Đề HSG Tiếng Anh 12 Vĩnh Phúc 2024-2025 & đáp án chính thức

SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO

VĨNH PHÚC

(Đề thi có 08 trang) KỲ THI CHỌN HSG LỚP 12 CHƯƠNG TRÌNH THPT

NĂM HỌC 2024-2025

Môn: TIẾNG ANH

Thời gian làm bài: 90 phút, không kể thời gian phát đề

PART A: LISTENING

Section 1. Questions 1 - 10

Complete the form below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

HOME INSURANCE QUOTATION FORM

Example Answer

Name: Janet Evans

Address: 49 1. __________ Court

Email: 2. __________

Telephone number: (020) 4251-9443

Best time to contact: 3. __________ pm

Property Information

Property size: 4. __________ m2

Material(s): 5. __________

Security measures (if any): 6. __________

Coverage

Items to cover: • building

• contents

• 7. __________

Quotation: £ 8. __________

Coverage start date: 9. __________

Reference number: 10. __________

Section 2. Questions 11 - 15

Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

You are going to hear a radio phone-in program on the subject of allergies. For questions 11 - 15 choose the answer A, B, or C which best fits according to what you hear. 

11. Which of these possible explanations for the increase in allergies does the program presenter mention in her introduction?

A. People are exposed to more dangerous substances than in the past.

B. More new allergens are being released into the environment.

C. People’s resistance to allergens is lower than in the past.

12. Which of the following questions does the first caller, Tim, want to know the answer to?

A. Why does his allergy start in spring?

B. Why is he allergic to grass and pollen?

C. Will he ever be free of the allergy?

13. Arabella, the caller from Amsterdam, __________.

A. thinks she may have passed on her allergy to her children

B. wants to know whether her peanut allergy will continue in the future

C. asks how probable it is that her children will have allergies

14. If both a child’s parents have a particular allergy, that child __________.

A. is more than likely to have the same allergy

B. has a less than fifty percent chance of getting the same allergy

C. has about twenty percent risk of having an allergy

15. According to Dr Bawaldi, some people believe that the increase in asthma among young children may result from __________.

A. living in centrally heated or air-conditioned buildings

B. being in areas with very high levels of exhaust fumes

C. receiving medical treatment for other types of illness

Section 3. Questions 16 - 20

What problem is associated with each of the topics Adrian is considering?

Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A - G, next to questions 16 - 20.

16. History __________

17. Trade routes __________

18. Conflicts __________

19. Architecture __________

20. Modern life __________

Problems

A. Most people are not aware of this aspect.

B. It would involve too much investigative work.

C. It is a too large topic.

D. It could be too technical.

E. It might take the focus off Petra.

F. Most people would not be interested in this aspect.

G. Academically, it is an inappropriate topic.

PART B. LEXICO-GRAMMAR

Choose the correct option marked A, B, C, or D to complete the following sentences. 

21. In two months’ time, Raymond __________ from the college with a degree and will be expecting a respected and well-paid job.

A. will have graduated B. has graduated

C. will be graduating  D. is graduating

22. The writer asked that his collection of recordings and written documents __________ in secret.

A. were kept B. be kept C. would keep D. had kept

23. She was very fortunate to __________ an excellent private tutor to help her with her study.

A. think through B. seek out C. pick up D. light upon

24. Peter regretted booking that trip. He did it __________ and it wasn’t very good.

A. on the air B. on the move C. on the fly D. on the line

25. Since a large percentage of her students failed the exam, the teacher decided to give them a second bite at __________ by allowing them to take the test again.

A. the cherry B. the apple C. the pie D. the peach

26. __________ advised on what and how to prepare for the interview, he might have got the job.

A. Unless he had been B. Were he to be

C. If he had D. Had he been

27. “How come you didn’t tell me that you would quit the job?” - “__________.”

A. I found the job so interesting. B. Because I am so bored with it.

C. I would love to. Thank you. D. Because I know you would make a fuss about it.

28. To get his proposal accepted, the Finance Manager had to __________ heavy pressure from colleagues.

A. fend off B. laugh off C. send off D. push off

29. This was when he evolved the working method __________.

A. which he has never departed B. in which he has never departed

C. for which he has never departed D. from which he has never departed

30. Could I pick your __________ on the subject before the meeting?

A. brains B. mind C. head D. intellect

31. Jack discovered that his home had been __________ by burglars.

A. annihilated B. ransacked C. eliminated D. exterminated

32. One of the main reasons for his success in business is that he keeps an __________ to the ground to know what customers want and why they’re dissatisfied with competing products.

A. ear B. eye C. egg D. eagle

33. As the Ice Age advanced and forests died away, to be replaced by windswept savannah, many herbivores were __________ to change their diets from leaves to grass.

A. co-erced B. enforced C. necessitated D. compelled

34. Robert will enjoy skiing more the next time he goes to Mt. Hellens __________ he has had skiing lessons.

A. before B. so that C. now that D. and

35. __________ theories approximate the truth is the day-to-day business of science.

A. Determining how closely B. How closely to determine

C. How one determines close D. One is close to determining

PART C: READING

Section 1. Read the following passage and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.

Sleeping disorders like insomnia can prove to be a worrying question for many of us. Almost anyone can easily conjure (36) __________ at least one sleepless night of (37) __________ and turning in bed awaiting the bliss of a deep dream. Most probably, a third of us undergo the distressing experience at least once a week.

Even though it is possible for people to function without any sleep at all for a certain period of time, such occurrences are rather few and far between and there is no evidence to (38) __________ this assumption. What is sure, however, is the fact that we do need some sleep to regenerate our strength and to (39) __________ the brain to its proper activity. No wonder, then, that the tiredness and fatigue that appear after a sleepless night compel many of us to go for chemical support in the form of sleep (40) __________ tablets or powders. 

However long the problem of sleeplessness has afflicted many individuals, very little has been (41) __________ in the question of its original causes. We are conscious that it usually (42) __________ those who are exposed to a great deal of stress, anxiety or depression. It may also be (43) __________ by overworking or unfavorable surroundings with scarcity of fresh air.

Sleeping pills may provide some relief and can act as an alternative in this desperate situation. Yet, they do little to combat the ailment in full. Consequently, our hopes should be (44) __________ on the medical authorities to (45) __________ the root cause of insomnia before we take to being nocturnals leading our noisy lives in the dead of night.

36. A. up B. about C. off D. out

37. A. rolling B. wriggling C. tossing D. spinning

38. A. proclaim B. endure C. invalidate D. substantiate

39. A. recuperate B. restore C. revive D. resume

40. A. inducing B. attaining C. exacting D. contributing

41. A. disparaged B. retrieved C. detected D. originated

42. A. betrays B. besets C. bemoans D. bestows

43. A. engendered B. applied C. instigated D. evolved

44. A. placed B. ascribed C. focused D. attached

45. A. emerge B. release C. determine D. confess

Section 2. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only ONE word in each space.

SLIM CHANCE

Cross your heart and swear in all honesty that you have never ever been on a diet. If so, lucky you! You must be supremely confident about your (46) __________, enviably restrained in your eating habits or blessed with an ability to eat what you like without gaining (47) __________.

In a society whose most potent icons are abnormally thin models, fat has become, quite literally, a dirty (48) __________ - one of the earliest epithets to be hurried around the school playground. These days, children begin to restrict their (49) __________ intake as early as age nine. By fifteen, as many as one girl in three thinks she should be on a diet. 

This obsession with losing weight fuels a multi-million pound slimming industry which grows ever more inventive in its attempts to persuade veteran (50) __________ that “this one really works”. Meanwhile, it is obvious to many people that diets don’t work - at least, not (51) __________ the long-term. If they did, we would be getting thinner, but in fact we are getting (52) __________.

As many as nine out of ten dieters needn’t have bothered dieting at all as they put back the weight they (53) __________; and up to half end up (54) __________ even more than they did before. Most of these people see their problem as a personal failure - they think they should have been more strong -minded. This is a fallacy, however, for there is growing evidence that many dieters get locked into a losing battle with their (55) __________ bodies, which fight like mad to resist the starvation process. There is also a good reason to believe that dieting may be bad for you - particularly if it leads to regular fluctuations in weight.

Section 3. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer A, B, C or D.  

THE DISAPPEARING MENHADEN

Most people have never heard of it, and they certainly have not eaten it in its original form, but the Atlantic Ocean menhaden is the most important fish in the ocean. However, it is disappearing at an alarming rate. The east coast of the United States once teemed with immense schools, some as many as a mile across, but the devastation of the menhaden stocks over the last sixty years has led to severe dislocations in the oceans’ ecosystems. The decline of the menhaden has had particularly disastrous effects on fish species that feed on it, on bird species that use it as a food source, and on how clean the oceans are.

Menhaden are a small fish belonging to the haddock family, and they are not very palatable to humans, having a foul, oily taste and consisting of many small bones. Commercial fishing of menhaden since the end of World War II has primarily been for the production of feed for livestock, with ground-up fish used to make meal for chickens, pigs, and cows. Companies use spotter planes to find large schools and direct fishing boats to the location. Catches have declined almost forty percent since the 1960s and show no sign of leveling off or increasing. Unlike other species that are protected by government quotas, menhaden are not, most likely because they are not a species consumed directly by humans. This is unfortunate since the loss of the menhaden spells an eco-disaster of epic proportions.

Of principal importance are the many species of fish and other animals that feed on menhaden. They are the main diet for bluefish and striped bass, and both species have shown a serious decline in numbers. The striped bass was once the prized catch of the Chesapeake Bay area, but the specimens brought in by rod and reel now are weak sisters compared to the past. Not only do they lack the bulk of their ancestors, but they are also dying at alarming rates. Fish are not the only predators of menhaden, as birds also depend on them as a source of nourishment. Large colonies of osprey all along the eastern seaboard have disappeared in recent years, with the numbers of nests and birds reduced by fifty percent in some areas over the last ten years. There are similar statistics for loons in Chesapeake Bay.

The greatest threat from the loss of the menhaden is that the oceans have lost one of their great natural filterers. Menhaden swim in massive schools with their mouths open, allowing water to flow through their gills, which serve to absorb oxygen and grab plankton and other detritus from the water. They act like gigantic vacuum cleaners for the ocean. The cleaner water allows sunlight to penetrate to greater depths, which stimulates plant life that harbors other fish and shellfish and produces oxygen for the water. With the decline of the menhaden, this process is in serious jeopardy. Chemical run-off from farms, lawns, and houses ends up in the oceans, increasing the nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the water. Algae grow in great numbers in these conditions, block the sunlight, and deplete oxygen of the water. In addition, the algae sink to the ocean floor and prevent shellfish and oxygen-producing plants from growing. Entire coastal areas are lifeless, with the algae’s killing the fish. Menhaden reduce the levels of these chemicals, but now that there are fewer menhaden, the algae have taken over.

The large companies that process menhaden disagree with the findings of environmental scientists. Since there is no accurate way to count the amount of menhaden in the oceans, they claim that the fewer menhaden are a result of a cyclical event and that the stocks will grow again in time. Yet, much of the menhaden catch consists of smaller fish, often less than one year old. These fish have not had a chance to mature long enough to become reproductive, and thus the commercial fishing companies are destroying future menhaden stocks in order to make a profit at the moment. The largest companies have had to lay off many employees, and many of their vessels sit idle at the wharf. In the long run, the menhaden will probably rebound once their numbers have reached the point where catching them is no longer profitable. Hopefully, laws will soon be in place to protect them from their greatest predator, mankind.

56. According to paragraph 1, the Atlantic Ocean menhaden is __________.

A. eaten only by other fish and not at all by humans

B. not in any immediate danger of disappearing from the ocean

C. eaten by birds and other fish as a part of their diets

D. quite well-known to most people in the United States

57. The word palatable in the passage is closest in meaning to __________.

A. stable B. partial C. disgusting D. edible

58. According to paragraph 2, all of the following are reasons for the decline of the menhaden stocks EXCEPT __________.

A. People desire directly to consume them as a food fish

B. Improved fishing technology has helped catch more fish

C. Farmers have a strong dependence on fish-fed livestock

D. There is a lack of laws providing government protection

59. It can be inferred from paragraph 2 that humans consume menhaden __________.

A. for the healthy benefits from eating its oily flesh

B. directly from the oceans in their original form

C. only in the eastern coastal areas of the United States

D. as a result of eating livestock raised on menhaden meal

60. Which of the following sentences is TRUE according to the passage?

A. In the past the Chesapeake Bay striped bass fishery was more valuable than it is nowadays.

B. The Chesapeake Bay area is prized for the striped bass that can be caught by fishermen there.

C. There are prizes given for the best striped bass caught by sport fishermen in Chesapeake Bay.

D. The striped bass caught by sport fishermen in Chesapeake Bay are not as large as those caught in the past.

61. According to paragraph 4, the main influence on the oceans as a result of declining menhaden numbers is __________.

A. an overabundance of plankton near the coast

B. increased human dumping of chemicals in the ocean

C. the decline of fish stocks that feed on menhaden

D. an increase in the number of lifeless areas

62. The word their in the last paragraph refers to __________.

A. menhaden stocks B. many employees

C. largest companies D. commercial fishing companies

63. According to paragraph 5, large commercial fishing companies argue that the shrinking menhaden stocks are the result of __________.

A. a lack of oxygen in the ocean as a result of too much algae

B. environmental factors that are totally beyond their control

C. fishing technology that has developed in recent years

D. a normal cycle that will end some time in the near future

64. In paragraph 5, why does the author mention the fact that commercial fishing companies are catching smaller and younger fish?

A. To prove that the declining menhaden stocks are not an illusion

B. To explain why they have had to lay off employees and leave boats idle

C. To counter their disagreements with the environmental scientists

D. To show that menhaden stocks are not safe for the future

65. What is the main purpose of the author in writing this passage?

A. To suggest immediate legal actions to prevent the disappearance of the menhaden

B. To emphasize the great importance of the menhaden and the disastrous effects of losing it

C. To report an argument between environmental scientists and fishing companies regarding the menhaden stock decline

D. To discuss the complete disappearance of the menhaden in the Atlantic Ocean

PART D. WRITING

Section 1. Rewrite each of the following sentences in such a way that it has a similar meaning to the original one. 

66. Reports say that police have arrested a number of people since the robbery.

 A number of people _____________________________________________________________

67. She was very relieved when she realized that her bag hadn’t been stolen.

 She breathed a __________________________________________________________________

68. The inevitability of unemployment was something nobody cared to admit.

 The admission that ______________________________________________________________

69. It’s important to defend what you believe in when others express their doubts.

 You have to stand _______________________________________________________________

70. The fund-raisers haven’t officially decided where to send the proceeds of the concert.

 No ___________________________________________________________________________

Section 2. Write the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct arrangement of the sentences to make a meaningful paragraph/letter in each of the following questions.

71. 

a. I thought I’d be able to wrap things up, but it got out of control, and I couldn’t pull myself away. I should have managed things better or at least let you know sooner. I realize that not only did I break our plans, but it also might have messed up the rest of your evening. That was unfair to you, and it’s definitely not what I intended.

b. You know how much I was looking forward to our plans, especially since it’s been ages since we’ve had a proper hangout. Unfortunately, work came up unexpectedly. 

c. Hey Jamie,

I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing because I’ve been feeling pretty awful about what happened last Friday. I know I bailed on you at the last minute, and I can’t express how genuinely sorry I am for leaving you hanging like that.

d. Let me know what you think. Your friendship means a lot to me, and I really don’t want this to come between us. Hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,  

Alex

e. Please know it wasn’t my intention to upset you or make you feel like our friendship isn’t important. It truly is. I’ve been thinking about how I can make it up to you, and maybe we can reschedule for another time? 

f. I’d love to treat you to dinner or catch one of those concerts you mentioned. It could be a good opportunity to reconnect and have the fun evening we were supposed to have.

A. c - b - f - e - a - d B. c - b - a - e - f - d

C. c - a - e - f - b - d D. c - a - b - f - e - d

72. a. By practicing what they have learned, students retain information better and develop essential skills, such as improving their writing abilities through grammar exercises. 

b. Homework is an integral part of the learning process, often assigned daily to support students’ academic progress and personal development. 

c. While some argue that it creates unnecessary stress, daily homework provides valuable opportunities to strengthen understanding of lessons taught in class. 

d. However, the benefits of homework depend on its quality and quantity; excessive workloads can lead to fatigue and reduced motivation. Carefully designed, meaningful assignments can maximize its positive impact, ensuring educational and personal growth.

e. Additionally, homework promotes independent learning by encouraging students to explore and solve problems on their own, enhancing critical thinking and building confidence in handling challenges without relying on teachers or peers. 

f. Moreover, homework fosters discipline and time management, as balancing assignments with other activities teaches students how to prioritize and meet deadlines - valuable life skills beyond academics. 

A. b - c - a - f - e - d B. b - c - d - a - e - f

C. b - c - e - d - f - a D. b - e - d - f - a - c

73. 

a. Firstly, as a student, Francesca demonstrated a love of learning and the level of commitment necessary to succeed in college and beyond. I am happy to be able to provide this recommendation for such a deserving student.

b. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have, and let me know if I can provide any additional information in support of this deserving student. You may reach me at

helenb@school.com.

c. Dear, Sir/Madam, I am writing this letter to recommend Francesca Stevens for the Linda

Williams Scholarship. I was her Social Studies and History teacher and have closely followed her

academic progress during the past three years.

d. Secondly, Francesca has distinguished herself as an incredible young writer through her work in my classes as well as in her creative and essay writing in English and Literature. 

e. In addition to having firsthand knowledge of Francesca’s academic commitment and talent, I feel

certain that you will be just as impressed with Francesca as I am.

f. For example, as her academic record attests, Ms. Francesca has maintained an A grade average across the board during her study here at Fallow High School.

A. c - e - f - d - a - b B. c - a - d - f - e - b  

C. c - f - a - d - e - b  D. c - a - f - d - e - b

74. 

a. With proper management, AI has the potential to enhance various aspects of society and create a brighter future for humanity.

b. In education, AI provides personalized learning experiences, enabling students to learn at their own pace and overcome challenges effectively. 

c. However, the risks of AI, such as job displacement due to automation and ethical concerns like data privacy, must not be ignored. To fully harness AI’s benefits, strict regulations are necessary to address these challenges and ensure its responsible use. 

d. Beyond these fields, AI can tackle global issues such as climate change and resource management by analysing data to predict natural disasters, optimize energy use, and develop sustainable practices, thus improving life quality and promoting sustainability. 

e. Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have sparked debates about its impact on our lives, but I believe that AI will have a predominantly positive influence on the future if applied responsibly. 

f. AI has already revolutionized sectors like healthcare and education by enhancing efficiency and accuracy. For instance, AI-powered technologies can diagnose diseases earlier and more precisely, saving lives and easing the workload of medical professionals. 

A. e - d - f - b - c - a B. e - f - d - b - c - a

C. e - f - b - d - c - a D. e - d - a - c - f - b

75. a. On the other hand, the younger generation tends to embrace technology and innovation, seeking efficiency and speed in their tasks. These differences can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts.

b. Additionally, career aspirations might diverge, with younger individuals often drawn to new professions driven by technology and digital trends, while older generations value steady, long-term employment.

c. Understanding and communication are key to bridging this gap, promoting harmony and mutual respect between generations.

d. The generation gap is often a topic of conversation, particularly in families. It reflects the differences in opinions, values, and skills between older and younger members.

e. Older generations are often seen as more conservative, valuing tradition and stability. They might prefer tasks done the old-fashioned way and are known to value hard work and personal interaction.

f. For instance, while young people might prefer texting or social media to stay in touch, older individuals may yearn for face-to-face interaction or phone calls.

A. d - e - a - f - b - c B. c - e - a - d - b - f

C. d - e - f - a - b - c  D. d - a - e - b - f - c

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