Đề ôn thi Đề thi vào lớp 10 Trường Phổ thông Năng khiếu môn Tiếng Anh - Mã đề PTNK-110

Have you ever wondered how you can taste the difference between a sweet strawberry and a sour lemon? The secret lies on your tongue. Our tongues are covered with thousands of tiny bumps called papillae, which are visible to the naked eye. However, the real work of tasting happens inside these structures, in groups of cells called taste buds. Most adults have many thousands of taste buds, which are replaced every couple of weeks.

Each taste bud contains about 50 to 100 taste receptor cells. When we eat, chemicals from the food dissolve in our saliva and enter the papillae to (21) __________ contact with these receptors. The receptors are specialized to detect different chemical compounds in our food. Once a compound is detected, the receptor cells send electrical signals through nerves to the brain, so that our brain can recognize the specific taste.

Traditionally, we talk about five basic tastes that our taste buds can identify: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Each of these categories provides important sensory information about what we are eating. For example, sweetness often indicates that a food is rich in energy, while bitterness can act as a warning sign for potentially harmful substances. Salty and sour tastes help us control our body's balance of minerals and acids.

The brain receives these different signals and combines them to create the overall perception of flavor. (22) __________ is the complex process that allows us to distinguish between the taste of a potato chip and a piece of chocolate cake. While there are only five basic tastes, they can be combined in countless ways to create a huge variety of flavors. Sweet and salty are perhaps the most familiar tastes to most people around the world.

(23) __________ do the five basic tastes contribute to our experience, but our sense of smell is also crucial in how we perceive flavor. When we chew food, aromas travel from our mouth to the back of our nose. The brain combines this information from the nose with the signals from the tongue. (24) __________, taste is a multisensory experience that involves the tongue, nose, and brain working together to create the flavors we enjoy every day.

Imagine a home where lights adjust to your mood, music follows you, and doors lock themselves when you leave. [I] This is the reality of the Internet of Things (IoT) within smart homes. IoT connects everyday objects – from light bulbs and thermostats to security cameras – to the internet. These devices can be controlled remotely via apps or voice commands, and often work together seamlessly, transforming a house into an intelligent living space. [II]

Smart homes appeal by simplifying daily routines. Voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant allow you to manage tasks, play music, or get information by voice. Smart lighting systems can be programmed to switch on or off based on your schedule or presence, saving energy. Furthermore, smart security cameras and doorbells offer peace of mind, enabling you to monitor your property from anywhere. These interconnected gadgets undeniably offer a new level of comfort and control, making homes more efficient and responsive. [III]

The smart home trend is rapidly gaining traction and accessibility in Vietnam. Local companies such as FPT Smart Home and Điện Quang are actively making these sophisticated technologies more available to Vietnamese families. They offer integrated solutions for comprehensive control over home environments, all conveniently managed through a single smartphone app. This localization means that the benefits of an intelligent living space, from energy management to enhanced security, are becoming an increasingly tangible reality for many households across the country. [IV]

However, beneath this veneer of convenience lies a critical concern: privacy. For these smart devices to function, they collect vast amounts of data about your daily habits, including voice commands, movement patterns, and even video feeds. As a teen, understanding how they collect data is crucial. If this sensitive information falls into the wrong hands through data breaches, or if companies misuse it, your family’s private life could be exposed or exploited. This potential for misuse truly turns a helpful assistant into a privacy nightmare.

Ultimately, smart homes balance remarkable convenience with essential security. While these devices simplify life, users must be aware of data collected. To protect your family’s privacy, always review privacy policies, use strong passwords, and regularly check device settings to limit data sharing. Understanding how smart devices handle information is crucial for protecting your family's security. By staying informed, you can ensure your smart home remains a helpful assistant, not a hidden vulnerability.