Save the Cats

Many of the wildcat species in the world today face possible extinction. What is worse is
that the cause of depletion has not been a natural one. It is man who has been responsible,
knowingly or not, for the plight of these wild animals. Yet, the only hope of saving them lies in
man himself. Through the years, the wildcat species have been cruelly hunted. Today in China
and the Far East there is still a market for not only the fur skins but also the organs and bones of
the tiger and leopard. Ironically, one of the main uses of this body parts is in producing
medicines which are said to help men promote long life and vitality.
As the population of humans grows, communities are built and extended into the natural
habitat of the wild cats. Forests are cleared and the feeding grounds of many of the wild cats
natural prey are destroyed. As a result, in many of these areas, wild cats are forced to become
predators of domestic animals. In these cases, they are labelled as a danger to man. Man has to
be more responsible for these wild cats future. Many governments and organizations can show
more support by banning the hunting and killing of the worlds endangered cat species. More
conservation programs and wildlife reserves should also be set up to help preserve these species.
(Adapted from Primary Essentials 6)
1. When do many of the wildcat species face possible extinction?
a. Through the years
b. Long time ago
c. A few years ago
d. Years latter
e. In the modern age
2. Why has the decrease of many wildcat species today not a natural one?
a. The cause of their decrease has been man-made.
b. The cause of depletion has not been a natural one.
c. The cause of their decrease has not been a natural one.
d. The cause of their decrease has not been man-made.
e. The cause is many people hunt them cruelly.
3. What are the two uses the wild cats being hunted for?
a. Wild cats are hunted for their fur and medicinal uses.
b. Wild cats are hunted for their fur skins and the organs.
c. Wild cats are hunted for their fur skins and bones.
d. Wild cats are hunted for their bones and the organs.
e. Wild cats are hunted for their the organs and medicine.
4. What does the word vitality mean?
a. Safety
b. Health
c. Strength
d. Main

e. Chief
5. What is the communicative purpose of this text?
a. To entertain the readers with the wildcat story
b. To tell the readers about the life of wildcats
c. To teach the readers how to hunt the wildcats
d. To ask the readers to be more responsible for the wildcats future
e. To tell the readers the use of hunting wildcats
George Washington is one of the most famous citizens of the United States. He is
remembered as the Father of His Country. For nearly twenty years, he guided his nation.
Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on February 22, 1732. It is difficult to
know much about washingtons early education.
He only had seven or eight years of school in his whole life. In 1749 he became a surveyor, a
person who measures land areas as a profession. He served in the army during the American
Revolution. In fact, he was a lieutenant general, the highest rank in the army at that time. In
1759, he married Martha Dandridge Custis. They had several children.
Washington was elected president of the United States in 1787. He was reelected to a second
term in 1792. Many people wanted him to continue as president after his second term, but
Washington refused. During Washington s presidency, many important things happened. The
first national census was completed. The total number of US citizens was then 3,929,214. In
addition, the Bill of Right became law on December 15, 1791. These ten laws make sure that
Americans will have basic freedoms, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
Washington helped to shape the beginning of the United States in three important ways. First
he commanded the Continental Army that won independence from Great Britain in the
Revolutionary War. Second, he served as president of the convention that wrote the United States
Constitution. Third, he was the first man elected president of the United States.No other
American has been honored more than Washington. The nations capital, Washington D.C. was
named for him. The state of Washington is the only state that was named for a president. Many
countries, towns, streets bridges, lakes, parks, and schools have his name today. Washingtons
portrait appears on postage stamps, on the one-dollar bill, and on the quarter. His birthday is also
a federal holiday. The people of his day loved Washington very much. His army officers wanted
to make him king, but he did not let them. From the time of Revolutionary War, his birthday has
been celebrated throughout the country. Today we continue to remember this famous United
States citizen.
6. Washington helped his country for about . . . .
a. ten years
b. twenty years
c. three years
d. five years
e. seven or eight years
7. The first national census was completed . . . .
a. in 1791

b. in 1787
c. in 1792
d. when Washington was president
e. when he was reelected\
8. Which of these statements is true?
a. Washington was president for three terms.
b. Washingtons birthday is a holiday.
c. Washington attended many universities.
d. Washingtons picture is on all U.S. money.
e. Washington was once made a king.
9. He is the most respected person that America has ever had.
This idea can be found in paragraph . . . .
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
e. 6
10. The capital city of the USA is named after its president
The underlined words means . . . .
a. given the name after
b. given the name as
c. given the name for
d. called for
e. equal to
Very Fast Trains
A very fast train is an electrified train that runs on a dedicated line. A very fast train has an
average speed of more than 250 km/h. It offers an obvious alternative to cars on crowded
motorways and to air travel on crowded air routes. Very fast trains have been around for a long
while. In Japan, the first very fast train, the so-called bullet train, first ran in 1964. Its route, the
Tokaido line, was from Tokyo to Osaka, a distance of 515 km. It achieved speeds of up to 300
km/h. The 6 other national super train, the TGV (Train aGrande Vitesse: meaning high-speed
train), ran in France for the first time in 1983, on Paris to Lyon route. Super trains are generally
expected to run at an average speed 270km/h. Spains super train, the Ave, has reached a top
speed of 500km/h. No wonder very fast trains have spread throughout Europe, and the bullet
train system has been extended in Japan. How are very fast trains able to attain such high speed?
First of all, they have an efficient supply of energy through overhead electric lines. They have
aerodynamic design to limit wind resistance at high speeds. Curves and climbs have been kept to
a minimum.
They also travel on lines especially built for their high speeds there are no slower, more
conventional trains on super train lines. Very fast trains are smooth-running and quiet. They have

few delays. For examples, the average time for TGV trains to remain at stations is just a few
minutes.
That is, enough time to permit passengers to alight from and board the train. Planes travel at
much faster speed than super trains, yet passengers spend a lot of time getting to airports,
boarding the plane, and then leaving the airport and traveling to their local destination at the
other end. On some routes in Europe it is faster to travel by super train than by plane. There are
no super trains in Australia because of our vast distances and very small population. Elsewhere in
the world, super trains travel between centers of great population. However, Queensland does
have a tilt train, the next step down from the super trains. It achieves high speeds because it tilts
as it comes into curves. As a
result, the train does not have to slow down so much. However, it does not travel on a
specially constructed line.
11. So far as train speed is concerned, the importance of the image at the beginning of
the
article is that it shows . . . .
a. what a very fast train looks like
b. how fast a train is
c. what the tracks look like
d. how its aerodynamic design can lessen wind resistance
e. why the train is so popular
12. The French very fast train is commonly known as the . . . .
a. bullet train
b. tilt train
c. France train
d. Ave
e. TGV
13. A leading factor that helps enable the speed of very fast train is . . . .
a. their popularity among the general public
b. the distance over which they run
c. the use of tracks built especially for them
d. their unique design
e. the short time in station
14. Regions and countries that are famous for their very fast train are . . . .
a. The United States and Canada
b. China, including Hong Kong
c. Some countries of Western Europe (such as France and Spain ) and Japan.
d. Australia and Africa
e. Europe and Queensland
15. The main reason why Australia does not have a super train is . . . .
a. the problem of noise pollution
b. long distance and lack of many great centers of population

c. they would introduce more competition for the airlines

d. a lack of interest in fast transport.
e. the train cant slow down when it comes into curves
16. The main reason why governments overseas support super trains is . . . .
a. it gives the country prestige
b. the train looks very impressive
c. they convey great numbers of people over long distances at high speed.
d. their factories made them
e. their vast distances and very small population
A good animal adapts himself quickly. He is capable of learning by experience. In a country
entirely new to him, he soon discovers the best method of getting about, where the feed grows,
where he can find water. He is accustomed to foraging for himself. You do not need to show him
his pasturage. If there is anything to eat anywhere in the district he will find it. Little tufts of
bunch-grass growing
concealed under the edges of the brush, he will search out. If he cannot get grass, he knows
how to rustle for the browse (the tender vegetation such as shoots, leaves and twigs) of small
bushes. Bullet would devour sage-brush, when he could get nothing else; and I have even known
him philosophically to fill up on dry pine-needles. There is no nutrition in dry pine-needles, but
Bullet got a satisfyingly full belly. On the trail, a well-seasoned horse will be always on the
forage, snatching here a mouthful, yonder a single spear of grass, and all without breaking the
regularity of his gait, or delaying the pack-train behind him. At the end of the days travel, he is
that much to the good.
(Extract from a short story The Mountain by Stewart Edward White)
17. The animal referred to in this extract is . . . .
a. a good animal
b. part of a cattle herd
c. dog
d. member of a flock of sheep
e. horse
18. The attitude of the author to the animal he is describing is . . . .
a. one of admiration
b. learning by experience
c. uninterested
d. highly critical
e. one of intense dislike
19. In using the word adapts the author is referring to the way animal . . . .
a. fails to adjust to the area
b. becomes heavily dependent upon his master
c. is able to find water

d. learns to survive in new areas

e. relies on food it has been used to
20. The animal referred to by the author is one that . . . .
a. needs to be grazed on lush pasture
b. requires hand feeding since it works so hard
c. is highly self-reliant in the search for food
d. devours sage-brush
e. relies on other animals
21. The animal described in this extract was known as . . . .
a. tuft
b. bullet
c. racer
d. needle
e. twig
22. The setting for the extract is . . . .
a. a well-known horse stud
b. the wide open plain
c. stables for pack horses
d. mountain areas the high country
e. in the district
Do you know the moon? At night you can see it shinning brightly in the sky. The moon is
one of then objects in space. Because people are curious about many things, they study space and
the things in it. The science that studies these things is called astronomy. Astronomy deals with
objects such as the sun, moon, planets and even stars and other objects outside the solar system.
23. What is the communicative purpose of the text?
a. To explain the readers briefly about astronomy
b. To tell the readers about the solar system
c. To report the readers about the astronomy
d. To inform the readers what are planets
e. To let the readers know about the objects in space
24. The main idea of the above paragraph is . . . .
a. a brief explanation to understand astronomy
b. brief information to know the planets
c. people are curious about the space and the things in
it
d. people are curious about some objects in the space
e. people are curious about some planets

25. The word it in line 1 refers to the . . . .

a. sun
b. moon
c. planet
d. star
e. science
Facsimile
A facsimile or fax machine resembles a small photocopier. It is a device capable of
transmitting or receiving an exact copy of a page of printed or pictorial matter over telephone
lines, in usually, less than 60 seconds. To send a document, the user inserts it into the machine
and dials the telephone number of the receiving fax machine. After the connection is made, an
electronic scanner on the transmitting machine moves across the page and converts the image
into a set of electronic signals. These signals travel over the telephone lines to the receiving fax
machine. That machine converts the electronic signals back into an image of the original
document and then prints a copy.
Most of contemporary fax machines conform to a set of standards, known as Group III, that
were implemented in 1980, and that requires digital image scanning and data compression.
Machine built to conform to Group III standard transmit the data at a maximum 9,600 bits per
second (bps). News services often use facsimile to send news stories and photographs to
newspapers and television station. Banks, laws firms and other businesses use facsimile to send
copies of documents to clients and other organizations. Nowadays, fax machine can be used to
receive a copy of a page sent through email and the machine can even send it to e-mail. Latest
science inventions cover real bigger photocopiers that can produce copies of documents directly
sent to e-mail and, of course, to the fax machine in another part of the world. Facsimile has truly
gone through great changes of role as just as simple photocopiers.
26. How to operate a fax machine can be found in paragraph . . . .
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
27. Which one is NOT the function of a facsimile?
a. to send a copy of a document to another facsimile
b. to send photographs to newspapers
c. to receive image of the original documents
d. to send a copy of a page to an e-mail
e. to send e-mail to the real photocopier
28. What is the communicative purpose of the text above?
a. To explain what a facsimile is
b. To inform how to use fax machine
c. To persuade the readers to use fax machine
d. To describe how facsimile send news to the readers

e. To discuss the use of fax machine

29. . . . , and that requires digital image scanning and . . . . (Paragraph 3)
The word that refers to . . . .
a. a set of standards
b. Group III
c. Data compression
d. Electronic signal
e. Facsimile
30. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?
a. Fax machines conform to Group III.
b. News stories and photographs can be sent by using fax machine.
c. We dont need a telephone to send a document using fax machine.
d. The electronic scanner converts the image into a set of electronic signals.
e. Document sent through e-mail can be received by facsimile.
One day, a farmer, who was well- known in his village as a very mean man, said I will give
three meals and twenty five pence to anyone who is willing to do a days work for me. This offer
was accepted by a hungry tramp, who was more interested in the meals than the money. You
can have your breakfast first, said the farmer, and then you can start work. After the farmer
had given him a very small breakfast, he said, Now you can have your dinner. This will save us
a lot of time. The tramp agreed, and ate poor dinner. When he had finished, the farmer said,
What would you say to having supper also while you are about it? I will try, replied the
tramp, to enjoy another meal. Then he had his supper, which again was not a very filling meal.
When it was over, the farmer looked very pleased and said, Now you can do a long days
work. No, thank you, was the tramps reply, as he rose to leave, I never work after supper!
31. What is a tramp according to the passage?
a. A person who works for a farmer
b. A homeless person going from place to place
c. A very hungry person
d. A person who is interested in farming
e. One who needs a job
32. While you are about it? means . . . .
a. while the tramp is working
b. when the tramp is at his farm
c. if the tramp is still hungry
d. while the tramp is eating
e. when the tramp begins to work
33. Which of these statements is TRUE according to the text?
a. The farmer was a generous man.
b. The tramp started to work after eating supper.

c. The tramp enjoyed the meal very much.

d. The tramp could eat three meals because none of them was big.
e. The farmer wanted to help the tramp.
34. From the text, we can learn that . . . .
a. The farmer was generous.
b. The meals were delicious.
c. The tramp was cleverer than the farmer.
d. The farmer was clever.
e. The supper made the tramp sleepy.
35. The tramp was willing to work for the farmer because . . . .
a. He felt very hungry.
b. He liked the job.
c. The farmer was a generous man.
d. The tramp needed the money.
e. The farmer was well known.
Thailand Festivals
Songkran Festival
The Thai New Year is celebrated with the water festival all over the country. However,
Songkran in Chiang Mai is considered the most festive. Foreign and domestic tourists head to
Chiang Mai for this weeklong, mid-April festival, during which everyone is free to sprinkle or
spray people with water. Be prepared to get wet!
Loi (Loy) Krathong and Yee Peng Festival
Of all the festivals held throughout the year, Loi Krathon is the most anticipated. For three
nights during the full moon in the 12th month of the Thai 12 calendar (usually November), the
rivers and lakes of Chiang Mai are decorated with floating flowers and candles. When the
flowers and candles are set afloat on the water, they are often accompanied by perfume or
money. The sky is also lit up by the light from flying paper lanterns. People cast off their candles
and paper lanterns with praise and hope, believing that by doing so they will avoid bad luck. It is
also an expression of gratitude to the ruler of water and heaven.
(Adapted from Panorama Magazine, Jakarta Post January 8, 2009)
36. How long is the Songkran festival?
a. 3 days
b. 4 days
c. 5 days
d. 6 days
e. 7 days
37. When is Loi Krathon held?
a. in August
b. in September

c. in October
d. in November
e. in December
38. What do people do with their candles and paper lanterns during the Loi Krathon?
a. They burn them.
b. The put them hanging in the sky.
c. The burn the money in the lanterns.
d. They set them afloat on the water.
e. They decorate them and then set them on fire.
39. Below are what people believe when they cast off their candles and paper lanterns,
EXCEPT . . . .
a. They want to thank the ruler of water.
b. They want to avoid bad luck.
c. They like the beautiful scenery of the festival.
d. They want to send their praise and hope.
e. They want to express their gratitude to the ruler of heaven.
40. The word gratitude in the last sentence means . . . .
a. greatness
b. gratefulness
c. greediness
d. grand
e. grants
One of the problems with the Internet and the World Wide Web has been enormous quantity
of information available. However, tools called search engines make the range of choice more
manageable. People use search engines by typing in key words about their chosen subject; a list
of sites that might help them then appears on screen. Among the best-known search engines are
Altavista, Ask Jeeves, Google and Lycos.
No one owns the Internet, and anyone can put up a website. Weblogs, known as blogs, are an
increasingly popular way for people to share their thoughts, daily diary or travel experiences
with others. Some sites are moderated or controlled, but most are not. This means that in addition
to the wealth of valuable information that can be found on the net, there are also many sites that
are misleading, out of date, incorrect, or even harmful and criminal.
41. From the passage we can infer . . . .
a. internet belongs to someone who is very rich
b. there is no way people can search information through internet
c. some sites are not controlled
d. search engines can not help people
e. World Wide Web is not manageable
42. . . . travel experiences with others. (Paragraph 2)
The word others refers to . . . .

a. problems with internet

b. other travel experiences
c. other people
d. weblogs
e. information
43. What is NOT the function of Weblogs?
a. to share peoples thoughts
b. to share peoples daily diary
c. to know peoples experiences
d. to report to supervisor
e. to inform others
44. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
a. One of the problems with the Internet and the World Wide Web has been
enormous quantity of information available.
b. Search engines make the range of choice more manageable.
c. People use search engines by typing in key words about their chosen subject
d. A list of sites might help information appear on screen.
e. Among the best-known search engines are Altavista, Ask Jeeves, Google,
and Lycos
45. . . . tools called search engines make the range of choice . . . . (Paragraph 1)
The closest meaning to the underlined word is . . . .
a. look for
b. ask for
c. put to
d. put aside
e. read through
Immunization
The purpose of immunization is to protect a child from disease. Children are immunized
with vaccines which contain substances called antigens. Antigens are prepared from the bacteria,
viruses or toxins (substances produced by the bacteria or viruses) that are the cause of a
particular disease. Immunization generally starts when a child is only 2 or 3 months old, but
some doctors begin even earlier. The first vaccine combines immunization against diphtheria,
whooping cough (pertussis), and tetanus. The combined shot is called a triple, 3-in-1, or DTP
vaccine. Oral polio vaccine is given separately, usually at the same time as the DTP shots. DTP
vaccine is given in combined doses to set up immunity against the three diseases early in a
child's life. The earlier the immunity is, the safer the child will be. Combined doses also save
time for parent and doctor, and they cost the parent less than the many single doses would. The
child himself undergoes fewer needle pricks and less pain and anxiety. A combined dose is no
harder on a child medically than single ones would be. Although reactions are rarely severe, if
your child does reactwith swelling or reddening at the site of the injection, or with a fever,
unusual sleepiness, or a convulsionafter a dose of triple antigens, tell the doctor before he

gives the next dose. He may then give a smaller dose or omit the whooping cough vaccine at that
time.
(Adapted from Childcraft, the how and why library)
46. Which of the statements below is NOT the benefit of combined immunization?
a. It sets up immunity against three diseases.
b. It saves time for parents.
c. It saves time for doctors.
d. It saves parents money.
e. It gives children more pains.
47. What should parents tell the doctor before he gives the next dose?
a. Parents should tell the doctor whether the child reacts.
b. Parents should tell the doctor to give a smaller dose.
c. Parents should tell the doctor to omit the whooping cough vaccine at that
time.
d. Parents should tell the doctor that a combined dose is no harder than single
ones.
e. Parents should tell the doctor that injection is dangerous.
48. . . . parent and doctor, and they cost the parent . . . . (Paragraph 3)
The word they refers to . . . .
a. combined doses
b. doctors
c. parents
d. children
e. diseases
49. Why do children need immunization?
a. to cure their illnesses
b. to protect them from disease
c. to kill bacteria, viruses or toxins
d. to get vigorous body
e. to satisfy them
50. DTP vaccine is not given to children in order to protect them against illnesses like
the following, EXCEPT . . . .
a. Tetanus
b. Polio
c. Diphtheria
d. Pertussis
e. Whooping cough