Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 2...

In the demanding rhythm of modern Vietnamese life, the shared evening meal persists as an essential stabilizing ritual. It is a deliberate pause, a collective turning away from the digital distractions and individualistic pursuits that permeate the rest of the day. For a few hours, the home becomes a protected space where the noise of the outside world fades, replaced by the simple sounds of conversation and clinking chopsticks. This daily ritual offers a consistent point of return, a predictable respite in often chaotic and unpredictable lives.

The dinner table itself acts as a forum for genuine family connection. Here, the ephemeral details of each member's day—a success at school, a challenge at the office—are shared and transformed into collective experience. It is often the only time and place for sustained, face – to – face dialogue, allowing for the subtle exchange of advice and the reinforcement of mutual support. Children, in turn, absorb the intricate nuances of social etiquette and familial respect not through instruction, but through quiet observation and participation in this recurring ceremony.

More than just a vehicle for communication, the meal is a living repository of family heritage. Certain dishes evoke memories of a particular holiday or a story about a grandparent, weaving a thread of continuity between past and present. The recipes themselves, often passed down through generations, are a tangible link to a family’s regional roots and history. Through the preparation and sharing of food, cultural identity is not just remembered; it is actively practiced and kept alive for the next generation to inherit.

The health of this small institution often mirrors the health of the family unit itself. A lively, communicative dinner table is frequently a sign of strong, resilient relationships. In an age where forces constantly pull individuals in separate directions, the simple, analog act of gathering to eat remains one of the most potent expressions of belonging. It stands as a quiet affirmation that despite all external pressures, the family remains the vital center of Vietnamese life.

[Adapted from vietnamnews.com]

Question 23: The word “permeate”in paragraph 1 can be best replaced by __________.

A. dominate          B. pervade           C. define          D. complicate

Question 24: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 2 as a function of the dialogue that takes place at the family dinner table?

A. Sharing daily experiences        B. The exchange of advice

C. The practice of cultural identity        D. The reinforcement of mutual support

Question 25: The word “ephemeral”in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to __________.

A. enduring          B. immersive          C. personal          D. commonplace

Question 26: The word “it”in paragraph 3 refers to __________.

A. the preparation          B. the sharing of food        C. family’s history          D. cultural identity

Question 27: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. In a world that constantly pulls people apart, the simple act of gathering for a meal is one of the most effective ways to create a sense of belonging.

B. Despite the many forces that divide people in the modern age, maintaining culinary traditions remains a potent way to foster a sense of community.

C. One of the most influential solutions to the forces pulling people apart in the modern age is the simple, analog act of gathering together to eat.

D. The basic, non – digital act of sharing a meal together remains a powerful manifestation of communal connection in an age of constant, divisive distractions.

Question 28: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The evening meal provides a respite from chaotic lives because certain dishes consistently evoke memories of past family holidays.

B. At the dinner table, the daily successes and challenges of family members are shared and transformed into a living family heritage.

C. The home becomes a private sanctuary during the meal, offering a predictable escape from the specific pressures of modern professional life.

D. The level of active conversation at the dinner table can correspond with the robustness and durability of the family’s connections.

Question 29: Which paragraph mentions a method of learning social rules without direct teaching?

A. Paragraph 2          B. Paragraph 1        C. Paragraph 3          D. Paragraph 4

Question 30: Which paragraph mentions food acting as a bridge to a family’s past?

A. Paragraph 1          B. Paragraph 3        C. Paragraph 2         D. Paragraph 4