Reading

Read the following passage about Mary Kingsley, a famous British explorer. Answer the questions.

(Đọc đoạn văn sau về Mary Kingsley, một nhà thám hiểm nổi tiếng người Anh. Trả lời các câu hỏi)

Mary Kingsley was born in London in 1862, the daughter of a doctor and a domestic servant. She received little formal education, as in those days, people did not think that it was necessary to educate girls. However, she spent time in her father’s library, which was full of travel and science books.

In 1892, her parents died and Mary inherited £4,300, a considerable sum at that time. Mary had always dreamed of travelling to Africa, and with the money, she could now do this. She arrived in Sierra Leone in August 1893, lived with local people, and learned from them the skills needed to survive in the jungle. She often went alone into dangerous areas to collect plant and animal specimens. She returned to Britain in 1893 just to be back in Africa the next year. She daringly climbed the 4,040-metre-high Mount Cameroon by a previously unknown route wearing a long black dress.

In 1895, Mary went home again, taking some rare specimens, including a live reptile which she gave to a zoo. Mary wrote two books with her experiences — Travels in West Africa and West African Studies —in which she described the way of life of the indigenous people. She was very critical both of the missionaries who set out to convert the local people and of British colonial rule. She thought they damaged the African culture. Her fame grew and she gave lectures all over Britain. She went out to Africa again in March 1900, but before she could travel north to the part she loved, she died of typhoid in South Africa at the age of 37.

1. Why was Mary not sent to school?

2. How could she afford to travel to Africa?

3. What did she wear to climb Mount Cameroon?

4. What was her opinion of missionaries and of British colonial rule?

5. How many expeditions to Africa did she go on?

6. What did she die of?

Answer:

1. Mary was not sent to school because it was not considered necessary to educate girls in those days.

2. Mary inherited £4,300 when her parents died, which was a considerable sum at that time, and she used this money to travel to Africa.

3. Mary wore a long black dress to climb Mount Cameroon.

4. Mary was critical of the missionaries who set out to convert the local people and of British colonial rule. She thought they damaged the African culture.

5. Mary went on three expeditions to Africa.

6. Mary died of typhoid in South Africa at the age of 37.

Listening

Listen to a talk about hovercrafts and fill in each blank with NO MORE THAN three words.

(Nghe bài nói về thủy phi cơ và điền vào mỗi chỗ trống KHÔNG QUÁ ba từ)

A hovercraft is a unique kind of vehicle which has got the (1) ______________ over any kind of terrain land, water, mud, or ice. It has got special engines that blow air below the vehicle. The pressure of this air is (2) ______________ than the pressure in the atmosphere and the (3) ______________ in the pressure lifts the hovercraft above the surface so that it can travel over small obstacles (4) ______________, making it one of the most (5) ______________ vehicles in the world. The hovercraft was first designed in Britain in the 1950s. Today, these vehicles are used all over the world. They are particularly (6) ______________ during disasters, because they can get to places that a boat or a helicopter can’t reach. The manufacturers have created hovercraft (7) ______________ The smaller models are easy to drive and their designers always have (8) ______________ in mind.

Answer:

HS tự thực hiện.

Speaking

Work in groups. Discuss the following questions.

(Làm việc nhóm. Thảo luận các câu hỏi sau)

- What is the most important character trait an explorer should have?

- Where on Earth is the most dangerous area to explore: a desert, the polar regions, or the sea?

Answer:

1. What is the most important character trait an explorer should have?

• Courage: Explorers often face dangerous situations, and they need to be brave and keep calm in order to find solutions and survive.

• Curiosity: Explorers should have a strong desire to learn about new places, cultures, and environments. They should be open-minded and eager to discover the unknown.

• Resilience: Explorers may encounter setbacks, failures, and hardships, and they need to be able to bounce back from these challenges and keep going.

• Resourcefulness: Explorers may have to rely on their own skills, knowledge, and creativity to solve problems and overcome obstacles. They should be able to adapt to different situations and make the most of their resources.

2. Where on Earth is the most dangerous area to explore: a desert, the polar regions, or the sea?

• A desert: Deserts can be extremely hot, dry, and barren, with few sources of water and food. Explorers may have to deal with sandstorms, scorching temperatures, and dangerous wildlife. In some cases, they may also face political or social instability, as some deserts are located in conflict zones or disputed territories.

• The polar regions: The Arctic and Antarctic regions are some of the harshest and most isolated places on Earth. Explorers may have to endure extreme cold, high winds, and long periods of darkness. They may also have to deal with sea ice, crevasses, and polar bears or other predators. Moreover, the polar regions are difficult to access and offer few resources for survival.

• The sea: The ocean is vast and unpredictable, and explorers who venture into it face a variety of risks. They may encounter storms, waves, and currents that can capsize or damage their vessels. They may also face the dangers of hypothermia, dehydration, and exposure to the elements. In addition, the sea is home to many creatures that can pose a threat to humans, such as sharks, jellyfish, and whales.

Writing

Read the task below and write a letter of complaint (150-180 words) to the service provider.

(Đọc nhiệm vụ dưới đây và viết một lá thư khiếu nại (150-180 từ) cho nhà cung cấp dịch vụ)

You recently travelled by plane / coach / train and you were very dissatisfied with the service. Write a letter of complaint in which you describe what went wrong and suggest how the company could improve their service.

Answer:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my disappointment with the level of service provided during my recent train journey from London to Edinburgh. Unfortunately, the experience left me with a very negative impression of your company, which I am compelled to share with you.

To begin with, the train was running 30 minutes late from the scheduled time, which caused me to miss an important appointment. Moreover, the seats were uncomfortable and cramped, and there was no space for luggage. The air conditioning was not working properly, which made the journey unbearable, especially on such a hot day. The refreshment trolley was late, and when it finally arrived, the prices were exorbitant.

I suggest the following measures to improve your service: Firstly, better maintenance of the train's facilities is essential, especially during the summer months when passengers expect a comfortable and pleasant journey. Secondly, your company should consider reducing the prices of refreshments, which are currently unreasonably high. Lastly, the punctuality of trains should be maintained, as this is of paramount importance to passengers.

I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter and make the necessary improvements. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]