Read the following passage and choose among A, B, C or D the correct answer to each of the questions.

In my experience, freshmen today are different from those I knew when I started as a counselor and professor 25 years ago. College has always been demanding both academically and socially. But students now are less mature and often not ready for the responsibility of being in college.

It is really too easy to point the finger at parents who protect their children from life's obstacle. Parents, who handle every difficulty and every other responsibility for their children writing admission essays to picking college courses, certainly may contribute to their children's lack of coping strategies. But we can look even more broadly to the social trends of today.

How many people do you know who are on medication to prevent anxiety or depression? The number of students who arrive at college already medicated for unwanted emotions has increased dramatically in the past 10 years. We, as a society, don't want to "feel" anything unpleasant and we certainly don't want our children to "suffer".

The resulting problem is that by not experiencing negative emotions, one does not learn the necessary skills to tolerate and negotiate adversity. As a psychologist, I am well aware of the fact that some individuals suffer from depression and anxiety and can benefit from treatment, but I question the growing number of medicated adolescents today.

Our world is more stressful in general because of the current economic and political realities, but I don't believe that the college experience itself is more intense today than that of the past 10 years. What I do think is that many students are often not prepared to be young "adults" with all the responsibilities of life.

What does this mean for college faculty and staff? We are required to assist in the basic parenting of these students - the student who complains that the professor didn't remind her of the due date for an assignment that was clearly listed on the syllabus and the student who cheats on an assignment in spite of careful instructions about plagiarism.

As college professors, we have to explain what it means to be an independent college student before we can even begin to teach. As parents and teachers we should expect young people to meet challenges. To encourage them in this direction, we have to step back and let them fail and pick themselves up and move forward. This approach needs to begin at an early age so that college can actually be a passage to independent adulthood.

 

Learning for life

(Học cả đời)

1. Listen and read.

(Nghe và đọc.)

Mark: Hello, Grandma!

Grandma: Oh hi, Mark. I'm glad you're here! Can you help me increase the font size of  this text on my laptop? It's too small for me to read.

Mark: Let me show you ... You need to press these two keys together ... See? It's easy, isn't it?

Grandma: It works! Everything's so easy to read now. Thanks, dear. I still have trouble using the laptop. You know, it's taken me so much time to learn computer skills.

Mark: That's fine, Grandma. My teacher says it's never too late to learn something new, especially new technology, because it's rapidly developing. Grandma, you've typed a lot of text! What are you working on?

Grandma: Well, I'm writing a summary of a book I've read recently. You see, my doctor advised me to read every day to boost my memory. And I want to brush up on my French before I visit my friend in Paris.

Mark: You're amazing, Grandma! Learning languages can improve your thinking skills. Our language teacher has also asked us to try to maintain our language skills after leaving school. Do you know that you can use the Internet to learn a language or watch the news?

Grandma: Really? This could help me stay informed about current events. Can you show me some news sites after I finish my book summary?

Mark: No problem, Grandma. But why do you have to type it?

Grandma: It's for the reading club I've just joined. The club leader encourages us to prepare our book reports and share them with all members in advance.

Mark: Are all club members your age?

Grandma: No, there're some young people as well. Are you interested in joining the next meeting?

Mark: Yes, I'd love to.

Grandma: OK, I'll put your name on the list of attendees then.

2. Read the conversation again. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).

(Đọc lại đoạn hội thoại. Quyết định xem những câu sau đây là đúng (T) hay sai (F).)

3. Find words and phrase in 1 with the following meanings.

(Tìm từ, cụm từ trong phần 1 có nghĩa như sau.)

4. Match the beginnings with the endings to make complete sentences.

(Nối phần đầu với phần cuối để tạo thành câu hoàn chỉnh.)

2. Read a letter written by a head teacher to her students on the school website. Circle the phrases with the closest meaning to the highlighted words.

(Đọc thư của hiệu trưởng gửi học sinh trên website của trường. Khoanh tròn các cụm từ có nghĩa gần nhất với những từ được đánh dấu.)

Dear students,

In a few weeks' time, you'll complete your secondary education. Some of you may have already made plans for continuing your studies at university or vocational school, while others may wish to start working right away. Whatever choice you make, remember to keep on learning new knowledge and skills.

'Haven't we learnt enough in secondary school?', many may wonder. In fact, learning does not stop after graduation. It is a lifelong process. It involves creating and maintaining a positive attitude to learning for both professional and personal development. Lifelong learning is especially relevant in today's changing world. It allows you to adapt to changes in the modern workplace and widens your employment opportunities. It helps you make better, informed decisions and become a more well-rounded individual. In addition, it keeps your brain healthy and boosts your memory. Lifelong learning also helps you stay connected with modern ideas and meet new people as you participate in various forms of adult education.

'Does that mean I have to go to classes again?". The answer is 'yes' and 'no'. Yes, because when you start working, you may decide to go to night school or enrol on a distance learning course to learn a skill or get a degree. The answer is also No, because lifelong learning happens all the time. As long as you are motivated, you can learn new knowledge and develop new skills anywhere. Uncle Ho is a great role model for lifelong learning. He never stopped learning throughout his life despite all the hardships and challenges. He learnt to speak different languages, including English, French, Russian, Italian, German, and Chinese mainly by himself. He even wrote poems in Chinese when he was imprisoned in China to keep his mind sharp. He took regular physical exercise, did traditional martial arts, and enjoyed activities such as swimming and mountain climbing throughout his life. We can all learn from Uncle Ho's lifelong efforts to improve himself.

Remember that learning is a lifelong journey. Enjoy every moment of it.

Mrs Le Minh Ngoc

Head teacher

1. wonder

A. to think about something and try to guess what is true or will happen

B. to walk slowly around an area without a clear purpose

2. relevant

A. relatively close

B. valuable and useful

3. widens

A. makes something larger in degree or range

B. makes something smaller in degree or range

4. hardships

A. large boats that are hard to operate

B. conditions of life that cause difficulty and suffering

5. imprisoned

A. released from a prison

B. put in a prison

3. Read the letter again. Choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D.

(Đọc lại lá thư. Chọn câu trả lời đúng A, B, C hoặc D.)

1. What is the main message of the letter?

A. Continue your studies at university or night school after leaving school.

B. Continue learning after leaving school to improve yourself and career.

C. Don't be afraid of the challenges of lifelong learning.

D. It's important to get a degree for your professional development.

2. Which of the following options is NOT mentioned as a choice for school-leavers?

A. Going to university.

B. Finding a job.

C. Going to a vocational school.

D. Volunteering abroad to learn languages.

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of lifelong learning?

A. You have a better understanding of the world and can make good decisions.

B. It helps you to become successful in the present-day world.

C. It keeps your brain healthy and improves your memory.

D. It helps you stay connected with people and current ideas.

4. Why do some people choose distance learning according to the letter?

A. They may want to earn a degree, but still have a full-time job.

B. It is easier to enrol on a distance learning course.

C. There are many online courses to choose from.

D. It is the easiest way to stay connected with your friends from school.

5. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an example of Uncle Ho's lifelong learning?

A. He regularly exercised, did traditional martial arts, and enjoyed outdoor activities.

B. He learnt to use different languages through self-study.

C. He regularly attended evening classes and joined a learning community.

D. He wrote poems in prison to keep his mind sharp.

1. Read the text and complete the diagram with information from the text.

(Đọc văn bản và hoàn thành sơ đồ với thông tin từ văn bản.)

One of the oldest university graduates

Bertie Gladwin became one of Britain's oldest graduates after receiving his Master's degree in intelligence history from the University of Buckingham at 91. He started his degree at the age of 89 together with his wife, who was then aged 77. 'I feel very satisfied to think that I've done an MA at my age,' he said at the time. 'When you're 90, you sit around and not a lot happens, so it's important to carry on learning and to broaden your horizons.'

Gladwin left school at the age of 14 and never finished his secondary education or went to university. But he still found a satisfying job. When Gladwin retired, he became less active and thought getting back into learning would delay the negative symptoms of old age. He wanted to keep his brain active and learn more about something that had always interested him. Then at the age of 60, he earned a BA in Psychology. By the time he was 70, he had also completed a BSc in Molecular Biology. 'They're fascinating subjects,' he said. "I did them just because I was interested in them and wanted to know more about them.'

a. Read the article about lifelong learning and choose the best title for the article.

(Đọc bài viết về học tập suốt đời và chọn tiêu đề phù hợp nhất cho bài viết.)

1. What's lifelong learning, and how do you benefit from it?

(Học tập suốt đời là gì và bạn được lợi ích gì từ việc học tập đó?)

2. What's lifelong learning, and how to encourage it?

(Học tập suốt đời là gì và làm thế nào để khuyến khích nó?)

"Lifelong learning" means continuing to acquire new knowledge and skills throughout your life. It is voluntary, but often requires lots of self-discipline and motivation to continue. It can occur in many ways, for example, by joining a local course, taking virtual lessons online, or reading books. These days, it has become easier than ever to learn new skills and improve your professional, personal, and social life thanks to new technology.

First of all, lifelong learning can offer benefits for your professional development. For example, if you are working for a company that does business internationally, learning a new language might help you get a better salary, or open up opportunities to work in a different country. Learning new things, especially high-tech skills like computer programming or data analysis, will also help you be more competitive in the job market because having a wide range of abilities will make you more attractive to employers.

Another benefit is personal development, like taking a yoga class or learning how to cook a new dish you like. Lifelong learning can help you find new passions and hobbies. For example, you could take a course in digital design in your free time and then discover that you really love making fun and beautiful images!

Lifelong learning also helps your social life. If you join a class, you will likely meet people who share the same interests. As you learn and gain skills, and make new friends, you will likely become more confident in yourself, which can lead to greater satisfaction and happiness.

Over all, lifelong learning is an important part of personal and professional development. It is an enjoyable process that can bring many opportunities to help you improve your work life, meet new friends, and achieve personal satisfaction.

Tạm dịch

“Học tập suốt đời” có nghĩa là tiếp tục thu thập kiến thức và kỹ năng mới trong suốt cuộc đời. Đó là tự nguyện, nhưng thường đòi hỏi rất nhiều kỷ luật tự giác và động lực để tiếp tục. Nó có thể xảy ra theo nhiều cách, chẳng hạn như tham gia một khóa học địa phương, tham gia các bài học ảo trực tuyến hoặc đọc sách. Ngày nay, việc học các kỹ năng mới và cải thiện đời sống nghề nghiệp, cá nhân và xã hội của bạn trở nên dễ dàng hơn bao giờ hết nhờ công nghệ mới.

Trước hết, học tập suốt đời có thể mang lại lợi ích cho sự phát triển nghề nghiệp của bạn. Ví dụ: nếu bạn đang làm việc cho một công ty kinh doanh quốc tế, việc học một ngôn ngữ mới có thể giúp bạn có được mức lương cao hơn hoặc mở ra cơ hội làm việc ở một quốc gia khác. Học những điều mới, đặc biệt là các kỹ năng công nghệ cao như lập trình máy tính hoặc phân tích dữ liệu, cũng sẽ giúp bạn cạnh tranh hơn trên thị trường việc làm vì có nhiều khả năng sẽ khiến bạn trở nên hấp dẫn hơn trong mắt nhà tuyển dụng.

Một lợi ích khác là sự phát triển cá nhân, như tham gia lớp yoga hoặc học cách nấu một món ăn mới mà bạn thích. Học tập suốt đời có thể giúp bạn tìm thấy niềm đam mê và sở thích mới. Ví dụ: bạn có thể tham gia một khóa học về thiết kế kỹ thuật số trong thời gian rảnh và sau đó phát hiện ra rằng bạn thực sự thích tạo ra những hình ảnh đẹp và vui nhộn!

Học tập suốt đời cũng giúp ích cho đời sống xã hội của bạn. Nếu bạn tham gia một lớp học, bạn có thể sẽ gặp những người có cùng sở thích. Khi bạn học hỏi và đạt được các kỹ năng cũng như kết bạn mới, bạn có thể sẽ trở nên tự tin hơn vào bản thân, điều này có thể dẫn đến sự hài lòng và hạnh phúc hơn.

Trên hết, học tập suốt đời là một phần quan trọng của sự phát triển cá nhân và nghề nghiệp. Đó là một quá trình thú vị có thể mang lại nhiều cơ hội giúp bạn cải thiện cuộc sống công việc, gặp gỡ bạn bè mới và đạt được sự hài lòng cá nhân.

b. Now, read and choose the correct answers.

(Bây giờ hãy đọc và chọn câu trả lời đúng.)

1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a characteristic of lifelong learning?

(Điều nào sau đây KHÔNG được đề cập như một đặc điểm của học tập suốt đời?)

A. It's the same as formal education.

(Nó cũng giống như giáo dục chính quy.)

B. It's voluntary.

(Đó là tự nguyện.)

C. It requires learners to be motivated.

(Nó đòi hỏi người học phải có động cơ.)

2. What is different about learning new skills today?

(Việc học các kỹ năng mới ngày nay có gì khác biệt?)

A. It's mostly online.

(Nó chủ yếu là trực tuyến.)

B. Learners prefer to have virtual classes.

(Người học thích có các lớp học ảo hơn.)

C. Technology makes it easier.

(Công nghệ khiến mọi việc trở nên dễ dàng hơn.)

3. The word competitive in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to __________.

(Từ competitive ở đoạn 2 gần nghĩa nhất với)

A. aggressive

(hung hăng)

B. cheap

(rẻ)

C. valuable

(có giá trị)

4. How can lifelong learning help your social life?

(Học tập suốt đời có thể giúp ích gì cho đời sống xã hội của bạn?)

A. You learn to be a better friend.

(Bạn học cách trở thành một người bạn tốt hơn.)

B. You can meet people with similar interests.

(Bạn có thể gặp những người có cùng sở thích.)

C. You can become more interesting.

(Bạn có thể trở nên thú vị hơn.)

5. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

(Điều nào sau đây có thể được suy ra từ đoạn văn?)

A. Online learning is better.

(Học trực tuyến tốt hơn.)

B. Learning helps your career and happiness.

(Học tập giúp ích cho sự nghiệp và hạnh phúc của bạn.)

C. Learning is very difficult.

(Việc học rất khó khăn.)

c. Listen and read.

(Nghe và đọc.)

a. Read the blog post about lifelong learning. Which of the following is the best title for it?

(Đọc bài đăng trên blog về học tập suốt đời. Cái nào sau đây là tiêu đề tốt nhất cho nó?)

1. Lifelong Learning: Challenges and How to Overcome

(Học tập suốt đời: Những thách thức và cách vượt qua)

2. Lifelong Learning: Challenges and Opportunities

(Học tập suốt đời: Thách thức và Cơ hội)

Do you find learning after graduation difficult? If the answer is yes, you're not alone. Below are some of the most common difficulties people might have when trying to pursue lifelong learning.

Lifelong learning can be time-consuming. Besides the time for classes, you'll have to complete assignments and take tests. Also, you may lose out on time for family and friends. While it isn't easy to deal with this problem, one possible solution is to find online classes that allow you to learn at your own pace.

Another challenge is the cost of learning. Taking courses and buying materials can be pretty expensive. However, there are great free online resources that you can use as a start. You can also consider asking for financial help from your employer if you're looking to take more expensive courses for your job.

You might also lose your motivation. Learning can sometimes be difficult or boring. However, if you choose courses that you're truly interested in or that can lead to a job promotion, you may find it easier to pursue learning. You could also find support from a study partner. Having someone to share your progress with can make learning more fun.

In addition, you might not have access to learning resources. Thankfully, there are websites that have courses in lots of different topics. If you still can't find what you want, many experts now offer their own online courses. You can find out about these by following people on social media.

To sum up, lifelong learning may be challenging, but there are ways to make it easier. Choose a suitable course and use any support you can find. And remember, it's never too late to learn and grow.

Tạm dịch

Bạn thấy việc học sau khi tốt nghiệp có khó khăn không? Nếu câu trả lời là có, bạn không đơn độc. Dưới đây là một số khó khăn phổ biến nhất mà mọi người có thể gặp phải khi cố gắng theo đuổi việc học tập suốt đời.

Học tập suốt đời có thể tốn thời gian. Ngoài thời gian học trên lớp, bạn sẽ phải hoàn thành bài tập và làm bài kiểm tra. Ngoài ra, bạn có thể mất thời gian dành cho gia đình và bạn bè. Mặc dù không dễ để giải quyết vấn đề này nhưng một giải pháp khả thi là tìm các lớp học trực tuyến cho phép bạn học theo tốc độ của riêng mình.

Một thách thức khác là chi phí học tập. Tham gia các khóa học và mua tài liệu có thể khá tốn kém. Tuy nhiên, có những tài nguyên trực tuyến miễn phí tuyệt vời mà bạn có thể sử dụng khi bắt đầu. Bạn cũng có thể cân nhắc việc yêu cầu trợ giúp tài chính từ người sử dụng lao động nếu bạn đang muốn tham gia các khóa học đắt tiền hơn cho công việc của mình.

Bạn cũng có thể mất động lực. Việc học đôi khi có thể khó khăn hoặc nhàm chán. Tuy nhiên, nếu bạn chọn những khóa học mà bạn thực sự quan tâm hoặc có thể giúp bạn thăng tiến trong công việc, bạn có thể thấy việc theo đuổi việc học sẽ dễ dàng hơn. Bạn cũng có thể tìm được sự hỗ trợ từ một đối tác nghiên cứu. Có ai đó để chia sẻ sự tiến bộ của bạn có thể khiến việc học trở nên thú vị hơn.

Ngoài ra, bạn có thể không có quyền truy cập vào tài nguyên học tập. Rất may, có những trang web có các khóa học về nhiều chủ đề khác nhau. Nếu bạn vẫn không thể tìm thấy những gì mình muốn, nhiều chuyên gia hiện cung cấp các khóa học trực tuyến của riêng họ. Bạn có thể tìm hiểu về những điều này bằng cách theo dõi mọi người trên mạng xã hội.

Tóm lại, việc học tập suốt đời có thể là một thách thức nhưng có nhiều cách để khiến việc học tập này trở nên dễ dàng hơn. Chọn một khóa học phù hợp và sử dụng bất kỳ sự hỗ trợ nào bạn có thể tìm thấy. Và hãy nhớ rằng, không bao giờ là quá muộn để học hỏi và phát triển.

b. Match the bold words in the text with their definitions.

(Nối những từ in đậm trong văn bản với định nghĩa của chúng.)

1. ______________: taking or needing a lot of time

(tốn hoặc cần nhiều thời gian)

2. ______________: connected with money

(gắn liền với tiền bạc)

3. ______________: a move to a more important job in a company or an organization

(chuyển sang một công việc quan trọng hơn trong một công ty hoặc một tổ chức)

4. ______________: the speed at which somebody does something

(tốc độ ai đó làm điều gì đó)

5. ______________: do something or try to achieve something over a period of time

(làm điều gì đó hoặc cố gắng đạt được điều gì đó trong một khoảng thời gian)

c. Now, read and answer the questions.

(Bây giờ hãy đọc và trả lời các câu hỏi.)

1. How might people balance learning and their social life?

(Làm thế nào mọi người có thể cân bằng giữa việc học và đời sống xã hội của mình?)

2. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 3?

(Điều nào sau đây có thể được suy ra từ đoạn 3?)

A. Some companies give their staff money to learn.

(Một số công ty cho nhân viên tiền để học hỏi.)

B. Schools often have financial help.

(Trường học thường có sự trợ giúp tài chính.)

C. Job-related courses are expensive.

(Các khóa học liên quan đến công việc rất tốn kém.)

3. Who can provide motivation for lifelong learners?

(Ai có thể tạo động lực cho người học suốt đời?)

4. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

(Theo đoạn văn, điều nào sau đây KHÔNG đúng?)

A. Learning might help you get a promotion.

(Việc học có thể giúp bạn được thăng chức.)

B. All online classes have free materials.

(Tất cả các lớp học trực tuyến đều có tài liệu miễn phí.)

C. A friend can keep you motivated.

(Một người bạn có thể giúp bạn có thêm động lực.)

5. The word these in paragraph 5 refers to ____________.

(Từ these trong đoạn 5 đề cập đến)

A. experts

(chuyên gia)

B. online courses

(các khóa học trực tuyến)

C. websites

(trang web)

d. Listen and read.

(Nghe và đọc.)

Read the text about study tips. Choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).

(Đọc văn bản về lời khuyên học tập. Chọn câu trả lời đúng (A, B, C hoặc D).

Improve Your Study Skills

Studying can be a stressful task, especially if you have an important test coming up. However, there are many effective study tips that can help you (1) __________ information more easily.

1. Create a study schedule: It can be helpful to create a schedule that includes what you need to study and when. This will help you stay organized and stop you from feeling (2) ___________.

2. Use active studying techniques: Don't just read through your materials. Use active techniques like note-taking, summarizing, and testing yourself. A good way to help you retain information better is to create both visual and audio (3) ________yourself.

3. Find a study group or partner: Studying with others can help you stay (4) _______ because they can cheer

you up when you want to give up. You can also help each other when one of you doesn't understand something.

4. Take breaks: Don't study for hours without taking a break because it'll only make it harder to learn new things. Take a few minutes to rest your mind every thirty minutes.

5. Get enough sleep: Your brain needs rest to effectively retain information. Make sure you get enough sleep to help your brain (5) ____________ the materials you've studied.

These tips are effective and easy to do. By following these study tips, you can improve your learning.

1. A. retain (ghi nhớ)

B. require (yêu cầu)

C. help out (giúp đỡ)

D. stock (cổ phếu)

2. A. competitive (cạnh tranh)

B. discouraged (chán nản)

C. visual (trực quan)

D. audio (âm thanh)

3. A. books (sách)

B. videos

C. certificates (giấy chứng nhận)

D. aids (thiết bị)

4. A. safe (an toàn)

B. updated (đã cập nhật)

C. motivated (có động lực)

D. open (mở)

5. A. process (xử lý)

B. think (nghĩ)

C. develop (phát triển)

D. put (đặt)

1. Read the title and look at the picture. What do you think the text is about? Listen/Watch and read to check.

(Đọc tiêu đề bài khóa và nhìn vào bức tranh. Bạn nghĩ bài đọc nói về điều gì? Nghe/Xem và đọc để kiểm tra.)

2. Read the text. Complete the sentences with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

(Đọc bài khóa. Hoàn thành các câu sau với KHÔNG QUÁ BA TỪ cho mỗi câu trả lời.)

THE POWER OF LIFELONG LEARNING

Lifelong learning is the ongoing process of acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout a person's life. Lifelong learners carry on their learning and personal development long after they have completed their formal education. In today's world, lifelong learning is more important than ever.

The importance of lifelong learning in the modern world is enormous. Today's job market is dynamic and fast-paced, so skills become outdated quickly. To compete for the best career opportunities, individuals must continuously develop themselves. It is considered that lifelong learning enhances the development of important skills and can help individuals to improve hard skills like language and soft skills, such as empathy. This makes them significantly adaptable to the needs of modem workplaces.

In addition, lifelong learning has significant benefits outside of the workplace. It can enable individuals to achieve personal fulfilment and satisfaction by allowing them to pursue their passions. It can also improve brain function and broaden their horizons by making them more open-minded. By continually learning and growing, they can develop their critical thinking skills and gain new insights into the world.

Thanks to the Internet and digital media, engaging in lifelong learning has never been easier with online courses, webinars, and workshops available on all kinds of topics. Many of the world's best educational institutions, such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, also offer a variety of online courses, providing access to high-quality education to people around the world. Online resources allow learners to acquire knowledge at their own pace, at a time and at a place that suits them.

In an ever-changing modern world, continuous personal development has become a crucial part of life. For lifelong learners, learning is not only a process but also a lifestyle choice. By committing to this approach, we can stay relevant in the workforce, follow our passions, and improve the overall quality of our lives.

1. Lifelong learners continue learning after their _____ has ended.

2. Continuous development is essential for people who want the _____.

3. When people _____ , they feel happier and more content with their life choices.

4 Thanks to distance learning, more learners can study at high-quality _____. 

5. People can create better lives by _____ lifelong learning.

3. Read the text again and correct the sentences.

(Đọc bài khóa một lần nữa và sửa lại các câu sau cho đúng.)

1. Skills always remain relevant in the modern job market.

2. Lifelong learning can make us unwilling to accept new ideas.

3. Due to digital media, lifelong learning is more complicated for people.

4. Online resources give learners a way to keep up with their classmates.

5. Continuous personal development is as important as it has always been. 

1. Read the essay. What is it about?

(Đọc bài luận. Nó nói về điều gì?)

Should students do internships?

A. Aren't internships worth the effort? This is a common question among students who want to take the first step on their preferred career path. In my opinion, students should do internships because of sufficient advantages that they offer.

B. To begin with, internships help individuals to gain valuable practical experience and develop skills like problem-solving, teamwork, time management and organisational skills. In this way, they can give students a competitive advantage in the real world of experiences and provide important insights into what modem workplaces will be required of them.

C. Additionally, internships offer excellent networking opportunities. This means interns can start to develop a reputation and make industry contacts that could later lead to lucrative job offers. For example, when companies hire students as interns, they give them the chance to build relationships with people in different positions at the workplace. This will later increase their chances of landing positions with several different companies.

D. In conclusion, I believe doing internships is a great way for students to gain practical experience and the chance to make valuable connections. In the end, careers are not all about money. They are also about fulfilment, self-development and lifelong learning, and internships have something to offer in all of these aspects.

2. Read the essay again. Which paragraph in the essay in Exercise 1 ...

(Đọc bài luận một lần nữa. Đoạn nào trong bài luận của bài tập 1…)

• contains the writer's first reason with justifications/examples?

• states the topic and writer's opinion?

• contains the writer's second reason with justifications/examples?

• restates the topic and writer's opinion? 

1. Read the title and look at the picture. What information do you think the text will include? Listen/Watch and read to check.

(Đọc tiêu đề và nhìn vào bức trông. Thông tin nào mà bạn nghĩ sẽ xuất hiện trong bài đọc. Nghe/Xem và đọc để kiểm tra.)

2. Read the text. Complete the table for questions (1-6). Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

STUDENT FOR LIFE

Helen Keller and Albert Einstein are two of history's most extraordinary individuals. Both overcame obstacles to achieve greatness and made significant contributions to society. What's more, both were lifelong learners.

At the age of 19 months, Helen Keller lost her vision and hearing due to an illness, which made her learning extremely difficult. Luckily, at seven years old, she was introduced to Anne Sullivan, who became her lifelong teacher. With Sullivan's assistance, Keller learned to read and write using Braille. In 1904, she graduated from Radcliffe College with a BA in philosophy, with which she became the first blind and deaf person ever to obtain a college degree.

Unlike Helen Keller, Albert Einstein seriously struggled with his academic performance in his early life. After years of difficulty at school, however, he finally found his passion in science and mathematics. At 26 years old, he received a doctorate in physics from the University of Zurich. Then, Einstein started doing some of the most groundbreaking work in the history of the field, including his theory of relativity, which changed the field of physics forever and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.

Despite their incredible achievements, both Helen Keller and Albert Einstein remained lifelong learners. Keller continued reading and writing all her life and she published 12 fantastic books, including her inspirational autobiography, The Story of My Life. As for Einstein, after receiving his Nobel Prize, he continued researching new ideas and stayed active in the scientific community until he passed away in 1955.

The lives of Keller and Einstein are proof of the importance and value of lifelong learning. Through their hard work and dedication, they showed that anyone can achieve greatness if they have a strong desire to learn.

3. Read the text again and answer the questions.

(Đọc bài khóa một lần nữa và trả lời câu hỏi.)

1. Why did Helen Keller have difficulty learning at first?

(Tại sao thời gian đầu Helen Keller gặp khó khăn trong việc học?)

2. Why is Einstein an important figure in science?

(Tại sao Einstein là nhân vật quan trọng trong khoa học?)

3. How are Helen Keller and Albert Einstein similar?

(Helen Keller và Albert Einstein giống nhau như thế nào?)

6. Read the text and complete the sentence (1-5). Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

(Đọc bài khóa và hoàn thành các câu (1-5). Viết KHÔNG QUÁ BA TỪ cho mỗi câu trả lời.)

Beginning a Lifelong Learning Journey

(Bắt đầu một hành trình học tập suốt đời)

Lifelong learning is the continuous pursuit of knowledge and skills throughout a person's life. In today's world, where technology is evolving rapidly, lifelong learning is essential for both personal growth and career development. But just how does one go about becoming a lifelong learner?

The first step in becoming a lifelong learner is to develop a growth mindset. This means believing that your abilities can be developed through hard work, dedication and commitment. Embrace challenges, view mistakes as opportunities to learn, and be open to new ideas and perspectives. Adopting a growth mindset will help you approach learning with a positive attitude and a desire to improve.

Setting achievable goals is also an important part of lifelong learning. Goals give direction and motivation to your learning journey. First. identify areas of interest and choose specific skills or knowledge that you want to develop. Second, break your goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks and track your progress. Finally, celebrate your accomplishments along the way to stay motivated.

People learn in different ways, so it's also essential that you find the methods that work best for you. You can do this by trying out a variety of different learning methods, such as reading, watching videos, attending lectures and engaging in hands-on practice. At the same time, you should also experiment with different learning tools and techniques until you find what works best for you.

Becoming a lifelong learner is a continuous process that requires dedication and effort. Developing a growth mindset, setting achievable goals, and using a variety of learning methods are essential steps to becoming a successful lifelong learner. By embracing learning as a lifelong journey, you will continue to grow, develop new skills, and stay relevant in today's ever-changing world.

1. Lifelong learning is key to achieving _____ and developing a career.

2. Having a growth mindset is about working hard and having _____.

3. By turning a large goal into a series of _____, it is easier to keep track of progress.

4. It's advisable to _____ various tools and techniques to discover what produces the best learning results.

5. Lifelong learners have the skills and knowledge to _____ in a world that is always changing.

2. Read the text on page 21 and answer the questions.

(Đọc đoạn văn trang 21 và trả lời các câu hỏi.)

THE HUMAN BRAIN QUIZ (TRÒ CHƠI NÃO CON NGƯỜI)

True or False? (Đúng hay sai?)

1. A larger brain is smarter than a smaller brain.

(Bộ não lớn hơn sẽ thông minh hơn bộ não nhỏ hơn.)

2. On average a person has 70,000 thoughts each day.

(Trung bình một người có 70.000 suy nghĩ mỗi ngày.)

3. The brain's storage capacity is practically unlimited.

(Khả năng lưu trữ của não thực tế là không giới hạn.)

4. The brain produces enough electricity to power a small light bulb.

(Bộ não tạo ra đủ điện để thắp sáng một bóng đèn nhỏ.)

5. Most people only use 10 percent of their brain.

(Hầu hết mọi người chỉ sử dụng 10% bộ não của mình.)

HIDDEN TALENTS

Despite some recent advances, there is still a great deal about the human brain that remains a mystery. We know it is made up of about 100 billion nerve cells, called neurons, connected like wires in a giant telephone exchange. We know messages pass down them like electrical signals and jump from one neuron to the next when chemicals known as neurotransmitters are released. (1) ______________ But what we don't fully understand are things like consciousness, intelligence and creativity.

Much of our knowledge comes from studying brain functions when things go wrong. There are some fascinating cases of where a bang on the head has brought about changes in personality or caused a person to become talented in a way they weren't at all before the injury.

A famous case was Jason Padgett, a furniture salesman from Washington, who was mugged by two men after leaving a karaoke bar. He survived the attack, but was left unconscious. (2) _________ Padgett began to see patterns in everything he looked at, and to draw complex geometric figures. He seemed to understand the mathematical nature of the universe despite the fact that he had little formal academic training. The man who had barely scraped through his school exams ended up pursuing a career in mathematics as a number theorist.

Another example of this syndrome is twenty-four-year-old Ben McMahon from Australia, who fell into a coma after a car crash. A week later, he woke up speaking Mandarin Chinese. He had studied Chinese at school, but had never been fluent until the accident. McMahon works now as a Chinese-speaking tour guide in Australia.

Orlando Serrell suffered a head injury when he was knocked out in a baseball game at the age of ten. When he regained consciousness, he felt OK and finished the game. (3) _____ He has never made a mistake. For instance, ask him about 11 February 1983 and he says 'Friday. It was raining that day. I had a pizza - pepperoni sausage.'

There is no single theory to explain each case, but many researchers believe that acquired savant syndrome happens when the right side of the brain compensates for an injury to the left side. The condition is rare fewer than one hundred cases have been identified. (4) ________ The challenge is how to access that hidden knowledge and skill without experiencing a bang on the head.

1. What hidden talents did the three people discover?

(Ba người đã khám phá ra những tài năng tiềm ẩn nào?)

2. What caused them to discover their hidden talents?

(Điều gì đã khiến họ khám phá ra tài năng tiềm ẩn của mình?)

3. How do some experts explain the phenomenon?

(Một số chuyên gia giải thích hiện tượng này như thế nào?)

3. Read the text again. Complete gaps 1-4 with sentences A-E. There is one extra sentence.

(Đọc lại văn bản. Hoàn thành các khoảng trống từ 1-4 bằng các câu A-E. Còn có thêm một câu.)

A. After a year, he realised he had acquired extraordinary memory skills and could recall the day of the week of any given date.

(Sau một năm, anh nhận ra mình đã có được kỹ năng ghi nhớ phi thường và có thể nhớ lại ngày trong tuần của bất kỳ ngày nào.)

B. Some of us are athletic, some of us mathematical, some of us artistic, and others musical; some of us are just good, while some are exceptional.

(Một số người trong chúng ta giỏi về thể thao, một số người trong chúng ta giỏi toán học, một số người trong chúng ta có năng khiếu nghệ thuật, và những người khác lại giỏi về âm nhạc; một số người trong chúng ta chỉ giỏi, trong khi một số thì đặc biệt.)

C. We even know where many of the different brain functions, such as memory, sight and smell, are located.

(Chúng ta thậm chí còn biết nhiều chức năng khác nhau của não như trí nhớ, thị giác và khứu giác nằm ở đâu.)

D. However, their existence has led some researchers to argue that there is an undiscovered genius within all of us.

(Tuy nhiên, sự tồn tại của họ đã khiến một số nhà nghiên cứu lập luận rằng bên trong mỗi chúng ta đều có một thiên tài chưa được khám phá.)

E. Soon afterwards, he noticed that his vision had changed. He also realised that he had developed remarkable mathematical abilities.

(Ngay sau đó, anh nhận thấy tầm nhìn của mình đã thay đổi. Anh cũng nhận ra rằng mình đã phát triển được khả năng toán học vượt trội.)

1. Read Texts 1 and 2 and answer the questions.

(Đọc Văn bản 1 và 2 và trả lời các câu hỏi.)

1. What is happening at Stoneberry School?

(Chuyện gì đang xảy ra ở Trường Stoneberry?)

2. What is the purpose of Text 1 and Text 2?

(Mục đích của Văn bản 1 và Văn bản 2 là gì?)

3. Which text is formal / informal? Why?

(Văn bản nào là trang trọng/không trang trọng? Tại sao?)

Text 1

To: Jill Duncan (Head of English)

From: Angle Dalton (School Exchange Organiser)

I've been thinking about having a welcome party for the Vietnamese exchange students. They can come to a get- together in the main hall. Make sure all your staff come along and also could you say a few words? - you know, say hello and tell the visitors a bit about the school and the town. We'll follow this with a bit of food (menu TBC). They can come in through the main entrance and we can get our students to say hello and then they can show the exchange students around the school BTW, I've already posted a map and directions on the website. Thanks, Jill

Angie

Text 2

Stoneberry School

You are invited to attend a reception in honour of the exchange group from Việt Nam.

The reception will be held in the school assembly hall from 5.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

All English teaching staff will be present and in addition, the Head of English will give a welcome speech.

This will be followed by light refreshments. A map and directions have been posted on the website.

Please enter through the front entrance where student representatives will greet you.

Visitors will be given a guided tour of the school.

2. Read about the revision experiences of two students. Answer the questions.

(Đọc về trải nghiệm ôn tập của hai học sinh. Trả lời các câu hỏi.)

1. What is Minh so stressed about?

(Minh căng thẳng vì điều gì?)

2. How does Minh feel about his exams?

(Minh cảm thấy thế nào về kỳ thi của mình?)

3. What technique does Minh find useful in preparing for exams?

(Minh thấy kỹ thuật nào hữu ích trong việc chuẩn bị cho kỳ thi?)

4. Why high school exams are more challenging compared with primary school ones?

(Tại sao thi cấp 3 lại khó hơn thi cấp 1?)

5. What does Tùng do in the third stage in his revision process?

(Tùng làm gì ở giai đoạn thứ ba trong quá trình ôn tập của mình?)

Exams, exams

If you are revising for upcoming exams, You may well be surrounded by tons of paper and sticky notes. What techniques do you find work for you?

Minh

I sit at my desk, faced with piles of revision files and frustrated by my unplanned timetable. A few moments ago, I was swimming in English grammar exercises. Later today, I will revise geography, maths and chemistry. It's not necessarily the content that I find difficult but the range of knowledge that I have to memorise that makes me stressed. At times, it seems we are being tested on nothing but facts. My friends and I have found Google Docs useful for exchanging notes.

Tùng

Revising for the final graduation exam starts early. There's a lot of content to learn. I do my revision in four stages. Firstly, I take notes from the textbook on huge A3 sheets by visualising them, then I condense them on to mini-flashcards, then I type them all up. In stage four, which will commence a week before the exams, I work on exam papers of previous years.

3. Read the text again. Whose experience do you most relate to? Why?

(Đọc lại văn bản. Bạn liên tưởng đến trải nghiệm của ai nhất? Tại sao?)

4. Read the phrases and examples. Then match them with their correct meanings.

(Đọc các cụm từ và ví dụ. Sau đó nối chúng với ý nghĩa đúng của chúng.)

Phrases (Cụm từ)

1 Get a grip (Hãy nắm bắt)

Don't behave like a child. You need to get a grip on yourself.

(Đừng cư xử như một đứa trẻ. Bạn cần phải nắm bắt được chính mình.)

2 Keep things in perspective (Giữ mọi thứ trong quan điểm)

If you failed an exam, that wouldn't be a big deal. You must keep things in perspective.

(Nếu bạn trượt một kỳ thi, đó sẽ không phải là vấn đề lớn. Bạn phải giữ mọi thứ trong quan điểm.)

3 Sail through exam (Vượt qua kỳ thi)

Linh sailed through her final exams and got 10 in all of them.

(Linh đã vượt qua kỳ thi cuối kỳ và đạt điểm 10 tất cả.)

4 Go blank (Để trống)

My mind went blank when I read the exam question.

(Đầu óc tôi trống rỗng khi đọc đề thi.)

5 A bundle of nerves (Một bó dây thần kinh)

Mary is a bundle of nerves before exams. She's very worried.

(Mary đang hồi hộp trước kỳ thi. Cô ấy đang rất lo lắng.)

6 Cram for exam (Luyện thi)

We are cramming for our history exam.

(Chúng tôi đang nhồi nhét cho bài kiểm tra lịch sử của chúng tôi.)

Meanings (Ý nghĩa)

a think about a situation or problem in a wise and reasonable way

b study for a test shortly before it is scheduled to take place

(nghiên cứu để kiểm tra ngay trước khi nó được lên kế hoạch. diễn ra)

c someone who is extremely nervous and worried

(một người cực kỳ căng thẳng và lo lắng)

d be unable to recall or think of something

(không thể nhớ lại hoặc nghĩ về điều gì đó)

e make an effort to control your emotions and behave more calmly

(cố gắng kiểm soát cảm xúc của mình và cư xử bình tĩnh hơn)

f succeed very easily in something, especially a test

(thành công rất dễ dàng trong việc gì đó, đặc biệt là một bài kiểm tra)