Đề trắc nghiệm Reading Unit 11 (History) - Life A2-B1

Reading passage 1 (1-10): The Greendale Community Park Project

The town of Greendale used to have a large, empty field in its center. For years, nobody used the space, and there was nothing to see there except tall grass and forgotten rubbish. Last year, a group of local people decided to change this. They started the Greendale Community Park Project. Their goal was to turn the empty field into a beautiful park for everyone in the town to enjoy. The project began with a community meeting where someone suggested planting trees and creating a small river. Everybody loved the idea, although some were skeptical if they could achieve it without professional help.

Volunteers started working every weekend. They planted over one hundred trees and dug a path for a small, man-made river. They also built a playground for children and placed benches somewhere quiet for people to sit and relax. If they didn't have so many dedicated volunteers, the project would take years to complete. The group also organized a small fair to raise some money for materials. Nobody was asked to give much, but everyone contributed something. Now, the park is almost finished. There is something for everyone: a place to play, a place to walk, and a place to enjoy nature. The community hopes to have a grand opening ceremony next month. They believe that if they had a beautiful park, more families would choose to live in Greendale. Everyone is excited to visit the new park, and nobody wants to see the empty field again. There is nowhere else in town that feels so peaceful and full of life.

Reading passage 2 (11-20): Photographing Giants in the Storm

Wildlife photography is a challenging profession, but for photographer Leo Maxwell, the real challenge is not just finding the animals, but finding them in extreme weather. Leo specializes in photographing large animals like elephants and bears during major weather events like snowstorms and thunderstorms. "Anyone can take a photo of a bear on a sunny day," Leo says, "but a photo of a bear in a blizzard tells a much deeper story. It's about survival, strength, and the raw power of nature. You feel something very real in those moments."

Last year, Leo travelled to the mountains of Canada, hoping to photograph a grizzly bear during a heavy snowstorm. The conditions were incredibly difficult. The temperature was below freezing, and the heavy snow made it hard to see anything. For three days, he saw nothing. He sat in his small, hidden shelter, waiting patiently. "If I didn't have my special thermal clothing, I would leave immediately," he recalls. On the fourth day, his patience paid off. He found a large male bear searching for food. The resulting photograph, showing the powerful animal against a wall of white snow, won him a major award.

Leo often thinks about the risks. "What would I do if my equipment failed during a thunderstorm? It would be a disaster." Lightning is a serious threat, and so is the risk of floods in some regions he visits. He once had a close call when lightning struck a tree just fifty meters from his position. He says that if he were not so passionate about his work, he wouldn't take such risks. He believes his photos can help people understand the difficulties animals face in their natural habitats. "If my photos made people think more about protecting these animals, it would be the best reward for me." He is now planning a trip to photograph tigers during the monsoon rains in India, a project nobody has ever successfully completed.

Reading passage 3 (21-30): The Whispering Orchid

Dr. Aris Thorne was a botanist who preferred the quiet company of plants to people. He spent his life searching for new species in the most remote corners of the world. One day, in a hidden valley in a dense forest, he found something extraordinary: a flower he named the "Whispering Orchid." This orchid was unique not because of its color, which was a simple white, but because it produced a soft, humming sound, almost like a whisper. Nobody had ever documented anything like it, and he knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.

Dr. Thorne brought a sample back to his lab. His research revealed that the sound was a result of the plant's special structure, which vibrated with air movements. He realized the plant had incredible potential. If scientists could replicate this structure, they could create new technologies for sound detection. He wrote in his journal, "If this plant grew everywhere, the world would be a much noisier place! But if we understood its secret, we could help people who cannot hear." This thought filled him with both excitement and a great sense of responsibility. He couldn't let anything happen to this species.

However, Dr. Thorne was worried. The hidden valley was the only place on Earth where the orchid grew. A new road was planned to be built nearby, which would destroy the orchid's natural habitat. Dr. Thorne knew he had to do something. He tried to speak to the construction company, but nobody would listen to him. He decided to present his findings to the international conservation committee. He believed that if the committee knew about the Whispering Orchid, they would protect the area. He felt that protecting this single species was more important than any technology it could inspire. The future of the Whispering Orchid now depends on his ability to convince the world of its value before it's too late.

Reading passage 4 (31-40): The River Guardians

For decades, the Serpent River was the heart of our city. But over time, it became one of the most polluted rivers in the region. Factories dumped waste into it, and people threw trash from its banks. The water turned dark, and the fish disappeared. There was nothing beautiful left to see. Everyone knew there was a problem, but nobody did anything about it. It seemed like an impossible situation to fix, a sad landmark that everyone simply accepted.

That changed five years ago with the start of "The River Guardians," a volunteer organization founded by a local teacher named Maria. The group's mission was simple: bring the Serpent River back to life. At first, it was just Maria and a few of her students. They spent their weekends cleaning trash from the riverbanks. It was hard work, and some people thought they were wasting their time. "If we didn't start somewhere, nothing would ever change," Maria told them. "If this river died, a part of our city's soul would die with it."

Slowly, more people joined. The organization grew from a small group to hundreds of volunteers. They started community education programs to teach people about the effects of pollution. They also worked with local factories, suggesting new ways to manage their waste. One factory owner said, "If we had known about these cleaner methods before, we would have used them." The River Guardians also planted thousands of new trees along the banks to prevent soil from washing into the river, which helps keep the water clear. They removed tons of plastic, metal, and other harmful materials.

Today, the Serpent River is much cleaner. Some species of fish have returned, and people are starting to visit the river again. You can see families having picnics and children playing near the water. The work is not finished, but the River Guardians have shown that with effort and community spirit, it is possible to solve even the biggest environmental problems. They proved that one person's idea can inspire everyone to take action.

Reading passage 5 (41-50): The Voice for the Voiceless

Elias Vance was not a scientist or a politician; he was a simple man who ran a small bookshop. However, his life changed forever during a trip to Southeast Asia in the 1990s. There, he witnessed the illegal poaching of elephants for their ivory tusks. He saw the devastating effect this had on the animal populations and the local ecosystems. He couldn't forget the sight. He returned home a different person, with a new purpose: to become a voice for the animals that had no voice.

He started by writing letters to newspapers and government officials, but he soon realized that words were not enough. In 1995, he sold his beloved bookshop and founded 'Project Sanctuary,' an organization dedicated to fighting poaching. At first, it was a small operation funded by his own savings. He used the money to hire local people in Africa and Asia to act as rangers, protecting animals from poachers. These rangers were often the only defense for endangered species in the area. If it weren't for these brave individuals, many more animals would have been lost.

Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, Project Sanctuary grew. Elias gave lectures and interviews, raising awareness and money. He was a powerful speaker. He often said, "If we did nothing, these magnificent creatures would disappear forever. What would we tell our children?" His work was not without danger. Poachers saw him as an enemy, and he received many threats. But he never stopped. He believed that if he gave up, nobody would be there to continue the fight in his place. He knew he had to do something, anything, to make a difference.

By 2010, Project Sanctuary was operating in over ten countries and had helped to significantly reduce poaching in several key areas. They also started educational programs for children in local communities, teaching them the importance of conservation. Elias, now in his seventies, still travels the world for his cause. He often returns to the wildlife reserves to see the animals he has helped to protect. He says that seeing a family of elephants living safely in their natural habitat is the only reward he ever needed. His work proves that anyone, no matter who they are, can start something that changes the world.