Ngày 1: Mock Test 2 — Listening + Reading

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🎧📖 Mock Test 2: Listening + Reading

Hôm nay thi 2 kỹ năng liên tiếp — giống ngày thi thật!

⚠️ Quy tắc

• Làm Listening trước (30 phút) → nghỉ 5 phút → Reading (60 phút)
• Tổng: ~100 phút liên tục
• KHÔNG xem đáp án giữa chừng

🎧 Listening — Mock Test 2 (30 phút)

Section 1: Conversation — Đăng ký khóa học bơi

Câu 1-6: Form Completion

Câu 7-10: Multiple Choice

7. The beginner class is held on:

   • A) Monday and Wednesday
   • B) Tuesday and Thursday
   • C) Saturday only

8. Students must bring:

   • A) a towel and swimming cap
   • B) goggles and a towel
   • C) their own equipment

9. The instructor recommends:

   • A) practicing at home
   • B) watching tutorial videos
   • C) attending twice a week

10. The registration deadline is:

    • A) this Friday
    • B) next Monday
    • C) end of the month

Section 2: Monologue — Tour guide giới thiệu thành phố

Câu 11-15: Matching

Nối địa điểm với đặc điểm:

• A) Built in the 18th century
• B) Free entry on weekends
• C) Closed for renovation
• D) Open 24 hours
• E) Requires advance booking

Câu 16-20: Sentence Completion

16. The city was founded over __________ years ago.
17. The most visited attraction receives __________ visitors annually.
18. The new tram system connects __________ stations.
19. Local cuisine is famous for its __________.
20. The best time to visit is during __________.

Section 3: Discussion — Hai sinh viên bàn về presentation

Câu 21-25: Multiple Choice

21. The presentation topic is about:

    • A) renewable energy
    • B) water conservation
    • C) waste management

22. They need to present for:

    • A) 10 minutes
    • B) 15 minutes
    • C) 20 minutes

23. The female student is worried about:

    • A) the time limit
    • B) finding enough sources
    • C) speaking in public

24. They decide to use:

    • A) PowerPoint only
    • B) a video and handouts
    • C) PowerPoint with a short video

25. The deadline for the slides is:

    • A) next Wednesday
    • B) next Friday
    • C) the day before the presentation

Câu 26-30: Matching

Ai chịu trách nhiệm phần nào?

• A) Mark
• B) Lisa
• C) Both

Section 4: Lecture — Tâm lý học về quyết định

Câu 31-35: Note Completion

Decision-Making Psychology:

• Humans make approximately __________ (31) decisions per day
• The __________ (32) effect causes people to rely on first information
• Emotional decisions are processed in the __________ (33)
• Group decisions can lead to __________ (34) thinking
• The best decisions combine __________ (35) and rational analysis

Câu 36-40: Multiple Choice

36. “Decision fatigue” means:

    • A) making too many decisions reduces quality
    • B) being afraid to make decisions
    • C) making decisions too quickly

37. The “sunk cost fallacy” is when people:

    • A) ignore past investments
    • B) continue because they already invested time/money
    • C) calculate costs accurately

38. Research shows the optimal number of choices is:

    • A) 3-5
    • B) 5-7
    • C) 7-9

39. “Nudge theory” suggests:

    • A) forcing people to choose correctly
    • B) subtly guiding choices through design
    • C) removing all options except one

40. The speaker concludes that good decisions require:

    • A) more time
    • B) more information
    • C) self-awareness

📖 Reading — Mock Test 2 (60 phút)

Nghỉ 5 phút, uống nước, rồi bắt đầu!

Passage 1: The Rise of Co-working Spaces (13 câu)

The concept of co-working spaces has transformed the modern workplace landscape. First emerging in San Francisco in 2005 when software engineer Brad Neuberg opened the first official co-working space, the industry has grown exponentially to encompass over 35,000 spaces worldwide by 2023.

Co-working spaces provide shared work environments where freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote employees can work alongside one another. Unlike traditional offices, these spaces offer flexible membership options, from daily passes to monthly subscriptions, allowing workers to choose arrangements that suit their needs.

The appeal extends beyond mere desk space. Most co-working facilities offer high-speed internet, meeting rooms, printing services, and communal kitchens. Many also provide networking events, workshops, and social gatherings that foster professional connections and combat the isolation often experienced by independent workers.

Research by Harvard Business Review found that people who work in co-working spaces report higher levels of job satisfaction compared to traditional office workers. The study attributed this to three factors: a sense of community, autonomy over their work schedule, and meaningful social interactions.

However, the industry faces challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic initially devastated co-working businesses, with occupancy rates dropping by 50-70% in early 2020. While the sector has largely recovered, it has had to adapt, incorporating enhanced hygiene measures and hybrid work solutions.

The financial model of co-working also raises questions. WeWork, once valued at $47 billion, saw its valuation collapse amid concerns about sustainability and profitability. Critics argue that many co-working companies prioritize growth over financial viability.

Despite these challenges, the future appears promising. The shift toward remote and hybrid work models has created a permanent demand for flexible workspaces. Industry analysts project the global co-working market will reach $40 billion by 2027.

Câu 1-5: True / False / Not Given

1. The first co-working space opened in New York. ___
2. There were over 35,000 co-working spaces globally by 2023. ___
3. All co-working spaces offer daily passes. ___
4. Harvard Business Review found co-workers are more satisfied than office workers. ___
5. WeWork went bankrupt after its valuation collapsed. ___

Câu 6-9: Matching Headings

6. Paragraph 3: ___
7. Paragraph 4: ___
8. Paragraph 5: ___
9. Paragraph 6: ___

Headings: i) Financial concerns / ii) Beyond the desk / iii) Pandemic impact / iv) The satisfaction factor / v) Future growth / vi) Origins of co-working

Câu 10-13: Short Answer

10. Who founded the first official co-working space? ___
11. What percentage did occupancy rates drop during early 2020? ___
12. What was WeWork’s peak valuation? ___
13. What is the projected market value by 2027? ___

Passage 2: The Science of Happiness (13 câu)

Positive psychology, the scientific study of what makes life worth living, has grown from a niche academic pursuit into a mainstream field that influences education, healthcare, and public policy. Founded formally by psychologist Martin Seligman in 1998, the discipline seeks to understand not just what causes mental illness, but what enables individuals and communities to thrive.

Central to positive psychology is the concept of “subjective well-being” — commonly understood as happiness. Researchers have identified several key factors that contribute to lasting happiness. Contrary to popular belief, wealth plays a surprisingly modest role. Studies consistently show that once basic needs are met, additional income has diminishing returns on happiness. The correlation between income and life satisfaction weakens significantly above an annual income of approximately $75,000 (in US terms).

Social relationships emerge as the strongest predictor of happiness across cultures. A landmark 75-year Harvard study tracking 724 participants found that the quality of close relationships was the single best predictor of both happiness and physical health. People with strong social bonds lived longer, experienced less cognitive decline, and reported greater life satisfaction.

Gratitude practices have shown remarkable effects in controlled studies. Participants who spent five minutes daily writing about things they were grateful for reported 25% higher happiness levels after just ten weeks. This simple intervention proved more effective than several pharmaceutical approaches to mild depression.

The concept of “flow” — a state of complete absorption in a challenging but achievable activity — has been identified as another key component of well-being. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s research demonstrated that people experience their highest levels of satisfaction during flow states, whether in work, sport, or creative pursuits.

Physical exercise has also been firmly established as a happiness booster. Regular moderate exercise produces effects comparable to antidepressant medication in treating mild to moderate depression. The mechanism involves the release of endorphins, increased neuroplasticity, and improved sleep quality.

Critics of positive psychology argue that the field oversimplifies complex human experiences and may promote a “toxic positivity” that dismisses legitimate suffering. However, leading researchers have responded by emphasizing that the goal is not to eliminate negative emotions but to build resilience and expand the range of human flourishing.

Câu 14-18: Summary Completion

Chọn từ: relationships, income, gratitude, flow, exercise, resilience, medication

Research shows that __________ (14) has limited effect on happiness beyond $75,000. The strongest predictor is __________ (15). Writing about __________ (16) for 5 minutes daily increases happiness by 25%. The state of __________ (17) occurs during challenging activities. Regular __________ (18) can be as effective as antidepressants.

Câu 19-22: Multiple Choice

19. Positive psychology was formally founded in:

    • A) 1988
    • B) 1998
    • C) 2008

20. The Harvard study tracked participants for:

    • A) 25 years
    • B) 50 years
    • C) 75 years

21. The gratitude study lasted:

    • A) five weeks
    • B) ten weeks
    • C) twenty weeks

22. Critics argue positive psychology may promote:

    • A) materialism
    • B) toxic positivity
    • C) individualism

Câu 23-26: Yes / No / Not Given

23. Martin Seligman won a Nobel Prize for his work. ___
24. People in flow states report high satisfaction. ___
25. Exercise improves sleep quality. ___
26. Positive psychology researchers agree with all criticism. ___

Passage 3: Ocean Microplastics (14 câu)

The proliferation of microplastics in the world’s oceans represents one of the most pervasive and challenging environmental problems of the twenty-first century. Defined as plastic fragments smaller than five millimeters in diameter, microplastics have been detected in every ocean basin, from the surface waters of the tropics to the deepest trenches of the Pacific, and from Arctic sea ice to Antarctic sediments.

Microplastics originate from two primary sources. Primary microplastics are manufactured at microscopic size for use in products such as cosmetics, cleaning agents, and industrial abrasives. Secondary microplastics result from the degradation of larger plastic items through exposure to ultraviolet radiation, wave action, and biological processes. Research indicates that secondary sources account for approximately 69-81% of microplastics found in marine environments.

The ecological impact of microplastics is multifaceted and increasingly well-documented. Marine organisms across all trophic levels, from zooplankton to whales, have been found to ingest microplastics. A comprehensive study published in 2022 detected microplastics in 386 marine fish species, with an average of 1-2 particles per individual. The consequences include physical damage to digestive systems, reduced feeding efficiency, and the transfer of toxic chemicals adsorbed onto plastic surfaces.

Perhaps most alarming is the entry of microplastics into the human food chain. Studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics in commercial seafood, drinking water, table salt, and even beer. A 2019 study estimated that the average person may ingest approximately 5 grams of plastic per week — roughly equivalent to the weight of a credit card. While the health implications for humans remain under investigation, preliminary research suggests potential links to inflammation, cellular damage, and endocrine disruption.

Current removal technologies face significant limitations. Ocean cleanup vessels can capture larger debris but struggle with particles below one millimeter. Filtration systems at water treatment plants remove some microplastics but are not designed to capture the smallest fragments. Emerging technologies, including magnetic extraction using iron nanoparticles and biological degradation using specialized enzymes, show promise in laboratory settings but have yet to be deployed at scale.

Prevention remains the most effective strategy. Over 120 countries have implemented or are developing regulations to reduce plastic pollution. The European Union banned microbeads in cosmetics in 2022, while several nations have introduced taxes on single-use plastics. The United Nations Environment Assembly began negotiations in 2022 for a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution, expected to be finalized by 2025.

The scientific community emphasizes that addressing the microplastic crisis requires a combination of improved waste management, technological innovation, policy intervention, and fundamental changes in consumer behavior. Without coordinated global action, researchers project that the amount of plastic in the oceans could triple by 2040, with devastating consequences for marine ecosystems and potentially for human health.

Câu 27-30: Matching Information

27. Technologies for removing microplastics ___
28. How microplastics affect living organisms ___
29. Government actions to address the problem ___
30. Definition and distribution of microplastics ___

(A-G = đoạn 1-7)

Câu 31-35: True / False / Not Given

31. Microplastics are defined as plastic pieces smaller than 5mm. ___
32. Primary microplastics make up the majority of ocean microplastics. ___
33. Microplastics have been found in 386 fish species. ___
34. The average person ingests about 5 grams of plastic monthly. ___
35. The EU banned all single-use plastics in 2022. ___

Câu 36-40: Sentence Completion

36. Secondary microplastics account for approximately __________ of marine microplastics.
37. Humans may ingest about __________ of plastic per week.
38. Over __________ countries have developed regulations on plastic pollution.
39. The UN began negotiating a global treaty in __________.
40. Without action, ocean plastic could __________ by 2040.

✅ Chấm điểm Mock Test 2 (Part 1)

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