Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-146

Have you ever wondered what’s inside the common pencil you use every day? It may seem simple, but its creation is a fascinating process. The two main components are the pencil lead, which makes the mark, and the wood case that surrounds it. Contrary to its name, pencil lead contains no actual lead. Instead, it is a special mixture of natural materials.

The core is made by (35) __________ graphite and clay together and grinding them into (36) __________ fine powder. The amount of clay determines the hardness of the pencil; more clay results in a harder, lighter mark. This mixture is then baked in a hot oven (37) __________ harden it, creating a solid stick. This baking process is crucial for the strength of the final product.

While the lead is prepared, blocks of cedar wood are (38) __________ into thin slats, each half the thickness of a final pencil. A machine then carves several long, parallel grooves into each slat. A factory manager once explained that precision (39) __________ essential at this stage to ensure the lead would fit perfectly inside the grooves without rattling or breaking.

Next, the graphite-clay sticks are carefully placed into the grooves of one slat. A second grooved slat, with a layer of strong glue applied to it, is then placed on top, sandwiching the leads between the two pieces of wood. If the glue (40) __________ evenly, the pencil could easily break when sharpened. The whole 'sandwich' is then put under pressure until the glue dries completely.

Once assembled, the wooden block is cut into individual pencils. Each one is shaped, sanded smooth, and given several coats of paint. For many brands, adding their logo and a shiny finish is the (41) __________. The final step often involves (42) __________ a metal ring, called a ferrule, and the familiar pink eraser to one end.

Imagine you are walking through a Vietnamese supermarket like GO! or Co.opmart. You see an entire aisle dedicated to 'healthy' snacks. The packaging is bright, with images of fresh fruit and claims like 'all-natural' and 'low-fat'. It's easy to grab a granola bar or a pack of baked vegetable chips, thinking you're making a good choice for a quick snack between classes. However, the reality behind these cleverly marketed products is often more complicated than it appears on the front of the box.

Food companies spend millions of dollars on creating packaging that is appealing to health-conscious consumers. They use green colours, earthy textures, and powerful words like 'organic', 'gluten-free', or 'contains real fruit'. These marketing strategies are designed to make you feel good about your purchase. The problem is that these labels can be misleading. A granola bar advertised as 'natural' might still contain as much sugar as a candy bar, and 'vegetable' chips are often just potato chips with a small amount of vegetable powder for colouring and flavour.

The nutritional truth is often hidden in the fine print. When a company removes one unhealthy ingredient, they often have to add another to make the product taste good. For example, products advertised as 'low-fat' frequently contain extra sugar, salt, or refined flour to compensate for the loss of flavour and texture. On the other hand, snacks labeled 'sugar-free' may contain high levels of unhealthy saturated fats or artificial sweeteners, which have their own potential health concerns. This trade-off is rarely mentioned on the front of the package.

So, how can you become a smarter snacker? The most important skill is learning to ignore the front-of-package marketing and turn the product over to read the nutrition facts label and ingredients list. First, look at the serving size; a small bag might contain two or three servings, meaning you are consuming double or triple the calories and sugar listed. Second, check the 'added sugars'—this reveals how much sugar was put in during processing, separate from the natural sugars in fruit. Finally, scan the ingredients list. If sugar or some form of syrup is one of the first few ingredients, the snack is likely not as healthy as it claims.

Ultimately, being an informed consumer is key. This doesn't mean all packaged snacks are bad, but it does mean we need to be critical thinkers. The best way to ensure you're eating healthily is to choose whole foods more often. An apple, a handful of unsalted nuts, or a small container of plain yogurt are fantastic options that don't come with confusing labels or hidden ingredients. By learning to see past the marketing, you can take control of your own health and make choices that are genuinely good for you.