Chủ đề bảo vệ môi trường nói chung và giảm thiểu sử dụng nhựa nói riêng là một trong những đề tài xuất hiện thường xuyên nhất trong IELTS Reading. Theo thống kê từ Cambridge IELTS và British Council, các bài đọc về ô nhiễm nhựa, giải pháp môi trường bền vững chiếm khoảng 15-20% tổng số đề thi trong 5 năm gần đây. Điều này phản ánh xu hướng toàn cầu quan tâm đến vấn đề môi trường và khả năng hiểu biết của thí sinh về các giải pháp thực tiễn.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được trải nghiệm một đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages từ dễ đến khó, tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi đa dạng giống như kỳ thi thật. Bạn sẽ học được cách xác định thông tin nhanh chóng, áp dụng kỹ thuật scanning và skimming hiệu quả, đồng thời làm quen với từ vựng học thuật về môi trường và bền vững. Đặc biệt, đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cụ thể sẽ giúp bạn hiểu rõ logic của từng câu hỏi, từ đó rút ra bài học cho bản thân.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên có trình độ từ band 5.0 trở lên, với độ khó tăng dần qua ba passages. Hãy chuẩn bị đồng hồ bấm giờ, tập trung tinh thần và bắt đầu thử thách đọc hiểu 60 phút của bạn!
Hướng dẫn làm bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading Test là một phần thi quan trọng trong kỳ thi IELTS Academic, được thiết kế để đánh giá khả năng đọc hiểu của bạn ở nhiều cấp độ khác nhau. Bạn sẽ có 60 phút để hoàn thành 40 câu hỏi trải dài trên 3 passages với độ dài tổng cộng khoảng 2,000-2,750 từ.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị dựa trên kinh nghiệm giảng dạy hơn 20 năm của tôi:
- Passage 1 (Easy): 15-17 phút – Đây là passage dễ nhất, giúp bạn khởi động tốt
- Passage 2 (Medium): 18-20 phút – Độ khó tăng lên, cần đọc kỹ hơn
- Passage 3 (Hard): 23-25 phút – Passage học thuật nhất, dành nhiều thời gian để suy luận
Lưu ý quan trọng: Không có thời gian riêng để chuyển đáp án, vì vậy bạn nên viết đáp án trực tiếp vào phiếu trả lời ngay khi làm bài.
Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này
Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 7 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:
- Multiple Choice – Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm nhiều lựa chọn
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không có trong bài
- Matching Information – Nối thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
- Matching Headings – Chọn tiêu đề phù hợp cho các đoạn văn
- Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu
- Short-answer Questions – Trả lời ngắn
Mỗi dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu kỹ năng đọc và kỹ thuật làm bài khác nhau. Hãy chú ý đến instructions (hướng dẫn) của từng dạng câu để tránh mất điểm oan uổng.
IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The War on Plastic: Individual Actions Making Global Impact
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
The modern world has a plastic problem. Every year, humans produce over 380 million tonnes of plastic, and a significant portion ends up polluting our oceans, harming wildlife, and contaminating the food chain. While governments and corporations bear substantial responsibility for addressing this crisis, individual actions play a crucial role in reducing plastic consumption. Recent studies suggest that collective behavior change at the household level could reduce plastic waste by up to 40% within a decade.
One of the most effective strategies for reducing plastic use is to embrace reusable alternatives. Single-use plastics, such as shopping bags, water bottles, and food containers, constitute approximately 50% of all plastic waste. By switching to reusable canvas bags for shopping, stainless steel or glass water bottles, and durable food storage containers, individuals can dramatically decrease their plastic footprint. Sarah Mitchell, an environmental researcher at Oxford University, notes that “a single reusable shopping bag can replace over 500 disposable plastic bags throughout its lifetime.” Similarly, investing in a quality reusable water bottle eliminates the need for thousands of plastic bottles over several years.
Mindful shopping habits represent another powerful approach to plastic reduction. Consumers can choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging, buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and select items packaged in glass, cardboard, or metal instead of plastic. Many supermarkets now offer package-free sections where customers can bring their own containers to fill with grains, nuts, dried fruits, and cleaning products. This “zero-waste shopping” movement has gained tremendous momentum in urban areas, with dedicated zero-waste stores opening in major cities worldwide. Shoppers report that while this approach requires initial adjustment and planning, it becomes second nature within weeks.
Cửa hàng bán hàng không bao bì nhựa thân thiện môi trường
The hospitality and food service sectors offer numerous opportunities for plastic reduction. Refusing disposable cutlery, straws, and stirrers when ordering takeaway food or beverages makes a measurable difference. Many cafes now offer discounts to customers who bring their own reusable cups, recognizing both the environmental benefits and the growing consumer demand for sustainable practices. Some innovative restaurants have eliminated plastic straws entirely, replacing them with paper, bamboo, or metal alternatives. In coastal cities like Sydney and San Francisco, local ordinances have banned single-use plastic straws and cutlery, demonstrating how individual preferences can influence policy changes.
Personal care and hygiene products present another area ripe for plastic reduction. Traditional items like plastic toothbrushes, disposable razors, and liquid soap bottles generate substantial waste. Eco-conscious consumers are increasingly switching to bamboo toothbrushes, which biodegrade naturally; safety razors with replaceable blades that last for years; and bar soap that comes without plastic packaging. Similarly, shampoo bars, conditioner bars, and solid deodorants offer effective alternatives to products typically sold in plastic bottles. These swaps not only reduce plastic waste but often prove more economical in the long term.
Community engagement amplifies individual efforts. Participating in beach clean-ups, joining local environmental groups, and sharing plastic reduction tips through social media creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond personal actions. When people observe their friends and neighbors adopting sustainable practices, they become more likely to follow suit. This social influence phenomenon has been documented in numerous behavioral studies. Communities that organize regular plastic collection events report not only cleaner environments but also increased awareness and sustained behavior change among participants.
Education plays a fundamental role in motivating plastic reduction. Understanding the environmental consequences of plastic pollution—from marine animals ingesting plastic debris to microplastics entering the human body through food and water—provides compelling reasons for change. Schools, community centers, and online platforms increasingly offer workshops and resources about sustainable living. Parents who involve children in plastic reduction activities, such as preparing reusable snack bags for school or choosing plastic-free toys, instill lifelong environmental values. Research indicates that environmental education during childhood significantly influences adult behavior and decision-making.
While individual actions alone cannot solve the global plastic crisis, they form an essential component of the solution. Each person who commits to reducing plastic use contributes to decreased demand for plastic products, which eventually influences manufacturing and retail practices. Moreover, widespread adoption of plastic reduction strategies sends a powerful message to policymakers and corporations that consumers prioritize environmental sustainability. The journey toward a plastic-free lifestyle need not be perfect or immediate; even small, consistent changes accumulate into significant impact over time. As environmental advocate Rebecca Thompson emphasizes, “We don’t need a few people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions doing it imperfectly.”
Questions 1-13
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, what percentage of plastic waste could be reduced through household behavior change?
A. 25%
B. 30%
C. 40%
D. 50% -
What does Sarah Mitchell say about reusable shopping bags?
A. They are more expensive than plastic bags
B. They can replace over 500 plastic bags
C. They last for approximately one year
D. They are difficult to maintain -
The “zero-waste shopping” movement is characterized by:
A. Customers bringing their own containers
B. Stores offering free plastic bags
C. Products being more expensive
D. Limited product selection -
Which cities are mentioned as having banned single-use plastic straws?
A. London and Paris
B. New York and Tokyo
C. Sydney and San Francisco
D. Berlin and Amsterdam -
According to the passage, what effect does community engagement have?
A. It creates immediate policy changes
B. It produces a ripple effect beyond personal actions
C. It reduces individual responsibility
D. It is less effective than individual efforts
Questions 6-9: True/False/Not Given
Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if the statement contradicts the information, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.
-
Single-use plastics make up approximately half of all plastic waste.
-
Zero-waste stores are only found in European cities.
-
Bamboo toothbrushes are more expensive than plastic toothbrushes.
-
Children who learn about plastic reduction are more likely to practice sustainable behavior as adults.
Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.
-
Many cafes offer __ to customers who bring reusable cups.
-
Safety razors have __ that can last for many years.
-
Communities organizing plastic collection events report increased __ among participants.
-
Rebecca Thompson states that we need millions of people doing zero waste __.
PASSAGE 2 – Corporate Innovation and Systematic Approaches to Plastic Reduction
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
While individual consumer actions remain vital, the most significant reductions in plastic pollution require systematic changes at the corporate and industrial levels. Major corporations account for the majority of plastic production and distribution, making their policies and practices pivotal to any comprehensive solution. Increasingly, forward-thinking companies are recognizing that sustainable packaging is not merely an ethical imperative but also a competitive advantage in markets where consumers demonstrate growing environmental consciousness.
The concept of circular economy has emerged as a transformative framework for addressing plastic waste. Unlike the traditional linear economy model of “take-make-dispose,” a circular economy emphasizes designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Several pioneering corporations have begun implementing circular economy principles specifically for plastic management. The outdoor clothing company Patagonia, for instance, has developed a program where customers return worn garments, which are then recycled into new products. This closed-loop system dramatically reduces the need for virgin plastic materials while maintaining product quality and performance.
Innovation in materials science offers promising alternatives to conventional plastics. Researchers and companies are developing biodegradable polymers derived from renewable sources such as corn starch, sugarcane, and algae. These bioplastics can decompose naturally under appropriate conditions, unlike petroleum-based plastics that persist in the environment for centuries. However, experts caution that bioplastics are not a panacea; they require specific industrial composting facilities to break down properly and, if contaminated with conventional plastics, can compromise recycling streams. Nevertheless, companies like IKEA and Coca-Cola have committed to incorporating substantial percentages of plant-based plastics into their packaging by 2025, demonstrating industry confidence in these emerging technologies.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes represent a policy mechanism that holds manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, including post-consumer waste management. Under EPR frameworks, producers must finance the collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging materials they introduce into the market. This approach creates strong incentives for companies to reduce packaging, design for recyclability, and invest in waste management infrastructure. Germany pioneered EPR legislation for packaging in 1991, and the policy has since been adopted across the European Union and in various forms globally. Studies indicate that EPR programs have significantly increased recycling rates while reducing the volume of packaging waste generated.
Tương tự như chiến lược quản lý căng thẳng trong công việc áp lực cao, việc giảm thiểu nhựa trong doanh nghiệp đòi hỏi phương pháp tiếp cận có hệ thống và cam kết dài hạn. Major retailers are pioneering innovative distribution models that eliminate packaging entirely. Loop, a global shopping platform launched in 2019, partners with leading brands to offer products in durable, reusable containers. When consumers finish products, Loop collects the empty containers, professionally cleans them, and refills them for the next customer. This modern reincarnation of the traditional milkman model has attracted partnerships with corporations including Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and Nestlé. Early data suggests that consumers enthusiastically embrace the convenience and environmental benefits of such systems, challenging the assumption that disposability is essential to modern commerce.
Mô hình kinh tế tuần hoàn giảm thiểu rác thải nhựa bền vững
The food and beverage industry, responsible for a disproportionate share of plastic packaging, faces unique challenges and opportunities. Aseptic processing and modified atmosphere packaging technologies, which rely heavily on plastic materials, have revolutionized food preservation and distribution, reducing food waste and improving food safety. However, the industry is now exploring alternatives. Water companies in several countries have introduced aluminum cans as an alternative to plastic bottles for both still and sparkling water. While aluminum production is energy-intensive, the material’s high recyclability rate—up to 75% of all aluminum ever produced remains in use—makes it environmentally preferable to single-use plastic. Similarly, the development of edible packaging made from seaweed and other organic materials represents an intriguing frontier, though scalability and cost remain significant hurdles.
Supply chain transparency and traceability have become critical factors in corporate plastic reduction strategies. Blockchain technology and advanced tracking systems enable companies to monitor the environmental footprint of their packaging throughout complex, global supply chains. This visibility allows corporations to identify inefficiencies, verify sustainability claims, and demonstrate accountability to increasingly skeptical consumers and investors. Fashion retailers using these technologies have discovered that packaging materials often contribute more to their environmental impact than the transportation of goods—a finding that has prompted significant packaging redesigns.
Collaboration across industries and sectors accelerates progress toward plastic reduction goals. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment brings together over 500 organizations representing 20% of all plastic packaging produced globally. Signatories pledge to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging, innovate toward circularity, and increase recycled content in their products. Such collective action initiatives create economies of scale for sustainable alternatives, share best practices, and establish industry-wide standards that prevent greenwashing—the practice of making misleading environmental claims.
Despite these encouraging developments, significant obstacles remain. The economics of plastic production, subsidized by the fossil fuel industry, still favor virgin plastic over recycled alternatives in many contexts. Infrastructure deficits for collection and recycling plague both developed and developing nations. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reversed some progress as health concerns prioritized single-use items and disposable packaging. Nevertheless, the trajectory toward reduced plastic use continues, driven by regulatory pressure, consumer demand, technological innovation, and growing recognition that long-term business viability depends on environmental sustainability. As corporations increasingly view plastic reduction not as a constraint but as an opportunity for innovation and differentiation, the pace of change accelerates, offering hope for meaningful progress in addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Questions 14-26
Questions 14-18: Yes/No/Not Given
Write YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer, NO if the statement contradicts the claims, or NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.
-
Sustainable packaging provides companies with a competitive advantage in modern markets.
-
Bioplastics always decompose naturally in any environment.
-
The EPR policy has been implemented in all countries worldwide.
-
Loop’s container reuse system has been well received by consumers.
-
Blockchain technology guarantees complete elimination of plastic in supply chains.
Questions 19-22: Matching Headings
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs C, E, G, and H from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The role of government subsidies in plastic production
ii. Technological alternatives to petroleum-based plastics
iii. Collaborative approaches to industry-wide change
iv. The impact of pandemic on plastic use
v. Innovative business models for packaging elimination
vi. Supply chain monitoring through digital technologies
vii. The limitations of recycling programs
viii. Consumer resistance to sustainable products
- Paragraph C
- Paragraph E
- Paragraph G
- Paragraph H
Questions 23-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using words from the box.
Box of words:
recyclability / disposal / biodegradable / transparency / processing / retailers / aluminum / distribution / seaweed / contamination
The food and beverage sector is exploring alternatives to plastic packaging. Some water companies have replaced plastic bottles with (23) __ cans, which have a high (24) __ rate. Researchers are also developing (25) __ packaging made from (26) __ and other organic materials, though these innovations face challenges in terms of cost and scale.
PASSAGE 3 – Policy Frameworks and Behavioral Economics in Global Plastic Reduction
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The proliferation of plastic waste represents a quintessential collective action problem: while individual actors—whether consumers, corporations, or nations—may recognize the long-term costs of plastic pollution, the immediate economic incentives favor continued plastic production and consumption. Addressing this market failure requires sophisticated policy interventions that recalibrate incentives, internalize environmental externalities, and harness insights from behavioral economics to facilitate widespread adoption of sustainable practices. The complexity of this challenge is compounded by the transnational nature of plastic pollution, which necessitates coordinated international governance mechanisms in addition to national and subnational regulatory frameworks.
Pigouvian taxation—named after economist Arthur Cecil Pigou—represents one policy approach to plastic reduction. By imposing taxes on plastic production or consumption, governments can make plastic products more expensive, thereby incentivizing both producers and consumers to seek alternatives. The theoretical elegance of Pigouvian taxes lies in their capacity to internalize negative externalities: the environmental damage caused by plastic pollution becomes reflected in market prices, aligning private incentives with social welfare. Several jurisdictions have implemented variants of this approach. Ireland’s 2002 levy on plastic shopping bags reduced their usage by over 90% within months—a dramatic behavioral shift attributed to the psychological salience of a visible charge at the point of purchase. However, critics contend that such taxes can be regressive, disproportionately affecting lower-income households, and may generate revenue that governments appropriate for general purposes rather than environmental remediation.
Alternative policy instruments include deposit-refund schemes, outright bans on specific plastic products, and mandatory recycled content standards. Each approach presents distinct advantages and drawbacks. Deposit-refund systems, successfully implemented for beverage containers in numerous regions, achieve high recovery rates by providing consumers with tangible financial motivation to return used items. Bans eliminate targeted plastics entirely, sending unambiguous signals to markets and rapidly reducing consumption of specified items; however, they may prompt substitution with alternatives that prove equally or more environmentally problematic if not carefully designed. Mandatory recycled content standards, which require products to contain minimum percentages of post-consumer recycled materials, stimulate demand for recycled plastic, thereby improving the economics of recycling operations and reducing reliance on virgin plastic production.
Việc áp dụng các chính sách này có điểm tương đồng với xây dựng sự nghiệp bền vững khi đều đòi hỏi tầm nhìn dài hạn và khả năng thích ứng với thay đổi. The efficacy of policy interventions is significantly modulated by behavioral factors that traditional economic models often overlook. Research in behavioral economics demonstrates that human decision-making deviates systematically from the rational actor assumptions underlying conventional policy analysis. Default effects, for instance, powerfully shape behavior: when reusable bags become the default option and plastic bags must be explicitly requested (and paid for), consumption of plastic bags plummets. Social norms exert similarly potent influences; publicizing that “most of your neighbors use reusable bags” proves more effective at changing behavior than abstract environmental appeals. Temporal discounting—the tendency to prioritize immediate rewards over distant consequences—partly explains why the long-term threat of environmental degradation fails to motivate adequate behavioral change, suggesting that policies emphasizing immediate, tangible benefits of plastic reduction may prove more effective.
Nudge theory, popularized by economists Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, offers a policy framework that leverages these behavioral insights without resorting to mandates or prohibitions. Nudges are interventions that predictably alter behavior while preserving freedom of choice—a concept sometimes termed libertarian paternalism. In the context of plastic reduction, nudges might include strategically placing water fountains to make refilling reusable bottles convenient, displaying environmental impact information at the point of purchase, or employing commitment devices whereby individuals publicly pledge to reduce plastic use. Evidence suggests that carefully designed nudges can substantially influence behavior at relatively low cost, though critics question both their ethical implications and their efficacy for addressing problems requiring transformative rather than incremental change.
International governance of plastic pollution presents formidable challenges due to the absence of a comprehensive global treaty analogous to agreements addressing climate change or ozone depletion. The United Nations Environment Programme has facilitated negotiations toward a potential international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, with ongoing deliberations focused on questions of scope, stringency, and enforcement mechanisms. Key contentious issues include whether an agreement should regulate only marine plastic pollution or encompass the entire lifecycle of plastics; whether targets should be legally binding or aspirational; and how responsibilities and costs should be distributed between developed and developing nations, given the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Hội nghị quốc tế về chính sách giảm thiểu ô nhiễm nhựa toàn cầu
The relationship between national wealth and plastic policy stringency reveals complex patterns. Wealthy nations generally possess greater regulatory capacity and public support for environmental measures, yet they simultaneously consume vastly more plastic per capita than developing countries. Middle-income nations, particularly in Asia, face acute challenges as rapid economic growth and urbanization dramatically increase plastic consumption while waste management infrastructure lags. The phenomenon of waste colonialism—whereby developed nations export plastic waste to developing countries with less stringent environmental standards—has recently attracted international scrutiny following China’s 2018 decision to ban imports of most plastic waste, which disrupted global waste flows and exposed the inadequacy of recycling systems in exporting nations.
Một ví dụ chi tiết về tác động của tự động hóa đến tương lai giáo dục cho thấy công nghệ đóng vai trò quan trọng, tương tự như trong việc theo dõi và quản lý chất thải nhựa. Emerging technologies offer both opportunities and risks for plastic reduction efforts. Advanced chemical recycling processes can break down plastics into their constituent monomers, potentially enabling true circularity for materials that mechanical recycling cannot adequately process. Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications improve sorting efficiency at recycling facilities, reducing contamination and increasing the quality of recycled materials. Conversely, the proliferation of online commerce and food delivery services has dramatically increased packaging waste, while the development of novel plastic formulations and composite materials complicates recycling efforts.
The political economy of plastic reduction illuminates tensions between economic interests and environmental objectives. The petrochemical industry, anticipating declining demand for fossil fuels in transportation and energy sectors, has invested heavily in expanding plastic production capacity, viewing plastics as a growth market for petroleum products. This structural dynamic creates powerful opposition to plastic reduction policies from economically and politically influential actors. Conversely, emerging industries focused on sustainable alternatives actively lobby for policies supporting their business models, creating countervailing political pressures. The outcome of these political contests will substantially determine the trajectory of global plastic production in coming decades.
Đối với những ai quan tâm đến hỗ trợ sức khỏe tinh thần cho phụ huynh đi làm, việc giảm thiểu nhựa trong cuộc sống hàng ngày cũng góp phần cải thiện môi trường sống cho gia đình. Ultimately, effective plastic reduction strategies require polycentric governance—coordinated action across multiple scales and sectors, from international agreements establishing broad frameworks to local initiatives addressing context-specific challenges. Academic research increasingly emphasizes the importance of policy mixes that combine regulatory measures, economic instruments, informational campaigns, and infrastructural investments, tailored to particular socioeconomic and cultural contexts. The plasticity of the problem—both literally and figuratively—demands equally flexible and adaptive policy responses. As the global community confronts the plastic crisis with growing urgency, the synthesis of rigorous policy analysis, behavioral insights, technological innovation, and political will determines whether humanity can transition toward a sustainable relationship with these ubiquitous materials.
Questions 27-40
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, what is the main characteristic of the plastic waste problem?
A. It is primarily an individual concern
B. It represents a collective action problem
C. It can be solved by corporations alone
D. It only affects developed countries -
What was the result of Ireland’s levy on plastic shopping bags?
A. It reduced usage by over 50%
B. It was rejected by consumers
C. It reduced usage by over 90%
D. It had no measurable effect -
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a policy instrument for plastic reduction?
A. Deposit-refund schemes
B. Mandatory recycled content standards
C. Government subsidies for plastic producers
D. Outright bans on specific products -
According to nudge theory, what is a key characteristic of nudges?
A. They mandate specific behaviors
B. They preserve freedom of choice
C. They only work with financial incentives
D. They require strict enforcement -
What challenge does the passage identify regarding international governance of plastic pollution?
A. Too many existing treaties
B. Lack of interest from nations
C. Absence of a comprehensive global treaty
D. Excessive enforcement mechanisms
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each concept (32-36) with the correct description (A-H) from the list below.
Concepts:
32. Pigouvian taxation
33. Temporal discounting
34. Waste colonialism
35. Libertarian paternalism
36. Polycentric governance
Descriptions:
A. Exporting waste to countries with lower environmental standards
B. Prioritizing immediate rewards over future consequences
C. Taxes that internalize negative externalities
D. Complete government control of waste management
E. Coordinated action across multiple scales and sectors
F. Policy approach that influences behavior while preserving choice
G. International agreements without any flexibility
H. Mandatory recycling in all contexts
Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
-
What type of effects powerfully shape human behavior according to behavioral economics research?
-
Which international organization has facilitated negotiations toward a treaty on plastic pollution?
-
What process can break down plastics into their constituent monomers?
-
Which industry views plastics as a growth market for petroleum products?
Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- C
- B
- A
- C
- B
- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN
- TRUE
- discounts
- replaceable blades
- awareness
- imperfectly
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- YES
- NO
- NOT GIVEN
- YES
- NO
- ii
- v
- vi
- iii
- aluminum
- recyclability
- edible
- seaweed
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- C
- C
- B
- C
- C
- B
- A
- F
- E
- default effects
- United Nations Environment Programme / UNEP
- advanced chemical recycling / chemical recycling
- petrochemical industry
Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: percentage, plastic waste, reduced, household behavior change
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn A, câu thứ 3
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nêu rõ “collective behavior change at the household level could reduce plastic waste by up to 40%”. Đây là thông tin trực tiếp, không cần paraphrase phức tạp. Các đáp án khác không được nhắc đến.
Câu 2: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Sarah Mitchell, reusable shopping bags
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B, câu cuối
- Giải thích: Sarah Mitchell được trích dẫn trực tiếp: “a single reusable shopping bag can replace over 500 disposable plastic bags throughout its lifetime”. Đây là câu trích dẫn trực tiếp nên dễ xác định.
Câu 3: A
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: zero-waste shopping movement, characterized
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn C, giữa đoạn
- Giải thích: Bài đọc mô tả: “customers can bring their own containers to fill with grains, nuts, dried fruits”. Đây là đặc điểm chính của phong trào mua sắm không rác thải.
Câu 6: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Single-use plastics, approximately half
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B, câu thứ 2
- Giải thích: “Single-use plastics…constitute approximately 50% of all plastic waste”. Câu hỏi dùng “half” để paraphrase “50%”, nên đáp án là TRUE.
Câu 7: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Zero-waste stores, only, European cities
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn C, câu cuối
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói “dedicated zero-waste stores opening in major cities worldwide” (trên toàn thế giới), không chỉ ở châu Âu. Do đó, câu này mâu thuẫn với thông tin trong bài.
Câu 10: discounts
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: cafes, customers, reusable cups
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn D, câu thứ 2
- Giải thích: “Many cafes now offer discounts to customers who bring their own reusable cups”. Từ cần điền là “discounts”, nằm trong giới hạn hai từ.
Câu 13: imperfectly
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: Rebecca Thompson, millions, zero waste
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn cuối, câu cuối cùng
- Giải thích: Rebecca Thompson nói: “We need millions doing it imperfectly”. Từ “imperfectly” là từ khóa cần điền.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: sustainable packaging, competitive advantage
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn A, câu thứ 2
- Giải thích: “Sustainable packaging is not merely an ethical imperative but also a competitive advantage” – tác giả khẳng định rõ ràng rằng bao bì bền vững mang lại lợi thế cạnh tranh.
Câu 15: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: bioplastics, always decompose naturally, any environment
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn C, giữa đoạn
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói “they require specific industrial composting facilities to break down properly”, nghĩa là không phải tự nhiên phân hủy trong mọi môi trường. Câu này mâu thuẫn với quan điểm tác giả.
Câu 17: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Loop, container reuse system, well received
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn E, câu cuối
- Giải thích: “Early data suggests that consumers enthusiastically embrace the convenience and environmental benefits” – tác giả khẳng định hệ thống được đón nhận tích cực.
Câu 19: ii (Paragraph C)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Đoạn C tập trung vào “biodegradable polymers derived from renewable sources” và “bioplastics” – đây là các giải pháp thay thế công nghệ cho nhựa dầu mỏ.
Câu 20: v (Paragraph E)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Đoạn E mô tả Loop platform với “durable, reusable containers” và cách thức loại bỏ bao bì hoàn toàn – đây là mô hình kinh doanh sáng tạo.
Câu 23-26: aluminum, recyclability, edible, seaweed
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn F
- Giải thích: Đoạn văn mô tả “aluminum cans” thay thế chai nhựa, với tỷ lệ “recyclability rate” cao. Sau đó nhắc đến “edible packaging made from seaweed”. Các từ này xuất hiện theo đúng thứ tự trong bài.
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: main characteristic, plastic waste problem
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn A, câu đầu tiên
- Giải thích: “The proliferation of plastic waste represents a quintessential collective action problem” – đây là khẳng định chính của tác giả về bản chất vấn đề.
Câu 28: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Ireland’s levy, plastic shopping bags, result
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B, giữa đoạn
- Giải thích: “Ireland’s 2002 levy on plastic shopping bags reduced their usage by over 90% within months” – con số cụ thể và rõ ràng.
Câu 31: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: international governance, challenge
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn F, câu đầu
- Giải thích: “International governance of plastic pollution presents formidable challenges due to the absence of a comprehensive global treaty” – đây là thách thức chính được nhắc đến.
Câu 32: C (Pigouvian taxation – taxes that internalize negative externalities)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B
- Giải thích: Định nghĩa Pigouvian taxation được giải thích rõ: “internalize negative externalities” là đặc điểm chính.
Câu 34: A (Waste colonialism – exporting waste to countries with lower environmental standards)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn G
- Giải thích: “Waste colonialism—whereby developed nations export plastic waste to developing countries with less stringent environmental standards” – định nghĩa trực tiếp.
Câu 37: default effects
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: effects, powerfully shape, human behavior
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn D, giữa đoạn
- Giải thích: “Default effects, for instance, powerfully shape behavior” – cụm từ xuất hiện chính xác trong bài.
Câu 40: petrochemical industry
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: industry, plastics, growth market, petroleum products
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn I, đầu đoạn
- Giải thích: “The petrochemical industry…has invested heavily in expanding plastic production capacity, viewing plastics as a growth market for petroleum products” – câu trả lời nằm trong phạm vi 3 từ.
Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage
Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| individual actions | n phrase | /ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl ˈækʃənz/ | hành động cá nhân | individual actions play a crucial role | take individual actions, collective actions |
| reusable alternatives | n phrase | /riːˈjuːzəbl ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪvz/ | giải pháp tái sử dụng | embrace reusable alternatives | seek alternatives, sustainable alternatives |
| single-use plastics | n phrase | /ˈsɪŋɡl juːs ˈplæstɪks/ | nhựa sử dụng một lần | single-use plastics constitute 50% | ban single-use plastics, reduce single-use |
| mindful shopping | adj + n | /ˈmaɪndfəl ˈʃɒpɪŋ/ | mua sắm có ý thức | mindful shopping habits reduce waste | practice mindful shopping, conscious consumption |
| package-free | adj | /ˈpækɪdʒ friː/ | không bao bì | package-free sections in supermarkets | go package-free, package-free stores |
| disposable | adj | /dɪˈspəʊzəbl/ | dùng một lần rồi vứt | refusing disposable cutlery | disposable items, disposable income |
| biodegradable | adj | /ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbl/ | có thể phân hủy sinh học | bamboo toothbrushes biodegrade naturally | biodegradable materials, biodegradable packaging |
| bar soap | n phrase | /bɑː səʊp/ | xà phòng cục | bar soap without plastic packaging | use bar soap, traditional bar soap |
| beach clean-ups | n phrase | /biːtʃ kliːn ʌps/ | hoạt động dọn rác bãi biển | participating in beach clean-ups | organize clean-ups, community clean-ups |
| social influence | n phrase | /ˈsəʊʃəl ˈɪnfluəns/ | ảnh hưởng xã hội | social influence phenomenon | peer influence, social pressure |
| environmental consequences | n phrase | /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz/ | hậu quả môi trường | understanding environmental consequences | face consequences, severe consequences |
| environmental education | n phrase | /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˌedʒuˈkeɪʃən/ | giáo dục môi trường | environmental education during childhood | promote education, environmental awareness |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| systematic changes | n phrase | /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk ˈtʃeɪndʒɪz/ | thay đổi có hệ thống | require systematic changes | implement systematic changes, systematic approach |
| sustainable packaging | n phrase | /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈpækɪdʒɪŋ/ | bao bì bền vững | sustainable packaging is a competitive advantage | develop sustainable packaging, eco-friendly packaging |
| circular economy | n phrase | /ˈsɜːkjələr ɪˈkɒnəmi/ | kinh tế tuần hoàn | circular economy principles | transition to circular economy, circular model |
| closed-loop system | n phrase | /kləʊzd luːp ˈsɪstəm/ | hệ thống khép kín | closed-loop system reduces waste | create closed-loop, closed-loop production |
| biodegradable polymers | n phrase | /ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbl ˈpɒlɪməz/ | polyme phân hủy sinh học | developing biodegradable polymers | produce biodegradable polymers, sustainable polymers |
| bioplastics | n | /ˌbaɪəʊˈplæstɪks/ | nhựa sinh học | bioplastics can decompose naturally | produce bioplastics, plant-based bioplastics |
| Extended Producer Responsibility | n phrase | /ɪkˈstendɪd prəˈdjuːsə rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ | trách nhiệm mở rộng của nhà sản xuất | EPR schemes hold manufacturers accountable | implement EPR, EPR legislation |
| post-consumer waste | n phrase | /pəʊst kənˈsjuːmə weɪst/ | rác thải sau tiêu dùng | manage post-consumer waste | reduce post-consumer waste, waste management |
| recycling rates | n phrase | /riːˈsaɪklɪŋ reɪts/ | tỷ lệ tái chế | increased recycling rates | improve recycling rates, high recycling rates |
| durable containers | n phrase | /ˈdjʊərəbl kənˈteɪnəz/ | hộp đựng bền vững | products in durable, reusable containers | use durable containers, reusable containers |
| aseptic processing | n phrase | /eɪˈseptɪk ˈprəʊsesɪŋ/ | chế biến vô trùng | aseptic processing technologies | use aseptic processing, food preservation |
| recyclability rate | n phrase | /riːˌsaɪkləˈbɪləti reɪt/ | tỷ lệ có thể tái chế | aluminum’s high recyclability rate | increase recyclability, improve recyclability |
| supply chain transparency | n phrase | /səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn trænsˈpærənsi/ | minh bạch chuỗi cung ứng | supply chain transparency is critical | ensure transparency, improve transparency |
| environmental footprint | n phrase | /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈfʊtprɪnt/ | dấu chân môi trường | monitor environmental footprint | reduce footprint, carbon footprint |
| greenwashing | n | /ˈɡriːnwɒʃɪŋ/ | tẩy xanh (quảng cáo môi trường sai lệch) | prevent greenwashing practices | avoid greenwashing, greenwashing claims |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| collective action problem | n phrase | /kəˈlektɪv ˈækʃən ˈprɒbləm/ | vấn đề hành động tập thể | plastic waste represents a collective action problem | address collective action, solve collective problems |
| behavioral economics | n phrase | /bɪˈheɪvjərəl ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪks/ | kinh tế học hành vi | insights from behavioral economics | apply behavioral economics, behavioral insights |
| Pigouvian taxation | n phrase | /pɪˈɡuːviən tækˈseɪʃən/ | thuế Pigou | Pigouvian taxation on plastic production | implement Pigouvian taxation, corrective taxation |
| negative externalities | n phrase | /ˈneɡətɪv ˌekstɜːˈnælətiːz/ | tác động tiêu cực bên ngoài | internalize negative externalities | reduce externalities, environmental externalities |
| psychological salience | n phrase | /ˌsaɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈseɪliəns/ | sự nổi bật tâm lý | psychological salience of visible charges | increase salience, make salient |
| regressive | adj | /rɪˈɡresɪv/ | lũy thoái (thuế) | taxes can be regressive | regressive taxation, regressive policy |
| deposit-refund schemes | n phrase | /dɪˈpɒzɪt rɪˈfʌnd skiːmz/ | chương trình đặt cọc hoàn tiền | deposit-refund systems achieve high recovery | implement deposit-refund, refund programs |
| temporal discounting | n phrase | /ˈtempərəl dɪsˈkaʊntɪŋ/ | chiết khấu thời gian | temporal discounting explains behavior | overcome temporal discounting, time preference |
| nudge theory | n phrase | /nʌdʒ ˈθɪəri/ | lý thuyết thúc đẩy | nudge theory offers policy framework | apply nudge theory, behavioral nudges |
| libertarian paternalism | n phrase | /ˌlɪbəˈteəriən pəˈtɜːnəlɪzəm/ | chủ nghĩa gia trưởng tự do | concept termed libertarian paternalism | practice libertarian paternalism, soft paternalism |
| commitment devices | n phrase | /kəˈmɪtmənt dɪˈvaɪsɪz/ | công cụ cam kết | employing commitment devices | use commitment devices, self-commitment |
| common but differentiated responsibilities | n phrase | /ˈkɒmən bʌt ˌdɪfərenʃiˈeɪtɪd rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlətiːz/ | trách nhiệm chung nhưng khác biệt | principle of common but differentiated responsibilities | recognize differentiated responsibilities, shared responsibilities |
| waste colonialism | n phrase | /weɪst kəˈləʊniəlɪzəm/ | chủ nghĩa thực dân rác thải | phenomenon of waste colonialism | combat waste colonialism, environmental injustice |
| advanced chemical recycling | n phrase | /ədˈvɑːnst ˈkemɪkəl riːˈsaɪklɪŋ/ | tái chế hóa học tiên tiến | advanced chemical recycling processes | develop chemical recycling, innovative recycling |
| petrochemical industry | n phrase | /ˌpetrəʊˈkemɪkəl ˈɪndəstri/ | ngành công nghiệp hóa dầu | petrochemical industry invests in plastics | expand petrochemical industry, fossil fuel industry |
| countervailing pressures | n phrase | /ˌkaʊntəˈveɪlɪŋ ˈpreʃəz/ | áp lực đối kháng | creating countervailing political pressures | face countervailing pressures, opposing forces |
| polycentric governance | n phrase | /ˌpɒliˈsentrɪk ˈɡʌvənəns/ | quản trị đa trung tâm | requires polycentric governance | establish polycentric governance, multilevel governance |
| policy mixes | n phrase | /ˈpɒləsi ˈmɪksɪz/ | kết hợp chính sách | importance of policy mixes | design policy mixes, integrated policies |
Kết luận
Chủ đề giảm thiểu sử dụng nhựa không chỉ là một vấn đề môi trường cấp bách mà còn là một đề tài phổ biến trong IELTS Reading. Qua ba passages với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard, bạn đã được trải nghiệm cách IELTS kiểm tra khả năng đọc hiểu của thí sinh ở nhiều cấp độ khác nhau – từ xác định thông tin cơ bản đến phân tích các khái niệm phức tạp về chính sách và kinh tế học hành vi.
Đề thi mẫu này cung cấp đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi với 7 dạng câu hỏi đa dạng, giúp bạn làm quen với format thi thật. Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cụ thể về vị trí thông tin và kỹ thuật paraphrase sẽ giúp bạn hiểu rõ logic làm bài, từ đó áp dụng vào các đề thi khác. Đặc biệt, bảng từ vựng phân chia theo từng passage giúp bạn học từ có ngữ cảnh, kèm phiên âm và collocation để sử dụng hiệu quả.
Hãy nhớ rằng, việc luyện tập thường xuyên với các đề thi chất lượng cao như thế này là chìa khóa để cải thiện band điểm Reading. Đừng nản lòng nếu lần đầu làm bài chưa đạt kết quả như mong đợi. Việc xây dựng một nền tảng văn hóa học tập trong tổ chức cá nhân của bạn cũng quan trọng như thúc đẩy văn hóa học tập trong tổ chức – cần thời gian, kiên trì và phương pháp đúng đắn. Hãy phân tích kỹ những câu sai, tìm hiểu lý do và rút kinh nghiệm cho lần sau. Chúc bạn học tốt và đạt band điểm mục tiêu trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!
