Reading Test 2-1-14
Reading Test 2-1-14
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Chinh. P.hue k';y thi VSTEP
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Directions: In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed
by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C
or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and
fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all
questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage.
You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your
answers to the answer sheet.
Questions 1- 1a 15 minutes
GHI CHU
Ccc ccu h6i de hon can uu tien tro lei dung
No one travels alone to the hottest place on Earth. You need, for starters, a driver and
a Jeep stocked with water and four days of non-perishable food. There are no places to
lodge or dine in this desert, so you'll need space for beds and someone who knows how
to cook. And finally, because a journey like this costs many thousands of dollars, you'll
need some fellow travelers to split the bill - the sort of people who like to fry themselves
on vacation.
My father is the easiest recruit. Dad, who naps best roasting in the afternoon sun, is
a lover of extreme heat. He's also an extreme traveler, drawn to the fringes of places,
all the countries where no one vacations. From my father, I've inherited both tendencies:
I'm known for getting bright pink sunburns, and also for stalking the edges of maps.
The Danakil desert lies on the fringes of several countries, which claim a sliver of this
sweltering, low-lying desert, named the cruelest place on earth. I don't have to mention
this to my father - not the endless salt flats, lakes the bright color of mouthwash, or camels
by the thousands. When dad starts calling this desert 'the frying pan', I know he's in.
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We enlist three more people and in Mekele, the starting place for our voyage, we
merge with four others. We fill five Jeeps and have nothing in common but a love of
travel, and a willingness to sweat for it. The Jeeps plunge down mountains for hours.
The heat, of course, is brutal. I remind myself this is just a warm-up. The real heat won't
strike until we reach the sizzling edge of the frying pan, an uninhabited region, roughly
130 meters below sea level, called Dallol, which holds the record for the highest average
annual temperature: 94 degrees.
As we continue, sand gives way to salt, and soon we're in a landscape of white
crystals glinting in the fresh morning light. The ground is miraculously flat. Our driver,
who has been battling fine sand, cannot resist the urge to go for it. We surge ahead of
the other cars in what looks like a Jeep race across some frozen lake. Suddenly, in the
pure white expanse, a huge brown mound appears. We're ordered by our guides to find
a full liter of bottled water, and to bring it with us up the lumpy brown mountain.
At the summit, I find my travel mates standing in a kind of silent daydream. Astonished,
they crouch down beside pale green toadstools - mineral formations whose glossy tabletops
are smooth as marble. The hottest place on earth is an assault of color: yellow and deep
rust, pea green and purple. Some of the formations look like coral reefs, others like egg
shells, air-blown from the hot breath of the earth below. Everyone wanders off alone,
crunching over the earth, heads down, staring at the ground and shaking their heads.
I know the ground is hot - you can even hear water boiling underground. Everywhere
we step, things break and splinter. Just when I work up the nerve to step with force, the
purple ground collapses beneath my foot. The sneaker I pull back out is covered in bright
yellow stuff. You start to think: we really shouldn't be here. This desert wasn't built to handle
a human intrusion, and the human body certainly wasn't built to handle this desert.
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Chink P.hue k';y thi VS1EP
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A.2 B.3
C.4 0.9
A. heat B. willingness
C. travel O. voyage
Why does the author mention 'remind myself this is just a worm-up' in paragraph 3?
A. to say that the writer is still getting to know her fellow travelers.
B. to show that the real challenge of the journey is still ahead of them
C. to say that they have a long way to go before they reach their destination
O. to say that the drivers are still learning how to find their way in the mountains
A. a beach B. mud
C. ice D. dust
D. They are unable to take their eyes off the scene in front of them.
How does the writer feel as she is walking around on her own?
B. afraid that she might never find her way out of the place
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PASSAGE 2 I • \
GHI CHU
Ccc ccu h6i de hon can uu tien tro loi dung
Volcanoes are both creators and destroyers. They can shape lands and cultures, but
can also cause great destruction and loss of life. Two of the best-known examples are
found at opposite ends of the world, separated by the Pacific Ring of Fire.
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must for many Japanese - and every July and August, almost 400,000 people attempt to
do so.
Fuji is more than a sacred site and tourist destination, however. It is also an active
volcano around which four million people have settled, and sits just 112 kilometers (70
miles) from the crowded streets of Tokyo. The last time Fuji exploded, in 1707, it sent out
a cloud of ash that covered the capital city and darkened the skies for weeks. [A]
Today, new data have some volcanologists concerned that Fuji may soon erupt
again. According to Motoo Ukawa and his associates at the National Research Institute
for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, there has been an increase in activity under
Fuji recently, which may be caused by low-frequency earthquakes. Understanding what
causes these quakes may help scientists predict when Fuji, the largest of Japan's 86
active volcanoes, will come back to life. In the meantime, locals living near Fuji hold
special festivals each year to offer gifts to the goddess of the volcano - as they have for
generations - so that she will not erupt and destroy the land and its people below.
Halfway across the globe from Fuji, EI Popo - one of the world's tallest and most
dangerous active volcanoes - stands just 60 kilometers (37 miles) southeast of Mexico
City. Although the volcano has erupted many times over the centuries, scientists believe
its last great eruption occurred around 820 A.D. In recent years, however, EI Popo has
been threatening to explode once more; in December 2000; almost 26000 people were
evacuated when it started to send out ash and smoke. As with all active volcanoes, the
question is not if it will erupt again (an eruption is inevitable); the question is when it will
happen. [B]
"Every volcano works in a different way," explains Carlos Valdes Gonzalez, a scientist
who monitors EI Popo. "What we're trying to learn here are the symptoms signaling that
EI Popo will erupt." These include earthquakes, or any sign that the mountain's surface
is changing or expanding. The hope is that scientists will be able to warn people in
the surrounding areas so they have enough time to escape. A powerful eruption could
displace over 20 million people - people whose lives can be saved if the warning is
delivered early enough. [C]
For many people living near EI Popo - especially the farmers - abandoning their land
is unthinkable. As anyone who farms near a volcano knows, the world's richest soils are
volcanic. They produce bananas and coffee in Central America, fine wines in California,
and enormous amounts of rice in Indonesia. [D)
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People who live near EI Popo consider it as a god, a mountain, and a human all at
the same time and present their offerings, asking the volcano to protect and provide for
one more season.
A. religion
A. earthquakes
B. signs
C. sounds
D.lessons
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Chinh P.hue k'Y thi VSTEP
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What was the reason for the evacuation from EI Popo in 2000?
. They are both less than 100 kilometers from a very large city.
A. leaving . reaching
C. cultivating farming
UOW~ In which space (marked A, B, C and D in the passage) will the following sentence fit?
For this reason, people will stay on their land, even if they face danger.
A. [A] . fB' .
C. [C] • ...J
Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
B. Destructive volcanoes
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PASSAGE 3 I • \
GHI CHU
Coc ccu h6i de hon can l1U tien tro loi dung
It's 1:45 a.m, and 21-year-old Thomas Murphy is burning the midnight oil, studying
for an important engineering exam he has at 2:00 in the afternoon later today. To
stay awake and focused, he's had two cups of coffee in the last three hours and is
now downing a popular energy drink - one that has two to three times the amount of
caffeine as a similar sized can of soda. Many students like Murphy, as well as marathon
runners, airline pilots, and long-distance travelers, owe their energy - and sometimes
their efficiency - to one of humankind's oldest stimulants: caffeine. [A]
The power to counter physical fatigue and increase alertness is part of the reason
caffeine ranks as the world's most popular mood-altering drug. It is found not only in
sodas, energy drinks, coffee, and tea, but also in diet pills, pain relievers (like aspirin),
and chocolate bars. Many societies around the world have also created entire rituals
around the use of caffeine: afternoon tea in the UK., the cafe culture of France, the tea
ceremony in Japan, and the morning cup of coffee or tea that in many cultures marks the
start of the day.
Caffeine is present in many of the foods or drinks we consume, but is it really good for
us? Charles Czeisler, a scientist and sleep expert at Harvard Medical School, believes
that caffeine causes us to lose sleep, which he says is unhealthy. "Without adequate
sleep - the typical eight hours - the human body will not function at its best, physically,
mentally, or emotionally." Too often, Czeisler says, we consume caffeine to stay awake,
which later makes it impossible for us to get the rest we need.
Health risks have also been tied to caffeine consumption. Over the years, studies have
attributed higher rates of certain types of cancer and bone disease to caffeine consumption.
To date, however, there is no proof that caffeine actually causes these diseases. [S-
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I dependence. Heavy caffeine users, Griffiths says, exhibit similar behaviors: Their moods
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sad when they can't have a coffee, a soft drink, an energy drink, or a cup of tea. To
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minimize or stop these feelings, users must consume caffeine - a behavior Griffiths says
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is characteristic of drug addiction.
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I Despite these concerns, the general opinion in the scientific community is that caffeine
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is not dangerous when consumed moderately - for example, having one or two small
cups of coffee (about 300 milligrams of caffeine) per day. Furthermore, a lot of current
research contradicts long-held negative beliefs about caffeine, and suggests that it may,
in fact, have health benefits. For instance, studies have shown that caffeine can help
ease muscle pain. Because it is a stimulant, caffeine can also help improve one's mood.
Research has also shown that some caffeinated drinks - specifically certain teas - have
disease-fighting chemicals that can help the body fight a number of illnesses, including
certain types of cancer. [C]
Moreover, despite its nearly universal use, caffeine has rarely been abused. "With
caffeine, overuse tends to stop itself," says Jack Bergman, a specialist at Harvard
Medical School. If you consume too much, "you get uncomfortable, and you don't want
to continue." [D]
A. holding B. waking
C. decreasing D. drinking
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Which statement would sleep expert Charles Czeisler probably agree with?
A. It's a good idea to consume caffeine if you want to maintain your energy.
B. Regular consumption of caffeine will make it difficult for you to get enough rest.
e. How caffeine affects your sleep depends on the type of caffeine you consume.
D. Caffeine can help you get an adequate amount of sleep if consumed in moderation.
~m •• Which of the following is NOT listed as a possible side effect of drinking caffeine?
A. addiction
. mood changes
e. painful headaches
D. muscle inflammation
Moreover, despite its nearly universal use, caffeine has rarely been abused.
A. Even though caffeine is consumed almost the world over, there aren't many
instances of misuse.
B. Even though caffeine is often misused, it is consumed almost the world over.
In which space (marked A, B, C and D in the passage) will the following sentence fit?
A. skeptical B. positive
e. negative D. critical
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I GHI CHU
Coc ccu h6i de hon can uu tien tro loi dung
The human body contains muscle, a soft tissue made of protein filaments. The filaments
move and flex in different ways to make the muscles contract and expand, supporting the
body and producing motion. There are two primary types of muscle - skeletal {"voluntary"}
muscle and smooth {"involuntary"} muscle. While the differences between skeletal muscle
and smooth muscle are taught in elementary schools around the world, few of us were
taught the differences between the two types of skeletal muscles: slow-twitch muscles and
fast-twitch muscles. Slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscles are named for the relative speeds
at which they twitch, or contract. The two types of muscle have different structures,
compositions, actions, and functions and work together to keep our bodies in motion.
Slow-twitch muscles, officially called Type I muscles, are the muscles that provide
endurance. They conduct oxygen and contain blood capillaries that give them a red
color, so they are sometimes referred to as "red muscles." Slow-twitch muscles do not
contract with significant force, but this is offset by the fact that they can contract for longer
periods of time. Slow-twitch muscles process fats and carbohydrates to use as fuel for
aerobic activity, carrying oxygen for endurance activities, such as long-distance running
and cycling.
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Fast-twitch muscles, officially called Type II muscles, are the muscles that provide
strength and speed. There are two subtypes of fast-twitch muscles. Type lIa muscles are
called intermediate fast-twitch muscles, and perform both aerobic and anaerobic functions
equally. Type lib muscles are what are traditionally thought of as fast-twitch muscles. Fast-
twitch muscles do not conduct oxygen, and are not red in color but white. They perform
anaerobic activity, not aerobic, but contract quickly and forcefully. Fast-twitch muscles
are the muscles that build bulk through weightlifting and other use because of the strength
of contraction, and are useful in activities requiring speed and force, such as sprinting.
In general, the muscle fibers in our skeletal muscles are divided evenly between slow-
twitch and fast-twitch muscles, but each individual's specific mix of types of muscles is
determined genetically. It may be true that we are "born runners," or weightlifters, or
swimmers because of our skeletal and muscle structures. However, humans have the
ability to change our bodies and prevail over genetics by altering which form of muscle is
prominent in our bodies. The more we work one of the two types, the more predominant
that type will become. This can be seen in professional and elite athletes, who have
muscle structures that reflect the different demands of their particular sports. For example,
sprinters' bodies and long-distance runners' bodies reflect the fact that sprinters use fast-
twitch muscles more predominately and long-distance runners use slow-twitch muscles
more predominately. This change does not happen overnight, however, and is the result
of years of specific and intentional training.
This is not to say that elite athletes only focus on one type of muscle and ignore the
other type. Even endurance athletes need well-developed fast-twitch muscles, and sprint
and weight athletes need well-developed slow-twitch muscles. Many athletes focus on
working both types of muscles specifically, through different forms of athletic training,
to maintain balance and support for their sports. They also support the development of
balanced muscle types through diet, as the two types of muscle are fueled by different
nutrients.
B. Skeletal and smooth muscles are known as Type I and Type II muscles, respectively.
C. The two types of skeletal muscles, slow-twitch and fast-twitch, have different
functions and uses.
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A. shake B. freeze
c. run D. fiber
A. cardio
B. using oxygen
C. not using oxygen
D. fast
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B. A person can change the mix of Fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles in the body.
C. athletes cannot train For their sports iF they do not understand the differences
between Fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles
D. People can change which Form of muscle is prevalent in their bodies with enough
work.
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