Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 22 to 26
A. Read the passage carefully, then choose the correct answer.
The ruined temples of Angkor are perhaps one of the mast impressive Seven Wonders of the World. Located in modern day Cambodia near Lake TonIe Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Asia, Angkor was the seat of power for the Khmer Empire from the ninth to the fifteenth century. The ruins of Angkor are documented as same .of the mast impressive ones in the world, rivaling the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Why this mighty civilization died out is a question that archeologists are now only beginning to ponder. The answer, it turns out, may be linked with the availability of fresh water.
One possible explanation far the downfall of the Khmer Empire has to do with the inhabitants' irrigation system. The temple and palaces of Angkor were constructed around a series of artificial reservoirs and canals which were annually flooded to capacity by the Mekong River. Once filled, they were used to irrigate the surrounding rice patties and farmland during the course of the year. Farmers were completely dependent upon the water for their crucial rice crop. Without consistent irrigation, the farmers would have been unable to maintain functional crop production.
Scientists speculate that toward the end of the Khmer Empire the hydraulic systems of the reservoirs and canals broke down. The construction of hundreds of sandstone temples and palaces required an enormous amount of physical labor. In addition, as the capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor contained upwards of one hundred thousand people who resided in and around Angkor. In order to feed so many people, the local farmers were driven to grow food quicker and more efficiently. After centuries of continual use, the irrigation system was pushed beyond its capacity. Soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and the loss of water led to decrease in the food supply. With less food available, the people of Angkor slowly began to migrate to other parts of Cambodia thus leaving the marvelous city of Angkor to be swallowed by the jungle. Therefore, it is speculated that the Khmer Empire may have fallen victim to its own decrepit infrastructure.
22. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Modern day agricultural procedures in Cambodia.
B. A possible explanation for the, decline of a civilization.
C. The essential role water plays in farming.
D. Religious temples of the ancient Khmer Empire.
23. The passage preceding the passage most likely discusses ______.
A. architecture of ancient Asian civilization
B. religious practices of the people of Angkor
C. the form of government practiced by the Khmer Empire
D. the other six wonders of the world
24. According to the passage, Lake Tonle Sap in Cambodia ______.
A. is an enormous fresh body of water in Asia
B. was unable to supply enough fish for the people of Angkor
C. became polluted due to a population explosion
D. is one of the Seven Wonders of the World
25. Why does the author mention the hydraulic systems of the reservoirs?
A. They supplied irrigation from the Indian Ocean.
B. They became non-functional due to overuse.
C. They were destroyed by nearby warrior tribes.
D. They helped transport the sandstones for constructing temples.
26. It can be inferred from the passage that the inhabitants of the Khmer Empire ______.
A. were intentionally starved by the farmers
B. lost their food source due to excess rainfall
C. supplemented their diets with 'meat hunted in the nearby jungles
D. depended upon rice as their main source of food
27. All the following are mentioned as events that can affect food supply EXCEPT.
A. erosion of soil B. contamination of soil
C. reduction of nutrients D. loss of water supply
Đáp án B
Tất cả các ý sau là đúng ngoại trừ:
A. Chính quyền hi vọng là chính sách này sẽ làm giảm nhẹ cho các đường dẫn ga
B. Canifornia có 9,9 triệu người lái xe
C. Chính phủ đã kí dự thảo liên quan tới hạn chế phân phối khí đốt
D. Số lượng gas giới hạn bị đánh thuế
Dẫn chứng câu đầu tiên: “…9.9 million of Canifornia’s 15 million motorists…” => có tận 15 triệu người lái xe ở Canifornia chứ không phải chỉ 9.9 triệu người
Dịch bài
Do cuộc khủng hoảng dầu mỏ gần đây, 9,9 triệu trong số 15 triệu lái xe ở Canifornia đã phải chịu một kế hoạch cẳt giảm dầu khí kỳ quặc. Chính phủ đã ký một dự luật buộc người lái xe phải có giấy phép lái xe kết thúc bằng số lẻ để mua xăng chỉ vào những ngày lẻ, và những người kết thúc bằng số chẵn chỉ được mua xăng vào ngày chẵn. Những người có giấy phép đầy đủ các chữa cái thì tuân thủ theo quy luật dành cho số lẻ
Ngoại lệ chỉ đối với các trường hợp khẩn cấp và các lái xe ngoài tiểu bang. Những người không có đủ xăng đã bị buộc phải đi bộ, xe đạp, hoặc trượt ván để đi làm
Kế hoạch này dự kiến sẽ loại bỏ các tuyến đường dài tại nhiều trạm dịch vụ. Những người cố gắng mua hơn hai mươi gallon xăng hoặc cố gắng làm đầy hơn một nửa thùng xăng sẽ bị phạt và có thể bị bỏ tù.