Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 34 to 38.
WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
People have been asking this question for centuries, but only recently have scientists and psychologists joined the debate. Apparently, our genes play a big part in how happy we feel. And while money and material possessions can (34) ________ our spirits for a short time, it seems the real key to happiness is life experiences. Buying new clothes or the latest electronic device may make us feel on top of the world for a short time, but after a while, the feeling starts to fade. We get used to seeing our (35) ________ and our happiness loses its shine.
What's more, we tend to compare ourselves to (36) ________ and if we see someone with a better or newer version of what we've bought, it can leave us down in the dumps. Life experiences, on the other hand, are more satisfying and bring more lasting happiness. Apart from the enjoyment of the actual experience, they give us memories (37) ________ we keep our whole lifetime. Life experiences bring us closer to people, too. (38) ________ the next time you're tempted to spend money on material possessions, try saving the cash for a life experience instead. As you look back on your life, you'll be grateful.
(Adapted from Gateway by David Spencer and Gill Hooley)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 34 to 38.
WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
People have been asking this question for centuries, but only recently have scientists and psychologists joined the debate. Apparently, our genes play a big part in how happy we feel. And while money and material possessions can (34) ________ our spirits for a short time, it seems the real key to happiness is life experiences. Buying new clothes or the latest electronic device may make us feel on top of the world for a short time, but after a while, the feeling starts to fade. We get used to seeing our (35) ________ and our happiness loses its shine.
What's more, we tend to compare ourselves to (36) ________ and if we see someone with a better or newer version of what we've bought, it can leave us down in the dumps. Life experiences, on the other hand, are more satisfying and bring more lasting happiness. Apart from the enjoyment of the actual experience, they give us memories (37) ________ we keep our whole lifetime. Life experiences bring us closer to people, too. (38) ________ the next time you're tempted to spend money on material possessions, try saving the cash for a life experience instead. As you look back on your life, you'll be grateful.
(Adapted from Gateway by David Spencer and Gill Hooley)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 34 to 38.
WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
People have been asking this question for centuries, but only recently have scientists and psychologists joined the debate. Apparently, our genes play a big part in how happy we feel. And while money and material possessions can (34) ________ our spirits for a short time, it seems the real key to happiness is life experiences. Buying new clothes or the latest electronic device may make us feel on top of the world for a short time, but after a while, the feeling starts to fade. We get used to seeing our (35) ________ and our happiness loses its shine.
What's more, we tend to compare ourselves to (36) ________ and if we see someone with a better or newer version of what we've bought, it can leave us down in the dumps. Life experiences, on the other hand, are more satisfying and bring more lasting happiness. Apart from the enjoyment of the actual experience, they give us memories (37) ________ we keep our whole lifetime. Life experiences bring us closer to people, too. (38) ________ the next time you're tempted to spend money on material possessions, try saving the cash for a life experience instead. As you look back on your life, you'll be grateful.
(Adapted from Gateway by David Spencer and Gill Hooley)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 34 to 38.
WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
People have been asking this question for centuries, but only recently have scientists and psychologists joined the debate. Apparently, our genes play a big part in how happy we feel. And while money and material possessions can (34) ________ our spirits for a short time, it seems the real key to happiness is life experiences. Buying new clothes or the latest electronic device may make us feel on top of the world for a short time, but after a while, the feeling starts to fade. We get used to seeing our (35) ________ and our happiness loses its shine.
What's more, we tend to compare ourselves to (36) ________ and if we see someone with a better or newer version of what we've bought, it can leave us down in the dumps. Life experiences, on the other hand, are more satisfying and bring more lasting happiness. Apart from the enjoyment of the actual experience, they give us memories (37) ________ we keep our whole lifetime. Life experiences bring us closer to people, too. (38) ________ the next time you're tempted to spend money on material possessions, try saving the cash for a life experience instead. As you look back on your life, you'll be grateful.
(Adapted from Gateway by David Spencer and Gill Hooley)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 34 to 38.
WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
People have been asking this question for centuries, but only recently have scientists and psychologists joined the debate. Apparently, our genes play a big part in how happy we feel. And while money and material possessions can (34) ________ our spirits for a short time, it seems the real key to happiness is life experiences. Buying new clothes or the latest electronic device may make us feel on top of the world for a short time, but after a while, the feeling starts to fade. We get used to seeing our (35) ________ and our happiness loses its shine.
What's more, we tend to compare ourselves to (36) ________ and if we see someone with a better or newer version of what we've bought, it can leave us down in the dumps. Life experiences, on the other hand, are more satisfying and bring more lasting happiness. Apart from the enjoyment of the actual experience, they give us memories (37) ________ we keep our whole lifetime. Life experiences bring us closer to people, too. (38) ________ the next time you're tempted to spend money on material possessions, try saving the cash for a life experience instead. As you look back on your life, you'll be grateful.
(Adapted from Gateway by David Spencer and Gill Hooley)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 39 to 42.
Many universities around the world are proud to have long histories and strong traditions. However, very few universities can claim to be among the oldest in the world.
Nalanda University, in Bihar, India, was established around 600 BC. It was most likely the world's first university. In the past, scholars came from Europe, China, and all over India to learn about science, medicine, the Buddhist religion, and other subjects. The university is in ruins now, but at one time it was an impressive school with temples, classrooms, libraries, and dormitories.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the University of Al-Karaouine in Fes, Morocco, is the oldest surviving university in the world. It was probably founded in 859 and became a famous place to study natural sciences. The first university in Europe is definitely the University of Bologna, in Italy. It was one of the few universities in Europe that were not influenced by religion. Professors were forbidden from teaching outside the university, and so students came from all over Europe to study with its famous teachers.
(Adapted from Active Skills for Reading by Neil J Anderson)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 39 to 42.
Many universities around the world are proud to have long histories and strong traditions. However, very few universities can claim to be among the oldest in the world.
Nalanda University, in Bihar, India, was established around 600 BC. It was most likely the world's first university. In the past, scholars came from Europe, China, and all over India to learn about science, medicine, the Buddhist religion, and other subjects. The university is in ruins now, but at one time it was an impressive school with temples, classrooms, libraries, and dormitories.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the University of Al-Karaouine in Fes, Morocco, is the oldest surviving university in the world. It was probably founded in 859 and became a famous place to study natural sciences. The first university in Europe is definitely the University of Bologna, in Italy. It was one of the few universities in Europe that were not influenced by religion. Professors were forbidden from teaching outside the university, and so students came from all over Europe to study with its famous teachers.
(Adapted from Active Skills for Reading by Neil J Anderson)

Los Angeles dancer, Brian Perez, was eating out with his friends one evening when suddenly everyone went quiet. To his horror, he saw that the reason for this was that people were checking their phones. Realising he had to do something to stop this, Brian made a rather daring suggestion. What if they all put their gadgets in a pile in the middle of the table until they had finished the meal? If anyone picked up their phone, that person would have to pay the whole bill. And so, it is said, the game of 'phone stacking' was born.

The necessity for action like this highlights a major problem in today's society: our inability to disconnect from technology. But while Brian's idea deals with the obsession in a social context, measures also need to be taken at home. Some people drop their smartphones into a box the moment they arrive home, which gives them the chance to interact with the people they live with. The fact that the phone cannot be heard - it is on silent - nor seen - the flashing lights are hidden by the box - means that they are no longer tempted to use it.

A less drastic solution is to ban electronic devices at certain times of day when the whole family is likely to be together, for example at meal times. This can be hard for everyone, from teenagers desperate to text friends to parents unable to switch off from work. On a normal day, however, dinner takes less than an hour, and the benefits of exchanging opinions and anecdotes with the rest of the family certainly makes up for the time spent offline.

Taking a break from technology is one thing, but knowing when to turn off a device is another. Time seems to stand still in the virtual world, and before you know it, you find that it is three o'clock in the morning. This is where a digital curfew comes in handy, a set time when all devices must be put away. Evenings without technology are usually nice and peaceful and make a more agreeable end to the day. And then it's time for bed. One of the best ways of ensuring you can sleep at night is to ban electronic devices altogether from the bedroom. Lying next to a machine bursting with information is far from relaxing, and the sounds it emits during the night can easily wake you up. With technology out of the room, a line has been drawn between daytime and sleep time, which enables us to switch off ourselves and drift off to sleep.

(Adapted from Solutions 3rd Edition by Tim Falla and Paul A Davies)

Los Angeles dancer, Brian Perez, was eating out with his friends one evening when suddenly everyone went quiet. To his horror, he saw that the reason for this was that people were checking their phones. Realising he had to do something to stop this, Brian made a rather daring suggestion. What if they all put their gadgets in a pile in the middle of the table until they had finished the meal? If anyone picked up their phone, that person would have to pay the whole bill. And so, it is said, the game of 'phone stacking' was born.

The necessity for action like this highlights a major problem in today's society: our inability to disconnect from technology. But while Brian's idea deals with the obsession in a social context, measures also need to be taken at home. Some people drop their smartphones into a box the moment they arrive home, which gives them the chance to interact with the people they live with. The fact that the phone cannot be heard - it is on silent - nor seen - the flashing lights are hidden by the box - means that they are no longer tempted to use it.

A less drastic solution is to ban electronic devices at certain times of day when the whole family is likely to be together, for example at meal times. This can be hard for everyone, from teenagers desperate to text friends to parents unable to switch off from work. On a normal day, however, dinner takes less than an hour, and the benefits of exchanging opinions and anecdotes with the rest of the family certainly makes up for the time spent offline.

Taking a break from technology is one thing, but knowing when to turn off a device is another. Time seems to stand still in the virtual world, and before you know it, you find that it is three o'clock in the morning. This is where a digital curfew comes in handy, a set time when all devices must be put away. Evenings without technology are usually nice and peaceful and make a more agreeable end to the day. And then it's time for bed. One of the best ways of ensuring you can sleep at night is to ban electronic devices altogether from the bedroom. Lying next to a machine bursting with information is far from relaxing, and the sounds it emits during the night can easily wake you up. With technology out of the room, a line has been drawn between daytime and sleep time, which enables us to switch off ourselves and drift off to sleep.

(Adapted from Solutions 3rd Edition by Tim Falla and Paul A Davies)

Los Angeles dancer, Brian Perez, was eating out with his friends one evening when suddenly everyone went quiet. To his horror, he saw that the reason for this was that people were checking their phones. Realising he had to do something to stop this, Brian made a rather daring suggestion. What if they all put their gadgets in a pile in the middle of the table until they had finished the meal? If anyone picked up their phone, that person would have to pay the whole bill. And so, it is said, the game of 'phone stacking' was born.

The necessity for action like this highlights a major problem in today's society: our inability to disconnect from technology. But while Brian's idea deals with the obsession in a social context, measures also need to be taken at home. Some people drop their smartphones into a box the moment they arrive home, which gives them the chance to interact with the people they live with. The fact that the phone cannot be heard - it is on silent - nor seen - the flashing lights are hidden by the box - means that they are no longer tempted to use it.

A less drastic solution is to ban electronic devices at certain times of day when the whole family is likely to be together, for example at meal times. This can be hard for everyone, from teenagers desperate to text friends to parents unable to switch off from work. On a normal day, however, dinner takes less than an hour, and the benefits of exchanging opinions and anecdotes with the rest of the family certainly makes up for the time spent offline.

Taking a break from technology is one thing, but knowing when to turn off a device is another. Time seems to stand still in the virtual world, and before you know it, you find that it is three o'clock in the morning. This is where a digital curfew comes in handy, a set time when all devices must be put away. Evenings without technology are usually nice and peaceful and make a more agreeable end to the day. And then it's time for bed. One of the best ways of ensuring you can sleep at night is to ban electronic devices altogether from the bedroom. Lying next to a machine bursting with information is far from relaxing, and the sounds it emits during the night can easily wake you up. With technology out of the room, a line has been drawn between daytime and sleep time, which enables us to switch off ourselves and drift off to sleep.

(Adapted from Solutions 3rd Edition by Tim Falla and Paul A Davies)

Vũ công Los Angeles, Brian Perez, đang đi ăn tối với bạn bè thì đột nhiên mọi người im lặng. Trước sự kinh hoàng của mình, anh ấy thấy rằng lý do của việc này là do mọi người đang kiểm tra điện thoại của họ. Nhận thấy mình phải làm gì đó để ngăn chặn điều này, Brian đã đưa ra một đề nghị khá táo bạo. Điều gì sẽ xảy ra nếu tất cả họ đặt các thiết bị của mình thành một đống ở giữa bàn cho đến khi ăn xong? Nếu bắt cứ ai nhặt được điện thoại của họ, người đó sẽ phải trả toàn bộ hóa đơn. Và thế là người ta nói, trò chơi 'xếp điện thoại' thành quả bom xịt.
Sự cần thiết phải hành động như thế này làm nổi bật một vấn đề lớn trong xã hội ngày nay: chúng ta không có khả năng ngắt kết nối với công nghệ. Nhưng trong khi ý tưởng của Brian giải quyết nỗi ám ảnh trong bối cảnh xã hội, các biện pháp cũng cần được thực hiện tại nhà. Một số người bỏ điện thoại thông minh của họ vào hộp ngay khi họ về đến nhà, điều này giúp họ có cơ hội tương tác với những người sống cùng. Thực tế là không thể nghe thấy điện thoại - nó ở chế độ im lặng - cũng không được nhìn thấy - đèn nhấp nháy bị ẩn trong hộp - có nghĩa là họ không còn muốn sử dụng nó nữa.
Một giải pháp ít quyết liệt hơn là cấm sử dụng các thiết bị điện tử vào những thời điểm nhất định trong ngày khi cả gia đình thường quây quần bên nhau, chẳng hạn như trong bữa ăn. Điều này có thể gây khó khăn cho tất cả mọi người, từ những thanh thiếu niên khao khát nhắn tin cho bạn bè đến những bậc cha mẹ không thể ngừng làm việc. Tuy nhiên, vào một ngày bình thường, bữa tối chỉ mất chưa đầy một giờ và lợi ích của việc trao đổi ý kiến và chuyện phiếm với những người còn lại trong gia đình chắc chắn sẽ bù đắp cho thời gian ngoại tuyến.
Tạm dừng công nghệ là một chuyện, nhưng biết khi nào nên tắt thiết bị lại là chuyện khác. Thời gian dường như đứng yên trong thế giới ảo, và trước khi bạn biết điều đó, bạn thấy rằng đã ba giờ sáng. Đây là lúc giới nghiêm kỹ thuật số trở nên hữu ích, một thời gian đã đặt khi tất cả các thiết bị phải được cất đi. Buổi tối không có công nghệ thường tốt đẹp và yên bình và tạo ra một kết thúc dễ chịu hơn trong ngày.
Và sau đó là thời gian đi ngủ. Một trong những cách tốt nhất để đảm bảo bạn có thể ngủ vào ban đêm là cấm hoàn toàn các thiết bị điện tử trong phòng ngủ. Nằm bên cạnh một cỗ máy tràn ngập thông tin không hề dễ chịu và âm thanh mà nó phát ra trong đêm có thể dễ dàng đánh thức bạn. Khi công nghệ ra khỏi phòng, một ranh giới đã được vạch ra giữa thời gian ban ngày và thời gian ngủ, cho phép chúng ta tự tắt và chìm vào giấc ngủ.
(Chuyển thể từ Solutions Phiên bản thứ 3 của Tim Falla và Paul A Davies)