Read the passage and mark A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions

As Christmas evolved in the United States, new customs were adopted and many old ones were reworked. The legend of Santa Claus, for example, had origins in Europe and was brought by Dutch settlers to New York in the early 18th century. Traditionally, Santa Claus – from the Dutch Sinter Klaas – was depicted as a tall, dignified, religious figure riding a white horse through the air. Known as Saint Nicholas in Germany, he was usually accompanied by Black Peter, an elf who punished disobedient children. In North America he eventually developed into a fat, jolly old gentleman who had neither the religious attributes of Saint Nicholas nor the strict disciplinarian character of Black Peter.

Santa’s transformation began in 1823, when a New York newspaper published the poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas, which Clement Clark Moore had written to amuse his daughter. The poem introduced many Americans to the story of a kindly saint who flew over housetops in a reindeer-drawn sleigh. Portraits and drawings of Santa Claus by American illustrator Thomas Nast further strengthened the legend during the second half of the 19th century. Living at the North Pole and assisted by elves, the modern Santa produced and delivered toys to all good children. By the late 19th century he had become such a prominent figure of American folklore that in 1897, when Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to the New York Sun newspaper asking if Santa was real, she received a direct answer: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”.

Question 1. Who brought the legend of Santa Claus to the USA according to the passage?

A. Sinter Klaas      B. Saint Nicholas      C. A German     D. Dutch settlers

Thông tin :” The legend of Santa Claus, for example, had origins in Europe and was brought  by Dutch settlers to New York in the early 18th century. Traditionally, Santa Claus – from the Dutch Sinter Klaas – was depicted as a tall, dignified, religious figure riding a white horse through the air.”

Question 2. Santa Claus was traditionally described as a                         

A. tall man who could walk through the air      B. fat, jolly, old man

C. religious figure      D. fat man riding a white horse

Thông tin: “Traditionally, Santa Claus – from the Dutch Sinter Klaas – was depicted as a tall, dignified, religious figure riding a white horse through the air.”

Question 3. Santa Claus in North America was depicted as                         

A. a man with the strict disciplinarian character of Black Peter

B. a jolly man on horseback

C. a good old man with less religious character

D. one with religious attributes of Saint Nicholas

Thông tin : “In North America he eventually developed into a fat, jolly old gentleman who had neither the religious attributes of Saint Nicholas nor the strict disciplinarian character of Black Peter.” 

Question 4. Who was Black Peter?

A. an elf accompanying Saint Nicholas      B. an elf who rode a white horse

C. one of the disobedient children      D. a popular traditional figure

Thông tin: Known as Saint Nicholas in Germany, he was usually accompanied by Black Peter, an elf who punished disobedient children.

Question 5. What word is closest in meaning to attributes?

A. outer appearance     B. natural qualities      C. effects      D. symbols of a person

Thông tin:

Natural qualities = tính chất tự nhiên, vốn có

Question 6. Where did the legend of Santa Claus come from?

A. the North Pole      B. Europe      C. North America     D. the City of New York

Thông tin: The legend of Santa Claus, for example, had origins in Europe and was brought  by Dutch settlers to New York in the early 18th century

Question 7. 1823 was mentioned as a year when                         

A. Clement Clark Moore wrote his first poem      B. Clement Clark Moore’s poem made him popular

C. Saint Nicholas visited New York      D. the image of Santa Claus was transformed

Thông tin:Santa’s transformation began in 1823, when a New York newspaper published the poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas, which Clement Clark Moore had written to amuse his daughter. The poem introduced many Americans to the story of a kindly saint who flew over housetops in a reindeer- drawn sleigh. Portraits and drawings of Santa Claus by American illustrator Thomas Nast further strengthened the legend during the second half of the 19th century. Living at the North Pole and assisted by elves, the modern Santa produced and delivered toys to all good children.

Question 8. According to Clement Clark Moore’s poem                         

A. Santa Claus had nothing different in appearance from the traditional one

B. Santa Claus had wings and could fly

C. Santa Claus liked poetry

D. Santa Claus was a kindly saint who flew over housetops in a sleigh

Thông tin: Santa’s transformation began in 1823, when a New York newspaper published the poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas, which Clement Clark Moore had written to amuse his daughter. The poem introduced many Americans to the story of a kindly saint who flew over housetops in a reindeer- drawn sleigh

`1. D`

`-` Dẫn chứng: câu `2`

`2. C`

`-` Dẫn chứng: câu `3`

`3. B`

`-` Dẫn chứng: câu `5`

`4. A`

`-` Dẫn chứng: câu `4`

`5. B`

`-` attributes ( thuộc tính) `=` natural qualities  ( phẩm chất tự nhiên)

`6. B`

`-` Dẫn chứng: câu `2`

`7. D`

`-` Dẫn chứng: câu `6`

`8. D`

`-` Dẫn chứng: câu `7`