Đề luyện Reading Unit 1 (Homes and habits) - COMPLETE PET

Reading passage 1 (1-10): My Daily Routine as a University Student

My name is Alex, and I am currently studying computer science at a large university, a field I am truly passionate about. My life is quite busy with a demanding schedule, so having a structured daily routine is very important for me to stay on top of everything. I always wake up at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays because my first class, which is usually a complex subject like data structures or algorithms, starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. After getting up, I spend about fifteen minutes doing some simple exercises, like stretching and a few push-ups, to feel more awake and energized for the day ahead. I don't eat a big breakfast; I normally just have a bowl of cereal with milk and a glass of orange juice, as I prefer to eat light in the morning. I live in a dormitory on campus, which is incredibly convenient. It only takes me about ten minutes to walk through the green campus grounds to the lecture hall. I have classes back-to-back in the morning until noon. 

At midday, I meet my friends, Sarah and Tom, for lunch at the university cafeteria. We often talk about our lessons, help each other with difficult concepts, or just share our plans for the weekend. In the afternoon, I hardly ever have classes, so I spend most of my time in the library. The university library is huge and has a silent study area which I find perfect for my work. I am working on a difficult programming project at the moment that involves creating a mobile application, so I need a quiet place to concentrate and write code without distractions. I usually stay there until about 5:00 p.m. In the evening, I have dinner and then relax for a while. I sometimes watch a movie or an episode of a TV series, or I might chat online with my family who live in another city. 

I believe it's important to have some free time to unwind and clear my head. Before going to bed, around 11:00 p.m., I always prepare my bag and clothes for the next day. This simple habit saves me a lot of time and reduces stress in the morning. Weekends are different, of course. I sleep in a little later, until about 9 a.m., and often go out with friends to explore the city or play sports like basketball.

Reading passage 2 (11-20): Living in a Tiny House

For the last two years, my partner and I have been living in what people call a "tiny house". Our home is only 20 square metres, but it has everything we need for a comfortable life. It's on wheels, so we can move it to different locations whenever we want a change of scenery. At the moment, it is parked in a beautiful field next to a small lake, where we can watch the sunset every evening and listen to the sounds of nature. On the ground floor, there is a small living area with a sofa that turns into a bed at night. We also have a kitchen corner with a two-burner cooker, a sink, and a small fridge. We cook simple but delicious meals there every day. 

There isn't much storage space, so we have to be very organised and creative. We only own a few plates and cups, and we have a minimal wardrobe. We have lots of clever cupboards and shelves on the walls to keep our things tidy. Above the kitchen, there is a loft area, which is a small space under the ceiling. That's our bedroom. We have to climb a small ladder to get up there, which feels like a little adventure each night. The bathroom is also very small, containing just a toilet and a shower. We don't have a bath. Living in a small space means we don't own many things, and we've learned to value quality over quantity. We prefer spending our money on experiences, like travelling and hiking, rather than buying a lot of furniture or clothes. 

Life in a tiny house is much simpler and more intentional. Of course, there are a few challenges. For example, we can't have many people round for dinner because there isn't enough room. Also, strong winds can sometimes make the house shake a little, which can be scary. However, the advantages are bigger for us. We use very little electricity, our water consumption is low, and our home is incredibly easy to clean. It feels cosy and we love the freedom it gives us to live a more adventurous and less materialistic life.

Reading passage 3 (21-30): A Family's Weekend Habits

The Miller family lives in a suburb, and their weekends are always a mix of relaxation and activity, a balance they have perfected over the years. On Saturday mornings, they hardly ever stay in bed late. Mr. Miller usually gets up early, around 6 a.m., and goes for a run in the local park, which has a lovely path around a lake. He says the quiet morning air helps him think clearly. While he is out, Mrs. Miller prepares a big breakfast for everyone. She enjoys cooking, and she often tries new recipes she finds online; this week she is making American-style pancakes with fresh berries and maple syrup. 

Their two children, 14-year-old Tom and 12-year-old Lucy, have different interests. Tom is a member of a local football team, so he has training every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. He is very dedicated and dreams of becoming a professional player one day. Lucy, on the other hand, prefers quieter, more creative activities. She is learning to play the guitar at the moment, so she normally spends an hour or two practising in her room, writing her own simple songs. In the afternoon, the family frequently does something together. Sometimes they go shopping at the mall, or if the weather is nice, they have a picnic in the park with sandwiches and games. 

On Saturday evenings, they almost always watch a film together. They have a big, comfortable sofa in the living room where they all sit with popcorn and drinks, turning their home into a mini-cinema. Sundays are generally quieter and more focused on family. The family attends a local community event or visits their grandparents, who live in a nearby town. Mrs. Miller says it's important for the children to spend time with their extended family and hear stories from the past. In the evening, everyone prepares for the week ahead. Tom and Lucy do their homework and pack their school bags, and Mr. and Mrs. Miller plan their work schedules and meals for the week. They believe this routine helps them start the new week feeling organised, connected, and relaxed.

Reading passage 4 (31-40): My Home on the Water

Most people live in a house or an apartment on land, but my home is a little different. I live on a houseboat. It's a long, narrow boat, and it is my permanent home, not just for holidays. It is moored on a quiet canal in the north of the city, surrounded by trees and wildlife like ducks and herons. From the outside, it looks like a simple boat, painted dark green with a few round windows that look like a ship's portholes. Inside, however, it contains everything a normal home has, just cleverly arranged to fit the long, thin space. The main living space is an open area which consists of a small kitchen and a living room. 

I have a comfortable sofa that can pull out into a guest bed, a small table, and a wood-burning stove which keeps the boat incredibly warm in winter. I don't have many possessions because space is limited, but I own a lot of books. They are on shelves that cover one entire wall, from floor to ceiling. Beyond the living area, there is a small bathroom with a shower and a toilet. At the far end of the boat is my bedroom. It's very cosy, with a double bed that fits perfectly into the space. Waking up in the morning and seeing swans swim past my window is a wonderful experience that never gets old. Life on the water is very peaceful. I don't have noisy neighbours, only the sound of birds and the gentle movement of the boat as others pass by. 

Of course, there are some practical jobs I need to do. I have to fill the water tank every few weeks and manage the electricity, which comes from solar panels on the roof. Sometimes I also need to paint the boat to protect the wood from the water. It's not a conventional lifestyle, but I wouldn't change it. I belong to a community of boat-dwellers, and we often help each other out with repairs or advice. It's a friendly and unique way of life that feels very connected to nature.

Reading passage 5 (41-50): Technology is Changing our Homes

The way we live in our homes is constantly changing, and technology is the main reason for this transformation. Just think about how different a typical home is today compared to one thirty years ago, when a single telephone for the whole family was the height of technology. Nowadays, many homes have a high-speed Internet connection, which is something that was rare in the past. This connection allows us to do many things from our living room sofa, such as work, study, shop, and watch films. This is changing our daily habits. For example, instead of going to a video store, people are now streaming movies directly to their smart TVs. 

Another significant change is the rise of the "smart home". A smart home is one where devices are connected to the Internet and can be controlled remotely, often with a smartphone. For instance, you can turn on the heating or air-conditioning before you get home from work, so the temperature is perfect when you arrive. You can also control the lights, check your security cameras, and even see what's inside your fridge while you are at the supermarket using a special app. Smart speakers can play music, read the news, or answer questions with a simple voice command. Many people believe these technologies make life more convenient and efficient, saving us time and effort. 

However, there are also a few concerns that are being discussed more and more. Some people worry about privacy, as these devices collect a lot of data about our habits, from what time we wake up to what we watch on TV. Others feel that we are becoming too dependent on technology. They think it's important to sometimes disconnect and just relax without a screen, to read a book or talk to family members. Despite these concerns, it seems that technology will continue to play an even bigger role in our homes in the future, with new inventions like robotic assistants and smart windows appearing all the time.