Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường Phổ thông Năng khiếu môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề PTNK-173

Concrete is one of the most common building materials in the world. It is made by mixing cement, water, sand, and gravel. When it hardens, concrete is incredibly strong under compression, which is the force of being pushed together. However, it has a significant weakness. It is quite brittle and (21) __________ easily crack or break when pulled apart, a force known as tension.

To solve this problem, engineers use steel. Steel is an alloy known for its impressive tensile strength. This means it is very strong when being pulled or stretched. Unlike brittle concrete, steel is flexible, allowing it to bend slightly without breaking. This property makes it the perfect partner for concrete.

The solution is to combine the two materials to create reinforced concrete. Engineers place steel bars, often called rebar, inside the formwork before the liquid concrete is poured. This allows the steel to be perfectly embedded within the concrete as it hardens. The result is a composite material that is much stronger and more reliable than concrete alone.

This combination is brilliantly effective. The concrete component resists the compressive forces from the structure's weight. Meanwhile, the embedded steel bars (22) __________ any tensile forces, such as those caused by wind or earthquakes. Seldom (23) __________ a single material offer such a complete solution, but the synergy between these two does.

(24) __________, the invention of reinforced concrete revolutionized construction. It allows us to build everything from towering skyscrapers and long bridges to simple homes and foundations. Its strength, durability, and versatility have made it perhaps the most important building material of the modern age.

We all harbor grand aspirations, from excelling academically to mastering a new skill. However, the sheer scale of these big dreams often feels overwhelming, leading to procrastination or abandonment. We might set ambitious resolutions, only to struggle with maintaining momentum. This highlights a common challenge: bridging the gap between lofty ambitions and practical steps. But what if the secret to conquering monumental tasks lies not in massive leaps, but in taking incredibly tiny, consistent steps? [I]

This is where the powerful concept of micro-habits comes into play. Popularized by experts like James Clear, who champions "atomic habits," the core idea is simple: instead of aiming for huge, difficult changes, focus on minuscule, almost effortless improvements. A micro-habit is a small action performed consistently, so small it feels impossible to skip. These aren't radical overhauls, but subtle shifts building momentum over time. Their low barrier to entry makes them incredibly sustainable for long-term goal achievement.

Consider a common aspiration among many Vietnamese students: achieving a high IELTS score. This formidable goal requires extensive preparation. [II] Instead of vowing to study for hours, a student could commit to learning just three new vocabulary words from a reputable source like the British Council website every day. [III] This seemingly insignificant habit, consistently applied, builds a substantial vocabulary base, directly contributing to the larger IELTS objective.

This approach holds immense relevance for you, a 14 or 15-year-old, navigating your academic journey. Your personal goal might be "get a good grade in English" or "improve math skills." These aspirations, while valid, often feel daunting. [IV] A micro-habit transforms this overwhelming objective. Instead of declaring you'll "study English for an hour," commit to "reviewing vocabulary for five minutes daily" or "reading one short English article." For math, it could be "solving two practice problems." These small actions feel easy and are much more likely to stick.

The cumulative effect of these tiny, consistent actions is truly remarkable. Consistently performing micro-habits makes tangible progress towards larger goals, while also building self-discipline and confidence. Each completed micro-habit is a small victory, reinforcing your belief in your ability to succeed. This builds a system where success becomes inevitable, not through sheer willpower, but through effortless consistency. So, dream big, but remember that the path to those dreams is often paved with a multitude of incredibly small, yet powerfully impactful, steps.