A recent survey of crime statistics

A recent survey of crime statistics

Đề bài: Read the passage carefully, then choose the correct option (marked A, B, C or D) to answer the questions.

A recent survey of crime statistics shows that we are all more likely to be burgled now than 20 years ago and the police advise everyone to take a few simple precautions to protect their homes.

The first fact is that burglars and other intruders prefer easy opportunities, like a house which is very obviously empty. This is much less of a challenge than an occupied house, and one which is well-protected. A burglar will wonder if it is worth the bother.

There are some general tips on how to avoid your home becoming another crime statistic. Avoid leaving signs that your house is empty. When you have to go out, leave at least one light on as well as a radio or television, and do not leave any curtains wide open. The sight of your latest music centre or computer is enough to tempt any burglar.

Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place. The first place a burglar will look is under the doormat or in a flower pot and even somewhere more 'imaginative' could soon be uncovered by the intruder. It is much safer to leave a key with a neighbor you can trust. But if your house is in a quiet, desolate area be aware that this will be a burglar's dream, so deter any potential criminal from approaching your house by fitting security lights to the outside of your house.

But what could happen if, in spite of the aforementioned precautions, a burglar or intruder has decided to target your home? Windows are usually the first point of entry for many intruders. Downstairs windows provide easy access while upstairs windows can be reached with a ladder or by climbing up the drainpipe. Before going to bed you should double-check that all windows and shutters are locked. No matter how small your windows may be, it is surprising what a narrow gap a determined burglar can manage to get through. For extra security, fit window locks to the inside of the window.

What about entry via doors? Your back door and patio doors, which are easily forced open, should have top quality security locks fitted. Even though this is expensive it will be money well spent. Install a burglar alarm if you can afford it as another line of defence against intruders.

A sobering fact is that not all intruders have to break and enter into a property. Why go to the trouble of breaking in if you can just knock and be invited in? Beware of bogus officials or workmen and, particularly if you are elderly, fit a chain and an eye hole so you can scrutinize callers at your leisure. When you do have callers never let anybody into your home unless you are absolutely sure they are genuine. Ask to see an identity card, for example.

If you are in the frightening position of waking in the middle of the night and think you can hear an intruder, then on no account should you approach the intruder. Far better to telephone the police and wait for help.

1. According to the writer, we should _______.

A. avoid leaving our house empty

B. only go out when we have to

C. always keep the curtains closed

D. give the impression that our house is occupied when we go out

2. The “aforementioned precautions” refer to steps that _______.

A. will tell a burglar if your house is empty or not

B. are the most important precautions to take to make your home safe

C. will stop a potential burglar

D. will not stop an intruder if he has decided to try and enter your home

3. Gaining entry to a house through a small window _______.

A. is surprisingly difficult

B. is not as difficult as people think

C. is less likely to happen than gaining entry through a door

D. is tried only by very determined burglars

4. According to the writer, window locks, security locks and burglar alarms _______.

A. cost a lot of money but are worth it

B. are good value for money

C. are luxury items

D. are absolutely essential items

5. The writer argues that fitting a chain and an eye hole _______.

A. will prevent your home being burgled

B. avoids you having to invite people into your home

C. is only necessary for elderly people

D. gives you time to check if the visitor is genuine

Lời giải:

Đáp án:

1. D

2. D

3. B

4. A

5. D

Giải thích:

1. Thông tin: There are some general tips on how to avoid your home becoming another crime statistic. Avoid leaving signs that your house is empty. When you have to go out, leave at least one light on as well as a radio or television, and do not leave any curtains wide open. (Có một số lời khuyên chung về cách tránh nhà của bạn trở thành một thống kê tội phạm khác. Tránh để lại những dấu hiệu cho thấy ngôi nhà của bạn trống rỗng. Khi bạn phải ra ngoài, hãy để ít nhất một ngọn đèn sáng cũng như đài hoặc tivi, và không để mở bất kỳ rèm cửa nào.)

2. Thông tin: But what could happen if, in spite of the aforementioned precautions, a burglar or intruder has decided to target your home? Windows are usually the first point of entry for many intruders. Downstairs windows provide easy access while upstairs windows can be reached with a ladder or by climbing up the drainpipe. Before going to bed you should double-check that all windows and shutters are locked. No matter how small your windows may be, it is surprising what a narrow gap a determined burglar can manage to get through. For extra security, fit window locks to the inside of the window. (Nhưng điều gì có thể xảy ra nếu, bất chấp các biện pháp phòng ngừa nói trên, một tên trộm hoặc kẻ đột nhập đã quyết định nhắm mục tiêu vào nhà của bạn? Windows thường là điểm xâm nhập đầu tiên của nhiều kẻ xâm nhập. Cửa sổ ở tầng dưới dễ dàng tiếp cận trong khi cửa sổ ở tầng trên có thể lên bằng thang hoặc leo lên ống thoát nước. Trước khi đi ngủ, bạn nên kiểm tra kỹ xem tất cả các cửa sổ và cửa chớp đã được khóa chưa. Cho dù cửa sổ của bạn có nhỏ đến đâu, thật đáng ngạc nhiên là một khe hẹp mà một tên trộm kiên quyết có thể xoay sở để vượt qua. Để tăng cường bảo mật, hãy lắp khóa cửa sổ vào bên trong cửa sổ.)

3. Thông tin: No matter how small your windows may be, it is surprising what a narrow gap a determined burglar can manage to get through. (Cho dù cửa sổ của bạn có nhỏ đến đâu, thật đáng ngạc nhiên là một khe hẹp mà một tên trộm kiên quyết có thể xoay sở để vượt qua.)

4. Thông tin: What about entry via doors? Your back door and patio doors, which are easily forced open, should have top quality security locks fitted. Even though this is expensive it will be money well spent. Install a burglar alarm if you can afford it as another line of defence against intruders. (Còn lối vào qua cửa thì sao? Cửa sau và cửa hiên của bạn, những cửa dễ dàng bị cưỡng bức mở, nên được trang bị khóa an toàn chất lượng hàng đầu. Mặc dù điều này là tốn kém nhưng nó sẽ là tiền chi tiêu tốt. Cài đặt thiết bị báo trộm nếu bạn có đủ khả năng để sử dụng nó như một tuyến phòng thủ khác chống lại những kẻ xâm nhập.)

5. Thông tin: Why go to the trouble of breaking in if you can just knock and be invited in? Beware of bogus officials or workmen and, particularly if you are elderly, fit a chain and an eye hole so you can scrutinize callers at your leisure. (Tại sao phải mất công đột nhập nếu bạn chỉ cần gõ cửa và được mời vào? Hãy coi chừng các quan chức hoặc công nhân không có thật và đặc biệt nếu bạn là người lớn tuổi, hãy lắp một sợi dây chuyền và một lỗ mắt để bạn có thể xem xét kỹ lưỡng những người gọi khi rảnh rỗi.)