Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-67

Often called Earth's 'twin', Venus is the second planet from the Sun and our closest planetary neighbor. This comparison exists because Venus and Earth are very similar in size, mass, and composition. For anyone looking from a great distance, it would be easy to mistake one for the other. Its physical properties are so similar (35) __________ Earth's that for many years, people imagined it might even host life.

(36) __________, a closer look reveals that Venus is dramatically different from our world. Its atmosphere is the most significant point of contrast. It is a thick, toxic blanket of gas that is about 96% carbon dioxide. This atmosphere is also extremely (37) __________, with a surface pressure more than 90 times greater than Earth's. The planet is permanently covered by clouds of sulfuric acid, which reflect sunlight and make Venus appear bright in our sky.

Beneath these clouds, the surface of Venus is a hostile, volcanic landscape. It is the hottest planet in our solar system, with an average surface temperature of about 465°C, which is hot enough to melt lead. The immense atmospheric pressure on the surface is equivalent to being 900 meters deep in Earth's ocean. This pressure would instantly (38) __________ any spacecraft that was not specially designed to withstand it.

The main reason for this extreme difference is Venus's runaway greenhouse (39) __________. The planet's dense atmosphere allows heat from the sun to pass through, (40) __________ then gets trapped at the surface. Unlike Earth, which has oceans and plant life to absorb carbon dioxide, Venus has no such process. This has led to a cycle where the planet gets hotter and hotter over billions of years.

In conclusion, while Venus shares some basic physical statistics with Earth, it is a very unwelcoming place. The extreme conditions make it incredibly challenging to study directly. For this reason, very (41) __________ missions have successfully landed and operated on its surface. Although it (42) __________ our 'twin' in some ways, Venus serves as a powerful reminder of how delicate and unique our own planet's environment truly is.

Have you ever looked at the uneaten food on your plate after a family dinner or in the school canteen and wondered where it goes? While a little leftover rice might seem harmless, it is part of a much larger, global issue: food waste. Astonishingly, around one-third of all food produced for human consumption worldwide is lost or wasted every year. This isn't just about throwing away food; it's about squandering the valuable resources used to produce it and causing serious environmental harm.

The journey of wasted food often ends in a landfill, and this is where the real trouble begins. When food decomposes in a landfill, buried under tons of other trash, it does so without oxygen. This process releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. The environmental impact is therefore significant. Furthermore, every time we waste food, we also waste the water, land, and energy that were used to grow, process, and transport it. The problem is far bigger than just our leftovers.

In Vietnam, this global issue has a distinct local dimension. Food waste becomes particularly noticeable during large celebrations, especially the Tết holiday. The tradition of preparing an abundance of food to show hospitality and hope for a prosperous new year often results in large quantities of leftovers. Recognizing this challenge, social campaigns and organizations like Food Bank Vietnam are working to raise awareness. They aim to rescue surplus food and redistribute it to those in need, turning a problem into a valuable solution.

Fortunately, tackling food waste doesn't require complex, large-scale solutions alone; individual actions can make a huge difference. As teenagers, you hold more power than you might think. Simple habits like planning meals with your family to buy only what you need can prevent waste from the start. Being creative with leftovers—turning last night's chicken into today's noodle soup, for instance—is another effective strategy. Additionally, understanding the difference between “use by” dates (for safety) and “best before” dates (for quality) can stop you from throwing away perfectly good food.

Ultimately, the path from our plates to the landfill is one we can change. By becoming more mindful consumers and making small adjustments to our daily routines, we can collectively reduce the environmental burden of food waste. Every meal saved is a small victory for our planet, proving that even simple choices can lead to a more sustainable future.