Bài 10 — TRAVEL: Khách sạn · Thuê xe & Đi lại

Chương 10 của truyện dài “Project Aria” — Aster Home Technologies. (Hồi II — Ra thế giới.) 16 từ (mục 13.2 + 13.3 trong vocab-list.md). Nhân vật chính: Ben Tran (lo hậu cần) · Daniel Cho (Marketing). Cameo: Diane Whitfield (CEO), Karen Ito (Brightway).

Phần 1 — Truyện chêm (học từ qua ngữ cảnh)

Việc đầu tiên khi đặt chân xuống trung tâm Halston là tìm chỗ nghỉ. Ben đã lo liệu từ trước: cậu đặt accommodation (chỗ ở) tại một khách sạn gần khu tài chính, ngay tầm đi bộ tới văn phòng Brightway.

Tại front desk (quầy lễ tân), Ben làm thủ tục check in (nhận phòng) cho cả đoàn. May mà cậu đặt sớm — tối đó khách sạn đã treo biển “no vacancy (phòng trống)”. Nhân viên báo giá: rate (giá phòng) mỗi đêm không rẻ, nhưng đã gồm bữa sáng complimentary (miễn phí, tặng kèm) và đủ amenities (tiện nghi) — phòng gym, wifi, hồ bơi. Diane được xếp một suite (phòng suite) rộng để tiện tiếp khách; Ben và Daniel mỗi người một phòng thường. Cô lễ tân dặn giờ check out (trả phòng) là 11 giờ trưa hôm sau. Daniel còn ghé hỏi concierge (nhân viên hỗ trợ khách) vài gợi ý nhà hàng cho buổi tối.

Nghỉ chưa ấm chỗ, Daniel đã giục: “Chuẩn bị đi, ta phải tới chỗ Brightway.” Ben ra quầy nhận một rental car (xe thuê) đã đặt trước, kiểm tra bình fuel (nhiên liệu) đầy, rồi cầm lái.

Nhưng Halston giờ tan tầm là một cơn ác mộng. Vừa ra khỏi hầm để xe, cả hai đã lọt vào biển congestion (tắc nghẽn giao thông) dày đặc. Tệ hơn, một đoạn roadwork (công trình sửa đường) chắn mất tuyến chính, buộc Ben phải đi một detour (đường vòng) dài lê thê. Daniel liếc đồng hồ, sốt ruột: “Đây là commute (đi lại hằng ngày) bình thường của dân Halston thật à? Khiếp.” Ben bám chặt vô-lăng, mắt dán vào bản đồ, cố đưa cả hai tới destination (điểm đến) cho kịp giờ.

Hết Chương 10. Đúng giờ hẹn trong gang tấc, chiếc xe thuê cũng trờ tới trước một nhà hàng sang trọng bên bờ vịnh — điểm đến cuối cùng của một ngày dài. Karen Ito đã đợi sẵn bên trong, nụ cười lịch thiệp mà ánh mắt thì khó đoán. Đây không chỉ là một bữa tối xã giao: đằng sau ly vang và món khai vị, Brightway sẽ đặt lên bàn những điều kiện thật. Chương sau (lesson-11): đặt bàn, tiếp khách, và bữa tối định hình quan hệ đối tác Halston.

Phần 2 — Bảng tổng hợp từ vựng

⚠️ Bẫy hay gặp: accommodation (chỗ ở) là danh từ không đếm được (Anh-Anh). suite /swiːt/ đọc như “sweet”. complimentary (miễn phí, tặng kèm) ≠ complementary (bổ sung cho nhau). vacancy = phòng trống (cũng = vị trí tuyển dụng). rate = giá phòng (cũng = tỷ lệ). commute = đi lại hằng ngày → commuter (người đi làm xa).

Phần 3 — Bản truyện tiếng Anh (luyện đọc/nghe)

Chapter 10 — Checked In, Then Stuck in Traffic

The first task on reaching central Halston was finding a place to sleep. Ben had planned ahead: he had booked accommodation at a hotel near the financial district, within walking distance of the Brightway office.

At the front desk, Ben handled check-in for the whole group. It was a good thing he had booked early — by that evening the hotel had hung out a “no vacancy” sign. The clerk quoted the price: the nightly rate was not cheap, but it included a complimentary breakfast and plenty of amenities — a gym, wifi, and a pool. Diane was given a spacious suite for receiving guests, while Ben and Daniel each took a standard room. The clerk reminded them that check-out was at 11 a.m. Daniel also stopped to ask the concierge for a few restaurant tips for the evening.

They had barely settled in when Daniel was already urging him on: “Get ready — we have to get to Brightway.” Ben collected the rental car he had reserved, checked that the fuel tank was full, and took the wheel.

But Halston at rush hour was a nightmare. The moment they left the parking garage, they sank into thick traffic congestion. Worse, a stretch of roadwork blocked the main route, forcing Ben onto a long detour through the side streets. Daniel glanced at his watch, restless: “Is this the normal daily commute for people in Halston? Unbelievable.” Ben gripped the wheel, eyes fixed on the map, determined to get them both to their destination on time.

End of Chapter 10.

Phần 4 — Bài tập TOEIC (tự làm trước, chưa xem đáp án)

Part 5 — Incomplete Sentences

Chọn phương án đúng (A/B/C/D) điền vào chỗ trống.

1. The company arranged comfortable ______ for the team near the Brightway office.

(A) congestion
(B) accommodation
(C) fuel
(D) detour

2. By evening the hotel was completely full and had put up a “no ______” sign.

(A) suite
(B) rate
(C) amenities
(D) vacancy

3. The hotel’s ______, including a gym and a pool, impressed the whole team.

(A) amenities
(B) fuel
(C) detour
(D) commute

4. Because she would receive guests in her room, Diane was given a spacious ______.

(A) front desk
(B) vacancy
(C) suite
(D) rate

5. The nightly ______ was high, but it included breakfast and free parking.

(A) rate
(B) detour
(C) fuel
(D) roadwork

6. At the airport counter, Ben picked up the ______ he had reserved online.

(A) suite
(B) concierge
(C) commute
(D) rental car

7. A blocked road forced the driver to take a long ______ through the side streets.

(A) fuel
(B) detour
(C) vacancy
(D) rate

8. Heavy traffic ______ during rush hour made the short drive take almost an hour.

(A) accommodation
(B) suite
(C) congestion
(D) amenities

9. Despite the traffic, they reached their ______ just in time for the meeting.

(A) vacancy
(B) detour
(C) rate
(D) destination

10. Before returning the car, please make sure the ______ tank is completely full.

(A) fuel
(B) suite
(C) commute
(D) concierge

Part 6 — Text Completion

Questions 11–14 refer to the following confirmation.

HOTEL BOOKING CONFIRMATION — Bayview Halston Thank you for choosing Bayview Halston. On arrival, please visit the (11)______ to check in; a staff member will have your key ready. All of our rooms include a (12)______ breakfast and access to the fitness center. If you need restaurant tips or a taxi, our (13)______ will gladly assist you at any hour. Please note that (14)______ is at 11 a.m.; late departures may incur a fee.

11.   (A) detour   (B) suite   (C) front desk   (D) fuel
12.   (A) rental   (B) complimentary   (C) congested   (D) valid
13.   (A) concierge   (B) vacancy   (C) rate   (D) detour
14.   (A) commute   (B) fuel   (C) check-out   (D) roadwork

Questions 15–16 refer to the following notice.

NOTICE — Halston Car Rental Please return the vehicle with a full fuel tank to avoid extra charges. Drivers should note that the daily (15)______ into the city center is very heavy, so allow plenty of time. This week, also expect delays on Route 9 because of (16)______; a signed detour is in place.

15.   (A) vacancy   (B) suite   (C) rate   (D) commute
16.   (A) amenities   (B) roadwork   (C) concierge   (D) fare

Part 7 — Reading Comprehension

Questions 17–19 refer to the following travel log.

Aster Travel Log — Day 1 (evening) After the long flight, the team checked into the Bayview hotel, where Diane took a suite big enough to receive guests. Ben had booked early — a wise move, since the hotel was fully booked by nightfall. The real challenge came next: driving a rental car to the Brightway dinner. Halston’s rush-hour traffic was brutal, and roadwork on the main avenue forced a long detour through crowded side streets. The team reached the restaurant with only minutes to spare.

17. Why was booking early a wise move?

(A) The rooms were cheaper
(B) The suite was upgraded
(C) The hotel was fully booked by nightfall
(D) Breakfast was free

18. What forced the team to take a detour?

(A) Roadwork on the main avenue
(B) A car breakdown
(C) A wrong address
(D) A hotel closure

19. The word “brutal” in the log is closest in meaning to

(A) pleasant
(B) inexpensive
(C) short
(D) very harsh

Questions 20–22 refer to the following visitor guide.

Halston Visitor Guide — Getting Around Halston is famous for its energy — and its traffic. Locals face one of the longest daily commutes in the region, and congestion downtown can be severe from 8 to 10 a.m. and again in the early evening. Visitors are advised to use the city’s fast train and ferry network rather than rent a car for short trips. If you must drive, check for roadwork before you set out, and always keep an eye on your fuel, as stations are scarce in the center.

20. What does the guide advise visitors to do?

(A) Rent a car for every trip
(B) Use the train and ferry for short trips
(C) Avoid the city entirely
(D) Travel only at 9 a.m.

21. According to the guide, when is downtown congestion severe?

(A) Only late at night
(B) All day long
(C) In the morning and early evening
(D) On weekends only

22. The word “scarce” in the guide is closest in meaning to

(A) very cheap
(B) easy to find
(C) brand new
(D) hard to find

Phần 5 — Đáp án & giải thích

Part 5

1. B (accommodation) — “arrange accommodation” = thu xếp chỗ ở. congestion/fuel/detour sai nghĩa. ⚠️ accommodation không đếm được.
2. D (vacancy) — “no vacancy” = hết phòng trống (biển báo quen thuộc). suite/rate/amenities sai nghĩa.
3. A (amenities) — “hotel amenities… a gym and a pool” = tiện nghi. fuel/detour/commute sai nghĩa.
4. C (suite) — “a spacious suite… receive guests” = phòng suite rộng. front desk/vacancy/rate sai nghĩa.
5. A (rate) — “the nightly rate” = giá phòng theo đêm. detour/fuel/roadwork sai nghĩa. ⚠️ rate (giá phòng) cũng = tỷ lệ.
6. D (rental car) — “picked up the rental car he had reserved” = xe thuê. suite/concierge/commute sai nghĩa.
7. B (detour) — “take a long detour through the side streets” = đường vòng. fuel/vacancy/rate sai nghĩa.
8. C (congestion) — “traffic congestion during rush hour” = tắc nghẽn giao thông. accommodation/suite/amenities sai nghĩa.
9. D (destination) — “reached their destination just in time” = điểm đến. vacancy/detour/rate sai nghĩa.
10. A (fuel) — “the fuel tank is full” = bình nhiên liệu. suite/commute/concierge sai nghĩa.

Part 6

11. C (front desk) — “visit the front desk to check in” = quầy lễ tân. detour/suite/fuel sai nghĩa.
12. B (complimentary) — “a complimentary breakfast” = bữa sáng miễn phí, tặng kèm. rental/congested/valid sai nghĩa/loại từ. ⚠️ complimentary ≠ complementary.
13. A (concierge) — “our concierge will gladly assist you” = nhân viên hỗ trợ khách. vacancy/rate/detour sai nghĩa.
14. C (check-out) — “check-out is at 11 a.m.; late departures may incur a fee” = giờ trả phòng. commute/fuel/roadwork sai nghĩa.
15. D (commute) — “the daily commute into the city center is very heavy” = việc đi lại hằng ngày. vacancy/suite/rate sai nghĩa.
16. B (roadwork) — “delays on Route 9 because of roadwork” = công trình sửa đường. amenities/concierge/fare sai nghĩa.

Part 7

17. C — đặt phòng sớm là khôn ngoan vì khách sạn kín phòng lúc chập tối (“the hotel was fully booked by nightfall”). (A)/(B)/(D) không được nêu là lý do.
18. A — công trình sửa đường trên đại lộ chính buộc phải đi vòng (“roadwork on the main avenue forced a long detour”). (B)/(C)/(D) không đúng.
19. D (very harsh) — “brutal” (traffic) = rất khắc nghiệt/dữ dội. pleasant/inexpensive/short trái nghĩa.
20. B — hướng dẫn khuyên dùng tàu & phà cho chặng ngắn thay vì thuê xe (“use the city’s fast train and ferry network rather than rent a car for short trips”). (A) trái ý; (C)/(D) không nêu.
21. C — tắc nghẽn nặng buổi sáng (8–10h) và đầu buổi tối (“from 8 to 10 a.m. and again in the early evening”). (A)/(B)/(D) sai.
22. D (hard to find) — “scarce” = khan hiếm, khó tìm (trạm xăng ở trung tâm). cheap/easy to find/brand new sai nghĩa.