Listen to the information about the “Social Networking” and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS to fill the gaps.

What is the big deal with social networking? I don’t understand it. I know a lot about computers. I spend (36) _________ every day on computers. I also have a lot of friends. But I don’t see the point of social networks. I joined Facebook but couldn’t be bothered to (37) _________. I can’t see a single use of this site. Most of what I’ve heard about it isn’t so good. Putting too much (38) _________ on this site isn’t a wise idea. I’ve also experimented with Twitter, but again, I don’t really see what use it has. I suppose it’s good to tell the world what’s happening in countries that (39) _________ people’s freedom. My idea of social networking is meeting people (40) _________ and talking to them.

A country cannot be prosperous if it’s not quite independent. (ONLY)

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The whole summer was sunny and warm, for a change. (WHICH)

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The lesson is difficult. We try hard. (HARDER)

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You haven’t explained exactly how the money disappeared. (ACCOUNTED)

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Read the text about urbanisation. Based on the information in the text, decide whether the following statements are true (T), false (F), or not given (NG). Tick the boxes.

Urbanisation programmes are being carried out in many parts of the world, especially in densely populated regions with limited land and resources. It is the natural outcome of economic development and industrialisation. It has brought a lot of benefits to our society. However, it also poses various problems for local authorities and town planners in the process of maintaining sustainable urbanisation, especially in developing countries.

When too many people cram into a small area, urban infrastructure can't be effective. There will be a lack of livable housing, energy and water supply. This will create overcrowded urban districts with no proper facilities.

Currently, fast urbanisation is taking place predominantly in developing countries where sustainable urbanisation has little relevance to people's lives. Their houses are just shabby slums with poor sanitation. Their children only manage to get basic education. Hence, the struggle for survival is their first priority rather than anything else. Only when the quality of their existence is improved, can they seek for other high values in their life.

Thus, sustainable urbanisation in different regions should start from different levels. For more developed regions, the focus could be on achieving a more sustainable urban life. But for less developed regions, urban development should really start with the provision of the basic human needs such as sufficient energy, clean water, housing with proper sanitation, and access to effective social infrastructure.

Question 27: Urbanisation is the natural product of economic development and industrialisation. _____

Question 28: The advantages of urbanisation outweigh its disadvantages. _____

Question 29: Slum dwellers in developing countries understand the meaning of sustainable urbanisation. ______

Question 30: The struggle for survival is the most important thing for poor people in developing countries. ______

Question 31: Different regions should deal with different tasks to achieve sustainable urbanisation. _____

Read the following text and fill each gap with a word from the box.

     ancestors                      controversial               superstition                  rituals

     generations                  authorities                    proud                            expressions

While people's cultural identity is undoubtedly always protected and regarded as their most important characteristic, its expressions can sometimes be inappropriate, particularly in today's modern society. In the age of increased globalisation, some festivals include (21) _________ that are considered too old-fashioned and obviously need to be modified.

An example is the (22) ___________ pig-slaughter festival in a village in northern Viet Nam. There has been outrage in the country and other parts of the world as shocking photos and videos have shown the pigs getting tied down and sliced in half. According to ancient beliefs, this festival is celebrated to pray for good luck and fortune in the new year.

The pig-slaughter ceremony has taken place in the village for many centuries. The older (23) _________ insist on continuing this so-called ‘cultural’ practice and have argued that they are keeping the traditions of their (24)_______ alive. They also say it does not break the law and should be decided by the villagers.

Concerns about this backward festival have been raised not only by international animal rights groups, but also by the (25) _________.They have called on villagers to make certain adjustments to the ceremony. A government spokesperson has also expressed disapproval of cultural practices that are based on superstition and barbarian practices.

Ultimately, traditions will have to undergo changes as societies become more modern and develop new values and symbols. While it is important to preserve traditions and customs, communities should make sure that the rituals are in harmony with current social beliefs, strengthen their sense of belonging, and make people (26) _________of their cultural identity.

Choose the word whose stress pattern is different from that of the others.

Listen to the information about the “Overpopulation” and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS to fill the gaps.

Overpopulation is a real problem. It could kill the Earth. Very soon, there will be too many people and not enough land. There won’t be enough farms to (36) _________ for everyone. We’ll eat all of the fish in the sea. And our pollution will cause more (37) _________. I think we are in a very serious situation. I don’t know what the answer is. Our (38) _________ don’t seem too worried. They never see the bigger picture. The world’s population is exploding, and explosions cause great damage. More and more people are living longer and longer. We have better medicines. Our (39) _________ have found cures to many diseases. There are many reasons. What we really need to do is (40) _________ how overpopulation is damaging the Earth.

There is no proof that the dinosaurs died in this way. (PROVED)

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I last saw Bob when I was in Ho Chi Minh City.

=> I haven’t seen ....................................................................................................................

They spent more money, they had to work harder.

=> The more ...........................................................................................................................

I spent seven years at secondary school and then I went to university.

=> After ..................................................................................................................................

According to the passage, what is one reason why local foods taste better?

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.

Learning to Love Locally Grown Food

Cooking shows on TV are usually all about exotic foods. Thanks to globalization, people everywhere are introducing their taste buds to dishes from every corner of the world. At the same time, other people are discovering that food from their area is the best kept secret. In the past few years, this movement of purchasing local produce keeps picking up steam because it offers a lot of benefits.

For starters, local food is often tastier because it is fresher. Goods that are imported from abroad must be flown or shipped in from far away, so they naturally lose some of their freshness during the journey. A simple way to test this is to sample a banana from overseas versus one that was grown locally and compare the tastes. Imported goods must also be washed and packaged in plastic or other containers so they can survive the journey. These materials may cause the nutritional value of these goods to decline during the shipping process. Food safety is another reason why people are choosing local produce. Today’s laws regarding foods vary from country to country. This causes confusion and makes it difficult to detect if any harmful pesticides were used. When you know the local farmer who grows your food and the fields that are used to produce it, the chances of it being contaminated are greatly reduced. Buying local foods can also have beneficial impact on the environment. By supporting local growers, consumers can maintain green space and farmland in their communities.

Buying locally also helps to build the local community. If farmers can sell directly to consumers instead of a middleman, they will earn more money for their families. Additional profits also enable farmers to better care for their soil and keep quality standards high. In the end, it is a win-win situation for both parties.

If you are interested in incorporating more local foods into your diet, you can start by attending a farmers’ market in your area. This is an open market where farmers sell fruits, vegetables, and meat directly to the public. If you have any questions about the production process or quality of these goods, you can ask the farmers directly. Once you experience the freshness of local foods for yourself, it might be tough to go back to the supermarket.

Question 26: The author says that __________ is the best-kept secret.