Xuan Phi IELTS

CONTENTS
1. How to save money on your beauty routine ................................................................ 3

2. The Truffle Kingpin of New York City. ........................................................................... 6

3. Propane Safety Tips ...................................................................................................... 8

4. Mongoose Vs Cobra .................................................................................................... 10

5. Koala Facts .................................................................................................................. 12

6. Author David Bienenstock On How Jesus Used Cannabis .......................................... 14

7. Chinatown of Singapore ............................................................................................. 18

8. Introverts and Extroverts ............................................................................................ 20

9. World of Warships Blitz: German Battleships ............................................................ 23

10. Halcyon Traveler Pro BC System ............................................................................. 26

11. Can you solve the unstoppable blob riddle? - Dan Finkel....................................... 28

12. Finally, We Get the Scoop On Elizabeth Warren's Skincare Routine ...................... 31

13. 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Castor Oil for Hair, Skin & Health ........................ 34

14. Working as an Unpaid Intern in California - Should You be Paid? Attorney Adam
Gonnelli Explains................................................................................................................ 36

15. Muscle Fibers Explained - Muscle Contraction and Muscle Fiber Anatomy .......... 39

16. What Is a Fatwa? ..................................................................................................... 42

17. The fascinating secret lives of giant clams .............................................................. 45

18. Downing Street defends coronavirus strategy after Italy lockdown ...................... 48

19. Are Swedish Meatballs Even Swedish? ................................................................... 50

20. Are Humans omnivores, carnivores or herbivores? ............................................... 53

 Xuan Phi IELTS

21. Koalas 101................................................................................................................ 56

22. Is Creatine Actually Dangerous?.............................................................................. 59

23. Fertilization .............................................................................................................. 62

24. Online Ads 101: Display ads .................................................................................... 65

 Xuan Phi IELTS

1. How to save money on your beauty routine

How to Save Money on Your Beauty Routine. You don't have to (1)…………...................
to economize – you just have to know a few tricks. You will need Mascara,
(2)…………………………, Petroleum jelly, Olive oil, Sugar, Cayenne pepper, Cinnamon, A
lip brush, Cotton swabs and the occasional splurge, Optional: men's shaving cream.

Step 1. Buy (3)……………………… just once; after it runs out, wash and save the brush.
The main difference between mascaras is the wand, not the makeup. Apply new,
cheaper mascara with the brush that comes with it, then use your old one to
(4)………………..…………… your lashes. A dried-out mascara wand also makes a great
eyebrow brush.

Step 2. Replace your shaving cream with dollar-store hair conditioner; it works every
bit as well. Or use a brand made for men; they're usually less expensive. Get an
(5)…………………………………. if you don't want a "manly" fragrance.

Step 3. Buy a big jar of generic petroleum jelly. It can serve as clear lip gloss, lip balm,
makeup remover, under-eye moisturizer, and foot and hand cream. If you have just a
smidgen of lipstick left in the tube, mix it with (6)……………………………..and use as lip
gloss.

Step 4. Use olive oil as a multitasker: To condition hair, rub one tablespoon on scalp,
wrap in a warm towel, and let it (7)……………………………….. before shampooing out. For
silky skin, pour some into your bath water. To turn it into an exfoliant, just add some
sugar.

Step 5. Plump your lips for pennies by mixing a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or
cinnamon with a dab of petroleum jelly and applying to lips. It will irritate them just
enough to by (8)……………………………………..
 Xuan Phi IELTS

Step 6. Use up every bit of your cosmetics: Get the last smidgen of lipstick out of the
tube with a lip brush. Revitalize a dried-out mascara tube with a few (9)…………………….
Use a cotton swab to get into the crevices of little pots of eye cream or lip balm.

Step 7. Splurge on one or two extravagances. Woman cannot live on cheap cosmetics
alone! Did you know Women spend an average of (10)……………………… per year on
personal care, while men spend about $193.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) compromise your looks (6) petroleum jelly

(2) Dollar store conditioner (7) sit for 20 minutes

(3) expensive mascara (8) employment laws

(4) fluff and separate (9) drops of hot water

(5) unscented one (10) $471

 Xuan Phi IELTS

2. The Truffle Kingpin of New York City.

Truffles are just such an elusive, (1)……………………….... These are the Spanish winter black
truffles; they're from Périgord. They just have this alluring, earthiness quality that I've
never tasted before. They kept me (2)……………………… with them for almost 10 years now.
My name is Ian Purkayastha, and I procure hard to find ingredients from around the
world, mainly fresh truffles. I'm a (3)…………………………; I deal truffles out of my car. It
definitely has this underground element. When I was younger, people used to call me the
Truffle Boy. I started when I was 15, and I'm now 24. I'm constantly on the hunt for
identifying the most (4)……………………………… that produce the very best truffles. They
smell really nice. Where are these guys from? -Spain. They've never been successfully
cultivated on a commercial scale. And they grow underground; and they're obviously
extremely (5)……………………………….. to find; that's why they're worth their weight in gold.
As soon as the truffle is found, the clock is constantly ticking, because there's only a seven-
day shelf life. They're 98 percent water; every single day that (6)…………………………, it's
evaporating. I still get excited every time I get a new truffle shipment in. They are sent
from Europe to JFK where they're cleared by FDA, USDA, Homeland Security and Customs.
I sort them, I go through every single truffle, looking for (7)………………………….. and then I,
basically hop in the car with a box full of truffles. Alright. And sell to 90% of the fine
(8)………………………… in New York. Everyone from, David Chang to Sean Brock, to Eleven
Madison Park, Le Bernardin, a variety of Michelin stared restaurants. During truffle season
we import around $200,000 worth of truffles a week. A small amount of truffles could be
anywhere from five to (9)…………………………. We're dealing with quite a lot of valuable
product I'm doing something that I love, it doesn't even feel like work anymore. My
warehouse smells like truffles, my car smells like truffles, my apartment. It's like I can't
(10)……………………......; it's like they're smothering me, which is a great problem to have, I
guess.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) mysterious ingredient (6) a truffle is unused

(2) totally obsessed (7) imperfections

(3) dealer of sorts (8) dining restaurants

(4) desirable regions (9) 15,000

(5) rare and hard (10) escape truffles

 Xuan Phi IELTS

3. Propane Safety Tips

Propane Safety Tips: Whether you're grilling or just storing your tank, learn how to stay
safe with these tips. Do not bring your propane tank indoors (1)………………………... All
propane usage, inspections, storage or refills should be done outside. Always keep your
propane tank (2)…………………………… We recommend using a tank foot, ez-go other tank
holder while storing your tank to keep it stable. Wipe down your propane tank with a
solution of soapy water to (3)………………………………….. If a leak is present, bubbles will
form. If you find a leak, turn the valve off and check the system. Propane in
(4)…………………………… is odorless. Rotten egg odor is added to propane for safety. If you
notice the smell, remove any source of flame from the area, turn the valve off and have
your propane tank serviced. Do not smoke or (5)…………………………… near propane tanks.
Never leave your propane tank in an enclosed vehicle this will cause the pressure relief
valve to open, filling your car with dangerous flammable explosive propane vapor. If this
happens, call the (6)……………………………right away. When a propane tank is manufactured,
air gets into the tank. The air needs to be purged from the tank for two reasons. 1, the air
can cause the odor that is added to the (7)……………………………… 2, when propane is added
to air their two of the three items needed for a fire. All that is needed is a small spark and
the tank can explode. If your tank is (8) ………………………….., it must be re- qualified before
it is safe for refill or usage. Find a local commercial dealer to re-qualify your tank. After
your tank has been requalified, your tank is good for another five years. Small vertical
propane cylinders, forty pounds and smaller must be equipped with an
(9)…………………………… Before using your small so make sure it is properly equipped with
an opt valve. ASME cylinders, small horizontal cylinders and large vertical cylinders can
be over filled. For more information, (10)…………………………… and other propane tips visit
uhaul.com/propane.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) for any reason (6) fire department

(2) upright and secure (7) propane to fade

(3) check for leaks (8) 12 years or older

(4) its natural state (9) overfill protection device

(5) light an open flame (10) on propane safety

 Xuan Phi IELTS

4. Mongoose Vs Cobra
Squirrel colonies usually work together to (1)…………………………… but this female has
decided to go it alone. She fluffs her tail to appear bigger, distracts the cobra, and shields
her body from the (2)………………………………. Sharp teeth deliver a quick bite to its tail. The
cobra strike could kill her. Drop for drop, the cape cobra's venom is thought to be more
deadly than that of the (3)…………………………… She's batting out of her league. The black
mamba takes a hit as she struck, but it's just a blade of grass. It's a reality check. She needs
to back down. The action has caught the attention of a far (4)………………………………

In seconds, the squirrel's gone from snake killer to scared cat. She's bitten off more than
she can chew. But lucky for her, this (5)…………………………… is the resident cobra hitman.
It's game on. Snakes to the mongoose are like peanuts to the squirrel. Guts of steel make
him the (6)……………………………, but he's not a freeloader. He's the colony security system,
specializing in deadly intruders. The cobra's speedy defense strike is its trump card, the
only thing that'll keep him alive. They are each other's prey but they are also each other's
(7)………………………… The mongoose circles, looking for a weakness in the cobra's defens.
A quick strike needs a Matrix-style getaway. It's a battle of speed. The cobra tries
intimidation but it's not enough. They know that if either turns their back, they're a goner.
They (8)……………………………… and punches fly. The cobra delivers its winning blow. He's
been spared from becoming mongoose dinner. The mongoose is immune to a
(9)…………………………… of the cobra's venom but right now, he's not hungry enough to push
those (10)………………..
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) fend off predators (6) perfect housemate

(2) snake's strikes (7) deadliest opponents

(3) black mamba (8) size up their weapons

(4) meaner neighbor (9) certain quantity

(5) yellow mongoose (10) limits

 Xuan Phi IELTS

5. Koala Facts
When Australia (1) ……………………………… Gondwanaland, it was like a giant Noah's Ark
adrift on the seas, and the animals on it had to adapt in (2)……………………………the rest. The
trees also adapted, particularly the eucalyptus tree, which quickly spread. Some
marsupials had no problems in (3) ………………………………. out of this situation. The Koala
bear managed the impossible: it adapted to the point where all it eats are eucalyptus
leaves. Eucalyptus leaves are poor quality food, (4)………………………………. of toxins, but the
koala has managed to survive on them. Their digestive process is long, and the koalas go
about their business without (5)………………………………. This is part of their metabolic
strategy. They can survive on only 16 ounces of leaves a day, but of course they move
very slowly to avoid wasting energy. They are (6)…………………………………. on the ground
and very vulnerable, so they only go down to the ground in order to move over to another
tree. The koala is indifferent to the rhythm of their (7)………………………………... And even
more so when it's raising its young. Raising without wasting any energy. The young koalas
suckle in (8)……………………………. until they are pretty clumsy. When they are weaned, they
go down to the ground the art of leaf eating. For this, their mother feeds them Their
digestive process, a purée which (9)………………… them with without wasting any energy
they need to digest the toxic eucalyptus leaves. Only 16 ounces, the
(10)……………………………… leave their mothers to live on their own in pretty clumsy.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) separated from (6) pretty clumsy

(2) isolation from (7) digestive process

(3) squeezing the juice (8) only 16 ounces

(4) indigestible and full (9) provides

(5) wasting any energy (10) young koalas

 Xuan Phi IELTS

6. Author David Bienenstock On How Jesus Used Cannabis

Jesus didn't smoke pot, but I do believe cannabis was the (1)……………………………….. in the
holy anointing oil he used to perform healing miracles. Sound crazy? Well, let's look at the
evidence. Jesus never referred to himself as 'Christ.' That was a name given to him by his
disciples. It's an Aramaic word that means, 'The Anointed One.' Which makes sense,
because Jesus (2)…………………………………. before sending them out to anoint others, as
described in Mark 6:13. 'They cast out many devils and anointed with oil many that were
sick, and healed them.' But what exactly was in that holy anointing oil that Jesus used to
perform all those (3)…………………………………..? The recipe for holy anointing oil is first
found in the Old Testament: Exodus 30:22-23, and calls for infusing 9 pounds of a plant
known as 'kaneh-bosm,' literally translated as 'fragrant cane,' into about 6 quarts of olive
oil, (4)………………………………… of myrrh and cinnamon. According to conventional biblical
scholarship, the '250 shekels of kaneh-bosm,' that's about 9 pounds, listed in ancient
Hebrew versions of the Old Testament, supposedly refers to (5)…………………………………
called calamus, but Chris Bennett, author of the 2001 book 'Sex, Drugs, and Violence in
the Bible,' believes this is a mistranslation. One stemming from a perhaps
(6)……………………………. made the first time the Old Testament was translated into Greek.
Kaneh-bosm, he claims, was cannabis. But could an oil infused with 9 pounds of cannabis
really produce a 'healing miracle?' Well, you might have seen a recent CNN special bout
a little girl named Charlotte who suffered 300 grand mal (7)………………………………… even
after cycling through every pharmaceutical anti-seizure medicine and a series of (8)
………………………………. that left her unable to walk, talk, or eat. The first time Charlotte's
parents gave her a dose of wholly plant-derived cannabis oil, her seizures immediately
ceased and stopped a (9)……………………………... She's down from more than 1,200 major
seizures per month to just 2 or 3 mild ones. Some might call that a miracle. Now, back to
that recipe in the Old Testament: Kaneh-bosm makes its (10)…………………………………… in
the Bible as part of the story of Moses and the burning bush, when the revered Jewish
 Xuan Phi IELTS

prophet gets the holy anointing oil recipe along with clear instructions to anoint only the
priest class and kings. So did Jesus later break this prohibition, by (11)………………………………
oil to the sick? Is that what made him such a threat to the powers- that-be, and led to (his
execution? Aside from crucifixion, baptism is considered the only
(12)…………………………………. fact about Jesus' life. But if water served as the catalyst for
Jesus' spiritual ascension, why does he never perform a baptism? Why take the name
Christ? And why anoint his flock in oil before sending them out to anoint others? To those
who believe that Jesus used cannabis oil, the answer lies in (13)…………………………………
Christian texts. The canonical texts of the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John— were not selected as canon until around 325 years after Jesus' death, when the
Roman Catholic Church selected them from a large number of contenders. The Church
then sought out and destroyed every account that differed from their now
(14)………………………………. Christians who continued to promote alternate views of Jesus
and his teachings were labeled heretics and brutally suppressed. As a result, much of their
scripture and dictates were thought to be lost forever. (15)………………………….. when an
Egyptian peasant digging for fertilizer in a cave unearthed 13 leather-bound manuscripts
inside a sealed jar, a treasure trove purposely buried there by scribes at a
(16)………………………………… sometime around A.D. 367, when the church first condemned
the use of non-canonical texts. Within these volumes—many of which predate the books
of the New Testament— Biblical experts discovered (17)…………………………………… different
telling of the life of Jesus, one that places the anointing ceremony squarely
(18)…………………………………. of Christianity. The Gospel of Phillip, for instance, proclaims
that any person who 'receives this oil… is no longer a Christian but a Christ.' A
transformation then compared to baptism, in which would-be initiates 'Go down into the
water and come up without having received anything… because there is
(19)……………………………… There is fire in chrism.' Chrism, of course, is the holy anointing
oil. And did I mention about the 9 pound of cannabis? To hear more of this story,
 Xuan Phi IELTS

download (20)…………………………… of Great Moments in Weed History. Available free from

iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, or wherever you get podcasts.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) key ingredient (11) providing holy anointing

(2) anointed his flock (12) historically certain

(3) healing miracles (13) non-canonical

(4) essential extracts (14) official version of events

(5) a flowering plant (15) Until 1945

(6) willful mistake (16) nearby monastery

(7) seizures per week (17) a parallel but radically

(8) painful procedures (18) at the center

(9) 7 straight days (19) water in water

(10) first appearance (20) this week's episode

 Xuan Phi IELTS

7. Chinatown of Singapore
Singapore's Chinatown is the traditional Chinese (1)……………………………, and while the
entire city is largely Chinese these days the area does retain some of its own charm.
Chinatown's primary attraction is the town itself, composed as it is of
(2)……………………………… full of strange little shops selling everything from plastic Buddhas
to dried seahorses. Wander at random and see what you can find! The
(3)…………………………………… of Chinatown around the pagoda are packed with near-
identical stalls selling all sorts of Chinese trinkets aimed squarely at tourists. There is also
a cluster of (expensive) (4)…………………………… on South Bridge Rd. For Chinese
handicrafts, antiques, fashion items, home accessories and Chinese medicine aimed more
at the locals, poke into any of the (5)…………………………………. The area between Pagoda
Street and Smith Street has been started up considerably for tourists, but workaday.
Chinatown continues south and east, (6)……………………………… into the Central Business
District. Tanjong Pagar is the unofficial home of Singapore's gay community, with many
watering holes in restored shop houses, while Club Street and Ann Siang Hill caters more
to the expat, yuppie and hipster crowd with small, (7)………………………………… offering
excellent (if pricey) Western and modern Singaporean fare. Hence Chinatown is quite the
paradox - simultaneously the (8)…………………………………… district in Singapore. Chinatown
is at its busiest and most colorful in the month preceding the Chinese New Year, when
the streets are decked with (9)………………………………... Street markets are thronged with
people, shows entertain the crowds and the drums of lion dances echo into the night. The
festivities in a (10)………………………………… and a roar of firecrackers atop People's Park
Complex, showering flaming confetti down below; and for the two following days virtually
everything is closed.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) quarters of town (6) merging seamlessly

(2) restored shop houses (7) intimate eateries

(3) central streets (8) gaudiest and trendiest

(4) antique shops (9) festive decorations

(5) numerous shopping malls (10) midnight countdown

 Xuan Phi IELTS

8. Introverts and Extroverts

Some of us like to spend our weekend with a book in hand. While others prefer a night
out being the (1)………………………………... But from a scientific perspective, is there an
advantage to being an introvert or an extrovert? Which is better? The idea of two polar
personalities was first described by Swiss-German psychologist Carl Jung,
(2)…………………………………. introversion and extroversion. Jung's theory was further
elaborated upon by Hans Eysenck, a German psychologist who defined introverts and
extroverts by their (3)…………………………………. Extroverts, with their lower level of arousal,
would need to do more exciting things that would physically and mentally exhaust an
introvert in order to reach satisfaction. So while an introvert might be content with a
(4)………………………………… through a quiet park, an extrovert might need to hit the dirt
roads in order to feel mentally satisfied. Brain scans show a thicker prefrontal cortex in
introverts compared to extroverts, which is associated with (5)………………………………….,
suggesting that extroverts may be more impulsive than introverts, who prefer to mull
things over, instead of directly (6)………………………………… But because of this tendency to
ruminate in introverts, they're also more susceptible to developing
(7)………………………………….. Extroverts also respond more strongly to rewards, with brain
scans showing a significantly more activated dopamine reward system than introverts
when completing and winning a (8)………………………………… And given that we're social
animals, dopamine is also released when interacting with other humans. This was
especially important as hunter gatherers who relied upon others for both food and
protection from predators. However, human connection has a (9)…………………………………
on extroverts than introverts. In fact, it's been shown that the brains of extroverts
respond more strongly when shown photos of human faces compared to
(10)……………………………… But for introverts, the brain response is similarly between the
 Xuan Phi IELTS

two. Now that's not to say that introverts don't feel any excitement from winning or that
they strongly dislike being around people, but they simply don't feel as excited and don't
require as much (11)……………………………… in order to feel good. In terms of genetics, there
may be an evolutionary advantage to each trait. For instance, introverts might have stuck
to the sidelines to avoid predators, while extroverts would roam and explore, giving them
an advantage when food is scarce. A study (12)……………………………… discovered that those
who were more inclined to be adventurous had two copies of one particular allele,
reinforcing the idea that these personality traits are partially linked to genetics. In many
ways, our society has an (13)…………………………… where qualities like putting yourself out
there are highly valued. Our institutions are also often designed with the extrovert in mind
where group work is a popular practice in most schools and workplaces with the idea that
creativity comes from a sociable place. However as social animals, we instinctively mimic
others' opinions without realizing it, suggesting that your (14)……………………………… with
others may not always be productive. When we disagree with a group, neuroscientists
have shown high activation in the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with
(15)……………………………….. When we think of introverts, shyness and the preference to be
alone often come to mind, (16)……………………………….., introverts may simply prefer close
conversations with one or a few people instead of dozens. Furthermore, introverts may
even (17)……………………………… as they’re known to think through ideas thoroughly
compared to extroverts, who may choose to make rash decisions instead. But perhaps
you are an (18)…………………………….., right in the middle of the introvert-extrovert Venn
diagram, combining the best of both worlds. A recent study involving 340 call
(19)………………………………. had their sales record tracked for a period of three months.
Those who were neither strong extroverts or introverts generated the most revenue
(20)………………………………….., compared to the study average of 138 per hour. So what do
you see yourself as? And do you think one is better than the other? Let us know in the
comments below.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) center of attention (11) social interaction

(2) who coined the terms (12) involving 130 participants

(3) baseline arousal (13) extroversion bias

(4) leisurely bike ride (14) brainstorming sessions

(5) deeper thought and planning (15) the sting of rejection

(6) springing into action (16) but in reality

(7) anxiety and depression (17) be better public speakers

(8) computerized gambling task (18) ambivert

(9) greater impact (19) center representatives

(10) neutral photos of nature (20) averaging 208 dollars per hour
 Xuan Phi IELTS

9. World of Warships Blitz: German Battleships

Meet German battleships in World of Warships Blitz! They (1)............................ They are
true masters of the seas, (2)..............................., strongest secondary guns, and some of
(3).................................a battleship can have. With the introduction of the new ships, a
new mechanic will be (4)....................................... Secondary auto guns are additional
secondary guns that fire automatically (5)...................................... German battleships of
Tier VI and above will have secondary auto guns. These battleships are designed to
(6)............................... of anyone who dares to come too close. However, while they are
German engineered, they are not perfect. Like all battleships, the German battleships are
slow and (7)................................. German Battleships are typically characterized by low
accuracy at long ranges and poor AA gun performance. (8).................................., all the
German battleships have their strong points. Let us quickly go over the eight ships
(9).................................. The first German Battleship is Nassau at Tier III. She features
(10)……………………………… with two guns in each turret. Her gun arrangement is similar to
that of Japanese Kawachi, but she has better armor. Nassau (11).............................. the
German Battleship design doctrine with strong armor, reduced reload times, and
increased (12)..................................... Nassau sports an impressive twelve secondary
guns.

Kaiser is at Tier IV. She boasts the best armor protection among the other battleships in
her tier. This allows her to feel (13).................................. With five main armament turrets
and fourteen secondary armament turrets, she packs a mean punch in any close quarters
brawl. Tier V battleship König inherits the good armor (14).................................... Thanks
to her effective turret arrangement, her broadside is able to fire a devastating 10-main-
gun salvo. The beautiful Bayern can be found at Tier VI. In addition to her highly effective
armor, she is full of surprises. (15)……………………………… is in her secondary armament.
First, it may appear that there are ten secondary guns, but, in fact, there are sixteen! She
 Xuan Phi IELTS

is the first German Battleship to feature automatic secondary guns. They will fire at an
enemy ship automatically as long as it is in their line of fire. Tier VII Gneisenau shares this
feature with her lower tier sister. She boasts automatic guns, great armor, rapid-fire
(16).............................., and increased armor-piercing shell damage. This battleship
features all the best a German ship has to offer.

She is even equipped with torpedo tubes! She is (17)........................... the German
battleships. At Tier VIII comes Bismarck— this legendary battleship with four twin-gun
turrets literally broke a ship in half with her mighty guns. In addition to her powerful guns,
she features strong armor, which helps (18)........................................ Friedrich Der Grosse
is a true successor to the legendary Bismarck. Stronger armor, larger caliber guns, and
higher damage per minute. Exactly what you would expect from a Tier IX battleship.
Großer Kurfürst is (19).................................... for the mighty Yamato. She is bigger and
more robust. Unmatched in health, sporting strong armor, she is equipped with eight
main caliber guns and numerous secondary guns. In close-quarters, this battleship will
make short work of any ship that dares to approach her. The German battleships are born
to get close up and thrive in the heat of battle. They possess all (20)....................................
for this: effective armor, high health, and rapid-fire small caliber guns, some of which fire
automatically. Unlock German Battleships and take the helm of these German beasts!
Victory awaits you in World of Warships Blitz!
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER

3. the fastest firing main

1. are large and in charge 2. with the thickest armor
guns
4. implemented in the
5. at nearby ships 6. make short work
game
8. Despite their typical
7. easy to detect 9. in this branch
disadvantages
12. secondary gun
10. six main caliber turrets 11. really embodies
damage

13. confident in any attack 14. from her predecessors 15. The main trick

18. her survive in every

16. secondary armament 17. pretty unique among
situation
20. the necessary
19. a worthy opponent
characteristics
 Xuan Phi IELTS

10. Halcyon Traveler Pro BC System

Halcyon would like to introduce the exciting new traveler pro, building upon the
(1)………………………………….This dedicated, single-tank BC provides a light-weight but
rugged option for divers looking to enjoy high performance in a (2)………………………………
This low-profile, performance oriented BC can be precisely fit in the time it takes to buckle
your seatbelt. Thanks to our patented, cinch quick-adjust (3)………………………… are now
able to change suits or even share a BC between divers by quickly adjusting the harness;
all this without (4)……………………………… or our trademark, continuous webbing design. The
traveler pro benefits from a range of distinct features, including, an integrated single tank
adapter, aluminum d-rings, an inventive quick adjust crotch strap and an
(5)……………………………… of weight adjustment. The pro utilizes an adjustable set of pockets
which allows for the quick installation of most common weights and can easily hold a
(6)………………………………. (6kg). This system provides easy weight adjustment and avoids
the hassle of carrying heavy diving systems during travel. The traveler and traveler pro
BCs may also be fit with an (7)……………………………. assembly or integrated weight pockets,
allowing for the use of a primary light canister or additional ballast. The halcyon traveler
(8)…………………………… in 30lbs lift capacity and the pro system is available in 30 or 40 lbs.
lift capacities. For all your travel needs, the halcyon traveler and traveler pro BCs Are
(9)………………………………….. Buy the BC you've been waiting for by contacting your local
halcyon dealer today or contact halcyon (10)…………………………...........
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) success of the original traveler (6) as much as 12 pounds

(2) travel friendly package (7) optional light fixture

(3) harness individuals (8) is available

(4) compromising system integrity (9) the top of the line choice

(5) an innovative method (10) directly at 800

 Xuan Phi IELTS

11. Can you solve the unstoppable blob riddle? - Dan Finkel
A shooting star crashes on Earth, and a hideous blob emerges. It creeps and leaps, it
(1)................................. It’s also unstoppable: weapons, fire, extreme temperatures… no
matter what you throw at it, it just regrows and continues its rampage. Its expansion is
breathtaking; it doubles (2).................................. But there’s one opportunity after each
hour, it goes to sleep forming itself into a flat triangle and resting for a few minutes before
it begins eating and growing again. Your only chance (3).................................. involves a
satellite-mounted nano-fission ray that can cut through the blob. When the blog is active
it heals itself within seconds. However, when you break the sleeping blob
(4)................................, you make a critical discovery. The acute triangle portion, with all
angles less than 90 degrees, is inert. It never “wakes up.” The obtuse triangle, which has
an angle greater than 90 degrees, wakes up as usual and keeps growing.
(5)................................... show that all shapes other than acute triangles, including right
triangles, will also wake up. For the next few minutes, the blob is sleeping in its obtuse
triangle form. You can make clean, straight-line cut between any two points on or
(6).................................. But you’ll only have time to make 7 cuts while the satellite is
above you. By the time it completes its orbit and returns, the blob will have consumed
the entire world, if even a single portion that will wake up remains. How can you cut the
blob entirely into acute triangles and (7).................................. the planet? Pause the video
now to figure out for yourself. Answer in 3 Answer in 2 Answer in 1 while this seems
doable at first, there’s a hidden difficulty when it comes to (8).................................. Every
time you make a cut that reaches an edge, it either makes an acute and an obtuse angle,
or (9)................................. That makes it seems like you’re doomed to keep creating
obtuse angles. But as with so many of life’s problems, we can look to pizza for inspiration.
Imagine squaring off the outside of a pizza, so that (10).............................., it’s an octagon.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

When we cut it into slices, each of the eight triangles is acute. This works with larger
polygons too. Importantly, it also works for some polygons with fewer sides, including
heptagons, hexagons, and pentagons. (11)............................, because if you cut off the
sharp corners of the blob triangle, a pentagon is exactly what you’ll be left with. And just
like a pizza, you can cut the blob pentagon into five acute triangles. That’s 7 cuts, and it
renders the blob completely inert. You’ve saved the day! Now you just need to
(12)....................... what to do with all of these giant, practically indestructible triangles.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) glides and slides (7) stop it from destroying

(2) in size every hour (8) avoiding obtuse and right angles

(3) to save the planet (9) two right angles

(4) into two triangles (10) instead of a circle

(5) Similar experiments (11) That’s good news

(6) inside the triangle (12) figure out

 Xuan Phi IELTS

12. Finally, We Get the Scoop On Elizabeth Warren's Skincare Routine

With the Iowa caucus less than (1)..............................., Candidates are making a big
push to get voters' attention, including Massachusetts senator and tourist going in for
a Closer look at Michelangelo's "David" Elizabeth warren. Warren has
(2)..................................."Elle" magazine, where she Covered topics from policy to
relationships or, as she plugged It in a tweet, "you deserve better. Dump the guy who
ghosted you, (3).................................to let you adopt a dog, and I'll take care of
canceling your student Loan debt!" well, first off, first off, Senator, that sounds lovely,
but "dump the guy who ghosted you"? "Ghosted" means they're already gone!
Everyone knows that as soon as they ask "the late Show" interns to explain it to them.
That's (4).............................. Warren also did an interview with "Cosmo," where she
dished on her skincare routine. You knew this was coming. What is your skincare
routine? So I have-- had, she's passed now-- but a (5)................................ Named
tootsie. And years ago, I was, I guess probably somewhere in my 20s, and we're at a
(6).................................. And tootsie was beautiful. And I looked over at her, and I said,
"Toots, how do you have such gorgeous skin? Stephen: I'm going to interrupt really
quick here to point out only Elizabeth warren Could say the sentence, "Toots, how do
you have such gorgeous skin" and have it not be creepy? Somewhere out there.
Somewhere out there, Joe Biden is like, "oh, but I can't (7)...............................? Come
on! Come on, toots! I know toots! Toots and corn pop." Anyway. What did toots say?
She said, "pond's moisturizer every morning, every night, and Never wash your face."
So from tootsie to me to you. I never wash my face. Stephen: I hate to break it to you,
(8)........................................., but I think toots was messing with you. "heh, watch this.
Hey, Liz! Hey, Liz! Use ponds constantly, never wash your face, and did you know.
We're half native American? Tell everyone! That's a wrap on toots! Toots is out!"
 Xuan Phi IELTS

"Never wash! Never wash!" "Just don't bathe!" I never met her. I never met her, and I
love toots. Warren has also been (9).................................. According to the "post,"
warren had just finished hiking on Washington's north cascades mountains when she
dropped in for lunch with jay Inslee, whose endorsement she was seeking. Oh, she just
happened to be hiking near jay Inslee's house? What's next? She just happens to be
on the same half-pipe as Beto O'rourke? "(10)..........................! You thrash here, too?"
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) a month away (6) big family reunion

(2) a new interview with (7) sniff one neck

(3) convince the roommate (8) senator warren

(4) universal ghosted (9) courting former candidates

(5) much older cousin (10) what a coincidence

 Xuan Phi IELTS

13. 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Castor Oil for Hair, Skin & Health
Castor oil is most widely used in cosmetics, soaps, textiles, massage oils and even
medicines. Here are some (1)………………………………… benefits of castor oil. Castor oil is
known to treat skin problems like sunburn, acne, dry skin and stretch marks It also helps
cure infections like warts, boils, athlete's foot and (2)………………………….…... An active
compound found in castor oil effectively treats ringworms which is a common and
stubborn skin problem across all age groups. Castor oil when (3)………………………… the skin
penetrates deep and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. This delays
(4)……………….……………. and fine lines, making the skin smother, softer and younger.
Castor oil promotes hair growth by (5)……………………………. to the follicles. The oil also has
omega-6 essential for fatty acids, responsible for healthy hair. Castor oil's anti-fungal,
anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties can help (6)……………………………… like bald patches
and itchy scalp. Castor oil is a powerful laxative useful for effectively reacting
constipation. Castor oil is often (7)……………………………. It is crammed with omega-3 fatty
acids that help reduce pigmentation. Anti-inflammatory property of castor oil makes it
ideal massage oil for (8)………………………….., nerve inflammation and sore muscles. Castor
oil has been scientifically proven to treat (9)……………………………... Castor oil is known to
help increase white blood cells and (10)………………………………..
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) medicinal and therapeutic (6) treat scalp infections

(2) chronic itching (7) used for fading scars

(3) applied to (8) relieving joint pain

(4) appearance of wrinkles (9) mild surface tumors

(5) boosting blood circulation (10) help boost immunity

 Xuan Phi IELTS

14. Working as an Unpaid Intern in California - Should You be Paid?

Attorney Adam Gonnelli Explains
You're working as an intern for a big company and you're (1)………………………………. The
question is should you be? My name is Adam Gonnelli and my firm handles cases were
interns aren't being paid what they're supposed to be paid. Now when
(2)…………………………………, usually what they think of is a young person going in for college
credit doing menial jobs and learning about the business. And some of that is perfectly
fine. What's not fine is when the intern is actually doing a job that could be done
(3)…………………………………… isn't really learning much of anything and the employer is
exploiting the intern, just to get cheap labor. Now what we look at to determine whether
an intern should be getting paid is a couple of things. First, who's really benefiting? Is the
intern there to learn? Is the intern there to (4)…………………………………..? Or is it really just
a case of the employer getting work for free? Look at it this way: if you can think of it as
the intern (5)………………………………… a minimum wage worker (let's say all you do is you
run and get coffee and you do different errands, you do routine paperwork, you're
standing at the copy machine) none of those things are teaching the intern anything and
those are all jobs that can be done by a minimum wage worker. (6)…………………………………,
the interns should be getting paid. Another factor to consider is who's advantage is having
this job? Does the advantage go to the intern where they're learning things? They're
(7)………………………………, picking up valuable skills? Or is the advantage all to the employer
who gets an employee who's working for nothing? Now in some cases, even having the
intern around may actually cost the employer something in the short term. The employer
may have to (8)………………………………………. to teach the intern things, the employer may
have to make some accommodations to have the intern around, the intern may need
their own office, time may be taken from some of (9)………………………………… to talk to the
 Xuan Phi IELTS

intern, give the intern learning tasks and so forth. All those things are situations where
you have a genuine internship. Another issue that you look at is whether the internship
necessarily leads to a job or is it something that could be the (10)……………………………… (like
being in a class)? If you're in a classroom, you don't expect necessarily to walk out and get
a job (especially true these days). Similarly, if you're an intern and there's
(11)………………………………. at the end of the internship that's another factor that may mean
this a genuine internship and not a case in where the intern needs to get bad. In short the
closer the internship is something you get in a college environment or a class room; the
more likely it is that it's a genuine internship. The closer it is to a minimum wage job, the
more likely it is that the intern should be getting paid. Now why might you need to know
this information? If you're an intern and you're (12)………………………………., maybe you
should be getting paid. I'm Adam Gonnelli and my firm handles cases like this. Thanks for
watching and have a great day!
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) working completely unpaid (7) learning about the business

(2) people think of interns (8) take time off

(3) by a minimum wage worker (9) the senior people

(4) pick up job skills (10) equivalent for college credit

(5) coming in and displacing (11) no guarantee of a job

(6) do different errands (12) putting in a lot of hours

 Xuan Phi IELTS

15. Muscle Fibers Explained - Muscle Contraction and Muscle Fiber

Anatomy
Muscles are the driving force of all the movements in the body, varying from lifting,
running, walking, and even organ function. The (1)……………………………… consists of three
major muscle types: cardiac muscles, which are responsible for the function of your heart,
smooth muscles, which are responsible for the function of all (2)...................................,
and skeletal muscles, which are responsible for, as the name suggests, the movement of
your bones. Both smooth and cardiac muscles function involuntarily, meaning they
operate by themselves. (3)............................., on the other hand, function voluntarily and
are under our conscious control. There are three different skeletal muscle fiber types
known as Type I, IIa, and IIx fibers. The difference of size, color, contractual speed,
contractual force, and energy source classifies each fiber. (4)......................., also known
as slow twitch fibers, are the smallest fiber types with a darkish red color. It has a fairly
slow twitch speed and produces a relatively small amount of force when contracted. It
has high amounts of mitochondria, which are organelles within each cell that uses oxygen
to produce energy. Although the force generated is fairly small, type I fibers are highly
fatigue resistant, allowing it to be active (5)............................... They are the primary fibers
used during low-intensity activities with steady oxygen consumption, such as walking,
jogging, or aerobics. Type IIa fibers, aka moderate fast-twitch fibers, are also red but
intermediate in size. These larger fibers typically use a combination of oxygen and
glucose, as sources of energy. This combination allows for quicker contracting speed and
higher force output compared to type I fibers, however, fatigue resistance isn't as high.
These fibers are typically activated during anaerobic activities that are
(6)..........................., such as a mile run, swimming, and short-distance cycling. Type IIx
fibers, aka fast-twitch fibers, are white in color due to a low oxygen capacity and by far
 Xuan Phi IELTS

the largest fiber type. It makes up for the lack of oxidative capacity by having extremely
high levels of glucose in its stored form of glycogen, producing the fastest twitch speeds
and the most force. The downside, though, is that the fiber fatigues quickly, burning out
after (7)........................... High-impact, heavy resistance activities such as lifting weights
and sprinting, will activate Type IIx fibers the most. For any activity, your muscles follow
a certain recruiting order. The slow-twitch, low-force, fatigue-resistant Type I fibers are
always activated first. When Type I fibers are maxed out, Type IIa fibers are activated, and
then after those are (8).............................., Type IIx fibers are then activated. This order,
known as Henneman's size principle, helps minimize muscle fatigue and allows precise
motor control by using no more than the force necessary to complete a movement.
Everyone has a genetically determined amount of each muscle fiber type. Some people
are (9)................................... a predominant amount of a certain muscle fiber, making
them effective with activities that favor those fibers. There have been some findings that
suggests that type IIx fibers can (10).............................. IIa fibers with proper training,
however, this might simply be due to type IIx fibers showing higher oxygen capacity
through physical adaptation. They are, ultimately, still Type IIx fibers. Based on your
exercises, which muscle fibers do you primarily train? Leave your answers in the comment
section below!
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) muscular system (6) moderate in duration

(2) your other organs (7) 15 to 30 seconds

(3) Skeletal muscles (8) maxed out

(4) Type I fibers (9) born with

(5) for long periods of time (10) change into type

 Xuan Phi IELTS

16. What Is a Fatwa?

In January 2015, ISIS issued a fatwa outlining how Islamic State fighters should
(1).................................. The terrorist organization has released fatwas regulating
everything from ransoming prisoners to playing foosball. But ISIS isn’t the only group
making such declarations. In Malaysia, the National Fatwa Council recently issued a fatwa
banning vaping and e-cigarettes among the country’s Muslims. So what exactly is a fatwa?
And how does it work? Well, a fatwa is (2)..................................... of religious scripture,
and can be anything from private advice-giving to global calls-to-action. Those qualified
to interpret. Islamic law are called “moof-tees”, and can issue their interpretation of how
the Quran (3)............................... The qualifications for Muftis vary among different
Muslim nations. However, the title can require modern life in Islamic teachings. In some
countries, a Fatwa’s religious edict is not all that different from (4).................................
coming from a US court. It usually comes in response to a particular situation and draws
from a set of rules based a legal opinion. However, fatwas are not necessarily legally
binding. For instance, in 2014, the Supreme Court of India ruled that none of its citizens
are legally bound to accept a fatwa. In 1989, (5).................................. of Iran, Ayatollah
Khomeini (EYE-ah-toe-la hoh-may-NEE) infamously issued a fatwa ordering the death of
British writer Salman Rushdie (sal-MAN Rush-dee) for supposedly mocking the Quran
(6)...................................., book burnings and rioting resulted from the fatwa, however
Rushdie was never injured. Khomeini died in 1998, which means that technically the fatwa
died with him, although Numerous killings it. What are not sacred to many Muslims are
fatwas coming from many continue to acknowledge. In February 2015, an Islamic State
resident posted 32 of ISIS’ fatwas on Twitter. Each was in question-and-answer format
and addressed ISIS fighters on (7)…………............................, like how to dress, how women
should behave and what games are acceptable to play. But fatwas aren’t always globally
accepted. In September 2014, more than 120 Muslim scholars around the world backed
an open letter criticizing ISIS’s fatwas. The letter accused them of cherry-picking verses
 Xuan Phi IELTS

from the Quran. More broadly, fatwas are usually (8)................................... Islamic radio
shows and TV programs offer call-in fatwas. It’s reported that Muslims can even “shop”
around online to get advice from “cybermuftis”, view live fatwa sessions, and listen to
Fatwa podcasts. Muslims use fatwas every day for advice about their social life,
(9)…………........................... A fatwa at its core is an answer. And whether an individual
chooses to adhere to it really depends on how devout they are in their faith. Critics of
Islam often say that it is a religion that preaches violence. Just how true is this? Watch our
video to find out the answer. Thanks for watching! Make sure to subscribe so you
(10)……………………………… on TestTube News’ new videos.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) treat female sex slaves (6) the late supreme leader
(2) a clerical interpretation (7) Islamic extremists
(3) applies to (8) nonviolent and very informal
(4) years of formal education (9) politics and appearance
(5) on moral teachings (10) don’t miss out
 Xuan Phi IELTS

17. The fascinating secret lives of giant clams

Back home, my friends call me nicknames, such as "The Giant Clam Girl," "Clam Queen,"
or, "The Mother of Clams." (Laughter) This is because every time I see them, I talk nonstop
about giant clams all day, every day. Giant clams are these (1)……………………………….
shelled marine animals, the largest of its kind. Just look at this shell. The biggest recorded
individual was four-and-a-half-feet long and weighed about 550 pounds That is almost as
heavy as three baby elephants. South Pacific legends once described giant clams as man-
eaters that would lie in wait on the seabed to (2)………………………………... A story goes that
a diver had lost his legs while trying to retrieve a pearl from a giant clam. I thought,
"Really?" So out of curiosity, I did an experiment using myself as bait. (Laughter) I carefully
placed (3)…………………………………. and waited. Hmm ... I still have my hand. It seems that
these gentle giants would rather retreat and protect their fleshy bodies than feed on me.
So much for those killer clam myths! Unfortunately, the reality is, we are the giant clams'
biggest threat. Considered (4)………………………………… the Western Pacific and Indian
Oceans, giant clams have been traditionally fished as seafood. Fishermen are particularly
interested in their adductor muscles, which are organs that hold the two shells together
like a hinge. Just for their muscles, giant clams were almost hunted to extinction between
(5)…………………………………...

Clamshells are also popular in the ornamental trade as jewelry and for display. In the
South China Sea, fishermen went out of their way to collect fossilized clamshells by
digging through (6)………………………….. These were later carved and sold as so-called "ivory
handicrafts" in China. Giant clams, dead or alive, are not safe from us. It's a "calamity!"
(Laughter) (Applause) With the spotlight on more charismatic marine animals such as the
whales and coral reefs, it is easy to forget that other marine life needs our help, too. My
fascination with giant clams got me started on conservation research to fill in the
 Xuan Phi IELTS

knowledge gaps on their ecology and behavior. One of the discoveries that we made was
that giant clams could (7)……………………………. Yes, you heard me right: they can walk. To
find out, we placed numerous baby clams on a grid.

Now watch what happens over 24 hours. We think that walking is important for getting
away from predators and finding mates for breeding. While it can hard to imagine any
movement in these enormous animals, giant clams up to 400 pounds can still walk,
(8)……………………………….. During my PhD, I discovered more secrets about the giant clams.
But there was something missing in my work. I found myself asking, "Why should people
care about conserving giant clams?" -- other than myself, of course. (Laughter) It turns
out that giant clams have a giant impact on coral reefs. These multitasking clams are reef
builders, food factories, shelters for shrimps and crabs and water filters, all rolled into
one. In a nutshell, giant clams play a major contributing role as residents of their own reef
home, and just having them around keeps the reef healthy. And because they can
(9)………………………………, giant clams make vital indicators of coral reef health. So when
giant clams start to disappear from coral reefs, their absence can serve as an alarm bell
for scientists to start paying attention, similar to the canary in a coal mine. But giant clams
are endangered. The largest clam in the world is facing the threat of extinction, with more
than 50 percent of the wild population severely depleted. And the ecological benefits of
having giant clams on coral reefs are likely to continue only if populations are healthy,
(10)……………………………….. So I stand here today to give a voice to the giant clams, because
I care a whole lot for these amazing animals, and they deserve to be cared for. It is time
for the giant clams to step out of their shells, and show the world that they, too, can be
the heroes of the oceans. Thank you very much.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) nonstop about giant clams (6) large areas of coral reefs

(2) trap unsuspecting divers (7) walk across the seafloor

(3) my hand into the clam's mouth (8) they just move slower

(4) a delicacy throughout (9) live up to 100 years old

(5) the 1960s and 1980s (20) making their conservation paramount
 Xuan Phi IELTS

18. Downing Street defends coronavirus strategy after Italy lockdown

Downing Street said today the Corona virus will spread in a significant way across the UK
after Prime Minister Boris Johnson shared a cobra meeting on the outbreak
DOT(1).................................. spokesman said Britain is still officially trying to contain the
virus as part of its four step Corona virus. Strategy dot read More Corona virus Foran office
changes travel advice after (2)................................. Italy Read more Corona virus to new
cases confirmed in Wales as UK Total hits 280 But the government said experts now
believe the number of U.K covered 19 infections will rise considerably higher than the
current total of 280. (3).............................. also played down suggestions the UK
government was not sufficiently grappling with the Corona virus outbreak following Italy's
decision to quarantine an area of 16 million people at the weekend. Don't read more
inside the Italy looked down life in Europe's Corona virus quarantine zone, noting that
(4).................................... the spread of cove in 19 would be taken according to scientific
advice. He stressed they would be set out at the optimum time. The government is
concerned not to jump too soon for fear it will create (5).............................. limited
benefit. Dot Cobra discusses Corona Virus Delay Tactics Johnson this morning chaired yet
another Cobra emergency committee meeting on the matter dot a number of steps were
discussed to contain and delay the spread of Cove(6)................................. The spokesman
said dot every department on Whitehall was represented at the meeting, as was
(7)................................. dot read more. How many Corona virus cases does your London
borrow have? There was no discussion of the (8).................................. from this morning
that a T F L staff member tested positive for Corona virus dot. The spokesman insisted the
N HS was well (9)............................... and that the government would continue to be led
by scientific advice. Both the chief medical officer and (10)........................... adviser
attended the Cobra meeting.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) a number 10 (6) in 19

(2) locked down in (7) every devolved administration

(3) Doctor spokesman (8) breaking news

(4) further steps to delay (9) prepared for the outbreak

(5) massive disruption with (10) chief scientific

 Xuan Phi IELTS

19. Are Swedish Meatballs Even Swedish?

When you think of Sweden, what comes to mind? Ikea, Abba? Maybe those
(1)………………………………….? But what about these? Swedish meatballs. Right? Well, maybe
not. Welcome to the meatball mystery. Let's cut straight to the chase. It's hard to make
the Swedes angry, but on one fateful day, something happened that
(2)…………………………………... This tweet was sent from the official Sweden Twitter account:
Swedish meatballs are actually based on a recipe from King Charles XII brought back from
Turkey in the early 18th century. Let's (3)……………………………... Yikes. Did you catch that?
The tweet said that Swedish meatballs actually come from Turkey. As you can imagine,
the tweet went viral. Swedes were up in arms. It was picked up all around the world. The
Swedish government has admitted Swedish meatballs are (4)……………………………... What?
What? No, that's not a fact. The fact is really interesting. Since we don't have any facts
from that period. Wait, who are you? My name is Richard Tellström. I'm a food historian.
OK, here's what we know. In the 1700s, Swedish King Charles XXII
(5)…………………………………. in the Great Northern War. He was forced to flee to the
Ottoman Empire where for several years he negotiated his return. The controversial
tweets suggested that he brought back a local Turkish meat dish called Koftas. However,
there is (6)………………………………… from him in food. No mentioning of the meatballs there.
They are not Turkish because we can't follow the original meatballs in the world. There is
no zero meatball where everything started. Most likely, origin of the meatball is a
development in parallel ways- (7)……………………………….. Therefore, meatballs are very
different all over the world, but they exist all over the world. Today it's one of Sweden's
most popular dishes. Traditionally served with (8)…………………………………., a brown gravy,
and a sweet lingonberry sauce. Mm-mm. Food gives us an example of how we are
connected when it comes to culture. Food is (9)……………………………………. So take pride in
your meatballs, Sweden. And so should Turkey, China, Italy, and every meatball rolling
 Xuan Phi IELTS

country. Because if there's one thing the world (10)……………………………., it's that meatballs
are delicious.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) delicious cinnamon rolls (6) no documented interests

(2) fired up the whole country (7) in parallel food cultures

(3) stick to the facts (8) mashed potatoes

(4) actually Turkish (9) a sort of cultural network

(5) lost a battle (10) can agree on

 Xuan Phi IELTS

20. Are Humans omnivores, carnivores or herbivores?

Hi, this is Dr. Sofia Pineda Ochoa with Meat Your Future. Are Humans herbivores,
carnivores or omnivores? It's very important for a given animal to eat what they are
physiologically and (1)………………………………… to eat, to improve the chances of survival
and health. So, what are humans designed to eat? When looking at a species to determine
what they are in terms of carnivore, omnivore or herbivore, we can look at their behavior
or we can (2)………………………………… From a behavioral standpoint, humans behave as
omnivores because we observe many humans in their behavior eating a wide variety of
both animal and plant-based foods. Biologically, however, from a (3)………………………………,
it's a different story. Dr. William C. Roberts from the National Institutes of Health and
Baylor University — who is the editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Cardiology and
one of the most prominent cardiologists in the world, with (4)………………………………… in
peer-reviewed medical journals — summarized our answer very nicely. He wrote:
“Although most of conduct our lives as omnivores, in that we eat flesh as well as
(5)…………………………………, human beings have characteristics of herbivores, not
carnivores. The appendages of carnivores are claws; those of herbivores are hands or
hooves. The teeth of carnivores are sharp; those of herbivores are mainly flat (for
grinding). The intestinal tract of carnivores is short (3 times body length); that of
herbivores is long (12 times body length). Body cooling of carnivores is done by panting;
herbivores, by sweating. Carnivores drink fluids by lapping; herbivores by sipping
Carnivores (6)…………………………………, whereas herbivores obtain it from their diet. Thus,
humans have characteristics of herbivores, not carnivores." That's right. Humans have
characteristics of herbivores, not carnivores or omnivores — because omnivores, like
bears raccoons, actually retain most of the carnivorous characteristics, so that they are
still able to (7)………………………………., and do so effectively. Although we behave like
 Xuan Phi IELTS

omnivores, our digestive system actually resembles that of the chimpanzees and other
great apes, who eat mostly plants. The percentage of animal foods that chimpanzees do
eat is very low, if any, about 2 to 3% and mainly termites and other insects. Regarding the
gastrointestinal system -- humans, like herbivores, have a relatively smaller opening of
(8)……………………………….. to the head size. Carnivores have a wide mouth in relation to the
head size, and their jaw joint is a hinge joint, very strong and stable lying in the same plane
as the teeth; the lower jaw of a carnivore doesn't move forward and there's very limited
side-to-side motion. Like herbivores, our jaw joint is positioned above the level of the
teeth, and because it has an expanded angle, the lower jaw has more sideways motion
and more lateral and complex motion for chewing plant foods. Our jaw joints are
(9)………………………………… than those of carnivores therefore, and could be easily
dislocated if we actually tried to prey on an animal. On the other hand, if a carnivore had
our more unstable jaws, and dislocated their jaw, they would probably starve and die, or
be preyed upon; so, it would be very disadvantages to a carnivore to have jaws like ours.
Herbivores chew food to (10)……………………………………. for better digestion and to mix it
with saliva, because unlike carnivores, who mostly swallow the food without chewing and
mixing, it with saliva, herbivores and humans have saliva that contains digestive enzymes.
So, our digestion starts in the chewing process. The saliva of carnivorous animals does not
contain any enzymes for digestion.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) anatomically designed (6) produce their own vitamin C

(2) look their biology (7) digest and hunt their prey

(3) physiologic and anatomic standpoint (8) the oral cavity compared

(4) over 1,500 publications (9) less stable and strong

(5) vegetables and fruits (10) disrupt plant cell walls

 Xuan Phi IELTS

21. Koalas 101

With fluffy ears, round heads, and spoon-shaped noses, koalas are known for their lovable
faces. But these sleepy, Australian tree dwellers are (1)................................. Koalas are
not bears, they're marsupials. Often mislabeled koala bears because of their teddy bear-
like appearance, koalas are marsupials: mammals that give birth to undeveloped young.
Like most marsupials, mother koalas (2)……………………………, where baby koalas, or joeys,
drink their mother's milk and continue to develop for around six months. But unlike most
other marsupials, koala pouches open toward the bottom. This allows joeys to access and
consume a substance (3)................................, which aids in the baby koala's digestion.
Koalas have six opposable thumbs. With sharp pointed claws and rough pads, koala hands
and feet are uniquely designed to grip branches. Their front paws have five digits. Two
digits oppose the other three like a pair of thumbs. Their back paws each have one
(4)................................. digit, which allows them to grasp branches with their feet, freeing
their hands to forage. Koala feet also have built-in combs. The second and third toes are
fused together and are used for grooming their wooly fur. Koalas eat leaves that are
poisonous to many animals. The koala diet consists almost entirely of eucalyptus leaves.
Of the (5)............................... of eucalypt trees in Australia, koalas prefer only about 30 of
them. The leathery leaves are very high in fiber and contain chemicals toxic to other
animals. To process this specialized diet, koalas have a closed-ended digestive organ
called a caecum, which helps digest the leaf fibers via fermentation. Koalas sleep up to
(6)................................ Because of their low nutrition diets and sluggish metabolism,
koalas must conserve their energy. Koalas spend about 10% of their day eating and
around 90%of their time sleeping. To accommodate so much time spent sleeping in tree
branches, koalas have curved spines and tail-less rears (7)..........................and extra thick
fur. Koala habitat is quickly disappearing. Koalas only live in eastern and southeastern
 Xuan Phi IELTS

Australia, and once numbered in the millions. Now, wild koala population estimates vary
(8).............................. Vast tree clearing due to urbanization, along with droughts and
forest fires, have drastically reduced koala habitats (9).............................. These stressors
have made koalas vulnerable to diseases, as well as dog attacks and vehicle strikes.
Australia's conservation plans include (10)................................. koala habitat, and funding
koala hospitals and disease research. These combined efforts are critical to protect the
beloved koala from extinction.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) full of surprises (6) 22 hours per day

(9) since the early 1900s (7) padded with cartilage

(3) their mother secretes (8) from 43,000 to around 350,000

(4) large clawless opposable (9) since the early 1900s

(5) roughly 650 species (10) designating and protecting

 Xuan Phi IELTS

22. Is Creatine Actually Dangerous?

Creatine, to those unaware, can sound a little scary and often erroneously labeled similar
to some more… serious substances. But like (1)…………………………………. on the interwebz,
Creatine information has succumbed to the unfortunate demise of faulty information. Or
as we like to say (2)………………………………: bro science. Thankfully, a quick dive into the
scientific literature can a little scary and often erroneously. First, a quick breakdown of
what Creatine is. Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid that our body itself makes
from two other amino acids, arginine and glycine. Most of it (3)………………………………..
There, it has a role in the ATP-PCR system, the system responsible for the initial 10 to 15
seconds of energy production during physical activity. Creatine essentially replenishes
this system during rest, explaining its popularity among athletes employing bursts of
(4)……………………………… For fitness enthusiasts, supplementing Creatine generally means
adding a few more pounds or reps to your lifts. Which is great. But as great as this
performance benefit is, how safe is Creatine really? Fortunately, Creatine is perhaps the
most studied supplement in the world, with over (5)…………………………… covering its
effects. And with all this treasure trove of data, signs seem to point to Creatine
supplementation being safe. Here's the gist. According to the findings of the Journal of
International Society of Sports Nutrition, after doing to the legwork of sifting through the
science, they found that short and long-term Creatine studies consisting of different
dosages, fitness levels, and age groups, including (6)………………………………, displayed no
adverse health risks with Creatine supplementation. No increased injuries, no
dehydration, cramping, renal dysfunction, or even upset stomach. The only potential side
effect is slight weight gain potentially attributed to water retention. And for those
wondering, the often-perpetuated side effect of balding is also, for the most part, untrue.
There might be a link between Creatine and DHT, a substance related to balding, but no
direct connection. And it only pertains to individuals (7)………………………….. in the first
place. Now we know that Creatine is fairly safe, but the immense data also shows that
 Xuan Phi IELTS

Creatine has quite a bumload of additional health benefits. These benefits include but are
not limited to, obviously improved exercise performance, improve injury prevention and
rehabilitation, improved post-exercise recovery, improved anti-aging, and even improved
protection to diseases like Parkinson's and muscular dystrophy. Luckily, we can get most
of our Creatine simply from our food, especially in (8)……………….………….
Supplementation, however, is often suggested anyway since we don't store too much.
Creatine in our bodies. Typical recommendation is roughly 2 to 5 grams of supplemented
Creatine per day. And to close, again, (9)………………………………. what you might have heard
elsewhere, for healthy populations, Creatine is definitely safe. Let me know how Creatine
has been for you. Does it work for you or maybe you experienced your own
(10)…………………………….? Let me know in the comments. If you enjoyed this video, please
give it a thumbs up and share it with your Creatine-loving friends. As always, thanks for
watching and GET YOUR PROTEIN!
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) many things perpetuated (6) infants and adolescents

(2) in the fitness world (7) susceptible to balding

(3) presides in our muscles (8) red meats and seafood

(4) speed and strength (9) regardless of

(5) a thousand studies (10) set of side effects

 Xuan Phi IELTS

23. Fertilization
Fertilization is the epic story of a single sperm (1)………………………………... To unite with an
egg and form a new human life it is the story of all of us. During sexual intercourse about
300 million sperm enter the vagina. Soon afterward millions of them will either flow out
of the vagina or die (2)………………………………... However, many survive because of the
protective elements provided in the fluid surrounding them Next the sperm must pass
through the cervix and opening into the uterus. Usually it remains tightly closed but here
the cervix is open for a few days (3)…………………………………. The sperm swim through the
Cervical Mucus which is thinned to a more watery consistency for easier passage. Once
inside the cervix the sperm continue swimming toward the uterus. Though millions will
die trying to make it (4)………………………………….. Some sperm remain behind caught in the
folds of the cervix, but they may later continue the journey as a backup to the first group.
Inside the uterus muscular uterine contractions assist the sperm on their journey Toward
the egg. However resident cells from the women's immune system mistaking the sperm
(5)………………………………………, destroy thousands more. Next half the sperm head for the
empty Fallopian Tube while the other half swim toward the Tube containing the
unfertilized egg now only a few thousand remain. Inside the Fallopian Tube tiny cilia
pushed the egg toward the Uterus. To continue the sperm must surge against this motion
to reach the egg. Some sperm get trapped in the cilia and die during this part of the
journey chemicals in the (6)…………………………………. the membranes covering the heads of
the sperm to change as a result, the sperm become hyperactive swimming
(7)……………………………….. toward their destination at long last the spam reached the egg
only a few dozens of the original 300 million sperm remain. The egg is covered with a
layer of cells called the Corona radiate. The sperm must be pushed through this layer to
reach the outer layer of the egg the Zona Pellucida. When sperm reached the Zona
Pellucida they attach to specialized sperm (8)……………………………………. Which triggers
their acrosomes to release digestive enzymes enabling the sperm to burrow into the
 Xuan Phi IELTS

layer. Inside the Zona Pellucida is a narrow fluid filled space just outside the egg cell
membrane. The first sperm to make contact will fertilize the egg. After a perilous journey
and (9)…………………………………… a single sperm attaches to the egg cell membrane. Within
a few minutes their outer membranes fuse and the egg pulls the sperm inside. This event
causes changes in the egg Membrane that prevent other sperm from attaching to it. Next
the egg releases chemicals that push other sperm away from the egg and
(10)…………………………………… membrane. As the reaction spreads outward the Zona
Pellucida hardens trapping any sperm unlucky enough to be caught inside. Outside the
egg, sperm are no longer able to attach to the Zona, Pellucida. Meanwhile inside the egg
the tightly packed male (11)…………………………………… out a new Membrane forms around
the genetic material creating the male pronucleus. Inside the genetic material reforms
into 23 chromosomes the female genetic material awakened by the fusion of the sperm
with the egg finishes dividing resulting in the female pronucleus which also contains 23
chromosomes as the male and female pronuclei form spider web-like threads called
Microtubules pull them toward each other the two sets of Chromosomes joined together.
Completing the (12)……………………………. at this moment a unique genetic code arises
instantly determining gender, hair color, eye color and hundreds of other characteristics
this new single cell the zygote is the beginning of a new human being and now the cilia
and the Fallopian Tube gently sweep the Zygote toward the uterus. Where he or she will
implant in the richer uterine lining. Growing and maturing for the next nine months until
ready for birth.
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) facing incredible odds (7) harder and faster

(2) in its acidic environment (8) receptors on the surface

(3) while the woman ovulates (9) against incredible odds

(4) through the mucus (10) create an impenetrable fertilization

(5) for foreign invaders (11) genetic material spreads

(6) reproductive tract cause (12) process of fertilization

 Xuan Phi IELTS

24. Online Ads 101: Display ads

When you visit a website, you might see activity (1)…………………………………… of your
browser. This is the status bar, showing you requests being made to the web server
Web servers (2)……………………………… of each website, like articles, videos, or images.
Some servers also host advertising content. These are called ad servers. In order to
show an ad, a website sends a request to an ad server. After receiving the request, the
ad server looks through all (3)………………………………. to pick the one that's most relevant
one for you. For example, if an advertiser is promoting different products for different
regions, the ad server will find the best one to show you based on you
(4)………………………………... Once the ad has been selected, it will be returned to the
page that you're viewing "After you've seen the ad, the ad server counts an
impression, tracking that the ad has been served. " Ad servers also
(5)………………………………, so advertisers can see how people are responding to their
different ads. Because the ads are controlled by the ad server, once an advertiser sees
that one ad is (6)……………………………………, they can adjust the settings in the ad server
so the winning ad serves more often. This process -- from the ad server receiving the
request, selecting the best ad, and then counting an impression - happens with each
ad that's served. It only takes (7)………………………………… to match an ad with each
request. This dialogue between the web page, web server, and ad server is called third-
party ad serving. Because it allows for them to report on impressions and clicks - and
also change (8)………………………………… - third-party ad serving is a common way for
advertisers and ad agencies to manage (9)…………….……………………. Now that you know
what's happening behind the scenes, keep an eye on the lower corner of your browser
the next time (10)………………………………..
 Xuan Phi IELTS

ANSWER KEY

(1) in the lower left corner (6) more popular than others

(2) host the content (7) a fraction of a second

(3) available display banners (8) their ads on the fly

(4) current location (9) online display campaigns

(5) track clicks (10) you're surfing the web