===TITLE=== UNIT 7: READING COMPREHENSION :: 12 QUESTIONS ===TIMER=== 20 ===PART=== 1. READING :: 12 :: 1 ===SECTION=== Passage 1 Halong Bay is undeniably one of the most magnificent natural wonders located on the northeastern coast of Vietnam. With its charming landscape consisting of thousands of limestone peaks and small islands of various shapes and sizes, it has rightfully become a famous travel destination for both domestic and international tourists. Every year, millions of visitors come to explore the majestic caves, admire the breathtaking scenery, and enjoy recreational activities such as sailing and scuba diving around the bay. However, this extremely high number of tourists has put the fragile environment at considerable risk. Recently, environmentalists held a conference and asked if the local government could manage the tourism industry in a more sustainable way. They wanted to know whether strict rules would be applied to protect the diverse marine flora and fauna, which are currently endangered. In response, a new comprehensive conservation program was introduced. The management board asked tourists if they were willing to reduce plastic waste and avoid littering during their visits. Most visitors enthusiastically replied that they were happy to support the initiative. Furthermore, the government now requires all tour operators to get a special permit to access certain protected ecological zones. This urgent measure helps to conserve the delicate ecosystem, especially the areas designated for coral watching. A dedicated local guide, who has lived there his whole life, said that if we didn’t take immediate and urgent action, the true charm and beauty of the bay would be permanently destroyed. He asked us whether we wanted future generations to have the opportunity to admire this tropical paradise. The answer from the crowd was a resounding yes. Therefore, everyone must contribute to the protection of this unique heritage to ensure its sustainability for years to come. ===MCQ=== 1. Where is Halong Bay geographically situated? *A. Along the northeast shoreline of Vietnam. B. Deep within a southern valley. C. Close to a dense tropical rainforest. D. Surrounded by a vast desert area. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…located on the northeastern coast of Vietnam” (nằm trên bờ biển phía đông bắc). Cụm từ này được paraphrase thành “Along the northeast shoreline”. ===MCQ=== 2. What specifically makes the landscape of Halong Bay so charming? A. The natural habitat of wandering camels. *B. A vast number of limestone mountains and small islets. C. The occurrence of severe annual snowstorms. D. The construction of massive modern aquariums. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…consisting of thousands of limestone peaks and small islands” (bao gồm hàng ngàn đỉnh đá vôi và đảo nhỏ). Cụm này tương đương với “A vast number of limestone mountains and small islets”. ===MCQ=== 3. What did environmentalists ask the local government to do? A. To completely shut down the travel businesses. B. To create more simulated virtual destinations. *C. To adopt eco-friendly practices in managing the travel sector. D. To ban all exploratory missions right away. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…manage the tourism industry in a more sustainable way” (quản lý ngành du lịch theo cách bền vững hơn). Ý này được paraphrase thành “adopt eco-friendly practices in managing the travel sector”. ===MCQ=== 4. What did the management board ask the tourists to commit to? A. To participate in scuba diving on a daily basis. B. To purchase extra souvenirs made of plastic. C. To provide food for the threatened marine life. *D. To cut down on plastic consumption and stop dropping trash. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…reduce plastic waste and avoid littering” (giảm rác thải nhựa và tránh xả rác). Cụm này đồng nghĩa với “cut down on plastic consumption and stop dropping trash”. ===MCQ=== 5. Why do tour operators now need a special permit? A. To increase the sailing speed of their boats. B. To legally catch uncommon fish in the waters. *C. To obtain clearance for entering specific conserved habitats. D. To construct luxurious accommodations on the islets. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…to access certain protected ecological zones” (để đi vào các khu sinh thái được bảo vệ). Ý này được viết lại thành “obtain clearance for entering specific conserved habitats”. ===MCQ=== 6. What did the local guide emphasize during his speech? A. That the coastal area is entirely immune to pollution. B. That throwing plastic is beneficial for the coral reefs. C. That all tourism activities must be permanently banned. *D. The critical need to act quickly to save the bay. Giải thích: Hướng dẫn viên nhấn mạnh: “…if we didn’t take immediate and urgent action…” (nếu chúng ta không hành động khẩn cấp ngay lập tức). Điều này ám chỉ “The critical need to act quickly” (Nhu cầu cấp bách phải hành động nhanh chóng). ===SECTION=== Passage 2 The Amazon rainforest is not only an extraordinary travel destination but also a vital component of the global environment. It possesses an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, making it a true paradise for nature lovers, biologists, and environmentalists worldwide. Exploration of this vast and dense landscape can be quite risky due to its extreme weather conditions and unpredictable terrain, but the scientific discoveries made here are always admirable and groundbreaking. A group of international scientists recently conducted an exploratory mission deep into a remote valley within the forest. During a virtual press conference following their return, a curious reporter asked whether the research team had discovered any new endangered species. The lead researcher smiled and replied that they had indeed found several unique insects and a rare type of frog. However, her tone shifted as she also expressed considerable concern about the rapid and destructive development occurring in the surrounding areas. She asked if the world truly realized the urgency of the current situation. Rampant deforestation is destroying the natural habitat of many animals, pushing them closer to extinction. Another journalist wanted to know if the local nomadic tribes, who have lived in harmony with nature for centuries, were affected by this. The researcher confirmed that their sustainable way of life and rich heritage were under severe threat. The government is now carefully considering new, stricter policies to encourage the protection of this natural wonder and halt illegal logging. Additionally, they asked international conservation organizations if they would be willing to provide urgent financial support for local projects. Sustaining the Amazon is absolutely not just a local or regional issue; it is a shared global responsibility to protect this majestic natural heritage from complete destruction. Every individual must recognize that the loss of this rainforest would have catastrophic effects on the world’s climate, making conservation efforts an absolute priority. ===MCQ=== 7. What is the Amazon rainforest primarily known for globally? A. Its massive population of desert animals. B. The frequent occurrence of freezing snowstorms. *C. Its exceptional variety of plant and animal species. D. Its perfect environment for deep-sea diving. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “It possesses an incredible diversity of flora and fauna” (đa dạng đáng kinh ngạc của hệ thực vật và động vật). Cụm này được paraphrase thành “exceptional variety of plant and animal species”. ===MCQ=== 8. Why is conducting exploration in the Amazon considered risky? A. Because the expeditions are only simulated online. B. Because it involves swimming in massive public aquariums. C. Because the woodland is surprisingly tiny and crowded. *D. Owing to the severe climate and challenging geography. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…due to its extreme weather conditions and unpredictable terrain” (do thời tiết khắc nghiệt và địa hình khó đoán). Được viết lại thành “Owing to the severe climate and challenging geography”. ===MCQ=== 9. What did the research team successfully discover during their mission? *A. Some unusual bugs along with an uncommon frog. B. A newly evolved breed of camel. C. The ruins of a lost civilization in the valley. D. A lively ecosystem of underwater corals. Giải thích: Nhà nghiên cứu trả lời: “…found several unique insects and a rare type of frog” (vài loài côn trùng độc đáo và một loài ếch hiếm). Paraphrase thành “unusual bugs along with an uncommon frog”. ===MCQ=== 10. What human activity is destroying the natural habitats in the Amazon? A. Eco-friendly preservation methods. *B. The widespread cutting down of trees. C. Environmentally responsible tourism. D. The impact of heavy winter snow. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “Rampant deforestation is destroying the natural habitat…” (Nạn phá rừng tràn lan). “Deforestation” đồng nghĩa với “The widespread cutting down of trees”. ===MCQ=== 11. Who else is severely affected by the destructive development in the forest? A. People who dive and sail for a living. B. Domesticated animals used for transport. *C. The native people who live a wandering lifestyle. D. The staff managing local water parks. Giải thích: Bài đọc nhắc đến “local nomadic tribes” (các bộ lạc du mục địa phương bị ảnh hưởng). “Nomadic tribes” được diễn đạt lại thành “native people who live a wandering lifestyle” (người bản địa sống lối sống nay đây mai đó). ===MCQ=== 12. What did the government ask international organizations to provide? A. A higher volume of global travelers. B. Exclusive passes for forest exploration. C. Animals to help transport goods. *D. Immediate monetary assistance to back regional initiatives. Giải thích: Bài đọc ghi: “…provide urgent financial support for local projects” (cung cấp hỗ trợ tài chính khẩn cấp cho các dự án địa phương). Ý này được viết lại thành “Immediate monetary assistance to back regional initiatives”.