Question 6 – 10: Each of the following sentences has one error (A, B, C or D). Find it and blacken your choice on your answer sheet.

Câu 6: The ancient people whose perception of life was determined by a belief in mysterious phenomena considered its existence a game of chance governed by their gods' good-will.

Question 11 – 15: Which of the following best restates each of the given sentences?

Câu 11: The north of Italy is directly responsible for the country's place among the world's top industrial nations.

Question 16 – 22: Read the passage carefully. Choose an option (A, B, C, or D) that best answers each question.

Scientists have discovered a bizarre link between music and cheese. Different genres of music affect the way cheese matures. A top Swiss cheese maker and a team of researchers from Switzerland's Bern University conducted a six-month test to look into the effect music had on the maturation process of Emmental cheese. After the cheese had matured, it was sampled and assessed by the researchers and a jury of culinary cheese experts. The researchers found that cheese that had been played hip-hop had a stronger aroma and flavor than the other samples. The cheese aficionados reached the same conclusion as the researchers – the hip-hop cheese was the tastiest.

The experiment involved exposing different cheeses to a 24-hour, non-stop musical loop. A music player directed sound waves at the cheese for six months. The experiment was titled “Cheese in Surround Sound”. The music included Mozart's “The Magic Flute,” Led Zeppelins rock classic “Stairway to Heaven,” and A Tribe Called Quest's hip-hop tune “Jazz (We've Got)”. A researcher explained the differences in taste. He said: “Bacteria are responsible for the formation of the taste of cheese, with the enzymes that influence its maturity. I am convinced that humidity, temperature or nutrients are not the only things that influence taste. Sounds, ultrasounds or music can also have physical effects.”

Câu 16: What is the passage mainly about?

Question 23 – 30: Read the passage carefully. Choose an option (A, B, C, or D) that best answers each question.

Poaching and hunting have long been practices that humans engage in for food, clothing, and profit. However, when these activities target animals listed in the Red Book of endangered species, the consequences become catastrophic. These creatures are often on the brink of extinction, and further exploitation puts their survival at greater risk. The illegal hunting of elephants for ivory, tigers for their skins and bones, and pangolins for their scales are just a few examples of how human greed threatens biodiversity. Such activities are often driven by the demand for luxury goods or traditional medicines, particularly in affluent markets.

The consequences of hunting and poaching extend beyond the loss of individual species. Ecosystems are intricate networks where every organism plays a vital role. The extinction or severe depletion of a species can destabilize the entire ecosystem. For instance, the loss of a top predator like the tiger can lead to an overpopulation of herbivores, resulting in the degradation of vegetation and habitat. Similarly, the disappearance of elephants, known as ecosystem engineers, would significantly alter landscapes, affecting countless other species.

Efforts to combat these practices have been challenging. Governments and conservation organizations have implemented strict laws and international agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to protect endangered animals. Yet, enforcement remains a problem in many regions due to corruption, lack of funding, and insufficient manpower. Additionally, the demand for illegal wildlife products persists, making it difficult to stop poaching altogether.

Public awareness and education play an essential role in addressing this crisis. Communities are encouraged to value wildlife not as commodities but as vital components of the planet's health. Moreover, sustainable alternatives, such as eco-tourism and community-driven conservation projects, have shown promise. By involving local populations in conservation efforts, these initiatives provide economic benefits while reducing the incentives for poaching and hunting endangered species.

The battle to protect endangered animals is far from over, but small victories provide hope. The recovery of species like the giant panda and the humpback whale demonstrates that concerted efforts can yield positive results. It is crucial to continue raising awareness, strengthening laws, and reducing consumer demand for products derived from endangered animals. Only through such combined efforts can humanity ensure a future for these irreplaceable creatures.

Câu 23: What is the main idea of the passage?