Thi Thử VSTEP Đề 4 Reading Test 3 Part 1

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

READING TEST 8

Directions:In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what it is stated or implied in that passage.
Time allowance:You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

PASSAGE 1 QUESTIONS 1 - 10

DOCTORS TREAT PATIENTS FOR FREE AT CLINIC IN HA NOI

For more than 20 years, Dang Thi Nhan, 67, has been waking up about 30 minutes earlier each day to bake cakes or prepare tea for two retired doctors in a clinic near her house in Hanoi's Giap Bat ward. That is all Nhan can offer as thanks to doctors who provide free health checks for herself, her paralysed husband and their 43-year-old disabled son. "If one daytheycannot take care of themselves and need someone to look after them, I will do it voluntarily till the day they are gone," Nhan said.

The small clinic, situated on Kim Dong Street, has become familiar to many people in Ha Noi. It was established in 1992 by Dr. Truong Thi Hoi To, 84, a former principal of Nam Dinh Medical College, Le Thi Soc, 87, a retired nurse from Saint Paul Municipal Hospital, and Le Thanh Thuoc, thelatedeputy director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, who died last year. The clinic used to open every Monday and Thursday. However, after doctor Thuoc died, and due to the deteriorating health of the two other medics, the clinic now only opens on Monday mornings at 8 am. Patients not only receive health checks, but they also receive free medicine. [A]

Since 2014, the clinic has treated about 8,500 patients, according to Giap Bat ward's Red Cross Association. Onitsfirst days, the clinic faced numerous difficulties due to lack of money. Mrs. To, founder of the clinic, had to spend her own pension and encourage her children and relatives todonatemoney to purchase medical equipment and medicine. The clinic also had to relocate seven times as To and her co-workers could not afford high rents. Despite these difficulties, they never thought of giving up. "Being able to help my patients brings me unspeakable joy. This is also my life target. It warms my heart to see the happy faces of the patients," To said. [B]

Tran Thi Toan, 64, a patient from Nam Dinh Province, now works as a servant in Ha Noi. She is grateful to doctor To and nurse Soc not just for the free treatment, but for their caring manner. Toan said: "They give me meticulous treatment and clear, detailed instruction as well as advise me on a healthy and happy lifestyle". Toan feels shy about her job, so the doctors' care and compassionate attitude have become her inspiration in life. [C]

To the doctors, the most precious thing they receive from their patients is confidence in their skills, which can only be achieved through ethics and medical excellence. "The success of a doctor does not lie in how much money they earn, but how many people they help", Soc said. Sharing Soc's opinion, To said that "Medical practitioners should not consider their profession as a tool to get rich. They should not benefit from their patients' pain. Patients come first, not money." [D]

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.

PASSAGE 2 QUESTIONS 11 - 20

TO GET A JOB IN YOUR 50S, MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUR 40S

We hear it all the time: People who are over 50 take longer to find jobs than younger people. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, had long heardgloom-and-doomstories to that effect, but she wondered how strong the data was to support them.

Very, as it turned out. According to a study by Professor Wanberg and others, job seekers over 50 were unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than those from the ages of 30 to 49. That number rose to 10.6 weeks when the comparison group was from 20 to 29. Professor Wanberg and three other researchers - Darla J. Hamann, Ruth Kanfer and Zhen Zhang - arrived at those numbers by analyzing and synthesizing hundreds of studies by economists, sociologists and psychologists.

But it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause, Professor Wanberg said."It's not very unusual for everybody to think that the reason for the difficulty in finding jobs at 50s is discrimination," she said.That can sometimes be the case, but the reality is that the behavior required to find work does not play to many older people's strengths. Once they become aware of this, they can act to compensate.

Intheirstudy, the researchers found that older people on average had smaller social networks than younger people, Professor Wanberg said. This is not necessarily bad - as we age, many of us find that the quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. But in the job search process, the number of connections we maintain in our professional and personal networks is oftencritical.

As people age, they also tend to stay in the same job longer, consistent with a pattern of wanting to put down roots. During that time, the skills people have learned and the job search strategies they once used may become outdated - especially as technology evolves ever more quickly.

The cure forthese drawbacksis fairly straightforward. Once you hit your early 40s, even if you are not looking for a job, work to learn new skills and stretch yourself, Professor Wanberg said. Also, keep your networks strong by staying in touch with former colleagues and classmates, along with current co-workers and clients you don't see regularly, she said.

Finding a job after 50 doesn't have to be as discouraging as it is often portrayed to be, Professor Wanberg said. Just recognize that some of the obstacles you face are inherent to the aging process, she said. She stressed that her findings reflected only averages and that individual behavior varies greatly. Certainly, many older people maintain wide social circles and often learn skills. But in general, older job seekers must take more steps to find employment than younger ones, she said.

Once older workers do find a new employer, they can use their knowledge, wisdom and emotional intelligence - qualities that older people often possess in abundance - to thrive in their new positions.