Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường THPT Chuyên KHXH môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề KHXH-57

Before modern electricity, people used to find clever ways to use nature's power. In many parts of the world, especially in Europe, windmills were an (35) __________ part of daily life. These structures were not just beautiful landmarks; they were functional machines. They were typically built on hills or in open fields where the wind was strong and reliable, ensuring they could operate effectively.

A traditional windmill worked using a simple but effective principle. The wind pushed against large sails, causing them to rotate. This rotation turned a main shaft inside the windmill. This shaft was connected to different kinds of machinery, allowing the windmill to (36) __________ a specific task. The design was often passed down through generations of builders.

The most common job for a windmill was grinding grain. Farmers used to bring sacks of wheat or corn to the local mill. Inside, the windmill's power turned two large, heavy stones that crushed the grain into flour. (37) __________ was a vital service that provided the basic ingredient for bread, a key food source for many communities.

Besides grinding grain, windmills were used for other important jobs. In countries like the Netherlands, they (38) __________ be used to pump water out of low-lying land. This process, known as land reclamation, was perhaps the (39) __________ famous use of Dutch windmills. It allowed people to turn marshland into (40) __________ farmland, protecting their homes from floods.

The use of windmills started to decline with the arrival of steam and electric power during the Industrial Revolution. (41) __________ had people seen such a rapid change in technology. (42) __________, many old windmills are preserved today as historical monuments, reminding us of a time when humanity worked in close partnership with nature.

When you think about using water, you probably picture turning on a tap to drink, wash your hands, or take a shower. But what about the water you can't see? This is often called 'virtual water', and it represents the vast amount of freshwater used in the production of the food we eat and the products we buy. The concept used to measure this is called a 'water footprint', which calculates the total volume of freshwater consumed, from growing crops to manufacturing goods, along the entire supply chain.

A country's or an individual's water footprint is composed of three different types of water. First is 'blue water', which is the water taken from surface sources like rivers and lakes, or from groundwater. Second is 'green water', which is the rainwater stored in the soil that is used by plants. Finally, 'grey water' is the volume of freshwater required to dilute pollutants to acceptable quality standards. Each of these components plays a significant role in understanding the total impact of our consumption on global water resources.

The numbers associated with our daily consumption can be astonishing. For instance, producing just one cup of coffee requires about 140 liters of water. A single cotton T-shirt has a water footprint of around 2,700 liters. The amount gets even larger for some foods; producing one kilogram of beef consumes a massive 15,000 liters of water. To put that into perspective, that's more water than most people would drink in a decade. These figures reveal the hidden water costs behind our everyday choices.

This issue is particularly relevant for Vietnam, a major agricultural exporter. The country is one of the world's leading producers of coffee and rice, both of which are highly water-intensive crops. This means Vietnam effectively exports enormous quantities of its freshwater in the form of these products. Therefore, managing this resource is vital for the country's economy and environment. It affects everything from farmers' livelihoods to national food security and is a key topic for bodies like the National Water Resources Council.

So, what can be done? While large-scale policy changes are essential, individual actions can also contribute to a more sustainable future. Reducing food waste is a powerful first step, as wasted food means wasted water. Additionally, making conscious dietary choices, such as choosing foods with a smaller water footprint like chicken instead of beef, can make a difference. By becoming more aware of our water footprint, we can all become more responsible consumers and help protect our planet's most precious resource.