EXAMPLE

Passage 1:

W e get great pleasure from reading. The more advanced a man is, the greater delight he will find in
reading. The ordinary man may think that subjects like philosophy or science are very difficult
and that if philosophers and scientists read these subjects, it is not for pleasure.
But this is not true. The mathematician finds the same pleasure in his mathematics as the school
boy in an adventure story. For both, it is a play of the imagination, a mental recreation and exercise. The
pleasure derived from this activity is common to all kinds of reading. But different types of books give us
different types of pleasure. First in order of popularity is novel-reading. Novels contain pictures of
imaginary people in imaginary situations, and give us an opportunity of escaping into a new world very
much like our world and yet different from it. Here we seem to live a new life, and the experience of this
new life gives us a thrill of pleasure. Next in order of popularity are travel books, biographies and
memoirs. These tell us tales of places we have not seen and of great men in whom we are interested.
Some of these books are as wonderful as novels, and they have an added value that they are true.
Such books give us knowledge, and we also find immense pleasure in knowing details of lands we have
not seen and of great men we have only heard of.
Reading is one of the greatest enjoyments of life. To book-lovers, nothing is more fascinating
than a favorite book. And, the ordinary educated man who is interested and absorbed in his daily
occupation wants to occasionally escape from his drudgery into the wonderland of books for recreation
and refreshment.
(Source: http://www.importantindia.com)
Question 1: What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. Different types of books. B. Different kinds of reading.
C. Reading as an exercise for the brain. D. Reading as a pleasurable activity.

Passage 2:

P lants and animals will find it difficult to escape from or adjust to the effect of global warming.
Scientists have already observerd shifts in the lifecycles of many plants and animals, such as flowers
blooming earlier and birds hatching earlier in the spring. Many species have begun shifting where they
live or their annual migration patterns due to warmer temperatures.
With further warming, animals will tend to migrate toward the poles and up mountainsides
toward higher elevations. Plants will also attempt to shift their ranges, seeking new areas as old habitats
grow too warm. In many places, however, human development will prevent these shifts. Species that find
cities or farmland blocking their way north or south may become extinct. Species living in unique
ecosystems, such as those found in polar and mountantop regions, are especially at risk because migration
to new habitats is not possible. For example, polar bears and marine mammals in the Arctic are already
threatened by dwindling sea ice but have nowhere farther to go.
Projecting species extinction due to global warming is extremely difficult. Some scientists have
estimated that 20 to 50 percent of species could be committed to extiction with 2 to 3 Celsius degrees of
further warming. The rate of warming, not just the magnitude, is extremely important for plants and
animals. Some species and even entire ecosystems, such as certain types of forest, many not be able to
adjust quickly enough and may disappear.
Ocean ecosystems, especially fragile ones like coral reefs, will also be affected by global
warming. Warmer ocean temperatures can cause coral to "bleach", a state which if prolonged will lead to
the death of the coral. Scientists estimate that even 1 Celsius degree of additional warming could lead to
widespread bleaching and death of coral reefs around the world. Also increasing carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere enters the ocean and increases the acidity of ocean waters. This acidification furter stresses
ocean ecosystems.
(Đề thi tiếng Anh kì thi THPT quốc gia 2015)
Question 1: What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. Influence of climate changes on human lifestyles.
B. Effects of global warming on animals and plants.
C. Global warming and possible solutions
D. Global warming and species migration.

Passage 3:

T he Renaissance period in Europe, spanning from the 14th to the 17th century, was a time of
immense cultural, artistic, and intellectual growth. It marked a revival of interest in classical
learning, humanism, and scientific inquiry. During this era, there was a surge in artistic achievements,
with renowned painters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael producing masterpieces
that continue to inspire awe and admiration. The Renaissance also saw advancements in literature,
architecture, and music, as well as significant developments in fields like anatomy and astronomy.
Question 1: What is the main focus of the passage?
A. The life and works of Leonardo da Vinci
B. Artistic achievements during the Renaissance
C. Scientific advancements in anatomy and astronomy
D. Cultural revival in Europe