Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-176

The Eiffel Tower, a global icon of France, is famous not just for its height but for its revolutionary engineering. It (35) __________ for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, or World's Fair, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The structure was completed (36) __________ just over two years, a remarkable achievement for its time. From the beginning, its design was meant to be a testament to French industrial skill and modern architectural possibilities.

The design was truly (37) __________. Unlike the heavy stone arches of older monuments, the Eiffel Tower introduced a lightweight yet incredibly strong wrought-iron lattice framework. This open structure was not just for looks; it was a clever solution to the problem of wind resistance, a major concern for a tower of such height. (38) __________, many Parisians at the time thought the design was ugly and protested its construction, calling it a 'useless and monstrous' factory chimney.

The man behind this masterpiece was the French civil engineer Gustave Eiffel, (39) __________ company specialized in building large metal structures like bridges. Eiffel and his team understood the properties of wrought iron perfectly. This material was chosen over steel because it was more resistant to bending and easier to work with. The (40) __________ reason for its selection was its impressive strength-to-weight ratio, which allowed the tower to soar to its great height without collapsing under its own weight.

The construction process itself was a model of precision. The engineers had to take into (41) __________ the effects of temperature changes on the metal, which could cause it to expand or contract. Over 18,000 individual wrought-iron parts were designed and produced with extreme accuracy. These parts were then assembled on-site using more than 2.5 million rivets.

The tower's design ensures that the weight is distributed evenly down to the four massive arches at its base. These arches are not just decorative; they are essential structural components that transfer the load to the foundations. Today, the Eiffel Tower stands as a powerful symbol of (42) __________ innovation and elegance, proving that industrial materials can be used to create something of great architectural beauty. It was the world's tallest man-made structure until 1930.

Every day, teenagers across Vietnam and the world scroll through endless feeds on Instagram and TikTok. They see images of seemingly perfect people: social media influencers and K-Pop idols with flawless skin, impossibly slim waists, and perfectly toned bodies. While these visuals can be inspiring to some, they often set a very specific and demanding beauty standard. This constant exposure creates immense pressure on young people to look a certain way, leading many to feel dissatisfied with their own appearance.

The core of the problem lies in the fact that this 'perfection' is often an illusion. Many of the images we see are carefully staged, professionally lit, and heavily edited with filters and software. This promotes a beauty standard that is completely unattainable for the average person. Body image, which is how you see and feel about your own body, can be significantly damaged when you constantly compare yourself to these unrealistic portrayals. When teenagers see these images, they might forget that what they are looking at isn't real, leading to feelings of inadequacy.

The consequences of this constant comparison can be serious and detrimental to mental well-being. Studies have shown a strong link between high social media use and increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem among adolescents. The relentless pursuit of a 'perfect' body can also lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as extreme dieting or excessive exercise. This focus on appearance above all else distracts from what is truly important: overall health and happiness.

So, what can be done? The first step is to develop media literacy. This means learning to critically view online content and reminding yourself that social media is a 'highlight reel,' not a reflection of everyday reality. It is also helpful to curate your social media feed. Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself and follow those that promote body positivity and diverse body types. Shift your focus from what your body looks like to what it can do. Celebrate its strength, its ability to learn new skills, and its role in carrying you through life.

Ultimately, building a positive body image is a journey, not a destination. It involves practicing self-compassion and recognizing that your worth as a person has nothing to do with how you look or how many likes your photo gets. True confidence comes from accepting yourself, flaws and all, and focusing on being the healthiest and happiest version of yourself, both online and off.