SỞ GD&ĐT PHÚ THỌ TRƯỜNG THPT TAM DƯƠNG

Read the following advertisement and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 6.

MACHU PICCHU: THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS AND ITS TIMELESS LEGACY
Are you (1) ____________ by history? The iconic Machu Picchu stands 2,430 meters above sea level on the eastern slopes of the Andes and is a not-to-be-missed destination if you plan to (2) ____________ a holiday in Peru. Machu Picchu, the most (3) ____________ of the Inca civilization, continues to spark much debate about why it was built and later mysteriously abandoned. However, it is agreed that the mesmerizing religious, ceremonial, agricultural and astronomical sanctuary, (4) ____________ of around 200 structures, is a sight to behold. We bet you'll stop (5) ____________ the breathtaking views as you explore the ancient site. Unleash your imagination when you walk through its gates, temples and houses, and simply marvel (6) ____________ the Lost City of the Incas.

(Adapted from C21 Smart 11 Workbook)

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 from 7 to 16. 

Taking Home the World Cup 

Standing just 36 centimeters tall, the FIFA World Cup Trophy symbolizes the pinnacle of  football achievement. Every four years, teams worldwide compete for it, but no one ever takes the trophy  home. Made of 18-carat gold, the original trophy remains under FIFA's protection, with winners receiving  only a replica. This measure safeguards it from theft, as the trophy has been stolen twice in its history. 

The original trophy was made by a French sculptor, Abel LaFleur, and was called the “Jules Rimet  Cup,” in honor of the founder of the World Cup tournament. Sometime during the first three World Cup events  (1930, 1934, and 1938), the name changed to simply the “World Cup.” Then during World War II, not much  was seen or heard of the trophy. It was being kept hidden in a shoe box under the bed of Dr. Ottorino Barassi,  the Italian vice-president of FIFA, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Nazi army. In 1966, the Cup  was stolen during a public showing of the trophy prior to the World Cup tournament in England. Luckily, it  was found a short time later, none the worse for wear, in a trash container by a little dog named Pickles. Four  years later, Brazil earned permanent possession of the original trophy by winning its third World Cup title.  Unfortunately, the trophy was stolen a second time in 1983 and was never recovered. The Brazilian Football  Association had to have a duplicate trophy made.  

I) After the first trophy became the possession of Brazil’s football association, a new World Cup  Trophy for FIFA was designed by an Italian artist, Silvio Gazzaniga, in 1974. (II) This trophy cannot be won  outright, but remains in the possession of FIFA, and rest assured they are watching it very closely. Today,  World Cup winners are awarded a replica of the trophy that is gold-plated, rather than solid gold like the real  one. (III) Gazzaniga’s World Cup trophy weighs almost five kilograms. (IV) Its base contains two layers of a  semi-precious stone called malachite, and has room for seventeen small plaques bearing the names of the  winning teams enough space to honor all the World Cup champions up to the year 2038. After that, a new trophy will have to be made. 

(Adapted from Reading Challenge 3) 

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option  that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 17 to 21. 

The high living costs after Covid-19, especially in clothing and merchandise, (17) ____________.  Years ago, buying second-hand goods was seen as unreasonable. Why would you want to pay for something  that has already been used by a stranger? But now, it is a hot new thing that youths and adults are doing. It is  clear that people have become more environmentally conscious. (18) ____________. 

Passing down clothes is not a new thing, and a person can then buy that item for half the price. Mrs. Bão Trân shared that today's youth liked to buy expensive clothes to show off in a couple of pictures, then  they would sell them back to the store. She had even almost quit buying new clothes because she could just  buy almost unused clothes in a store that sells them at a 90% discount or even less. (19) ____________. As  92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced every year, the fashion industry is throwing away more clothes  than ever before. 

Besides taking care of the waste, giving away or buying second-hand clothes also helps the needy (20)  ____________. Starting as a Facebook page for selling second-hand clothes, (21) ____________. Volunteers  can either donate their used fashion items to the shop to give to the poor or give them to the shop as free  apparel. The only requirement is that the clothes should be in good condition. 

(Adapted from Think 12)

Read the 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 from 22 to 29. 

The word "healing" has aggressively permeated the daily vernacular of the younger workforce. It is no  longer utilized solely in a medical context but has evolved into a catch-all term for a specific, aspirational  lifestyle. Travel agencies and hospitality groups now aggressively market "healing tours" to remote mountain  retreats or forest hideaways. These packages promise more than simple leisure; they offer a structured remedy  for the burnout and accumulated fatigue of modern urban life. The concept of rest has been repackaged as an  essential, therapeutic intervention. 

A distinct and lucrative industry has rapidly mobilized around this collective exhaustion. Silence, fresh  air, and a disconnection from digital devices are now sold at a premium. Resorts charge exorbitant rates for  meditation sessions, sound baths, and organic nutrition plans. The pursuit of mental well-being, once a private  and internal process, is now visibly commoditized. Access to these restorative experiences is frequently  predicated on substantial disposable income, creating a situation where the ability to effectively "heal"  becomes an exclusive privilege rather than a universal right. 

The ubiquity of this trend points to a pervasive underlying issue within the contemporary employment  environment. The relentless exigencies of corporate schedules and the dissolving boundary between  professional and personal time have generated unprecedented levels of stress. Young professionals often  feel compelled to seek these expensive escapes not merely for enjoyment, but as a necessary maintenance  strategy to sustain their productivity. The popularity of such retreats is a stark indicator of a workforce  operating near its breaking point, seeking external solutions for systemic internal pressures. 

A return to the city often exposes the transient nature of these expensive respites. The immediate  alleviation of stress achieved during a weekend retreat frequently evaporates upon re-entry into the chaotic  office environment. Critics argue that while such excursions provide a temporary, soothing placebo, they fail  to address the root causes of the anxiety. True psychological restoration requires sustainable changes to daily  habits and working conditions, rather than sporadic, high-cost interruptions to the grind. 

(Adapted from SciSpace) 

Read of the following leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option  that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 30 to 35. 

Join Our Community Gardening Program 

* Are you interested in growing your own vegetables? If you’ve tried our workshops, you’ll want to sign up  for (30) ____________ session! In our program, participants (31) ____________ to share tips and techniques  for successful gardening. Each week, we focus on a different plant variety, providing you with the (32)  ____________ you need for successful harvests. 

* Our experts will guide you (33) ____________ the art of sustainable gardening. You'll also receive a starter  kit that includes seeds, soil, and tools, making it easier for you to begin your gardening (34) ____________.  We believe that a (35) ____________ of the benefits of gardening include a sense of community and the joy  of growing your own food.