This document contains an exam for high school students testing their English skills. It covers listening, phonetics, vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension. The listening section includes questions about an expert talk on deserts and a passage with missing words. The phonetics section tests word pronunciation. Vocabulary and grammar questions cover parts of speech, tenses and sentence structure. The reading comprehension consists of passages about scurvy, parks, and rooftop gardens followed by multiple choice questions. The exam aims to evaluate students' overall English proficiency.

1. TRƯỜNG THPT QUẢNG XƯƠNG 1
ĐỀ KIỂM TRA ĐỘI TUYỂN HỌC SINH GIỎI
NĂM HỌC: 2016 – 2017
MÔN: TIẾNG ANH - THỜI GIAN LÀM BÀI: 180 PHÚT
Part A: LISTENING ( 15pts)
I. Listen to an expert and then answer the following questions:
1. What central theme does the talk examine?
2. What is a desert?
3. What causes the growing of the world’s deserts?
4. Are the size and the location of the world’s deserts never changing?
5. In what way do rabbits contribute to the growing of deserts in Australia?
II. Listen and fill in the missing words
In developing countries, ____(6)_____ percent of the people use wood for cooking and
heat. They cut down trees for _____(7)______. But trees are important. They cool the land under
them and keep the sun off _____(8)______ plants. When _____(9)________ fall from a tree, they
make the land richer. When the trees are gone, the smaller plants die, and the land becomes
desert.
Humans can make deserts, but humans can also _____(10)______ their growth. Algeria
planted a green _______(11)_____ of trees across the edge of the Sahara to stop the desert sand
from ____(12)__. Mauritania planted a similar wall around its ____(13)_____. Iran puts a thin
covering of petroleum on ______(14)_____ areas and plant trees. Other countries build long
______(15)_____ to bring water to the desert areas.
Part B : PHONETICS ( 5pts )
Question I. Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from the rest in
the same line. (2pts )
16. A. massage B. message C. voyage D. dosage
17. A. naked B. wicked C. locked D. sacred
Question II. Identify the word whose stressed pattern is different from that of the others. (3pts)
18.A. politics B. impolite C. volunteer D. afternoon
19.A. difficult B. portable C. element D. sincerely
20. A. appliance B. conscientious C. independent D. confidential
Part C : LEXICALAND GRAMMAR ( 30 pts )
Question I. Choose the option A, B, C or D to indicate the word or phrase which best
completes each sentence.(10pts)
21. ___________ the weather forecast, it will rain heavily later this morning.
A. On account of B. According to C. Because of D. Due to
22. I read the contract again and again __________ avoiding making spelling mistakes.
A. in view of B. in terms of C. with a view to D. by means of
23. It's a shame they didn't pick you up, but it doesn't _______ out the possibility that you might
get a job in a different department.
A. strike B. cancel C. draw D. rule
24. I reckon Mark is ________ of a nervous breakdown.
A. in charge B. under suspicion C. on the verge D. indicative
25. Many local authorities realize there is a need to make _______ for disabled people in their
housing programmes.
A. assitance B. conditions C. admittance D. provision
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2. 26. It turned out that we _________ rushed to the airport as the plane was delayed by several
hours.
A. hadn't B. should have C. mustn't have D. needn't have
27. All three TV channels provide extensive _________ of sporting events.
A. coverage B. vision C. broadcast D. network
28. No matter how angry he was, he would never ________ to violence.
A. resolve B. recourse C. exert D. resort
29. ________ as a masterpiece, a work of art must transcend the ideals of the period in which it
was created.
A. Ranking B. To be ranked C. Being ranked D. In order to be ranking
30. _________, the people who come to this club are in their twenties and thirties.
A. By and large B. All together C. To a degree D. Virtually
Question II: The following passage contains 5 errors . Identify and correct them ( find and
write the word(s) , lines containing the errors on your answer sheet ) (5 pts) (Questions 31-35)
CHESS TOURNAMENTS
All tournament chess games are played with a chess clock – that is, two
clocks joined together. When one player does his move, he presses a button which
stops his clock and starts his opponent’s clock. Whoever fails to keep to the time
limit, no matter what the position on the board, loses the game.
Weekend tournaments with a fast time limit and long sessions of play of up
to twelve hours a day are very strenuous and result from fatigue and time troubles.
The play is quite sharp. Active, attacking chess is the order of the day and it is
difficult to maintain any sustained, precise defence against such play. A score of
the game must be kept as play goes on. Each move is written down on a score
sheet, which has to be handed to the tournament officials in the end of each round.
The sorely thought in everybody’s head is to win. Talent and youth – that’s what is
needed for success at chess, with the emphasis on youth. Some approach the
board with a slow, purposeful manner without giving you a second glance – you
simply don’t count. They seem to imply that the outcome is a foregone conclusion
for them; you only need to accept them with good grace.
Question III. Put each verb in brackets into an appropriate form. ( 7pts )
36. “You were late for your dental appointment.”
“I know. I (not/ stay) .................. so long at the library.”
37. If you want to see us, come to Tom’s on Sunday. We (wait) .................. for you there at
midday.
38. It was a fine day and the roads were crowded because a lot of people (rush) ..................
to the seaside.
39. Our little children enjoy (take) .................. to the water park every Sunday.
40. I don’t feel good. I (stay) .................. home from work tomorrow.
41. The city is now crowded with the people who (seek) .................. employment.
42. The old man is said (leave) .................... all his money to an old people’s home when he
died.
Question IV. Put each word in brackets into an appropriate form. ( 8pts )
43. His busy schedule made him completely (access) __________ to his students.
44. He works for UNESCO in a purely (advice) ________ role.
45. The sun and the moon are often (person)_________ in poetry.
46. I’ve never known such a (quarrel) ______ person.
47. Deforestation and excessive farming have (poor) __________ the soil.
48. The damage caused by the terrible storm two days ago was (estimate) _________ by the
government. The real figures go up every minute.
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3. 49. Barack Obama is the first President of the United States with (race) __________ background.
50. From the hotel there is a (breath) _________.view across the canyon.
Part C : READING ( 30 pts )
Question I. Read the following passage and then choose the most suitable word or phrase for
each space. (10 pts )
In the past people suffered (51) .................... a disease called scurvy. Their gums bled,
their skin became rough, their wounds did not (52) .................. and their muscles wasted
away. The (53) ................... of these symptoms was a lack of vitamin C; people ate preserved
meats and foods and could not get fresh vegetables and fruits.
The best (54) ................... of vitamin C are oranges, lemons, grapefruit, cantaloupes,
strawberries, and fresh vegetables. These fruits must be fresh because vitamin C is destroyed
by heat, storage, or exposure (55) .................. air.
Although today more people (56) ................... vitamin C pills than any other
supplement, some people still have scurvy, (57) .................. some of the elderly, alcoholics, and
the chronically ill.
Research shows that vitamin C reduces the (58) ................... of colds and can help
prevent cancer. There is also evidence that vitamin C prevents heart disease, (59) ...................
wound healing, helps prevent gum disease, and helps protect us from pollutants such as
cigarette smoke. Some recent research also shows that vitamin C has a positive effect on some
mental (60) ................... and increases life span.
51. A. from B. with C. by D. at
52. A. close B. recover C. heal D. get well
53. A. reason B. cause C. origin D. signs
54. A. store B. resources C. provider D. sources
55. A. to B. towards C. in D. by
56. A. consume B. drink C. take D. have
57. A. containing B. including C. consisting D. like
58. A. severity B. seriousness C. gravity D. importance
59. A. hastens B. hurries up C. quickens D. speeds
60. A. chaos B. confusions C. disorders D. disturbances
Question II. Supply the most suitable word for each blank. (10 pts)
Many species are now in (61) ________ of being extinct. Among the threats to
endangered species are businesses that buy and (62) _______ animals for their skin and other
(63) ______. Unfortunately, the people who run these businesses are not discouraged by fines,
which they see as just another business expense. A (64) _______way to control the problem
would be to force (65) __________ is caught buying or selling products made from endangered
(66)______ to do community service. Their community service should require work that helps
(67) ______ the animals they are harming.
Such a law should be quite effective. If people trafficking in (68) _______ animal products were
forced to help endangered species, they might understand (69) ________destructive their
business is. Also, their community service tasks turn them into helpers rather (50) _______
destroyers.
Question III. Read the following passage, and then choose the best answer from A, B, C or D.
(10pts)
For many people who live in cities, parks are an important part of the landscape. They
provide a place for people to relax and play sports, as well as a refuge from the often harsh
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4. environment of a city. What people often overlook is that parks also provide considerable
environmental benefits.
One benefit of parks is that plants absorb carbon dioxide—a key pollutant—and emit
oxygen, which humans need to breathe. According to one study, an acre of trees can absorb the
same amount of carbon dioxide that a typical car emits in 11,000 miles of driving. Parks also
make cities cooler. Scientists have long noted what is called the Urban Heat Island Effect:
building materials such as metal, concrete, and asphalt absorb much more of the sun’s heat and
release it much more quickly than organic surfaces like trees and grass. Because city landscapes
contain so much of these building materials, cities are usually warmer than surrounding rural
areas. Parks and other green spaces help to mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect.
Unfortunately, many cities cannot easily create more parks because most land is already
being used for buildings, roads, parking lots, and other essential parts of the urban environment.
However, cities could benefit from many of the positive effects of parks by encouraging citizens
to create another type of green space: rooftop gardens. While most people would not think of
starting a garden on their roof, human beings have been planting gardens on rooftops for
thousands of years. Some rooftop gardens are very complex and require complicated engineering,
but others are simple container gardens that anyone can create with the investment of a few
hundred dollars and a few hours of work.
Rooftop gardens provide many of the same benefits as other urban park and garden spaces,
but without taking up the much-needed land. Like parks, rooftop gardens help to replace carbon
dioxide in the air with nourishing oxygen. They also help to lessen the Urban Heat Island Effect,
which can save people money. In the summer, rooftop gardens prevent buildings from absorbing
heat from the sun, which can significantly reduce cooling bills. In the winter, gardens help hold in
the heat that materials like brick and concrete radiate so quickly, leading to savings on heating
bills. Rooftop vegetable and herb gardens can also provide fresh food for city dwellers, saving
them money and making their diets healthier. Rooftop gardens are not only something everyone
can enjoy, they are also a smart environmental investment.
66. Based on its use in paragraph 2, it can be inferred that mitigate belongs to which of the
following word groups?
A. exacerbate, aggravate, intensify B. obliterate, destroy, annihilate
C. allay, alleviate, reduce D. absorb, intake, consume
67. Using the information in paragraph 2 as a guide, it can be inferred that ..................................
A. cities with rooftop gardens are cooler than those without rooftop gardens
B. some plants are not suitable for growth in rooftop gardens
C. most people prefer parks to rooftop gardens
D. most people prefer life in the country over life in the city
68. According to the passage, the Urban Heat Island Effect is caused by the fact(s)
that ..................................
a. cities are warmer than nearby rural areas
b. building materials absorb more of the sun’s heat than organic surfaces
c. building materials release the sun’s heat more quickly than organic surfaces
A. a. only B. a. and b. only C. b. and c. only D. a., b., and c.
69. Based on the information in paragraph 3, which of the following best describes the main
difference between parks and rooftop gardens?
A. Parks are expensive to create while rooftop gardens are not.
B. Parks are public while rooftop gardens are private.
C. Parks absorb heat while rooftop gardens do not.
D. Parks require much space while rooftop gardens do not.
70. The author claims all of the following to be the benefits of rooftop gardens
except ..................................
A. increased space for private relaxation
B. savings on heating and cooling costs
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5. C. better food for city dwellers
D. improved air quality
71. According to the author, one advantage that rooftop gardens have over parks is that
they ..................................
A. decrease the Urban Heat Island Effect
B. replenish the air with nourishing oxygen
C. do not require the use of valuable urban land
D. are less expensive than traditional park spaces
72. The author’s tone in the passage is best described as..................................
A. descriptive B. passionate C. informative D. argumentative
73. Which of the following pieces of information would, if true, most weaken the author's claim
that rooftop gardens are good for the environment?
A. Parks have many benefits that rooftop gardens do not share.
B. More pollution is produced during rooftop garden construction than rooftop plants can
remove from the air.
C. Extremely high winds atop tall city buildings can severely damage some plants.
D. The overall environmental benefits that result from driving less exceed those of planting a
rooftop garden.
74. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
A. A hypothesis is stated and then analyzed.
B. A proposal is evaluated and alternatives are explored.
C. A viewpoint is established and then defended.
D. A thesis is presented and then supported.
75. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would most likely endorse a program that
..................................
A. permitted the construction of buildings in city park land provided they have rooftop
gardens
B. extended discounts on plants to customers who use them to create rooftop gardens
C. offered free admission to schools willing to take their students on field trips to the city
park
D. promised vacation getaways to cooler destinations for those trapped in the city at the
peak of summer
Part D : WRITING ( 20 pts )
Question I. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar as
possible in meaning to the sentence printed before it.(5pts)
81. As long as he could see, Kevin really didn't mind where he sat in the stadium. (difference)
→ As long as he could see , ____________________________________ where he sat in
the stadium.
82. Somebody should have told us that the date had been changed. (informed)
→ We should ___________________________________ the change of the date.
83. Jane's family persuaded her to enter the competition. (talked)
→ Jane was ____________________________________ the competition by her family.
84. We never imagined that Julian might be planning to resign from his job. (occurred)
→ It never __________________________________ Julian might be planning to resign
from his job.
85. Sally was all ready to leave the office when her
boss asked her to type up a report (point)
→ Sally was
________________________________ the
office when her boss asked her to type up a
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6. report.
Question II. Complete each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the
same as the sentence printed before it. ( 5pts )
86. Its lack of irregular verbs makes Esperanto a unique language.
 Unlike……………...........................…………………………………………………………..
87. Mr. Smith knew little about the Internet, so he didn’t invest into any computer companies.
 Had…...........................................................................................................................................
88. The Board of Directors discussed the business in length, but came to no decision.
 The Board of Directors had ...................................................................................................
89. When she got to the party, everyone was dancing and singing.
 On.................................................................................................................................................
90. Barbara runs a successful company and she also manages to look after her five children.
 Not only.......................................................................................................................................
Question III: Write an essay (about 150 to 200 words) about the following topic( 10 points)
Some people think that children should begin their formal education at an early age and
should most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend
most of their time playing. Which view do you agree with? Why?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your position
_________________ The End __________________________
TRƯỜNG THPT QUẢNG XƯƠNG 1
ĐÁP ÁN VÀ HƯỚNG DẪN CHẤM
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7. ĐỀ KIỂM TRA ĐỘI TUYỂN HSG – NĂM: 2016 -2017
MÔN: TIẾNG ANH
ĐÁP ÁN:
Part A: LISTENING ( 15pts)
I. Listen to an expert and then answer the following questions:
1.The talk examines deserts, what they are and how they are formed.
2. A desert is a hot, dry, sandy place. A desert is also a beautiful land of silence and space
3. Natural changes as well was human’s activities cause the growing of the world’s deserts.
4. No, they are. They are always changing.
5. They eat every plant they can find.
II. Listen and fill in the missing words
6. 90
7. firewood
8. smaller
9. leaves
10. prevent
11/ wall
12. spreading
13. capital
14. sandy
15. canals
Part B : PHONETICS ( 5pts )
I. Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from the rest in the same
line. ( 2pts )
16. A 17. C
II. Pick out the word whose main stressed syllable is different from the rest in the same line.
( 3pts )
18. A 19. D 20. A
Part C : VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR ( 30 pts )
I. Choose the most suitable word or phrase to complete each sentence. ( 10pts )
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
B C D C D D A D B A
II. The following passage contains 5 unnecessary words. Find and write the word(s) on your
answer sheet (5 pts) (Questions 31-35)
Error LINE Correction Error LINE Correction
31. Does 2 makes 34. In 9 at
32. Opponent 3 Opponent’s 35. Sorely 10 only
33. From 6 in
III. Put each verb in brackets into an appropriate form. ( 7pts )
36. shouldn’t have stayed
37. shall/ will be waiting
38. were rushing
39. being taken
40. am staying/am going to stay
41. are seeking
42. to have left
IV. Put each word in brackets into an appropriate form. ( 8pts )
43. inaccessible
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8. 44-advisory
45 – personified
46 – quarrelsome
47. impoverished
48. underestimated
49. multiracial
50. breathtaking
Part D : READING ( 30 pts )
I. Read the following passage and then choose the most suitable word or phrase for each
space. (10 pts )
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
A C B D A C B A D C
II. Supply the most suitable word for each blank (10 pts)
61. one 62 before 63. as 64. question 65. made
66. how 67. take 68. happened/ chanced 69. loss 70. Long
III. Read the following passage, and then choose the best answer from A, B, C or D.(10pts)
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
C A C D A C C B C B
Part D : WRITING (20 pts )
I. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar as possible in
meaning to the sentence printed before it.(5pts)
81. As long as he could see, it made no difference to Kevin where he sat in the stadium.
82. We should have been informed of / about the change of the date.
83. Jane was talked into entering the competition by her family.
84. It never occurred to us that Julian might be planning to resign from his job.
85. Sally was on the point of leaving the office when her boss asked her to type up a report.
II. Complete each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as
the sentence printed before it. ( 5pts )
86. Unlike other languages, Esperanto has no irregular verbs.
87. Had Mr. Smith known something / more / a little more / some more about the Internet, he
would have invested into some computer companies.
88. The Board of Directors had a long discussion on / about the business, but come to / reached /
made no decision.
89. On her arrival at the party, everyone was dancing and singing.
90. Not only does Barbara run a successful company, but she also manages to look after her five children.
, but she manages to look after her five children (as
well)
, she also manages to look after her five children.
III. Essay: (10 điểm)
Marking criteria:
+ Task completion (4 điểm)
2/3

9. Tuỳ theo khả năng hoàn thành về bố cục và những yêu cầu nội dung cho mỗi phần ( mở bài,thân
bài,kết luận) giám khảo có thể chấm từ 1-4 điểm.
+ Grammatical accuracy and spelling 3 điểm: bài viết không có lỗi chính tả và từ ba lỗi ngữ
pháp trở xuống được cho 3 điểm tối đa. Cứ 4 lỗi chính tả hoặc ngữ pháp trừ 1 điểm (Trừ không
quá 3 điểm).
- Coherence and cohesion (tính mạch lạc và sự liên kết câu, đoạn) – 3 điểm:
Tùy mức độ mạch lạc, liên kết câu, liên kết đoạn của bài viết, giám khảo có thể chấm 1-3 điểm.
B- HƯỚNG DẪN CHẤM
Bài thi chấm theo thang điểm: 20
Điểm bài thi làm tròn đến 0,25
Tổng số điểm thí sinh làm đúng
Điểm bài thi = ---------------------------------------
5
4. Some people think that family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think that
friends are the most important influence in young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples to
support your position.
As social beings, we are naturally influenced by those we meet in the course of our lives. This is particularly
true for young people, whose character and personality are still malleable. Although friends play a central role
in the lives of teenagers, in my opinion, it is the family which has a greater impact on young people. My view
is based on psychological, intellectual and financial reasons.
Psychologically, the family is the central grounding factor for a young person, because the parents, brothers
and sisters are the ones who actually love him or her. It is through thousands of life situations and family
discussions that norms, values, customs, traditions and expectations are passed on to the youngster. The
depth of relationship, developed over the years through shared joys and sorrows, place family members in an
incomparably close bond which cannot easily be replicated by friends or anyone else.
Intellectually, the family impacts the young person’s ability to think. Parents create the intellectual climate in
the home. Whether children develop the habit of reading, studying hard or striving to achieve their goals
depends largely on the parents’ example. Whether youngsters agree or disagree with their parents’ political
or religious views, the family remains a reference point against which young people develop their individuality.
In Asian cultures, where respect for elders is an important value, the family plays an even more central role in
shaping the young person’s world view.
Financially, the family influences the youngster by providing a certain type of lifestyle. Home, school, friends,
hobbies, clothes, holidays and material possessions – all of these are impacted by the family’s prosperity.
The same holds true for the youngster growing up in a poor family- a totally different reality will surround that
young person. No friend could have this powerful or tangible an influence on the teenager.
In conclusion, though friends can have a strong influence on a young person, it is finally the family which
provides the more powerful backdrop in a young person’s life. The family’s influence is permanent,
unforgettable and inescapable.
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10. Tuỳ theo khả năng hoàn thành về bố cục và những yêu cầu nội dung cho mỗi phần ( mở bài,thân
bài,kết luận) giám khảo có thể chấm từ 1-4 điểm.
+ Grammatical accuracy and spelling 3 điểm: bài viết không có lỗi chính tả và từ ba lỗi ngữ
pháp trở xuống được cho 3 điểm tối đa. Cứ 4 lỗi chính tả hoặc ngữ pháp trừ 1 điểm (Trừ không
quá 3 điểm).
- Coherence and cohesion (tính mạch lạc và sự liên kết câu, đoạn) – 3 điểm:
Tùy mức độ mạch lạc, liên kết câu, liên kết đoạn của bài viết, giám khảo có thể chấm 1-3 điểm.
B- HƯỚNG DẪN CHẤM
Bài thi chấm theo thang điểm: 20
Điểm bài thi làm tròn đến 0,25
Tổng số điểm thí sinh làm đúng
Điểm bài thi = ---------------------------------------
5
4. Some people think that family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think that
friends are the most important influence in young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples to
support your position.
As social beings, we are naturally influenced by those we meet in the course of our lives. This is particularly
true for young people, whose character and personality are still malleable. Although friends play a central role
in the lives of teenagers, in my opinion, it is the family which has a greater impact on young people. My view
is based on psychological, intellectual and financial reasons.
Psychologically, the family is the central grounding factor for a young person, because the parents, brothers
and sisters are the ones who actually love him or her. It is through thousands of life situations and family
discussions that norms, values, customs, traditions and expectations are passed on to the youngster. The
depth of relationship, developed over the years through shared joys and sorrows, place family members in an
incomparably close bond which cannot easily be replicated by friends or anyone else.
Intellectually, the family impacts the young person’s ability to think. Parents create the intellectual climate in
the home. Whether children develop the habit of reading, studying hard or striving to achieve their goals
depends largely on the parents’ example. Whether youngsters agree or disagree with their parents’ political
or religious views, the family remains a reference point against which young people develop their individuality.
In Asian cultures, where respect for elders is an important value, the family plays an even more central role in
shaping the young person’s world view.
Financially, the family influences the youngster by providing a certain type of lifestyle. Home, school, friends,
hobbies, clothes, holidays and material possessions – all of these are impacted by the family’s prosperity.
The same holds true for the youngster growing up in a poor family- a totally different reality will surround that
young person. No friend could have this powerful or tangible an influence on the teenager.
In conclusion, though friends can have a strong influence on a young person, it is finally the family which
provides the more powerful backdrop in a young person’s life. The family’s influence is permanent,
unforgettable and inescapable.
2/3