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

Marriage nowadays is a choice people make on their own, but this has not always been the case in society. Thousands of years ago, the average lifespan was shorter than it is today. A man usually lived until he was about 40 years old, while women died even sooner because of childbirth. There were many wars and illnesses, and people had to protect themselves by having more children while they were still young. The parents lived through their children.

Marriage was not so much a romantic love story but a business transaction, or deal. Most marriages were arranged between parents while their children were still very young. It was the custom that the fathers made the decision on whom their children were going to marry. The mothers had little say in it since they rarely made any decisions outside the household. The fathers would meet to arrange the wedding date and the money given for the bride on her wedding date. The more money and land a girl had, the more chances she had to marry well. Therefore, it was important that her father choose the bridegroom very well. Usually, it was someone who came from a good family or who was rich too. It was very unlikely that people married outside their social class. A few well-off and rich merchants got to marry poorer noblewomen and became King’s business advisors. In a way, poor peasants had an easier choice as it was less important whom they married.

The practice of arranged marriage is still common in some countries in the Middle East, such as India or Pakistan. Here, social classes are still strongly divided and very well-kept. Often, however, arranged marriages are a sign that people do not want to let go of the past, which gives them comfort and security in an ever-changing world.

What does the passage mainly discuss?

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 25 to 29. Fill in the appropriate word in question 28

  As teenagers approach university level, a decision has to be made on what course to pursue. In this world of diversity, (25) ______ 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. (26) ______, the cost of education was not so high. Today’s world is entirely different from the things (27) ______ have just been described. The job market is constantly changing due to innovative technology and new (28) ______. Meanwhile, most teenagers have difficulty in identifying their own interests. There are a variety of well- organized career talks and student counseling workshop to guide and help teenagers (29) ______ 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.

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 25 to 29. Fill in the appropriate word in question 25

  As teenagers approach university level, a decision has to be made on what course to pursue. In this world of diversity, (25) ______ 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. (26) ______, the cost of education was not so high. Today’s world is entirely different from the things (27) ______ have just been described. The job market is constantly changing due to innovative technology and new (28) ______. Meanwhile, most teenagers have difficulty in identifying their own interests. There are a variety of well- organized career talks and student counseling workshop to guide and help teenagers (29) ______ 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.

Mark the Setter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

The Games really became a festival that impressed sports ________.

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Daisy s parents dont let her go to late- night disco. She ________ be at home at 9 o clock in the evening.

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In the 22^nd SEA Games in 2003, the country _________ the competition with 340 medals, including 156 golds, 91 silvers and 93 bronzes.

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The trees ____ have the beautiful flowers grow near the gate of the garden.

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 25 to 29. Fill in the appropriate word in question 27

  As teenagers approach university level, a decision has to be made on what course to pursue. In this world of diversity, (25) ______ 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. (26) ______, the cost of education was not so high. Today’s world is entirely different from the things (27) ______ have just been described. The job market is constantly changing due to innovative technology and new (28) ______. Meanwhile, most teenagers have difficulty in identifying their own interests. There are a variety of well- organized career talks and student counseling workshop to guide and help teenagers (29) ______ 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.

Mark the Setter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

If I _______ as young as you are, I _________ in a boat round the world.

Mark the Setter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Is Miss Wilson very fond _____ French food? - No, she is not used ______ having French food.

Mark the Setter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Reading the story of the ________ having her dress torn off in the lift reminded meof my friend’s wedding.

Mark the Setter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Every day I  up at 6 o’clock, ________ breakfast at seven o’clock and ______ for work at 8 o’clock

Mark the Setter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Why hasn’t Sue arrived yet? She promised not _______ late

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Viet Nam is now willing to _________part in the 24th SEA Games hosted by Thailand by the end of 2007 with a total of 958 athletes.

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

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

Understanding India's Caste System

It has been said that life is what we make of it. In other words, if we work hard and focus on our goals, we can have great careers and enjoy high status is society. However, these opportunities don’t exist for everyone. In some places, the family you are born into will decide almost everything about your life. India’s caste system is an example of this.

The caste system is a major part of the Hindu religion that has existed for thousands of years. It is a way of organizing and grouping people based on the occupation of the family. Castes will determine whom people can socialize with and their place in society. Originally, a person’s caste was supposed to be determined by their personality, but over time it has been linked to their job and family.

There are four classes, also known as varnas, in India’s caste system. The highest one is Brahmin. People in this class have jobs in education and religion. These are seen as extremely important functions for the society as they deal with the knowledge. The second highest level is the Kshatriya, or ruling class. People from this group can be soldiers, landowners, or have jobs in politics. The class beneath this is the Vaishya. These people often work in the commercial sector as merchants. The fourth class level is the Shudra. Shudras typically work as unskilled labourers doing factory or farm work, or they may also be employed as artists.

There is another group, the Harijan, that is at the bottom and considered to be outside of the caste system. For many years, they were known as Untouchables, people from this caste held the most undesirable jobs in society, such as cleaning up garbage. Furthermore, they weren’t allowed to pray at public temples or drink water from the same wells as other classes. If someone from another caste came into contact with an Untouchable, they were considered dirty and would be expected to bathe vigorously to clean themselves.

Although the caste system still exists in India, the government is taking steps to improve the living conditions and decrease unemployment rates for the Shudras and Harijan. This includes providing better health care, offering literacy programmes, and making sure that people from higher social classes do not exploit them. It seems unlikely that the caste system will disappear any time soon, but the overall conditions for those at the bottom do seem to be improving.

All of the following are true about the Harijan EXCEPT that ______.