Đề thi tuyển sinh lớp 10 Trung học Phổ thông thành phố Hồ Chí Minh môn Tiếng Anh - Năm học 2015-2016

SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO KỲ THI TUYỂN SINH LỚP 10 TRUNG HỌC PHỔ THÔNG 
THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH NĂM HỌC 2015-2016 
 ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC MÔN THI (CHUYÊN): TIẾNG ANH 
 (Đề thi gồm 4 trang) Ngày Thi: 12 tháng 6 năm 2015 
 Thời gian làm bài: 120 phút (không kể thời gian phát đề) 
I. CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER TO FILL IN THE BLANK (2 PTS) 
1. ........could only have been made by someone incompetent. 
A. How serious a mistake B. Such serious mistake 
C. So serious is this mistake D. So serious a mistake 
2. She insisted that the report ........ as his source of information. 
A. not be mentioned B. not to mention C. not mentioning D. not mention 
3. ... traveling is educational, it can also be stressful and expensive. 
A. Since B. Providing C. While D. Even 
4. They arrived home only to find their house........in their absence. 
A. was burgled B. has burgled C. had been burgled D. was burgling 
5. There isn't a.........of truth in his words. What a liar! 
A. wealth B. trace C. pack D. grain 
6. Don't count your........ before they 
A. ducklings B. chickens C. puppies D. birds 
7. Manh: Should I buy a new bike or a used one? ~ Dung: Buy ......you can afford. 
A. the one whichever B. which one that C. those that D. whichever one 
8. Dung: “Merry Christmas!” ~ Manh: ".......... ." 
A. You, too B. Merry Christmas C. You are welcome D. You bet 
9. I hope everything is OK. They ........several hours ago. 
A. would have called B. supposed to call C. must have called D. were to have called 
10. He was a great athlete when he was younger. He now still ........if he hadn't had that accident. 
A. would have been B. had been C. will be D. would be 
11. After a month-long investigation, the police still aren't sure who ..... 
A. is blamed by them B. do they blame C. to lay the blame on D. to be blaming 
12. The food wasn't bad, but I'd.........to go somewhere else next time. 
A. rather B. prefer C. better D. liked 
13. The company is famous for making sturdy work clothes that can......hard wear. 
A. stard up for B. stand up to C. stand in for D. stand up against 
14. Employees are advised to take......of the changes in the company policy. 
A. hold B. effect C. root D. notice 
15. The day their first child was bom, the new parents were......with joy. 
A. overpowered B. overtaken C. overcome D. overthrown 
16. By the time you finish your job, everyone.........home. 
A. has gone B. will have gone C. had gone D. was going 
17. The ..........child is forever asking questions. He's incredibly curious. 
A. acquisitive B. acquitted C. inquisitive D. exquisite 
18. If you think you are right, then........ Don't let him bully you into changing your mind. 
A. stand your ground B. hit it off C. kick the bucket D. give the green light 
19. At the end of the broadcast, the TV station received a......of complaints. 
A. hurricane B. tsunami C. tornado D. torrent 
20. Dung: "Stop talking. You are so noisy." ~ Manh: "........ He is the noisiest in this class.” 
A. Why not? B. Look, who's talking C. You can say that again. D. You bet! 
21. A: “Have you told your dad what's bothering you? ~ B: “I'd.......in you than in my parents." 
A. rather to confide B. better confide C. rather my confiding D. sooner confide 
22. .......is over your head is just an exaggeration. 
A. That this entrance exam B. When this entrance exam 
C. This entrance exam which D. This entrance exam 
23. When I decided to study two foreign languages at the same time, I knew I .....off more than I could chew. 
A. took B. bit C. cut D. broke 
24. My visit was supposed to be a surprise but my sister.....it away. 
A. gives B. takes C. brings D. shows 
25. ......, he couldn't solve that mathematical puzzle. 
A. As intelligent as was he B. Intelligent as he was 
C. So intelligent was he D. Although he is intelligent 
26. The test was given......short notice, so we all couldn't finish it well. 
A. by B. in C. for D. on 
27. Things would have been better .......to my advice. 
A. you not listened B. were you listened C. had you listened D. if you listened 
28. They will hold a party.....their son's 16th birthday. 
A. in recognition B. in celebration to C. with a view to celebrate D. in celebration of 
29. Where have you been? I've been trying to get......of you all day. 
A. touch B. hold C. contact D. rid 
30. The break-in turned out to be ...... because it made us more aware of the insecurity of the neighbourhood. 
A. a Jack of all trades B. a storm in a teacup 
C. a blessing in disguise D. a matter of life and death 
31. My new hiking boots will be great once I've ........them......... . 
A. broken - in B. put - through C. taken - to D. fixed-up 
32. We admire his......to his students. 
A. generosity B. sympathy C. assumption D. thoughtfulness 
33. ....... , the meeting began. 
A. After we have sat down B. All of us having taken the seats 
C. Our having seated D. Once we had been sat down 
34. ......., he tried to fix the machine. 
A. Not being a computer expert notwithstanding B. Despite of not being a computer expert 
C. Though no computer expert D. In spite of being no computer expert 
35. The draw took place yesterday but the competition winners ...... 
A. are yet to be announced B. haven't been being announced 
C. are as yet to have been announced D. haven't announced yet 
36. I had......on my face after I remembered the wrong day for her birthday party. 
A. egg B. sugar C. salt D. tomatoes 
37. The tickets cost only a small amount of money ........ 
A. off his head B. by head C. offhand D. per head 
38. The roberry is being ...... . 
A. broken out B. taken on C. looking into D. putting in 
39. The book you are looking for is out of ....... 
A. order B. print C. the question D. work 
40. He was too tired to mow the lawn, so he ....... one of his sons to do it. 
A. had B. made C. got D. took 
CHOOSE THE WORD OR PHRASE THAT BEST FITS EACH BLANK IN THE FOLLOWING 
PASSAGE. (1.5PTS) 
 On a yearly (1)......, the USA is afflicted by hurricanes on the east coast, flooding in the Midwest, forest fires, 
earthquakes and any number of tornadoes, blizzards and storms. Historically, the weather has (2) ..... as harsh a 
chord in people's lives as any we feel today. Historians list the four major events to wreak devastation (3) 
......the country as the Chicago fire in 1871, the Johnstown flood and the Galveston hurricane of 1900, and San 
Francisco earthquake in 1906. These (4).....provide a flavor of the havoc that natures storms have wrecked on 
humanity, and our reactions to them. Galveston, Texas, (5).......on the island of Galveston in the gulf of New 
Mexico, (6) .... on industry and exports. Its over 30,000 citizens in the early 1900's were generally economically 
successful and comfortable with existing conditions. (7)......the ill-fated morning of Sept. 7, 1900, the people of 
Galveston enjoyed their life on the remote island. (8)......weather watchers had been following a (9)....storm in 
the Atlantic for several days and were warning of the (10)......danger of a hurricane. Unfortunately, people 
(11).... the warnings. A day after the hurricane had hit the island, all that (12)......of the beautiful city was a 
mass of crumbled buildings, debris and hopeless survivors (13)......aimlessly with the stench of rotting flesh all 
around. However, a few days later, that the city was beginning to heal became (14)......everywhere - soon new 
buildings were (15) ..... the burned, and the lifeblood of the ravaged city was returning. 
1. A. foundation B. theory C. basis D. institution 
2. A. punched B. struck C. pinched D. played 
3. A. on B. at C. with D. for 
4. A. dangers B. risks C. threats D. catastrophes 
5. A. lied B. placed C. located D. built 
6. A. flourishes B. thrives C. grows D. develops 
7. A. After B. Up to then C. So far D. Until 
8. A. Therefore B. Correspondingly C. However D. Consequently 
9. A. growing B. enlarging C. massive D. stretching 
10. A. potential B. embedding C. intending D. impending 
11. A. refused B. rejected C. ignored D. denied 
12. A. remained B. existed C. lingered D. maintained 
13. A. wandered B. to wander C. were wandering D. wandering 
14. A. concealed B. notorious C. obscure D. evident 
15. A. overwhelming B. rebuilding C. designing D. refurbishing 
IDENTIFY THE MISTAKE IN EACH SENTENCE BELOW. (0.5 PTS) 
1. Tropical forests exist close to the equator, which both high temperature and abundant rainfall occur all year 
round. A B C D 
2. The Smiths are very proud of that their son always gets high marks in his courses. 
 A B C D 
3. We called the baseball park up to ask that when the game was scheduled to begin that afternoon. 
 A B C D 
4. The American Indians killed the buffalo only when necessity to obtain food, clothing and shelter. 
 A B C D 
5. Some relatives of mine like staying at their cabin on Lake Omega every summer holidays. 
 A B C D 
6. In the United States among 60 percent of the space on the pages of newspapers is reserved for advertising. 
 A B C D 
7. Gilbert Newton Lewis, a chemist, helped to develop the modern electron theory of valence, a theory 
 A B 
explains the forces holding atoms together in molecules. 
 C D 
8. Because of a high birthrate and considered immigration, the United States population in the late nineteenth 
 A B C 
century increased tremendously from 31 million in 1860 to 76 million in 1900. 
 D 
9. For most of their history, especially since the 1860's, New York City has been undergoing major ethnic 
population changes. A B C 
 D 
10. Rocks have forming, weaning away and re-forming ever since the Earth took shape. 
 A B C D 
IV. READ THE PASSAGE AND CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT 
FOLLOW. (1PTS) 
 Television’s contribution to family life in the United States has been an equivocal one. For while it has, 
indeed, kept the members of the family from dispersing, it has not served to bring them together. By 
dominating the time families spend together, it destroys the special quality that distinguishes one family from 
another, a quality that depends to a great extent on what a family does, what special rituals, games, recurrent 
jokes, familiar songs, and shared activities it accumulates. 
 “Like the sorcerer of old,” writes Urie Bronfenbrenner, “the television set casts its magic spell, freezing 
speech and action, turning the living into silent statues so long as the enchantment lasts. The primary danger of 
the television screen lies not so much in the behavior it produces — although there is danger there — as in the 
behavior it prevents : the talks, games, the family festivities, and arguments through which much of the child’s 
learning takes place and through which character is formed. Turning on the television set can turn off the 
process that transforms children into people.” 
 Of course, families today still do special things together at times: go camping in the summer, go to the zoo on 
a nice Sunday, take various trips and expeditions. But the ordinary daily life together is diminished — that 
sitting around at the dinner table, that spontaneous taking up of an activity, those little games invented by 
children on the spur of the moment when there is nothing else to do, the scribbling, the chatting, the quarreling, 
all the things that form the fabric of a family, that define a childhood. 
 Instead, the children have their regular schedule of television programs and bedtime, and the parents have 
their peaceful dinner together. But surely the needs of adults are being better met than the needs of children, 
who are effectively shunted away and rendered untroublesome. 
 If the family does not accumulate its backlog of shared experiences, shared everyday experiences that occur 
and recur and change and develop, then it is not likely to survive as anything other than a caretaking institution. 
1. Which of the following best represents the author’s argument in the passage? 
A. Television has negative effects on family life. 
B. Television has advantages and disadvantages for children. 
C. Television should be more educational. 
D. Television teaches children to be violent. 
2. The word it in the passage refers to....... 
A. dominating B. time C. television D. quality 
3. Why is Urie Bronfenbrenner quoted in paragraph 2? 
A. To present a different point of view from that of the author 
B. To provide an example of a television program that is harmful 
C. To expand the author’s argument 
D. To discuss the positive aspects of television 
4. The word freezing in the passage is closest in meaning to........ 
A. controlling B. halting C. dramatizing D. encouraging 
5. Urie Bronfenbrenner compares the television set to ........ 
A. a statue B. an educator C. a family member D. a magician 
6. Which of the following would be an example of what the author means by a special thing that families do? 
A. Going on vacation in the summertime B. Playing cards together in the evening 
C. Reading to the children at bedtime D. Talking to each other 
7. The thing that “form the fabric of a family” in paragraph 3 are........ 
A. special things B. ordinary things 
C. television programs D. children 
8. The word it in the passage refers to ........ 
A. the television B. the family 
C. its backlog D. an institution 
9. According to the author, what distinguishes one family from another? 
A. Doing ordinary things together B. Watching television together 
C. Celebrating holidays together D. Living together 
10. It can be inferred from the passage that a caretaking institution is one in which care is given ........ 
A. charitably B. lovingly 
C. constantly D. impersonally 
V. SUPPLY THE APPROPRIATE FORMS OF THE WORDS IN THE BRACKETS. (1.5 PTS) 
1. Joining this project is a ...... Just do it. (BRAIN) 
2. There are a lot of......... articles in this newspaper. Why not read it? (NEWS) 
3. My cousin is a.....person. He is aware of all the latest fashions and wanting to follow them. (FASHION) 
4. The burglar gained entry to the building after......the alarm. (ABILITY) 
5. Whatever happens, don't let this failure ....... you. (HEART) 
6. Your carelessness may do......harm to people. (CALCULATE) 
7. The....listed for the pills meant that she couldn't take them because she may be allergic to some of the 
chemicals in them. (INDICATE) 
8. We were defeated because we were...... (NUMBER) 
9. It is ........summer, but it's rather autumnal today. (THEORY) 
10. This type of ......screen enables drivers to have a clear view even when it is smashed. (SHATTER) 
1. brainwave / brainstorm | 2. newsy | 3. fashionable | 4. disabled | 5. dishearten | 
6. incalculable | 7. indications | 8. outnumbered | 9. theoretically | 10. Shatterproof 
VI. SUPPLY EACH BLANK WITH ONE SUITABLE WORD. (1.5PTS) 
 The human race is not the only one species of beings in the living (1)..... Many other species exist on this 
planet. However, human beings have a great influence on the (2)...of the world. They are changing the 
environment by building cities and villages where forests (3)......stood. They are affecting the water supply by 
using water for industry and agriculture. They are changing (4)......conditions by cutting down trees in the 
forests and are destroying the air by adding pollutants to it. 
 It can be said that human beings are changing the environment in all respects (5)..... their actions and their 
habits. This has (6)......in two serious consequences. The first is that many species of animals are killed. The 
second is that the environment (7)...these animals are living is (8)....... destroyed. As a result, the number of 
rare animals are decreasing so rapidly that they are in danger of becoming (9)....... 
 In order to make sure that these rare animals do not disappear, (10)...... have been made to protect endangered 
nature. Scientists have made (11) ......of these species and suggested ways to save them. Many organizations 
have been set up and funds have been (12)..... Thousands of national parks all over the world have been 
established to protect endangered animals. (13).....have been introduced to prohibit killing endangered animals 
in the natural habitats where animals are living. 
 If people's interference with the environment decreases, more species will survive and (14) ......offspring. The 
earth will be a happy planet where human beings, animals and plants peacefully (15) ....... 
VII. REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES WITHOUT CHANGING THE MEANING. (2PTS) 
1. You have to accept the truth although it is hurtful. (TERMS) 
 Hurtful ......................................................... 
2. The wind was so strong that we coudn't walk. (HARDLY) 
 Such ........................................................... 
3. You will start to feel better as soon as this drug is effective. (EFFECT) 
 The moment ............................................... 
4. My dad is now abroad and I am in charge of the office. (UNDER) 
 My dad has ............................................... 
5. He was extremely happy because he won that scholarship. (MOON) 
 Had .......................................................... 
6. he received another letter from her as soon as he found the time to reply to her. (ROUND) 
 No sooner ................................................ 
7. I really don't like it when you cheated me yesterday. (RIDE) 
 I'd rather you ............................................. 
8. Don't make a fuss over such trivial things. (MOUNTAIN) 
 Don't ......................................................... 
9. We were amazed to know that he was a liar. (UNTRUTH) 
 To ............................................................. 
10. Everyday television viewers witness some sort of violence or crime on their their screens. (GOES BY) 
 Hardly ...................................................... 
THE END OF THE TEST 
SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO KỲ THI TUYỂN SINH LỚP 10 TRUNG HỌC PHỔ THÔNG 
THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH NĂM HỌC 2015-2016 
 ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC MÔN THI (CHUYÊN): TIẾNG ANH 
 (Đề thi gồm 4 trang) Ngày Thi: 12 tháng 6 năm 2015 
 Thời gian làm bài: 120 phút (không kể thời gian phát đề) 
I. CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER TO FILL IN THE BLANK (2 PTS) 
1. ........could only have been made by someone incompetent. 
A. How serious a mistake B. Such serious mistake 
C. So serious is this mistake D. So serious a mistake 
2. She insisted that the report ........ as his source of information. 
A. not be mentioned B. not to mention C. not mentioning D. not mention 
3. ... traveling is educational, it can also be stressful and expensive. 
A. Since B. Providing C. While D. Even 
4. They arrived home only to find their house........in their absence. 
A. was burgled B. has burgled C. had been burgled D. was burgling 
5. There isn't a.........of truth in his words. What a liar! 
A. wealth B. trace C. pack D. grain 
6. Don't count your........ before they 
A. ducklings B. chickens C. puppies D. birds 
7. Manh: Should I buy a new bike or a used one? ~ Dung: Buy ......you can afford. 
A. the one whichever B. which one that C. those that D. whichever one 
8. Dung: “Merry Christmas!” ~ Manh: ".......... ." 
A. You, too B. Merry Christmas C. You are welcome D. You bet 
9. I hope everything is OK. They ........several hours ago. 
A. would have called B. supposed to call C. must have called D. were to have called 
10. He was a great athlete when he was younger. He now still ........if he hadn't had that accident. 
A. would have been B. had been C. will be D. would be 
11. After a month-long investigation, the police still aren't sure who ..... 
A. is blamed by them B. do they blame C. to lay the blame on D. to be blaming 
12. The food wasn't bad, but I'd.........to go somewhere else next time. 
A. rather B. prefer C. better D. liked 
13. The company is famous for making sturdy work clothes that can......hard wear. 
A. stard up for B. stand up to C. stand in for D. stand up against 
14. Employees are advised to take......of the changes in the company policy. 
A. hold B. effect C. root D. notice 
15. The day their first child was bom, the new parents were......with joy. 
A. overpowered B. overtaken C. overcome D. overthrown 
16. By the time you finish your job, everyone.........home. 
A. has gone B. will have gone C. had gone D. was going 
17. The ..........child is forever asking questions. He's incredibly curious. 
A. acquisitive B. acquitted C. inquisitive D. exquisite 
18. If you think you are right, then........ Don't let him bully you into changing your mind. 
A. stand your ground B. hit it off C. kick the bucket D. give the green light 
19. At the end of the broadcast, the TV station received a......of complaints. 
A. hurricane B. tsunami C. tornado D. torrent 
20. Dung: "Stop talking. You are so noisy." ~ Manh: "........ He is the noisiest in this class.” 
A. Why not? B. Look, who's talking C. You can say that again. D. You bet! 
21. A: “Have you told your dad what's bothering you? ~ B: “I'd.......in you than in my parents." 
A. rather to confide B. better confide C. rather my confiding D. sooner confide 
22. .......is over your head is just an exaggeration. 
A. That this entrance exam B. When this entrance exam 
C. This entrance exam which D. This entrance exam 
23. When I decided to study two foreign languages at the same time, I knew I .....off more than I could chew. 
A. took B. bit C. cut D. broke 
24. My visit was supposed to be a surprise but my sister.....it away. 
A. gives B. takes C. brings D. shows 
25. ......, he couldn't solve that mathematical puzzle. 
A. As intelligent as was he B. Intelligent as he was 
C. So intelligent was he D. Although he is intelligent 
26. The test was given......short notice, so we all couldn't finish it well. 
A. by B. in C. for D. on 
27. Things would have been better .......to my advice. 
A. you not listened B. were you listened C. had you listened D. if you listened 
28. They will hold a party.....their son's 16th birthday. 
A. in recognition B. in celebration to C. with a view to celebrate D. in celebration of 
29. Where have you been? I've been trying to get......of you all day. 
A. touch B. hold C. contact D. rid 
30. The break-in turned out to be ...... because it made us more aware of the insecurity of the neighbourhood. 
A. a Jack of all trades B. a storm in a teacup 
C. a blessing in disguise D. a matter of life and death 
31. My new hiking boots will be great once I've ........them......... . 
A. broken - in B. put - through C. taken - to D. fixed-up 
32. We admire his......to his students. 
A. generosity B. sympathy C. assumption D. thoughtfulness 
33. ....... , the meeting began. 
A. After we have sat down B. All of us having taken the seats 
C. Our having seated D. Once we had been sat down 
34. ......., he tried to fix the machine. 
A. Not being a computer expert notwithstanding B. Despite of not being a computer expert 
C. Though no computer expert D. In spite of being no computer expert 
35. The draw took place yesterday but the competition winners ...... 
A. are yet to be announced B. haven't been being announced 
C. are as yet to have been announced D. haven't announced yet 
36. I had......on my face after I remembered the wrong day for her birthday party. 
A. egg B. sugar C. salt D. tomatoes 
37. The tickets cost only a small amount of money ........ 
A. off his head B. by head C. offhand D. per head 
38. The roberry is being ...... . 
A. broken out B. taken on C. looking into D. putting in 
39. The book you are looking for is out of ....... 
A. order B. print C. the question D. work 
40. He was too tired to mow the lawn, so he ....... one of his sons to do it. 
A. had B. made C. got D. took 
CHOOSE THE WORD OR PHRASE THAT BEST FITS EACH BLANK IN THE FOLLOWING 
PASSAGE. (1.5PTS) 
 On a yearly (1)......, the USA is afflicted by hurricanes on the east coast, flooding in the Midwest, forest fires, 
earthquakes and any number of tornadoes, blizzards and storms. Historically, the weather has (2) ..... as harsh a 
chord in people's lives as any we feel today. Historians list the four major events to wreak devastation (3) 
......the country as the Chicago fire in 1871, the Johnstown flood and the Galveston hurricane of 1900, and San 
Francisco earthquake in 1906. These (4).....provide a flavor of the havoc that natures storms have wrecked on 
humanity, and our reactions to them. Galveston, Texas, (5).......on the island of Galveston in the gulf of New 
Mexico, (6) .... on industry and exports. Its over 30,000 citizens in the early 1900's were generally economically 
successful and comfortable with existing conditions. (7)......the ill-fated morning of Sept. 7, 1900, the people of 
Galveston enjoyed their life on the remote island. (8)......weather watchers had been following a (9)....storm in 
the Atlantic for several days and were warning of the (10)......danger of a hurricane. Unfortunately, people 
(11).... the warnings. A day after the hurricane had hit the island, all that (12)......of the beautiful city was a 
mass of crumbled buildings, debris and hopeless survivors (13)......aimlessly with the stench of rotting flesh all 
around. However, a few days later, that the city was beginning to heal became (14)......everywhere - soon new 
buildings were (15) ..... the burned, and the lifeblood of the ravaged city was returning. 
1. A. foundation B. theory C. basis D. institution 
2. A. punched B. struck C. pinched D. played 
3. A. on B. at C. with D. for 
4. A. dangers B. risks C. threats D. catastrophes 
5. A. lied B. placed C. located D. built 
6. A. flourishes B. thrives C. grows D. develops 
7. A. After B. Up to then C. So far D. Until 
8. A. Therefore B. Correspondingly C. However D. Consequently 
9. A. growing B. enlarging C. massive D. stretching 
10. A. potential B. embedding C. intending D. impending 
11. A. refused B. rejected C. ignored D. denied 
12. A. remained B. existed C. lingered D. maintained 
13. A. wandered B. to wander C. were wandering D. wandering 
14. A. concealed B. notorious C. obscure D. evident 
15. A. overwhelming B. rebuilding C. designing D. refurbishing 
IDENTIFY THE MISTAKE IN EACH SENTENCE BELOW. (0.5 PTS) 
1. Tropical forests exist close to the equator, which both high temperature and abundant rainfall occur all year 
round. A B C D 
2. The Smiths are very proud of that their son always gets high marks in his courses. 
 A B C D 
3. We called the baseball park up to ask that when the game was scheduled to begin that afternoon. 
 A B C D 
4. The American Indians killed the buffalo only when necessity to obtain food, clothing and shelter. 
 A B C D 
5. Some relatives of mine like staying at their cabin on Lake Omega every summer holidays. 
 A B C D 
6. In the United States among 60 percent of the space on the pages of newspapers is reserved for advertising. 
 A B C D 
7. Gilbert Newton Lewis, a chemist, helped to develop the modern electron theory of valence, a theory 
 A B 
explains the forces holding atoms together in molecules. 
 C D 
8. Because of a high birthrate and considered immigration, the United States population in the late nineteenth 
 A B C 
century increased tremendously from 31 million in 1860 to 76 million in 1900. 
 D 
9. For most of their history, especially since the 1860's, New York City has been undergoing major ethnic 
population changes. A B C 
 D 
10. Rocks have forming, weaning away and re-forming ever since the Earth took shape. 
 A B C D 
IV. READ THE PASSAGE AND CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT 
FOLLOW. (1PTS) 
 Television’s contribution to family life in the United States has been an equivocal one. For while it has, 
indeed, kept the members of the family from dispersing, it has not served to bring them together. By 
dominating the time families spend together, it destroys the special quality that distinguishes one family from 
another, a quality that depends to a great extent on what a family does, what special rituals, games, recurrent 
jokes, familiar songs, and shared activities it accumulates. 
 “Like the sorcerer of old,” writes Urie Bronfenbrenner, “the television set casts its magic spell, freezing 
speech and action, turning the living into silent statues so long as the enchantment lasts. The primary danger of 
the television screen lies not so much in the behavior it produces — although there is danger there — as in the 
behavior it prevents : the talks, games, the family festivities, and arguments through which much of the child’s 
learning takes place and through which character is formed. Turning on the television set can turn off the 
process that transforms children into people.” 
 Of course, families today still do special things together at times: go camping in the summer, go to the zoo on 
a nice Sunday, take various trips and expeditions. But the ordinary daily life together is diminished — that 
sitting around at the dinner table, that spontaneous taking up of an activity, those little games invented by 
children on the spur of the moment when there is nothing else to do, the scribbling, the chatting, the quarreling, 
all the things that form the fabric of a family, that define a childhood. 
 Instead, the children have their regular schedule of television programs and bedtime, and the parents have 
their peaceful dinner together. But surely the needs of adults are being better met than the needs of children, 
who are effectively shunted away and rendered untroublesome. 
 If the family does not accumulate its backlog of shared experiences, shared everyday experiences that occur 
and recur and change and develop, then it is not l