Câu 650:

Logical thinking and problem solving: Choose A, B C or D to answer each question.

You’re at a community garden and notice that the leaves of the tomato plants are wilting in the afternoon, even though you watered them in the morning. What is the likely cause?

A. The plants need more sunlight.

B. The soil isn't retaining moisture well enough.

C. The plants have a disease that causes wilting.

D. The tomatoes need less water than you’re giving them.

Câu 649:

Logical thinking and problem solving: Choose A, B C or D to answer each question.

The members of a city council wanted to assess the opinions of all city residents about converting an open field into a dog park. The council surveyed a sample of 500 city residents who own dogs. The survey showed that the majority of those sampled were in favor of the dog park. Which of the following is true about the city council’s survey?

A. It shows that the majority of city residents are in favor of the dog park.

B. The survey sample should have included more residents who are dog owners.

C. The survey sample should have consisted entirely of residents who do not own dogs.

D. The survey sample is biased because it is not representative of all city residents.

Câu 648:

Logical thinking and problem solving: Choose A, B C or D to answer each question.

Which of the following situations best exemplifies “caution” where someone takes care in order to avoid danger or mistakes?

A. James misses the deadlines which he is assigned to complete in 2 days. He apologizes and assures me that he will fulfill the task as soon as possible.

B. James takes on the role of team leader in a new project. He makes a plan, conducts thorough research, and assigns tasks to team members before running the project.

C. James refuses to undertake new tasks because he will take a holiday.

D. James joins a new project team to work with many experts from other companies. He tries his best to cooperate with them but nobody cares about him.

Câu 647:

Logical thinking and problem solving: Choose A, B C or D to answer each question.

A study was done on the weights of different types of fish in a pond. A random sample of fish were caught and marked in order to ensure that none were weighed more than once. The sample contained 150 largemouth bass, of which 30% weighed more than 2 pounds. Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the sample data?

A. The majority of all fish in the pond weigh less than 2 pounds.

B. The average weight of all fish in the pond is approximately 2 pounds.

C. Approximately 30% of all fish in the pond weigh more than 2 pounds.

D. Approximately 30% of all largemouth bass in the pond weigh more than 2 pounds.

Câu 646:

Logical thinking and problem solving: Choose A, B C or D to answer each question.

You’ve noticed that every time someone walks past a particular table, the glasses on the table shake slightly. What is the likely cause?

        A. The glasses are not positioned properly.        B. The table is wobbly and needs adjustment.

        C. The floor is slippery near the table.        D. The restaurant is too crowded.

1. Badminton, court or lawn game played with lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock. Historically, the shuttlecock (also known as a “bird” or “birdie”) was a small cork hemisphere with 16 goose feathers attached and weighing about 0.17 ounce (5 grams). These types of shuttles may still be used in modern play, but shuttles made from synthetic materials are also allowed by the Badminton World Federation. The game is named for Badminton, the country estate of the dukes of Beaufort in Gloucestershire, England, where it was first played about 1873. The roots of the sport can be traced to ancient Greece, China, and India, and it is closely related to the old children’s game battledore and shuttlecock. Badminton is derived directly from poona, which was played by British army officers stationed in India in the 1860s. The first unofficial all-England badminton championships for men were held in 1899, and the first badminton tournament for women was arranged the next year.

2. The Badminton World Federation (BWF; originally the International Badminton Federation), the world governing body of the sport, was formed in 1934. Badminton is also popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and Denmark. The BWF’s first world championships were held in 1977. A number of regional, national, and zonal badminton tournaments are held in several countries. The best-known of these is the All-England Championships. Other well-known international tournaments include the Thomas Cup (donated 1939) for men’s team competition and the Uber Cup (donated 1956) for women’s team competition.

3. Badminton first appeared in the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport in 1972 and as an exhibition sport in 1988. At the 1992 Games it became a full-medal Olympic sport, with competition for men’s and women’s singles (one against one) and doubles (two against two). Mixed doubles was introduced at the 1996 Games.

4. Competitive badminton is usually played indoors because even light winds affect the course of the shuttlecock. (Recreational badminton, on the other hand, is a popular outdoor summertime activity.) The rectangular court is 44 feet (13.4 metres) long and 17 feet (5.2 metres) wide for singles, 20 feet (6.1 metres) wide for doubles. A net 5 feet (1.5 metres) high stretches across the width of the court at its centre. A clear space of 4 feet (1.3 metres) around the court is needed. Play consists entirely of volleying—hitting the shuttlecock back and forth across the net without letting it touch the floor or ground within the boundaries of the court.

5. In international play, athletes compete in best-of-three-games matches. A game is played to 21 points, provided that the winner has at least a 2-point advantage. If a 2-point advantage is never reached, the first player or team to score 30 points wins. Points were only awarded to the serving side until 2006, when the BWF adopted the “rally scoring” system, under which either side can score at any time.

Choose an option (A, B, C, D) that best answers each question from 641 to 645.

Câu 641:

What does the passage mainly about?

A. The history of badminton and how it is played and organized. (1)

B. The badminton Olympics throughout the year. (2)

C. How to play badminton. (3)

D. The popularity of badminton in daily life and in international games. (4)

Câu 642:

According to paragraph 1, what is the word “synthetic” closest in meaning to?

        A. elementary.        B. authentic.        C. man-made.        D. natural.

Câu 643:

In paragraph 5, what does the word “which” refer to?

        A. the “rally scoring” system        B. the BWF.

        C. the serving side.                D. score.

Câu 644:

According to the passage, what is the most popular badminton tournament?

        A. The Olympics.        B. The All – England.        C. The Thomas Cup.        D. The Uber Cup.

Câu 645:

“In an international badminton match, player A scores 27 points and player B scores 26 points.” According to the fifth paragraph, what is the fastest way for player B to win the match?

        A. Wins another point.                B. Scores up to point 28.

        C. Reaches point 30 before team A.        D. Wins 3 points in a row.

1. Have you ever heard some superstitions about birds? Usually, birds are considered bad luck, or even a sign of imminent death. For example, all over the world, both crows and ravens have some connection to war, and death. In early times, crows and ravens were thought to accompany the gods of war, or be signs of the gods’ approaching arrival. This idea later changed. Crows in particular were thought to be harbingers of ill fortune or, in some cases, guides to the afterlife. Woe be it to the person who saw a single crow or raven flying overhead, for this was most certainly a portent of death in the near future.

2. Interestingly, though potentially bad luck for people individually, the raven is considered to be good luck for the crown of England. So much so, in fact, that a “raven master” is, even today, an actual government position in London. He takes care of the ravens there and also clips their wings, ensuring that these birds can never fly far from the seat of the British government. This way, the kingdom will never fall to ill fortune.

3. Another bird that is thought to play a part in forecasting the fortunes of people is the swallow. Depending on how and when it is seen, the swallow can be a harbinger of either good or ill fortune. Perhaps inspired by the swallow’s red-brown breast, Christian people initially related the swallow to the death of Jesus Christ. Thus, people who saw a swallow fly through their house considered it a portent of death. Later, however, farmers began to consider swallows signs of good fortune. Any barn that has swallows living in it is sure to be blessed in the following year. Farmers also have to beware of killing a swallow; that would be certain to end any good luck they might have had.

4. Though many people think these superstitions are old wives’ tales, there is actually some evidence to support them. For example, crows and ravens, being scavengers, appear at the aftermath of battles. Thus, large numbers of crows and ravens could be good indications of war in an area. As well, swallows feed on insects that can cause infections in cattle. Thus, a farmer who has many swallows in his barn may actually have healthier animals on his farm. Therefore, the next time you feel inclined to laugh at an old wives’ tale, maybe you had better find out if there is any truth to it first!

Choose an option (A, B, C or D) that best answers each question from 636 to 640.

Câu 636:

What is the main idea of this reading?

A. Birds bring bad luck. (1)

B. Don’t look a crow in the eye. (2)

C. There are many superstitions surrounding birds. (3)

D. Birds are important to English people. (4)

Câu 637:

The word "portent" in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to ___________.

        A. sign        B. coming        C. symbol        D. destruction

Câu 638:

Which is NOT true, according to the reading?

A. Some superstitions are based on reality (1)

B. Seeing a swallow is a sign of war and death in the future. (2)

C. Ravens bring good luck for the country of England. (3)

D. Crows eat dead animals. (4)

Câu 639:

The word "old wives’ tales" in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ___________.

A. stories told by housewives in the past. (1)

B. old beliefs which have been proved to be scientifically true. (2)

C. folk beliefs passed down from generation to generation without any reason of science. (3)

D. folk tales about wives that were passed on to people in a spoken form. (4)

Câu 640:

How might a farmer attempt to prevent bad luck?

        A. Catch a raven.                B. Keep his windows open.

        C. Follow a crow.                D. Avoid harming a swallow.

The Red Cross is a global humanitarian organization committed to _____ (631) emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education worldwide. _____ (632), the organization began as a movement to care for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Over time, it has grown into a vast network that _____ (633) a wide range of human needs, supporting people during crises across the globe.

Guided by the principles of impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, the Red Cross strives to assist people without discrimination regardless of their nationality, race, religious beliefs, or political opinions. This commitment ensures that their aid reaches _____ (634).

The Red Cross provides essential services such as medical aid, food, shelter, and psychological support in times of need, including during global health emergencies like COVID-19. Besides, it focuses on long-term health initiatives, blood donation drives, and training in first aid and disaster response, fostering _____ (635) within communities.

Now, the organization has millions of members in nearly every country. Together with the Red Crescent Societies, the Red Cross has become one of the world’s largest and most respected humanitarian networks.

Câu 631:

        A. providing        B. provide        C. provided        D. provides

Câu 632:

A. Founded in 1863 by Swiss businessman Henry Dunant

B. It was established in 1863 by Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman

C. Which was founded in 1863 by Swiss business Henry Dunant

D. Having founded in 1863 by Swiss businessman Henry Dunant

Câu 633:

        A. transforms        B. suggests        C. determines        D. addresses

Câu 634:

        A. people need it most                B. those who need it most

        C. someone living in poor conditions.        D. individuals who are injured.

Câu 635:

        A. collaboration        B. assistance        C. resilience        D. exchange

Câu 630:

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that best combines each pair of sentences in the following questions.

They have lived near a chemical plant for many years. Some villagers have now developed cancer.

A. Because of the fact having lived near a chemical plant for, some villagers have now developed cancer. (1)

B. Because they have lived near a chemical plant for many years so some villagers have now developed cancer. (2)

C. Living near a chemical plant for many years, some villagers have now developed cancer. (3)

D. Having lived near a chemical plant for many years, some villagers have now developed cancer. (4)

Câu 629:

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that best combines each pair of sentences in the following questions.

Her living conditions were not good. She studied very well.

A. Difficult as her living conditions were, she studied very well. (1)

B. She studied very well just because she lived in difficult conditions. (2)

C. Living in difficult conditions forced she to study very well. (3)

D. Living in difficult conditions, she had no choice but to study well. (4)