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

Reading passage 1 (1-10): Life at a Boarding School

My name is Chloe, and I am a student at Northwood Boarding School, where life is remarkably different from the comfort of living at home. Our daily schedule is quite strict because the school believes in discipline, which means we have to follow many rules from morning until night. My alarm clock rings precisely at 6:00 AM every weekday, leaving no room for sleeping in. After quickly getting dressed in our mandatory school uniform, we all proceed to the large dining hall for a communal breakfast at 7:00 AM. While the food is generally okay, I must admit that I sometimes long for my mum's delicious home cooking, which always felt like a warm hug.

Classes start promptly at 8:30 AM, and we study a range of challenging subjects like Maths, English Literature, and Biology. My favourite subject is History because our teacher, Mr. Harrison, has a gift for telling fascinating stories about the past that make the events come alive. We used to have shorter lessons, which I preferred, but this year the school decided to make them 60 minutes long to cover more material. We have a short break in the morning and a longer one for lunch, and most students eat in the school canteen, a place which is always noisy and bustling with hundreds of students trying to eat and socialise at the same time.

Afternoon classes finally finish at 4:00 PM, after which we immediately move on to sports activities. I play on the school's basketball team, and we practise intensely three times a week, a commitment that requires a lot of energy. It's a great way to have fun and make close friends outside the classroom. In the evening, we have a compulsory two-hour study period in the library, where absolute silence is enforced. We must do our homework and we are not allowed to talk at all. Lights-out is at 10:00 PM sharp. Sometimes, when I was a new student, I felt a bit homesick and lonely, but now I have many friends and I truly enjoy the independence I've gained. The weekends are more relaxed, and we can go into the local town with permission, which is a freedom we all appreciate.

Reading passage 2 (11-20): My First Part-Time Job

Last summer, I decided it was finally time to earn some extra cash for a new bicycle I had been dreaming of, so I began the challenging process of looking for a part-time job. Since I was only sixteen, my options were quite limited, but I was determined to find something. One afternoon, I saw a simple handwritten advertisement in a local café window for a "kitchen helper," which seemed like a possibility. Although I was a bit nervous about applying without any prior experience, I took a deep breath and went inside to speak with the owner, a friendly woman named Mrs. Davis. She interviewed me right there on the spot, asking about my availability and attitude towards work. I honestly told her that while I didn't have any professional experience, I was a very hard worker and could learn new skills quickly.

She decided to give me a chance, for which I was very grateful. My main job was washing up, a task that sounded simple but was actually quite demanding. For four hours every Saturday and Sunday, I stood in front of a large sink, washing hundreds of plates, cups, and forks. It was certainly not a glamorous job. While I was washing the dishes, the chefs were shouting orders and the waiters were rushing around in a chaotic but organised dance. The kitchen was always hot from the ovens and incredibly noisy. At first, my back hurt from standing so long and my hands were always wet and wrinkly, but after a few weeks, I got used to it.

The best part of the job, without a doubt, was the people I worked with. The other staff were friendly and often shared jokes with me during quiet moments, which made the time pass faster. Mrs. Davis was a kind boss who sometimes gave me a free piece of delicious chocolate cake at the end of my shift. I also learned a lot about how a busy café operates behind the scenes. I spent the entire three months of summer working there, and I finally made enough money to buy the bicycle I wanted. Although I didn't continue working there when school started again, I was proud of what I had accomplished. It was a valuable experience that taught me the importance of hard work and responsibility. I felt like I had passed my first real test in the working world.

Reading passage 3 (21-30): An Exchange Student's Diary

October 12th. It's hard to believe it's already been two months since I arrived in the vibrant city of Dublin, Ireland, to begin my journey as an exchange student from Spain. The contrast between my life here and what I'm used to is immense, presenting new challenges and discoveries every day. For instance, back home in Valencia, I didn't use to wear a school uniform and could choose my own clothes, but here at St. Patrick's College, everyone without exception wears a smart green blazer and a grey skirt or trousers. Surprisingly, I actually like the uniform because it saves me so much time in the morning and creates a sense of unity among the students, which helped me feel like I belonged.

The school day is also structured very differently, which took some time to adapt to. In Spain, we used to have a long, leisurely lunch break, and many students, including myself, went home to eat a proper meal with their families. Here, the lunch break is only a brief 40 minutes long, and everyone brings a packed lunch or quickly buys food from the crowded canteen. I truly miss the hot, delicious meals my mother used to make, but I am gradually learning to love sandwiches and salads.

One of the biggest challenges I faced when I first came was the language. Although I had studied English for years at school, understanding the fast Irish accent was incredibly difficult. People spoke so quickly that their words often blended together! I frequently had to politely ask my new friends to repeat what they were saying, which was sometimes embarrassing. Now, however, it is getting much easier to follow conversations, and I have even started to dream in English sometimes. My host family is absolutely wonderful; they are very patient and supportive, often helping me with my homework. They even taught me some common Irish words, which is a lot of fun.

My leisure time has changed as well. I used to spend my weekends going to the sunny beach with my friends in Valencia, swimming and relaxing by the sea. Here, the weather is often cool and rainy, so we do more indoor activities, such as going to the cinema or visiting fascinating museums around the city. While I certainly miss the warm Spanish sun, I've discovered that a rainy day can be very cosy when spent with good friends. This entire experience is teaching me so much more than just English; it's teaching me how to be adaptable and open to new ways of life.

Reading passage 4 (31-40): The School Camping Trip

Last month, our entire year group embarked on an exciting three-day camping trip to the stunningly beautiful Lake District, an event we had all been looking forward to for weeks. I was particularly thrilled because, unlike most of my friends, I had never been camping before and was eager for the new experience. We set off from the school car park early on Friday morning, the air buzzing with anticipation. The bus journey itself was quite long and incredibly noisy with everyone chatting and singing, but we were all in such high spirits that the time flew by. Upon our arrival, the first challenge was to put up our tents, a task which the teachers patiently demonstrated. My friends and I, sharing one tent, fumbled with the poles and canvas for what felt like an eternity, and it took us almost an hour of teamwork and laughter to finally get it right.

The first day was packed full of activities designed to build our confidence and skills. We went canoeing on the vast, shimmering lake and later learned some basic survival skills, such as how to build a shelter. In the evening, as darkness fell, we all gathered around a huge, crackling campfire while our teachers were telling scary stories that made us all jump. The sky was perfectly clear, and the stars were shining brightly because we were far away from the bright city lights. The whole scene was magical, and I was feeling very happy just enjoying the fresh, clean air.

The second day, however, turned out to be more adventurous than any of us had expected. We went on a long, challenging hike through a dense forest, with our teacher, Mr. Smith, leading the way. While we were walking along a narrow, muddy path, I stopped for just a moment to tie my shoelace which had come undone. When I looked up again, my group had vanished around a bend. I couldn't see or hear them anywhere. For a second, I felt a wave of pure panic wash over me. I shouted their names as loudly as I could, but only the sound of the wind in the trees answered. Thankfully, I remembered what Mr. Smith had taught us during our survival lesson: if you get lost, stay in one place and don't wander off.

So, I sat on a large, moss-covered rock and waited, trying to stay calm. It felt like a very long time, even though it was probably only twenty minutes. Just as I was really starting to worry, I heard the wonderful sound of someone calling my name. It was Mr. Smith! He was carefully walking back along the path to find me. He wasn't angry at all, just visibly relieved that I was safe. He explained that he did a headcount at the next clearing and immediately noticed one student was missing. I certainly learned an important lesson about always staying with the group. The rest of the trip was fantastic, but I will never forget those anxious moments I spent all alone in the quiet forest.

Reading passage 5 (41-50): Preparing for Final Exams

As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, an unmistakable feeling of stress begins to permeate the school corridors, signaling the arrival of one thing: final exams. For the next three intense weeks, my life will be completely consumed by a cycle of studying, revising notes, and desperately trying to remember the vast amount of information I've learned since September. The challenge is significant as I have exams in five demanding subjects: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English, and French. Out of all of them, Physics is the one I'm most worried about, primarily because there are so many complex formulas and abstract concepts to memorise, which I find particularly difficult to grasp.

To stay organised and manage my time effectively, I created a detailed study schedule that I try to follow strictly. Each day is divided into focused study blocks for different subjects, with essential short breaks in between to prevent burnout. My friends and I have also formed a study group, which has been incredibly beneficial. We meet at the quiet local library twice a week, a setting that helps us concentrate. It's helpful because we can explain difficult concepts to each other in different ways and test one another with practice questions. When someone else explains something, it often becomes much clearer. For example, my friend Tom is a genius at Physics, and he patiently helped me understand a topic I was really struggling with.

My parents are very supportive during this stressful period, for which I am very thankful. They make sure I eat healthy, balanced meals and get enough sleep, which can be difficult when there is a strong temptation to study late into the night. My dad always wisely says, "A tired brain doesn't learn well," and I know he's right. After a good night's sleep, I find it much easier to concentrate and absorb new information. I also make sure to take a proper break every evening to do something completely relaxing, like listening to my favourite music or going for a short walk in the park. This simple routine really helps to clear my head and reduce stress levels.

I know that I have to study hard and be disciplined if I want to pass all my exams successfully and get good grades. It's a challenging period that tests both my knowledge and my endurance, but I am trying to stay positive and focused. My ultimate goal is simply to do my best. I feel nervous, of course, but thanks to my schedule and my study group, I also feel quite prepared. I just need to stay focused for a few more weeks, and then I can finally relax and enjoy the long, glorious summer holiday!