin ở đoạn sau:”Public parking spots … a concert” (Các khu vực để xe công cộng trên đường hoặc
ở các khu thương mại sẽ cần phải được trang bị các thiết bị mà cho phép người lái xe sạc pin của họ
trongkhi họ dừng lại, dùng bữa hoặc tham gia một buổi nhạc hội.)
Question 7: C
electricity = nạp điện

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Question 8: B
electricity is the best alternative source of power as it is almost free of pollution = điện là nguồn năng
lượng thay thế tốt nhất vì nó hầu như không gây ô nhiễm.)
Question 9: D
combination = sự phối hợp
Question 10: C
daily travelers = người đi lại hàng ngày

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