What does the phrase “stepping stone” in paragraph 4 mean?

We regret that it is impossible to meet the ______date for the goods you recently ordered from us.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

     The string family is the largest section of the orchestra. The four main stringed instruments look similar but are all different sizes. Each can be played by plucking the strings with the fingers or with a bow, which is pulled (23) ____ across the instrument's four strings.

      The VIOLIN is the smallest of the string instruments and can play the highest (24) ____. The violin often plays the melody - this is the tune you will be humming after you leave a performance. The VIOLA is slightly larger than the violin. Because it is bigger, it can play lower notes. (25) ____ the viola is only a little bit bigger than the violin, it can be hard to tell them apart. The viola plays many beautiful melodies just like the violin.

      The CELLO is (26) ________ the violin and the viola. It is so large that the cellist must sit on a chair holding the cello between his or her knees in order to play. The cello often plays accompaniment parts.

      Because it is the largest of the stringed instruments, the DOUBLE BASS plays the lowest notes. This instrument is so large that the bass players have to stand up or sit on tall stools to play it. The bass often plays (27) ____ parts with the cello.

If Tom ____________ a bit more ambitious, he would have found himself a better job years ago.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

Câu 19. I can’t get on well with my boss because of his authoritative manner that at times is almost arrogant.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions.

Câu 28. From time memorial, cities have been the central gathering places of human  life, from where the great ideas and movements of the world have sprouted.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Câu 5. She was not ___________little girl he had known, but she was not yet ________woman either.

The main focus _________interest at the opening ceremony /ˈser.ɪ.mə.ni/ was the attendance of some celebrities.

Once _____________off by the teacher, the class filed out of the room in silence.

Although her boss gives quite obvious a hint of dismissing Nancy for her incompetence, she is still __________ignorant of the fact that she is about to face up to a gloomy scenario of unemployment.

It was reported that three top athletes have been ________from the championship after positive drug tests.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

Câu 21. The schoolboy’s excuse wasn’t credible at all. Nobody in the classroom believed in the far-fetched story he told.