Reading - Lớp 8

Dear Nick,

I'm so happy to receive your email. Now I'm going to tell you about my leisure activities.

It may sound strange, but the leisure activity I like best is volunteering. There is a volunteer club in my neighbourhood. Last year I took part in one of its programmes. I really enjoyed the activities, so I decided to become a member. Our volunteer club mostly helps the elderly in our neighbourhood. We go to their homes and help them with their housework. We also talk and read books to them.

Besides volunteering, I also love drawing and doing DIY. I can make paper flowers and flower vases from used bottles.

What about you? What do you like doing in your free time? Tell me.

Best wishes,

Minh

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There are a lot of pastimes that young people like, and one of (1)__________ them is mountain climbing. It is an active leisure activity that people can do either indoors or outdoors. If you go climbing outdoors, it is a great way to (2)__________ increase your strength and enjoy nature at the same time. You can even set up your own climbing wall in your backyard or (3)__________ inside your home. This way you don't have to go out and still can (4)__________ stay fit and enjoy the activity.

So how can you start mountain climbing? Many people take a class to learn how to climb and use their equipment (5)__________ effectively. Others join climbing clubs to make new friends with the same interest and go climbing together. If you are an active person and like outdoor activities, (6)__________ why don't you try this activity?

I live in a small village in Ninh Binh. I love the (1)__________ peace and quiet of my village. The air is unpolluted, and the (2) __________  of life is slow. The people in my village are friendly and hospitable. They are always willing (3) __________  each other. We cultivate mainly rice and beans. We raise cows and buffaloes too. We can also enjoy (4) __________  in the nearby area. It is actually a national park, so the wildlife there can live and move about (5) __________ . All these things make me love my village more, and I intend to live here my whole life.

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Besides its beauty, the countryside of Britain is well known for its many contrasts: its bare mountains and moorland, its lakes, rivers and woods, and its long, often wild coastline. National parks which are protected from development by the government have the most beautiful and picturesque scenery. British people often associate the countryside with farmland, open spaces like fields of wheat and barley, green fields enclosed by hedges or stone walls in which cows or sheep are raised. Most farmland is now owned by individual people or independent companies. However, the government has built a network of public footpaths across the farmland.

Many British people enjoy the peace and relaxation of life in the countryside where they can spend their free time walking, cycling, or going for a picnic or a pub lunch. In summer they can pick strawberries and other fruit in fruit farms. Nowadays, few rural people work on farms. Many of them commute to work in towns. Many others wish to live in the countryside so that they could have a better and healthier lifestyle.

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Few Americans live in the areas of wild and beautiful scenery, like the Western states of Montana and Colorado. We often see small farms surrounded by hills and green areas in the New England states, such as Vermont and New Hampshire. In Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and other Midwestern states, there are very large fields of corn or wheat with great distances between towns.

About a quarter of Americans live outside cities and towns because life there is harder. Shops, post offices, hospitals, schools, etc. may be further away and it takes rural people a very long time to get there. However, many people choose to live in the countryside because of its safe, clean, and attractive environment. But their children often move to a town or city when they grow up.

Nam was a good student. But he started using a smartphone and spending too much time on (1) __________ like Facebook and TikTok. He also liked joining in chit-chat and game (2) __________ for teens. He spent a lot of time (3) __________ notifications. He even neglected his schoolwork, and stopped (4) __________ with his classmates, friends, and family members. One day Nam saw a video clip about a boy who was addicted to games, and had no friends, so when the boy was feeling down, he (5) __________ others. Nam realised that he also had no more friends, except his younger brother.

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Studies have proven that school club activities are important to both the physical and mental development of children. In sports clubs kids play sports regularly, and under the guidance of their coaches, they improve their physical health. Moreover, children mix with friends from different classes in a new environment where they can learn, share, and appreciate each other. Also, when they work with new friends in a club, they will become more confident and independent. Furthermore, when children work together in a group to deal with a problem or to do tasks, they have to work together to think about what they should do to complete the task. They, therefore, can learn research and leadership skills. Many kids also find good role models in clubs, such as coaches or group leaders.

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Ms Kate: Hi Vy. Why don't you join with your classmates in playing shuttlecock over there?

Vy: I'd like to. But they may not want me to join.

Ms Kate: Have you asked them yet?

Vy: I'm pretty sure that they will not let me join. They laugh at me in our maths class. I don't like maths, and I'm not good at it.

Ms Kate: Alright, Vy. So what subjects are you interested in?

Vy: English and history. I love reading about things that happened in the past. I can read in English, and I easily remember events.

Ms Kate: Wow. Not everyone does well in those subjects. You should be proud of that. So, you want to become a historian?

Vy: Definitely, Miss. But my classmates all laughed at me when I told them.

Ms Kate: Don't be nervous, Vy. You should be more confident in your abilities and don't be afraid to show others what you can do. I'll start a discussion in the school forum about respect soon ...

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BRIGHT STARS MIDDLE SCHOOL DAILY BULLETIN
Monday, 10th October, 2025
Preliminary English Test PET registration begins on Tuesday, 11th October and the test will be on 20th October. Please sign up before the 15th. Make sure you all have a good night's sleep before the test day. Your results will be available on the 25th.
Link Team is currently receiving applications for the next school year. If you want to help our new juniors, then Link Team is for you! Come to Room 201 after school to pick up an application.
Sports Swimming: Attention 8th and 9th grade students. If you plan to join the Swimming Club, come to Room 303 to sign up. Or contact Mr Linh at thaylinhswimming@quickmail.com. Jogging: Attention all students. Please check the email we sent you yesterday. It's an application to join the school's charity jogging event. If you are interested in joining, please fill in the application before Thursday. Thank you!
Clubs Photo Club: Only two weeks left to grab your camera or smartphone, guys. Get ready for this year's photo contest. Ask your art teacher for an entry form. Chess Club: Open next month. The club will meet on Saturday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Contact Mr Tung for applications at 084377552.

Dear Elena,

Thanks for your email. Now I'll tell you about my summer holiday in my home town. I live in Ha Noi, (1) __________ my home town is Ninh Binh. My grandparents live there, in a small house near a paddy field. I went to stay with them in June. It was a wonderful holiday. Every morning, my grandma and I got up early and (2) __________ the pigs and chickens. When we finished, we cooked breakfast. After that, I (3) __________ fishing with my grandpa or helped my grandma with the gardening. In the afternoon, I went to the fields with some other children. They taught me to (4) __________ the buffaloes. Sometimes we flew kites or skipped rope together. In the evening, I drew pictures, read books, or watched TV with my grandparents. I went to bed quite early, at about 9 p.m.

I'm sending you a photo I took (5) __________ my grandparents' house. I hope you'll like it.

Love, Mi

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There are about 1.3 million Khmer people living in the southern provinces of Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, and Can Tho. They earn a living by farming, (1) __________, and producing handicraft products. The Khmer live harmoniously with other ethnic (2) __________ in the Mekong Delta, while keeping their unique culture and lifestyle.

The Khmer are Buddhists. There is a (3) __________ in every village. The temples are not only places for the Khmer to practise (4) __________ religion. They are the village schools too. At the age of 12, Khmer boys come to live and (5) __________ in a temple for several years before they become adults. There, they learn about Buddhism, and to read and write the Khmer (6) __________. They also learn how to behave towards their grandparents, parents, teachers, old people, and others in their (7) __________. They learn basic knowledge of their traditional culture – folk tales, songs, and (8) __________.

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Living in the mountains can be very hard. First, there is not enough land to grow crops or raise livestock. Building houses is also difficult because the land is not flat. The air in the mountains is another problem. The higher we get, the thinner the air becomes. This means there is less oxygen, which makes breathing harder.

Despite these challenges, people around the world have lived and worked in mountainous areas for centuries. There are many health benefits of living in the mountains. Being on the mountaintops allows you to live far from pollution. The air you breathe is fresher. There are places where you cannot drive a car or a motorbike, so you have to walk. Travelling up and down hills and mountains on foot helps keep you active. Finally, mountain people are quite simple and friendly. They live a peaceful life.

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Bac Ha Sunday Fair

Bac Ha Sunday Fair in Lao Cai is the largest and most colourful highland market in Viet Nam. Every Sunday, the market is crowded with minority people from villages far and near. The Flower Hmong, Tay, Nung, Dao, and other ethnic groups come wearing their colourful traditional costumes. They come on foot or on horseback, bringing with them anything they can exchange. These goods may be vegetables and fruits they grow in their gardens or medicinal plants they gather from the forests and mountains. They also sell other items like the clothing they weave or silver jewellery they make. The market has a large place to sell poultry and animals like chickens, ducks, dogs, buffaloes, and horses.

Bac Ha Sunday Fair is also a place for people to meet and chat. After they finish their market activities, they gather around a big hot pan of thang co, a famous traditional Hmong food from horse meat. Young people come there with the hope of finding a lover.

The Kate Festival

The Kate Festival is (1) ______ most important festival of the Cham in Viet Nam. It is held for three days at the beginning of October. The main ceremony takes (2) ______ in Po Rume, Po Nugar, and Po Klong Garai* towers in Ninh Thuan Province. The festival helps people remember Cham heroes and (3) ______ their ancestors. It is also a time for people to relax, visit each other, and wish others (4) ______ luck. For festival goers, it is a great opportunity to (5) ______ the beauty in the Cham culture. The ceremony starts with people calling their ancestors and gods. Then, they (6) ______ for health and prosperity. The festival follows with (7) ______ traditional music and dance performances. The festival is full (8) ______ sounds and colours, and is a wonderful time for both the locals and visitors.

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A Longevity Celebration

On the fifth day of Tet, Binh An Village holds a longevity celebration for elderly people over 70. This tradition has continued for centuries in the village.

In the morning, everyone dresses nicely and walks to the village temple. According to tradition, the elderly wear traditional ao dai. They sit at the most honourable place. The village leaders congratulate them. They offer each elder a "longevity flag" and a bunch of flowers. Then, each family takes photographs with their elders. At noon, families hold a home party for their elders. It is customary for the family members to cook for their elders. The traditional dishes served are five-colour sticky rice, steamed chicken, spring rolls, and deep-fried fish.

The longevity celebration is important to all villagers. It is an opportunity for them to show their respect to the elders. It is also a great time for family gatherings.

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Popular Traditions in Britain

When one thinks of the British, one often imagines people drinking tea and eating fish and chips. But there are many other traditions that British people have maintained for centuries.

Pancake Day Pancake Day is also called Shrove Tuesday, and it is a day people make pancakes. They hold a pancake race. Runners wear a traditional apron and scarf and carry a pan with a pancake in it. They have to flip the pancake as they run. The first person to reach the finish line with their pancake is the winner.

Christmas Christmas is on 25th December but people prepare for it long before the event. Christmas trees are everywhere. People decorate the trees and place gifts under them. They cook traditional foods, wear their best clothes, and have family reunions.

New Year Countdown On New Year's Eve, crowds gather at Trafalgar Square or Piccadilly Circus to wait for the start of the new year. At midnight, there is a huge fireworks celebration over the London Eye, followed by Big Ben ringing in the New Year and people singing Auld Lang Syne.

Cultural differences occur wherever you go abroad. When visiting another country, you should be aware of those differences and respect them. Here are some (1) ______ on how to fit in.

Every traveller to a foreign country feels (2) ______ at some point. How you act may make locals laugh. Your best defense is a sense of humor. If you can laugh off eating with the wrong hand in India, locals will be more accepting of you.

Wearing proper clothes is important too (3) ______ locals will judge you by what you wear. In some Middle Eastern countries, exposing your flesh is forbidden, especially if you are a woman. So (4) ______ your torn jeans at home.

Also be (5) ______ about expressing emotions. Getting angry in Southeast Asia just makes you look silly. In some countries it is unwise to kiss in public.

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Different Lifestyles Around The World

My family moved to Sweden because of my dad's job. I went to school there for a year. Well, I didn't like it. The class was so noisy. Students would ask questions all the time. They spoke while the teacher was speaking and shouted at each other. They even sat under their desks. They sometimes called teachers by their first name. I thought it was rude! It's quite different from studying in my country.

Lan Tran, Viet Nam

I went to a foreign country and stayed with my friend's family. When I arrived, they showed me a dog and asked: "Do you like this dog?" I said: "Yeah, yeah." When it was time for dinner, I went to the kitchen and saw a plate of steaming meat. I asked: "What is this?" and they all said: "Dog meat". Oh God! They cooked the dog! I said I liked the dog, and they cooked it. I started crying, and broke down at the table.

Paul Bennett, England

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We all want to have a healthy life and do a lot of things to stay healthy. Healthy living has a different meaning (1) ______ different people, but some of these habits are pretty simple and should be followed by everyone in order to have a happy and healthy life.

Many people try to keep fit by getting some (2) ______ a few times a week, perhaps by going for a swim, by jogging in a park, or by playing active games like football or tennis. Dancing classes are also popular. Moreover, (3) ______ a balanced diet and having enough sleep are essential too. Getting fresh air is also very important for your health, and taking few moments to get out of your chair to (4) ______ a breath of fresh air can improve your mood.

To sum up, a relaxed lifestyle, a balanced diet and plenty of (5) ______ air and exercise – these things are all important.

In southern Australia, there is a town where chimneys rise from the sand and there are big red signs warning people of "unmarked holes". This town is Coober Pedy, often known as the "underground" town.

Coober Pedy is a small town over 1,000 miles from Canberra, the country's capital. Today it has about 1,800 residents. Originally, residents of Coober Pedy were opal miners, and even today it is still a mining town.

The Coober Pedy region is mostly a treeless desert. Very little plant life exists due to the region's low rainfall and intense heat, so most of the residents live underground to escape the heat. They call their underground homes "dugouts". These dugouts remain at a constant temperature, while surface buildings need air conditioning. The average maximum temperature is 30–32°C, but it can get quite cool in the winter.

There are a number of underground hotels and tourist shops in the town. The town has become a popular stopover point and tourist destination.

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Each country has its own special traditions and customs just as individuals have their own (1) ______ and daily routines. Many people find it difficult to get used to the customs of another country (2) ______ they go abroad. For example, in some Asian countries, people do not usually finish everything on their plates, because it is a (3) ______ that they have not had enough to eat. Visitors from the West find it difficult to (4) ______ used to this, because they usually eat everything up to show that they liked it. When an Asian host sees their (5) ______ plates, he usually assumes that they want more.

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Like many countries, Britain has serious environmental problems. In 1952, more than 4,000 people died in London because of the smog. The government introduced new laws to stop smog from coal fires and factories and the situation improved a lot.

Today, London is much cleaner but there is a new problem: smog from cars. In December 1991, there was very little wind in London and pollution increased. As a result, about 160 people died from pollution in just four days.

Part of the problem is the new “out of town” shopping centres. In the past, people often walked to shops near their homes or went by bus. Now, many people drive to the new shopping centres. The small shops have disappeared and more people have to travel to do their shopping.

Many people are trying to reduce the use of cars in Britain. Some cities now have special bicycle lanes, so people cycle to work. Some people also travel to work together in one car to reduce pollution and costs.

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A greenhouse is a building made of glass, where you can grow flowers and vegetables that need a lot of warmth. Sunlight (1) ______ through the glass and warms the greenhouse while the glass keeps the heat from escaping.

The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of gases that acts just (2) ______ a greenhouse. Factories, electric power plants and cars make a lot of new gases. These gases are trapping more and more of the sun's (3) ______. This is called “the greenhouse effect”.

If the Earth's temperature increases by just a few degrees, it will change the weather all over the planet. Some places will become too hot to live in or to grow (4) ______ any more. This will cause a lot of people to starve.

That is why people must do their best to stop the greenhouse effect by (5) ______ fewer energy-consuming products and planting trees.

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About 65 million years ago, the dinosaurs became extinct. The hot, dry climate of the Cretaceous Period quickly changed as a result of an asteroid hitting the Earth. This collision sent dust and debris (1) ______ the atmosphere which blocked sunlight from reaching the Earth's surface. The dinosaurs could not quickly adapt to the Earth's colder climate and eventually became (2) ______.

While the dinosaurs are no longer with us, today a number of plant, insect, and animal species are finding their habitats being destroyed, and they too are in danger of extinction. Human activities that are destructive to the (3) ______, such as the development of industry, housing, and farming are destroying the habitats of many species. For example, in the Amazon Rainforest, thousands of hectares of forest are being destroyed as (4) ______ are being cut down to make way for cattle farms, logging and housing.

Scientists warn that many plant and animal species from this area of the world will become extinct soon unless we quickly stop (5) ______ their habitats.

A corner shop or a convenience shop is a British tradition. It is a small (1) ______ shop. We can find a corner shop at the end of a local street in many neighbourhoods in towns and cities across the UK. The corner shop sells all kinds of household goods and simple food and drinks like snacks, groceries, coffee, soft drinks. It (2) ______ sells newspapers, magazines, and cigarettes.

Convenience stores are originally from America. They are like the British corner shops. The only (3) ______ is that convenience stores are often open 24 hours. Probably the most well-known convenience store is 7-Eleven. You can find a convenience store at any residential (4) ______, a filling station, a railway station, or alongside a busy road.

Today, there are convenience stores all over the world. Each country has its own (5) ______ of convenience stores as well as the global brand 7-Eleven.

Both corner shops and convenience stores (6) ______ things at higher prices than the supermarket, but they are much more convenient.

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Some speciality shops are now in danger of disappearing. Here are some examples.

The butcher shop

Butcher shops sell all kinds of meat. They usually employ people who are trained in the meat industry. They know how to cut the meat the right way, and they often advise customers on the different types of meat.

However, it is hard nowadays to find a traditional butcher shop. More people are buying meat from large supermarkets because it is more convenient, and the price is lower.

The bookshop

Bookshops are becoming quite rare these days. Years ago, it was easy to find bookshops in any town or city. Then, larger bookshop chains gradually took over and the smaller shops died out. Two examples of large bookshop chains are Waterstones in the UK and the Barnes & Noble in the USA.

But now, even the large bookshop chains are facing difficulty because more people are buying books from Amazon as well as digital books.

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Thrift Stores

You can find a thrift store, or thrift shop, or charity shop throughout cities in many countries. These shops mainly sell used goods, such as clothing, books, music albums, shoes, DVDs, toys, and furniture. Most of the goods are donations from the public, so they are very cheap. Shopping at thrift stores is traditionally an economical way to buy clothes and basic necessities for low-income families and individuals. Today thrift store shopping has become a fun and exciting way for many people to find rare and expensive goods at a low price.

The purpose of thrift stores is to raise money for charities. The money you spend at a thrift shop usually benefits a church, school, or community group. They help support charitable purposes like helping homeless people, supporting a cancer association, or job training and placement programs for people with disabilities and the disadvantaged. Shopping at thrift shops is a great way to save money while supporting a good cause.

When violent events happen outside the (1) ________ of humans, they are called natural disasters. Natural forces are the (2) ________ of these events. There are many kinds of natural disasters, and they can result in (3) ________ of life, injury, and damage to property.

So, can we predict natural disasters? The (4) ________ is a definite ‘yes’ for some kinds of natural disasters. Scientists understand the factors that lead to storms, tornadoes, and floods. However, it is much more (5) ________ to predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Some volcanos may leak gases or pour out lava (6) ________ erupting, but others do not give any warnings at all. It is also difficult to predict (7) ________, although scientists are aware of the regions where earthquakes are most likely to (8) ________.

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Ann:
There are far more natural disasters today than in the past. Every time I switch on the news, I see floods or areas destroyed by earthquakes. Natural disasters are really scary because they can cause a lot of damage to humans and their property. I believe human activities are directly (1) ________ to all disasters.

Nick:
Some natural disasters are (2) ________, but some are not. Yesterday, I read about a hurricane which caused flooding in a large area. The flood occurred suddenly when people were sleeping, so many of them were not prepared and were (3) ________ in their flooded homes. I think we should spend more money to develop warning systems for hurricanes, floods, and other disasters.

Hung:
A landslide occurred yesterday in my home town and destroyed my aunt’s garden. Luckily, no one in her family was hurt. (4) ________ is one of the main reasons for landslides. In my opinion, we should join hands to stop deforestation and other activities that harm our environment.

Nothing on earth is more majestic than a tall, spreading tree. Trees are our friends in our fight for a healthier planet. This is how they help us. First, trees are the Earth’s lungs. They remove pollutants from the air and significantly improve air quality. Research shows that with billions of trees, we could remove two-thirds of all the carbon dioxide created by human activities.

Second, trees reduce the runoff of rainwater, so they can reduce flooding. Moreover, if you enjoy sitting in the shade of a tree in the summer, you know that trees can also lower air temperatures too. Trees growing beside a home can cool the roof and the air around the house. Therefore, it reduces air conditioning costs.

And don’t forget that trees create habitats for many species of plants and animals. If you want to plant trees to help save the planet, there are simple ways to get started. Plant trees around your house. If enough people did that, it would make a big difference.

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A Survey on Future Communication

In a recent survey, TechNews asked young people to predict how they will talk to each other in 30 years’ time. The results are not surprising. Only 10% of the respondents think people will still send letters and postcards to each other by 2050. About 30% think holography and telepathy technologies will allow them to communicate in real time with their friends. Most people say that they will connect through supersmart devices instead of in person.

Meanwhile, more than half of the respondents express their concerns about future communication. They say that if children spend most of their time surfing on the Internet, they may also not be able to communicate face to face very well in 30 years.

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Future Ways of Communication

Video conferences
With the advancement of webcams, video conferences are becoming increasingly popular. Thanks to this technology, people from all over the world can meet online for work or study. This helps save both time and travel expenses. However, video conferences also have some drawbacks. For instance, participants need a strong Internet connection to ensure clear sound and images. In addition, since it is so easy to arrange online meetings, companies may sometimes ask employees to attend outside regular office hours.

Translation machines
Artificial intelligence has greatly improved the accuracy of machine translation. These devices can translate in real time, helping people from different countries communicate more quickly and effectively. As a result, many believe that language barriers will soon disappear. Nevertheless, this may cause interpreters to lose their jobs. Moreover, people might not feel the need to learn foreign languages, which could also reduce their interest in discovering other cultures.

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When Smartphones Become Even Smarter

Mobile phone technologies have developed rapidly over the last decades, and experts are making interesting predictions about smartphones of the future. They say that by 2035, smartphones will be able to change their shapes to meet the users’ needs. For example, you can fold your phone like a sheet of paper and put it in your wallet. Similarly, you can bend it and wear it as a watch. Moreover, new generations of smartphones can send and receive holographic pictures. By using holography, you will be able to participate in meetings without having to be at the meeting venue in person. You will also be able to interact in computer games as if you were a character in it. Besides, smartphones will have super strong sensors to read your mind and complete some tasks, such as making to-do lists and shopping online. They will be able to sense your mood, give advice and play suitable music. In the near future, many people may consider their smartphones their best friend, and they may interact with them even more than they do with their human friends.

The Importance of Science Education in Schools

Why should we teach science to children in schools? Why do many schools teach STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and maths)? One reason is every day children can see the benefits of (1) ______ and technology around them, so they can be aware of the (2) ______ that science plays in their everyday life. Secondly, when (3) ______ learn science, they will learn to think in a scientific way, learn to search for the answers and to (4) ______ reasons. In other words, students can gain both knowledge of science as well as critical thinking and problem-solving (5) ______. These will be important in their (6) ______ work and studies. Moreover, if children learn science at an early age, they will be more ready to get involved (7) ______ science-related fields when they grow up.

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The Invention of the World Wide Web

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, an English computer scientist, invented the World Wide Web in 1989.

At first, he wanted to develop a web for scientists around the world to share information and the results of their experiments. At that time the Internet already existed. But he created a way to use the Internet to link documents to each other. Soon, he turned it into a free space for people to share knowledge, communicate, and cooperate.

The World Wide Web allows people to get all kinds of information online. The information can be images, videos, or files. It has become a significant tool for everyone, from scientists, researchers to young students as well. Scientists and researchers can share their study results, students can use it for learning or doing research online. Businesses even use it to advertise their products and to do business. Everybody can use the World Wide Web to watch videos, communicate, and attend meetings.

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No More Worries about Acne

Worried about acne? Are you worried about the side effects of using drugs to cure acne? You should be. They are toxic and have side effects. They may cause burns or red skin. Soon we may have a new drug to treat it safely.

A medical student at the University of California San Diego invented a new way to cure acne. It treats acne effectively and keeps your skin clean.

The new technique uses nano-bomb technology and natural ingredients. These ingredients are from coconut oil, palm oil, human milk, cow's milk, and goat's milk. These nano-bombs find the bacteria causing acne then they attack and kill the bacteria.

Robots with the Sense of Touch

Guess what? We will soon have robots with the sense of touch. We already have smart robots that can dance, smile, and teach different subjects. But now scientists are developing robots with skin that can sense. These new robots will have skin on their fingers made from thin pieces of rubber. The skin will help robots sense because it will be very much like human skin. Scientists said that these robots would be able to sense pressure and temperature.

Venus is more like Earth in some ways (1) ______ any other planet. It is almost the same size as Earth. It is a similar distance (2) ______ the Sun compared to the other planets. It is made mostly of rock and has an atmosphere (gases that (3) ______ a planet).

Venus has flat plains and high places, just (4) ______ Earth. It has huge extinct (dead) volcanoes and big craters. Meteorites crashing into the planet made the big (5) ______. But Venus has no moon.

In other ways, Venus is not (6) ______ all like Earth. It is not a place you would like to visit. The atmosphere is poisonous. It is made (7) ______ mainly of a gas called carbon dioxide. The clouds are filled with (8) ______ of acid “rain” that (9) ______ eat through your clothes and through you. The atmosphere is so thick that its weight would (10) ______ you.

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Most scientists believe that for another planet to have life on it, it must be similar to Earth in several ways. It is likely to need an atmosphere (air) and water. It also must orbit a star, like the Sun, at a good distance. This star would provide the right amount of light and heat for life to exist.

Scientists have studied planets and moons in our solar system to see if they can support life. Space probes have searched for traces of bacteria or other tiny living things on Mars. Some scientists are also looking for the possibility of life outside our solar system. Using radio telescopes, they hope to capture signals from intelligent aliens.

So far, no evidence of extraterrestrial life has been found. However, scientists have discovered hundreds of planets that orbit distant stars. Some of these planets are an ideal distance from their stars, and some are roughly the size of Earth. It may be possible that life has developed on one or more of them.

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An unidentified flying object (UFO) is any light or object seen in the sky that can't be explained. Hundreds of UFO sightings are reported every year. More than nine-tenths of them are later identified as ordinary objects. They turn out to be planes, satellites, or planets. Others are later identified as balloons, kites, clouds, or birds. But some are deliberate fakes.

UFOs have been reported since ancient times. Modern reports of UFO sightings began in 1947. Some observers reported seeing saucer-like shapes in the sky. Since then, UFOs of any shape are often called flying saucers.

The United States Air Force took these reports seriously. Air Force officials did not necessarily believe in visitors from outer space. They wanted to be sure that UFOs were not a threat to America. A UFO might, for example, be an enemy airplane.

Project Blue Book was the Air Force's program for investigating UFOs. It ran from 1947 through 1969. The Air Force investigated 12,618 UFO sightings. All but 701 were identified.

The Air Force concluded that UFOs were no threat. All sightings could be explained by science. There was no evidence that UFOs came from other planets.

Do you think our planet is the only place in the universe (1) ______ there is life? Until 1995, astronomers had not found a solar system like (2) ______. A solar system is made up of a star surrounded by planets and other objects. In 1995, astronomers (3) ______ a planet orbiting (going around) a distant star like our Sun. Since then, they have found other solar systems. Astronomers now think that there are many solar systems in the (4) ______. But they do not know whether there is life in any of these other solar systems.

Our solar system is the one we know the (5) ______ about. The Sun is at its centre. Our solar system (6) ______ everything that orbits around the Sun. Planets, moons, asteroids, comets, gas, and dust are all part of the solar system.

Our solar system lies near the edge of the Milky Way (7) ______. A galaxy is a huge collection of stars. The Milky Way is shaped like a whirlpool. All the stars in the galaxy, including our Sun, (8) ______ the centre of the Milky Way.

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There have been many great inventions in human history. One great invention is the printing press. A German named Johannes Gutenberg in the 1400s invented a press that made it easy to print books. Books became much more common after the invention of the printing press. Books helped other inventors make new things.

The invention of the steam engine around 1700 led to the Industrial Revolution. Inventors made many new machines that were powered by steam engines. They invented locomotives, steamboats, and all kinds of factory machines.

Another great invention, the internal combustion engine, led to the invention of automobiles in the late 1800s. Inventors made better and better internal combustion engines. These are the engines we use today in cars, trucks, buses, and airplanes.

The discovery of electricity led to many wonderful inventions. Many scientists studied electricity. An American inventor named Thomas A. Edison invented the electric lamp, phonograph, and other things that ran on electricity in the late 1800s.

New things are invented today faster than ever before. Inventors are making new kitchen appliances, toys, computers, video games, telephones, and all kinds of other things. The ways people invent things have changed over time. Until the 1900s, most inventors worked alone. Today, most inventions come from scientists and engineers who work in teams.