BEST

- MODEL

ESSAYS

All Topics AND Dialogues

. WITH lmporton! Notes

ON Essay.s Writing

2001-2002

by M'llon Nandy

lai gi6'i thi~u

Trang cac ky thi tieng Anh, thi sinh thirong phai vi~t mot hay nhieu bai luan d~ danh gia kha nang sir dung ngol1 ngu. Duy la mot phan thi thirong gay kh6 khan cho thf sinh VI khong chi danh gia trinh dO thong thao ngon ngir rna con ki~m tra ki~n thirc va kha nang suy luan, di~n giai v~n d6 cua thf sinh v~ mot chu dS nao d6.

Ngiroi hoc chi co th~ viet thuan thuc mot hai luan hay mot hi thir tieng Anh khi dil trai qua mot qua trinh luyen t~p Jau dai voi nhirng tai lieu huong d~n cu the, khoa hoc. Quyen sach "136 Best Model Essays - Cae B}li Lu~n Mau Hay Nhat' nay, voi cac bai lu~n thuc t~ trang nhi~u tinh huong sinh dong khac nhau, se cung dp cho ngiroi hoc khong chi cac bai mfru rna con trinh bay nhirng each thirc va bi quyet d~ viet mot bai luan hoac mot la thir thea mot chu d6 CI) the, nho do giiip hoc vien co th~ ap dung, di~u chinh va viet tieng Anh mot each nr tin han.

Cac dS tai vi~t trong sach d~ c~p d~n nhieu Iinh VIJC khac nhau cua cuoc s&ng nhu thirong mai, chfnh tri, xli h(>i. khoa hoc, ngon ngfr, !:gM thuat, hoc t~P. vui choi giai tri ...

D6 giup nguoi hoc nr ren luyen cho minh mot thai quen va phong each viet, chung toi chi dich song ngir mot s6 bai tieu bieu d~ gioi thieu. Cac bai sau, chung toi chi t6m luge dan bai va chii giai nr kh6 d~ hoc vien nr luyen t~p.

Trong l~n c~p nhat nay, cluing toi cung dp them mc)t s6 thong tin Co' ban v~ bai thi vi~t cua hai ky thi tieng Anh quan trong hien nay la TOEFL va IELTS. D6ng thai d~ giup nguoi hoc lam quen voi hai dang bai thi nay, chung toi co dira vao mot 56 bai lu~n mfru va d~ bai d6 hoc vien tham khao them.

Chung toi tin tuong rang cuon sach nay se Ia mot tai lieu tra ciru hiru feh va dn thiet cho cac ban h9C sinh, sinh vien va nhirng ngiroi dang lam viec trang cac linh VIJC lien quan d~n tieng Anh.

BAN BIEN nrca FIRST NEWS

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PHU'O'NG PHAp VI~T SAl LU~N

1. TAm quan trQng ella bid lu~n vi~t

Bai luan vi~t la hlnh, thirc hieu qua nhftt trong s6 cac ,d~ng bai t~p la~ van nham danh gia 51! tien bQ cua hoc vien ve trinh dQ tieng Anh. f)e viet mot bai lu?n hay, nguoi vi~t phai l)i€u r5 chu d~ cling nhir biet each s~p xep va trinh bay cac sir kien theo mQt trinh W logic. Han mra phai di~n dat quan diem, tlnh cam, y nrong, nh~n thirc r5 rang, mach lac va h~p d~n ben canh van phong truyen earn. Ttlt ca doi hoi ki~n thirc tir V1!I1g vlrng chac, trf nrong nrong phong phil va each di€n dat r5 fling, linh hoat, Vi th~ viec tham khao nghiern nic nhtrng culm sach chon IQc la n1t dn thiet, VI nhirng kien thirc h9C hoi khai thac duoc tir nhtrng tac pham hay d~u gop phfrn phat tri8n kha nang bien luan, nr duy va vi~t lach a mQt rmrc de;, nao do,

Kha nang vi~t luan khong chi quan trong trong thi ctr rna con lien quan d~n nhieu v~n d~ ca nhan. Phai thira nhan rAng chung ta dang song trong mot th~ gioi rna thong tin van ban, vidu nhrr thir nr, dong vai tro rfit quan trong, Ngay nay, m6i mot ngirci dan co trinh do van hoa d~u phai biet viet. Kha nang d9C vi~t that SI! quan trong trong cuoc s6ng hien dai. SI! nghiep co thanh cong hay khong con tuy thuoc van kha nang truyen dat trong khi noi va vi~t. Vi v~y moi h9C vien nen hay thuong xuyen thuc hanh vi~t luan v~ nhieu chu d~ khac nhau d~ phat trj~n kha nang vi€t van troi chay va linh hoat.

2. Nhfrng ehu y khi lam van

Mot trong nhirng di~m mtlu ch6t d8 viet lu~n t6t Ia y nrong chung v~ mot d~ tai C\! the. N~u nguoi vi~t khong co nhirng y tuong gia tri, bai luan ch~c chAn se ngheo nan. Han ntra, n~u diroc mieu ta, di~n dat kheo leo thl cac SI! vi~c binh thirong cling se tro nen thii vi. Tuy nhien, di~u quan trong nh~t til cau van phai ro rang, khong qua hoa my.

SI! di~n dat ro rang phu thuoc vao. su mach lac cua y nrong. Thong thtrong, chi khi da trai nghiern qua mQl diSu gt do rbi thi ngiroi ta rnoi co y tuong chfnh xac v~ no. Vi v~y trong bai tho, h9C sinh nen chon d~ tai minh yeu thfch va bi~t r5 hoac mQt d~ tai kheu goi tu duy hay vi~t vS kinh nghiem ca nhan.

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Trang gio hoc va trong cac ky thi, cac d~ tai diroc dtra ra d~ kiem tra ki~n thirc cua nguoi vi~t. Tuy nhien nhu v~y khong c6 nghia la hoc vien chi dn biet r6 d~ tai mlnh chon la du. Quan trong han, ngiroi vi&t phai di~n dat str viec bang ngon ngfr dan gian, h~p d~n, c? hieu IV,c. '0 v~y nen chon cha mlnh mot de tai phu hop, va neu c6 the, nen viet ve kinh nghiem rieng trong cuoc song,

Ngoai ra, nhirng luu y khac v~ bai luan vi~t cung duoc ban d€n trong nhirng ph~n ti€p thea day.

3. Cae d~ng bid lu~n vi~t

Tuy thea muc dfch, bai luan vi~t tarn thai dtroc chia thanh nhung dang sau:

(A) Th,e N ARRA TIVE ESSAY - van urong thuat v~ mot cau chuyen ngan.

(B) The DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY - van mieu ta, trong d6 ngiroi vi~t s~p xep SIJ kien thea trinh tv logic, mieu ta nguoi hoac noi chon.

(C) The ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY - van tranh luan, trinh bay cho nguoi doc Y kien cua tac gift v~ mot v~n d~ tranh cai. Vf du: ky lu~t a nha tnrong.

CD) The REFLECTIVE ESSAY - van tu luan, th~ hien suy nghi cua tac gia v~ mot d~ tai. Vf du: rna uoc cua toi khi tnrong thanh.

(E) The EXPOSITORY hay FACTUAL ESSAY - van binh giang, giai thfch v~ mQt vAn d~ Cl,1 the, chang han: each thirc hoat d9ng cua may dien thoai

(F) The GENERAL ESSAY - luan van tong hop trinh hay chung chung vb mot d€ tai: may bay, ti~n bac V.V ...

(G) The STRUCTURAL ESSAY - luan van k~t du, a day nguoi vi~t dircc yeu du vi~t then nhfrng chu di6m Cl,1 the,

Tuy nhien, kh6ng nen b6 hep van su phan loai tren, MQt d~ tai e6 th~ duoc vi~t duoi nhieu th~ loai. Chang han d~ tai "Lam viron" c6 th~ diroc vi~t then 16i mieu ta hay tong hop, nhung dn thi~t phai phan loai d~ tai tnroc chir khong phai sau khi vi~t luan.

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4. each thu th~p tal li~u cho bsi lu~n

Tht loai cua bai luan phai diroc xac dinh tnroc khi b~t d~u vi~t bai, Mot khi da phac hoa dim Y cua bai luan, ngiroi viet d~ dang xay dung cau true cua phan than hili, phan chinh ella bai van truyen dat thong tin ella

nguoi vi~t cho ngiroi d9C. .

N~u co it thong tin v~ d~ tai mot bai binh giang chang han, nguoi vi~t nen nghien ctru them. Hay d~n thir vien d~ d9C sach tham khao, nr dien bach khoa toan thir, baa chi va nhimg nguon van chuang thich hop khac r~t hiru dung. Khi doc c~n t6m t~t cac su kien chir khong nen sao chep trong sach. Tuy nhien doi khi mot hoac hai cum nr ding giup Ich nit nhieu cho viec trau d6i nr virng va phong each vi~t. Du vay, th~t may man la trong cac ky thi a tnrong, cac d~ bai luan thtrong dan gian va cac SI! kien d~ tim. Mire dO yeu du til duy va trf nrong nrong ding khong

cao lam. .

Nhung doi khi cam hung va nguon Uti lieu tMt d6i dao d~n n6i ngiroi vi6t, khong bi~t nen chon cai ~'i va b~ cai gi. Vi v~y chi dn chon nr nguon tai lieu nhfrng gi can thiet cho de tai sau khi suy xet ky cang. Cac thong tin hra chon phai la nhirng thong tin thu vi va hiru Ich nhftt.

Ngoai ra, tai li~u d~ vi~t van ciing co th~ l§.y ur sach, bao, tap chf dinh ky va cac loai tap chi khac, Cac chuang trinh phat thanh, truyen hinh, phim anh ciing gop ph~n lam phong phii kien thirc cua hoc sinh neu bi~t each sir dung.

Cu6i cung, phai thira nhan dng trf nho la sire rnanh. Bo nao co th~ luu gifr mot hronglon thong tin va ki~n tlnrc neu h9C vien chju kho suy nghi trong khi thu tMp tu Ii~u d6 vi6t d~ tai. Ban bac va thao luan voi ban be cling kfch thich trf nho va vi v~y thuong cung dp nguon y nrong va kien thirc phong phu cho bai luan.

5. each I~p dim y mc?t bsi lu~n

Sau khi thu thap tai lieu, biroc tiep thea Itt l~p dan y. Di~u nay doi hoi cong viec va suy nghi dn than, boi vi str thanh cong cua bai lu~n phu thuoc phan Ian vao dan y.

Tnroc tien, nguoi vi~t phai ghi chti ngay nhirng S\T ki9n va y nrong vira nay ra trong d~u OC minh. Sau do phai s~p xep va ph an nhom cac str kien. ~gu(yi vi€t phai ~em xet ky cac SI! kien va y r6i vi~t tieu d~ d~ phan chia de tai. Cac tieu de sc dai dien cho tung doan cua bat luan van.

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Sau m6i tieu d~, ngiroi vi~t phai s~p x6p SI! kien va y nrong thea tr~t tu mieu tao

£)6 la cong viec chuan bi dan y so luQ'~. Drill y nay dn duoc xem lai v~ sua chua. Nhtrng su ki~n va y tuan~ khong dn thick sau khi xem xet can hroc boo Nhtmg su kien va chi tiet moi chot nay ra trong suy nghT ella nguoi viet e~n diroc dira vao ehi) chinh xac trong bai van. CAn chuyen nhfrng str kien duoc phan nhom sai v~ dung vi trf ella n6.

6. Nhfl'ng net quan trQng cua dim bsi

Nhirng net d{lc trung cua dan bai va bai van diroc vi~t nr dan· bai la rna bai va k~t luan.

Thong thtrong nen rna bai mQt each nr nhien, Mo bai nen cung dp thong tin d.n thiet d€ hi~u phan than bID. V1 v~y a phAn rna bai nen dua vao ten cac nhan v~t, canh nrong hay tlnh huong cua bai van. T6m' lai phan rna bai chi If! mQt doan ng~n ella dan y.

Ph~n ket luan ella bai van nen gay c1n nrong cho nguoi d9C n~u e6 th~.

MQt bai lu~n hay co th~ bi lam hong hoi mQt k~t lu~n ngheo nan. Hon nfta chfnh phan k~t luan d~ lai nhtrng ~n nrong cu6i cling quyet dinh oi~m ella bai van. VI v~y ph§n ket lu~n nen baa g6m mot cau hay doan van ngan t6m tiit toan bQ v§n d~ bai luan. Ph§n nay dn xu~t hien trong dim y dum hlnh tlnrc mot dean van ngan.

Cu6i cung, dn chii y d~n str can d6i cua dan y cilng nhir ella bai luan, Trong tam chii y la' & nhirng v~n d~ quan trong, chiern phan Ian bID lu~n. Nhfrng vAn d~ kemquan trong hon dtroc vi~t ngan hon va phftn nao It quan trong nhc1t duoc vi~t ngan nhc1t.

Sau day lit vi du ella mQt dan bai voi chu d~ "Gia tri cua du ljch", Gia tr] cua du lich,

Doan 1: Mo bai: So sanh khat vong du ljch cua can ngtroi voi nhu cAu diroc bay cua chirn,

Doan 2: So sanh su' di lai tnroc day va hien nay:

Tnroc day (i) khong e6 dirong sa; (ii) khong co phirong tien, VI v~y di lai rdt kh6 khan, hoat dong can ngutri bi han che.

Hien pay: (i) r~t nhieu dirong sa, (ii) r~t nhieu phirong tien giao thong. VI v~y hoat oQng cua can nguoi khong bi han ehe nira, eho lhAy nhu cau manh me v~ di lai.

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DO~lD 3: Du lich cung c~p cho can ngiroi nhirng co hQi nhir: rna rong kien thirc - g~p go nhieu nguoi a nhieu vung, mi~n khac nhau - hi~u bi~t nhirng phong tuc van hoa mroc ngoai - tharn vieng nhirng danh lam thang canh - rna rong tftm nhin - hQC ngoai ngfr.

DOl}n 4: fch IQ'i cua du lich

Viec tiep xuc voi ngiroi mroc ngoai giup chung ta: (i) hi~u nhirng suy nghl va thai dQ ella ho.

(ii) biet v~ 16i song va niern tin ella ho

(iii) hoc hoi kinh nghiem nr S1! th~t bai va thanh cong cua ho (iv) thi~t l~p quan h;:' ban be

(v) dfty lui m6i nghi ngo

(vi) hop tac va trao d6i y kien, kien thirc, quan di~m voi nhau Doan 5: K~t IU~J1

Khat vong phieu hru va hoc hoi cua can nguoi la vo t?n. Can nguoi Sf luon luon thfch du lich,

THE ESSAY:

When man first looked at the bird flying in the sky and wandering away into the unknown regions of the earth, he at once felt the urge to travel and visit the lands beyond his immediate confines. This urge to travel is still so strong that people everywhere are always going to other lands to satisfy the urge.

That travel improves the mind and adds to a person's knowledge cannot be denied. When a person travels he visits people of all races and places. He meets people whose customs and habits are not the same as his. He passes through areas of different climates and regions where even the plants and animals are different from those found in his own country. As he sees all these things he begins to realise how different the people and places are in different parts of the world. He also begins to learn that the struggles and occupations of the people in all parts of the earth are not the same. The work of the people of a country is influenced by geographical factors and religious beliefs.

The traveller also learns that though the people of the world do not follow the same customs and do the same kind of work everywhere, yet their feelings, hopes and desires are the same everywhere. A man in the 21

North Pole has the same feelings of love, sympathy and desperation as another in another distant part of the earth. They both laugh at and fight and struggle for the same thing such as food, love and security for their families and themselves. They also have the same hopes and desires. Knowledge of all these things improves the mind of the traveller to a great extent. He ceases to suspect strangers and becomes more friendly with people who are not of the same race, religion and customs as he is.

Finally, travel helps one to know about the geographical differences of the various countries of the world. One sees with one's own eyes and remembers things which are not written about in any book. Such knowledge broadens one's mind and makes one a better and more reasonable person. The value of travel is therefore not difficult to realise.

BAILU~N

Khi IAn dAu tien nhin v~ nhlrng canh chim tung bay tren b~u troi va luot xa d~n v~ nhtrng vung d~t chua tung duoc bi~t d~n tren trai d~t, con ngiroi ngay l~p nrc cam th~y sir thai thiic phai fa di va vieng tham nhtrng vung d~t ben kia ranh gioi quen thuoc cua rninh, S~.r thai thiic ~y gio day v~n con manh me d~n n6i a dau va hie nao cling co nhfrng nguoi dang du lich d~ri nhfrng xu so khac d~ thoa man su thiic giuc nay.

Kuung th~ phu nhan r~ng chinh du lich da rna mang trf 6c va ki~n thirc con ngirci. Khi du lich ta c6 th€ tham vieng nguoi dan thuoc moi chung tQc va xu so. Ta c6 th~ g~p go nhtmg ngiroi c6 phong tuc va th6i quen khong giong rninh. Ta c6 th~ di qua nhtrng vung d~t c6 khf h~lI khac nhau va nhirng noi rna ca cay c6i va thu v~t cling khac voi a mroc mlnh. Khi chtrng kien nhfrng di~u nay, ta b~t d,iu nhan ra sir khac biet gifra cop n~uoi ya c~nh v~t iJ nhtrng phan khacnhau ~ua th~ gioi. Ta cling bat dau hieu rang nhtrng cuoc dau tranh va chiern hiru cua can nguoi tren trai d~t khong nhir nhau. Cong viec cua ngiroi dan a mot quoc gia bi anh huong bci cac y~u t6 dia 19 va tin nguong.

Ngiroi hay du ljch cling hieu diroc rang cho du cac dan toe tren th~ gioi khong co cung phong tuc t~p quan va cling khong lam cac cong viec gi6ng nhau, nhung nhttng tlnh cam, hy vong va rna uoc cua ho thi <'Y dau cling vay. MQt nguoi <'Y s6ng a Bilc cue cling c6 cam giac yeu thuong, cam thong va tuyet vong nhu bAt ky ai khac song tai mot vung dfit khac tren trdi dk Ca hai cung ciroi, cling tranh d~u va v~t IQn VI nhtrng 19 do nhu nhau nhu thuc pham, tinh yeu thirong va sir an toan cho gia dlnh va ban than. Ca nhfrng uoc rna va khat vong cua ho cling gi6ng nhau.

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Ki~n thirc v~ nhirng dieu nay giup rna mang trf tu~ cua nha du lich r~t nhieu. Ta se kh6ng con nghi ngo nhirng ngiroi la nira, va tro nen than thien han voi nhfrng nguoi khong cling chung toe, ton giao va phong tuc cua minh ..

Cu6i cung, du Itch giup ta hi~u bi~t v~ nhirng khac biet dia 1.9 gifra cac quoc gia khac nhau tren th~ gioi. Ta dUQ"C nhin t~n m~t va ghi nho nhitng di~u m~ kh6ng mot quyen sach nao da nrng ~hi chep:. Nhirng kien tlnrc nhir the rna rong trf DC va lam cho ngiroi ta tot han, de chiu han. Gia tri cua du lich VI th~ r~t d~ nhan th~y.

7. MQt di~m quan trQng ella bal lu~n

MQt d~c diSm quan trong trong bai luan la "sir chuyen tiep", hay thu thuat chuyen .9 nr mot dean sang doan tiep theo. Nguoi vi~t kh6ng nen nhay tir .9 nay sang .9 khac rna khong chi ra s\!' lien h~ cua doan sau voi doan tnroc. Ph~n cu6i cua mot doan la chuan bi cho doan k~ ti~p. Doi khi dn vi~t mot diu (; cuoi doan chi dan thu~n d~ cho thfry str lien h~ voi nhirng gl tiep sau rna khong phai cung cap them thong tin.

Trang mot bai luan, dn phai chu trong d€n nhirng diem sau: (i) Ngfr phap

(ii) Trat tu chfnh xac cua nr (iii) D~u cham

(iv) Bi~n d6i dO dai va hinh thirc cau van (v) SlJ trong sang

Nen tranh nhimg di~u sau: (i) Tit long

(ii) Tir vi~t tk ngoai tnr nhirng nr diroc chap nhan nhu 'Mr" (iii) Sir dung thirong xuyen tit "16i"

(iv) Ngon ngfr gia tao

Cuoi cling, sau khi di'i vi~t xong bai luan nen doc lai dn than, CAn sua

d6i va b6 sung nhimg chi) dn thiet. .

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1. LIFE IN THE CITY

Life in the city is full of activity. Early in the morning hundreds of people rush out of their homes in the manner ants do when their nest is broken. Soon the streets are full of traffic. Shops and offices open, students flock1 to their schools and the day's work begins. The city now throb? with activity, and it is full of noise. Hundreds of sight-seers\ tourists and others visit many places of interest in the city while businessmen from various parts of the world arrive to transact business",

Then towards evening, the offices and day schools begin to close.

Many of the shops too close. There is now a rush for buses and other means of transpo~. Everyone seems to be in a hurry to reach. home. As a result of this rush, many accidents occur. One who has not been to the city before finds it hard to move about at this time. Soon, however, there is almost no activity in several parts of the city. These parts are usually the business centres.

With the coming of night, another kind of activity begins. The streets are now full of colourful lights. The air is cooler and life becomes more leisurely. People now seek entertainment. Many visit the cinemas, parks and clubs, while others remain indoors to watch television or listen to the radio. Some visit friends and relatives and some spend their time reading books and magazines. Those who are interested in politics discuss the latest political developments. At the same time, hundreds of crimes are committed", Thieves and robbers who wait for the coming of night become active, and misfortune descends upon8 many. For the greed9 of a few, many are killed, and some live in constant fear. To bring criminals to justiceIO, the officers of the law are always on the move!'.

Workers and others who seek advancement in their careers attend educational institutions which are open till late in the night. Hundreds of them sit for various examinations every year. The facilitiesl2 and opportunities that the people in the city have to further their studies and increase their knowledge of human affairs are indeed many. As a result, the people of the city are usually better informed than those of the village, where even a newspaper is sometimes difficult to get.

The city could, therefore, be described as a place of ceaseless activity.

Here, the drama of life is enacted every day.

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NEW WORDS:

1. flock [fbk] (v) 10 1u'(1t keo den; tu t,jp, quay quan

2. throb [Brob] (v) rt?n rang, r9n len; rung d9ng

3. sight-seer ['sajt,si:~] (n) ngu'ai di tham quan

4. transact [treen'zeekt] (v) tturc hi~n, tien hanh; giai quyet

5. means of transport [mi:nz av 'treenspa.t] phu'dng ti~n v~n chuyen

6. commit [ka'mlt] (v) pnsm phai

7. misfortune [mis'b:tJn] (n) su'rc! ro, 51/ bat hfJnh; dieu kh6ng may

8. descend upon [di'send a'pon] (v) ~p xu5ng bat ngif, den bat nga

9. greed [gri:d] (n) tfnh tham lam

10. to bring s.o. to justice [brill ta 'd3l1.stis] dem ai ra toe, truy to ai te! toe

11. on the move [In a~ mu:v] di chuyen

12. facility [fa'siliti] (n) cJieu ki~n thu~n tot, phu'dng ti~n de dang

Cuic sang d thanh th]

Cuoc song a thank thi rat nhon nhip. Tit ta- rna- sang hang tram nguoi ua ra khoi nha nhu dan kirin va t6. Chang bao lau sau duang ph6 dong nghet xe ct5. Cdc czra hang va van phong rna cua. H9C sinh h6i lui cilp sdch. drin truang va mot ngay lam viec bilt dau. Gio day thann ph6 hog! d(jng nhon nhip va day ilp tiring huyen nao. Hang tram nguoi ngoan canh, du khdcb va nhi~u ngtari khac vieng thiim nhiing thdng cann cua thanh. pho trong khi cdc doanh nhan tir nhidu nai tren thri guri drin trao d6i cong viec lam an.

Troi v~ chieu, nhiing van phong va truong h9C bJt dau dong ezra.

Nhiiu cua hang ciing dong ezra. Luc nay die""n ra mot cuoc d6 xv don xe buyt va cdc phuong tien vdn chuyen khac. Duong nhu moi nguoi d~u w); vii vi nha.

Krit qua cua SI! vri vii nay la nhi~u tai nan xdy ra. Nhiing ai chua tung drin thanh ph6 aim thiiy kh6 ma di lai VaG gia- nay. Tuy vqy, khong bao lau sau mot s6 khu Vl!C cua thanh. ph6 nhu ngung hoat d(jng. Nhiing ncr; nay thuong la cdc trung tam kinh doanh.

Dim xuong, mot hinh thiec hoat dong khdc lai bilt dall. Duong ph6 tran ngdp anh den mau. Bau khong khi diu xuong va cuoc sbng tra nen

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thu tha han. Cia' day nguoi ta tim dtin nhung thu vui giai tri. Nhidu nguoi din rap chidu bong. cong vien va citu lac bo, trong khi nhiing nguoi khdc o' nha xem ti vi va nghe aai phat thanh. Co nguai di thiim ban be va ba can. Co nguai danh thi gia arc sach va t(JP chi. Nhiing nguai quan tam adn chinh tri ban ludn v~ nhimg su' kien chinh tri nang hoi. CLing trong thai gian nay, hang tram V~l trom CU,(Jp diJn ra. Trom cutrp C/U1 dem xuong di hoat ar}ng, va vdn rui se dp xuong nhieu nguoi. Chi vi [(JnR tham cua mot s6 it nguiri ma nhi~u nguiri dii bi Ridt. vll nhi~ll nguoi khiu: phai song trong canh .w hili tridn mien. Dii dua tpi pham ra truac cong If. cdc vien chuc ludt phap [U/)11 luon .dn sang hanh a(Jng.

Nguoi lao dong va nhimg nguoi muon tidn triin tren can duong cong danh SI! nghiep cua minh. thi tham gia cdc 16p hoc ban dem. M6i niim co hang tram nguai trong s6 ho tham d~1" viw nhieu kj> thi khac nhau. Cdc phuong tien va co hr;5i danh cho nguoi dan thanh thi ad rna rong hoc hoi va gia tang kiJn thtrc nhiin sinh thuc SI! rat phong phu. Do do nguai dan 6' thanh ph6 luon ndm beit thong tin nhanh han nguai dan vung nang than, noi rna co khi ngay din mot leY bao cling kho kiim.

Tom lai thanh thi c6 thd noi La noi cua nhiing hoat dong khong ngung nghl. Chinh tai day. va kicli cuoc do-i tdi diln m6i nga».

2. LIVING IN A MULTIRACIAL COMMUNITY

Living in a community where there are people of various races' could be a rewarding and an exciting experience. Such a community is like a small world with many types and races of people in it.

Everyone, young or old, enjoys listening to stories about people in other lands. We read books and newspapers to learn about the habits, customs and beliefs of people who do not belong to our race, hut when we live in a community composed] of many races, we have the opportunity to meet and talk with people or various races. We can learn about their customs and beliefs directly from them. In this way, w~ have a better understanding of their ways of life. For example, in Singapore and Malaysia, which are known as multi-racial4 countries, Malays, Chinese, Indians and others have lived together for several decades', They have learnt a lot about the cultures of one another, more than what they could have learnt by reading books or newspapers. By living together, they have also absorbed" many of the habits of one another to their common benefi t.

26

Further, living in a multi-racial community teaches us how to respect the views and beliefs of people of other races. We learn to be tolerant and to understand and appreciate the peculiarities7 of those who are not of our race. In this way, we learn to live in peace and harmony with8 foreigners whose ways of life are different from ours in several respects. We become less suspicious of strangers and foreigners.

The relationship that develops among the people from common understanding in a multi-racial community makes life in such a community very exciting. Any celebration of any race becomes a celebration of all the other races. Thus, there is a lot of fun and excitement during every celebration. In this way, better understanding is promoted!) among the peoples of the world. Through each of the races of the people in a multi-racial community, we come to know about their respective countries. For example. through the Chinese and the Indians in Malaysia or Singapore we have come to know much about China and India. As a result, we have a better understanding of the peoples of China and India as a wholc'".

It could therefore be said that life in a multi-racial community teaches us many useful lessons in human relations.

NEW WORDS:

1. race [reis] (n) ctuma toe, giong nguffi

2. belief [bi'li:f] (n) tfn ngu'iing

3. composed [kam'panzd] (adj) gam co, bao gam

4. multi-racial [mxlti'ret]"] (adj) ae chung toe, nhieu chung toe

5. decade ['dekeid] (n) thai ky mlla; nsm, th~p ky

6. absorb [ab'sorb] (v) hap thu

7. peculiarity [pi,kju:li'cerati] (n) tfnh chat rieng, net rieng bi~t, net d~c bi~t

8. in peace and harmony with [in pi:s and 'ha:mani wid] trong hail binh va hoa thu~n

9. promote [pra'maot] (v) nang cao; xuc tien, day menti 10. as a whole [az a haul] no! chung, toen b9

27

Sang trong mpl cpng dang da chsing Ipc

Song trong m(Jt cong de5ng rna cdc cu dan thuoc nhieu chung tre khdc nhau co thd La mot trai nghiem thii vi va b6 ich. M(Jt cong d6ng nhu tht ciing giong nhu mot tht giai thu nho g6m nhidu sdc Irc va kiiu tinh. each.

Tat ca moi nguai, du gia hay ire, d~u thicb nghe chuyen ki vJ nhiing nguai dan xU- khac. Chung fa age sach, baa tid bidt v~ nhiing thai quen, phong tuc va tin nguiing cua cdc dim toe khac, nhung khi chung fa song trong mot cong tl6ng da sdc toe, chung ta co co h(ji ggp gfi va tro chuyen voi nguoi dan thuoc nhiJu chung t(jc khac nhau. Chung fa co thd true ttip h9C hoi v~ nhiing phong tuc va tin nguiing cua hr. Bang each nay. cluing fa co thi hidu nhieu han v~ L6i song cua hr. Chdng han nhu tai Singapore va Malaysia, nhiing nutrc duac xem ta da sdc toe, nguoi Mil Lai, Trung Qu6e, An D(j va cdc sac dan khdc dd chung song voi nhau qua viti thdp kYo H9 dil h9C hoi rdt nhiJu vd win hoa cua nhau ma viec d9C sacii bao kh6ng thi sanh bang. Qua viec chung song vai nhau, ho ding ail tiep thu nhidu tQP qudn cua nhau dd rtlQng lai lai fch chung cha cong dong.

Them v(lo do, cuoc song trong mot cong dong da sde t(Jc day eho ta biit ton trong quan diim va tin nguiing cua dan t(jc khac. Chung ta biet khoan dung, hidu bidt va tlanh gia cao net dgc thu cua nhiing nguoi khong thuoc chung toe minh. Bang each fU1Y, cluing ta h9C chung s6ng trong hoa binh va hoa thudn voi nhiing ngutri ngoai quoc ma 16i song ella ho khac chung ta tren vai phuang dien. Chung ta tra nen it nghi ngai nhimg nguoi IQ va nguoi nutrc ngoai.

M6i quan h~ nay sinh giiia cdc dan toe tit SI! hidu bitt chung trong mot cong dc3ng da sac toe Lam cho cuoc sdng trong cong d6ng nhu thi Ira nen hit suc thu vi. Bdt kY li ky niem cua mot dan t(Jc nao ciing tra thanh li kj niem cua tdt ca cdc dan t(jc khac. Nha v(iy co reit nhi~u nidm vui tMeh va thu vi trong mgt mot dip II hoi. Bang cacti nay, SI! hidu bidt tan nhau giiia cdc dan t(Jc tren thd gial duac day manh. Thong qua m6i mot dan toe trung cong tl6ng da chung toe, chung ta ddn ddn hiiu biit vd qu6c gia ma ho la dai dien. Chiing han, thong qua nguoi Trung Qu6c va A'n D(J o· Malaysia hay Singapore, chung ta biit nhieu v~ Trung Hoa va A'n D(J. Vi vQY chung ta hidu nhi~u han vd t6ng thd dan toe va ddt nuoc Trung Hoa va An D(J.

Vi thd co thi noi rang cuoc sang 6' mot cong tl6ng da chung t(Jc &JY cho ta nhi~u bai hoc him ich v§ m6i quan h¢ cua con ngutti.

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3. A VISIT TO A FAMOUS CITY

A few months ago my father and I visited Singapore, one of the most famous cities in Asia.

Singapore, a small island, lies at the southern and of West Malaysia.

A long and narrow piece of land joins Singapore with lahore Hahru, the southern-most town of West Malaysia. Singapore is now an independent state.

The city of Singapore is extremely beautiful. It is well known for its centres of business and other activities. There are many places of interest I such as the Tiger Balm Garden, the Botanical Gardens and Raffles Museum. There are also many important centres of learning such as the University of Singapore, Science Centre, the Nanyang University and the Polytechnic. Being a famous city, hundreds of people come every day from various parts of the world to do business or to enjoy the sights of the city. Singapore therefore has large and beautiful airports and its harbours are full of ships.

There are many night schools where people who cannot go to the day schools for some reason or other can continue their studies. And, the government of Singapore is still doing its best to make further improvements in the city for the benefit of the people.

During my stay in Singapore, I went out every day with my father to see the beautiful and interesting places and things in the city. One day we went to the Tiger Balm Garden where I saw several statues of people, animals and other strange creature" 'beautifully made and kept. The sea near this garden makes this a pleasant place to visit. We spent almost half of the day at this place.

Another day we visited the museum where I saw hundreds of curious' things preserved for scholars" and others. It was indeed an education to see all those things. There is so much to learn here that every visit by any person is sure to add to his knowledge.

I also visited some of the harbours and saw the large ships anchored' there. The sight of the ships aroused a desire6 in me to cross the oceans and go round the world. I was indeed deeply impressed7 by the activities at the harbour.

Then every night, I went round the town and visited some of the parks and other places of interest. The numerous IightsX and the constant

29

stream of traffic kept the city alive. I visited a few of the cinemas as well. In short, I enjoyed every moment of my stay in this famous city of Singapore.

NEW WORDS:

1 places of interest [pleisiz dV 'lntrast] nhClng vimg Clang chu y, nhClng

vung ttu) vi

2. strange creatures [stretndz 'krt.tj al nhflng sinh v~t I?J

3. curious ['kjudrias] (adj) ham hieu biet; to mo, hit§u ky

4. anchor ['cel1ka] (v) bo neo, tha neo

5. arouse a desire [a'razsz d di'zala] g(1i len 'sf/' khao khat

6. impress [im'pres] (v) gay an ttl9'ng

7. numerous lights ['nju:mards laits] nhieu ent: den

8. scholar ['sk::Jla] (n) ttient: phan trf tturc

Thiim viing m(jt thann phb nJi tiing

each tlay vai thdng, br5 toi va toi di tham quan Singapore, mot trong nhiing thanh phr5 n6i tieng nhdt ch/iu A.

Singapore La mot him dao nho nam o' phia nam va thuoc mi~n Trung Td» Malaysia. M9t dai ddt nho va hep nr5i us« Singapore voi Johore Bahru, thanh ph6 q.rc nam cua vung Tti» Malayxia. Singapore hien nay ta m{51 quae gia d9C [gpo

Thanh phd Singapore q.rc IcY dilm If. No n6i tieng boi nhiing trung tam huon ban va cdc hoot dong khac. Co nhieu thang canlt nhu Vu'on Tiger Balm, Vuon sinh hoc va Vi¢n Boo tang Raffles. Ngoai ra can co I1hi~u trung tam nghien ctru quan trong nhu: D(,li hoc tong hop Singapore, Trung lam khoa hoc, D(1i hoc Nanyang va Dai hoc Bach khoa. VI la mot thanh pho noi tieng nen hang nga» en hang tram nguoi tit: ctu: nuac khac nhau tren thi giai din di li1111 viec hay chiem nguiing cann quan thanh phd. Vi thi Singapore co nhiing san bay TO va dep, can nhiing hai cang cua no luc nao cling tdp ndp tau be.

Co nhiing lop hoc ban aem cho nhiing nguoi khong thi din truong VaG ban ngay vi mot ly do nao &5 ad ho (iip tuc hoc tdp. Va hien nay chinn phu Singapore dang lam hdl su·c minh ai ngay cang phat trien thann phd VIII)'; fch cho nguai dan Singapore.

30

Trang khi dimg chan o' Singapore, hang ngay toj fa plu5 dao choi voi b6 va ngdm nhin cdnli vdt thu vi 1'0 dep de cua thanh pho. M9t ngay 119 tai din VUO"n Tiger Balm flat toi thd» co vai buc tuoug nguoi, nhieu loai thu va nhiing tao vdt la ky dU9'C tao lac va gin girl' nit cong phu. Chung t/}j a dd gan nua ngay.

Chung toi ciing tham quan vien hew tang, 0- do tof thd» hang tram thu quy gid dutrc giii gin cho cdc h9C gia va nhiing nguoi khac. Thdt La mot C(J h(Ji h9C tdp khi duac xem tdt co. cac vdt nay. a day co reit nhieu di~u dd h9C hoi din n6i beit cu nguai nao ddn tham vien brio tang ciing co them kidn thuc cho minh.

Toi ciing di thdm vai hal cang va thd» nhiing con tau [On tha neo 0- do. Cann tuong tau be khud» dong trong toi uac muon vuat dai duong di vong quanh /hd giai. Cdc hoat dong a bdn cdng that SI! gay cho toi dn tuong stiu sac.

Rbi mgi aem toi atu di quanh thanlt ph6 vieng thiim nhiing ding vien va thdng cdnh. khdc. Va s6 anh. den va dong xe C9 btft tdn lam thanh. ph6 rdt song tl9ng. Toi ciing din thdm mot vai rap chieu bong. Tom lai toi yeu thich mgi khoann khdc toi song tai thann ph6 Singapore nai tieng nay.

4. MODERN INVENTIONS

Modem inventions have made life more comfortable I than what it was before. More and more new things are being made in all countries throughout the world to make life even more comfortable.

In the past men had great difficulty in2 ploughing their lands to grow food. But, today, giant} machines are used to plough4 thousands of acres of land, As a results, more food can be grown in a shorter time than was possible before. Food grown in one country is sent to another country where it is needed badly. To carry the food motor-vehicles, steam-ships6 and various other means of transport have been invented. Shortage of food" in one place no longer causes anxietl as it can be brought from another place within a very short time.

The invention" of the means of transport has also made it possible for people to work in places miles away, and children can attend schools in distant places. In the past, this was .not possible. The children of today are therefore better educated than those of the past. Invention of the

31

means of transport has also increased human activity. A man can now go to several places, and do a variety of things in a day's time.

Other inventions like the radio and the telephone have also contributed much to human progressJO• The radio keeps us informed about developments" in other parts of the world. We do not have to travel to know what is happening in places away from our homes. The telephone too is a convenient means of knowing about others, miles away. It helps in business transactions by reducing time and travel. A businessman in one town can talk to another in another town, several miles away, to do some important business. In all these ways, people are able to do many things without much loss of time'".

In the same way, every invention has helped to increase our comforts.

Television, for example, now makes it possible for people to stay at home and enjoy. At the same time, however, modern inventions have caused many deaths and much sorrow':' to many people. Motor vehicles and other machines have killed hundreds of people. Many have lost their hands or legs, and accidents continue to occur in every increasing numbers. Yet modern inventions have made the world what it is today.

NEW WORDS:

1. comfortable ['kAmfatabl] (adj) ti?n /r;fi, au ti?n nghi; am ctinq; de

cniu, tboe! me! .

2. have great difficulty in [haev greit 'difikalti in] g~p nhieu kh6 khan

trong viec

3. giant ['d3aiant] (adj) khong /0, phi thu'Ctng

4. plough [piau] (v) cay, bifa, xoi

5. as a result [eez a ri'zxlt] ket qua /a

6. steam-ship ['sti:mJip] (n) tau cnev bang hdi nutic

7. shortage of food ['J::did3 av fu:d] st/thieu thdn tnuc pham

8. anxiety [ce.,'zaiati] (n) mOi /0 au; mol ban knoen: st/ /0 tang

9. invention [in'venjn] (n) st/ phat minh, str sang che

10. human progress ['hju:man 'prseqres] sir phat tri(§'n cue nhan /09;

11. development [dl'velaprnsnt] (n) sir phat tritfn

12. without much loss or time [wi'daut mxt]' bs av taim] kh6ng mat nhieu thai gian

13. sorrow (n) ['sJrau] (n) su' deu kh6; st/buon phien; nOi deu buon

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Nhimg philt minh hirn d(li

Nhimg phdt minh hien dai da Lam cho doi song di chiu han truoc. Cang ngay cang c6 nhiiu vdt dung mai au(Yc san xutit rY tat ca cdc nuoc tren thi gioi lam cho cuoc song thodi mdi han.

Tnarc day con nguai vap phai kho khan. tron¥ viec cay ddt d~ trong trot. Nhung ngay nay nhimg may moe khong fa duoc su dung de cay hang ngan mdu dat. Vi thi nguai ta co th~ thu hoacli duac nhieu thuc phdm han chi trong mot thai gian ngiin so voi tnarc day. Thuc ph&m trong rY mot nuac duac gm tai nhimg nuac khac co nhu cdu. Nhiing xe giin a9ng co, tau thu» hai nuac va cdc phuong tiin giao thong khac da duoc phat minh ai chuyen cha thuc phdm. Sl,f thiiu th6n thuc phdm rY mot nai nao do khong con la m6i La ngai niia vi nguOi ta co th~ mang thuc phdm tit noi nay sang noi khac tr?ng m9t thai gian nit ngdn.

Nhimg phat minh khac nh'u may thu thanh va ai~n thoai ciing gop phdn vao Slj' thin b9 cua nhan loai: May thu thanh giup chung ta niim duac thong tin v€ nhiing Sl,f phdt tr,iin cua cdc qu6c gia tren th~ gioi. Chung ta khtmg phai di a~n nhimg noi xa xoi di bMt dien bi~n tinlt hinh rY do. Di¢n thoai ciing La m(5t phuang tien thudn 1(Yi ai biit nhimg gi xdy ra rY noi khdc each ao hang diim. No na ngdn thai gian va gidm viec di lai trong kinh doanh giao dich. Doanh gia cua mot thanh ph6 co thi noi chuyen voi d6i tdc lam an rY mot thanh. ph6 khdc cacb do vai dij.m ai trao d6i vJ mot thU07l8_ Vlj quan trong. Ngay nay vai nhUn~ phat minh hien dai nguai ta co the lam nhieu chuyen mil khongphai mat thai gian. .

Mgi m(5t phat minh d€u gop pluin lam gia tang Sl,f lien nghi trong aOi song chang tao Cluing han nhu ngay nay chang ta co thi a nha xem vo tuyen truyen hinh. Tuy nhien cung luc do, nhimg phd! minh hien dai ilii. gay chit choc va dau bu6n cho moi nguoi. Xe giin may va nhiing may moe khac dagiit ch~t hang tram nguai. NhiJu nguai mdt tay hoijc nuit chan va tal nan lien tuc xudt hien thea can s6 ngay cang gia tang. Tuy nhien ciing chfnh nhimg phdt minh hi¢n dai da lam nen thi giai ngay nay.

5. ADVENTURE IN A FOREST

A few months ago some of my class-mates 1 and I made a trip to Borneo with our Geography teacher to seek adventure in the forests of Borneo.

Soon after our arrival in Borneo, we made all the preparations and began our journey to the forest early one morning. After miles of travel

33

through the forest, we arrived at an open space. As it was already late in the evening, we decided to erect' our tene and spend the night there. Night soon fell on this place and we lighted our oil lamp.

Feeling tired, we had our meal early and went to bed. There was silence all around; but soon, creatures that love the night world became active. The forest was now full of frightful noise. Breaking through this noise, came another noise, more frightening; the noise of native drums. And as the minutes slipped by, it seemed to come nearer and nearer. We all froze into" deathly silences. The tension mounted rapidly, but still nothing happened. Then, as suddenly as it began. the noise stopped. We were alarmed. We were now sure that some natives has seen us and we would he attacked. In such a situation, we could not sleep. Death might come at any time.

Minutes lengthened to hours; but in our anxiety to preserve our lives, we hardly noticed the coming of day. Then, all of a sudden6, we found ourselves surrounded by half-naked natives' with spears in their hands. Surprised and terrified, we remained speechlessg for some time. Then, one of them, presumably9 their leader, uttered a word. He seemed eager to talk, but there was no language in which we could understand each other.

Our teacher, who is always full of ideas, then offered a cigarette to the man who uttered'" the word. The man, however, seemed to suspect our teacher's intentions. He refused to accept the cigarette. Our teacher then put i~ between his own lips and after lighting it, began to puffll at it. The man now made a sign which showed that he would not mind having a cigarette after all. At once our teacher gave him one and helped him to light it. As he was puffing at it, we observed signs of satisfaction'". Realising that in this way we could become friends, our teacher gave him a few more cigarettes. The man was so delighted at this dernonstration'f of friendship that he uttered some words, and soon all those who came with him, began to dance and sing.

After they had stopped singing, they made several gesturesl4 which showed that they had enjoyed our company. They left us after about an hour ~ith smiles on their faces. Our journey into the interior'i' of Borneo was indeed an adventure.

34

l'U~J n VVUl'UJ~

1. classmate ['kla:smeit] (n) ben cilng lop

2. erect [i'rekt] (v) dt/ng (leu)

3. tent [tent] (n) leu, r;;Jp, tang

4. freeze (fri :z] (v) dong l;;Ji (vi tenn), Ient: ctJ'ng; thayon /;;Jnh, thay

ghe ghe

5. silence ['sailid3] (n) sir 1m I~ng; sir nfn thinh

6. all of a sudden f): I av a 'sxdn] bat thinh linh; mot each bat ngo

7. half-naked native [ha:f 'neikid 'neitiv] th(j'dan de'tran nita ngt.lOf

8. remain speechless [ri'mein 'spi:tJlis] I~ng df khong thot no'; mot tieng

9. presumably [pri'zju: rnabll] (adv) co the'doan chung Ja; co lei han

ta, chac ta

10. utter ['Ata] (v) not. not ra; phat bieu, bay to

11. puff [pAf] (v) hut b~p b~p, hut titng hdi ngan (thuoc 18)

12. signs of satisfation [sainz av.seetis'feekjn] nhilng dau hi~u cue su'

tnos msn

13. demonstration [,demans'treiJnJ (n) sir the h/~n, 51/ bieu hlt?n

14. gesture ['d3estJa]'(n) ai~u b9; ar cb!

15. interior [In'tlarla] (n) n9i dia

Cupc phieu luu trong rieng

Cach day vai thang toi va vai nguai ban cung lap din Borneo vtri thdy gido dia ly dri phieu luu trong khu rimg cua Borneo.

Ngay khi din Borneo, chung toi sua soan d6 dac va beit ddu chuyen du ngoan toi khu rimg vao mot budi sang sam. Sau khi di hang ddm tron? rung, chung ~oi din mot khoang ddt trong. Vi trai dii t6i chung toi quyer dinh cang leu va ngu dem a do. Chang baa liiu sau, bong aem hoan toan bao trion ten khu rimg va cluing toi thdp sang being den ddu.

Cam thdy moi met, chung tOi an sam v.a di ngi; Xung quanh nit im ldng, nhung chang bao ldu cdc sinh vdt ban dem beit adu hoat a(jng. Khu riL;lg gia aay tran ngfj.p nhimg fzing d(jng_ ghC ~(1. Titng dpng nay di qua tieng dong khdc 19i den, ghe ron han: tieng trong cua nguai ban xu. Va tung phut trsi qua, tieng trong nhu cang gdn han Tdt cd chang toi an lanh trong Sf! im lang chit choc. SI! ding thdng d~ng c_ao, '.lhung v4n khong co gi xay ra. Roi ciing dtjt llg(jt nhu khi bat ddu, tieng an ao chdm dut. Chung toi dU(1c bdo dong. Gia day chung tol biit reing nhiing nguoi

35

ban xU 44 TJhin thay chung toi va rang chung toi se bi tan congo Trong tinh ainh nhu thi chung toi khong thi nao ngu dutrc. Cai chit co thi ain bat crr Irk nIm.

M6i phUt ITo; qua dai nhu mot gio; nhung trong Sf! lo 05(1 baa t6n sinh mgng aia mlRh chung toi hau nhu khong ad y rling ngay ail ain. Thi r6i th(jt b4t ngu, chung toi thay minn bi bao vay boi nhiing th6 dan chi mac qua" ., che kin mot ruea than thi cam giao trong tay, R6i mot nguoi trong s6 do, co Ie la thu linh, bilt adu noi. Anh ta co ve noi rat ham IuY nJumg HWng co ngon ngii nao ai chUng to; hidu nhau.

7JJh ,;ao cua chang toi luc nao cling co sang kiin li~n dua cho III_lim ong dang no; mot aiiu thuoc La. Tuy nhien, duang nhu anh ta ~". ~ j dinh, cua t~dy gido. An,h ta, khong nh~n diiu thu6c la. ,'J1uiy ,_1IiII tI4t aieu thuoc VaG moi ro; moi lua va bat ddu hut. Luc btiy gia ngur)i dim 8ng moi ra hi¢u rling anh ta san long hut mot aiiu thu6c. Nhdn thay chung toi co thi lam ban vtri nguxri th6 dim bling cacb nay, thdy gido chung toi biiu cho ann ta vai aiiu thu6c nita. Nguoi dan ong rat hai long viti Sf! bay to hiiu nghi do, anh ta noi gi do, r6i tat cd nhiing

. nguCti 4i theo anh ta bilt dau nhay mua.

Sau khi cdc th6 dan ngimg hat, ho ra hieu rling ho rat thtcb lam ban voi chung toi. Khodng m(jt gia sau do ho tam biet chung to; voi nu cum tren gutmg mdt. Chuyen du ngoan cua cluing to; vao noi dia Borneo thdt s'/! la mpt Cu9C phieu luu.

6. AN· UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITY I HAD

Seldom does one have opportunity of seeing a fight between a tiger and a crocodile. I, however, had this opportunity one day when I went with my father into a forest, in search of some wild plants.

I had never been to a forest before. Therefore, whatever I saw in that forest interested me greatly. I looked at the rich vegetation all round as well as the variety of colourful flowers and birds, large and small. I saw the activity of some of the wild creatures, such as snakes, squirrels and insects. Occasionally, I heard the cry of some strange animal in pain, perhaps while being eaten by a larger animal. I also heard some. rustling noises I in the undergrowth; but I was not afraid of all these. Such things, I knew, were natural to the forest.

My father whose only interest was in the type of plants he wanted for my mother's garden, however, paid little attention to the sounds and 36

movements in these green depths2. He continued his search for more and more of those plants until we reached one of the banks of a large river in the forest. There we stopped for a while to enjoy the sights around.

The scene was peaceful. Then, to our surprises and horror, we saw a tiger on the other side of the river. It was moving quietly and cautiously3 towards the water for a drink. A hush4 fell upon the jungle. My father and I were now too frightened to move from there.

However, as the tiger put its mouth into the river there was a sudden swirf of the waters, and before the tiger could rush out, it was seized by a huge crocodile. The tiger's howl6 of pain and anger filled7 me and my father with terror'. Yet we waited there to see the end of the struggle between these two lords of the forest and the river. The crocodile had the advantage from the beginning. It used all its strength to pull the tiger deeper into the water, and the tiger too fought desperately to free itself from the jaws of the merciless" reptileslO; but the tiger soon gave up the struggle and all was quiet again. I now felt pity for the tiger which had died just to slake its thirst" .

Then, my father reminded me of the narrow escape that we had ourselves had. If the tiger had been on this side of the river, one of. us might have died in the way the tiger did, a victim of animal appetite. And as we were returning home, I began to think of the struggle for life and savagery12 that lurks!' beneath peaceful scenes.

NEW WORDS:

1 rustling noise ['rAslill noiz] (n) tieng o9n9 S9t soet; xeo Xf]C

2. in these green depths trong sau tham cu« khu dfng, trong cling

tham cua khu ding

3. cautiously ['k::):fasli] (adv) can ttuin, th~n tronq

4. hush [hAJJ (n) su' im I~ng

5. swirl [swa: I] (n) cho ruroc xoay, cho nt/lie cuon

6. howl [haul] (n) tieng ru (aeu don)

.. 7. fill [fil] (v) tern tren ng~p, tem day

8. terror ['tera] (n) su' kinh hoang; noi khiep sa

9. merciless ['ma:silis] (adj) nhgn tam, tan nhgn 10. reptile ['reptail] (n) loai bo sat

11 slake one's thirst [sleik 9a:st] (v) lam cho 08 khat, giai khat

37

12. savagery ['scevid3ari] en) su' tim beo, sir doc BC; hanh vi tan beo, nenn vi d9C ac

13. lurk [Ia:k] (v) ngaln ngam; an nap, mit», tr6'n

Mpt Co' h{Ji hiim hoi tiJi dii g{ip

Rat hiim khi nguoi fa co dip xem mot trdn dann nhau giiia mot can h6 va mot con cd sau. Tuy nhien toi dil tung co co hr;5i nay vao mot ngay 1U), khi cung vai br5 to; vao rimg dd tim cay dai.

Truac do, toi chua baa gio buac chan vao rung. Vi tht bat cu' di~u gi toi thay trong khu rung do ciing lam cho tof thich thu. To; nhin nhiing loai thao moe sum xue a khap noi ciing nhu nhiing loai hoa co va chim muong lim nho sr,'ic sCi du mau. Toi thd» nhiing loai thu hoang nhir ran soc va con trung dang h0(11 dong. Thinh thoang toi nghe tling keu cua mot loai thu la bi thuong, co Ie lil bi mot can thu Ion han an thit. 1"(.1i C(JIl nghe thay tieng xao xac cua nhiing him cay thdp; nhung toi khong sa. Toi biit nhiing di~u nay [a phai co trong mot khu rung.

Cha t()i chi: quan {lim din nhiing 10(1i cliy rna ong muon trong trong vuon ella me nen it dd Y uri nhiing lim thanh va hoat drng trong khu rung rdm sau tham nay. Ong mai me tim them nhidu cay dai cho din khi cluing toi din ben btr mot can song Ian trong rung, Chung tiJi dung lai do mot clu5c di ngam canh vdt xung quanh.

Khung canh. rat thanh binh.111i rd; hil sue ngt;lc nhien va 59' hili, chung toi thay mot can h6 ben kia bt) song, N6 dang lang Ie va thdn trong us« uri dd uong nutrc. 1m lang bao trion len khu rung rdm. Ca eha toi va toi ae« kinh sa dung chon chan mot ch6.

Tuy nhien, khi can h6 cui sau xu6ng mat song, bat ngo mot xody nuac xong [en va, khong kip chay thoas. can h6 da bi mot can ca sau khong zJ tom chat. Tidng ru dau don va gidn du' cua can lu5 Lam t6i va cha toi hit S';tC kinh hoang, Nhung chang fiji van dung di xem kit C1jC cua trdn quyet

chiin giiia hal loai chua Ii cua rung xanh va song nuoc. .

Can cd sau co loi thd ngay til' luc ddu. No dung hit sue keo con h(f xuong nuac, va can h6 ciing chitn dau mot each tuyet V(Jllg dd thoat khoi ham can ca sdu tan bao. Nhung chang baa lau sau can hc5 thua CU9C va im L¢ng lai trum Len khu rung. Luc do tr5i cam thay dang thuong cho can h6 bi chit chi VI khat nuac.

Thd r6i eha toi nlu1c toi nha din su thodt clld! mong manh vua qua.

Niu can hc5 a bo song ben nay, han La mot trong hai chung toi dii chdt 38

nhu con h6, nan nhdn cua loai thu khat mau. Va tren subt qudng duimg v~ nha, toi bilt ddu nghi v~ SI/ dau tranli dd sinh t6n va su' bao tan £1n sdu duoi cai ve thanh binh cua cuoc .wing.

7. THE VALUE OF LIBRARIES

A good library is an ocean of information, whose boundaries continue to extend with the· endless contribution of the numerous streams of knowledge. Thus, it has a peculiar fascination I for scholars, and all those whose thirst for knowledge is instable2 •.

The usefulness of libraries in the spread of knowledge has been proved through the years. The field of knowledge is so extensive and life is so brief that even the most avid'' reader can never expect to absorb it all. Those who have a love for knowledge, therefore, try to master only a small fraction" of it. Even this requires reading of hundreds of books, cheap and expensive, new and old. But few people are able to buy all the books on the subject in which they wish to attain proficienci. It is therefore necessary for them to visit a good library, where they can read a great variety of books on the subject they love. Besides, many old and valuable books on certain subjects are found only in a good library. Even the original manuscript6 of an author, who died several years ago, can be found in it, sometimes.

Today, men everywhere have discovered the benefits of learning.

More and more books are being written to extend human knowledge and experience. Governments and individuals throughout the world are, therefore, opening more and more libraries to enable people to read as many books as possible. Libraries have been opened even in the remotest regions of the earth, so that people who are unable to buy books from the towns can still gain access to' the various sources of knowledge. Mobile libraries serve the people in various parts of the earth.

The importance of libraries, however, is felt most acutely7 by students in schools and universities, where most students are engaged in deep studies. The number of books that a student has to study, especially at a university, is so large that unless he comes from a rich family, he can hardly buy them all. Besides, many of the books may not be available in the book-shops within his reach. It is therefore to his advantage to visit a good library.

39

Some people even have their own private libraries in which they spend their leisure. reading the books that they have collected over the years, and drive great intellectual" benefit" and pleasure.

In short, libraries have contributed so much to the extension of knowledge that they have become almost indispensablelO to a111iterate men!'.

NEW WORDS:

1. fascination [,fcesi'neiJn] (n) su' thoi mien; sir me ho~c, su' quyen nJ

2. instable [in'steibl] (adj) khong on djnh

3. avid ['cevidJ (adj) khao khat, them khat, them thuong

4. fraction ['frcekJn] (n) phan nno, mieng nno

5. to attain proficiency [a'tein prafljnst] (v) tra nen tnenn tneo, gioi

giang

6. manuscript ['rneenjuskrlpt] (n) ban viet tay

7. acutely [a'kju:tli] (adv) sau sac

8. intellectual [,inti'lektjual] (adj) (thu9C) tr! oc; (thode) trf tu~

9. to drive great intelectual benefit thea duo';lfji fch tri ttuic kin

10. indispensable [,indis'pensabl] (adj) tuy~t dOi can thiet; khong the thieu cfU'(1C

11. literate men ('Iitarit men] (n) nhiJ'ng ngu'(fi co h9C

Gw tr] cua thu' vijn

M(5t thu vi~n Lim La m(5t dai duong eua thong tin ma ranh giai eua no tiep tuc ma rong voi s¥ dong gop vo tdn nhiing dong su6i tri thirc khong bao gio ngimg lai. Vi vt;iy no co suc quyen rii dij.c biet a6i voi cac hoc gid va nhimg nguoi khat khao chan troi kidn thuc.

Sv hicu dung clla thu vien trong vi¢c truyen ba kien thuc ali duoc minh chung hang bao niim qua. Canb a6ng cua tri thuc thi qua rong va cuoc dOi thi qua ngdn cho nen ngay cci nhiing d6c gia tham lam nhat ciing dung bao gia- mong rang se doc duoc tat ca. Vi thi, nhimg nguai yeu min tri thirc chi ndm vimg mot phdn nao do ma thoi. Mi: chi thi thoi ciing phdi doc hang tram quyen sdch, re va ddt, mai va cu. Nhung (t ai co thi mua tat cd nhiing quyen sacb ve chuyen mon rna ho mu6n thanh thao. Vi thJ ho cdn phdi din thu vien noi ho co thi doc thdt nhidu sach ve chu dd yeu thich. Han nita nhidu quyJn sach quf gid chi co trong thu

40

vien. Doi khi ca mot ban thao nguyen g6c cua mot tac gia qua doi eden aay viii nam ciing co thi tim thdy trong thu vien.

Ngiiy nay can nguai a khdp noi aa phdt hien ra lai ich cua viec hoc tdp.Ngay cang co nhiJu cu6n sacb duac viit eli rna rong kiin thuc vii kinh nghiem can nguoi. VI thi cdc chinh. phu va cd nhan tren thi gioi k~ong ngimg nur nhiing thu vien giup nguai ta doc cang nhieu saeh, cang tot. Thu vien ciing xudt hien tai ngay ca a nhiatg vung xa xoi nhdt eita trai dat dd nhiing ai khong thd mua sdcn tit thanh ph6 van co thi ti~p thu nhiing nguon kidn thuc da dang. Nhiing thu vien di dong phuc Vl,l nguai doc sdcn a moi noi tren thd gioi.

• Tuy nhien tam quan trong cua thu vien Iii dlthdy nhat if sinh vien.

hoc sinh cdc trutmg ph6 thong va dai hoc, nai rna phdn LOn hoc sinh luon bdn r6n nghien cuu. Can s6 nhiing quyin sacn ma mot sinh vien phai nghien cUu. dij.c bi?t a trutmg dai hoc la kha Ian din nefi gdn nhu khong thd mua hit duoc, trir khi gia dinh cua anh ta hit sue giau co. Han niia, nhiiu quyen sacb CO thJ khong co sgn trong hieu sacii dt anh ta mua. Vi v(iy d~n thu vien rat la ti¢n 1(Ii.

M6t s6 nguoi co ihu vien rieng ad khi nhan refi doc nhiing quyen sacn ho sa suu tap hang baa ndm troi va rnang vJ niJm vui va nguon tri thirc to Ian.

Tom lai, thu vien ali dong gop rat nhiJu trong viec rna mang kiin thuc din n6i no tra nen khong thi thiiu duac d6i voi tat ca nhiing can ngtroi van minh.

8. A HORRIBLE SIGHT

On the main roads of West Malaysia accidents occur almost every day. Most of them are caused by young drivers who are long of speed. The recklessness I has caused the death of even careful drivers. What I am about t02 relate concerns the death of some young people, resulting from the reckless dri ving of a young man.

. On the day in Question3, I was travelling with my brother to Ipoh. As my brother's car was old. he had to drive slowly. We left Singapore, our hometown. very early in the morning, so that we could reach our destination before dark. The slow journey soon made me so tired that I fell asleep. However, we broke our Journey at Yang Peng, a small town in Johore, for some refreshment. When we resumed" our journey, we saw a number of badly damaged vehicles in front of the Police Station of that

. 41

town. My brother then began to talk about the various accidents that he had seen on that road. I began to grow uneasy about the rest of the journey. My brother had told me that most of the accidents occurred within a few miles of that town. I now began to fear for our own safety. Then, suddenly, a car, running at great speed, outtook our car. My

t

brother then predicted that the car would be involved in an accident soon.

After that my heart began to beat fast.

The car was soon out of sight. My brother. however, assured me that I would have an opportunity to see a very bad accident, and sure enough. ' we soon arri ved at a distressing scene.

The car that had overtaken our car was in a ditch" and four young girls were lying dead on the road-side. Their faces and clothes were covered with blood. Some people were trying to extricate the other occupants8, including the young driver, who were still alive in the car. But all of a sudden, the car was on fire, and their efforts failed. Thus, the occupants in the car were burnt alive, and it was indeed heart-rending9 to hear their last screams. Soon a fire engine and the police arrived with an ambulance. but it was too late.

This was indeed a horrible sight, and even today the mention of accidents reminds me of those pi teo us lO screams of the dying ones in that car.

NEW WORDS:

1. recklessness ['reklisnis] (n) tfnh thieu th#n trona, tfnh khinh suat;

tfnh lieu linh

2. to be about to [a'baet tal ainh!iJqI g; ngay, sap lam g;

3. in question [in 'kwestj an] au'9'c nr5i aen duoc ban den

4. resume [ri'zju:m] (v) bat aau lsi, Ifli tief; tuc (sau khi nghi, dilng)

5. overtake - overtook - overtaken [,ouva'teik] (v) vuat qua

6. ditch [ditJ] (n) neo, ranh, mu'dng

7. extricate ['ekstrikeit] (v) g(l, giJ tttoet: g;ai tnoet

8. occupant ['okjcpant] (n) ngu'oi so ttiiu, ngu'oi 5(/ dl)ng

9. heart-rending ['ha:t,rendi'l] (adj) aeu long,'nao long, thudng tam, xe rU9t

10. piteous ['pitias] (adj) ttiern thu'dng, aang thu'dng hfli

42

M9t canh. tuong khung khiip

Tren nhiing can duang chinli d Ttty Malayxia tai nan xay ra hau nhu m6i ngay. Phan Lim cdc tai nan la do nhiing tay lai tre ua thiclt t6c d{j. SI! tu« linh cua ho dil gay nen cai chit cua nhiing lai xe thdn trong khac. Nhiing gz tot slip ki sau iay lien quan din cal chit cua mot s6 thanh nien gay ra do Sl! khinh sudt cua mot tat xi tre.

Vao mot ngay nhu vgy, toi dang tren duong din /poh voi anh toi.VI chde xe aa cii, anh toi phai ldi rdt cham. Chung toi tir gid Singapore que huang chung toi vao budi sang som di co thi din noi truac khi troi t6i. Chuyen khoi hanli chdm chap chang md» ch6c lam toi bu6n chan din ngu thiep di. Tuy nhien, chung toi dimg lai 6' Yong Pens, mot thi trdn nho 0' lahore di mua thuc phdm tuoi. Khi ten duang tro lai, chung tai thdy viii chiic xe hong nang truce SO' cimh sat cua thank ph6. Anh toi blit ddu ki vi nhiing tai nan anli dil chung kiin tren con duang do. Con toi cam thdY b6n chon su6t ca quiing Quang con lai. Anh toi baa toi rang phdn ton cdc tai nan xay ra each thi trdn do vai dam. Luc do toj cam thdv fa S9' cho 51! an loan cua cluing toi. Thi r6i b6ng nhien mot chiic 'xe' hoi chay hit tdc luc vuot qua xe chung toi. Anh toi dodn rang thi nao chlic xe kia ciing gay tal nan. Sau do tim toi blit dau ddp nhanh han.

Chang bao [au, chiic xe chay khudt dang. Nhung anh toi co quyit voi toi rang tol se du(J'c dip nhin th6y mot tal nan t61 t¢, va dung nhu thd, mot ldt sau chung toi di din mot quang canh the luang.

cu« xe aa vuat xe chung toi ILk nay dang nJm trong con muong. va b6n ca gai tre nam chdt tren duong ph6. M¢t WI qudn. do ho be bit mdu. M6t s6 nguoi c6 sue giai thoat hanh khacli Call s6ng trong xe, va nguoi tid xd tre; nhung thdt beft ngo; chidc xe bung chay va n6 t1!C cua ho tieu tan. Thi la nhimg nguo: trong xe bi thieu .w5ng va tling gao hdp h6i cua ho nhu xi long. Ngay sau do, xe cuu hoa va canh. sat din vai xe cdp dIU nhung ilii qua mU91l.

Day thdt La mot cann tucng kinh hoang va cho din tdn hom nay, khi noi di tal nan toi lai nha ddn nhiing ticing k€u cuu thorn kh6c cua nhiing ngutri slip ehdt trong chide xe kia ..

43

9. DISCUSS THE PART THAT MONEY PLAYS IN OUR LIVES

Money plays an important part I in our lives. In several aspects2 it is the most important thing in life. It is therefore much sought after.

Without money we could not buy our food, clothes and all the other things that we need to live comfortably. We require money to travel, to buy medicine when we are ill and also to pay for the services rendered' to us by others. In truth" money is almost indispensable to our survivals. Most of our activities are therefore directed towards earning as much money as possible.

We use money not only to meet the basic needs of life but a1s06 to pay for our own advancement. We use it for education which helps us to live a eetter life. Thousands of students are unable t07 attend school or continue their studies for want of money. Lack ofl money also causes great hardship9 and sorrow in hundreds of families. Thousands of people are dying everyday throughout the world because they are not able to pay their doctors fee or because they cannot buy nutritious food.

, As money is so important, many crimes are committed everyday in all parts or the world to gain possession of it. Some are driven by hunger and desperation to steal, rob, and even kill to get at least'? what they require to keep body and soul together. Others commit the most serious crimes out of sheer" greed for money. Such people cause much trouble and unpleasantness in society, and to bring them to justice, large sums of money are spent by every government.

Today, millions of dollars are being spent by the various governments in the world for the betterment of the people. Numerous schools and hospitals are being built, and hundreds or acres or land are being cultivated to produce more food for the growing population of the world. As a result, the world is gradually becoming a better place to live in.

At the same time'2, however, much money is being wasted in producing deadly weapons of war. Countries which have more money than the others have become more powerful by strengthening their armed forces. This has led to rivalries among the powerful nations, and several parts of the world are in turmoil'. All this shows what an important part money plays in human affairs".

44

NEW WORDS:

1. play an important part [plei an tm'pa.tant pa:t] dong mot vai tro

quan tr9ng

2. i'n several respects [in 'sevral ri'spektz] a m(jt vai khla cent:

3. render ['renda] (v) render a service giup tliJ

4. in truth [in tru: 9] th~t su; th~t ra

5. survival [sa'valvl] (n) 51/ song con; 51/ tan t9i

6. not only ... bul also .. ~ khong nhiJng ... me con ...

7. be unable to [bi An'eibl tal khong the'

8. lack of [leek av] (+noun) thieu

9. hardship ['ha: dfip] 51/ gian kho; su' ttur tiuich gay go

10. at least [cet li:st] It nhat

11. sheer [fia] (adj) chi la

12. at the same time [eet aa seim taim] cimg luc tlo

13. in turmoil [in 'ta.rnoll] trong tinh tr{lng rOi toen, h6n tI(jn

14. affairs [a'feaz] (n, pi) c6ng v;~c, cu(jc song

Hay thao lu~n vai tro CUll tiRn trong tim sang chung ta

tu« giii vai tro quan trong trong ad'i s6ng chung ta. Tren m(jt vai phuang 'di?n nao do, tiJn La quan trong nhat trong cuoc song, Vi V9Y ngutri ta chay theo liJn.

Kh6ng co iu« chung ta khong thi mua thuc phdm, tio qudn va tat ca nhiing vdt dung can thi~f cho mot cuoc s6ng tien nghi. Chung ta can tiJn d~ di lai, mua thu6c khi dau 6m va Ira cho nhisng dich v~ rna nguoi khac lam cho chang tao Noi cho dung, ti~n hdu nhu kh6ng thi thi~u voi SI! tan tai cua chang ta. Phan lim cdc hoot dong cua cluing ta vi th~ huang 101 viec kiem ra cang nhieu ti~n cang t6t.

Chung fa dung tiJn bac khong chi oJ thoa man nhiing nhu cdu t6i' thiJu trong cuoc song ma con oJ nang cdp cuoc song cua minh. Chung ta dung tiJn trong gido due oJ co cuoc s6ng tat han. Hang ngan h9C sinh kh6ng thi d~n trutmg hay ti~p tuc hoc t9P chi vi thiiu tiJn. Vi¢c thi~u ti~n gay ra kh6 khan va n6i lo lim cho hang tram gia dinh. Tren Ih~ gioi hang ngan ngutri dang chit dan vi ho khong c6 ti~n dJ o~n btu: SI hay vi ho khong c6 tiJn dJ mua thuc phdm giau chdt dinh duiing.

45

Vi liJn quan trong nhir thd nen hling nga» tren thd giai dien ra rat nhiJu v~ pham phap ad giann lay quyen sa hieu tien. C6 nguoi (lien khung vi doi khat va tuyet vpng phai di an cdp, an trom va ngay co. gidt nguoi ad it nhat giu cho phdn h6n va phdn xac cua ho khoi phdi lia nhau. C6 nguoi pham nhiing tt5i ae nghiem trong nhat dan gitin chi vi tham ti~n. Nhicng nguoi nhu v«y gay ra rdt nhi~u phien toai va kh6 chiu trong xd hoi va. ai dua ho ra truoc cong Iy, mgi mot quoc gia phdi bo ra nhimg man tiin rat 167:l.

Nga» nay, nhieu quae gia dang bo ra hang trieu do La dd cdi thien doi s6ng nluin dan. Nhi~u truong h9C va benh. vien dang aU9·C xay dung. Hang tram mau adt dang duoc trong trot ad san xudt ra nhi~u thuc pham cho dan s6 dang ~ia tang tren thi gioi. Vi vay thi gioi dan dan tra thimli mot nai cu ngu tot han.

Tuy nhien cung ltic ao, rat nhiiu tiin bi hoang phi dd san xuat nhiing vii khl gidt nguai trong chiJn tranh. Nhiing quoc gia nhiiu tiin han tra nbz, hung manh hem bang e~eh tan$ cuang life lU91l$ vii trang cu~ ho. Dieu nay lam cdc cuong quae al aen thu dich va nhieu noi tren the giai dang trong tinh. trang r6i loan. rat cd nhieng aiiu do n6i len rang tiin quan trong nhu tM nao trong cuoc song con nguoi.

10. SCIENCE AND ITS EFFECTS

One of the most striking' features of the present century is the progress or science and its effects on almost every aspect of social life. Building on the foundatiorr' laid by the predecessors3 the scientists of today are carrying their investigation into ever-widening fields of knowledge.

Modern civilization depends largely on the scientist and inventor. We depend on" the doctor who seeks the cause and cure of disease, the chemist who analyses5 our food and purifies6 our water, the entomologist who wages war on the insect pests, the engineer who conquers time and space, and a host of other specialists who aid in the development of agriculture and industry.

The advance of science and technology has brought the different parts of the world into closer touch with one another than ever before. We are able to reach distant lands within a very short time. We are also able to communicate with 7 people far away by means of the telephone and the wireless. The invention8 of the printing machine has made it possible for' us to learn from books and newspapers about people in other lands.

46

Indeed, man's curiosity9 and resourcefulness have been responsible for the steady stream of inventions that have created our civilization.

At the same time, however, there have been harmful'" effects. Our machine civilization is responsible for numerous accidents and industrial rivalries among nations. Everyday hundreds of people are dying from serious wounds and injuries. Further, the rapid tempo of modem life results in wide-spread nervous disorder. Moreover, science, which has helped man to secure control over nature, has also made it possible for him to develop more deadly weapons or war. More and more countries are competing" with one another in the production of war material. But in these instances the fault lies not with science, but rather with man's intention 12 to misuse the discoveries of science.

Science is admittedly the dominating intellectual force of the modem age.

NEW WORDS:

1. striking ['straikill] (n) n6i b~t, thu hut sl/chu y, thu hut sir quen

tam; dang chili, gay an tll9'ng

2. foundation [faun'deiJn] (n) nen tang; nen monq

3. predecessor ['pri:disesa(r)] (n) ngu'ifi eJi tnnic: ngll(f; tien nhiem

4. depend on [di'pend on] (v) ptu) thu9C VaG

5. analyse ['renalaiz] (v) phan tfch

6. purify ['pjuarifai] (v) /am seen, 19c trong, tinh che

7. communicate with [ka'mju: nikeit wid] (v) lien li{1c vrJi; g;ao ttuep vai

8. invention [in'venJn] (n) sir phat minh, SI/ sang che

9. curiosity Lkjuari'Jsiti] (n) su' ham tim hieu; trf to mo; tfnh hieu ky

10. harmful ['ha:mful] (adj) gay tai hei, co h?J;

11. compete [karn'pi.t] (v) aua tranh, ganh due, cenn tranh

12. intention [in'tenJn] yainh, muc arch

Khoa hoc va nhiing uk Q9ng cua no

M(jt trong nhicng aije aiim n6i bdc nhdt trong thd IcY hien nay La su' tiin b(j eua khoa hoc va anl: huang eua no tren h6u nhir moi mqt cua cuoc song xd hoi. Xay dung tren nin tang cua nhiing nguoi di truac. cdc nha khoa h9C ngay nay dang tdn hanli nghien cuu nhiing linh VlfC kdn thuc Lon chua timg co.

47

NJn van minh hien dai phu thuoc phdn Ion vao cac nha khoa h9C va nha phdt minh. CUQC song chung ta phu thuoc vao cdc bac SI trong viec tim kiim nguyen nhan va each chiia benh, vao cac nha hoa hoc phan ticli thuc phdm va lam sach nguon marc u6ng, vao cdc nha con trung hoc . chidn dau voi cdc IOQi can trung .gay hoi, vilO ky su chinh phuc thai gian va khong gian va rat nhieu nhiing chuyen gia khac gop phdn vao Slf phat trien cua nang nghiip va cong nghiep.

S1:l' thin b(5 cua khoa hoc va kji thudt ail tam cho cdc nuac khac nhau tren thi giai xich LQi gan nhau han bao gitr hit. Chung ta co thi din nhimg vung aat xa xoi trong mot thai gian rat ngdn. Chung ta co thi lien lac v6'1 nhimg nguoi o' xa qua phuong ti¢n di¢n thoai va may vo tuyen. Vi¢c phdt minh ra mdy in giup chung ta doc sach; bao vJ can nguoi a nhiing adt nuac khac.·

That vt;iy tri to mo va tal thao'vdt cua con nguoi La nguyen nhdn cua ngu6n phdt minh bin viing tao ra thai dai van minh cua chung ta nga» nay.

Tuy nhien, ben canh do khoa hoc ciing c6 nhiing anh huang tai hai.

Thai dai van minh may moe cua chang ta la nguyen nhtin cua v6 s6 tai . nan va nhimg s¥ d6i ddu vJ cong nghiep giira cdc qu6c gia. Hang nga» hang tram nguoi dang hap h6i vi cdc thuong tich trdm trong. Han nita nhip dQ tdt bdt cua cuoc s6ng hien dai gay nen Slf r6i LOQn th6n kinli dang ngay cang lan rong, Ben canh do, chinh khoa hoc ail gitip con nguoi dat duoc quyJn kiem sodt: thien nhien, nhimg ding chinh khoa hoc ail giup con nguoi tQO fa cang nhir2u vii khi giit nguai trong chien tranh. Ngay cang nhiJu qu6c gia conn tranh voi nhau san xudt ra trang thidt bi chidn tranh. Nhung trong nhiing trutmg hop nay lJi 16m khong thuoc vi khoa hoc ma thuoc vi COl'! nguoi dil su dung sai 16m nhiing phat mink khoa hoc.

Khoa hoc duoc ctmg nhdn La luc luang tri thirc then chat cua IcY nguyen hien dai ngay nay.

11. THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF A CITIZEN

Almost every modem state, especially a democracy I , allows its citizens several rights2; but in return, it expects its citizens to perform certain duties.

Among the rights enjoyed by the citizen in a democracy are the right to pursue his own affairs as he prefers;. the right to express his views, 48

however silly they may appear to others, and the right to move about as he pleases. The citizen is considered so important that his rights are protected by the law of the state, and whenever they are infringed3, he can secure redress",

But in a totalitarian" state, the rights of the citizen are so ~estricted that he has practically no freedom. The citizen is supposed to exist for the state. His interests are always subordinated" to those of the state. Thus, his duties exceed his rights.

Even in a democracy, however, the citizen is expected to exercise his rights within the limits of the law. He should not do or say anything that may affect the rights of others. In exercising his right to act as he pleases, for example, he should not try to elope with another man's wife or say anything slanderous? about her or anyone. In the same way, his actions should not cause injury or damage to any individual or his property. He cannot kill as he pleases. If his conduct infringes the rights of others, then those who have been affected by his misconduct'' could take legal action against him and he will be punished according to the law of the state. In this way, the state protects its citizens and their rights from the thoughtlessness9 of any individual in the state. This means, of course, that every citizen in the state is expected to do his duty to his fellow citizens.

The citizen is also expected to give his services for the protection of the state in times of war, and to maintain law and order in his state, at all times.

Thus, every citizen who is conscious 10 of his rights should also be conscious of his duties to the state and his felJow citizens.

NEW WORDS:

1. democracy [di'mokrasi] (n) nen dan dui; ch€ dt,5 dan ctu)

2. rights [raits] (n) cae quyen liJi

3. infringe [in'frind3] (v) xam phem, vi phsm

4. redress [ri'dres] (n) sf/st.i'a set, sf/uon nan; s{J'den bu/ sl/boi

thu'dng

S. totalitarian [,tdutceli'tearian] (adj) cue quyen/ chuyen chI!

6. subordinated to [sa'bo.dlnat] (v) lam cho ph", thut,5c vao

7. slanderous ['slo:ndaras] (adj) vu khong; phi bang

49

8. misconduct [rnis'kondakt] (n) henh vi sai trai

9. thoughtlessness ['8):tlisnis] (n) su vo y ttuic: nang can, hai bot 10. conscious ['kan Ias] (adj) bie!: duoc, nh~n ra, co y ttuic

QuyJn It;Ji va nghia V(l ella ciing dan

Hau nhu mgt mot qu6e gia hien dai, d(ie biet La m61 quoc gia dan chu, diu eho phep cong dan co nhiing quyen loi nhat dinh; nhung nguoc lai nha marc cling yeu celu cong dan thi hanli nhiing ban phdn cua minh.

Trong s6 cdc quyin loi rna cong dan cua nui: quae gia dan chu duoc huang thu, co bao gom quyen thea du6i nhiing viec anlt fa thich, quyen duirc bay to cae quan aidm eua minli du cho chung nghe c6 ve nga ngdn di niia, va quyin duac di lai tuy thich. Nguoi cong dan nit duoc ton trong a~n mire cdc quyen loi eua cong dan duoc ludt phdp nha nude bao v~, va bat kj; luc nao nhiaig .quyen nay bi vi pham nguai cong dan c6 thi yeu celu b6i thuong.

Nhung trong mot quae gia a6c tai, cdc quyen 197 cua cong dan bi han che nhieu den nJi tren thuc d anh fa chang c6 chut tif do nao. nguci cong dan dUI;Ye xem iii phai t6n tai vi nha nutrc. Cdc loi icli cua anh ta luon bi xem nhe so vai 19"i feh cua nha nuac. Nhu vrj.y, nghia V1;i cua cong dan vuot qua quyen loi cua ho.

Tuy nhien ngay ca trong che a(j dan chu nguoi cong dan win phai sudung quyen loi cua minh trong gioi han cua phap ludt. Anh fa khong duoc lam hay noi aieu gl anh huong din quyen lai ella nguoi khdc. Chdng han trong khi sli dung quyen duoc lam nhii:ng gi minh. muon, ann ta khong duoc d gang tan tinh vr; nguai khdc hay vu kht5ng co ta hoiic bat kj; nguoi nao khac. Tuang tu, nhicng hanli dt}ng cua anh fa khong duac gay thuong ticti hay t6n hai ain bat kj; cd nh/in nao ciing nhu tai scm ella ho. N~u anli ta vi pham quyen IVi ella nguai khdc thi nhiing nguoi bi ann huang bai hann vi sai trdi cua anh ta e6 th~ nha den ludt phap xet xu ann ta va anti ta se bi trung tri theo phap ludt nha marc. Bang eden nay. nha tuarc bdo V? cac cong dan va quyen loi ella ho khat SlJ vo y thirc cua bd: ky cdc cd nhiin nao trong ddt nutrc. Duong nhien aiiu nay co nghia la moi cong dan trong nuoc phai thuc hien nghia V~l cua minh vai nhiing cong dan khdc.

Nguoi cong dan ciing duoc yeu cdu thuc hien nghia v~ baa v¢ trj quae trong chin tranh, duy tri trdt ur va ludt phap trong moi thai tti~m.

50

Vi th~ m6i cong dan hidu bi~t vd quyJn loi cling nen hidu bMt vi nghia

VI,l cua minh d6i voi qudc gia va cdc c/nig dan khdc. .

12. THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY IN MY LIFE

The most important day in my life was the day when my parents decided to send me to school.

I was then about seven years old. I had been playing with the children li ving around my house for some years. I had no thought of ever going to school. I enjoyed playing to catch fish from the shallow streams near by. Sometimes we went to the forest to catch birds and squirrelsl, and I had always thought that life would continue to be the same for me. But, one day, to my great sorrow, my parents suddenly announced that I was no longer to play about and that I was to go t6 a school.

Words can hardly describe how sad I felt at the thought or having to go to a school. I had often heard that school teachers were very strict and cruel. I had also been told that there were many difficult subjects to learn in school, and I could not bear the thought of being compelled to learn them. But everything had been decided for me and I had no choice but to go to school.

Soon after I was admitted to school, however, I discovered to my great joy that learning in school was a pleasure. I began to learn about the people and other wonderful things spread throughout the world. The teachers were very kind and friendly and they often told many interesting stories. The subjects that they taught were also very interesting. As a result of2 all this, I began to take a keen interest in my lessons and I no longer wanted to waste my time playing about.

Today, I am older and I am in a secondary school, learning more and more about the world around us. The knowledge that I have gained has enriched my mind and I have a better understanding of human problems. I am also able to speak the English language with some ease", and I know that my knowledge of English will prove of great value in all my future activities. I also know that if I can pass all my examinations, I wall some day occupy an important position in some profession. I might even become a minister4 in the government of my country or a well-known person in some way.

Therefore, when I now think of the day when my parents arrived at the decision to send me to school, I am filled with love for them. That 51

was indeed the most important day in my life, a day which has changed the whole course of my life.

NEW WORDS:

1. squirrel ('skwiral] en) con soc

2. as a result of [eez a ri'zxlt av] do, vi

3. ease [i:z] en) 51/dJ dang; str thoe! mai

4. minister ['minista] (n) 89 tru'ang

Ngay quan tr{Jng nhdt trong cupc lOi toi

Ngay quan trong nheit'trong dil; to; la ngay ba me toi quyit dinh girl tof din truong. Luc do toi len bay. To; dli rong chen' vai ndm voi cdc tre em quanh nha. To; chua bao gia nghi din vi~c di h9C. Toi thlch choi diu ca trong con sU6i can nutrc gan do. Dol khi chung toi VaG rimg bat chim va soc, va toi luon nghi rang cuoc dili se mill nhu thi Thi nhung VaG m{5t ngay n(). thtj.t buon cho toi, coo me toi beit nga tuyen b6 rang toi khong tlu(1c rong choi nita mil phd; din truong.

Khong co tit nao diin ta n6i bu6n cua toi khi phdi di h9C. Toi thuimg nghe rang cdc thay giao a trutmg reit nghiem khac va dit ton. Toi ding - nghe noi rang co nhiJu mon hoc reit kho a truang va toi khong tai nao chiu duoc y nghi rting minh bi bU9C phdi hoc chung. Nhung moi vi¢c tIii tlinh san cho toi. Toi khong ron Sll Ilia chon nao khdc ngoai viec din trutmg.

Tuy nhien, chang bao lliu sau khi ung thudn di h9C, toi vui sutmg thdy rang tfi h9C thtj.t la _thu vi. Toi b4t tfal! h9C vJ con npU'ili va n,hfn?g diJu kY di¢u khac dang dien ra tren khdp the giai. Cac tluiy giao rat tot bung va than mdt, ho thuang ki nhiJu ciiu chuyen Iy thu. Vi tM to; bat tldU yeu thicn cdc bai hoc va khong con mu6n phi that gian rong choi niia.

Gia tlay tof ita lim hem va La m9t h9C sinh trung h9C dang h9C nga» cang nhiJu vJ thi gia; xung quanh chang ra. Nhiing kitfn thuc toi thu IU(1m dU'9'c lam phong phu tri oc toi va toi sa hiJu biit nhiJu hem vJ cae vein dJ coo nhan loai. Toi ding co thi noi tiing Anh /U'U loat, va toi biit rang kiin thuc tiing A,!h ~ua IO~ se co Ilia,ln trong cU9C song tuong La; cua minh. To; ciing biet rang neu loi tIo tot ca cdc kY thi, m{5t ngay nao d6 toi se giit m{5t vi tri quan trong trong m{5t ngimh nghJ nao ao. mit aliu thq,m chi toi se tro thanb mot b¢ trutmg trong chinh quyen nha nuirc hay m¢l nhdn vat n6i tieng trong mQt linh V1,lC nao do.

52

Vl thi nghi vJ cdi ngay ba me quyit dinli gm toi din hoc duong, trong toi tran ngdp yeu thuong. Do thuc SI! La ngay dang nha nhdt trong cU9C dili toi, do La ngay dil thay d6i loan bt5 cuoc dm toi.

13. THE SUBJECT I CONSIDER MOST IMPORTANT

Of all the subjects that I study in school, I think that English is the most important subject. It is mainly through the English language that we gain access to the various) sources of knowledge.

English is a language which is spoken and understood by many people in most countries of the world. It is, in fact, the most important means of communication among the various countries of the world. Knowledge of new discoveries and inventions in one country is transmitted' to other countries through English for the benefit of the world. In this way English helps to spread knowledge and progress3•

It is true, however, that in the modem age, the study of Science and Mathematics too should be considered very important. Science has conferred" many benefits in man. But it requires little thought to realise that scientific principles cannot be understood well without a good knowledge of a language. And, though other languages such as German and Russian are important in the world of Science, it is English that plays the most important role" in spreading scientific knowledge. There is in fact no branch of study that has not been communicated in English. The original writings of great scientists, economists, philosophers6, psychologists7 and others who did not speak and write the English language have all been translated into English. Therefore, one who has a good knowledge of English has access to all the sources of information.

Further, as the English language is used by people of different lands and cultures, it has become very rich. It contains so many words, ideas and thoughts that a good knowledge of English enriches the mind and enables one to express oneself well. It also helps one to think better and to understand the people of other lands. It is for all these reasons that I consider English the most important subject in school.

NEW WORDS:

1. various ['vedrias] (adj) khac nneu, thu9c ve nhieu toet: cfa d.;mg

2. transmit [treenz'rnlt] (v) truyen at (qua cdc phLldng ti~n thong tin cf?1i chung)

53

3. progress ['praogres] (n) 51/ tl§n b{J; 51/ tien trien, 51/ phJt trien

4. confer [kan'fa.] (v) trso, t~ng; ben bee, h{Ji y, hoi y kien

5. role [raul] (n) ernie nang, vai tro

6. philosopher [fi'lJsafa(r)] (n) nha trier h9C; trier gia

7. psycholocist [sai'koladxist] (n) nha tam Iy h9C

Mon hpc toi cho III quan trong nh&

Trong tdt ca car man hoc a truong, rof nghi rang tieng Anh la quan trong nhdf. C/IU y~u nha thong qua tieng Anh rna chung ta e6 thi tiep cdn nhiJu nguon kltin thtrc da dang.

Tieng Anh la ngon ngu duac n6i va hiiu bai nit nhiJu nguoi dang song tai phdn Ion cdc quae gia tren th~ gioi. Tren thuc d tieng Anh Ia phuong tien giao tiep quan trong nhat giica nhi~u quoc gia khac nhau tren th~ gioi. Kiin thuc vJ nhiaig phdt minh va khdm phd mai trong mot nuoc duoc truyen sang cdc nucc khac thong qua tieng Anh a~ mang lai loi (cii cho cong dong th~ gioi. Bang cacn nay tieng Anh g6p phdn truyen btl ki~n thuc va Sl! tien br;5.

Tuy nhien, hoan toan dung khi cho rang trong kj nguyen hien dai. viec nghien cuu Khoa h9C va Todn ciing nen dU9'C xem trong. Khoa h9C ria ban cho loaf nguai nhieu ich loi. Nhung khong can suy nghi ciing nhdn thdy rling nguoi ta khong th~ hiiu biit cdc nguyen I.Y khoa h9C ma khong e6 kiin thtrc vi ngon ngii. Va mac du cac ngon ngii khdc nhu tieng Dire va tieng Nga ciing quan trong trong giai khoa h9C, nhung chinli tieng Anh chitim giii vai fro quan trong nhal trong viec truyen bd kien thia: khoa h9C.

Thdt v(jy, khong c6 nganli nghien cuu nao ma khong lien quan a~n tieng Anh. Tat ca nhiing cong trinh. nghien cuu nguyen ban cua cdc nha khoa h9C, kinh ttl h9C, tritt hoc, tam Iy h9C VI dai aiu sa dtroc dicli sang tieng Anh. VI tht nhiing ai hieu bitt vJ tieng Anh c6 thd tlip cdn duac moi nguon thong tin.

Hon niia vi duoc sit- dung boi nhiJu nguiri cua nhiiu aat nutrc va n~n win h6a khdc nhau tieng Anh tra nen rat phong phu. N6 bao g6m rat nhieu tir ngii, .y kien va tu tuong, cho nen mot SI! hieu bidt stiu silc v~ tieng Anh se lam phong phu tri tu¢ va giup fa di$n dat Y luang cua minh t6t han. N(J ciing giup ta suy nghi tat han va hiiu bidt vi con nguoi CLla nhiaig dat nuirc khac. Veri tat ca nhiing ly do flay toi cho rling tieng Anh la mon h9C quan trong nhat a trutrng.

54

14. AN INCIDENT I SHALL NEVER FORGET

Certain incidents I so impress us that they leave an indelible/ mark on our memory. I was once involved in an incident of which I shall always have vivid'' recollections.

The incident occurred when I visited a village in India together with my parents, sometime during my holidays last year.

Early in the morning on the day the incident occurred, I was talking with a few of my new friends in that village. All of a sudden4, a boy of my age came rushing towards us to break the news that violence had broken out in the neighbourhood. Alarmed at this news, we began to protect ourselves, and before long the violence spread like wild fire throughout our area.

I was a little confused at first for I had no idea about the cause of the outbreak of violence there. One of my friends told me that the area had been notorious'' for such occurrence owing t07 rivalrl between two parties. Each party tried to destroy the influence of the other in that area, and the bad blood that existed between them had caused several deaths and great misery to innocent people for a long time. Official influence could not be exercised effectively in this area owing to its remoteness" from the centres of authority. The members of the rival parties therefore enjoyed almost complete freedom of action. The police arrived only when there was news of violence, and often long after the damage has been done.

While I was listening to this account of facts and events, the situation suddenly took an ugly tum. A man who had been standing a short distance away from us ran into his house most unexpectedly, and within minutes his house was ablaze 10. My friends and I then ran towards his house to put out the fire; but we were stopped by a few burly men who were holding lethal weapons II in their hands. They threatened to kill if we offered any help to anyone. One of them had even struck me on my head with a stick. We realised instantly that we were no match for them and that discretion was the better part of valour'", We therefore decided to proceed no further.

Soon the fire from that house began to spread and several houses were burning, There were frantic+' cries for help. Men, women and children were running in all directions in their desparatel4 attempts to save whatever they could from the fire, in spite of the interference of the

55

gangsters. A few of the unfortunate ones were burned to death. including the man who had set tire to his own house. We then concluded 15 that the man must have been so disgusted 16 with what we had seen for so long that he had no more desire to live. and this was his way of putting an end to himself. It was indeed a pathetic sight.

Then, after several hours, the police arrived when more than a quarter of the village had already been burned to ashes. They asked us several questions to find out if we had ourselves participated in the violence. As I was foreigner who would be leaving that village the following day, I had the courage to answer all their questions and to point out the men who had threatened to kill us. Those men were then arrested together with other suspects.

Early next morning. my parents and I left the village with no more desire to re-visit this place; but my memory of this incident will remain fresh forever.

NEW WORDS:

1. incident ['insid~mt] (n) bien co

2. indelible [in'deliblJ (adj) khong the' gpt secb, kh6ng the'tay seen,

con vetmai

3. vivid ['vivid] (adj) song o9n9, menh me

4. all of a sudden [o: I av a 'sxdn] bat thinh linh; mot cach bat ngiJ

5. confused [kan'fju:zd] (adj) boi rOi, lung tung, ngi/f/ng

6. notorious [nan'ta.rias] (adj) khet tieng; co tieng xau

7. owing to ['auil1 tal (adj) do V/~ bai vi

8. rivalry ['raivalri] en) sir kinn aich, su due tai, sf/ganh aua

9. remoteness [ri'rnaotnis] (n) sf/ xa x6i, beo lanh

10. ablaze [a'bleiz] (adj) rue chay, boc chay

11. lethal weapons ['li:8al 'wepan] v{j khf chet ngi/iJi

12. discretion was the better part of valour lieu linh aung ch6 thi mol

aang lieu ITnh

13. frantic ['frcel1tikJ (adj) aien cuong, aien ro

14. desperate ('desparit] (adj) tuy?t v9ng,' lieu menq. lieu linh

15. conclude (kan'klu :d] ket lu~n

16. disgusted [dis'qxstid] (adj) chan ghet, ph§n n9

56

.~

Mpt biRn c6 toi khong bao gid quen

05 nhiing Sl! viec ma an tU971g vi chang mann me din muc dd lai dau an khong thi xoa nhoa trong ky uc chung tao Mr}t Lan tof dil chung kidn mot str kien ma ky uc vt no van mdi song ar}ng trong uii.

Sf! viec xtiy ra khi toi vieng tham mot lang que in D(j cung vai b6 me toi trong ky nghl nam ngodi.

Vao bu6i sang sam ngay xdy ra cau chuyen, tai dang tro chuyen vai vai nguoi ban mai trong lang. B6ng nhien, mot dua con trai trac tuJi tof chay v~ phia cluing tof baa tin rang bao a(3ng ail xay ra cl vung lan cdn. Duac bao a(3ng, cluing tof bat dau tlf v~ va chang bao lau cuoc bao dong dd lan nhanh nhu lua chay qua vung chung toi.

Thoat aau tai hoi b6i r6i vi khong biit nguyen nhdn n6 ra bao a6ng a a6. M6t ngtroi ban cho toi u« rang vung nay khet tieng v~ nhiing Sl! viec nhu thi do Slf thu nghich giiia hal dang phdi. Dang nay cd gang tri~t ha anh. huang cua dang kia trong khu vlfC va Slf mdu thudn giua ho ail lam mot s6 nguoi thiet mang va gay ra Sf! bat hank cho nhimg nguai va t6i trong mot thai gian dai. Nhiing anli huang cua chin"h quyen khanq c6 hi?u qua o· vung nay boi n6 qua xa cdc trung tam quyen luc. Cac phdn trr cua hal dang phai thu nghicb vi thi hau nhu dirac tu' do hoat d6ng. Canh sat chi xudt hien khi co tin tire vt v¥ bao dong va thutrng la rat lau sau khi cdc thiet hai ail xay ra.

Trong khi toi lang nghe giai thich v~ tin tree va su: viec nay, tinh thi aa bang chuyen sang mot buac ngoat nguy hiim. M6! nguoi dan ong dung each chung tai khong xa b6ng chay VaG nha; va chi trong vai phut ngof nha cua ong ta b6c lua. Cdc ban tOi va toi chay vt phfa ngoi nha ad ddp tat lira, nhung chung tai bi ngan can bai nhiing nguoi dan ong luc luang mang vi] khi gidt nguai trong tay. H(J doa se gidt chung tal ndu cluing tal giup aO' bat ky nguoi nao. M6t nguoi trong s6 ho thdm chi ail dung g~y ddnl: vao adu toi. Ngay ldp ttrc chung to; thay minh khong phd; La ad; thu cua ho, d6ng thai ciing nh4n. ra r&ng [iiu finh liic nay la khong thicli hap. Vi thi cluing tai quyit dinb khong tlin them buoc nao nita.

Trong phut ch6c lira tit ngoi nha chdy Ian ra va vai ngoi nha khac ciing bi chdy. Day do vang ten nhiing tieng keu cu-u alen cuong. Dan ong, aim ba va tre em chay tan loan trong S,! n6 luc tuy¢t v(Jng ai 'cuu lay bat CLl' cdi gl co thi tit ngon lua bat ki S,! can thiep cua nhiing len can a6. M¢t vai nguoi rui ro bi thieu cho din chit, trong s 6 ao cd nguai

57

dan ong aa ddt nha minh. Sau ao chung toi hit ludn rJng han la nguo: dan ong do vi qua ghe tom voi nhiing gi chung toi ail chung kiein trong mot thai gian dai adn nJi ong fa khong mU6n s6n8 niia va day la each ong kdt thuc cuoc dO'i ong. Thdt ia mot canh. tuong bi thuong.

R6i sau ao vai gio' canh. sat xuat hien khi han mot phdn tu ngot lans; ail chay ra tro. H() ch6t v6n chung toi tid xem chung tot co tham du VaG cuoc bao dong hay khong. Vi la mot nguiri ngoai qudc se roi ian!? VaG ngay hom sau, tot ail can dam Ira fat teit ca cac diu hoi va aieim mdt nhiing ke ail de doa gidt chung toi. Nhiing nguoi nay bi beit giir cung vai nhiing nguoi hi tinh nghi khac.

Sang sam hom sau, b6 me tot vel tof tam biet ngoi lang rna khong mong tro lai; nhung kv uc vt S«( kien nay se mdi mdi khong phai ma trong toi.

15. THE VALUE OF MUSIC IN THE HAPPINESS OF MAN

Music has always been a source of happiness to all men on the earth. From their primitive days, men's love of music has led them to make instruments I of all descriptions to produce beautiful music for their enjoyment and happiness.

Without music the world would indeed be a very dull place to live in.

Even nature is full of music. There is music in the movements of the winds, the sea, as well as the trees; there is music in the calls of the birds, flies and insects and also in the flight of the birds and animals. It is from all these things that, men have learnt to appreciate2 the value of music. The same things have also taught men how to produce music from the simplest of things such as sticks, bamboos, and animal horns. Men make many kinds of flutes] with bamboos which produce beautiful music.

That music is very important for men's happiness is hard to deny.

Music removes men's depression and fills them with gladness. It is for this reason that music is played even in hospitals to cheer up the sick people.

As music has the capacity4 to make men happy, it contributes greatly to men's success in life. A happy man is a good and hard worker. He works happily among people and earns the good-will or all around.

58

People like to associate with him and to employ him in all kinds of work. Thus, he leads a happy and successful life.

The value of music in the happiness of man is therefore great.

NEW WORDS:

1. instrument ['instrumant] (n) nhsc Cf,J

2. appreciate [a'pri.j ieit] tMnh gia clung, clanh gicf ceo, hieu ro gia trt,

thLfang thtfc

3. flute [flu:t] (n) ong sao

4. capacity [ka'peesiti] (n) co kha nang

5. associate [a'saufjit] (v) ket giao; giao thi~p

Giil tr] cua am nhuc trong niJm vui con ngtroi

Am nhac luon lu/in la nguon hanh phuc cho moi nguai tren trdi ddt nay. Tit thua ban sa, long say me am nhac aa khien con nguai sang tao nhiing nhac cu au log; d& tao ra am dieu tuyet vai mang lai thicb thii va hanh phac cho minh.

Khong co am nhac th& gioi thuc su tro thanli nai cu ngu buon teo Ngay ca Thien nhien ding fran day am nhac. Co tieng du duong trong nhiaig chuyen a6ng cua gio, cua biin ca ciing nhu cua cay xanh. Co am ai¢u reo rdt trong tieng hot cua chim choc, tieng vo ve cua rubi mugi va con trung ciing nhu am thunlt trong tieng va canb bay di hay chay nhay cua chim va thii rung.

Tit ao con nguoi da bidt cam nhdn gui tri cua am nhac. Ciing chfnh nhiing am thanh ad aa giup con nguoi tao ra am nhac tit nhiing dung C1:l tho sa nhdt nhu g¢iy, tre va sung dong vdt. Con nguoi aa chi tao ra nhieu log; sao bang tre phat ra nhiing am thanh du duong.

Kho ma phu nhdn rdng nhac rdt quan trong voi hanh phuc con nguoi.

Am nhac xoa diu nai buon cua con nguoi va lam ho tran aay m'im vui. Do La lj do tai sao am nhac dtcoc su dung trong b¢nh vien di khicli l? tinh thdn benh. nhdn.

Vi am nhac co thi lam cho con nguoi hanli phuc, no gop pluin quan trong cho Slf thnnli cong cua con nguoi trong cuoc song. Mrt nguoi hanh. phuc la mot nguoi tam viec t6t va sieng nang. Anh ta lam viec giiia moi nguoi va lu/in duac moi nguoi y€u min. Nguoi fa thicli kit ban vm anh

59

ta, thich thui: anh ta lam moi cong viec. Vi thi CU(lC song cua anli ta luon sung sutmg va thann congo

Tom lai am nhac Co gia tri to Ion trong hanlt phuc can nguai.

16. THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE CINEMA

The influence that the cinema exerts on the minds of those who visit it is at once beneficial and harmful,

Today, there is a cinema in almost every town. The cinema provides so much entertainment' that few people fail to visit it. One or the reasons for the popularity of the cinema is that, it entertains/ all types or people, young and old, literate and illiterate'. Because it is so popular, it must exercise some influence on those whom it attracts.

The films shown in the cinema are often very instructive and informative. Almost every film shows something about the activities and customs of the people in other lands. By seeing such films, one learns a lot about human activities. One also gains a better understanding of people of the world.

Further, some films show the battles that were fought in the past.

They also sometimes show very vividly how man has struggled4 through the centuries to remove discomfort from his life. In this way, some films have given many people an insight into the past. Even illiterate people have benefited from such films. What they cannot acquire5 from books owing to their inability to read, they can acquire from films. School students, too, often benefit from a visit to the cinema. What they see and hear in the cinema makes a better impression on their minds than only the spoken words or their teachers. For example, a teacher of history can hardly describe a battle scene to his students as vividly as a film does. For all these reasons, the cinema is often regarded6 as an important means of spreading knowledge.

It must be admitted, however, that some films have exerted an evil influence on many people. Films which show the activities of criminals have encouraged many youths to commit acts or crime. Other films, too, such as those dealing with sex and other natural weaknesses of man, have corrupted9 the morals'" of many people. As a result, the governments of many countries have been compelled to interfere in the

60

display and production of certain films. Yet, the cinema continues to retain its popularity.

NEW WORDS:

1. entertainment [,enta'teinmant] (n) su' giai tri. sir tieu khie'n

2. entertain [,enta'tein] (v) pnuc v~

3. literate ['litarit] (adj) co h9C; biet d9C biet viet

illiterate [i'litarit] (adj) mil chfJ; that h9C

4. struggle ['strAgl] (v) dau tranh

5. acquire [a'kwaia] (v) dt/.dc, gianh dtf~c, thu dtf~c

6. regard [ri'ga:d] (v) coi nhu; xem nhtr

7. commit [ke'rnlt] (v) phf/m phai, can phem VaG

8. weakness ['wi:knis] (n) diem yeu, nhtf~c diem, khuyet diem, 16; lam

9. corrupt [ka'rxpt] (v) lam bang nost, lam cho doi bf/i

10. morals ['rmral] (n. plu.) df/o oifc, (fife nsnn, pham bent:

Cae uu 4iim va khuyit 4iim cua r(lp chiiu phim

Nhfmg anh huimg mil rap ehiiu phim uic d{mg din tu tuong cua cae khan gia din xem vua co 19i ciing vua co hai.

Ngay nay hdu nhu thanh phd. thi trdn nao ciing co rap chieu bong.

Rap chiiu bong mang lai Sf! giai tri to lim din n6i khong may ai chua timg din rap di xem phim. M9t trong nhiing ly do lam cho rap chiiu bong duoc ua thfeh La VI aay 10. phuong li~n giai tri eua moi ngum dan, du gia hay ire, In thitc hay that h9C. Vi phim anh kha phb biin, n6 c6 tac d9ng din nhimg nguoi thich xem phim.

Nhiing b(J phim duoc chiiu c:1 rap thutmg co tfnh chat truyJn btl kidn thitc va thong tin. Hdu nhu mgi bp phim i/Ju ki chuyen vJ nhifng sinh hoat, phong tuc eua con ngum c:1 nhiing xii So' khdc. Bang each xem phim, ngum ta hoc i/u(yc rcit nhiJu vJ sinh hoat con ngum. Ngum ta ding c6 thi hiiu nhiJu han vJ cdc dan t{jc tren IhJ guii.

Han niia, co nhiing phim ki vJ cdc cuoc chien tranh trong qua khu.

NhiJu b(J phim ki lai mot each rcit sinh dpng cupc dau tranh cua con nsum qua hang thi IcY at cdi thien am s6ng cua minh: Bang cacb nay phim anh aa eho con nguai cai nhin sau scic vi qua khu. Ngay co nguiti it h9C ciing thu duac nhieu loi ten khi xem cdc phim nay. H9 co thi xem

61

phim di nam bat duac nhiing di~u ma ho khong d9C duoc trong sach VI mu chii. H9C sinh. sinh vien ding hoc duoc nhieu di~u b6 ich sau khi xem phim. Tat ca nhimg dieu ho nghe va thd» trong phim c6 an tuong sau ddm trong tri tuong cua ho han bat kj; bai giang nao cua gido vien. Cluing han mot giao vien lich suo hdu nhic khong thi mieu ta cho hoc sinh quang canh trdn danh sinh dong nhic phim dnh. VI thd phim anh dirac xem la m{51 phuong thJn quan trong de truyen ba kien thuc.

Tuy nhien phai thuu nhdn rang phim anh dd gay ra anh huang toi lSi cho nhieu nguoi. Nhiing b{j phim ve cdc hoat d{jng t(ji pham dii khuyen khicb nhieu thanh nien pham phap. Nhiing b{j phim khac ve tinli due va ban nang yeu dU6i ella can ngu-(ri dil lam suy ddi dao duc cua khd nhieu nguai. VI v(iy ehfnh quyen cua nhieu marc dd buoc phai can thiep VaG viec san xuat va trinh. ehieu phim anh. Du vqy. rap chieu phim win tiep tuc duy tri duo«: tinli dai chung cua minh.

17. DESCRIBE SOME OF THE INTERESTING PLACES IN YOUR COUNTRY

Though my country is small, yet there are many places of interest spread throughout the country.

In the southern most part of the country, where the state of lahore lies, there are some very interesting and beautiful places. In Kota Tinggi, for example, there are beautiful waterfals' which are visited by many people everyday. Then, there is lahore Lama, a place of great historical interest. In lahore Bahru, there is a beautiful beach which is visited daily by several people who love the sea. In Batu Pahat, another town in lahore, is Minyak Buku, an interesting place on the coast.

As we go towards the north, we arrive at Malacca, the oldest town that the Europeans oceupied2 in Malaya in the past. The influences of the Portuguese and the Dutch can still be seen in many of the buildings there.

Further north lies Port Dickson which is well known for its beautiful beaches.

In Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, there are many places of interest such as Batu Caves, the zoo and the museum. The city itself is an interesting place to visit.

Another beautiful town is Penang, situated' on an island. The sea around it makes it the most beautiful town in the country.

62

Finally, the paddy fields" in the northern most parts of the country are also very beautiful and interesting to look at. On the east coast of the country too there are some beautiful towns such as Kuantan and Kuala Trenganu. All these places have indeed made my country an interesting place to live in.

NEW WORDS:

1. waterfall ['w):tafJ:I] (n) tnec nuoc

2. occupy ['okjupai] (v) cbiern dong, chiem Ilnh, chiem crJ

3. situate ['sitjueitJ (v) nam, xay dt/ng r:1

4. paddy field ['pcedi fi:ld] (n) ru6ng Iva; cent: dong trong Iva

MIJ tii mpt vai noi ij thu ii dilt nU'uc cua ban

Du chi la mot quoc gia nho be nhung tren khdp aeit nuoc tai c6 reit nhidu thdng canh.

o vung cue nam cua deit nuac, nai c6 tieu bang lohore, co reit nhi~u canh sdc dep ae va tlui vi. O' Kota Tinggi chang han co nhiing thdc nuoc tuyet vai ma hdng ngay co reit nhidu du khacb din chiem nguiing. Sau ao Za Johore Lama, mot {hang canli licb su n6i tieng, o lohore Bahru co mot bdi bien dep ma nhidu nguoi yeu bidn thuong ghe adn mal ngay. o Batu Pahat, mot thi trdn khdc cua lohore, co Minyak Buku, mot phong

"canb [j thu vung duyen hdi.

vi phia bdc chung fa ain Malacca, thi trdn c6 xua nhdt rna nguoi chdu Au ali chiim dong tai Malaya truce aay. C6 thi rheiy tren cdc toa nha 0- day ddu dn sdu a(ml cua nguoi B6 Dao Nha va Ha Lan.

Xa han vi phia bile iii cdng Dickson n6i fling val nhiing biii bidn dep, o Kuala Lumpur thu do Malayxia c6 nhieu thdng cann nhu hang dong Batu, vuon thu va vien bao tang. Ngay chinli thanh ph6 nay ding Iii mot noi thu vi cho du khdc]: tham quan.

,M6t thi tran xinh dep khdc la Penang, toa lac tren "}91 hon a_ao. Vun$ bien quan? dao giup cho Penang my thanli thanh. pho dep nhdt cua adt nuirc.

Cu6i cung iii nhimg cdnh dong lua 0- vung cue bilc cua adt nutrc, tao nen cdnh. quan dep mdt va hap dan. T9i vung biin phia dong cua dat nuac ding co mot vai thi trdn xinh dep nhu Kuantan va Kuala Trenganu.

63

Ttit cd nhung thdng canii nay thdt 51! lam cho dat nuac chung toi ira thanh milt vung dat tuy~t viti di sinh song.

18. WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHOOSE AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL

Today, it is not easy to choose a career'. Hundreds of students pass various examinations every year and compete with one another for positions in the various professions which are not so many as there are applicants2• I would. however, like to choose teaching as my career.

Teaching is an interesting career for several reasons. As a teacher I can learn many things, especially if I teach to an upper-secondary schoor'. If I teach History or English, for example, I have to read many books to make my teaching lessons more interesting to my pupils. Thus, I can acquire more knowledge of the subjects that I teach than what I can learn from the class text books. It is indeed a fact that a teacher learns a lot from the class text books; but that is hardly enough to make the teacher's lessons interesting to pupils. A good teacher must therefore read many other books.

Again, as a teacher, I have to speak well so that my pupils will be able to understand my instructions well. In this way I can improve my powers of expression. Even my pronunciation4 of words will improve to great extent.

Further, as a teacher, I shall have enough leisure' to read and prepare for various examinations. It is possible today to sit for many important examinations by studying entirely6 at home. Thus, I can acquire important qualifications 7•

Finally, as a teacher I will be respected8 as an educated person. People will assume9 that I have certain qualifications and show their regard for me and the opinions that I express. Thus, I shall be able to live a happy life.

NEW WORDS:

1. career [ka'ria] (n) nghe nghi~p; 51/ ngh;~p

2. applicant ['aeplikant] (n) ngu'ui xin vtec

3. upper-secondary school ['I\pa 'sekandri sku: I] tru'Clng trung h9C pho thong, cap ba

64

4. pronunciation [prs.nxnsl'eljn] (n) su' pbet.em, cach phiit am

5. leisure ['le3al (n) thifi gian nhan r6i

7. entirely [tn'tatali] (adv) holm toen, toen ven, tron ven

7. qualification Lkw)lifi'keiIn] (n) kha nang chuyen man, trinh 09 chuyen man, tieu chuan chuyen man; van bang, h9C vi, chL1ng

~I .

8. respect [ri'spekt] (v) kfnh trona, tan trona .

9. assume [a'sju:m] (v) cho rang; thlla nh~n

B9n se chon nghJ gi sau khi ra truimg .

Ngay nay. chon nghi la mot au« chang di dang. Hang tram sinh vien trai qua nhieu kY thi mgt nam va tranh dua vai nhau eli gianh. ch6 trong nhieu ngimh nghi khdc nhau ma so luang it 0; han nhieu so vot so ring cu vien. Con toi, toi muon tra thanh. mot thdy giao.

Co nhieu if do eli cho reine day h(JC La mot ng~i thu vi. Lam giao vien tai co the hoc hoi duoc nhieu dieu, elij.c bi?t neu toi day a mpt truong trung hoc ph6 thong. Niu toi day Lich su hay Anh van chang han, toi phai arc nhiJu sdch. eli bai giang trtr nen thu vi han dat vai hoc sinh. Nhu v(iy toi se fiip thu duoc nhi~u kiin thuc vi cdc ili tai minh dang day han la nhiaig gi co thd arc qua sdch giao khoa a lap. Quti thuc khong thi phil nhdn riing m(>t gido vien h9C duac nit nhiJu dlJu tit sdch gido khoa " nhung nhu thi van chua du di lam cho bai h9C hdp dan v6i hoc sinh. M(>t gido vien gioi phdi d9C nhiiu quyen sacb khac nita.

Tuong tu, di lam mot gido vien gioi toi phdi co klui nang diJn dat tot iii hoc sinh co thi hieu duoc nhiing chi ddn cua minh. Being cacb nay tol co thi piuii trien kha nang diln dat cua minh. Ngay ca each pMt tim cua toi ciing se tot han nhiJu.

Hon niia, niu la mot giao vien toi se co au thai gian ranh r6i di arc sacl: va on luyin eho nhieu kY thi khac nhau. Nga» nay chung ta co tM hoan toan tu hoc a nha dd on luyen eho nhiJu kY thi quan trong. Nha vdy toi co thi co nhiing biing cdp quan trong.

I .' ,

Cuoi cung, khi lam gido vien, toi se duac kinh trong nhu mQt ngutri tri

thuc. Moi nguoi se ciing nhdn rdng toi co nang luc, ho se coi trong toi ciing nhu nhioig f kidn toi dua ra. Nhu vqy cuoc song cua toi se rdt hanh

phuc. .

65

19. WHY IS AGRICULTURE IMPORTANT IN THE

WORLD OF TODAY?

Since the dawn I of history, agriculture2 has been one of the important means of producing food for human consumption3• Today more and more lands are being developed for the production of a large varietl crops. In Asia, vast areas of land are being used to produce rice, wheat, rubber and a variety of other crops. More than half of the lands occupied and developed by human beings in the world are devoted to agriculture.

That agriculture is one of the most essential means of producing food is realised easily when we think of the types of things that we eat. The rice or wheat that we eat comes from the land. Even potatoes and other roots or vegetables and even leaves such as tea, as well as the fruits that men eat are the products of the soil that covers the earth. In fact, everything that we eat, except meat, fish and other kinds of flesh5 comes from the land, and what grows on the land is part of agriculture. Even the sugar, oil, coffee and other beverages that we use are products of plants that grow on land. In the same way, many of the medicines that we use are made of plants that grow in various parts of the world. The tobacco that we use for relaxation also comes from a plant.

Thus, it can be easily observed that without agriculture we would be almost without food. It is true, however, that in the remote'' past men did live mainly on flesh that he obtained by hunting. But such a kind of life was unhappy and inconvenient7, for animals were not found everywhere easily. Therefore, men turned to agriculture for his livelihoods. Today, agriculture continues to provide almost all the foods that men require to survi ve on the earth.

NEW WORDS:

1. dawn [da.n] (n) blnh minh; buOl c!au

2. agriculture ['cegrikAltJi3] (n) nong nghi~p

3. consumption [kan'sxmpj n] (n) SI/ tteu tbu, su' tieu dung

4. variety [va'raiati] (n) nhieu thtJ, C!U IOpi; sf/ria dpng

5. flesh [fief] (n) thit

6. remote [ri'maet] (adj) xa xOi, xa x#m

7. lnccnvenlent [,inkan'vi:njant] (adj) bat ti~n, thieu tien nghi, phien

phuc .

66

8. livelihood ['Iaivlihud] (n) phlldng ke sinh nhai; sinh k€

T {Ii sao ngay nay niing nghijp quan trong tren th~ giOi

Tic bu6i binn minh cua Itch SU, nang nghiep dii my thanh. phuong tien scm xudt thuc phdm quan trong cho con nguai tieu thu. Hien nay ngay cang co nhi€u ddt dai duac 'khai khdn dd san xUdt nhiing Vlf mua lim. a chiiu A nhiing vung ddt menh. mong dang duoc su dung 'dd trong liia gao, lua mach, cao su va nhiJu hoa mau khac. Hem mot nua dien rich ddt dai ma con nguoi da chidm hiiu va khai phd tren tId giai duac dann ad phd! trien nang nghiep.

Tdm quan trong thiit yiu cua nang nghiep trong vai fro phuang tien san xudt thuc phdm co thi duac di dang nhdn ra khi chung ta {lghf din cdc loai thuc pham minli thuang an. Lua gao va lua macl: chung ta an moe tir dt5ng ruong. Ngay ca khoai fay hay nhiing loai rau cli khdc, ki ca la cay nhu la tra, ciing nhu cdc loai trdi cay ma ding La san phdm cua lap ddt bao phu bJ mijt trai ddt., Tren thuc ,d, tat ca nhim~ gi cluing ta an trir thit, co. va nhieng thsr thit song khac deu sinh ra tu ddt dai, va nhimg g'i m9C tren adt ddu la, mot phdn cua nf!ng nghi¢p./'fgay ca duang, ddu, ca phe va cdc thtrc uong khdc cling deu la san phdm cua thuc w;it m{Jc tren ddt. TU07lg tu, nhiJu vi thuoc chang ta ldy tu cdc thuc vdt a nhi€u noi trenthi gioi. Thu6c fa ma chung fa dung d6 thu giiin ciing zay tu m(Jt loai cay.

Nhu v{iy di dang nhdn (hay rang khong co nang nghiep, chung ta hdu nhu ciing khong co thuc phdm. Tuy nhien SI! thd: la VaG thoi xa xua can nguoi song chu yeunho' vao thit a{Jng v{it kiem duac khi san bdn. Nhung mot cuoc song nhu thi khong sung suong va thoai mai bai VI khong phai a dau cling di dang tim thay thu vdt. Vi vt;iy con nguoi chuyen sang nang nghiep dd nuoi s6ng ban than ho. Ngay nay, nang nghiep tiep t1!-C cung dp phdn lim thuc phdm cdn· thid! cho su' t6n tai cua loai nguoi tren trdi ddt.

20. A HEROIC DEED

The story of man is full of heroic deeds'. One of the acts of heroism that I have seen myselfwas that of my uncle, who was attacked by a huge tiger while we were in our plantation2, one day.

My uncle, a young and well-buile man, and I had left our home early in the morning to do some work in the plantation. When we reached

67

there, we could hear some dogs barking in the distance. But we did not suspect" anything, and began to do our work.

While we were working, however, we noticed some foot-prints of some animal. We then examined them closely and were satisfied that

. they did not belong to any member of the cat family, the most ferocious' of animals. We then resumed our work. My uncle took a long knife and began to cut some sticks and branches of plants scattered throughout the plantation, while I did some other work.

Soon, however, I saw a movement in the bush, a short distance away.

I was alarmed. I ran up to my uncle to draw this attention, but he was hardly interested in what I had to say. He continued to do his work. But shortly after wards, my uncle himself observed the movement in the bush. Yet, he showed ne signs of fear, and his composure6 dispelled my anxieties. He warned me, however, to be careful, and picked up an axe that had been lying on the ground. His knife, he gave to me. Then, he jnoved slowly and cautiousii towards the bush, ready for any attack.

To our horro~, a huge tiger soon emerged from the bush. But my uncle was prepared to face it, to escape seemed impossible. The tiger too seemed to be fully aware of the strength and courage of its adversary. It paused several times while advancing towards my uncle. Then, all or a sudden, it sprang9 on my uncle, but his agi1itylO enabled him to escape the sharp claws of the brute with the slightest injury. Now with the axe still in his firm grip, my uncle struck the tigers face again and again, until it was- bleeding profusely.ll. The length of the handle of the axe made it difficult for the tiger to get to close to my uncle. That the tiger was at a disadvantage was clear to me from the beginning.

In the end, however, the tiger collapsedl2 and died. Within hours, after that all the people in our area heard of my uncle's bravery, which saved us both from death. It was indeed a greatest act of heroism that I had witnessed.

NEW WORDS:

1. heroic deed [hi'raoikdi:d] (n) hanh d9ng dOng cam

2. plantation [plcen'teiJn] (n) don dien, Vu'iI!" cay, khu dat trong trot

3. well-built ['wel'bllt] (adj) /I/c /u'ijng, cu'iJng trang

4. suspect [sa'spekt] (v) nghi; nghi ngil,o hoai nghi; ngiJ vl/c 5 .. ferocious [foi'.nwJas] (adj) d{l tan, hung ac

·68

S. composure [kam'pau3a] (n) su'blnt: ttnn, svdiem trnh

7. cautiously ('k:>:Jasli] Cady) can th~n, th~n trpng

8. horror ['h:>ra] (n) n6i kinh hoang; su' khiep sa: svghe ran

9. spring [spri'l] (sprang-sprung) (v) nhay, b~t mean

10. agility [a'd3iliti] en) svnhanh nhen, su nnenh nh§u, sv/~ lang, sir lanh I~i

• 11. profusely [prafju:sli] Cady) u'Otdam, ratnflieu; doidao 12. collapse [ka'leeps] (v) d6; SI,JP xuong, nga gl,Jc

Mpt hanh dpng dung cam

Chuyen ki vJ loa; nguai ham chua rat nhiJu hanh dr,5ng anh hung. Mr,5t trong nhiing ehiin cong anh dung rna toi t~n nult chung kidn La cua chu toi. Chu bi mot con h6 kh6ng 16 ((in cong vao m(5t ngay n9 khi chung toi a tren d6n diJn.

Chu ta; mot nguai tre trung va manb khoe cung vai to; riJi nha vao sang sam di lam vf?e tren dan au« Khi din do, chung toi nghe tiing cho sua a dling xa. Nhung cluing toi kh/mg hi nghi nga gf cd va biit tay vao . viec.

Tuy nhien trong khi lam viec chung t6; di y nhiing dau chan thr1 quanh do. Sau do chang to; xem xi! kY luang va hai long vi do khong phd; La ho meo, con v4t tan bao nhat trong tat cd cdc lodi vdt. Rai chung toi lai lam viec. Chr1 to; lay mr,5t con dao 'dai va biit ddu c~t nhiing nhanb cay moe tu tung trong dan diJn. Con tai lam ctmg vi~c khdc.

Nhrmg chang may ch/c, toi thciy co dr,5ng trong bui cay gdn do. To; hit suc cdnn gidc. To; chay din ben chu toi di 10; cu6n S¥, chu y cua chu ciy nhung chu hdu nhu khang quan tam nhiing gi t6i noi. Cht1 vdn tlip tuc

.lam viec. Nhrmg ngay sau do, chu toi ciing nghe thciy tibzg dr,5ng trong bui rdm. Tuy nhien, chu khong mr,5t chut so hai. va S¥, btnn tinh eua chu dd xua tan n6i La so trong toi. Tuy nhien chu ciing baa t6; phdi hit suc cein thdn, ra; chu nhiit chile rtu dang nJm tren ddt. Con con dao, chu Mua cho t6i. Thi rai chti di chuyen chdm chap va thdn trong vJ phia bui ram, san sang tan congo

Truac S¥, hai hung cua chung toi, mot con h6 to lim tu bui cdy xucit hien. Nhung chu to; aa chudn bi d6i miit vai no, viec thodt hiem duang nhu la kh/mg thi xdy ra. Duong nhu con h6 ciing nhdn biit sue mann va. SI! can dam cua d6i thu. No dung lai m(J! ldt khi dang tiin vJ phia chu

69

toi. Bdt nga, no nhay x6 Vilo chu toi, nhung chu toi dii nhann nhen trdnh khoi cu v6 sac nhon ma chi bi thuang nhe Luc bdy gio voi cdi riu ndm chiit trong fay, chu toi lien tiep bb riu vao mat con h6 cho d~n khi mdu cua no tuon ra xiSi xci. Can rtu rdt dailam cho con hb khong thd ddn gan

chu tal duac. Theo toi con hb ro rang bi thdt th~ ngay tir ddu. '

Tuy nhien cu6i cung con h6 ciing kiet sue va Ian ra chit. Chi vai gia sau do nguai dan trong vung d~u bii! din su dung aim cua chu toi aft elm hai chung toi thoat chit. D6 la mot chidn cong anh dung nhdt ";a toi dd tung chung kidn.

21. CRIMES IN SOCIETY

The human society is full of activity. People work in all kinds of business firms, g~vernment offices, factories and other places, to earn their livelihood. Some work from dawn till dark; many work only at night; and others work during the day. At the same time men with criminal tendency I. are engaged2 in all kinds of activity, which often cause great hardship3 and sorrow to a large number of people in society.

Men develop criminal tendencies because of numerous" frustrations'.

Society has always failed to satisfy the social, emotional and other needs of a large number of people, many of whom have therefore turned to crime for either survival or recognition, The activities of such men represent a constant threat to the welfare" society. and much being done to reform them.

But criminals cannot be reformed until they are apprehended! By that time, hundreds of people are forced to live in fear at the hands of criminals, who resort to violence at the slightest provocation7. Numerous people of various descriptions have been killed by criminals without proper .cause. Society is therefore straining all its resources to bring criminals to justice. Large sums of money are being spent to employ men and equipment for the prevention and detection of crime.

Criminals are desperate men, and when they are pursued, they fight tooth and nail to escape capture. Therefore. those who are employed to capture them have to be brave, intelligent and well-trained" men. To have such men always on the alert for the protection-of society involves much expenditure9,

Punishment of criminals today, however, is not the same as what it was in the-past. Society has realized its responsibility towards individuals

70

who always find a bone to pick with it. It is now believed that criminals could be reformed. Therefore, psychologists and others who are responsible for the welfare of criminals are doing their utmost!" to train criminals to live a good life' in the future, Only those who commit the most serious crimes are' punished severely to deter others from committing such crimes.

NEW WORDS:

1. tendency ['tendansi] (n) xu hliang/ khuynh hliang

2. engage [in'geid3] (v) tham gia vao

3. hardship ['ha :dfip] (n) 51/ thiJ' thach gay go; sir gian kh6'

4. numerous ['nju:maras] (adj) nhieu, dong, dong dao

5. frustration [frAs'trejfn] (n) tam tr{Jng that V9n9, tam tr{Jng vtJ

m9ng; su' lam that bei, sir tam hong

6. welfare ['welfe;;J] (n) hent: ptuic, su' tnint: vli(fng

7. provocation [,pava'keifn] (n) su' khieu khfch

8. well-trained [wei 'treind] (n) olit;lc giao due tot

9. expenditure [Iks'pendltj a] (n) chi ph!; phi ton 10. utmost ['Atmoust] (adj) muc sorrg

DANY

Nhiing tpi phum trong xii hpi

* Mo- hili: tQi ac trong xii hQi lien quan d~n t~t ca cac hoat dong khac trong xii hc)i.

* Than bai:

I. Nguyen nhan cua tQi 'ac

1. Nguyen nhan cua tQi ac

a. Xa hQi khong thoa man nhu cftu tinh cam cua dan chring,

b. Phai cai tao tQi pham.

2. Nhi~u tien bac duoc dung d~ dira tQi nhan ra tnroc phap lu~t

a. Cac tc)i nhan gay hai eho dan lanh - phai thue nguoi va dung cu b~t giir ho.

71

b. Cac t9i nhan Hi nhirng nguoi tuyet vong - phai c6 nhimg

nguoi dung cam, kinh nghiern b~t giir ho, '

II. Hlnh phat cho t9i nhan

1. Khac tnroc day

2. TQi nhan c6 the diroc cai tao

3. TQi pham nghiem trong thi mire an ciing nghiem trong.

22. A STRANGE HAPPENING

The mysteries of nature have always fascinated' the human mind, and many of them remain unsolved for a long time. The story that I am about to relate concerns a mysterious relationship between a baby boy and a snake somewhere in Malaysia.

I was indeed intrigued2 when I read a report in a newspaper sometime ago that a snake had suddenly appeared in a room, with the birth of a child and that it had attempted to show some relationship with the child. I could hardly believe it. The report added that the mother or the child was finally convinced' that there was indeed some relationship . between her child and the snake and she allowed the snake complete freedom to play and live with the child. To make sure that the report was true, I made up my mind to visit the house where this unnatural relationship between a reptile4 and a human being was established.

Then, one morning, my brothers, sisters and I arri ved at the house, not very far from ours. As we enter the house we were greatly surprised to find a baby boy and a large snake playing with each other mirthfully5. Soon, the mother of the-child appeared and narrated6 the events that led to the snake and the child to live together.

It seems that the snake was found lying near the baby just a few hours after the baby was born. A man was called in to kill the snake; but every time the man struck at it with the stick that he brought, the child cried

'with pain. The man then tried to take the snake out of the room, but again the child began to cry bitterli. The child's mother then realised that there was some mysterious relationship between the snake and her child. She ordered the man to stop molesting8 the reptile, and to the surprise of all those who had arrived on the scene, the child stopped crying. The snake then returned to the child without attempting to harm anyone. Since then

72

the snake has been fed by the mother of the child, and the snake and the child have been living together as brothers,

To see this strange occurrence, many people from all parts or the country come everyday. It is said that the snake, l:1y its touch, has cured many sick people; but the mystery remains unsolved.

NEW WORDS:

1. fascinate ['fcesineit] (v) me ho~c, quyen ru/ thoi mien lam me

2. intrigue ['intri:g] (v) hap dfn, gfti thich ttui, kich thfch to mo

3. convince [kan'vmst] (adj) tin ctuic, doan chac

4. reptile ['reptail] (n) tost b6 sat

5. mirthfully ['ma:9fuli] (adv) vui: vui ve

6. narrate [na'relt] (v) ke'/p;, thu~t I{li

7, bitterly ['bitali] (adv) m9t each aeu don, quyet li?t,. cay dang, chua

chat .

8, molest [mau'lest] (v) quay ray, quay nhi~uJ lam phien

DANY

M(jt s{l' kifn l(llung

* Mo- bal: Cau chuyen v~ mQt be trai va con r~n a Malayxia. * Than bai:

1. Khi em be moi ra doi.

2. Phan ling cua em be khi ngiroi ta danh dn. - Kh6c khi cln bi danh

.- Thoi khoc khi ngiroi ta kh6ng danh du.6i r~n niia. 3. Cuoi cling r~~ sang voi em be nhu anh em.

* K~t lu,n: MQt m6i lien M bf fin giira ngiroi va rAn.

23. THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE

Since the time man learnt to grow crops, agriculture has been the main source of his food. Today, most of the people in all parts of the world, especially in the developing countries, are engaged in agricultural acti vities,

73

Man is mainly a grain-eating animal. In Asia, most of the people eat rice. In Europe, North America and Australia, wheat is the main food crop. Where rice and wheat cannot be grown, millet' and other cereals' are grown as food crops. Though man also eats meat, he enjoys eating meat only when he takes it together with rice or bread which is made from wheat. It is therefore clear that grains are the main source of man's food, and grains are agricultural products.

But man, however, cannot live on grains alone. He needs other foods too to make his meals more palatable3. He has therefore also learnt to grow vegetables, potatoes and fruits. Like grains, these things come from the soil. They have to be planted and grown with great care. As a result, men have made many experiments4 on soil for several centuries to increase their production of crops. Men have also learnt to consume dried leaves to refresh themselves. Tea and tobacco. the dried leaves of certain plants, have become very popular as sources of refreshment. Even coffee and cocoa are products of plants. We also have cotton, jute5 and other fibres6 which we use to make cloth and several other things for our daily needs. All these plants have therefore become very important in agri culture.

In some countries, agriculture is the main source of wealth. The rubber' tree and the oil-palm8 in Malaysia bring millions of dollars every year. In Bangladesh. the jute plant is the main source of wealth. Similarly, in almost every country there is at least one plant which makes a great contribution to the economy of the country. When all these are considered, we arrive at the conclusion" that agriculture must remain as the most important occupation of man.

NEW WORDS:

1. millet ['mil it] (n) cay ke; hi{Jt ke

2. cereals [siartalz] (n, plu) ngtJ aic

3. palatable ['pcelatabl] (adj) ngon

4. experiment [iks'periment] (n) cU9C thl nghi~m; cu9c thlt nghi~m

5. jute [d3U:t] (n) sot day; cay day

6. fibre ['faiba] (n) sot

7. rubber ['rAba] (n) ceo su

8. oil-palm [::>il,pal] (n) cay C9 dau

9. conclusion [kan'klu: 3n] (n) sir kec /u~n . 74

DANY

Tam quan trong cua niing nghiep

* Mer bai: Nang nghiep mang lai nguon thirc an chinh cho con ngmri, d~c bi~t a cac mroc kern phat trien.

* Thdn bai:

I. N guoi Ut dong v~t an hat.

1. Thirc an chfnh

a. Chau A: Ilia gao

b. CMu Au, B~c My, chau Dc: Ilia mach

c. Cac noi khac: ngii cdc, ke 2. Thirc an phu: thit

Cac loai hat tren la san pham nang nghiep II. Con nguoi s6ng nho vao nhirng thirc pham khac

1. Rau qua: eli chua, trai cay ...

2. Tra, thudc la, ca phe, ca cao va cay cho viii soi.

= nhirng loai cay nay r~t quan trong trong cong nghiep.

III. Nang nghiep la nguon phiic loi chfnh cua vai ruroc

1. Malayxia: cay cao su, cay dau C9

2. Bangladesh: day => cho 19'i nhuan

* K~t IU~D: Nong nghiep la mot nganh quan trong cua con nguoi,

24. TRAVEL AS A MEANS OF EDUCATION

In the past travel was considered an essential part of education. Poets and writers realised the value of travel and went out to other countries in search of knowledge. A man's education was not completed until he had visited foreign lands.

That travel broadens' the mind cannot be denied. Those who remain within the confines' of their homes are cut off from the outside world. As a result, they develop a narrow outlook' on life. But those who travel come into contact with various types of people whose ways of life are completely different from theirs. They see things with their own eyes and

75

have a better understanding of the affairs of the world. The impressions that they receive while they travel remain fresh in their minds for many years, and all false impressions and ideas are removed from their minds. Thus, they are able to see things in their proper perspective4 and make correct judgments and decisions. And to be able to make correct decisions is a valuable part of education.

It is argued, however, that the presence of the great variety or books, newspapers, the radio and television today obviates' the need for travel to acquire knowledge. One would study in the comfort and privacy of one's own home and absorb" all the knowledge that one desires. But there are many things which books cannot describe effectively. For example, the love and respect people in other lands have for us and the natural beauty of the various parts or the world cannot be described properly in words. They have to be seen and felt. Besides, not all can understand everything that they read about people away from their homes. To such people, especially, travel is an important means of education.

Of course, travel involves time and money which most people cannot afford. But the value of travel as a means or education is so great that time and money spent on travel are not a waste of effort.

NEW WORDS:

1. broaden ['bro.dn] (v) rna r9ng

2. confines ['kenratnz] (n. plu.) bien gi6'i; ranh gi6'i

3. outlook ['aotluk] (n) quan {film, each nbln

4. perspective [pa'spektiv] (n) phOi cenh, vien cenn

5. obviate ['abvieit] (v) xoa oo; tay trtr

6. absorb [ab'sJ:b] (v) hap tbu

DANY

Di m9t ngay dimg hoc m9t sang khon * Mer bai: Du llch mer rQng tim nhin ella eon nglfOl * Than bai:

I. Du lich rna n)ng tftm nhin cua can nguoi

1. Nguoi ta tiep xuc voi nhieu nguoi khac nhau

76

2. Ngiroi ta clnrng kiSn nhi~u 51! viec xay ra

3. Ngiroi ta se coi bo nhfmg quan niem sai, co S\l danh gia quyet dinh sang su6t

II. So sanh du lich voi sach bao, dai, vo tuyen truyen hlnh Giong: truyen bel ki~n thirc

Khac: du lich la each hoc hoi tnrc tiep sinh dQIig hon. * K~t }u,o: Du Itch 13. mot phirong ti~n hoc hoi quan trong,

25. A JOURNEY BY TRAIN

The house in which I lived before was near the railway station. Trains used to pass by at regular interval! and I had become so familiar with their sound and sight that I took little interest in them. It never occurred to me that I might make journey by train some day. However, when my father decided to take up a new appointment2 in the place where we now live, it was decided that we should travel by train. It was only then that I discovered how pleasant a journey by train might be.

My father, mother and I boarded a train one afternoon. As the train moved out of the station, I began to think of the days I had spent in our old house which I could still see from the train. But soon the house went out of sight, and I began to think of my journey itself.

The train was now moving quite fast. The first thing that impressed 'me was the beauty of the landscape. There were green valleys, and tropical plants could be seen everywhere. In certain places there was tall grass. All this reminded me of the geography lessons I had in the class room. Several palm-oil and rubber plantations could be seen now and then. Sometimes I saw a few houses here and there. I also saw many vegetable gardens at several places.

The train stopped at many stations, and soon it became dark. But sometime later the moon appeared and the landscape looked romantic. As I looked outside, I felt a thrill of admiratiorr' for the great artistry of nature.

Inside the train, too, everything was interesting. Some restless passengers moved about aimlessly and their restlessness was amusing. Some were sleeping with their mouths wide open, into which some mosguitoes4 blundered'. Others were reading magazines and newspapers.

77

Occasionally, the ticket-checker passed by. At one comer I saw two policemen keeping aclose watch on a man who was hand-cuffed",

At every station a few passengers alighted from the train while a few boarded it. Whenever the train stopped at a big station, I saw a large number of people on the platforms, smartly dressed, and often smiling. As the train moved out, many waved their hands and the passengers too waved in response.

After we had passed several stations, I felt sleepy and closed my eyes.

When I opened them, I saw the dim light of the dawn. I looked outside and saw the mist-covered plants. The air was fresh, and.somc birds were flying about. The scene looked extremely7 beautiful and I was lost in admiration of it. But we soon arrived at our destination and my enjoyment came to an end.

NEW WORDS:

1. interval ['intaval] (n) thai gian giiJ'a heisu' ki~n; khoang thCti gian

2. appointment [a'pointmant] (n) e6ng vi~e du'(fe bo' nhi?m; su' ben

g~p

3. admiration [,redma're,iJn] (n) 51/ say me. nguflng m9

4. mosquito [mas'ki.tao] (n) con muJi

5. blunder ['blAnda] (v) mo m.§m vao

6. hand-cuff ['hrendkAf] (v) xfch tey, eang tay

7. extremely [iks'tri:mli] Cady) va eung, et/e 09, cue ky

CU9C hanh trinh bdng tau lira * Mu bal: Gioi thieu chuyen di .

* Thanba~:

I. Len tau II. Tau chay

1. Tau chay: ngam canh v~t ben duong

2. Tau dung 6 ga: hoat dQng cua hanh khach

3. Canh v~t ben ngoai, tren san gao

* K~t lu~n: Trang thai va cam urong cua tac gia.

78

26. "NEWS TRAVELS FAST". DISCUSS

Until a few decades' ago news travelled very slowly. It took several days to know what was happening-in places only a few miles away. But today news travels at a speed much greater than ever before.

In the past men had to travel on root to get information, even about the most unimportant thing. There were no motorvehicles' and travel was slow and difficult. As a result, news too travelled very slowly. If one's relative died in some distant place, one received the news of the death several days later. Sometimes there was no news at all. The difficulty in getting news and information about people in other places made life dull and miserable.'. There was little communication among those whom we would regard as neighbours today. News was therefore difficult to send and in times of need, it was hard to obtain help.

But all this has changed today. The invention of the means of communication such as the telephone, the wireless" ,and several others has made it possible to send and receive news within a matter of hours and minutes. Even the newspaper and the post office help to spread news and information quickly. As a result, we know what is happening today in all parts of the world. If a great man dies or a war breaks out in some comer or the earth, we receive news about it almost immediately. The ease and speed with which news travels today have helped greatly in promoting5 better understanding and co-operation 6 among the peoples of the world. When the people of one place or country suffer a sudden calamity?, news is at once sent to all parts of the world and help comes from many countries within a very short time. This is not possible in the

past when news travelled slowly. '

That news travels fast can also be known from our own personal affairs. If we are ill or if something unfortunate happens to us, our friends and relatives come to know about it very quickly. It is therefore true to say that today, "news travels fast".

NEW WORDS:

1. decadeI'dekeld] (n) thoi ky mLfCIi nam/ th~p ky

2. rnotcrvehlcle ['maota 'viakl] (n) xe may

3. miserable ['miz<:Irabl] (adj) ngheo nan

4. wireless ['waialis] (n) radio/ may thu thenn, va tuyen

79

5. promote [pra'rnsot] (v) xuc tien, d§y menb: thang duic

6. co-operation [kan.opa'reijn] en) sir hop tee, su' c9n9 tee

7. calamity [ka'leemiti] en) tai hos, tai £Idng; thien tai

nANY

Thiio lu~n cdu noi 'Tin tm: Ian nhanh"

* MiY b3i:

- Tnroc day: tin nrc truyen di cham,

- Ngay nay: tin nrc Ian nhanh hon hao gia h~t

* Than bai:

I. Thong tin tnroc day: CMm

1. Khong co phuong ti~n truyen tin bang xe may

2. Lam cuoc s6ng te nhat, kh6 eire

3. S\1 tro giiip vi th~ rAt kh6 khan

Cau chuyen 9: nhung tftt ca ngay nay da thay d6i

II. Thong tin ngay nay: Nhanh

1. Nhi~u phtrong ti~n thong tin: dien thoai, vo tuyen

2. Bao chi, buu di~n

3. Thiic d:iy S\1 hop tac, hi8u biSt ldn nhau gifra cac dan t(>c. * K~t lu~n: That v~y, "tin nrc Ian nhanh" la rAt dung.

27. WORLD TRADE

In the past when men's needs were few, it was not necessa..ry to get things from distant lands. But, today, the people of one country depend on the people of another country for a variety of things. As a result, world trade has developed.

Without world trade it would be difficult for the people of any country to get many things which are now considered necessaries. Some countries are not rich in mineral! resources. They have no iron or coal mines, while others have too many of them. Again, some countries are not suitable for agriculture while others have several fertile" plains to grow crops.

80

Further, even if a country is rich in natural resources, it may not have enough skilled men to exploit) them. For such geographical and other reasons the peoples of the world have learnt to buy things which they cannot produce profitably and to sell things for which they have a special ability to produce. West Malaysia, for example, specialises in producing rubber for which there is a great demand from several courtiers in the world. But she has no ability to produce machinery and several other things. West Malaysia therefore depends on other courtiers for many of her needs.

In the same way, all the countries of the world co-operate and exchange things with one another. From other countries we get motorcars, radios, television sets and several other things, which we cannot produce ourselves. At the same time we give to other countries the things that we can produce better than many others. In this way, every country specialises in producing only a few things. As a result, the quality of goods is improved to the common benefit of the people of the world.

World trade has also raised the standard of living of the people in the world. We are able to use things made in countries across miles of ocean. As a result of all this, life has become more comfortable than what it was before; and it is realised that a country could hardly progress without world trade.

NEW WORDS:

1. mineral ['min~ral] (adj) khoang, (thu9C) khoang san

2. fertile ['fa:tail] (adj) phi otnea: meu miJ

. 3. exploit ['ekspbit] (v) khai ttuic: boc 19t, Ifji dl:Jng

nANY

ThU'O'1lg m(li thJ gim

* Mir bai: Thuong mai quoc tS phat tri~n d~ dap irng nhu du cua con nguoi

* Than bai: TAm quan trong cua thirong mai quoc t~

1. Giup hang hoa IU'U thong tir noi thira d~n noi thieu

2. Giup phan b6 hop ly vung san xuat.

* Kit lu,n: Thuong mai th~ gioi da nang cao rmrc s6ng cua con ngiro]. 81

28. A NARROW ESCAPE

Whenever my mind travels over the past events in my life, one incident stands out prominentlyl to remind me of the narrow escape2 I once had from almost certain death.

In the rubber estates" of West Malaysia there are hundreds or snakes of which the cobra4 is the most dangerous and venomous. This snake has a preference for cool places along the numerous streams found in the estates, where it relaxes, especially in the afternoons. Those who catch fish from these streams have, therefore, to be on the look-out for cobras. All this I did not know until I came face to face with a cobra one day, while fishing with my brother.

My brother and I were then spending our holidays in an estate where bur father was employed. In the afternoons, my brother, who loves fishing, and I would go out to catch fish from the streams not very far from our father's house.

Wherever the water was shallow, we got down into the streams and searched for holes where fish usually like to shelter'. When we found one, we put our hands in and often caught some fish. Fishing in this way had its mome!its of excitement, for at times we also caught some watersnakes, which we found to be harmless. Then, one day, I came so close to death that I made up my mind never to catch fish again in that way.

A cobra, about six feet long, was lying along the water's edge of one side of the stream in which we were fishing. Its tail was in the water, but it was concealed'' by the reeds and grasses along that stream. As I put my hand into the water, my. searching fingers touched something tender. Thinking that it was a fish, I gripped it at once and tried to bring it out of the water. But it resisted" violently, and to my consternation'" I discovered that it was a cobra. I relaxed my grip at once and rushed for safety. My brother, who was a few yards away, was too surprised to speak, but he soon saw the cobra which was now rushing towards him with its hood fully opened. I picked up stick hurriedly and threw it at the cobra. Surprisingly, the cobra now turned towards me, and I took to my heels. My brother then picked up a stick and ran after the cobra and managed to kill it just at the time when I was almost exhausted". If he had been a little late, I might have been killed by the cobra. That was indeed a very narrow escape, an escape I shall never forget.

82

NEW WORDS:

1. prominently ['pr:Jminantli] Cady) de thay; n61 b~t

2. narrow escape ['naerau is'keipJ (n) suyt chet

3. estate [is'teitJ (n) vung "at (nhat la if nang than)

4. cobra ['kaubra] en) ran mang benn

5. shelter ['feltaJ (v) an neo, nt/dng tl/a

6. conceal [kan'si:l] (v) giau giem, giau, che d~y

7. resist [ri'zist] (v) khang cu; chong /{li

8. consternation [,k:msta:'neiJn] (n) su' kinh hoang, su' that kinh

9. exhaust [ig'Z):stid] (adj) ki?t sue, m~t ILl

Thotit ch2t trong gang tac - Thai gian va dia diBm cau ca

- Di~n bien ~1J viec: toi da'thoat chet nhir the nao?

29. THE COUNTRY I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT

I have heard much about the beauty of the East as well as the West, about the wonderful islands in the Pacific and also in the Atlantic. In short, the whole world seems to be full of beautiful places. The country that I would like to visit, however, is the United States of America.

My knowledge of the United States of America is derived! from the geography and history books that I have read, the films that I have seen and the stories that I have heard from people who have visited this country.

The United States of America is· a vast country with a mixed population. People from many different lands have come and settled here. This mixture of different races of people with different customs, religions, cultures and abilities have created a nation unique in history. Although this country has a very short history compared with that of the other large countries in the world, it is an example to the world of how people of different races could live together in peace and harmony. The exchange of ideas amo~g .the people of so many raciaf origins here has contributed greatly to the progress and prosperity of the nation. There are

83

world famous scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers and politicians whose original homes were in many different lands. The work of such men has made this country a wonderful land indeed. The roads, buildings and cinemas here may be said to be the best in the world. There are many places and things of interest such as Hollywood, the United Nations building, Niagara Falls and the sky-scrapers3. Even the natural vegetation and features are rich in variety. If one travels across the land, one will find different kinds of scenery in different places. Further, as the people here still follow their original customs and traditions, one will also have the feeling that one is passing through many different countries .

•

The people of the United States are proud of their country, for it was their country that gave the modem world ideas of freedom. The name of Abraham Lincoln will always be remembered by those who believe in the freedom of man. It was the United States, again, who saved the world from destruction" in two world wars. Such a country must be a wonderful land, and it is for this reason that I would like to visit this country some day.

NEW WORDS:

1. derive [di'raiv] (v) xuat phat til, bat nguon tu'

2. racial ['reiJ]] (adj) thu9C chung t9c

3. sky-scraper ['skat.skretpel (n) nha choc tro!

•

4. destruction [dis'trl\kJn) (n) Sl/phcihuy, Si/tieudi~t

nANY

Xu su toi thich din tham * Ma bai: Gioi thieu Hoa Ky

* Than bai: Tai sao toi thfch d8n Hoa Ky I. Dill mroc Hoa Ky

1. MQt mroc da chung lQC rQng 100

2. C6 nhieu nhan v~t n6i tieng va tac pham cua ho limg danh th~ gien

3. C6 nhi~u dia danh canh v~t: Hollywood, Toa nha Lien Hiep Quae, thac Niagara va nhirng toa nha choc troi,

84

4. D~n Hoa Ky ta co cam urong di qua nhi~u mroc khac nhau.

II. Con nguoi Hoa Ky Yeu ttl do.

* K~t In,n: D6 Hi nhirng 19 do tai sao t&i thfch d~n Hoa Ky

30. GOOD MANNERS

Good manners play an important part in maintaining I peace and goodwill in a community. A man who has good manners does not hurt the feelings of others, and therefore he is on good terms with his friends and neighbours and also with others. In this way he helps to keep peace in society.

But a man whose manners are bad has no respect for others. He uses words carelessly and behaves rudely towards other and causes a lot of illwill and unpleasantness. In the end, it is he himself who suffers the most. Everyone avoids him and he is forced to live almost in isolation',

To live well in a society, money alone is not enough. We should also have good manners, for it is human nature to seee friendship; and friendship cannot be bought with money. Friendship with others makes life pleasant and it has to be earned through our own attitude" towards others. If we are kind to others, they will be kind to us, and kindness is the essence of good manners. Bad manners not only drive away friends but also others, including our own family members.

Even the richest man cannot afford to have had manners. For a man may have enough money to buy all the things than he wants; but if his manners are bad he will have no friends, and no one can live happily without friends. Even the members of his own family may not respect him and finally he will become a lonely man.

On the other hand, a man whose manners are good has many friends.

He commands the respect of all those who come into contact with him. He does not talk ill about others. Even when he is provoked5, he tries his best to use words in a way which will not offend others. He is also sympathetic6 towards the weak and ignorant and does not poke fun at the deformities 7 and weaknesses of others.

There are, however, many people who behave so well outside their homes that they are respected and admired by everyone outside. But in their own homes they are worse than the devil. Such people could not be

85

said to have good manners. Their whole behaviour is a pretence and it doesnot take long for others to discover this.

If one's manners are good, one behaves well everywhere, even when one is away from the critical eyes of others. Only such a person can live well in society. It is therefore essential for everyone to cultivate good manners.

NEW WORDS:

1. maintain [mein'tein] (v) duy tri, gi[f vCtng

2. isolation [,aisa'teiJn] (nJ su' co I~p ho~e each /y

3. seek [si:k] (v) tim, tim kit!m

4. attitude ['cetitju:d] (n) thai 09, quan diem

5. provoke [pra'vauk] (v) khleu khfch; choc tire; kfch 09ng

6. sympathetic [,simpa'getikJ (n) thong cam; dang cam

7. deformity [di'f:>:miti] (n) di d{Jng, di hinh

DANY

Nhiin each tat

- So sanh giira nguoi c6 nhan each t6t va nhan each khong t6t.

- ~dm quan trong cua mot nhan each 16t: giiip xay dung mQt cuoc

song tot dep han.

- So sanh gia tri tinh thfin va gia tri v~t chAt (giira hanh vi 16t va str giau co ... )

31. CHOOSING A CAREER

It is not easy to choose a career today. Hundreds of students are leaving schools and universities every year to seek employment in the various professions, though employment opportunities I are not increasing proportionatel/. As a result, there is a lot of unemployment.

The inability of the various professions to absorb all those seeking employment makes the choice of a career more difficult. Before one leaves school or university, one has many plans, confident that choosing a career will not be difficult. But when the time comes to choose a career, one finds that there are others with better qualifications waiting to

86

enter the same profession. Disillusioned3, one then looks for any kind of employment. In this way, many who wanted to become police inspectors or field assistants in the rubber estates in this country, become teachers instead, and many who wanted to become teachers, have become clerks.

The lack of institutions" where people could acquire the skills necessary for a particular career makes the choice of a career even more difficult. For example, if one desires to become a journalist, one has to receive some training and instruction in a school of journalism. But if there is no such school, one is compelled to think of some other career. On the a:her handS, even if there are institutions where one could acquire the necessary skills,. one may still experience difficulty in gaining admission to them because one may not have the financial resources or the academic" ability. Thus, many who wanted to become doctors and lawyers have actually become clerks and teachers.

Further, even if one has all the academic and intellectual requirements for the career that one has chosen, one's temperament may not enable one to make a success of that career. Thus, many who passed several professional examinations and began their career as teachers are now working in the banks and other commercials firms.

All this indicates the difficulty in choosing a career. Only a few are able to remain in the professions of their choice.

NEW WORDS:

1. opportunity [,Jpa'tju:niti] (n) co h9~ thiti co

2. proportionately [pra'pJ:fanatliJ Cady) can xifng, tuonq xifng

3. dislllusion [,disi'lu: 3n] (v) lam va m9ng, lam tan va 80 tdang

4. institution [,insti'tju:fn] (n) cd quan, t6' ctuic

5. on the other hand tre! It[Ji

6. academic [,a!ka'demikJ (adj) thu9c ve hoc thu~t, hoc van

7. intellectual [,inti'lektjual] (adj) (thu9C) trf 6c; (thu9c) trf tutJ

8. cornmerclal [ka'rnat j l] (adj) thu9c ve ho~c danh cho thudng met

DANY

Ch{Jn nghi nghig, * Mo' bili: Chon nghe la viec rfit kh6 khan

87

* Than bai: Giai thfch ly do:

1. Thi~u t6 chirc dao tao ky nang nghe nghiep.

2. Thi~u tai chinh, trinh de;> h9C v~n khong phu hop.

3. Khf chilt khong phu hop voi nganh nghe.

* K@t lu,n: Chi s6 it ngiroi chon dtrcc nghe phu hop voi ho,

32. A VISIT TO A ZOO

The zoo is an artificial forest created by man. Though there are few trees cWmpared with the natural forest, the animals. birds and other creatures found in the zoo must always remind us of the forest. It is indeed an interesting place to visit.

Even in the natural forest such a variety of animals, birds and other creatures cannot be found as are found in a big zoo. Animals which are not found in the-forests of one country are' caught in other parts er the world and brought to the zoo. The lion. for example, is not fourd in Malaysia; but one may see an African lion in the zoo at lahore Bahru.

Until I visited the zoo at lahore Bahru, a few months ago, I had lO idea how informative' a visit to a zoo might be. Though the zoo at Johon Bahru is not big, I found many kinds of interesting animals and other creatures there. Lions, tigers and other animals were moving about lazily in their cages. Some of the animals appeared to be bored. and they took little interest in the visitors. The monkeys, however, showed their natural agilit/. Whenever they saw a visitor, they ran towards him and begged3 for something to eat. I was indeed amused at their behaviour. Most or them were caught in Malaysia and their variety was amazing.

Some of the birds too were very interesting to see. Their beautiful feathers and looks fascinated" me. Birds are indeed one of the loveliest creations of God. A few birds are larger than many animals.

The lions and the tigers in this-zoo were so docile+that I could not but treat them as domestic animals like the dog and the cat. I went very close to them, but they showed little interest in me. I then began to think of how the animal or even human spirit could be broken by confinement. Confined to their cages, these animals had become spiritless. Even the sight of food did not seem to excite them much.

88

Then, there was the crocodile" with its usual pretence of innocence. It refused to be disturbed. Heaven knows how it might have reacted if a child had fallen into its pit. However, my visit to the zoo had increased my knowledge of animals.

NEW WORDS:

1. informative [in'b:mativ] (adj) cung cap nhieu thong tin; co tac

dl,mg nang ceo kien thtlc

2. agitity [a'd3iliti] (n) sir nhanh nnen, su' tanh /(;li

3. beg [beg] (v) xin; cau xtn

4. fascinate ['fcesineit] (v) me ho~cr quyen nJ

S. docile ['dousail] (adj) de bso, de sai khien, ngoan ngoan 6. crocodile ['kr:>kadail] (adj) ca sau chau Phi, ca sau

Tham ~dthu

* Mu bai: S& thu la m¢t noi 19 thu d~ vieng tham

* Than bai: Toi di tham So' thu u Johore Bahru nhu th@ nao?

Mieu ta chung v~ s6 thii: - Kich thiroc

- Cac 10m chim 6 sa thii

- Cac loai thu va hoat d¢ng cua chung: khi, sir tir, h6, ca sAn a s6 thti

... K~t lu~n: Di tham s6 tlui rno r¢ng .ki8n thirc cua toi v~ loai v~t

33. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEWSPAPER

The newspaper, today, plays a vital role I in human affairs. Its importance has not been diminished' by the appearance of the radio or the television. Men no longer have travel to get information. The newspaper has become the main source of information about local and foreign affairs. Though the radio and television convef important news and messages quicker than the newspaper, they seldom give the details of an incident. The newspaper, on the other hand, gives not only more detail about a particular incident but it also contains more new items. This is of great importance today when political changes occur with a rapidity unknown

89

before. Besides, the newspaper is easier to carry and it could be read at any time during the day. Further, the pennanence4 of the printed word helps one to refresh one's memory of certain facts and incidents reported in the past.

The importance of the newspaper has been increased greatly by the spread of education. Education sharpens one's curiosity about events in distant lands and also makes one conscious of the necessity to maintain one's reading habits. In both respects the newspaper appeals most, especially if one finds little time to read books.

The newspaper should, however, be read with caution, for its capacity to do harm is great. Most people believe every thing that is reported by the newspaper. As a result, the newspaper exerts a profound influence on the minds of its reader. Therefore, when some news is reported wrongly either by mistake or design, it may cause a lot of harm. On the other hand, if the policl of the newspaper is to promote the welfare of the people, it could do a lot of good. For example, it could exercise its influence to persuade the government of a country to do many things for the benefit of the people. In a country like Malaysia, where there are many races of people, the newspaper could also use its influence to promote good-will and harmony among the people. It is therefore important to know the policy of the newspaper that one reads.

In general, however, the newspaper tries to report as accuratel£ as possible, for there are various magazines and periodicals8 competing with the newspaper to provide accurate information on world developments, and it is the newspaper that links us with the outside world.

NEW WORDS:

1. vital role ['vaitl roul] (n) vai tro thiet yeu

2. diminish [di'minif] (v) giam bOt; tbu nbo

3. convey [kan'vei] (v) truyiin det, chuyen tai

4. permanence ['pa:manans] (n) tinh lau dst, fau ben; tfnh vlnh ciiu

5. conscious ['k::mJas] (adj) co y ttuic, biet du'(fc, nh~n ra

6. policy ['PJlasi] (n) du'Clng 10i nenn opng, chfnh seen

7. accurately ['cekjuritli] (adv) m9t aictt dung dan, chinh xsc

8. periodical [,piari':)dikl] (n) tea chi xuat ban d/nh ky

90

DANY

Tam quan trpng cua bao chi

* Mo-bai

* Than bal:

I. T~m quan trong cua bao chi

1. Bao chi la nguon thong tin chfnh

a. Tin nrc cua bao chi r~t chi ti~t

b. Bao chi rftt d~ mang theo ngiroi

c. Gitip hru trir thong tin 2. Bao chi va giao due

D. Bao chi nen chfnh xac

1. Bao chi sai l~m - rAt tai hai

2. Bao chi duoc dung cho phtic Ioi nguoi dan

34. THE THINGS THAT I LIKE MOST

There are so many things around us that one finds it hard to have a special preference for a few particular things. I, however, take a special interest in motor-car and television.

Motor-cars have always fascinated me. Since my childhood! I have been travelling in motor-cars, and I have visited hundreds of places in this country. I have been to remote villages and almost all the towns, large and small. Travel has broadened' my outlook on life. I have met various types of people, and my knowledge of the people and places of this country has increased greatly. If I am at home or if I am walking along a road, I feel the urge3 to travel as soon as I see a car.

It is because of motor-cars that I am able to do various types of work.

In the morning I go to my school, a long distance away, in my father's car. After school I go to my father's plantation to help him in his work. Then I visit one of my class-mates and discuss our school work. Sometimes I visit the cinema, miles away. If there were no motor-cars, I would not have seen so much. Even in this small country, I would perhaps not have been able even to attend school.

91

The next thing that I like is television. Television helps us to see and hear some of the famous leaders of the world. We are also able to see some of the great events of the day. In addition, we can get news from all parts or the world, and listen to songs and music. Sometimes there are special programmes which are very amusing. The television programmes become more interesting on a rainy day. We can then sit in the comfort of our home and watch the television programme. Even if we cannot read the newspaper for some reason, television keeps us well informed about the latest developments in the world. In this respect, television is better than the radio because the pictures and incidents shown on television convey a better impression than only the spoken words of the radio.

I shall therefore always have a special preference for the motor-car and television.

NEW WORDS:

1. childhood ['tfaildhud] (n) tu& tha au, thai tha au

2. broaden ['br:>:dn] (v) mo r9ng

3. urge [a:d3] (adv) su' thoi ttuic: sir ttuic (fay men): meF su' ham muon mann me

DANY

Nhiing th". ma tiii thich nh8t * Mo- bai: Xe hoi va vo tuyen truyen hinh

* Than bai:

1. T§m quan trong cua xe hoi

2. T~m quan trong cua truyen hinh

35. MY HOBBY

To have a hobby is to know how to spend one's leisure moments. A hobby, besides providing an avenue I of escape from boredom, can also add to one's knowledge of human affairs. My hobby is reading.

When my day's work is over, I sit down in the privacy2 of my room and read the newspaper. Reading the n.ewspaper is like travelling round the world. As I read about the developments in the various parts of the world, I fell that I am there myself observing the incidents. I also feel

92

that I am having contacts with many leaders and peoples of the world. This feeling is a source of pleasure to me. By reading the newspaper I have acquired a better knowledge of the world. I am aware of what scientists, economists and politicians are doing to make this world a better place to live in. At the same time, I am also aware of the activities of those who are trying to create chaos' in the world.

After reading the newspaper, I take a book which requires deep concentration4, such as a history book or a book on Psychology. Sometimes I read a novel or a popular magazine. Through this hobby I have learned that people every where are the same, in all ages, and in all countries. I have also learned that the world was made not for man alone but for every creature that can feel hunger and thirst, warm and cold. It has ~Hso helped me to see not only into the most remote regions of the world today but also into the world in which our ancestorslived.

My hobby has deepened and widened my knowledge of man and his place in the universe", Reading, I think, has made men more human, broad-minded and sympathetic. It has brought me into contact with many great minds, and acguainted7 with the beauty of language and ideas. It has also improved my powers of expression. I have little difficulty in expressing my thoughts and feelings.

Therefore, I could say that my hobby has made me a better person.

NEW WORDS:

1. avenue ['~vinju:] (n) dpi 19

2. privacy ['priv~si] (n) Sf/ rieng tu; str eden bi~t

3. chaos ['kei:>s] (n) sf/ h6n d9n, su' h6n toen, stj'19n x9n

4. concentration [,k:msn'treiJn] su' t~p trung

5. ancestor ['a:!nsista] (n) ong ba, t(J tien

6. universe ['ju:niva:s] (n) vO tru

7. acquaint [a'kweint] (v) 18m quen

Si1 thich cua tOi * Thii tieu khi~n cua toi la:

- DQc bao chi

93

- f)Qc sach

* fch loi cua cua viec dQC sach baa

36. THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE CINEMA

Cinemas are a common sight nowadays. They are found in every town. The existence of so many cinemas reflects their popularity. They have indeed become the most popular places of entertainment'.

The cinema attracts large numbers of people everyday. It is the magnet2 of the town. It sometimes attracts even those who do not wish to see a film.

As it is so popular, the cinema exerts a profound3 influence on the minds of many people, young and old. The influence is sometimes good, and sometimes it is bad. Films showing criminal activities and the sensual" desires of man have caused much harm to many youths. Some youths have become criminals themselves though almost every film shows how the good always triumphs5 over the evil. The cinema has also caused many people to waste money. Such people have become so addicted6 to visiting the cinema that they see almost every film, good or bad. In this way money is wasted not only on purchasing7 tickets for admittance to the cinema but also on travelling and many other things.

Often, however, the cinema helps to spread knowledge. There are many films which show the activities of the various races of people living in the remote regions of the earth. Some films show how man has struggled through the centuries to make the world a better place to Ii ve in. There are also films which show the events that led to some of the important battles in the past. They are shown with so much realism' that one remembers them for a long time. Such films are indeed invaluable, especially to those who are illiterate. In this respect the cinema could be regarded as a school. Even the dullest student learns many things if he sees an educational film in the cinema, though he may learn nothing from his teacher or his books. Such is the effect of the film, and in many countries, educational authorities are trying to make the best use of the cinema to spread knowledge and information.

It is therefore clear that the cinema has many advantages as well as disadvantages. Often the advantages outweigh9 the disadvantages. Those

94

who visit the cinema with the purpose of learning something good are sure to benefit from almost every visit to the cinema.

NEW WORDS:

1. entertainment [,enta'teinmant] (n) tieu khie'n, giiii trf

2. magnet ['mc:egnit] (n) nam cham

3. profound [prs'faund] (adj) sau sac, sau r9ng

4. sensual ['senJual] (adj) (thuoc) xac thit; nnuc due

5. triumph ['traixrnf] (v) chien thang; thang I(li

6. addicted [a'diktid] (adj) say me, nghi?n

7. purchase ['pa:tJas] (v) mua, sam

8. realism ['rializm] (n) chu nghia hi?n tturc

9. outweigh [aut'wei] (v) n!ng han; co nhieu gia trt ban, co nhieu anh hu'onghdn

nANY

Un i/iJm va khuy& i/iJm ciia phim iinh * Khuy~t di~m

- Phim kich d(lng t(li pham va tree muon khoai lac ella thanh nien

- Ngtroi ta tieu phf ti~n vao phim anh

* Un di~m

Truyen ba ki~n thirc

37. THE IMPORTANCE OF EXAMINATIONS

Life today has become so complex I that examinations have come to play an important part in one's educational career. Examinations are considered so important that most students are afraid of them.

The ability to pass an examination is indeed a valuable quality. It shows that the student is able to express his thought and ideas to a manner others can understand. It also shows that the student has acguired2 a certain amount of knowledge in some branches of study. Besides, the mind of a student, even if he is dull, receives good exercise when he prepares for an examination. A student's success in an

95

examination, therefore, helps employers and others to assess) his mental or general ability.

Some people, however, argue4 that examinations test only a certain kind of skill. They say that many people have a good memory and a special ability to pass examinations and achieve:'; brilliant results, though they have no capacity for original thought or imagination. But it should be realised that today the syltabuses6 are so extensive that a student cannot expect to pass an examination by relying entirely7 on his memory. The student of today must not only have a fair knowledge of the subject matter but also be able to show his intelligence and power of reasoning, especially if he is sitting for a higher examination. Therefore, a student's ability to pass an examination must indicate some of his mental powers as well as his ~8 of the subjects that he has studied.

If there were no examinations, most scholars" would have been less informed than they are today. Examinations compellO students to read as much as they can, and as they do so, they absorb knowledge unconsciously I I. Further, because of examinations; teachers have to confine themselves to the syllabuses which are aimed at impartingl2 knowledge in a systematicl3 manner, and thus develop mental discipline.

Examinations are therefore an important part of academic studies.

NEW· WORDS:

1. complex ['k:>mpleks] (adj) pturc t9PI rae rOi

2. acquire [a'kwala] (v) thu dtl(fc, d~t du'(fc

3. assess [a'ses] (v) danh gtJ; u'&c dinh

4. argue ['o:gju:] (v) bi~n lu~n, tranh lu~n

5 .. achieve [a'tJi:v] (v) d~t auoc, gianh du'(fe

6. syllabus ['silabasJ (n) ehtldng trlnh tioc, de eirdng bai g;ang

7. entirely [in'talah] (adv) holm toen

8. grasp [gra:sp] (n) 51/ nam duoc, 51/ hieu thau

9. scholar ['sk:>la] (n) hoc g;a

10. compel [kam'pel] (v) bU9C phil;' bat bupc, ttuic tip

11. unconsciously [,I\n'k:mfasli] (adv) khang tl/giJc,. va tinh, khong co y d.inh~ khong co y thtfc

12. tmpertItrn'pn.t] (v) truyen d9t/ ke' cho hay, ph 0' bien

13. systematic [,sista'm~tik] (adj) co phu'dng phap 96

nANY

Tam quan trong cua cac kj; thi - Gia tri cua thi cir: giiip thf sinh nr chimg to minh

- Thi cir ngay nay: d~ thanh cong khong chi dn c6 kha nang ghi nha

rna eli kha nang suy luan.

- Thi efr vci cac hoc gia: giup trau dbi kien thirc mot each c6 M thong

38. A WEEK IN HOSPITAL

I had always dreaded I the thought of being admitted to hospital. The peculiar2 smell of the hospital, the sight of deformed and criticalli ill persons and dead bodies in the hospital are things that I had always wished to avoid. But a serious illness sometime ago necessitated" my admission to the General Hospital in Malacca.

Though I was seriously iII and required special attention, yet the knowledge that I was in the hospital made me feel miserable during the:' first few days. The clothes that I had to wear in the hospital were uncomfortable and the food was tasteless', At night, when all the p::tlirllt1- were asleep, I used to wake up and think of what might happen il the dead bodies in the mortuarl near by came back to life. J also thought of the patients who might die at anytime. Sometimes r thOllght that I myself might not wake l1P from my sleep; that I might have to leave my dear parents, brothers and sisters and never return. Tears would then flow from my eyes.

From the fourth day, however, my spirits were high. The doctors and nurses assured' me that I would recover completely in a few days and that I could move about in the hospital as I wished.

I now began to think of the good work that was being done in the hospital to reduce pain and suffering. Hundreds of sick people were coming to the hospital, many with serious injuries caused by various kinds of accidents, with the last hope of survival. And while many were dying, many more were returning home with smiles on their faces. Working every minute and sacrificing8 their own pleasures and pastimes, the doctors, nurses, hospital assistants and all the other staffs were doing their utmost to save another life. Their humanity impressed me deeply. I

97

now realised what an important role the hospitals were playing in our daily life, and the disgust" that J fell on the Erst few days was gone.

After being in the hospital for a week, I returned home with a better knowledge of human misery and sacrifice.

NEW WORDS:

1. dread [dred] (v) kinh ha~ k!nh sa

2. peculiar [pi'kju:lja] (adj) /a ky, rit§ng bii?t

3. critically ['kritikali] (adv) nguy kich, tram trona

4. necessitate [ni'sesiteit] bat ptis], Goi hoi phil!, can phili co

5. tasteless ['teistlis] (adj) va vi nnet nheo

6. mortuary ['mJ:tSarii 'ma.tj'ueri] (n) nha xec I. assure [a'Jua, a'SJ:] (v) quil quyet, cam doen

8. sacrlflce ['scekrifais] (v) hy sinh

9. disgust [dis'qxst] (n) 51;' ghe torn, sir kinh tam

M{Jt tuiin u bfnlz vijn

- Nhirng ngay d~u tien a benh vien voi cam giric so hai va kh6 sa

- Su thay d6i trong suy nghl va cam nhan v~ benh vien

- LO'i Ich ella benh vien - SIJ hy sinh cua cac hac si, y ta

39. A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE

Trdi qua m{Jt nai kinh hoang

I am not one who is frightened I easily; but I must admit that one night I saw a figure that struck terror into my heart.

It was a mOl)ll-lit night2. I was returning home on foot from a town a few miles away. That was the first night in my life that I was out alone. The road along which I was \\ '. ,l~"'g was not used much at night. Even during the day, it was U",(I ..uiy by those who worked in the rubber and banana plantation- aiong that road. As I was walking, I could hear the noises made I~., squirrels, insects and owls. Creatures that love the night world SI'~11 as h~llS \\ .re very active, and there were hundreds of

98

shadows. All these did not, however, frighten me. I held a stick in my hand and moved rapidly towards home for my dinner. Then, suddenly, J caught sigh of an old lady, a short distance away. Her head was covered with a white cloth, and she was waving to me.

Curious to know why she was there at that time of the night, I stopped for a while. As I stood there, however, vague3 memories of stories about ghosts began to come back to my mind. I was soon gripped with fear and took to my heels. I ran as fast as I could, and when I reached home [ could hardly speak.

On the next day, however, I visited that place again to make sure that the woman was indeed a real person and not a ghost. But I could find no footprints there. Only a banana plant stood there with its leaves moving in the breeze". 1 realised then that it was the banana plant with its leaves moving in the breeze that looked like a woman waving her hand. I had indeed made a fool of myself; but after the previous.') night's experience, this discovery was small relief to me.

NEW WORDS:

1. frighten ['fraitn] (v) tam hoang so; lam sa

2. moon-lit night ['mu:nlit nait] cJem sang trang

3. vague [veig] (adj) rna ho, 16' mo; mtftp mil

4. breeze [bri:z] (n) gi6 nne

S. previous ['pri:vias] (adj) truac

40. "FIRE IS A GOOD SERVANT, BUT A BAD MASTER". DISCUSS.

"Lira liz m9t ngU'Oi phuc VI) tat nhung iiI m9t iing chu tJi". Hiiy

thao lu9n.

How man first learnt to use fire is still unknown. but it is known that even the most primitive man, centuries ago, found it to be of great service to him as it is to us today. Man, in his early days, did not cook his food. He ate everything raw, including meat and fish. But the discovery of fire changed his eating habits completely. He now learnt to cook his food; and, when he found that cooked food was more delicious, fire became an important thing in his life.

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Fire also gave the early man warmth and light. Even in his scanty' clothes he could keep himself warm in his cave on rainy or cold nights. His cave was no longer dark and he could move about freely at night. Further, fire gave him protection from wild beasts, and his life was more secure than it was before. In fact, fire, like water and air, became indispensable2 to man; and, today, we use fire for a diversity} of purposes. We use it even to operate machinery to produce goods.

But fire has to he kept under strict control, for its capacity to destroy his great. Once it is out of control4, it will destroy life and property at tremendous'' speed and the world has lost things worth millions of dollars because of fire. And, people often use fire's enormous capacity to great advantage. They use it to bum thousands of acres6 of forest and grow crops. As a result, we now find green fields where once there were forests.

On the other hand, fire has been used by men, especially of the modem age, to destroy men. In every human battle in the past fire was used to destroy the enemy. Even today, thousands of people in many parts of the world are being destroyed by fire; and, when furious men try to make the best use of fire's extreme anger, miseryis hard to avoid. It then reigns supreme8. Innocent people, young and old, must die in thousands. It is, therefore, true to say that, "fire is a good servant, but a bad master" .

NEW WORDS:

1. scanty ['skcenti] (adj) it 6~ thieu, khong au

2. indispensable [,indis'pensabl] (adj) tuy~t dOi can thiet; khong the'

thieu aLl(jc

3. diversity [dai'va:siti] (n) tinh da dpng

4. out of control vt(ot ngoai tam kie'm soet

S. tremendous [tri'rnendas] (adj) ghe gem, kinh khung, khung khiep,

d{1dt)i

6. acre ['eik~] (n) mJu Anh (khoimg 0,4 beets)

7. furious ['fjuarias] (adj) giJn d{1

8. supreme [su:'pri:m] (adj) t9t tfinh, toi cao

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41. AN ACCIDENT I HAVE WITNESSED

M9t tai nan ~a toi dii chtmg kiJn

One rainy day last year, while I was returning home from Mersing, a town in the east coast of Malaysia, I witnessed' an accident which I shall never forget.

I was returning home in my father's car. It was raining heavily and the road could not be seen clearly. My father, an old man, was driving slowly to avoid an accident. The journey, therefore, seemed unusually long, and I began to feel tired. Then, suddenly, a small car, running at great speed, overtook' our car. My father was shocked at the recklessness' of the driver of that car. We could not count the number of persons in that car, but were sure that there were at least five, including two children. My father at once predicted that tragedlwould befall the occupants5 of the car. After this prediction I began to grow impatient. I did not wish to see any ugly scene resulting from an accident. Though the car had gone quite far its rear lights would still be seen.

In the distance there was a narrow bridge. Looking at the way the car was being driven, I too was now sure that an accident would occur, and sure enough it did occur. This is how it happened.

A lorry was coming from the opposite direction. It was already on the bridge. The driver of the small car, however, could not slow down in good time. He lost control of the car which skidded6 and plunged into the swollen" river. Somehow, the driver managed to slip out of the car, but the others were doomed", When we' arrived at the bridge, we were touched deeply by what we saw. Two children were struggling9 in the river and we could do nothing to save them. Their mother, as we came to know later, was at the bottom of the river, trapped in the car, and they were swept away by the rush of the current and drowned. The driver, and father of the children, began to cry piteouslylO for the wife and children he had lost so suddenly.

It was indeed a very touching scene, and I shall never forget this day.

NEW WORDS:

1. witness ['witnis] (v) chung kien, tam chung nhan cho

2. overtake [,~uv~'teik] (v) (overtook; overtaken) bat kip, vuat

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3. recklessness ['reklisnis] (n) tfnh thieu than trona, tfnh hip tap/ tinn

khinh sudt, tintt lieu linh

4. tragedy ['tr<Ed3adi] (n) ttiem ktcn: bi kict:

5. occupant [okjopant] en) ngU'(fj 50' hO'u, ngu'oi 5l1dl,mg

6. skid [skid] (v) truat (xe, banh xe)

7. swollen ['swaulan] (adj) dang ten cao; phlnh ra, cang ra

8. doomed ['du:md] (adj) phai chju 5(3'ph~n bi dat . 9. struggle ['strxql] (v) vung V';YI v~t 19n

10. piteously ['pitiasli] (adv) them ttnronq. dang thu'dng h~;

42. THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ROADS IN A COUNTRY

Tam quan trong ella nhimg COil dutmg tiJt trong m9t quiJe gia Good roads are essential for the development of a country. The Romans realised this centuries ago, and wherever they established' themselves, 'they tried to improve the roads there. Today, the governments of all countries in the world are building more and more roads to gain access to the remotest regions of their countries.

Roads link towns and villages and enable the people of one place to communicate with the people of another place. When food is scarce in one place, it can be brought from another place without much difficulty. Even things which cannot be produced in one region can be brought from another region where they are produced in abundance'. The invention of motor-vehicles has made it easy to transport goods from place to place. But these vehicles require good roads to travel quickly, and the better the roads the more goods can be transported from one place to another in a very short time. Thus, trade is improved.

Further, good roads help people to travel easily. to places where they can work and develop their lands and industries. In Malaysia, for example, the improvement of roads has made it easy for skilled workers from the towns to work in remote villages. The people of the villages, on the other hand, have been able to learn much from the towns. As a result, there has been a lot of improvement in this country in all spheres4 of acti vity.

Finally, in times of war good roads help armies to move about without difficulty. Sometimes, a country is defeated because its army is not able 102

to reach a place in good time owing to bad roads. Even the police may not be able to reach a place where there is some trouble if the roads are bad. For all these reasons. it is always necessary for a country to have good roads.

NEW WORDS:

L establish [is'tc.eblifJ (v) /~p, thenn I~p, thief I~p, kien I~p

2. scarce [skeas] (adj) khan hit§in

3. abundance [s'bxndans] (n) nhieu, dt/d~0 giau co, phong ptu)

4. sphere [sfla] (n) Ilnh VVc, pbem vi; tan) anh ht/Cfng

5. defeat [di'fi.t] (v) oanh tiet, tern theft b9i

43. LIFE IN THE VILLAGE

Cu!3e sang cua tholl que

The village has always been known to be a place of peace and quiet. The scattered I houses among hundreds of plants and trees at once indicate the lack of activity in the village.

The workers in the village leave their homes early in the morning to work in the plantations or towns- near by. Some have their own plantations, and some make certain articles/ in their homes to sell them in the towns. A few of the villagers, including women, go out to catch fish in the streams and rivers found in the village. Though the people of the village do not usually cam much, yet they seem to be contented:'.

In the afternoon, most of the villagers are at home. Some of them take a nap4 after lunch; some work in their small gardens, and some visit the small shops in the village. In various parts of the village children may be seen playing the popular games of the village. Occasionally, a cyclistS passes by.

Then, in the evening, the villagers meet one another. Some play cards and other types of games peculiar to the village. Some talk about the day's incidents in the village, and those whose minds go beyond the village discuss world events.

In almost every village there is a headman" whose duty is to settle quarrels among the villagers and maintain peace in the village. Whenever there is a dispute7, the villagers go to the headman who is held in such esteem" that his word has the force or law. In this way the villagers have

103

developed their own simple laws, and the crimes of cities are almost unknown to the people of the village.

During a festival. the whole village is alive with activities. Everyone is in a happy mood" and plays his part to make the festival a success. This is the time for the men, women and children of the village to wear their best clothes and the village is full of colour.

These simple ways of life in the village, however, must soon change.

Progress in science and education has already begun to affect the outlook of the people in the village, and hundreds are leaving the village to seek their fortunes 10 in the towns and cities.

NEW WORDS:

1. scattered ['skcetad] (adj) Mc otic/ ltJ'a thue: rai rsc

2. article ['a:tikl) (n) hang, v~t pham, do OilC

3. contented [kan'tentid] (adj) thoa man, man nguy~n

4. nap [neep] (n) giac ngu true: giac ctiop mat

take a nap after lunch ngu mot giac sau b[la an true

S. cyclist ['saiklistJ (n) ngtJ'Cli d! xe dep

6. headman ['hedmcen] (n) trtJ'ang /Jng/ gia lang,. tv trudnq

7. dispute [dis'pju:t] (n) CU9C ban cai, CU9C tranh lu~n

8. esteem [is'ti:m] (n) su ktnt: men, sl/quy trona

9. mood [mu:d] (adj) tam trena: tfnh khf, tam tfnh, tfr.h tintv 10. fortune ['b:tfu:n] (n) v~n may

44. MY FAVOURITE AUTHOR Ttic giii ma t{ji ua thich nhdt

My favourite.' author is William Shakespeare, a man who has written

enough for immortality2. .

Though a few hundred years have elapsed3 since the death of Shakespeare and volumes have been written on the life and work of this great writer. his early life still remains a subject for speculation4 and conjectures. It is generally believed that Shakespeare had very little schooling. Yet his keen intellect and mastery of language have earned for him the appreciation and applause6 of the literary world.

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Shakespeare's fame, 'I think, originates from his ability to identify his readers with the characters in his stories. In most of his stories we find reflections of our own experiences. This shows strikingly that Shakespeare had an insight into 'human nature and the problems of life. His tragedies such as "Macbeth" and "Hamlet" clearly show his deep knowledge of the human mind. Man's ambition", desperation, sorrows, frustrations" and hopes are dealt with in these tragedies with such skill that the reader himself experiences all the mental conflicts" and emotions, and thus gets a better idea about human nature. With equal skill, Shakespeare deals with man's joys and pleasures in all his comedies. His comedies like, "Twelfth Night" and "As You Like It", are a delight to read. Through the characters in his stories Shakespeare conveys his views on life and the world. Most of his characters, such as Hamlet, are vehicles for moral instruction. Man's nature is the therne'" of all his writings. By a skilful combination II of words and situations, he reveals'f the worst as well as the best in man. His choice of words is masterlyl3 and many of his phrases are literary ssms". As man's nature is his theme, what he wrote years ago remains true even today, and it will remain so till the end of time. It is for all these reasons that I enjoy reading Shakespeare.

However, I do enjoy reading the works of other writers too, such as those of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. But they do not give the satisfaction that Shakespeare gives. I find Shakespeare's stories so interesting that I have read the same stories several times in last few years; and, every time I read the same story, I learn something new about human nature. Shakespeare was indeed a geniusl5.

..

NEW WORDS:

1. favourite ['feivarit] (adj) du'r;fc men chu9n9 nhat, au'r;fc u'a thfch nhat

2. immortality [,im): 'tzelltl] (n) bat til; bat di~tr bat hu; danh tieng

muon ttiuo'

3. elapse [i'leeps] (v) (no; ve thili gian) trdi qua

4. speculation [,spekju'leiJn] (n) 51!' nghien cuu: 51!' 5Uy xet

5. conjecture [kan'd3ektJa] (n) 51!' ph6ng doan

6. applause [a'pb:z] (n) su ttoen nqnenn, sir ten thu'ang

7. ambition [cem'biJn] (n) hoai bao, tham v9ng

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8. frustration [frxs'treij'n] sir IJm th§t b<;Ji; tam trena va moriq

9. conflict ['kJnfliktJ (adj) sir xung dot; cuoc xung dot

10. theme [8i:mJ (n) ae tai, chi! ae

11. combination Lk)mbi'neiJnJ (n) su' kef: hr;fp; so' ph67 hop

12. reveal [ri'vi:l] en) b9C 19/ bil§u 19; phat hifn, «nem pha

13. masterly ['ma:stdli] (adj) rat giOI/ b~c thay, tei tinh

14. gem [d3emJ (n) ail quv; vten nqoc

15. genius ('d3i:nias] (n) ngu'ili thien tet, ngu'ifi anh tei, b,ftc ky ts!

45. THE VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION Gia tri cua viic nang cao trinh d(J h{JC van

Since the dawn of civilizationl, great thinkers like Plato and Aristotle have been doing their utmost to spread education to the remotest corners

'of the earth. It is realised that education develops the intellect and enables one to discriminate/ between the good and the bad. More and marc universities and other education institutions:' are therefore being opened in all parts of the world to provide higher education.

In almost every country today, there is a lot of unemployment. Only those who have received a high standard of education are able to secure high positions in society and in the various professions. It has therefore become necessary for many people to attend institutions or higher learning to improve their prospects of employment.

Higher education confers many other benefits. It broadens the mind and increases one's powers of thinking. reasoning and imagination. Further, it makes one more sympathetic towards others. It helps us to understand the problems and weaknesses of man, and we become less suspicious4 of strangers and others. We also become more thoughtful of the feelings and needs of others. As a result, we are able to mix better with people. Besides. higher education helps us greatly in deciding what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false. Therefore, people can hardly deceive or mislead.' us. Higher education also teaches us how to spend our leisure moments. We learn to make the best use of our spare time. Even during old age we know how to keep ourselves occupied. Again, higher education develops self-confidence". We learn to have faith in our own abilities. As a result, we are able to meet and talk with people anywhere. All these .qualities, acquired through higher

106

education, combine to make one a leader among men. One is able to live a better life in society.

The benefits of education are therefore many, and everyone should try his best to acquire the highest of education, either by attendance at an educational institution or by private studies.

NEW WORDS:

1. civilization (,sivalai'zeiJn;,sivali'zeifn] (n) nen van minh; 51/ khai hoe

2. discriminate (dis'krimineit] (v) phan bi~t

~I'" 3. institution [,insti'tju:Jn] (n) co Quant to' cturc

4. suspicious [sa'spij as] (aj) nghi ngif, to ra co 51/ nghi nga

S. mislead [mis'li:d] (v) lam cho me muot. lam cho lam c!lIdng tee 16'i

6. self-confidence [,self'k:Jnfidans] (n) sir tu' tin; long tir tin

7. combine [k:>m'bain] (v) ph67 hfjpt ke't: hfjp

46. THE RAINY SEASON

..

Muamuu

When the grass dry, the trees have lost their leaves, the rivers have very little water in them and the fields are parched I , everyone prays for the coming of rain. But when it continues to rain for several days, there are prayers everywhere for the rain to stop, for heavy and continuous rain often causes great hardship to many people, especially in the equatorial2 region. The rainy season is therefore welcomed at times, and at other times, it is hated.

In equatorial countries like Malaysia, the rainy season often causes much damage to crops, life and property. People who work in the paddyfields, rubber and other plantations have to stop their work for sometime. As a result, they lose income and suffer hardship. Farmers too suffer as they have to stop selling vegetables and poultrl for a few days. Even school children experience a lot of inconvenience". They find it difficult to go to school in comfort and ease. Some places are completely under water and many. children are unable to go to school. Sometimes the schools have to be closed. Even to go to the market becomes a problem, and people cannot go out to enjoy or do any work.

,

107

Continuous rain during the rainy season also causes much illness among children and adults. Sometimes many children are drowned in the floods caused by heavy rains. Bridges and houses are swept away by the floods and there is much suffering.

But if the rains are not heavy, the rainy season can bring a lot of joy to farmers and others. Rains bring water for our crops and for use in our homes. Light rains make the day cool and pleasant and people find it easy to work in the fields and other places. The soil remains moist'. Plants and flowers grow easily to make our gardens beautiful. Vegetables too grow well and markets are full of green vegetables. Even animals, like cows and goats find enough grass to eat. There is also enough water for them to drink.

Yet, those who live in places where there is a lot of rainfall do not realise how fortunate they are. Only those who live in the hot deserts realise the value of rainfall. They would surely welcome the rainy season.

NEW WORDS:

1. parch [pa: tf] (v) kh6 ne: rang, nung

2. equatorial [,ekwa't::>:rial] (adj) (tnudc) xfch 090; gan xfch 090

3. poultry ['paultri] (n) gia cam, ga vit; thit gia cam, thit gal thjt vit

4. inconvenience [,inkan'vi:njans] (adj) Sij' bat ti~n, sir phien phlic

5. moist [moist] (adj) am; am vat, vat lap nhap

47. THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER

Tam quan trong ella nUde

Since the beginning of time, water has continued to be an important thing to all living things. Without water nothing could live. We may change our food according to the climate of a place but we find no substitute! for water. Man has always looked for pure fresh water to slake2 his thirst.

Water not only quenches3 our thirst but it is also a source of food to us. From the sea we catch large quantities of fish and other creatures. We use water to irrigate4 our lands to produce crops. Many parts of the world are dry and barren5 because there is no water there. People in such places lead a very hard life. Even the plants and animals find it a real struggle to survive. They can obtain water only by some means of ingenuity6. Water also helps to increase the fertility' of the land in several parts of the

108

world. The alluviums that is brought down by rivers is very fertile and .. yields9 large quantities of crops. Even electricity, which has changed our lives completely, is produced by water-power in many countries.

Further, water is an important means of communication. We use waterways to carry our goods or trade. Water transport is cheaper than land transport and in many remote regions, rivers are the only means of communication. In many countries rivers are used to bring down timber from the hilly regions to the lower regions where the timber mills" are .

. In this way much money is saved.

It is true, however, that water has also caused much destruction to life and property throughout human history. Heavy rainfall, swollen rivers and the angry waves of the sea have killed thousands of people and destroyed homes and crops. Yet, water is indispensable I I to life, and people everywhere are trying their best to bring water to places where it is scarce, to control its flow in times of floods and to make greater use of it.

NEW WORDS:

1. substitute ['si\bstitju:t] (n) v~t thay the; ngu'oi thay the

2. slake [sleik] (v) Jam nne, tam dju (dau dan); tam ngu6i

3. quench [kwentn (v) Jam het khat

4. irrigate ['irigeit] (v) tu'rJi, Jam u't:Jt oat. S. barren ['b<Eran] (adj) can eOi

6. ingenuity [,ind3i'nju:iti] (n) tai kneo teo; tfnh chat kneo leo

7. fertility [fa:'tiliti] (n) tinn trena meu miJ

8. alluvium [a'lu:vjam] (n) oat phil sa, bOi tich, oat boi

9. yield [ji: Id] (v) mang If/i, sinh ra; san xuat

10. timber mill ['tlmba mil] (n) xu'ang go

11. indispensable [,indis'pensabl] (adj) tuy~t dOi can thiet; kh6ng the thieu au'fie

109

48. DESCRIBE WHAT YOU SAW AND ENJOYED

DURING A VISIT TO A ZOO

Hay mo til ben dii xem va thich nhimg gl khi di thiim sif thii

As one who loves animals, I once paid a visit to the zoo in Kuala Lumpur, one of the largest I have ever seen. I liked everything there so much that I shall never forget that visit

I visited the zoo on a Sunday together with a few of my friends. After leaving our homes early in the morning we reached the zoo before noon. We then bought our tickets and entered the zoo.

The first thing that impressed me, as we entered the zoo, was its size and beauty. I could hardly believe that a zoo could be so large. In beauty too it was one of the best places that I had ever seen. I saw many kinds of plants and flowers all round. I also saw some lakes in which ducks of various kinds were swimming. I then noted that the cages of the animals in this zoo are separated from one another, which makes one's visit more interesting. After visiting one cage the visitor has to walk a short distance to reach the next cage. In this way one has to spend more time resting here and there to visit all the cages. Walking round the zoo therefore becomes more interesting.

My friends and I, however, visited the monkeys first. They were of various types from different parts of the world. They were all very active, though they had been confined I to their cages for a long time. Then, we went to the places where the tigers and the lions were kept. These animals did not seem to be active like the monkeys. They were all lying down and looking at the visitors without any interest. I was a little surprised at their coolness/.

After that we saw the other animals, reptiles3 and birds. Their variety was amazing. We were all deeply interested in their behaviour and movements within their cages.

Then, alter spending several hours in the zoo, we went out and had a refreshing drink of coconut water", After that we returned home, feeling very happy.

~EWWORDS:

1. confine [kan'faind] (adj) bi gi6'i hen; tien che

110

2. coolness ['ku:lnis] (n) sir triim tinn, sir blnt: tinti: stjlanh dem, sir kh6ng sot sang, sir kh6ng nhif#t tinh

3. reptile ['reptail] en) loai bo sat, lap bo sat

4. coconut water ['k;:mkanAt 'wa.ta] (n) nuoc dire

49. THE THINGS I DISLIKE THE MOST Nhimg diJu toi ghet nhdt

There are many things that most people dislike. The things that I dislike the most are noise, crowds and laziness'.

Noise disturbs me greatly. This is why I do not like to live in a city where noise predominates2. From dawn till mid-night, vehicles run to and fro" in the city to make the place extremely noisy. The noise is further increased by the voices of thousands of people engaged in all kinds of activity and the sounds of other things such as busy factories and machines. For this reason, the very thought of going to a city, even for a short visit, is distasteful" to me.

In the same way, I also dislike crowds. Crowds make movement difficult. If a place is crowded, it is not easy to move about or do any work. If we are in a hurry to go somewhere, a crowd can delay our progress.

A crowd can also interfere with our enjoyment of sights and visits. For example, if we go with others to places like the museum and the zoo, we may not be able to enjoy looking at the' things around because of the constant" fear of losing sight of the others with us, especially if they are small.

Finally, I dislike laziness because I feel that a lazy person is always a burden not only to his parents but also to others. By refusing to do any work he compels8 others to work for his comforts. Sometimes even a weak and poor person has to struggle to provide for a strong and healthy man who will not exert himself only because he is lazy. Such a person is certainly inconsiderate" and ill-mannered towards others. As long as he gets what he needs and wants, he does not care what others think of him. I hate to see such a person, even if he is my own brother or father.

These argumentslO explain why I hate the things that I mentioned above.

NEW WORDS:

1. laziness ['Ieizinis] (n) sir It..ICli bWng, sir bieng nhac

111

2. predominate [pri'd:>mineit] (v) cbiem uu the; vuot tr9i

3. run to and fro (r) oi oi /9; 19;

4. distasteful [dis'teistful] (adj) kh6 cbtu: kh6ng vti'a y

5. interfere [,inta'fia] (v) gay tro ng~i

6. constant ['konstent] (adj) khong ng6't, khong dirt, lien mien

7. burden ['ba.dn] (n) ganh n~ng

8. compel [karn'pel] (v) bat bU9C, eo, ttuic ep

9. inconsiderate Linkan'sidarit] (adj) thieu an can thieu cnu daD, thieu quan tam

10. argument ['a:gjumant] (n) /y Ie, /u~n elf

50. HOW I SPEND MY TIME AFTER SCHOOL

Tsi sud(lng thOi gian sau gii1 hoc nhuth2 nao

As I am now preparing] for an important examination which will be held at the end of this year, I spend most of my time reading my books. There are, however, a few other things that I sometimes do during myleisure2•

As soon as I reach home everyday after school, I have my lunch quickly in order to have as much time as possible to read my books. Eating quickly is not good for health but 1 have to pass my examination. Therefore, the more I am able to read the more certain I can be of passing my examination. It is for this reason that I read my books for about two hours after lunch everyday.

After reading in the afternoon, I have my bath and then a cup of tea.

Having done these, I go out to my friend's house near by and discuss our lessons for about an hour with my friend. Sometimes we go for a walk and as we do so, we talk mainly about our lessons. My friend is very good at her lessons and she explains many of the things that I do not understand clearly in school.

Sometimes, however, I remain at home to help my mother in the kitchen, especially if we expect some visitors. I must admit that I enjoy doing such work, as it helps me to learn how to prepare a good meal. I have already learned how to make some delicious' cakes by helping my mother.

112

Then. there are tithes when I spend some lime working in aLII vegetable gurdon. My parents have planted many varieties of vegetables, and 1 help them to water the plants so that they may grow well.

Further. I also spend some lime decorating-t my house, when I feel that things in my house have become too dull to look at.

At night, I study my lesson again, and go to bed late after dinner.

Thus, my time after school is spent in a variety of way.

NEW WORDS:

1. prepare [pri'pea] (v) chuJn bi

2. leisure ['le3a] (n) thai gian r6i

3. delicious [dt'lij as] (adj) thorn tho, ngon root

4. decorate ['dekareit] (v) trang hoang, trang trf

51. DESCRIBE THE THINGS YOU ENJOY DOING Hiiy mo td nhiing diJu mil h{m thich lam

I do many things everyday. but the things I enjoy doing most are pickingl flowers and preparing my school lessons.

As a girl of fourteen years of age, I help my mother everyday. My mother is a very [f_ligious2 lady. Every evening, before her prayers, I go out in search of flowers which she needs during her prayers. I must admit that looking for flowers around my house is a very pleasant exercise. I go to all our neighbours' gardens where a great variety of flowers can be found. Our neighbours are very kind and they allow me to pick as many flowers as I like.

As I look at the flowers, I fell extremely happy. They are so beautiful and colourful that they make the gardens the best place to visit in our area. Once I am in these gardens I spend a long time to pick flowers because of the ~heer\ pleasure of walking inside the gardens. Then, I return to the house with the best flowers that grow in these gardens, and my mother is always happy to see them. Thus, I must say that I enjoy picking flowers very much.

Preparing my school lessons also gives me a lot of pleasure. As I prepare them. I learn man~ things about the world and its affairs, past and present. I also learn about the people around us as well as those who

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are thousands of miles away in different lands across the oceans. Further, Ileam more and more new words and phrases which help me to express my own thoughts and feelings better. Besides, the knowledge that I acquire while preparing my lessons helps me to meet and talk with people with greater confidence", It is for these reasons that I like to prepare my lessons.

Thus, the things that I like to do most not only amuse my mind but also contribute to the extension of my knowledge.

NEW WORDS:

1. pick [pik] (v) hai (hoa)

2. religious [ri'lid sas] (adj) sung £1';10, m9 £1t{Jo, ngoan ot{Jo

3. sheer [Jial (adj) boen toen, dan thuan

4. confidence ['k:>nfidans] (n) sir tin c~y; 51!' qUii quyer

5. extension [iks'tenJn] (n) sir md r9ng

52. EXPRESS YOUR OPINION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING GEOGRAPHY

Hiiy trinh hay quan dibn cua hem vJ tam quan trong cua vifC

nghien cUu ilia Ij

Geograph/ is a fascinating subject. It reveals all the wonderful changes and activities that have been going on in the world since the beginning of time.

By reading geography we learn not only about our own country but also about countries beyond the seas. We also learn about the mountains, oceans, islands, lakes, volcanoes2, the winds and a number of other very interesting things about the world and the universe:'.

Among the important things that we learn in Geography are the infinite varieties of creatures, plants, birds and land features that exist in the world. We know that there are millions of creatures, small and large, of various kinds in all parts of the earth. We also know that many of the early creatures have now become extinct, while many of them have changed from their original forms. Reading about all these is indeed very interesting.

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