Đề thi học sinh giỏi thành phố - Lớp 9 môn thi: Tiếng Anh thời gian làm bài: 150 phút

ĐỀ THI HỌC SINH GIỎI THÀNH PHỐ - LỚP 9
 MÔN THI: TIẾNG ANH
 Thời gian làm bài: 150 phút
PART II: PHONETICS (2.0 PTS) 
I. Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from that of the others by circling A, B, C or D. (1pt)
1. A. special
B. dictionary 
C. official 
D. social
2. A. under
B. idea 
C. educate 
D. loud
3. A. pronounce
B. vocabulary 
C. face 
D. ceremony
4. A. polite
B. stiffness
C. stick 
D. interpret
5. A. guest
B. language 
C. regard 
D. engine
II. Choose the word whose stress pattern is different from that of the others by circling A, B, C or D.(1pt).
1. A. formality 
B. inattentive 
C. associate 
D. astonishment
2. A. insecure 
B. suspicious 
C. equivalent 
D. consider
3. A. society 
B. macaroni 
C. superior 
D. consider
4. A. actually 
B. difficulty 
C. consistency
D. penalty
5. A. poetic 
B. surface 
C. marathon
D. distance
PART III. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY (6.5 PTS)
I. Circle the best option A, B, C or D to complete the following sentences.(1.5 pts)
1. After ten years in prison, Stephen was_________ and set free
A. pardoned B. released C. innocent D. forgiven 
2. Jean _________ she wouldn’t be late again.
A. said us B. told that C. promised that D. explained that
3. He must be the director, _____?
A. will he B. mustn’t he C. is he D. isn’t he
4. Mom wanted to know _________ put her coat.
A. whether you had	 B. if where you had 
C. where you had 	 D. where did you
5. Who was that girl you _______ to when I _____in?
A. talked/came 	 B. were talking/was coming 
C. were talking/came	 	 D. had talked/came 
6. I don’t object _______ lending you my pen, but wouldn’t it be better if you had a pen_________your own?
 A. for/of B. to/of C. to/with D. of/of	
7. We all ________ winning the first prize in the contest. 
 A. succeeded him in	 	B. wished him 
 C. excited at 	 D. congratulated him on	
8. I found it hard to believe ____________.
 A. but my brother was joking B. but my brother was serious 
 C. so my brother was serious D. therefore my brother did it for me
9. Remember not to _______ your stay there; the children need you to play with at home. 
	A. prolong B. lengthen C. extend D. expand	
10. We shouldn’t _________ the old customs if we know they are no longer suitable.
 A. associate B. stare to C. stick to D. get hold of 
11. You should make full use __________ every chance you have to speak English.
 A. of B. with	 	 C.in	 D. for
12. She can’t seem to raise her grades __________ hard she studies.
 A. even if B. really C. as much D. no matter how
13. You should take regular exercise ___________sitting in front of the computer all day.
 A. in spite of B. despite 	 C. instead of 	D. without
14. I walked away as calmly as I could _________ they thought I was the thief.
 A. or else B. to avoid 	 C. owing to 	 D. in case
15. Some officials proposed to increase the __________ on tobacco.
 A. money B. fee	 	 C. duty 	 D. salary
 II. Fill in each gap of the following sentences a suitable preposition: (1pt)
1. Arthur is quite accustomed_________ the behavior of his roommate.
2. I thought I would sell my car but ______ second thoughts I changed my mind, and ______the whole I think I was wise. 
3. I fell________ you the moment I saw you. 
4. Only __________ hard work can we achieve something worthwhile in life 
5. The contract is being drawn___________ at the moment.
6. Zedco suspected one of their managers _______ selling commercial secrets.
7. You have to face up________ your responsibility. 
8. The agreement would ease the way_________ Turkey to join EU.
9. You should make a bargain ________ the vendor before buying something.
III. Use the words given in bold at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the space. (2pts)
1. He would never do anything to ______________ the lives of his children. (dangerous)
(advantage)
(appear)
(control)
(number)
(sense)
(success)
(die)
(survive)
(age)
2. There are some _______________, solar energy is widely used today. 	
3. Her _______________ worries his parents the most. 	 
4. The neighbors are so tired because her dogs keep barking _______________ 
5. ________________ surveys have been given out but no one collected them. 
6. Your lack of _____________ has caused you to give such hurtful comments. 
7. The scientists have ________________ predicted the direction of the storm. 
8. His _______________ words were whispered into his wife’s ear. 	 
9. There are a few _________________ in the village after a sudden tornado. 
10. I haven’t seen you for ________________!	 
IV. Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the phrasal verbs given in bold. There are some extra ones. (2pts)
take over 
run across 
get a hold of 
break even 
get along 
make it up to
come across 
turn out to be 
go over 
find up 
come up with 
turn down 
1. I cannot ____________ my sister. I think she is too busy to pick up the phone.
2. He is an irresponsible father since he could not ________ his children after the damage he has caused them.
3. My friend’s surprise gift for me _______ an album of our pictures together.
4. I think we are ________ because we have not argued much.
5. He _________ the new materials so fast that now he has understood everything that he missed.
6. In order to ________, we need to sell at least 20 pairs of shoes.
7. Let me know if you ________ a new idea, I give up on this.
8. His offer was _________ due to a lack of preparation. 
9. I _______ Jane yesterday when she was running late for work.
10. The monitor ________ the class when the teacher left for a meeting. 
PART IV: READING (5.0 PTS)
I. Read the article and circle the option A, B, C or D that best fits in the gap. (1pt)
In the U.S., industries that generate hazardous wastes want to dispose of them as cheaply as possible. Private companies hired to dispose of these wastes compete with each other to offer the lowest prices to these industries. The government does not get involved, beyond setting the minimum safety standard.
Unfortunately, the (1)________of companies that generate and dispose of waste is to save money, (2)________ guarantee safety. These companies usually send wastes to landfills because it is cheaper than recycling or incineration. Disposal firms who want to increase their business must cut corners to lower costs and (3)________ customers. At the same time, relatively (4)________ is done to reduce the volume of waste generated, because disposal cost (5)_________ quite low.
Things are different in Denmark. The government there (6)_________ in the waste disposal process from the beginning (7)_______ the front end. Together with industry, the government formed a corporation to establish and (8)________ waste disposal facilities. This company, called Kommunichem, has a (9)________ on waste disposal. Generators of hazardous waste (10)________ ship their waste to one of Kommunichem’s disposal facilities. In this system, there is no price competition in the waste disposal business.
1. A. solution	B. license	C. goals	D. objective
2. A. not	B. just	C. besides	D. something
3. A. survive	B. efficient	C. gain	D. prosper
4. A. more	B. this	C. recycling	D. little
5. A. still	B. have	C. remain	D. cheap
6. A. interferes	B. participates	C. involves	D control
7. A. to	B. by	C. of	D. at
8. A. operate	B. found	C. prepare	D. generate
9. A. power	B. profit	C. monopoly	D. responsibility
10. A. help	B. disposal	C. take	D. must
II. Fill in each blank with one suitable word to complete the passage. (3pts)
 Sometimes you might feel that if you had a perfect memory, you would be able to pass all exams at (1)_______. All your learning problems are thus (2)________. You would never again (3)_________ the embarrassment of forgetting someone’s name. But imagine, for a moment, not forgetting anything, not even last year shopping (4)__________. You would be (5)_________ with information. Memory covers a (6)_________ range of actions and needs. What we (7)__________ about the brain is far from complete, so even the best scientists could not (8)_________ a precise explanation of what is happening (9)_________ our brain. Broadly speaking, there are three distinct of memories: personal, cognitive and habit memory. 
 Personal memories are the acts of remembering things that directly (10)________ to each person’s life history. If you say “I remember the first time I drove a car”, you will probably have an image in your mind of the (11)_________ and be able to describe details. Cognitive memory helps us to learn, for example, stories, a speech or a (12)________ of music. Habit memory refers to the abilities needed to perform actions such as tying and driving. Once you have gone through the (13)________ of learning how to do them, you will be able to perform those skills without (14)________ realizing it. 
 We hope that in the future, scientists will be able to discover many more secrets of the brain. Until then, everyone could (15)_______ from a much more advanced healthcare system.
III. Circle the best option A, B, C or D to complete the information below. (1pt)
Just inside the walls of Florence stands a factory where silk is handwoven on machines that date back to the fifteenth century. The factory, successful at the height of silk production in the eighteenth century, was almost unknown in the twentieth century until it was rescued about seven years ago by the Marchess Pucci, whose name has for so long been associated with beautiful and luxurious silks. Once again the factory is producing some the most beautiful and expensive handwoven silks in the world. Expensive they may be, but these silks are very strong, and the quality and colours are such that the cloth woven here will last at least one lifetime – probably several. 
The originator of all this beauty, the silkworm, is a sensitive little creature, living only on the freshly gathered and chopped leaves of the white mulberry. It is so nervous that loud noises, strong smells, or even the threat of thunder can kill it, so it is not entirely surprising that silkworm farming is so rarely practiced in Britain today. In fact there have been several attempts, over the centuries, to start silkworm farming in England, but few of them have been successful. For example there was the attempt of James I who, though anxious to build up the silk industry, made a bad mistake and planted the black mulberry instead of the white. An easy error, and one that only the silkworms objected to.
Although some silk is still grown in Italy, the Po valley, for example, is no longer covered by mulberry trees as it once was. The silk for the factory is sent raw from china – a journey almost as slow as it was in the second century. It is then dyed before being delivered to the Florentine building where it sits on the worn tiles waiting to be woven into bright butterfly-coloured cloth. The silk is protected from the light by protective cotton curtains. The patterns for the fabrics are made by using heavy cards which have holes in different designs, and allow selected lengths of silk through the holes, whilst rejecting others, thereby forming the designs, which vary greatly when the cloth is finished.
What is special about the silk factory described in the passage?
It has been famous since the eighteenth century
It uses very old machines
It was closed for 200 years
It has always been owed by the Pucci family
The silk that is woven there is
Cheap and strong
Expensive and long-lasting
Cheap and colourful
Delicate and long-lasting
The silk worm is sensitive in a way that:
It can easily be infected with disease 
It cannot live under sunlight
It can die easily
It can only live outside England
Why did James I’s attempt to start silkworm farming fail?
The mulberry trees would not grow in England
The countryside was too noisy
The silkworms were given the wrong food
It was too cold in England
What happens to the silk when it reaches the factory?
It is dyed
It is mixed with cotton
It is woven into a pattern
It is sorted into different lengths
PART V: WRITING (4.0 PTS)
I. Finish the second sentence in such a way that is similar to the original one. (1pt)
1. I only remembered that I hadn't put a stamp on the letter after I had posted it.
=> Only after __________________________________________ that I hadn’t put a stamp on it.
2. On arrival at the shop, the goods are inspected carefully.
=> When the goods_______________________________________
3. I would never want to leave my pet dog, Rover.
 => Nothing could __________________________________________ my pet dog Rover.
4. Laurence hasn’t seen his sister since she left for Japan.
=> Laurence last__________________________________________
5. If Joe doesn’t change his ways, he will end up in prison.
=> Unless__________________________________________________
II. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given in the brackets. Do not change these words in any way. You must use no more than 13 words, including the word given.(1pt)
1. Laura has no difficulties in completing her task. (ease)
=>______________________________________________________
2. The mayor was not going to build a complex in the old quarter. (intention)
=>______________________________________________________
3. I am excited to see my project is progressing. (making)
=>______________________________________________________
4. My mother is suspicious of everything. (doubt)
=>______________________________________________________
5. Johnson is extremely good at painting. (talent)
=>______________________________________________________
III. ESSAY: (2pts)
Travelling by bus will help to reduce pollution and traffic jam in Hanoi. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?
Write at least 200 words. 
(You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience to support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence).
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ANSWER KEY AND MARKING SCALE - 2014
PART 1. LISTENING: 2.5 PTS
1. ten/ 10 o’clock
2. further
3. heavy smoker
4. bus connection
5. D
6. C
7. D
PART II PHONETICS: 2PTS
I. 0.2pt for a correct answer = 1pt
1. B 2.C 3.B 4.A 5.D
II. 0.2pt for a correct answer = 1pt
1.B 2.A 3.B 4.C 5.A
PART III. LEXICO AND GRAMMAR: 6.5 PTS
I. MULTIPLE CHOICE: 0.1pt for a correct answer=1.5pt
 1.B 2.C 3.D 4.C 5.C 6.B 7.D 8.B 9.C 10.C 11.A 12.D 
 13.C 14.A 15.C 
II. PREPOSITION: 0.1pt for a correct answer=1pt
1. with/to 2. on-on 3. for 4. with 5. up 6. of 7. to 8. for 9. with
III. WORD FORM: 0.2pt for a correct word=2pts
1. endanger 2. disadvantages 3. disappearance 4. uncontrollably 5. numerous 
 6. sensitivity 7. successfully 8. dying 9. survivors 10. ages
IV. PHRASAL VERBS: 0.2pt for a correct answer=2pts
1. get a hold of 2. make it up to 3. turns out to be 4. getting along 5. went over/ goes over
6. break even 7. come up with 	 8. turned down 9. came across 10. took over
PART IV. READING: 5PTS
I. MULTIPLE CHOICE: 0.1 pt for a correct answer=1pt
1.D 2.A 3.C 4.D 5.C 6.B 7.A 8.A 9.C 10.D
II. GAP FILLING: 0.2pt for a correct answer=3pt
1. ease 2. solved 3. face 4. lists 5. flooded/filled 6. wide 7. know 8. give 
 9. inside 10. relate 11. event 12. piece 13. process 14. even 15. benefit
III. FINDING INFORMATION: 0.2pt for a correct answer=1pt
1.B 2.B 3. C 4. C 5. C
PART V. WRITING; 4PTS
I. REWRITING SENTENCES: 0.2pt for a correct sentence=1pt
1. Only after posting the letter did I remember that I hadn’t put a stamp on it.
2. When the goods arrive at the shop, they are inspected carefully.
3. Nothing could ever persuade me to leave my pet dog Rover
4. Laurence last saw her sister when/before she left for Japan.
5. Unless Joe changes his ways, he will end up in prison.
II. SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION: 0.2pt for a correct sentence=1pt
1. Laura completes her task with ease.
2. The mayor had no intention of building a complex in the old quarter. 
3. I am excited to see my project is making progress.
4. My mother is in doubt of everything.
5. Johnson has a talent for painting.
III. ESSAY: 2pts
Essay assessment criteria:
Argument and evidence
Essay question/Topic fully addressed 
Logically developed argument 
Writing well structured through introduction, body and conclusion 
Essay question/Topic dealt with in depth 
Argument well supported by relevant evidence and examples 
Written expression and presentation 
Fluent and succinct piece of writing 
Grammatical sentences
Correct punctuation, correct spelling throughout 
Legible, well set out work 
Reasonable length 
– The End –
(NB: Examiners’ discussion and facilitation of the marking scale are highly recommended and appreciated).