The problem of fire Ironed Out
A. It has been quite a while since man discovered fire. But it is only recently that he has learnt enough
chemistry to think of improving it. Take fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, for example.
They give off plenty of heat when they burn ; unfortunately, they give off plenty of other things as well,
including the particles các hạt that make up smog and soot bồ hóng, the carbon dioxide responsible for the
greenhouse effect and the oxides of nitrogen and sculpture that help to made acid rain. A new fuel additive
called Carbonex seems drastically một cách quyết liệt to reduce emissions of particles and of nitrogen oxides. It
may thus help to solve half the problems.
B. To understand the solution, take a closer look at the problem. Fossil fuels are mostly made of carbon, which
reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide (in the case of coal) or carbon dioxide and water (on the case of
petrol, diesel fuel and other refined tinh chế oils). The combustion sự đốt cháy of fossil fuels is never quite
complete. Small, unburnt particles of fuel always escape, often as black smoke. These particles contain cancer-
causing chemicals and are ever more unpopular.
C. There is a standard fix for this. To reduce the problem of incomplete burning, combustion chambers buồng
are routinely flooded with about 25% more air than they need to burn their fuel. The idea is to give the flame
more oxygen and hence, increase the efficiency hiệu quả of burning. But there is a snag chướng ngại vật. Dry
air is 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen. Nitrogen, like carbon, reacts with oxygen at high temperature—in this
case producing the nitrogen oxides (NOX) that help cause aid rain.
When extra air is added to a combustion chamber, emissions of soot and smog go down but NOX emissions go
up.
D. Carbonex, invented by an academic chemist, Dr. David Farrar. At the university of Toronto, and developed
by Velino Ventures of Toronto, tries to alleviate làm giảm nhẹ this. The active ingredient is a hydrocarbon
molecule phân tử to which an iron atom is bound. The molecule acts as a carrier for the iron, letting it dissolve
hòa tan in organic liquids like oil and petrol. When sprayed into a flame at the same time as a carbon-based fuel,
Carbonex makes it burn more efficiently. The result is fewer particles and less need for extra air.
E. It seems to work at two points during burning. If Carbonex is sprayed into a steam of fuel entering a flame
in a combustion chamber, it coast the fuel and deposits iron atoms nguyên tử on the surface of the fuel particles.
As the particles enter the outer part of the flame, which is cooler than the core, the more volatile bay hơi
components thành phần in the fuel vaporize. The faster these vapors leave the fuel, the sooner oxygen can get to
the surface of the fuel particle and react with the carbon.
Carbonex appears to speed up the exodus di cư. Fuel particles that survive the hot core of the flame contain
several large and unhealthy molecules các phân tử that do not burn well without a fuel additive.
Carbonex also seems to lower the temperature at which these compounds burn, allowing them to disintegrate
tan rã even while the fuel particle is cooling.
F. Iron is not the only substance that can manage this trick; any metal should do. Barium, magnesium,
manganese, cobalt, nickel and lead have all been tried as fuel additives, but all are toxic and so in disfavour
không ưa. Iron was picked for Carbonex because it is non-toxic and very effective even in small doses.
G. Over the past two years, Carbonex has been tested by an independent research group at the Battelle
Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio. The researchers found that it reduced emissions of particles from diesel
engines by 43% and increased the yield năng suất of energy from combustion by 1.5-3%.When tested in a light-
fuel-oil industrial burner in Geneva, it cut emissions of particles by 67%; added to a coarsely thô sơ ground
bituminous coal it reduced NOX emissions by 25%. In addition to reducing NOX and virtually eliminating
black smoke, Carbonex cut the amount of soot left behind in combustion chambers, and so made maintenance
cheaper. The fuel additive phụ gia paid for itself in increased energy efficiency.
H. Although carbonex could be used in petrol for cars, Dr.Farrar thinks petrol is already refined enough to
make it unnecessary. The real need for his invention, he thinks, is in plants that burn coal and less refined oils
such as furnace lò nung and bunker oil. Farewell to those dark satanic quỷ dữ mills
A. Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below. Write the appropriate
numbers (i -vii) in boxes 1-5. Paragraphs C, G and H have been done for you.
Your answers: Paragraph Answer
1. Paragraph A v 2. Paragraph B i Paragraph C xi 3. Paragraph D xii 4. Paragraph E vii 5. Paragraph F viii
Paragraph G iv Paragraph H
B. Using the words or phrases in the box below, complete the summary of the reading Write your
answers in boxes 6-10
vehicle NOX after hydrocarbon inside black smoke Small acid rain incomplete industrial input emissions
When fossil fuels burn, they produce elements that pollute the air, worsen the green-house effect, and cause (6)
__acid rain__. To alleviate the problem of incomplete combustion which produces particles and NOX, a
Canadian scientist invented Carbonex which is blended with the fuel before it burns .The iron atoms, carried by
(7) _hydrocarbon_ molecules which are the base of Carbonex, dissolve in the liquid fuel. These atoms help the
fuel to burn more thoroughly, promoting the engines’ combustion efficiency and producing cleaner exhaust.
The new product has been tested in America And Switzerland. The statistics show that it works better with (8)
_industrial_ burners than with vehicle engines. Not only does Carbonex reduce parcticle and NOX (9)
_emissions_, and increase energy output, it also helps to make the (10) __inside_ of engines cleaner, leading to
cuts of maintenance costs.
SECTION IV: WRITING (40 points) Part 1: Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar
meaning to the sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between
three and eight words, including the word given. (10 points)
1.There is a strong possibility that this species of rhino will become extinct. DANGER
The species of rhino is …in danger of becoming…….extinct in danger of: đang gặp rủi ro
2. I thought Sue’s original plan was to move to Australia. IMPRESSION
I …was under the impression that Sue…… was originally planning to move to Australia be under the
impression: tin rằng
3. The team are determined to finish the race however tough it is. MATTER.
The team are determined to finish the race …no matter how tough it may….. be.
4. Jill wished she had tried to have a better relationship with her father. GET
Jill regretted …not tried to get on… better with her father.
5. I hate it when people lie to me which is why I split up with Simon. STAND
I ……can’t stand being lied …. to, which is why I split up with Simon
can't stand V-ing: một cách để thể hiện rằng ai đó hoặc một cái gì đó không thích đến mức không thể chịu đựng
được
Part 2: Write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the original sentence, but using the
word given. The word must not be altered in any way. (10 points)
1. Many companies were immediately affected by the new regulations (EFFECT)
…The new regulations had an immediate effect on many companies…
immediate effect: điều gì đó xảy ra hoặc bắt đầu có giá trị ngay lập tức hoặc ngay sau điều gì đó khác
2. He is unlikely to carry out the plan. (PRACTICE) ……He’s unlikely to put the plan into practice….
put the plan into practice: đưa kế hoạch vào thực tế
3. I’m going to have a problem because of the change of plan. (POSE) …The change of the plan is going to
pose a problem to me….
Pose a problem: để trình bày một câu hỏi hoặc tình huống cần được giải quyết hoặc giải quyết
4. A great many people will congratulate her if she wins (SHOWERED) …She will be showered with
congratulations if she wins….
5. You couldn’t do anything more stupid than to give up your job now. (HEIGHT) …Giving up your job now
is the height of the stupidity……
Be the height of the stupidity: rất ngu
181/ leading
1. After inheriting a small fortune, Forbes is ……..……. a relatively carefree life.
2. There is no denying he’ll be the next president. The polls clearly show he’s ……..………….. by almost 85
percent.
Lead by: dẫn đầu, đầu tiên hoặc chiến thắng, đặc biệt là trong thể thao hoặc các cuộc thi
3. Professor Rantos is a ……………… medical expert, so you can entrust your health to him.
Leading: đứng đầu
182/ match
1. With madness in his eyes, Robert put a ……………… to his uncle’s barn and it burst into flames.
Put a match to = set fire to: đốt cháy
2. In this exercise students have to ……………..…. the words with the correct definitions. Match: nối
3. I’m afraid these shoes of yours don’t ……………….. your skirt. They are too bright.
Match with: phù hợp với
183/ land
1. Many immigrants see the USA as the promised ……………… with endless opportunities and cash flowing
everywhere. Promised land: miền đất hứa
2. Jenny’s so smart that she’s managed to ………..…..….. herself a job in the public sector while thousands are
still out of work. Land oneself: để có được cái gì đó cho chính mình
3. The plane is due to …………….… in Italy to refuel on its way to Egypt. Land: đáp cánh
184/ nuclear
1. It’s obvious that ties within the …………....….. family are much stronger than those in the extended one.
Nuclear family: một đơn vị gia đình thường bao gồm hai cha mẹ và con cái của họ, sống trong một ngôi nhà
2. The scientists feared that the chain reaction would lead to the meltdown of the …………….….… reactor.
nuclear reactor: lò phản ứng hạt nhân
3. During the Cold War the two blocks had enough ……….…. missiles to destroy our planet many times over.
nuclear missiles: tên lửa hạt nhân
185/ occupied
1. A new hobby might keep you fully …………….….. and take your mind off worries. Occupied: bận rộn
2. The empire grew stronger and with the passage of time it ….……………….. the majority of countries in the
Mediterranean. occupied : chiếm đóng
3. The position of manager is already …………..……. . There are no posts available for highly skilled staff any
more, I’m afraid. occupied : chiếm đóng
186/ know
1. Adolescents usually think they ………..…….. better and don’t have to follow their parents’ advice.
Know: biết
2. If you have any problems with your computer, turn to Jake and Mike. They ……………..….. them
backwards. know sth backwards: có sự hiểu biết rất chi tiết và thấu đáo về một cái gì đó
3. How do you …….………….. he’s a liar? You haven’t even spoken to him. Know: biết
187/ long
1. My heart’s bleeding watching my son ……………… for his father so much. He hasn’t seen him for three
months. long for sb: muốn ai đó rất nhiều, đặc biệt là nếu điều đó có vẻ không thể xảy ra sớm
2. Caroline has made fantastic progress, but she still has a ………..……… way to go before she becomes
proficient. A long wat to go: nhiều việc phải làm hoặc nhiều cải tiến phải thực hiện
3. He began painting at the age of 15 and it wasn’t ………….…… before he sold his first work of art.
Long: dài
188/ keep
1. The couple have been working day and night to ……………….. up with the Joneses.
Keep up (with sb/sth): làm bất cứ điều gì cần thiết để giữ được sự ngang bằng với ai đó hoặc vật gì đó
2. Have a minute? I won’t …………….….. you long. There’s something urgent I need to tell you.
I won’t keep you long: một cách lịch sự để nói rằng một cuộc trò chuyện hoặc yêu cầu sẽ không làm mất nhiều
thời gian của ai đó
3. The new teacher bent over backwards to ………..……..… their students satisfied. Unfortunately, they didn’t
appreciate it. Keep someone satisfied: cố gắng làm cho ai đó hài lòng và thỏa mãn với bạn để bạn có thể tiếp
tục có được những gì bạn muốn
189/ serve
1. The cocaine addiction that finally led to his death should ……..…..…… as a warning to teenagers.
2. The royal family reasoned that it would be quite good for the young heir to ………………. in the army and
learn some discipline. Serve: phục vụ
3. In her final statement, the presiding judge said that the accused would have to ………………. a ten-year
sentence for his involvement in the assassination plot.
190/ last
1. Even her own parents started to dislike her as she always wanted to have the ……………..…. word in any
argument.
have the last word in an argument: là người đưa ra quyết định cuối cùng hoặc nói điều cuối cùng trong một cuộc
thảo luận hoặc tranh luận
2. I have some bad news. The rain is expected to ………....……. for two more days.
Last for: kéo dài trong khoảng thời gian bao lâu
3. Frank stood her up again and it was the …….…..…….. straw. The next day she broke off the engagement.
the last straw: giọt nước tràn ly
V. Each of the numbered lines in the passage contains a mistake, find and correct it.
VI. Read the following passage then choose the best answer from the four options (marked A, B, C and D) to
complete the numbered blanks in the passage.
Several years ago while I was visiting Athens for a few weeks, I decided to spend a whole day on a
nearby island. The weather (46)________ had predicted that it would be a scorching hot day so (47)________
off early in the morning. Weather forecast: dự báo thời tiết set off: khởi hành
Even though I arrived at the port in plenty of time, I was forced to sit on the top (48)________because
other passengers who had got to the boat earlier filled the lower ones. Soon after the boat had departed,
somebody came round with raffle tickets. There were, as far as I could make (49)________two prizes: a bag of
fresh fish and several (50)________ of chocolate. I bought a ticket, not expecting to win as I had never won
anything in a raffle (51)________. Make out: làm ra, có bars of chocolate: thanh socola
Some time later the person who had sold the tickets announced the winning numbers. To my great
surprise, I had won the chocolate. I was naturally delighted vui mừng, but (52)________how I could prevent it
from (853)________in the intense heat. Realizing that I could not possible eat it all myself, I (54)________it
with the passengers sitting near me. In return, they offered me sandwiches and (55)________drinks.
All in all, it was a pleasant start to a memorable day with my new acquaintances người quen.
46. A. prediction B. prophecy C. forecast D. foresight
47. A. went B. left C. departed D. set
48. A. deck B. layer C. floor D. storey
49. A. up B. out C. for D. over
50. A. bars B. slices C. cartons D. packets
51. A. again B. before C. since D. already
52. A. thought B. questioned C. wondered D. regarded
53. A. dissolving B. liquefying C. melting D. spreading
54. A. separated B. divided C. distributed D. shared
55. A. soft B. light C. bubbly D. sparkling
VII. Read the following passage and then choose one word to fill in each blank.
MTV stands for Music Television. It's a television (56)_channel_ dedicated tận tụy to pop music. It was
(57)__born__ on 1st August 1981 in the United States. Because of MTV's instant lập tức success in the US, the
company expanded mở rộng into other (58)__areas___. MTV Europe (59)_began_ operating on 1st August
1987. MTV Europe (60)_boardcast__ 24 hours a day from its London studios. It can be seen in 33 countries and
reaches an estimated ước lượng (61)_audience_ of 110 million viewers.
People of 19 different nationalities work at London headquarters trụ sở chính, and they try to offer a
(62) mixture of music from all over Europe. The channel broadcasts in (63)__English_ but Germany provides
the biggest number of viewers. Currently, one fifth of the (64)_music__ is by German artists.
Most of TV output is video and concerts, but there is also a programme (65)_called__ Unplugged, where
major artists play live and acoustic in front of a small studio audience.
VIII. Choose from A, B, C, or D the one that best answers each of the questions in the following passage.
The Stone Age was a period of history which began in approximately khoảng two million B.C and lasted
until 3000 B.C. Its name was derived from the stone tools and weapons that modern scientists found. This
period was divided into chia thành the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic Ages.
During the first period (2 million to 8000 B.C), the first hatchet and use of fire for heating and cooking
were developed. As a result of the Ice Age, which evolved about one million years into the Paleolithic Age,
people were forced to seek tìm kiếm shelter in caves, wear clothing, and developed new tools.
During the Mesolithic Age (8000 to 6000 B.C), people made crude pottery and the first fish hooks, took
dogs hunting, and developed the bow and arrow, which was used until the fourteenth century A.D.
The Neolithic Age (6000 to 3000 B.C) saw humankind domesticating sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle,
being less nomadic than in previous eras, establishing permanent vĩnh viễn settlements, and creating
governments.
66. Into how many periods was the Stone Age divided?A. two B. three C. four D. five
67. The word “derived” is closest meaning to___________.
A. originated B. destroyed C. inferred D. discussed
68. Which of the following was developed earliest?A. fish hook B. bow and arrow C. hatchet D. pottery
69. Which of the following developments is NOT related to the conditions of the Ice Age?
A. farming B. clothing C. living indoors D. using fire
70. The word “crude” is closest meaning to________.
A. extravagant xa hoa B. complex C. vulgar thô tục D. primitive
71. The author states that the Stone Age was so named because____________.
A. it was very durable like stone B. there was little vegetation
C. the stools and weapons was made of stone D. the people lived in stone caves
72. The word “nomadic” is closest meaning to___________.
A. sedentary B. wandering C. primitive D. inquisitive tò mò
73. The word “eras” is closest meaning to___________.A. families B. periods C. herds D. tools
74. Which of the following best describes the Mesolithic Age?
A. people were inventive B. people were warriors
C. People stayed indoors all the time D. people were crude
75. With what subject is the passage mainly concerned?
A. The Neolithic Age B. The Stone Age C. The Ice Age D. The Paleolithic Age
