Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 44 to 50.

The earliest recorded festivities in honor of a new year’s arrival date back some 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. For the Babylonians, the first new moon following the vernal equinox heralded the start of a new year. Throughout antiquity, civilizations around the world developed increasingly sophisticated calendars. In Egypt, for instance, the year began with the annual flooding of the Nile, which coincided with the rising of the star Sirius. The first day of the Chinese new year, meanwhile, occurred with the second new moon after the winter solstice.

The early Roman calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days. Over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and in 46 B.C. the emperor Julius Caesar decided to solve the problem by consulting with the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians of his time. He introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern one that most countries around the world use today.

In many countries, New Year’s celebrations begin on the evening of December 31—New Year’s Eve—and continue into the early hours of January 1. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt down a dozen grapes-symbolizing their hopes for the months ahead-right before midnight. In many parts of the world, traditional New Year’s dishes feature legumes, which are thought to resemble coins and herald future financial success; examples include lentils in Italy and black-eyed peas in the southern United States. Because pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures, pork appears on the New Year’s Eve table in Cuba, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and other countries. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries, a sign that the year has come full circle, round out the feast in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece and elsewhere. In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year’s Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune.

Other customs that are common worldwide include watching fireworks and singing songs to welcome the new year, including the ever-popular “Auld Lang Syne” in many English-speaking countries. The practice of making resolutions for the new year is thought to have first caught on among the ancient Babylonians, who made promises in order to earn the favor of the gods and start the year off on the right foot.

(source: https://www.history.com/)

Câu 44: Which is the most suitable title for 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.

Financial independence is one of the many markers used to designate the crossover from childhood into young adulthood, and it’s a (34)_________ most Americans (64%) think young adults should reach by the time they are 22 years old, according to a new Pew Research Center study. But that’s not the reality for most young adults who’ve achieved this age.

The share of young adults who could be considered “financially independent” from their parents by their early 20s – an assessment based on their annual income – has gone down somewhat in recent decades. Looking more broadly at young adults aged 18 to 29, the share who are financially independent has been (35)__________stable in recent decades. Overall, young men are more likely than young women to be financially independent, but this gender gap has diminished significantly.

The new survey findings underscore the extent to which many young adults are financially reliant on their parents. (36) ________ young adults who have received financial help from their parents say at least some of it was for recurring expenses. Six-in-ten say the money went toward household expenses such as groceries or bills, and significant shares used it to pay their tuition, rent, or mortgage. Beyond financial independence, the pace with (37)_________ young adults are reaching other markers of adulthood has slowed significantly over the past several decades. Today’s young adults are staying in school longer and are marrying and establishing their own households later than previous generations. (38)_________, a growing share is living in their parents’ homes well into their 20s and even early 30s. Some of these changes are linked to economic challenges, while others may represent a realignment of goals and priorities.

(Source: https://www.pewsocialtrends.org)

She gave up her job as a secretary last year and teaching is her bread and butter right now.

Câu 5: The campaign is trying to get ___________ message across that parental education plays an important role in ___________ development of a child.

Which statements is NOT true, according to the passage?

I’m annoyed that Charles forgot to invite us to his wedding ceremony.

She’s one of the most consistent student in her class, despite the many disadvantages she has experienced in her life.

Câu 39: What topic does the passage mainly discuss?

The word “favor” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _______.

Câu 32: The explosion was devastating. We felt the impact of it a mile away.

Jack is asking Justine about the destination for his summer vacation.

- Jack: “Have you picked your next summer destination? Italy?”

- Justine: “ ______________. I’m going to Thailand.”

Câu 24: Fred and Jerry are discussing the time they arrive at the airport.

- Fred: “We should arrive at the airport two hours before flight within the country.”

- Jerry: “______________. Traffic congestion is getting worse.”

According to the passage, which is NOT mentioned as a common tradition during New Year?

Câu 20: If you have a food allergy, you should avoid any of the ingredients that can trigger an attack.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word those underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.

It __________ my mind that it’s my friend’s birthday tomorrow and I haven’t got her a present yet.