ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC
Dành cho thí sinh thi vào các trường: THPT Chuyên Tiền Giang
ĐỀ THI CHUYÊN ANH TỈNH TIỀN GIANG NĂM HỌC 2025-2026
TIẾNG ANH (CHUYÊN) — 150 phút — 8 trang — 20 điểm — Mã đề 601
Thời gian làm bài: 150 phút
Kết quả
LISTENING — Section 1 (Questions 1–8)
Listen and choose A, B or C. You will hear the recording TWICE. (Mã đề 601)
Listening Section 1
Transcript — Listening Section 1
Section 1.
SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO KỲ THI TUYỂN SINH LỚP 10 THPT
TỈNH TIỀN GIANG NĂM HỌC 2025-2026
BÀI THI MÔN: TIẾNG ANH (CHUYÊN)
Ngày thi: 06/6/2025
ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC
Thời gian làm bài: 150 phút, không kể thời gian phát đề
(Đề thi có 08 trang)
Section 1.
Good afternoon. In the last few lectures we’ve been covering the social and political pressures that
influenced the rise of the rebellion of 1679. Today I would like to focus on the Pleasanton Town
Market.
Now, why are we talking all about some market? It’s not like it was the first market ever, or even a
particular large market. The Pleasanton Town Market is important because it is often mentioned in
the literature found in the library. If you have ever been there, you have probably seen all of the hand-
crafted items sold there now. But what was originally bought and sold in the town market?
In the beginning, the market sold products such as meats, furs, and simple tools. Overtime, though, it
became known as the place to find quality livestock. People came from all over the world to find the
biggest and best cows, pigs, and chickens. In fact, the profits from the Town Market became the
savior of a plummeting economy during a time of much turmoil.
Not to be confused with the reconstruction era, a period of rapid development came about in the
1660’s as a result of the market’s vendors contributing their profits to building up much needed public
facilities and defense, which would later make a huge impact on the outcome of the war.
For many years, the market flourished and began to draw in large tourism crowds in addition to the
throngs of livestock customers. However, as revolutions in farming came about, more people moved
to farms far from the city centre. Customers grew more and more reluctant to travel all the way to the
town centre for their meats when they could easily choose to buy from local farmers near them for a
fraction of the price.
With such a fall in the profits of the town’s major profit generator, some quality town planning was
needed. In the mayoral election of 1668, a young man of little fame just barely claimed the popular
vote - none other than the now legendary John C.Wiley.
Wiley’s first decision as mayor of Pleasanton was to deal with the quickly failing Town Market. The
building with the large clock was a landmark that had symbolised growth in Pleasanton for a
generation. Wiley decided to use the notoriety of the Town Market to set an example.
During the historical Rotterdam Rebellion, Wiley gave all those involved lifetime prison sentences
in the very same building. It stayed a prison for about 50 more years until they transported all
remaining prisoners to other facilities and turned it into the historical monument today.
Now that you know the basics of the history of the Pleasanton Town Market, I will introduce your
next group project. I want you to make a short film based on the real historical events that occurred
in Pleasanton before and during the uprising.
I will give you some class time to look through the library’s reference section, but you will be
responsible for conducting further research outside of class. I suggest starting by looking for
information on the market itself. You’ll find plenty of information - in fact, some students complain
that there is actually too much information on it.
On your own time, you could find family members of old war veterans to conduct interviews.
Sometimes they provide wonderful insight that you wouldn’t find in proper history books, but be
careful - an interview that is riddled with bias is useless.
I myself have some very old photographs here that you are welcome to take a look at for some
inspiration. I’m lucky enough to own this one of Jim Wiley himself! Very interesting to see, but does
not provide enough information to add much to film.
Feel free to take this film into whatever direction you choose. You could even do a crime thriller
based on real outlaws. All you would have to do is look through the newspaper archives in the crime
section during that time period. Try to get as much detail as you can, but you may end up having to
draw your own conclusions.
Okay, that’s enough from me, so let’s go on to...
SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO KỲ THI TUYỂN SINH LỚP 10 THPT
TỈNH TIỀN GIANG NĂM HỌC 2025-2026
BÀI THI MÔN: TIẾNG ANH (CHUYÊN)
Ngày thi: 06/6/2025
ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC
Thời gian làm bài: 150 phút, không kể thời gian phát đề
(Đề thi có 08 trang)
Section 1.
Good afternoon. In the last few lectures we’ve been covering the social and political pressures that
influenced the rise of the rebellion of 1679. Today I would like to focus on the Pleasanton Town
Market.
Now, why are we talking all about some market? It’s not like it was the first market ever, or even a
particular large market. The Pleasanton Town Market is important because it is often mentioned in
the literature found in the library. If you have ever been there, you have probably seen all of the hand-
crafted items sold there now. But what was originally bought and sold in the town market?
In the beginning, the market sold products such as meats, furs, and simple tools. Overtime, though, it
became known as the place to find quality livestock. People came from all over the world to find the
biggest and best cows, pigs, and chickens. In fact, the profits from the Town Market became the
savior of a plummeting economy during a time of much turmoil.
Not to be confused with the reconstruction era, a period of rapid development came about in the
1660’s as a result of the market’s vendors contributing their profits to building up much needed public
facilities and defense, which would later make a huge impact on the outcome of the war.
For many years, the market flourished and began to draw in large tourism crowds in addition to the
throngs of livestock customers. However, as revolutions in farming came about, more people moved
to farms far from the city centre. Customers grew more and more reluctant to travel all the way to the
town centre for their meats when they could easily choose to buy from local farmers near them for a
fraction of the price.
With such a fall in the profits of the town’s major profit generator, some quality town planning was
needed. In the mayoral election of 1668, a young man of little fame just barely claimed the popular
vote - none other than the now legendary John C.Wiley.
Wiley’s first decision as mayor of Pleasanton was to deal with the quickly failing Town Market. The
building with the large clock was a landmark that had symbolised growth in Pleasanton for a
generation. Wiley decided to use the notoriety of the Town Market to set an example.
During the historical Rotterdam Rebellion, Wiley gave all those involved lifetime prison sentences
in the very same building. It stayed a prison for about 50 more years until they transported all
remaining prisoners to other facilities and turned it into the historical monument today.
Now that you know the basics of the history of the Pleasanton Town Market, I will introduce your
next group project. I want you to make a short film based on the real historical events that occurred
in Pleasanton before and during the uprising.
I will give you some class time to look through the library’s reference section, but you will be
responsible for conducting further research outside of class. I suggest starting by looking for
information on the market itself. You’ll find plenty of information - in fact, some students complain
that there is actually too much information on it.
On your own time, you could find family members of old war veterans to conduct interviews.
Sometimes they provide wonderful insight that you wouldn’t find in proper history books, but be
careful - an interview that is riddled with bias is useless.
I myself have some very old photographs here that you are welcome to take a look at for some
inspiration. I’m lucky enough to own this one of Jim Wiley himself! Very interesting to see, but does
not provide enough information to add much to film.
Feel free to take this film into whatever direction you choose. You could even do a crime thriller
based on real outlaws. All you would have to do is look through the newspaper archives in the crime
section during that time period. Try to get as much detail as you can, but you may end up having to
draw your own conclusions.
Okay, that’s enough from me, so let’s go on to...
Why did the lecturer choose to focus on the Pleasanton Town Market?
- It was the first ever Town Market.
- It has been covered extensively in local history classes.
- It is often mentioned in some literature of the library.
The Town Market originally made a large profit selling __________.
- handicrafts
- animals
- vegetables
The money that the marketers made contributes to local __________.
- development
- reconstruction
- defense
Market sales plummeted due to a lack of viable __________.
- agriculture
- transport
- city planning
Mayor John C. Wiley decided the Clock tower would be used as a __________ in the early stages of the uprising.
- clock
- grounds for battle
- jail
Which thing is NOT MENTIONED as the objects?
- Market
- Price
- Jim Wiley
Which thing is NOT MENTIONED as research methods?
- Interviews
- Photographs
- Postage stamps
Which thing is NOT MENTIONED as the problems?
- There is a lack of experts.
- There is too much information.
- Bias makes it useless.
LISTENING — Section 2 (Questions 9–16)
Complete the notes. Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD. You will hear the recording TWICE.
Listening Section 2
Transcript — Listening Section 2
Section 2.
Good morning everyone. Today’s lecture is about a type of adorable animal— the penguin. When
you think of penguins, you may picture them surrounded by snow and ice.
But not all penguins live where it’s cold—African penguins live in the southern tip of Africa. They
are usually found within 40 kilometres of the shore and on a number of its surrounding islands.
African Penguins are also known as Jackass Penguins, because they make donkey- like braying
sounds to communicate. African penguins can keep their body temperature at a stable level.
But their land habitat can get quite warm, so there are a number of ways for them to stay cool. They
limit their daylight movements on breeding sites on land to early mornings and early evenings to
avoid too much sun.
The pink glands above their eyes can help them cope with the temperate climates. Like other
penguins, African penguins spend most of the day feeding in the ocean, which also helps keep them
cool.
Being a type of small to medium sized penguin species, African penguins average about 60
centimetres tall and weigh up to 3.6 kilograms. They have a black stripe and a pattern of unique black
spots on their chest. Males are larger than females and have larger beaks.
Even though they are categorised as birds, African penguins aren’t able to fly because of their heavy
bones. Their wings are more like flippers that make them particularly suited for life in the water.
When they’re on land, their flippers and their tails help them keep their balance and walk upright.
African Penguins begin to breed at the average age of four. When a male and female pair up, they
tend to breed together for the rest of their lives. Most other penguins nest and lay their eggs out in the
open, but African penguins have a different approach.
They dig holes under bushes out of their own excrement, called guano, so they are sheltered from the
sun and predators.
The African Penguin survives on a diet that is comprised mainly of marine organisms. They feed
primarily on fish like sardines, along with the occasional squid and shellfish.
But when normal food is in short supply, they eat tree roots as well. The streamlined body of the
African Penguin allows it to move through the water like a rocket, capable of reaching a speed of
around 20 kilometres per hour when hunting for food.
The African Penguin’s smaller size means that it has many predators both in the water and also on
dry land. Their natural predators at sea include seals and sharks.
The biggest threat to them on land is not just towards the adult penguins. The penguin chicks are
sometimes taken by seagulls into the air and dropped from above. The seagulls could thus feed on
them.
At risk from predators, young penguins are protected for about 40 days after hatching by both parents.
They will leave the colony when they are between 3 to 5 months old and will return a few years later.
The entire surface of their body is densely covered with feathers, which fall off during the winter.
This process is called molting and takes about three weeks to complete. During that time, they are
unable to forage.
Therefore prior to this, African penguins spend about five weeks laying down fat deposits. They
generally live between 10 to 15 years, however many do not reach their full life span.
Their population has drastically declined. Approximately 120,000 African penguins remain in the
wild, and their population has decreased by 90% in the past 60 years. They are considered to be
vulnerable and have been listed as being endangered. Two major factors have contributed to their
decline.
They are struggling for nesting space due to human disruption and competing for food due to
overfishing and pollution. With the limited number of breeding pairs, survivorship becomes difficult
for African penguins.
This makes them especially vulnerable as environmental conditions change or an outbreak of a
disease occurs. For instance, avian malaria has caused 27% of the captive-breeding penguins’ deaths
annually. The more genetic diversity there is within a species, the high the likelihood that at least
some of the individuals will adapt and survive.
---------- THE END ----------
Good morning everyone. Today’s lecture is about a type of adorable animal— the penguin. When
you think of penguins, you may picture them surrounded by snow and ice.
But not all penguins live where it’s cold—African penguins live in the southern tip of Africa. They
are usually found within 40 kilometres of the shore and on a number of its surrounding islands.
African Penguins are also known as Jackass Penguins, because they make donkey- like braying
sounds to communicate. African penguins can keep their body temperature at a stable level.
But their land habitat can get quite warm, so there are a number of ways for them to stay cool. They
limit their daylight movements on breeding sites on land to early mornings and early evenings to
avoid too much sun.
The pink glands above their eyes can help them cope with the temperate climates. Like other
penguins, African penguins spend most of the day feeding in the ocean, which also helps keep them
cool.
Being a type of small to medium sized penguin species, African penguins average about 60
centimetres tall and weigh up to 3.6 kilograms. They have a black stripe and a pattern of unique black
spots on their chest. Males are larger than females and have larger beaks.
Even though they are categorised as birds, African penguins aren’t able to fly because of their heavy
bones. Their wings are more like flippers that make them particularly suited for life in the water.
When they’re on land, their flippers and their tails help them keep their balance and walk upright.
African Penguins begin to breed at the average age of four. When a male and female pair up, they
tend to breed together for the rest of their lives. Most other penguins nest and lay their eggs out in the
open, but African penguins have a different approach.
They dig holes under bushes out of their own excrement, called guano, so they are sheltered from the
sun and predators.
The African Penguin survives on a diet that is comprised mainly of marine organisms. They feed
primarily on fish like sardines, along with the occasional squid and shellfish.
But when normal food is in short supply, they eat tree roots as well. The streamlined body of the
African Penguin allows it to move through the water like a rocket, capable of reaching a speed of
around 20 kilometres per hour when hunting for food.
The African Penguin’s smaller size means that it has many predators both in the water and also on
dry land. Their natural predators at sea include seals and sharks.
The biggest threat to them on land is not just towards the adult penguins. The penguin chicks are
sometimes taken by seagulls into the air and dropped from above. The seagulls could thus feed on
them.
At risk from predators, young penguins are protected for about 40 days after hatching by both parents.
They will leave the colony when they are between 3 to 5 months old and will return a few years later.
The entire surface of their body is densely covered with feathers, which fall off during the winter.
This process is called molting and takes about three weeks to complete. During that time, they are
unable to forage.
Therefore prior to this, African penguins spend about five weeks laying down fat deposits. They
generally live between 10 to 15 years, however many do not reach their full life span.
Their population has drastically declined. Approximately 120,000 African penguins remain in the
wild, and their population has decreased by 90% in the past 60 years. They are considered to be
vulnerable and have been listed as being endangered. Two major factors have contributed to their
decline.
They are struggling for nesting space due to human disruption and competing for food due to
overfishing and pollution. With the limited number of breeding pairs, survivorship becomes difficult
for African penguins.
This makes them especially vulnerable as environmental conditions change or an outbreak of a
disease occurs. For instance, avian malaria has caused 27% of the captive-breeding penguins’ deaths
annually. The more genetic diversity there is within a species, the high the likelihood that at least
some of the individuals will adapt and survive.
---------- THE END ----------
Penguins in Africa
Appearance and lifestyle:
- Also called Jackass Penguins for the sound they make.
- The (9) ______ of their body remains constant.
- They restrict their (10) ______ on land from dusk till dawn.
- They cannot fly because they have heavy (11) ______.
- They nest under (12) ______. They eat tree roots.
Predators: seals, (13) ______, seagulls (eat chicks)
Threats:
- They lose (14) ______ in winter.
- They are fighting for nesting (15) ______ and food because of human activities.
- To improve survivorship, increase the (16) ______ of their genes.
Appearance and lifestyle:
- Also called Jackass Penguins for the sound they make.
- The (9) ______ of their body remains constant.
- They restrict their (10) ______ on land from dusk till dawn.
- They cannot fly because they have heavy (11) ______.
- They nest under (12) ______. They eat tree roots.
Predators: seals, (13) ______, seagulls (eat chicks)
Threats:
- They lose (14) ______ in winter.
- They are fighting for nesting (15) ______ and food because of human activities.
- To improve survivorship, increase the (16) ______ of their genes.
USE OF ENGLISH — Stress (Questions 17–20)
Choose the word whose PRIMARY STRESS differs from the other three.
Stress (17) · democracy / panorama / phenomenon / photography
- democracy
- panorama
- phenomenon
- photography
Stress (18) · conquer / enter / infer / utter
- conquer
- enter
- infer
- utter
Stress (19) · agenda / architect / industry / protocol
- agenda
- architect
- industry
- protocol
Stress (20) · canyon / gorilla / platypus / tributary
- canyon
- gorilla
- platypus
- tributary
USE OF ENGLISH — Pronunciation (Questions 21–24)
Choose the word whose underlined part differs from the other three.
Pronunciation (21) · quay / slay / X-ray / sway
- quay
- slay
- X-ray
- sway
Pronunciation (22) · gem / gin / Egypt / target
- gem
- gin
- Egypt
- target
Pronunciation (23) · clone / done / prone / zone
- clone
- done
- prone
- zone
Pronunciation (24) · cone / drone / gone / throne
- cone
- drone
- gone
- throne
USE OF ENGLISH — Odd one out (Questions 25–28)
Choose the word that is of a different TOPIC or PART OF SPEECH.
Topic/POS (25) · fulcrum / locus / pendulum / pulley
- fulcrum
- locus
- pendulum
- pulley
Topic/POS (26) · podium / polonium / sodium / titanium
- podium
- polonium
- sodium
- titanium
Topic/POS (27) · Atlanta / Delaware / Montana / Oregon
- Atlanta
- Delaware
- Montana
- Oregon
Topic/POS (28) · attic / relic / tactic / tragic
- attic
- relic
- tactic
- tragic
USE OF ENGLISH — Word form (Questions 29–32)
Complete with the correct form of the word in brackets.
Convinced that the general public had a(n) (SATISFY) ______ thirst for knowledge, he took an active part in several educational activities.
The architects have made (IMAGINE) ______ use of glass and transparent plastic.
Fast-growing trees remove nutrients and (POOR) ______ the soil.
One of the (DRAW) ______ of this car is its high petrol consumption.
USE OF ENGLISH — Verb form (Questions 33–36)
Complete with the correct tense/form of the verbs in brackets.
Not (know) ______ the language, he couldn’t understand the question.
As they remembered (warn) ______ about the danger of getting lost in the forest, the tourists closely followed the tour guide.
The wife said that she hadn’t heard from her husband since he (leave) ______ her.
It turned out that we (rush) ______ to the airport as the plane was delayed by several hours.
USE OF ENGLISH — Matching (Questions 37–44)
Match each half-sentence in A with a suitable one in B. There are two extras.
COLUMN A
37. Should you have any complaints about the product,
38. My friend turned a deaf ear
39. It has been suggested that
40. He was completely
41. Such was the anger of the spectators
42. Rather than disturbing the meeting,
43. You’d better put out your cigarette
44. How dare you imply
COLUMN B
A. because smoking isn’t allowed in here.
B. we should stop that campaign.
C. return it to the shop.
D. to my advice.
E. that it was all my fault.
F. I left without saying goodbye.
G. I wouldn’t have so much trouble now.
H. out of her mind.
I. why don’t you ask for a raise?
J. that they had to cancel the match.
37. Should you have any complaints about the product,
38. My friend turned a deaf ear
39. It has been suggested that
40. He was completely
41. Such was the anger of the spectators
42. Rather than disturbing the meeting,
43. You’d better put out your cigarette
44. How dare you imply
COLUMN B
A. because smoking isn’t allowed in here.
B. we should stop that campaign.
C. return it to the shop.
D. to my advice.
E. that it was all my fault.
F. I left without saying goodbye.
G. I wouldn’t have so much trouble now.
H. out of her mind.
I. why don’t you ask for a raise?
J. that they had to cancel the match.
Should you have any complaints about the product,
My friend turned a deaf ear
It has been suggested that
He was completely
Such was the anger of the spectators
Rather than disturbing the meeting,
You’d better put out your cigarette
How dare you imply
READING — El Nino and Seabirds (Questions 45–52)
Read the passage and choose A, B, C or D.
El Nino and Seabirds
A. Rhythm of the seasons cannot always be relied upon. At times the tropical Pacific Ocean and large expanses of the global atmosphere seem to be marching to the beat of a different drummer, disrupting the normal patterns of countless species of plants and animals along with hundreds of millions of human beings. So they want to anticipate these occasional lapses in the march of the seasons and help societies plan accordingly, scientists are seeking to understand these competing rhythms: the strongest of which is the alternation between the “normal climate” and a different but still recurrent set of climatic conditions in the Pacific region called El Nino.
B. Seabirds are prominent and highly visible components of marine ecosystems that will be affected by global climate change. The Bering Sea region is particularly important to seabirds; populations there are larger and more diverse than in any similar region in North America - over 90% of seabirds breeding in the continental United States are found in this region. Seabirds, so named because they spend at least 80% of their lives at sea, are dependent upon marine resources for food. As prey availability changes in response to climatically driven factors such as surface sea temperature and extent of sea ice, so will populations of seabirds be affected.
C. Seabirds are valued as indicators of healthy marine ecosystems and provide a “vicarious use value” or existence value. A direct measure of this value is demonstrated by Federal legislation that established specific national wildlife refuges to protect seabirds and international treaty obligations. Seabirds are also an important subsistence resource. Furthermore, the rich knowledge base about seabirds makes them a valuable resource as indicator species for measurement of change in the marine environment.
D. The most abundant breeding species in Alaska are northern fulmars, storm-petrels, kittiwakes, murres, auklets and puffins. Fulmars, storm-petrels and kittiwakes are surface feeders; murres, auklets, and puffins dive for their food.
E. Marine mammals have exhibited similar signs of food stress in recent years. Harbor seals at Tugidak Island in the Gulf of Alaska declined by about 85% between 1976 and 1988. Steller sea lion populations declined by 36% in the Gulf of Alaska between 1977 and 1985, and by another 59% between 1985 and 1988. Northern fur seals declined about 35% by 1986 from their average numbers in the 1970s. Associated with the declines in Steller sea lions are declines in birth rate, fewer breeding females, fewer pups, decreased adult body condition, decreased juvenile survival, and a change in population age structure.
F. Walker noticed that monsoon seasons with low-index conditions are often marked by drought in Australia, Indonesia, India, and parts of Africa. He also claimed that low-index winters tend to be unusually mild in western Canada. One of his British colleagues chided him in print for suggesting that climatic conditions over such widely separated regions of the globe could be linked.
G. Without good baseline data ornithologists are doomed to be surprised by El Nino. Lack of preexisting data, and of monitoring afterwards, makes it difficult to understand responses of birds. During the last century there were 12 El Nino years and 12 La Nina years, thus leaving about 76 ‘normal’ years. This situation may be remedied only as long as data are logged on a regular or continuous basis.
H. Populations of seabirds in Alaska are larger and more diverse than any similar region in the Northern Hemisphere. At least 38 species of seabirds, over 50 million individuals, breed in Alaska.
I. Several large-scale die-offs of seabirds have been observed in the Gulf of Alaska, most notably in 1983, 1989 and 1993. But Hatch thinks that it is too early to decide these die-offs reports are somehow connected with effect of El Nino. Byrd and Tobish believe that high rainfall can affect survival of chicks in earthen burrows, and incidence of big storms with high winds during the chick-rearing period can cause mortality for chicks of species nesting on cliff-ledges, but this view has not been considered as convincing evidence.
A. Rhythm of the seasons cannot always be relied upon. At times the tropical Pacific Ocean and large expanses of the global atmosphere seem to be marching to the beat of a different drummer, disrupting the normal patterns of countless species of plants and animals along with hundreds of millions of human beings. So they want to anticipate these occasional lapses in the march of the seasons and help societies plan accordingly, scientists are seeking to understand these competing rhythms: the strongest of which is the alternation between the “normal climate” and a different but still recurrent set of climatic conditions in the Pacific region called El Nino.
B. Seabirds are prominent and highly visible components of marine ecosystems that will be affected by global climate change. The Bering Sea region is particularly important to seabirds; populations there are larger and more diverse than in any similar region in North America - over 90% of seabirds breeding in the continental United States are found in this region. Seabirds, so named because they spend at least 80% of their lives at sea, are dependent upon marine resources for food. As prey availability changes in response to climatically driven factors such as surface sea temperature and extent of sea ice, so will populations of seabirds be affected.
C. Seabirds are valued as indicators of healthy marine ecosystems and provide a “vicarious use value” or existence value. A direct measure of this value is demonstrated by Federal legislation that established specific national wildlife refuges to protect seabirds and international treaty obligations. Seabirds are also an important subsistence resource. Furthermore, the rich knowledge base about seabirds makes them a valuable resource as indicator species for measurement of change in the marine environment.
D. The most abundant breeding species in Alaska are northern fulmars, storm-petrels, kittiwakes, murres, auklets and puffins. Fulmars, storm-petrels and kittiwakes are surface feeders; murres, auklets, and puffins dive for their food.
E. Marine mammals have exhibited similar signs of food stress in recent years. Harbor seals at Tugidak Island in the Gulf of Alaska declined by about 85% between 1976 and 1988. Steller sea lion populations declined by 36% in the Gulf of Alaska between 1977 and 1985, and by another 59% between 1985 and 1988. Northern fur seals declined about 35% by 1986 from their average numbers in the 1970s. Associated with the declines in Steller sea lions are declines in birth rate, fewer breeding females, fewer pups, decreased adult body condition, decreased juvenile survival, and a change in population age structure.
F. Walker noticed that monsoon seasons with low-index conditions are often marked by drought in Australia, Indonesia, India, and parts of Africa. He also claimed that low-index winters tend to be unusually mild in western Canada. One of his British colleagues chided him in print for suggesting that climatic conditions over such widely separated regions of the globe could be linked.
G. Without good baseline data ornithologists are doomed to be surprised by El Nino. Lack of preexisting data, and of monitoring afterwards, makes it difficult to understand responses of birds. During the last century there were 12 El Nino years and 12 La Nina years, thus leaving about 76 ‘normal’ years. This situation may be remedied only as long as data are logged on a regular or continuous basis.
H. Populations of seabirds in Alaska are larger and more diverse than any similar region in the Northern Hemisphere. At least 38 species of seabirds, over 50 million individuals, breed in Alaska.
I. Several large-scale die-offs of seabirds have been observed in the Gulf of Alaska, most notably in 1983, 1989 and 1993. But Hatch thinks that it is too early to decide these die-offs reports are somehow connected with effect of El Nino. Byrd and Tobish believe that high rainfall can affect survival of chicks in earthen burrows, and incidence of big storms with high winds during the chick-rearing period can cause mortality for chicks of species nesting on cliff-ledges, but this view has not been considered as convincing evidence.
Why do scientists want to investigate El Nino phenomenon at the beginning of the passage?
- To learn patterns of creatures that live in marine environment.
- To assist us to map out because it disturbs normal cycle of wildlife and human.
- It has profound theory for both the academic side and practical side.
- Tropical Pacific Ocean is where El Nino affects most.
Why do scientists use seabirds as important subjects when observing climate change world-widely?
- Seabirds affected by prey changes according to the temperature and ice.
- Its size is large enough to be observed.
- El Nino affects seabirds more than other sea creatures.
- North America is situated in the area where El Nino affects most.
What happened for marine mammals that live in Tugidak Island in Gulf of Alaska?
- The number of seals declined about 85% from the mid of 20th century.
- The number of Steller sea lions declined while the number of seals grew.
- Birth rate and breeding females declined on the Tugidak Island.
- The situation of mammals on the island is not that worse than we expected.
According to J. Walker, what happens in the monsoon seasons notably?
- Flood and drought seriously damage almost everywhere of the planet.
- Walker’s prediction would soon come true.
- Drought only affects some parts of Africa.
- Drought will affect somewhere of the earth such as Australia and Indonesia.
In paragraph F, what is closest in meaning to chided?
- blamed
- praised
- rebuked
- voted
In paragraph G, what is closest in meaning to avian?
- of or connected with amphibians
- of or connected with birds
- of or connected with fish
- of or connected with mammals
Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE about the passage?
- Seabirds are regarded as precious indicators of changes in oceanic environment.
- Seabirds such as Fulmars and Murres feed by the characteristic of prey in different ways.
- It is difficult for ornithologists and ecologists to investigate El Nino because of the lack of available statistics and inspections.
- Steller sea lions only decline in birth rate and fewer pups, but the whole population wouldn’t be affected by the changes.
Which of the following statements is TRUE about the passage?
- With reply of Walker’s colleague, knowledge of wind patterns will be very helpful.
- Habit of seabirds in Alaska is similar to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Byrd and Tobish think that heavy rainfall and storms cause mortality for chicks, which has already been a convincing proof.
- Hatch thinks that it is too early to determine all the problems that are caused by El Nino.
READING — Open cloze (Questions 53–60)
Fill each blank with ONE suitable word.
The idea that teaching methods should match a student’s particular learning style - their personal way of learning - is popular with teachers and students (53) __________. But the evidence suggests it may not be helpful.
The concept of learning styles is one of the most influential - and widely criticized - theories in education. It is the idea that each person finds it easier to learn through a particular method of instruction.
Everyone knows from personal experience that some kinds of learning feel easier than others. The idea of learning styles was developed in the 1970s, (54) __________ psychologists and educational theorists were trying to understand how people learn.
As early as 2004, a review of the evidence by cognitive scientists found that the great majority of studies did not provide any evidence (55) __________ the idea that matching the material to a student’s particular learning style was helpful.
As the researchers point out, people may have preferences about how they learn, but that doesn’t mean that they will learn better when the teaching (56) __________ those preferences.
In a 2009 article, psychologists (57) __________ that the learning styles approach is not only unsupported by science, but may actually be harmful.
This is particularly worrying because research has shown that students who use a mix of learning methods often learn more effectively than those who (58) __________ to their ‘style’.
Despite the lack of (59) __________ for learning styles, the idea is still very popular.
The evidence is clear: matching teaching to a student’s particular learning style is (60) __________ to lead to better learning.
The concept of learning styles is one of the most influential - and widely criticized - theories in education. It is the idea that each person finds it easier to learn through a particular method of instruction.
Everyone knows from personal experience that some kinds of learning feel easier than others. The idea of learning styles was developed in the 1970s, (54) __________ psychologists and educational theorists were trying to understand how people learn.
As early as 2004, a review of the evidence by cognitive scientists found that the great majority of studies did not provide any evidence (55) __________ the idea that matching the material to a student’s particular learning style was helpful.
As the researchers point out, people may have preferences about how they learn, but that doesn’t mean that they will learn better when the teaching (56) __________ those preferences.
In a 2009 article, psychologists (57) __________ that the learning styles approach is not only unsupported by science, but may actually be harmful.
This is particularly worrying because research has shown that students who use a mix of learning methods often learn more effectively than those who (58) __________ to their ‘style’.
Despite the lack of (59) __________ for learning styles, the idea is still very popular.
The evidence is clear: matching teaching to a student’s particular learning style is (60) __________ to lead to better learning.
WRITING — Sentence transformation (Questions 61–68)
Rewrite each sentence beginning with the given words. Do not change the meaning.
This train should have left 30 minutes ago. → This train was ______
It is your duty to tell him what to do. → You are ______
He helped us, so we were able to survive. → But for ______
We are proud of what our country has achieved in recent years. → We take ______
They must prioritize their study. → Priority must ______
They report that the forest fire killed countless wild animals. → Countless wild animals ______
This morning I didn’t have breakfast, so I’m hungry now. → If ______
Although the questions are very difficult, my closest friend can answer them. → No matter ______
WRITING — Essay (Question 69)
Write an essay of 200–250 words.
Before AI, humans had exclusive access to creativity. However, some people believe that the birth of AI has broken the rules and that AI might do creative tasks now, even better than humans can do in the near future. Do you agree or disagree? Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Give reasons and relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. Write 200–250 words.