The development of writing (1) ______ a huge difference to the world and might see it as the beginning of the (2) ______. Pieces of pottery with marks on that are probably numbers have been discovered in China that date from around 4000 BC. Hieroglyphics and other forms of "picture writing" developed in the (3) _______ around Mesopotamia (mordern-day Iraq), where the ancent Sumerian civilization was based, from around 3300 BC onwards. However, the first (4)________ alphabet was used by the Phoenicians around 1050BC. Their alphabet had 22 letters and it is estimated that it lasted for 1000 years. The first two signs were called "aleph" and "beth", which in Greek became "alpha" and "beta", which gave us the (5) ________ word "alphabet".

Điền vào số 2

A. media

B. bulletin

C. programme

D. journalism

Last year, there were millions of international tourist arrivals across the globe. Whether they were students on their (1)______ years looking for overseas adventure, stressed-out workers hoping to get away for a weekend, or retirees (2)_______ to relax in an exotic locationclearly none of them thought they could find the same experience at home. The question is whether foreign travel brings more advantages or disadvantages.

An obvious positive point is that going abroad sometimes helps people to expand their knowledge of the world. If they are (4)_____ minded, they can learn about new cultures and hopefully gain a more accurate understanding about their way of life. In addition, there is the economic benefit of tourism to countries which have few other resources. It can provide an income to many people within the industry.

Having said that, some people simply go to a foreign resort (4)______ by high walls and therefore learn little about their holiday (5)_______ . Another issue is that hordes of tourists often spoil the “unspoilt” places they visit. The most recent example of this is Antarctica, where last year cruise ships took thousands of visitors to view the disappearing icebergs and wildlife. Vegetation, nesting penguins and resting walrus are vulnerable when humans intrude.

Điền vào số 4

A. covered

B. surrounded

C. sheltered

D. stopped

In the UK there are currently about 300 Feng Shui consultants. They will come to your house or office and give you advice (1) ________ on your lifestyle and date of birth. According to one such expert, I (2) ________ install an aquarium with six black and one red goldfish in my living room in order to absorb bad vibes. He also told me to pay attention to one of my windows. He advised me to put plants on the window still to (3) ________ the loss of positive energy. The real “weak spot” in my house, however, was the cooker. He reassured me that hanging some dried vegetable above it would solve the problem. Whether you (4) ________ in the power of Feng Shui or not, it is certainly having a major impact on the (5)________ thousands of people organize their home.

Điền vào số 5

A. way

B. manner

C. style

D. point

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (1) ________ for school? According to a new report, today's generation of children are in danger of getting so (2)_______ sleep that they are putting their mental and physical health at (3)_______. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (4)_______teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (5)________ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Điền vào số 1

A. behind time

B. about time

C. in time

D. at time

Schools in the United States have not always had a large number of libraries. As recently as 1958 about half of the public schools in the United States had no libraries at all. The (1)_______of public school libraries increased dramatically when the federal government passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which provided funds for school districts to improve their education programs and facilities, including their libraries. (2) _______, many educators claim that since the legislation was passed federal spending has not increased sufficiently to meet the rising cost of new library technologies such as computer databases and Internet access.

Because the federal government provides only limited funds to schools, individual school districts (3)______ on funds from local property taxes to meet the vast majority of public schools tend to reflect the financial capabilities of the communities in which they are located. Districts in wealthy suburbs often have fully staffed libraries (4)________ abundant resources, spacious facilities, and curricular and instructional support. In (5) __________school districts in many poor areas house their libraries in ordinary classrooms or in small rooms. The libraries in such areas are generally staffed by volunteers, who organize and maintain books that are often out-of-date, irrelevant, or damaged.

Điền vào số 3

A. rely

B. come

C. go

D. stay

The invention of the mobile phone has undoubtedly revolutionized the way people communicate and influenced every aspect of our lives. The issue is whether this technological innovation has done more harm than good.

        In order to (1)______ the question, we must first turn to the type of consumer. Presumably, most parents buy mobile phones for their teenagers to track their whereabouts and ensure their safety. We can also assume that most teenagers want mobile phones to avoid missing out (2)______ social contact. In this context, the advantages are clear. However, we cannot deny the fact that text messages have been used by bullies to intimidate fellow students. There is also (3)______ evidence that texting has affected literacy skills.

        The ubiquitous use of the mobile phone has, (4)______ question, affected adult consumers, too. What employee, on the way home from work, would be reluctant to answer a call from their boss? Apparently, only 18% of us, according to a recent survey, are willing to switch off our mobile phones once we’ve left the office.

        Admittedly, mobile phones can be intrusive but there are obvious benefits to possessing one. Personally speaking, they are invaluable when it comes to making social or business arrangements at short (5)______. According to a recent survey, they also provide their owners with a sense of security in emergency situations.

        In conclusion, mobile phones do have their drawbacks, but these are outweighed by the benefits. I would argue that it is not the tool that chooses its purpose, but the user.

Điền vào số 2

A. in

B. to

C. of 

D. on

In the UK there are currently about 300 Feng Shui consultants. They will come to your house or office and give you advice (1) ________ on your lifestyle and date of birth. According to one such expert, I (2) ________ install an aquarium with six black and one red goldfish in my living room in order to absorb bad vibes. He also told me to pay attention to one of my windows. He advised me to put plants on the window still to (3) ________ the loss of positive energy. The real “weak spot” in my house, however, was the cooker. He reassured me that hanging some dried vegetable above it would solve the problem. Whether you (4) ________ in the power of Feng Shui or not, it is certainly having a major impact on the (5)________ thousands of people organize their home.

Điền vào số 3

A. keep

B. delay

C. prevent

D. finish

During the last 400 years, most scientists have (1) ________on mathematics in their development of their inventions or discoveries. However, one great British scientist, Michael Faraday, did not make (2)__________of mathematics. Faraday, the son of a poor blacksmith, was born in London in 1791 and had no (3) _________beyond reading and writing.

In 1812 Faraday was hired as a bottle washer by the great chemist Humphry Davy. Later, Faraday became a greater scientist than Davy, making the last years of Davy's life embittered (4) __________ jealousy. Faraday made the first (5)__________motor in 1821, a device that used electricity to produce movement.

Điền vào số 4

A. from

B. with

C. by

D. at

There are a number of options when it refers to choosing childcare. These range from child minders and nannies through to Granny or the kind lady across the street. In reality, however, many parents do not have any choice; they have to accept anything they can get. Be prepared! No (1) _____ how good the childcare may be, some children are going to protest wildly if they are left. This is a (2) _____ normal stage of child development. Babies separate well in the first six months, but soon after that they start to get a crush on Mum and close family (3) _____. Make sure that in the first week, you allow plenty of time to help your child settle in. All children are different. Some are independent, while others are more (4) _____ to their mothers. Remember that if you want to do the best for your children, it’s not the quantity of time you spend with  them; it’s the (5) _____ that matters.

Điền vào số 1

A. way

B. matter

C. surprise

D. exception