Đề luyện Kỹ năng Đọc Tiếng Anh Reading Unit 1 - Life A2-B1

Reading Passage 1: Questions 1-10 

Read the following passage about the daily life of a freelance writer. 

Sarah is a freelance writer, which means she doesn't work in a traditional office. Her daily routine is quite flexible, but she tries to keep it structured to stay productive. She usually wakes up around 8 a.m. without an alarm clock. The first thing she does is 30 minutes of yoga to stretch her body and clear her mind. After that, she prepares a healthy breakfast, often oatmeal with fruits and nuts. 

Her workday typically starts at 9:30 a.m. She has a home office with a large window that looks out onto a small garden. She finds that working in a pleasant environment helps her creativity. She works for a few hours and then takes a long lunch break. During her break, she often goes for a walk in a nearby park. She rarely works in the afternoon. Instead, she uses this time for personal errands, reading, or meeting friends for coffee. However, freelance life isn't always easy. Sometimes, she feels a bit lonely because she works by herself all day. To combat this, she makes sure to go out and socialize in the evenings. 

She sometimes joins a book club or takes a cooking class. On weekends, she always goes hiking in the mountains. She feels that being in nature is the best way to relax and get new ideas for her writing. She believes her balanced lifestyle is the key to both her happiness and her professional success. 

Reading Passage 2: Questions 11-20 

Read the following article about the importance of sleep. 

Most people know that sleep is important, but they often don't know exactly why. Sleep isn't just a time for your body to rest; it's a critical period of activity. While you are asleep, your body is hard at work repairing muscles, consolidating memories, and releasing important hormones. The average adult needs about seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Teenagers often need more, around eight to ten hours. 

A lack of sleep can cause many problems. In the short term, you might feel tired, have trouble concentrating, and be in a bad mood. In the long term, not getting enough sleep can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes. It can also weaken your immune system, making you more likely to get sick from a common cold or the flu. 

So, what can you do to improve your sleep? Experts suggest creating a relaxing bedtime routine. For example, you can take a warm bath, read a book, or listen to calm music. It's also important to have a regular sleep schedule, which means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. You should also make your bedroom a peaceful environment. It should be dark, quiet, and cool. Avoid looking at screens from phones, tablets, or TVs for at least an hour before bed, as the blue light can make it harder to fall asleep. A short nap of 20-30 minutes during the day can be beneficial, but avoid long naps, especially in the late afternoon. 

Reading Passage 3: Questions 21-30 

Read the following text about city living and nature. 

For centuries, humans have been building bigger and bigger cities. While these modern urban centers offer many opportunities for work and entertainment, they can also be stressful places to live. People often work long hours in offices and spend very little time outdoors. This disconnect from the natural world is a growing concern for both city planners and health experts. They feel that bringing nature back into cities is essential for our well-being. As a result, a movement to create 'green cities' is growing around the world. This involves more than just planting a few trees. It's about intelligently integrating nature into the urban landscape. 

A good example is Singapore, a city famous for its 'Gardens by the Bay', which features enormous, futuristic tree-like structures and climate-controlled biodomes. Another example is the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration project in Seoul, South Korea. The city removed a highway to uncover a historic stream, creating a beautiful park that runs through the city center. The benefits of these projects are numerous. Green spaces help to improve air quality by absorbing pollutants. They provide a place for residents to relax, which can lower stress levels. Parks and greenways also encourage physical activity, such as walking, jogging, and cycling. Furthermore, they can strengthen communities by providing a place for people to meet and socialize. Anyone can contribute to making their city greener, for instance, by participating in a community garden or simply by visiting and taking care of their local parks. 

Reading Passage 4: Questions 31-40 

Read the following conversation between a patient and a doctor. 

Doctor: Good afternoon, Mark. Please, come in and have a seat. So, what brings you here today? 

Mark: Hello, doctor. Well, for the past few months, I've been feeling tired all the time. I just have no energy. I'm also getting frequent headaches, especially in the afternoon. 

Doctor: I see. Tell me a bit about your lifestyle. What's your job like? 

Mark: I'm an accountant. I work long hours, usually from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and I spend the whole day sitting in front of a computer. It's a very stressful job, especially at the end of the month. 

Doctor: And what about your diet and exercise habits? 

Mark: To be honest, they aren't great. I often skip breakfast. For lunch, I usually just grab a burger or a sandwich from a fast-food place near my office. I rarely do any exercise. After work, I'm just too tired to go to the gym. 

Doctor: I understand. It sounds like your lifestyle could be the main cause of your problems. Your body isn't getting the right fuel or enough movement. 

Mark: So, what should I do? 

Doctor: I recommend making a few small changes. First, try not to skip breakfast. Even a piece of fruit and some yogurt is better than nothing. For lunch, try to find a place that sells salads or healthier options. Also, it's very important to take regular breaks from your computer. Every hour, get up and walk around for five minutes. You could even go for a short walk outside during your lunch break. Finally, try to do some light exercise, like walking for 30 minutes, three times a week. It will actually give you more energy, not make you more tired. Let's try this for a month and see how you feel. 

Reading Passage 5: Questions 41-50 

Read the blog post by a woman named Maria. 

For years, I wanted to learn a new skill, something creative and relaxing. I often watched my friend play the guitar at parties, and I always felt a little bit jealous. So, two months ago, I finally decided to do something about it. I bought a second-hand acoustic guitar and signed up for lessons at a local music school. The beginning was difficult. My fingers hurt from pressing on the strings, and I felt like I was making no progress. Some chords seemed impossible to learn. I take lessons twice a week, and my teacher is very patient. He told me that everyone feels this way at the start. The most important thing, he said, is to practice regularly. 

So, I try to practice for about 30 minutes every day after work. It's becoming part of my daily routine. Now, after two months, I'm starting to see real progress. My fingers don't hurt as much anymore, and I can switch between basic chords more smoothly. I can even play a few simple songs! It's an amazing feeling to hear myself play music. It's the perfect way to relax after a stressful day at work. It helps me to forget my problems and focus on something beautiful. I'm not a rock star, and I never will be, but I'm learning and having fun. I feel very proud of myself for not giving up.