ĐỀ THI ĐÁNH GIÁ NĂNG LỰC THEO ĐỊNH DẠNG ĐỀ THI ĐÁNH GIÁ NĂNG LỰC TIẾNG ANH HSA – ĐẠI HỌC QUỐC GIA HÀ NỘI NĂM 2025 _ Đề 2

Many large cities around the world have struggled to keep up with the increase in traffic in recent times. Densely populated areas, growing car ownership, as well as narrow roads brought for much lower volumes of traffic all___(31)___ to this. In 1975, Singapore decided to introduce a congestion charge - a ___(32)___ paid by drivers entering the most traffic-heavy zones of the city. London introduced a congestion charge in 2003.
Public opinion was initially opposed to the idea, ___(33)___people soon became more supportive of the scheme. Despite this, its first decade brought mixed success, and the ___(34)___ of cars in the city fell by only 10%. However, the scheme proved massively profitable, ___(35)___ allowed the city council to invest in other measures aimed at improving traffic conditions in London. These included cycle lanes, pedestrianized areas and better road surfaces.
(Adapted from Oxford Exam Trainer by Helen Weale)

Monopoly is one of the biggest-selling games in the world. It is sold in 80 countries and comes in 26 different languages. But where did this classic board game come from, and why did it become so popular? At the beginning of the 20th century, an instructional game called ‘The Landlord's Game’ was first published by a political activist, Elizabeth Magie. The purpose of the game was to teach people how rich, powerful individuals take advantage of the poor while they accumulate even more wealth. Unfortunately, the game was not popular, and she sold very few copies of 𝙞𝒕.
In 1934, a man called Charles Darrow redesigned it, creating a game of chance. However, when he presented his game, which he called "Monopoly, " to the games manufacturers Parker Brothers, they rejected it. They said it was too complex and contained too many 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬
Darrow persisted and decided to produce the game himself. He created and sold over 5,000 handmade sets to a local department store. The game had immense public appeal, and was so popular that Darrow went back to Parker Brothers, who bought the rights to the game.
(Adapted from Complete IELTS by Rawdon Wyatt)

In recent times, there has been a noticeable change in the types of pollution found in Sydney Harbour, particularly concerning straws. According to data collected, there has been a significant decrease in the presence of plastic straws, which can be attributed to the ban on single-use plastics implemented by the New South Wales government in 2022. However, there has been a corresponding increase in the use of paper straws, indicating a shift rather than a complete elimination of straw-related pollution.
Environment Minister James Griffin initiated a ban to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability. Although it has resulted in less plastic straw usage, the increase in paper straw consumption poses new challenges for nature repair and conservation efforts in the area. Paper straws, though more biodegradable than their plastic counterparts, still contribute to pollution if not disposed of properly. This shift in materials may influence public perception, with some individuals believing they are making environmentally friendly choices. However, conservation efforts must now focus on educating the public about proper disposal methods for all types of straws.
Additionally, the increase in paper straw pollution may require changes in clean-up strategies and a re-evaluation of what constitutes a truly sustainable alternative. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding the impact of both plastic and paper straws on marine life and the potential consequences for tourism revenue due to a decline in Sydney Harbour’s aesthetic appeal.
This shift in pollution trends highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to environmental protection. This approach should focus on reducing plastic use, as well as responsibly using and disposing of other materials. Policymakers might have to review regulations and waste management policies to tackle these new challenges efficiently.