ĐỀ THI THỬ SỐ 01

Passage 1

By far the most important United States export product in the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries was cotton, favored by the European textile industry over flax or wool because
it was easy to process and soft to tile touch. Mechanization of spinning and weaving
allowed significant centralization and expansion in the textile industry during this period,
and at the same time the demand for cotton increased dramatically. American producers
were able to meet this demand largely because of tile invention of the cotton gin by Eli
Whitney in 1793. Cotton could be grown throughout the South, but separating the fiber -
or lint - from the seed was a laborious process. Sea island cotton was relatively easy to
process by hand, because its fibers were long and seeds were concentrated at the base
of the flower, but it demanded a long growing season, available only along the nation's
eastern seacoast. Short-staple cotton required a much shorter growing season, but the
shortness of the fibers and their mixture with seeds meant that a worker could hand-
process only about one pound per day. Whitney's gin was a hand-powered machine with
revolving drums and metal teeth to pull cotton fibers away from seeds. Using the gin, a
worker could produce up to 50 pounds of lint a day. The later development of larger gins,
powered by horses, water, or steam, multiplied productivity further.

The interaction of improved processing and high demand led to the rapid spread of the
cultivation of cotton and to a surge in production. It became the main American export,
dwarfing all others. In 1802, cotton composed 14 percent of total American exports by
value. Cotton had a 36 percent share by 1810 and over a 50 percent share in 1830. In
1860, 61 percent of the value of American exports was represented by cotton. In contrast,
wheat and wheat flour composed only 6 percent of the value of American exports in that
year. Clearly, cotton was king in the trade of the young republic. The growing market for
cotton and other American agricultural products led to an unprecedented expansion of
agricultural settlement, mostly in the eastem half of the United States-west of the
Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi River.
1. The main point of the passage is that the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were a
time when

(A) the European textile industry increased its demand for American export products

(B) mechanization of spinning and weaving dramatically changed the textile industry

(C) cotton became a profitable crop but was still time-consuming to process

(D) cotton became the most important American export product

2. The word "favored" in line 2 is closest in meaning to

(A) preferred

(B) recommended

(C) imported

(D) included

3. All of the following are mentioned in the passage as reasons for the increased demand
for cotton EXCEPT

(A) cotton's softness

(B) cotton's ease of processing

(C) a shortage of flax and wool

(D) the growth that occurred in the textile industry.

4. The word "laborious" in line 8 is closest in meaning to

(A) unfamiliar

(B) primitive

(C) skilled

(D) difficult

5. According to the passage, one advantage of sea island cotton was its
(A) abundance of seeds

(B) long fibers

(C) long growing season

(D) adaptability to different climates

6. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about cotton production in the
United States after the introduction of Whitney's cotton gin?

(A) More cotton came from sea island cotton plants than before.

(B) More cotton came from short-staple cotton plants than before.

(C) Most cotton produced was sold domestically.

(D) Most cotton produced was exported to England.

7. The word "surge" in line 18 is closest in meaning to

(A) sharp increase

(B) sudden stop

(C) important change

(D) excess amount

8. The author mentions "wheat and wheat flour" in line 22 in order to

(A) show that Americans exported more agricultural products than they imported.

(B) show the increase in the amount of wheat products exported.

(C) demonstrate the importance of cotton among American export products.

(D.) demonstrate that wheat farming was becoming more profitable.

9. The word "unprecedented" in line 24 is closest in meaning to

(A) slow
(B) profitable

(C) not seen before

(D) never explained

10. According to the passage, the Mississippi River was

(A) one of the boundaries of a region where new agricultural settlement took place

(B) a major source of water for agricultural crops

(C) the primary route by which agricultural crops were transported

(D) a main source of power for most agricultural machinery

Passage 2

Of all modern instruments, the violin is apparently one of the simplest. It consists in
essence of a hollow, varnished wooden sound box, or resonator, and a long neck, covered
with a fingerboard, along which four strings are stretched at high tension. The beauty of
design, shape, and decoration is no accident: the proportions of the instrument are
determined almost entirely by acoustical considerations. Its simplicity of appearance is
deceptive. About 70 parts are involved in the construction of a violin, Its tone and its
outstanding range of expressiveness make it an ideal solo instrument. No less important.
however, is its role as an orchestral and chamber instrument. In combination with the
larger and deeper-sounding members of the same family, the violins form the nucleus of
the modern symphony orchestra.

The violin has been in existence since about 1550. Its importance as an instrument in
its own right dates from the early 1600's, when it first became standard in Italian opera
orchestras. Its stature as an orchestral instrument was raised further when in 1626 Louis
XIlI of France established at his court the orchestra known as Les vinq-quatre violons du
Roy (The King's 24 Violins), which was to become widely famous later in the century. In
its early history, the violin had a dull and rather quiet tone resulting from the fact that the
strings were thick and were attached to the body of the instrument very loosely.
 During the eighteenth and nineteenth century, exciting technical changes were inspired
by such composer-violinists as Vivaldi and Tartini. Their instrumental compositions
demanded a fuller, clearer, and more brilliant tone that was produced by using thinner
strings and a far higher string tension. Small changes had to be made to the violin's
internal structure and to the fingerboard so that they could withstand the extra strain.
Accordingly, a higher standard of performance was achieved, in terms of both facility
and interpretation. Left-hand technique was considerably elaborated, and new fingering
patterns on the fingerboard were developed for very high notes.

11. "The King's 24 Violins" is mentioned in line 15 to illustrate

(A) how the violin became a renowned instrument

(B) the competition in the 1600's between French and Italian orchestras

(C) the superiority of French violins

(D) why the violin was considered the only instrument suitable to be played by royalty

12. What is the main idea presented in paragraph 3?

(A) The violin has been modified to fit its evolving musical functions.

(B) The violin is probably the best known and most widely distributed musical instrument
in the world.

(C) The violin had reached the height of its popularity by the middle of the eighteenth
century.

(D) The technique of playing the violin has remained essentially the same since the
1600's.

13. The author mentions Vivaldi and Tartini in line 19 as examples of composers whose
music

(A) inspired more people to play the violin

(C) demanded more sophisticated violins

(B) had to be adapted to the violin

(D) could be played only by their students

14. The word "they" in line 22 refers to

(A) Civaldi and Tartini

(B) thinner strings and a higher string tension

(C) small changes

(D) internal structure and fingerboard

15. The word "strain" in line 22 is closest in meaning to

(A) struggle

(B) strength

(C) strategy

(D) stress

16. The word "Accordingly" in line 23 is closest in meaning to

(A) However

(B) Consequently

(C) Nevertheless

(D) Ultimately

17. According to the passage, early violins were different from modern violins in that early
violins

(A) were heavier

(B) broke down more easily

(C) produced softer tones

(D) were easier to play

18. According to the passage, which of the following contributes to a dull sound being
produced by a violin?

(A) A long fingerboard

(B) A small body

(C) High string tension

(D) Thick strings

19. Which of the following terms is defined in the passage?

(A) resonator

(B) solo

(C) left-hand technique

(D) fingering patterns

20. All of the following are mentioned in the passage as contributing to the ability to play
modern violin music EXCEPT

(A) more complicated techniques for the left hand

(B) different ways to use the fingers to play very high notes

(C) use of rare wood for the fingerboard and neck

(D) minor alterations to the structure of the instrument

Passage 3

If food is allowed to stand for some time, it putrefies .When the putrefied material is
examined microscopically it is found to be teeming with bacteria. Where do these
bacteria come from, since they are not seen in fresh food? Even until the mid-nineteenth
century, many people believed that such microorganisms originated by spontaneous
generation, a hypothetical process by which living organisms develop from nonliving
matter.

The most powerful opponent of the theory of spontaneous generation was the French
chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur (1822-1895). Pasteur showed that structures
present in air closely resemble the microorganisms seen in putrefying materials. He did
this by passing air through guncotton filters, the fibers of which stop solid particles. After
the guncotton was dissolved in a mixture of alcohol and ether, the particles that it had
trapped fell to the bottom of the liquid and were examined on a microscope slide .Pasteur
found that in ordinary air these exists a variety of solid structures ranging in size from 0.01
mm to more than 1. 0mm Many of these bodies resemaled the reproductive structures of
common molds, single-celled animals, and various other microbial cells.

As many as 20 to 30 of them were found in fifteen liters of ordinary air, and they could
not be distinguished from the organisms found in much larger numbers in putrefying
materials Pasteur concluded that the organisms found in putrefying materials originated
from the organized bodies present in the air. He postulated that these bodies are
constantly being deposited on all objects.

Pasteur showed that if a nutrient solution was sealed in a glass flask and heated
toboiling to destroy all the living organisms contaminating it, it never putrefied. The
proponents of spontaneous generation declared that fresh air was necessary for
spontaneous generation and that the air inside the sealed flask was affected in some way
by heating so that it would no longer support spontaneous generation. Pasteur
constructed a swan-necked flask in which putrefying materials could he heated to boiling,
but air could reenter. The bends in the neck prevented microorganisms from getting in the
flask. Material sterilized in such a flask did not putrefy.

21. What does the passage mainly discuss?

(A) Pasteur's influence on the development of the microscope.

(B) The origin of the theory of spontaneous generation.

(C) The effects of pasteurization on food.

(D) Pasteur's argument against the theory of spontaneous generation.

22. The phrase "teeming with" in line 2 is closest in meaning to

(A) full of

(B) developing into

(C) resistant to

(D) hurt by

23. Which of the following questions did the theory of spontaneous generation attempt to
answer?

(A) What is the origin of the living organisms are seen on some food?

(B) How many types of organisms can be found on food?

(C) What is the most effective way to prepare living organisms for microscopic
examination?

(D) How long can food stand before it putrefies?

24. The word "resemble" in line 9 is closest in meaning to

(A) benefit from

(B) appear similar to

(C) join together with

(D) grow from

25. The purpose of the "guncotton" mentioned in paragraph 2 was to

(A) trap particles for analysis

(B) slow the process of putrefaction

(C) increase the airflow to the microscopic slide

(D) aid the mixing of alcohol and ether

26. The author mention "1.0mm" in line 14 in describing the

(A) thickness of a layer of organisms that was deposited on an object

(B) diameter of the fibers that were in the guncotton filters

(C) thickness of the microscope slides that were used

(D) size of the particles that that were collected

27. The word "postulated" in line 19 is closest in meaning to

(A) analyzed

(B) doubted

(C) Phrsuaded

(D) suggested

28. The objects that Pasteur removed from the air in his experiment were remarkable
because they were

(A) primarily single-celled organisms

(B) no different from objects found in putrefying materials

(C) fairly rare

(D) able to live in a mixture of alcohol and ether

29. The word "it" in line 22 refers to

(A) a nutrient solution

(B) a glass flask

(C) boiling

(D) spontaneous generation

30. According to paragraph 3, proponents of spontaneous generation believed that which

of the following was important for the process to succeed?
(A) A sealed container

(B) Fresh air

(C) Heat

(D) The presence of nutrients

Passage 4

The stylistic innovation in paining known as Impressionism began in the 1870's. The
Impressionists wanted to depict what they saw in nature, but they were inspired to portray
fragmentary moments by the increasingly fast pace of modern life. They concentrated on
the play of light over objects, people, and nature, breaking up seemingly solid surfaces,
stressing vivid contrast between colors in sunlight and shade, and depiction reflected light
in all of its possibilities. Unlike earlier artists, they did not want to observe the world from
indoors. They abandoned the studio, painting in the open air and recording spontaneous
Impressions of their subjects instead of making outside sketches and then moving indoors
to complete the work form memory.

Some of the Impressionists painting methods were affected by technological advances.

For example, the shift from the studio to the open air was made possible in part by the
advent of cheap rail travel, which permitted easy and quick access to the countryside or
seashore, as well as by newly developed chemical dyes and oils that led to collapsible
paint tubes, which enabled artists to finish their paintings on the spot.

Impressionism acquired its name not from supporters but from angry art lovers who
felt threatened by the new painting. Thr term "impressionism" was born in 1874, when a
group of artists who had been working together organized an exhibition of their paintings
in order to draw public attention to their work. Reaction from the public and press was
immediate, and derisive. Among the 165 paintings exhibited was one called Impression:
Sunrise, by Claude Monet (1840-1926), Viewed through hostile eyes, Monet's painting of
a rising sun over a misty, watery scene seemed messy, slapdash, and an affront to good
taste. Borrowing Monet's title, art critics extended the term "Impressionism" to the entire
exhibit. In response, Monet and his 29 fellow artists in the exhibit adopted the same name
as a badge of their unity, despite individual differences. From then until 1886
Impressionism had all the zeal of a "church", as the painter Renoir put it. Monet was
faithful to the Impressionist creed until his death, although many of the others moved on
to new styles.

31. What aspect of painting in the nineteenth century does the passage mainly discuss?

(A) The impact of some artists' resistance to the fast pace of life

(B) The differences between two major styles of art

(C) A technological advance in the materials used by artists

(D) A group of artists with a new technique and approach to art

32. The word "depict" in line 2 is closest in meaning to

(A) reorganize

(B) deform

(C) represent

(D) justify

33. According to the passage, which of the following was one of the distinguishing
characteristics of Impressionist painting?

(A) The emphasis on people rather than nature scenes

(B) The way the subjects were presented from multiple angles

(C) The focus on small solid objects

(D) The depiction of the effects of light and color

34. Which of the following is a significant way in which Impressionists were different from
the artists that preceded them?

(A) They began by making sketches of their sojects

(B) They painted their subjects out-of-doors

(C) They preferred to paint from memory

(D) They used subjects drawn from modern life

35. The word "advent" in line 12 is closest in meaning to

(A) achievement

(B) acceptance

(C) arrival

(D) advantage

36. The exhibition of paintings organized in 1874 resulted in all of the following EXCEPT

(A) attracting attention from the public

(B) a negative reaction from the press

(C) an immediate demand for the paintings exhibited

(D) creating a name for a new style of painting

37. The word "affront" in line 21 is closest in meaning to

(A) insult

(B) encouragement

(C) return

(D) credit

38. The rejection of the Impressionist exhibition by critics was caused by which of the
following?

(A) The small number of paintings on display

(B) Lack of interest in exhibitions by young artists

(C) The similarity between all the paintings exhibited

(D) Anger about seemingly poorly painted art

39. The author mentions Renoir in line 25 to give an example of an artist who

(A) became as famous as Monet

(B) was consistently praised by art critics

(C) described the enthusiasm of the Impressionists for their work

(D) was in favor of a traditional style of painting

40. The word "others" in line 26 refers to

(A) art critics

(C) individual differences

(B) fellow artists

(D) new styles