THPT NBK 1

I. LISTENING
Part 1. You will hear an interview with an architect called Lucy Collett who designs small
buildings. Choose the answer (А, В, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear.
1. Lucy enjoyed building the tree-house because it _________.
A. gave her children somewhere to play B. presented an interesting design problem
C. demonstrated the type of work she does D. allowed her to fulfil a childhood
ambition
2. What fascinated Lucy about the historical phone boxes?
A. their international character B. their luxurious interiors
C. their range of styles D. the quality of their construction
3. At college, Lucy designed small buildings so that they _________.
A. could be assembled in a shorter time B. would comply better with safety rules
C. would have a wider range of uses D. could be built in a simpler style
4. Lucy got the idea for a folding market stall _________.
A. from her parents B. from travelling salesmen
C. while she was at a trade fair D. while she was on an overseas trip
5. The hotel phone booths which Lucy worked on were _________.
A. developed with mobile phone users in mind
B. designed for countries with relatively few mobile phones
C. placed at the entrance to the hotel lobby
D. intended to be the largest feature of the lobby
PART 2. You will hear part of a radio program in which a new book is being reviewed
For questions 1-5, choose the best answer (A, B or C). You will listen TWICE.
1. The main reason that Isabella was unlikely to become a travel writer was that she
A. believed travel at that time was very dangerous. B. was under an illusion about her health.
C. had never displayed much imagination. D. had regarded travel as a man’s occupation.
2. Sarah thinks Isabella’s trips to Australia were surprising because she had previously
A. preferred an inactive lifestyle. B. been frightened of animals.
C. never experienced extreme climates. D. spent most of her time socializing.
3. According to Sarah, Isabella’s letters
A. should have been published earlier. B. were based on newspaper articles.
C. may have exaggerated what she saw. D. failed to provide enough details at times.
4. In Sarah’s opinion, Isabella’s personality was unusual because she
A. had rebelled against her father. B. was at her best in challenging situations.
C. only pretended to be courageous. D. traveled despite her illnesses.
5. According to Sarah, the book in its current form
A. does not make it clear how the letters have been edited.
B. ought to contain all of the letters Isabella wrote to Henrietta.
C. fails to include examples of Isabella’s bad experiences.
D. should be adapted so the style is familiar to readers today.
II. PHONETICS
Part 1. Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from that of the
other three in each of the following questions. (2.5 pts)
1. A. regime B. passenger C. geology D. engine
2. A. basilisk B. bison C. basic D. basin
3. A. linger B. zinger C. singer D. hanger
4. A. baths B. bathymetry C. clothier D. thaw
5. A. chimpanzee B. interviewee C. refugee D. committee
1. A. regime /reɪˈʒiːm/
B. passenger /ˈpæsɪndʒər/
C. geology /dʒiˈɒlədʒi/
D. engine /ˈendʒɪn/

2.A. basilisk /ˈbæzɪlɪsk/

B. bison /ˈbaɪsn/
C. basic /ˈbeɪsɪk/
D. basin /ˈbeɪsn/

3. A. linger /ˈlɪŋɡər/
B. zinger /ˈzɪŋər/
C. singer /ˈsɪŋər/
D. hanger /ˈhæŋər/

4. A. baths /bɑːðz/ /bɑːθz/

B. bathymetry /ˌbəˈθɪm.ə.tri/

C. clothier /ˈkləʊðiə(r)/
D. thaw /θɔː/

5. A. chimpanzee /ˌʧɪmpænˈziː/
B. interviewee /ˌɪntəvjuˈiː/
C. refugee /ˌrɛfjʊˈdʒiː/
D. committee /kəˈmɪti/

Part 2. Choose the word which is stressed differently from the others.
16. A. remote B. receive C. prevent D. recent
17. A. preferential B. congratulate C. development D. preservative
18. A. abnormal B. initial C. innocent D. impatient
19. A. interchange B. infamous C. overeat D. undercurrent
20. A. aphorism B. extremism C. barbarism D. feminism

16. A. remote /rɪˈməʊt/

B. receive /rɪˈsiːv/
C. prevent /prɪˈvent/
D. recent /ˈriːsnt/

17. A. preferential /ˌprefəˈrenʃl/

B. congratulate /kənˈɡrætʃʊleɪt/
C. development /dɪˈveləpmənt/
D. preservative /prɪˈzɜːvətɪv/

18. A. abnormal /æbˈnɔːml/

B. initial /ɪˈnɪʃl/
C. innocent /ˈɪnəsnt/
D. impatient /ɪmˈpeɪʃnt/

19. A. interchange /ˈɪntəʧeɪndʒ/

B. infamous /ˈɪnfəməs/
C. overeat /ˌəʊvəˈriːt/
D. undercurrent /ˈʌndəkʌrənt/

20. A. aphorism /ˈæfərɪzəm/

B. extremism /ɪkˈstriːmɪzəm/
 C. barbarism /ˈbɑːbərɪzəm/
D. feminism /ˈfɛmɪnɪzəm/

III. LEXICO-GRAMMAR
Part 1. Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D to each of the following questions and write your
answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
21. Standing on the tip of the cape, ________________.
A. people have seen a lighthouse far away B. lies a lighthouse in the middle of the sea
C. a lighthouse can be seen from the distance D. we can see the lighthouse in the distance
22. ________________ visit the British Museum while you are in London, you mustn't forget to
look at the famous Rosetta Stone.
A. In case you B. If you should
C. For fear that you D. When you might
If + S + should dùng để diễn tả điều kiện mà khả năng xảy ra không cao
23. Up ______ when it saw its master. (Đảo ngữ với trạng từ chỉ nơi chốn)
A. jumped the dog B. did the dog jump
C. the dog jump D. does the dog jump
24. They paid less for the house because it was in a(n)______ part of town.
A. fashion B. unfashionable C. fashionably D. fashionable
25. _______ is subjective and varies across cultures and individuals, so what one person finds
appealing may not be the same for another person.
A. attractiveness B. attract C. attractively D. attractive
26. The hostage was released unharmed by the kidnappers, but they were never caught and charged
with _______________.
A. fraud B. forgery C. abduction D. trafficking

 Dịch: Con tin đã được thả mà không bị thương bởi những kẻ bắt cóc, nhưng chúng không bao giờ
bị bắt và buộc tội bắt cóc.
 abduction /æbˈdʌk.ʃən/: sự bắt cóc

 fraud /frɔːd/: lừa đảo

 forgery /ˈfɔː.dʒər.i/: giả mạo (tài liệu, chữ ký, v.v.)
 trafficking /ˈtræf.ɪ.kɪŋ/: buôn lậu (hàng hóa, con người, v.v.)

27. Regional parliaments allow ________________ for remote parts of the country or islands far
from the capital.
A. self-government ( tự trị) B. self-sufficiency C. self-regulation D. self-support
28. Zoe’s plan to study at university ________________ when she didn’t get the required grades in
her school leaving exams.
A. fell through B. wrote off C. got back D. put in

fell through: thất bại, không thành công (kế hoạch hoặc dự án)

o Dịch: Kế hoạch học đại học của Zoe đã thất bại khi cô không đạt đủ điểm yêu cầu trong kỳ
thi tốt nghiệp.

 wrote off: xóa bỏ, coi như mất

 got back: lấy lại, quay trở lại
 put in: nộp, đệ trình
29. It’s not advisable to buy goods from street vendors – there’s a good chance you’ll be
____________.
A. ripped off B. forked out C. paid off D. scraped by

 ripped off: bị lừa, bị chặt chém (trả giá quá cao so với giá trị thật)
o Dịch: Không nên mua hàng từ những người bán rong – rất có khả năng bạn sẽ bị chặt chém.

 forked out: trả tiền (thường là miễn cưỡng)

 paid off: trả hết nợ hoặc trả công
 scraped by: sống xoay xở với ít tiền

30. I ate some tinned sardines that had expired and ended up feeling so sick that I
________________ all the food I had eaten.
A. brought up B. passed out C. packed up D. went off

 brought up: nôn ra

o Dịch: Tôi đã ăn một ít cá mòi đóng hộp đã hết hạn và cuối cùng cảm thấy quá buồn nôn đến
mức nôn hết thức ăn đã ăn ra.

 passed out: ngất xỉu

 packed up: thu dọn, đóng gói
 went off: trở nên hỏng (thức ăn), hoặc dừng hoạt động

31.He was too sure of himself to pay ________________ to the warnings against the danger.
A. notice B. attention C. respect D. recognition
Pay attention to : chú ý
32. All nations should _________ hands to work out a plan to solve the problem of global
warming.
A. join B. hold C. shake D. lend
Join hands to V; cùng nhau làm ..
33. When it comes to the ________________, Alice always support her friends.
A. point B. crunch C. mark D. crisis

 crunch: thời điểm quan trọng hoặc khó khăn (đặc biệt khi phải đưa ra quyết định)
 When it comes to the crunch: Khi đến lúc khó khăn

 point: điểm, thời điểm

 mark: dấu, mốc
 crisis: khủng hoảng

34 Although he came to work the day before his retirement, everyone knew he was just ________.
A. going with the flow B. going through the motions
C. going against the grain D. going along with them

 going through the motions: làm việc một cách hời hợt, chiếu lệ, không thực sự nỗ lực hay quan
tâm
 Dịch: Mặc dù anh ấy vẫn đến làm việc vào ngày trước khi nghỉ hưu, mọi người đều biết rằng anh ấy
chỉ làm cho có.

going with the flow: làm theo tình huống, không phản kháng hay nỗ lực thay đổi

35. I had a __________this morning when a tractor trailer unexpectedly swerved into my lane.
A. deep end B. dead beat C. close shave D. tight corner

 close shave: thoát hiểm trong gang tấc, suýt gặp tai nạn
o Dịch: Sáng nay tôi đã thoát hiểm trong gang tấc khi một chiếc xe tải lớn bất ngờ chuyển vào
làn đường của tôi.

 deep end: tình huống khó khăn

 dead beat: kiệt sức
 tight corner: tình huống khó khăn, khó xử

DAP AN
21.D 22.B 23.A 24.B 25.A
26.C 27.A 28.A 29. A 30.A
31.B 32.A 33.B 34.B 35.C

READING
Part 1 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 41 to 45
THE BENEFITS OF BILINGUALISM IN YOUNG CHILDREN
Introducing young children to multiple languages offers (41) _________ cognitive and social
advantages. Bilingualism enhances problem-solving skills and creativity, as managing two or more
languages improves mental flexibility. This early exposure (42) _________ stronger cognitive
abilities from a young age.
Socially, bilingual children often develop better interpersonal skills and empathy. They become
more (43) _________ at understanding different cultural perspectives and communicating with a
diverse
range of people, which enriches their social interactions.
(44) _________, bilingualism positively impacts memory and attention span. Children (45)
_________ speak multiple languages tend to have improved working memory and focus,
benefiting their overall academic performance. Consistent practice and exposure to different
languages can set the
stage for lifelong advantages in both personal and academic contexts.
Question 36: A. each B. all C. little D. many
Question 37: A. `
Question 39: A. However B. Additionally C. Therefore D. For example
Question 40: A. which B. where C. who D. whom
Part 1
36. D 37. B 38.C 39.B 40. C

Question 36: D. many

 Dịch: Việc giới thiệu nhiều ngôn ngữ cho trẻ nhỏ mang lại nhiều lợi ích về nhận thức và xã hội.

Question 37:B. fosters

 Dịch: Sự tiếp xúc sớm này thúc đẩy khả năng nhận thức mạnh mẽ hơn từ khi còn nhỏ.

Question 38:C. adept

 Dịch: Các em trở nên thành thạo hơn trong việc hiểu các quan điểm văn hóa khác nhau và giao tiếp
với nhiều người.
 Question 39:B. Additionally

 Dịch: Ngoài ra, song ngữ còn ảnh hưởng tích cực đến trí nhớ và khả năng tập trung.

Part 2 Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on the answer sheet to
indicate the correct phrase or sentence to complete of the numbered blanks.
During the scientific revolution of the 17th century, scientists were largely (46) _________ who
pursued their interest in natural philosophy for their own edification. Only in the past century or
two has it become possible to make a living from investigating (47) _________. Modern science
was, in other words, built on the work of amateurs. Today, science is an increasingly (48)
_________ subject, the domain of experts who know more and more about less and less. Perhaps
surprisingly, however, amateurs – even those without financial – are still important.
A recent poll carried out at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
by astronomer Dr Richard Fienberg found that, in addition to his field of astronomy, amateurs are
actively involved in (49) _________ acoustics , horticulture, ornithology, meteorology, hydrology
and palaeontology. Far from being crackpots, amateur scientists are often in close touch with
professionals, (50) _________ rely heavily on their co-operation.
(Adapted from Jakeman, V., & Mcdowell, C. (2001). IELTS practice tests plus. 1. Longman.)
41. A. men of private means B. men meant to be private
C. private men meaning D. men of private meaning
42. A. how nature working B. the workings of nature
C. the working nature D. what nature works
43. A. specializing and compartmentalizing B. specialized and compartmentalized
C. generalized and decentralized D. generalizing and decentralizing
44. A. fields as B. some fields like C. such fields as D. so fields that
45. A. some of them B. some of they C. some of whom D. some of that
Part 2.
41. A 42. B 43. B 44.C 45.C

Question 41:A. men of private means

 "During the scientific revolution of the 17th century, scientists were largely men of private means
who pursued their interest in natural philosophy for their own edification."
 Dịch: Trong cuộc cách mạng khoa học thế kỷ 17, các nhà khoa học chủ yếu là những người có tài
sản riêng theo đuổi sở thích triết học tự nhiên để tự học hỏi

Question 42: B. the workings of nature

 "Only in the past century or two has it become possible to make a living from investigating the
workings of nature."
 Dịch: Chỉ trong một hoặc hai thế kỷ qua mới có thể kiếm sống bằng việc nghiên cứu cách vận
hành của tự nhiên.

Question 43:B. specialized and compartmentalized

 "Today, science is an increasingly specialized and compartmentalized subject."

 Dịch: Ngày nay, khoa học là một lĩnh vực ngày càng chuyên môn hóa và phân chia thành các
ngành nhỏ.

Question 44:C. such fields as được dùng để liệt kê các lĩnh vực cụ thể.

 "Amateurs are actively involved in such fields as acoustics, horticulture, ornithology, meteorology,
hydrology and palaeontology."
  Dịch: Những nhà khoa học nghiệp dư đang tích cực tham gia vào các lĩnh vực như âm học, làm
vườn, điểu học, khí tượng học, thủy văn và cổ sinh vật học.

Question 45: C. some of whom

 "Amateur scientists are often in close touch with professionals, some of whom rely heavily on their
co-operation."
 Dịch: Các nhà khoa học nghiệp dư thường có mối liên hệ mật thiết với các chuyên gia, một số
trong số họ dựa nhiều vào sự hợp tác của họ.

Part 3 Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on the answer sheet to
indicate the correct phrase or sentence to complete of the numbered blanks.
In Why Translation Matters, Grossman discusses a number of complex issues. Is a translation
merely a reflection in a (51) ________ that will never mirror the true original? Is a translator
merely a sophisticated tool, a human machine soon to be replaced by a computer program? She
answers these and many other questions with a lyrical eloquence that is graceful and inspiring. In
the process, we are also shown detailed examples of her solutions to knotty problems; here we see
her joy in discovery and doing, the best reasons for pursuing a true vocation. (52) ________,
because as she rightly says, 'Translation is a strange craft, generally appreciated by writers,
undervalued by publishers, trivialized by the academic world, and practically ignored by
reviewers.' And yet, where literature exists, translation exists and it is a good thing that (53)
________.
Books by translators are few and far between. This short book was originally given as a series of
three university lectures, and the ploys of a lecturer let down the writer: rhetorical questions,
academic jargon. Grossman's best thinking about translation, and her best defence of translation,
will be reflected in (54) ________. It is on the rare occasions that she focuses on overcoming the
challenges (55) ________ that the book becomes more pleasurable to read. She vents her
frustration on the reader, and some of this is certainly justified: translators ask for very little -
simply to be read, included in the cultural debate, understood – (56) ________ to be given the
credit they are due. Translation, for all that it seems a technical matter, (57) ________. It's a mode
of reading so sympathetic and creative that the outcome is wholly original.
There is a theory that all language is a form of translation, that we speak in order to translate the
unknown into the known, the non-verbal into the verbal. Edith Grossman draws upon this theory in
her book, (58) ______, I believe, that the translation of a literary work from one language into
another involves much the same creative process as that which provoked the originating author,
(59) __________ therefore stands alone. After a rich career, she is eminently well-qualified to
speak on behalf of literary translators everywhere. Nevertheless, the role of the translator is
undoubtedly one of the most unappreciated and unacknowledged in the world of literature.
Grossman's beautifully crafted book (60) _____ and may help to address the problem. It is
accessible to the layperson and should be required reading on all university literature courses.
(Adapted from Cambridge. (2016). Cambridge English : Advanced 2)
46. A. clouding glass B. clouded glass looking
C. clouded looking glass D. glass looking clouding
47. A. indispensably is this inner drive (adv- be)
B. Such inner drive is indispensable niềm đam mê như vậy thì không thể thiếu ( câu độc lập)
C. so indispensable is this inner drive ( còn thiếu mệnh đề nữa )
D. An inner drive like this is indispensably (adv- be)

So + Adj/Adv + Aux + S + V + that + clause

 Such + a/an + Adj + Aux + S + V + that + clause

48. A. exploration into these issues B. these issues should be explored

C. each of these issues are explored D. every issue receives exploration
49. A. her translations herself B. their translations themselves
C. her translations themselves D. their translations herself
50. A. which she throws up B. brought about by her
C. her craft gets over D. that her craft throws up
51. A. however always fail B. but invariable failures
C. to be fail D. yet to invariably fail
52. A. is actually anything but B. is everything contrasting
C. is in stark contrast D. is surprisingly in contrary
53. A. right suggestion B. right suggesting
C. rightly suggesting D. rightly suggestion
54. A. the consequent product B. and the end product
C. and the aftermath product D. the resultant product
55. A. calls attention to it B. draws attention to this
C. Attracts attention to this D. focuses attention on it
Part 3.
46. C 47.B 48.B 49.C 50.D 51. B 52.C 53.C 54.B 55.B

Question 46: C. clouded looking glass tấm gương mờ

 "Is a translation merely a reflection in a clouded looking glass that will never mirror the true original?"
 Dịch: Một bản dịch có phải chỉ là sự phản chiếu trong một tấm gương mờ không bao giờ phản ánh
được bản gốc thực sự?

Question 50:D. that her craft throws up

 "She focuses on overcoming the challenges that her craft throws up."
 Dịch: Bà tập trung vào việc vượt qua các thách thức mà nghề của bà đưa ra.

Question 51. B: Trừ những thất bại không thể thay đổi dc

à trút bực bội lên người đọc, và điều này phần nào là có cơ sở: những người làm công việc dịch thuật chỉ yêu cầu
rất ít - chỉ đơn giản là được đọc, được tham gia vào cuộc tranh luận văn hóa, được hiểu – (51) ________ để được
ghi nhận xứng đáng.

Question 52: C. is in stark contrast

 "Translation, for all that it seems a technical matter, is in stark contrast."

 Dịch: Dịch thuật, mặc dù trông có vẻ là một vấn đề kỹ thuật, thì hoàn toàn trái ngược.

55. attract one's attraction: thu hút sự chú ý của ai

draw one's attention to something: thu hút sự chú ý của ai vào điều gì

Part 4. Read the following passage and choose the answer A, B, C or D that fits best according
to the text. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
In the modern era, online shopping has made buying things more convenient than ever before.
However, buying products on the Internet - whether on Shopee or Lazada - requires a whole new
set of skills to make sure that you don’t waste your money on low-quality products that are falsely
advertised on e-commerce platforms.
To begin with, when you look at an ad or listing for a product, look for any evidence that the
company supplying it actually exists. A specific company website is a good sign but remember that
fake sites can easily be created with tools like WordPress. Therefore, when you’re on the website,
scroll around and look for contact details and the “About Us” page. If all the information seems
genuine and there are names of any employee or manager, this is also a positive sign. Also look for
any presence on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, since it’s not uncommon for brands to try to
reach their customers via these networks. In fact, a lack of social media presence might be a sign
that something is wrong, especially for fashion or beauty brands.
You may also want to reconsider how you examine reviews and comments. You naturally want to
see a lot of positive reviews, and that’s reasonable. However, an inordinate number of five-star
reviews for a particular product can mean a company paid for them and used a review service to
help push it to the top of the search results. Try looking up a company’s one- and two-star reviews
and customer photos, which often provide more detailed insights about a product such as problems
that people have when using it and, in many cases, even confirm that it is real. Be aware of reviews
that all use similar language or sound like they’re for an entirely different product. Finally, check
the date of the reviews to see if the listing got a large number of reviews unusually fast.
And when you’re still not sure, you can always type the name of the brand into a search engine like
Google and see if any sites pop up flagging it as a scam. You can also search on social media for
posts where people review or discuss that brand, and if there are no results, this can be a sign it’s
not a safe place to purchase from. In addition, try to find other buyers sharing their own
experiences. For instance, online writer Michele Eilertsen keeps a long list of scam brands that she
ran into on her personal blog.
(Adapted from washingtonpost.com)
Question 56: Which best serves as the title for the passage?
A. Signs Of Fake Online Stores That You Should Always Watch Out For
B. How Much Research Do You Need To Avoid Online Shopping Scams?
C. Here’s Why Online Shopping Takes More Effort Than You Think It Is
D. Techniques To Help You Avoid Being Fooled When Shopping Online
Question 57: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 2?
A. Try to look for detailed information on how you can contact a company on its website.
B. On the “About Us” page, there should be names of people who work for the company.
C. Many businesses connect with their customers on social platforms such as Facebook.
D. Brands without any presence on social media networks are most likely not reliable.
Question 58 The word “inordinate” in paragraph 3 can be best replaced by ___________.
A. uncontrolled B. outstanding C. confusing D. excessive
Question 59 Which of the following is NOT TRUE, according to paragraph 3?
A. Customers obviously like products with many good reviews when they shop online.
B. Looking at customer photos can help buyers learn more about a product.
C. Shoppers should be careful when they spot multiple reviews with similar language.
D. A great number of reviews usually suggest that a company paid for them.
Question 60: Which of the following can most likely be inferred from the passage?
A. Most sellers who do not have a website of their own should not be trusted.
B. Negative reviews can actually be a better indicator of an authentic product.
C. Reviews that sound like they are for another item are often cheaply bought ones.
D. Online blogs are the best source to confirm whether or not a brand is scamming.
Part 4
56. D 57.D 58.D 59.D 60.B

Question 56: D. Techniques To Help You Avoid Being Fooled When Shopping Online

Question 57: D. Brands without any presence on social media networks are most likely not reliable.

 Giải thích: Đáp án D không được đề cập trực tiếp trong đoạn 2. Mặc dù đoạn văn có nói rằng "a
lack of social media presence might be a sign that something is wrong, especially for fashion or
 beauty brands " nhưng không khẳng định rằng các thương hiệu không có sự hiện diện trên mạng xã
hội thì không đáng tin cậy.

Question 58: D. excessive

 Giải thích: Từ "inordinate" có nghĩa là "quá mức" hoặc "quá nhiều," tương đương với "excessive."

Question 59: D. A great number of reviews usually suggest that a company paid for them.

 Giải thích: Đáp án D không đúng với đoạn văn. Bài viết không nói rằng một số lượng lớn đánh giá
"thường" cho thấy một công ty đã trả tiền, mà chỉ nói rằng "một số lượng quá lớn" các đánh giá 5
sao "có thể" có nghĩa là công ty đã trả tiền cho các đánh giá đó.

Dẫn chứng: "However, an inordinate number of five-star reviews for a particular product can mean a
company paid for them..."

Question 60: B. Negative reviews can actually be a better indicator of an authentic product.

 Giải thích: Đoạn 3 khuyên người mua nên kiểm tra các đánh giá 1 và 2 sao để hiểu rõ hơn về sản
phẩm và biết được các vấn đề người dùng gặp phải. Điều này cho thấy các đánh giá tiêu cực có thể
cung cấp thông tin xác thực hơn.

Dẫn chứng: "Try looking up a company’s one- and two-star reviews and customer photos, which
often provide more detailed insights about a product such as problems that people have when using
it..."

Part 5. Read the following passage and choose the answer A, B, C or D that fits best according
to the text. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
When one hears the expression “role models”, one’s mind naturally jumps to celebrities, especially
as far as young people are concerned. Therefore, it would be more than natural to assume that
teenagers, heavily influenced by the media, are dazzled by well-known Hollywood stars, famous
musicians and internationally renowned athletes. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
In reality, according to a recent survey, over 75% of teens who filled out an online questionnaire
claimed that the role model for whom they had the greatest respect was not a famous personality,
but a family member. It seems that the qualities that make a good role model are more complex
than researchers first assumed. For example, Nancy L, a teenage girl from Wisconsin, described
her role model as a woman who had a clear sense of what was important to her, making the effort
to create things that would make a real difference in the world. The woman she was referring to
was her favorite aunt, who was a painter and sculptor.
Role models come into young people’s lives in various ways. They are family members, educators,
peers and ordinary people encountered in their daily lives. Students emphasized that being a role
model is not confined to those with international fame or unbelievable wealth. Instead, they said
the greatest attribute of a role model is the ability to inspire others. Teachers were often mentioned
as examples in this case, ones that are dedicated to encouraging students, helping them push their
limits and strengthen their characters.
Another quality high on the list was the ability to overcome obstacles. In addition to parents, peers
often made up a large percentage of such role models. Young people are at a point in their lives
when they are developing the skills of initiative and capability, so it is only natural that they
admire people who show them that success in the face of difficulty is possible.
A final and perhaps unexpected character trait that the youth of today admire is a clear set of
values. Children admire people whose actions are consistent with their beliefs; in other words, who
practice what they preach. Role models help them to understand the significance of honesty,
motivation and the desire to do general good. For example, local politicians who clearly struggle to
improve living conditions in their cities are high on their lists of role models.
Perhaps what should be understood from what young people consider important in a role model is
that each and every person around them affects them to a certain extent, perhaps much more than
most parents think. This makes it crucial for adults to be aware of their influence on the young and
set the best examples possible.
Question 61: Which of the following is closest in meaning to “dazzled”?
A. impressed B. disappointed C. confused D. frightened
Question 62: What is surprising about the findings of the survey?
A. Celebrities are the most common role models to most teens.
B. The role models of the respondents are not quite influential.
C. The qualities that make up teens’ role models are not simple.
D. Most celebrities have their family members as role models.
Question 63: According to the passage, what quality makes teachers good role models?
A. their ambition to succeed B. their wide knowledge
C. their ability as academic educators D. their positive effect on students
Question 64: The ability to overcome obstacles is important to young people because ______.
A. teens must have it to teach their peers
B. it is not something that one can easily find
C. obstacles make life more difficult
D. it is relevant to the stage of life they are in
Question 65: The passage suggests that adults should ______.
A. try to avoid imposing their influence on younger people
B. realize that they have a strong effect on young people
C. be careful of the role models their children may have
D. encourage children to reject celebrities as role models
Part 5
61.A 62.B 63.D 64.D 65.B

Question 61: A. impressed

 Giải thích: Từ "dazzled" có nghĩa là "gây ấn tượng mạnh" hoặc "làm choáng ngợp." Trong ngữ
cảnh này, "dazzled" ám chỉ việc các bạn trẻ bị "ấn tượng" hoặc "bị thu hút" bởi các ngôi sao nổi
tiếng, giống như lựa chọn A "impressed."

Question 62: B. The role models of the respondents are not quite influential.

 Giải thích: Kết quả của khảo sát cho thấy điều bất ngờ là các hình mẫu mà thanh thiếu niên tôn
trọng không phải là những người nổi tiếng có sức ảnh hưởng lớn mà lại là các thành viên gia đình.
Điều này khác xa với giả định ban đầu rằng họ sẽ bị ảnh hưởng nhiều bởi các ngôi sao nổi tiếng.

Dẫn chứng: "In reality, according to a recent survey, over 75% of teens... claimed that the role
model for whom they had the greatest respect was not a famous personality, but a family member."

Question 63: D. their positive effect on students

 Giải thích: Đoạn văn mô tả rằng các giáo viên thường là hình mẫu vì họ có khả năng truyền cảm
hứng và khuyến khích học sinh vượt qua giới hạn của mình và phát triển tính cách.

Dẫn chứng: "Teachers were often mentioned as examples in this case, ones that are dedicated to
encouraging students, helping them push their limits and strengthen their characters."

Question 64: D. it is relevant to the stage of life they are in

  Giải thích: Khả năng vượt qua khó khăn rất quan trọng với giới trẻ vì họ đang ở giai đoạn phát
triển kỹ năng sáng tạo và năng lực, do đó họ ngưỡng mộ những người có thể vượt qua khó khăn và
đạt được thành công.

Dẫn chứng: "Young people are at a point in their lives when they are developing the skills of
initiative and capability, so it is only natural that they admire people who show them that success in
the face of difficulty is possible."

Question 65: B. realize that they have a strong effect on young people

 Giải thích: Đoạn cuối của bài viết khuyên rằng người lớn nên nhận ra rằng họ có ảnh hưởng lớn
đến giới trẻ và cần phải làm gương tốt nhất có thể.

Dẫn chứng: "This makes it crucial for adults to be aware of their influence on the young and set the
best examples possible."

Part 6 You are going to read a passage. Choose the answer (А, В, C or D) which you think fits
best according to the text.
THE RECYCLED ORCHESTRA
There is a village called Cateura in poverty-stricken Latin America that has to be seen to be
believed: it is a slum built on a landfill. People here live on garbage and from garbage. Tons of
rotting debris are dumped here daily, and the villagers swarm around the garbage trucks, picking
over the pieces that provide them with their livelihood. They are definitely the poorest of the
region, yet they are a passionate people with strong family bonds and friendships. Cateura is the
setting of one of the most amazing examples of how love and creativity can triumph over poverty.
It all started a few years ago, when one of the garbage pickers, known as “Cola”, joined forces with
a local musician, Favio, to start making instruments for the children of the slum. Cola grew up
close to Cateura and started working as a builder at the age of 7, when his father died. [A] After 3
decades of hard labour in construction, he considered himself fortunate to become a trash collector,
due to the steady daily income it provides. As he puts it, “There will always be garbage, which
means I will always have a job.” Cola proved to be an untutored genius, creating violins and
cellos from oil cans, flutes from water pipes, and guitars from packing crates. The children and
their parents were thrilled and eventually one of the most unusual orchestras was formed. [B]
Called the “Recycled Orchestra”, the musicians use instruments that are made entirely out of trash.
Favio’s initial aim was simply to offer music lessons in order to keep the children out of the
landfill and away from drugs or illegal activities. Never in his wildest dreams could he have
imagined the dedication and support his endeavours would receive. Parents were thrilled that their
children were being kept out of trouble and soon there were more and more children wanting to
take his music lessons. The problem was the lack of instruments; in Cateura, a violin can cost more
than a house. This is where Cola came into the picture. Having experimented for months with
instrument building, he ultimately fashioned instruments that sounded superior to the “real
instruments” that the state had donated to his cause.
For many years, the Recycled Orchestra was unheard of, until producer Alejandra Nash reached
out to filmmaker Juliana Penaranda-Loftus to work on a documentary about the underserved
children of Paraguay. Together they started an extensive research process during which they
travelled to Paraguay to interview different leads, among them the Minister of Education of
Paraguay, community leaders, school principals, and children from low-income families. Through
their research, Alejandra and Juliana discovered the Recycled Orchestra. A year later, the two of
them returned to Paraguay to begin filming a documentary about the musicians. With this
preliminary footage, they launched a successful social media campaign that, in just over seven
months, brought over 160,000 Facebook friends to the project, and had over 3 million views when
their promotional video was released. This campaign also brought the attention of media and
sponsors from all over the world. Without the latter, Alejandra and Juliana’s project would never
have been completed. [C]
For the founders and members of this amazing troupe, this publicity is a golden opportunity to
bring attention to the issues of poverty, pollution and the hopeless predicament of so many
children. [D] As Favio says, “People realize we shouldn’t throw away trash so carelessly. Well, we
shouldn’t throw away people either.”
66 What is the author trying to express with the sentence 'People here live on garbage and from
garbage' in paragraph 1?
A. that the amount of garbage in the landfill is steadily increasing
B. that it is impossible for the villagers to leave the landfill
C. that garbage is an indispensable part of the villagers’ lives
D. that the villagers are becoming fed up with the garbage
67 How does the first paragraph describe Cateura?
A. as a village with the potential to become wealthy B. as a village with many contradictions
C. as a village whose residents have lost hope D. as a typical Latin American village
68: What does Cola appreciate about his job as a trash collector?
A. collaborating with others while collecting trash
B. the potential of attaining a higher position
C. the flexibility it offers him
D. the stability it provides
69 What does the author mean by the phrase 'untutored genius' in paragraph 2?
A. that Cola’s skills are underestimated B. that Cola is being taken advantage of
C. that Cola’s musical abilities are unique D. that Cola’s talent is innate
70: Why did Favio start giving music lessons to the children from the village?
A. He wanted to find better uses for garbage.
B. He hoped to draw the media's attention to their situation.
C. He was concerned about their welfare.
D. He thought this could improve his skills in music.
71 What is said about Cola 's instruments?
A. The children’s parents helped construct them.
B. They are the result of trial and error.
C. They were unaffordable.
D. The government is giving them out to children in other areas.
72: What was the original purpose of the filmmakers who came to Paraguay?
A. to try to convince politicians to take action
B. to highlight the difficulties that local children face
C. to draw publicity to the Recycled Orchestra
D. to occupy the country 's youth in a creative way
73: What has the most important accomplishment of the filmmakers been so far?
A. getting social media sites to promote their cause
B. finding financial resources to fund their project
C. making an award-winning documentary
D. encouraging young people to play an instrument
74 Where would the following sentence best fit into the passage?
“Since then, they have formed strong bonds with the orchestra and continue to follow their
progress.”
A. [A] B. [B] C. [C] D. [D]
“They” refer to Alejandra and Juliana.
75: What feeling is the author trying to evoke in this article?
A. a desire to visit poverty-stricken villages in Latin America
B. awe of the hidden musical talent that many people have
C. admiration for the undefeatable spirit of some children
D. pity for the plight of children living in slums

Part 6
66. C 67.B 68.D 69.D 70. C 71.B 72. B 73. B 74. C 75. C

Question 66: C. that garbage is an indispensable part of the villagers’ lives

 Giải thích: Câu "People here live on garbage and from garbage" có nghĩa là rác thải đóng vai trò
không thể thiếu trong cuộc sống của người dân làng này. Họ sống nhờ vào việc thu gom rác thải để
sinh nhai.

Question 67: B. as a village with many contradictions

 Giải thích: Cateura được miêu tả là một ngôi làng với sự nghèo đói nhưng vẫn có sự sáng tạo và
tình cảm mạnh mẽ giữa các thành viên trong cộng đồng. Đây là một sự mâu thuẫn rõ ràng giữa
hoàn cảnh khó khăn và sức mạnh tinh thần của họ.

Dẫn chứng: "They are definitely the poorest of the region, yet they are a passionate people with
strong family bonds and friendships."

Question 68: D. the stability it provides

 Giải thích: Cola đánh giá cao công việc thu gom rác vì nó mang lại cho anh một nguồn thu nhập ổn
định.

Dẫn chứng: "As he puts it, 'There will always be garbage, which means I will always have a job.'"

Question 69: D. that Cola’s talent is innate

 Giải thích: Cụm từ "untutored genius" ám chỉ Cola có tài năng thiên bẩm mà không cần phải qua
đào tạo chính thức.

Question 70: C. He was concerned about their welfare.

 Giải thích: Favio bắt đầu dạy nhạc cho các trẻ em nhằm giúp chúng tránh xa khỏi ma túy và các
hoạt động phi pháp.

Dẫn chứng: "Favio’s initial aim was simply to offer music lessons in order to keep the children out
of the landfill and away from drugs or illegal activities."

Question 71: B. They are the result of trial and error.

 Giải thích: Cola phải thử nghiệm nhiều lần trước khi tạo ra các nhạc cụ đạt chất lượng tốt.

Dẫn chứng: "Having experimented for months with instrument building, he ultimately fashioned
instruments that sounded superior to the 'real instruments.'"

Question 72: B. to highlight the difficulties that local children face

 Giải thích: Ban đầu, mục tiêu của các nhà làm phim là khám phá cuộc sống của những trẻ em ở
Paraguay có hoàn cảnh khó khăn.

Dẫn chứng: "Together they started an extensive research process during which they travelled to
Paraguay to interview... children from low-income families."
Question 73: B. finding financial resources to fund their project

 Giải thích: Thành tựu quan trọng nhất của các nhà làm phim là tìm được các nguồn tài trợ và sự
chú ý từ truyền thông, giúp họ hoàn thành dự án của mình.

Dẫn chứng: "This campaign also brought the attention of media and sponsors from all over the
world. Without the latter, Alejandra and Juliana’s project would never have been completed."

Question 74: C. [C]

 Giải thích: Câu "Since then, they have formed strong bonds with the orchestra and continue to
follow their progress" nói về việc Alejandra và Juliana tiếp tục theo dõi sự phát triển của dàn nhạc.
Nó phù hợp nhất sau đoạn văn mô tả sự thành công của chiến dịch truyền thông.

Question 75: C. admiration for the undefeatable spirit of some children

 Giải thích: Bài viết khơi gợi sự ngưỡng mộ đối với tinh thần bất khuất của những đứa trẻ và cộng
đồng tại Cateura, những người đã vượt qua nghèo đói và khó khăn nhờ sự sáng tạo và nỗ lực không
ngừng.

Dẫn chứng: "Cateura is the setting of one of the most amazing examples of how love and creativity
can triumph over poverty."

SECTION V. WRITING
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct arrangement of the
sentences to make a meaningful paragraph/letter.
76.
a. Such collaboration allows companies to innovate faster and respond more effectively to market
demands.
b. In today's competitive business environment, cooperation between different sectors is becoming
increasingly important.
c. These partnerships help to pool resources, share expertise, and reduce costs, ultimately
benefiting all parties involved.
d. However, successful collaboration requires clear communication and a mutual understanding of
goals.
e. As a result, many organizations are forming alliances to enhance their productivity and expand
their influence.
A.b-a-e-c-d B.b-e-c-a-d C.b-d-a-c-e D.b-c-d-a-e
77.
a. Furthermore, climate change has the potential to exacerbate these issues, leading to more
frequent and severe natural disasters.
b. Deforestation is a major contributor to environmental degradation, particularly in developing
countries.
c. This destruction of forests not only harms biodiversity but also impacts local communities that
rely on forest resources for their livelihoods.
d. To combat this, governments and organizations are implementing reforestation projects and
promoting sustainable land use practices.
e. The loss of trees also contributes to the acceleration of global warming by reducing the planet’s
ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
A.b-e-c-a-d B.b-c-a-d-e C.a-d-e-c-b D.b-e-c-d-a
78.
a. Recent studies have shown that the human brain is capable of forming new neural connections
well into old age.
b. However, maintaining mental agility requires consistent cognitive engagement, such as learning
new skills or engaging in challenging activities.
c. This discovery contradicts the long-held belief that brain development stops in adulthood.
d. As a result, more people are embracing lifelong learning to keep their minds sharp and delay the
onset of cognitive decline.
e. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, is now recognized as a key factor in
maintaining mental health throughout life.
A. e-a-c-b-d B.a-c-e-d-b C.e-c-a-d-b D.a-e-d-b-c
79 .
a. While these technologies offer numerous benefits, they also raise significant concerns about
privacy and security.
b. The rapid expansion of smart devices has led to a more interconnected world, where people can
control everything from their home appliances to their vehicles remotely.
c. In addition to convenience, this connectivity has the potential to improve efficiency and reduce
costs in various industries.
d. However, as the number of connected devices grows, so does the risk of cyberattacks and data
breaches.
e. To address these challenges, companies must prioritize robust cybersecurity measures to protect
both users and their data.
A.b-c-d-a-e B.b-d-a-c-e C.b-c-e-d-a D.b-a-c-d-e
80. a. Studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity reduces the risk of chronic diseases
such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
b. Engaging in regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to maintain overall health and
well-being.
c. Additionally, exercise has been shown to improve mental health by reducing symptoms of
anxiety and depression.
d. Furthermore, people who exercise regularly tend to experience higher levels of energy and better
sleep quality.
e. Therefore, healthcare professionals encourage individuals to incorporate physical activity into
their daily routines to enhance both physical and mental well-being.
A. b – a – c – d – e B. a – b – c – d – e C. b – c – a – e – d D. a – c – d – b – e

Writing
76.A. b-a-e-c-d
77.A. b-e-c-a-d
78.B. a-c-e-d-b
79.A. b-c-d-a-e
80,A. b-a-c-d-e
III. LEXICO-GRAMMAR
21. Standing on the tip of the cape, ________________.
A. people have seen a lighthouse far away B. lies a lighthouse in the middle of
the sea
C. a lighthouse can be seen from the distance D. we can see the lighthouse in the distance
22. John: “Do you think we should use public transport to protect our environment?”
Laura: “________________”
A. Of course not. You bet! B. Well. that’s very surprising.
C. There’s no doubt about it. D. Yes, it’s an absurd idea.
23. ________________ visit the British Museum while you are in London, you mustn't forget to
look at the famous Rosetta Stone.
A. In case you B. If you should
C. For fear that you D. When you might
If + S + should dùng để diễn tả điều kiện mà khả năng xảy ra không cao
24. Paul: “ I was late because I got caught in traffic.”
Kevin: “________________, lateness will not be tolerated in this office.”
A. Be that as it may B. If need be
C. Then so be it D. Whatever it may be
Be that as it may = although
25. The hostage was released unharmed by the kidnappers, but they were never caught and charged
with ________________.
A. fraud B. forgery C. abduction D. trafficking
abduction: bắt cóc
26. On his first day in the Milanese office, the German executive experienced ________________
on the part of the employees in the office, who saw him as a threat.
A. inadequacy B. hostility C. equality D. degradation
27. The only room available was, to say the least________________. There was no carpet, no
curtains, and the only furniture was a bed and a small bedside table.
A. snug B. dreary C. stark D. cushy
stark: đơn sơ, mộc mạc
28. Regional parliaments allow ________________ for remote parts of the country or islands far
from the capital.
A. self-government B. self-sufficiency C. self-regulation D. self-support
self-government: tự trị
29. Zoe’s plan to study at university ________________ when she didn’t get the required grades in
her school leaving exams.
A. fell through B. wrote off C. got back D. put in
30. It’s not advisable to buy goods from street vendors – there’s a good chance you’ll be
____________.
A. ripped off B. forked out C. paid off D. scraped by
31. We all agreed to cover some of the cost – so come on, ________________!
A. dip in B. put aside C. bail out D. cough up
cough up = quyên góp tiền
32. I ate some tinned sardines that had expired and ended up feeling so sick that I
________________ all the food I had eaten.
A. brought up B. passed out C. packed up D. went off
bring up = nôn mửa
33. He was too sure of himself to pay ________________ to the warnings against the danger.
A. notice B. attention C. respect D. recognition
34. All nations should ________________ hands to work out a plan to solve the problem of global
warming.
A. join B. hold C. shake D. lend
35. At the age of 11, Taylor Swift was already trying to ________________ a record deal in
Nashville.
A. land B. create C. steal D. grab\
land = đạt được
36. Please ________________ these figures to memory, so that you will be able to answer the
investors’ questions easily and confidently.
A. memorise B. recall C. retain D. commit
commith sth to memory = ghi nhớ
37 He’s sometimes bad-tempered but he’s a good fellow ________________.
A. at heart B. with heart C. by heart D. in heart
at heart: thật tâm
38. When it comes to the ________________, Alice always support her friends.
A. point B. crunch C. mark D. crisis
when it comes to the crunch = /when a situation becomes extremely serious and a decision must be
made
39. Although he came to work the day before his retirement, everyone knew he was just
________________.
A. going with the flow B. going through the motions
C. going against the grain D. going along with them
go through the motions = do something in a perfunctory way, without any enthusiasm or
commitment
40. I had a ________________this morning when a tractor trailer unexpectedly swerved into my
lane.
A. deep end B. dead beat C. close shave D. tight corner
close shave = thoát hiểm trong gang tấc

TAPESCRIPT
PART 1:
Interviewer: I’m sitting here, rather uncomfortably, with designer Lucy Collett. Lucy, you’re an
architect really, but an architect with a difference.
Lucy Collet: Yes, I specialise in small buildings.
Interviewer: And we’re in one of your buildings now. It’s a tree-house, and we’re perched on
child-size seats, two or three metres above the ground.
Lucy Collet: In fact, I was commissioned to design this house by my neighbours for their children.
I don’t like heights, but I loved the challenge of weaving the house in amongst the branches [15].
You can see there are several storeys with stairways between them.
Interviewer: I’d have given anything for a house like this when I was a child. What started you off
on this type of design?
Lucy Collet: I’ve always had a passion for small buildings. Play houses, of course, when I was a
little girl. Then I found a book about historical telephone boxes, which fascinated me. When the
telephone was an amazing new invention, money was poured into the designs of public phone
boxes. They were all sizes and styles. There were some that looked like rustic cottages, with
thatched roofs; others like Chinese pagodas; one like a sort of Greek temple. Some were quite
luxurious, with chairs, and people used to go in there to play cards [16]. But it didn’t last long; they
had to be standardised and made more practical.
Interviewer: You went to architecture school. Did you know you were going to work on this small
scale?
Lucy Collet: Yes, my final year project was on small buildings in an industrial context. If you look
at major building sites, they’re dotted around with huts and temporary buildings. You think, ‘They
put up these tin boxes for the workers to drink their tea and read their newspapers in. What is there
to that?’ Well, they’ve all got to conform to safety standards, and why shouldn’t they have some
style as well? I designed them to look better, and also to be put up and dismantled more
quickly [17]. I worked on durability of materials, comfort and so on.
Interviewer: Where did you get your inventiveness from?
Lucy Collet: I don’t know. I think I’m more practical than inventive. My parents were market stall
holders. They had a really cumbersome stall which took them forever to put up. All the market
people started setting up about four o’clock in the morning. It was freezing, back-breaking work,
and it drove me mad when I had to help them. I was visiting some clients abroad a few years ago,
and saw some brilliant stalls in their local market. They were little metal folding houses,
completely waterproof and enclosed, with plenty of display room [18]. At the end of the day you
could lock them up with the goods safe inside, or you could fold them flat and cart them off to the
next town. I did drawings of them and made one when I got home. But I haven’t sold it.
Interviewer: What have you done that you’re most proud of?
Lucy Collet: I suppose everything I’ve done is a variation on a theme, so it’s hard to pick
anything out. But I did get an award. The Newspaper Sellers’ Association gave me a prize for a
design I did for street corner kiosks – you know, those cute little buildings with display windows
on three sides. Mine were in strong steel, painted, with domed roofs and lots of decorative detail. I
must admit, I was particularly pleased with the fancy work [19], and the newspaper people loved it.
Interviewer: Have you ever done any phone box designs, since that was what started you off?
Lucy Collet: Funnily enough, that’s what I’ve just been doing. For an international hotel chain.
They’d stopped putting public phone booths in their hotel lobbies because of mobile phones,
but there were complaints from a few countries where mobiles hadn’t really caught on yet [20]. So
the hotel decided to make a big feature of lobby phone boxes. I did these sort of glass bird-cage
designs, with brass work and over-the-top telephones. Now the company’s putting them in all their
hotels, and people are going into them to make calls on their mobiles. It’s sort of retro-style lobby
furniture.
Interviewer: And tree-houses?
Lucy Collet: No, this is a one-off. I’ve told you, I’m scared of heights.
Interviewer: Okay. Shall we let down the ladder and go home? Thank you, Lucy.

Interviewer: So, Sarah, this week’s book is entitled Letters to Henrietta but I believe the book is
actually about a woman called Isabella Bird. So, who was Isabella and who was Henrietta?
Sarah: Well, Isabella Bird was a remarkable 19thcentury woman, and Henrietta was her sister.
The book is pretty much composed of Isabella’s letters home - hence the title.
Interviewer: And what was so remarkable? I have to say, I’m afraid I haven’t heard of Isabella
Bird before.
Sarah: Actually, in her day, Isabella was a renowned travel writer. This was fairly unusual for a
woman. It was usually men going off on expeditions - out into the unknown and facing danger.
We’re certainly more familiar with famous male travel writers. The irony of it all is that she was a
complete hypochondriac - I mean she always had this idea there was something wrong with her
and you can see a fair bit of evidence of this in her diary entries. Here - 8 th November 1872 - she
reports she’s suffering from ‘terrible headaches, pain in my bones, exhaustion, inflamed eyes, sore
throat’ and so on - you get the picture. But when it came to other people, she couldn’t see it at all.
She had very little time for tea and sympathy when friends or acquaintances complained of their
problems. So anyway, what with all her supposed suffering, it was probably not a career path she’d
ever imagined for herself.
Interviewer: And where was she when she penned that entry?
Sarah: Hmm, Melbourne, I think. She’d gone there, apparently on the advice of a friend who
thought the climate would do her good - but when she got there, she found she loathed Australia.
She thought there was nothing worth seeing and no interesting people. What was incredible is that
it was at this point that this 40-year-old woman was on the brink of a remarkable career that was
going to take her to the remotest parts of the world and bring her considerable fame at the time.
Imagine - someone who could scarcely raise her head from the sofa at home in Scotland would
then be climbing up Mauna Loa in the Pacific, surviving being cut off by snow on a ranch in
Colorado, riding a huge elephant through the Malayan jungle, and even at the age of 70, crossing
the Atlas mountains alone, on a fierce black horse. It was definitely unusual for someone of her
social standing.
Interviewer: I’m just wondering about the equipment. It can’t have compared to what’s available
today. Did, did Isabella work for a newspaper?
Sarah: She did have articles published quite regularly, but the book, you see, contains these diary
letters that she wrote to her sister - most of which have until now remained unseen. She used those
letters - or the content - to provide much of the raw material for her other work. I’m afraid it’s not
always … well … an editor now would probably ask her to exercise a little more control over the
adjectives. She goes into particular detail - I mean extreme detail - especially when describing
dramatic landscapes, like for example when she’s having the time of her life in Hawaii. She was
riding up incredibly steep mountain passes to get to their camp - she writes - ‘companioned only by
stars’ beside ‘a black lake from which rise fountains of fire’ and so on. She certainly can’t be
accused of understatement.
Interviewer: You certainly seem to admire her.
Sarah: Yes, she has – at least to my mind and I’m sure any reader will feel the same - she has a
very contradictory character and it’s this that keeps you hooked. Her father was a preacher. He was
strict and frowned upon ‘fun’ and you can see she’s inherited that aspect. She rarely - in fact, she
hates, to admit that she enjoys all her adventures, but when under pressure, all her imagined
illnesses magically vanish and she just positively sparkles and shines. She boasts about her riding
about in Colorado - saying that others are describing her as the bravest rider they’ve seen. This
image isn’t really compatible with the poor woman suffering from those ghastly headaches!
Anyway, as I said, it is pretty and amazing but - as for the book itself - I do have one small
reservation. I mean, the book isn’t quite what it seems.
Interviewer: In what way?
Sarah: Well, Isabella herself destroyed or heavily edited many letters - so maybe you’re not
always reading what you think was an original viewpoint or observation. Ad then, you see, the
editor has also been editing, of course. What you’re left with is doubt about who’s edited what -
what did Isabella write or cut, and how much influence has the editor had? Anyway - I do utterly
recommend it. A lot of travel writing comes across as quite cynical or leaves you with the
impression that the writer would prefer the country they’re visiting to be a bit more like home. In
Letters to Henrietta, you’re getting a real glimpse of what it was like to be traveling at a time when
there was still a sense of adventure and ‘newness’. All of Isabella’s stories are full of drama and
full of interest.
Interviewer: Thank you, Sarah.