A. READING
Part 1. Read the passage and circle the best answer A, B, C, or D.
[ Đọc bài đọc và khoanh tròn A, B, C hoặc D]
Many countries face somewhat more serious economic problem in the form of an unfavourable trade balance with other nations. Such an imbalance exists when the total value of a country’s imports exceeds that of its exports. For example, if a country buys $25 billion in products from other countries, yet sells only $10 in its own products overseas, its trade deficit is $15 billion. Many underdeveloped nations find themselves in this position because they lack natural resources or the industrial capacity to use these resources, and thus have to import materials or manufactured goods.
Other effect of trade deficit is the flow of currency out of a country. In the case of an underdeveloped nation, this can cause many financial difficulties, including failure to meet debt payments and obstacles to creation of industrial base. Even in the case of a fully developed nation such as the United States, a large trade deficit is reason for alarm. American products, made by well-paid workers in U.S. industries, cost more to produce than those made in places like Asia, where labour and material costs are much lower. Money spent on foreign products is money not spent on items produced by domestic industries.
1. What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. several worldwide economic problems
B. the causes and consequences of trade deficits
C. a lack of resources in underdeveloped countries
D. the value of exports versus imports
2. According to thé passage, when does a trade imbalance occur?
A. when a country has a serious economic problem
B. when a country sells more products overseas than its imports
C. when the value of the products a country imports is greater than the value of the products it exports
D. when a country cannot develop its natural resources
3. The passage states that many underdeveloped nations have trade deficits because .
A. they find themselves in this position
B. they export most of their natural resources to their nations
C. they have to import most of their natural resources or manufactured products
D. they have failed to meet debt payment
4. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a possible cause of a trade imbalance?
A. low labour and material costs in Asian countries
B. a lack of natural resources
C. an underdeveloped industrial base
D. the high cost of exported items
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5. It can be inferred from the passage that American industries .
A. do not pay their workers sufficient wages
B. are hurt by a trade imbalance
C. import labours and material from overseas
D. provide a strong industrial base that prevents a trade deficit
Hướng dẫn giải:
1. B 2. C 3. C 4. D 5. A
Part 2. Read the passage and fill each blank with a suitable word.
[ Đọc bài và điền vào mỗi chỗ trống với một từ thích hợp]
A very long time ago, there (1) in a far comer of China, a good and simple man named Fu-hsing, (2) had an unusually clever wife. All the day long he would run to (3) with questions about thus-and-such, or about such- and-thus, as the case might fall out; and no matter (4) difficult the problem he took to her, she always thought (5) a solution. Thanks to her wondrous acumen, (6) house of Fu-hsing prospered mightily.
Fu-hsing was remarkably (7) of his wife and often spoke of her (8) his “Incomparable Wisdom”, his “Matchless Wit”, or his “Dearest Capability”, He only wished that all who passed his (9) could know it was her cleverness that brought him such prosperity. For months he puzzled his head over a suitable way of declaring his gratitude, and at last conceived of a couplet that delicately (10) his feeling.
Hướng dẫn giải:
1. lived 2. who 3. her 4. how 5. of/about
6. the 7. proud 8. as 9. house 10. conveyed