===TITLE=== UNIT 4: READING COMPREHENSION :: 12 QUESTIONS ===TIMER=== 20 ===PART=== 1. READING :: 12 :: 1 ===SECTION=== Reading Comprehension MCQ In a small, quiet village located in the northern mountains, there stands an extraordinary communal house. This architectural marvel is not only a religious monument but also the heart of the village’s cultural identity. For centuries, the locals have used this space to worship their ancestors and organize the Mid-Autumn Festival. The building itself is considered a national historic site due to its magnificent wooden pillars and antique roof tiles. However, keeping this site intact has not been easy. A decade ago, a terrifying natural disaster swept through the region. It was a nightmare for the villagers as the severe flooding caused substantial structural harm to the temple complex. The once beautiful craft workshop adjacent to the main hall was completely flattened. Rather than giving up, the community demonstrated incredible unity. They firmly decided to rebuild the ruined sections. Many young people, who had moved to the city, returned to take part in the restoration. Thanks to their highly dedicated efforts, they didn’t just fix the walls; they actually discovered several hidden relics buried under the mud, including ancient pottery and traditional tools used for making pancakes. Today, the site stands proudly again, serving as a valuable resource for future generations. To promote their heritage, the villagers recently opened a weaving workshop nearby, where visitors can interact face to face with local artisans. They want tourists to experience the deep-rooted customs of the region. As the village elder stated, “We safeguard these stones not just for their beauty, but because they carry the soul of our home life.” ===MCQ=== 85. What is the primary function of the communal house mentioned in paragraph 1? A. It serves exclusively as a museum for tourists. *B. It acts as a spiritual center and a venue for cultural events. C. It is mainly used as a shelter during severe weather. D. It is a commercial center for selling antique furniture. Giải thích: Đoạn văn nêu: “…used this space to worship their ancestors and organize the Mid-Autumn Festival.” -> Phục vụ cho tâm linh và sự kiện văn hóa. ===MCQ=== 86. What caused significant destruction to the historical site? A. An invasion by a foreign army. B. A massive fire that started in the craft workshop. *C. Extreme weather conditions involving heavy flooding. D. Vandalism caused by careless tourists. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…a terrifying natural disaster… severe flooding caused substantial structural harm.” ===MCQ=== 87. How did the local people respond to the ruin of their communal house? A. They abandoned the village and relocated to the city permanently. *B. They worked together with strong commitment to reconstruct it. C. They ignored the damage and built a new pagoda instead. D. They waited for international organizations to rebuild it for them. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…the community demonstrated incredible unity. They firmly decided to rebuild the ruined sections.” ===MCQ=== 88. What unexpected positive outcome occurred during the restoration process? *A. They found old historical objects hidden beneath the earth. B. They invented a new traditional game for the children. C. They discovered a modern method for making five-coloured sticky rice. D. They received a massive financial reward from the government. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…they actually discovered several hidden relics buried under the mud…” ===MCQ=== 89. Why did the villagers establish a weaving workshop? A. To produce seat belts for modern vehicles. B. To create a space for making ketchup and vinegar. *C. To encourage tourists to learn about their enduring traditional crafts directly. D. To provide a place for villagers to walk barefoot comfortably. Giải thích: Nhằm mục đích “To promote their heritage… visitors can interact face to face with local artisans.” (Khuyến khích du khách học hỏi thủ công truyền thống). ===MCQ=== 90. The word “safeguard” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to: A. aggressively promote B. completely destroy *C. carefully protect D. officially recognise Giải thích: “safeguard” (bảo vệ an toàn) = carefully protect. ===SECTION=== Reading Comprehension MCQ Edinburgh Castle is undeniably one of the most magnificent landmarks in Scotland, proudly dominating the city’s skyline. Recognized as a World Heritage Site, this ancient fortress is deeply associated with the nation’s turbulent history. Over the centuries, it was occupied by various military forces, faced countless sieges, and witnessed the rise and fall of kings. For modern visitors, stepping into the castle is like traveling back in time. While tourists are exploring the grand halls, they can observe an impressive collection of military relics and antique weapons. However, preserving such a massive stone structure is a constant challenge. The harsh Scottish weather, acting almost like a slow natural disaster, continuously erodes the walls. To combat this, a dedicated team of conservationists works year-round. Their primary goal is to safeguard the monument so that future generations can continue to benefit from its historical value. Interestingly, while the castle represents royalty and war, it also plays a role in celebrating cultural identity. Every year, a massive culture festival is held on the castle grounds, promoting friendship among nations. During this time, you can find stalls selling everything from traditional Scottish garments to local delicacies. Surprisingly, some modern vendors even sell fusion food, combining the national dish with unexpected ingredients like exotic vinegar or spicy ketchup to appeal to younger crowds. Many locals take immense pride in volunteering at these events. For them, it is a form of community service that strengthens their home life and connection to their ancestors. A young volunteer recently noted, “I was walking through the gates yesterday, and I thought, ‘I wish my great-grandparents could see how vibrant this place is today.’ It reminds us that history isn’t just about dead stones; it’s about the living traditions we keep alive.” ===MCQ=== 91. What is the main idea of Passage 2? A. The military strategies used to conquer Edinburgh Castle. *B. The historical significance, preservation, and cultural role of Edinburgh Castle. C. A detailed recipe for a Scottish national dish using vinegar and ketchup. D. The severe weather patterns affecting Scotland’s tourism industry. Giải thích: Bài văn nói về lịch sử, những thách thức trong việc bảo tồn và vai trò văn hóa/lễ hội hiện đại của Lâu đài Edinburgh. ===MCQ=== 92. According to the passage, what constitutes a major ongoing threat to the castle? A. Continuous attacks from rival military factions. B. The vast number of careless tourists visiting daily. *C. The relentless and damaging effects of the local climate. D. Poor construction materials used by the original builders. Giải thích: Bài viết chỉ ra: “The harsh Scottish weather, acting almost like a slow natural disaster, continuously erodes the walls.” ===MCQ=== 93. What is the main purpose of the conservationists’ work at the castle? A. To rebuild the entire castle with modern materials. *B. To protect the site to ensure it remains for descendants to appreciate. C. To discover new underground tunnels for military use. D. To transform the fortress into a five-star hotel. Giải thích: Bài viết nêu: “Their primary goal is to safeguard the monument so that future generations can continue to benefit from its historical value.” (future generations = descendants). ===MCQ=== 94. How does the castle contribute to modern cultural events? *A. It serves as a venue for a festival that fosters international amity. B. It is used exclusively to host traditional games for the royal family. C. It acts as a craft workshop for making antique weapons. D. It organizes daily classes on how to make pancakes. Giải thích: “…a massive culture festival is held on the castle grounds, promoting friendship among nations.” (friendship = amity). ===MCQ=== 95. Based on the passage, how do local people feel about the castle’s events? A. They consider it a nightmare that disrupts their quiet home life. *B. They feel a strong sense of honor and connection to their heritage by helping out. C. They are indifferent and prefer to stay at home during the festivals. D. They wish the festivals were permanently canceled to protect the stones. Giải thích: “Many locals take immense pride in volunteering… strengthens their home life and connection to their ancestors.” (pride = honor). ===MCQ=== 96. The phrase “deeply associated with” in the first paragraph could best be paraphrased as: A. completely isolated from *B. strongly connected to C. partially damaged by D. entirely built upon Giải thích: “associated with” (liên quan chặt chẽ tới) = strongly connected to.