Luyện Kỹ năng đọc tiếng Anh doc

Swans are among the most beautiful of North American waterfowl and have always enjoyed the
admiration and even the protection of bird lovers. Of the six species in the swan genus, only two are
native to North America. The trumpeter swan, the largest of the group, breeds in the northern United
States and Alaska, and was nearly wipe out during the nineteenth century craze for elaborately feathered
hats. The whistling swan, which winters in large flocks on the Chesapeake Bay, has recently been
renamed the tundra swan because it breeds and summers on the northernmost tundra regions of the
continent.
Recently, populations of mute swans – an exotic species introduced to North America
from Europe in the early 1900s – have begun increasing by an alarming 30 to 40 percent annually in
some states . Most wildlife biologists today believe the majestic white creatures, with their tendency to
destroy a pond’s plant life and drive away native waterfowl, might create havoc on the scale of the gypsy,
moth, starling, or English sparrow.
Both native species of swans are wild and require large areas of uninhabited summer ground for
nesting and feeding. Mutes, however, semi-domesticated and accustomed to people, can nest in pairs of
many as three or four on one small coastal pond, which can burden delicate and environmentally
essential brackish ponds.
Bears spend much of their time looking for food, and they are not choosy, gorging on insects, berries,
nuts, small mammals, ham sandwiches, and garbage with equal relish. Despite this, the chief natural
factor limiting a bear population is the food supply. Dr. Lynn Rogers has found that, contrary to popular
belief, so-called garbage bears – those that visit town dumps or campsites – do not lose their ability to
forage successfully for wild foods but are simply supplementing their diets with easy pickings. In fact,
these enterprising bears grow faster , mature sooner, and reproduce earlier than those that depend only on
wild foraging. Rogers has also found that dump-fed bears are the strongest and largest in the population.
He and his crew once captured a male bear that weighed in at 611 pounds. But easy living for the bears
carries a price: those that stalk garbage dumps are easier targets for hunters and those that visit camps – if
not injure – visitors [66]. Some state wildlife agencies capture “nuisance” bears that have become too
chummy with people and cast them off to less populated parts [67] of the forest.
The removal programmes do not always work; bears released 100 miles or more from their place of
capture have reappeared in their old haunts.
Is your company a sitting duck for hackers? When did you last change your password? How
complete are your security systems? Have you ever been broken into before?

According to IANS, the International Association for Network Security, there’s a new breed of
hackers out there. And, there’s also anew target. In the past, hackers gained notoriety from breaking into
big companies’ networks. In fact, the bigger the company, the bigger the success. When hackers broke
into Informix’s notoriously secure system 1999, they made headline news around the world.
1
The big “success” came with a major drawback. This headline break-ins came with international
teams of investigators and serious criminal charges. Several former famous hackers are now sitting
behind bars or working overtime to pay off hefty fines in penalties and damages.
So, hackers of the new decade have turned to a new target: smaller companies. Smaller
companies often spend less on their security systems. If they have never been broken into before, they
may be lulled into a feeling of security. They are often lax about changing their password frequently
enough. And that spells trouble.
Also, a breach system in a smaller company may attract little public attention. Investigations may
be brief and superficial, as overloaded investigators pursue bigger problems.
But if you do fall victim to hackers, it will definitely attract your own attention. These thieves can
gain access to your files, destroying, copying, or altering them. They can create havoc with your data.
And if they do, you’ll surely wish you had changed your password once more often.
Energy is defined as the capacity of matter to perform work as the result of its motion or its position
in relation to forces acting on it. Energy associated with motion is known as kinetic energy, and energy
related to position is called potential energy. Besides, energy exists in various forms, including
mechanical , thermal, chemical, radiant, and atomic. All forms of energy are inter-convertible by
appropriate process. In the process of transformation, either kinetic or potential energy may be lost or
gained, but the sum total of the two remains always the same.
A weight suspended from a cord has potential energy due to its position, in as much as it can perform
work in the process of falling. An electric battery has potential energy in chemical form. A piece of
magnesium has potential energy stored in chemical form that is expended in the form of heat and light if
the magnesium is burned. If a gun is fired, the potential energy of the gunpowder is transformed into the
kinetic energy of the moving bullet. The kinetic mechanical energy of the moving rotor of a dynamo is
changed into kinetic electrical energy by electromagnetic induction. All forms of energy tend to be
transformed into heat, which is the most popular form of energy. In mechanical devices, energy not

expended in useful work is scattered in friction heat, and losses in electrical circuits are also largely heat
ones.
Psychologist have debated a long time about whether a child’s upbringing can give it the ability to
do outstandingly well. Some think that it is impossible to develop genius and say that it is simply
something a person is born with. Others, however, argue that the potential for great achievement can be
develop. The truth lies somewhere between these two extremes.
It seems very obvious that being born with the right qualities from gifted parents will increase a
child’s ability to do well. However, this ability will be fully realized only with the right upbringing and
opportunities. As one psychologist says, “To have a fast car, you need both a good engine and fuel.”
2
Scientists have recently assessed intelligence, achievement, and ability in 50 sets of identical twins that
were separated shortly birth and brought up by different parents. They found that achievement was based
on intelligence, and later influenced by the child’s environment.
One case involving very intelligent twins was quoted. One of the twins received a normal
upbringing, and performed well. The other twin, however, was brought up by extremely supportive
parents and given every possible opportunity to develop its abilities. That twin, though starting out with
the same degree of intelligence as the other, performed even better.
This case reflects the general principle of intelligence and ability. The more favorable the
environment, the more a child’s intelligence and ability are developed. However, there is no link between
intelligence and socioeconomic level of a child’s family. In other words, it does not matter how poor or
how rich a family is, as this does not affect the intelligence.
Gifted people can not be created by supportive parents, but they can be developed by them. One
professor of music said that outstanding musicians usually started two or three years earlier than ordinary
performers, often because their parents had recognized their ability. These musicians then needed at least
ten years’ hard work and training in order to reach the level they were capable of attaining.
People who want to have very gifted children are given the following advice:
- Marry an intelligent person.
- Allow children to follow their own interests rather than the interests of the parents.
- Start a child’s education early but avoid pushing the child too hard.
Encourage children to play; for example, playing with musical instrument is essential for a

Since the world became industrialized, the number of animal species that have either become
extinct or have neared extinction has increased. Bengal tigers, for instance, which once roamed the
jungles in vast numbers, now number only about 2,300. By the year 2025, it is estimated that they will
become extinct.
What is alarming about the case of the Bengal tiger is that this extinction will have been caused
almost entirely by poachers who, according to some sources, are not always interested in material gain
but in personal gratification. This is an example of the callousness that is contributing to the problem of
extinction. Animals such as the Bengal tiger, as well as other endangered species, are valuable parts of
the world’s ecosystem. International laws protecting these animals must be enacted to ensure their
survival – and the survival of our planet.
Countries around the world have begun to deal with the problem in various ways. Some countries, in an
effort to circumvent the problem, have allocated large amounts of land to animals reserves. They then
charge admission prices to help defray the costs of maintaining the parks, and they often must also
depend on world organizations for support. This money enables them to invest in equipment and patrols
to protect the animals. Another response to the increase in animal extinction is an international boycott
of products made from endangered species. This has had some effect, but by itself it will not prevent
animals from being hunted and killed
3
Are organically grown foods the best food choices? The advantages claimed for such foods over
conventionally grown and marketed food products are now being debated. Advocates of organic foods- a
term whose meaning varies greatly- frequently proclaim that such products are safer and more nutritious
than others.
The growing interest of consumers in the safety and nutritional quality of the typical North American
diet is a welcome development. However, much of this interest has been sparked by sweeping claims
that the foods supply is unsafe or inadequate in the meeting nutritional needs. Although most of these
claims are not supported by scientific evidence, the preponderance of written material advancing such
claims makes it difficult for the general public to separate fact from fiction. As a result, claims that eating
a diet consisting entirely of organically grown foods prevents or cures disease or provides other benefits
to health have become widely publicized and formed the basic for folklore.
Almost daily the public is besieged by claims for “no-aging” diets, new vitamins, and other wonder

foods. Thre are numerous unsubstantiated reports that natural vitamins are superior to synthetic ones, that
fertilized eggs are nutritionally superior to unfertilized eggs, that untreated grains are better than
fumigated grains, and the like.
One thing that most organically grown foods products seem to have in common is that they cost more
than conventionally grown foods. But in many cases consumers are misled if they believe foods. So there
is real cause for concern if consumers, particularly those with limited incomes, distrust the regular food
supply and buy expensive organic foods instead.
Jack London was the famous American novelist and short story writer. He was born in San
Francisco
in 1876. He quit school at fourteen to become a sailor. He was a self- taught student, he
finished his
high
school and college education during six months. He led an adventurous but poor life. His view point
was
in
favor of the poor and socialism. He read a lot of books of Karl Marx. He was influenced by
Marxist
Party
theory and the October Revolution. In 1985, he joined the Socialist Labour Party but in
the last years of
his
life, he moved away from the working class and in 1916 he left the party. In
1916 he committed
suicide
because of despair dream. He used an overdose of morphine and
drowned himself in the sea. He was
an
adventure novelist, a Social reformer and a prominent socialist
who often signed under the line “Yours
for

revolution, Jack
London.”
Students at the age of 18 always have to face difficult decision to make: some want to go on with
their
study at college or university; others prefer to start work immediately. Many school leavers are eager to
go
to
work in order to make money to live independently and help their parents. They always do
their best
to
overcome any obstacles they may encounter. U

n fo r t

u nat e

l y, owing to the guidance poor
and bold from
their
parents and teachers, most boys and girls are ill- prepared for unemployment.
Therefore, they often
feel
worried and build up all sort of fearsome prospects in their mind as the
time to start work gets nearer. It is
the
duty of the school and family to prepare these young people for
their future
jobs
4
There is no way to measure the value of reading, but we know that books educate and bring great

pleasure to people. Many book lovers even join discussion groups so that they can talk about the books
they read. Although books are made
into movies, the book version is much better. Books are available to everyone at no cost. Public
libraries are an American tradition and every library has a large collection of books on every subject.
Reading can prepare you for an examination at
school, or, if you are writing a report, you can gather facts from a recent edition of an encyclopedia. At
your job, reading can helps you get a promotion to higher position.
If you like mysteries, you can read about the search for a stolen treasure or a spy on a secret mission.
If you like
science fiction, you can read about a spacecraft trying to avoid a collision with a meteor or a
dangerous experiment that could end in an explosion that would destroy the earth. If you long to travel
but cannot afford to do it, reading allow you to travel without restriction in your imagination.
A book is a collection of leaves of paper, parchment or other material, bound together along one
edge within covers. A book produced in electronic format is known as e- book. In library and information
science, a book is called a
monograph to distinguish it from serial publications such as magazines, journals or newspapers.
A book may be studied by students in the form of a book report. It may also covered by a professional
writer as a book review to introduce a new book. When writing systems were invented in ancient
civilizations, clay tablets or parchment
scrolls were used as books, for example, in the library of Alexandria. Before the invention and adoption
of the printing press, almost all books were copied by hand, which made books comparatively expensive
and rare. During the early Middle
Ages, when only churches, universities, and rich noblemen could typically afford books, there were often
chained to a bookshelf or a desk to prevent theft.
If you enjoy cycling for pleasure, it can be a shock in London. There are not enough lanes especially
for
bikes, and making your way through the traffic can be very risky. But if you have great passion, cycling
in London can be exciting, and i

t is an inexpensive way of keeping fit if you live there. Some cyclists

don’t mind spending a lot of money in expensive bikes. However, if you just want a basic bike that is
only for occasional use, there are many cheap choices. Several markets have cheap bikes on sale which
may not be impressive to look at but should be satisfactory. You should buy a cycling helmet if you
want to cycle in London. Wearing a cycling a helmet is not compulsory in Britain, but it is a good idea to
wear one for protection.
A hobby can be almost what a person likes to do in his/her free time. Hobbyists raise pets, watch
birds or hunt animals. They also climb the mountains, go fishing, go skating, or go swimming. They also
paint pictures, attend concerts and play musical instruments. They collect everything from books to
butterflies and from shells to stamps.
5
People have hobbies because these activities bring enjoyment, friendship, knowledge and
relaxation. Sometimes, they can bring financial profits. Hobbies also bring interesting activities for
people who have retired. People, rich or poor, old or young, sick or well, can follow a satisfying hobby
regardless of their age, position, or income.
Hobbies can help a person’s mental and physical health. Doctors have found that hobbies are
available in helping patients suffer from physical or mental illness. Hobbies give these patients activities
to do, and provide interests that prevent them from thinking about themselves.
The population of the world has been increasing faster and faster. In 10.000 B.C. there were
probably only 10 million people. In A.D. there were 300 million. It took 1750 years for the population
to reach 625 million, a little more than double the A.D. In 1850, only 100 years later, the population had
nearly doubled again, with a figure of 1130 million. In 1950, the figure had more than double to reach
2510 million. In 1985, only 35 years later, there were 4760 million people. By 2000, the world’s
population is expected to be over 6 billion. Seventy –five percent of the world’s populations live in Third
World countries. This means that most people are poor and are unable to give children a good life.
Does the earth have enough natural resources to support its people? Different scientists give
different answers to this question. Some say that there are enough resources to support more than 6
billion people, but the problem is distribution. The richest countries, with a small percentage of the
world’s population, use most of the resources. If these resources could be distributed equally, there
would be enough for everyone. Other scientists say that we must limit population growth because our
resources are limited. Only 10 percent of the earth’s land can be used for farming and another 20 percent

for raising animals. It is possible to increase the amount of farmland, but only a little. Some land in
developing countries can be more productive if people start using modern farming methods, but this will
not increase worldwide ways production very much.
In the United States and Canada, it is very important to look a person in the eyes when you are
having a
conversation with him or her. If you look down or to the side when the other person is talking, that
person will think that you are not interested in what he or she is saying. This of course, is not polite. If
you look down or to the side when you are talking, you may appear hiding something, that is, it might
seem that you are not honest. However, people who are speaking will sometimes look away for a few
seconds when they are thinking of or trying to find the right word. But they always turn immediately
back to look the listener in the eyes. These social rules are the same for two women, two men, a woman
and a man or an adult and a child.
Every year students in many countries learn English. Some of these students are young children.
Others are teenagers. Many are adults. Some learn at school. Others study by themselves. A few learn
English just by hearing the language in films, on television, in the office or among their friends. But not
many are lucky enough to do that. Most people must work hard on their lessons to learn another
language.
Many boys and girls learn English at school because it is one of their subjects. They study their own
6
language, mathematics and English. In England, America or Australia, many boys and girls study their
own language, which is
English and another language, perhaps French, German or Spanish.
Many adults learn English because it is useful for their work. Teenagers often learn English for their
higher studies because some of their books are in English at the college or university. Other people learn
English because they want to read newspapers or magazines in English.
For many years people believed that the cleverest animals after man were chimpanzees. Now,
however, there is proof that dolphins may be even cleverer than these big apes. Although a dophin lives
in the sea, it is a mammal. It is in many ways, therefore, like a human being. Dolphins have simple
language. They are able to talk to one another. It may be possible for man to learn how to talk to
dolphins. But this will not be easy because dolphins cannot hear the kind of sounds man can make. If the

man wants to talk to dolphins, therefore, he will have to make a third language which both he and the
dolphins can understand. Dolphins are also very friendly towards man. They often follow ships. There
are many stories of dolphins guiding ships through difficult and dangerous water.
Language, the way we express ourselves, is a vital part of learning. A baby learns his native
tongue naturally by hearing speech around him. If the speech he hears is rapid, not clear and never
directed at him then he learns slowly and speaks badly. A child of two or three who can’t make his
desires known or put his thoughts into words will usually become angry. His relationships with other get
worse. If the speech a baby hears around him is clear, and his family talk to him, he will gain a
satisfactory command of language directly, by his mother, his language ability will be greater. By the
time he is two, it is quite possible for him to have a vocabulary of two thousand words and by the time
he is three he will be able to read. Once ahead he will stay ahead.
How can we keep our teeth healthy? First, we ought to visit our dentist twice a year. He can fill the
small holes in our teeth before they destroy the teeth. He can examine our teeth to check that they are
growing in the right way. Unfortunately, many people wait until they have toothache before they see a
dentist. Secondly, we should brush our teeth with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice a
day, once after breakfast and once before we go to bed. We can also use wooden toothpicks to clean
between our teeth after a meal. Thirdly, we should eat food that is good for our teeth and our body: milk,
cheese, fish, brown bread, potatoes, red rice, vegetables and fresh fruit. Chocolate, sweets, biscuits and
cakes are bad, especially when we eat them between meals. They are harmful because they stick to our
teeth and cause decay.
In 1920, after 39 years of problems with diseases, high cost and politics, The Panama Canal was
officially opened, finally linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by allowing ships to pass through the
fifty-mile canal zone instead of traveling some seven thousands miles around Cape Horn. It takes a ship
approximately eight hours to complete the trip through the canal and costs an average of fifteen thousand
dollars, one tenth of what it would cost an average ship to round the Cape Horn. More than fifteen
thousand ships pass through its locks each year.
Do you love hamburgers? Do you know how they were created?
The first hamburgers in U.S. history were served in New Haven, Connecticut, at Louis' Lunch sandwich
7
shop in 1895. Louis Lassen, founder of Louis' Lunch, ran a small lunch wagon selling steak

sandwiches to local factory workers. Because he didn't like to waste the excess beef from his daily
lunch rush, he ground it up, grilled it, and served it between two slices of bread - and America's first
hamburger was created.
The small Crown Street luncheonette is still owned and operated by third and fourth generations of the
Lassen family. Hamburgers are still the specialty of the house, where steak is ground fresh each day and
hand molded, slow cooked, broiled vertically, and served between two slices of toast with your choice of
only three "acceptable" garnishes: cheese, tomato, and onion.
Do you want ketchup or mustard? Forget it. You will be told "no" in no uncertain terms. This is the
home of the greatest hamburger in the world, claim the owners, who are perhaps best known for
allowing their customers to have a burger the Lassen way or not at all.
London is the place where the historic past and the present come alive. A blend of history,
architecture and culture has created an amazingly and constantly developing city. Not surprisingly, the
capital has become a wonderful place for
visitors and a great place to live with countless museums, galleries and entertainment places throughout
the city. Whatever
you want to buy, you can surely find out in London. London has a population of 7.2 million people
and it is one of
Europe’s most densely populated areas.Throughout history, a lot immigrants and refugees have been
arriving in London. London has more women than men and its population is younger when compared to
the rest of the country. The capital is home to 306, 000 in higher education
Bananas and plantains are today grown in every humid tropical region and constitutes the 4th
largest
fruit
crop of the world. The plant needs 10 - 15 months of frost-free
conditions
to produce a flower stalk. All but the hardiest varieties stop growing when the temperature drops
below 53°
F.
Growth of the plant begins to slow down at about 80° F and stop entirely when the
temperature reaches 100°

F.
High temperatures and bright sunlight will also scorch leaves and fruit,
although bananas grow best in full
sun.
Freezing temperatures will kill the foliage. In most areas
bananas require wind protection for best
appearance
and maximum yield. They are also susceptible to
being blown over. Bananas, especially dwarf varieties,
make
good container specimens if given
careful attention. The plant will also need periodic repotting as the old
plant
dies back and new plants
develop.
Starting university creates both excitement and anxiety about the move, studying and meeting
new people.
For some students, this apprehension is quickly overcome after some days; for others the
transition
takes
longer and sometimes t

h e

y have to suffer from homesickness. Those who are homesick
often feel that they
have
no control over their situations. Besides that, a lot of work to do, many lessons
to learn and unhappiness
when

things are different from their expectations of student life make them
8
feel
worse.
What might help to overcome the
problem?
Here are some advice from psychologists: make as many friends as possible, take part in
university
activities, remember to get enough food and sleep, and the busier you are, the less time you
will have to
feel
homesick or lonely; but remember to establish a balance between work and
leisure.
Jack London was the famous American novelist and short story writer. He was born in San
Francisco in 1876. He quit school at fourteen to become a sailor. He was a self- taught student, he
finished his high school and college education during six months. He led an adventurous but poor life.
His view point was in favor of the poor and socialism. He read a lot of books of Karl Marx. He was
influenced by Marxist Party theory and the October Revolution. In 1985, he joined the Socialist
Labour Party but in the last years of his life, he moved away from the working class and in 1916 he left
the party. In 1916 he committed suicide because of despair dream. He used an overdose of morphine and
drowned himself in the sea. He was an adventure novelist, a Social reformer and a prominent socialist
who often signed under the line “Yours for revolution, Jack London.”
Students at the age of 18 always have to face difficult decision to make: some want to go on with
their study at college or university, others prefer to start work immediately. Many school leavers are
eager to go to work in order to make money to live independently and help their parents. They always
do their best to overcome any obstacles they may encounter. U n for tu

n a t

e

l

y, owing to the
guidance poor and bold from their parents and teachers, most boys and girls are ill- prepared for
unemployment. Therefore, they often feel worried and build up all sort of fearsome prospects in their
mind as the time to start work gets nearer. It is the duty of the school and family to prepare these
young people for their future jobs.
In the past people used to have all sorts of strange ideas. They used to think that the earth was
like a flat
board. They were absolutely certain that it was possible to fall off the end. They used to believe that the
earth was the center of the universe. They thought the sun moved around the earth. Together with the
progress of science and technology, people’s knowledge of the universe has changed. We are now living
in a small planet among millions of stars in the huge universe.
Men have been interested in the starts even since the time when they first looked up into the sky.
Some of these starts may have their own planets. They can also suppose that intelligent life may exist on
one of them. The problem is that the nearest star is four light years away. In other words, light from it has
been traveling for four years when it finally reaches us. Probably nobody from the earth will ever visit
that star because it would take a rocket a lot of years to reach it.
In order to stay healthy it is important to have a balanced diet. We should eat enough three main
groups of food. These groups are protein, carbohydrate, and fat.
Protein are very important for building our body. They help us to build new cells as old ones die.
Meat and milk products are major sources of protein. We can also get protein from fish, eggs and beans.
Carbohydrates and fat are important to enable us to store energy. Carbohydrates are found in
sugar and in cereals. Fat can be found in vegetable oil, in butter and in nuts.
Our body also needs minerals, such as iron and calcium, and vitamins. Fish, vegetables and
9
How can we keep our teeth healthy? First, we ought to visit our dentist twice a
year. He can fill the small holes in our teeth before they destroy the teeth. He can examine our teeth to
check that they are growing in the right way. Unfortunately, many people wait until they have toothache

before they see a dentist. Secondly, we should brush our teeth with a toothbrush and flouride toothpaste at
least twice a day, once after breakfast and once before we go to bed. We can also use wooden toothpicks
to clean between our teeth after a meal. Thirdly, we should eat food that is good for our teeth and our
body: milk, cheese, fish, brown bread, potatoes, red rice, vegetables and fresh fruit. Chocolate, sweets,
biscuits and cakes are bad, especially when we eat them between meals. They are harmful because
they stick to our teeth and cause decay
In 1920, after some 39 years of problems with diseases, high cost and politics, The Panama
Canal was officially opened, finally linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by allowing ships to
pass through the fifty-mile canal zone instead of travelling some seven thousands miles around Cape
Horn. It takes a ship approximately eight hours to complete the trip through the canal and costs an
average of fifteen thousand dollars, one tenth of what it would cost an average ship to round the Horn.
More than fifteen thousand ships pass through its locks each year.
The coffee plant is actually a large shrub, or bush, not really a tree . It can grow very tall (from three to
nine meters ) if it is left alone in the wild . It has dark green leaves on the outsite and lighter green leaves
underneath. Small white blossoms appear on the leaves, making the coffee plant look like it’s covered
with snow . After a few days, the Fragrant blossoms fall off the plant , and small berries begin to grow.
The berries change from green to dark red in about six months .Underneath the berry skin there is a green
bean. When the berries are ripe , they are picked , and the bean inside is removed . This is the bean that
produces coffee
Coffee beans are picked by hand , one by one. Then they are dried and prepared for
market . coffee beans are shipped all over the world . When they reach their destination , different coffee
beans are blended together to produce different kinds of coffee .Then the beans are roasted , ground and
packaged in air-tight cans and bags to keep the coffee fresh . Different countries prefer different blends .
In Turkey and Arabia , dark coffee is preferred . In the United States and Canada, the coffee is not so
dark . Coffee is also prepared and served differently all over the world. In some places , it is made very
thick and strong and served in small cups . Other countries serve coffee with more water in it, in bigger
cups.
Greetings in all languages have he same purpose: to establish contact with another person, to recognize
his or her existence and to show friendliness. The formulas for greeting are very specific and usually do
not carry any literal meaning people say “ Good morning “ even if it is a miserable day and may reply to

“ How are you?” with “ Fine, thanks” even if they aren’t feeling well .
Closings, like greeting s are commonly used to exchange with no literal meaning. People who are
leaving each other permanently or for a long time shake hands or embrace, depending on the relationship.
If you are in an unfamiliar situation and wonder what to do. Watch other people or ask.
It is interesting, and sometimes very important to learn about the standards of courtesy in different
cultural areas of the world so that we can practice them well and avoid awkwardness in case we get a
chance to visit a person or a community of unfamiliar social customs.
10
While fats have lately acquired a bad image, one should not forget how essential they are. Fats provide
the body’s best means of storing energy sources than either carbohydrates or proteins. They act as
insulation against cold, as cushioning for the internal organs, and as lubricants. Without fats, energy
would be no way to utilize fat soluble vitamins. Furthermore, some fats contain fatty acids that contain
necessary growth factors and help with the digestion of other foods.
An important consideration of fat intake is the ratio of saturated fats to unsaturated fats. Saturated fats,
which are derived from daily products, animal fats, and tropical oils, increase the amount of cholesterol in
the blood. Cholesterol may lead to coronary heart disease by building up in the arteries of the heart.
However, unsaturated fats, derived from vegetable oils, tend to lower serum cholesterol if taken in a
proportion twice that of saturated fats.
The consumption of a variety of fats is necessary, but the intake of too much fat may lead to a variety of
health problems. Excessive intake of fats, like all nutritional excesses, is to be avoided.
One step beyond automated machines is the industrial robot,the heart and brain of which is the
microcomputer. Unlike most automated machines, industrial robots can be programmed to do a variety of
tasks that are usually accomplished by human factory workers.Like their human counterparts, industrial
robots can be switched from one job to another and can programmed to handle new tasks. Thus far,robots
have found their greatest use in assembling mechanical components. However,they are swiftly branching
from basic assembly operations to construction and mining,and their most glamorous use of all,the
exploration of oceans and outer space.
When you put a letter into a post-box,do you know what will happen to it?
First of all, a postman will come in a van to collect all the mail from it.The mail is collected at fixed
times, usually once in the afternoon. These collection times are shown on each post-box. The van will

then take the mail to the nearest post office.
The mail to places in the same district will be put together. A machine will chop the stamps so that they
cannot be used again.Then postman will arrange the letters into bundles and pack them into their
postbags.
The work of a postman is not easy. He often has to get up very early. He has to work outdoors in all
weathers. He must be strong in order to carry his heavy postbag. He sometimes has to read bad writing.
Can you read the address on this envelope? It is very difficult for postmen to deliver mail quickly and
correctly when addresses are not written clearly.
Do you know the proper way to send a letter? If you are writing to someone in Hong Kong, you should
use a white envelope. If you want to send a letter to a country outside Hong Kong, you should use an
envelope bordered by red and blue stripes. Also you should write the name and address clearly and
correctly on the envelope. Letters and small parcels can be posted in post-boxes or at a post office.
However, you must take large parcels to a post office. It costs more to send a heavy parcel than a light
one. It is also more expensive to send overseas.
Humanitarian Dorothea Dix was born in Hampden, Maine, in 1802. At the age of 19, she established a
school for girls, the Dix Mansion School, in Boston, but had to close it in 1835 due to her poor health.
She wrote and published the first of many books for children in 1824. In 1841, Dix accepted an invitation
to teach classes at a prison in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was deeply disturbed by the sight of
11
mentally-ill persons thrown in the jail and treated like criminals. For the next eighteen months, she toured
Massachusetts institutions where other mental patients were confined and reported the shocking
conditions she found to the state legislature. When improvements followed in Massachusetts, she turned
her attention to the neighboring states and then to the West and South.
Dix’s work was interrupted by the Civil War; she served as superintendent of women hospital nurses
for the federal government.
Dix saw special hospitals for the mentally-ill built in some fifteen states. Although her plan to obtain
public land for her cause failed, she aroused concern for the problem of mental illness all over the United
States as well as in Canada and Europe.
Dix’s success was due to her independent and thorough research, her gentle but persistent maner, and
her ability to secure the help of powerful and wealthy supporters.

The computer age is producing an army of robots-machines that are directed by electronic brains and
which replace human labour in industrial operations. Many are artificial arms which reach into areas man
enters only at his peril, such as the inside of a nuclear reactor.
Already in 2000 there were 90,000 such robots working in industrial plants throughout the world. The
big change over to robots, however, is likely to come only when their costs go down while workers’
wages continue to rise.
In an effort to produce the largest, fastest, and most luxurious ship afloat, the British built the S.S
Titanic. It was so superior to anything else on the seas that it was dubbed “unsinkable”. So sure of this
were the owners that they provided only twenty lifeboats and rafts, less than one half the number needed
for 2.227 passengers on board.
Many passengers were abroad the night it rammed an iceberg, only two days at sea and more than
halfway between England and its New York destination. Because the luxury liner was travelling so fast, it
was impossible to avoid the ghostly looking iceberg. Panic increased the number of casualties as people
jumped into the icy water or fought to be among the few to broad the lifeboats. Four hours after the
mishap, another ship, the Carpathina, rescured the 705 survivors.
The infamous S.S Titanic had enjoyed only two days of sailing glory on its maiden voyage in 1912
before plunging into 12,000 feet of water near the coast of Newfoundland,where it lies today.
Many people continue to skip breakfast despite its being the most important meal of the day.
Busy people often rush out the door in the mornings without giving their bodies the fuel they need to
handle a long day at work. They end up feeling tired by the afternoon and resort to the office snack
machine or biscuit tin.
Loysa Hourigan, from Nutrition Australia, said that catching up on food at lunchtime did not provide
the body with enough sustenance to keep it going for the rest of the day. “ Even if you have had lunch,
you won’t have as much food as you need. Your brain gets depleted of glucose and you feel tired.” Ms
Hourigan said.
According to Ms Hourigan, whole grain bread and cereals provide endurance. Milk, eggs, and baked
beans provide protein, which helps people to be alert. Rolled oats are also an excellent endurance food.
Ogden Nash was a poet, storyteller, humorist, and philosopher. Born in Rye, New York, and raised in
Savannah, Georgia, he tried but failed to adapt himself to the academic and later the business world. After
12

attending Harvard University briefly, he became a mail clerk on Wall Street, later advancing to bond
salesman. His first job as a writer was to produce advertising copy for streetcar cards. Then, in 1925, he
joined the advertising department of Doubleday Page and Company, one of the largest publishing house in
New York. Later, as a member of the editorial staff of “The New Yorker” magazine, he began writing
short poems.
His verses are filled with humor and wry wit as well as the unexpected or improbable rhymes that have
come to characterize them. One of his most famous is a two-line verse titled “reflections on Ice-Breaking”
in which he offers the following advice to young lovers: “Candy is candy, but liquor is quicker”.
Beginning in 1931, and extending over the next four decades. Nash produced nineteen books of poetry.
During the same time period, he was a favorite contributor to many leading magazines, and his name
became a household world.
Champagne, the king of wines and wine of kings, tastes all the better when it is drunk
from an elegant, fine-quality glass. That, however, is only one of thousands of ways glass is
used today. And for all those different uses, many different types of glass are produced. Glass
products are manufactured in different ways. Today, glass is blown by hand in the traditional
way which the Roman first developed, but now this work is done by robots, too. Generally, in
industry, much faster methods of mass production are needed. Often, for example, glass is
pressed into the necessary shape by machine. Glass is shaped in other ways too. For example,
it is made into long, very thin fibres. Fibres like these are required to make the fibre-opitic
cables that help to build the information Super-Highway around the world.
For many years people believed that the cleverest animals after man were chimpanzees. Now,
however, there is proof that dolphins may be even cleverer than these big apes. Although a dophin lives
in the sea, it is a mammal. It is in many ways, therefore, like a human being. Dolphins have simple
language. They are able to talk to one another. It may be possible for man to learn how to talk to
dolphins. But this will not be easy because dolphins cannot hear the kind of sounds man can make. If the
man wants to talk to dolphins, therefore, he will have to make a third language which both he and the
dolphins can understand. Dolphins are also very friendly towards man. They often follow ships. There
are many stories of dolphins guiding ships through difficult and dangerous water.
Language, the way we express ourselves, is a vital part of learning. A baby learns his native
tongue naturally by hearing speech around him. If the speech he hears is rapid, not clear and never

directed at him then he learns slowly and speaks badly. A child of two or three who can’t make his
desires known or put his thoughts into words will usually become angry. His relationships with other get
worse. If the speech a baby hears around him is clear, and his family talk to him, he will gain a
satisfactory command of language directly, by his mother, his language ability will be greater. By the
time he is two, it is quite possible for him to have a vocabulary of two thousand words and by the time
he is three he will be able to read. Once ahead he will stay ahead.
In Town everything seems to be made for the comfort and convenience of the inhabitants.
Do you wish to go from one spot to another? You have at your disposal numerous and fast
means of communication: omnibuses, tramways, taxi-cabs, underground railways, etc … If one
evening you do not know what to do and you do not feel inclined to read, you may go to moving
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pictures, which, in one moment, will transport you to the farthest regions of the globe and enroll
before your eyes the most picturesque scenes. If that pastime seems too childish to you, you
may go to the theater and hear the greatest actors or actresses
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi câu từ 66 đến 70:
The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet was named delta. Its sign was a triangle – a three – sided
figure. Today the word delta means the triangular group of islands at the mouth of a river.
Delta are formed by the rivers themselves. Large rivers may carry sand and fine soil as they
sweep towards their mouths. Near their outlets, rivers usually slow, and can less easily carry
their burdens. Sand and silt are dropped when rivers enter a larger body of water. Not all rivers
form delta. Ocean currents may be strong enough to sweep the river water away before sand
and silt are deposited. Or the deposits may themselves be swept away.
The fertile soil of the Nile delta has made it famous. Mans history in this delta dates back for
thousands of years.
66. In ancient Greece, delta was the name of
Reducing your intake of sweet foods is one way to keep your teeth healthy. The least
cavity-causing way to eat sweets is to have them with meals and not between. The number of
times you eat sweets rather than the total amount determine how much harmful acid the
bacteria in your saliva produces. But the amount of sweets influences the quanlity of your
saliva. Avoid, if you can, sticky sweets that stay in your mounth a long time. Also try to brush

and floss your teeth after eating sugary foods. Even rinsing your mouth with water is effective.
Whenever possible, eat foods with fiber, such as raw carrot sticks, apples, etc that scrape off
plaque, acting as a toothbrush. Cavities can be greatly reduced if these rules are followed when
eating sweets.
In the United States, presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four (1888, 1900,
1964, etc.). Since 1840, American presidents elected in years ending with zero have died in office, with
one exception. William H. Harrison, the man who served the shortest term, died of pneumonia only
several weeks after his inauguration.
Abraham Lincoln was one of four presidents who were assassinated. He was elected in 1860, and
his untimely death came just five years later. James A. Garfield, a former Union army general from Ohio,
was shot during his first year in office (1881) by a man to whom he wouldn't give a job. While in his
second term of office (1901), William McKinley, another Ohioan, attended the Pan-American Exposition
in Buffalo, New York. During the reception, he was assassinated while shaking hands with some of the
guests. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas only three years after his election.
Three years after his election in 1920, Warren G, Harding died in office. Although it was never
proved, many believe he was poisoned. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times (1932, 1936, 1940
and 1944), the only man to serve so long a term. He had contracted polio in 1921 and eventually died of
the illness in 1945.
Ronald Reagan, who was elected in 1980 and reelected four years later, suffered an assassination
attempt but did not succumb to the assassin's bullets. He was the first to break the long chain of
unfortunate events. Will the candidate in the election of 2020 also be as lucky?
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After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he
foresaw its universally destructive powers too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor
of dynamite, so in 1895, just two weeks before his death·, he created a fund to be used for awarding
prizes to people who had made worthwhile contributions to humanity. Originally there were five awards:
literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years
after the first awards ceremony.
Nobel's original legacy of nine million dollars was invested, and the interest on this sum is used for
the awards which vary from $30,000 to $125,000.

Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, the awards (gold medal, illuminated
diploma, and money) are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the
judges' decisions. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prizes.
No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War 11. Some people
have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes.
In the world today, particularly in the two most industrialized areas, North America and
Europe, recycling is big news. People are talking about it, practicing it, and discovering new
ways to be sensitive to the environment. Recycling means finding was to use products a
second time. The motto of the recycling movement is "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle".
The first step is to reduce garbage. In stores, a shopper has to buy products in blister
packs, boxes and expensive plastic wrappings. A hamburger from a fast food restaurant comes
in lots of packaging: usually paper, a box, and a bag. All that packaging is wasted resources.
People should try to buy things that are wrapped simply, and to reuse cups and utensils đô
dng, dng c. Another way to reduce waste is to buy high-quality products. When low quality
appliances break, many customers throw them away and buy new ones - a loss of more
resources and more energy. For example. if a customer buys a high-quality appliance that can
be easily repaired, the manufacturer receives an important message. In the same way. if a
customer chooses a product with less packaging, that customer sends an important message to
the manufacturers. To reduce garbage, the throwaway must stop.
The second step is to reuse. It is better to buy juices and soft drinks in returnable bottles.
After customers. empty the bottles, they return them to the store. The manufacturers of the
drinks collect the bottles, wash them, and then fill them again. The energy that is necessary to
make new bottles is saved. In some parts of the world, returning bottles for money is a common
practice. In those places, the garbage dumps have relatively little glass and plastic from
throwaway bottles.
The third step is being environmentally sensitive is to recycle. Spent motor oil can be
cleaned and used again. Aluminum cans are expensive to make. It takes the same amount of
energy to make one aluminum can as it does to run a color TV set for three hours. When
people collect and recycle aluminum (for new cans), they help save one of the world's precious
resources

When I injured my back I had to take a break from my running career. I decided to give them the
confidence to get out and run.
15
I decided to start a running club for women in my area because I was annoyed by the attitude of
many race organizers. They complain about the lack of women in the sport but also use this as an excuse
for not providing separate changing facilities.
I put up posters 40 women, young and old, fit and unfit, joined. All of them were attracted by the
idea of losing weight but I don’t think they had really thought about running before. When or if they did,
they had a picture of painful training. They didn’t think of chatting and smiling while running in beautiful
places, like by a river.
At first they ran for only a minute- now they can run for thirty minutes. They’ve also learned
from other runners about diet and keeping fit in general.
I wanted to do something for women’s running and I’ve had so much pleasure watching their
progress- almost as much as they’ve had themselves
In the United States and Canada, it is very important to look a person in the eyes when you are
having a
conversation with him or her. If you look down or to the side when the other person is talking, that
person will think that you are not interested in what he or she is saying. This of course, is not polite. If
you look down or to the side when you are talking, you may appear hiding something, that is, it might
seem that you are not honest. However, people who are speaking will sometimes look away for a few
seconds when they are thinking of or trying to find the right word. But they always turn immediately
back to look the listener in the eyes. These social rules are the same for two women, two men, a woman
and a man or an adult and a child.
Every year students in many countries learn English. Some of these students are young children.
Others are teenagers. Many are adults. Some learn at school. Others study by themselves. A few learn
English just by hearing the language in films, on television, in the office or among their friends. But not
many are lucky enough to do that. Most people must work hard on their lessons to learn another
language.
Many boys and girls learn English at school because it is one of their subjects. They study their own
language, mathematics and English. In England, America or Australia, many boys and girls study their

own language, which is
English and another language, perhaps French, German or Spanish.
Many adults learn English because it is useful for their work. Teenagers often learn English for their
higher studies because some of their books are in English at the college or university. Other people learn
English because they want to read newspapers or magazines in English.
During the teenage years, many young people can at times be difficult to talk to. They often seem to
dislike being questioned. They may seem unwilling to talk about their work in school. This is a normal
development at this age, though it can be very hard for parents to understand. It is part of becoming
independent of teenagers trying to be adult while they are still growing up. Young people are usually
more willing to talk if they believe that questions are asked out of real interest and not because people are
16
trying to check up on them. Parents should do their best to talk to their sons and daughters about school
work and future plan but should not push them to talk if they don’t want to. Parents should also watch for
the danger signs: some young people trying to be adult may experiment with sex, drugs, alcohol or
smoking. Parents need to watch for any sighs of unusual; behaviour which may be connected with these
and get help if necessary.
People have always dreamed of living forever, and although we all know this will not happen, we still
want to live as long as possible. Naturally, there are advantages and disadvantages to a long life. In the
first place, people who live longer can spend more time with their family and friends. Secondly, people
who have busy working lives look forward to a long; relaxing retirement when they can do all the things
they have never had time for. On the other hand, there are some serious disadvantages. Firstly, many
people become ill and consequently have to spend time in hospital or become dependent on their children
and friends. Many of them find this dependence annoying or embarrassing. In addition to this, the older
people get, the fewer friends they seem to have because old friends die or become ill and it's often
difficult to make new friends. To sum up, it seems that living to a very old age is worthwhile for people
who stay healthy enough to remain independent and enjoy life.
Alexander Graham Bell was born in Scotland in 1847, but when he was a young man of twenty-three he
moved with his parents to Canada. Before the year was over, young Graham had left his family and gone
to Boston. Though Bell was a dreamer, he was also a practical thinker and a man of action. In Boston,
where he worked by day as a teacher of the deaf, he worked far into the night experimenting with the

electrical transmission of sound. "You can't make an owl sleep at night," he once wrote in a letter. "The
more I explore the wonderful subject of electricity, the more boundless seem the prospects before me."
The food we eat seems to have profound effects on our health. Although science has made enormous
steps in making food more fit to eat, it has, at the same time, made many foods unfit to eat. Some
research has shown that perhaps eighty percent of all human illnesses are related to diet and forty percent
of cancers are related to the diet as well, especially cancer of the colon. Different cultures are more prone
to contract certain illnesses because of the food that is characteristic in these cultures. That food related to
illness is not a new discovery.
Radio waves are a mystery. Though scientists assume that they are a form of electric energy, no one as
yet has been able to prove it. But even though scientists are not quite sure what radio waves are, they are
constantly learning how to make use of them. One of the first scientists to experiment with their use was
an Italian named Macroni. In 1897 he formed a wireless company to install wireless sets in ships at sea,
in light ships, and in lighthouses along the coast of England. With such equipment, he believed that a ship
in danger of sinking could radio for help. Two years later he was proved right. A light ship, pounded and
damaged by heavy seas, radioed a nearby station and got help in time to prevent loss of life. Among the
more than 1.5 million species of living things that have been described and named, the human species is
unique in that its members adapt to the environment primarily by a complicated form of learned behavior
called culture, which is transmitted from generation to generation by the symbol system of language. For
all practical purposes, geographic variation in our species is now irrelevant because people adapt to the
environment primarily by means of behavior, whose biological basis is in the brain and is not reflected in
superficial differences in body surfaces. When they first evolved, people who had dark-colored skin were
17
better adapted to climatic conditions near the equator than those who had light-colored skins, but few
human beings now live under natural conditions. Also, technological advances have assured that at the
present time, human beings of various races are as likely to reproduce in one environment as in another.
The superficial differences between existing human races are thus largely relics of the past and are not of
much functional significance today.
Traditionally, mental tests have been divided into two types. Achievement tests are designed to measure
acquired skills and knowledge, particularly those that have been explicitly taught. The proficiency exams
required by some states for high school graduation are achievement tests. Aptitude tests are designed to

measure a person’s ability to acquire new skills or
knowledge. For example, vocational aptitude tests can help you decide whether you would do better as a
mechanic or musician . However, All mental tests are in some sense achievement tests because they
assume some sort of past learning or experience with certain objects, words or situations . The difference
between achievement and aptitude tests is one of degree and intended use.
To be successful, a business traveler must be able to maintain contact with the office, no matter what the
time or place. Negotiations often involve decisions based on the latest figures. New telecommunications
products and services now on the market make staying in touch easier than ever before. The most
widespread device is the cellular telephone, the price of which has dropped from several thousand dollars
to a few hundred, including installation. There are over two million
mobile cellular phones in use today, including both car phones and cordless transportable units. Car
phones have proven indispensable for road emergencies as well as routine business transactions. Phone
service is also available on airplanes and on the rails. Recently introduced pocket- side organizers help
business travelers with heavy schedules keep track of clients. These are tiny computers that can store all
kinds of information. They can serve as phone and address directories, calendars, electronic memo pads,
and calculators, among other uses. Another invaluable telecommunications tool is smaller, lighter fax
machines that plug into any standard electrical outlet and phone line. The devices allow instantaneous
transmission of hard
copy to any location having a compatible fax machine. It is expected that faxing will soon become the
primary means of sending and receiving short documents requiring prompt attentions.
A recent international meeting held in Washington explored the health effects of drinking tea .
Researchers from the United States, Japan, China, Britain and the Netherlands presented the latest studies
about the effects of tea on health. Scientists say tea contains natural chemicals.These chemicals block the
action of some substances produced in the body that cause cancer.They say tea contains the same
substances in fruits and vegetables which are now being studied for possible use in fighting cancer . This
means that drinking tea could protect people’s health. Our scientists at the meeting presented a study that
was done in Beijing, China. A professor at the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine studied 59
people with growths in their mouth which were expected to become cancers. About 30 received 6 months
of treatment with a mix of green tea and black tea . The others received a neutral substance. The area of
cell growth was reduced 38% in the treated patients. The area of cell growth was reduced 10% in the

patients who were not treated with tea .
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Reducing your intake of sweet foods is one way to keep your teeth healthy. The least cavity-causing
way to eat sweets is to have them with meals and not between. The number of times you eat sweets rather
than the total amount determine how much harmful acid the bacteria in your saliva produces. But the
amount of sweets influences the quanlity of your saliva. Avoid, if you can, sticky sweets that stay in your
mounth a long time. Also try to brush and floss your teeth after eating sugary foods. Even rinsing your
mouth with water is effective. Whenever possible, eat foods with fiber, such as raw carrot sticks, apples,
etc that scrape off plaque, acting as a toothbrush. Cavities can be greatly reduced if these rules are
followed when eating sweets.
In addition to providing energy, fats have other functions in the body. The fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E,
and K, are dissolved in fats, as their name implies. Good source of these vitamins have high oil or fat
content, and the vitamins are stored in the bodys fatty tissues. In the diet, fats cause food to remain longer
in the stomach, thus increasing the feeling of fullness for some time after a meal is eaten.
Fats add variety, taste and texture to foods, which accounts for the popularity of fried foods. Fatty
deposits in body have an insulating and protective value. The curves of the human female body are due
mostly to strategically located fat deposits. Whether a certain amount of fat in the diet is essential to
human health is not definitely known. When rats are fed a fat-free diet, their growth eventually ceases,
their skin becomes inflamed and scaly and their reproductive systems are damaged. Two fatty acids,
linoleic and arachidonic acids, prevent these abnormalities and hence are called essential fatty acids. They
are also required by a number of other animals, but their roles in human beings are debatable. Most
nutritionists consider linoleic fatty acid an essential nutrient for humans.
READING COMPREHENSION
Carbohydrates, which are sugars, are an essetial part of a healthy diet. They provide main source of
energy for the body, and they also function to flavor and sweeten foods. Carbohydrates range from
simple sugars like glucose to complex sugars such as amulose and amylopectin. Nutritionists estimates
that Carbohydrates should make up about one-fourth to one-fifth of a person’s diet. This translates to
about 75-100 grams Carbohydrates per day. A diet is deficient in Carbohydrates can have an adverse
effect on a person’s health. When a body lacks a sufficient amount of Carbohydrates, it must then use its
protein supplies for energy, a processs called gluconeogenesis. However, this result in a lack of

necessary protein, and further health difficulties may occur. A lack of Carbohydrates can also lead to
ketosis, a build-up of ketones in the body that causes fatigue, lethargy, and bad breath.
Martin Luther King is welknown for his work in civil right and for many famous speeches, among
them his moving “I have a dream” speech. But fewer people know much about King’s childhood. M.L.,
as he was called, was born in 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the home of his maternal grandfather, at the
Reverend A.D. Williams, purchased their home on Auburn Avenue in 1909, 20 years before M.L was
born. The Reverend Williams, an eloquent speaker, played an important role in the community because
so many people’s lives center around the church and his home to be used as a meeting place for a number
of organizations dedicated to the education and social advancement of blacks. M.L grew up in this
atmostphere, with his home being used as a community gathering place, and was no doubt influenced by
it.
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M.L.’s childhood was not especially eventful. His father was a minister and his mother was a
musician. He was the second of three children, and he attended all-black schools in a black
neighborhood. The neighborhood was not poor, however. Auburn Avenue was the main artery through a
prosperous neighborhood that had come to symbolize achievement for Atlanta’s black people. It was an
area of banks, insurance companies, builders, jewelers, tailors, doctors, lawyers, and other black-owned
or black-operated businesses or services. Even in the face of Atlanta’s segregation, the district thrived.
Dr. King never forgot the community spirit he had known as a childhood, nor did he forget the racial
prejudice that was a seemingly insurmountable barrier that kept black Atlantans from mingling with
whites.
Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local governments.
Arriving immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life.
In the late 19th and early 20
th
centuries, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs.
But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of
industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who was
willing to work could find a job.
Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the

programs - Social Security - has become an American institution. Paid for by deductions from the
paychecks of working people, Social Security ensures that retired persons receive a modest monthly
income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and other assistance to those
who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65,
when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social Security fund
may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly
Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up
the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated. In the years since Roosevelt, other
American presidents have established assistance programs. These include Medicaid and Medicare; food
stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and public housing which is built at federal
expense and made available to persons on low incomes. Needy Americans can also turn to sources other
than the government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is
available. Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is
estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of
U.S. households contribute money to charity.
Millions of people are using cellphones today. In many places, it is actually considered unusual not to use
one. In many countries, cellphones are very popular with young people. They find that the phones are
more than a means of communication - having a mobile phone shows that they are cool and connected.
The explosion in mobile phone use around the world has made some health professionals worried. Some
doctors are concerned that in the future many people may suffer health problems from the use of mobile
phones. In England, there has been a serious debate about this issue. Mobile phone companies are
worried about the negative publicity of such ideas. They say that there is no proof that mobile phones are
bad for your health. On the other hand, medical studies have shown changes in the brain cells of some
people who use mobile phones. Signs of change in the tissues of the brain and head can be detected with
20
modern scanning equipment. In one case, a traveling salesman had to retire at young age because of
serious memory loss. He couldn't remember even simple tasks. He would often forget the name of his
own son. This man used to talk on his mobile phone for about six hours a day, every day of his working
week, for a couple of years. His family doctor blamed his mobile phone use, but his employer's doctor
didn't agree. What is it that makes mobile phones potentially harmful? The answer is radiation. High-

tech machines can detect very small amounts of radiation from mobile phones. Mobile phone companies
agree that there is some radiation, but they say the amount is too small to worry about. As the discussion
about their safety continues, it appears that it's best to use mobile phones less often. Use your regular
phone if you want to talk for a long time. Use your mobile phone only when you really need it. Mobile
phones can be very useful and convenient, especially in emergencies. In the future, mobile phones may
have a warning label that says they are bad for your health. So for now, it's wise not to use your mobile
phone too often.
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