Đề thi thử số 7 — Reading 40 câu

In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to speak more than one language has become a valuable asset. While the practical benefits of bilingualism — such as better job opportunities and the ability to communicate with a wider range of people — are well known, recent research has revealed a wealth of cognitive, social, and even health-related advantages that extend far beyond simple communication.

One of the most significant findings in neuroscience is that learning a second language fundamentally changes the structure of the brain. Studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown that bilingual individuals have greater density of gray matter in regions associated with language processing and executive control. This means that bilingual people are generally better at multitasking, focusing their attention, and filtering out irrelevant information. These cognitive benefits are not limited to people who learned a second language in childhood; even adults who begin studying a new language show measurable improvements in brain function.

The social benefits of bilingualism are equally impressive. Research has demonstrated that bilingual children develop stronger empathy and social awareness than their monolingual peers. This is because managing two languages requires an understanding of different perspectives and cultural contexts. Bilingual individuals learn early on that the same concept can be expressed in entirely different ways, which fosters a more flexible and open-minded approach to communication. In multicultural societies, this ability to navigate between languages and cultures is increasingly seen as an essential skill for social cohesion.

Perhaps most remarkably, bilingualism appears to protect the brain against age-related cognitive decline. A landmark study published in the journal Neurology found that bilingual individuals developed symptoms of dementia an average of 4.5 years later than monolingual individuals with similar education and health backgrounds. Researchers believe that the constant mental exercise of managing two languages strengthens the brain's cognitive reserve, essentially building a buffer against the effects of aging. While bilingualism does not prevent dementia entirely, it appears to significantly delay its onset.

Despite these compelling benefits, many education systems around the world continue to treat second language learning as a low priority, often introducing it too late in a student's academic career or offering insufficient instructional time. Language experts argue that early exposure — ideally beginning in primary school — is crucial for maximizing the cognitive and social benefits of bilingualism. Furthermore, in a globalized economy where cross-cultural communication is essential, the ability to speak multiple languages is not merely an academic advantage but a practical necessity. As the evidence continues to mount, the case for investing in language education has never been stronger.

The global fashion industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past three decades. Where consumers once purchased a few high-quality garments each season, they now buy an average of 68 items per year — many of which are worn only a handful of times before being discarded. This shift has been driven by the rise of "fast fashion," a business model that prioritizes speed, low cost, and trend replication over quality and sustainability. Companies like Zara, H&M, and Shein have built empires on the ability to move designs from runway to retail in a matter of weeks, offering consumers the latest styles at rock-bottom prices.

The environmental cost of this model is staggering. The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10 percent of global carbon emissions — more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. The production of a single cotton T-shirt requires about 2,700 liters of water, equivalent to what one person drinks over two and a half years. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, which now account for over 60 percent of all clothing produced, are derived from petroleum and can take up to 200 years to decompose in landfills. When washed, these fabrics shed microplastic fibers that enter waterways and eventually the ocean, where they are ingested by marine life and enter the food chain.

The social dimensions of fast fashion are equally troubling. To keep prices low, many fast fashion brands outsource production to developing countries where labor is cheap and regulations are weak. Garment workers — the majority of whom are women — often work 14 to 16 hours a day in unsafe conditions for wages that fall far below the living standard. The 2013 Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh, where the collapse of a garment factory killed over 1,100 workers, brought global attention to the exploitation embedded in the fast fashion supply chain. Despite promises of reform, reports suggest that working conditions in many garment factories have improved only marginally.

In response to growing awareness of these issues, a "slow fashion" movement has emerged that advocates for a fundamentally different approach to clothing consumption. Slow fashion emphasizes buying fewer, higher-quality items that are designed to last, choosing sustainable materials, and supporting brands that treat their workers fairly. Second-hand shopping, clothing swaps, and rental services have also gained popularity as consumers seek alternatives to the disposable fashion cycle. Some innovative companies are exploring circular fashion models, in which garments are designed to be recycled or composted at the end of their useful life, reducing waste and the demand for virgin materials.

However, systemic change will require more than individual consumer choices. Environmental advocates argue that governments must introduce stricter regulations on textile waste, carbon emissions, and labor practices within the fashion industry. The European Union has already proposed legislation requiring clothing brands to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including collection and recycling. While such regulations face opposition from industry groups who warn of higher costs and job losses, supporters counter that the true cost of fast fashion — measured in environmental destruction, worker exploitation, and public health — is far too high to ignore. The fashion industry, like many other sectors, must fundamentally rethink its relationship with the planet if it is to survive in a sustainable form.

The discovery of antibiotics in the twentieth century is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in the history of medicine. When Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin in 1928, he set in motion a revolution that would save hundreds of millions of lives. Before antibiotics, even minor infections from cuts and scratches could prove fatal, and surgical procedures carried enormous risks of post-operative infection. The widespread availability of antibiotics transformed modern medicine, making previously deadly diseases treatable and enabling advances in surgery, organ transplants, and cancer treatment that would have been impossible without effective infection control.

However, the very success of antibiotics has led to their overuse, and this overuse has created one of the most serious public health threats of the twenty-first century: antibiotic resistance. When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics repeatedly, natural selection favors those with random genetic mutations that allow them to survive. These resistant bacteria multiply and spread, eventually rendering once-effective drugs useless. The World Health Organization has warned that we are entering a "post-antibiotic era" in which common infections and minor injuries could once again become lethal. Currently, antibiotic-resistant infections kill an estimated 700,000 people worldwide each year, and some projections suggest this number could rise to 10 million by 2050 if no action is taken.

The causes of antibiotic resistance are multifaceted. In human medicine, antibiotics are frequently prescribed unnecessarily — for viral infections such as the common cold, for example, against which they are completely ineffective. Patients also contribute to the problem by failing to complete their prescribed courses of treatment, which allows partially resistant bacteria to survive and develop stronger resistance. In many countries, antibiotics can be purchased over the counter without a prescription, leading to widespread self-medication and misuse.

The agricultural sector is another major driver of antibiotic resistance. Globally, approximately 70 percent of all antibiotics produced are used not to treat sick animals but to promote growth in healthy livestock and prevent disease in crowded farming conditions. This practice creates an ideal environment for resistant bacteria to develop, which can then be transmitted to humans through the food supply, direct contact with animals, or environmental contamination of water sources. Despite growing evidence of this link, the livestock industry in many countries has been slow to reduce its reliance on routine antibiotic use.

Addressing antibiotic resistance requires a coordinated global response. Medical experts recommend that doctors prescribe antibiotics only when truly necessary and that patients always complete their full course of treatment. Governments must strengthen regulations on the sale and use of antibiotics in both healthcare and agriculture. Investment in research is also critical: pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned antibiotic development because these drugs generate lower profits than treatments for chronic conditions. Public funding and incentive programs are needed to revitalize the antibiotic pipeline and develop alternative treatments such as bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and vaccines that prevent bacterial infections in the first place. Without urgent and coordinated action, the world risks losing one of the most powerful tools in the history of medicine.

Migration — the movement of people from one place to another — has been a defining feature of human history since the earliest civilizations. Whether driven by conflict, economic opportunity, environmental change, or the simple desire for a better life, migration has shaped the demographics, economies, and cultures of societies around the world. In the twenty-first century, globalization and technological advances have accelerated the pace and scale of migration, creating both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges for host countries and migrants alike.

One of the central debates surrounding migration concerns the question of cultural integration — the process by which migrants adopt the customs, values, and language of their host country while maintaining elements of their own cultural identity. Proponents of multiculturalism argue that diversity enriches society, bringing new perspectives, skills, and cultural traditions that enhance the social fabric. Cities like Toronto, London, and Sydney, which are home to communities from virtually every corner of the globe, are often cited as examples of how cultural diversity can drive innovation, creativity, and economic growth. Research from the McKinsey Global Institute has shown that ethnically diverse companies are 35 percent more likely to outperform their less diverse competitors.

However, cultural integration is not without its tensions. Critics argue that rapid, large-scale immigration can strain public services, create competition for jobs and housing, and lead to cultural friction when the values of newcomers differ significantly from those of the host society. In several European countries, debates over immigration policy have become deeply polarized, with populist movements gaining support by emphasizing the perceived threats of immigration to national identity and social cohesion. The challenge for policymakers is to develop immigration frameworks that acknowledge legitimate concerns while avoiding discrimination and xenophobia.

Language acquisition is widely recognized as the most critical factor in successful cultural integration. Migrants who become proficient in the language of their host country have significantly better outcomes in employment, education, and social participation. Conversely, language barriers can lead to isolation, unemployment, and dependence on social welfare systems, creating a cycle of marginalization that affects both migrants and the broader community. Effective language programs — particularly those that are accessible, affordable, and tailored to the needs of adult learners — are therefore an essential component of any integration strategy. Countries like Canada and Germany have invested heavily in settlement services that include language training, cultural orientation, and employment support, with measurable positive results.

Ultimately, the success of cultural integration depends on a two-way process. It is not enough to simply expect migrants to assimilate into the host culture; the host society must also be willing to adapt, accommodate, and learn from the cultural contributions of newcomers. This requires investment in education, anti-discrimination policies, and community programs that promote intercultural understanding. History shows that societies that embrace diversity and manage integration effectively tend to be more resilient, innovative, and prosperous than those that resist change. As global migration continues to increase, the ability to integrate diverse populations will be one of the defining challenges — and opportunities — of the coming decades.