Tiêu đề Đề 3 - HS.docx ✅

1 ĐỀ MINH HỌA SỐ 03 (Đề thi có 10 trang) ID  [68503]. KỲ THI TỐT NGHIỆP TRUNG HỌC PHỔ THÔNG NĂM 2026 Môn thi: TIẾNG ANH Thời gian làm bài: 50 phút, không kể thời gian phát đề Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 1 to 8. The familiar sounds of urban sports centers have undergone a sudden and audible alteration. The deep, rhythmic thud of tennis balls is increasingly drowned out by a hollow, high-pitched clatter. Tennis courts, once the exclusive preserve of a specific sporting elite, are being aggressively partitioned to accommodate a frenzied influx of new players holding rectangular paddles. Pickleball has arrived with startling velocity, colonizing parks and residential zones with a zeal that rivals any major fitness craze of the past decade. The sport’s explosive popularity stems from its remarkably low barrier to entry. Unlike tennis, which demands months of practice to achieve even basic competence, pickleball allows a complete novice to sustain a rally within minutes. The gameplay is intuitive and less physically punishing than other racket sports, creating an unusually egalitarian playing field. Grandparents can competitively engage with teenagers, and corporate teams find it an accessible avenue for bonding. The court becomes a space of spirited amusement rather than rigorous athletic discipline. A current of contentiousness, however, runs through the public discourse surrounding the game. Social media platforms are awash with derision directed at the sport’s more performative participants. Critics argue the courts have degenerated into mere backdrops for sartorial display, where ostentatious sportswear takes precedence over athletic effort. The "check-in" culture associated with the trend has sparked a heated debate about propriety and the commercialization of public leisure spaces. Purists of traditional sports view the encroachment of pickleball with undisguised skepticism. Regardless of the cynicism, the vitality on the courts is undeniable. Empty, underutilized concrete spaces are now teeming with activity until late at night. The game has successfully mobilized a sedentary segment of the population that previously found gym culture intimidating or boring. Whether the sport proves to be a durable addition to the national lifestyle or a passing fad remains to be seen, but for now, it has effectively reinvigorated the communal spirit of the city's recreational zones. (Adapted from Cambridge English) Question 1 [1092776]: The word startling in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to . A. astonishing B. threatening C. increasing D. consistent Question 2 [1092777]: The word awash in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to . A. devoid B. critical C. obsessed D. connected Question 3 [1092778]: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3? A. The contention among detractors is that athletic arenas have regressed into simple stages for fashion exhibition, with flashy attire outweighing sporting exertion. B. Athletic venues are said by commentators to have degraded into mere settings for style presentation, where expensive gear matters more than sporting endeavor. C. In the eyes of some renowned observers, the courts have evolved into simple backgrounds for clothing showcases, favoring gaudy sportswear above athletic hard work.