Đề luyện Reading Unit 8 (This is me!) - Sách COMPLETE PET

Reading passage 1 (1-10): My Family Life

My name is Chloe, and I live with my parents and my older brother, Tom. On the surface, we are a typical family, but things can get a little complicated. I generally get on well with my parents; they are supportive and understanding. However, my relationship with Tom is a different story. He is three years older than me and thinks he knows everything about life. He is very hard-working and reliable, which my parents always praise, but he can also be incredibly messy. He leaves his clothes all over the floor in the room we share, and he never helps with chores unless my mum asks him five times. It drives me crazy! Sometimes, I feel like I'm the only one who cleans our space, and if I didn't do it, we would live in a total mess. He also plays his music too loudly when I'm trying to study, which is very inconsiderate.

Despite this, I know he is a good person deep down. Last year, when I was having problems at school and was too shy to talk to my parents, Tom was the one who helped me sort things out. He noticed I was quiet and unhappy, and he took the time to listen. He spent hours talking to me and gave me some really useful advice. He told me that if I faced my problems confidently, I would feel much better. He was right. Since then, I’ve tried to be more patient with him. I know that as we grow up, our relationship will probably change again, and I hope we become closer. He even helped me with my science project last month, staying up late to explain the difficult concepts to me. He is surprisingly smart when he wants to be.

Next week, Tom is leaving for university. The house will be much quieter and tidier, which I’m looking forward to. But I have to admit, I think I will miss him a lot. It’s strange how you can be annoyed with someone but also care about them deeply. I'll miss our late-night talks and even our silly arguments over the TV remote. If he needs anything while he's away, I'll be the first person to help him. Family is complicated, but it’s also the most important thing. I guess that's what being siblings is all about: a mix of frustration and unconditional love.

Reading passage 2 (11-20): A Different Path

When Leo finished secondary school, everyone expected him to go to university, just like all his friends. His parents had saved money for his education, and his teachers told him he was smart enough to study any subject he wanted. However, Leo had a different idea. For years, he had been passionate about cooking, a hobby he had taken up after watching a food documentary. He spent most of his free time trying new recipes and learning about ingredients from all over the world. He dreamed of opening his own small restaurant one day, a place where people could enjoy simple, delicious food made with love. His friends thought it was a strange choice and some even made fun of him for not wanting a "serious" career.

He was nervous about telling his parents. He knew they would be disappointed. "If I told them I wanted to be a chef, they would think I was throwing away my future," he thought. One evening, he finally gathered the courage and cooked them a special three-course meal to show his passion. To his surprise, after the initial shock, his parents were more understanding than he had imagined. His father said, "This is your life, Leo. We will support you, but you have to be serious about it. If you choose this path, you must work harder than everyone else." His mother added that if he was truly happy, then they would be happy too, which meant the world to him.

Inspired by their support, Leo decided not to go to university. Instead, he set up a plan. He found a job as a kitchen assistant in a local restaurant to gain real-world experience. The work was hard and the hours were long, but Leo loved it. He learned how to work under pressure and how to be part of a team, starting with washing dishes and slowly earning more responsibilities. He also enrolled in a part-time culinary course to improve his skills. He is still working towards his dream, and he has never regretted his decision. He often tells his friends, "If I went to university, I would be studying something I don't love. Following your passion is more important than following the crowd."

Reading passage 3 (21-30): Meeting a Pen Pal

For the past two years, I've been writing to my pen pal, Marco, from Italy. We started talking through a language exchange website and we get on really well. We've shared so much about our lives, hobbies, and families, from our favourite music to our biggest dreams. Next month, his family is visiting my country, and we've arranged to finally meet in person at the City Museum. I'm excited but also a little nervous. We've exchanged photos, of course, but pictures can be different from reality. What if he finds me boring in real life? What if we don't connect in the same way? These thoughts have been running through my mind all week, making me feel quite anxious.

In his last email, he described himself to make it easier. He said he is medium height and slim, with short, dark, curly hair. He also mentioned he has a small scar on his chin from a childhood accident. He said he would be wearing a red jacket, so he should be easy to spot. He seems like a very warm and friendly person from his emails, though he admits he can be a bit shy at first with new people. He's also very funny and his messages always make me laugh. He asked me to describe myself too, so there are no awkward moments searching for each other. I appreciate how thoughtful he is; it shows he is a reliable person.

I told him I am quite tall for a girl, with long, straight, blonde hair. I'm usually wearing my glasses. I'm not particularly fashionable; I prefer comfortable clothes. I'll probably wear my favourite green hoodie and jeans. I also told him I'd be waiting by the big dinosaur skeleton in the main hall. We plan to spend the afternoon exploring the museum and then get some pizza. I think it will be a great day unless we find we have nothing to talk about in person, but I doubt that will happen. I feel like I already know him so well. After all, if our friendship is strong through writing, it should be even better when we can talk face-to-face.

Reading passage 4 (31-40): The Power of Mentorship

In today's competitive world, young people often face pressure from many directions: school, family, and their own future plans. While parents and teachers provide essential support, sometimes an outside perspective can make a huge difference. This is where a mentor comes in. A mentor is usually an older, more experienced person who guides and advises a younger person, known as a mentee. This relationship is different from that of a teacher or a life coach, as it is often less formal and develops more naturally over time. It is built on trust and mutual respect, rather than a curriculum or a payment plan. A good mentor doesn't just give answers; they ask the right questions to help the mentee find the answers for themselves.

The benefits of having a mentor are numerous. Firstly, mentors can offer practical advice based on their own life experiences. If a student wants to become a graphic designer, a mentor who works in that field can provide valuable insights that cannot be found in books. They can help the mentee set realistic goals and create a plan to achieve them. If a young person has a good idea, a mentor can help them develop it into a viable project. This kind of guidance helps young people feel more confident and less alone in their journey. It can also help them avoid common mistakes that beginners often make in any field, saving them time and frustration.

Secondly, a mentor acts as a source of encouragement. When a young person faces a challenge or a failure, it's easy to feel discouraged. A mentor can remind them of their strengths and help them see the situation as a learning opportunity rather than a disaster. They are a reliable source of support. Finally, mentorship helps young people expand their network. A mentor can introduce their mentee to other professionals, opening doors to new opportunities for learning, internships, or even jobs in the future. This is often one of the most underrated yet powerful aspects of mentorship. In short, finding a good mentor is one of the best things a young person can do for their personal and professional growth.

Reading passage 5 (44-54): The Gap Year Decision

My final year of school is almost over, and the biggest question on everyone's mind is: "What's next?" Most of my friends have their plans set up; they are going straight to university in the autumn. For a long time, I thought I would do the same. I even have an offer to study history at a good university. However, recently, I've been thinking about taking a gap year. A gap year is when you take a year off from education to do something else, like travel or work. My friends think I'm crazy to even consider it, saying I'll fall behind, but the idea keeps growing stronger in my mind.

The idea is both exciting and terrifying. If I took a gap year, I would love to travel around Southeast Asia. I could volunteer at an animal sanctuary in Thailand, learn a new language like Vietnamese, and find out more about myself by being in unfamiliar situations. It would be an incredible adventure and a chance to grow up. I believe this experience would make me more confident and independent. It would also give me time to be absolutely sure that studying history is what I really want to do for the next three years of my life. Perhaps I would discover a new passion altogether, which is a thrilling thought.

Of course, there are downsides. My parents are worried. They think that if I take a year off, I won't want to go back to studying. They say, "You will lose your academic momentum." There's also the financial aspect. I would have to work for the first six months to save enough money for my travels, which means getting a job instead of relaxing after my exams. Furthermore, all my friends would be at university, making new friends and having new experiences. I might feel left out and lonely when I see their photos online. It's a difficult choice to make, and I haven't made up my mind yet. I wish I had a life coach to help me sort it all out and weigh the pros and cons properly!