Làm thử Thi thử vào lớp 10 THPT Chuyên lần 1 · Tiếng Anh chung · ĐHSP Hà Nội · 2026–2027

Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) to each of the following signs/messages.

Question 16. What does this message say?

Dear Alex,

Given the current workload, we regret to inform you that your request cannot be accommodated at this time. We will review the situatuion next month.

Management

Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) to each of the following signs/messages.

Question 18. What does this message say?

Hi Michael,

I've gone through your proposal and have a few concerns that we should probably discuss before taking this any further.

Karen

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, United States. The festival was first held in 1999 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the worlds. It is known for its diverse lineup of music genres, art installations, and celebrity sightings. It is one of the largest, most famous, and most profitable music festivals in the United States and the world. Most popular music magazines like rock music publish the details of the festival a few months before the date. So, this makes it easy for people to buy the tickets on time and know important event details.

Coachella's lineup typically features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and alternative. The festival also features art installations, interactive experiences, and a range of food and beverage options.

In addition to the music and arts, Coachella has become known for its fashion, with attendees often wearing bohemian-inspired outfits and accessories. The festival has also faced criticism for issues such as overcrowding, high ticket prices, and the environmental impact of hosting such a large event in the desert.

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, United States. The festival was first held in 1999 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the worlds. It is known for its diverse lineup of music genres, art installations, and celebrity sightings. It is one of the largest, most famous, and most profitable music festivals in the United States and the world. Most popular music magazines like rock music publish the details of the festival a few months before the date. So, this makes it easy for people to buy the tickets on time and know important event details.

Coachella's lineup typically features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and alternative. The festival also features art installations, interactive experiences, and a range of food and beverage options.

In addition to the music and arts, Coachella has become known for its fashion, with attendees often wearing bohemian-inspired outfits and accessories. The festival has also faced criticism for issues such as overcrowding, high ticket prices, and the environmental impact of hosting such a large event in the desert.

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, United States. The festival was first held in 1999 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the worlds. It is known for its diverse lineup of music genres, art installations, and celebrity sightings. It is one of the largest, most famous, and most profitable music festivals in the United States and the world. Most popular music magazines like rock music publish the details of the festival a few months before the date. So, this makes it easy for people to buy the tickets on time and know important event details.

Coachella's lineup typically features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and alternative. The festival also features art installations, interactive experiences, and a range of food and beverage options.

In addition to the music and arts, Coachella has become known for its fashion, with attendees often wearing bohemian-inspired outfits and accessories. The festival has also faced criticism for issues such as overcrowding, high ticket prices, and the environmental impact of hosting such a large event in the desert.

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, United States. The festival was first held in 1999 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the worlds. It is known for its diverse lineup of music genres, art installations, and celebrity sightings. It is one of the largest, most famous, and most profitable music festivals in the United States and the world. Most popular music magazines like rock music publish the details of the festival a few months before the date. So, this makes it easy for people to buy the tickets on time and know important event details.

Coachella's lineup typically features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and alternative. The festival also features art installations, interactive experiences, and a range of food and beverage options.

In addition to the music and arts, Coachella has become known for its fashion, with attendees often wearing bohemian-inspired outfits and accessories. The festival has also faced criticism for issues such as overcrowding, high ticket prices, and the environmental impact of hosting such a large event in the desert.

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, United States. The festival was first held in 1999 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the worlds. It is known for its diverse lineup of music genres, art installations, and celebrity sightings. It is one of the largest, most famous, and most profitable music festivals in the United States and the world. Most popular music magazines like rock music publish the details of the festival a few months before the date. So, this makes it easy for people to buy the tickets on time and know important event details.

Coachella's lineup typically features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and alternative. The festival also features art installations, interactive experiences, and a range of food and beverage options.

In addition to the music and arts, Coachella has become known for its fashion, with attendees often wearing bohemian-inspired outfits and accessories. The festival has also faced criticism for issues such as overcrowding, high ticket prices, and the environmental impact of hosting such a large event in the desert.

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, United States. The festival was first held in 1999 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the worlds. It is known for its diverse lineup of music genres, art installations, and celebrity sightings. It is one of the largest, most famous, and most profitable music festivals in the United States and the world. Most popular music magazines like rock music publish the details of the festival a few months before the date. So, this makes it easy for people to buy the tickets on time and know important event details.

Coachella's lineup typically features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and alternative. The festival also features art installations, interactive experiences, and a range of food and beverage options.

In addition to the music and arts, Coachella has become known for its fashion, with attendees often wearing bohemian-inspired outfits and accessories. The festival has also faced criticism for issues such as overcrowding, high ticket prices, and the environmental impact of hosting such a large event in the desert.

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, United States. The festival was first held in 1999 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the worlds. It is known for its diverse lineup of music genres, art installations, and celebrity sightings. It is one of the largest, most famous, and most profitable music festivals in the United States and the world. Most popular music magazines like rock music publish the details of the festival a few months before the date. So, this makes it easy for people to buy the tickets on time and know important event details.

Coachella's lineup typically features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and alternative. The festival also features art installations, interactive experiences, and a range of food and beverage options.

In addition to the music and arts, Coachella has become known for its fashion, with attendees often wearing bohemian-inspired outfits and accessories. The festival has also faced criticism for issues such as overcrowding, high ticket prices, and the environmental impact of hosting such a large event in the desert.

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Open-air theatre

In Britain, the ancient tradition of open-air performances is still alive and well. Cornwall has some of Britain's oldest working theatres, with one open-air theatre actually built into a cliff, a project only recently completed. Two actors, Dave James and Muriel Thomas, came from London theatres to join a theatre company called Coastline. They now regularly perform in just such a theatre, by the sea. "One thing about performing outside is we never know what'll happen. For example, if a bird lands on stage, we can't act as if it's not there - the audience are all watching it. So we just bring the bird into the play, too. Once, about 30 dolphins came past, jumping out of the water and showing off. The audience were all chatting about them instead of watching the play, so the actors just gave up for a while and watched the dolphins, too." The weather can also be difficult, "Sometimes it's been so bad", says Muriel, "that we've asked the audience if they really want to say. But usually they sit with their coats and umbrellas and say, "Yes, please carry on!" They must feel it isn't much fun, but no one's returned their ticket so far!" Coastline's director John Barnack, works hard to introduce people to theatre. "Many people think of theatres as clubs where they don't belong and are not welcome," he explains. "Sitting in the open air changes that feeling. The audience are far more involved - they aren't sitting in the dark, at a distance like in normal theatre, and that improves the actors' performances, too. I'm very proud of the work they've done so far."

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Open-air theatre

In Britain, the ancient tradition of open-air performances is still alive and well. Cornwall has some of Britain's oldest working theatres, with one open-air theatre actually built into a cliff, a project only recently completed. Two actors, Dave James and Muriel Thomas, came from London theatres to join a theatre company called Coastline. They now regularly perform in just such a theatre, by the sea. "One thing about performing outside is we never know what'll happen. For example, if a bird lands on stage, we can't act as if it's not there - the audience are all watching it. So we just bring the bird into the play, too. Once, about 30 dolphins came past, jumping out of the water and showing off. The audience were all chatting about them instead of watching the play, so the actors just gave up for a while and watched the dolphins, too." The weather can also be difficult, "Sometimes it's been so bad", says Muriel, "that we've asked the audience if they really want to say. But usually they sit with their coats and umbrellas and say, "Yes, please carry on!" They must feel it isn't much fun, but no one's returned their ticket so far!" Coastline's director John Barnack, works hard to introduce people to theatre. "Many people think of theatres as clubs where they don't belong and are not welcome," he explains. "Sitting in the open air changes that feeling. The audience are far more involved - they aren't sitting in the dark, at a distance like in normal theatre, and that improves the actors' performances, too. I'm very proud of the work they've done so far."

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Open-air theatre

In Britain, the ancient tradition of open-air performances is still alive and well. Cornwall has some of Britain's oldest working theatres, with one open-air theatre actually built into a cliff, a project only recently completed. Two actors, Dave James and Muriel Thomas, came from London theatres to join a theatre company called Coastline. They now regularly perform in just such a theatre, by the sea. "One thing about performing outside is we never know what'll happen. For example, if a bird lands on stage, we can't act as if it's not there - the audience are all watching it. So we just bring the bird into the play, too. Once, about 30 dolphins came past, jumping out of the water and showing off. The audience were all chatting about them instead of watching the play, so the actors just gave up for a while and watched the dolphins, too." The weather can also be difficult, "Sometimes it's been so bad", says Muriel, "that we've asked the audience if they really want to say. But usually they sit with their coats and umbrellas and say, "Yes, please carry on!" They must feel it isn't much fun, but no one's returned their ticket so far!" Coastline's director John Barnack, works hard to introduce people to theatre. "Many people think of theatres as clubs where they don't belong and are not welcome," he explains. "Sitting in the open air changes that feeling. The audience are far more involved - they aren't sitting in the dark, at a distance like in normal theatre, and that improves the actors' performances, too. I'm very proud of the work they've done so far."

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Open-air theatre

In Britain, the ancient tradition of open-air performances is still alive and well. Cornwall has some of Britain's oldest working theatres, with one open-air theatre actually built into a cliff, a project only recently completed. Two actors, Dave James and Muriel Thomas, came from London theatres to join a theatre company called Coastline. They now regularly perform in just such a theatre, by the sea. "One thing about performing outside is we never know what'll happen. For example, if a bird lands on stage, we can't act as if it's not there - the audience are all watching it. So we just bring the bird into the play, too. Once, about 30 dolphins came past, jumping out of the water and showing off. The audience were all chatting about them instead of watching the play, so the actors just gave up for a while and watched the dolphins, too." The weather can also be difficult, "Sometimes it's been so bad", says Muriel, "that we've asked the audience if they really want to say. But usually they sit with their coats and umbrellas and say, "Yes, please carry on!" They must feel it isn't much fun, but no one's returned their ticket so far!" Coastline's director John Barnack, works hard to introduce people to theatre. "Many people think of theatres as clubs where they don't belong and are not welcome," he explains. "Sitting in the open air changes that feeling. The audience are far more involved - they aren't sitting in the dark, at a distance like in normal theatre, and that improves the actors' performances, too. I'm very proud of the work they've done so far."

Read the text below and answer the following questions. For each question, mark the correct letters (A, B, C or D).

Open-air theatre

In Britain, the ancient tradition of open-air performances is still alive and well. Cornwall has some of Britain's oldest working theatres, with one open-air theatre actually built into a cliff, a project only recently completed. Two actors, Dave James and Muriel Thomas, came from London theatres to join a theatre company called Coastline. They now regularly perform in just such a theatre, by the sea. "One thing about performing outside is we never know what'll happen. For example, if a bird lands on stage, we can't act as if it's not there - the audience are all watching it. So we just bring the bird into the play, too. Once, about 30 dolphins came past, jumping out of the water and showing off. The audience were all chatting about them instead of watching the play, so the actors just gave up for a while and watched the dolphins, too." The weather can also be difficult, "Sometimes it's been so bad", says Muriel, "that we've asked the audience if they really want to say. But usually they sit with their coats and umbrellas and say, "Yes, please carry on!" They must feel it isn't much fun, but no one's returned their ticket so far!" Coastline's director John Barnack, works hard to introduce people to theatre. "Many people think of theatres as clubs where they don't belong and are not welcome," he explains. "Sitting in the open air changes that feeling. The audience are far more involved - they aren't sitting in the dark, at a distance like in normal theatre, and that improves the actors' performances, too. I'm very proud of the work they've done so far."

You are going to read an article about people who gave up their jobs to start their own business. For each question, mark the correct letter (A, B, C or D).

Starting your own business

We talked to four people who gave up working for somebody else and started their own business.

Beautician

I had to rethink my future when the multi-national company I worked for as a marketing executive decided to move my job to the USA. My life back then, wearing designer clothes and taking regular long-haul flights, couldn't be more different from today. Well, I wanted a job where I'd have the chance to interact with people more and saw a gap in the market for a beauty salon locally. Working for yourself is great as you can make your own mind up about things and you aren't driven by someone else about when and how you do that. But the flip-side is that there's nobody to share the burden with when you wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how you're going to pay the rent. But I have no regrets.

Gym owner

After seventeen years working in banking. I wanted to try something totally different. A business that used a combination of my financial, sporting and parenting experience, but which didn't involve such long exhausting hours at the office appealed to me a great deal. I came across the concept behind The Little Gym by accident when I was surfing the Internet. It's a novel concept that had gone down really well in the USA. It caters for children from four months to twelve years, giving them good-quality physical instruction and a cerebral work-out at the same time. Having control of my own life is a definite height, as is seeing my staff doing a good job. Everyday is different, so it's never boring.

Caterer

I worked for a big international company but I was no longer finding it rewarding. I'd completed twenty years' service, so I had some money saved up, but not enough to retire on. But I took six-months off and we went to stay with my wife's family in Spain. It was a good opportunity to ponder the question: "What next? That's when we got the idea for Tapas in a Box. We were in a bar eating the local Spanish food called "tapas" and I thought: "This would be perfect for people back home who want to have a great, relaxed time with friends, without spending ages cooking." The challenge was then to work out how to deliver the mix of foods all at once, because tapas include things like raw almonds and chilled-cheeses as well as the hot things that need heating in an oven. Once we'd cracked that, we were up and running. I can't stress too much the thrill you feel when a customer tells you they've had a great time. The sense of having gone from a new idea to actually delivering something good is very motivating.

Virtual PA

I'd been a secretary and personal assistant (PA) for twenty years and had begun to dread the thought that I'd been at the same desk until I retired. When the company announced that its European office was to close, I could've taken a drop in salary and found another job locally, but I decided to set up my own business instead. I got my idea because, in effect, I'd been a virtual PA all along. My boss was usually only in the office a couple of days a month, so we'd always worked remotely by email and phone calls. I thought I could offer a similar service to other busy people. Now I've got all sorts of regular clients, including surveyors, solicitors, an advertising agency and even an author. I never expected such a mix. I can't wait to see what challenges lie in store for me.

You are going to read an article about people who gave up their jobs to start their own business. For each question, mark the correct letter (A, B, C or D).

Starting your own business

We talked to four people who gave up working for somebody else and started their own business.

Beautician

I had to rethink my future when the multi-national company I worked for as a marketing executive decided to move my job to the USA. My life back then, wearing designer clothes and taking regular long-haul flights, couldn't be more different from today. Well, I wanted a job where I'd have the chance to interact with people more and saw a gap in the market for a beauty salon locally. Working for yourself is great as you can make your own mind up about things and you aren't driven by someone else about when and how you do that. But the flip-side is that there's nobody to share the burden with when you wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how you're going to pay the rent. But I have no regrets.

Gym owner

After seventeen years working in banking. I wanted to try something totally different. A business that used a combination of my financial, sporting and parenting experience, but which didn't involve such long exhausting hours at the office appealed to me a great deal. I came across the concept behind The Little Gym by accident when I was surfing the Internet. It's a novel concept that had gone down really well in the USA. It caters for children from four months to twelve years, giving them good-quality physical instruction and a cerebral work-out at the same time. Having control of my own life is a definite height, as is seeing my staff doing a good job. Everyday is different, so it's never boring.

Caterer

I worked for a big international company but I was no longer finding it rewarding. I'd completed twenty years' service, so I had some money saved up, but not enough to retire on. But I took six-months off and we went to stay with my wife's family in Spain. It was a good opportunity to ponder the question: "What next? That's when we got the idea for Tapas in a Box. We were in a bar eating the local Spanish food called "tapas" and I thought: "This would be perfect for people back home who want to have a great, relaxed time with friends, without spending ages cooking." The challenge was then to work out how to deliver the mix of foods all at once, because tapas include things like raw almonds and chilled-cheeses as well as the hot things that need heating in an oven. Once we'd cracked that, we were up and running. I can't stress too much the thrill you feel when a customer tells you they've had a great time. The sense of having gone from a new idea to actually delivering something good is very motivating.

Virtual PA

I'd been a secretary and personal assistant (PA) for twenty years and had begun to dread the thought that I'd been at the same desk until I retired. When the company announced that its European office was to close, I could've taken a drop in salary and found another job locally, but I decided to set up my own business instead. I got my idea because, in effect, I'd been a virtual PA all along. My boss was usually only in the office a couple of days a month, so we'd always worked remotely by email and phone calls. I thought I could offer a similar service to other busy people. Now I've got all sorts of regular clients, including surveyors, solicitors, an advertising agency and even an author. I never expected such a mix. I can't wait to see what challenges lie in store for me.

You are going to read an article about people who gave up their jobs to start their own business. For each question, mark the correct letter (A, B, C or D).

Starting your own business

We talked to four people who gave up working for somebody else and started their own business.

Beautician

I had to rethink my future when the multi-national company I worked for as a marketing executive decided to move my job to the USA. My life back then, wearing designer clothes and taking regular long-haul flights, couldn't be more different from today. Well, I wanted a job where I'd have the chance to interact with people more and saw a gap in the market for a beauty salon locally. Working for yourself is great as you can make your own mind up about things and you aren't driven by someone else about when and how you do that. But the flip-side is that there's nobody to share the burden with when you wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how you're going to pay the rent. But I have no regrets.

Gym owner

After seventeen years working in banking. I wanted to try something totally different. A business that used a combination of my financial, sporting and parenting experience, but which didn't involve such long exhausting hours at the office appealed to me a great deal. I came across the concept behind The Little Gym by accident when I was surfing the Internet. It's a novel concept that had gone down really well in the USA. It caters for children from four months to twelve years, giving them good-quality physical instruction and a cerebral work-out at the same time. Having control of my own life is a definite height, as is seeing my staff doing a good job. Everyday is different, so it's never boring.

Caterer

I worked for a big international company but I was no longer finding it rewarding. I'd completed twenty years' service, so I had some money saved up, but not enough to retire on. But I took six-months off and we went to stay with my wife's family in Spain. It was a good opportunity to ponder the question: "What next? That's when we got the idea for Tapas in a Box. We were in a bar eating the local Spanish food called "tapas" and I thought: "This would be perfect for people back home who want to have a great, relaxed time with friends, without spending ages cooking." The challenge was then to work out how to deliver the mix of foods all at once, because tapas include things like raw almonds and chilled-cheeses as well as the hot things that need heating in an oven. Once we'd cracked that, we were up and running. I can't stress too much the thrill you feel when a customer tells you they've had a great time. The sense of having gone from a new idea to actually delivering something good is very motivating.

Virtual PA

I'd been a secretary and personal assistant (PA) for twenty years and had begun to dread the thought that I'd been at the same desk until I retired. When the company announced that its European office was to close, I could've taken a drop in salary and found another job locally, but I decided to set up my own business instead. I got my idea because, in effect, I'd been a virtual PA all along. My boss was usually only in the office a couple of days a month, so we'd always worked remotely by email and phone calls. I thought I could offer a similar service to other busy people. Now I've got all sorts of regular clients, including surveyors, solicitors, an advertising agency and even an author. I never expected such a mix. I can't wait to see what challenges lie in store for me.

You are going to read an article about people who gave up their jobs to start their own business. For each question, mark the correct letter (A, B, C or D).

Starting your own business

We talked to four people who gave up working for somebody else and started their own business.

Beautician

I had to rethink my future when the multi-national company I worked for as a marketing executive decided to move my job to the USA. My life back then, wearing designer clothes and taking regular long-haul flights, couldn't be more different from today. Well, I wanted a job where I'd have the chance to interact with people more and saw a gap in the market for a beauty salon locally. Working for yourself is great as you can make your own mind up about things and you aren't driven by someone else about when and how you do that. But the flip-side is that there's nobody to share the burden with when you wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how you're going to pay the rent. But I have no regrets.

Gym owner

After seventeen years working in banking. I wanted to try something totally different. A business that used a combination of my financial, sporting and parenting experience, but which didn't involve such long exhausting hours at the office appealed to me a great deal. I came across the concept behind The Little Gym by accident when I was surfing the Internet. It's a novel concept that had gone down really well in the USA. It caters for children from four months to twelve years, giving them good-quality physical instruction and a cerebral work-out at the same time. Having control of my own life is a definite height, as is seeing my staff doing a good job. Everyday is different, so it's never boring.

Caterer

I worked for a big international company but I was no longer finding it rewarding. I'd completed twenty years' service, so I had some money saved up, but not enough to retire on. But I took six-months off and we went to stay with my wife's family in Spain. It was a good opportunity to ponder the question: "What next? That's when we got the idea for Tapas in a Box. We were in a bar eating the local Spanish food called "tapas" and I thought: "This would be perfect for people back home who want to have a great, relaxed time with friends, without spending ages cooking." The challenge was then to work out how to deliver the mix of foods all at once, because tapas include things like raw almonds and chilled-cheeses as well as the hot things that need heating in an oven. Once we'd cracked that, we were up and running. I can't stress too much the thrill you feel when a customer tells you they've had a great time. The sense of having gone from a new idea to actually delivering something good is very motivating.

Virtual PA

I'd been a secretary and personal assistant (PA) for twenty years and had begun to dread the thought that I'd been at the same desk until I retired. When the company announced that its European office was to close, I could've taken a drop in salary and found another job locally, but I decided to set up my own business instead. I got my idea because, in effect, I'd been a virtual PA all along. My boss was usually only in the office a couple of days a month, so we'd always worked remotely by email and phone calls. I thought I could offer a similar service to other busy people. Now I've got all sorts of regular clients, including surveyors, solicitors, an advertising agency and even an author. I never expected such a mix. I can't wait to see what challenges lie in store for me.

You are going to read an article about people who gave up their jobs to start their own business. For each question, mark the correct letter (A, B, C or D).

Starting your own business

We talked to four people who gave up working for somebody else and started their own business.

Beautician

I had to rethink my future when the multi-national company I worked for as a marketing executive decided to move my job to the USA. My life back then, wearing designer clothes and taking regular long-haul flights, couldn't be more different from today. Well, I wanted a job where I'd have the chance to interact with people more and saw a gap in the market for a beauty salon locally. Working for yourself is great as you can make your own mind up about things and you aren't driven by someone else about when and how you do that. But the flip-side is that there's nobody to share the burden with when you wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how you're going to pay the rent. But I have no regrets.

Gym owner

After seventeen years working in banking. I wanted to try something totally different. A business that used a combination of my financial, sporting and parenting experience, but which didn't involve such long exhausting hours at the office appealed to me a great deal. I came across the concept behind The Little Gym by accident when I was surfing the Internet. It's a novel concept that had gone down really well in the USA. It caters for children from four months to twelve years, giving them good-quality physical instruction and a cerebral work-out at the same time. Having control of my own life is a definite height, as is seeing my staff doing a good job. Everyday is different, so it's never boring.

Caterer

I worked for a big international company but I was no longer finding it rewarding. I'd completed twenty years' service, so I had some money saved up, but not enough to retire on. But I took six-months off and we went to stay with my wife's family in Spain. It was a good opportunity to ponder the question: "What next? That's when we got the idea for Tapas in a Box. We were in a bar eating the local Spanish food called "tapas" and I thought: "This would be perfect for people back home who want to have a great, relaxed time with friends, without spending ages cooking." The challenge was then to work out how to deliver the mix of foods all at once, because tapas include things like raw almonds and chilled-cheeses as well as the hot things that need heating in an oven. Once we'd cracked that, we were up and running. I can't stress too much the thrill you feel when a customer tells you they've had a great time. The sense of having gone from a new idea to actually delivering something good is very motivating.

Virtual PA

I'd been a secretary and personal assistant (PA) for twenty years and had begun to dread the thought that I'd been at the same desk until I retired. When the company announced that its European office was to close, I could've taken a drop in salary and found another job locally, but I decided to set up my own business instead. I got my idea because, in effect, I'd been a virtual PA all along. My boss was usually only in the office a couple of days a month, so we'd always worked remotely by email and phone calls. I thought I could offer a similar service to other busy people. Now I've got all sorts of regular clients, including surveyors, solicitors, an advertising agency and even an author. I never expected such a mix. I can't wait to see what challenges lie in store for me.

You are going to read an article about people who gave up their jobs to start their own business. For each question, mark the correct letter (A, B, C or D).

Starting your own business

We talked to four people who gave up working for somebody else and started their own business.

Beautician

I had to rethink my future when the multi-national company I worked for as a marketing executive decided to move my job to the USA. My life back then, wearing designer clothes and taking regular long-haul flights, couldn't be more different from today. Well, I wanted a job where I'd have the chance to interact with people more and saw a gap in the market for a beauty salon locally. Working for yourself is great as you can make your own mind up about things and you aren't driven by someone else about when and how you do that. But the flip-side is that there's nobody to share the burden with when you wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how you're going to pay the rent. But I have no regrets.

Gym owner

After seventeen years working in banking. I wanted to try something totally different. A business that used a combination of my financial, sporting and parenting experience, but which didn't involve such long exhausting hours at the office appealed to me a great deal. I came across the concept behind The Little Gym by accident when I was surfing the Internet. It's a novel concept that had gone down really well in the USA. It caters for children from four months to twelve years, giving them good-quality physical instruction and a cerebral work-out at the same time. Having control of my own life is a definite height, as is seeing my staff doing a good job. Everyday is different, so it's never boring.

Caterer

I worked for a big international company but I was no longer finding it rewarding. I'd completed twenty years' service, so I had some money saved up, but not enough to retire on. But I took six-months off and we went to stay with my wife's family in Spain. It was a good opportunity to ponder the question: "What next? That's when we got the idea for Tapas in a Box. We were in a bar eating the local Spanish food called "tapas" and I thought: "This would be perfect for people back home who want to have a great, relaxed time with friends, without spending ages cooking." The challenge was then to work out how to deliver the mix of foods all at once, because tapas include things like raw almonds and chilled-cheeses as well as the hot things that need heating in an oven. Once we'd cracked that, we were up and running. I can't stress too much the thrill you feel when a customer tells you they've had a great time. The sense of having gone from a new idea to actually delivering something good is very motivating.

Virtual PA

I'd been a secretary and personal assistant (PA) for twenty years and had begun to dread the thought that I'd been at the same desk until I retired. When the company announced that its European office was to close, I could've taken a drop in salary and found another job locally, but I decided to set up my own business instead. I got my idea because, in effect, I'd been a virtual PA all along. My boss was usually only in the office a couple of days a month, so we'd always worked remotely by email and phone calls. I thought I could offer a similar service to other busy people. Now I've got all sorts of regular clients, including surveyors, solicitors, an advertising agency and even an author. I never expected such a mix. I can't wait to see what challenges lie in store for me.

You are going to read an article about people who gave up their jobs to start their own business. For each question, mark the correct letter (A, B, C or D).

Starting your own business

We talked to four people who gave up working for somebody else and started their own business.

Beautician

I had to rethink my future when the multi-national company I worked for as a marketing executive decided to move my job to the USA. My life back then, wearing designer clothes and taking regular long-haul flights, couldn't be more different from today. Well, I wanted a job where I'd have the chance to interact with people more and saw a gap in the market for a beauty salon locally. Working for yourself is great as you can make your own mind up about things and you aren't driven by someone else about when and how you do that. But the flip-side is that there's nobody to share the burden with when you wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how you're going to pay the rent. But I have no regrets.

Gym owner

After seventeen years working in banking. I wanted to try something totally different. A business that used a combination of my financial, sporting and parenting experience, but which didn't involve such long exhausting hours at the office appealed to me a great deal. I came across the concept behind The Little Gym by accident when I was surfing the Internet. It's a novel concept that had gone down really well in the USA. It caters for children from four months to twelve years, giving them good-quality physical instruction and a cerebral work-out at the same time. Having control of my own life is a definite height, as is seeing my staff doing a good job. Everyday is different, so it's never boring.

Caterer

I worked for a big international company but I was no longer finding it rewarding. I'd completed twenty years' service, so I had some money saved up, but not enough to retire on. But I took six-months off and we went to stay with my wife's family in Spain. It was a good opportunity to ponder the question: "What next? That's when we got the idea for Tapas in a Box. We were in a bar eating the local Spanish food called "tapas" and I thought: "This would be perfect for people back home who want to have a great, relaxed time with friends, without spending ages cooking." The challenge was then to work out how to deliver the mix of foods all at once, because tapas include things like raw almonds and chilled-cheeses as well as the hot things that need heating in an oven. Once we'd cracked that, we were up and running. I can't stress too much the thrill you feel when a customer tells you they've had a great time. The sense of having gone from a new idea to actually delivering something good is very motivating.

Virtual PA

I'd been a secretary and personal assistant (PA) for twenty years and had begun to dread the thought that I'd been at the same desk until I retired. When the company announced that its European office was to close, I could've taken a drop in salary and found another job locally, but I decided to set up my own business instead. I got my idea because, in effect, I'd been a virtual PA all along. My boss was usually only in the office a couple of days a month, so we'd always worked remotely by email and phone calls. I thought I could offer a similar service to other busy people. Now I've got all sorts of regular clients, including surveyors, solicitors, an advertising agency and even an author. I never expected such a mix. I can't wait to see what challenges lie in store for me.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (46) ________ for school? According to a new report, today's children are in danger of getting so (47) _________ sleep that they are putting their mental and physical health at (48) _________. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (49) _________ teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (50) __________ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Question 46. Choose the option that best fits the blank (46).

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (46) ________ for school? According to a new report, today's children are in danger of getting so (47) _________ sleep that they are putting their mental and physical health at (48) _________. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (49) _________ teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (50) __________ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Question 47. Choose the option that best fits the blank (47).

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (46) ________ for school? According to a new report, today's children are in danger of getting so (47) _________ sleep that they are putting their mental and physical health at (48) _________. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (49) _________ teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (50) __________ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Question 48. Choose the option that best fits the blank (48).

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (46) ________ for school? According to a new report, today's children are in danger of getting so (47) _________ sleep that they are putting their mental and physical health at (48) _________. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (49) _________ teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (50) __________ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Question 49. Choose the option that best fits the blank (49).

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (46) ________ for school? According to a new report, today's children are in danger of getting so (47) _________ sleep that they are putting their mental and physical health at (48) _________. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (49) _________ teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (50) __________ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Question 50. Choose the option that best fits the blank (50).