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 from 1 to 8.

The telephone rings in a quiet suburban household. A resident answers to hear the panicked voice of a close relative or perhaps sees a familiar face on a video call pleading for immediate assistance. The caller claims an emergency involving a hospital bill or a sudden legal predicament. The exigency is fabricated while the fear instilled is entirely genuine. The victim rushes to transfer funds. The voice was a digital synthesis and the face was a deepfake simulation. Malevolent actors have successfully weaponized familial trust and advanced technology for financial gain.

Such operations are rarely the work of solitary hackers. Sophisticated criminal syndicates execute these schemes with corporate efficiency. Sprawling compounds located in jurisdictional grey zones operate as hives of illicit activity. Hundreds of operators sit in cubicles with detailed scripts and strict financial quotas while utilizing cutting-edge software to spoof numbers and manipulate audio. The enterprise functions as a dark doppelganger of a legitimate call center. It targets thousands of individuals daily with relentless and algorithmic precision.

The psychological toll on the victims frequently exceeds the monetary loss. Individuals grapple with a profound sense of violation and shame after realizing their own compassion was exploited. Elderly citizens are particularly susceptible and often lose their entire pension or life savings in a single transaction. The erosion of trust extends to legitimate institutions. The populace becomes wary of answering calls from unknown numbers and views every digital interaction with corrosive skepticism. The social fabric frays under a pervasive anxiety regarding communication itself.

Law enforcement agencies face an arduous battle to contain the proliferation of these scams. The perpetrators operate across international borders and utilize cryptocurrency to obfuscate the money trail. Recovering misappropriated funds is statistically improbable. Public awareness campaigns broadcast daily warnings but often lag behind the rapidly evolving tactics of the fraudsters. Personal security now requires a constant and exhausting state of digital vigilance for every citizen, regardless of their technological proficiency.

(Adapted from vietnamnews.vn)

Question 1: The word weaponized in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. destroyed B. exploited C. armed D. strengthened

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

A. Stationed in booths with rigid monetary targets and fixed lines, numerous agents use advanced tech to falsify numbers and alter their voice sounds.

B. Hundreds of staff in cubicles follow scripts and strict quotas, employing top-notch tools to spoof numbers and record audio for later analysis.

C. With detailed scripts and money targets, operators in booths use modern software to encrypt numbers and change audio for secure communication.

D. Advanced software is utilized by script-reading agents to spoof numbers and manipulate audio, ensuring they meet the strict financial analysis standards.

Question 3: Which of the following is NOT listed in the passage as a negative impact resulting from sophisticated financial scams?

A. A sense of violation B. A feeling of shame
C. An erosion of institutional trust D. A decline in physical health

Question 4: The word their in paragraph 3 refers to ______.

A. individuals B. elderly citizens C. life savings D. victims

Question 5: The word wary in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ______.

A. trusting B. eager C. confident D. receptive

Question 6: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Public information campaigns often lag behind because they prioritize the monitoring of traditional phone scams over newer digital threats.

B. Criminal syndicates utilize cryptocurrency specifically as a mechanism to satisfy the strict financial quotas demanded by their operational leaders.

C. The difficulty of policing international borders has caused agencies to replace active prosecution efforts with a focus on citizen education.

D. The restitution of stolen capital is infrequently feasible as perpetrators employ intricate technical methods to conceal their financial tracks.

Question 7: Which paragraph mentions an illicit operation functioning like a valid commercial entity?

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

Question 8: Which paragraph mentions the mental anguish resulting from the misuse of a victim's kindness?

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

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 9 to 14.

Carnaval Ha Long: The Dance of the Dragon

Kicking off the summer tourism season, Carnaval Ha Long is a street festival that transforms the coastal city into a massive stage. Every year, the event sees a huge (9) ______ of tourists flooding the streets to witness the spectacle. The festival aims to promote the scenic beauty and the warm (10) ______ of the local people to international friends.

The highlight is the street parade, featuring giant floats (11) ______ with thousands of LED lights and colorful flowers. Dancers, (12) ______ energetic performances blend traditional folk elements with modern disco beats, mesmerize the audience.

The atmosphere is consistently (13) ______, with music booming and crowds cheering along the beach. The dazzling fireworks display at the end helps to (14) ______ a truly unforgettable night for everyone involved.

(Adapted from Vietnam travel news)

Question 9:  A. number B. amount C. deal D. sum

Question 10: A. hospital B. hospitable C. hospitality D. hospitably

Question 11: A. adorned B. adorning C. are adorned D. which adorn

Question 12: A. who B. whom C. which D. whose

Question 13: A. eclectic B. electric C. eccentric D. erratic

Question 14: A. make for B. call for C. stand for D. account for

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 15 to 19.

Question 15:

A. The necessity of a new job requiring travel finally forced me to book my first driving lesson, despite my trembling hands.

B. Sitting behind the wheel, the road seemed terrifyingly chaotic, and my first attempt at parallel parking ended in frustration.

C. Over time, however, the panic subsided, replaced by a rhythmic coordination of gears and mirrors that felt almost instinctive.

D. For years, I relied happily on public transport, viewing cars as dangerous metal boxes best avoided.

e. Passing my test yesterday wasn’t just about getting a license; it was the liberating realization that I could navigate the world on my own terms.

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

Question 16:

A. Mark: Ideally, yes. But after a ten-hour shift, the convenience of takeout often wins over the effort of chopping vegetables.

B. Jenny: That's the trap, isn't it? We trade our long-term health for a few minutes of relaxation in the evening.

C. Jenny: Do you think we are losing the art of home cooking because of our busy modern lifestyles?

D. Jenny: Perhaps the solution lies in 'meal prepping' on weekends, so the hard work is already done.

e. Mark: Exactly. It requires a conscious strategy to break the cycle of convenience; otherwise, fast food becomes the default.

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

Question 17:

A. Alice: That should work perfectly. I'll make sure to drop it off at your place by Sunday evening.

B. Alice: Hey, do you think I could borrow your large suitcase for my trip this weekend? Mine just broke.

C. Ben: I suppose so, but I need it back for my own business trip next Monday morning. Is that okay?

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

Question 18:

Dear Mr. Henderson,

A. Due to an urgent client emergency that requires my immediate attention, I am afraid I will be unable to attend our scheduled discussion on Tuesday.

B. I am writing regarding our project review meeting which is currently set for 10:00 AM next week.

C. Please accept my sincere apologies for this last-minute change and any inconvenience it may cause to your schedule.

D. Would it be possible to reschedule for the following Thursday at the same time, or perhaps Friday morning?

e. I look forward to your confirmation and to updating you on the project's progress.

Sincerely,
Sarah Jenkins

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

Question 19:

A. This specific constraint has paved the way for the explosive rise of podcasts and audio storytelling.

B. Unlike video or text, this audio-only format allows users to consume complex content passively while commuting, cooking, or exercising.

C. In an era of shrinking attention spans, traditional media demands a resource that many busy people simply lack: their eyes.

D. By liberating the audience from the screen, it transforms "dead time" into productive learning hours, fundamentally changing how we absorb information.

e. Consequently, advertisers and creators are flooding into the space, recognizing that the human ear is the new frontier for engagement.

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

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 from 20 to 29.

Physical altercations within educational precincts are manifesting with disquieting regularity on national news broadcasts. Hostile confrontations involving pupils are recurrently documented by peers, with the resulting footage circulating rapidly across social networks. Acts of this nature frequently involve premeditated intimidation and coercion directed at specific individuals rather than random disputes. The perpetrators customarily operate in concert, utilizing numerical superiority to overwhelm a single victim. [I] The physical safety of the student body, previously assumed to be inviolable, is currently compromised by the prevalence of unchecked animosity. The learning environment effectively becomes a zone of apprehension.

Systematic ostracization and verbal harassment constitute a less visible yet equally deleterious component of the phenomenon. Victims endure a sustained campaign of derision, humiliation, and deliberate exclusion from peer groups. The psychological distress resulting from such relentless targeting often exceeds the pain of corporal injury. Academic performance deteriorates concurrently as the learner attempts to navigate a setting characterized by trepidation. [II] The instigators aim to dismantle the victim's social standing through public degradation. The cumulative effect of psychological pressure frequently leads to long-term trauma and a developed aversion to the educational institution.

Observers of these egregious events habitually adopt a passive stance instead of attempting to intercede. The "bystander effect" is intensified by the rational fear of retribution from the aggressive cohort. Adolescents witnessing the assault often choose to record the incident on mobile devices rather than summoning assistance or attempting to de-escalate the conflict. Inaction signals a collective acquiescence to the violence and inadvertently emboldens the attackers. The moral obligation to protect a vulnerable peer is subordinated to the instinct for self-preservation. [III] Consequently, the victim is left in a state of solitary defenselessness against the group.

Current disciplinary protocols utilized by administrators often prove ineffectual in curtailing aggressive behaviors. Suspensions or warnings function as temporary administrative remedies while failing to address the originating behavioral antecedents. [IV] Guardians of the offending youths frequently engage in vehement denial or attempt to minimize the gravity of the actions to protect their child's academic record. True resolution requires comprehensive psychological counseling and mediation strategies instead of simple punitive measures. Without a rigorous modification in how these incidents are managed, the school remains a place of peril. The failure to ensure safety represents a fundamental abdication of the establishment's duty to its charges.

(Adapted from The Conversation)

Question 20: According to paragraph 1, the specific tactic deployed by the instigators during school-based conflicts involves ______.

A. the swift online sharing of video evidence recorded by classmates
B. turning the academic setting into an area defined by fear
C. calculated threats aimed at the general security of the group
D. leveraging their strength in numbers to subdue a lone individual

Question 21: The word inviolable in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. vital B. secure C. consistent D. mandatory

Question 22: What specific goal drives the instigators of verbal bullying?

A. A sharp decline in the student's grades and educational results.
B. The infliction of bodily harm surpassing the level of mental anguish.
C. The deliberate erosion of the individual's standing among their peers.
D. The development of lasting emotional scars and hatred for school.

Question 23: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. The continuous rise in stress often causes permanent internal damage and a profound disinterest in the learning environment of students.

B. Because academic demands accrue over time, students often suffer enduring distress and come to detest their place of study greatly.

C. Lasting emotional scars and a deep loathing for the academy often stem from the mounting impact of sustained, intense mental strain.

D. Chronic failure and a developed hostility toward the school system are typically caused by the aggregate weight of psychological burden.

Question 24: What reason prevents observers from stepping in to stop the fight?

A. A silent form of agreement with the hostile conduct taking place.
B. A valid worry regarding potential attacks from the hostile student group.
C. A preference for filming the event instead of offering immediate aid.
D. An absence of ethical duty to safeguard the defenseless young student.

Question 25: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 3?

A. The tendency of witnesses to record assaults rather than intervene appears to be motivated by a need to capture evidence, a choice that overrides moral duties and leaves the victim defenseless against the group.

B. The passive stance of observers signals a troubling erosion of empathy among modern adolescents, where the instinct for self-preservation has superseded the moral obligation to protect a vulnerable peer from harm.

C. Witnesses frequently refrain from intervening due to a fear of reprisal, often choosing to document the assault digitally, a passive response that inadvertently validates the aggression and leaves the victim isolated.

D. Fear of retribution from the aggressive cohort pushes observers into a passive role where they choose to document the incident, an action that ensures the victim remains isolated and will receive no assistance.

Question 26: The word its in paragraph 4 refers to ______.

A. safety B. establishment C. duty D. modification

Question 27: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. The impulse of bystanders to record incidents may be driven by a desire to provide objective evidence for subsequent disciplinary hearings.

B. The psychological trauma resulting from social exclusion creates a more permanent form of cognitive impairment than the shock of physical injury.

C. Parents often prioritize the preservation of a student's future institutional prospects over the immediate correction of the behavioral infraction.

D. Current administrative remedies, like suspension, fail because they are applied too leniently rather than addressing the root causes of aggression.

Question 28: Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

Constructive engagement from the domestic sphere is seldom forthcoming.

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

Question 29: Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. The epidemic of school violence, involving physical attacks and verbal harassment, represents a fundamental failure of parenting, as guardians consistently deny their children's faults and obstruct necessary disciplinary measures to protect academic records.

B. The prevalence of physical altercations in schools creates a climate of fear that leads to the widespread psychological distress and academic decline observed in victims, a cycle that current administrative protocols like suspensions fail to break.

C. School violence involves premeditated physical attacks and psychological abuse, a crisis exacerbated by passive witnesses and ineffective punitive discipline that fails to address root causes, necessitating a shift toward comprehensive counseling strategies.

D. School violence has escalated into a crisis of physical and mental abuse that administrative warnings cannot stop, indicating that schools must now adopt legal penalties to force guardians to accept responsibility for their children's actions.

Read the following leaflet 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 30 to 35.

How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Doing?

Procrastination is often called the thief of time, stealing our opportunities and peace of mind. Many people treat time as an infinite resource; (30) ______, they fail to prioritize and end up rushing at the last minute. Psychologists suggest that we are naturally prone (31) ______ seeking immediate gratification rather than working on long-term goals. Here is how to break the cycle:

• Stop multitasking. (32) ______ of two complex tasks can be performed effectively at the exact same time; focus on one.

• Create a (33) ______. Mapping out your day hour-by-hour reduces the decision fatigue that leads to delaying work.

• Recognize that waiting for "the right mood" is (34) ______. Motivation rarely strikes first; it usually follows action.

• Just start small. The hardest part is often simply getting the (35) ______ rolling; once you begin, momentum will carry you forward.

(Adapted from RealLife English)

Question 30: A. Consequently B. However C. Otherwise D. Instead

Question 31: A. with B. of C. to D. for

Question 32: A. Neither B. Either C. Both D. None

Question 33: A. detailed daily schedule B. daily detailed schedule
C. schedule detailed daily D. detailed schedule daily

Question 34: A. facile B. fragile C. febrile D. futile

Question 35: A. rock B. ball C. stone D. wheel

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.

The weekend streets of major cities have been claimed by a new breed of athlete: the amateur marathoner. What was once a solitary pursuit for the elite has swelled into a mass movement, fueled by the gamification of fitness apps and social media validation. This ecosystem has transformed casual joggers into data-obsessed enthusiasts, (36) ______, investing heavily in carbon-plated shoes and specialized nutrition plans to shave seconds off a personal best. This obsession with data transforms a primal activity into a metrics-driven enterprise, where every stride is analyzed for efficiency.

The physical toll of this hobby is often underestimated by novices. First-time participants, swept up in the collective euphoria of race day marketing but ill-prepared for the grueling reality of mile 20, (37) ______, battling a level of physiological depletion they had never anticipated. The mental fortitude required to push past this "wall" is immense. (38) ______. It functions as a rite of passage that separates the casual jogger from the disciplined endurance runner.

Despite the punishing nature of the sport, participation numbers continue to break records. (39) ______. The finish line offers a rare moment of tangible achievement in a world of abstract digital labor. In the final analysis, the sport's appeal lies in its democratic brutality; (40) ______, reminding us that resilience is a muscle that must be trained.

(Adapted from The New York Times)

Question 36:

A. which identifies performance metrics as the defining character of their own pursuit of identity

B. for whom the pursuit of performance metrics has become a defining characteristic of identity

C. so defined is the pursuit of performance metrics that it characterizes their whole identity

D. characterizing the pursuit of performance metrics as the definition of their truly identified persona

Question 37:

A. are routinely forced to confront a profound metabolic collapse known as "bonking"

B. forces a routine confrontation with "bonking," known as a profoundly collapsed metabolism

C. confronting the routine force of a profoundly collapsed metabolism is known as "bonking"

D. the routine force of "bonking" profoundly collapses the metabolism into a known confrontation

Question 38:

A. Experiencing the ultimate crucible at this stage serves to test the sheer exhaustion of psychological resilience

B. The ultimate service of this stage is exhausting psychological resilience, experienced as a sheer testing crucible

C. The sheer exhaustion experienced at this stage serves as the ultimate crucible for testing psychological resilience

D. Sheer psychological exhaustion serves the resilience experienced at this stage as the ultimate crucible for testing

Question 39:

A. To suffer the strong allure of the medal remains a motivation for the crowded camaraderie, whether or not

B. Be it the allure of the medal or the camaraderie of the crowd, the motivation to suffer remains strong

C. The crowd remains strongly allured by the camaraderie of suffering, be it for the motivation or the medal

D. Suffering the allure of the medal remains the strength of the crowd, be it for camaraderie or motivation

Question 40:

A. the effective revelation of raw human will is hardly a pastime that strips away other social pretenses

B. to socially strip away pretense is hardly an effective pastime for revealing any other raw human will

C. any other pastime hardly reveals the effectiveness of stripping away raw social will to human pretense

D. hardly does any other pastime strip away social pretense so effectively to reveal raw human will