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ANNOUNCEMENT: GRADE 1 ENROLLMENT OPEN!

Star Primary School is now accepting applications for Grade 1 for the new school year. Parents of children (1) _______ are six years old can apply from March 1 (2) _______ April 30.

Our school, located in the city, provides a safe and (3) _______ learning environment with experienced teachers and exciting activities.

To apply, visit our school office or (4) _______ your application online at starprimaryschool.com.

For any questions, please call 0986-343-545.

We look forward to welcoming new students to Star Primary School!

As Tet (Lunar New Year) gets closer, traffic in Hanoi is becoming worse. Many streets are crowded, especially (1) _______ ongoing construction. Local authorities are working on ways to reduce congestion.

There are 234 locations in the city that need traffic control. Some of (2) _______ areas include Ring Road No.3, Chuong Duong Bridge, and Nguyen Trai Street, especially during rush hours.

To manage traffic, Hanoi is using drones with cameras to (3) _______ roads, said Truong Viet Dung from the People's Committee. The city has also introduced six (4) _______, such as improving public transport, enforcing traffic rules, and using technology.

According to Tran Huu Bao from the Department of Transport, new software now helps control traffic (5) _______ intersections. In addition, over 3,000 police officers and volunteers have been sent to more than 200 locations to assist during peak hours.

Cities are expanding quickly, and by 2050, around 70% of the world's population is expected to live in urban areas. (1) _______ cities provide jobs, education, and modern services, they also bring serious environmental challenges. To protect the planet for future generations, people must find ways to reduce these problems.

Urban areas use a lot of resources and energy. (2) _______ depend on transportation to bring food, water, and materials from distant places, (3) _______ increases energy consumption and pollution. Cities also produce a large amount of waste and have a high carbon footprint.

As cities grow, they (4) _______ farmland and damage natural ecosystems, reducing green spaces and harming wildlife. Air, water, and land pollution are common problems in urban areas. Litter and poor sanitation can make (5) _______.

Without careful planning, these issues will continue to increase. To make cities more (6) _______, people need to manage resources better and find greener solutions.

1. Since September 2024, Hanoi has recorded many days with severe air pollution, ranking among the worst in the world. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has often been at red and purple levels, meaning the air quality is poor or very poor. Pollution is now affecting suburban areas as well. On January 6, nine locations in Hanoi had poor air quality, while three areas—Van Ha Commune, Minh Khai Ward, and Soc Son Town—were rated as unhealthy, with AQI levels ranging from 164 to 194.

2. The AQI measures air quality from 0 to 500. When the AQI is between 151 and 300, experts warn that people should stay indoors as much as possible and wear masks to protect themselves from fine dust (PM2.5). The main causes of air pollution are emissions from vehicles, construction, industrial factories, and craft villages.

3. To improve air quality, Hanoi has introduced several measures. The city has eliminated over 99% of coal stoves, reduced rice straw burning by 80%, shut down many traditional brick kilns, started testing emissions from old motorbikes, increased inspections of polluting industries, and regularly cleaned the streets.

1. Green spaces include parks, gardens, trees, sports fields, ponds, and green roofs. These areas provide many benefits for the environment and people's well-being. Trees and plants help absorb air pollution, reduce noise from traffic, and lower carbon dioxide levels. They also help cool cities, especially during hot weather. Research shows that parks can reduce temperatures by about one degree Celsius and affect areas up to one kilometer away.

2. Green spaces also support physical health. In busy cities with heavy traffic and limited parks, people may not exercise enough. Studies show that walking or running in green areas is better for both mental and physical health than exercising in crowded urban spaces. Regular physical activity in these areas helps improve heart health, reduces stress, and prevents diseases such as obesity and osteoporosis.

3. Green spaces also strengthen communities by bringing people together. They create a sense of belonging, trust, and friendship. A lack of green areas is linked to loneliness and isolation. These spaces are especially important for disadvantaged communities that have less access to nature.