Câu 5: Đọc hiểu (Reading comprehension)

Passage A
Read the following passage and choose the best answer for each of the following
questions
Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis is a close, long-lasting physical relationship between two different
species. In other words, the two species are usually in physical contact and at least one of
them derives some sort of benefit from this contact. There are three different categories
of symbiotic relationships: parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism.

Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism, known as the parasite, lives in or on

another organism, known as the host, from which it derives nourishment. Generally, the
parasite is much smaller than the host. Although the host is harmed by the interaction, it
is generally not killed immediately by the parasite, and some host individuals may live a
long time and be relatively little affected by their parasites. Some parasites are much
more destructive than other, however. Newly established parasite/host relationships are
likely to be more destructive than those that have a long evolutionary history. With a
longstanding interaction between the parasite and the host, the two species generally
evolve in such a way that they can accommodate one another. It is not in the parasite’s
best interest to kill its host. If it does, it must find another. Likewise, the host evolves
defenses against the parasite, often reducing the harm done by the parasite to a level the
host can tolerate.

Parasite that live on the surface of their hosts are known as ectoparasites. Fleas, lice, and
some molds and mildews are examples of ectoparasites. Many other parasites, like
tapeworms, malaria parasites, many kinds of bacteria, and some fungi, are called
endoparasites because they live inside the bodies of their hosts. A tapeworm lives in the
intestines of its host where it is able to resist being digested and makes use of the
nutrients in the intestine.

Even plants can be parasites. Mistletoe is a flowering plant that is parasitic on trees. It
establishes itself on the surface of a tree when a bird transfers the seed to the tree. It then
grows down into the water-conducting tissues of the tree and uses the water and minerals
it obtains from these tissues to support its own growth.

If the relationship between organisms is one in which one organism benefits while the
other is not affected, it is called commensalism. It is possible to visualize a parasitic
relationship evolving into a commensal one. Since parasites generally evolve to do as
little harm to their host as possible and the host is combating the negative effects of the
parasite, they might eventually evolve to the point where the host is not harmed at all.
There are many examples of commensal relationships. Orchids often use trees as a
surface upon which to grow. The tree is not harmed or helped, but the orchid needs a
surface upon which to establish itself and also benefits by being close to the top of the
tree, where it can get more sunlight and rain. Some, mosses, ferns, and many vines also
make use of the surfaces of trees in this way.

In the ocean, many sharks have a smaller fish known as a remora attached to them.
Remoras have a sucker on the top of their heads that they can use to attach to the shark.
In this way, they can hitchhike a ride as the shark swims along. When the shark feeds, the
remora frees itself and obtain small bits of food that the shark misses. Then, the remora
reattaches. The shark does not appear to be positively or negatively affected by remoras.

Mutualism is another kind of symbiotic relationship and is actually beneficial to both

species involved. In many mutualistic relationships, the relationship is obligatory; the
species cannot live without each other. In others, the species can exist separately but are
more successful when they are involved in a mutualistic relationship. Some species of
Acacia, a thorny tree, provide food in the form of sugar solutions in little structures on
their steams. Certain species of ants feed on the solutions and live in the tree, which they
will protect from other animals by attacking any animal that begins to feed on the tree.
Both organisms benefit; the ants receive food and a place to live, and the tree is protected
from animals that would use it as food.

One soil nutrient that is usually a limiting factor for plant growth is nitrogen. Many kinds
of plants, such as beans, clover, and alder trees, have bacteria that live in their roots in
little nodules. The roots form these nodules when they are infected with certain kinds of
bacteria. The bacteria do not cause disease but provide the plants with nitrogen-
containing molecules that the plants can use for growth. The nitrogen-fixing bacteria
from the living site and nutrients that the plants provide, and the plants benefit from the
nitrogen they receive.

1. The word it in the passsage refers to ____.

A. host B. organism C. parasite D. relationship
2. The word relatively in the passage is closest in the meaning to ____.
A. comparatively B. routinely C. adversely D. frequently
3. Which of the sentences below best expresses the information in the highlighted
statement in the passage? (The other choices change the meaning or leave out important
information.)
A. A parasite is less likely to destroy the host when it attaches itself at first.
B. Parasite that have lived on a host for a long time have probably done a lot
damage
C. The most destructive phase for a host is when the parasite first invades it.
D. The relationship between a parasite and a host will evolve over time
4. The word tolerate in the passage is closest in meaning to ____.
A. permit B. oppose C. profit D. avoid
5. According to paragraph 3, how do ectoparasites survive?
 A. They live in mold and mildew on their hosts
B. They digest food in the intestines of their hosts
C. They live on the nutrients in their bacterial hosts
D. They inhabit the outside parts of their hosts
6. Which of the following is mentioned as an example of a commensal relationship?
A. Orchids B. Mistletoe C. Ants D. Fungus
7. The word actually in the passage is closest in meaning to ____.
A. frequently B. initially C. really D. usually
8. In paragraph 7, why does the author use the example of the Acacia tree?
A. To demonstrate how ants survive by living in trees
B. To explain how two species can benefit from contact
C. To show the relationship between plants and animals
D. To present a problem that occurs often in nature
9. According to paragraph 8, how does bacteria affect beans and clover?
A. It causes many of the plants to die B. It limits the growth of young
plants
C. It supplies nitrogen to the crops D. It infects the roots with harmful
nodules
10. In which of the following chapters would this passage most probably appear?
A. Environment and Organisms B. Pollution and Policies
C. Human Influences on Ecosystems D. Energy Resources
Đáp án câu hỏi 1:
1. C 2. A 3. C 4. A 5. D
6. A 7. C 8. B 9. C 10. A

Passage B
Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to
indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
GROUP DECISION MAKING
Advantages of Group Decision Making

Committees, task forces, and ad hoc groups are frequently assigned to identify and
recommend decision alternatives or, in some cases, to actually make important decisions.
In essence, a group is a tool that can focus the experience and expertise of several people
on a particular problem or situation. Thus, a group offers the advantage of greater total
knowledge. Groups accumulate more information, knowledge, and facts than individuals
and often consider more alternatives. Each person in the group is able to draw on his or
her unique education, experience, insights, and other resources and contribute those to the
group. The varied backgrounds, training levels, and expertise of group members also help
overcome tunnel vision by enabling the group to view the problem in more than one way.
Participation in group decision making usually leads to higher member satisfaction.
People tend to accept a decision more readily and to be better satisfied with it when they
have participated in making that decision. In addition, people will better understand and
be more committed to a decision in which they have had a say than to a decision made for
them. As a result, such a decision is more likely to be implemented successfully.

Disadvantages of Group Decision Making

While groups have-many potential benefits, we all know that they can also be
frustrating. One obvious disadvantage of group decision making is the time required to
make a decision. The time needed for group discussion and the associated compromising
and selecting of a decision alternative can be considerable. Time costs money, so a waste
of time becomes a disadvantage if a decision made by a group could have been made just
as effectively by an individual working alone. Consequently, group decisions should be
avoided when speed and efficiency are the primary considerations.

A second disadvantage is that the group discussion may be dominated by an

individual or subgroup. Effectiveness can be reduced if one individual, such as the group
leader, dominates the discussion by talking too much or being closed to other points of
view. Some group leaders try to control the group and provide the major input. Such
dominance can stifle other group members’ willingness to participate and could cause
decision alternatives to be ignored or overlooked- All group members need to be
encouraged and permitted to contribute.

Another disadvantage of group decision making is that members may be less

concerned with the group’s goals than with their own personal goals. They may become
so sidetracked in trying to win an argument that they forget about group performance. On
the other hand, a group may try too hard to compromise and consequently may not make
optimal decisions. Sometimes this stems from the desire to maintain friendships and
avoid disagreements. Often groups exert tremendous social pressure on individuals to
conform to established or expected patterns of behavior. Especially when they are dealing
with important and controversial issues, interacting groups may be prone to a
phenomenon called groupthink.

Groupthink is an agreement-at-any-cost mentality that results in ineffective group

decision making. It occurs when groups are highly cohesive, have highly directive
leaders, are insulated so they have no clear ways to get objective information, and—
because they lack outside information—have little hope that a better solution might be
found than the one proposed by the leader or other influential group members. These
conditions foster the illusion that the group is invulnerable, right, and more moral than
outsiders. They also encourage the development of self-appointed “mind guards” who
bring pressure on dissenters. In such situations, decisions—

often important decisions—are made without consideration of alternative frames or

alternative options. It is difficult to imagine conditions more conducive to poor decision
making and wrong decisions.
 Recent research indicates that groupthink may also result when group members
have preconceived ideas about how a problem should be solved. Under these conditions,
the team may not examine a full range of decision alternatives, or it may discount or
avoid information that threatens its preconceived choice.

1. In paragraph 1, the author states that groups frequently _____.

A. generate more options than individuals
B. agree on the way that the problem should be approached
C. make recommendations instead of decisions
D. are chosen to participate because of their experience
2. According to paragraph 2, why do group decisions tend to be more successful?
A. When more people are involved, there are more ideas from which to choose.
B. People are more accepting of decisions when they have been involved in them.
C. Implementing ideas is easier with a large number of people to help.
D. people like to be participants in decisions that are successful.
3. The word Consequently in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
A. About now B. Without doubt C. Before long D. As a result
4. According to paragraph 3, group discussion can be problematic because _____.
A. individual decisions are always more effective B. it takes more time for a group
to arrive at a decision
C. it costs more to pay all of the group members D. interaction among group
members can be a problem
5. What can be inferred about a group leader?
A. A good leader will provide goals for the group to consider and vote on.
B. The purpose of the leader is to facilitate the participation of all of the members.
C. A group leader should be the dominant member of the group.
D. Expectations for group behavior must be presented by the group leader.
6. The word controversial in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
A. accepted B. debatable C. recent D. complicated
7. According to paragraph 5, how does the author explain compromise in a group?
A. The group may try to make a better decision by compromising.
B. A compromise may be the best way to encourage groupthink.
C. Compromising may allow the group members to remain friends.
D. To compromise can help one member to reach a personal goal.
8. The phrase the one in the passage refers to _____.
A. solution B. information C. hope D.
leader
9. What does the term “mind guards” refer to _____?
A. People who conform to the group opinion without thinking
B. Group members who try to force others to agree with the group
C. Members of the group who are the most ethical and influential
D. Those people who disagree without offering an alternative view
10. According to paragraph 6, why are alternative solutions often rejected in groupthink?
A. Dissenters exert pressure on the group. B. Group leaders are not very
creative.
C. Information is not made available. D. The group is usually right.

Đáp án câu hỏi 2:

1. A 2. B 3. D 4. B 5. B
6. B 7. A 8. C 9. B 10. C