Đề luyện Reading Unit 12 (What did you say?) - COMPLETE PET

Reading passage 1 (1-10): The Rise of the Emoji

In the age of digital communication, where messages are sent in seconds, the need to convey tone and emotion quickly is more important than ever. This is where emojis have found their place. What started as simple pictograms in Japan in the late 1990s has evolved into a complex global language understood by millions. Originally, they were created to add emotional context to plain text messages, preventing the misunderstandings that often happened when you couldn't see the sender's face or hear their voice. The journey of emojis from a niche Japanese feature to a global phenomenon was rapid. Major tech companies like Apple and Google recognized their potential and integrated emoji keyboards into their mobile operating systems, making them accessible to a worldwide audience. The visual style has also changed dramatically over the years. Early emojis were simple, pixelated designs, but today they are detailed, high-resolution icons that come in various skin tones and representations, reflecting a growing demand for diversity and inclusion in our digital vocabulary. This constant evolution is managed by the Unicode Consortium, a non-profit organization that ensures every emoji appears correctly across different devices and platforms, effectively acting as the gatekeeper of this new visual language. Today, it’s hard to imagine a text conversation without a smiling face, a thumbs-up, or a heart symbol.

The universal appeal of emojis lies in their simplicity. They cross language barriers in a way that words cannot. A happy face is a happy face in any country, which makes them a powerful tool for international communication. However, the meaning of some emojis can vary significantly across different cultures. For example, the ‘folded hands’ emoji is often seen as a symbol of prayer or thanks in Western cultures, but in Japan, it can also be used to say "please" or to express an apology. Another interesting example is the ‘face with steam from nose’ emoji. In the West, it is commonly interpreted as a sign of anger or frustration, similar to a bull getting ready to charge. However, in Japanese anime and manga culture, from which it originates, this symbol actually represents a look of triumph or determination after overcoming a challenge. These subtle but significant differences highlight the importance of cultural context. A message intended to be encouraging could accidentally be perceived as hostile, proving that even a picture-based language requires a degree of cultural fluency to be used effectively without causing offense or confusion.

Many people, especially older generations, have said that the overuse of emojis is making people lazy writers and is damaging language skills. They argue that instead of learning to express complex emotions with well-chosen words, people are relying on simple pictures. On the other hand, linguists and communication experts say that emojis are not replacing language but are actually enhancing it. They told us that emojis add a new layer of expression, similar to body language or tone of voice in a face-to-face conversation. These experts point out that human communication has always been multi-modal, combining words with gestures and expressions. In this view, emojis are simply the digital equivalent of these physical cues. They help to clarify intent, convey sarcasm, or express joy in ways that plain text cannot. For example, a simple "OK" text can be interpreted in many ways—is it dismissive, angry, or neutral? Adding a thumbs-up or a smiling face emoji instantly removes this ambiguity. They allow us to be more nuanced and playful in our digital interactions, making communication richer, not poorer.

Reading passage 2 (11-20): A Simple Misunderstanding

Last Tuesday, I had a small argument with my best friend, Mark, all because of a single text message. I had a really difficult maths exam that morning, and I was feeling quite stressed. I sent him a message saying, 'I think I failed the exam. It was a disaster.' A few minutes later, his reply came back: 'LOL'. I couldn't believe it. Why would he laugh at my misfortune? I felt hurt and angry. I immediately texted him back, 'Why did you say that? It’s not funny!' He didn't reply for hours, which only made me feel worse. Those hours of silence were the worst part. My mind raced with all sorts of negative thoughts. Had I done something to offend him earlier? Was he secretly glad that I had done badly on the exam? I re-read our recent conversations, searching for clues, but found nothing. The longer he took to reply, the more convinced I became that our friendship of many years was suddenly on the verge of collapsing over three little letters. I even considered calling him, but my anger and pride stopped me. I decided to wait, letting my frustration build with every passing minute. I thought our friendship was in trouble.

Later that evening, Mark called me. He sounded very worried. He asked me why I was so upset with him. I told him that he had laughed at me when I was feeling down. Mark was completely silent for a moment, and then he started to explain. He said that he hadn't meant 'Laughing Out Loud' at all. He told me that for him and his family, 'LOL' actually meant 'Lots of Love', and it was something he sent to people to show sympathy and support. He had been trying to comfort me, not make fun of me. He went on to tell me the full story. His grandmother, not being very tech-savvy, once asked her children what 'LOL' meant. They jokingly told her it stood for 'Lots of Love', and she took it seriously. Since then, it had become a running joke and a term of endearment within their family. He said he was so used to its family meaning that he had completely forgotten how the rest of the world interpreted it. He explained that his grandmother had started using it that way years ago, and the habit just stuck in their family.

I felt so silly when I heard his explanation. It was a classic case of digital miscommunication. Without tone of voice or facial expressions, a simple three-letter acronym had caused a huge misunderstanding between us. Mark asked if I was still angry, and I told him I wasn't. We both ended up laughing about the situation. He said he would be more careful with his acronyms in the future, especially with friends outside his family. This incident, which started with anger and confusion, actually ended up strengthening our friendship. It was a powerful reminder that true communication requires empathy and a willingness to understand another person's perspective before jumping to conclusions. We agreed that from now on, if either of us received a message that seemed strange or hurtful, we would call each other immediately instead of letting a misunderstanding grow. I learned a valuable lesson that day: when in doubt, it’s always better to talk directly than to assume the worst from a text message. Communication is much more than just words on a screen.

Reading passage 3 (21-30): The "Speak Up" School App

Our school, Northwood High, recently introduced a new mobile application called "Speak Up," designed to help students report bullying and other problems safely and anonymously. The headteacher, Mrs. Davison, announced the project last month. She told everyone that the school wanted to create a safer environment for all students. The decision to create the app came after a school-wide survey on student well-being revealed that many students felt they had no safe way to report problems. They feared being called a "snitch" or facing retaliation from bullies. In her announcement, Mrs. Davison shared some of these survey results, emphasizing that student silence does not mean problems don't exist. She said, "We know it can be difficult to talk about these issues face-to-face, so we hope this app provides a comfortable alternative." The app was developed by a local software company in partnership with the school's IT department and was given to all students for free as part of a broader community initiative to improve student mental health.

Using the app is straightforward. Students download it to their phones and create a private account. If they see or experience a problem, they can write a detailed report and send it directly to a team of trained school counselors. The key feature is that students can choose to submit their reports anonymously. Mrs. Davison told the students not to worry about their identity being revealed. She assured them that the system was completely secure. The counselors receive the report, assess the situation, and can even start an anonymous chat with the student through the app to ask for more information or offer immediate advice and support. Once a report is assessed as serious, a clear protocol is followed. The counselors work with school administrators to investigate the issue discreetly. The goal is not just to punish wrongdoers, but to offer support to all involved, including the bullies themselves, who may be acting out due to their own problems.

Since its launch, the app has received mixed reactions. Many students have praised it. One student, a 15-year-old girl, said that she had used it to report a case of cyberbullying and the counselors had helped her immediately. She said the app made her feel much safer. However, some teachers are worried. Mr. Harris, a history teacher, asked if the app could be used to make false reports and cause trouble for innocent students. To address this valid concern, the school issued clear guidelines. They explained that reports are never taken as absolute proof. Instead, they serve as a starting point for a confidential investigation. No action is taken against any student without concrete evidence. Furthermore, during the app's introduction, assemblies were held where students were educated on the seriousness of making false accusations and the importance of using the tool responsibly. They told the staff to encourage responsible use of the app. Despite some concerns, most people agree it's a step in the right direction for student welfare.

True or False statements:

Reading passage 4 (31-40): My Grandfather Learns to Text

My grandfather, who is nearly eighty years old, has always said that he is proudly old-fashioned. He loves writing letters by hand and talking on his ancient landline telephone. So, you can imagine my surprise when he told me last week that he wanted a smartphone. He said, “All my friends are on this ‘WhatsApp’ thing, and I feel left out.” We went to the shop the next day and bought him a simple, user-friendly model. At the electronics store, he was like a visitor from another planet. He marvelled at the thin, shiny devices, asking the salesperson if they could also be used to "just make a phone call." My grandmother, who came with us, just shook her head and said he was a "silly old dork." We chose a phone with large icons and a simple interface. Back home, setting it up was an adventure. He wrote down his password on a piece of paper and taped it to the back of the phone, telling us it was for "safe keeping." The first challenge was teaching him how to use the touchscreen. He kept pressing too hard, as if he were dialling an old rotary phone.

After a few days of practice, he finally sent his first text message to me. It read: “HELLO. HOW. ARE. YOU. STOP.” He had typed ‘stop’ at the end, thinking it was like sending a telegram from the old days. I told him he didn’t need to do that, and he just laughed. His next adventure was with the autocorrect feature. He tried to text my mom that he was "making a pie" for dinner. However, autocorrect changed "pie" to "pig." The message she received was, "I am making a pig for dinner." My mom called him, completely confused, asking where on earth he had found a whole pig to cook. He got very frustrated with the phone, telling it that it shouldn't try to guess what he wanted to say. The next hurdle was understanding modern slang and abbreviations. I sent him a message saying, “See you later, Dad said he’d be home soon, btw.” He called me immediately, asking what ‘btw’ meant. I explained that it stood for ‘by the way’. He said, “Why don’t you just write the full words? It seems like a waste of time to learn these silly codes.”

Despite his complaints, he is slowly getting the hang of it. Yesterday, he sent a photo of his prize-winning roses to the family group chat, which was a huge step. He even used a smiley-face emoji, although it was the sad-crying-face emoji by mistake. He said he couldn't see the tiny pictures clearly. The family group chat has become his favorite feature. At first, he was just a silent observer, but now he comments on everything. My dad asked him if he enjoyed his new phone. Grandpa replied that he did, because he could now see pictures of his grandchildren every day. He admitted that perhaps this new technology wasn’t so bad after all. My grandmother says he now spends more time talking to his "magic box" than to her, but she says it with a smile. She loves seeing him so happy and connected. He’s not a computer geek, but he’s certainly no longer a dork when it comes to his new phone.

Reading passage 5 (41-50): The Case for Keeping Letters

In our fast-paced world of instant messaging and social media updates, the idea of writing a letter by hand, putting it in an envelope, and sending it through the post can seem incredibly old-fashioned. Why spend days waiting for a reply when you can get one in seconds? Critics say that letter writing is an inefficient and dying form of communication. They argue that digital methods are superior because they are faster, cheaper, and more convenient. However, this viewpoint overlooks the unique and personal value that a handwritten letter holds. While speed is often seen as an advantage, there is a counter-argument to be made for the slowness of letter writing. The delay between sending a letter and receiving a response creates a space for anticipation and reflection, qualities that are often lost in the constant stream of instant digital notifications. This deliberate pace can foster a deeper and more thoughtful connection between people. The waiting period itself becomes part of the communication experience, making the eventual arrival of the letter a special event rather than just another notification on a screen. It represents something that a quick text or email can never truly capture.

The act of writing a letter requires time, thought, and effort. You have to carefully consider your words, arranging them on the page in a way that truly expresses your feelings. This process makes the message feel more meaningful and sincere, both for the writer and the recipient. When you receive a letter, you are holding a physical piece of someone's life. You can see their unique handwriting, feel the texture of the paper, and even smell a hint of perfume. It is a multi-sensory experience that digital messages lack. Psychologically, the physical act of writing by hand is also significant. It engages the brain differently than typing on a keyboard, often leading to more organized thoughts and a more personal expression of ideas. For the person receiving it, the knowledge that someone dedicated their undivided attention to craft this object for them creates a powerful emotional impact. A letter is a keepsake, something to be stored in a box and revisited years later, long after old emails have been deleted.

Furthermore, letters provide a valuable historical record. Historians often rely on collections of letters to understand the past, gaining insights into the daily lives, relationships, and thoughts of people from different eras. Consider the famous letters between historical figures like John and Abigail Adams, which gave us an intimate look into the founding of the United States. Without those physical documents, our understanding of that era would be far less rich. If we stop writing letters altogether, future generations might lose this personal connection to their history. While it is unrealistic to expect a full return to letter writing, we should not let this art form disappear completely. Perhaps we can find a balance. We can tell our friends about our day via text, but for important occasions—a birthday, a thank you, or a heartfelt apology—we can choose to write a letter. Beyond grand apologies or birthdays, a letter could be sent to offer condolences, to share life-changing news, or simply to reconnect with an old friend. In doing so, we keep a more thoughtful and personal form of communication alive.