DON'T HANDLE WITH CARE

      People always go shopping for the latest and greatest gadgets. Speed, performance, and the latest functions are always key factors before making a purchase. Yet the most important factor of all, which often isn’t considered, is a product’s durability. After all, if a product breaks easily and can’t be repaired, the buyer will have wasted their investment. In other cases, weakly-designed product can cost someone their life. Thankfully, today’s inventors and engineers coming up with some incredible ways to ensure that many products can survive the most difficult situations. 

      One area where durability is absolutely essential is in designing weaponry. In the industry, lapses in quality can lead to death. Designers of military vehicles have recently made great strides in creating some extra tough bulletproof vehicles. Researchers were inspired by the advances made with a similar technology, bulletproof vests. This equipment, which keeps police officers and soldiers protected from gunfire, has been continually upgraded as time has gone on. In order to get tougher, these vests have got lighter, so officers and soldiers can move more freely while working. 

      Beautiful screens, a fast computer processor, and the latest software are probably the biggest concerns for most people shopping for new smartphones. Yet, since most mobiles will be subject to their fair share of bumps and bruises during their life cycle, durability should also be a major concern. A major breakthrough in recent years was the invention of Gorilla Glass. This technology not only prevents devices from breaking when dropped on hard surfaces, but it also makes them scratch-resistant as well. Gorilla Glass screens are given molten alkaline salt baths that produce a hard, compressed layer at the surface. Before a screen can crack, it will have to penetrate this rugged surface, which takes a large degree of force. 

      Recently, another new technique called electrospinning was developed that could make future products even tougher to break. The process involves applying high voltage to a polymer to create a strand of nanofiber. Products designed with the material will be able to absorb more energy without breaking. Researchers are aiming to lighten up aircraft and potentially decrease the damage planes suffer in crashes. Hopefully, these advances are just the beginning. Although science has come a long way in helping manufacturers to create more durable products, the next century should surely bring some even more incredible improvements. 

Question 35. What is the main point of the first paragraph? 

      A. People often forget about the durability of products. 

      B. Almost every product you buy will break easily. 

      C. Having great features is more important than being durable. 

      D. The only thing that really matters about a product is its durability. 

Question 36. Why should bulletproof vests be light? 

      A. Because most of the bullets are not so strong. 

      B. Manufacturers need to bring down costs. 

      C. People wearing them need to move more easily. 

      D. The weather will be too hot if they are heavy. 

Question 37. All of the following are true about weaponry EXCEPT that ________.

      A. bulletproof vests have been manufactured. 

      B. police officers and soldiers are protected from gun fires 

      C. bulletproof vests have become lighter and tougher 

      D. bulletproof vests have been replacing bulletproof vehicles

Question 38. The word “it” in paragraph 3 refers to ________. 

      A. hard surface                                                                  B. the new technology 

      C. a large degree of force                                                 D. dropping on hard surfaces

Question 39. The word “penetrate” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ________.

      A. succeed                            B. show a way                      C. go through                       D. join

Question 40. What is the benefit of using Gorilla Glass? 

      A. It looks nicer than regular glass.                                  B. It will not get destroyed very easily. 

      C. It is better for the environment.                                   D. It raises money for sick animals. 

Question 41. What does the passage say about durable products in the conclusion?

      A. This is just a fad that will end soon. 

      B. It is unlikely that this trend will continue in the future.                                           

      C. Most people think durable goods are not worth the extra cost. 

      D. It seems like things will be harder to break in the future 

Question 42. Which of the following can provide the better durability with the technique called electrospinning? 

      A. High voltage                                                                B. New material 

      C. A strand of nanofiber                                                   D. A polymer layer 

Đề thi thử THPT 2021 - Tiếng Anh - GV Vũ Thị Mai Phương - Đề 17 - có lời giải