Bài Tập Trắc Nghiệm Chuyên Đề: Diễn đạt tương đương câu trích từ bài đọc (Tiếng Anh Lớp 10, 11, 12)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 12 to 19.
How Modern Parenting Created a Generation of Picky Eaters
In 1915, when a Maine mother asked the U.S. Children's Bureau why her son rejected certain foods, officials dismissed the idea of "preference", suggesting a medical cause instead. At the time, voluntary food rejection was virtually unheard of; children were expected to eat whatever was served with enthusiasm. Picky eating, as a recognized behavioral trait, simply did not exist in the American cultural landscape.
Today, however, American children are often labeled the "pickiest in history". In her recent research, historian Helen Zoe Veit argues that a century of shifting adult attitudes has fundamentally reshaped childhood. She contends that modern parenting has inadvertently normalized selective eating. Before the 20th century, there was no "children's food"; youngsters shared adult meals and developed robust appetites, partly because snacking was nonexistent.
The mid-20th century brought pivotal changes in child psychology and autonomy. Influential parenting guides, such as those by Dr. Benjamin Spock, began encouraging parents to grant children more control over their diets. This was bolstered by studies suggesting that, left to their own devices, children could naturally regulate their nutritional needs. Meanwhile, the rise of Freudian theory warned that pressuring children to eat could cause lasting psychological trauma, further softening parental authority at the dinner table.
Simultaneously, the explosion of processed foods and aggressive marketing transformed family dynamics. By the 1960s, supermarkets offered unprecedented variety, and advertisers began targeting impressionable children directly, granting them immense influence over household purchases. Veit criticizes this modern exceptionalism, noting that while parents enforce hygiene and safety, they often treat nutrition as negotiable. She advocates for consistent family meals and repeated exposure to new foods, viewing picky eating as a misguided outcome of otherwise good intentions.
(Adapted from https://www.economist.com/culture)

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For decades, the “body clock” was seen as a minor part of medical science, often dismissed as just the cause of jet lag. However, recent studies in chronobiology have revealed a more important reality: nearly every cell in our bodies follows a strict 24-hour cycle. This circadian system, managed by a “master clock” in the brain, not only regulates sleep; it also controls metabolism, hormone levels, and immune responses. In our modern world, this natural rhythm faces threats from artificial lighting and irregular lifestyle habits.
The consequences of circadian misalignment—the gap between our internal biological time and external social schedules—are serious. The chronic disruption of circadian cycles, common among shift workers and those using screens late at night, has been linked to a multitude of health issues, including Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Eating or exercising out of sync with metabolic peaks reduces nutrient efficiency. This shows that timing—not just diet—shapes long-term health.
Furthermore, there is a bidirectional relationship between circadian health and mental well-being. Disruptions in sleep cycles are often signs of coming depressive episodes, while stabilizing these rhythms can make psychiatric treatments more effective. Even the brain’s cleaning system, which flushes out waste, works mainly during deep sleep to remove toxic proteins linked to brain diseases. Ignoring our internal timing not only causes fatigue but also gradually harms neurological health.
Solving this crisis requires a change in how we design our cities and daily lives. Experts suggest using “circadian-friendly” lighting in offices and schools to mimic natural sunlight, supporting alertness during the day while reducing sleep interference at night. Individually, learning how to align habits with biological peaks is becoming a vital life skill. A healthy society should learn to honor the ancient rhythms hardwired into our DNA.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 25 to 34.
The Impact of Internet Slang on Modern English

The formal acceptance of internet slang shows a fundamental change in how the English language grows today. Some people may think that terms like “skibidi,” “delulu,” or “tradwife” are just short-term digital trends. However, their recent inclusion in the Cambridge Dictionary serves as a strong answer to those critics. This decision confirms the lasting influence of the TikTok generation, showing that these expressions are no longer just on the edges of our daily talk but have become central to modern communication.

[I] This phenomenon is not just about a collection of harmless slang words. Instead, it reflects a deeper “post-truth” world where personal beliefs often become more important than facts. [II] For example, the term “delulu,” once a small insult, now shows a social shift where people choose their own reality. [III] At the same time, the “tradwife” movement uses beautiful, glossy social media photos to make traditional housework look like a perfect dream. [IV]

Supporting this change is the “broligarchy” - a powerful group of tech leaders whose platforms control how these terms spread. From using “mouse jigglers” to pretend to be working to the use of “skibidi” as a word that often has no real meaning, these terms reflect the complex social lives of our tech-focused era.

Why does this “internet talk” matter so much? It works like a “soothing lullaby” where chaotic media makes the public feel comfortable but also disconnected from real life. Experts argue that the younger generation is very good at using ironic humor but struggles to find real meaning in things. If these simple phrases continue to replace serious thought, we might lose our ability to use language as a tool for clarity. It is essential to see the hollow nature of these attractive digital trends to protect our intellectual depth in an age where computer algorithms have so much influence over what we think and say.

Modern urban planning is undergoing a seismic shift as the “Smart City” concept transitions from futuristic theory to lived reality. Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), these metropolises leverage data-driven insights to optimize everything from traffic flow to waste management. Proponents argue that the primary merit lies in environmental preservation. For instance, intelligent lighting systems that dim when streets are empty can reduce municipal energy consumption by up to 40%. Furthermore, real-time monitoring of water pipelines allows for the immediate detection of leaks, preventing the loss of billions of gallons of treated water.
However, the rapid digital transformation of urban spaces is not without its detractors. Skeptics point toward the “digital divide,” a phenomenon where marginalized communities lack the hardware or literacy to benefit from these advancements. There are also profound concerns regarding data privacy. In a fully integrated smart city, a citizen’s every movement, from their morning commute to their grocery preferences, is recorded and analyzed. This constant surveillance raises ethical questions about who owns this data and how it might be exploited by private corporations or overzealous governments.
Despite these hurdles, the momentum toward smart urbanization seems irrevocable. Many European capitals are already pioneering “Circular Smart Cities,” where technology is used specifically to ensure that resources are recycled and reused indefinitely. The success of these projects suggests that the smart city is not merely a collection of gadgets, but a necessary evolution in how humanity inhabits the planet.
Furthermore, these urban centers prioritize environmental preservation alongside digital efficiency. If managed with transparent governance and inclusive policies, they could represent our best hope for a sustainable future in an increasingly crowded world. Ultimately, this transformation will redefine urban living by fostering a resilient ecosystem where both people and nature can thrive together harmoniously.
(Adapted from The Guardian and BBC News)

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 1 to 10.

The Shift Toward Transparency Marketing in Vietnam

[I] The media and marketing industry in Vietnam is currently experiencing a major paradigm shift. For a long time, the industry followed a reactive model that focused on high volume and reaching as many people as possible, often ignoring long-term ethical issues. However, as we head toward 2026, the key to commercial success is no longer just technical skill; instead, it is a brand's ability to demonstrate social responsibility. In this new environment, loud and exaggerated campaigns are being replaced by a more modest and logical approach, where corporate humility and honest communication are now seen as the essential foundations of public trust.

At the heart of this change is the combination of transparency and trust-based marketing. As the digital world becomes filled with complex misinformation, the biggest challenge for businesses is no longer how much money consumers have, but whether those consumers actually trust the brand. Modern Vietnamese shoppers, especially Gen Z, are much more skeptical than traditional marketing plans ever expected. [II] They do not believe in shallow slogans anymore; they want "radical transparency" regarding where a product comes from and its impact on the environment.

Because of this, a "compliance-first" strategy is developing, where legal honesty is a core part of every campaign rather than an afterthought. Building brand value in an era of doubt takes a lot of time and patience. Both local and international companies are finding that proving they are reliable is the newest challenge in the sales process. [III] While old methods focused on making people aware of a product, today's market rewards brands that provide honest and consistent experiences.

To succeed, companies must probe into consumer psychology more accurately than before. The most successful brands will be those that take responsibility and prove their value through real actions. Ultimately, the future belongs to businesses that see themselves as part of a larger social community. Success is now measured by the quality of the relationship with the audience, not just by sales. However, if brands only pretend to care about social issues, the dream of a truly ethical market will remain out of reach. [IV]

(Adapted from https://www.brandsvietnam.com)

Read the following passage about urbanisation and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions.

URBANISATION: A GROWING PHENOMENON

Urbanisation is the process through which cities grow, and higher populations begin to inhabit urban areas. This phenomenon has accelerated significantly over the past few decades due to various factors. One of the primary drivers is the search for better employment opportunities. In rural areas, job prospects are often limited to agriculture and small-scale industries, which might not provide sufficient income. Consequently, people migrate to cities seeking better livelihoods and living standards.

Additionally, urban areas offer more advanced educational facilities and healthcare services compared to rural regions. Many families move to cities to provide their children with higher-quality education and greater future opportunities. Access to hospitals and specialized medical services also attracts people to urban centers, especially in countries where rural healthcare is underdeveloped.

However, rapid urbanisation brings about several challenges. Overcrowding in cities can lead to inadequate housing, strained infrastructure, and increased pollution. The expansion of urban areas often results in the loss of green spaces and agricultural land, impacting food production and the environment. Governments and city planners must address these issues to ensure sustainable urban growth.

Despite these challenges, urbanisation has several positive aspects. Cities are often cultural melting pots, where diverse groups of people interact, leading to vibrant communities and innovation. The concentration of resources and talents in urban areas can drive economic growth and technological advancements.

(Adapted from https://copilot.microsoft.com)

For decades, students have been convinced that academic success is largely dependent upon meticulous notetaking. What has changed in recent years is not the importance of the practice but the tools used to perform it. The keyboard has subtly supplanted the pen, and with it, the nature of how information is recorded during a lecture has shifted unbeknownst to students.
Researchers in cognitive psychology have begun to examine what this change has cost learners. In a series of comparative studies, students taking notes by hand consistently outperformed those using laptops on questions that demanded conceptual understanding, even when both groups had access to the same material. The reason, according to the researchers, lies less in the technology itself than in what each method asks of the brain. Typing rewards speed; handwriting forces selection.
The act of writing by hand is slower, and that slowness appears to be its hidden virtue. Unable to capture every word, students are obliged to listen, decide what matters and condense ideas into their own phrasing. This continuous filtering, referred to as encoding by psychologists, turns out to be instrumental in aiding long-term recall. One lecturer summarised the striking contrast after reviewing her students' work: the laptops, she said, had produced transcripts, while the notebooks had produced understanding.
It would be misleading, of course, to claim that handwriting is inherently superior or that all keyboards undermine learning. Hard-working typists can summarise, while indolent writers can drift. What the research highlights is not a conclusion on devices but a question about effort: which tool, in a given context, asks more of the learner. As a ban on students’ use of laptops in classrooms remains a bone of contention among tertiary institutions, the deeper challenge may be helping students recognise that what feels easier in the moment is not always what serves them best afterwards.
(Adapted from https://www.brookings.edu/)

Amidst a global fossil fuel crisis, Australia faces a significant inflection point regarding its energy future. For years, the fossil fuel sector has employed deceptive tactics, such as "astroturfing" and false advertising, to manipulate public opinion and create division. These distortions have often hidden the country's unique opportunity to control its abundant sun and wind resources. However, recent international supply shocks have clearly illustrated the economic vulnerability and fragility caused by a reliance on traditional energy sources.
The transition to clean energy is increasingly viewed not just as a moral concern, but as an essential security policy. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources cannot be blockaded or weaponised by foreign powers; as noted by the UN, they are not subject to price spikes for sunlight or embargos on the wind. In countries like Germany, this desire for economic stability and independence is driving a massive boost in onshore wind projects. Similarly, the UK is implementing policies to require rooftop solar and heat pumps for all new homes by 2028.
In Australia, the potential for a systematic shift is immense, especially since cities like Brisbane receive more than double the sunlight of London. Strategic investments in renewables are expected to inject $68 billion into the economy over the next five years. Every home battery and electric vehicle installed contributes to a more resilient electricity grid and reduces financial exposure to volatile global markets.
To secure this future, advocates must speak collectively and urgently to reclaim the narrative. By framing the clean energy transition in terms of financial benefits and economic stability, rather than just environmental concern, it becomes much more appealing to the general public. Ultimately, accelerating the shift to renewables is the only way to ensure a sustainable and secure economy that remains protected from future global volatility.
(Adapted from https://www.theguardian.com)

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions 18 to 27.
The alarming surge in human trafficking from Vietnam to Cambodia has emerged as one of Southeast Asia's most pressing humanitarian crises, with thousands of victims ensnared in sophisticated criminal networks operating cyber-scam compounds. [I] These operations, disguised as legitimate employment opportunities promising lucrative salaries in customer service or technology sectors, systematically exploit economic vulnerabilities prevalent throughout Vietnam's rural provinces. Victims, predominantly young adults seeking upward mobility, discover upon arrival that they've been sold into forced labor, compelled to execute online fraud schemes targeting international victims while enduring brutal conditions and severe physical punishment for resistance or underperformance.
[II] The trafficking pipeline operates with disturbing efficiency through coordinated recruitment networks spanning Vietnam's poorest regions. Agents offering overseas employment circulate through villages, presenting fabricated contracts guaranteeing monthly salaries exceeding $1,000—figures representing transformative income for families subsisting on agricultural wages. Sophisticated deception extends beyond initial recruitment; victims receive detailed orientation materials, fraudulent company documentation, and testimonials from supposed employees. Only upon crossing borders, frequently through irregular channels avoiding official checkpoints, do victims comprehend the authentic nature of their situation when passports are confiscated and escape becomes impossible.
The scam compounds themselves, concentrated near Cambodia's borders with Thailand and Vietnam, function as modern slavery operations concealed behind legitimate business facades. [III] Victims endure eighteen-hour workdays executing romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and investment schemes targeting predominantly Western victims through meticulously crafted online personas. Failure to meet daily quotas—often requiring extraction of thousands of dollars from marks—results in physical beatings, food deprivation, electric shock torture, and threats against families remaining in Vietnam. Survivors' testimonies document horrifying conditions including sexual assault, forced drug consumption to maintain productivity, and witnessed murders of those attempting escape or becoming commercially unviable through injury or psychological breakdown.
Vietnamese and Cambodian authorities face extraordinary challenges combating these transnational criminal enterprises. [IV] Despite bilateral cooperation agreements and increased border surveillance, traffickers continuously adapt methodologies, exploiting corruption within law enforcement agencies and capitalizing on jurisdictional complexities inherent in cross-border crimes. Diplomatic tensions periodically surface when rescue operations encounter resistance from Cambodian officials allegedly complicit with trafficking networks or protective of foreign investment relationships with companies operating these compounds. International organizations estimate that tens of thousands remain trapped, with rescue efforts recovering merely a fraction while trafficking continues unabated, sustained by poverty's endless supply of vulnerable recruits and cyber-scam industries' exponentially growing profitability.
(Adapted from BBC News)

Christmas 2025 marks a significant transformation in holiday decoration preferences. After years of simple, neutral-toned interiors dominating festive seasons, homeowners are embracing a warmer, more elaborate approach. This dramatic change represents a departure from minimalist trends that previously characterized modern celebrations. The current movement celebrates abundance, memories, and traditional elements that evoke childhood wonder. Interior designers report unprecedented demand for classic ornaments and rich color palettes throughout residential spaces.
The new aesthetic draws inspiration from beloved holiday films and vintage photographs. Red velvet ribbons, emerald garlands, and golden ornaments have replaced subtle decorations. Families are displaying collections of nutcrackers, hanging multiple stockings, and wrapping staircases with illuminated greenery. These choices reflect desires for comfort and familiarity during uncertain times. The style combines luxury elements with accessible touches, allowing everyone to participate regardless of budget constraints.
Social platforms have accelerated this decorative revolution through viral content and influencer endorsements. The "Ralph Lauren Christmas" phenomenon emerged organically, capturing imaginations without corporate marketing campaigns. Young adults particularly connect with 1990s holiday imagery, seeking authentic experiences that their childhoods promised. Digital communities share styling tips, vintage finds, and creative arrangements that inspire widespread adoption. This grassroots movement demonstrates how collective nostalgia shapes contemporary consumer behavior.
Retailers have responded enthusiastically to shifting customer preferences, stocking shelves with traditional merchandise. Sales figures indicate strong performance for classic decorations, while minimalist items remain unsold. Major corporations have adjusted advertising strategies, featuring cozy scenes rather than modern aesthetics. This commercial success confirms that consumers genuinely crave meaningful connections through familiar symbols. The trend suggests people prioritize emotional satisfaction over trendy sophistication when creating holiday atmospheres.
(Adapted from theguardian.com)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 28 to 35.
Exam-Obsessed Schools Leave Youth Unprepared for Work
An “exam-obsessed” school system is leaving young people fundamentally unprepared for the workforce, according to Alan Milburn. The former cabinet minister, currently leading a government-commissioned review into young people and work, argues that the current model is “brilliant at sorting young people by academic ability” but “poor at equipping them for adult life.” Milburn’s intervention highlights a growing disconnect between classroom priorities and the demands of a fast-changing labour market, where employers frequently report that school leavers are simply not-work-ready.
New YouGov polling of over 1,000 teachers reinforces this concern, with 74% stating there is too much emphasis on passing exams. Furthermore, 73% of educators believe there is insufficient focus on developing essential “soft skills” or preparing pupils for employment. The data reveals a troubling trend: six in ten teachers say young people’s soft skills have worsened over the past five years, while 66% believe overall readiness for work has declined. This serves as a “gauntlet” to policymakers to bridge the gap between academic standards and employability.
Milburn insists that high educational standards and real-world skills are not competing priorities. Instead, he advocates for a curriculum fostering the attributes young people need to succeed - communication and collaboration skills, agility and creativity — alongside formal qualifications. Teachers largely support this shift, with 98% backing universal careers advice and 92% supporting vocational pathways before age 16. There is a clear consensus that the system must provide alternative routes for those who struggle under the current high-stakes testing regime without lowering overall standards.
The review comes as official statistics show nearly 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment, or training (Neet). Milburn warns that a system judged more on exam results than student destinations will face increasing scrutiny. To reverse the rise in youth inactivity, he calls for stronger links with employers and expanded access to meaningful work experience, asserting that government ambition must be matched by “action at scale” to ensure long-term economic and social success.
(Adapted from https://www.theguardian.com)

Urban life has always involved a balancing of opportunities and rewards against dangers and stress; its motivating force is, in the broadest sense, money. Opportunities to make money mean competition and competition is stressful; it is often at its most intense in the largest cities, where opportunities are greatest. The presence of huge numbers of people inevitably involves more conflict, more travelling, the overloading of public services and exposure to those deviants and criminals who are drawn to the rich pickings of great cities. Crime has always flourished in the relative anonymity of urban life, but today's ease of movement makes its control more difficult than ever; there is much evidence that its extent has a direct relationship to the size of communities. City dwellers may become trapped in their homes by the fear of crime around them.

As a defence against these developments, city dwellers tend to use various strategies to try and reduce the pressures upon themselves: contacts with other people are generally made brief and impersonal; doors are kept locked; telephone numbers may be ex-directory; journeys outside the home are usually hurried, rather than a source of pleasure. There are other strategies too which are positively harmful to the individual; for example, reducing awareness through drugs or alcohol. Furthermore, all these defensive forms of behaviour are harmful to society in general; they cause widespread loneliness and destroy the community's concern for its members. Lack of informal social contact and indifference to the misfortunes of others, if they are not personally known to oneself, are amongst the major causes of urban crime.

Inner areas of cities tend to be abandoned by the more successful and left to those who have done badly in the competitive struggle or who belong to minority groups; these people are then geographically trapped because so much economic activity has migrated to the suburbs and beyond.

Present-day architecture and planning have enormously worsened the human problems of urban life. [I] Old-established neighbourhoods have been ruthlessly swept away, by both public and private organisations, usually to be replaced by huge, ugly, impersonal structures. [II] People have been forced to leave their familiar homes, usually to be rehoused in tower blocks which are drab, inconvenient, and fail to provide any setting for human interaction or support. [III] Instead, every effort should be made to conserve the human scale of the environment, and to retain familiar landmarks. [IV]
(Adapted from: Cambridge Proficiency Examination Practice 5)

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness an epidemic, stating that its consequences extend far beyond “just a bad feeling”. While loneliness is typically recognized as an unpleasant emotional response to perceived isolation, it can also have impacts on cognitive, physical, and mental health.
The terms “loneliness” and “social isolation” are often used interchangeably, but they differ in some fundamental ways. Loneliness refers to the subjective feeling of being alone or lacking meaningful social connections. Social isolation, however, describes the objective lack of social contact.
Loneliness is also not the same as solitude. Some people may enjoy time alone, whether it’s for brief or extended periods of time, and therefore don’t suffer the same negative health outcomes as those who feel lonely. Perceived loneliness—the degree to which someone feels that their social needs are not being met—is influenced by various social determinants of health, including socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and environmental factors.
The U.S. and Canada have experienced a substantial rise in loneliness in recent years. In the U.S., rates of loneliness are notably high among young adults, people with lower incomes, and racial and ethnic minorities. These findings are consistent in Canada, with approximately two-thirds of 18 to 54-year-olds reporting that they feel a lack of belonging and 76% of unemployed people feeling cut off from their communities.
The effects of social isolation can be significant. Research links chronic loneliness to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, including dementia. Loneliness can also trigger inflammatory responses in the body, impacting brain function and potentially accelerating age-related cognitive decline.
Healthcare providers play a vital role in addressing this public health crisis. By acknowledging the profound impact of social isolation—and conversely, social connection—on patient outcomes, they can advocate for lifestyle changes that promote social connectedness and reduce feelings of loneliness.
(Adapted from https://creyos.com/)

Being food-secure means having consistent access to enough food, even during natural disasters and economic crises. This can be achieved either through domestic food production or by importing food from abroad. For economic reasons, many in developing countries deal with a lack of food security every day, while for others, it only becomes a concern when disasters such as extreme weather or economic crises strike. Now, climate change means that natural disasters are occurring more often, and thanks to globalization, a problem in one country can often affect people worldwide.
Seemingly “natural” disasters leave countries like Bangladesh highly unstable in terms of food security. In fact, climate change has left Bangladesh at increased risk of flooding as cyclones become more common and sea levels rise. Located at the convergence of three major rivers, most of Bangladesh is less than five meters above sea level. In 2007, after prolonged heavy rain, an estimated 26,500 farm animals were lost to floods, and fish farms—a major source of food—were also affected as fish escaped back to sea. Above all, Bangladesh relies on rice, and the 2007 floods destroyed 2.2 million tons of the crop. [I] As a result, prices rose sharply. An estimated ten million people were left without access to enough food. In response, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) spent $51 million feeding 2.3 million people for six months.
Another food crisis in 2008 was more obviously global. Droughts in Russia, Ukraine, and Australia led to major crop failures. [II] These countries are major exporters of wheat, and without their input, a world shortage occurred. At the same time, oil prices were high due to continued demand from developed countries and increased demand from the developing world. Oil is required for intensive, mechanical agriculture, so producing crops became more expensive, and farmers passed this cost on to consumers.
[III] As an alternative to oil, the US began using more of its crops to produce biofuels (fuels made from plants or animals). This seemed like a sustainable solution, but it left even fewer crops for food, creating more scarcity. Finally, in some developing countries, as populations became larger and wealthier, demand for food grew. [IV] So just when crops were needed most, they were in short supply and were expensive to produce; at the peak of the crisis, the prices of wheat and rice rose by almost one hundred percent.
(Adapted from Reading for the Real World 3)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.
TikTok is a popular app, released in 2016 and finding increased popularity over the past few years. Initially, the app typically attracted the Gen Z audience, most commonly used by those between 18 and 24. However, nowadays, most people using the Internet have had some interaction with TikTok.
Importantly, TikTok is more than just a platform for entertaining dance routines and lip-syncing videos. It has become a dynamic space where young people can not only express their creativity but also access and share valuable information. In fact, TikTok has become a news outlet and a source of information, marking a significant shift in how young people engage with content and use social media platforms. As a result, the importance of TikTok as a tool for spreading knowledge and raising awareness continues to grow, influencing global conversations on various topics.
There are many reasons why people are turning to TikTok as a source of news and information. For example, with a growing focus on health and wellness, TikTok has become a hub for fitness routines, mental health tips, and nutritional advice. Professionals in these fields utilise the platform to reach a broader audience, offering quick exercises, mindfulness techniques, and dietary insights. Moreover, TikTok's algorithm helps users discover content tailored to their interests, promoting a healthier lifestyle in a personalized and accessible way.
In addition, TikTok has proven to be a powerful tool for raising awareness about social and cultural issues. Hashtag challenges and trends are often used to spread messages related to activism, sustainability, and inclusivity. Furthermore, the platform's global reach allows users to gain insights into diverse perspectives, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding among the younger generation.
(Adapted from https://www.berlinsbi.com/)

For most undergraduates today, opening a laptop at the start of a lecture has become as automatic as sitting down. The device is no longer a tool consciously chosen; it is simply there, blinking softly, ready to absorb every word that the instructor utters. Yet researchers who study students' attention argue that this convenience comes at a price most learners are unaware that they are paying.

A recent multi-campus study tracked the in-class behaviour of nearly two thousand undergraduates across humanities and science courses. Even when students claimed to be "fully focused," eye-tracking data showed that they shifted between unrelated tabs an average of fourteen times per fifty-minute session. The students themselves were astounded when they were shown the results. Many had believed that they were absorbing every point made in class.

The findings underline an unsettling truth: digital multitasking is not just inefficient; it is invisible to those engaged in it. Cognitive scientists describe this as "the illusion of competence" – the false sense that because information has passed beneath one's eyes, it has been understood and stored. Tests administered a week after the lectures consistently revealed otherwise, with laptop-using students recalling roughly a third less than those taking handwritten notes.

Things go from bad to worse when we take into account the fact that the very tools that distract students are also genuinely essential for some forms of academic work. Annotating digital texts, accessing research databases and recording lectures all benefit from screen-based learning. The crucial question for tertiary institutions, then, is not to get rid of devices altogether but to teach students when and how to set them aside. Until that skill is cultivated, the lecture hall may continue to function less as a place of collective inquiry and more as a quiet place of solitary screens.

(Adapted from https://vanderbilthustler.com)