PASSAGE 11

Read the folloning passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Birds that feet in flocks commonly retire together into roosts. The reasons for roosting communally are not always obvious, but there are some likely benefits. In winter especially, it is important for birds to keep warm at night and conserve precious food reserves. One way to do this is to find a sheltered, roost. Solitary roosters shelter indense vegetation or enter a cavity – horned larks dig holes in the ground and ptarmigan burrow into snow banks – but the effect of sheltering is magnified by several birds huddling together in the roosts, as wrens, swifts, brown creepers, bluebirds, and anis do. Body contact reduces the surface area exposed to the cold air, so the birds keep each other warm. Two kinglets huddling together were found to reduce their heat losses by a quarter, and three together saved a third of their heat.

The second possible benefit of communal roosts is that they act as “information centers”. During the day, parties of birds will have spread out to feed over a very large area. When they return in the evening some will have fed well, but others may have found little to eat. Some investigators have observed that when the birds set out again next morning, those birds that did not feed well on the previous day appear to follow those that did. The behavior of common and lesser kestrels may illustrate different feeding behaviors of similar birds with different roosting habits. The common kestrel hunts vertebrate animals in a small, familiar hunting ground, whereas the very similar lesser kestrel feeds on insects over a large area. The common kestrel roosts and hunts alone, but the lesser kestrel roosts and hunts in flocks, possibly so one bird can learn from others where to find insect swarms.

Finally, there is safety in numbers at communal roosts since there will always be a few birds awake at any given moment to give the alarm. But this increased protection is partially counteracted by the fact that mass roosts attract predators and are especially vulnerable if they are on the ground. Even those in trees can be attacked by birds of prey. The birds on the edge are at greatest risk since predators find it easier to catch small birds perching at the margins of the roost.

Câu 1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

A. How birds find and store food

B. How birds maintain body heat in the winter

C. Why birds need to establish territory

D. Why some species of birds nest together

Câu 2. The word “conserve” is closest in meaning to       .

A. retain

B. watch

C. locate

D. share

Câu 3. Ptarmigan keep warm in the winter by        .

A. building nests in trees

B. huddling together on the ground with other birds

C. digging tunnels into the snow

D. burrowing into dense patches of vegetatiotnir

Câu 4. The word “magnified” in line 6 is closest in meaning to .

A. combined

B. caused

C. modified

D. intensified

Câu 5. The author mentions kinglets in line 9 as an example of birds that      .

A. nest together for warmth

B. usually feed and nest in pairs

C. protect themselves by nesting in holes

D. nest with other species of birds

Câu 6. Which of the following statements about lesser and common kestrels is true?

A. The common kestrel nests in larger flocks than does the lesser

B. The lesser kestrel and the common kestrel have similar

C. The lesser kestrel feeds sociably but the common kestrel does

D. The common kestrel nests in trees; the lesser kestrel nests on the

Câu 7. Which of the following is a disadvantage of communal roosts that is mentioned in the passage?

A. Diseases easily spread among the

B. Food supplies are quickly

C. Some birds in the group will attack the others

D. Groups are more attractive to predators than individual birds

Câu 8. The word “they” in the third paragraph refers to   .

A. a few birds

B. mass roosts

C. predators

D. trees

PASSAGE 12

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 1 to 8

The atmosphere that originally surrounded Earth was probably much different from the air we breathe today. Earth’s first atmosphere (some 4.6 billion years ago) was most likely hydrogen and helium–.the two most abundant gasses found in the universe–as well as hydrogen compounds, such as methane and ammonia. Most scientists feel that this early atmosphere escaped into space from the Earth’s hot surface.

A second, more dense atmosphere, however, gradually enveloped Earth as gasses from molten rocks within its hot interior escaped through volcanoes and steam vents. We assume that volcanoes spewed out the same gasses then as they do today: mostly water vapor (about 80 percent), carbon dioxide (about ten percent), and up to a few percent nitrogen. These same gasses probably created Earth’s second atmosphere.

As millions of years passed, the constant outpouring of gasses from the hot interior–known as out gassing provided a rich supply of water vapor, which formed into clouds. Rain fell upon Earth for many thousands or years, forming the rivers, lakes, and oceans of the world. During this time, large amounts of carbon dioxide were dissolved in the oceans. Through chemical and biological processes, much of the carbon dioxide became locked up in carbon sedimentary rocks, such as limestone. With much of the water vapor already condensed into water and the concentration of carbon dioxide dwindling, the atmosphere gradually became rich

It appears that oxygen, the second most abundant gas in today’s atmosphere, probably began an extremely slow increase in concentration as energetic rays from the sun split water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen during a process called photodissociation. The hydrogen, being lighter, probably rose and escaped into space, while the oxygen remained in the atmosphere.

This slow increase in oxygen may have provided enough of this gas for primitive plants to evolve, perhaps two to three billion years ago. Or the plants may have evolved in an almost oxygen-free (anaerobic) environment. At any rate, plant growth greatly enriched our atmosphere with oxygen. The reason for this enrichment is that plants, in the presence of sunlight, process carbon dioxide and water to produce oxygen.

Câu 1. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. The original atmosphere on Earth was

B. The atmosphere on Earth has changed over

C. Hot underground gasses created clouds, which formed the Earth’s

D. Plant growth depended on oxygen in the Earth’s

Câu 2. The word “enveloped” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to      

A. escaped

B. changed

C. surrounded

D. characterized

Câu 3. According to the passage, out gassing eventually led to all of the following EXCEPT

A. increases in the carbon dioxide content of sedimentary rocks

B. the formation of clouds

C. the formation of bodies of water

D. decreases in the level of nitrogen

Câu 4. The word “they” in the second paragraph refers to        

A. molten rocks

B. steam vents

C. volcanoes        

D. gases

Câu 5. The passage suggests that oxygen remained in the atmosphere because       

A. it was heavier than hydrogen

B. hydrogen became trapped in limestone

C. sun rays created equal amounts of hydrogen and oxygen

D. it was caused by outgassing

Câu 6. The word “At any rate” in the fifth paragraph is closest in meaning to        

A. regardless

B. fortunately

C. in addition

D. although unlikely

Câu 7. The author organizes the discussion of the Earth’s atmosphere in terms of the       

A. occur in which changes

B. role of volcanoes in its formation

C. time it took for the Earth’s surface: to cool and nitrogen to appear

D. chemical and physical features of gasses

Câu 8. Which of the following does the passage mention as necessary for both the production of oxygen by photodissociation and the production of oxygen by plants?

A. Water Nitrogen

C. Carbon dioxide

D. Hydrogen

 

PASSAGE 13

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C,or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer for each of the questions.

Many ants forage across the countryside in large numbers and undertake mass migrations; these activities proceed because one ant lays a trail on the ground for the others to follow. As a worker ant returns home after finding a source of food, it marks the route by intermittently touching its stinger to the ground and depositing a tiny amount of trail pheromone – a mixture of chemicals that delivers diverse messages as the context changes. These trails incorporate no directional information and may be followed by other ants in either direction.

Unlike some other messages, such as the one arising from a dead ant, a food trail has to be kept secret from members of other species. It is not surprising then that ant species use a wide variety of compounds as trail pheromones. Ants can be extremely sensitive to these signals. Investigators working with the trail pheromone of the leafcutter ant Atta texana calculated that one milligram of this substance would suffice to lead a column of ants three times around Earth.

The vapor of the evaporating pheromone over the trail guides an ant along the way, and the ant detects this signal with receptors in its antennae. A trail pheromone will evaporate to furnish the highest concentration of vapor right over the trail, in what is called a vapor space. In following the trail, the ant moves to the right and left, oscillating from side to side across the line of the trail itself, bringing first one and then the other antenna into the vapor space. As the ant moves to the right, its left antenna arrives in the vapor space. The signal it receives causes it to swing to the left, and the ant then pursues this new course until its right antenna reaches the vapor space. It then swings back to the right, and so weaves back and forth down the trail.

Câu 1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

A. The mass migration of ants

B. How ants mark and follow a chemical trail

C. Different species of ants around the world

D. The information contained in pheromones

Câu 2. The word “intermittently” in live 4 is closest in meaning to

A. periodically

B. incorrectly

C. rapidly   

D. roughly

Câu 3. The phrase “the one” in line 8 refers to a single

A. message

B. dead ant

C. food trail

D. species

Câu 4. According to the passage, why do ants use different compounds as trail pheromones?

A. To reduce their sensitivity to some chemicals

B. To attract different types of ants

C. To protect their trail from other species

D. To indicate how far away the food is

Câu 5. The author mentions the trail pheromone of the leafcutter ant in line 11 to point out

A. how little pheromone is needed to mark a trail

B. the different types of pheromones ants can produce

C. a type of ant that is common in many parts of the world

D. that certain ants can produce up to one milligram of pheromone

Câu 6. According to the passage, how are ants guided by trail pheromones?

A. They concentrate on the smell of

B. They follow an ant who is familiar with the

C. They avoid the vapor spaces by moving in a straight

D. They sense the vapor through their

Câu 7. The word “oscillating“ in line 17 is closest in meaning to

A. falling

B. depositing

C. swinging

D. starting

Câu 8. According to the passage, the highest amount of pheromone vapor is found

A. in the receptors of the ants

B. just above the trail

C. in the source of food

D. under the soil along the trail

PASSAGE 14

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the answer correct answer to each of the questions.

There are a number of natural disasters that can strike across the globe. Two that are frequently linked to one another are earthquakes and tsunamis. Both of them can cause a great amount of devastation when hit. However, tsunamis are the direct result of earthquakes and cannot happen without them.

The Earth has three main parts. They are the crust, the mantle, and core. The crust is the outer layer of the Earth. It is not single piece of land. Istead, it is comprised os a plates. There are a few enormous plates and many smaller ones. These plates essentially rest upon the mantle, which is fluid. As a result, the plates are in constant – yet slow – motion. The plates may move away from or to word other plates. In some cases, they collide violently with the plates adjoining them. The movement of the plates cause tension in the rock. Over a long time, this tension may build up. When it is released, an earthquake happens.

Tens of thousands of earthquakes happen every year. The vast majority are so mall that only scientific instruments can perceive them. Others are powerful enough that people can feel them, yet they cause little harm or damage. More powerful earthquakes however, can cause buildings, bridge, and other structures to collapse. They may additionally injure and kill thousand of people and might even cause the land to change its appearance. Since most of the Earth’s surface is water, numerous earthquakes happen beneath the planet’s oceans. Underwater earthquakes can cause the seafloor to move. This results in the displacement of water in the ocean. When this occurs, a tsunami may form. This is a wave that forms on the surface and moves in all directions from the place where the earthquake happened. Atsunami moves extremely quickly and can travel thousands of kilometers. As it approaches land, the water near the coast gets sucked out to sea. This causes the tsunami to increase in height. Minutes later, the tsunami arrives. A large tsunami – one more than ten meters in height – can travel far inland. As it does that, it can flood the land, destroy human settlements, and kill large numbers of people.

Câu 1. Which of the following statements does paragraph I support?

A. Earthquakes cause more destrustion than

B. A tsunami happens in tadem with an

C. The most severe types of nature disaster is an

D. Earthquakes frequently take place after

Câu 2. The word ‘it’ in bold in paragraph 2 refers to       

A. the earth.

B. the core

C. the crust

D. the mantle.

Câu 3. What is the passage mainly about?

A. How earthquakes and tsunami occur?

B. When earthquakes are the most likely to happen?

C. What kind of damage natural disaster can cause?

D. Why tsunamis are deadlier than earthquakes?

Câu 4. The word “adjioining” in bold in paragraph 2 is close in meaning to

A. bordering

B. resding

C. approaching

D. appearing

Câu 5. The word “perceive” in bold in paragraph 3 is closests in meaning to         

A. comprehend

B. detect

C. prevent  

D. locate

Câu 6. Which of the follwing is true regarding the passage?

A. There are many separate pieces that make it

B. It is the smallest of the Earth of the three

C. It is thicker on land than it is under the water

D. The mantle beneath it keeps it from moving too

Câu 7. Based on the passage, wath is probably true about tsunamis?

A. They kill more people each year than

B. They are able to move as fast as the speed of the

C. They can damage ships sailing on the ocean

D. They can be deadly to people standing near the shore.

Câu 8. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 3 about earthquakes?

A. How severe the majority of them are.

B. What kind of damage they can cause.

C. How often powerful ones takes place.

D. How many people they kill.

PASSAGE 15

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.

Dinosaurs were reptiles that lived during a period of earth’s history called the Mesozoic Era, which is known as the Age of Reptiles. The first dinosaurs appeared more than 200 million years ago. For many millions of years, they dominated the land with their huge size and strength. Then about 65 million years ago, they died out rather suddenly, never to reemerge.

The word dinosaur comes from two Greek words meaning “terrible lizard”. Dinosaurs were not  lizards, but their appearance could be truly terrifying. The biggest ones weighed more than ten times as much as a mature elephant and nearly equaled the size of most modern—day whales. The famous kinds  of dinosaurs, including the brontosaur and tyrannosaurus, reached 80 to 90 feet in length. Not all dinosaurs were giants, however, some were actually no larger than a chicken.

Scientists still do not know what caused dinosaur to disappear. One theory involves a change in the earth’s climate. It is believed that temperature dropped significantly towards the end of the Cretaceous Period. Too large to hibernate and not having fur or feathers for protection, it is possible that the climate became too chilly for dinosaurs. In contrast, other species having protection, such as the mammals and birds, were able to survive.

Câu 1. The word “ones” in the passage refers to    

A. dinosaurs

B. millions

C. lizards

D. whales

Câu 2. The word “chilly” in the passage refers to  

A. very hot

B. extremely cold

C. very cold

D. humid

Câu 3. What is the best title for this passage?

A. The Domination of the Land

B. The Metabolism of Dinosaurs

C. Earth’s Largest Reptiles

D. The History of Earth

Câu 4. It can be inferred from the passage that the Age of Reptiles lasted about      

A. 200 million years

B. 135 million years

C. 80 million years        

D. 65 million years

Câu 5. The author uses the phrase “never to reemerge” to indicate the dinosaurs   

A. became extinct

B. went into hiding

C. never died out  

D. lost their way

Câu 6. According to the passage, what is true about the size of dinosaurs?

A. It made them the largest creatures ever on

B. It varied quite

C. It guaranteed their

D. It was rather

Câu 7. Which of the following can be inferred about mammals and birds?

A. Most have either fur or feathers over their

B. They preceded the

C. They were too large to

D. They could not survive the chilly

PASSAGE 16

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.

The mineral particles found in soil range in size from microscopic clay particles to large boulders. The most abundant particles – sand, silt, and clay – are the focus of examination in studies of soil texture. Texture is the term used to describe the line composite sizes of particles in a soil sample, typically several representative handfuls. To measure soil texture, the sand, silt, and clay particles are sorted out by size and weight. The weights of each size are then expressed as a percentage of the sample weight.

In the field, soil texture can be estimated by extracting a handful of sod and squeezing the damp soil into three basic shapes; cast, a lump formed by squeezing a sample in a clenched fist; thread, a pencil shape formed by rolling soil between the palms; and ribbon, a flatfish shape formed by squeezing a small sample between the thumb and index finger. The behavioral characteristics of the soil when molded into each of these shapes, if they can be formed at all, provides the basis for a general textural classification. The behavior of the soil in the hand test is determined by the amount of clay in the sample. Clay particles are highly cohesive, and when dampened, behave as a plastic. Therefore the higher the clay content in a sample, the more refined and durable the shapes into which it can be molded.

Another method of determining soil texture involves the use of devices called sediment sieves, screens built with a specified mesh size. When the soil is filtered through a group of sieves, each with a different mesh size, the particles become grouped in corresponding size categories. Each category can be weighed to make a textural determination. Although sieves work well for silt, sand, and larger particles, they are not appropriate for clay particles. Clay is far too small to sieve accurately; therefore, in soils with a high proportion of clay, the fine particles are measured on the basis of their settling velocity when suspended in water. Since clays settle so slowly, they are easily segregated from sand and silt. The water can be drawn off and evaporated, leaving a residue of clay, which can be weighed.

Câu 1. The author mentions “several representative handfuls” in the passage in order to show          .

A. how small soil particles are

B. the requirements for an adequate soil farm

C. the process by which soil is weighed

D. the range of soil samples

Câu 2. It can be inferred that the names of the three basic shapes mentioned in paragraph 2 reflect          .

A. the results of squeezing the soil

B. the way the soil is extracted

C. the need to check more than one handful

D. the difficulty of forming different shapes

Câu 3. The word “dampened” in the passage is closest in meaning to .

A. examined

B. stretched

C. moistened

D. damaged

Câu 4. It can be inferred from the passage that a soil sample with little or no clay in it      .

A. may not hold its shape when molded

B. does not have a classifiable texture

C. is not very heavy

D. does not have a durable shape

Câu 5. The word “they” in the passage refers to     .

A. categories

B. sieves

C. clay particles   

D. larger particles

Câu 6. The word “fine” in the passage is closest in meaning to .

A. various

B. tiny

C. excellent

D. many

Câu 7. During the procedure described in paragraph 3, when clay particles are placed into water  they .

A. dissolve quickly

B. separate into different sizes

C. take some time to sink to the bottom

D. stick to the sides of the water container

Câu 8. It can be inferred from the passage that the sediment sieve has an advantage over the hand test in determining soil texture because      .

A. less training is required to use the sieve

B. the sieve allows for a more exact measure

C. the sieve can measure clay

D. using the sieve takes less time

PASSAGE 17

Read the passage and mark A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Jupiter is the largest and most massive planet and is fifth in order of distance from the sun. It is well placed for observation for several months in every year and on average is the brightest of the planets apart from Venus, though for relatively brief periods Mars may outshine it. Jupiter’s less than 10 hour rotation period gives it the shortest day in the solar system in so far as the principal planets are concerned. There are no true seasons on Jupiter because the axial inclination to the perpendicular of the orbital plane is only just over 3°-less than that for any other planet.

The most famous mark on Jupiter is the Great Red Spot. It has shown variations in both intensity and color, and at times it has been invisible, but it always returns after a few years. At its greatest extent it may be 40,000 kilometers long and 14,000 kilometers wide, so its surface area is greater than that of Earth. Though the latitude of the Red Spot varies little, it drifts about in longitude. Over the past century the total longitudinal drift has amounted to approximately 1200°. The latitude is generally very close to – 22°. It was once thought that the Red Spot might be a solid or semisolid body floating in Jupiter’s outer gas. However, the Pioneer and Voyager results have refuted that idea and proven the Red Spot to be a phenomenon of Jovian meteorology. Its longevity may well due to its exceptional size, but there are signs that it is decreasing in size, and it may not be permanent. Several smaller red spots have been seen occasionally but have not lasted.

Câu 1. It can be inferred from the passage that       .

A. a day on Earth is shorter than a day on

B. there are other structures on Jupiter that has the same size as the Great Red

C. there are times when Great Red Spot cannot be observed from the

D. the Great Red Spot is the only structure on

Câu 2. According to the passage, which planet typically shines the most brightly?

A. Earth

B. Jupiter

C. Venus    

D. Mars

Câu 3. According to the passage, the Great Red Spot       .

A. has different colors

B. is as big as the earth

C. is a solid structure floating in the air

D. has increased its size over the years

Câu 4. The word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to         .

A. Jupiter

B. The Great Red Spot

C. intensity 

D. color

Câu 5. The word “exceptional” in paragraph 2 mostly means    .

A. extreme

B. sustainable

C. temporary       

D. infrequent

Câu 6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

A. Jupiter is bigger than all the other planet in the solar

B. A day in Jupiter is nearly 10 hours

C. The Red Great Spot moves more vertically than

D. Scientists have proof showing that smaller red spots are increasing their size to become other Great Red

Câu 7. The passage was probably taken from         .

A. an art journal

B. a geology magazine

C. a high school textbook

D. an archeology book

PASSAGE 18

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions.

Since the world has become industrialized, there has been an increase in the number of animal species that have either become extinct or have neared extinction. Bengal tigers, for instance, which once roamed the jungles in vast numbers, now number only about 2300 and by the year 2025, their population is estimated to be down to zero. What is alarming about the case of the Bengal tiger is that this extinction will have been caused almost entirely by poachers who, according to some sources, are not interested in material gain but in personal gratification. This is an example of the callousness that is part of what is causing the problem of extinction. Animals like the Bengal tiger, as well as other endangered species, are a valuable part of the world’s ecosystem. International laws protecting these animals must be enacted to ensure their survival, and the survival of our planet.

Countries around the world have begun to deal with the problem in various ways. Some countries, in order to circumvent the problem, have allocated large amounts of land to animal reserves. They, then charge admission to help defray the costs of maintaining the parks, and they often must also depend on world organizations for support. With the money they get, they can invest equipment and patrols to protect the animals. Another solution that is an attempt to stem the tide of animal extinction is an international boycott of products made from endangered species. This seems fairly effective, but will not by itself, prevent animals from being hunted and killed.

Câu 1. What is the main topic of the passage?

A. problems with industrialization

B. international boycotts

C. the Bengal tiger

D. endangered species

Câu 2. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “alarming” in the first paragraph?

A. distressing

B. gripping

C. serious   

D. dangerous

Câu 3. The above passage is divided into two paragraphs in order to contrast          .

A. a comparison and a contrast

B. a statement and an illustration

C. a problem and a solution

D. a specific and general information

Câu 4. What does the word “This” in the first paragraph refer to?

A. poachers who seek personal gratification

B. sources that may not be accurate

C. Bengal tigers that are decreasing

D. endangered species that are increasing

Câu 5. The word “defray” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to which of the following?

A. raise

B. lower

C. make an investment toward

D. make a payment on

Câu 6. The author uses the phrase “stem the tide” in the second paragraph to mean         .

A. stop

B. save

C. tax

D. touch

Câu 7. Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude?

A. vindictive

B. forgiving

C. concerned

D. surprised

PASSAGE 19

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

Since water is the basis of life, composing the greater part of the tissues of all living things, the crucial problem of desert animals is to survive in a world where sources of flowing water are rare. And since man’s inexorable necessity is to absorb large quantities of water at frequent intervals, he can scarcely comprehend that many creatures of the desert pass their entire lives without a single drop.

Uncompromising as it is, the desert has not eliminated life but only those forms unable to withstand its desiccating effects. No moist- skinned, water-loving animals can exist there. Few large animals are found. The giants of the North American desert are the deer, the coyote, and the bobcat. Since desert country is open, it holds more swift-footed running and leaping creatures than the tangled forest. Its population is largely nocturnal, silent, filled with reticence, and ruled by stealth. Yet they are not emaciated. Having adapted to their austere environment, they are as healthy as animals anywhere else in the word. The secret of their adjustment lies in the combination of behavior and physiology. None could survive if, like mad dogs and Englishmen, they went out in the midday sun; many would die in a matter  of minutes. So most of them pass the burning hours asleep in cool, humid burrows underneath the ground, emerging to hunt only by night. The surface of the sun-baked desert averages around 150 degrees, but 18 inches down the temperature is only 60 degrees.

Câu 1. The author mentions all the following as examples of the behavior of desert animals EXCEPT .

A. they are watchful and quiet.

B. they sleep during the day.

C. they dig home underground.

D. they are noisy anad aggressive.

Câu 2. We can infer from the passage that    .

A. healthy animals live longer lives.

B. living things adjust to their environment.

C. desert life is colorful and diverse.

D. water is the basis of desert life.

Câu 3. According to the passage, creatures in the desert   .

A. are smaller and fleeter than forest

B. are more active during the day than those in the tangled

C. live in an accommodating

D. are not as healthy as those anywhere else in the

Câu 4. The phrase “those forms” in the passage refers to all of the following EXCEPT    .

A. moist-skinned animals.

B. many large animals.

C. water-loving animals.

D. the coyote and the bobcat.

Câu 5. The word “them” means         .

A. animals

B. minutes

C. people    

D. water

Câu 6. The word “emaciated” in the passage mostly means      .

A. wild

B. unmanageable

C. cunning  

D. unhealthy

Câu 7. Man can hardly understand why many animals live their whole life in the desert, as        .

A. water is an essential part of his

B. very few large animals are found in the

C. sources of flowing water are rare in a

D. water composes the greater part of the tissues of living

Câu 8. The title for this passage could be     .

A. “Man’s Life in a Desert Environment”

B. “Desert Plants”

C. “Animal Life in a Desert Environment”

D. “Life Underground”

PASSAGE 20

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.

Whales are the largest animals in the world, and the gentlest creatures we know. Although the whale is very huge, it is not hindered at all by its size when it is in the water. Whales have tails that end like flippers. With just a gentle flick, it can propel itself forward. The skin of a whale is so smooth that it does not create any friction that can slow the whale down. A whale’s breathing hole is located on the top of its head, so it can breathe without having to completely push its head out of the water. Whales are protected from the cold seawater by body fat that is called blubber.

Whales live in the ocean but, in terms of behaviours, they are more similar to humans than fish. They live in family groups and they even travel in groups when they have to migrate from cooler to warmer waters. The young stay with their parents for as long as fifteen years. Whales are known not to desert the ill or injured members; instead, they cradle them.

When whales are in danger, there are people who go to great lengths to help them. One such case occurred in 1988, when three young whales were trapped in the sea. It was close to winter and the sea had begun to freeze over. Whales are mammals that require oxygen from the air, so the frozen ice was a great danger to them. All they had then was a tiny hole in the ice for them to breathe through. Volunteers from all over soon turned up to help these creatures. They cut holes in the ice to provide more breathing holes for the whales. These holes would also serve as guides for the whales so that they could swim to warmer waters.

(Adapted from http://www.englishdaily626.com?reading_comprehension)

Câu 1. Which of the following best describes the main idea of this passage?

A. Some remarkable similarities of whales to

B. Whales as the only animals to live in warm

C. Whales as the largest, gentlest but vulnerable

D. Successful attempts to rescue whales all over the

Câu 2. Whales can move easily in water thanks to their    .

A. size and head

B. tail and skin

C. skin and head   

D. tail and blubber

Câu 3. Where is the whale’s breathing hole located?

A. On its tail

B. On its face

C. On its head      

D. On its back

Câu 4. According to paragraph 2, the author mentions all of the following to show that whales “are more similar to humans” EXCEPT     .

A. they do not desert the ill or injured

B. the young stay with their parents for almost fifteen

C. they live in family groups and travel in

D. they do not migrate from cooler to warmer

Câu 5. The word “tiny” in paragraph 3 probably means   .

A. very fat

B. very deep

C. very small

D. very ugly

Câu 6. The word “they” in paragraph 3 refers to    .

A. warmer waters

B. the whales

C. guides    

D. holes

Câu 7. According to the passage, why was the frozen ice on the sea surface a danger to whales?

A. Because the water was too cold for them as they were warm-blooded.

B. Because they couldn’t eat when the weather was too

C. Because whales couldn’t breathe without sufficient

D. Because they couldn’t swim in icy cold

— CÒN NỮA —