Full name: ……………………………………………….

Mark:

Class: …………………………………………………….
School: ………………………………………………….

MID-TERM TEST (SEMESTER 2)
Duration: 60 minutes
I. LISTENING (2.5 points)
TASK 1

Listen to some information about important skills. Circle the
best answer A, B, or C. You will listen TWICE.

1. What is the best title for this talk?
A.

Pros and cons of higher education

B.

Important habits for a successful student

C.

Independent skills for school-leavers

2. In many universities and vocational schools, who decides which class a
student needs?
A.

The students

B.

Parents

C.

Teachers

3. What is the purpose of using a calendar?
A.

To choose the most suitable class

B.

To develop good habits

C.

To manage your activities and time

4. What can independent learners do?
A.

Teach in high schools

B.

Motivate themselves

C.

Perform under pressure

5. What should students do to manage their finance?
A.

Make a plan on what to spend in a month

B.

Get a part-time job

C.

Ask for money from their family

TASK 2

Listen to a music teacher talking to a potential donator and
complete the summary. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS
in each blank. You will listen TWICE.

Summary

Ms Taylor is meeting Mr Robinson, a donator, to tell him about her
plan for the (1) _______________. She wants to preserve folk music
because it's a representation of our (2) _______________ identity and
past daily life. Thanks to crowdfunding, some traditional (3)
___________________ have been bought. With more donations from Mr
Robinson, she can have a proper music classroom and (4)
_______________ the class to students. Mr Robinson, who initially
hesitated, is (5) _______________ to provide money to preserve folk
music.

II. READING (2.5 points)
TASK 1

Read the passage. Circle the best answer A, B or C to each of the
questions.

Like many other school leavers, Duong is coping with the issue of high
life-plan anxiety. There are two conventionally available options for her to
consider: entering the world of work or enrolling in the university system.
She has finished high school this year and wants to get work immediately;
however, it's difficult for her to go ahead with her plan due to her parents'
objections. In Viet Nam's society, it's a common practice that people with
low qualifications rarely earn others' respect and have fewer
opportunities to get promotions in their career ladder. That's why her
parents strongly expect that her distinguished academic result of the
national entrance examination can help her win a place at a popular
economic university despite her family's state of financial crisis. In
contrast, she doesn't want to put more strain on her family with costly
tuition fees and huge student loan debts during the four years of
university. She has convinced her parents to let her find a stable job to
support her family several times before, but they haven't agreed yet.
Yesterday she had a consultation meeting with Mr Trung, her homeroom
teacher. He advised her to give in her parents' demand by choosing a
university with reasonable fees and scholarships offered to excellent
students. Meanwhile, she can obtain a part-time job to relieve the cost
burden, accumulate more experience and decorate her future CV. Now
she is taking his advice into account and ready to persuade her parents to
change their minds one more time.
1. What is the passage mainly about?
A.

Anxiety of many school-leavers about their future jobs

B.

The supporting roles of parents and teachers in guiding school-leavers
to pursue their dreams

C.

Contrasting views on future education choices between a school-leaver
and her parents

D.

The misunderstanding of choosing a university between a school-leaver

and her parents
2. What does the word their in line 9 mean?
A.

Low-qualified individuals'

B.

Ordinary people's

C.

Duong's parents'

D.

School-leavers'

3. Why do Duong's parents try to impose their opinions on her?
A.

Because of her homeroom teacher's advice

B.

Because of her impressive academic performance

C.

Because of her parents' hardship

D.

Because of social prejudice

4. Which of the following is NOT a recommendation from Mr Trung?
A.

Trying to win a place at a popular economic university

B.

Finding a part-time job while studying at university

C.

Selecting a university with reasonable costs

D.

Choosing a university that awards scholarships to top students

5. Which of the following is true about the passage?
A.

Duong has had a lot of practical experience since her graduation.

B.

Duong prefers going straight to university to training for a stable job.

C.

Duong can make her own decision without her teacher's advice.

D.

Duong's parents might be convinced by her new idea once again.

TASK 2

Complete the reading passage. Write ONE suitable word in each
blank.

Most valuable heritage sites across the world are made to the public,
which (1) ___________ running the risk of weakening the protection for
them. Apparently, these historic sites are run by cash-strapped local
authorities, and thus the huge source of money attained from the (2)
___________ of sightseeing tickets can contribute to the struggle of

restoration and preservation of the historical buildings. Nevertheless, the
architectural damage of many international gems boils down to lack of
maintenance, lenient regulations, loose management of massive flocks of
tourists and above all, tourist's poor awareness. For instance, Machu
Picchu in Peru, renowned (3) ___________ its religious, administrative and
political centre for the Inca civilisation, is often reported illegally
trespassing and vandalism cases caused by tourists. In some countries,
many steps (4) ___________ mitigate and avoid further damage and
deterioration of ancient assets are taken, such as paying a heavy (5)
___________ and even imprisonment, but still like drops in the ocean.

III. WRITING (2.5 points)
TASK 1

For each question, complete the second sentence so
that it means the same as the first. Use the word in
brackets and do not change it. Write NO MORE THAN
FIVE WORDS.

Example:
0. I started taking a fitness course two months ago.
I _______________ a fitness course for two months. (TAKEN)
Answer: 0. have taken
1. Anne is working overtime this week so that she can have another
two days off for her holiday.
Anne is working overtime this week ____________________ another
two days off for her holiday. (ORDER)
2. Lucas is the only member who has still persevered with this
conservation project.
Lucas is the only member ____________________ with this
conservation project. (HAVE)
3. I didn't pay attention to what my lecturer was saying, and then I
was criticised for that.
I was criticised for ____________________ of what my lecturer was
saying. (HAVING)
TASK 2

For each question, rewrite the sentences using cleft
sentences focusing on the underlined parks. Write NO
MORE THAN FIVE WORDS.

1. Jeremy signed up for a cooking course last Sunday.
It ____________________ signed up for a cooking course.
2. Nam intends to drop out of school and find a low-paid job.
It ____________________ to drop out of school and find a low-paid

job.

TASK 3

Write an opinion essay (150-180 words) about the
challenges and benefits of living independently.
You can use the following questions as cues.

-

When might students live far from their family?

-

What are the challenges of living independently that students
have to face with?

-

What benefits can students get when living independently?

-

What should students do to make their independent life easier?

IV. LANGUAGE FOCUS (2.5 points)
TASK 1

Choose the word with a different way of pronunciation in
the underlined part. Circle A, B, C or D.

1.

A. landscape

B.

ancient

C.

graduate

D.

bachelor

2.

A. expense

B.

preserve

C.

basic

D.

household

Choose the word which has a different stress pattern
from that of the others. Circle A, B, C or D.
3.

A. valley

4.

A. managemen B.
t

TASK 2

B.

complex

C.

habit

D.

campaign

doctorate

C.

advantage

D.

confidence

Choose the best option to complete each sentence. Circle
A, B, C or D.

1. Students should give ____________ to alternative methods for preserving
historic sites in their local areas.
A. chance

B. voice

C.

speech

D. offer

2. Instead of attending a higher education institution, Nam has made up
his mind to enroll in a ____________ diploma programme about electrical
techniques.
A. vocational

B. education
al

C.

qualified

D. scientific

3. Kevin is a serious and reliable student, so it's easy for him to ____________
his teachers' trust.
A. make

B. achieve

C.

earn

D. lose

4. Many teenagers should be more independent ____________ parents'
financial support.
A. with

B. on

C.

at

D. of

5. Viet Nam is one of the countries that have ____________ preserved many

traditional performing art forms.
A. successive

B. successful

C.

successfully

D. successively

6. Many people assume that enacting strict heritage laws can help reduce
heritage ____________ significantly.
A. promotion

TASK 3

B. prevention C.

discouragem
ent

D. crime

Fill each blank with the correct form of the verb in
brackets.

1.

__________ (establish) in 2012, his non-profit organisation made a
significant contribution to preserving local heritages.

2.

The fastest way __________ (travel) from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha
Trang is by plane.

3.

The One Pillar Pagoda __________ (build) in 1049 by the Emperor Ly
Thai Tong.

4.

The visitor was heavily fined for __________ (ruin) some stalagmites on
purpose in the national limestone cave.

5.

These learners __________ (take) a course on developing self-study
skills recently.

6.

Lan is setting her learning goals __________ (improve) her studies
more effectively.

7.

____________ (watch) inspirational English vlogs motivated me to
master English fluency.

8.

It was on the forum that Fred ____________ (find) useful tips on gaining
time-management skills last year.

9.

____________ (not finish) his vocational training, he couldn't start work
officially.

10. The principal was proud of ____________ (hold) the education fair
successfully.

KEY
I. LISTENING
TASK 1
1. C

2. A

3. C

4. B

5. A

Script:
Having graduated from high school, many school-leavers are looking to
start a new chapter of their lives. At higher education or vocational schools,
independence is needed to be successful in pursuing further education. Here
are some independence skills that you should have before leaving high
school.

In most universities, colleges or vocational schools, it is the students who
choose their classes and manage their own schedule and time. Students
should take responsibility for themselves as there are neither parents nor
teachers reminding them to go to classes or do their homework. Getting into
the habit of making a to-do-list is useful. You can also use a calendar to
keep track of what you have to do and when.

As students get more mature, they are encouraged to be more independent
in their learning. Teachers expect students to learn by themselves with
minimal guidance. Being independent learners also means being able to
motivate yourself and evaluate your own performance.

It's also important that students know how to manage their finance. You
can set a monthly budget and choose which to spend money on first.
Whether you get allowances from your family or have a part-time job,
managing your money is essential for your journey ahead.

TASK 2
1. music department

2. cultural
3. musical instruments
4. promote
5. convinced
Script:
Ms Taylor:

Thank you so much for meeting me today, Mr Robinson.

Mr
Robinson:

Of course. I'm excited to hear about your plan for the music
department, Ms Taylor.

Ms Taylor:

I want to shift the school music department's focus to folk
music to preserve this dying art form.

Mr
Robinson:

Sorry, can you make it clear why we should prioritise this
genre?

Ms Taylor:

It's important to keep folk music alive and make it more
approachable for young people. It is through these songs that
we see our cultural identity and daily life in the past. By
teaching students folk music, we can show them our cultural
heritage and encourage them to protect it.

Mr
Robinson:

What have you done so far to bring folk music to school?

Ms Taylor:

I came up with the idea of crowdfunding. Recognising the
importance of folk music, the online community provided
enough funds for some traditional musical instruments. Having
received little funding from the school, I'm making use of an old
classroom to teach a few students about folk music.

Mr
Robinson:

If I donate money to the department, what will you do?

Ms Taylor:

With more money, I can redecorate our music room and
promote our folk music class.

Mr
Robinson:

OK. You convinced me.

II. READING
TASK 1
1. C

2. A

3. D

4. A

5. D

TASK 2
1. means
2. sale
3. for
4. to
5. fine
III. WRITING
1. in order to have
2. to have still persevered
3. not having taken notice
TASK 2
1. was last Sunday that Jeremy
2. is Nam who/ that intends
TASK 3
Sample writing
Challenges and benefits of living independently
When students finish their high-school life and enter the new door of adulthood,
they hardly avoid living far from their family to pursue their dreams in urban
universities. Living independently can bring freshmen both challenges and
benefits.
First of all, most first-year students will have to do every household chores by
themselves, such as washing clothes and cooking meals. Sharing their room with
other mates might lessen the burden; however, fierce arguments possibly happen
when they split the chores unequally. Additionally, financial ruin at the end of the
month is also a taxing issue facing higher education students.

On the other hand, once students get used to living independently, they will gain
numerous advantages. They can master household skills as well as learn how to
sympathetically accept others' flaws, lower their high self-esteem and complete
their duties. As for managing the monthly budget, they know where to buy
affordable items and how to save up money in case of emergency.
In conclusion, living independently might be challenging but beneficial to many
tertiary students. They shouldn't be afraid of its challenges and regard it as a great
opportunity to make their university life more colourful.
IV. LANGUAGE FOCUS
TASK 1
1. B

2. B

3. D

4. C

2. A

3. C

4. D

TASK 2
1. B
TASK 3

1. Having been established
2. to travel
3. was built
4. having ruined
5. have taken
6. to improve
7. Having watched
8. found
9. Not having finished
10. having held

5. C

6. D