Làm thử Đề khảo sát chất lượng THPT lần 1 năm học 2025-2026 · Tiếng Anh · Trường THPT Chuyên Trần Phú

Speed reading is not just about reading fast. It is also about how much information you can remember when you have finished reading. The World Championship Speed-Reading Competition says that its top competitors average between 1,000 and 2,000 words a minute. But they must remember at least 50 percent of this in order to qualify for the competition. Nowadays, speed reading has become an (1) _______ in any environment (2) _______ people have to master a large volume of information. Professional workers need reading skills to help them (3) _______ many documents every day, while students under pressure to deal with assignments may feel they have to read more and read faster all the time. (4) _______ there are various methods to increase reading speed, the trick is deciding what information you want first. For example, if you only want a (5) _______ outline of an issue, then you can skim the material quickly and extract the key facts. However, if you need to understand every detail in a document, then you must read it slowly enough to understand this. Even when you know how to ignore irrelevant detail, there are (6) _______ improvements you can make to your reading style which will increase your speed.

Speed reading is not just about reading fast. It is also about how much information you can remember when you have finished reading. The World Championship Speed-Reading Competition says that its top competitors average between 1,000 and 2,000 words a minute. But they must remember at least 50 percent of this in order to qualify for the competition. Nowadays, speed reading has become an (1) _______ in any environment (2) _______ people have to master a large volume of information. Professional workers need reading skills to help them (3) _______ many documents every day, while students under pressure to deal with assignments may feel they have to read more and read faster all the time. (4) _______ there are various methods to increase reading speed, the trick is deciding what information you want first. For example, if you only want a (5) _______ outline of an issue, then you can skim the material quickly and extract the key facts. However, if you need to understand every detail in a document, then you must read it slowly enough to understand this. Even when you know how to ignore irrelevant detail, there are (6) _______ improvements you can make to your reading style which will increase your speed.

Speed reading is not just about reading fast. It is also about how much information you can remember when you have finished reading. The World Championship Speed-Reading Competition says that its top competitors average between 1,000 and 2,000 words a minute. But they must remember at least 50 percent of this in order to qualify for the competition. Nowadays, speed reading has become an (1) _______ in any environment (2) _______ people have to master a large volume of information. Professional workers need reading skills to help them (3) _______ many documents every day, while students under pressure to deal with assignments may feel they have to read more and read faster all the time. (4) _______ there are various methods to increase reading speed, the trick is deciding what information you want first. For example, if you only want a (5) _______ outline of an issue, then you can skim the material quickly and extract the key facts. However, if you need to understand every detail in a document, then you must read it slowly enough to understand this. Even when you know how to ignore irrelevant detail, there are (6) _______ improvements you can make to your reading style which will increase your speed.

Speed reading is not just about reading fast. It is also about how much information you can remember when you have finished reading. The World Championship Speed-Reading Competition says that its top competitors average between 1,000 and 2,000 words a minute. But they must remember at least 50 percent of this in order to qualify for the competition. Nowadays, speed reading has become an (1) _______ in any environment (2) _______ people have to master a large volume of information. Professional workers need reading skills to help them (3) _______ many documents every day, while students under pressure to deal with assignments may feel they have to read more and read faster all the time. (4) _______ there are various methods to increase reading speed, the trick is deciding what information you want first. For example, if you only want a (5) _______ outline of an issue, then you can skim the material quickly and extract the key facts. However, if you need to understand every detail in a document, then you must read it slowly enough to understand this. Even when you know how to ignore irrelevant detail, there are (6) _______ improvements you can make to your reading style which will increase your speed.

Speed reading is not just about reading fast. It is also about how much information you can remember when you have finished reading. The World Championship Speed-Reading Competition says that its top competitors average between 1,000 and 2,000 words a minute. But they must remember at least 50 percent of this in order to qualify for the competition. Nowadays, speed reading has become an (1) _______ in any environment (2) _______ people have to master a large volume of information. Professional workers need reading skills to help them (3) _______ many documents every day, while students under pressure to deal with assignments may feel they have to read more and read faster all the time. (4) _______ there are various methods to increase reading speed, the trick is deciding what information you want first. For example, if you only want a (5) _______ outline of an issue, then you can skim the material quickly and extract the key facts. However, if you need to understand every detail in a document, then you must read it slowly enough to understand this. Even when you know how to ignore irrelevant detail, there are (6) _______ improvements you can make to your reading style which will increase your speed.

Speed reading is not just about reading fast. It is also about how much information you can remember when you have finished reading. The World Championship Speed-Reading Competition says that its top competitors average between 1,000 and 2,000 words a minute. But they must remember at least 50 percent of this in order to qualify for the competition. Nowadays, speed reading has become an (1) _______ in any environment (2) _______ people have to master a large volume of information. Professional workers need reading skills to help them (3) _______ many documents every day, while students under pressure to deal with assignments may feel they have to read more and read faster all the time. (4) _______ there are various methods to increase reading speed, the trick is deciding what information you want first. For example, if you only want a (5) _______ outline of an issue, then you can skim the material quickly and extract the key facts. However, if you need to understand every detail in a document, then you must read it slowly enough to understand this. Even when you know how to ignore irrelevant detail, there are (6) _______ improvements you can make to your reading style which will increase your speed.

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW POLICY IMPLEMENTATION We are pleased (7) _______ the implementation of a new policy designed to enhance our operational efficiency and foster a more collaborative working environment. The policy will be (8) _______ starting from October 1st. Key Highlights:

1. Enhanced Communication Channels: We are introducing (9) _______ new internal communication platform to streamline project updates and interdepartmental collaboration.
2. Flexible Working Hours: In response to feedback and (10) _______ to promote work-life balance, we are offering more flexible working hours. Detailed guidelines and application procedures will be provided.
3. Professional Development Opportunities: To support your career growth, we (11) _______ the budget for professional development programs. We believe these changes will greatly benefit our team and contribute to our success. Your cooperation is worth its weight in (12) _______ as we transition to these new practices.

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW POLICY IMPLEMENTATION We are pleased (7) _______ the implementation of a new policy designed to enhance our operational efficiency and foster a more collaborative working environment. The policy will be (8) _______ starting from October 1st. Key Highlights:

1. Enhanced Communication Channels: We are introducing (9) _______ new internal communication platform to streamline project updates and interdepartmental collaboration.
2. Flexible Working Hours: In response to feedback and (10) _______ to promote work-life balance, we are offering more flexible working hours. Detailed guidelines and application procedures will be provided.
3. Professional Development Opportunities: To support your career growth, we (11) _______ the budget for professional development programs. We believe these changes will greatly benefit our team and contribute to our success. Your cooperation is worth its weight in (12) _______ as we transition to these new practices.

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW POLICY IMPLEMENTATION We are pleased (7) _______ the implementation of a new policy designed to enhance our operational efficiency and foster a more collaborative working environment. The policy will be (8) _______ starting from October 1st. Key Highlights:

1. Enhanced Communication Channels: We are introducing (9) _______ new internal communication platform to streamline project updates and interdepartmental collaboration.
2. Flexible Working Hours: In response to feedback and (10) _______ to promote work-life balance, we are offering more flexible working hours. Detailed guidelines and application procedures will be provided.
3. Professional Development Opportunities: To support your career growth, we (11) _______ the budget for professional development programs. We believe these changes will greatly benefit our team and contribute to our success. Your cooperation is worth its weight in (12) _______ as we transition to these new practices.

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW POLICY IMPLEMENTATION We are pleased (7) _______ the implementation of a new policy designed to enhance our operational efficiency and foster a more collaborative working environment. The policy will be (8) _______ starting from October 1st. Key Highlights:

1. Enhanced Communication Channels: We are introducing (9) _______ new internal communication platform to streamline project updates and interdepartmental collaboration.
2. Flexible Working Hours: In response to feedback and (10) _______ to promote work-life balance, we are offering more flexible working hours. Detailed guidelines and application procedures will be provided.
3. Professional Development Opportunities: To support your career growth, we (11) _______ the budget for professional development programs. We believe these changes will greatly benefit our team and contribute to our success. Your cooperation is worth its weight in (12) _______ as we transition to these new practices.

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW POLICY IMPLEMENTATION We are pleased (7) _______ the implementation of a new policy designed to enhance our operational efficiency and foster a more collaborative working environment. The policy will be (8) _______ starting from October 1st. Key Highlights:

1. Enhanced Communication Channels: We are introducing (9) _______ new internal communication platform to streamline project updates and interdepartmental collaboration.
2. Flexible Working Hours: In response to feedback and (10) _______ to promote work-life balance, we are offering more flexible working hours. Detailed guidelines and application procedures will be provided.
3. Professional Development Opportunities: To support your career growth, we (11) _______ the budget for professional development programs. We believe these changes will greatly benefit our team and contribute to our success. Your cooperation is worth its weight in (12) _______ as we transition to these new practices.

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW POLICY IMPLEMENTATION We are pleased (7) _______ the implementation of a new policy designed to enhance our operational efficiency and foster a more collaborative working environment. The policy will be (8) _______ starting from October 1st. Key Highlights:

1. Enhanced Communication Channels: We are introducing (9) _______ new internal communication platform to streamline project updates and interdepartmental collaboration.
2. Flexible Working Hours: In response to feedback and (10) _______ to promote work-life balance, we are offering more flexible working hours. Detailed guidelines and application procedures will be provided.
3. Professional Development Opportunities: To support your career growth, we (11) _______ the budget for professional development programs. We believe these changes will greatly benefit our team and contribute to our success. Your cooperation is worth its weight in (12) _______ as we transition to these new practices.

Question 14. a. Ms. Ha: Sorry, I have another appointment at that time. But I’m free on Saturday morning. b. Lan: Ms. Ha, could I meet you on Thursday afternoon? I would like your advice on how to prepare for my university entrance exam next year. c. Ms. Ha: Ok, then. See you on Saturday in the staff room. d. Lan: That would be good for me. What time suits you best? e. Ms. Ha: Around 9 o’clock? f. Lan: Yes, sounds good. Thank you, Ms. Ha.

Question 15. Dear Jane, a. I intend to invite about 10 people, so it will be a small gathering. b. As the school year is coming to an end, I'm giving a farewell party before we go away for holiday. c. I will order some pizzas and buy snacks and fruits. There will be dancing and karaoke competition, so there will be a lot of fun. d. It will be held at my home at 7 p.m. this coming Sunday. e. That’s all what I’m planning, and please let me know if you can come. Just leave me a message on the phone if you can't catch me at home. Your friend, Lana

Question 16. a. Education plays a crucial role in bridging these gaps, fostering a sense of empathy and tolerance among diverse populations. b. This constant interaction allows individuals to broaden their horizons and develop a deeper understanding of others. c. Furthermore, the media can either facilitate positive intercultural exchange or, conversely, perpetuate stereotypes and deepen divides. d. The evolving nature of multicultural societies presents both promise and complexity. e. However, the process of integration is not always smooth, as it can give rise to cultural clashes and misunderstandings. f. It is therefore essential that media outlets present balanced narratives that promote understanding rather than division.

Question 17. a. It emphasizes that individuals should not be discriminated against or disadvantaged based on their gender identity. b. When everyone, regardless of their gender, is given the opportunity to reach their full potential, it leads to stronger economies, healthier communities, and a fairer, more inclusive society. c. Achieving gender equality involves breaking down traditional stereotypes and biases, promoting equal access to education, healthcare, and employment; d. This also ensures that women and men have an equal voice in decision-making processes. e. Gender equality is a fundamental principle that advocates for equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for all, regardless of their gender. f. Gender equality is not only a matter of social justice but also has significant economic and societal benefits.

In today’s globalized world, multiculturalism symbolizes a rich and varied mosaic of cultures, beliefs, and traditions. This international melting pot (18) _______, languages, and customs, resulting in a dynamic and interconnected society. Multiculturalism encourages an environment where diverse cultures can peacefully coexist, mutual fostering respect and understanding among people. One of the most prominent examples of multiculturalism can be observed in the culinary traditions of different regions. Cities across the globe offer a wide range of foods from diverse cultures, (19) _______. Festivals and cultural events further illustrate this diversity, bringing together individuals from various backgrounds to share their traditions, music, and art, enriching the social fabric. (20) _______. In these settings, diverse teams contribute a variety of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to innovative solutions and increased creativity. The diversity of thought and experience within these environments enhances problem-solving and promotes a broader understanding of the world. (21) _______, fostering international cooperation and enhancing personal development by exposing individuals to different worldviews and life experiences. Living in a multicultural world allows for a blending of cultures that creates a more inclusive and vibrant global community. It enables people to connect with others on a deeper level, broadening their horizons and fostering a more empathetic and tolerant society. Ultimately, (22) _______, but it also contributes to a more harmonious and exciting world, where cultural diversity is valued and celebrated.

In today’s globalized world, multiculturalism symbolizes a rich and varied mosaic of cultures, beliefs, and traditions. This international melting pot (18) _______, languages, and customs, resulting in a dynamic and interconnected society. Multiculturalism encourages an environment where diverse cultures can peacefully coexist, mutual fostering respect and understanding among people. One of the most prominent examples of multiculturalism can be observed in the culinary traditions of different regions. Cities across the globe offer a wide range of foods from diverse cultures, (19) _______. Festivals and cultural events further illustrate this diversity, bringing together individuals from various backgrounds to share their traditions, music, and art, enriching the social fabric. (20) _______. In these settings, diverse teams contribute a variety of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to innovative solutions and increased creativity. The diversity of thought and experience within these environments enhances problem-solving and promotes a broader understanding of the world. (21) _______, fostering international cooperation and enhancing personal development by exposing individuals to different worldviews and life experiences. Living in a multicultural world allows for a blending of cultures that creates a more inclusive and vibrant global community. It enables people to connect with others on a deeper level, broadening their horizons and fostering a more empathetic and tolerant society. Ultimately, (22) _______, but it also contributes to a more harmonious and exciting world, where cultural diversity is valued and celebrated.

In today’s globalized world, multiculturalism symbolizes a rich and varied mosaic of cultures, beliefs, and traditions. This international melting pot (18) _______, languages, and customs, resulting in a dynamic and interconnected society. Multiculturalism encourages an environment where diverse cultures can peacefully coexist, mutual fostering respect and understanding among people. One of the most prominent examples of multiculturalism can be observed in the culinary traditions of different regions. Cities across the globe offer a wide range of foods from diverse cultures, (19) _______. Festivals and cultural events further illustrate this diversity, bringing together individuals from various backgrounds to share their traditions, music, and art, enriching the social fabric. (20) _______. In these settings, diverse teams contribute a variety of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to innovative solutions and increased creativity. The diversity of thought and experience within these environments enhances problem-solving and promotes a broader understanding of the world. (21) _______, fostering international cooperation and enhancing personal development by exposing individuals to different worldviews and life experiences. Living in a multicultural world allows for a blending of cultures that creates a more inclusive and vibrant global community. It enables people to connect with others on a deeper level, broadening their horizons and fostering a more empathetic and tolerant society. Ultimately, (22) _______, but it also contributes to a more harmonious and exciting world, where cultural diversity is valued and celebrated.

In today’s globalized world, multiculturalism symbolizes a rich and varied mosaic of cultures, beliefs, and traditions. This international melting pot (18) _______, languages, and customs, resulting in a dynamic and interconnected society. Multiculturalism encourages an environment where diverse cultures can peacefully coexist, mutual fostering respect and understanding among people. One of the most prominent examples of multiculturalism can be observed in the culinary traditions of different regions. Cities across the globe offer a wide range of foods from diverse cultures, (19) _______. Festivals and cultural events further illustrate this diversity, bringing together individuals from various backgrounds to share their traditions, music, and art, enriching the social fabric. (20) _______. In these settings, diverse teams contribute a variety of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to innovative solutions and increased creativity. The diversity of thought and experience within these environments enhances problem-solving and promotes a broader understanding of the world. (21) _______, fostering international cooperation and enhancing personal development by exposing individuals to different worldviews and life experiences. Living in a multicultural world allows for a blending of cultures that creates a more inclusive and vibrant global community. It enables people to connect with others on a deeper level, broadening their horizons and fostering a more empathetic and tolerant society. Ultimately, (22) _______, but it also contributes to a more harmonious and exciting world, where cultural diversity is valued and celebrated.

In today’s globalized world, multiculturalism symbolizes a rich and varied mosaic of cultures, beliefs, and traditions. This international melting pot (18) _______, languages, and customs, resulting in a dynamic and interconnected society. Multiculturalism encourages an environment where diverse cultures can peacefully coexist, mutual fostering respect and understanding among people. One of the most prominent examples of multiculturalism can be observed in the culinary traditions of different regions. Cities across the globe offer a wide range of foods from diverse cultures, (19) _______. Festivals and cultural events further illustrate this diversity, bringing together individuals from various backgrounds to share their traditions, music, and art, enriching the social fabric. (20) _______. In these settings, diverse teams contribute a variety of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to innovative solutions and increased creativity. The diversity of thought and experience within these environments enhances problem-solving and promotes a broader understanding of the world. (21) _______, fostering international cooperation and enhancing personal development by exposing individuals to different worldviews and life experiences. Living in a multicultural world allows for a blending of cultures that creates a more inclusive and vibrant global community. It enables people to connect with others on a deeper level, broadening their horizons and fostering a more empathetic and tolerant society. Ultimately, (22) _______, but it also contributes to a more harmonious and exciting world, where cultural diversity is valued and celebrated.

Is the west falling out of love with the car? For environmentalists it seems an impossible dream, but it is happening. While baby boomers and those with young families may carry on using four wheels, a combination of our ageing societies and a new attitude among the young seems to be breaking our 20th-century car addiction. Somewhere along the road, we reached the high point of the car and are now cruising down the other side. The phenomenon was first recognised in “The Road Less Traveled”, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, but had been going on largely unnoticed for years. Japan reached it in the 1990s. They talked there of “demotorisation”. The west had its tipping point in 2004. That year the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden all saw the start of a decline in the number of kilometres the average person travelled in a car that continues today. What could be driving us off the road? Fuel costs and rising insurance premiums may be a factor. And urban gridlock, combined with an absence of parking places and congestion charging, makes an increasing number of us look on the car as a dumb way to move around in cities where there are public transport alternatives. Demographics are another possible explanation. It is surely no accident that “peak car” happened first in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population. Pensioners do not drive to work, and many don’t drive at all. There is also the rise of “virtual commuters” who work from home via the Internet. Besides these new employment patterns, leisure lifestyles are also changing. Social scientists detect a new “culture of urbanism”. The stylish way to live these days is in inner- city apartments, not the suburbs. Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist at the University of Toronto in Canada, points out that the young shop online, telecommute, live in walkable city neighbourhoods near public transport and rely more on social media and less on face-to- face visiting. Given those changes, they can think of better ways to spend their money than buying a car. Some think car use will revive if and when economies recover. But it looks like something more profound is going on. Florida calls it a “great reset” in society that will have profound consequences – not least for the environment. Even our most treasured consumer aspirations can have a peak. Enough can be enough. (Adapted from Compact Advanced by Peter May)

Is the west falling out of love with the car? For environmentalists it seems an impossible dream, but it is happening. While baby boomers and those with young families may carry on using four wheels, a combination of our ageing societies and a new attitude among the young seems to be breaking our 20th-century car addiction. Somewhere along the road, we reached the high point of the car and are now cruising down the other side. The phenomenon was first recognised in “The Road Less Traveled”, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, but had been going on largely unnoticed for years. Japan reached it in the 1990s. They talked there of “demotorisation”. The west had its tipping point in 2004. That year the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden all saw the start of a decline in the number of kilometres the average person travelled in a car that continues today. What could be driving us off the road? Fuel costs and rising insurance premiums may be a factor. And urban gridlock, combined with an absence of parking places and congestion charging, makes an increasing number of us look on the car as a dumb way to move around in cities where there are public transport alternatives. Demographics are another possible explanation. It is surely no accident that “peak car” happened first in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population. Pensioners do not drive to work, and many don’t drive at all. There is also the rise of “virtual commuters” who work from home via the Internet. Besides these new employment patterns, leisure lifestyles are also changing. Social scientists detect a new “culture of urbanism”. The stylish way to live these days is in inner- city apartments, not the suburbs. Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist at the University of Toronto in Canada, points out that the young shop online, telecommute, live in walkable city neighbourhoods near public transport and rely more on social media and less on face-to- face visiting. Given those changes, they can think of better ways to spend their money than buying a car. Some think car use will revive if and when economies recover. But it looks like something more profound is going on. Florida calls it a “great reset” in society that will have profound consequences – not least for the environment. Even our most treasured consumer aspirations can have a peak. Enough can be enough. (Adapted from Compact Advanced by Peter May)

Is the west falling out of love with the car? For environmentalists it seems an impossible dream, but it is happening. While baby boomers and those with young families may carry on using four wheels, a combination of our ageing societies and a new attitude among the young seems to be breaking our 20th-century car addiction. Somewhere along the road, we reached the high point of the car and are now cruising down the other side. The phenomenon was first recognised in “The Road Less Traveled”, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, but had been going on largely unnoticed for years. Japan reached it in the 1990s. They talked there of “demotorisation”. The west had its tipping point in 2004. That year the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden all saw the start of a decline in the number of kilometres the average person travelled in a car that continues today. What could be driving us off the road? Fuel costs and rising insurance premiums may be a factor. And urban gridlock, combined with an absence of parking places and congestion charging, makes an increasing number of us look on the car as a dumb way to move around in cities where there are public transport alternatives. Demographics are another possible explanation. It is surely no accident that “peak car” happened first in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population. Pensioners do not drive to work, and many don’t drive at all. There is also the rise of “virtual commuters” who work from home via the Internet. Besides these new employment patterns, leisure lifestyles are also changing. Social scientists detect a new “culture of urbanism”. The stylish way to live these days is in inner- city apartments, not the suburbs. Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist at the University of Toronto in Canada, points out that the young shop online, telecommute, live in walkable city neighbourhoods near public transport and rely more on social media and less on face-to- face visiting. Given those changes, they can think of better ways to spend their money than buying a car. Some think car use will revive if and when economies recover. But it looks like something more profound is going on. Florida calls it a “great reset” in society that will have profound consequences – not least for the environment. Even our most treasured consumer aspirations can have a peak. Enough can be enough. (Adapted from Compact Advanced by Peter May)

Is the west falling out of love with the car? For environmentalists it seems an impossible dream, but it is happening. While baby boomers and those with young families may carry on using four wheels, a combination of our ageing societies and a new attitude among the young seems to be breaking our 20th-century car addiction. Somewhere along the road, we reached the high point of the car and are now cruising down the other side. The phenomenon was first recognised in “The Road Less Traveled”, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, but had been going on largely unnoticed for years. Japan reached it in the 1990s. They talked there of “demotorisation”. The west had its tipping point in 2004. That year the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden all saw the start of a decline in the number of kilometres the average person travelled in a car that continues today. What could be driving us off the road? Fuel costs and rising insurance premiums may be a factor. And urban gridlock, combined with an absence of parking places and congestion charging, makes an increasing number of us look on the car as a dumb way to move around in cities where there are public transport alternatives. Demographics are another possible explanation. It is surely no accident that “peak car” happened first in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population. Pensioners do not drive to work, and many don’t drive at all. There is also the rise of “virtual commuters” who work from home via the Internet. Besides these new employment patterns, leisure lifestyles are also changing. Social scientists detect a new “culture of urbanism”. The stylish way to live these days is in inner- city apartments, not the suburbs. Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist at the University of Toronto in Canada, points out that the young shop online, telecommute, live in walkable city neighbourhoods near public transport and rely more on social media and less on face-to- face visiting. Given those changes, they can think of better ways to spend their money than buying a car. Some think car use will revive if and when economies recover. But it looks like something more profound is going on. Florida calls it a “great reset” in society that will have profound consequences – not least for the environment. Even our most treasured consumer aspirations can have a peak. Enough can be enough. (Adapted from Compact Advanced by Peter May)

Is the west falling out of love with the car? For environmentalists it seems an impossible dream, but it is happening. While baby boomers and those with young families may carry on using four wheels, a combination of our ageing societies and a new attitude among the young seems to be breaking our 20th-century car addiction. Somewhere along the road, we reached the high point of the car and are now cruising down the other side. The phenomenon was first recognised in “The Road Less Traveled”, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, but had been going on largely unnoticed for years. Japan reached it in the 1990s. They talked there of “demotorisation”. The west had its tipping point in 2004. That year the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden all saw the start of a decline in the number of kilometres the average person travelled in a car that continues today. What could be driving us off the road? Fuel costs and rising insurance premiums may be a factor. And urban gridlock, combined with an absence of parking places and congestion charging, makes an increasing number of us look on the car as a dumb way to move around in cities where there are public transport alternatives. Demographics are another possible explanation. It is surely no accident that “peak car” happened first in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population. Pensioners do not drive to work, and many don’t drive at all. There is also the rise of “virtual commuters” who work from home via the Internet. Besides these new employment patterns, leisure lifestyles are also changing. Social scientists detect a new “culture of urbanism”. The stylish way to live these days is in inner- city apartments, not the suburbs. Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist at the University of Toronto in Canada, points out that the young shop online, telecommute, live in walkable city neighbourhoods near public transport and rely more on social media and less on face-to- face visiting. Given those changes, they can think of better ways to spend their money than buying a car. Some think car use will revive if and when economies recover. But it looks like something more profound is going on. Florida calls it a “great reset” in society that will have profound consequences – not least for the environment. Even our most treasured consumer aspirations can have a peak. Enough can be enough. (Adapted from Compact Advanced by Peter May)

Is the west falling out of love with the car? For environmentalists it seems an impossible dream, but it is happening. While baby boomers and those with young families may carry on using four wheels, a combination of our ageing societies and a new attitude among the young seems to be breaking our 20th-century car addiction. Somewhere along the road, we reached the high point of the car and are now cruising down the other side. The phenomenon was first recognised in “The Road Less Traveled”, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, but had been going on largely unnoticed for years. Japan reached it in the 1990s. They talked there of “demotorisation”. The west had its tipping point in 2004. That year the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden all saw the start of a decline in the number of kilometres the average person travelled in a car that continues today. What could be driving us off the road? Fuel costs and rising insurance premiums may be a factor. And urban gridlock, combined with an absence of parking places and congestion charging, makes an increasing number of us look on the car as a dumb way to move around in cities where there are public transport alternatives. Demographics are another possible explanation. It is surely no accident that “peak car” happened first in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population. Pensioners do not drive to work, and many don’t drive at all. There is also the rise of “virtual commuters” who work from home via the Internet. Besides these new employment patterns, leisure lifestyles are also changing. Social scientists detect a new “culture of urbanism”. The stylish way to live these days is in inner- city apartments, not the suburbs. Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist at the University of Toronto in Canada, points out that the young shop online, telecommute, live in walkable city neighbourhoods near public transport and rely more on social media and less on face-to- face visiting. Given those changes, they can think of better ways to spend their money than buying a car. Some think car use will revive if and when economies recover. But it looks like something more profound is going on. Florida calls it a “great reset” in society that will have profound consequences – not least for the environment. Even our most treasured consumer aspirations can have a peak. Enough can be enough. (Adapted from Compact Advanced by Peter May)

Is the west falling out of love with the car? For environmentalists it seems an impossible dream, but it is happening. While baby boomers and those with young families may carry on using four wheels, a combination of our ageing societies and a new attitude among the young seems to be breaking our 20th-century car addiction. Somewhere along the road, we reached the high point of the car and are now cruising down the other side. The phenomenon was first recognised in “The Road Less Traveled”, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, but had been going on largely unnoticed for years. Japan reached it in the 1990s. They talked there of “demotorisation”. The west had its tipping point in 2004. That year the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden all saw the start of a decline in the number of kilometres the average person travelled in a car that continues today. What could be driving us off the road? Fuel costs and rising insurance premiums may be a factor. And urban gridlock, combined with an absence of parking places and congestion charging, makes an increasing number of us look on the car as a dumb way to move around in cities where there are public transport alternatives. Demographics are another possible explanation. It is surely no accident that “peak car” happened first in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population. Pensioners do not drive to work, and many don’t drive at all. There is also the rise of “virtual commuters” who work from home via the Internet. Besides these new employment patterns, leisure lifestyles are also changing. Social scientists detect a new “culture of urbanism”. The stylish way to live these days is in inner- city apartments, not the suburbs. Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist at the University of Toronto in Canada, points out that the young shop online, telecommute, live in walkable city neighbourhoods near public transport and rely more on social media and less on face-to- face visiting. Given those changes, they can think of better ways to spend their money than buying a car. Some think car use will revive if and when economies recover. But it looks like something more profound is going on. Florida calls it a “great reset” in society that will have profound consequences – not least for the environment. Even our most treasured consumer aspirations can have a peak. Enough can be enough. (Adapted from Compact Advanced by Peter May)

Is the west falling out of love with the car? For environmentalists it seems an impossible dream, but it is happening. While baby boomers and those with young families may carry on using four wheels, a combination of our ageing societies and a new attitude among the young seems to be breaking our 20th-century car addiction. Somewhere along the road, we reached the high point of the car and are now cruising down the other side. The phenomenon was first recognised in “The Road Less Traveled”, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, but had been going on largely unnoticed for years. Japan reached it in the 1990s. They talked there of “demotorisation”. The west had its tipping point in 2004. That year the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden all saw the start of a decline in the number of kilometres the average person travelled in a car that continues today. What could be driving us off the road? Fuel costs and rising insurance premiums may be a factor. And urban gridlock, combined with an absence of parking places and congestion charging, makes an increasing number of us look on the car as a dumb way to move around in cities where there are public transport alternatives. Demographics are another possible explanation. It is surely no accident that “peak car” happened first in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population. Pensioners do not drive to work, and many don’t drive at all. There is also the rise of “virtual commuters” who work from home via the Internet. Besides these new employment patterns, leisure lifestyles are also changing. Social scientists detect a new “culture of urbanism”. The stylish way to live these days is in inner- city apartments, not the suburbs. Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist at the University of Toronto in Canada, points out that the young shop online, telecommute, live in walkable city neighbourhoods near public transport and rely more on social media and less on face-to- face visiting. Given those changes, they can think of better ways to spend their money than buying a car. Some think car use will revive if and when economies recover. But it looks like something more profound is going on. Florida calls it a “great reset” in society that will have profound consequences – not least for the environment. Even our most treasured consumer aspirations can have a peak. Enough can be enough. (Adapted from Compact Advanced by Peter May)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)

On the surface, a desert appears to be one of the harshest environments on Earth yet a remarkable variety or plants have adapted to thrive in this dry climate. Despite their origins in different locations around the globe, desert plants have developed similar strategies for surviving in arid environments. Some plants have adapted in such a way that it is hard to tell them apart even though they belong to very different biological families, one evolution of certain survival strategies which are shared across geographic and biological boundaries. In general, the survival strategies of desert plants can be divided into two kinds: adaptation for quick use of ephemeral resources (“maximum variance behavior”) and adaptation for the best use of poor but more permanent resources (“minimum variance behavior”). The former strategy involves adaptation to environmental changes, such as seasonal availability of water. This is observed in desert annuals and perennials alike. Such plants tend to grow rapidly and produce many seeds under the right conditions. The latter strategy involves adaptation to the worst possible conditions, which can be seen in succulents, true xerophytes, and grasses. These plants usually grow slowly, use water efficiently, and exhibit passive cooling. Water scarcity and heat are the key factors limiting the survival of desert plants. [I] Depending on strategies and physical adaptations, they can be divided into either succulents or drought-resistant plants. For the most part, succulents have evolved extensive, shallow root systems to quickly absorb water during brief periods of heavy rainfall. [II] Water is then stored in the fleshy tissue of their thick trunks or lobes, as well as in the roots. The cactus is a good example of a succulent. [III] To retain water, succulents have waxy coatings on their skin and a modified system of respiration. The stomata (surface pores), through which the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, open only at night when temperatures are cooler and less water from the plant will evaporate. [IV] Unlike most other plants, a succulent stores all or most of its chlorophyll, the chemical essential to photosynthesis, in its stem, skin, or other outer tissues, rather than concentrating it in the leaves. Doing this places it in a strong, well-watered part of the plant, rather than in an appendage susceptible to drying out and dropping off. Drought-resistant plants, or xerophytes, come in many forms including true xerophytes, deciduous plants, and grasses. Xerophytic shrubs, such as the five species of creosote bush, are the most abundant type of vegetation in most arid environments. They are able to withstand desiccation in severe droughts without dying. Some have evolved small leaves with special coatings to reduce loss of water through evaporation. Others have replaced leaves with thorns or spines. While succulent roots form shallow, dense webs, xerophytes tend to develop deep root networks that pull water out of soil other desert plants cannot reach. For example, the roots of the mesquite bush, said to have the deepest root systems among desert plants, can reach depths of up to eighty feet. Succulents and xerophytes, on the one hand, have physically adapted to gather and retain water to survive long periods of drought. Drought-avoiding plants, on the other hand, escape unfavorable conditions by perishing. These include annuals and perennials. Because profuse seed development is crucial to the survival of most annual species, they tend to produce far more flowers than other types of desert plants. The desert marigold of the American southwest, for example, has adapted to seasonal changes in rainfall by growing rapidly, bursting into a brilliant display of yellow flowers, and then dropping a cascade of seeds before dying. In some cases, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a matter of a few weeks or months. Their seeds may remain inactive for up to ten years while waiting for wetter conditions. Perennials, such as the ocotillo, may go dormant during dry periods, spring to life when it rains, and then return to dormancy in a process that may occur up to five times per year. (Adapted from Expert on Cambridge IELTS practice tests)