2. Read a text about a famous music show. Match the highlighted words and phrases in the text to the meanings below.

(Đọc một văn bản về một chương trình ca nhạc nổi tiếng. Nối các từ và cụm từ được đánh dấu trong văn bản với các nghĩa bên dưới.)

American Idol was shown for the first time on television in January 2002. At that time, there were many movies and TV series, but no reality competitions on TV. The participants in this programme are ordinary people who the audience can really identify with.

First, judges travel all around America in search of the best singers and bring them to Hollywood. Twenty-four to thirty-six participants are then chosen to go on to the next stages where they perform live on TV, and receive the judges’ opinions. From the semi-final onwards, people over 13 and living in the US, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands can vote for their preferred singers online or through text messaging. The singer with the lowest number of votes is eliminated. On the final night, the most popular singer becomes the winner of that American Idol season.

People watch American Idol not only to see the participants sing, but also hear the comments of the judges, who play an important role in the competition. Their different opinions and interesting arguments make the show very exciting.

The first season of Vietnam Idol was shown in 2007. It included three stages: short performances to choose participants, semi-finals and finals. The winners of the show’s different seasons have become famous singers in Viet Nam.

3. Read the text again and choose the best answers.

(Đọc lại văn bản và chọn đáp án đúng nhất.)

1. What is American Idol?

A. A game show on TV

B. A TV singing competition

C. A live dancing competition

2. Which of the following statements is correct?

A. From the semi-final, singers who can go to the next stage are decided by the audience vote.

B. The judges choose as many singers as they can.

C. People around the world can vote for the songs they like.

3. Who wins American Idol?

A. The singer with the highest number of votes on the final night.

B. The singer with the highest number of votes and highest score from the judges.

C. The singer with the highest score from the judges.

4. Which of the following statements about the judges is NOT mentioned?

A. They give comments after each live performance.

B. They have different views about singers’ performances.

C. They are not in favour of choosing ordinary people.

5. What can be inferred about the competition in Viet Nam?

A. The audience decides who makes it to the final stage.

B. All the singers will be famous.

C. It can help develop participant’s singing careers.

3. Present your show to the whole class. Use your ideas in 2 and the expressions below. Vote for the best show.

(Trình bày chương trình của bạn cho cả lớp. Sử dụng ý tưởng của bạn trong bài 2 và các cụm diễn đạt bên dưới. Bình chọn cho chương trình hay nhất.)

Useful expressions:

- We came up with an idea about a TV music show which is …

(Chúng tôi nảy ra ý tưởng về một chương trình âm nhạc trên truyền hình, đó là …)

- Let us give you an example.

(Hãy để chúng tôi đưa ra ví dụ.)

- In our show, there will be …

(Trong chương trình của chúng tôi, sẽ có …)

- The participants have to …

(Người chơi phải …)

- The winner will receive …

(Người thắng cuộc sẽ nhận được …)

PUTTING ON A STAGE SHOW

The opening night of a stage show means excitement and glamour. EXCITE

Often it also means【C1】______ problems suddenly arising. And that is even EXPECT

more true if you are planning to take 50 total【C2】______ and produce the STRANGE

【C3】______ South Pacific in two days. But that's what mother-and-daughter MUSIC

team Linda and Nicki Metz are【C4】______ offering as a weekend course. CURRENT

The plan seems 【C5】______ although the two leading parts in the show will be AMBITION

taken by【C6】______ actors. Technical staff will be on hand to give expert PROFESSION

advice to【C7】______ Linda says: "It will be a great weekend for people to do PERFORM

something【C8】______ and achieve something at the same time. People have ENJOY

a【C9】______ to work better if they have a deadline. A lot of people also TEND

discover talents that they were 【C10】______ of." AWARE

1. Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets.

(Hoàn thành các câu với dạng đúng của các động từ trong ngoặc.)

1. Nam often (clean) _____ the house, but he can’t now because he (help) _____ his sister with her homework.

2. I wanted (improve) _____ my cooking skills, and my mum let me (take) ______ a cooking course last year.

3. My grandparents (practise) _______ singing twice a week, and they (practise) _______ at the moment.

4. Next Sunday evening, I (watch) _______ their show live on TV. I think they (win) _______ a prize.

Complete the sentences with who, which, that or whose. You may use more than one relative pronoun in some sentences.

(Hoàn thành các câu who, which, that hoặc whose. Bạn có thể sử dụng nhiều hơn một đại từ quan hệ trong một số câu.)

1. That is the teacher _______ has received an award for excellent teaching.

2. We were invited to attend a talk show _______ is popular with teenagers.

3. Their school, _______ offers both face-to-face and online classes, is the beast in the city.

4. The students _______ names are on the list will join the field trip.

5. Have you finished the project _______ was given by our art teacher?

6. My cousin John, _______ lives in Da Nang, is coming to visit me this weekend.

II. Reading

Read the passage carefully and fill in each blank with the best option A,B,C or D

HOW TO IMPROVE ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS

Many students learn English grammar very well (11)_______cannot actually have a conversation with native speakers. Here are the few tips for improving English skills.

First of all, it is important to find native speakers to (12)_____with. Recording is also a great way to get the maximum benefit from a conversation with a native speaker. When you listen again, you can notice what you need to improve.

Another way is to watch movies or TV in English, with subtitles if you need them, and wacth the same programs over and over. (13)_______ people find that they understand more each time. Listening to music in English and singing (14)_______ can also help you a lot.

Reading out loud or talking to yourself is also a great way to practice speaking when there are no conversation partner available. Practicing alone is a low- pressure way to practice , since (15)________ will hear your mistakes.

(Adapted from http://effortleesenglishclub .com)

11. A. when B. but C. or D. so

12. A. practice B. practical C. practically D. practicality

13. A. Most the B. The most C. Most D. Almost

14. A. after B. along C. behind D. beside

15. anybody B. somebody C. everybody D. nobody

Read the passage below carefully and choose the best option A,B,C or D

The start of every New Year is when we make plan to change our life for the better over the fothcoming twelve months. Psychiatry professor Jayashri Kulkami says “ January 1^st is a “ magical” date and a vow made on this day is more powerful than one made on June 1^st, for example.” So, we make a list of things to quit, start or change. Unfortunately, most of these promises are, more often than not, broken by January 31^st. They are usually the identical resolutions that were not fulfilled from the previous year, and the years prior to that.

Researchers show 45 percent of us make a new year resolution. The most common vows include losing weight, volunteering to help others, quiting smoking, saving money, and getting fit. Others include eating healthier food, drinking less alcohol, and going on overseas trips. However, researches also show that most of us are not so goood at sticking to these. A study from the University of Scranton reveals that 71 percent stick to our annual promises for the first two weeks; six months later, less than 50 percent are still on track to keep their resolutions. Most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of a lack of willpower and the use of the “ escape clause” that they will “ try again next year”

(Adapted from http://www.buffpost.com)

16. What is the main idea of the passase?

A. People make a list of things to change on New Year’s Eve.

B. People have the willpower to change their life for the better.

C. People give up their resolutiions due to the llack of time.

D. People break their New Year’s resolutions years after years.

17. What does the word “ resolutions” in paragraph 1 mean?

A. promises B. secrets C. lists D. activities

18. What does the word “ these” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A. trips B. reseaches C. vows D. people

19. What does the word “ annual” in paragraph 2 mean?

A. daily B. weekly C. monthly D. yearly

20. According to paragraph 2, how many of us make a New Year’s resolutions?

A. Only a few of us B. About half of us C. Most of us D. All of us

21. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT a popular Vow?

A. Breaking bad haits B. Becoming healthier

C. Keeping a resolution D. Travelling abroad