1 LỚP CHUYÊN ANH MIỄN PHÍ – CHUYÊN ANH TUTORIALS

DAY 20 – READING
Question 1:

The introduction of the printing press in Europe in the 15th century revolutionized the spread of information.
Books that once took years to produce by hand could now be mass-produced in a matter of weeks. This
advancement not only made books more accessible but also encouraged literacy among a broader section of
society. The printing press played a significant role in the dissemination of scientific knowledge, religious ideas,
and cultural trends, fundamentally altering European society.

Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

A. The printing press made scientific knowledge available to all Europeans.

B. The invention of the printing press significantly impacted European society by increasing access to
information.

C. Religious institutions opposed the use of the printing press in Europe.

D. Books produced by the printing press were less valuable than handwritten manuscripts.

Question 2:

Climate change poses a serious challenge to global agriculture. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increasing
incidents of extreme weather are affecting crop yields worldwide. Farmers are adapting to these changes by
employing new techniques such as precision farming, drought-resistant crops, and sustainable practices. However,
the pace of adaptation often lags behind the rapidly changing climate, leaving food security as a growing concern.

Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

A. Climate change has completely halted agricultural production worldwide.

B. Farmers are unable to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.

C. Climate change is creating challenges for agriculture, and adaptation efforts are critical but insufficient.

D. Food security is no longer a concern due to advances in agricultural techniques.

Question 3:

Social media has become an integral part of modern communication, providing platforms for people to connect
and share ideas. While it offers opportunities for collaboration and activism, it also presents risks, such as
misinformation and cyberbullying. Understanding how to navigate these platforms responsibly is essential to
maximizing their benefits while minimizing their drawbacks.

Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

A. Social media is mainly responsible for the spread of misinformation.

B. Social media plays a dual role, offering benefits and posing risks.

C. Cyberbullying is the most significant challenge of social media.

D. Social media platforms are used exclusively for activism and collaboration.
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Question 4:

Cultural heritage sites are invaluable links to the past, offering insights into the history and traditions of
civilizations. However, these sites face numerous threats, including natural disasters, urban development, and
neglect. Efforts to preserve cultural heritage involve balancing modernization with conservation, ensuring that
future generations can benefit from these irreplaceable resources.

Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

A. Cultural heritage sites are being destroyed by urban development.

B. Conservation efforts must balance preserving heritage with modernization.

C. Natural disasters are the main threat to cultural heritage sites.

D. Cultural heritage sites are of little value in modern society.

Question 5:

The concept of "cultural relativism," which emerged in the early 20th century, suggests that one culture should
not be judged by the standards of another. This idea challenges ethnocentric perspectives, which tend to evaluate
other cultures based on the observer’s own cultural norms. While cultural relativism promotes understanding and
tolerance, critics argue it can lead to moral ambiguity, as harmful practices might be excused under the guise of
cultural tradition. The debate over cultural relativism highlights the difficulty of reconciling respect for diversity
with universal human rights.

Which of the following best captures the main idea of the passage?

A. While cultural relativism fosters tolerance, it raises concerns about moral relativism and universal rights.

B. Cultural relativism emerged to challenge ethnocentric perspectives but is not widely accepted.

C. Ethnocentrism is a more accurate way to evaluate cultural practices than cultural relativism.

D. Cultural relativism has eliminated the need for debates about universal human rights.

Question 6:

Scientific discoveries are often portrayed as the work of isolated geniuses, but collaboration plays a critical role
in advancing knowledge. Many breakthroughs result from interdisciplinary efforts, where experts from different
fields pool their perspectives and skills. However, fostering collaboration requires overcoming barriers such as
competition for funding, differing methodologies, and communication challenges. Despite these obstacles,
collaborative science is essential for addressing complex, global issues like climate change and pandemics.

Which of the following best captures the main idea of the passage?

A. Scientific breakthroughs depend primarily on funding rather than collaboration.

B. Collaboration is critical for addressing complex challenges, though it involves significant barriers.

C. Isolated geniuses are less effective than interdisciplinary teams in achieving scientific progress.

D. Global issues like climate change require entirely new scientific methodologies.
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Question 7:

Despite its reputation as a democratic ideal, free speech is not an absolute right. Societies impose limits to prevent
harm, such as restrictions on hate speech, libel, and incitement to violence. These limitations spark debates about
balancing individual freedom with collective responsibility. While critics warn of censorship, proponents argue
that some constraints are necessary to protect marginalized groups and ensure a fair, inclusive society.

Which of the following best captures the main idea of the passage?

A. Free speech is often misused to promote hate and violence.

B. Censorship is essential to protect marginalized groups.

C. Balancing free speech with societal protections is a contentious but necessary endeavor.

D. Democracies should eliminate all restrictions on free speech.

Question 8:

Globalization has enabled the rapid exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, fostering economic growth and
innovation. However, it has also led to challenges such as economic inequality, cultural homogenization, and
environmental degradation. The future of globalization lies in addressing these issues while preserving its benefits,
requiring international cooperation and responsible governance.

Which of the following best captures the main idea of the passage?

A. Globalization has caused more harm than good globally.

B. Cultural homogenization is the primary drawback of globalization.

C. Globalization has solely fostered innovation and growth without challenges.

D. The challenges of globalization can be resolved through international cooperation.

Question 9:

Lila was always the first to arrive at the library and the last to leave, her nose buried in books about world history.
Although she seldom spoke of her ambitions, those who observed her noted her particular interest in accounts of
maps. When asked about her studies, she would only say, "You can learn much from those who traveled before
you."

What can be inferred about Lila’s interests or ambitions?

A. She is interested in becoming an explorer herself.

B. She studies history to prepare for an academic exam.

C. She enjoys reading but has no specific goal in mind.

D. She admires the accomplishments of historical figures.

Question 10:

James often paused before entering the old abandoned barn on the edge of the field. He would glance around
nervously, sometimes retreating if he heard the faintest noise. On the rare occasions he ventured inside, he moved
quickly, his eyes darting toward the roof and corners of the structure, as though he expected something – or
someone – to appear.

Why is James cautious about entering the barn?

A. He believes it is unsafe and structurally unsound.

B. He fears someone may be hiding inside.

C. He thinks he might disturb wild animals living there.

D. He has heard rumors of the barn being haunted.

Question 11:

During the meeting, Mr. Blake often glanced at the clock, tapping his pen against the table. When his colleagues
made suggestions, he nodded absentmindedly and seemed to lose focus. However, when the manager began
discussing upcoming deadlines, Mr. Blake sat upright and immediately jotted down notes.

What can be inferred about Mr. Blake’s behavior during the meeting?

A. He finds the discussion uninteresting until relevant deadlines are mentioned.

B. He is distracted by personal concerns unrelated to the meeting.

C. He is eager to share his own ideas but waits for the right moment.

D. He is only interested in contributing to specific parts of the discussion.

Question 12:

Ellie’s garden was lush and vibrant, with flowers of every color blooming in perfect rows. She spent hours each
morning watering and weeding, but when visitors asked her about the secret to her success, she would laugh and
say, “Oh, it’s just luck!” Her neighbors, however, noticed how carefully she monitored the soil and how she often
stayed up late reading gardening books.

What can be inferred about Ellie’s success in gardening?

A. She relies entirely on luck to maintain her garden.

B. She spends little time on her garden but chooses easy-to-grow plants.

C. She is modest and downplays her hard work and knowledge.

D. She follows her neighbors’ advice to ensure her garden thrives.

Question 13:

Despite his immense fame, the novelist always insisted that his best work had been written during his obscure
early years. He lamented that with recognition came expectations that stifled his creativity. "Now," he would say
with a wry smile, "I write for an audience, not for myself, and the words feel less alive because of it."

What can be inferred about the novelist’s attitude toward his current writing?

A. He feels liberated by the feedback and recognition he receives.

B. He enjoys the challenge of meeting the expectations of his audience.

C. He values his audience's opinions over his own creative instincts.

D. He believes his earlier work was better because it was uninfluenced by external pressures.

Question 14:

As the meeting dragged on, Elena glanced around the room. Others were scrolling through their phones or
doodling on notepads, their faces betraying a mix of boredom and resignation. The speaker, oblivious to the
dwindling attention, droned on about metrics and projections with unflagging enthusiasm.

What can be inferred about the effectiveness of the meeting?

A. The speaker’s enthusiasm inspired the audience to stay engaged.

B. The meeting failed to capture the interest of the attendees.

C. The audience was deeply invested in the topic being discussed.

D. The speaker was discouraged by the lack of attention from the attendees.

Question 15:

Mariana hesitated before entering the room. Through the slightly ajar door, she could hear laughter and the
clinking of glasses, but she wasn’t sure if her presence would be welcome. Her hand hovered over the doorknob
as she took a deep breath.

What can be inferred about Mariana’s feelings?

A. She is excited to join the group inside.

B. She is planning to surprise the group with her arrival.

C. She feels entirely confident about entering the room.

D. She is unsure of how the people inside will react to her.