1.  Complete the pairs of sentences with a / an or ∅ (no article).

(Hoàn thành cặp câu với a/an hoặc ∅ (không mạo từ).)

1. a. If students want to have a good education, they need to be highly motivated.

b. In many countries ∅ education is free only until the age of sixteen.

2. a. Freedom of speech and _____ belief are fundamental human rights.

b. There is _____ strong belief that every child should have access to education.

3. a. Marcia was widely considered as _____ outstanding beauty.

b. Do you know the saying that _____ beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

4. a. We all have to suffer _____ pain at one time or another.

b. Stop being such _____ pain and start helping us instead!

5. a. Last year I did a lot of voluntary work for _____ charity called Sightsavers.

b. Most people think it's a good idea to give money to _____ charity.

2. Complete the sentences with a / an or ∅.

1. My parents are sending me to England because they want me to speak ∅ excellent English.

2. In some countries _____ shocking 60 percent of people are illiterate.

3. We're having such _____ beautiful weather right now that it's hard to believe it's winter.

4. Every student will get _____ packed lunch before the trip.

5. Gina's grandparents enjoy _____ very good health.

6. Most of my classmates do _____ voluntary work.

7. If you sign up for our course now, you'll save _____ amazing 30 percent off the regular price.

3. Find six mistakes in the text by adding or crossing out a / an.

(Tìm ra 6 lỗi sai bằng cách thêm và gạch bỏ a/an.)

Most English schools introduced (a) ban on mobile phones during classes a long time ago and now they have conclusive proof that they were right. According to the latest study, not giving students an access to their phones translates into extra week's education in a school year. Researchers also observed that test results in such schools went up by over 6 percent.

The research was conducted at several British schools before and after bans were introduced. 'While it's true that a modern technology used in the classroom engages students and improves a performance, there are also potential obstacles, as it could lead to distractions,' the researchers say.

The findings will definitely provide powerful arguments in the ongoing debate about pupils' access to mobile phones. In the UK, staggering 90 percent of teenagers own smartphone; in the US, almost 75 percent.

4. Read some comments on the article in Exercise 3 and choose the best option.

(Đọc các bình luận trên báo trong bài tập 3 và chọn đáp án đúng.)

Why ban phones? Teachers should teach our children phone etiquette instead. They should be taught from (1) ∅/ a/ an early age about responsible use.

My phone means everything to me. It's (2) ∅/ a/ an tremendous help and I wouldn't want to part with it.

Yeah, it helps you play games or check your Facebook account. Thanks for (3) ∅/ a/ an great laugh!

What I meant was (4) ∅/ a/ an mobile technology offers useful educational apps that students can use during classes, like graphic display calculators.

Using mobile apps for checking everything (5) ∅/ a/ an example of overdependence on technology.

Phones are (6) ∅/ a/ an terrible distraction. I wish my school would ban them.