Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-11

Have you ever wondered how we (35) __________ hear the world around us? From the melody of a song to the warning of a car horn, our sense of hearing is constantly working. The process begins with sound waves, which are invisible vibrations that travel through the air. The outer part of the ear, called the pinna, is shaped specifically to collect these waves and guide them into the ear.

Once collected, these waves travel down a narrow (36) __________ called the ear canal. At the end of the canal, they reach the eardrum, a thin piece of skin stretched tight like a drum. When the sound waves hit the eardrum, they cause it to vibrate. These vibrations are then passed to three tiny bones in the middle ear, the smallest bones in the human body. These tiny bones then (37) __________ an important role by amplifying the vibrations.

After that, the amplified vibrations are passed to the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that is filled with fluid. The movement of the bones creates waves in this fluid. The cochlea’s structure is so (38) __________ that it can distinguish between different frequencies, which is how we can tell high-pitched sounds from low-pitched ones.

Inside the cochlea are thousands of microscopic hair cells. As the fluid moves, it bends these tiny hair cells. Some sounds create bigger waves than others, leading to (39) __________ signals being sent to the brain. The hair cells convert the mechanical vibrations of the sound wave into electrical signals. (40) __________ is the crucial step where sound becomes a message the brain can read.

Only after these electrical signals are sent along the auditory nerve to the brain (41) __________ we actually perceive the sound. The brain then interprets these signals, allowing us to recognize them as speech, music, or noise. (42) __________, the process of hearing is a remarkable and complex journey from a simple wave in the air to a meaningful sound in our minds.

Many teenagers in Vietnam have big dreams, such as achieving a high score on the IELTS exam or mastering a difficult subject like Physics. These are admirable goals, but they can often feel so large and distant that we don't know where to begin. This feeling of being overwhelmed can lead to procrastination and, eventually, giving up. However, there is a more effective approach: breaking down huge ambitions into tiny, manageable actions. This is the core idea behind micro-habits, a strategy that focuses on small, consistent efforts to achieve long-term success.

So, what exactly is a micro-habit? It's a version of a new habit that is so small it seems almost ridiculously easy to do. For example, instead of the goal “I will study English for an hour every day,” a micro-habit could be “I will learn three new English vocabulary words every day.” Instead of “I will exercise more,” it could be “I will do five push-ups after I wake up.” The key is not the intensity of the action, but the consistency. By making the task incredibly small, you remove the barriers to starting and make it easier to perform the habit regularly.

The psychology behind this method is powerful. Large, sudden changes often trigger resistance in our brains because they require a significant amount of willpower, which is a limited resource. Micro-habits, on the other hand, require almost no willpower. Because they are so easy to perform, them becomes simple to integrate into your daily routine. This initial success builds momentum. Each time you complete a tiny habit, your brain releases dopamine, creating a positive feedback loop that boosts your confidence and motivation to continue, slowly building up to bigger achievements.

Let’s apply this to the common goal of getting a good IELTS score. The target of 7.0 or higher can feel intimidating. Instead of being paralyzed by this huge number, a student can create a system of micro-habits. For example: listen to a two-minute English news podcast during breakfast, write one complete sentence in English about your day before bed, or review five vocabulary flashcards while waiting for the bus. Each action is small, but when combined and repeated over months, they create a powerful foundation for language mastery.

Ultimately, the journey to achieving your biggest dreams is not made in a single, heroic leap, but through a long series of small, deliberate steps. The power of micro-habits lies in their simplicity and sustainability. They teach us that progress, not perfection, is the key. So, instead of worrying about the enormous mountain ahead, focus on taking the first small step today. What tiny action can you take right now to move closer to your goal?