VSTEP Listening Part 3 – Đề 1

Scripts: Questions 21 to 25
Do you often feel sleepy at school? You’re not alone. Many students aren’t sleeping enough, and that can really affect how they think and behave in class. Sleep researchers say that children need around ten hours of rest every night to stay healthy and focused.

Sleep gives your body and brain time to recover. Not only do humans need sleep, but animals do too. In fact, cats and dogs usually sleep over fourteen hours a day! While that might sound like a lot, it’s normal for them.

Sleep is especially important for the brain. When children don’t sleep well, they struggle to concentrate, follow instructions, and solve problems. They can also become more emotional or get upset over small things, which can lead to arguments with classmates or bad behavior in school.

A recent survey asked 1,500 children about their nighttime routines. About 70% said they didn’t get enough rest. Experts believe that sugary drinks and screen time are two major causes. Soda, coffee, and tea all include caffeine, which keeps the brain active. Watching videos or playing games on a screen before bed also makes it harder to fall asleep.

To help improve sleep, doctors recommend keeping a regular bedtime and avoiding electronics before going to sleep. Instead, students should try reading something light, listening to calm music, or doing deep breathing exercises to relax their minds.

Scripts: Questions 26 to 30
If you’ve been lucky enough to witness the northern lights, you know how magical they are. These glowing lights often appear in the night sky with wonderful colors such as purple, green, red, or blue. They may look like straight bands across the sky or take the shape of a circle or curve. Some people say the lights move like soft waves dancing in the dark.

The real name for the northern lights is aurora borealis. The name comes from Latin: aurora means “sunrise” and borealis means “northern.” So together, they describe the “northern sunrise,” which fits the lights seen in the northern sky during nighttime or early morning.

Aurora borealis is not visible from everywhere. People often travel to cold northern countries like Norway, Canada, or Iceland to see them. The best view is usually close to the Arctic Circle. There, skies are clearer, and the lights shine brighter.

Before science explained the lights, people had other ideas. In some cultures, it was believed that the lights were created by spirits or gods. Some said they were the souls of animals like whales or birds dancing in the air. Others thought the lights were made by magical fire in the sky.

Today, we know the northern lights happen when particles from the sun hit gases in Earth’s atmosphere. This creates the glowing colors in the sky — just like how neon signs work. It’s a beautiful natural show if you’re lucky enough to see it.

Scripts: Questions 31 to 35
Welcome to today’s art lecture. We’re going to discuss an essential aspect of painting: paint binders. A binder is a key ingredient in any paint, playing a crucial role in how the pigment behaves and adheres to the surface. Essentially, the binder is the substance that holds the pigment particles together and allows them to stick to whatever surface the artist is working on. Without a binder, the pigment would simply fall off, leaving no lasting mark. The binder ensures that the paint remains intact and durable over time.

Binders can be classified into two main types: natural and synthetic. Natural binders have been used for centuries in traditional painting techniques. For example, tempera paint often uses egg yolk as a binder, creating a smooth and slightly textured finish. In contrast, synthetic binders are man-made materials, such as acrylic polymer, which are commonly found in modern paints. These synthetic binders offer several advantages, particularly in terms of speed and durability.

The ideal binder should not chemically react with the pigment, allowing the true color and quality of the pigment to shine through. Additionally, it should remain clear after drying, preserving the clarity and brightness of the paint. A good binder also needs to have the right consistency, allowing the artist to apply the paint smoothly and evenly.

One of the primary functions of the binder is to improve the paint’s durability and drying time. Different binders can affect how quickly the paint dries and how resistant it is to weathering. Traditional binders, such as linseed oil used in oil painting, have a slower drying time, allowing artists to work with more flexibility. Gum arabic, another traditional binder, is commonly used in watercolor painting, helping to create a translucent finish.

In modern art, synthetic binders like acrylic resins have become increasingly popular. These resins dry faster, are water-resistant, and allow artists to work on a wide variety of surfaces. Synthetic binders also tend to provide a stronger bond than traditional materials, which helps the paint adhere better over time. While natural binders offer a unique texture and aesthetic, they have some limitations. For example, they may crack over time or be affected by changes in temperature and moisture. In contrast, synthetic binders are more stable, offering enhanced longevity and flexibility, which makes them a preferred choice for many contemporary artists. Ultimately, the choice of binder plays a vital role in determining the paint’s performance, its longevity, and the final outcome of the artwork.

Questions 21 to 25 refer to the following conversation (Sleeping habits).

21. How many hours of sleep do sleep experts recommend for children?
    ✅ Đáp án: B. Around ten
    🗨️ Transcript: “Sleep researchers say that children need around ten hours of rest every night to stay healthy and focused.”
    🌐 Dịch: Các nhà nghiên cứu giấc ngủ cho biết trẻ em cần khoảng 10 giờ nghỉ ngơi mỗi đêm để khỏe mạnh và tập trung.
    💡 Giải thích: Đáp án đúng là “around ten.”
22. Why does the brain need sleep, according to the passage?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. To help focus and process information
    🗨️ Transcript: “Sleep is especially important for the brain. When children don’t sleep well, they struggle to concentrate, follow instructions, and solve problems.”
    🌐 Dịch: Giấc ngủ đặc biệt quan trọng với não. Thiếu ngủ, trẻ khó tập trung và giải quyết vấn đề.
    💡 Giải thích: Vai trò chính của giấc ngủ là giúp não tập trung và xử lý thông tin.
23. What happens when students don’t sleep well?
    ✅ Đáp án: D. They may become more emotional
    🗨️ Transcript: “They can also become more emotional or get upset over small things…”
    🌐 Dịch: Các em có thể trở nên nhạy cảm, dễ cáu gắt hơn.
    💡 Giải thích: Thiếu ngủ làm học sinh dễ xúc động và cư xử kém.
24. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for poor sleep?
    ✅ Đáp án: D. Reading books at night
    🗨️ Transcript: “Soda, coffee, and tea… Watching videos or playing games on a screen before bed…”
    🌐 Dịch: Caffeine và màn hình điện tử là nguyên nhân, không nhắc đến đọc sách.
    💡 Giải thích: Đọc sách không được nêu trong nguyên nhân.
25. What is one good habit to do before going to bed?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. Doing something calming
    🗨️ Transcript: “Students should try reading something light, listening to calm music, or doing deep breathing exercises…”
    🌐 Dịch: Nên đọc sách nhẹ nhàng, nghe nhạc êm dịu, hoặc hít thở sâu.
    💡 Giải thích: Thói quen thư giãn giúp dễ ngủ hơn.

Questions 26 to 30 refer to the following conversation (Northern lights).

26. Which is NOT a shape the northern lights can take?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. Triangle shapes
    🗨️ Transcript: “They may look like straight bands… take the shape of a circle or curve.”
    🌐 Dịch: Có thể là dải thẳng, tròn, cong, không nhắc đến tam giác.
    💡 Giải thích: Tam giác không có trong mô tả.
27. What does “aurora borealis” mean?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. Northern sunrise
    🗨️ Transcript: “Aurora means sunrise and borealis means northern.”
    🌐 Dịch: Aurora = bình minh, Borealis = phương Bắc → Northern sunrise.
    💡 Giải thích: Giải thích trực tiếp từ Latin.
28. Where are people most likely to see the northern lights?
    ✅ Đáp án: B. Near the Arctic Circle
    🗨️ Transcript: “The best view is usually close to the Arctic Circle.”
    🌐 Dịch: Tầm nhìn tốt nhất gần vòng Bắc Cực.
    💡 Giải thích: Địa điểm rõ ràng trong bài.
29. What did people believe about the lights in the past?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. They were spirits or animals
    🗨️ Transcript: “Some said they were the souls of animals like whales or birds dancing in the air.”
    🌐 Dịch: Người xưa tin đó là linh hồn hoặc động vật.
    💡 Giải thích: Truyền thuyết gắn liền với linh hồn/động vật.
30. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in this passage?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. The scientists who discovered them
    🗨️ Transcript: Đoạn nói về nguyên nhân, màu sắc, truyền thuyết, nhưng không nhắc đến nhà khoa học.
    🌐 Dịch: Không có thông tin về nhà khoa học phát hiện ra cực quang.
    💡 Giải thích: C là đáp án đúng.

Questions 31 to 35 refer to the following lecture (Painting binders).

31. What is the primary function of a binder in paint?
    ✅ Đáp án: B. To help pigment stick to the surface
    🗨️ Transcript: “Without a binder, the pigment would simply fall off.”
    🌐 Dịch: Không có binder, màu sẽ rơi ra khỏi bề mặt.
    💡 Giải thích: Binder giúp màu bám dính.
32. Which of the following is an example of a natural binder?
    ✅ Đáp án: B. Linseed oil
    🗨️ Transcript: “Traditional binders, such as linseed oil used in oil painting…”
    🌐 Dịch: Dầu lanh là binder truyền thống trong sơn dầu.
    💡 Giải thích: Linseed oil = binder tự nhiên.
33. What is one advantage of synthetic binders mentioned in the lecture?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. They are water-resistant and more stable
    🗨️ Transcript: “Synthetic binders like acrylic resins… are water-resistant.”
    🌐 Dịch: Binder tổng hợp chống nước, bền hơn.
    💡 Giải thích: Ưu điểm chính là ổn định, chống nước.
34. Why should a good binder not chemically react with the pigment?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. To preserve the true color of the pigment
    🗨️ Transcript: “The ideal binder should not chemically react with the pigment…”
    🌐 Dịch: Binder không phản ứng để giữ màu gốc.
    💡 Giải thích: Mục tiêu là giữ nguyên màu thật.
35. What is a potential disadvantage of natural binders?
    ✅ Đáp án: C. They may crack or be affected by moisture
    🗨️ Transcript: “Natural binders… may crack over time or be affected by changes in temperature and moisture.”
    🌐 Dịch: Binder tự nhiên có thể nứt hoặc bị ảnh hưởng bởi ẩm/nhiệt.
    💡 Giải thích: Điểm yếu của binder tự nhiên là kém bền với môi trường.