Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-123

Today, video games are a global industry, but it all started with one simple idea. In the late 1960s, a television engineer named Ralph Baer (35) __________ a new form of entertainment. He envisioned a device that could connect to a standard television set to play games. His prototype, famously known as the 'Brown Box,' was the first-ever home video game console. Baer, often called the 'Father of Video Games,' demonstrated a simple game of table tennis on his invention, changing entertainment forever.

The 'Brown Box' was a revolutionary concept. It used simple electronic circuits to create dots of light that players could control on (36) __________ television screen. The system didn't have sound or complex graphics like modern consoles. (37) __________, it was the foundation for everything that followed. Baer's team worked hard to refine the prototype, hoping a company would see its potential and bring it to the public.

In 1971, the electronics company Magnavox saw the promise in Baer's invention and agreed to produce it. The following year, the Magnavox Odyssey was released as the first commercially available home video game console. It came with several simple games, and since it couldn't produce color, it included transparent plastic overlays that players placed on their TV screens to create colorful backgrounds. Users enjoyed (38) __________ these basic but innovative games, although the console's popularity didn't immediately (39) __________.

A few years later, a competitor emerged that truly popularized home gaming: Atari. After seeing a demonstration of the Odyssey's table tennis game, Atari created its own version called Pong. A reporter from a popular magazine was very impressed. He later wrote in his article that the new game (40) __________ a huge hit with teenagers. With its iconic sound effects and addictive gameplay, Pong (41) __________ and became a massive success, both in arcades and as a home console.

Despite being overshadowed by Atari, the Magnavox Odyssey holds a critical place in history. It was the machine that proved home video gaming was possible and created a market where none existed before. If Ralph Baer (42) __________ the 'Brown Box' in his workshop, the multi-billion dollar video game industry we know today might have developed very differently, or perhaps much later. His work laid the essential groundwork for all future consoles.

Paragraph 1: For decades, the idea of a 'vacation' meant packing bags, booking flights, and traveling to faraway destinations. However, a new trend is capturing the imagination of travelers worldwide: the 'staycation'. A staycation is a holiday spent in your own country or, more commonly, your own city. Instead of dealing with the stress and expense of international travel, people are choosing to become tourists in their own hometowns. This shift is particularly popular among young people, who are discovering that adventure doesn't always require a passport.

Paragraph 2: There are several compelling reasons for the rise of the staycation. The most obvious one is financial. Staycations eliminate major costs like airfare and expensive hotels, making them a budget-friendly alternative. They are also significantly more convenient, requiring minimal planning and no time wasted in airports. Furthermore, staycations are a more sustainable choice. By reducing air and long-distance car travel, they lower one's carbon footprint. This makes exploring local parks, museums, and neighborhoods not just fun, but also an environmentally conscious decision. As a result, unique local experiences have become more accessible to a wider range of people.

Paragraph 3: In Vietnam, this global trend has a unique local flavor, largely thanks to technology. The development of modern services like ride-hailing apps, such as Grab and Gojek, has revolutionized how city dwellers navigate their surroundings. They make it incredibly easy and affordable to spontaneously decide to visit a new part of town. A teenager in Hanoi might use an app to discover a hidden café tucked away in a quiet alley, or a family in Ho Chi Minh City could easily plan a day trip to a district museum they have never visited before. This convenience removes many of the old barriers to local exploration.

Paragraph 4: For teenagers, a staycation is the perfect solution for a boring weekend. It offers a chance to see a familiar environment with fresh eyes and create new memories with friends without needing a long holiday or a big budget. The possibilities are endless. A cultural staycation could involve visiting a local art gallery or historical landmark. A foodie staycation might focus on trying street food in different neighborhoods. For those seeking relaxation, a simple day spent reading in a beautiful city park can be a wonderful escape. It’s about rediscovering the charm of places you might see every day but never truly notice.

Paragraph 5: Ultimately, the staycation sensation proves that you don't need to travel far to find excitement and relaxation. It encourages a deeper connection with our own communities and supports local businesses in the process. So, the next time you feel the need for an adventure, remember that one might be waiting for you just around the corner, ready to be discovered.