Luyện tập SVIP

An advice column in a newspaper offers help to readers when they are in troubles. Read the column and match the readers' names with their problems.

Question: Hoa is my only friend at school. She's also the only person I completely trust. Two weeks ago, I told her I was very unhappy and lonely, and that I even wanted to drop out of school. She promised not to tell anyone … but then she told our teacher about it. We had an argument and I stopped talking to her. Was I right?

(Van Ha)

Counsellor: Dear Ha, I understand your feelings. But think of it this way: maybe Hoa was really afraid that you'd drop out of school. She didn't know what to do to help you. I'm sure she just wanted to help you in her own way, even if it's not the way that you wanted. Try to reconcile with Hoa, talk to her about it, and I hope you'll be good friends again. Good luck!

Question: In my class, the girls are on good terms with all the boys, except me. The girls just don't even notice me, and the boys make jokes about it. I think that's because I'm short and fat, and girls don't find me attractive. I feel very lonely. Please help me.
(Quang Nam)

Counsellor: Well, don't worry too much. Everyone has qualities that make them attractive to other people. A person's true value does not lie in his appearance, but in his achievements and contributions to the community. I don't think it's your physical appearance that makes the girls stay away from you. If you study hard and become an excellent student, girls may notice you and ask you for help. Meanwhile, you should try building up friendships. Take the initiative and engage your classmates in friendly conversations. Ask them questions to find out what they like to talk about – a song, a film or something else – and then discuss that topic. I hope that will help.

Read the newspaper column again and answer the questions.

1. What is the relationship between Ha and Hoa?

A. Close friends
B. Penfriends
C. In a romantic relationship
2. What did Ha tell Hoa two weeks ago?

A. Her depression and her intention to drop out of school.
B. Her talk with her teacher about her intention to drop out of school.
C. Her argument with the parents about her intention to drop out of school.
3. Why did they have an argument?

A. Hoa was really afraid that Ha'd drop out of school.
B. Ha was so depressed that she kept silent all the time with Hoa.
C. Though Hoa promised to keep Ha's story secret, she told their teacher about it.
4. According to the text, which of the following is not mentioned in the counsellor's advice on Ha's problem?

A. The counsellor was sympathetic towards Ha's feelings, but she did not agree with Ha's reactions.
B. The counsellor wanted to be a good friend with Ha.
C. The counsellor tried to explain why Hoa told their teacher about Ha's problem and advised Ha to reconcile with Hoa.

5. What does Quang Nam think about his own appearance?

A. He thinks he is short and fat, and girls don't find him attractive.
B. He thinks he is not an excellent student, and girls don't find him helpful.
C. He thinks he is not good-looking, he wants to start bodybuilding.

6. Why do his male friends make jokes about him?

A. Because of his ugly appearance.
B. Because he does not make an noticeable achievement in learning school subjects.
C. Because he does not have a good relationship with the girls in his class.

7. In the counsellor's reply to Quang Nam's problem, what does the counsellor advise Nam to do?

A. Sentences 2-4
B. Sentences 5-8
C. Sentences 7-9

Hướng dẫn thao tác làm bài nhanh

Read a text about dating and fill each gap with a word or phrase from the box.

Max and Carol's wedding is to be held next week. Max never thought he could find the woman of his dreams. He became a successful businessman at the age of 37. He has worked hard all his life to get through university and then set up a company to provide a (1) income. The problem was that meetings and hard work made it difficult for him to meet a suitable (2) . Last year, when he wanted to (3) , he looked around and found that all his old friends and female colleagues were already (4) .

Some friends suggested going to bars or dance clubs. However, he thought the girls who went to these places were not mature or (5) enough. Another suggestion was to look for a partner online. In fact, Max had a lot of online friends, but he did not (6) them, as they usually hid their real . He was beginning to feel lonely and (8) when he saw an advertisement about the Speed Dating and Matchmaking Center.

When Max went to the Speed Dating and Matchmaking Centre Office, he thought they could help. After completing a survey form about his age, education, religion, likes and dislikes, he was invited to a get-together with other nine men and ten women. There, he spent about six minutes with each woman, talking about things like jobs, hobbies, families and children. At the end of the evening, he made a report stating which women he wished to see again. Luckily, Lucy, the woman that he chose, was also interested in him. They had a meeting the following week. Max and Lucy had many things in common, but he did not really feel attracted to her. Lucy felt the same, and they agreed to remain friends. A month later, Lucy invited Max to her birthday party and introduced him to her friends. Fate was kind to Max this time as he met Carol there, and they fell in love with each other at first sight.