Passage 35

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY

A good memory is often seen as something that comes naturally, and a bad memory as something that
cannot be changed, but actually (1)______ is a lot that you can do to improve your memory. We all
remember the things we are interested in and forget the ones that bore us. This no doubt explains the
reason (2)______ schoolboys remember football results effortlessly but struggle with dates from their
history lessons! Take an active interest in what you want to remember, and focus on it (3)______. One
way to ‘make’ yourself more interested is to ask questions — the more the better! Physical exercise is
also important for your memory, because it increases your heart (4)______ and sends more oxygen to
your brain, and that makes your memory work better. Exercise also reduces stress, which is very bad for
the memory. The old saying that “eating fish makes you brainy” may be true after all. Scientists have
discovered that the fats (5)______ in fish like tuna, sardines and salmon — as well as in olive oil — help
to improve the memory. Vitamin-rich fruits such as oranges, strawberries and red grapes are all good
brain food‘, too.
Question 1: A. there B. it C. that D. this
Question 2: A. why B. what C. how D. which
Question 3: A. hardly B. slightly C. consciously D. easily
Question 4: A. degree B. level C. rate D. grade
Question 5: A. made B. existed C. founded D. found
Passage 36
The Internet has truly transformed how students do their homework. (1) ____homework today still means
spending time in the library, it’s for a different reason. Rather than using books for research, students
today are (2) ______to the Internet to download enormous amounts of data available online. In the past,
students were limited to their school’s (3) _________ of books. In many cases, they got to the school
library and found out that someone had already taken the books they needed. Nowadays, such
inconvenience can be avoided since the Internet never runs out of information. Students, however, do
have to (4)_____sure that the information they find online is true. Teachers have also benefited from the
homework which is done on the Internet. They do not need to carry students’ papers around with them
any more. This is because online (5)______allow students to electronically upload their homework for
their teachers to read and mark. Of course, this also means that students can no longer use the excuse that
the dog ate their homework!
(Trích từ đề minh họa lần 2, 2017)
Question 1: A. But B. For C. While D. Because
Question 2: A. connecting B. linking C. searching D. looking
Question 3: A. select B. selective C. selectively D. selection
Question 4: A. do B. get C. make D. come
Question 5: A. materials B. systems C. structures D. sources
Passage 37
When you first arrive in a foreign culture, often your first reaction is completely positive. Everything
seems exciting, different and fascinating. It’s an (1)________. If you are just on a short holiday, you will
probably never leave this phase. (2)__________, if you stay longer, your attitude can start to change. As
you start to realize (3)__________little you really understand the new culture, life can get frustrating.
People misunderstand what you are trying to say, or they may laugh at you when you say something
incorrectly. Even simple things, like posting a letter, can seem very difficult to you. Thus, you are likely
to get angry or upset when things go wrong. With time, though, you start to (4)__________to become
more comfortable with the differences and better able to handle frustrating situations. Your
(5)___________ of humor reappears. Finally, you may feel enthusiastic about the culture once again,
enjoy living in it, and even prefer certain aspects of the culture to your own.
(Trích từ đề minh họa lần 3, 2017)
Question 1: A. adventure B. adventurous C. adventurer D. adventurously
Question 2: A. Therefore B. Or C. However D. Nor
Question 3: A. whether B. how C. if D. what
Question 4: A. replace B. maintain C. adjust D. keep
Question 5: A. taste B. sense C. touch D. sound
Passage 38
In the early twentieth century, an American woman named Emily Post wrote a book on etiquette. This
book explained the proper behavior Americans should follow in many different social (1)_______, from
birthday parties to funerals. But in modern society, it is not simply to know the proper rules for behavior
in your own country. It is necessary for people (2) ______work or travel abroad to understand the rules of
etiquette in other cultures as well. Cultural (3)__________can be found in such simple processes as
giving or receiving a gift. In Western cultures, a gift can be given to the receiver with relatively little
ceremony. When a gift is offered, the receiver usually takes the gift and expresses his or her thanks. (4)
____, in some Asian countries, the act of gift-giving may appear confusing to Westerners. In Chinese
culture, both the giver and receiver understand that the receiver will typically refuse to take the gift
several times before he or she finally accepts it. In addition, to (5) ________respect for the receiver, it is
common in several Asian cultures to use both hands when offering a gift to another person.
Question 1: A. positions B. conditions C. situations D. locations
Question 2: A. who B. which C. where D. whose
Question 3: A. differences B. different C. differently D. differ
Question 4: A. Moreover B. Therefore C. However D. Otherwise
Question 5: A. show B. get C. feel D. take
Passage 39
As teenagers approach university level, a decision has to be made on what course to pursue. In this world
of diversity, (1)______ such a choice is not easy for both children and parents. In the old days, it was not
much a problem to do the task because there were not so many diverse learning areas to choose from.
Besides, there were only a few distinctive professional careers like doctor, engineer, accountant, nurse,
teacher, etc. to think about. Most higher learning usually led to a financially successful life. (2)______,
the cost of education was not so high. Today’s world is entirely different from the things (3)______ have
just been described. The job market is constantly changing due to innovative technology and new
(4)______. Meanwhile, most teenagers have difficulty in identifying their own interests. There are a
variety of well-organized career talks and student counseling workshops to guide and help teenagers
(5)______ what course to take. Furthermore, psychological tests are also used. Certain instruments such
as surveys, interviews and computer software can help to find out preferences, interests, or learning styles
of the students.
(Trích mã đề 402- Đề thi THPTQG 2017)
Question 1: A. making B. taking C. giving D. having
Question 2: A. In addition B. Otherwise C. For example D. Therefore
Question 3: A. when B. that C. what D. where
Question 4: A. competition B. competitively C. competitive D. compete
Question 5: A. apply B. study C. decide D. employ
Passage 40
Graphic novels, as the name suggests, are books written and illustrated in the style of a comic book.
Adults may feel that graphic novels do not help children become good readers. They believe that this type
of reading material somehow prevents “real” reading. (1) _________, many quality graphic novels are
now being seen as a method of storytelling on the same level as novels, films or audiobooks. Many
librarians and teachers are now accepting graphic novels as proper literature for children as they
(2)________young people and motivate them to read. This has been especially true with children who are
not (3) _______ to read, especially boys. Language learners are also motivated by graphic novels because
the pictures provide clues to the meaning of the words. Therefore, they will (4)_________new vocabulary
more quickly. Many teachers have reported great success when they used graphic novels with their
students, especially in the areas of English, social studies and art. The idea that graphic novels are too
simple to be regarded as serious reading is no longer valid. Reading them can, undoubtedly, help students
develop the skills (5) ______ are necessary to read more challenging works.
(Trích mã đề 403- Đề thi THPTQG 2017)
Question 1: A. Otherwise B. Therefore C. However D. In addition
Question 2: A. attract B. attractively C. attraction D. attractive
Question 3: A. active B. willing C. careful D. able
Question 4: A. learn B. take C. know D. accept
Question 5: A. where B. that C. who D. when
Passage 41
Culture has a strong influence on non-verbal communication. Even the simple act of looking someone in
the eye is not at all that simple. In the USA, Americans are (1)_______to look directly at people when
speaking to them. It shows interest in what they are saying and is thought to carry a (2)__________of
honesty. Meanwhile, in Japan and Korea, people avoid long periods of eye contact. It is considered more
polite to look to the side during a conversation. The Lebanese, (3)___________, stand close together and
look intensely into each other’s eyes. The action shows sincerity and gives people a better sense of what
their counterparts want. Given such differences with even the most common expressions, people
(4)_________travel or work abroad have a real need to learn the other culture’s body language. People
tend to be unaware of the messages they are sending to others. So, it is (5)_________to consider your
own body language before dealing with people from other cultures. Knowing about the body language of
friends, clients, and colleagues can be very helpful in improving understanding and avoiding
miscommunication.
(Trích mã đề 404- Đề thi THPTQG 2017)
Question 1: A. encouraged B. forbidden C. assisted D. opposed
Question 2: A. sound B. sense C. taste D. touch
Question 3: A. in contrast B. moreover C. therefore D. in addition
Question 4: A. which B. where C. who D. whose
Question 5: A. usefully B. use C. usefulness D. useful
Passage 42
GOOD FRIENDS Psychologists have long known that having a set of cherished companions is crucial to
mental well-being. A recent study by Australian investigators concluded that our friends even help to (1)
______ our lives. The study concentrated (2) ______ the social environment, general health, and lifestyle
of 1,477 persons older than 70 years. The participants were asked how much contact they had with
friends, children, relatives and acquaintances. Researchers were surprised to learn that friendships
increased life (3) ______ to a far greater extent than frequent contact with children and other relatives.
This benefit held true even after these friends had moved away to another city and was independent of
factors such as socioeconomic status, health, and way of life. According to scientists, the ability to have
relationships with people to (4) ______ one is important has a positive effect on physical and mental
health. Stress and tendency towards depression are reduced, and behaviours that are damaging to health,
such as smoking and drinking, occur less frequently. (5) _______, our support networks, in times of
calamity in particular, can raise our moods and feelings of selfworth and offer helpful strategies for
dealing with difficult personal challenges.
(Trích đề minh họa 2018)
Question 1: A. prolong B. lengthen C. stretch D. expand
Question 2: A. in B. with C. on D. at
Question 3: A. expectation B. insurance C. expectancy D. assurance
Question 4: A. who B. whom C. what D. that
Question 5: A. Otherwise B. For example C. Moreover D. However