Đề thi tham khảo ĐGNL Đại học Sư phạm TP.Hồ Chí Minh môn Tiếng Anh có đáp án - Đề số 4

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 conversation, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D. You will hear the recording ONCE only.

Part 3: Questions 21-35

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:

  TikTok is now the most downloaded app in the world. One of the most popular ways users engage with the app is to carry out challenges encouraging people to video themselves doing activities like singing, dancing or acting. A successful challenge will go viral, with hundreds of thousands of people participating.

While copying another person’s video is hardly original or creative, its appeal, especially among young audiences, is clear. Anyone with a smartphone can get involved. No talent is required beyond a little extroversion and commitment. Consequently, challenges are ideal for those craving the limelight, particularly children, teenagers, and young adults.

         The problem is that these young people are most at risk. This is because the part of the brain that handles rational thought is not fully developed in humans until the mid-20s, making them less able to make long-term plans and analyze risk. Since the young brain values inclusion and popularity, the more attention a stunt gets, the less likely a person is to consider potential dangers.

         The TikTok challenge trend has had severe consequences. In 2020, the ‘skull-breaker’ challenge, involving two people kicking a third person’s legs to make them fall over, caused teenagers in both the UK and the US to be badly injured. Users searching for the skull-breaker challenge would only see a warning about its dangers.

         This reaction was clearly not thorough enough because, in 2021, several fatal incidents occurred from the “blackout” challenge, encouraging people to choke themselves until they passed out. Several youngsters died, including two girls under ten. The bereaved families are now suing TikTok for spreading the challenge among impressionable youngsters. While the challenge did not originate on TikTok, parents claim the platform's ‘dangerous’ algorithms are responsible. They say that the videos were intentionally and repeatedly pushed onto their children’s feeds, encouraging their participation. They claim that the company has prioritized corporate profits over the health and safety of its users.

(Adapted from https://test-english.com/reading/b1-b2/deadly-tiktok-challenges-reading-test/)

Passage 2:

         The first reference to Bitcoin appeared in 2008 in a paper by a writer called Satoshi Nakamoto, later revealed to be a pseudonym for an unknown person or group. In 2009, Bitcoin was released as open-source software.

         Bitcoin was not the first form of cryptocurrency; similar attempts had existed for nearly 50 years without much success, but it quickly became the first to be widely traded worldwide. The first Bitcoins were mined in January 2009, and within about 200 days, one million coins had been produced. By 2019, more than 17 million Bitcoins existed, with a total value of about $65 billion, and over 300,000 transactions occurred daily.

         Bitcoin may have even more advanced uses in the future. Compared to traditional financial systems, which involve exchange fees, taxes, and payment delays guard against fraud, Bitcoin transactions are fast, low-cost, and processed immediately. Unlike credit card payments, which require sharing full personal and security information, Bitcoin transfers are authorized only to pay a specific amount.

         Virtual currencies also enable digital payments without services like PayPal or credit cards, which is especially helpful in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Immigrants to developed countries may find it a convenient way to send funds back home to their families. However, Bitcoin’s biggest drawback is its unstable value, which has fluctuated dramatically over time, showing significant rises and sharp declines. For example, Bitcoin was worth about $12 in 2012, rose to $400 by the end of 2015, then surged to nearly $20,000 two years later, only to lose almost 80% of its value within the following year - demonstrating extremely volatile changes.

Passage 3:

       In the age of globalization, mass media functions both as a channel for cultural exchange and as a force driving cultural uniformity. Through platforms like film, television, and music, dominant cultures spread their stories across borders, influencing global consumer behavior and social values. However, this spread can endanger local traditions, which often struggle to maintain visibility. The widespread presence of Western popular culture, replacing regions once rich in indigenous practices, highlights this imbalance of influence.

       Scholars continue to debate whether globalization enhances cultural blending or diminishes uniqueness. On one side, exposure to different traditions can encourage a more open, cosmopolitan outlook; on the other, the unchecked dissemination often mirrors cultural imperialism. Media theorist John Tomlinson argues that global content flows tend to favor dominant cultures, pushing local voices to the margins. This tension is particularly noticeable in developing economies, where foreign media often overshadows domestic production.

       Importantly, media does not simply pass along culture unchanged; it reshapes it. Cultural elements may be adapted, copied, or resisted, leading to hybrid identities. Engaging with global media does not mean abandoning one’s identity, but rather navigating between different cultural influences, as cultural critic Tasya Jaddiah suggests. Nevertheless, companies driven by profit often standardize cultural products to appeal to larger audiences, which can reduce diversity.

       To preserve cultural diversity, various strategies have been proposed, such as encouraging local content, supporting minority creators, and improving media literacy. Countries like France and Canada, for example, set limits that ensure domestic programs are aired. At the same time, grassroots movements empower marginalized communities to tell their own stories and challenge dominant narratives. Even so, some critics argue that without deeper changes to global media systems, these measures may remain insufficient. Ultimately, the issue is both practical and ethical: finding a way to promote cultural exchange while protecting cultural identity. Policymakers need to create conditions that support diversity, and corporations must take responsibility beyond profit. In this way, global media can serve as both a connector and a divider.

Passage 4:

       Smart urban transportation systems are increasingly being introduced in major cities to ease congestion and enhance road safety. Advanced technologies such as AI-powered cameras, motion detectors, traffic-monitoring software, and data analytics enable city planners to track vehicle movement in real time. By gathering data on traffic density, speed, and accident risks, these systems allow authorities to make faster decisions regarding traffic control and resource distribution. With immediate access to accurate information, transport managers can adjust traffic lights, reroute traffic, and minimize delays during rush hours.

       Digital mapping tools further support planning by identifying hazardous intersections and designing tailored traffic routes. They also indicate where pedestrian crossings should be installed and which areas require better street lighting. In addition, drones provide early alerts about road damage or unexpected obstacles, allowing maintenance teams to focus on specific problem areas. This targeted approach reduces repair costs and improves overall road safety for residents.

       Public transportation networks also benefit from these advanced systems. Sensors at bus stops regularly report passenger volumes, while weather forecasting applications predict upcoming conditions. [A] As a result, fuel consumption is lowered, and public transport remains both efficient and economically sustainable, particularly in cities with tight budgets. [B]

       Beyond physical infrastructure, digital integration plays a key role. Cloud-based platforms connect various stakeholders, including bus operators, metro controllers, and maintenance staff, enabling real-time updates on schedules, vehicle conditions, and repair needs. [C] Blockchain technology ensures the security and reliability of this data, strengthening passenger confidence. [D] Meanwhile, analytical tools examine long-term data trends to predict travel demand, detect congestion points, and guide future urban planning efforts.