Đề thi học kì 2 môn Tiếng Anh lớp 11 năm 2014 - Đề số 1

Sometimes forest fires have caused serious damage to both private and public property. They destroy many houses and cause deaths, particularly when they have reached villages which are close to the forests. It is more dangerous if a destructive fire burns away plants and trees that prevent erosion. If heavy rains occur after such a fire, landslides, ash flows, and flash floods can occur. This can result in property damage in the immediate fire area, and can affect the water quality of streams, rivers and lakes. Wind sometimes makes contributions to forest fires. In southern California, under the influence of Santa Ana winds, fires could move at tremendous speeds, up to 40 miles (60 km) in a single day, consuming up to 1,000 acres (4 km²) per hour.

The first stamp (36)____ the world was an English stamp. It was made in 1840. Before that time people paid money (37)____ the postman for every letter they received and the postman didn't give letters to anybody (38)____ didn't pay him. An English teacher (39)____ name is Rowland Hill thought much about it. One day he said that people who wrote the letters must pay for them and not the (40)____. He spoke about to people in the government. Soon all the post offices began to sell little pieces of paper with a stamp on them.