Đề trắc nghiệm Reading Unit 6 (Stages in life) - Life A2-B1

Reading passage 1 (1-10): A Life-Changing Decision

Leo is in his late teens, a stage in life filled with important choices, and like many young adults, he is facing a big decision. After finishing high school, most of his friends plan to go directly to university to start their careers as soon as possible. However, Leo has decided to do something different. He intends to take a 'gap year' – a year off from formal education to travel and gain life experience. He feels that this is a valuable opportunity to learn more about himself and the world before committing to a demanding four-year degree in engineering. He believes that understanding different cultures will make him a more well-rounded person.

To fund his ambitious trip, Leo is working long hours at a local café. It's hard work, but he is happy to save money for his adventure. His plan is to visit Southeast Asia to see its ancient temples and beautiful beaches, and he also hopes to volunteer for a three-month conservation project in Costa Rica, working to protect sea turtles. This part of the trip is particularly important to him as he wants to contribute something positive.

His parents were worried at first; they thought it was better to follow a traditional path. But after many conversations, they started to understand his perspective. Now, they think it's a good idea and support him. They feel it is important for a young person to become independent and see the world. Leo is convinced this experience will be much more educational than any classroom lesson and will help him to become more mature and confident before he starts his university life.

Reading passage 2 (11-20): The Annual Riverbend Festival

The small town of Riverbend is getting ready for its biggest event of the year, the Annual Riverbend Festival, which celebrates the town's founding history and the joyful start of summer. This year, the town council is planning to make it the most memorable festival yet, with more activities than ever before. The celebrations will begin next Saturday and last for the whole weekend. According to the official schedule, there is going to be a large parade on Saturday morning. Local schools and businesses are building colourful floats, with themes ranging from historical events to fantasy creatures. Many people are preparing special costumes to wear, and there's a prize for the most creative one.

The organizers have announced, "We will have live music in the main square all afternoon, featuring talented local bands and even a famous singer from the capital." For the first time, there will also be an international food fair. Local restaurants will offer special dishes, and food trucks from neighbouring cities will bring diverse cuisines. There will be a competition for the best homemade cake, a tradition that goes back fifty years. In the evening, everyone will gather by the river. The mayor said, "We are going to have a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m. It's going to be amazing!"

Many families are planning to bring blankets and have a picnic while they wait. It is a busy time for the town, but everyone is happy to participate. They see it as a wonderful chance for the whole community to get together, strengthen bonds, and celebrate their shared identity. The local newspaper is covering the event and will publish a special edition with photos next week.

Reading passage 3 (21-30): A Modern Coming-of-Age Ceremony

In many cultures, a "coming-of-age" ceremony is a significant tradition that marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. These ceremonies often have deep historical roots and rich symbolism, like the Quinceañera in Latin America or the cattle jumping of the Hamar tribe. However, as societies evolve, some communities are creating new traditions that reflect the realities of modern life. One such example is the "First Step" ceremony, which is becoming popular in some urban communities. This event is for young people around the age of eighteen, when they get more legal rights and responsibilities, such as voting and signing contracts.

The ceremony is not about historical dances or ancient rituals. Instead, it is designed to prepare teenagers for the practical challenges of adult life. During the event, the young person has to complete several tasks in front of family and friends. For example, they might have to present a detailed personal budget plan for their first year of independent living, or demonstrate a practical skill like changing a car tyre, performing basic first aid, or cooking a healthy meal from scratch. They also attend mandatory workshops on topics like financial literacy, digital citizenship, and mental well-being.

The ceremony concludes with the young adult receiving a "Key to the Future," a symbolic gift representing their new independence and the trust the community places in them. An article about this ceremony presented a social view, arguing that it provides a more relevant and useful transition into adulthood for today's youth than some older, more symbolic traditions. It suggests that while historical symbolism is valuable, practical preparation is essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world.

Reading passage 4 (31-40): From a Busy Career to a Blue Horizon

For over thirty years, Elena and David lived a conventional life. They were both successful professionals with demanding careers in the city. Elena was a lawyer and David was an architect. Their days were filled with meetings, deadlines, and traffic. They always intended to travel more and pursue hobbies, but there was never enough time. When they reached their late fifties, a common age for people to start thinking about the future, they began to question their routine. They didn't want a quiet retirement, sitting at home and watching television. They wanted a real adventure. So, they made a bold plan: to sell their large house and most of their possessions, buy a sailboat, and travel the world.

Their friends and colleagues found it difficult to understand. Some thought they were crazy to leave their comfortable, financially secure lives. "Why would you give all this up?" one colleague asked. But Elena and David were determined. They spent two years preparing meticulously. They took advanced sailing courses, learned about navigation and boat maintenance, and even got certificates in first aid. They had to get used to a much smaller living space and a simpler, more minimalist way of life, which was a significant change.

Finally, the day came. They retired from their jobs, said goodbye to their old life, and set sail from their home port. Their new life was full of challenges they had never expected. They had to navigate through powerful storms and fix complex engine problems in the middle of the ocean. But the rewards were immense. They got to see incredible sunsets, visit remote islands untouched by tourism, and meet people from vastly different cultures. Elena says, "We got a new perspective on life. We learned that you don't need a big house or a fancy career to be happy. It was hard to get everything organized, but it was the best decision we ever made."

Reading passage 5 (41-50): The Digital Coming of Age

For centuries, 'coming of age' has been marked by formal ceremonies and clear, legally defined milestones, such as getting a driving licence at sixteen or gaining the right to vote at eighteen. These events symbolized a young person's entry into the adult world with community recognition. However, in the 21st century, a new, less formal set of milestones is emerging, driven by technology and social media. This is what some sociologists call the 'digital coming of age'. It is a more fluid and personal journey, one that is profoundly shaping the experience of being a teenager today. It is a transition that happens not in a single day, but over several years of online interaction.

This new stage in life isn't celebrated with a public holiday or a family party. Instead, its milestones are often personal and digital. For example, getting your first smartphone is a significant step, granting a new level of independence and social connection. Creating a social media profile is another rite of passage, a way to carefully construct one's own identity and present it to the world. Other milestones might include having a post go viral, successfully navigating a complex online community, developing a large online following, or even experiencing and overcoming the first instance of online negativity or cyberbullying. These experiences teach young people important, and sometimes hard, lessons about communication, social dynamics, personal responsibility, and resilience.

Of course, this digital coming of age is not without its problems. Unlike traditional ceremonies, it is often unsupervised and lacks the direct guidance of older, more experienced family members. The pressure to present a 'perfect' life online can be immense, leading to anxiety and stress. The consequences of mistakes, such as a thoughtless post, can be public and long-lasting. While these new traditions may seem trivial to older generations, they are, for many young people, the primary arena where they learn to become adults. It represents a fundamental shift in how society views the transition to adulthood, moving from public, shared ceremonies to more private, individual, digital experiences.