Solar energy is a long lasting source of energy which can be used almost anywhere. To generate solar energy, we only need solar cells and the sun. Solar cells can easily be installed on house roofs, so nonew space is needed and each user can quietly generate their own energy. Compared to other renewable sources, they also possess many advantages: wind and water power relies on turbines which are noisy, expensive and easy to break down. Solar cells are totally silent and non-polluting. As they have no moving parts, they require little maintenance and have a long lifetime.

However, solar energy also has some disadvantages. We can only generate solar energy during daytime because the system depends on sunlight. Besides, solar cellsrequire large area to work effectively. The main disadvantage of solar energy is that it costs about twice as much as traditional sources such as coal, oil and gas. This is because solar cells are expensive. Scientists are hoping that the costs of solar cells will reduce as more and more people see the advantages of this environmentally friendly source of energy.

1.   What is the main topic of the passage?

A.  Advantages and disadvantages of solar energy.

B.  Solar energy as an alternative for fossil fuels.

C.  Solar energy’s advantage over other sources of energy.

D.  The cost of solar energy.

2.   What does the word “they” refer to?

A.  solar cells   B. solar energy users

C. other renewable resources    D. advantages

3.   Which of the following is the advantage of solar cells?

A.  They are non-polluting.

B.  They operate quietly.

C.  They require little maintenance.

D.  All are correct.

4.   According to the passage, what is traditional source of energy?

A.  sunlight      B. electricity       C. coal   D. water

5.   The main disadvantage of solar energy is       .

A.  expensive

B.  difficult

C.  unconvenient

D.  unfriendly

VI. Rewrite the sentences with the same meaning (2pts): 

2 Athough the acting is excellent, I don't enjoy the film 
- In spite of ..............................................................................................................

3. Lots of people are confused by the way he behaves.
- Lots of people ........................................................................................................

4. The distance from Danang to Hue is about 100 kilometers.

- It is about ..............................................................................................................

James Glossop - Times newspaper’s Young Photographer of the Year
I always loved taking pictures, but the move to becoming a photographer happened when I was at
university in Manchester, where I studied for my degree in English. I was asked to take pictures for a
university brochure and I realised that I could make money doing something I really enjoyed.
After university, I entered The Times newspapers Young Photographer of the
Year competition. The prize for winning was to actually work for the paper.
Working there is great because I get a wide variety of interesting jobs. From
the beginning they got me doing the big things, like political conferences and
international golf tournaments. For example, I recently travelled around
Greenland for 11 days for a story on climate change. I mix with the best
photographers and journalists in the profession, people perhaps 20 years
older than me, and I have to be at the same level as them.
I can be a serious person and that comes across in my work — which can be
a bad thing if you want to make the newspaper’s readers smile! When you
take photos of people, they need to be able to trust you. People seem to trust
me more because I work for The Times, and the editors there trust me, in turn,
to do a good job.
In Scotland, where I’m based, I’m hoping to be on the Royal Rota, which means I’ll be one of the few
photographers allowed to take pictures of the Queen and her family when they visit. But, generally, I'm
not interested in famous people. I like ordinary people who invite you into their home and show you their
world - like the hunters and fishermen I met on my trip to Greenland.
11. What is James trying to do in this text?
A. advise young photographers about how to get a job
B. explain how winning a competition is helping his career
C. describe his techniques for taking good photographs
D. show how challenging his job at the newspaper is
12. While James was at university he discovered that
A. he wasn’t interested in studying English any more.
B. he enjoyed taking photographs.
C. he couldn’t take the kind of photographs he wanted to.
D. he would be able to earn money from photography.
13. What does James say about working for The Times newspaper?
A. The journalists can take a long time to get a story.
B. He prefers working on international issues.
C. He was given main events to photograph from day one.
D. It’s difficult working with the older, more experienced professionals.
14. James believes his serious character can have an effect on
A. the people who look at his photographs.
B. the kind of jobs he is given.
C. the people he takes photographs of.
D. the way he gets on with his colleagues.
15. Which postcard might James have sent to his parents last month?
A
Having a few problems - when people find
out which newspaper I work for, they
won’t trust me to photograph them!
B I seem to spend every day taking
photos of yet another major sporting
event - when will they let me do
something different?
C This is what I love doing - taking pictures
of local villagers doing their daily work and
letting me see what their lives are like.
D It’s been a busy week - I’ve been all
around Scotland photographing the
Prince and his wife on their tour.
 

IV- REWRITE

7/ They find the film boring.

They ......................................................................

10/ Lots of people are interested in the way she behaves.

Lots of people find her.............................................

14/ The film terrified them so they left halfway through it.

They............................................so they left halfway through it.

17/ Her new film is really surprise.

You’ll ........................................................her new film.

19/ The ending of the film was disappointing.

We...........................................................

HELP