Read the following piece of news and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

🕊️ UNITED HEARTS: VIETNAM STANDS WITH CUBA 🕊️
65 Years of Vietnam – Cuba Friendship: Together in Solidarity

Cuba has always stood beside Vietnam during wars and hardship. Now, as Cuba faces severe economic challenges, Vietnam (1) ______ its people to respond with compassion and solidarity.

Campaign Goals

Mobilize at least 65 billion VND in donations nationwide

This goal symbolizes 65 years of Vietnam–Cuba diplomatic relations. (2) ______ contribution, big or small, demonstrates the Vietnamese people's (3) ______ and enduring friendship.

Provide essential goods, food, and medicine to Cuban communities

Beyond financial aid, the campaign focuses on urgent humanitarian needs. Delivering food and healthcare (4) ______ reflects Vietnam's commitment to practical, life-saving support.

This campaign is not just about material aid. It reinforces a historic partnership, (5) ______ future generations of the unbreakable ties between two nations (6) ______ have always supported each other.

Question 1:
A. puts on   B. calls on   C. puts off   D. calls off

Question 2:
A. Every   B. Much   C. Many   D. Few

Question 3:
A. magnitude   B. solitude   C. attitude   D. gratitude

Question 4:
A. resources   B. factors   C. items   D. substances

Question 5:
A. rehearsing   B. reminding   C. recalling   D. remembering

Question 6:
A. who   B. where   C. whose   D. that

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions.

Substantial capital and engineering talent are now focused on the physical construction of hardware for Martian colonization. The development of heavy-lift rockets and advanced life-support systems is a clear pivot from scientific observation toward the logistics of permanent habitation. [I] The stated ambition of current space-faring ventures is to establish a self-sufficient human presence on the Red Planet, one capable of surviving and growing without constant resupply from Earth. Such an undertaking moves past exploration and into the realm of planetary transformation, a project far greater in scope than anything humanity has previously attempted.

A human arrival on Mars will immediately and irreversibly alter the planet on a microscopic level. The introduction of terrestrial microbes through crews and equipment is an accepted certainty, a biological footprint that cannot be erased. [II] Even the most stringent sterilization procedures cannot guarantee that no microorganisms will survive the journey and eventually thrive in a new niche. An event of this nature complicates the ongoing search for native Martian life, turning a profound scientific question into a race against our own presence. The planet's original biological state will be permanently compromised, closing a precious scientific window forever.

Sustaining a human population will then demand that Mars itself be systematically reworked. [III] Long-term survival depends on an aggressive campaign of resource utilization. Settlers must extract subsurface water ice for air and fuel, and process minerals from the Martian regolith for building materials. An entire industrial supply chain, from mining to manufacturing, must be built from scratch in this new world. These foundational actions will not just reshape the local environment but will represent the first permanent industrial marks made by humanity on another planet.

Current Martian ventures, therefore, mark a fundamental evolution in humanity’s role within the solar system. We are transitioning from a species that merely observes other celestial bodies to one that actively engineers them. The project to settle Mars is effectively the project to begin its comprehensive alteration, initiating changes that will unfold over centuries. [IV] In pursuing a second home, humanity is embarking on a deliberate course to create a new version of a neighboring world, one molded not by natural forces, but by human necessity.

(Adapted from ResearchGate)

Question 7: According to paragraph 1, current space ventures, by focusing on permanent habitation, are moving beyond the prior stage of ________.

A. developing the logistics for a self-sufficient presence
B. undertaking projects that involve planetary transformation
C. the monitoring of the planet for the purpose of research
D. the physical construction of advanced hardware for colonization

Question 8: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?

A. The introduction of Earth's microorganisms to Mars poses a serious technical hurdle for researchers, requiring the creation of more sophisticated sterilization methods to safeguard the planet's unique and original biological state.

B. Mission planners and scientists seem to accept terrestrial microbial contamination as a calculated trade-off, viewing the complication to the search for native life as a necessary price for establishing a human presence.

C. The definite contamination of Mars with terrestrial microbes will make the search for native life much harder, as future scientific instruments may struggle to differentiate between endemic and newly imported microorganisms.

D. The arrival of humans on Mars is certain to cause an irreversible biological contamination, a development that will permanently degrade the planet's pristine condition and impede the scientific quest for native organisms.

Question 9: The word irreversibly in paragraph 2 mostly means ________.

A. impossible to change B. important in effect C. certain to happen D. without any delay

Question 10: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. Despite the most rigorous sterilization methods, a small number of microbes are certain to survive the journey and proliferate in a new environment.

B. A full guarantee against microbial survival cannot be made, even with the most thorough sterilization, as they could still endure the journey and grow in a new environment.

C. The most meticulous sterilization processes still leave open the chance for some microorganisms to endure a trip and later flourish on some planets.

D. The most rigorous sterilization methods will likely fail, meaning a high probability that microbes will survive the journey and prosper in the future.

Question 11: What scientific activity will be hindered by microbial contamination from Earth?

A. The operation of advanced life-support systems.
B. The protection of human settlers from new pathogens.
C. The extraction of usable resources from Martian soil.
D. The effort to find indigenous life forms on the planet.

Question 12: According to the passage, what foundational process is essential for a long-term human settlement on Mars?

A. The development of a self-sufficient agricultural system.
B. The complete sterilization of the planet's entire surface.
C. The exploitation of the planet's local natural resources.
D. The continuous improvement of heavy-lift rocket technology.

Question 13: The phrase them in paragraph 4 refers to ________.

A. Martian ventures B. species C. planets D. celestial bodies

Question 14: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Current space ventures now possess the technology needed to create a self-sufficient Martian colony within the coming decades.

B. The natural environment on Mars contains an abundance of readily extractable resources sufficient to support long-term industrial development.

C. The introduction of terrestrial microbes is a planned first step in the systematic, long-term engineering of the Martian environment.

D. Establishing a human colony on Mars is inherently inseparable from the process of fundamentally altering the planet's natural state.

Question 15: Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

The initial focus of any settlement must be on establishing a local supply of essential raw materials.

A. [II] B. [IV] C. [I] D. [III]

Question 16: Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. The goal of establishing a self-sufficient Martian colony signifies humanity's transition from observer to planetary engineer, an undertaking requiring irreversible biological and large-scale industrial changes to the planet.

B. Humanity's move to colonize Mars will begin with irreversible microbial contamination, a first step that is then followed by a necessary industrial phase of resource extraction to make the altered environment fully habitable.

C. The project to colonize Mars through comprehensive biological and industrial alteration represents a forward-thinking solution, designed to establish a self-sufficient human presence as a long-term safeguard for the species.

D. With the development of heavy-lift rockets and life support, humanity is now beginning the industrial alteration of Mars, a process that starts with biological changes and ends with a fully self-sufficient planetary presence.

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions.

A new report from the learning platform TalentLMS has coined the term "quiet cracking" to describe a pervasive workplace malaise. The phenomenon is characterized as a persistent state of unhappiness that foments disengagement, poor performance, and a strong desire to quit. Experts posit it as a dangerous precursor to "quiet quitting," and the report, which surveyed 1,000 U.S. employees, found that 54% of the workforce is currently afflicted by it.

The ascendancy of "quiet cracking" illuminates a problematic new phase in the labor market. The condition emanates from the same underlying stressors that fueled the "Great Resignation." However, the economic environment has inverted. During the 2021–2022 boom, dissatisfied workers could "job hop" to new roles, often securing lucrative wage increases. Today, the job market has contracted significantly. Hiring has slowed, and the financial inducements for switching jobs have evaporated; Federal Reserve data indicates wages for job stayers now outpace those for switchers.

The current economic climate has fostered a workforce that feels both "detached" and "stuck," as articulated by Gallup's Jim Harter. Employees are disengaged but lack an easy remedy for their frustration. They are less inclined to switch jobs due to the dearth of high-quality opportunities and pervasive economic uncertainty. The net result is a "quietly cracked" workforce—unhappy but apprehensive about moving. The cost of such widespread disengagement is profound, pegged by Gallup at approximately $2 trillion in lost productivity.

Experts contend that addressing the disengagement necessitates a bilateral approach. Workplace analysts emphasize that the onus is partially on employees to reclaim a sense of agency by proactively communicating their frustrations and workload concerns. Leaders, however, hold the power to rectify the organizational structure. Managers are urged to address the root causes of burnout—such as ambiguous goals or poor workplace relationships—before the malaise metastasizes and the disengagement becomes irreversible.

Question 17: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as an outcome stemming from the "quiet cracking" phenomenon?

A. Disengagement B. Poor performance

C. A strong desire to quit D. A transient state of unhappiness

Question 18: The word afflicted in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ________.

A. identified B. dissatisfied C. troubled D. worsened

Question 19: The word contracted in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ________.

A. expanded B. stabilized C. shifted D. improved

Question 20: The word They in paragraph 3 refers to ________.

A. Job stayers B. Employees C. Switchers D. Wages

Question 21: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. According to workplace experts, staff must take some initiative to restore their autonomy by proactively resolving their displeasure and significant workload burdens.

B. Reclaiming a feeling of empowerment requires staff to take partial ownership, analysts point out, by setting clear boundaries about their frustrations and work duties.

C. Workplace analysts stress that employees themselves bear responsibility for regaining a sense of control through actively voicing their grievances and work pressure.

D. The proactive expression of workload issues and frustrations is, analysts highlight, the result of employees successfully regaining their personal sense of agency.

Question 22: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. A recent report from Gallup determined that a majority of American employees are presently afflicted with a sense of workplace discontent.

B. A recent slowdown in hiring is an outcome of the identical underlying sources of professional tension that initiated the large-scale voluntary workforce exit.

C. Workplace experts suggest employees can fix the malaise by reclaiming agency through correcting vague goals and poor workplace relationships.

D. A feeling of being professionally disconnected and having no path for advancement is a widespread attitude in the current workforce.

Question 23: Which paragraph mentions that a bad job market is preventing dissatisfied employees from resigning?

A. Paragraph 1 B. Paragraph 3 C. Paragraph 2 D. Paragraph 4

Question 24: Which paragraph mentions that supervisors are advised to clarify what is expected of employees?

A. Paragraph 1 B. Paragraph 3 C. Paragraph 2 D. Paragraph 4

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a cohesive and coherent exchange or text in each of the following questions from 25 to 29.

Question 25:

A. Verida has now become a vibrant cultural destination, attracting artists, performers, and enthusiasts from across the globe.

B. These efforts have significantly enhanced Verida's cultural influence, while also generating income through creative tourism.

C. To support this growth, the local government has built public theaters, renovated heritage sites, and introduced funding programs for emerging artists.

D. Recognising the need for cultural preservation, the city launched a campaign to document oral histories and restore endangered traditional crafts.

e. Over the past decade, the city of Verida has witnessed a cultural renaissance, marked by renewed interest in both indigenous practices and contemporary art forms.

A. a – b – d – e – c B. e – d – c – a – b C. e – c – d – b – a D. a – d – b – c – e

Question 26:

A. Linh: I love attending cultural events like folk music nights and traditional craft fairs. How about you?

B. Linh: That sounds fascinating! I think engaging with local culture is one of the most meaningful ways to spend time.

C. Marco: I usually visit local museums on weekends, and I'm currently learning how to play a traditional string instrument.

D. Marco: You seem really into cultural heritage. What kinds of events do you enjoy most?

e. Marco: Absolutely! Exploring cultural roots gives you a deeper connection to where you live.

A. d – a – c – b – e B. c – a – d – b – e C. d – a – e – b – c D. c – b – e – a – d

Question 27:

A. Peter: Thank you very much for your insightful advice!

B. Emma: Well, just continue straight ahead, turn left at the statue, and the museum will be right there on your left.

C. Peter: Excuse me, could you tell me the best way to get to the historical museum?

A. c – a – b B. a – b – c C. c – b – a D. a – c – b

Question 28:

A. This occasion, as a result, has made me more grateful for cultural artisans and helped me understand what the saying “tradition takes time” truly means.

B. It had, in fact, never occurred to me that mastering a traditional craft would be so demanding.

C. I had to spend hours weaving intricate patterns, mixing natural dyes, and learning the symbolic meanings behind each motif.

D. Taking part in an intensive cultural workshop for two weeks completely drained me, but also gave me a new appreciation for heritage preservation.

e. The process was so meticulous that it left my hands sore and my back aching by the end of each day.

A. d – b – c – e – a B. e – c – a – b – d C. d – e – b – a – c D. e – a – d – c – b

Question 29:

Dear Ms Lan,

A. In case you have not received your workshop confirmation, please contact our Cultural Programs Office at 0987 654 321.

B. This will automatically secure your registration and allow us to prepare materials tailored to your selected sessions.

C. Your original spot in the cultural immersion program will expire on September 30th, regardless of whether confirmation has been received.

D. Should you have already received your confirmation, kindly complete the participant checklist attached to the welcome email.

e. We would like to inform you that the Autumn Cultural Exchange Workshop has been rescheduled, and new confirmation emails are currently being sent to all registrants.

Yours sincerely,
Centre for Cultural Exchange

A. c – e – a – b – d B. e – d – b – c – a C. e – a – b – d – c D. c – e – d – a – b

Read the leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 30 to 35.

The Fascinating Applications of Robots in Modern Life

A. Robotics in Healthcare

In the (30) ________ of recent technological advancements, robotics has made groundbreaking strides in healthcare. Robots are now utilized in surgery, offering unparalleled precision and minimizing recovery time. With surgical robots like the Da Vinci System, doctors achieve exceptional precision in minimally invasive surgeries, resulting in (31) ________ human errors.

B. Robotics in Education

Robots are increasingly pivotal in reimagining education, transcending (32) ________.
They facilitate interactive learning, breaking (33) ________ convoluted concepts like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) into manageable, comprehensible segments. This approach not only enhances engagement (34) ________ also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Moreover, through interaction with robots, students improve their digital fluency and adaptability skills (35) ________ in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

(Adapted from THE REAL IELTS)

Question 30:
A. use B. wake C. case D. time

Question 31:
A. more B. less C. much D. fewer

Question 32:
A. traditional pedagogical methods B. methods pedagogical traditional

C. traditional methods pedagogical D. pedagogical methods traditional

Question 33:
A. for B. on C. up D. down

Question 34:
A. but B. than C. when D. nor

Question 35:
A. turbulent B. commendable C. paramount D. subordinate

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 36 to 40.

While the differing worldviews between age cohorts are often dismissed as simple stubbornness, the reality is that they stem from distinct formative experiences, shaping everything from core values and communication styles to the standards by which individuals measure personal success, or (36) ________.

Many younger people, who have grown up in a world where information is instantaneous and abundant, (37) ________, as their own experiences have taught them that speed is a primary virtue. Conversely, those from an older cohort, whose knowledge was built through years of direct trial and error, can view the younger generation's reliance on digital sources as shallow and lacking in real-world context.

The crux of the disconnect is often a matter of perceived relevance and authority. (38) ________. This is not a rejection of wisdom itself, but rather a questioning of its applicability in a world that operates on fundamentally different rules than the one in which that wisdom was forged.

(39) ________. Fostering this two-way understanding is crucial, as it allows for the transfer of timeless values and the infusion of new perspectives. What is required to bridge this divide, a challenge that confronts countless families, is an acknowledgment that the friction stems less from a deliberate lack of respect, which is an easy but often inaccurate assumption, than (40) ________ to truly comprehend a worldview shaped by vastly different life experiences.

(Adapted from SciSpace)

Question 36:

A. what they consider to be the definition of a meaningful life

B. the definition of life being what is considered to be meaningful

C. defining what they consider a meaningful life is for themselves

D. their consideration of what is a meaningful life that is defined

Question 37:

A. are often perceived by their elders as inefficient and outdated for their cautious, trial-and-error approach

B. often perceived their elders as cautious about an inefficient, outdated trial-and-error approach

C. often perceive the cautious, trial-and-error approach of their elders as inefficient and outdated

D. the perception of their elders' cautious, trial-and-error approach is often inefficient and outdated

Question 38:

A. The highly prized experiential wisdom of older generations is often seen as less data-driven than the applicable knowledge younger individuals can source online

B. Younger individuals often see the application of data-driven knowledge sourced online as wiser than the highly prized experience of older generations

C. The experiential wisdom that older generations often highly prize is often seen by themselves as less applicable than the data-driven knowledge sourced online

D. The experiential wisdom that older generations highly prize is often seen as less applicable by younger individuals than the data-driven knowledge they can source online

Question 39:

A. Bridging this perceptual divide is, therefore, an essential precondition for societal cohesion

B. Consequently, this perceptual division is bridged by the essential cohesion of society

C. Hence, a precondition for bridging this divide is the essential perception of societal cohesion

D. Therefore, this essence of societal cohesion is the perceptually divisive precondition

Question 40:

A. the root of their cognitive inability is their deep-seated, unique context

B. that of their deep-seated inability to cognitively contextualize their unique roots

C. from a deep-seated cognitive inability rooted in their unique context

D. is the deep-seated root of their uniqueness and a contextual cognitive inability