Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-158

The life cycle of a salmon is one of nature's most remarkable stories. (35) __________ salmon begins its life as a tiny egg in the cool, clear freshwater of a riverbed. After a few months, the young fish, known as fry, (36) __________ from their eggs. These small fry are very vulnerable and must hide from predators among the rocks and plants of the river.

As the fry grow, they begin their journey downstream towards the ocean. They are still small and weak, and the journey is filled with dangers. (37) __________, they must be constantly alert. After weeks or months of travel, they finally (38) __________ for the vast, open ocean. This transition from freshwater to saltwater is a major change for their bodies, but they are built to adapt.

Salmon spend several years (39) __________ in the saltwater environment, growing much larger and stronger. They feed on smaller fish and crustaceans, preparing for their final journey. For a long time, scientists wondered what (40) __________ them return to the exact river where they were born. It is now believed they use the Earth's magnetic field and their incredible sense of smell to navigate.

Finally, driven by instinct, the adult salmon begin their exhausting journey home. They swim upstream, against the powerful current of the river. This part of their journey is incredibly difficult; they must leap over waterfalls and avoid predators like bears and eagles. This final trip is not (41) __________. It is a test of strength and endurance that pushes them to their absolute limits.

Those that survive the journey reach their original spawning grounds. Here, the female digs a nest in the gravel and lays her eggs, which the male then fertilizes. If a salmon (42) __________ its home river, it would not be able to reproduce and complete its life cycle. Sadly, after spawning, most salmon are exhausted and die, their bodies providing nutrients for the river ecosystem, which will in turn help their offspring to survive.

In 2021, the art world was stunned when a digital artwork, a single JPG file, sold for $69 million. For many, this was confusing. How can a file that anyone can copy and view for free be so valuable? The answer lies in a revolutionary technology called NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens. An NFT is not the artwork itself, but a unique digital certificate, stored on a secure public ledger called a blockchain, that proves who owns the 'original' version of a digital creation. This technology is transforming our understanding of ownership in the digital age.

The core idea behind an NFT's value is its ability to create provable digital scarcity. While you can screenshot a digital painting, only one person can own the NFT linked to it. The blockchain acts as a global, unchangeable record of this ownership. Think of it like a famous artist's signature on a limited-edition print; it verifies authenticity and distinguishes the original from a mere copy. This verification process is what allows a digital file, which is inherently easy to duplicate, to be treated as a unique and valuable asset, much like a physical painting.

This new technology has opened up exciting opportunities for artists worldwide. Traditionally, digital artists struggled to sell their work as unique pieces. Now, through NFTs, they can sell directly to a global audience, bypassing the need for physical galleries and agents. This is particularly true in Vietnam, where a vibrant community of digital artists is emerging. Organizations like the Vietnam NFT Union help local creators navigate this new market, providing them with a platform for global recognition and a new source of income that was previously inaccessible.

However, the world of NFTs is not without its controversies and risks. A major criticism is the significant environmental impact, as the blockchain technology that powers NFTs consumes a large amount of energy. Furthermore, the market is highly volatile, meaning the value of an NFT can increase dramatically but can also crash, leading to huge financial losses for investors. The digital nature of the space also makes it a target for scams and theft, and buyers must be extremely cautious.

Ultimately, NFTs represent a major shift in how we perceive and trade art. They challenge our traditional concepts of value, which were often tied to physical objects. While the technology is still young and faces legitimate criticisms, it has provided a powerful new tool for digital creators and is forcing a global conversation about what it truly means to own something in our increasingly digital-first world.