MIDTERM TEST (SEMESTER 1)

Thời gian: 60 phút

ANSWER KEY
LISTENING
I. Listen to the talk about German culture and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions. You will listen TWICE.
1. A. Gardens B. Museums C. Cafés D. Restaurants
2. A. Colosseum B. Big Ben C. Eiffel Tower D. Brandenburg Gate
3. A. Literature B. Cuisine C. Performance art D. Architecture
4. A. Strauss and Wagner B. Bach and Beethoven
C. Mozart and Vivaldi D. Chopin and Tchaikovsky
5. A. Oktoberfest B. Cinco de Mayo C. Bastille Day D. Cinco de Mayo
Audio script
German culture is a fascinating blend of tradition, history, and modernity that captivates visitors from around the world.
At its core, German culture is deeply rooted in a love for art, music, and literature.
German cities are vibrant hubs of cultural activity, boasting world-class museums, theatres, and galleries. From the iconic
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to the charming streets of Heidelberg, each corner of Germany offers a glimpse into its rich
cultural heritage.
One of the most renowned aspects of German culture is its cuisine. From hearty sausages and savoury pretzels to
indulgent pastries and rich stews, German food is as diverse as the country itself. Visitors can savour local specialties at
bustling beer gardens or cosy family-owned restaurants, experiencing the unique flavours of each region.
Music also plays a significant role in German culture, with a legacy that spans classical composers like Bach, Beethoven,
and Brahms to contemporary pop and electronic artists. Festivals and concerts throughout the year celebrate this musical
heritage, inviting both locals and visitors to join in the festivities.
In addition to its arts and cuisine, German culture is characterised by its strong sense of community and respect for
tradition. Whether it's celebrating annual festivals like Oktoberfest or gathering for Christmas markets, Germans take
pride in preserving their cultural customs while embracing the diversity of the modern world.
(Adapted from: https://www.expatrio.com/about-germany/german-culture)
II. Listen to a talk show and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following
questions. You will listen TWICE.
Culture shock is a common experience for almost everyone who (1) ______ a new culture, but it varies
depending on motivational orientation. Some people, like students, tourists, and families, are eager to
experience a new culture and (2) ______. Others like refugees and asylum-seekers (3) ______ or unwillingly
adapt to a new culture. The UNHCR estimates that 70.8 million people are (4) ______ globally, with low
motivational orientation. This number is expected to rise in the future due to wars, conflicts and catastrophic
(5) ______, which might make many areas of the planet uninhabitable.
1. encounters 2. travel willingly 3. hesitantly 4. forcibly displaced 5. climate change
Audio script
Many scientific studies have documented the impacts of culture shock over the past few decades. It is stated that almost
everyone who encounters a new culture will go through some types of culture shock, but not everyone experiences it in the
same way. How long culture shock lasts and the degree to which it is felt will vary according to some underlying factors.
One of the most important is motivational orientation. Some people are eager to experience a new culture and travel
willingly. A few examples include students who choose to study overseas, tourists who wish to explore the world, and
families who go on vacations. These groups typically have a high motivational orientation and tend to adjust to cultural
shock more readily.
Others, on the other hand, hesitantly or unwillingly adapt to a new culture. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, estimates
that 70.8 million people are forcibly displaced globally. These include refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced
people. This is the greatest number in human history, and it is expected to rise in the future due to wars and conflicts as
well as the imminent threat of catastrophic climate change, which might make many areas of the planet uninhabitable.
These individuals typically have low motivational orientation since they are forced to leave their native cultures, despite
not wanting to, in order to survive.
(Adapted from https://socialsci.libretexts.org)
LANGUAGE
I. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in
pronunciation in each of the following questions.
1. A. decompose B. globalisation C. confusion D. eco-friendly
2. A. decompose B. costume C. motivated D. bonus

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II. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary
stress in each of the following questions.
1. A. employable B. community C. certificate D. interviewer
2. A. traditional B. particular C. integration D. identity
III. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
1. A. adopting B. recycling C. wasting D. raising
2. A. layers B. containers C. leftovers D. chemicals
3. A. was discovered; was taking B. discovered; took
C. discovered; was taking D. was discovered; took
4. A. Ø/a B. The/Ø C. The/a D. The/the
5. A. which B. that C. when D. what
READING
I. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits
each of the numbered blanks.
The Temple of Literature, located in the heart of Ha Noi, is hosting an exhibition that highlights the history of
national education throughout the (1) ______ era.
The Initial Sources of Education exhibition showcases the distinguished individuals who (2) ______
exceptional contributions to the “historical flow” of Vietnamese education.
The design centres on the concept of education, using artefacts and related ideals that draw visitors,
particularly young people, through participatory modes of expression. It has a contemporary, formal, and
sustainable style of expression.
The exhibition’s material also seeks to portray well-known individuals as admirable role models rather than as
(3) ______.
(Adapted from https://en.sggp.org.vn/exhibition-on-education-history-during-royal-period-held-at-temple-of-
literature-post108144.html)
1. A. light B. happy C. royal D. dark
2. A. brought B. took C. did D. maded
3. A. objects B. nations C. people D. rulers
II. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best
fits each of the numbered blanks.
Turn your passion for the environment into a career!
We have been tackling environmental issues for more than 40 years by (1) ______, fostering stronger
communities, educating kids, and collaborating (2) ______ local agencies.
If you are over 18 and are willing (3) ______ our vision for a green city, consider applying for a job with
us.
Rewards provided:
● Competitive pay and benefits
● Exquisite workspace
● Deep satisfaction of knowing you’re changing the world
Contact: [email protected]

(Adapted from https://www.treepeople.org/jobs-internships/)

1. A. rising trees B. planting trees C. cutting trees D. logging trees
2. A. without B. over C. off D. with
3. A. shared B. share C. to share D. sharing
III. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct option that best fits each
of the numbered blanks.
The Tale of Kieu is among many valuable works by the great poet Nguyen Du, (1) ______ was born in 1765
and passed away in 1820. The work of art, which has been translated (2) ______ over 20 languages, is
renowned for its innovative ideas, self-reliant approach, and its capacity to represent the fundamentals of
Vietnamese culture. It was written in Chu Nom, a logographic script formerly used for writing Vietnamese
language, and (3) ______ of 3,254 verses in the sin-eight-word distich metre. The poem is full of the sufferings
of human life and the longing for pleasure, freedom, and justice, (4) ______ condemning the harshness of
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feudalism. Also, this work is viewed as the pinnacle of Vietnamese literature because of its (5) ______ and the
perfect beauty of its language. The Tale of Kieu is now included in school curricula and has been adapted for
theatre and cinema. Many Vietnamese memorise the story and can use its verses for describing different
situations in their own lives.
(Adapted from https://vovworld.vn/en-US/culture/unesco-honors-vietnamese-poet-nguyen-du-208562.vov)
1. A. that B. whom C. which D. who
2. A. for B. into C. on D. of
3. A. constructed B. consisted C. included D. contained
4. A. and B. despite C. for D. while
5. A. humanity B. humanist C. humanism D. humanitarian
IV. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best
fits each of the numbered blanks.
Be the Change: Live Green, Thrive Together!
Are you ready to make a difference? Embrace a green lifestyle and witness (1) ______ both yourself and the
planet.
- Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Choose renewable energy, use public transport, and (2) ______. Every small
step you take contributes to combating climate change and preserving our natural treasures.
- Promote Healthier Lifestyles: Opt for organic foods (3) ______. Shift towards plant-based diets to alleviate
strain on ecosystems and support animal welfare. Thus, you can enjoy the benefits of green spaces and clean
air for improved mental and physical well-being.
- Boost Economic Growth: Adopting green styles drives innovation and creates new job opportunities in
renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly technology. Moreover, (4) ______ is the long-term
savings that both households and businesses can enjoy through energy-efficient choices.
- Foster Community and Collective Responsibility: (5) ______, we strengthen our sense of community and
collective responsibility. Let's work together towards common goals, fostering collaboration and social
cohesion.
Join us (6) ______ world for all!

1. A. the ripple of your actions affect B. the ripple effects your actions have
C. the effects your ripple actions impact D. the ripple effects of your actions on
2. A. practising energy saving B. to practise saving energy efficiently
C. practise energy efficiency D. having practised energy efficiency
3. A. to reduce exposure to harmful pesticides B. when reduce exposure to harmful pesticides
C. despite reducing exposure to harmful pesticides D. so reducing exposure to harmful pesticides
4. A. at the top of the tree B. on cloud nine C. the cherry on top D. the hot potato
5. A. That adopt sustainable practices B. By adopting sustainable practices
C. When adopt sustainable practices D. The fact that adopting sustainable practices
6. A. to shape a greener, healthy, and more prosperous
B. for shaping a greener, more healthy, and prosperous
C. shaping a greener, healthier, and more prosperous
D. in shaping a greener, healthier, and more prosperous
V. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
questions below.
Charles Fritts, an American inventor and physicist, made a significant contribution to the field of
renewable energy with his pioneering work on the world’s first solar panel. Born in 1850 in New York,
Fritts demonstrated an early aptitude for science and engineering. He pursued his passion for innovation
and was a visionary who recognised the possibilities of utilising sunlight for energy long before the
concept was widely accepted.
In 1883, Fritts constructed the first solar cell by coating selenium with an extremely thin layer of gold.
Although his invention was not as efficient as modern solar panels, it marked a crucial milestone in the
history of solar energy. This simple device was able to convert light into electricity, which lays the
foundation for further research and advancements in photovoltaic technology.
Despite the limited efficiency of his solar cell, Fritts recognised the potential of solar energy as a clean
and renewable source of power. He foresaw a future where sunlight could be harnessed to meet the
world’s growing energy needs while reducing humans’ reliance on fossil fuels.

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 Fritts’ groundbreaking work paved the way for subsequent generations of scientists and engineers to
refine and improve the technology. Today, solar energy plays a vital role in the global transition to
sustainable energy systems, contributing to the fight against climate change and environmental
degradation.
Although Fritts’ contributions to the field of solar energy were not widely recognised during his lifetime,
his legacy lives on through the widespread adoption of solar power around the world. His pioneering
spirit and dedication to innovation continue to inspire scientists and inventors to explore new ways of
harnessing the power of the sun for the benefit of future generations.
1. A. The History of Solar Panels: The Evidence from Charles Fritts
B. The Mutual Support among Scientists: Charles Fritts’ Viewpoints
C. Pioneering the Path to Solar Power: The Legacy of Charles Fritts
D. Difficulties in a Scientific Life: A Story of Charles Fritts
2. A. Its efficiency is at the same level as the modern solar panel.
B. It could produce electricity from sunlight.
C. Selenium and gold were used as coatings for it.
D. It became a significant breakthrough in the history of solar power.
3. A. improved B. exploited C. prevented D. produced
4. A. It was the first research in the field of saving sustainable energy.
B. It plays an important role in creating an alternative to solar power.
C. It paved the way for further research and improvements.
D. It contributed to climate change and environmental degradation.
5. A. Other scientists’ spirits encouraged him to explore the field of solar energy.
B. His ability to foresee the future was discovered by an engineer.
C. He started researching solar cells at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
D. It was after his lifetime that his invention was widely accepted.
VI. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
following questions.
When preparing for a foreign trip, your passport, reservations, and tickets are obvious things that you
have to take into account, but it’s essential to think about clothes too, as clothing customs can be very
liberal in some places and quite conservative in others. Below are what to do and not to do in two
popular destinations.
Turkey
Pack clothing for hot weather. Turkish people usually wear more modest clothes: dresses or blouses with
sleeves for women, and short-sleeved shirts and long pants for men, but for tourists, even those who visit
Turkey’s beautiful historic places, casual comfortable clothing like T-shirts or shorts is acceptable for
both men and women. On the beaches, anything goes for tourists, and native Turkish people also can
wear shorts, T-shirts, and sandals or flip-flops. However, when you visit a mosque, the dress code is
stricter, and shorts are definitely to be avoided by both genders. They must cover their knees and
shoulders, and women must also cover their heads. Everyone must take off their shoes, too!
The United States
Weather in July differs by region in the United States, so it’s practical to consult an Internet weather site
to be sure. The dress code is generally liberal, so wearing T-shirts, shorts, and sandals or flip-flops is
popular among both sexes on the street and in informal settings. Young people even usually dress in wild
clothes! However, it’s another story in schools, formal restaurants, or religious institutions, where more
conservative clothes and shoes are expected. There, women should wear skirts, dresses, or nice pants with
a sweater or blouse; however, they never have to cover their arms, even in more formal places like offices.
For men, in formal settings, a suit and tie or a nice shirt and a blazer are always appropriate.
(Adapted from Top Notch 1)

1. A. Dressing styles deserve consideration as they vary by destination.

B. Clothing is a popular topic people in the world talk about while travelling.
C. Wearing liberal clothes makes sure you can get your passport.
D. Foreign destinations often expect tourists to be conservative.
2. A. knees B. face C. head D. shoulders
3. A. unrevealing B. humble C. mild D. low-key

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4. A. men B. women C. men and women D. shorts
5. A. shorts B. a sweater C. a T-shirt D. wild clothes
6. A. Shorts are acceptable in American churches.
B. American women can wear shorts to go out.
C. Turkish people can dress relatively liberally on the beach.
D. The dress code in the United States is often relaxed.
7. A. American women are expected not to show their arms in formal settings.
B. It’s inappropriate for locals to wear shorts on the beaches in Turkey.
C. Turkey’s historic places allow tourists to wear casual clothes.
D. It’s not suitable to wear a suit to a business meeting in the US.
WRITING
I. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct arrangement of the sentences to make a meaningful
paragraph/letter in each of the following questions.
1. A. e — b — c — d — a — f — g B. e — d — b — c — f — g — a
C. e — c — a — b — d — f — g D. c — b — f — g — a — d — e
II. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct arrangement of the sentences to make a meaningful
paragraph in each of the following questions.
1. A. b — d — e — c — a B. b — a — e — c — d C. b — a — c — e — d D. b — c — d — b — e