Bộ đề tham khảo luyện thi THPT Quốc gia môn Tiếng Anh năm 2020

Nội dung text: Bộ đề tham khảo luyện thi THPT Quốc gia môn Tiếng Anh năm 2020

1. ĐỀ THAM KHẢO LUYỆN THI TNPT 2020 - 08 Thời gian: 60 phút Mã Đề 725 Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions. 01.A. privateB. pirate C. narrateD. considerate 02.A. accurateB. accident C. acceptD. success Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 03 to 07. What makes one person nice and another one nasty? Were they born that way or did something in their environment (3) these tendencies? Both texts discuss the relative importance of nature and nurture in the development of individual characteristics such as aggression and intelligence. While it is commonly accepted that physical characteristics are (4) in our genetic code, the origins of non-physical individual traits are being hotly contested. I agree with the suggestion in the two texts that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that accounts for the development of these traits. The idea expressed in the first text that, although our DNA provides individuals with a simple blueprint for our non-physical characteristics and abilities, it is how and where we are (5) that determine their ultimate shape, seems totally credible to me. In addition to reiterating points about the impact of nature and nurture, the second text uses the example of twins to explore the issue. It suggests that identical twins are remarkably similar, whether brought up together or apart, because, despite environmental differences, genes have an overriding (6) in determining who they are. I would dispute this and argue that the role of our environment also plays a significant part, a point expressed in both texts. I would even venture (7) to say that it is ultimately our environment that determines how our genetic inheritance plays out. In conclusion, although we are born with certain limitations, I believe we have the choice to decide what we do within those limitations. Would you be happy to believe that life was simply fate and no matter what choices we made we would never be able to change the person we are? 03.A. causeB. do C. makeD. create 04.A. rootedB. set C. placedD. grown 05.A. grown upB. brought up C. set upD. put up 06.A. roleB. mark C. signD. note 07.A. so far asB. so that C. usedD. in order Choose the best answer that best fits each blank (A, B, C, or D) in the following questions. 08. There's a rumour that the National Bank is going to the company I work for. A. overtake B. take onC. take overD. take off 09.There's no point in telephoning him. He’s certainly by now. A. to leaveB. leftC. to have leftD. having left 10. Some people are interested in animals than in other people. A. furtherB. mostC. far moreD. much 11. Everyone congratulated Judy on her suggestion, but actually I thought of it A. firstlyB. at the beginningC. firstD. at first 12. Ingrid broke in tears when we told her about the accident. A. forthB. offC. through D. down 13. Black children are seven times as likely as white children to this more corrosive form of poverty. A. traceB. sufferC. live upD. experience 14. If coastal erosion continues to take place at the present rate, another fifty years this beach anymore. A. doesn't existB. isn't existingC. won't be existingD. isn't going to exist 15. Why don't you have a night out? It would take your off your worries. A. thoughtsB. beadC. heartD. mind 16. For other applications, suggestion from manufacturer is A. askedB. requiredC. writtenD. advised 17. The minister has, in a of speaking, resigned. A. formB. mannerC. meansD. kind 18. Janet was shocked when I disagreed with her. She's so used to getting her own A. mindB. opinionC. wayD. views 19. People who are squeamish are afraid of the of blood. A. sightB. lookC. spectacleD. view
2. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions. 20. Soon after Alice has finished her thesis, she will leave for London, where she has a job waiting on her. A. whereB. has finishedC. will leaveD. on her 21. The progress made in space travel for the early 1960s is remarkable A. TheB. madeC. forD. early 1960s 22. How you invest your money is none of my work. A. is noneB. my workC. investD. How you Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges. 23. At home, in the living room. ~ Athorn: "Let’s turn on the radio and listen to the news." ~ Barnes: “ ” A. It’s at 7 pm. Make haste or we’ll miss the first bus.B. Sorry. I’m waiting a call from my boss. C. No news is good news. Don’t be so impatient.D. Forget about it. My favourite is Jazz. 24. In a bar. ~ Carluse: “Why are you in such a rush?” ~ Dimmack: “ ” A. Well, because I’m played out. B. Ooh! It’s so hot in here. C. I‘m enjoying myself.D. Let’s drink up because the bar is closing. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress in each of the following questions. 25.A. dishwasherB. annoyance C. restaurantD. grandmother 26.A. disastrousB. religious C. monotonousD. poisonous Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning tothe underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 27. I can't see him ever making a go of accountancy. A. departingB. beginning to goC. working hard to succeedD. proceeding to work 28. The coach tried to play down the significance of the lost game. A. take notice ofB. practise moreC. make less importantD. quit playing Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 29. Before this course I'd always fought shy of technology. A. been afraid ofB. tried to avoidC. been engrossed inD. made little progress 30. In 2016 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the accounting. A. let fly withB. be a fly on the wall ofC. wipe out traces ofD. reveal secrets Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 31 to 38. STRAW BALE FUTURES Straw bale building is a smart way to build. It's more than just a wall building technique that has yet to come into its own. It's a radically different approach to the process of building itself. Like all innovative ideas, it has been pioneered by the passionate, and used experimentally by those with the vision to see its potential. Its background is grassroots self-build; it is firmly based in that sustainable, 'green building' culture that has brought to the construction industry many new and useful ideas about energy efficiency and responsibility towards the environment. It is now at a pivotal point in its development, ready to be taken on by construction firms who see its value in terms of cost-effectiveness, sustainability, ease of installation and energy efficiency. The building method itself is based on a block system, making the designs very easy to adapt from one project to another, and giving great flexibility in its use. The accessible nature of straw means that people unfamiliar with the building process can now participate in it. This opens the door for interest groups to work together on joint projects. Local authorities and housing associations, for example, are ideal managers for self-build straw projects that won't take years to complete, and which will engender an excitement and motivation that gets the job done. The atmosphere on a straw bale building site is qualitatively different to that found on the vast majority of other sites. It is woman-friendly, joyful, optimistic and highly motivated. Knowledge and skills are freely shared, and co-operation and teamwork predominate, all of which has a positive effect on health and safety on site. Working with straw is unlike working with any other material. It is simple, flexible, imprecise and organic. It will challenge your preconceptions about the nature of building and the correct way of doing things; not everyone will be able to meet this challenge. Its simplicity can be disarming, or alarming. If you need complexity for security, then this may not be for you. Don't be put off by nursery tales about the big bad wolf - we should be wise enough to realise that the wolf probably worked for the cement manufacturers! And don't pay too much attention to colloquial tales about 'hippie' houses - read on, and make
3. your own mind up. Straw as a building material excels in the areas of cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. If used to replace the more traditional wallbuilding system of brick and block, it can present savings of around £10,000 on a normal three-bedroomed house. Of interest to the home owner is the huge reduction in heating costs once the house is occupied, due to the super insulation of the walls. Here the potential savings are up to 75% compared to a conventional modern house. One of the biggest attributes of straw bale building is its capacity for creative fun, and its ability to allow you to design and build the sort of shape and space you'd really like. It lends itself very well to curved and circular shapes, and can provide deep window seats, alcoves and niches due to the thickness of the bales. It's also a very forgiving material, can be knocked back into shape fairly easily during wall-raising, doesn't require absolute precision, and can make rounded as well as angular corners. Partly due to its great insulation value and partly because of its organic nature, the inside of a straw bale house feels very different to a brick or stone one, having a cosy, warm quality to it and a pleasing look to the eye. Straw is a flexible material and requires us to work with it somewhat differently than if it was rigid. Accurate measurement and precision is impossible and unnecessary with straw, but working without these aids can be worrying to the novice, and threatening if you're already used to 20th century building techniques. You have to develop a feel for the straw. You have to give it time, absorb its flexibility. More than any other material (except perhaps cob and clay) it is susceptible to your own spirit and that of the team, straw bale building is not something to do alone. It requires co-operation, skillsharing and common sense. Many of the inspirational and artistic features occur in this atmosphere. It is empowering, expanding the world of opportunities for you and making possible what you thought to be impossible! The atmosphere and environment in which we live is becoming increasingly a matter of concern to home owners and designers alike. There is a growing body of knowledge on the harmful effects of living long-term with modern materials that give off minute but significant amounts of toxins, the so-called 'sick-building syndrome'. Living in a straw house protects you from all that. It is a natural, breathable material that has no harmful effects. Hay fever sufferers are not affected by straw, as it does not contain pollens. Asthmatics too find a straw bale house a healthier environment to live in. Combined with a sensible choice of natural plasters and paints, it can positively enhance your quality of life. 31. According to the writer, straw bale building A.is favoured by people who have radically different views. B. is a novel variation of standard wall building techniques. C. developed from experiments to build houses out of grass, D. is about to be taken seriously by designers and builders. 32. The writer suggests that A. there are more women builders on a straw bale site than men. B. a straw bale houses can be erected quickly by people working together. C. building projects should be managed by authorised groups. D. it is only possible to build your own house if you join a co-operative. 33. The writer implies that A. straw can be used in much the same way as traditional materials. B. straw houses may not be suitable for complex or insecure people. C. straw may cause some people to consolidate their ideas about construction. D. straw houses are solid and safe despite misinformation to the contrary. 34. The writer points out that A. the majority of brick houses do not have super insulated walls. B. a conventional family house costs at least £10,000 to build. C. straw bale buildings use far less energy to keep warm in winter. D. a house owner can cut their heating bills by one quarter once they moves in. 35. In the writer's opinion, straw A. can only be used to build houses that do not need a precise design. B. has to be used in a particular rounded style of house. C. is an ideal material for flexible and organic designs. D. makes traditional stone or brick houses appear colder. 36. The writer insists that when building with straw, A. it's easy to make mistakes if you don't know the material. B. novice builders should seek expert advice about building techniques. C. a good team effort and sense of logic is essential. D. you are given the power to do anything you want. 37. In the writer's view A. all modern building materials emit poisonous contaminants. B. people with breathing problems would be better off in a straw bale house.
4. C. a straw bale house can remove the toxins in the air and walls. D. more people are becoming affected by the atmosphere inside their houses. 38. The word “This” refers to A. the accessible nature of straw B. the building method itself C. people’s participation in straw building.D. the block system Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 39 to 45. WHY I QUIT THE JOB Although I left university with a good degree, I suddenly found that it was actually quite hard to find a job. After being unemployed for a few months, I realised I had to take the first thing that came along or I’d be in serious financial difficulties. And so, for six very long months, I became a market research telephone interviewer. I knew it wasn’t the best company in the world when they told me that I’d have to undergo three days of training before starting work, and that I wouldn’t get paid for any of it. Still, I knew that the hourly rate when I actually did start full time would be a lot better than unemployment benefit, and I could work up to twelve hours a day, seven days a week if I wanted. So, I thought of the money I’d earn and put up with! Three days of unpaid training. Whatever those three days taught me - and I can’t really remember anything about them today - I wasn’t prepared for the way I would be treated by the supervisors. It was worse than being at school. There were about twenty interviewers like myself, each sitting in a small, dark booth with an ancient computer and a dirty telephone. The booths were around the walls of the fifth floor of a concrete office block, and the supervisors sat in the middle of the room, listening in to all of our telephone interviews. We weren’t allowed to talk to each other, and if we took more than about two seconds from ending one phone call and starting another, they would shout at us to hurry up and get on with our jobs. We even had to ask permission to go to the toilet. I was amazed how slowly the day went. Our first break of the day came at eleven o’clock, two hours after we started. I'll always remember that feeling of despair when I would look at my watch thinking, 'It must be nearly time for the break', only to find that it was quarter to ten and that there was another hour and a quarter to go. My next thought was always, 'I can’t believe I’m going to be here until nine o’clock tonight.' It wouldn’t have been so bad if what we were doing had been useful. But it wasn’t. Most of our interviews were for a major telecommunications company. We’d have to ring up businesses and ask them things like, 'Is your telecoms budget more than three million pounds a year?’ The chances are we'd get the reply, 'Oh, I don’t think so. I’ll ask my husband. This is a corner shop. We’ve only got one phone.' And so the day went on. The most frightening aspect of the job was that I was actually quite good at it. 'Oh no!' I thought. 'Maybe I’m destined to be a market researcher for the rest of my life.' My boss certainly seemed to think so. One day - during a break, of course - she ordered me into her office. 'Simon,' she said, 'I’m promoting you. From tomorrow, you’re off telecoms and onto credit card complaints. I’m sure you can handle it.There’s no extra pay, but it is a very responsible position.' Three weeks later I quit. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. [From FCE READING, Macmillan, 2003] 39. What was unusual about Simon’s promotion? A. There was no increase in salary.B. It showed how good he was at his job. C. It meant he would be phoning different people.D. It involved greater responsibility. 40. The writer had doubts about the company when A. they only offered him three days of training. B. they told him he had to be trained first. C. he was told what the hourly rate would be. D. they told him he wouldn’t receive payment for his training. 41. How did he feel when he realised it wasn’t time for the break yet? A. He felt that he wouldn’t survive to the end of the day. B. He felt that he must have made a mistake. C. He felt that the end of the day seemed so long away. D. He felt that he would have to go home early. 42. Why did the writer become a market research telephone interviewer? A. He knew it was only for six months.B. He had completely run out of money. C. It was the first job he was offered.D. He had the right university degree for the job. 43. His workplace could best be described as A. silent and dirty.B. old-fashioned and uncomfortable. C. untidy and crowded.D. large and noisy. 44. What would be the most suitable title for this extract? A. Typical Office LifeB. How To Earn a Decent Salary C. Unpleasant EmploymentD. You Get What You Deserve 45. What would have made the job more bearable? A. knowing that he was carrying out a valuable serviceB. not having to talk to shopkeepers C. not having to ring up businessesD. being able to phone much larger companies
5. 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. 46. She is unqualified to fill the position as executive secretary of the firm. A. The executive secretary position is suitable for her. B. Both she and the executive secretary took a firm position. C. The job of executive secretary requires more skills than she has. D. She possesses the firm qualities of an executive secretary 47. The plan may be ingenious. It will never work in practice. A. The plan is as impractical as it is ingenious. B. Ingenious as may the plan, it will never work in practice. C. Ingenious as it may be, the plan will never work in practice. D. The plan may be too ingenious to work in practice. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions. 48. “You're always making terrible mistakes,” said the teacher. A. The teacher realized that his students always made terrible mistakes. B. The teacher asked his students why they always made terrible mistakes. C. The teacher made his students not always make terrible mistakes. D. The teacher complained about his students’ making terrible mistakes. 49. Their dog was fierce. Nobody would visit them. A. Their dog was fierce enough for anybody to visit them. B. So fierce was their dog that nobody would visit them. C. If their dog weren’t fierce, somebody would visit them. D. So fierce a dog did they had that nobody would visit thern. 50. He spent all his money. He even borrowed somefrom me. A. Not only did he spend all his money but he borrowed some from me as well. B. As soon as he borrowed some money from me, he spent it all. C. Not only did he spent all his money but also he borrowed some from me. D. Hardly had he borrowed some money from me when he spent it all. The End
6. ĐỀ THAM KHẢO LUYỆN THI TNPT 2020 - 08 Thời gian: 60 phút Mã Đề 339 Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions. 01. “You're always making terrible mistakes,” said the teacher. A. The teacher made his students not always make terrible mistakes. B. The teacher asked his students why they always made terrible mistakes. C. The teacher complained about his students’ making terrible mistakes. D. The teacher realized that his students always made terrible mistakes. 02. Their dog was fierce. Nobody would visit them. A. Their dog was fierce enough for anybody to visit them. B. If their dog weren’t fierce, somebody would visit them. C. So fierce a dog did they had that nobody would visit thern. D. So fierce was their dog that nobody would visit them. 03. He spent all his money. He even borrowed somefrom me. A. As soon as he borrowed some money from me, he spent it all. B. Hardly had he borrowed some money from me when he spent it all C. Not only did he spent all his money but also he borrowed some from me. D. Not only did he spend all his money but he borrowed some from me as well. 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. 04. She is unqualified to fill the position as executive secretary of the firm. A. She possesses the firm qualities of an executive secretary B. The job of executive secretary requires more skills than she has. C. Both she and the executive secretary took a firm position. D. The executive secretary position is suitable for her. 05. The plan may be ingenious. It will never work in practice. A. Ingenious as it may be, the plan will never work in practice. B. Ingenious as may the plan, it will never work in practice. C. The plan is as impractical as it is ingenious. D. The plan may be too ingenious to work in practice. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 06 to 10. What makes one person nice and another one nasty? Were they born that way or did something in their environment (6) these tendencies? Both texts discuss the relative importance of nature and nurture in the development of individual characteristics such as aggression and intelligence. While it is commonly accepted that physical characteristics are (7) in our genetic code, the origins of non-physical individual traits are being hotly contested. I agree with the suggestion in the two texts that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that accounts for the development of these traits. The idea expressed in the first text that, although our DNA provides individuals with a simple blueprint for our non-physical characteristics and abilities, it is how and where we are (8) that determine their ultimate shape, seems totally credible to me. In addition to reiterating points about the impact of nature and nurture, the second text uses the example of twins to explore the issue. It suggests that identical twins are remarkably similar, whether brought up together or apart, because, despite environmental differences, genes have an overriding (9) in determining who they are. I would dispute this and argue that the role of our environment also plays a significant part, a point expressed in both texts. I would even venture (10) to say that it is ultimately our environment that determines how our genetic inheritance plays out. In conclusion, although we are born with certain limitations, I believe we have the choice to decide what we do within those limitations. Would you be happy to believe that life was simply fate and no matter what choices we made we would never be able to change the person we are? 06.A. causeB. do C. createD. make 07.A. grownB. rooted C. setD. placed 08.A. brought upB. put up C. set upD. grown up 09.A. noteB. role C. signD. mark 10.A. usedB. in order C. so far asD. so that
7. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions. 11. How you invest your money is none of my work. A. my workB. How youC. is noneD. invest 12. The progress made in space travel for the early 1960s is remarkable A. early 1960sB. forC. madeD. The 13. Soon after Alice has finished her thesis, she will leave for London, where she has a job waiting on her. A. has finishedB. whereC. will leaveD. on her Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning tothe underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 14. The coach tried to play down the significance of the lost game. A. practise moreB. make less importantC. quit playingD. take notice of 15. I can't see him ever making a go of accountancy. A. beginning to goB. proceeding to workC. departingD. working hard to succeed Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges. 16. At home, in the living room. ~ Athorn: "Let’s turn on the radio and listen to the news." ~ Barnes: “ ” A. It’s at 7 pm. Make haste or we’ll miss the first bus.B. Sorry. I’m waiting a call from my boss. C. No news is good news. Don’t be so impatient.D. Forget about it. My favourite is Jazz. 17. In a bar. ~ Carluse: “Why are you in such a rush?” ~ Dimmack: “ ” A. Ooh! It’s so hot in here.B. Let’s drink up because the bar is closing. C. I‘m enjoying myself.D. Well, because I’m played out. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 18. Before this course I'd always fought shy of technology. A. been engrossed inB. tried to avoidC. been afraid ofD. made little progress 19. In 2016 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the accounting. A. be a fly on the wall ofB. reveal secretsC. let fly withD. wipe out traces of Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress in each of the following questions. 20.A. poisonousB. religious C. monotonousD. disastrous 21.A. grandmotherB. restaurant C. annoyanceD. dishwasher Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions. 22.A. narrateB. pirate C. privateD. considerate 23.A. accidentB. accurate C. acceptD. success Choose the best answer that best fits each blank (A, B, C, or D) in the following questions. 24. Black children are seven times as likely as white children to this more corrosive form of poverty. A. experienceB. sufferC. traceD. live up 25. For other applications, suggestion from manufacturer is A. askedB. advisedC. requiredD. written 26. The minister has, in a of speaking, resigned. A. meansB. formC. mannerD. kind 27. Why don't you have a night out? It would take your off your worries. A. beadB. heartC. thoughtsD. mind 28. Everyone congratulated Judy on her suggestion, but actually I thought of it A. at firstB. firstlyC. at the beginningD. first 29. Janet was shocked when I disagreed with her. She's so used to getting her own A. viewsB. wayC. opinionD. mind 30. Some people are interested in animals than in other people. A. far moreB. muchC. furtherD. most 31. If coastal erosion continues to take place at the present rate, another fifty years this beach anymore. A. doesn't existB. won't be existingC. isn't going to existD. isn't existing 32.There's no point in telephoning him. He’s certainly by now. A. to leaveB. leftC. having leftD. to have left
8. 33. There's a rumour that the National Bank is going to the company I work for. A. take offB. take overC. overtake D. take on 34. People who are squeamish are afraid of the of blood. A. lookB. spectacleC. sightD. view 35. Ingrid broke in tears when we told her about the accident. A. forthB. offC. through D. down Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 36 to 43. STRAW BALE FUTURES Straw bale building is a smart way to build. It's more than just a wall building technique that has yet to come into its own. It's a radically different approach to the process of building itself. Like all innovative ideas, it has been pioneered by the passionate, and used experimentally by those with the vision to see its potential. Its background is grassroots self-build; it is firmly based in that sustainable, 'green building' culture that has brought to the construction industry many new and useful ideas about energy efficiency and responsibility towards the environment. It is now at a pivotal point in its development, ready to be taken on by construction firms who see its value in terms of cost-effectiveness, sustainability, ease of installation and energy efficiency. The building method itself is based on a block system, making the designs very easy to adapt from one project to another, and giving great flexibility in its use. The accessible nature of straw means that people unfamiliar with the building process can now participate in it. This opens the door for interest groups to work together on joint projects. Local authorities and housing associations, for example, are ideal managers for self-build straw projects that won't take years to complete, and which will engender an excitement and motivation that gets the job done. The atmosphere on a straw bale building site is qualitatively different to that found on the vast majority of other sites. It is woman-friendly, joyful, optimistic and highly motivated. Knowledge and skills are freely shared, and co-operation and teamwork predominate, all of which has a positive effect on health and safety on site. Working with straw is unlike working with any other material. It is simple, flexible, imprecise and organic. It will challenge your preconceptions about the nature of building and the correct way of doing things; not everyone will be able to meet this challenge. Its simplicity can be disarming, or alarming. If you need complexity for security, then this may not be for you. Don't be put off by nursery tales about the big bad wolf - we should be wise enough to realise that the wolf probably worked for the cement manufacturers! And don't pay too much attention to colloquial tales about 'hippie' houses - read on, and make your own mind up. Straw as a building material excels in the areas of cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. If used to replace the more traditional wallbuilding system of brick and block, it can present savings of around £10,000 on a normal three-bedroomed house. Of interest to the home owner is the huge reduction in heating costs once the house is occupied, due to the super insulation of the walls. Here the potential savings are up to 75% compared to a conventional modern house. One of the biggest attributes of straw bale building is its capacity for creative fun, and its ability to allow you to design and build the sort of shape and space you'd really like. It lends itself very well to curved and circular shapes, and can provide deep window seats, alcoves and niches due to the thickness of the bales. It's also a very forgiving material, can be knocked back into shape fairly easily during wall-raising, doesn't require absolute precision, and can make rounded as well as angular corners. Partly due to its great insulation value and partly because of its organic nature, the inside of a straw bale house feels very different to a brick or stone one, having a cosy, warm quality to it and a pleasing look to the eye. Straw is a flexible material and requires us to work with it somewhat differently than if it was rigid. Accurate measurement and precision is impossible and unnecessary with straw, but working without these aids can be worrying to the novice, and threatening if you're already used to 20th century building techniques. You have to develop a feel for the straw. You have to give it time, absorb its flexibility. More than any other material (except perhaps cob and clay) it is susceptible to your own spirit and that of the team, straw bale building is not something to do alone. It requires co-operation, skillsharing and common sense. Many of the inspirational and artistic features occur in this atmosphere. It is empowering, expanding the world of opportunities for you and making possible what you thought to be impossible! The atmosphere and environment in which we live is becoming increasingly a matter of concern to home owners and designers alike. There is a growing body of knowledge on the harmful effects of living long-term with modern materials that give off minute but significant amounts of toxins, the so-called 'sick-building syndrome'. Living in a straw house protects you from all that. It is a natural, breathable material that has no harmful effects. Hay fever sufferers are not affected by straw, as it does not contain pollens. Asthmatics too find a straw bale house a healthier environment to live in. Combined with a sensible choice of natural plasters and paints, it can positively enhance your quality of life. 36. The writer implies that A. straw may cause some people to consolidate their ideas about construction. B. straw can be used in much the same way as traditional materials. C. straw houses may not be suitable for complex or insecure people.
9. D. straw houses are solid and safe despite misinformation to the contrary. 37. The writer insists that when building with straw, A. it's easy to make mistakes if you don't know the material. B. novice builders should seek expert advice about building techniques. C. a good team effort and sense of logic is essential. D. you are given the power to do anything you want. 38. The writer suggests that A. building projects should be managed by authorised groups. B. a straw bale houses can be erected quickly by people working together. C. there are more women builders on a straw bale site than men. D. it is only possible to build your own house if you join a co-operative. 39. In the writer's view A. more people are becoming affected by the atmosphere inside their houses. B. people with breathing problems would be better off in a straw bale house. C. a straw bale house can remove the toxins in the air and walls. D. all modern building materials emit poisonous contaminants. 40. The word “This” refers to A. people’s participation in straw building.B. the block system C. the building method itselfD. the accessible nature of straw 41. In the writer's opinion, straw A. has to be used in a particular rounded style of house. B. can only be used to build houses that do not need a precise design. C. is an ideal material for flexible and organic designs. D. makes traditional stone or brick houses appear colder. 42. The writer points out that A. the majority of brick houses do not have super insulated walls. B. a conventional family house costs at least £10,000 to build. C. straw bale buildings use far less energy to keep warm in winter. D. a house owner can cut their heating bills by one quarter once they moves in. 43. According to the writer, straw bale building A. developed from experiments to build houses out of grass, B.is favoured by people who have radically different views. C. is a novel variation of standard wall building techniques. D. is about to be taken seriously by designers and builders. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 44 to 50. WHY I QUIT THE JOB Although I left university with a good degree, I suddenly found that it was actually quite hard to find a job. After being unemployed for a few months, I realised I had to take the first thing that came along or I’d be in serious financial difficulties. And so, for six very long months, I became a market research telephone interviewer. I knew it wasn’t the best company in the world when they told me that I’d have to undergo three days of training before starting work, and that I wouldn’t get paid for any of it. Still, I knew that the hourly rate when I actually did start full time would be a lot better than unemployment benefit, and I could work up to twelve hours a day, seven days a week if I wanted. So, I thought of the money I’d earn and put up with! Three days of unpaid training. Whatever those three days taught me - and I can’t really remember anything about them today - I wasn’t prepared for the way I would be treated by the supervisors. It was worse than being at school. There were about twenty interviewers like myself, each sitting in a small, dark booth with an ancient computer and a dirty telephone. The booths were around the walls of the fifth floor of a concrete office block, and the supervisors sat in the middle of the room, listening in to all of our telephone interviews. We weren’t allowed to talk to each other, and if we took more than about two seconds from ending one phone call and starting another, they would shout at us to hurry up and get on with our jobs. We even had to ask permission to go to the toilet. I was amazed how slowly the day went. Our first break of the day came at eleven o’clock, two hours after we started. I'll always remember that feeling of despair when I would look at my watch thinking, 'It must be nearly time for the break', only to find that it was quarter to ten and that there was another hour and a quarter to go. My next thought was always, 'I can’t believe I’m going to be here until nine o’clock tonight.' It wouldn’t have been so bad if what we were doing had been useful. But it wasn’t. Most of our interviews were for a major telecommunications company. We’d have to ring up businesses and ask them things like, 'Is your telecoms budget more than three million pounds a year?’ The chances are we'd get the reply, 'Oh, I don’t think so. I’ll ask my husband. This is a corner shop. We’ve only got one phone.' And so the day went on.
10. The most frightening aspect of the job was that I was actually quite good at it. 'Oh no!' I thought. 'Maybe I’m destined to be a market researcher for the rest of my life.' My boss certainly seemed to think so. One day - during a break, of course - she ordered me into her office. 'Simon,' she said, 'I’m promoting you. From tomorrow, you’re off telecoms and onto credit card complaints. I’m sure you can handle it.There’s no extra pay, but it is a very responsible position.' Three weeks later I quit. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. [From FCE READING, Macmillan, 2003] 44. Why did the writer become a market research telephone interviewer? A. He knew it was only for six months.B. He had the right university degree for the job. C. It was the first job he was offered.D. He had completely run out of money. 45. What was unusual about Simon’s promotion? A. It meant he would be phoning different people.B. It showed how good he was at his job. C. There was no increase in salary.D. It involved greater responsibility. 46. How did he feel when he realised it wasn’t time for the break yet? A. He felt that the end of the day seemed so long away. B. He felt that he must have made a mistake. C. He felt that he would have to go home early. D. He felt that he wouldn’t survive to the end of the day. 47. The writer had doubts about the company when A. they only offered him three days of training. B. he was told what the hourly rate would be. C. they told him he had to be trained first. D. they told him he wouldn’t receive payment for his training. 48. His workplace could best be described as A. large and noisy.B. untidy and crowded. C. silent and dirty.D. old-fashioned and uncomfortable. 49. What would have made the job more bearable? A. not having to ring up businessesB. not having to talk to shopkeepers C. being able to phone much larger companiesD. knowing that he was carrying out a valuable service 50. What would be the most suitable title for this extract? A. Unpleasant EmploymentB. You Get What You Deserve C. How To Earn a Decent SalaryD. Typical Office Life The End
11. ĐỀ THAM KHẢO LUYỆN THI TNPT 2020 - 08 Thời gian: 60 phút Mã Đề 476 Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning tothe underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 01. I can't see him ever making a go of accountancy. A. beginning to goB. working hard to succeedC. departingD. proceeding to work 02. The coach tried to play down the significance of the lost game. A. practise moreB. quit playingC. take notice ofD. make less important Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress in each of the following questions. 03.A. monotonousB. religious C. poisonousD. disastrous 04.A. dishwasherB. annoyance C. grandmotherD. restaurant 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. 05. The plan may be ingenious. It will never work in practice. A. The plan may be too ingenious to work in practice. B. The plan is as impractical as it is ingenious. C. Ingenious as it may be, the plan will never work in practice. D. Ingenious as may the plan, it will never work in practice. 06. She is unqualified to fill the position as executive secretary of the firm. A. The executive secretary position is suitable for her. B. The job of executive secretary requires more skills than she has. C. Both she and the executive secretary took a firm position. D. She possesses the firm qualities of an executive secretary Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 07 to 13. WHY I QUIT THE JOB Although I left university with a good degree, I suddenly found that it was actually quite hard to find a job. After being unemployed for a few months, I realised I had to take the first thing that came along or I’d be in serious financial difficulties. And so, for six very long months, I became a market research telephone interviewer. I knew it wasn’t the best company in the world when they told me that I’d have to undergo three days of training before starting work, and that I wouldn’t get paid for any of it. Still, I knew that the hourly rate when I actually did start full time would be a lot better than unemployment benefit, and I could work up to twelve hours a day, seven days a week if I wanted. So, I thought of the money I’d earn and put up with! Three days of unpaid training. Whatever those three days taught me - and I can’t really remember anything about them today - I wasn’t prepared for the way I would be treated by the supervisors. It was worse than being at school. There were about twenty interviewers like myself, each sitting in a small, dark booth with an ancient computer and a dirty telephone. The booths were around the walls of the fifth floor of a concrete office block, and the supervisors sat in the middle of the room, listening in to all of our telephone interviews. We weren’t allowed to talk to each other, and if we took more than about two seconds from ending one phone call and starting another, they would shout at us to hurry up and get on with our jobs. We even had to ask permission to go to the toilet. I was amazed how slowly the day went. Our first break of the day came at eleven o’clock, two hours after we started. I'll always remember that feeling of despair when I would look at my watch thinking, 'It must be nearly time for the break', only to find that it was quarter to ten and that there was another hour and a quarter to go. My next thought was always, 'I can’t believe I’m going to be here until nine o’clock tonight.' It wouldn’t have been so bad if what we were doing had been useful. But it wasn’t. Most of our interviews were for a major telecommunications company. We’d have to ring up businesses and ask them things like, 'Is your telecoms budget more than three million pounds a year?’ The chances are we'd get the reply, 'Oh, I don’t think so. I’ll ask my husband. This is a corner shop. We’ve only got one phone.' And so the day went on. The most frightening aspect of the job was that I was actually quite good at it. 'Oh no!' I thought. 'Maybe I’m destined to be a market researcher for the rest of my life.' My boss certainly seemed to think so. One day - during a break, of course - she ordered me into her office. 'Simon,' she said, 'I’m promoting you. From tomorrow, you’re off telecoms and onto credit card complaints. I’m sure you can handle it.There’s no extra pay, but it is a very responsible position.' Three weeks later I quit. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. [From FCE READING, Macmillan, 2003] 07. What would have made the job more bearable? A. not having to talk to shopkeepersB. being able to phone much larger companies C. knowing that he was carrying out a valuable serviceD. not having to ring up businesses
12. 08. The writer had doubts about the company when A. they told him he wouldn’t receive payment for his training. B. they told him he had to be trained first. C. they only offered him three days of training. D. he was told what the hourly rate would be. 09. How did he feel when he realised it wasn’t time for the break yet? A. He felt that he would have to go home early. B. He felt that he must have made a mistake. C. He felt that he wouldn’t survive to the end of the day. D. He felt that the end of the day seemed so long away. 10. What would be the most suitable title for this extract? A. Unpleasant EmploymentB. Typical Office Life C. How To Earn a Decent SalaryD. You Get What You Deserve 11. Why did the writer become a market research telephone interviewer? A. He had completely run out of money.B. He had the right university degree for the job. C. It was the first job he was offered.D. He knew it was only for six months. 12. What was unusual about Simon’s promotion? A. It meant he would be phoning different people.B. There was no increase in salary. C. It involved greater responsibility.D. It showed how good he was at his job. 13. His workplace could best be described as A. large and noisy.B. untidy and crowded. C. old-fashioned and uncomfortable.D. silent and dirty. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges. 14. At home, in the living room. ~ Athorn: "Let’s turn on the radio and listen to the news." ~ Barnes: “ ” A. No news is good news. Don’t be so impatient.B. Forget about it. My favourite is Jazz. C. It’s at 7 pm. Make haste or we’ll miss the first bus.D. Sorry. I’m waiting a call from my boss. 15. In a bar. ~ Carluse: “Why are you in such a rush?” ~ Dimmack: “ ” A. Let’s drink up because the bar is closing.B. Ooh! It’s so hot in here. C. Well, because I’m played out. D. I‘m enjoying myself. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions. 16. How you invest your money is none of my work. A. How youB. investC. is noneD. my work 17. The progress made in space travel for the early 1960s is remarkable A. TheB. forC. early 1960sD. made 18. Soon after Alice has finished her thesis, she will leave for London, where she has a job waiting on her. A. has finishedB. will leaveC. whereD. on her Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 19. Before this course I'd always fought shy of technology. A. tried to avoidB. been engrossed inC. been afraid ofD. made little progress 20. In 2016 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the accounting. A. reveal secretsB. let fly withC. be a fly on the wall ofD. wipe out traces of Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions. 21.A. considerateB. private C. pirateD. narrate 22.A. accidentB. accept C. successD. accurate Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 23 to 30. STRAW BALE FUTURES Straw bale building is a smart way to build. It's more than just a wall building technique that has yet to come into its own. It's a radically different approach to the process of building itself. Like all innovative ideas, it has been pioneered by the passionate, and used experimentally by those with the vision to see its potential. Its background is grassroots self-build; it is firmly based in that sustainable, 'green building' culture that has brought to the construction industry many new and useful
13. ideas about energy efficiency and responsibility towards the environment. It is now at a pivotal point in its development, ready to be taken on by construction firms who see its value in terms of cost-effectiveness, sustainability, ease of installation and energy efficiency. The building method itself is based on a block system, making the designs very easy to adapt from one project to another, and giving great flexibility in its use. The accessible nature of straw means that people unfamiliar with the building process can now participate in it. This opens the door for interest groups to work together on joint projects. Local authorities and housing associations, for example, are ideal managers for self-build straw projects that won't take years to complete, and which will engender an excitement and motivation that gets the job done. The atmosphere on a straw bale building site is qualitatively different to that found on the vast majority of other sites. It is woman-friendly, joyful, optimistic and highly motivated. Knowledge and skills are freely shared, and co-operation and teamwork predominate, all of which has a positive effect on health and safety on site. Working with straw is unlike working with any other material. It is simple, flexible, imprecise and organic. It will challenge your preconceptions about the nature of building and the correct way of doing things; not everyone will be able to meet this challenge. Its simplicity can be disarming, or alarming. If you need complexity for security, then this may not be for you. Don't be put off by nursery tales about the big bad wolf - we should be wise enough to realise that the wolf probably worked for the cement manufacturers! And don't pay too much attention to colloquial tales about 'hippie' houses - read on, and make your own mind up. Straw as a building material excels in the areas of cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. If used to replace the more traditional wallbuilding system of brick and block, it can present savings of around £10,000 on a normal three-bedroomed house. Of interest to the home owner is the huge reduction in heating costs once the house is occupied, due to the super insulation of the walls. Here the potential savings are up to 75% compared to a conventional modern house. One of the biggest attributes of straw bale building is its capacity for creative fun, and its ability to allow you to design and build the sort of shape and space you'd really like. It lends itself very well to curved and circular shapes, and can provide deep window seats, alcoves and niches due to the thickness of the bales. It's also a very forgiving material, can be knocked back into shape fairly easily during wall-raising, doesn't require absolute precision, and can make rounded as well as angular corners. Partly due to its great insulation value and partly because of its organic nature, the inside of a straw bale house feels very different to a brick or stone one, having a cosy, warm quality to it and a pleasing look to the eye. Straw is a flexible material and requires us to work with it somewhat differently than if it was rigid. Accurate measurement and precision is impossible and unnecessary with straw, but working without these aids can be worrying to the novice, and threatening if you're already used to 20th century building techniques. You have to develop a feel for the straw. You have to give it time, absorb its flexibility. More than any other material (except perhaps cob and clay) it is susceptible to your own spirit and that of the team, straw bale building is not something to do alone. It requires co-operation, skillsharing and common sense. Many of the inspirational and artistic features occur in this atmosphere. It is empowering, expanding the world of opportunities for you and making possible what you thought to be impossible! The atmosphere and environment in which we live is becoming increasingly a matter of concern to home owners and designers alike. There is a growing body of knowledge on the harmful effects of living long-term with modern materials that give off minute but significant amounts of toxins, the so-called 'sick-building syndrome'. Living in a straw house protects you from all that. It is a natural, breathable material that has no harmful effects. Hay fever sufferers are not affected by straw, as it does not contain pollens. Asthmatics too find a straw bale house a healthier environment to live in. Combined with a sensible choice of natural plasters and paints, it can positively enhance your quality of life. 23. The writer insists that when building with straw, A. novice builders should seek expert advice about building techniques. B. a good team effort and sense of logic is essential. C. it's easy to make mistakes if you don't know the material. D. you are given the power to do anything you want. 24. The writer points out that A. straw bale buildings use far less energy to keep warm in winter. B. a conventional family house costs at least £10,000 to build. C. a house owner can cut their heating bills by one quarter once they moves in. D. the majority of brick houses do not have super insulated walls. 25. The writer suggests that A. building projects should be managed by authorised groups. B. it is only possible to build your own house if you join a co-operative. C. a straw bale houses can be erected quickly by people working together. D. there are more women builders on a straw bale site than men. 26. In the writer's opinion, straw A. has to be used in a particular rounded style of house.
14. B. makes traditional stone or brick houses appear colder. C. can only be used to build houses that do not need a precise design. D. is an ideal material for flexible and organic designs. 27. The writer implies that A. straw houses may not be suitable for complex or insecure people. B. straw can be used in much the same way as traditional materials. C. straw houses are solid and safe despite misinformation to the contrary. D. straw may cause some people to consolidate their ideas about construction. 28. According to the writer, straw bale building A.is favoured by people who have radically different views. B. is a novel variation of standard wall building techniques. C. is about to be taken seriously by designers and builders. D. developed from experiments to build houses out of grass, 29. In the writer's view A. people with breathing problems would be better off in a straw bale house. B. more people are becoming affected by the atmosphere inside their houses. C. all modern building materials emit poisonous contaminants. D. a straw bale house can remove the toxins in the air and walls. 30. The word “This” refers to A. the building method itselfB. people’s participation in straw building. C. the accessible nature of straw D. the block system Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions. 31. He spent all his money. He even borrowed somefrom me. A. Hardly had he borrowed some money from me when he spent it all B. Not only did he spent all his money but also he borrowed some from me. C. Not only did he spend all his money but he borrowed some from me as well. D. As soon as he borrowed some money from me, he spent it all. 32. “You're always making terrible mistakes,” said the teacher. A. The teacher realized that his students always made terrible mistakes. B. The teacher asked his students why they always made terrible mistakes. C. The teacher complained about his students’ making terrible mistakes. D. The teacher made his students not always make terrible mistakes. 33. Their dog was fierce. Nobody would visit them. A. So fierce was their dog that nobody would visit them. B. So fierce a dog did they had that nobody would visit thern. C. If their dog weren’t fierce, somebody would visit them. D. Their dog was fierce enough for anybody to visit them. Choose the best answer that best fits each blank (A, B, C, or D) in the following questions. 34. Black children are seven times as likely as white children to this more corrosive form of poverty. A. sufferB. live upC. experienceD. trace 35. Why don't you have a night out? It would take your off your worries. A. thoughtsB. heartC. beadD. mind 36.There's no point in telephoning him. He’s certainly by now. A. leftB. having leftC. to leaveD. to have left 37. People who are squeamish are afraid of the of blood. A. lookB. viewC. sightD. spectacle 38. There's a rumour that the National Bank is going to the company I work for. A. take overB. overtake С. take onD. take off 39. Some people are interested in animals than in other people. A. furtherB. far moreC. muchD. most 40. Everyone congratulated Judy on her suggestion, but actually I thought of it A. at firstB. firstC. firstlyD. at the beginning 41. If coastal erosion continues to take place at the present rate, another fifty years this beach anymore. A. doesn't existB. isn't existingC. isn't going to existD. won't be existing 42. Janet was shocked when I disagreed with her. She's so used to getting her own A. mindB. opinionC. viewsD. way
15. 43. The minister has, in a of speaking, resigned. A. mannerB. meansC. kindD. form 44. For other applications, suggestion from manufacturer is A. requiredB. advisedC. askedD. written 45. Ingrid broke in tears when we told her about the accident. A. through B. downB. forthD. off Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 46 to 50. What makes one person nice and another one nasty? Were they born that way or did something in their environment (46) these tendencies? Both texts discuss the relative importance of nature and nurture in the development of individual characteristics such as aggression and intelligence. While it is commonly accepted that physical characteristics are (47) in our genetic code, the origins of non-physical individual traits are being hotly contested. I agree with the suggestion in the two texts that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that accounts for the development of these traits. The idea expressed in the first text that, although our DNA provides individuals with a simple blueprint for our non-physical characteristics and abilities, it is how and where we are (48) that determine their ultimate shape, seems totally credible to me. In addition to reiterating points about the impact of nature and nurture, the second text uses the example of twins to explore the issue. It suggests that identical twins are remarkably similar, whether brought up together or apart, because, despite environmental differences, genes have an overriding (49) in determining who they are. I would dispute this and argue that the role of our environment also plays a significant part, a point expressed in both texts. I would even venture (50) to say that it is ultimately our environment that determines how our genetic inheritance plays out. In conclusion, although we are born with certain limitations, I believe we have the choice to decide what we do within those limitations. Would you be happy to believe that life was simply fate and no matter what choices we made we would never be able to change the person we are? 46.A. makeB. cause C. createD. do 47.A. rootedB. set C. placedD. grown 48.A. brought upB. set up C. grown upD. put up 49.A. signB. role C. markD. note 50.A. so far asB. in order C. so thatD. used The End
16. ĐỀ THAM KHẢO LUYỆN THI TNPT 2020 - 08 Thời gian: 60 phút Mã Đề 594 Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions. 01.A. accidentB. accurateC. successD. accept 02.A. considerateB. narrate C. privateD. pirate Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 03 to 10. STRAW BALE FUTURES Straw bale building is a smart way to build. It's more than just a wall building technique that has yet to come into its own. It's a radically different approach to the process of building itself. Like all innovative ideas, it has been pioneered by the passionate, and used experimentally by those with the vision to see its potential. Its background is grassroots self-build; it is firmly based in that sustainable, 'green building' culture that has brought to the construction industry many new and useful ideas about energy efficiency and responsibility towards the environment. It is now at a pivotal point in its development, ready to be taken on by construction firms who see its value in terms of cost-effectiveness, sustainability, ease of installation and energy efficiency. The building method itself is based on a block system, making the designs very easy to adapt from one project to another, and giving great flexibility in its use. The accessible nature of straw means that people unfamiliar with the building process can now participate in it. This opens the door for interest groups to work together on joint projects. Local authorities and housing associations, for example, are ideal managers for self-build straw projects that won't take years to complete, and which will engender an excitement and motivation that gets the job done. The atmosphere on a straw bale building site is qualitatively different to that found on the vast majority of other sites. It is woman-friendly, joyful, optimistic and highly motivated. Knowledge and skills are freely shared, and co-operation and teamwork predominate, all of which has a positive effect on health and safety on site. Working with straw is unlike working with any other material. It is simple, flexible, imprecise and organic. It will challenge your preconceptions about the nature of building and the correct way of doing things; not everyone will be able to meet this challenge. Its simplicity can be disarming, or alarming. If you need complexity for security, then this may not be for you. Don't be put off by nursery tales about the big bad wolf - we should be wise enough to realise that the wolf probably worked for the cement manufacturers! And don't pay too much attention to colloquial tales about 'hippie' houses - read on, and make your own mind up. Straw as a building material excels in the areas of cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. If used to replace the more traditional wallbuilding system of brick and block, it can present savings of around £10,000 on a normal three-bedroomed house. Of interest to the home owner is the huge reduction in heating costs once the house is occupied, due to the super insulation of the walls. Here the potential savings are up to 75% compared to a conventional modern house. One of the biggest attributes of straw bale building is its capacity for creative fun, and its ability to allow you to design and build the sort of shape and space you'd really like. It lends itself very well to curved and circular shapes, and can provide deep window seats, alcoves and niches due to the thickness of the bales. It's also a very forgiving material, can be knocked back into shape fairly easily during wall-raising, doesn't require absolute precision, and can make rounded as well as angular corners. Partly due to its great insulation value and partly because of its organic nature, the inside of a straw bale house feels very different to a brick or stone one, having a cosy, warm quality to it and a pleasing look to the eye. Straw is a flexible material and requires us to work with it somewhat differently than if it was rigid. Accurate measurement and precision is impossible and unnecessary with straw, but working without these aids can be worrying to the novice, and threatening if you're already used to 20th century building techniques. You have to develop a feel for the straw. You have to give it time, absorb its flexibility. More than any other material (except perhaps cob and clay) it is susceptible to your own spirit and that of the team, straw bale building is not something to do alone. It requires co-operation, skillsharing and common sense. Many of the inspirational and artistic features occur in this atmosphere. It is empowering, expanding the world of opportunities for you and making possible what you thought to be impossible! The atmosphere and environment in which we live is becoming increasingly a matter of concern to home owners and designers alike. There is a growing body of knowledge on the harmful effects of living long-term with modern materials that give off minute but significant amounts of toxins, the so-called 'sick-building syndrome'. Living in a straw house protects you from all that. It is a natural, breathable material that has no harmful effects. Hay fever sufferers are not affected by straw, as it does not contain pollens. Asthmatics too find a straw bale house a healthier environment to live in. Combined with a sensible choice of natural plasters and paints, it can positively enhance your quality of life. 03. The writer implies that A. straw can be used in much the same way as traditional materials.
17. B. straw may cause some people to consolidate their ideas about construction. C. straw houses may not be suitable for complex or insecure people. D. straw houses are solid and safe despite misinformation to the contrary. 04. The word “This” refers to A. the block systemB. the building method itself C. people’s participation in straw building.D. the accessible nature of straw 05. According to the writer, straw bale building A. is about to be taken seriously by designers and builders. B. is a novel variation of standard wall building techniques. C. developed from experiments to build houses out of grass, D.is favoured by people who have radically different views. 06. The writer points out that A. a house owner can cut their heating bills by one quarter once they moves in. B. straw bale buildings use far less energy to keep warm in winter. C. the majority of brick houses do not have super insulated walls. D. a conventional family house costs at least £10,000 to build. 07. In the writer's opinion, straw A. has to be used in a particular rounded style of house. B. can only be used to build houses that do not need a precise design. C. is an ideal material for flexible and organic designs. D. makes traditional stone or brick houses appear colder. 08. The writer insists that when building with straw, A. a good team effort and sense of logic is essential. B. you are given the power to do anything you want. C. novice builders should seek expert advice about building techniques. D. it's easy to make mistakes if you don't know the material. 09. In the writer's view A. a straw bale house can remove the toxins in the air and walls. B. more people are becoming affected by the atmosphere inside their houses. C. all modern building materials emit poisonous contaminants. D. people with breathing problems would be better off in a straw bale house. 10. The writer suggests that A. building projects should be managed by authorised groups. B. it is only possible to build your own house if you join a co-operative. C. a straw bale houses can be erected quickly by people working together. D. there are more women builders on a straw bale site than men. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 11 to 15. What makes one person nice and another one nasty? Were they born that way or did something in their environment (11) these tendencies? Both texts discuss the relative importance of nature and nurture in the development of individual characteristics such as aggression and intelligence. While it is commonly accepted that physical characteristics are (12) in our genetic code, the origins of non-physical individual traits are being hotly contested. I agree with the suggestion in the two texts that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that accounts for the development of these traits. The idea expressed in the first text that, although our DNA provides individuals with a simple blueprint for our non-physical characteristics and abilities, it is how and where we are (13) that determine their ultimate shape, seems totally credible to me. In addition to reiterating points about the impact of nature and nurture, the second text uses the example of twins to explore the issue. It suggests that identical twins are remarkably similar, whether brought up together or apart, because, despite environmental differences, genes have an overriding (14) in determining who they are. I would dispute this and argue that the role of our environment also plays a significant part, a point expressed in both texts. I would even venture (15) to say that it is ultimately our environment that determines how our genetic inheritance plays out. In conclusion, although we are born with certain limitations, I believe we have the choice to decide what we do within those limitations. Would you be happy to believe that life was simply fate and no matter what choices we made we would never be able to change the person we are? 11.A. doB. cause C. makeD. create 12.A. grownB. rooted C. setD. placed 13.A. set upB. put up C. grown upD. brought up
18. 14.A. noteB. role C. markD. sign 15.A. in orderB. used C. so far asD. so that Choose the best answer that best fits each blank (A, B, C, or D) in the following questions. 16. People who are squeamish are afraid of the of blood. A. spectacleB. sightC. lookD. view 17. Ingrid broke in tears when we told her about the accident. A. through B. downC. forthD. off 18. The minister has, in a of speaking, resigned. A. formB. kindC. meansD. manner 19. Janet was shocked when I disagreed with her. She's so used to getting her own A. viewsB. wayC. opinionD. mind 20. There's a rumour that the National Bank is going to the company I work for. A. take overB. overtake С. take onD. take off 21. Black children are seven times as likely as white children to this more corrosive form of poverty. A. traceB. live upC. experienceD. suffer 22. If coastal erosion continues to take place at the present rate, another fifty years this beach anymore. A. won't be existingB. doesn't existC. isn't existingD. isn't going to exist 23.There's no point in telephoning him. He’s certainly by now. A. having leftB. to have leftC. to leaveD. left 24. Why don't you have a night out? It would take your off your worries. A. heartB. thoughtsC. beadD. mind 25. Some people are interested in animals than in other people. A. furtherB. far moreC. muchD. most 26. Everyone congratulated Judy on her suggestion, but actually I thought of it A. firstlyB. firstC. at the beginningD. at first 27. For other applications, suggestion from manufacturer is A. writtenB. askedC. advisedD. required Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 34. WHY I QUIT THE JOB Although I left university with a good degree, I suddenly found that it was actually quite hard to find a job. After being unemployed for a few months, I realised I had to take the first thing that came along or I’d be in serious financial difficulties. And so, for six very long months, I became a market research telephone interviewer. I knew it wasn’t the best company in the world when they told me that I’d have to undergo three days of training before starting work, and that I wouldn’t get paid for any of it. Still, I knew that the hourly rate when I actually did start full time would be a lot better than unemployment benefit, and I could work up to twelve hours a day, seven days a week if I wanted. So, I thought of the money I’d earn and put up with! Three days of unpaid training. Whatever those three days taught me - and I can’t really remember anything about them today - I wasn’t prepared for the way I would be treated by the supervisors. It was worse than being at school. There were about twenty interviewers like myself, each sitting in a small, dark booth with an ancient computer and a dirty telephone. The booths were around the walls of the fifth floor of a concrete office block, and the supervisors sat in the middle of the room, listening in to all of our telephone interviews. We weren’t allowed to talk to each other, and if we took more than about two seconds from ending one phone call and starting another, they would shout at us to hurry up and get on with our jobs. We even had to ask permission to go to the toilet. I was amazed how slowly the day went. Our first break of the day came at eleven o’clock, two hours after we started. I'll always remember that feeling of despair when I would look at my watch thinking, 'It must be nearly time for the break', only to find that it was quarter to ten and that there was another hour and a quarter to go. My next thought was always, 'I can’t believe I’m going to be here until nine o’clock tonight.' It wouldn’t have been so bad if what we were doing had been useful. But it wasn’t. Most of our interviews were for a major telecommunications company. We’d have to ring up businesses and ask them things like, 'Is your telecoms budget more than three million pounds a year?’ The chances are we'd get the reply, 'Oh, I don’t think so. I’ll ask my husband. This is a corner shop. We’ve only got one phone.' And so the day went on. The most frightening aspect of the job was that I was actually quite good at it. 'Oh no!' I thought. 'Maybe I’m destined to be a market researcher for the rest of my life.' My boss certainly seemed to think so. One day - during a break, of course - she ordered me into her office. 'Simon,' she said, 'I’m promoting you. From tomorrow, you’re off telecoms and onto credit card complaints. I’m sure you can handle it.There’s no extra pay, but it is a very responsible position.' Three weeks later I quit. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. [From FCE READING, Macmillan, 2003] 28. Why did the writer become a market research telephone interviewer? A. He had the right university degree for the job.B. It was the first job he was offered.
19. C. He knew it was only for six months.D. He had completely run out of money. 29. What was unusual about Simon’s promotion? A. It involved greater responsibility.B. It showed how good he was at his job. C. There was no increase in salary.D. It meant he would be phoning different people. 30. How did he feel when he realised it wasn’t time for the break yet? A. He felt that the end of the day seemed so long away. B. He felt that he would have to go home early. C. He felt that he wouldn’t survive to the end of the day. D. He felt that he must have made a mistake. 31. What would be the most suitable title for this extract? A. Typical Office LifeB. How To Earn a Decent Salary C. You Get What You DeserveD. Unpleasant Employment 32. His workplace could best be described as A. silent and dirty.B. untidy and crowded. C. large and noisy.D. old-fashioned and uncomfortable. 33. What would have made the job more bearable? A. being able to phone much larger companiesB. not having to ring up businesses C. not having to talk to shopkeepersD. knowing that he was carrying out a valuable service 34. The writer had doubts about the company when A. they told him he had to be trained first. B. they only offered him three days of training. C. he was told what the hourly rate would be. D. they told him he wouldn’t receive payment for his training. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions. 35. How you invest your money is none of my work. A. investB. How youC. my workD. is none 36. The progress made in space travel for the early 1960s is remarkable A. TheB. forC. madeD. early 1960s 37. Soon after Alice has finished her thesis, she will leave for London, where she has a job waiting on her. A. has finishedB. whereC. will leaveD. on her Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 38. In 2016 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the accounting. A. wipe out traces ofB. be a fly on the wall ofC. let fly withD. reveal secrets 39. Before this course I'd always fought shy of technology. A. tried to avoidB. made little progressC. been afraid ofD. been engrossed in 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. 40. The plan may be ingenious. It will never work in practice. A. Ingenious as may the plan, it will never work in practice. B. The plan may be too ingenious to work in practice. C. Ingenious as it may be, the plan will never work in practice. D. The plan is as impractical as it is ingenious. 41. She is unqualified to fill the position as executive secretary of the firm. A. Both she and the executive secretary took a firm position. B. The job of executive secretary requires more skills than she has. C. She possesses the firm qualities of an executive secretary D. The executive secretary position is suitable for her. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning tothe underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 42. I can't see him ever making a go of accountancy. A. departingB. working hard to succeedC. proceeding to workD. beginning to go 43. The coach tried to play down the significance of the lost game. A. quit playingB. take notice ofC. make less importantD. practise more Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges.
20. 44. In a bar. ~ Carluse: “Why are you in such a rush?” ~ Dimmack: “ ” A. Ooh! It’s so hot in here.B. Well, because I’m played out. C. I‘m enjoying myself.D. Let’s drink up because the bar is closing. 45. At home, in the living room. ~ Athorn: "Let’s turn on the radio and listen to the news." ~ Barnes: “ ” A. No news is good news. Don’t be so impatient.B. Forget about it. My favourite is Jazz. C. It’s at 7 pm. Make haste or we’ll miss the first bus.D. Sorry. I’m waiting a call from my boss. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress in each of the following questions. 46.A. restaurantB. grandmother C. annoyanceD. dishwasher 47.A. monotonousB. poisonous C. disastrousD. religious Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions. 48. “You're always making terrible mistakes,” said the teacher. A. The teacher made his students not always make terrible mistakes. B. The teacher complained about his students’ making terrible mistakes. C. The teacher realized that his students always made terrible mistakes. D. The teacher asked his students why they always made terrible mistakes. 49. He spent all his money. He even borrowed somefrom me. A. As soon as he borrowed some money from me, he spent it all. B. Hardly had he borrowed some money from me when he spent it all C. Not only did he spent all his money but also he borrowed some from me. D. Not only did he spend all his money but he borrowed some from me as well. 50. Their dog was fierce. Nobody would visit them. A. So fierce a dog did they had that nobody would visit thern. B. If their dog weren’t fierce, somebody would visit them. C. So fierce was their dog that nobody would visit them. D. Their dog was fierce enough for anybody to visit them. The End