IELTS Reading: Ô tô điện và tác động đến ngành công nghiệp dầu mỏ – Đề thi mẫu có đáp án chi tiết

Mở bài

Sự phát triển bùng nổ của xe điện (Electric Vehicles – EVs) đang tạo ra một cuộc cách mạng trong ngành năng lượng và giao thông vận tải toàn cầu. Chủ đề “How Is The Rise Of Electric Vehicles Affecting The Oil Industry?” không chỉ phản ánh xu hướng thời đại mà còn là một topic xuất hiện ngày càng nhiều trong các đề thi IELTS Reading gần đây, đặc biệt từ năm 2020 trở lại đây. Các bài đọc liên quan đến công nghệ xanh, năng lượng tái tạo và tương lai của giao thông vận tải thường xuyên xuất hiện trong cả ba passages của kỳ thi.

Bài viết này cung cấp cho bạn một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages theo đúng format thi thật, bao gồm độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard. Bạn sẽ được luyện tập với đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi thuộc nhiều dạng khác nhau như Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng bài khác. Mỗi câu hỏi đều có đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cụ thể, giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách paraphrase và xác định thông tin trong bài đọc.

Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên, đặc biệt hữu ích cho những bạn đang hướng tới band điểm 6.5-7.5 trong phần Reading.

Hướng dẫn làm bài IELTS Reading

Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test

IELTS Reading Test kéo dài trong 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Mỗi câu trả lời đúng được tính 1 điểm, không bị trừ điểm khi trả lời sai. Điểm số sau đó được quy đổi thành band điểm từ 0-9.

Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:

• Passage 1 (Easy): 15-17 phút – Đây là passage dễ nhất với từ vựng và cấu trúc câu đơn giản
• Passage 2 (Medium): 18-20 phút – Độ khó trung bình với nội dung phức tạp hơn
• Passage 3 (Hard): 23-25 phút – Passage khó nhất với từ vựng học thuật và cấu trúc phức tạp

Lưu ý rằng bạn cần tự quản lý thời gian vì đề thi không chia thành từng phần riêng biệt. Nên dành 2-3 phút cuối để chuyển đáp án vào answer sheet.

Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này

Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 7 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:

1. Multiple Choice – Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm nhiều lựa chọn
2. True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không được đề cập
3. Matching Information – Nối thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
4. Yes/No/Not Given – Xác định quan điểm tác giả
5. Matching Headings – Chọn tiêu đề phù hợp cho từng đoạn
6. Summary Completion – Điền từ vào chỗ trống để hoàn thành tóm tắt
7. Matching Features – Nối đặc điểm với đối tượng tương ứng

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IELTS Reading Practice Test

PASSAGE 1 – The Electric Revolution on Roads

Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút

The world of transportation is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and at the heart of this change is the rapid rise of electric vehicles (EVs). Just a decade ago, electric cars were considered a novelty – expensive toys for environmentally conscious wealthy individuals. Today, they are becoming increasingly mainstream, with major automobile manufacturers investing billions of dollars into developing new electric models. This shift is not merely about changing the type of fuel we put into our vehicles; it represents a fundamental change in how we think about personal transportation and energy consumption.

The growth in EV sales has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2010, there were only about 17,000 electric cars on roads worldwide. By 2015, this number had grown to over 1.2 million. Fast forward to 2023, and there are more than 26 million electric vehicles in use globally, representing approximately 2% of all cars on the road. Countries like Norway have led the way, with electric vehicles accounting for over 80% of new car sales in 2023. China, the world’s largest automobile market, has also embraced this technology enthusiastically, with EVs making up nearly 30% of new vehicle purchases. Even in traditionally oil-dependent nations like the United States, electric vehicle adoption is accelerating rapidly, with sales doubling every two years.

Several factors have contributed to this explosive growth. First and foremost is the dramatic reduction in battery costs. The price of lithium-ion batteries, which are the most expensive component of an electric vehicle, has fallen by nearly 90% since 2010. This cost reduction has made electric vehicles increasingly affordable for average consumers. Additionally, government incentives and subsidies in many countries have made EVs even more financially attractive. Many governments offer tax rebates, purchase grants, or exemptions from road taxes for electric vehicle buyers. Some cities also provide free parking or allow EVs to use bus lanes, adding to their appeal.

The environmental benefits of electric vehicles are another major driving force behind their adoption. Unlike traditional cars that run on petrol or diesel, electric vehicles produce zero direct emissions while driving. This is particularly important in urban areas where air pollution from vehicle exhaust is a serious health concern. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution contributes to approximately 7 million premature deaths annually, with vehicle emissions being a significant contributor in cities. By replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with electric ones, cities can dramatically improve their air quality and protect public health.

However, the rise of electric vehicles is causing significant concern within the oil industry. For over a century, petroleum has been the dominant fuel for transportation, and the oil industry has built enormous infrastructure and wealth around this fact. Transport accounts for approximately 60% of global oil consumption, with passenger vehicles alone representing about 25% of total oil demand. As electric vehicles become more common, this traditional market is beginning to shrink. Oil companies are watching nervously as projections suggest that global oil demand for transportation could peak within the next decade and then begin a long, steady decline.

The oil industry has responded to this threat in various ways. Some companies are diversifying their operations, investing in renewable energy sources and even building electric vehicle charging networks. Others are focusing on improving the efficiency of oil extraction and refining to remain competitive on price. A few have engaged in public relations campaigns questioning the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, pointing out that electricity generation often still relies on fossil fuels. They argue that the total carbon footprint of an electric vehicle depends on how the electricity is generated, and in countries where coal dominates power generation, the environmental benefits may be limited.

Despite these arguments, the trend toward electrification appears irreversible. Battery technology continues to improve, with new developments promising even longer ranges and faster charging times. The average range of an electric vehicle has increased from around 120 kilometers in 2010 to over 400 kilometers today, with some models exceeding 600 kilometers on a single charge. Charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with hundreds of thousands of public charging stations now available worldwide. Moreover, the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles is becoming increasingly favorable, as they require less maintenance than traditional cars with their complex engines and exhaust systems.

The transformation is not limited to private cars. Electric buses are becoming common in cities worldwide, with China leading the way with over 400,000 electric buses in operation. Electric trucks for freight transport are also being developed, though their adoption is proceeding more slowly due to the technical challenges of providing sufficient power for heavy loads over long distances. Even ships and aircraft are being considered for electrification, though these applications face even greater technological hurdles.

Xe điện đang sạc tại trạm công cộng với công nghệ sạc nhanh hiện đại minh họa cho sự phát triển của hạ tầng xe điện

Questions 1-13

Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

1. According to the passage, what was the number of electric vehicles worldwide in 2015?
   A. 17,000
   B. 1.2 million
   C. 26 million
   D. 400,000

2. What percentage of new car sales in Norway were electric vehicles in 2023?
   A. 2%
   B. 30%
   C. 60%
   D. Over 80%

3. The most expensive component of an electric vehicle is:
   A. The electric motor
   B. The lithium-ion battery
   C. The charging system
   D. The exhaust system

4. What percentage of global oil consumption is used for transport?
   A. 25%
   B. 60%
   C. 80%
   D. 90%

5. How many electric buses does China currently operate?
   A. 26 million
   B. 400,000
   C. Over 400,000
   D. 120,000

Questions 6-9: True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write:

• TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
• FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
• NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

6. The price of lithium-ion batteries has decreased by approximately 90% since 2010.

7. All electricity used to charge electric vehicles comes from renewable sources.

8. Electric vehicles require more maintenance than traditional petrol vehicles.

9. The World Health Organization states that air pollution causes about 7 million early deaths each year.

Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

10. A decade ago, electric cars were seen as a __ rather than practical vehicles.

11. Many governments offer __ to make electric vehicles more attractive to buyers.

12. Some cities allow electric vehicles to use __ as an additional benefit.

13. The average range of electric vehicles has increased from 120 kilometers to over __ kilometers today.

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PASSAGE 2 – The Oil Industry’s Adaptation Challenge

Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút

The petroleum industry, which has been the cornerstone of global economic development for over a century, now faces its most significant existential challenge: the accelerating transition to electric mobility. This transition is not merely a technological shift but represents a fundamental restructuring of energy markets, investment patterns, and geopolitical power dynamics. The implications are profound, extending far beyond the immediate concerns of oil companies to affect entire national economies, particularly those of oil-dependent states that have built their fiscal systems around petroleum revenues.

A

The scale of the potential disruption becomes clear when examining the numbers. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that if current policy trends continue, global oil demand could reach approximately 105 million barrels per day by 2030 before beginning to decline. However, under more aggressive climate scenarios aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, oil demand could fall to around 75 million barrels per day by 2030 and continue dropping thereafter. This represents a potential reduction of nearly 30% from current consumption levels. For context, Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, produces approximately 10 million barrels per day. The projected decline in demand is equivalent to eliminating the production of three countries the size of Saudi Arabia.

B

The economic ramifications extend throughout the entire oil value chain. Upstream operations – the exploration and extraction of crude oil – face declining investment as companies and investors become increasingly wary of stranded assets. These are resources that may lose their value before they can be fully exploited due to changes in the market or regulatory environment. Several major oil companies have already written down billions of dollars in asset values, acknowledging that some oil reserves may never be economically viable to extract. This has led to a reevaluation of long-term drilling projects, particularly in challenging environments like the Arctic or deep-water offshore fields where extraction costs are high.

C

Downstream operations – refining and distribution – face different but equally serious challenges. Petroleum refineries are enormously expensive facilities, often representing investments of billions of dollars, designed to operate for decades. As demand for petrol and diesel declines, these facilities face the prospect of underutilization and potentially becoming obsolete before the end of their intended operational lives. Some refineries are attempting to adapt by shifting toward producing petrochemicals and other non-fuel products, but this transformation requires substantial additional investment and cannot fully compensate for lost fuel demand.

D

The geopolitical consequences of this energy transition are potentially transformative. Many nations have built their entire economic and political systems around oil revenues. Countries like Venezuela, Iraq, and Nigeria derive more than 90% of their export earnings from petroleum. Saudi Arabia, despite years of attempted diversification, still depends on oil for approximately 70% of government revenue. The erosion of oil demand threatens the fiscal stability of these nations, potentially leading to economic crises, political instability, and even state failure in the most vulnerable cases. This could create regional security challenges and humanitarian crises, particularly in countries with weak governance structures and limited economic alternatives.

E

International oil companies (IOCs) have responded to these challenges with varying strategies. Some, particularly European companies like BP and Shell, have announced ambitious plans to transform themselves into “integrated energy companies” that produce not just oil and gas but also renewable electricity, hydrogen, and other low-carbon energy sources. BP, for instance, has pledged to reduce oil and gas production by 40% by 2030 while increasing its renewable energy capacity twentyfold. Shell has committed to becoming a net-zero emissions company by 2050 and is investing billions in offshore wind farms, hydrogen production, and EV charging networks.

F

However, skeptics question whether these transformations are genuine or merely “greenwashing” – superficial attempts to appear environmentally responsible without fundamentally changing business models. They point out that despite high-profile announcements, most oil companies continue to invest the vast majority of their capital in fossil fuel projects. In 2022, the major IOCs invested approximately $500 billion in oil and gas exploration and production but only around $50 billion in renewable energy projects. Critics argue that this 10:1 ratio demonstrates where these companies’ real priorities lie and suggests that their transformation pledges may be more about public relations than substantive change.

G

The financial sector’s response adds another dimension to the challenge. Major investment funds and banks face increasing pressure from environmental activists and sustainability-conscious investors to divest from fossil fuel companies. Some pension funds and university endowments have already sold their oil company holdings, while others have announced plans to do so gradually. This movement, while still representing a minority of investment capital, has symbolic significance and may presage broader shifts in capital allocation. Additionally, the growing field of “climate risk analysis” is leading investors to more carefully evaluate the long-term viability of fossil fuel investments, potentially raising the cost of capital for oil companies.

H

Meanwhile, oil-producing nations have begun exploring strategies to maintain relevance in a lower-carbon future. The United Arab Emirates has invested heavily in renewable energy technology and has positioned itself as a leader in the development of carbon capture and storage systems. Norway has used its substantial petroleum revenues to build one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, creating a financial cushion against the eventual decline of its oil industry. However, for many oil-dependent nations with weaker governance and less diversified economies, adaptation will be far more challenging. These countries face a race against time to develop alternative economic foundations before oil revenues decline precipitously.

Sự chuyển đổi từ công nghiệp dầu mỏ sang năng lượng tái tạo với biểu tượng tua bin gió và pin mặt trời

Questions 14-26

Questions 14-19: Matching Headings

The passage has eight paragraphs, A-H.

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

List of Headings:
i. The response of financial institutions to climate concerns
ii. Projected changes in global oil consumption patterns
iii. Challenges facing petroleum refining facilities
iv. National economies at risk from declining oil revenues
v. Oil companies’ strategies for energy transition
vi. Doubts about the sincerity of oil companies’ environmental commitments
vii. Problems for oil exploration and extraction operations
viii. Adaptation strategies of oil-producing nations
ix. The history of petroleum industry development
x. New technologies in electric vehicle production

14. Paragraph A
15. Paragraph B
16. Paragraph C
17. Paragraph D
18. Paragraph E
19. Paragraph F

Questions 20-23: Yes/No/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the passage?

Write:

• YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
• NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
• NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

20. The transition to electric vehicles represents only a minor adjustment for the oil industry.

21. Some oil reserves may never be extracted because they will become economically unviable.

22. All major oil companies have completely stopped investing in fossil fuel projects.

23. Oil-dependent nations with stronger governance will find adaptation easier than those with weaker institutions.

Questions 24-26: Summary Completion

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Major oil companies are facing pressure to reduce their environmental impact. Some European companies have announced plans to become 24. __ that produce various forms of energy, not just fossil fuels. For example, BP has promised to reduce its oil and gas production by 40% while dramatically increasing 25. __. However, critics argue this might be 26. __ because these companies still invest far more money in fossil fuels than in renewable energy.

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PASSAGE 3 – The Complex Dynamics of Energy Transition

Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)

Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút

The ascendancy of electric vehicles as a viable alternative to internal combustion engines represents more than a technological innovation; it constitutes a paradigm shift in the intricate web of relationships that connect energy production, transportation infrastructure, economic development, and environmental sustainability. The ramifications of this transition extend into domains as diverse as urban planning, international trade relations, and even the geopolitical balance of power that has characterized the post-World War II era. Understanding these multifaceted dynamics requires moving beyond simplistic narratives of “clean energy versus fossil fuels” to engage with the nuanced realities of energy systems, market structures, and the inertia inherent in large-scale infrastructure transformation.

The petroleum industry’s response to the electric vehicle revolution must be understood within the context of what economists call “creative destruction” – the process by which new innovations render existing technologies and business models obsolete. However, unlike previous technological transitions, the shift away from fossil fuels is occurring not merely through market forces but through deliberate policy interventions motivated by climate change concerns. This introduces a distinctive asymmetry into the transition process. While market-driven disruptions typically occur when new technologies offer superior performance or lower costs, the electric vehicle transition is being accelerated by regulatory measures such as emissions standards, carbon pricing mechanisms, and direct subsidies, even as petroleum-based transportation retains certain practical advantages in terms of energy density and refueling speed.

This policy-driven nature of the transition creates what some analysts term “regulatory uncertainty” for oil companies – the difficulty of predicting future market conditions when government policies may change dramatically with political shifts. For instance, different countries have announced various dates for phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles: Norway by 2025, the Netherlands and Sweden by 2030, Britain and Canada by 2035, and California by 2035. However, these targets are legislative goals rather than certainties, and their achievement depends on factors including technological development, infrastructure deployment, and continued political commitment. This uncertainty complicates long-term planning for an industry that typically operates on investment timescales of decades.

The techno-economic characteristics of oil production create additional complexities in the industry’s adjustment process. Petroleum extraction exhibits what economists call “economies of scale” – the per-unit cost of production decreases as volume increases. This creates a paradoxical dynamic: as demand declines, the remaining oil production becomes increasingly expensive on a per-barrel basis, potentially accelerating the industry’s decline rather than allowing for a gradual adjustment. Furthermore, different oil reserves have vastly different extraction costs. Saudi Arabian oil can be produced for less than $10 per barrel, while Canadian oil sands may cost $40-50 per barrel to extract. As demand decreases and prices potentially fall, higher-cost producers will become economically unviable first, creating a hierarchical collapse of production capacity.

The concept of “stranded assets” has emerged as a central concern in discussions of energy transition. This term refers to assets that suffer from unanticipated or premature write-downs, devaluations, or conversion to liabilities. In the context of the oil industry, stranded assets could include not only oil reserves that become uneconomical to extract but also the vast infrastructure of pipelines, refineries, storage facilities, and distribution networks that may lose their utility as demand shifts. Quantifying the potential scale of these stranded assets is challenging, but some estimates suggest that meeting international climate goals could leave $1-4 trillion worth of fossil fuel infrastructure obsolete before the end of its designed operational life. This creates a profound dilemma for investors, companies, and governments: continuing to invest in fossil fuel infrastructure risks creating additional stranded assets, yet failing to maintain existing infrastructure could lead to energy shortages during the transition period.

The oil industry’s adaptation strategies reflect an understanding that the transition will be neither uniform nor instantaneous across global markets. Demand decline is likely to occur first in wealthy nations with strong climate policies and the economic capacity to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure, while developing countries may continue relying on petroleum-based transportation for decades due to cost considerations and infrastructure constraints. This creates potential for a “two-speed transition” in which oil companies progressively withdraw from declining markets in developed nations while maintaining operations in developing regions where demand remains stronger. However, this strategy faces both economic and ethical challenges: developing markets may offer lower profit margins, and companies face criticism for potentially perpetuating fossil fuel dependence in vulnerable nations.

The relationship between the electric vehicle transition and oil demand is further complicated by the petroleum industry’s role beyond transportation. While transport accounts for approximately 60% of oil consumption, petroleum products are also integral to petrochemical production (plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals), aviation fuel, industrial processes, and heating. Some of these applications have no readily available alternatives to petroleum products, suggesting that even aggressive electrification of ground transportation will not eliminate oil demand entirely. This has led some analysts to propose a “plateau theory” in which oil demand may decline significantly but stabilize at a substantial base level rather than approaching zero. If correct, this could provide the petroleum industry with a sustainable, albeit much smaller, long-term market.

The intergenerational equity dimensions of the energy transition add another layer of complexity to policy considerations. The infrastructure and institutions of the petroleum economy represent decades of investment and development, providing livelihoods for millions of workers and supporting entire communities in oil-producing regions. A precipitous transition could devastate these communities, creating unemployment, economic hardship, and social disruption. However, delaying the transition to mitigate these impacts may impose catastrophic climate costs on future generations. Reconciling these competing considerations requires what some policy experts call “just transition” frameworks – approaches that accelerate the shift to sustainable energy while providing support for workers and communities affected by the decline of fossil fuel industries. These might include retraining programs, economic diversification initiatives, and social safety nets, but designing and implementing such programs at the necessary scale represents an unprecedented policy challenge.

The technological trajectory of electric vehicles themselves remains an important variable in projections of oil industry decline. Current lithium-ion battery technology, while dramatically improved, still faces limitations in terms of charging time, cold weather performance, and the environmental impact of mining materials like lithium and cobalt. Breakthrough innovations in battery chemistry – such as solid-state batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, or even entirely different approaches like aluminum-air batteries – could accelerate the transition by addressing these limitations. Conversely, if technical progress plateaus, the transition might proceed more slowly than current projections suggest, providing the oil industry with additional time to adapt. The inherent uncertainty of technological development thus becomes a critical factor in strategic planning for both energy companies and policymakers.

Ultimately, the impact of electric vehicles on the oil industry exemplifies the challenges of managing large-scale sociotechnical transitions – transformations that involve not merely technological substitution but the reconfiguration of entire systems of production, consumption, and social organization. The history of such transitions suggests they are typically protracted, contentious, and characterized by periods of coexistence between old and new systems rather than rapid, complete replacement. The petroleum industry, despite its current challenges, retains formidable financial resources, political influence, and technical expertise that may enable it to persist in various forms far longer than some projections suggest. The outcome will depend not only on technological development and market forces but also on political choices, social movements, and the collective capacity of human institutions to navigate one of the most significant economic transformations in modern history.

Biểu đồ minh họa sự chuyển đổi năng lượng phức tạp từ dầu mỏ sang điện với các yếu tố kinh tế xã hội

Questions 27-40

Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

27. According to the passage, the transition to electric vehicles differs from previous technological changes because:
    A. It offers superior performance in all aspects
    B. It is driven by government policies rather than purely market forces
    C. It is happening more slowly than expected
    D. It requires no infrastructure changes

28. What does “regulatory uncertainty” refer to in the context of the oil industry?
    A. Companies breaking environmental regulations
    B. Difficulty predicting future market conditions due to potential policy changes
    C. Uncertainty about oil extraction techniques
    D. Confusion about electric vehicle technology

29. The concept of “economies of scale” in oil production means that:
    A. Larger oil companies always make more profit
    B. Oil becomes cheaper as more is discovered
    C. Per-unit production costs decrease as volume increases
    D. Small-scale production is more efficient

30. What do “stranded assets” in the oil industry include?
    A. Only unused oil reserves
    B. Ships that carry oil across oceans
    C. Oil reserves and infrastructure that may become economically unviable
    D. Abandoned oil wells from the 19th century

31. The “two-speed transition” refers to:
    A. Different speeds of electric vehicle acceleration
    B. Different rates of transition between developed and developing nations
    C. Two types of electric vehicle charging
    D. Different oil extraction methods

Questions 32-36: Matching Features

Match each concept (Questions 32-36) with the correct description (A-H).

Write the correct letter, A-H.

Concepts:
32. Creative destruction
33. Just transition
34. Hierarchical collapse
35. Plateau theory
36. Sociotechnical transitions

Descriptions:
A. Support systems for workers affected by the decline of fossil fuel industries
B. The sequential failure of production capacity starting with highest-cost producers
C. Changes involving the reconfiguration of entire systems, not just technology
D. The process by which innovations make existing technologies obsolete
E. The elimination of all fossil fuel use within ten years
F. The idea that oil demand will decline but stabilize at a substantial level
G. A new type of electric battery technology
H. Government subsidies for oil companies

Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions

Answer the questions below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

37. What percentage of oil consumption is used for transportation according to the passage?

38. Besides transportation, what are THREE other uses of petroleum products mentioned in the passage? (List any three)

39. What type of batteries could potentially accelerate the transition to electric vehicles by addressing current limitations?

40. According to the passage, what does the oil industry still possess that may help it survive longer than expected?

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Answer Keys – Đáp Án

PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13

1. B
2. D
3. B
4. B
5. C
6. TRUE
7. FALSE
8. FALSE
9. TRUE
10. novelty
11. tax rebates / subsidies / incentives
12. bus lanes
13. 400

PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26

14. ii
15. vii
16. iii
17. iv
18. v
19. vi
20. NO
21. YES
22. NO
23. YES
24. integrated energy companies
25. renewable energy capacity
26. greenwashing

PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40

27. B
28. B
29. C
30. C
31. B
32. D
33. A
34. B
35. F
36. C
37. approximately 60% / 60%
38. petrochemical production, aviation fuel, industrial processes, heating (any three)
39. solid-state batteries / lithium-sulfur batteries / aluminum-air batteries (any one)
40. financial resources / political influence / technical expertise (any one)

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Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Passage 1 – Giải Thích

Câu 1: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: number, electric vehicles, worldwide, 2015
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “By 2015, this number had grown to over 1.2 million.” Đáp án B chính xác là 1.2 million. Các đáp án khác đề cập đến các số liệu khác: 17,000 là con số năm 2010, 26 million là năm 2023, và 400,000 là số xe buýt điện ở Trung Quốc.

Câu 2: D

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: percentage, new car sales, Norway, 2023
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5-6
• Giải thích: Passage nói “Countries like Norway have led the way, with electric vehicles accounting for over 80% of new car sales in 2023.” Đáp án D “Over 80%” là chính xác.

Câu 6: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: price, lithium-ion batteries, decreased, 90%, 2010
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: Bài viết khẳng định “The price of lithium-ion batteries… has fallen by nearly 90% since 2010.” Từ “nearly” có nghĩa là gần, tương đương với “approximately” trong câu hỏi, nên đây là TRUE.

Câu 7: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: all electricity, renewable sources
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 4-6
• Giải thích: Passage nói rõ “pointing out that electricity generation often still relies on fossil fuels” và “in countries where coal dominates power generation”. Điều này mâu thuẫn với câu hỏi cho rằng TẤT CẢ điện đến từ nguồn tái tạo, nên đáp án là FALSE.

Câu 10: novelty

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: decade ago, electric cars, seen as
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 2
• Giải thích: “Just a decade ago, electric cars were considered a novelty” – từ “novelty” xuất hiện chính xác trong ngữ cảnh mô tả xe điện được xem như thế nào 10 năm trước.

Câu 13: 400

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: average range, increased from 120 kilometers
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 3-4
• Giải thích: “The average range of an electric vehicle has increased from around 120 kilometers in 2010 to over 400 kilometers today” – đáp án là 400 (kilometers).

Passage 2 – Giải Thích

Câu 14: ii

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
• Vị trí trong bài: Paragraph A
• Giải thích: Đoạn A thảo luận về quy mô của sự gián đoạn tiềm năng với các con số cụ thể từ IEA về nhu cầu dầu mỏ toàn cầu có thể đạt 105 triệu thùng/ngày vào năm 2030 hoặc giảm xuống 75 triệu. Tiêu đề “Projected changes in global oil consumption patterns” (ii) phù hợp nhất vì đoạn văn tập trung vào dự báo thay đổi tiêu thụ dầu mỏ.

Câu 15: vii

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
• Vị trí trong bài: Paragraph B
• Giải thích: Đoạn B bàn về “upstream operations” (hoạt động thượng nguồn) – thăm dò và khai thác dầu thô, với các vấn đề về tài sản mắc kẹt và sự suy giảm đầu tư. Tiêu đề “Problems for oil exploration and extraction operations” (vii) phản ánh chính xác nội dung này.

Câu 19: vi

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
• Vị trí trong bài: Paragraph F
• Giải thích: Đoạn F nêu quan điểm hoài nghi, đặt câu hỏi liệu các chuyển đổi có “genuine” hay chỉ là “greenwashing”. Các nhà phê bình chỉ ra rằng tỷ lệ đầu tư 10:1 vào nhiên liệu hóa thạch so với năng lượng tái tạo. Tiêu đề “Doubts about the sincerity of oil companies’ environmental commitments” (vi) khớp với nội dung này.

Câu 20: NO

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn đầu
• Giải thích: Câu hỏi nói chuyển đổi chỉ là “minor adjustment” (điều chỉnh nhỏ), nhưng passage mô tả đây là “existential challenge”, “fundamental restructuring” với “profound implications”. Quan điểm tác giả rõ ràng mâu thuẫn với câu hỏi, nên đáp án là NO.

Câu 22: NO

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Vị trí trong bài: Paragraph F, dòng 4-5
• Giải thích: Câu hỏi dùng từ “ALL” và “completely stopped”, nhưng passage nói “most oil companies continue to invest the vast majority of their capital in fossil fuel projects” với tỷ lệ $500 billion so với $50 billion. Điều này mâu thuẫn với câu hỏi, đáp án là NO.

Câu 24: integrated energy companies

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: European companies, plans to become
• Vị trí trong bài: Paragraph E, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: “Some, particularly European companies… have announced ambitious plans to transform themselves into ‘integrated energy companies'” – cụm từ chính xác cần điền.

Câu 26: greenwashing

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: critics argue, might be
• Vị trí trong bài: Paragraph F, dòng 1-2
• Giải thích: “However, skeptics question whether these transformations are genuine or merely ‘greenwashing'” – từ “greenwashing” là đáp án chính xác cho ngữ cảnh phê bình.

Passage 3 – Giải Thích

Câu 27: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: transition differs, previous technological changes
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-5
• Giải thích: Passage nói rõ “the shift away from fossil fuels is occurring not merely through market forces but through deliberate policy interventions motivated by climate change concerns.” Đây là sự khác biệt chính – chuyển đổi bị thúc đẩy bởi chính sách chính phủ chứ không chỉ bởi thị trường. Đáp án B chính xác.

Câu 28: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: regulatory uncertainty, refers to
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 1-3
• Giải thích: “Regulatory uncertainty” được định nghĩa là “the difficulty of predicting future market conditions when government policies may change dramatically with political shifts.” Đáp án B paraphrase chính xác định nghĩa này.

Câu 30: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: stranded assets, include
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 4-6
• Giải thích: Passage giải thích “stranded assets could include not only oil reserves that become uneconomical to extract but also the vast infrastructure of pipelines, refineries, storage facilities…” Đáp án C bao gồm cả hai yếu tố này.

Câu 32: D

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-2
• Giải thích: “Creative destruction” được định nghĩa là “the process by which new innovations render existing technologies and business models obsolete.” Đây khớp với description D.

Câu 33: A

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 6-9
• Giải thích: “Just transition frameworks” được mô tả là approaches bao gồm “retraining programs, economic diversification initiatives, and social safety nets” – đây là các hệ thống hỗ trợ công nhân bị ảnh hưởng, khớp với description A.

Câu 37: approximately 60% / 60%

• Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Question
• Từ khóa: percentage, oil consumption, transportation
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 2
• Giải thích: “While transport accounts for approximately 60% of oil consumption” – đáp án là “approximately 60%” hoặc “60%”.

Câu 38: petrochemical production / aviation fuel / industrial processes / heating (any three)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Question
• Từ khóa: other uses, petroleum products
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 2-4
• Giải thích: Passage liệt kê: “petrochemical production (plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals), aviation fuel, industrial processes, and heating.” Học viên cần chọn bất kỳ ba trong số này.

Câu 40: financial resources / political influence / technical expertise (any one)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Question
• Từ khóa: oil industry, still possess, help survive
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 3-4
• Giải thích: “The petroleum industry… retains formidable financial resources, political influence, and technical expertise” – ba yếu tố này được liệt kê, học viên chỉ cần viết một trong ba.

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Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage

Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
transformation	n	/ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃn/	sự chuyển đổi, biến đổi	The world of transportation is undergoing a dramatic transformation	undergo transformation, digital transformation
rapid rise	n phrase	/ˈræpɪd raɪz/	sự gia tăng nhanh chóng	at the heart of this change is the rapid rise of electric vehicles	rapid rise in, witness a rapid rise
mainstream	adj	/ˈmeɪnstriːm/	phổ biến, chủ đạo	they are becoming increasingly mainstream	become mainstream, mainstream media
remarkable	adj	/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/	đáng chú ý, phi thường	The growth in EV sales has been nothing short of remarkable	remarkable achievement, remarkable progress
accelerating rapidly	v phrase	/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ ˈræpɪdli/	tăng tốc nhanh chóng	electric vehicle adoption is accelerating rapidly	accelerate rapidly, accelerating growth
explosive growth	n phrase	/ɪkˈspləʊsɪv ɡrəʊθ/	sự tăng trưởng bùng nổ	Several factors have contributed to this explosive growth	experience explosive growth, explosive growth in
affordable	adj	/əˈfɔːdəbl/	có khả năng chi trả	made electric vehicles increasingly affordable	affordable price, affordable housing
driving force	n phrase	/ˈdraɪvɪŋ fɔːs/	động lực chính	another major driving force behind their adoption	main driving force, key driving force
significant concern	n phrase	/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt kənˈsɜːn/	mối quan ngại đáng kể	causing significant concern within the oil industry	raise significant concern, significant concern about
diversifying	v	/daɪˈvɜːsɪfaɪɪŋ/	đa dạng hóa	Some companies are diversifying their operations	diversify portfolio, diversify business
irreversible	adj	/ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/	không thể đảo ngược	the trend toward electrification appears irreversible	irreversible damage, irreversible process
transformation	n	/ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃn/	sự chuyển đổi	The transformation is not limited to private cars	complete transformation, undergo transformation

Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
cornerstone	n	/ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/	nền tảng, trụ cột	The petroleum industry, which has been the cornerstone of global economic development	cornerstone of, fundamental cornerstone
existential challenge	n phrase	/ˌeɡzɪˈstenʃl ˈtʃælɪndʒ/	thách thức sinh tồn	now faces its most significant existential challenge	face existential challenge, pose existential challenge
fundamental restructuring	n phrase	/ˌfʌndəˈmentl ˌriːˈstrʌktʃərɪŋ/	tái cấu trúc cơ bản	represents a fundamental restructuring of energy markets	undergo fundamental restructuring, fundamental restructuring of
ramifications	n	/ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃnz/	hậu quả, tác động	The economic ramifications extend throughout	serious ramifications, long-term ramifications
stranded assets	n phrase	/ˈstrændɪd ˈæsets/	tài sản mắc kẹt	increasingly wary of stranded assets	risk of stranded assets, avoid stranded assets
underutilization	n	/ˌʌndərˌjuːtɪlaɪˈzeɪʃn/	sử dụng dưới công suất	face the prospect of underutilization	prevent underutilization, suffer from underutilization
erosion	n	/ɪˈrəʊʒn/	sự xói mòn, suy giảm	The erosion of oil demand threatens	erosion of trust, gradual erosion
fiscal stability	n phrase	/ˈfɪskl stəˈbɪləti/	ổn định tài chính	threatens the fiscal stability of these nations	maintain fiscal stability, ensure fiscal stability
integrated energy companies	n phrase	/ˈɪntɪɡreɪtɪd ˈenədʒi ˈkʌmpəniz/	công ty năng lượng tích hợp	transform themselves into integrated energy companies	become integrated energy companies
greenwashing	n	/ˈɡriːnwɒʃɪŋ/	tẩy xanh (giả vờ thân thiện môi trường)	merely greenwashing	accused of greenwashing, avoid greenwashing
high-profile	adj	/ˌhaɪ ˈprəʊfaɪl/	nổi bật, được chú ý	despite high-profile announcements	high-profile case, high-profile event
vast majority	n phrase	/vɑːst məˈdʒɒrəti/	đại đa số	invest the vast majority of their capital	vast majority of, represent vast majority
sustainability-conscious	adj	/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti ˈkɒnʃəs/	có ý thức bền vững	pressure from sustainability-conscious investors	sustainability-conscious consumers, sustainability-conscious approach
divest	v	/daɪˈvest/	rút vốn, thoái vốn	pressure to divest from fossil fuel companies	divest from, divest holdings
carbon capture and storage	n phrase	/ˈkɑːbən ˈkæptʃə ənd ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/	thu giữ và lưu trữ carbon	invested heavily in carbon capture and storage systems	carbon capture and storage technology

Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
ascendancy	n	/əˈsendənsi/	sự vượt trội, lên ngôi	The ascendancy of electric vehicles	gain ascendancy, rise to ascendancy
paradigm shift	n phrase	/ˈpærədaɪm ʃɪft/	sự thay đổi mô hình	it constitutes a paradigm shift	undergo paradigm shift, represent paradigm shift
intricate web	n phrase	/ˈɪntrɪkət web/	mạng lưới phức tạp	in the intricate web of relationships	intricate web of, complex and intricate web
multifaceted dynamics	n phrase	/ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd daɪˈnæmɪks/	động lực đa chiều	Understanding these multifaceted dynamics	multifaceted approach, multifaceted problem
nuanced realities	n phrase	/ˈnjuːɑːnst riˈæləti/	thực tế sắc thái	engage with the nuanced realities	nuanced understanding, nuanced perspective
creative destruction	n phrase	/kriˈeɪtɪv dɪˈstrʌkʃn/	phá hủy sáng tạo	what economists call creative destruction	process of creative destruction, creative destruction theory
distinctive asymmetry	n phrase	/dɪˈstɪŋktɪv əˈsɪmətri/	sự bất cân xứng đặc biệt	introduces a distinctive asymmetry	distinctive asymmetry in, distinctive asymmetry between
regulatory uncertainty	n phrase	/ˈreɡjələtəri ʌnˈsɜːtnti/	sự không chắc chắn về quy định	creates regulatory uncertainty	face regulatory uncertainty, regulatory uncertainty about
phasing out	v phrase	/ˈfeɪzɪŋ aʊt/	loại bỏ dần	announced various dates for phasing out	phasing out fossil fuels, gradual phasing out
techno-economic characteristics	n phrase	/ˌteknəʊ ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪks/	đặc điểm kinh tế-kỹ thuật	The techno-economic characteristics of oil production	analyze techno-economic characteristics
economies of scale	n phrase	/ɪˈkɒnəmiz əv skeɪl/	hiệu quả quy mô	exhibits economies of scale	achieve economies of scale, benefit from economies of scale
hierarchical collapse	n phrase	/ˌhaɪəˈrɑːkɪkl kəˈlæps/	sự sụp đổ theo thứ bậc	creating a hierarchical collapse of production capacity	hierarchical collapse of, lead to hierarchical collapse
unanticipated	adj	/ˌʌnænˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪd/	không lường trước	suffer from unanticipated write-downs	unanticipated consequences, unanticipated problems
premature	adj	/ˈpreməʧə/	sớm, chưa đúng lúc	unanticipated or premature write-downs	premature death, premature conclusion
profound dilemma	n phrase	/prəˈfaʊnd dɪˈlemə/	tình thế khó xử sâu sắc	creates a profound dilemma	face profound dilemma, profound dilemma for
two-speed transition	n phrase	/tuː spiːd trænˈzɪʃn/	chuyển đổi hai tốc độ	potential for a two-speed transition	two-speed transition in, create two-speed transition
progressively withdraw	v phrase	/prəˈɡresɪvli wɪðˈdrɔː/	rút lui dần dần	oil companies progressively withdraw	progressively withdraw from, progressively withdraw support
perpetuating	v	/pəˈpetʃueɪtɪŋ/	duy trì, kéo dài	criticized for potentially perpetuating	perpetuating inequality, perpetuating the cycle
readily available	adj phrase	/ˈredɪli əˈveɪləbl/	sẵn có, dễ kiếm	have no readily available alternatives	readily available information, readily available resources
plateau theory	n phrase	/ˈplætəʊ ˈθɪəri/	lý thuyết bình ổn	propose a plateau theory	plateau theory suggests, support plateau theory
intergenerational equity	n phrase	/ˌɪntədʒenəˈreɪʃənl ˈekwəti/	công bằng liên thế hệ	The intergenerational equity dimensions	intergenerational equity concerns, promote intergenerational equity
precipitous	adj	/prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/	dốc đứng, đột ngột	A precipitous transition could devastate	precipitous decline, precipitous drop
just transition	n phrase	/dʒʌst trænˈzɪʃn/	chuyển đổi công bằng	just transition frameworks	just transition principles, ensure just transition
reconciling	v	/ˈrekənsaɪlɪŋ/	hòa giải, dung hòa	Reconciling these competing considerations	reconciling differences, reconciling interests
unprecedented	adj	/ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/	chưa từng có	represents an unprecedented policy challenge	unprecedented scale, unprecedented crisis
breakthrough innovations	n phrase	/ˈbreɪkθruː ˌɪnəʊˈveɪʃnz/	đổi mới đột phá	Breakthrough innovations in battery chemistry	breakthrough innovations in, achieve breakthrough innovations
inherent uncertainty	n phrase	/ɪnˈhɪərənt ʌnˈsɜːtnti/	sự không chắc chắn vốn có	The inherent uncertainty of technological development	inherent uncertainty in, deal with inherent uncertainty
sociotechnical transitions	n phrase	/ˌsəʊsiəʊˈteknɪkl trænˈzɪʃnz/	chuyển đổi kinh tế-xã hội-kỹ thuật	managing large-scale sociotechnical transitions	sociotechnical transitions require, study sociotechnical transitions
reconfiguration	n	/ˌriːkənˌfɪɡjəˈreɪʃn/	tái cấu hình	involve the reconfiguration of entire systems	require reconfiguration, complete reconfiguration
protracted	adj	/prəˈtræktɪd/	kéo dài	typically protracted and contentious	protracted negotiations, protracted conflict
formidable	adj	/ˈfɔːmɪdəbl/	đáng gờm, mạnh mẽ	retains formidable financial resources	formidable challenge, formidable opponent

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Kết bài

Qua bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh này về chủ đề “How is the rise of electric vehicles affecting the oil industry?”, bạn đã được trải nghiệm một bài test với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard, hoàn toàn giống với format thi thật. Ba passages đã cung cấp cho bạn cái nhìn đa chiều về tác động của xe điện lên ngành dầu mỏ – từ những thông tin cơ bản về sự phát triển của EV, đến những thách thức phức tạp mà ngành dầu mỏ đang phải đối mặt, và cuối cùng là những động lực kinh tế-xã hội sâu sắc của quá trình chuyển đổi năng lượng này.

Chủ đề năng lượng và môi trường đang ngày càng xuất hiện nhiều trong IELTS Reading, phản ánh tầm quan trọng toàn cầu của vấn đề này. Việc luyện tập với các bài đọc academic như thế này không chỉ giúp bạn nâng cao kỹ năng làm bài mà còn mở rộng kiến thức và vốn từ vựng chuyên ngành – điều vô cùng hữu ích cho cả phần Writing và Speaking.

Đáp án chi tiết và giải thích cụ thể cho từng câu hỏi sẽ giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách xác định thông tin trong passage, nhận biết paraphrase, và phát triển chiến lược làm bài hiệu quả. Hãy dành thời gian xem lại những câu trả lời sai để hiểu rõ nguyên nhân và tránh lặp lại sai lầm trong lần sau. Phần từ vựng theo từng passage cũng là tài liệu quý giá để bạn xây dựng vốn từ academic cần thiết cho kỳ thi.

Hãy nhớ rằng, việc đạt band điểm cao trong IELTS Reading không chỉ dựa vào khả năng tiếng Anh mà còn phụ thuộc vào kỹ năng quản lý thời gian, chiến lược làm bài, và sự kiên nhẫn trong việc luyện tập thường xuyên. Chúc bạn học tốt và đạt được band điểm mục tiêu!