GUIDED CLOZE 1

1)READING PEOPLE
Recently I went out to dinner with a friend and her new boyfriend. She had been 1…………for
weeks about what a kind, considerate, engaging person he was. He had truly 2………..her off
her feet. Within minutes of meeting him I thought “Boy, he has got her fooled!” At the
restaurant, he curtly announced his reservation to the maitred’ without so 3……………as a
glimmer of courtesy. He proceeded to interrogate the waiter about the menu as if he were
conducting a criminal investigation, and then 4……………..at the young man who brushed
against him as he served his water. Meanwhile, he was exuding charm and grace to those of us
at the table whom he 5………..worthy of his attention and good humor. It was clear to me that
he was a nice guy only when it 6……………his purpose. “Little people” didn’t rate. Truly
kind, thoughtful and confident people do not treat others in dramatically different ways
depending on their mood or their perception of what someone can do for them.
1. A. acclaiming B. fuming C. raving D. extolling
2. A. plucked B. swept C. dragged D. hoisted
3. A. much B. far C. great D. long
4. A. winked B. glared C. peeped D. eyed
5. A. pondered B. discriminated C. weighed D. deemed
6. A. met B. realized C. performed D. served
2) THE JOURNEY
The car had again failed to start, and Elizabeth was again compelled to take the train. She
bought a cup of coffee down the rocking carriage, 1………………as the boiling fluid seeped
out from under the lid and onto her hand. The heating was turned up 2……………and most of
the people in the carriage seemed on the 3……………..of unconsciousness as they looked out
of the window at the flatlands sliding past the window. Elizabeth had telephoned the matron of
the house, who told her that Brenna was barely worth visiting, but that he would see her if she
came. She felt excited by the 4……………of actually meeting someone from that era. She
would be like a historian who, after working from other histories, finally 5……………hands on
original source material. She had an unclear picture of Brennan in her mind, although she knew
he would be old and, 6…………….from what the matron had said, decrepit.
1 A. leering B. squinting C. wincing D. smirking
2 A. top B. full C. maximum D. peak
3 A. verge B. rim C. fringe D. border
4 A. prospect B. outlook C. foresight D. viewpoint
5. A. sets B. rests C. casts D. lays
6. A. reflecting B. accounting C. judging D. rating
Source: CPE Practice Tests Oxford
3) THE LANGUAGE OF TEARS
The ability to weep is a uniquely human form of emotional response. Some scientists have
suggested that human tears are evidence of an aquatic past- but this does not seem very likely.
We cry from the moment we enter this (1) ……. for a number of reasons. Helpless babies cry
to (2) ……. their parents that they are ill, hungry or uncomfortable. As they (3) …….., they
will also cry just to attract parental attention and will often stop when they get it.
The idea that having a good cry can do you (4) ……. is a very old one and now it has scientific
validity since recent research into tears has shown that they contain a natural painkiller called
enkaphalin. By (5) …….. sorrow and pain, this chemical helps you to feel better. Weeping can
1
increase the quantities of enkaphalin you (6) ……….
Unfortunately, in our society we impose restrictions (7) …….. this naturally healing activity.
Because some people still regard it as a ……… of weakness in men, boys in particular are
admonished when they cry. This kind of repression can only increase stress, both emotionally
and physically.
Tears of emotion also help the body (9) ……… itself of toxic chemical waste, for there is
more protein in them than in tears resulting (10) …….. cold winds or other irritants. Crying
comforts, calms people and can be very enjoyable- consider the popularity of the highly
emotional films which are commonly called weepies. It seems that people enjoy crying
together almost as much as laughing together.
1. A. world B. place C. earth D. space
2. A. inform B. communicate C. persuade D. demonstrate
3. A. evolve B. develop C. alter D. change
4. A. good B. fine C. better D. well
5. A. struggling B. fighting C. opposing D. striking
6. A. construct B. achieve C. provide D. produce
7. A. for B. to C. about D. upon
8. A. hint B. feature C. sign D. symbol
9. A. expel B. escape C. release D. rid
10. A. in B. from C. by D. to
4) It is true that there have been great (1) _____ in technology over the last forty
years. For examples, the uses of mobile phones and email communication are common these
days. (2) _____, machines could never do as good a job as a human, especially when it (3)
_____ to interpreting what people are (4) _____. Of course, machines can translate plain
statements such as “Where is the bank?” but even simple statements are not always (5) _____
because meaning depends on more than just (6)_____. For instance, the word “bank” has a (7)
_____ of different meanings in English. How does a translating machine know which meaning
to take?
In order to understand what people are saying, you need to take into account the
(8) _____ between speakers and their situation. A machine cannot (9)_____ the
difference between the English expressing “Look out” meaning “Be careful!” and “Look out”
meaning “Put your head out of the window”. You need a human being to (10) _____ the
situation.
(11)_____ with written language, it is difficult for a machine to know how to translate (12)
_____ because we rarely translate every word (13) _____ the contrary, we try to take into
consideration how the idea would be (14) _____ in the other language. This is hard to do
because every language has its own way of (15) _____ and saying this.
Question 1: A. steps B. progress C. advantages D. advances
Question 2: A. Moreover B. Besides C. However D. In addition
Question 3: A. goes B. reaches C. comes D. arrives
Question 4: A. talking B. saying C. telling D. speaking
Question 5: A. direct B. obvious C. straightforward D. straight
Question 6: A. sentences B. grammar C. vocabulary D. words
Question 7: A. variety B. couple C. plenty D. number
Question 8: A. relationship B. relations C. attitude D. action
Question 9: A. speak B. tell C. say D. talk
Question 10: A. interpret B. believe C. think D. understand
2
Question 11: A. Similarly B. However C. In contrast D. In addition
Question 12: A. accurately B. righteously C. exactly D. rightfully
Question 13: A. For B. With C. On D. By
Question 14: A. expressed B. said C. translated D. spoken
Question 15: A.. creating B. working C. doing D. making

5) Stressful situations that (1)________ almost everyday in life seem to be unavoidable.

However, we can do little sometimes to avoid a misfortune or an unpleasant occurrence which
may (2)________ us unexpectedly as only it can. At such a moment, one may hit the
(3)_______, give in to the helplessness of the situation or, ideally, put a brave face on it trying
to (4)_________ the burden.
Can you (5)_________ in your mind an hour spent in a traffic jam, say, this morning? Do you
light one cigarette after another? Do you sound the horn every few seconds like the other
neurotics? Or do you take a different (6)________ and make good use of the time drawing up a
schedule for the days to come? To withstand the stressful moment you can also do a crossword
puzzle, listen to your favorite music or even compose a menu for your Sunday dinner.
In fact, whatever way you (7)________ to the annoying situation, you can exert no impact on it
as the traffic jam will only reduce in due (8)_________. Nevertheless, your reaction might
considerably influence your mood for the rest of the day. The inability to confront a stressful
occurrence like that with a deal of composure and sensibility adds much more strain to your life
and in this way puts your well – being in (9)_________. Surprisingly, it is seemingly negligible
hardships we stumble on daily that run double the risk of developing serious health disorders
rather than our isolated tragedies however painful they may be. (10)_______that so many of
those wretched stresses and inducing troubles affect us in a day, we should, at best, try to avoid
them or possibly make radical alterations in the way we lead our daily lifestyles.
1. A. devise B. create C. originate D. emerge
2. A. arise B. happen C. befall D. occur
3. A. post B. roof C. bottom D. wall
4. A. subsist B. remain C. cow D. bear
5. A. envision B. observe C. picture D. image
6. A. manner B. stance C. practice D. mode
7. A. strike B. deal C. respond D. challenge
8. A. term B. course C. timing D. period
9. A. risk B. weakness C. insecurity D. jeopardy
10. A. Providing B. Given C. Hence D. As

6) NOISE POLLUTION
Noise is more than a mere nuisance. At certain levels and durations of exposure , it can cause
physical damage to the eardrum, and (1)……………… in temperature or permanent hearing
loss . In addition to causing hearing loss,(2)…………. Noise exposure can also(3)…………..
blood pressure and pulse rates , cause irritability, anxiety , and mental fatigue , and interfere
with sleep , recreation , and personal communication . Noise pollution control is , therefore , (4)
……… importance in the workplace and in the community.
Noise effects can be (5)……………….. by a number of techniques, for example , increasing
the distance or blocking the path between the noise source and the recipient. Reducing noise
levels at the source , and (6)……………………. recipient with earplugs or earmuffs .
Increasing path distance is very effective because ,as a sound wave spreads outward from the
3
source , the fixed(7)…………….. of energy in the wave is dissipated over an ever-expanding
wave front . Path barriers (8)……………… walls , ceilings , and floors can be effective by
absorbing as well as reflecting sound energy. Special earmuffs are (9)……………. To protect
industrial and construction workers . The best way (10)…………. Noise pollution is to reduce
the sound levels at the source, for instance, by improving design, muffling machinery and
engines , and properly maintaining and lubricating machinery to reduce vibrations.
1) A. bring B. result C. create D. affect
2) A. exceedingly B. excess C. excessively D. excessive
3) A. enlarge B. maximize C. raise D. rise
4) A. for B. of C. at D. within
5) A. done B. created C. brought D. minimized
6) A. protecting B. protect C. protected D. protects
7) A. kind B. type C. amount D. number
8) A. as B. such as C. like D. or
9) A. available B. ready C. accessible D. enough
10) A. prevent B. preventing C. for preventing D. to prevent

7) ĐỀ HSG HẢI PHÒNG 2016

The combination of music and study has long been a source of disagreement between adults
and children. Parents and teachers alike maintain that silence is important when learning,
(1) ______youngsters insist that their favourite sounds help them concentrate.

Now a study shows that the grown-up have been (2) ______ all long. Psychologists in Florida
tested how fast students wrote essays with and without music in the (3) ______. They found
that the sounds (4) ______ progress down by about six words per hour. “This demonstrates
clearly that it is difficult to (5) ______ with listening and writing at the same time,” said Dr.
Sarah Randall. She also (6) ______  to the conclusion that it is a myth that instrumental music
is less distracting than vocals. “All types of music had the same effect,” she said in her report.
“One’s ability to pay attention and write fluently is likely to be (7) ______ by both vocal and
instrumental music,” she added.

Dr. Randall claimed the research (8) ______that the idea that music could improve performance
was wrong. “Writing an essay is a complex (9) ______. You are recalling information and
putting it in order. An additional stimulus in the form of music is bound to distract. But music is
not the only distraction. What is (10) ______ worrying is that more and more teenagers are
studying in front of the television.

1. A. whereas               B. unlike                     C. besides                      D. despite            

2. A. precise                 B. right                       C. valid                          D. true                 
3. A. setting                  B. background            C. surrounding              D. circumstances  
4. A. slowed                 B. reduced                  C. lowered                     D. decreased        
5. A. manage                B. support                  C. cope                          D. stand               
6. A. reached                B. drew                      C. arrived                        D. came               
7. A. disturbed              B. interfered                C. bothered                    D. shocked           
8. A. pointed                 B. displayed               C. demonstrated              D. presented         
9. A. project                  B. concern                  C. scheme                      D. task                 
10.A. partly                    B. largely                    C. particularly                  D. mainly             
4
8) ĐỀ HSG ĐẮCLẮK 2012
The ability to weep is a uniquely human form of emotional response. Some scientists have
suggested that human tears are (1) _____ of an aquatic past – but this does not seem very likely.
We cry from the moment we enter this world, for a number of reasons. Helpless babies cry to
persuade their parents that they are ill, hungry or uncomfortable. As they (2) _____, they will
also cry just to attract parental attention and will often stop when they get it.
The idea that having a good cry do you (3) _____ is a very old one and now it has
scientific validity since recent research into tears has shown that they (4) _____ a natural
painkiller called enkaphalin. By fighting sorrow and pain this chemical helps you feel better.
Weeping can increase the quantities of enkaphalin you (5) _____.
Unfortunately, in our society we impose restrictions upon this naturally (6) _____ activity.
Because some people still regard it as a (7) _____ of weakness in men, boys in particular are
admonished when they cry. This kind of repression can only increase stress, both emotionally
and physically.
Tears of emotion also help the body (8) _____ itself of toxic chemical waste, for there is
more protein in them than in tears resulting from cold winds or other irritants. Crying comforts,
calms and can be very enjoyable – (9) _____ the popularity of highly emotional films which are
commonly (10) _____ “weepies”. It seems that people enjoy crying together almost as much as
laughing together.
1. A. witness B. evidence C. result D. display
2. A. evolve B. change C. develop D. alter
3. A. better B. fine C. good D. well
4. A. contain B. retain C. hold D. keep
5. A. construct B. achieve C. provide D. produce
6. A. curing B. treating C. healing D. improving
7. A. hint B. symbol C. feature D. sign
8. A. release B. rid C. loosen D. expel
9. A. consider B. remark C. distinguish D. regard
10. A. named B. entitled C. subtitled D. called

9) THI THỬ QGIA LÝ THÁI TỔ 2016

Throughout history people have always communicated with one another, not only by speech
but also by movements of the hands and body. It is, however, only (1) ______ the last few years
that these aspects of communication have been studied at all widely. This type of
communication is known as body language or non-verbal communication.
People sometimes wonder (2) ______ you can learn how body language works. It is of course
possible to read books on the subject but you also need to (3) ______ time observing people’s
movements. A railway station is a particular good place for such observation, as here people
can be seen openly expressing eagerness, sorrow, delight, impatience and many other human
emotions by (4) _____ of movement.
If you turn down the sound on your television set and try to understand (5) _____ is happening
simply by watching the picture you will learn even more about communication (6) _____
words. By turning the sound back up every five (7) ______ or so, it is possible to check how
accurate your (8) ______ is.

5
Having studied the art of body language you will have a definite (9) ______ at a boring party.
You will be able to sit on your own for the whole evening and thoroughly enjoy yourself by
both watching (10) ______ interpreting the body language of all the other people there.
Question 1: A. with B. during C. for            D. on                  
Question 2: A. that                B. how C. what                D. whether
Question 3: A. kill               B. spend            C. give                D. lose
Question 4: A. means       B. gestures C. health           D. postures            
Question 5: A. who B. which           C. what                D. that      
Question 6: A. and               B. including             C. without D. with            
Question 7: A. years B. minutes           C. hours           D. months             
Question 8: A. expression     B. understanding    C. meaning             D. movement
Question 9: A. benefit          B. favour C. disadvantage      D. advantage
Question 10: A. with B. and    C. but                D. or                       
10) HSGNINH BÌNH 2014-15
The accumulation of book (1) ……. Is one part of school education but this kind of learning
can be and often is carried to (2) ……. In many countries so that no time for other interests is
(3) ……. To young people. Not only must they attend school (4) ……. Fivehour periods on six
days of the week, studying possibly as many as thirteen different subjects, but in addition they
may even go to afternoon institutes for (5) ……. Instruction. They have almost no chance of
taking (6) ……. Any of their own hobbies or becoming familiar with the plants and (7) …….
Life of the countryside except during their summer holidays. Early youth should be a time of
exploration and adventure, of reading books for (8) ……. As well as study, of freedom to
enjoy life before the responsibilities of working for a living and (9) ……. A family (10) …….
An end to study, to freedom and only too often to carefree enjoyment.
1. A. treasure B. value C. richness D. knowledge
2. A. extremity B. excess C. limit D. boundary
3. A. available B. provided C. devoted D. reserved
4. A. during B. for C. throughout D. in
5. A. farther B. additional C. extra D. further
6. A. on B. up C. back D. over
7. A. untamed B. original C. wild D. natural
8. A. pleasure B. amusement C. joy D. entertainment
9. A. creating B. bringing C. building D. raising
10. A. hold B. put C. indicate D. mark

11) NGHỆ AN 2013 -MUSIC - A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Music is universal - it is produced by all cultures. Some scientists believe that music
came before speech and (1) ______ as a development of mating calls. In fact, there is one
theory that the (2) ______ languages were chanted or sung, rather than spoken. Indeed, in
some cultures, music is a form of (3) ______ history. The Aboriginal Australians, for example,
use music as a means to (4) ______ on stories of the land and spirits to the next generation.
New evidence suggests that music does not just (5) ______ the feel - good factor but it is
also good for the brain. A study of intellectually (6) ______ children showed that they could
recall more information after it was given to them in a song than after it was read to them as a
story.
6
 Researchers also report that people (7) ______ better on a standard intelligence test
after listening to Mozart. The so-called “Mozart effect” has also been (8) ______ by
findings that rats brought up on Mozart run faster through a complex network of paths
or passages, (9) ______ as a maze. Overall, it seems that in most instances people who
suffer from any form of mental (10) ______ benefit from listening to music.

1. A. was B. swelled C. arose D. reacted

2. A. earliest B. newest C. easiest D. simplest
3. A. enjoying B. making C. recording D. stating
4. A. move B. pass C. hand D. happen
5. A. convince B. satisfy C. please D. prefer
6. A. disabled B. inactive C. incapable D. disordered
7. A. examine B. prepare C. achieve D. score
8. A. supported B. given C. marked D. remembered
9. A. called B. heard C. regarded D. known
10. A. badness B. hurt C. illness D. pain
12) QUẢNG NAM 2013
Students and jobseekers keen to get onto the course or into the workplace of their (0)________
hope that voluntary work will help them (1)________ from the crowd. This chance to
(2)________ experience – personally and professionally – is (3)________ on the wish-list of
young people.
A survey carried out last year revealed that young and old (4)________ said volunteering had
improved their lives, particularly those (5)________in conservation or heritage work.
Businesses recognise its importance and get to (6)________their profile in the community,
while staff get a break from their daily routine to develop ‘soft skill’, (7)________initiative and
decision-making. One volunteering organisation is (8)________ another survey to find out if
volunteering does make a difference in the workplace, or if it is something businesses do
simply to improve their (9)________ .
Not (10)________are business-sponsored placements becoming more common, the government
is also investing money and aiming to (11) ________volunteers. The push is clearly on to make
volunteering as attractive as possible to everyone.
And the more people who participate, the more the act fulfils its (12) ________of making the
world a better place.

0. A. alternative B. choice C. option D. election

1. A. stand out B. lift out C. pick out D. point out
2. A. win B. achieve C. collect D. gain
3. A. extreme B. high C. sharp D. strong
4. A. similar B. the same C. alike D. too
5. A. committed B. associate C. connected D. involved
6. A. raise B. increase C. arouse D. motivate
7. A. such B. such as C. such like D. such and such
8. A. governing B. guiding C. conducting D. directing
9. A. representation B. look C. image D. figure
10. A. only B. just C. merely D. simply
11. A. claim B. recruit C. bring D. enter
12. A. aim B. direction C. mark D. design
7
13) OLYPIC11 DAKNONG 2015

Sometimes ago, scientists began (1) ………………..to find out whether it would be possible to
set up a “village” under the sea. A special room was built and lowered (2)……………. the
water of Port Sudan in the Red Sea. For 29 days , five men lived (3)…………a depth of 40 feet.
At a (4)……………lower level, another two divers stayed for a week in a smaller house. On
returning to the surface, the men said they had experienced no difficulty in breathing and had
(5)…………..many interesting scientific observations. The captain of the party, Commander
Cousteau, spoke of the possibility of (6)………….the seabed. He said that some permanent
stations were to be set up under the sea, and some undersea farms would provide food for the
growing population of the world. The divers in both house spent most of their time (7)
…………………..the bottom of the sea. On four occasions, they went down to 360 feet and
observed many extraordinary (8)……………of the marine life, some of which had never been
seen before. During their stay, Commander Cousteau and his divers reached a depth of 1000
feet and witnessed a gathering of an immense (9)…………….of crab which numbered,
perhaps, hundreds of millions. They also found out that it was (10)…………………. to move
rapidly in the water in a special vessel known as a “diving saucer”
41. A. experiment B. experience C. experiments D. experiences
42. A. under B. into C. down D. below
43. A. to B. at C. with D. on
44.A. far B. more C. any D. some
45. A. made B. practised C. done D. exercised
46.A. implanting B. planting C. growing D. cultivating
47. A. inquiring B. enquiring C. imploring D. exploring
48. A. system B. shapes C. forms D. breeds
49. A. pack B. school C. herd D. flock
50. A. able B. capable C. possible D. hardly
14) LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
The Prime Minister’s comments yesterday on education spending (1)…… the point, as the
secondary education system also needs a major overhaul. Firstly, the system only views the
weakest learners as having special needs. The brightest and most conscientious students are not
encouraged to develop to their full (2)…... Secondly, there’s too much testing and not enough
learning. My fifteen-year-old daughter, for example, has just spent the last month or so (3) ……
for exams. These aren’t even real, important exams, as her GCSEs will be next year. They’re
just (4) …… exams. Is the work she’s been doing really going to make her more
knowledgeable about her subjects, or will she forget it all tomorrow? I suspect the (5)…...
Thirdly, the standard (6) …… doesn’t give students any tuition in developing practical work-
related, (7)…… and social skills, or in skills necessary for higher education. How many
students entering university have the first idea what the difference is between (8) …… someone
else’s work and (9)…… good use of someone else’s ideas? Shouldn’t they have been taught
this at school? How many of them are really able to go about (10) ……. – a skill that’s essential
at university because there are no teachers to tell you what to do – in an efficient way? Indeed,
how many students graduate from university totally unable to spell even simple English words
correctly? The system is letting our children down.
1. A. lose B. escape C. miss D. fail
2. A. capacity B. ability C. achievement D. potential
3. A. cramming B. lecturing C. reading D. practicing
8
4. A. false B. mock C. fake D. artificial
5. A. latter B. frontier C. later D. second
6. A. timetable B. lecture C. seminar D. curriculum
7. A. life B. alive C. living D. live
8. A. writing B. going over C. plagiarizing D. repeating
9. A. taking B. making C. having D. creating
10. A. reviewing B. revision C. distance learningD. self-study