UBND TỈNH HÀ NAM KỲ THI CHỌN HỌC SINH GIỎI LỚP 12

SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO VÀ THÀNH LẬP ĐỘI TUYỂN THAM DỰ KỲ THI
CHỌN HỌC SINH GIỎI QUỐC GIA NĂM HỌC 2022-2023
ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC MÔN: TIẾNG ANH
Thời gian làm bài: 180 phút
(Đề thi gồm 16 trang, thí sinh làm bài ngay vào đề thi này)

Điểm của bài thi Họ tên, chữ ký giám khảo SỐ PHÁCH

Bằng số: Giám khảo số 1:

Bằng chữ: Giám khảo số 2:

I. LISTENING (5,0 points)

HƯỚNG DẪN PHẦN THI NGHE HIỂU
 Bài nghe gồm 4 phần; mỗi phần được nghe 2 lần; mở đầu và kết thúc mỗi phần nghe có tín hiệu.
 Mở đầu và kết thúc bài nghe có nhạc hiệu. Thí sinh có 02 phút để hoàn chỉnh bài trước nhạc hiệu
kết thúc bài nghe.
 Mọi hướng dẫn cho thí sinh đã có trong bài nghe.
Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a radio interview with a sports scientist talking about effects of
age on ability to perform in endurance sports and decide whether the following statements are True
(T), False (F), or Not Given (NG) according to what you hear. Write your answers in the
corresponding numbered boxes provided.
1. The vast mojority of athletes reach a peak of fitness at the age of 35 and then decline.
2. Robert ‘s motivation for entering the Tour De France in his forties was to finish his cycling career on a
high.
3. In England, women between 40-45 have taken part in any sports competitions.
4. Qualitative analysis indicates that training time is a decisive factor.
5. Robert ‘s conclusion from the research he has mentioned is that winning is possible at any age.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Part 2. You will hear a conversation. Based on what you hear, answer the questions 6-10. Write NO
MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
6. What job was Sam expecting to do?
__________________________________________
7. Which city did he fly to?
__________________________________________
8. What document, other than his visa, did Sam show the immigration officials?
__________________________________________
9. What did the immigration officials buy for Sam?
__________________________________________
10. When is the “Welcome Back” party?
__________________________________________
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Part 3. You will hear an interview with Cindy Talbot on the radio programme, Young hero or
heroin of the week. For questions 11-15, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according
to what you hear.
11. How did Cindy react when she heard the thunder?
A. She decided to take a rest until the storm passed.
B. She was relieved that the storm was so far away.
C. She felt rather worried about what the storm might bring.
D She was surprised by the closeness of the storm.
12. How did Cindy regard her decision to take shelter from the storm?
A. She thought it was sensible.
B. She admitted it was understandable.
C. She found it incomprehensible.
D. She knew it was inadvisable.
13. What were Rod and Mark doing when they saw Cindy?
A. walking in the woods
B. travelling along a forest path
C. removing a tree blocking the road
D. making their way to a nearby hospital
14. What was Rod and Mark's initial reaction to Cindy's story?
A.Theywere dubious about its authenticity.
B. They were amazed by her lucky escape.
C. They were worried about the long-term effects on her health.
D. They were curious about the outcome.
15. What effect has the experience had on Cindy?
A. She is more aware of her own limitations.
B. She is wary of hiking long distances alone.
C. She is adamant not to let it stop her pursuing her interests.
D. She is reluctant to venture out in stormy weather.
Your answers:
11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about recent medical breakthroughs and supply the
blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the
recording for each answer in the space provided.

Inspired by a new type of bacteria that can 16.______________________, Professor Simone Schuler and
her team could effectively control the transport of liquids which takes place within the
17.______________________. This breakthrough paves the way for more targeted drug delivery in the
human body, something that is still 18.______________________ her as she confesses.
By embedding a unique 19.______________________ into a miniature soft robot, Professor Martin can
create a type of robot with different 20.______________________. This milestone in robotics could be
further applied to complex medical purposes such as 21._____________________ and the process of
administering pharmaceutical compounds or circulating fluids.

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Associate Professor Michelle Monje has discovered that brain tumors wire into a network of
22._____________________, leading to what is called 23._____________________ which plays a
crucial role in the development of certain brain cancers.
A scientist in Helsinki has come up with a novel idea to spot tumours in the body by
24._____________________ viruses, thereby tricking the immune system into thinking that tumours are
infections and activating 25._____________________ to respond.
Your answers:
16. 21.
17. 22.
18. 23.
19. 24.
20. 25.

II. LEXICO- GRAMMAR (2,0 points)

Part 1. For questions 26-40, choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D to each of the following
questions. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
26. I'm not a serious investor, but I like to ______ in the stock market.
A. splash B. splatter C. paddle D. dabble
27. We should never have quarreled like that. Let’s bury the ______and forget all about it.
A. axe B. argument C. hatchet D. subject
28. Her eyes were tired from gazing at the ________ screen of her computer all day.
A. flickering B. twinkling C. glimmering D. sparkling
29. His three years at university were the __________ to a brilliant career.
A. launching-pad B. stepping-stone C. diving-board D. starting-line
30. They spend so much time arguing that, when it comes to the _______, decisions are often deferred.
A. crunch B. outcry C. snag D. uproar
31. Maria and Jean had a __________ romance, they met and married within two months.
A. hurricane B. cyclone C. whirlwind D. typhoon
32. After the football match the crowds ________ out of the stadium into the nearest bars and cafes.
A. leaked B. poured C. trickled D. dripped
33. I'm afraid we got our _________ crossed, I thought my husband would be picking up the children
and he thought I was doing it.
A. minds B. purposes C. wires D. fingers
34. The consultant called in by the firm brought a ______ of experience to bear on the problem.
A. wealth B. realm C. bank D. hoard
35. We don’t want him to suspect we’re giving him a surprise party. Make sure you don’t ____________.
A. break the ice B. kick the bucket C. spill the beans D. sweep the board
36. The designer refuses to gild the ____________, preferring clean, simple lines for his creations.
A. lily B. flower C. rose D. daisy
37. As a public figure, whose life and behavior are the focus of intense public interest, I have gradually
become _____ to criticism and scrutiny.
A impermeable B impertinent C impervious D imperious
38. There is no need to get so _______about being turned down. There are other advertising agencies out
there, you know.
A. destitute B. descendant C. despondent D. despicable

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39. The local authority expressed regret as US drone strike has ______ killed innocent hostages.
A. incongruously B. vehemently C. inadvertently D. graciously
40. It is one thing to simply tell a white lie, James, but you have been downright ______; I will never be
able to trust you again.
A. prudent B. reclusive C. precipitous D. mendacious
Yours answers:
26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.
34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.

Part 2. For questions 41-45, write the correct form of each bracketed word in the number space
provided in the column on the right.
Your answers:
41. She is totally (SUFFICE) and doesn’t need help from anyone. 41. ______________
42. The government (TRACK) on plans that would have increased taxes. 42. ______________
43. The (SEE) figures of the homeless sleeping in the city centre doorways are often 43. ______________
a source of concern among passers-by.
44. It was sheer (SANE) to try to drive through the mountains in that thunderstorm. 44. ______________
45. He was a modest and (ASSUME) man who never gave the impression that he 45. ______________
knew all the answers.

III. READING (5,0 points)

Part 1. For questions 46-55, read the text below and think of the word that best fits each space. Use
only ONE word in each space.
Rights for whales and dolphins
Research into the very complex behaviour of cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises - is revealing
that these sea mammals are so highly (46)……………………that they deserve special protection. As a
result, marine biologists and philosophers have joined (47)…………………… to support a controversial
declaration of rights for whales and dolphins on the (48)……………………that their astonishing
intelligence and emotional empathy puts them on a (49)……………………with humans. It has been
observed, for example, that dolphins and whales are able to learn an amazing (50)……………………of
behaviours when they come into (51)…………………… with humans. The declaration of rights for
cetaceans states that every individual dolphin, whale and porpoise has the right to life and liberty and that
none should be kept in (52)…………………… or be subjected to cruel (53)…………………… . It calls
(54)………………… the legal protection of their natural environment and a ban on any activity that
(55)……………………their acoustic communications.
Your answers:
46. 47. 48. 49. 50.
51. 52. 53. 54. 55.

Part 2. Read the following passage and do the tasks that follow.
Keep taking the tablets
The history of aspirin is a product of a rollercoaster ride through time,
of accidental discoveries, intuitive reasoning and intense corporate rivalry.

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A. In the opening pages of Aspirin: The Remarkable Story of a Wonder Drug, Diarmuid Jeffreys
describes this little white pill as ‘one of the most amazing creations in medical history, a drug so
astonishingly versatile that it can relieve headache, ease your aching limbs, lower your temperature
and treat some of the deadliest human diseases’.

B. Its properties have been known for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian physicians used extracts
from the willow tree as an analgesic, or pain killer. Centuries later the Greek physician Hippocrates
recommended the bark of the willow tree as a remedy for the pains of childbirth and as a fever
reducer. But it wasn't until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that salicylates the chemical found
in the willow tree became the subject of serious scientific investigation. The race was on to identify
the active ingredient and to replicate it synthetically. At the end of the nineteenth century a German
company, Friedrich Bayer & Co. succeeded in creating a relatively safe and very effective chemical
compound, acetylsalicylic acid, which was renamed aspirin.

C. The late nineteenth century was a fertile period for experimentation, partly because of the hunger
among scientists to answer some of the great scientific questions, but also because those questions
were within their means to answer. One scientist in a laboratory with some chemicals and a test tube
could make significant breakthroughs whereas today, in order to map the human genome for instance,
one needs ‘an army of researchers, a bank of computers and millions and millions of dollars’.

D. But an understanding of the nature of science and scientific inquiry is not enough on its own to
explain how society innovates. In the nineteenth century, scientific advance was closely linked to the
industrial revolution. This was a period when people frequently had the means, motive and
determination to take an idea and turn it into reality. In the case of aspirin that happened piecemeal - a
series of minor, often unrelated advances, fertilised by the century’s broader economic, medical and
scientific developments, that led to one big final breakthrough.

E. The link between big money and pharmaceutical innovation is also a significant one. Aspirin’s
continued shelf life was ensured because for the first 70 years of its life, huge amounts of money were
put into promoting it as an ordinary everyday analgesic. In the 1970s other analgesics, such as
ibuprofen and paracetamol, were entering the market, and the pharmaceutical companies then focused
on publicising these new drugs. But just at the same time, discoveries were made regarding the
beneficial role of aspirin in preventing heart attacks, strokes and other afflictions. Had it not been for
these findings, this pharmaceutical marvel may well have disappeared.

F. So the relationship between big money and drugs is an odd one. Commercial markets are necessary
for developing new products and ensuring that they remain around long enough for scientists to carry
out research on them. But the commercial markets are just as likely to kill off' certain products when
something more attractive comes along. In the case of aspirin, a potential ‘wonder drug* was around
for over 70 years without anybody investigating the way in which it achieved its effects, because they
were making more than enough money out of it as it was. If ibuprofen or paracetamol had entered the
market just a decade earlier, aspirin might then not be here today. It would be just another forgotten
drug that people hadn't bothered to explore.

G. None of the recent discoveries of aspirin's benefits were made by the big pharmaceutical companies;
they were made by scientists working in the public sector. 'The reason for that is very simple and
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 straightforward,' Jeffreys says in his book. 'Drug companies will only pursue research that is going to
deliver financial benefits. There's no profit in aspirin any more. It is incredibly inexpensive with tiny
profit margins and it has no patent any more, so anyone can produce it.' In fact, there's almost a
disincentive for drug companies to further boost the drug, he argues, as it could possibly put them out
of business by stopping them from selling their more expensive brands.

H. So what is the solution to a lack of commercial interest in further exploring the therapeutic benefits of
aspirin? More public money going into clinical trials, says Jeffreys. ‘If I were the Department of
Health. I would say “this is a very inexpensive drug. There may be a lot of other things we could do
with it." We should put a lot more money into trying to find out.'

I. Jeffreys' book which not only tells the tale of a 'wonder drug' but also explores the nature of
innovation and the role of big business, public money and regulation reminds us why such research is
so important.

Questions 56-61. The Reading Passage has nine paragraphs A-I. Choose the correct heading for
each paragraph (A-F) from the list of headings below.Write the correct number (i-x) in boxes 56-61.
List of headings
i. The most powerful analgesic
56. Paragraph A ii. The profit potential of aspirin
57. Paragraph B iii. Saved from oblivion by drug companies
58. Paragraph C iv. Recognition of an important medicinal property
59. Paragraph D v. A double-edged sword
60. Paragraph E vi. An unstructured pattern of development
61. Paragraph F vii. Major pharmaceutical companies
viii. A wonder drug
ix. Roots of the scientific advancements in the 19th century
x. The discovery of new medical applications

Questions 62-68.Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage?
In boxes 62-68 write:
YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

62. The discovery of aspirin’s full medicinal properties was a very unusual one.
63. The 19th century saw significant changes in the way in which scientific experiments were carried out.
64. For nineteenth-century scientists, small-scale research was far from enough to make important discoveries.
65. The creation of a market for aspirin as a painkiller was achieved through commercial advertising campaigns.
66. In the 1970s sales of new analgesic drugs overtook sales of aspirin.
67. Between 1900 and 1970, there was little research into aspirin because commercial companies thought
it had been adequately exploited.
68. Jeffrey suggests that there should be stated support for further research into the possible applications of
aspirin.
Your answers:
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 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62.
63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68.

Part 3. You are going to read an article about a rehabilitation programme involving shelter dogs in
a prison. Seven paragraphs have been removed. For questions 69-75, read the passage and choose from
paragraphs A-H the one which fits each gap. There is ONE extra paragraph which you do not need to
use. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
Dr Patricia Fitzgerald witnesses the result of an amazing new scheme
that brought prisoners and animals new hope.

August 9, 2014, was one of the most memorable days of my life. On that day, I entered a
maximum-security prison in Lancaster, California, to witness an extraordinary event connecting the lives
of some of its inmates with a pack of rescued shelter dogs. Just a few months ago, five lucky dogs –
Shelby, Oreo, Rendell, Chuey and Eddie – beat the odds and were pulled from a shelter in Los Angeles
and entered this prison for a chance at a better life.

69.

The group has saved the lives of over 2,000 dogs since their inception in 2003, placing them in
loving “forever” homes. Educational and outreach has always been part of their mission statement, so
when officials from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation approached Karma with
this unique opportunity, it seemed like a perfect match.

70.

For instance, Jack explained that, “It’s a pleasure to simply observe dogs and to be observed by
them. Caring for them is an opportunity and a privilege to openly display caring and compassion, and at
times let my inner child out when playing with the dogs; being mindful of the overall goal of training for
adoption. I know that the best of me that I give will be the ensured success of the dog. Its feels good to
nurture and care! I have no inhibitions about availing myself to any aspect of caring for the dogs… If I’ve
learned nothing else in my life, it’s tolerance, patience, and caring for myself and others.”

71.

After these were review, fourteen inmates were then selected to train five shelter dogs who stayed at
the prison this summer for a 12-week programme. From the very beginning, the programme struck a
chord with everyone involved.

72.

During the programme, professional dog trainer Mark Tipton would drive out to the prison several
times a week to instruct the inmates on how to train their assigned dogs for “Canine Good Citizen”
certification, a designation that increases the chance that a dog will be successfully adopted. The

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culmination of all this hard work was the graduation of the first class of Paws for Life, which I had the
pleasure to attend on August 9th

73.

Four of the dogs in the programme had already been adopted into loving homes. And the inmates
had gained experience and skills that renewed their own lives as much as their training renewed the dogs’
lives during those 12 weeks. Although the programme was limited to 14 inmates, it was clear there has
been a ripple effect through the prison. “The calming effect of the staff, the interaction between the staff
and inmates is amazing. Before it was yes sir, no sir – now it’s more cordial … it’s two human beings
having a conversation. The hearts are totally open,” explained the warden of the prison, John Soto.

74.

Every inmate that I spoke with expressed how deeply this programme had touched their hearts, and
shared sincere gratitude for the support of Warden Soto and Captain Wood, often referring to them as
“awesome” and “amazing”. Although there were certainly bittersweet moments as the inmates prepared
to say goodbye to the dogs they had loved and cared for, they were overjoyed that they could positively
contribute to society and even meet the people whose lives were now going to be enriched by their new
canine companion.

75.

Witnessing this event had an enormous impact on me and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.
A couple of weeks have passed and my mind still lingers on the occasion. I am thrilled programmes like
this exist to allow people - and dogs - to have a second chance at life.

Missing paragraphs

A. In another essay Christopher tells us that, “I know some people in society may think that we as
prisoners don’t have anything good left in ourselves or have redeeming qualities, or should be allowed
any goodness in our lives; however contrary to that thinking I know in my heart this to be the
opposite.

B. This remarkable situation came about as a result of Paws for Life, a programme started by the charity
Karma Rescue, that maaathces rescued dogs with inmates who train them to boost their odds of
adoption. What’s even more unusual about it is that it’s the first programme in California to take place
at a high-security prison with inmates serving life sentences.

C. Captain Crystal Wood also noticed a huge change in the inmates in a relatively short time after the
dogs entered the prison. “A lot of times in this setting it’s so depressing and you don’t show
emotion… and when you have a creature that gives you unconditional love and licks you and doesn’t
care – you see men who’ve been in prison for 20 and 30 years break down and cry just for the
companion and the humanity. It’s just generally made the yard a calmer place.”

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D. What made this ceremony so powerful was the pervasive sense that it changed all the participants so
profoundly. Everybody involved – the volunteers, the prison warden and staff, the inmates, the dogs,
and everyone in their vicinity – was transformed by it.

E. Through the scheme inmates eligible for Paws for Life applied for the limited slots by participating in
interviews and writing essays, often laden with extraordinary reflections on their lives. Some of the
excerpts are remarkable, as is the frankness of the writers.

F. Indeed, at the end of the ceremony, inmates spent quite a bit of time with the families, giving them
pointers. Observing the inmates bond with the families and beam with pride over the dogs was an
incredibly moving experience.

G. Karma Rescue’s founder Rande Levine was amazed at the impact, “Men who had not seen an animal
in decades were openly emotional at the sight of the beautiful creatures before them. Just petting our
dogs brought many to happy tears. It was a moment I will never, ever forget.”

H. Families started how grateful they would be to receive a dog via Paws for Life. Everyone agreed that
adopting an animal that has gone through such excellent training really made their decision to take a
dog into their home easier.
Your answers:
69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75.

Part 4. For questions 76-85, read an extract from an article and choose the answer A, B, C or D that
fits best according to the text. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
Teenage brains
Journalist Martin Baines talks to neuroscientist Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
about the development of the brain during adolescence.

Until I read Inventing Ourselves by Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, I'd always assumed that
what we think of as teenage behaviour is largely an invention of contemporary western society. I hadn't
imagined, for example, that 15-year-olds in the Kalahari Desert also complain about having to get up
early - but they do. It was for people like me - there are lots of us - that Blakemore wrote her book
explaining the science of everything from why teenagers can't get out of bed in the morning to why they
sometimes appear to be irresponsible narcissists. ‘We demonise teenagers more than any other section of
society,' she told me. 'And it's not right. They're going through an essential stage of their development.
Most adults don't realise this.'
This is arguably inevitable. Blakemore says that until 20 years ago, it was assumed that teenage
behaviour was largely down to hormonal changes in puberty and that children's brains were more or less
fully developed. The findings of brain scans and psychological experiments have now revealed that the
reality is very different, however. In fact, the brain continues to change all through the teenage years and
well into adulthood, and important neurodevelopmental processes enable it to be moulded by the
environment. So adolescence is a critical period of neurological change, much of which is responsible for
adolescent behaviour.
Blakemore quotes from a teenager's diary dated 20 July 1969: 'I went to arts centre (by myself!) in
yellow cords and blouse. Ian was there but didn't speak to me. Got a rhyme put in my handbag from
someone who's apparently got a crush on me. It's Nicholas, I think. UGH. Man landed on the moon.' This
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may look like amazing - even jaw-dropping - self-absorption. But Blakemore says it's essential
neurological development, because the biological function of adolescence, today and in the past, is the
creation of a sense of self. Teens achieve this through creating new allegiances, independent of their
parents - which is why their friendships suddenly become extremely important. What is known on social
media as FOMO - fear of missing out - may look like an irrational sense of priorities if it means skipping
revision to attend a run-of-the-mill get-together, but at that age, nothing matters more than peer approval.
Blakemore designed an experiment to explore this. Adolescents were asked to play an online ball
game, with what they believed to be two other players of their own age. In fact, the game was with a
computer programmed to ignore the human participants; these found themselves watching the ball being
passed between two players on the screen who chose not to include them. She repeated the experiment
with adults, and found that, while the game lowered the mood and increased the anxiety levels of all
participants, the effect was dramatically greater for the teenagers.
In her book, Blakemore also discusses how the neurologically driven preoccupation with peer
approval underlies adolescent risk-taking and acute self-consciousness, and how it determines adolescent
sleep patterns. It's fascinating, and I'm curious about the implications. What could be done to
accommodate the changes adolescents go through?
Blakemore suggests we might harness the power of peer pressure by getting adolescents to run
educational campaigns - for example, on healthy eating. She also mentions schools which have altered
their start times to fit in with teenage sleep patterns, though she points out there may be practical issues
about implementing this on a wider scale. But generally, she's wary about putting forward concrete
solutions. This seems regrettable, but she insists she's a scientist rather than a consultant. She doesn't even
like to be asked for parenting advice, although she admits her work does inform her own parenting. When
she recently visited her teenage son's school, he asked her to pretend not to know him. 'I could've been so
offended by that. But I thought: "That's absolutely normal."'
[■] One thing that makes Blakemore's empathy and affection for teenagers so striking is its rarity.
[■] But why does she think so many other adults feel differently? [■] She often thinks about why we find
it hilarious to 'take the mickey out of teenagers'. [■] She points out that there are whole comedy shows
mocking their behaviour. She wonders if adults do it to cope with their rejection; small children obey
adults and want to be with them, but teenagers, through necessity, look for independence, and the older
generations feel hurt about this. They resent adolescents' desire to rebel and their sense of
embarrassment when they're with parents. 'Our way of dealing with these changes is to sneer at them.'
76. What is the writer doing in the first paragraph?
A. outlining how he feels about the way teenagers are generally perceived
B. giving his reasons for writing a profile of Professor Blakemore
C. pointing out international variations in teenage behaviour
D. acknowledging his relative ignorance about teenagers
77. The writer suggests that the way teenage behaviour is commonly regarded is unsurprising because
________.
A. behavioural development is a complex subject
B. significant progress in relevant areas of study is relatively recent
C. people's outlook on life is partly determined by neurological factors
D. differences between generations will always cause misunderstanding
78. What does the writer suggest is ‘jaw-dropping’ about the teenager's diary entry?
A. the strong desire for independence that comes across
B. the similarity with what young people talk about today
C. the negative comments about two acquaintances
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 D. the focus on personal rather than wider events
79. The experiment described in the fourth paragraph was designed to provide evidence of _______.
A. how competitive teenagers tend to be
B. how easily teenagers can be deceived
C. how sensitive teenagers are to social exclusion
D. how immersed teenagers can become in video games
80. In the sixth paragraph, the writer expresses ________.
A. disappointment at Blakemore's reluctance to advocate specific policies
B. enthusiasm for the idea of giving teenagers more responsibility
C. amusement at Blakemore's difficulties with her own children
D. doubt regarding the feasibility of changing school hours
81. Which words in the final paragraph echo the phrase ‘take the mickey out of’?
A. cope with B. feel hurt about C. resent D. sneer at
82. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
'Yes, I'm a champion of them,' she agrees.
Where would the sentence best fit?
A. First square B. Second square C. Third square D. Fourth square
83. What does the word “It” in paragraph 1 refer to?
A. teenage behaviour B. book C. invention D. Kalahari Desert
84. The word ‘demonise’ in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to_______.
A. vilify B. eulogize C. overlook D. notice
85. The word ‘run-of-the-mill’ in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to_______.
A. distinguished B. ordinary C. tedious D. provocative
Your answers:
76. 77. 78. 79. 80.
81. 82. 83. 84. 85.

Part 5. You are going to read a magazine article about four women who explain why they do the
dangerous things they do. For questions 86-95, choose from the sections (A - D). The sections may
be chosen more than once. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.

WOMEN WHO LIKE THE TASTE OF DANGER

Ivy Viney asked four women what makes them do the things they do.
A. Marlee became a policewoman eightyears ago, and has done a lot of work in undercover operations.
'We had a careers talk at school about joining the police force, which interested me and I decided to
apply. To be sure that a life as a policewoman was really for me, I first signed up for the Specials, a
group of part-time officers. I really liked the work so signed on the dotted line and became a full-time
officer. After a couple of years I joined the Special Inquiry Section, which deals with robberies. I have
to do a certain amount of undercover work, such as pretending to be a cashier in a bank about which
we've received a tip-off that it might be robbed. Obviously, we're dealing with criminals, some of
whom are violent, so there's already the element of risk. However, I have a back-up team that I have
total confidence in, and therefore, I don't really feel scared when I'm working undercover. It does
frighten me when we have to do a raid though, as we never know what we're going to face when we
walk into a room.That makes me more careful, and not being alone, makes me feel more confident.

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B. During the week, Eva works in a shop making chocolate. However, at weekends she drives down to
Dover, on the English Channel, where she trains to swim the thirty-five kilometre stretch of sea
between England and France, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. “When I was young I kept
winning long-distance swimming events and eventually someone said to me, “Why not have a go at
the Channel?” I thought I couldn't do it and made excuses saying I couldn't afford it. Then my friends
started raising money to pay for me to try, so I had no choice but to do it. When I got in the sea, I kept
asking myself “What am I doing?” It was hard work and I was scared. It finally took me 11 hours 21
minutes and I was told to try it again and do it a bit faster the next time! These days I swim the
Channel mainly to raise money for children in hospital.”

C. In 2007, although a mother of three small children, Katherine signed up for the Air Force because she
saw it as a change from her domestic routine. Her husband was already a pilot and urged her to join.
Katherine didn't think the Air Force would accept her, but they did and she is now not only an Air
Force pilot for her country, but also flies small planes in competitions. 'I'm quite a careful and
cautious person and don't think of what I do as dangerous because I always respect my limitations and
those of the aircraft. The engine could fail, but that's a risk I have to take. My worst and most scary
moment was when I was flying home from a competition in France. The weather was awful, forcing
me to fly lower and lower. My heart was racing, my mouth was dry, and my hands were sweating. I
had to turn back and find another airfield to land at. I also race cars and have often been more
frightened doing that than flying.'

D. Georgina gave up her career as a social worker to become a professional acrobatic parachutist. 'I first
tried parachute jumping in my teens, but didn't particularly like it. Then, in my mid-20s I visited the
States and went on a jump with a friend. I was hooked straight away. I like being in the air and the
freedom it gives me, and the fact that you can't switch off - you really have to concentrate or you put
the rest of the team in jeopardy. I think I'm a level-headed and calm person, so I rarely panic in a
difficult situation. I have been in danger though. One time another member of the team jumped out of
the plane too quickly, landed on me and knocked me out. Fortunately someone else saw it happen and
grabbed hold of me. We landed together with me still unconscious, which is a very difficult
manoeuvre. The accident damaged my confidence, but within weeks I was back jumping again.'

Which of the women Your answer

86. was given encouragement by a family member? 86. __________
87. says she remains calm in demanding situations? 87. __________
88. has experienced physical symptoms of fear? 88. __________
89. didn't think much of the activity at first? 89. __________
90. is frightened by one aspect of what she does? 90. __________
91. avoided starting a new activity? 91. __________
92. had a gradual introduction to what she does? 92. __________
93. says it is important to focus on what she is doing? 93. __________
94. wanted a change from her normal life? 94. __________
95. was successful at a certain activity when young? 95. __________

IV. WRITING (8,0 points)

Part 1. Read the following extract and use your own words to summarize it. Your summary should
be between 100-120 words long.
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Being overweight makes many of us unhappy. There may be many reasons for our weight problem.
Weight problems often run in the family. It could be a case of us overeating to make ourselves feel better
when we are sad, stressed or lonely.
Weight management is about long-term success. People who lose weight quickly by crash dieting or other
extreme measures usually gain back all, if not more, of the pounds they lost because they have not
permanently changed their habits. Therefore, the best weight management strategies are those that you
can maintain for a lifetime.
A new diet may help you lose weight for a little while. However, the weight often comes back unless you
find new ways to deal with the problems that are leading to your weight gain. This may mean learning
new ways to handle stress, finding ways to feel less lonely or talking with a counselor about your
feelings.
Most diets are designed to make you lose a great deal of weight in the beginning. This is to encourage
you. In actual fact, what you lose is mostly water and muscle. The water comes right back when you eat
salty or processed food again. Losing weight is an uphill task and also takes time. So try not to get
discouraged. Your effort will be worth it.
The key is to keep trying to eat the right food. The following are a few suggestions to help you change
your diet. Make small, slow changes. Then, it will be easier to make the changes a part of your everyday
life. For every few days, write down what you eat and drink that day. Use this record to help you see if
you need to eat more from any food group such as fruits, vegetables or low-fat dairy products.
If you have a medical problem that requires a special diet, make sure you ask for help from your family
doctor or a nutritionist. It is not advisable to do it on your own.

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Part 2. The table below shows the in which sector of the economy different age groups were
employed.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where
relevant. You should write about 150 words.

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Part 3. Some people believe that social media are making useful contributions to solving our society’s
current crises. Others oppose this, claiming that the popularity of such platforms only exacerbate the
situations. What is your opinion?
Write an essay of about 350 words presenting your point of view on this issue.

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THE END
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