Adventure Travel

Are you a bit bored with your nine-to-five routine? Have (6) ______ at our exciting range of holidays and decide what type of adventure you’d like. Our activity holidays are for everyone – people who love meeting challenges or who just like sports. We have a(n) (7) ______ of water, snow, or desert holidays. We’ll take you scuba diving in the Red Sea or kayaking in Canada. If you (8) ______ snow, you can try skiing or snowboarding in the Alps. There is (9) ______ greater adventure than travelling to the ends of the Earth. A once-in-a-lifetime experience! (10) ______ you want to try something new, this is your opportunity. So, how about choosing an adventure holiday? You’ll enjoy beautiful scenery and (11) ______ activities.

(Adapted from https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org)

Kids Under 13 Using Social Media

Earlier this week, the Australian government announced it is planning to introduce a social media ban for children under 13. A(n) (12) ______ report shows that a significant percentage of children aged 8 to 13 use social media platforms. Therefore, parents should (13) ______ kids use these platforms safely. One way to do this is parents can model good behaviour by limiting their own usage of (14) ______.

Many parents also believe that schools should teach kids (15) ______ literacy. More importantly, schools and governments must work together (16) ______. This includes (17) ______ in a way that it does not affect their well-being.

(Adapted from https://theconversation.com/)

a. - I totally understand. I'll make sure to check it thoroughly before sending it over.

b. - Sure, but could you double-check the formatting first? There were a few errors last time.

c. - Hey, have you had a chance to finalize the report for our project?

d. - Yes, I'm just about done with it. I'll email it to you by tonight.

e. - Great! Thanks for handling it. I appreciate the extra effort.

PASSAGE 1

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the questions.

On his first day of school, Pat Fitzsimmons was bullied. From that moment on, he did not like school. He struggled through it until he could finally leave at the age of 15, lacking even basic skills. After leaving school, Pat worked in a knitwear factory and later on a building site. His supervisors noticed his potential and offered him an apprenticeship to become a plasterer. As a plasterer, he earned enough money to get by, but his inability to read and write still bothered him. “When it came to forms and dealing with banks – I couldn’t do any of that. Because I couldn’t read, spell, or write, which was a major challenge and an embarrassment. But that was just the reality of my education and who I was,” said Pat.

When Pat could no longer work in construction, he knew he had to take action. [I] He slowly learned to read and took up something he had always enjoyed: the arts. [II] Evening art classes helped him re-enter education. [III] His teacher, Karen, spotted Pat’s talent and encouraged him to go to art college. [IV] Empowered by her, Pat went to the Institute of Design and Technology where a great team of teachers encouraged him further to pursue his learning journey.

With financial support from a grant and encouragement from his teachers, Pat thrived in college. The support from the staff helped him fill out forms and apply for financial aid. His college experience was entirely different from his time in school, and after four years of hard work, Pat graduated. “When I graduated, I found it amazing because I thought that was the day that was never going to come. That was the day I thought I would never see because I was going to be a drop-out. I was convinced that I could not do this. But the encouragement from the college and the teachers was so great. They made me believe, not in the education, but in myself!” said Pat Fitzsimmons.

(Adapted from https://www.unesco.org)

PASSAGE 2

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the questions.

Rice’s whales, found off the coast of Florida, are incredibly rare marine mammals. Scientists recently identified them as a distinct species, previously thought to be a type of Bryde’s whale. This discovery was both thrilling and concerning. On one hand, it's unusual to find a new mammal species, especially one as large as Rice’s whale, which can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh as much as 30 tons. On the other hand, the realization that these magnificent creatures are critically endangered is alarming. Researchers estimate there are only 51 left, making them one of the scarcest marine mammals globally.

Living in the Gulf of Mexico, Rice’s whales face numerous threats. Their habitat is located in a busy shipping corridor, putting them at constant risk of collisions with vessels. Military activities, oil and gas exploration, and pollution further endanger their survival. The Gulf oil spill in 2010 affected nearly half of their habitat, killing about 17% of the remaining population, sickening another 18%, and causing reproductive issues in nearly a quarter of females.

To better understand and protect Rice’s whales, scientists are conducting research projects in collaboration with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. One recent study used the whales' unique vocalizations to track their movements. Surprisingly, the study found that these whales venture beyond their usual range, traveling as far west as the coast of Texas. This information is crucial for developing conservation strategies.

Protecting Rice’s whales involves addressing various human activities that threaten their survival. Measures to reduce vessel strikes and mitigate the impacts of oil and gas exploration are essential. Additionally, minimizing noise pollution, particularly from seismic testing, is crucial as it impinges on the whales' communication and navigation abilities.

Efforts to raise awareness and garner support for Rice’s whale conservation are underway. Marine scientists and conservationists are urging governments to take action to protect these majestic creatures. Lawsuits are being made to stop activities that pose a threat to their survival, such as airgun blasting used in oil and gas exploration.

Despite the challenges, there is hope for the future of Rice’s whales. By understanding their behavior and habitat needs, we can implement effective conservation measures to ensure their survival. With concerted efforts from scientists, governments, and the public, we can prevent the extinction of this critically endangered species and ensure a brighter future for Rice’s whales.

(Adapted from https://www.nationalgeographic.com)

Complete the text below with the correct form of the words in capitals.

Severe heatwaves are becoming more frequent due to rising global temperatures, and their effects are felt across the globe. Even countries that are (1) ______ far from the areas most affected by extreme heat will face economic consequences as supply chains are disrupted. Studies have shown that if emissions are not (2) ______, the total annual losses could be significantly higher by 2060, with some estimates reaching $25 trillion. This would represent the worst financial crisis in history. Heatwaves not only result in more deaths, but they also prevent (3) ______ workers from being productive, leading to decreases in industrial output. Governments (4) ______ need to cooperate and give the greenlight for policies aimed at reducing emissions and protecting vulnerable industries.

(Adapted from https://www.newscientist.com)

Thí sinh điền đáp án tại đây: (29)

Thí sinh điền đáp án tại đây: (30)

Thí sinh điền đáp án tại đây: (31)

Thí sinh điền đáp án tại đây: (32)

Thí sinh điền đáp án tại đây: (33)