SIBLINGS
When we are children, our sibling - that is, our brothers and sisters - are our first friends and first
enemies. At the end of life, they are often our oldest friends and oldest enemies. The effect of sibling relationships in childhood can last a lifetime. Many experts say that the relationship among brothers and sisters explains a great deal about family life, especially today when brothers and sisters often spend more time with one another than with their parents.

Studies have shown that sibling relationships between sister-sister pairs and brother-brother pairs are different. Sister pairs are the closest. Brothers are the most competitive. Sisters are usually more supportive of each other. They are more talkative, frank, and better at expressing themselves and sharing their feelings. On the other hand, brothers are usually more competitive with each other.
Experts agree that the relationship among siblings is influenced by many factors. For example, studies have shown that both brothers and sisters become more competitive and aggressive when their parents treat them even a little bit differently from one another. But parental treatment is not the only factor. Genetics, gender, life events, people, and experiences outside the family all shape the lives of siblings. Recently, one researcher demonstrated another factor: in sibling relationships. It was discovered that children dislike watching their siblings fight. In fact, they respond to arguments by taking sides - supporting one sibling and punishing the other.

Question 7: What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
A. Sibling relationships are among the most important relationships in life.
B. Siblings are our oldest enemies in life.
C. Some siblings have good relationships, but other siblings have bad relationships.
D. Siblings are our oldest friends in life.
Question 8: What is the main idea of the second paragraph?
A. Brothers usually tend to be competitive with sisters.
B. Siblings spend a lot of time together because they have to.
C. Females and males generally have different sibling relationships.
D. Sisters get along better with their sisters than with their brothers.
Question 9: What is the main idea of the third paragraph?
A. Siblings often support or punish one of their brothers or sisters in an argument.
B. There are many causes of good and bad sibling relationships.
C. Research has shown that siblings hate to fight.
D. Siblings are often indifferent to their parental treatment.
Question 10: Which of the following is NOT true about siblings?
A. Brothers are more talkative than sisters.
B. Sister-sister pairs are the closest.
C. Brother-brother pairs are the most competitive.
D. Sibling relationships between sister-sister pairs and, brother-brother pairs are different.
Question 11: Which of the following is true about siblings?
A. Parental treatment is the only factor that influences the, relationships among siblings.
B. The relationship among brothers and sisters-explains a lot about family life.
C. Children avoid arguments that their siblings have.
D. Genetics and gender don't impact on the lives of siblings.
Question 12: The word "sibling" is closest in meaning to _____________.
A. the whole family B. brothers C. sisters D. brothers and sisters
Question 13: The word "they" in paragraph 2 refers to _______________.
A. siblings B. sisters C. relationships D. brothers
Question 14: The relationship among siblings is_______________.
A. competitive B. only influenced by personality C. influenced by many factors D. aggressive

II. Fill in each blank with the appropriate form of the word in brackets.

1. One recent survey found that men’s in the home had increased almost threefold in the last four decades. (contribute)

2. A mother’s love can be as as breastfeeding. (benefit)

3. In the traditional Japanese family system, the entire estate of the family, and the assets are transferred from the father to the eldest son. (finance)

4. Mrs White spoke of her husband because he didn’t share anything with household chores. (criticize)

5. My aunt works hard to support her family because her husband died in a car accident a year ago. (enormous)

6. When we have some trouble in our family, we should have family meetings to work out a . (solve)

7. The husband is responsible for the family's economic well-being and takes pride in his role as a . (provide)

8. Parenting can offer children good opportunities for their future. (collaborate)

9. We do our share of housework willingly so that we can follow interests in our free time. (recreation)

10. Researchers found that an unequal of household chores negatively affected wives' marital . (divide – satisfy)

Write complete sentences using the words / phrases given in their correct forms. You can add some more necessary words, but you have to use all the words given.

1. Young people / want / love / support / encouragement / nurture / attention / their parents.

2. Teenagers / need / "helpful attention" / rather / protective.

3. Helpful attention / mean / parents / be interested / who / the children / be / and / what / they / do.

4. Parents / try / listen / their children / although / it / sometimes inconvenient.

5. Parents / encourage / children / learn / their mistakes / rather / show them / hot / to it.

6. Teenagers / would like / be on / their mobile phones or computer / playing games / communicating / their friends.

7. They / also want / spend time / together / their parents .

8. They / spend time/ sitting around the table / have dinner / watching TV as a family / going out with the parents.

9. Teenagers / tend / make their own decisions / although / they / not have much experience.

10. Parents / share experience / their children / so that / they / not make wrong decisions.

In today's competitive world, what responsible parents would not want to give their children the best possible start in life? For this reason, many parents want their children, often as young as ten months old, to become familiar with computers. They seem to think that if their children grow up with computers, they will be better equipped to face the challenges of the future.

No one has proved that computers make children more creative or more intelligent. The truth may even be the opposite. Educational psychologists claim that too much exposure to computers, especially for the very young, may negatively affect normal brain development. Children gain valuable experience of the world from their interaction with physical objects. Ten- month-old babies may benefit more from bumping their heads or putting various objects in their mouths than they will from staring at eye-catching cartoons. A four-year-old child can improve hand-eye coordination and understand cause and effect better by experimenting with a crayon than by moving a cursor around a computer screen. So, as educational psychologists suggest, instead of government funding going to more and more computer classes, it might be better to devote resources to music and art programs.

It is ludicrous to think that children will fall behind if they are not exposed to computers from an early age. Time is too precious to spend with a "mouse". Now is the time when they should be out there learning to ride a bike. There will be time later on for them to start banging away at keyboards.

Câu 41: Why do parents want their children to learn how to use a computer from an early age?

A. Because they want their children to be well prepared for their future.

B. Because they are afraid their children will become competitive.

C. Because they believe their children will have difficulty learning to use one if they don't start early.

D. Because this is what all the other parents seem to do.

Câu 42: Children who spend a lot of time on their computers _________________

A. tend to like music and art more than those who don't.

B. tend to have more accidents than those who don't.

C. do not necessarily make more progress than those who don't.

D. will suffer from brain damage.

Câu 43: The author implies that children learn better _________________

A. when they hold and feel things around them.

B. after they have developed hand-eye coordination.

C. as they get older.

D. when they use a computer.

Câu 44: What would be an appropriate title for this passage?

A. Computers in schools B. Never too early to start

C. More computers mean brighter future D. Let kids be kids

Câu 45: What is true according to the passage?

A. There is no evidence that children who use computers are more clever than those who do not.

B. It is better for children to take computer lessons than art lessons.

C. Computers seriously harm children's eyesight.

D. Parents should not put off buying a computer for their children.

Câu 46: What does the word "ludicrous" in the third paragraph (first sentence) mean?

A. suitable B. sensible C. humorous D. ridiculous

Câu 47: What does the word “they” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A. time B. children C. computers D. mouses

2. Read the text and tick (✓) the appropriate meanings of the highlighted words.

(Đọc văn bản và đánh dấu nghĩa thích hợp của các từ được làm nổi bật.)

Most people think that housework is boring and is the responsibility of wives and mothers only. Many parents don't ask their children to do housework so that they have more time to play or study. However, studies show doing chores is good for children.

Kids who do housework develop important life skills that they will need for the rest of their lives. Doing the laundry, cleaning the house, and taking care of others are among the important skills that children will need when they start their own families. These are the things that schools cannot fully teach, so it's important for children to learn them at home. Sharing housework also helps young people learn to take responsibility. They know that they have to try to finish their tasks even though they do not enjoy doing them. Doing chores also helps develop children's gratitude to their parents. When doing housework, they learn to appreciate all the hard work their parents do around the house for them. In addition, doing chores together helps strengthen family bonds, creating special moments between children and parents. It makes children feel they are members of a team.

All in all, doing housework can bring a lot of benefits to children. It teaches them life skills and helps build their character. Therefore, parents should encourage their kids to share the housework for their own good as well as the good of the whole family.

1. responsibility (trách nhiệm)

a. duty (nghĩa vụ)

b. hobby (sở thích)

2. gratitude (lòng biết ơn)

a. the feeling of being great (cảm giác tuyệt vời)

b. the feeling of being grateful (cảm giác biết ơn)

3. strengthen (tăng cường)

a. make something stronger (làm cho một cái gì đó mạnh mẽ hơn)

b. make something more difficult (làm cho một cái gì đó khó khăn hơn)

4. bonds (sự gắn kết)

a. close connections (sự kết nối gần gũi)

b. common interests (sở thích chung)

5. character (tính cách)

a. qualities that make a person the same as others

(những phẩm chất làm cho một người giống những người khác)

b. qualities that make a person different from others

(những phẩm chất làm cho một người khác với những người còn lại)

1. Everyone saw these men run into the shop

=> These men were

2. I have some important things that I must tell you now

=> I have some important things

3. When they heard that everything was all right, they were overjoyed

=> They were overjoyed

4. We aren't allowed to ride motobike to school

=> They don't let

5. Do you think studying English is necessary?

=> Do you think it is

6. She appreciates your giving her a lift

=> It's very kind

7. Jane and I don't share interests

=> Jane has nothing

                                         Who should do the homework ?

Even in the age whrn most women (0) go out to work, many of them full-time, they still find themselves doing most (1)           the chores. Research shows that mothers spend, on average, three hours a dey (2)          housework and cooking, whereas fathers spend just 45 minutes. Men still expect women to do that housework. (3)          men do things around the house, they act as though they are doing their partner a favor. They say things like:'' I' ve done the washing-up (4)       you'',instead of regardinh it as something (5)          benefits both of them.

Housework is (6)         important that couples should discuss (7)             along with all the other big issues when they are first deciding whether to marry or (8)           Men give all sorts of excuses for not doing housework:'' I work long hours and I don't think my wife's work is as stressful as (9)        or:'' I would do more but she ' s so much better (10)          it than me ''. But what a man really means by this (11)            that he feels his job is ultimately (12)          important than his partner's.  

VERB FORM

1. They would rather Mary (not interrupt) them when they are talking.

2. The examiners do not permit (go) during the exam so the student have to (wait) until the allotted time is over.

3. I do not mind (wait), but it is better (be) too early than too late.

4. Everybody knows that it is not good (smoke) a lot, but not many of us can avoid (get) this habit.

5. It is no use (get) impatient when you are at a doctor's.

6. The rainy season is comnig. Tje roof of our house needs (repair).

7. She expects (see) him tomorrow, but I look forward to (meet) him right away.

8. ou ever (be) to the United States?

9. She could not help (cry) when she heard the news of her failure in the graduation examination.

10. I do not know how (pronounce) this word. Could you please help me?

11. You must be tired. Why don't you stop (have) a rest?

12. Idistinctly remember you (promise) (phone) me, but actually I have gotany of your phone call.

13. Some students who are not accustomed to (work) in group find it difficult (share) their ideas with other classmates.

14. Caroline regretted (not answer) the interviewer's questions in English. Now, she (try) her best (learn) English.

15. While they (sail) up the west coast, they ran out of food.