Truyện cười song ngữ

Question types: multiple choice, essays, logic, and plenty more. Time allowed: 234 minutes, excluding time spent sleeping or sitting around. Candidates must not leave before the 233rd minute, to prevent the questions from being leaked.

Instructions: Take the test on a computer. Each answer may be selected only once. You have three lifelines: phone a relative, fifty-fifty, and peek at your neighbor's answers.

Scoring: One point for a correct answer; minus two for a wrong answer. There is one special question. Answer it correctly and you receive full marks without answering anything else.

Other rules: 1. To prevent boredom, each candidate receives five sheets of A4 paper for drawing airplanes, ships, and cars when they cannot answer the questions and have nothing to do. 2. No reference materials may be brought into the exam room, but you may bring money for card games. Each room receives five decks of cards to entertain candidates who cannot do the test.

I. Vietnamese History

1. During the battle on the Như Nguyệt River, what did Lý Thường Kiệt do to intimidate the enemy and encourage our troops? A: Sing rock. B: Rap. C: Recite poetry. D: Sing chèo folk opera. E: Dance.

2. In Trần Hưng Đạo's glorious victory on the Bạch Đằng River, what weapons did his army use? A: Naval mines. B: Guns. C: Submarines. D: Our troops stood on the bank and threw stones at the enemy. E: Our troops put 500 kW of electricity into the water and electrocuted the enemy.

3. How did the 'Điện Biên Phủ in the Air' battle differ from the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ? A: One was 'in the air' and the other 'on the ground.' B: Those battles never happened. C: I don't know. D: Where on earth is Điện Biên Phủ? No idea.

4. Why do you think we launched the general offensive and uprising during the Mậu Thân Lunar New Year? A: Soldiers earn more for working overtime during Tết. B: The enemy were stuffed with food and drink and busy gambling, so we caught them off guard. C: The weather at Tết was lovely; an outing and an uprising were equally enjoyable. D: I was busy celebrating Tết that day. I didn't join the uprising, so I don't know.

5. The three heroes Tô Vĩnh Diện, Bế Văn Đàn, and Phan Đình Giót performed these brave deeds: blocking a gun embrasure with their body, using their body as a gun support, and using their body to stop a cannon from rolling. Which matching is correct? A: Giót–gun, Đàn–embrasure, Diện–cannon. B: Giót–embrasure, Đàn–cannon, Diện–gun. C: Giót–cannon, Đàn–gun, Diện–embrasure. D: Giót–Đàn, cannon–embrasure, Diện–Diện.

6. Who was the most handsome man in Vietnamese history, and why? A: Lý Công Uẩn—an ugly name must mean a handsome man. B: La Văn Cầu—an ugly name must mean a handsome man. C: Saint Gióng—he had a fancy ride, that iron horse. D: Thủy Tinh—a merman, the Prince of the Ocean.

II. World History

1. Who fought the Cold War? A: The Soviet Union and America. B: The Soviet Union and Russia. C: America and the United States. D: The South Pole and the North Pole, because those are the coldest places. E: A refrigerator and an air conditioner.

2. There have been a First and a Second World War. Do you think there could be a Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and so on? A: I don't know, but I love the color blue and doves, the symbols of peace. I hate war and hope there will be none, so everyone can live comfortably in a society of equality and fraternity. B: I don't know, but I love the red of blood and war and hate peaceful blue. I hope there will be lots and lots of wars to make the world more exciting.

3. Historically, countries such as France and Britain loved conquering colonies. Why do you think that was? A: They wanted 'global coverage, anytime, anywhere,' like our Mobifone. B: They wanted to 'keep reaching further,' like our Vinaphone. C: How many candidates gave the same answer as you? Text Dudoan X Y to 6886, or call 19001234 and follow the instructions. A trip to Kim Phát City awaits you.

III. Special Question

Note: Answer this question correctly and you receive full marks without completing the Vietnamese or World History sections. The question is: 'How many people died in the Second World War? List their names, ages at death, occupations, and birthplaces.'

Candidates may use reference materials only if they want to. For any inquiries about the exam, contact the organizers directly—and remember to bring a gift.

Từ vựng trong truyện

• lifelines: quyền trợ giúp
• intimidate: uy hiếp, răn đe
• general offensive: cuộc tổng tiến công
• caught them off guard: đánh lúc họ không đề phòng
• embrasure: lỗ châu mai
• fraternity: tình bác ái
• colonies: thuộc địa