Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-86

Have you ever noticed small, rough bumps suddenly appear on your skin when you feel cold or scared? This is (35) __________ common reaction known as goosebumps. The medical term for this phenomenon is piloerection. It happens involuntarily, meaning you can't consciously control it. When it occurs, the skin on your arms and legs can look similar to that of a plucked goose, which is where the unusual name comes from. This is why we often experience this strange but completely normal bodily process.

The physical mechanism behind goosebumps is fascinating. At the base of each hair follicle are tiny muscles called arrector pili muscles. When the body signals them, these muscles (36) __________ or tighten. This action pulls the hair follicle, causing the connected hair to (37) __________. The contracting muscle also creates a small mound on the skin's surface, which is the 'bump' that we see and feel. This process happens across many hair follicles at the same time, creating the distinct appearance of goosebumps.

One of the primary triggers for goosebumps is cold temperature. When your body detects a drop in temperature, it tries to preserve heat. The arrector pili muscles contract and make the hairs stand on end. For our furry ancestors, this was very effective. The raised hairs would trap a layer of air close to the skin (38) __________ provide insulation against the cold. While humans don't have enough body hair for this to make a big difference anymore, the reflex remains a key part of our biology.

Goosebumps don't just appear because of the cold; strong emotions are another major cause. Feelings like fear, excitement, or even awe can trigger the same response. This is an evolutionary 'fight or flight' reaction. By making their hair stand up, our ancestors appeared larger and more intimidating to potential predators. This explains why you might finish (39) __________ a scary movie covered in goosebumps. One researcher explained that our bodies (40) __________ the same way to intense emotions as they did to ancient threats.

So, while this reaction may not serve a critical survival purpose for modern humans, it's a direct link to our evolutionary past. Getting goosebumps is not something that happens (41) __________; it is a predictable response to specific physical and emotional stimuli. If humans still had thick fur like our distant ancestors, this reaction (42) __________ much more useful for staying warm and looking fearsome. It’s a small, visible reminder of our ancient biological heritage.

Imagine this: you're in the middle of an important exam, and you notice your close friend looking at notes they've hidden. Your heart sinks. This is one of the most common yet difficult situations a teenager can face. It's a scenario that forces you to confront conflicting values: your loyalty to a friend versus your belief in fairness and honesty. Your immediate reaction might be a mix of shock, disappointment, and confusion. What you decide to do next can have a significant impact on your friendship and your own sense of integrity.

On one hand, the bond of friendship is powerful. You might worry that reporting your friend could ruin your relationship forever. You could be labeled a 'tattletale' or a 'traitor', potentially leading to social isolation. This ethical dilemma is complicated because your instinct might be to protect your friend from getting into serious trouble. You might think about the consequences for them—a failing grade, suspension, or disappointing their parents. This loyalty creates a strong pull to simply look the other way and pretend you saw nothing.

On the other hand, there is the principle of fairness. You and your classmates have likely spent hours studying for this test. When one person cheats, it devalues the hard work of everyone else. It creates an unfair advantage and undermines the academic integrity of the entire school. If grades are curved, their dishonesty could even negatively affect your own score. Allowing cheating to go unchallenged suggests that breaking the rules is acceptable, which can harm the learning environment for all students.

In a cultural context like Vietnam, this situation can feel even more complicated. There is often considerable pressure on students to achieve high grades to honor their families and fulfill the cultural value of 'hiếu thảo' (filial piety). For many, academic success is not just a personal goal, but a duty to make their parents proud. Understanding this pressure might make you more sympathetic to your friend's actions, even if you don't agree with them. You might reason that they cheated out of desperation, not malice, making the decision of how to respond even more challenging.

So, what are your options? A confrontational approach might not be the best first step. Instead of immediately reporting them, a more measured response could be to talk to your friend in private after the exam. You could express your concern, explain how their actions affect others, and encourage them to confess to the teacher themselves. This approach respects your friendship by addressing the issue directly and compassionately, while still upholding the importance of honesty. It offers a path to resolve the problem without immediately escalating it, giving your friend a chance to do the right thing.