PRACTICE TEST 3

SKILL: LISTENING
TASK 1. Listen. Then complete each of the blanks with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
My first jump
Henry had his first skydiving lesson in the month of 1 May.
Henry had to attend a talk about 2 safety before his jump.
Henry says that a 3 helmet was the most important piece of equipment he was given.
Henry was surprised that the plane the club used didn’t have any 4 seats in it.
Henry’s instructor had jumped a total of 5 700 times in the past.
Henry had brought some 6 gloves with him to wear during the jump.
Henry said he felt totally 7 calm when the plane door was opened.
Henry uses the word 8 silver to describe the winding river he could see below him.
Henry compares his landing to that of a 9 feather landing on the ground.
Henry was pleased to be given a 10 T-shirt after his jump.
TASK 2. Listen. Then choose from the options (A – H) which best fits according to what you hear.
A I was much younger than the other people I lived with.
B I’m still closest to the people I grew up with.
C I found that joining a sports club helped me make friends.
D I didn’t share many interests with my classmates.
E It was easier making friends at a small college.
F It was hard getting out to make friends at first.
G I’m still in touch with the people I lived with at first.
H It was good living with people who had similar interests.
Speaker 1 H
Speaker 2 …………
Speaker 3 …………
Speaker 4 …………
Speaker 5 …………
TASK 3. Listen. Then choose the best answer (A, B, or C) which best fits according to what you hear.
1 What impact does playing soccer have on Chelsea’s life?
A She needs private tuition from her teachers.
B She doesn’t take part in some other student activities.
C She never gets to travel to other countries.
2 Chelsea had to start planning to be a student athlete at 16 because
A there were many requirements that had to be met.
B there were few colleges that offered the course she wanted.
C there was a lot of competition for places in good colleges.
3 Chelsea is happy to return to college a month early because
A she is pleased at the prospect of starting competitions.
B she feels relieved to get back into a routine.
C she realises that training is necessary.
4 When Chelsea and her team-mates finish training, they
A can take a break by going to the movies.
B are too tired to do very much except sleep.
C relax with other sports teams.
5 Chelsea says if she and her team-mates miss too many classes
A they may get poor grades and have to leave the team.
B their professors will complain to the head of faculty.
C the other students are understanding about the reason for their absence.
6 What problem did Chelsea herself have in keeping up with her studies?
A She was away sick for some of her classes.
B She had to study one subject under difficult conditions.
C She was expected to commit herself to extra training for away games.
7 In conclusion, what does Chelsea say about being a student athlete?
A It has taught her the importance of aiming high.
B It has helped her decide what her future career should be.
C It has changed her perception of the value of friendship.
TASK 4. Listen. Then do the tasks that follow.
Questions 1 – 5: Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Science experiment for Year 12 students
1 How does Clare feel about the students in her Year 12 science class?
A worried that they are not making progress
B challenged by their poor behaviour in class
C frustrated at their lack of interest in the subject
2 How does Jake react to Clare’s suggestion about an experiment based on children’s diet?
A He is concerned that the results might not be meaningful.
B He feels some of the data might be difficult to obtain.
C He suspects that the conclusions might be upsetting.
3 What problem do they agree may be involved in an experiment involving animals?
A Any results may not apply to humans.

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 B It may be complicated to get permission.
C Students may not be happy about animal experiments.
4 What question do they decide the experiment should address?
A Are mice capable of controlling their food intake?
B Does an increase in sugar lead to health problems?
C How much do supplements of different kinds affect health?
5 Clare might also consider doing another experiment involving
A other types of food supplement.
B different genetic strains of mice.
C varying amounts of exercise.
Questions 6 – 10: Complete the flowchart below.
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–H, next to Questions 6–10.
A size
B escape
C age
D water
E cereal
F calculations
G changes
H colour

⬇
Choose mice which are all the same 6 _____________ .

⬇
Divide the mice into two groups, each with a different 7 _____________ .

Put each group in a separate cage.

Feed group A commercial mouse food.

⬇
Feed group B the same, but also sugar contained in 8 _____________ .

Take measurements using an electronic scale.

⬇
Place them in a weighing chamber to prevent 9 _____________ .

Do all necessary 10 _____________ .

SKILL: GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY
TASK 1. Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D to each of the following questions.
1 We are not known _______ at all; and as we grow, we feel a progressive lack of individual personality.
A. gruelingly B. severally C. expensively D. brusquely
2 He has fled to the mountains of Galicia, _______ he cannot possibly escape on horseback over the border.
A. meanwhile B. heretofore C. whence D. indefinitely
3 Given that Haiti is vulnerable to hurricanes and earthquakes, it would be _______ to establish building codes and other disaster
response initiatives.
A. prudent B. tiny C. profound D. stern
4 While her mother sat at the window, striving to read, the child, who was in one of her moods of obstreperous gaiety, began
playing a grand game.
A. boisterous B. tentative C. creative D. precarious
5 The setup is intimate: audience members surround the stage on three sides.
A. formal B. unusual C. mutual D. cozy
6 This very morning, she announces, she has managed to procure what might be the last two crates of peaches in France.
A. obscure B. conceal C. consume D. obtain
7 In their eyes, I saw not only excitement for the equity we offered, but the _______ belief that they would be entrusted to do
their jobs with my counsel, if they sought it, but without unwanted meddling.
A. modest B. positive C. earnest D. mutual
8 Her ivory brow _______ in delicate lines.
A. furrows B. duplicates C. ambles D. mutters
9 The fashion of the last Louis but one, of the line that was never to break — the 14th Louis — was _______ in their rich furniture;
but, it was diversified by many objects that were illustrations of old pages in the history of France.
A. varied B. conspicuous C. invisible D. negative
10 A man of stainless reputation, his deeds and words have almost invariably been on the side of _______.
A. balefulness B. succession C. righteousness D. resemblance
11 Last weekend, _______ nothing to watch on television, we sang karaoke together.
A. there being B. there having C. having had D. being
12 The upper branches of the tallest trees produce more leaves _______ other branches.
A. than do B. than have C. than they do D. than it does
13 He drove at full speed lest he _______ late for the appointment.
A. was B. would be C. be D. shouldn’t be
14 You _______ the questions in the order they asked. You mixed them up in the wrong way.
A. had to B. must have answered C. didn’t need to answer D. should have answered
15 We would sooner Mr. Manh _______ us the urgent information the other night.
A. sent B. would have sent C. had sent D. send
16 Ms. Phi is ranked the best student _______ she has made a point of studying hard.
A. hence B. in that C. unless D. let alone
17 Not only the Smiths but also their next-door neighbor _______ more trees in the neighborhood thus far.
A. was planting B. plant C. have planted D. has planted
18 It was right in the middle of the school yard _______ I saw a strange alien.
A. where B. which C. that D. which
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19 That is (an) _______
A. yellow useful Dutch gold alarm clock B. useful yellow Dutch gold clock alarm
C. useful yellow gold Dutch alarm clock D. useful yellow Dutch gold alarm clock
20 I won’t _______ those children making a noise in my house!
A. allow B. have C. let D. tell
21 Luckily, the rain _______ so we were able to play the match.
A. gave out B. got away C. went away D. held off
22 I don’t like the way that Jack is always trying to _______ trouble between us.
A. dish out B. rub up C. stir up D. spark out
23 I am _______ with work at the moment.
A. snowed under B. piled up C. messed up D. knocked off
24 This scandal has _______ criticism raining down on Mr. Deby from all sides.
A. taken B. got C. brought D. made
25 I see a lot of people with this new hairstyle. It seems to be _______
A. piling up B. bringing off C. coming off D. catching on
26 ‘Do you think Dennis took the money?’ – ‘I wouldn’t _______ him.’
A. put it past B. think it through C. pass it over D. rub it up
27 Rather than take his time to think about the questions, the interviewee _______ out the first answer that came into his head.
A. blundered B. blurted C. bungled D. botched
28 Whenever there’s some fresh scandal about the royal family, the public are always eager to _______ it up.
A. flap B. swish C. lap D. gulp
29 She’s one of those people who are always _______ and asking questions about other people’s private lives.
A. poking around B. digging up C. prying out D. spying on
30 The blue sundress set _______ her long blonde hair.
A. up B. off C. forth D. in
31 The luxurious office accentuated the manager’s position _______. It enhanced his power and his sense of his own worth. And it
made other people feel small.
A. on the pecking pole B. in the nibbling line C. at the nipping post D. in the packing order
32 ‘Have you tried to read the guarantee?’ – ‘There’s so much legal _______ that it’s impossible to understand.’
A. mumbo jumbo B. bongo bongo C. abracadabra D. okey-dokey
33 When several companies showed interest in buying the film rights to his novel, he knew he had _______
A. upped the ante B. scooped the bag C. caught the fat one D. hit the jackpot
34 I can’t go out wearing something like that. I’d be the _______ of the neighborhood.
A. make-me-laugh B. laughing stock C. laughter maker D. laughing gas
35 I grew up in this old house, so I know every _______ of it.
A. hook and sinker B. lock, stock and barrel C. step and stop D. nook and cranny
36 A large group of teenagers were _______ around the entrance to the zoo.
A. mulling B. mudding C. mauling D. milling
37 The party was already _______ by the time we arrived. Everyone was singing and dancing.
A. in full swing B. up in the air C. over the moon D. under the cloud
38 They have serious problems. That’s why their relationship is on the _______
A. cliffs B. rocks C. stones D. grass
39 What she told me was a _______ of lies.
A. pack B. load C. herd D. flock
40 Janet will see you if you use the computer without permission. She has eyes like a _______
A. bird B. goose C. hawk D. fox
TASK 2. Use the correct FORM of the word in capitals to fit each gap.
1 The city was built with a futuristic design in mind. FUTURE
2 He felt intoxicated by the strong aroma of the flowers. TOXIC
3 She was often underestimated because of her quiet demeanor. ESTIMATE
4 They exchanged pleasantries before starting the meeting. PLEASE
5 The prevalence (sự phổ biến) of online learning has increased over the years. PREVAIL
6 I had misgivings about the new project proposal. GIVE
7 The bright colors accentuate (làm nổi bật) the room's modern design. ACCENT
8 He felt disheartened after failing the exam. HEART
9 The fragmentation (sự rời rạc) of the evidence made the case difficult to solve. FRAGMENT
10 She unwittingly (vô ý) revealed the surprise party plans. WIT
11 The company offers generous maternity leave (kì nghỉ thai sản) to its employees. MOTHER
12 His response was lukewarm (thờ ơ), showing little enthusiasm. WARM
13 He regretted his overspent youth and the opportunities he lost. SPEND
14 Completing the assignment was a laborious (khó nhằn) task. LABOR
15 The wires became tangled (bị rối), making it difficult to untangle them. TANGLE
16 The outdated policy is problematic (khó hiểu) for new employees. PROBLEM
17 She focused on assuring (đảm bảo) that everyone understood the instructions. SURE
18 The journalist finished the write-up (bản tường thuật) just before the deadline. WRITE
19 The actor was handsomely (hậu hĩnh) rewarded for his performance. HANDSOME
20 The castle was the last stronghold (pháo đài) of the ancient kingdom. HOLD
21 They had to reconceive (?) a new marketing strategy. CONCEIVE
22 Her pretentious (?) nature made her popular among colleagues. PRETEND
23 The decision to invest in the failing business was misjudgement. JUDGE
24 He became insensitve to the violence in the movies. SENSE
25 The book's …………………… was written by a famous author. WORD
26 They luxuriate (relax) in the warm sun on the beach. LUXURY
27 His unbearable attitude made him difficult to work with. BEAR
28 She was always outspoken, even under pressure. SPEAK
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29 The rumor turned out to be completely unfounded. FOUND
30 He is a strong …………………… for the championship title. CONTEND
TASK 3. Fill in each blank with the appropriate preposition(s).
1 His fame is now on the wane (sa sút, giảm đi).
2 If you want tickets to the game, you’ll have to be quick off the mark (phản ứng nhanh).
3 In matters pertaining to (liên quan tới) the soul, woman does not differ from man.
4 She played up (tâng bốc, nhấn mạnh) the fact that I’d enjoyed studying Shakespeare at school and suggested that I audition
for a part.
5 It was a good offer, but he would need time to mull it over.
6 The Vietnamese national team has clocked up (đạt được, dành được) 8 gold medals in the Martial arts events.
7 If the school reins in/back (kiểm soát, hạn chế) its expenditure on research and development, the quality, as a whole, will be
affected.
8 It’s generally agreed that the primary responsibility for the child’s education should rest with (là trách nhiệm của ai) the family.
9 During the violent storm, the little boats strained at their anchors at the mercy of the breaking waves.
10 Students are demanding equal rights for men and women, and several newspapers have taken up their cause.
11 She was very appreciative of all the support she got from her friends.
12 I don’t like the way Dennis is trying to stir up (làm dấy lên) trouble between us.
13 As you’ve arrived late, you’ll have to make up for (bù lại) the time you have lost.
14 Mary is jealous of her sister because she is much more popular.
15 Your skirt needs taking up (may ngắn lại); it's too large.
16 Can you make out the meaning of this passage?
17 He’s such a hard man to nail down as he’s always flitting from one site to another.
18 Don't be put off (gây ấn tượng xấu) by his manner. He always acts that way.
19 You ought to stand up for your little brother when the others tease him.
20 He likes nothing better than to spend his Sunday mornings pottering around in the gardens.
21 You don’t buy into (tin vào) all that New Age stuff, do you?
22 After a busy day, my husband and I both sat and nodded off in front of the TV.
23 It would be wise to play _______ your strength rather than draw attention to your weaknesses.
24 The doctor told him to keep _______ sweets and chocolate to lose weight.
25 Mark didn’t understand what Mr. Smith was getting at so he asked her to explain it again.
26 He laid _______ all his savings on that venture which fortunately succeeded.
27 Janet’s husband walked out _______ her and their three children.
28 No agreement was reached. The strikers decided to hold _______ for a better deal.
29 Don’t try to palm me _______ with your lies and excuses.
30 She was astonished that she was turned _______ for the counselor’s position.
SKILL: READING
TASK 1. Read the passage below and fill each of the blanks with ONE suitable word.
TEXT 1
Iris scanning can seem very futuristic, but at the heart of the system is a simple CCD camera. It uses both visible and near-
infrared light to (1) take a clear, high-contrast picture of a person's iris. With near-infrared light, a person's pupil is very black,
making (2) it easy for the computer to isolate the pupil and iris.
When you (3) look into an iris scanner, either the camera focuses automatically or you use a mirror or audible feedback from the
system to make sure that you are positioned correctly. Usually, your eye is 3 to 10 inches (4) from the camera.
Iris scanners are becoming more common in high-security applications because people's eyes are so unique (the chance of (5)
mistaking one iris code for another is 1 in 10 to the 78th power). They can allow more than 200 points of reference for (6)
comparison, as opposed to 60 or 70 points in fingerprints.
The iris is a visible (7) but protected structure, and it does not usually change over time, becoming ideal for biometric
identification. Most of the time, people's eyes also remain unchanged (8) after eye surgery, and blind people can use iris scanners
so (9) long as their eyes have irises. Eyeglasses and contact (10) lenses typically do not interfere or cause inaccurate readings.
TEXT 2
In less than three months' time – on 14 June, to be precise – the 21st FIFA World Cup™ kicks (1) off at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium,
as the hosts take on Saudi Arabia.
That leaves us plenty of time to enjoy a countdown. (2) Between now and the start of the World Cup, we will take a closer look at
a different statistic from the history of the tournament each day.
When Brazil took possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy (3) after winning their third title at the 1970 FIFA World Cup™ in Mexico,
FIFA commissioned a new Trophy for the tenth global finals in 1974. Artists from seven countries submitted a total of 53 (4)
designs for the new cup, with Italian sculptor Silvia Gazzaniga's work ultimately (5) winning the vote.
"The lines spring out (6) from the base, rising in spirals, stretching out to receive the world," said Gazzaniga, (7) describing his
creation. "From the remarkable dynamic tensions of the compact body of the sculpture rise the figures of two athletes at the
stirring (8) moment of victory."
The FIFA World Cup Trophy remains in FIFA's possession at all times and cannot be won outright by a country.
The current Trophy is 36.8cm high, crafted from solid 18-carat gold and weighs exactly 6.175kg. The base contains two (9) layers
of semi-precious malachite, while the underside of the Trophy is engraved (10) with the name of every FIFA World Cup™ winner
since 1974.
TASK 2. Read the passage below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.
GUIDED CLOZE 1
SUGAR: THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE?
Brazil has a good track (1) ______ in research in many areas of science and technology. It is in the field of bio-energy, however,
that the country (2) ______ to make its biggest contribution. Brazil is the world's largest producer of sugar and since 1975 has been
fermenting sugar-cane juice (3) ______ a substance called ethanol, which can be used as motor fuel. For many years, the
programme (4) ______ in virtual isolation from the rest of the world, using fairly low-tech methods. Recently, however, the
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government has been investing (5) ______ in research aimed at improving all stages in the process from sugar-cane biology to
engine efficiency.
Whilst the motivation for the investment is largely (6) ______ by energy needs rather than environmental concerns, the fuel's green
(7) ______ are now also being emphasized. Net emissions of carbon dioxide from a car (8) ______ on sugar ethanol are just 20
percent of those from a petrol-fuelled vehicle. (9) ______, the bio-energy programme aims to achieve a significant increase in
supply without a corresponding rise in the amount of farmland (10) ______ to sugar cane.
1 A. record B. story C. reputation D. success
2 A. stands B. sets C. rests D. ranks
3 A. into B. in C. out of D. on
4 A. took place B. held forth C. carried on D. kept up
5 A. highly B. strongly C. vastly D. heavily
6 A. driven B. stemming C. drawn D. arising
7 A. endorsements B. credentials C. testaments D. referrals
8 A. performing B. working C. running D. burning
9 A. Nonetheless B. Furthermore C. Otherwise D. Instead
10 A. occupied B. applied C. consigned D. devoted
GUIDED CLOZE 2
HAND-MADE HISTORY: THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY
If a picture is worth a thousand words, the seventy-three scenes of the Bayeux Tapestry speak volumes. The tapestry narrates, in
pictorial (1) ______, William Duke of Normandy's invasion and conquest of England in AD 1066, when he defeated the Saxon forces
of King Harold at Hastings. Historians believe that the work was (2) ______ in England, probably around AD 1092, and that it was
commissioned by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, William's half brother, who ensured his fame by figuring (3) ______ in the tapestry's later
(4) ______. Legends connecting it with William's wife Mathilda have been (5) ______.
The Bayeux tapestry is not, (6) ______ speaking, a tapestry, in which designs are woven into the fabric, but rather a crewel form of
embroidery, the pictures being made by stitching woolen threads into a background of plain linen. The threads, in (7) ______ of red,
yellow, blue and green, must turned have been jewel bright, but have (8) ______ light brown with age. Moreover, one end of the
now 20 inch (50 cm) broad and 231 feet (70 m) long cloth is missing.
You can view the Bayeux Tapestry in the William the Conqueror Centre, Bayeux, Normandy, France. An enduring (9) ______ of the
times, it is as valuable a (10) ______ of evidence for the Norman Conquest as photographs or films are today.
11 A. fashion B. type C. design D. form
12 A. originated B. invented C. created D. manufactured
13 A. prominently B. strongly C. powerfully D. sufficiently
14 A. views B. scenes C. frames D. pictures
15 A. disowned B. dispersed C. disgraced D. discounted
16 A. normally B. strictly C. truly D. sincerely
17 A. colours B. shadows C. shades D. varieties
18 A. once B. then C. before D. earlier
19 A. witness B. confirmation C. testimony D. proof
20 A. segment B. part
D. portion
TASK 3. Read the passage and choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D.
Green fingers
It never occurred to me when I was little that gardens were anything less than glamorous places. Grandad’s garden was on the
bank of a river and sloped gently down towards the water. You couldn’t reach the river but you could hear the sound of the water
and the birds that sang in the trees above. I imagined that all gardens were like this – a place of escape, peace and solitude.
Grandad’s plot was nothing out of the ordinary when it came to features. He had nothing as grand as a greenhouse, unlike some
of his neighbours. Not that they had proper ‘bought’ greenhouses. Theirs were made from old window frames. Patches of plastic
would be tacked in place where a carelessly wielded spade had smashed a pane of glass.
At home, his son, my father, could be quiet and withdrawn. I wouldn’t want to make him sound humourless. He wasn’t. Silly things
would amuse him. He had phrases that he liked to use, ‘It’s immaterial to me’ being one of them. ‘I don’t mind’ would have done
just as well but he liked the word ‘immaterial’. I realise that, deep down, he was probably disappointed that he hadn’t made more
of his life. He left school without qualifications and became apprenticed to a plumber. Plumbing was not something he was
passionate about. It was just what he did. He was never particularly ambitious, though there was a moment when he and Mum
thought of emigrating to Canada, but it came to nothing. Where he came into his own was around the house. He had an ‘eye for
the job’. Be it bookshelves or a cupboard – what he could achieve was astonishing.
My parents moved house only once in their entire married life. But my mother made up for his lack of daring when it came to
furniture. You would just get used to the shape of one chair when another appeared, but the most dramatic change of all was the
arrival of a piano. I always wanted to like it but it did its best to intimidate me. The only thing I did like about it were the two brass
candlesticks that jutted out from the front. ‘They’re too posh’, my mother said and they disappeared one day while I was at school.
There was never any mention of my being allowed to play it. Instead lessons were booked for my sister. When I asked my mother
in later life why I wasn’t given the opportunity, her reply was brief: ‘You’d never have practised’.
Of the three options, moors, woods or river – the river was the one that usually got my vote. On a stretch of the river I was
allowed to disappear with my imagination into another world. With a fishing net over my shoulder I could set off in sandals that
were last year’s model, with the fronts cut out to accommodate toes that were now right to the end. I’d walk along the river bank
looking for a suitable spot where I could take off the painful sandals and leave them with my picnic while I ventured out,
tentatively, peering through the water for any fish that I could scoop up with the net and take home. After the first disastrous
attempts to keep them alive in the back yard, they were tipped back into the water.
I wanted to leave school as soon as possible but that seemed an unlikely prospect until one day my father announced, ‘They’ve
got a vacancy for an apprentice gardener in the Parks Department. I thought you might be interested.’ In one brief moment Dad
had gone against his better judgment. He might still have preferred it if I became a carpenter. But I like to feel that somewhere
inside him was a feeling that things might just turn out for the best. If I stuck at it. Maybe I’m deceiving myself, but I prefer to
believe that in his heart, although he hated gardening himself, he’d watched me doing it for long enough and noticed my unfailing
passion for all things that grew and flowered and fruited.

Teacher: Nguyễn Tuấn Hưng – 241808 Tele: 0967 406 548 Social: facebook.com/hungnguyen24699 Practice Test 5
1 When the writer describes his grandad’s garden, he is
A proud that his granddad was such a good gardener.
B embarrassed that the garden was not as good as others nearby.
C indignant that items in the garden were often damaged.
D positive about the time he spent in the garden.
2 What is the writer’s attitude to his father in the second paragraph?
A regretful that his father had not achieved more
B irritated that his father used words he didn’t understand
C sympathetic to the reasons why his father behaved as he did
D grateful that his father had not taken the family to Canada
3 What does the writer mean by the phrase ‘came into his own’ in line 14?
A was able to do something by himself
B was able to show how talented he was
C was able to continue his day job
D was able to forget his failures
4 What was the writer’s first reaction to the piano?
A surprise when it suddenly appeared
B pleasure at seeing it in the living room
C anger that only his sister would have piano lessons
D pride that his mother had listened to his advice
5 The writer’s description of his fishing trips illustrate
A how much free time he was given.
B how beautiful the river was.
C how good a fisherman he was.
D how carefree his childhood was.
6 What is the main idea of the last paragraph?
A His father did not want his son to be a gardener.
B His father was tired of disagreeing with his son.
C His father had been impressed by his son’s love of gardening.
D His father had been trying to find a job his son would enjoy.
TASK 4. Choose from paragraphs (A – H) the one which fits each gap. There is ONE extra paragraph.
Does music make you run faster?
Runner Adharanand Finn took part in an unusual race in order to test the theory that music can make you run faster.
An expert on the effects of music on exercise, Dr Costas Karageorghis, claims that listening to music while running can boost
performance by up to 15%. To put this theory to the test, I took part in a special Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon, which had groups of
musicians playing at various points along the route.
As I lined up at the start with almost 4,000 other runners, a singer sang an inspiring song for us. It may explain why I got off to a
good start. I only came eighth in the end, though, even though I’d just spent six months training hard. 1 ______ However, it turns
out that all the training may have affected my response to the music; according to the research, the benefits of listening to music
decrease with the level of intensity of the running.
‘Elite athletes,’ says Karageorghis, ‘tend to focus inwardly when they are running.’ According to him, most other runners look for
stimulus and distraction from what is going on around them. ‘Judging by your time,’ he says, ‘you are one of the former.’ It is true.
Apart from the song at the start, when I was standing still, I can barely remember the music played along the course. The first act
I passed, a folk group, made me smile, and at one point I found myself running in time to the beat of some hard rock. 2 ______ I
can’t say they helped my performance very much. But what did other runners make of the music?
Adam Bull usually runs marathons with no music and little crowd support. 3 ______ With the upbeat bands, you find yourself
running to the beat, which helps. It also brings out people to cheer you on.’ Rosie Bradford was also a convert. ‘As we ran past one
band and they started playing These Boots Were Made for Walking, everybody suddenly went faster.’
The only person I found who was less than happy with the music was Lois Lloyd. ‘There wasn’t enough of it, and I found it wasn’t
loud enough, so I ran with an MP3 player,’ she said. 4 ______ Karageorghis is not surprised when I tell him. ‘There are many
advantages to using your own player, rather than relying on the music on the course,’ he says. ‘It gives you a constant stimulus,
rather than just an occasional one, and you can tailor the playlist to your taste.’
One runner told me there was a direct correlation between the quality of the music on the course and how much it helped. But
quality, of course, is subjective. I remember feeling annoyed as I ran past one band playing Keep On Running. 5 ______
Of course, the music was not only there to help runners break their personal bests (although sadly it was unable to help me beat
mine), but to provide a sense of occasion, draw out the crowds and create a carnival atmosphere. 6 ______ As I left, people were
beginning to relax after the run, listening to an excellent rock band. It was a fitting way to end the day.
A 4 I need my music all the time.
B 5 I think they knew why I found the music here so distracting.
C I enjoyed that for a few moments, but both of them came and went in a flash.
D 6 Along with some spring sunshine, it certainly achieved that.
E 3 Someone else, though, may have found it uplifting.
F 2 I was, in fact, taking my running pretty seriously at that time.
G 1 The music here has been great for my performance.
TASK 5. Read the passage and choose from the options (A – E). The options may be chosen more than once.
Reviews of TV science documentary series
Paul Hansen looks at the latest science programmes.
A Science for All
Fortunately for me and non-scientists everywhere, the makers of Science for All are there to plug the gaps in our knowledge.
The series is rather like a knowledgeable parent who doesn’t mind being pestered by wide-eyed and curious children: it takes
the time to explain all those fascinating mysteries of nature in an entertaining and understandable way. The last series

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 opened my eyes to all manner of interesting facts and demystified some of the problems faced by modern physics. And the
new series shows no lack of inspiration for subjects to tackle: everything from the existence of life on other planets to the
odd properties of human memory are rightly considered suitable subjects. So, while it’s a shame that factual programmes are
getting increasingly scarce these days, it’s a comfort that Science for All shows no signs of dipping in quality or disappearing
from public view.
B Out in Space
Although I wasn’t expecting much from this series, I’m pleased that the producers of Out in Space persisted with their
unpromising subject. In the course of the first programme we learn about hurricanes, deserts, and even how the Moon was
made; a bewildering mix of phenomena that, we were assured, were all caused by events beyond our planet’s atmosphere.
That’s not to say the programme explored them in any great detail, preferring to skip breathlessly from one to the next. The
essential logic of the series seemed to be that if you take any natural phenomenon and ask ‘why?’ enough times, the answers
will eventually be that it’s something to do with space. The two presenters attempted to get it all to fit together, by taking
part in exciting activities. Sadly these only occasionally succeeded.
C Stars and Planets
The second series of Stars and Planets is an attempt to take advantage of the success of the first, which unexpectedly
gained a substantial general audience. Like its predecessor, this is big on amazing photography and fabulous graphics, most
of which are much less successful at communicating the immensity of the ideas involved than one human being talking to you
directly. This time the scope is even wider, astronomically speaking. What we are being introduced to here are ambitious
ideas about time and space, and the presenter succeeds rather better than you might expect. It helps that he doesn’t go too
deep, as once you start thinking about this it is tricky stuff to get your head around. The point of such programmes is less to
explain every detail than to arouse a generalised sense of amazement that might lead to further thinking, and Stars and
Planets is certainly good at that.
D Robot Technology
This ground-breaking science documentary series follows a group of experts as they attempt to build a complete artificial
human from robotic body parts. The project sees scientists use the latest technology from the world’s most renowned
research centres and manufacturers. It is the realisation of a long-held dream to create a human from manufactured parts,
using everything from bionic arms and mechanical hearts, eye implants and microchip brains. The series explores to what
extent modern technology is capable of replacing body parts – or even improving their abilities. The presenter, very
appropriately, has an artificial hand himself. This ambitious series gives us a guided tour of the wonders of modern
technology. Though it can be a slightly upsetting journey at times, it engages the audience in a revolution that is changing the
face of medicine.
In which review does it say that
1 an effort was made to connect a number of unrelated issues? B
2 the topics covered are well chosen? ?
3 viewers are shown how science can occasionally do better than nature? D
4 the series deals with something people have hoped to achieve for a while? D
5 the series unfortunately didn’t spend a lot of time explaining the topics covered? C
6 viewers are clearly informed? A
7 it’s good that viewers are not required to consider all aspects of the subject carefully? C
8 the series was worth making despite the topic not appearing very interesting at first? B
9 viewers may not always find the series comfortable to watch? D
10 the series achieves its aims by astonishing its viewers? A
SKILL: WRITING
TASK 1. Revise the following sentences using the words given.
1 It’s believed that the school prestige has improved immensely in the last few decades. (MEASURE)
→ The school prestige is believed to have increased beyond measured in the last few decades.
2 If I were him, I would return home no later than 11 o’clock. (FIND)
→ It is advised that he find a way home before 11 o’clock latest.
3 It was rash of Jimmy to react so aggressively that his wife felt heartbroken. (IMPULSE)
→ Had Jimmy not reacted so aggresively on impulse, his wife wouldn’t have felt heartbroken.
4 Tony regretted criticising his friend’s business plan so strongly. (POURED)
→ If only Tony hadn’t poured scorn on his friend’s business plan.
5 Harry didn’t realize who the lady was until she moved forward into the light. (DAWN)
→ Not until the lady moved forward into the light did it dawn on Harry who she was.
6 The whole affair has been a set of misfortunes from the beginning. (CHAPTER)
→ From start to finish, the whole affair has been a chapter of accidents.
7 You were so pessimistic about what happened. (VIEWED)
→ You should not have viewed what happened in light.
8 Come what may, you should look on the bright side. (CHIN)
→ No matter what ......................................................................................................................................................................................
9 Nobody is sure if the scheme will be allowed to go ahead. (GREEN)
→ It is still in …………………………………………………… or not.
10 This patient’s condition is rather worrying if you look at his medical history.
→ Given .......................................................................................................................................................................................................

TASK 2. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features of the following chart. Your report should be at
least 150 words.
The line graph below shows the contribution of five industries to the economy of a country in 2020.
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TASK 3. Write an essay on the following topic, giving reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge and experience. Your essay should be at least 250 words.
In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move out of the cities and into regional areas. Do
you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Teacher: Nguyễn Tuấn Hưng – 241808 Tele: 0967 406 548 Social: facebook.com/hungnguyen24699 Practice Test 8