Đề luyện Reading Unit 7 (Out and about) - Sách COMPLETE PET

Reading passage 1 (1-10): A Year of Weather in My City

Living in my city means experiencing a little bit of everything when it comes to weather, and each season brings its own unique character, making life here constantly interesting. The winters are generally quite mild compared to other parts of the country, but we do get some freezing days that require thick coats and scarves. When the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius, you can see frost covering the parks, which is a beautiful sight, sparkling under the morning light. However, it's often too cold for me to enjoy being outside for long periods, as the chilly wind can be rather biting. I usually prefer to stay indoors with a hot drink, watching the world go by from my window. Spring is my favourite season because the weather is fairly pleasant and full of life. We get occasional showers, but they don't last long, and the sunshine that follows feels incredibly warm and welcoming. The city's gardens burst into colour with flowers, and everyone seems to be in a better mood. It's the perfect time for long walks or picnics with friends.

Summer, on the other hand, can be extremely hot and humid, sometimes feeling quite oppressive. The temperature often goes above thirty-five degrees, and the city feels like a giant oven, with heat radiating from the pavement. During this time, thunderstorms are quite common in the late afternoons, offering a dramatic break from the heat. You can see dark clouds gathering on the horizon, and soon after, there's spectacular lightning across the sky, followed by heavy rain that cools everything down. It's rather dangerous to be outside during a thunderstorm, so everyone rushes to find shelter in cafes or shops. I think the summer storms will continue to be a regular feature of our climate. Autumn is a lovely season, with cool, windy days that are perfect for flying a kite in the local park. The air feels fresh and crisp, and the sky is often a clear, brilliant blue. The leaves on the trees turn to shades of gold and red, creating a picturesque landscape. I'm going to take a photography course next autumn to capture these beautiful moments. The changing weather really defines life here, and you learn to be prepared for anything, which is an adventure in itself.

Reading passage 2 (11-20): A Journey on a Shoestring

Last year, I decided to go on a trip across the country, but I didn't have enough money for expensive flights or hotels, which forced me to be creative. My plan was to travel on a shoestring, which means doing it as cheaply as possible. I packed all my essentials into a large backpack, making sure to only take what was absolutely necessary to keep the weight down. I also bought a detailed guidebook with maps and information about affordable guesthouses. My journey started on a train. I love travelling by railway because you can see the landscape change slowly, from bustling urban centres to quiet, rolling countryside. I got on the train in the city and travelled overnight to a small town in the mountains. It was a long but comfortable journey, and I met some interesting people in my carriage who shared their own travel stories.

From that town, my real adventure began. I decided to hitchhike to the coast, which felt both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. I know some people think hitchhiking is dangerous, but my guidebook said it was fairly common in that region, and I felt prepared. I stood by the main road near a crossroads, holding a sign with my destination written on it. After about an hour, a friendly truck driver stopped. I got in his truck, and we talked for hours. He told me amazing stories about his life on the road and pointed out landmarks I would have missed otherwise. He dropped me off near a small fishing village. I spent the next few days there, staying in a cheap guesthouse and spending my days walking on the beach, doing some sightseeing, and trying the local seafood, which was delicious and surprisingly affordable.

The final part of my trip was a bus journey back to the city. I had to carry my heavy suitcase, which I had bought along the way to hold souvenirs, from the guesthouse to the bus station on foot. The road sign indicated it was only two kilometres, but it felt much longer with the heavy bag under the hot sun. Getting on the crowded bus was a challenge, but I found a seat by the window and enjoyed the final views of the countryside. This trip taught me that you don't need a lot of money to have an incredible adventure. All you need is a good plan, a positive attitude, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. The memories I made are far more valuable than any luxury holiday.

Reading passage 3 (21-30): Planning Our Weekend Trip

My friend, Leo, and I are planning a weekend trip to the coast, which we've been talking about for months. We're meeting at my house this evening to finalise the details over some pizza. According to the schedule, the train leaves at 8:00 AM on Saturday, so we'll have to wake up early, which neither of us is very good at. I've already looked at the weather forecast, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. It says Saturday is going to be sunny, but it will be too windy to go swimming in the sea. That's a shame, but I think we'll have enough sunshine to enjoy a long walk along the cliffs, which is what I'm most excited about. We can also explore the old town and its narrow, winding streets. I told Leo that we should pack some warm clothes just in case the temperature drops in the evening, as it often does by the sea.

For Sunday, the forecast predicts showers in the morning. I hope it won't rain too much, because we have booked a boat trip around the bay to see the local seal colony. If the weather is bad, the company will probably cancel it, and we'll get a refund, but it would be disappointing. However, the afternoon is supposed to be clear. I think we'll have time for some souvenir shopping before we head back; I want to buy some local crafts. The return train is at 6:00 PM. I'm really looking forward to this trip. It's been a long time since we last went away. The problem is that I haven't saved enough money for expensive meals, so we'll probably eat at cheaper cafes and maybe buy sandwiches for lunch to save some cash.

Leo is going to bring his new camera. He's really keen on photography and wants to take pictures of the stormy sea, but I've told him it's not a good idea if the wind is too strong. It can be quite dangerous on the cliffs, and safety has to come first. We need to be careful and stick to the marked paths. I think the most important thing is just to get away from the city and breathe some fresh sea air. Even if the weather isn't perfect, I'm sure we are going to have a fantastic time. It will be a great break from our busy work schedules and a chance to just relax and chat without any distractions.

Reading passage 4 (31-40): The Future of Our Winters

Climate scientists have been warning us for years about the changing weather patterns across the globe, and one of the most noticeable changes will be in our winter season. According to recent studies, winters in this region are going to become significantly milder and shorter, a trend that is already becoming apparent. The period of freezing temperatures will likely decrease, which means we will see less frost and ice on the ground. For many people, this might sound like good news, imagining fewer days of shivering in the cold. However, the environmental consequences are quite serious and far-reaching. A lack of prolonged cold can affect local agriculture, as many fruit trees require a cold period to produce fruit properly in the spring. Without this 'chill time', harvests could become smaller and less reliable, impacting food supplies and farmers' livelihoods.

Furthermore, the amount of snowfall on the mountains is predicted to reduce dramatically, which is perhaps the most critical issue. This is a major concern for two reasons. Firstly, the mountain snow is a vital source of fresh water for our rivers during the spring and summer melt. It acts as a natural reservoir. Less snow means less water, which will create problems for both cities that need drinking water and farms that require it for irrigation. Secondly, the region's winter tourism industry, which depends heavily on skiing and other snow sports, will suffer enormously. Many small towns in the mountains rely on this income to survive throughout the year. If there is not enough snow for the ski resorts to operate, many people are going to lose their jobs, and these communities could face economic collapse.

In contrast, while winters get warmer, we are likely to experience more extreme weather events like gales and heavy rain. The atmosphere will hold more moisture, leading to more intense precipitation. Instead of gentle snow, we will probably get cold, stormy showers that can cause flooding and landslides. Scientists say these changes are not just possibilities; they are becoming certainties based on current data. We will need to adapt to this new reality, and we must start now. This includes finding new water sources, supporting mountain communities in changing their economies, and investing heavily in improving our flood defences. The mild winters of the future will not be as pleasant as they sound; they will bring a host of complex challenges we must be prepared to face.

Reading passage 5 (41-50): The Unexpected Storm

My family and I were on a road trip, driving to a guesthouse in the countryside for a short holiday. The day started out perfectly with clear blue skies and warm sunshine. We were all in a great mood, singing along to music in the car and looking forward to a relaxing break. According to our map, we had to turn off the main highway onto a smaller country road. We saw the road sign and made the turn. The landscape was beautiful, with green hills and small farms stretching as far as the eye could see. We felt a world away from our busy city life. However, after about an hour of driving, the sky started to look rather dark and threatening on the horizon. The wind began to blow strongly, shaking the trees violently and sending leaves scattering across the road.

Suddenly, a massive thunderstorm was upon us, appearing almost out of nowhere. It was much more than just a few showers; it was a gale with heavy rain and terrifying lightning that lit up the whole sky, followed by deafening claps of thunder. The rain was so intense that we could hardly see the road in front of us, and the windscreen wipers couldn't keep up. It was too dangerous to continue driving. I carefully pulled the car over to the side of the road under a large tree, which I later realised was not a very smart idea due to the risk of lightning strikes. We were all quite scared, especially my younger sister, who covered her ears at every thunderclap. We just sat in the car, watching the storm rage around us. We were going to be very late for our check-in at the guesthouse, and we began to worry if we would make it there at all.

After what felt like an eternity, the rain started to ease, and the wind calmed down. The sky began to brighten in the west. We decided it was safe enough to continue our journey. We got out of the car to check for any damage and found that a small branch had fallen onto the roof, but luckily there was no serious harm. We got back into the car and drove slowly, navigating around fallen leaves and large puddles on the road. When we finally arrived at the guesthouse, we were two hours late, soaking wet, and we all got wet running from the car to the door. The owner was very understanding, though; he greeted us with a warm smile and hot chocolate. That night, we learned an important lesson: always check the weather forecast carefully before you travel, especially when going to an unfamiliar area, as conditions can change incredibly quickly.