Kỳ Thi Thử Tốt Nghiệp THPT Tiếng Anh 2025-2026 Sở GD&ĐT Sơn La - Lần Thứ Hai (Mã Đề 1121)

The first reference to Bitcoin appeared in 2008, in a paper by a writer supposedly named Satoshi Nakamoto. However, the name turned out to be a pseudonym for a person or group who preferred to remain anonymous. A year later, Bitcoin was released as open-source software.
Bitcoin was not the first attempt at a cryptocurrency; others had existed in one form or another for nearly 50 years, but without much success. In a short space of time, though, Bitcoin became the first cryptocurrency to be widely traded internationally. The first Bitcoins were mined in January 2009; within 200 days, one million coins had been mined. By 2019, this had risen to over 17 million Bitcoins—worth a total of U.S. $65 billion—and more than 300,000 new transactions were taking place every day.
More sophisticated uses of this currency may occur in the future. In most cases, financial transactions involve exchange fees, taxes, and payment delays to guard against fraud. Virtual transactions, however, are speedy and cheap—and are settled immediately. And unlike a credit card exchange, where credit card numbers and security information are handed over completely for any transaction, a Bitcoin transfer is authorized only to pay a specific amount.
Virtual currencies also make it possible to make a digital payment without needing PayPal or a credit card. This is particularly useful in many parts of Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Immigrants to developed countries may find it a convenient way to send funds back home to their families. Bitcoin supporter Jonathan Mohan says, “[I] The vast majority of people on the planet don’t even own a bank account [II]…. Just as in Africa, people went directly to cell phones. [III] In these developing nations, you’re not going to see them start getting bank accounts. [IV]”
The most obvious drawback is a lack of stability in the value of the currency. Bitcoin’s independence makes it more stable in principle than traditional currencies. In reality, though, its value has fluctuated wildly over the time it has been in existence. In 2012, the price of a Bitcoin was about U.S. $12;byDecember2015,ithadreachedU.S.$400. Two years later, it reached a peak of almost U.S. $20,000, but then lost almost 80 percent of that value within a year. Those are some wild swings.

Son La English Debate Tournament 2026
Are you passionate about expressing ideas and defending your opinions (11) ______ English? Join the Son La English Debate Tournament 2026, an exciting event for high school students who want to improve their speaking skills and critical thinking. Debate helps students not only speak more confidently, (12) ______ also listen carefully, analyse ideas, and respond effectively to different points of view.
During the contest, participants will work in teams to discuss school, social, and environmental issues. They will learn to respect (13) ______ while supporting their own arguments with clear reasons and examples. Before the official rounds, all contestants will take part in a short training session and experience a truly (14) ______ competition. More than just a contest, the event offers a valuable (15) ______ for students to use English in a meaningful academic setting and become more (16) ______ speakers in real life.

Vietnam Golden Autumn Fair 2025 – A Celebration of Trade and Culture
Vietnam Golden Autumn Fair 2025 will take place from October 25 to November 4 at the Vietnam Exhibition Center. The fair will include many booths from local and international businesses, many of (17) ______ will introduce new products, services, and cultural items to visitors.
Under the theme “Connecting People, Creating Prosperity”, the event aims to promote trade and strengthen economic (18) ______. Visitors can explore five thematic zones showing different parts of Vietnam’s culture and business life. There will also be special displays (19) ______ to present OCOP goods, local food, and new technology. In addition, special booths will be (20) ______ to welcome guests and support trade activities. People can visit (21) ______ five zones in one place. Organizers hope the fair will leave a positive (22) ______ on visitors and business partners.

Recently, scientists discovered that though our brains are almost at their full size by the age of six, they are far from fully developed. Only during adolescence do our brains truly “grow up.” During this time, they go through great changes, like a computer system being upgraded. This “upgrade” was once thought to be finished by about age 12. Now, scientists have concluded that our brains continue to change until age 25. However, a still-developing brain does this clumsily. The result, scientists claim, is the unpredictable behavior seen in teenagers.
The studies confirm that teens are more likely to take risks and behave in extreme ways. Fortunately, the news isn’t all negative. As brain scientist B. J. Casey points out, the teen brain inspires such behavior in order to help teenagers prepare for adult life.
One way the brain does this is by changing the way teens measure risk and reward. Researchers found that when teens think about rewards, their brains release more of the chemicals that create pleasure than an adult brain would. Researchers believe this makes the rewards seem more important and rewarding than the risks, and makes teens feel the excitement of new experiences more keenly than adults do.
Unfortunately, this hunt for greater rewards can sometimes lead teens to make bad decisions. However, it also means that teens are more likely, and less afraid, to try new things or to be independent. The scientists’ findings suggest that in the long run, the impulses of the teen brain are what help teens leave their parents’ care and live their own lives successfully.

For generations, the search for gold has occupied a powerful place in the American imagination, symbolising both material ambition and the desire for a different kind of life. Atlantic City, Wyoming, is one of the places where this history can still be felt. During the gold rush, the town briefly flourished as miners, merchants, and travellers arrived in large numbers, hoping that the surrounding land would transform their fortunes. When that optimism faded, however, (31) _______.
Yet decline did not necessarily mean exhaustion. According to Brad, a modern prospector, the old miners did not leave because every deposit had disappeared. Rather, (32) _______. What was once impractical may no longer be so today. Because the value of gold has risen and extraction methods have improved significantly, (33) _______.
Even so, economics alone cannot explain why people continue to return. Brad is not a professional miner but a retired businessman, and his reasons are only partly financial. (34) _______. In this respect, prospecting reflects more than the search for a precious metal; it also expresses a lasting attachment to the American West, (35) _______.
(Adapted from Linguapress)