Reading 1 ⇱
The Rise of Cities: A Double-Edged Sword
Urbanization, the mass migration of people from rural areas to cities, is a defining trend of the modern world. This shift, driven by the promise of jobs, better living conditions, and access to services, has reshaped societies and economies globally. While urbanization has brought prosperity and opportunity to many, it has also created complex challenges that require careful consideration and strategic solutions.
One of the most significant impacts of urbanization is economic growth. Cities act as engines of economic activity, concentrating businesses, industries, and skilled labor, which in turn boosts productivity and creates jobs. This concentration often attracts companies in sectors like finance, technology, and healthcare, further fueling urban growth and prosperity. However, this rapid expansion also brings challenges like rising housing costs, making it difficult for many to afford adequate living spaces. The demand for housing and other services often outpaces available infrastructure, leading to congestion and strain on public resources.
Beyond economic impacts, urbanization reshapes societal structures and cultural dynamics. Urban dwellers often adopt different lifestyles, prioritizing individual achievement and career advancement over traditional family roles. Cities become cultural melting pots, bringing together diverse ethnic groups, languages, and traditions, enriching the cultural fabric but also presenting challenges related to integration and social cohesion. Urbanization also influences education and skill development, with cities typically offering better access to educational resources. However, this can widen the educational gap between urban and rural communities, potentially limiting opportunities for those living in less developed areas.
Urbanization's impact on the environment is undeniable. As cities expand, they consume vast amounts of resources, leading to pollution, habitat destruction, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The demand for housing and infrastructure often results in the clearing of natural habitats, impacting biodiversity and displacing wildlife. While some cities are implementing sustainable practices to mitigate these effects, balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability remains a critical challenge.
The future of urbanization will be shaped by our ability to address these challenges effectively. Governments and city planners are adopting various strategies, including the development of "smart cities" that utilize technology to improve efficiency and quality of life. Policy interventions are also crucial, with cities implementing measures to provide affordable housing, control pollution levels, and promote sustainable practices. Ultimately, the success of urbanization will depend on our collective commitment to creating cities that are not only economically vibrant but also livable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable for all residents.
Reading 2 ⇱
One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.
The high living costs after COVID-19, especially in clothing and merchandise, have forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet. Years before, buying second-hand goods was seen as unreasonable. Why would you want to pay for something that has already been used by a stranger?
But now, it is a hot new thing that youths and adults are doing. As people become more environmentally conscious, they realize that handing over clothes is a solution to reducing fashion waste and helping the disadvantaged.
Passing down clothes is not a new thing, and a person can then buy that item for half the price. Mrs. Bảo Trân shared that today’s youth liked to buy expensive clothes to show off in a couple of pictures, then they would sell them back to the store. She had even almost quit buying new clothes because she could just buy almost unused clothes in a store that sells them at a 90% discount or even less. Not only is this practice good for the wallet, but it is also fantastic for the environment. As 92 million tons of textile waste is produced every year, the fashion industry is throwing away more clothes than ever before.
Besides taking care of the waste, giving away or buying second-hand clothes also helps the needy who are struggling to survive during cold winters or to afford basic needs. Starting as a Facebook page for selling second-hand clothes, the organization now sells old clothing for charity money. Volunteers can either donate their used fashion items to the shop to give to the poor or give them to the shop as free apparel. The only requirement is that the clothes should be in good condition.
(Trích nguồn sách THINK 12)
Reading 3 ⇱
Although noise, commonly defined as unwanted sound, is a widely recognized form of pollution, it is very difficult to measure because the discomfort experienced by different individuals is highly subjective and, therefore, variable. Exposure to lower levels of noise may be slightly irritating, whereas exposure to higher levels may actually cause hearing loss. Particularly in congested urban areas, the noise produced as a by-product of our advancing technology causes physical and psychological harm and detracts from the quality of life for those who are exposed to it.
Unlike the eyes, which can be covered by the eyelids against strong light, the ear has no lid, and is, therefore, always open and vulnerable; noise penetrates without protection.
Noise causes effects that the hearer cannot control and to which the body never becomes accustomed. Loud noises instinctively signal danger to any organism with a hearing mechanism, including human beings. In response, heartbeat and respiration accelerate, blood vessels constrict, the skin pales, and muscles tense. In fact, there is a general increase in functioning brought about by the flow of adrenaline released in response to fear, and some of these responses persist even longer than the noise, occasionally as long as thirty minutes after the sound has ceased.
Because noise is unavoidable in a complex, industrial society, we are constantly responding in the same way that we would respond to danger. Recently, researchers have concluded that noise and our response may be much more than an annoyance. It may be a serious threat to physical and psychological health and well-being, causing damage not only to the ear and brain but also to the heart and stomach. We have long known that hearing loss is America's number one nonfatal health problem, but now we are learning that some of us with heart disease and ulcers may be victims of noise as well. Fetuses exposed to noise tend to be overactive, they cry easily, and they are more sensitive to gastrointestinal problems after birth. In addition, the psychic effect of noise is very important. Nervousness, irritability, tension, and anxiety increase affecting the quality of rest during sleep, the efficiency of activities during waking hours, as well as the way that we interact with each other.