Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 39 to 43.

Contrary to the perception that small talk is inconsequential, researchers have found that chit-chat actually has many profound benefits. “As we broke down daily interaction, we realized our most meaningful interactions are not when we’re talking about actual work. It’s when we’re greeting administrative staff, or the friendly gabbing before a meeting,” said Jessica R. Methot of Rutgers University and University of Exeter.

To measure the impact of small talk on employee well-being, the researchers surveyed 151 full-time employees working at traditional 9 to 5 jobs outside the home. After controlling for participants’ baseline engagement for small talk, the researchers queried about levels of small talk throughout the day, and asked respondents to rate their emotions, work productivity, and overall engagement.

“It didn’t matter if you were an introvert whose average amount of small talk was lower than what it is for an extrovert, small talk enhanced employees’ daily positive social emotions and contributed to employees feeling connected,” Methot said. Methot was quick to explain what small talk is not. It is not long-winded ranting about an ineffective supervisor. It is not a sensitive discussion about someone’s personal life. “It is surface level. It is ‘Weather looks great this weekend, any plans?’ Surface level is what gives it its benefits.”

Because small talk builds trust and connections, it also can lead to creative ideas and foster inclusiveness. “Culturally, there are differences in the content and cadence of small talk, which can create a barrier for new employees to engage with colleagues. In this age of greater awareness about diversity and inclusion, small talk can be an asset to a company. It can be a road to more inclusion by helping socialize and embed employees into the organizational culture.” Methot said.

(Source: https://journals.aom.org/)

Câu 38: Which could be the best title of the passage?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 34 to 38.

How can solar cells become (34)__________ enough to be commercially viable?

There are, of course, a huge range of ongoing efforts to address this problem. Among the most recent approaches to this problem comes from a team of physicists and engineers at MIT (35)_____ is using computer modeling and advanced chip-manufacturing techniques.

In December of 2008, researchers from the Research Laboratory of Electronics, and the departments of materials science and engineering and physics applied an antireflection coating to the front of ultrathin silicon films, plus a novel combination of multi-layered reflective coatings and a tightly spaced array of lines to the backs of the films. The result is photovoltaic cells with as much as 50 (36)______ more electrical output.

The carefully designed layers deposited on the back of the cell cause light to (37) _________ around longer inside the silicon layer, giving it more time to deposit its energy and produce an electric current.

The work has attracted interest from industry for (38) _______ranging from generating remote off-grid electricity to dedicated clean power.

(Source: https://engineering.mit.edu/)

Her story ____________ really moved me a lot.

As a teacher, I am always eager to find ways to ___________ a love of learning in my students.

We hope the problem can be _____________ by getting the two sides together to discuss it.

The working conditions in their factories ____________ dramatically during the last few months.

When his father passed away, he received an _____________ amount of money from his estate.

If the plane tickets _____________ a little cheaper, my parents ____________ coming to visit me last month.

My team lacked consistency in the competition. We lost all matches with an unacceptable result.

Câu 20: It gave my brother a kick to see his own play on television.

Maria is thanking Daniel for giving her a lift home.

Maria: "Thanks for taking me to my house."

Daniel: "You're welcome. ________________ now that I have a car."

Câu 32: My father has many new clothes. However, he always wears his old coat.

A survey conducted by our team almost three weeks ago indicate that people's attitudes to the disabled are quite good.

She doesn't have time for idle talk, so you should cut to the ________ and tell her what you want.

Câu 24: Brian and Robert are discussing the topic of nutrition.

- Brian: “People should eat five daily portions of fruit and vegetables, as far as I'm concerned.”

- Robert “ ________________ since fruit and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber”

Câu 29: My girlfriend said to me “I was waiting for the bus at 8 o’clock yesterday”.