Đề thi ôn luyện từ vựng TOEFL Reading - Natural Disasters

SECTION 1. READING COMPREHENSION (10.0 points)

Read the following passage and choose the best answer A, B, C, or D for each question from 1 to 10.

Nature challenges human civilization in a myriad of ways, ranging from infectious diseases and unpredictable weather extremes to widespread famine. However, for communities established along coastlines, one natural phenomenon capable of causing catastrophic destruction is the tsunami. Unlike ordinary sea waves generated by tidal forces or surface winds, a tsunami represents a successive series of oceanic waves triggered by an impulsive disturbance within a large body of water. Such massive disturbances most frequently stem from undersea earthquakes resulting from sudden tectonic plate movements. Nevertheless, large-scale submarine landslides, violent volcanic eruptions, and even the rare impact of meteorites are equally capable of displacing immense volumes of water, thereby generating powerful wave trains.

When a tsunami originates in the deep ocean, it travels across open waters at speeds exceeding 800 kilometers per hour, often unnoticed on the surface because its wave height remains minimal. However, as the wave train approaches shallow coastal waters, its dynamics alter dramatically. The wave begins to compress and grow exponentially in vertical height as its base experiences substantial bottom friction and turbulence against the rising seabed. Consequently, its forward speed diminishes, but its destructive potential concentrates. When these colossal walls of water plunge onto the shore, they unleash tremendous kinetic energy. The incoming surge exhibits extreme erosion potential, readily stripping sandy beaches of their sediment, undermining the root systems of ancient coastal trees, and inundating vast tracts of land hundreds of meters inland. Entire neighborhoods, vehicles, and complex infrastructure networks can be crushed and swept away within minutes as the torrent collides with everything in its path.

To minimize the unprecedented devastation caused by these events, oceanographers and geophysicists constantly strive to anticipate and track them with greater speed and precision. Because numerous concurrent variables—including seismic magnitude, seafloor topography, and focal depth—must converge to produce a truly life-threatening tsunami, forecasting these occurrences remains exceptionally complex. In spite of these operational hurdles, researchers persevere in developing sophisticated seismic sensor networks and deep-ocean pressure buoys. These innovations serve to strengthen early warning systems, granting vulnerable coastal populations critical lead time to evacuate before disaster strikes.

Câu 1. The word "impulsive" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to

Câu 2. According to paragraph 1, all of the following can generate a tsunami EXCEPT

Câu 3. What can be inferred from paragraph 2 about tsunamis in the deep open ocean?

Câu 4. The word "unleash" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

Câu 5. According to paragraph 2, why does a tsunami increase in height as it nears the coast?

Câu 6. Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence: "The incoming surge exhibits extreme erosion potential, readily stripping sandy beaches of their sediment, undermining the root systems of ancient coastal trees, and inundating vast tracts of land hundreds of meters inland."?

Câu 7. The word "them" in paragraph 3 refers to

Câu 8. The author mentions "seismic magnitude, seafloor topography, and focal depth" in paragraph 3 in order to

Câu 9. The word "persevere" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to

Câu 10. According to paragraph 3, what is the primary benefit of advanced early warning systems?

SECTION 2. VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT (10.0 points)

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word or phrase that is CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined part in each of the following questions.

Câu 11. The tropical cyclone left a trail of catastrophic destruction across the island, flattening thousands of residential buildings.

Câu 12. Prolonged drought coupled with erratic rainfall resulted in severe famine across several inland agricultural provinces.

Câu 13. The high-velocity floodwaters began undermining the structural foundations of the highway bridge.

Câu 14. Volcanic ash and toxic gases posed a life-threatening danger to local villagers dwelling on the mountain slopes.

Câu 15. Rapid coastal development has stripped the shoreline of its natural mangrove vegetation, accelerating beach erosion.

Câu 16. Heavy monsoon rains can trigger fatal landslides in mountainous terrains within a matter of hours.

Câu 17. The intense tremor caused extensive property damage, requiring millions of dollars in national emergency aid.

Câu 18. Emergency relief teams were dispatched promptly to minimize the impact of the disaster on vulnerable populations.

Câu 19. Geological surveys indicate that sudden tectonic plate movement was the direct source of the offshore tremor.

Câu 20. The ferocious storm was capable of destroying anything it collided with as it swept through the harbor.

SECTION 3. SENTENCE COMPLETION & COLLOCATIONS (10.0 points)

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best completes each of the following sentences.

Câu 21. Natural disasters like earthquakes and flash floods can ______ serious threats to both human life and regional economies.

Câu 22. Thanks to satellite technology, meteorological bureaus were able to ______ an early warning before the typhoon made landfall.

Câu 23. Despite facing harsh climatic conditions, environmental scientists ______ in monitoring seismic activity along the trench.

Câu 24. The powerful tremor caused widespread ______ of residents from their damaged apartment complexes.

Câu 25. Tsunamis are capable of ______ tremendous energy as they crash onto unprotected shorelines.

Câu 26. The official ______ confirmed that more than forty individuals lost their lives during the catastrophic mudslide.

Câu 27. Rising sea levels and intense ocean currents have caused severe coastal ______ along the central coastline.

Câu 28. To reduce the number of ______, municipal authorities executed an urgent evacuation plan for low-lying districts.

Câu 29. The newly constructed hospital building is capable ______ withstanding major seismic shocks up to magnitude 8.0.

Câu 30. International humanitarian organizations collaborated closely to provide timely disaster ______ to displaced families.

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HƯỚNG DẪN CHẤM VÀ ĐÁP ÁN CHI TIẾT

A. BẢNG ĐÁP ÁN TỔNG HỢP (30 CÂU)

B. GIẢI THÍCH CHI TIẾT