Đề thi tham khảo ĐGNL Đại học Sư phạm TP.Hồ Chí Minh môn Tiếng Anh có đáp án - Đề số 2

A. LISTENING

In this section of the test, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to understand conversations and talks in English. There are three parts in this section with special directions for each part. Answer all the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied by the speakers in the recording. The recording will be played ONCE only.

Part 1: Question 1-8

In this part, you will hear EIGHT short announcements or instructions. There is one question for each announcement or instruction. For each question, choose the right answer A, B, C or D. First you have some time to look at questions 1 to 8.

Part 2: Questions 9-20

In this part, you will hear THREE conversations. The conversations will not be repeated. There are four questions for each conversation. For each question, choose the right answer A, B, C or D. You will hear the recording ONCE only.

Part 3: Questions 21-35

In this part, you will hear THREE lectures. The lecture will not be repeated. There are five questions for the lecture. For each question, choose the right answer A, B, C or D. You will hear the recording ONCE only.

B. READING

In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer to each question. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage.

You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions.

Passage 1:

        Brainrot (sometimes written as “brain rot”) is internet slang for the mental fog and shortened attention span that comes from spending too much time consuming low-quality online content. It also refers to the content itself: the bizarre, nonsensical, algorithmically boosted videos and memes that flood platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels.

        Part of what makes brainrot recognizable is its own micro-language. Young people who consume large amounts of this content often pepper their speech with internet-native references: “skibidi” (from the YouTube series Skibidi Toilet), “rizz” (charisma), “gyatt” (a reaction to someone’s body), “fanum tax” (jokingly stealing food from someone’s plate), and “sigma” (a self-reliant, lone-wolf male archetype). If you’ve heard a child or teenager string these words together in a sentence that sounds like nonsense, you’ve witnessed brainrot vocabulary in action. For many parents and teachers, this language is the most visible sign that something has shifted in how kids interact with media.

        The term started as slang, but research suggests the underlying concern is real. The core mechanism is something researchers call “dopamine-scrolling”: each swipe releases a small hit of dopamine, and because you never know whether the next video will be boring or hilarious, the unpredictability keeps you hooked. This variable reward schedule is the same psychological principle that makes slot machines compelling. Over time, your brain builds tolerance, meaning you need more scrolling to get the same satisfaction.

        A 2024 study measuring brain activity in college-age participants found that higher levels of short-video addiction correlated with weaker executive control in the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for focus, planning, and impulse control. The same study found a significant negative relationship between short-video addiction and self-control. In plain terms: the more hooked someone was on short videos, the harder it was for them to regulate their own attention and behavior.

        A broader review published in Brain Sciences linked excessive screen time and low-quality content consumption to brain fog, decreased concentration, impaired brain development in adolescents, increased anxiety and depression, social withdrawal, and distorted perceptions of reality. Some researchers have raised concerns about potential connections to early-onset cognitive decline in later adulthood, though that long-term picture is still developing.

(Adapted from https://scienceinsights.org/what-does-brainrot-mean-and-why-it-affects-your-brain/)

Passage 2:

        Present-day climate change refers not only to global warming, the gradual increase in Earth’s average temperature, but also to its wider climatic consequences. It also encompasses historical long-term shifts in the planet’s climate. The recent rise in temperature is largely driven by human actions, particularly the burning of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution. Activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and industrial production release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

        Climate change is having a growing impact on the environment. Deserts are expanding, while heatwaves and wildfires are becoming more frequent. The Arctic is warming more rapidly than other regions, leading to thawing permafrost, shrinking glaciers, and declining sea ice. Rising temperatures are also intensifying storms, droughts, and other extreme weather events. Rapid environmental changes in ecosystems such as mountains, coral reefs, and polar regions are forcing many species to migrate or face extinction. Even if future warming is reduced, some consequences will persist for centuries. These include rising ocean temperatures, increasing ocean acidity, and higher sea levels.

        It also poses a major threat to humans, increasing the risk of flooding, heat stress, food and water shortages, disease outbreaks, and economic losses. It may also force population displacement and contribute to conflict. The World Health Organization identifies climate change as one of the most serious health risks of the 21st century. Without mitigation, both human societies and natural ecosystems will face significantly greater dangers.

        Climate change can be addressed by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. To limit global warming to 1.5°C, net-zero emissions must be achieved by 2050, or by 2070 to stay below 2°C. Achieving this requires major transformations in energy systems, land use, urban development, transport, construction, and industry.

Passage 3:

        As forests are razed at a dizzying pace and rainforests steadily shrink, the ecological importance of trees is frequently thrust into the spotlight. Yet to judge them solely by their environmental utility is to miss the forest for the trees. Far more than passive components of ecosystems, trees occupy a deep cultural and spiritual terrain, having taken firm root in the human imagination. Across ages and civilizations, they have shaped mythologies, enriched language, and anchored social values, serving as enduring symbols through which humanity has interpreted the world.

        From the very cradle of human history, trees were indispensable to survival. They supplied early communities with tools, weapons, and shelter, and even with the advent of metal, their relevance did not fade into obscurity. Long before an axe ever met bark, trees sustained life directly: fruits, nuts, berries, and medicinal leaves provided a crucial buffer when hunting yielded slim pickings. Wood also fed the fires that transformed human existence, enabling cooking, warmth, and protection. Through these varied roles, trees came to be seen not merely as raw materials, but as steadfast benefactors and silent guardians, the backbone of early human life.

        Given this intimacy, it is hardly surprising that trees acquired symbolic and even sacred significance. Their resemblance to the human form - roots anchoring them like feet, a trunk standing like a torso, and branches reaching skyward like arms - invited anthropomorphic reverence. This bond is etched into language itself: problems have roots, families branch out, and ideas take root before bearing fruit. Across cultures, individual trees embody particular virtues, while the tree as a whole often serves as a metaphor for lineage, continuity, and the fragile balance between past, present, and future. Trees are also closely bound up with knowledge and insight. Tales of enlightenment beneath a tree or forbidden wisdom plucked from one recur across traditions, implying that knowledge is a double-edged sword. Their longevity further burnishes this symbolism, as ancient trees appear to bottle the accumulated experience of generations.

        Although modern societies may no longer cloak trees in mythic reverence, emotional ties remain deeply ingrained. Rituals such as planting trees to mark life's milestones keep this enduring bond alive, and may ensure it does not quietly go by the wayside.

(Adapted from Reading and Use of English)

Passage 4:

        Green buildings are designed to minimise environmental impact and enhance the well-being of occupants. These buildings incorporate sustainable materials, energy-efficient technologies, and water-saving features, making them more environmentally friendly than traditional buildings. Green building practices have gained attention as society increasingly recognises the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving resources, and promoting sustainable living. By adopting these practices, communities can contribute to a cleaner environment and a healthier future.

        [A] One of the key benefits of green buildings is their energy efficiency. [B] Green buildings often use renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to power their operations. [C] Additionally, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems help reduce electricity consumption. By cutting down on energy usage, green buildings reduce both costs and carbon footprints, making them more sustainable in the long run. [D]

        Water conservation is another focus of green buildings. These buildings are equipped with water-saving fixtures, such as low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets, which reduce water consumption significantly. In some cases, green buildings also collect and reuse rainwater for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation and toilet flushing. This approach helps alleviate pressure on local water resources and reduces the environmental impact of water use.

        Although green buildings offer many advantages, they are often more expensive to construct due to the cost of sustainable materials and advanced technology. However, the long-term savings on energy and water bills can offset these initial costs. In addition, green buildings tend to have higher property values and attract environmentally conscious tenants, which can be advantageous for property owners.

        As more people become aware of the benefits of green buildings, demand for sustainable construction is expected to rise. Green buildings have the potential to transform the construction industry, reduce environmental impact, and create healthier, more sustainable communities. By embracing these practices, society can help pave the way toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

C. WRITING

In this section of the test, there are TWO writing tasks, with specific directions for each parts. You have 60 minutes to finish the two tasks.