Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-14

In the late 1800s, cities were dark places after sunset, lit only by gas lamps. Thomas Edison had a revolutionary idea to deliver electricity directly to homes and businesses. This ambitious project (35) __________ to the creation of the first commercial power plants, forever changing urban life.

The most famous of these early plants was Edison's Pearl Street Station, which (36) __________ in New York City in 1882. It was not a complex high-tech facility. Instead, the station was powered (37) __________ a giant steam engine that burned coal. This engine turned a massive machine called a "Jumbo" generator, which then produced the electricity.

This new power was sent to customers as direct current, or DC. (38) __________, DC had a major disadvantage: it could not travel long distances without losing significant power. Therefore, the station could only serve customers within a very limited area, approximately one square mile. This (39) __________ range meant many stations were needed to light up a city.

Initially, only a (40) __________ wealthy customers in the financial district signed up. They used the new power mainly for electric lighting, replacing the dim gas lights (41) __________ were common at that time. For most people, it was an amazing luxury that demonstrated the future of technology.

Although the Pearl Street Station was small by modern standards, its (42) __________ achievement was proving that centralized power generation was a workable concept. It became the model for future electrical systems and marked the true beginning of the electrical age.

Smartwatches are now a common sight, seen on wrists from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Heavily promoted by major electronics retailers, these gadgets promise to improve our well-being by tracking our steps, heart rate, and sleep quality. But does strapping a piece of technology to your wrist automatically lead to a healthier lifestyle? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no, involving both powerful benefits and potential risks.

On one hand, these devices can be incredible motivators. Receiving a notification to stand up after sitting for too long can help break a sedentary habit. Setting daily goals for steps or active minutes gives users a clear target to aim for. Many smartwatches also allow friends to share their progress, creating a fun sense of competition. Seeing that your friend has already walked 8,000 steps might encourage you to go for an evening walk to catch up. This feedback is instantly available, providing immediate encouragement or a push to do more.

However, there is a potential downside. For some individuals, the constant stream of data can lead to what is known as 'health anxiety'. Instead of feeling motivated, they may feel stressed if their sleep score is low or if their heart rate seems slightly irregular. This constant monitoring can become an obsession, where the focus shifts from genuine well-being to simply achieving perfect numbers on a screen. When this happens, the tool that was meant to help can actually cause more stress, which is counterproductive to health.

Ultimately, a smartwatch is only a tool. It cannot force you to exercise or choose a salad over fried chicken. The data it provides is only valuable if the user acts on it with a positive mindset. The real change comes from an internal desire to be healthier. The watch can support this desire by providing information and reminders, but it cannot create the desire itself. Without personal commitment, the most advanced smartwatch is just an expensive bracelet.

So, can a smartwatch make you a healthier person? It certainly can, but only if you are an active participant in the process. It is a powerful assistant for those already committed to improving their lifestyle, offering guidance and motivation along the way. However, it is not a magic solution. The key is to use the data as a guide, not a rulebook, and to remember that true health is about feeling good, not just about hitting digital targets.