Reading - Lớp 9

From: trang@bamboomail.com

To: elena@fastmail.com

Subject: Places of interest in my community

Hi Elena,

How are you? In your last email, you asked me about places of interest in my community. Now I'll tell you about them.

I live (1) in__________ a suburb of Ha Noi. (2) Although__________ it's a small community, there are enough places of interest. Near my house there are two parks with a lot of trees and (3) sports__________ facilities. People of all ages go there to (4) enjoy__________ the fresh air, do exercise, and play badminton or basketball. I also go to these parks to play badminton with my brother. (5) Another__________ place which people like in our community is the local library. It has many new books of all kinds. In addition, it holds (6) various__________ activities for book lovers, such as book review competitions or meetings with famous authors. Therefore, it attracts a lot of readers each weekend. When you visit Ha Noi, I'll (7) take__________ you to these places.

Tell me about the places of interest in your area in your (8) next__________ email.

Cheers,

Trang

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Nowadays delivery people are commonly seen in our city. Of all the delivery people who (1) deliver__________ parcels, our family likes Mr Nam the most. Mr Nam is about 40 years old and usually wears a yellow (2) uniform__________. He is a kind, friendly, and responsible person. (3) Before__________ he brings a parcel to our house, he always calls to check if we are at home. I still (4) remember__________ one day when we were in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr Nam called my father several times until my father answered his call. He (5) told__________ us that we had a parcel. As we were not at home, my father asked him to (6) leave__________ the parcel with our neighbour. Mr Nam found our neighbour and called us before (7) giving__________ the parcel to her. He also allowed us to transfer money to him by online banking. My father sometimes talks to him and he happily (8) shares__________ about his life and work.

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Sardinia is the second largest island in Italy. It is famous for its beautiful nature and a variety of ancient crafts. One of the crafts that makes the island well-known is basket weaving. This is considered one of the most remarkable handicrafts on the island because it combines manual skills and natural resources. Baskets are usually woven by Sardinian women. They have handed down the techniques from generation to generation. The shapes and dimensions of the baskets are different according to the technique, the area of production, and the kind of material used. They use various natural materials such as willow, palm, straw, and hay.

In the past, people hung the baskets on the walls of their houses or displayed them on shelves like artwork. Today the baskets are used in homes or used for decorative purposes. People really appreciate the craft because nowadays it is increasingly rare to find good quality baskets like these. Sardinian people believe that basket weaving is a dying skill and they hope to preserve it in the future.

The local newspaper carried out a survey with city dwellers about how to make the city a more (1) ___________ place. Most participants in the survey talked about the city's traffic. First, they wanted stricter traffic (2) ___________ to stop drivers from ignoring traffic lights and breaking speed limits. This would help reduce road accidents. In addition, they hoped their city would improve its (3) ___________ system. For example, buses should be clean and have air conditioners. There should be bus lines that reach almost all areas in the city, so it would be easy for people to (4) ___________. They said that good public transport could also (5) ___________ the city money. The local authority wouldn't need to construct new parking lots and (6) ___________ roads to cater for the increasing number of private cars. Finally, the survey (7) ___________ suggested the local authority build traffic apps. The apps could recommend to drivers the best routes to avoid traffic (8) ___________. The sooner the government started implementing these, the more convenient it would be to travel around the city.

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Living in Vancouver
Vancouver, a coastal city in Canada, ranks among the most liveable cities in the world. Let’s meet three residents to learn why they love this city.

A. Gina (20 years old)
I fell in love with Vancouver’s natural habitats. I can go hiking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter in the mountains. Sometimes I pack my favourite foods and go to Kitsilano Beach to get a bit of sunshine. I like swimming in the Kitsilano pool, which is the longest outdoor swimming pool in North America.

B. Olivia (30 years old)
Life in Vancouver is convenient. The food here is good. There are both great restaurants and food trucks. Farmers’ markets offer a wide range of fresh produce. When I’m too busy to cook, I pick up prepared meals in the supermarket.

C. Hoai (35 years old)
This is such a kid-friendly place. The whole city is like an adventure playground. There are hundreds of activities to entertain children. At weekends, I take my daughters to the mind-blowing museum, explore a rainforest, or play outdoor games with them. Vancouver is a perfect place for family life.

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Twenty years ago, people tried to leave the suburbs for cities but nowadays many people are reluctant to make such a move. They say that compared to suburban areas, city life has many drawbacks.

The high cost of living is the first disadvantage. The bigger the city is, the higher the living cost is. Accommodation and petrol are expensive. Food and drinks are also pricey. Apart from that, city people seem to suffer from more noise and air pollution. The densely populated neighbourhoods, busy traffic, and big construction sites make cities noisy and dusty. These are harmful to people’s health, such as increasing their stress levels, disturbing their sleep and making them suffer from breathing problems.

Lack of space is another drawback of city life. House prices are high in the city, so people tend to live in smaller houses or in apartment blocks. Many cities lack spaces for outdoor activities; therefore, teenagers often hang out at shopping malls or in entertainment complexes instead of doing sports outdoors.

The cities’ authorities are trying to overcome these problems. However, they still have a long way to go before they can reduce living costs and pollution, and increase green space to make all cities in the world more liveable places.

We can manage our time effectively by (1) __________ some of these strategies. Firstly, it is important to (2) __________ clear and realistic goals and prioritise tasks accordingly. This means that you must identify (3) __________ is the most important and urgent and allocate time and resources (4) __________. Next, creating a schedule or to-do list can be helpful in staying (5) __________ track and ensuring that all tasks are completed within the time allotted. Thirdly, it is important to learn to say no to distractions and time-wasting activities such as checking social (6) __________. Instead, you should focus on the task at (7) __________ and work I efficiently to complete it. Additionally, taking regular breaks and scheduling time for self-care activities can help increase (8) __________ and prevent burnout. Finally, it is essential to regularly review and adjust your schedule to ensure that you are making progress (9) __________ your goals and accommodating yourself to any working conditions in your life. By following these tips, you can make the most of your time, be more productive, and achieve success in all (10) __________ of your life.

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Goal setting is a crucial process that involves careful consideration of what you want to accomplish and requires persistent effort to make it a reality. Establishing goals gives you a target to strive for and helps to keep you motivated throughout the process. Goals also provide you with a focus and a way to measure your progress and accomplishments.

In the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, setting realistic goals is the key to success. However, it is important to be realistic with yourself when setting these goals. If you want to quit smoking, lose a significant amount of weight, or run a marathon, it is unlikely to happen overnight, or even in a few months or a year. Not reaching those goals might be discouraging and lead to giving up altogether. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, it is advisable to start small and concentrate on one goal at a time. If you want to lose weight, make small and achievable goals. For example, you can start by working out at least three times a week or adding more vegetables to your meals when you want seconds.

By keeping a journal or using a tracking app on your phone, you can monitor your progress and ensure that you stay on track. Once these small goals become part of your routine, you can gradually add new goals, such as limiting eating out to twice a week or incorporating weightlifting into your exercise routine. These small goals are easier to achieve and will eventually lead to meeting your main goal.

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Chi, a student at a specialised high school in Ha Noi, needs to have a well-balanced life because she wants to excel in her studies, pursue her passions and hobbies, etc. Below are some of the things she often does to achieve a well-balanced life.

Firstly, Chi starts each day by planning her schedule and setting priorities for the day, making sure to allocate time for studying, extracurricular activities, and socialising. She also takes breaks throughout the day to relax and recharge.

In addition, Chi dedicates time to her hobbies, such as reading, listening to music, and doing sports. She believes that pursuing her passions brings her joy and a sense of fulfilment.

Chi also spends time with her family and friends regularly and makes an effort to stay in touch even when she is busy with schoolwork. She understands the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with them.

Finally, Chi gives priority to her physical and mental health. She gets enough sleep, eats a balanced diet, and does exercise regularly. She also practises mindfulness and meditation to manage stress and maintain a positive mindset. By following these practices, we believe that Chi is on her way to achieving a fulfilling and well-balanced life.

London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, is situated on the River Thames, which meanders through the city. It is renowned for its numerous bridges. Among the bridges, the oldest one is London Bridge, which was originally built of wood but reconstructed in stone in 1217. However, the most unique bridge is Tower Bridge, which was designed to blend in with the nearby Tower of London.

London is a thriving commercial and cultural centre with many significant financial organisations such as the Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange. They are located in the area called the City. Docklands, the former port in east London, has been redeveloped as a business centre. The West End boasts theatres, cinemas, museums, and stores. Due to the high cost of housing near the city centre, many people working in London prefer to live in the suburbs and commute to work by train or bus. London’s transportation system is well-connected, with various modes of transportation available, including the red London buses, black taxi cabs, and the London Underground, commonly known as ‘the Tube’.

London is now a cosmopolitan, multicultural city which has attracted people from around the globe. Although some people from other parts of Britain view it as very noisy and dirty, many others visit London only for the ‘bright lights’ - the theatres round Shaftesbury Avenue or the shops of Oxford Street. People also take their children to visit Buckingham Palace, where the royal family lives, and the clock tower, from which Big Ben tolls the hour. Young people, on the other hand, are lured to the pubs and comedy clubs of Covent Garden, live music concerts, and the stalls of Camden market.

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Millbrook

I live in a small town of Millbrook in the rolling hills of upstate New York. It is a (26) ________ community of just over 1,500 residents. Despite its small size, Millbrook has a rich history and vibrant cultural scene (27) ________ numerous galleries, restaurants, and boutiques on its charming Main street. It is home to a diverse range of residents, from young families to retirees, and boasts a strong sense of community (28) ________. Every year, residents come together for events like the Millbrook Farmers Market and the Millbrook Literary Festival, which (29) ________ the town’s agricultural heritage and literary tradition. In spite of its rural setting, Millbrook is well-connected to nearby cities like Poughkeepsie and New York City, making it an attractive place to live for those seeking (30) ________ peaceful retreat from urban life. Overall, Millbrook is a warm and welcoming community with a strong sense of place and identity.

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ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSES

In the 1800s and early 1900s, most children went to school in one-room schoolhouses. At that time, most people lived (1) __________ farms. The farms were spread out. One-room schoolhouses were built because there weren’t many children in the farm areas. Most of the one-room schoolhouses only (2) __________ about fifteen to twenty children. The one-room schoolhouses had just one teacher. That teacher instructed all students from the age of five or six up to ages thirteen or fourteen or even older. The teacher also (3) __________ all subjects. In one-room schoolhouses, students did a lot of reciting and memorising. Reciting means that they said out loud (4) __________ they learned. The teacher would ask a question, and the students would stand up and recite the answer. Students also did a lot of memorising. They were often asked to memorise poems. They had to memorise famous (5) __________ and important facts, too.

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Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. It has enormous historical significance. Located on the east coast of Scotland, Edinburgh proudly offers a window to the past. For many people, this city is an exciting mix of something traditional and something modern.

Edinburgh has been Scotland’s royal city since 1437. Most of Edinburgh’s sights are within two districts: the old town and the new town. The medieval Royal Mile stretching for over a mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse dominates the city’s central area. The Royal Mile is one of the largest, longest and most splendid streets for buildings in Britain.

To millions of visitors, Edinburgh Castle is a must-see because there are many treasures. Princess street is in Edinburgh’s new town, directly below the castle. Next to Princess Street, in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, lies the green Princess Street Gardens. This is one of the most delightful gardens in Britain.

Edinburgh is also a cultural centre. The worldwide famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival (a series of arts festivals held in August) draws thousands and thousands of visitors to the city annually. So Edinburgh is really a place no traveler should ignore.

I will never forget that terrible day when I was bullied by my classmates. I borrowed (1) a book from Mai - one of my peers. When I finished it, another girl, Linh in our group wanted to read it, so she asked to borrow it. Without much listening (2) I gave the book to Linh, who then gave it back to Mai after finishing it. Mai took the book from Linh but still asked me to return (3) it. I felt helpless (4) and almost burst into tears. I decided to tell (5) our form teacher. After listening to my whole story, our form teacher asked Mai: “Mai, do you really want another (6) copy of the same book?”. Then she said to Linh: “Linh, give the book back to Hoa. You took it from Hoa.” They stood there saying nothing. Then our teacher asked: “Where’s the book now?” Mai got it out from her backpack (7) and gave it back to Linh. Linh gave it back to me with an apology. I could finally return it to Mai, who then felt ashamed (8) about her trick. I also learnt a lesson: I will return what I borrow to the original lender only.

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I went to Singapore on my own for a ten-day summer course. There were about 15 students from China, Malaysia, Cambodia, India, and Iran in the course. We were all so surprised about the cleanliness and discipline of the country. On the second day of the course, we had special team-building activities. We worked in groups of five from different countries to search for a location on a map that the school staff gave us. The time we spent doing the activity together was really memorable. We discussed how to find the place. After four hours of walking, taking the bus and metro as well as getting lost, we arrived at the destination. Over the remaining days, we attended English lessons. We worked on projects and culture workshops. We discussed and shared our own traditions and customs. During the time here, we also visited the Botanic Gardens, took photos in the orchard garden and explored Chinatown where we bought souvenirs for our parents and friends. At the weekend, we went to the Discovery Centre. We were impressed by the attraction and interactive gallery as well as the brilliant learning experiences we had. After the trip, I felt proud of myself for being able to go without my parents and leaving my comfort zone.

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We went camping at Ba Vi National Park, 60 kilometres to the west of Ha Noi. Our teacher chose this location as it is not far from Ha Noi and is famous as a mountainous ecological tourism centre. It is home to hundreds of wildlife species, so we had a chance to get into a real natural habitat.

We went there on a coach. We set off early and because the road was a bit bumpy and tricky, we were tired when we arrived. After about two hours, we finally reached the campsite in Ngoc Hoa cave area. We set up our camps before exploring the park. We explored the rich nature in the Botanical Garden, trying to take deep breaths of the fresh air and enjoying the diversity of the flora there. We took photos of the places we saw. At night, we burnt wood for a campfire. We sat around the fire and sang and danced. We also had team-building activities, which were exciting and memorable. On the next day, we went trekking to Thuong Temple – a national cultural monument at Tan Vien Peak. We learnt much about the culture associated with the legend Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh from our guide.

Viet Nam is in the period of industrialisation and modernisation, and many aspects of Vietnamese lifestyle have changed. The biggest differences we can see now are in teenagers’ lifestyle. They are now more flexible and casual in the way they dress. They wear their hair in different styles and even dye it different colours. They have become more confident in communicating with others, even with their elders. They are daring in their actions and ambitions. For many of them, technology has become important in their daily life. They use it for study and entertainment.

However, Vietnamese teenagers have also learnt to treasure their traditional values. Many customs and traditions are passed from generation to generation. Vietnamese teens show respect for the elders, at home and outside. They learn to value their families. They come to their parents for advice and ask for permission in their important decisions such as university study and marriage. They also wear traditional costumes such as ao dai.

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They always had (2) ________ food. Their diet contained a lot of vegetables and fruits. They were, therefore, healthier and didn’t need much extra (3) ________ because their daily work kept their bodies running. They had few diseases, especially those related to their digestive system. At present, technology has turned agriculture into mass (4) ________. Pesticides are used to assure fruitful crops. People keep their food in the fridge for some days or weeks before using it. Ready-made food at markets uses preservatives to keep it (5) ________. People eat more spicy fried food. Fast food is another major factor in modern food habits. Although many people find it (6) ________, it leads to many health conditions. As a result, people now are less healthy and suffer from more diseases.

If we were asked exactly what we were doing a year ago, we would probably have to say that we could not remember. But if we kept a book and wrote in it an account of what we did each day, we should be able to give an answer. In a way, this is similar to history.
Most people are proud to tell you what their ancestors did in the past. We may call this remembered history. But many things have been forgotten because we do not have any written account of them. Sometimes people kept a record of the most important happenings in their country, but often it was destroyed by fire or in a war. Sometimes there was never any written record because the people of that time and place did not know how to write. For example, we know a lot about the people who lived in China about 2,500 years ago because they could write and leave written records for those who lived after them. But we know little about the people who lived just 200 years ago in central Africa, because they had no writing system.
Sometimes, even if people cannot write, they may know something of the past. They have heard about it from older people, and often songs, dances, and stories have been made about the most important past events, and these have been sung about, acted and told for generations.

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The wheel

Before the wheel was invented thousands of years ago, the only way to get from one place to another was (26) __________ our legs or riding animals, such as horses, camels, or donkeys.

Wheels today are on all sorts of vehicles from cars to planes, from bikes to skateboards. We believe that the first wheels were invented to help move very heavy (27) __________. Humans discovered that something heavy was more easily moved by rolling something round. Eventually wheels were (28) __________ for carts and wagons.

The wheel is probably the most significant mechanical invention of all time. The first wheels are thought to have appeared in Egypt on chariots around 2000 BC. Just imagine the world today (29) __________ the wheel, not only in transportation but also in technology. Important applications of the wheel include the water wheel and the spinning wheel. More (30) __________ applications include the jet engine and the turbine.

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At 2,315 miles (3,726 kilometres), the Missouri River is nearly as long as the Mississippi River, into which it flows. Together the Missouri and the Mississippi form one of the world's longest river systems.

There are seven major dams and dozens of smaller dams on the Missouri. The dams use water from the river to produce electricity. They also create reservoirs, or artificial lakes, behind them. The reservoirs store water that is needed for cities and for irrigation of crops. Irrigation is important because most of the regions around the river have a fairly dry climate.

In addition to producing electricity, the dams on the Missouri are also used to control the water level of the river. Sometimes water is held back to prevent floods. At other times, water is released to keep the water level high enough for barges to float downstream.

By changing the natural flow of water in the Missouri, dams and reservoirs have altered the river's ecosystem. They have affected the depth and temperature of the water in different parts of the river. Such changes have made it difficult for some species, or types, of plants, animals, and fish to survive. A few wildlife species in the region are now endangered.

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Mount Everest (Mt. Everest) is the highest mountain (1) ________________ the world. It is 8,848 metres high. Mt. Everest was first climbed in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Every year, a lot of people want to climb Mt. Everest.

It is very dangerous to climb Mt. Everest. The air is very (2) ________________ and cold. Most people carry bottles of oxygen; they could die without it. When the oxygen bottles are empty, people throw them on the ground. (3) ________________ strong winds rip their tents, people leave them behind. They do not have the energy to take the rubbish away. They only have enough energy to go down the mountain (4) ________________.

Rubbish is a terrible problem. Since people first began to climb Mt. Everest, they have left tons and tons of rubbish on the mountain. Several groups have climbed the mountain just to (5) ________________ the rubbish. When people plan to climb the mountain, they have to plan to take away their rubbish.

The Plain of Jars in Laos is one of the most mysterious archaeological sites in the world.

There are thousands of stone jars scattered around the central plain of the Xiangkhoang Plateau. Many jars were dated as far back as 1350 B.C. The jars are in clusters and range in numbers. They are cylindrical in shape and from one to over three metres in height. Archaeologists have not found any stone lids. This suggests that the jars did not have lids or the lids were made of materials which did not last long.

Archaeologists are still not sure about the function of the jars. One theory suggests that the jars were used to bury people. Another theory proposes that the jars were used to collect rainwater during the monsoon season. However, Lao legend claims that there were giants who once settled in this plateau. They created jars to brew and store rice wine which they used to celebrate the victories of their King Khun Cheung against the enemy.

In 2019, the Plain of Jars became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, it is a well-known tourist destination, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

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Tourism in Viet Nam has seen a lot of changes in recent years. For backpackers, culture and nature lovers, military veterans, Viet Nam has become a new tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

International tourist arrivals to Viet Nam have continuously risen. In 2008, Viet Nam received 4.218 million tourists. In 2012, the number rose to 6.84 million. Four years later, the country welcomed 10 million international visitors, and in 2019, it was 18 million. This increase made Viet Nam the fifth most visited country in the Asia-Pacific region.

By March 2023, the four countries with the largest numbers of visitors to Viet Nam are South Korea, the USA, Thailand, and China. The most attractive destinations in Viet Nam are national parks like Cue Phuong, Phong Nha - Ke Bang, Cape Ca Mau, and World Heritage Sites like Ha Long Bay, Hue, and Hoi An.

Tourism is important to the country’s economy. For example, in 2016, tourism contributed 6.6 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) equal to VNĐ 279,287 billion. It has also helped to promote the development of related sectors, such as hotels, transportation, entertainment, and food.

Some people find it really difficult to learn English, and here are some of the reasons. Firstly, English has one of the biggest vocabularies (1) __________ all languages. Therefore, it is very hard for English learners to remember all the words and phrases as well as use them (2) __________ in different contexts. Secondly, English grammar is complex. For example, there are twelve basic tenses in English. This (3) __________ learners confused when they have to use the tenses correctly in different sentences. (4) __________ grammatical points, such as prepositions, reported speech, and the passive voice are not any less challenging. Thirdly, a lot of learners find English pronunciation very (5) __________. Words which have the same combination of letters may be (6) __________ differently. For instance, the ‘ou’ in ‘rough’ is not pronounced the same as that in ‘through’. Another problem is sentence stress. Stress (7) __________ we put on different words may lead to the difference in meaning. In general, English vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation may (8) __________ learning it not an easy task.

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British English and American English (1) differ in some ways. The most remarkable difference between the two (2) varieties is vocabulary. British people call the place where people take their car to buy (3) petrol or oil a petrol station. However, Americans call it a gas station. The British live in flats (4) while the Americans live in apartments. Another difference between these two varieties of English is the (5) spelling. There are hundreds of minor differences of this type. Some words (6) like humour, flavour or neighbour exist in British English while in American English these words are written without 'u' before 'r'. Besides, verbs (7) ending in -se in British English are written with the ending -ze in American English. Some of (8) these verbs are analyse - analyze, organise - organize, and minimise - minimize.

Both of my parents love travelling, and they usually take us along. My mum told me that I started travelling with them when I was just four months old. It was a short trip to a city 120 kilometres away from our home town. Mum said I was a good girl since ate and slept during the trip without ever crying.

Every year my family goes on different trips from 2 days to 2 weeks. We normally don't stay in resorts. Instead we stay at homestays where we can get to know more about the life and culture of the people in those areas. We eat with them, watch them cook, and go hiking with them.

Sometimes we go abroad for our holidays. I still remember when I went to Disneyland in Hong Kong and later visited the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. I will never forget the moment seagulls took some snacks from my hands when we were sitting outside the Sydney Opera House.

I believe that when we travel together, we can strengthen our bonds and have great memories with our beloved family members.

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The Harbour of Rio de Janeiro is one of the (23) __________ bays on Earth and is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro (24) __________ the southeastern coastline of Brazil. It is also known as Guanabara Bay. The harbour is surrounded by mountains and is connected to the sea via a series of channels.

The major (25) __________ of this natural wonder is its tropical climate, which attracts tourists from all over the world. It also has some beautiful beaches and lush forests (26) __________ provide recreation areas for visitors. Additionally, the mouth of the harbour is unique (27) __________ it resembles more of a river than a bay. This is the reason why the city has its name Rio de Janeiro, which means "River of January".

September and October are the best months to (28) __________ the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro. At this time, the weather is fairly nice, and there are not as many people as in the summer months.

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Plants and animals play an important role in food chains. Plants are the primary (1) __________, and they feed wildlife and humans. Wildlife, such as insects, birds, and microbes, often (2) __________ on green plants. In turn, these types of (3) __________ become food for larger animals.

Plants and animals also impact the environment. Plants help keep the ecosystem in balance. They (4) __________ the air, water, and soil. Animals help the environment by carrying pollen from plants to plants, and by (5) __________ seeds. They also help (6) __________ harmful pests and other plant-eaters.

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Landforms The surface of Earth has different landforms, which differ in size and shape. They can be mountains, valleys, deserts, dunes, or plateaus. Mountains are formed as a result of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tectonic movements. Valleys can be V-shaped or U-shaped, are low-lying areas between mountains and hills. Deserts are dry areas which have very little rainfall and the daytime temperature is very high.

Dunes are small hills made up of sand. They are created from the flow of the water. Plateaus are flat areas and highlands, which are separated from their surroundings.

Bodies of Water Bodies of water include oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, and glaciers. Water bodies form the largest habitats on Earth, providing huge living spaces for marine life.

There are five oceans and seven seas and these bodies of water are salty, but most rivers, streams, and lakes have fresh water.

Glaciers are the frozen bodies of water, which cover almost 10% of Earth's land area, and are sources of fresh water on Earth. Bodies of water on Earth also provide sources of water, food, medicines, and energy to humans. They help maintain biodiversity and play an important role in transportation.

The (1) __________ smartphones are sleek, slim, and offer many features such as high-resolution cameras, fast processors, and artificial intelligence capabilities. They (2) __________ users to perform a wide range of tasks, including browsing the Internet, sending emails, making video calls, playing games, and (3) __________ videos. In the future, smartphones are (4) __________ to become even more advanced, with features such as foldable screens, holographic displays, and improved battery life. AI will (5) __________ a significant role in the development of these devices, with features such as voice (6) __________ , and natural language processing becoming more sophisticated. Smartphones will likely become even more integrated (7) __________ our lives, with the ability to control more of our daily activities, such as managing our homes, vehicles, and health. The (8) ____________ are endless, and it will be exciting to see what the future holds for electronic devices.

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Today, computers are widely used and can be found in a variety of settings, including homes, offices, shops, hospitals, and schools. People rely on computers so heavily that many of them get frustrated and cannot work when computers are "down". Nowadays, computers are so essential that they are utilised for everything from entertainment to navigation.

Computers of today are much quicker, cheaper, and smaller than those of the past. Many modern computers are so small that they are the size of a deck of cards. Users can work from a variety of settings thanks to notebook computers, also known as "ultra-lights," and hand-held Personal Data Assistants (PDAs). These computers' ability to connect to several networks allows users to access information from any location with greater ease and control over their time.

Future computers will be smaller and faster than current models. They may have "smart" or artificial intelligence features like expert intelligence, neural network pattern recognition, or natural language capabilities, and they may be as small as coins. These features will make it simpler for users to interface with computers and manage a large amount of data from fax, email, internet, and phone sources. Wearable computers, DNA computers, virtual reality gadgets, quantum computers, and optical computers are just a few examples of the cutting-edge applications that are emerging today.

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I recently purchased a robot vacuum cleaner. It is a compact, disc-shaped machine that is designed to clean floors automatically. It can move around spaces and avoid obstacles like furniture, walls, and stairs thanks to an array of sensors. My robot vacuums up dirt and debris from carpets, rugs, and hard floors using suction power and rotating brushes.

My robot is programmed to operate according to a set timetable, allowing it to clean my house while I am away. The robot is equipped with a charging dock, which it can automatically return to when it needs to recharge its batteries.

My vacuum cleaner robot also features Wi-Fi connectivity and a smartphone app for operation. In addition to receiving notifications and updates on the robot’s cleaning progress, these features enables me to start, stop, and schedule cleaning sessions remotely.

Overall, my vacuum cleaner robot is a practical and time-saving addition to my household cleaning routine that gives me a hands-free way to keep my house clean and tidy.
 

Contrary to many of her friends, Gemma knew for sure what she would do when she (1) __________ secondary school. Although her cores in academic subjects were quite good, she (2) __________ designing and making women’s outfits. Gemma hoped to work soon (3) __________ she wanted to support her grandmother, who had brought her up. However, she decided that she would earn a (4) __________ in fashion and garment design in order to get more job opportunities.

Gemma attended career (5) __________ sessions to seek advice from garment teachers from vocational schools. She looked for schools with courses in fashion, garment, and textile before deciding where to study. She practised cutting and (6) __________ with a tailor in her neighbourhood. She was so hard-working that she improved her skills (7) __________.

When Gemma graduated, she already owned a small tailor shop which was popular with young women. She had such an (8) __________ mind that she kept learning to be successful in her dream job.

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Planning a career path is not easy at all. Although their own preference for a job really matters, researchers have pointed out some other factors that may influence teenaged students’ career choice. Parents’ expectations tend to have the strongest impact on their children’s decision-making, especially when they are young. For example, parents who work in the business sector often expect their children to pursue commerce and business. Sometimes, conflicts occur because children resist choosing the path that their parents want. Peer persuasion is another influential factor. Teenagers are impressionable, so they may find a career attractive because most of their friends do so. Though the most popular jobs sound cool, students might not do them well in the future if they are not passionate about them. Career advice that students find on the Internet may also affect their choice. However, not all online advice is practical and helpful. Finally, cost is the basic criterion for many students when planning their career path. Some choose to study and work abroad while others select a career that is more affordable.

The factors above may affect students’ future careers both positively and negatively. Since career planning is essential for a rewarding working life, it is vital that students receive a proper orientation from trustworthy sources.

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These days, the job market is changing so quickly that many wonder what it will be like in the next ten years.

Technology jobs
When work and entertainment go online, technology workers play an important role. Besides software engineers, Internet security experts will be popular and better paid than now. People with both formal and informal training can get hired for technology jobs. Those without a degree can still get a job if they can demonstrate good skills.

Food service jobs
The busier people get, the higher demand they have for food services. Bartenders and chefs will be popular. Although the growth rate will be extremely fast, the wages will not raise. There is no specific education requirement. People can get on-the-job training. Having formal education in cooking and hygiene can help chefs find better-paid jobs and get promoted.

Education jobs
Population growth means that there will be more need for teachers, other education-based jobs like librarians and museum workers will also be in high demand. Salary for educators will be higher than they are currently. Most education jobs will still require at least a college degree. In addition, those who want to be teachers will need to obtain a teacher training certificate.

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a. Which sector has jobs with each of the following features?

Tick (✓) column A for Technology, B for Food services, and C for Education. You may tick more than one column at a time.

b. Complete each gap in the sentence below with no more than THREE words taken from the passage.

1. Software engineers and Internet security experts will be popular and better paid in the near future.

2. In the technology sector, people with good skills can still get a job though they may not have a degree.

3. In food services, bartenders, chefs and cooking workers will be in high demand.

4. Chefs could earn more money if they have formal training in cooking and hygiene.

5. Teachers are in high demand due to population growth.

6. Examples of jobs in education, excluding teachers, are librarians and museum workers.