Mở bài
Chủ đề thanh toán số và chuyển tiền quốc tế (How Digital Payments Are Transforming Global Remittances) đang ngày càng phổ biến trong các kỳ thi IELTS Reading gần đây. Đây là một lĩnh vực liên quan chặt chẽ đến công nghệ tài chính, kinh tế toàn cầu và đời sống của hàng triệu người lao động di cư trên thế giới. Việc nắm vững chủ đề này không chỉ giúp bạn tự tin hơn khi gặp các bài đọc về công nghệ, kinh tế mà còn mở rộng vốn từ vựng học thuật quan trọng.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được thực hành với một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh bao gồm 3 passages với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard. Mỗi passage được thiết kế dựa trên cấu trúc của các đề thi Cambridge IELTS thực tế, đảm bảo tính xác thực cao nhất. Bạn sẽ làm quen với đa dạng các dạng câu hỏi như Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng khác.
Ngoài 40 câu hỏi chuẩn IELTS, bài viết còn cung cấp đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cặn kẽ, phân tích từ vựng quan trọng và các kỹ thuật làm bài hiệu quả. Đây là tài liệu phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên, đặc biệt hữu ích cho những ai đang hướng tới band điểm 7.0+.
Hướng dẫn làm bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading Test là phần thi kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Mỗi câu trả lời đúng được tính 1 điểm, không có điểm âm cho câu trả lời sai. Điều quan trọng là bạn cần quản lý thời gian hiệu quả để hoàn thành tất cả các câu hỏi.
Phân bổ thời gian được khuyến nghị như sau:
- Passage 1: 15-17 phút (độ khó Easy, band 5.0-6.5)
- Passage 2: 18-20 phút (độ khó Medium, band 6.0-7.5)
- Passage 3: 23-25 phút (độ khó Hard, band 7.0-9.0)
Lưu ý quan trọng: Đừng dành quá nhiều thời gian cho Passage 1. Nhiều học viên mắc phải sai lầm là làm quá kỹ phần đầu và không đủ thời gian cho Passage 3 – nơi có nhiều câu hỏi khó và đòi hỏi kỹ năng phân tích cao hơn.
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
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không được nhắc đến
- Matching Information – Ghép thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
- Matching Headings – Chọn tiêu đề phù hợp cho đoạn văn
- Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu
- Short-answer Questions – Câu hỏi trả lời ngắn
Mỗi dạng câu hỏi đòi hỏi một kỹ thuật làm bài khác nhau, vì vậy hãy chú ý đến hướng dẫn (instructions) và áp dụng chiến lược phù hợp.
IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Digital Revolution in Money Transfers
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
For decades, sending money across international borders has been a slow, expensive, and complicated process. Migrant workers, who leave their home countries to find better employment opportunities abroad, have traditionally relied on conventional money transfer services such as banks and specialized remittance companies like Western Union or MoneyGram. These services, while reliable, often charge substantial fees ranging from 5% to 10% of the total amount sent, and the money can take several days to reach its destination.
The situation has changed dramatically with the emergence of digital payment platforms. Companies like TransferWise (now known as Wise), PayPal, and Revolut have disrupted the traditional remittance market by offering faster, cheaper, and more transparent services. These digital platforms use technology to eliminate intermediaries and reduce operational costs, allowing them to pass the savings on to customers. In many cases, transaction fees have dropped to less than 1% of the amount transferred, and the money arrives within minutes or hours rather than days.
The impact of this transformation has been particularly significant for developing countries, where millions of families depend on remittances as their primary source of income. According to the World Bank, global remittance flows to low and middle-income countries reached $540 billion in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds play a crucial role in reducing poverty, funding education, and supporting small businesses in recipient countries.
Mobile technology has been a key driver of this revolution. In many developing nations, mobile phone penetration has grown rapidly, even in areas where traditional banking infrastructure remains limited. This has enabled mobile money services like M-Pesa in Kenya to flourish. M-Pesa allows users to deposit, withdraw, and transfer money using just their mobile phones, without needing a bank account. The service has been so successful that it now handles more transactions than Western Union globally.
The regulatory environment surrounding digital payments has also evolved to accommodate these new technologies. Many governments have recognized the benefits of digital financial inclusion and have introduced policies to encourage the growth of digital payment platforms while ensuring consumer protection and preventing money laundering. However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that these services are accessible to people in remote rural areas who may lack internet connectivity or digital literacy.
Security concerns represent another important consideration. While digital platforms invest heavily in encryption technology and fraud prevention systems, users must still be vigilant about protecting their personal information and following best practices for online security. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new methods to steal financial data, making ongoing education and awareness essential.
Despite these challenges, the trend toward digital remittances appears irreversible. Industry experts predict that traditional money transfer operators will need to adapt by developing their own digital services or risk becoming obsolete. Some established companies have already taken steps in this direction, launching mobile apps and reducing their fees to remain competitive.
The social implications of cheaper and faster money transfers extend beyond economics. Families can now receive funds more quickly in emergencies, students studying abroad can access support from home more easily, and small business owners can engage in cross-border trade with greater confidence. This increased financial connectivity is helping to build stronger links between diaspora communities and their countries of origin, potentially contributing to economic development through increased investment and knowledge transfer.
Questions 1-6: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
1. According to the passage, traditional money transfer services:
A. were unreliable and often lost money
B. charged fees between 5% and 10%
C. only operated in developed countries
D. took weeks to transfer money
2. Digital payment platforms have reduced costs by:
A. hiring fewer employees
B. opening fewer physical offices
C. removing intermediaries from the process
D. limiting the amount of money that can be sent
3. The World Bank reports that in 2020, remittances to developing countries:
A. decreased significantly due to COVID-19
B. totaled $540 billion
C. were mainly sent through traditional banks
D. were used primarily for luxury purchases
4. M-Pesa’s success demonstrates that:
A. mobile phones can replace traditional banking
B. Kenya has the world’s best financial system
C. digital services are too complicated for most users
D. banks should close their branches
5. Governments have responded to digital payments by:
A. banning all traditional money transfer services
B. ignoring the new technology completely
C. creating policies to support growth while protecting consumers
D. making digital transfers illegal
6. The passage suggests that traditional money transfer companies:
A. have already disappeared from the market
B. will need to adapt to survive
C. are more secure than digital platforms
D. charge lower fees than digital services
Questions 7-10: 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
7. Digital payment platforms typically charge fees of less than 1% of the transfer amount.
8. All developing countries have excellent internet connectivity in rural areas.
9. Cybercriminals have stopped trying to steal financial data from digital platforms.
10. Cheaper remittances allow students abroad to receive financial support more easily.
Questions 11-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
11. Migrant workers traditionally used banks and __ to send money home.
12. Mobile money services have been particularly successful in areas with limited __ infrastructure.
13. Digital platforms invest in encryption technology and __ to protect users.
PASSAGE 2 – Economic and Social Dimensions of Digital Remittances
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The digitalization of remittance services represents far more than a mere technological upgrade; it constitutes a fundamental restructuring of global financial flows that has profound implications for both macroeconomic policy and household welfare in developing nations. As blockchain technology influences global economic development, the remittance sector is experiencing parallel innovations that challenge traditional financial intermediation models.
A. Cost Efficiency and Financial Inclusion
Traditional remittance corridors have long been characterized by what economists term “market inefficiencies” – situations where the cost of transferring money bears little relation to the actual expense of providing the service. The oligopolistic nature of the traditional remittance market, where a small number of large firms dominated, enabled these companies to maintain artificially high margins. Research conducted by the World Bank’s Remittance Prices Worldwide database indicates that the global average cost of sending $200 remained above 6.5% in 2020, significantly higher than the Sustainable Development Goal target of 3% by 2030.
Digital platforms have disrupted this equilibrium through several mechanisms. First, they leverage peer-to-peer matching systems that connect senders and receivers directly, bypassing traditional correspondent banking relationships that add layers of fees. Second, they utilize real-time payment rails and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that reduce settlement times from days to seconds. Third, their scalable digital infrastructure means that the marginal cost of processing additional transactions approaches zero, allowing them to operate profitably on much thinner margins than traditional operators.
This cost reduction has significant multiplier effects. When families receive 95% of the sent amount rather than 90%, the additional 5% represents substantial purchasing power for low-income households. Studies by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) suggest that even a 5% reduction in remittance costs could generate an additional $16 billion annually for recipient families in developing countries.
B. Technological Infrastructure and Accessibility
The proliferation of digital remittances has been inextricably linked to the expansion of mobile telecommunications infrastructure and smartphone adoption in developing markets. The mobile-first approach adopted by companies like M-Pesa, Wave, and bKash has proven particularly effective in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where traditional banking infrastructure remains sparse but mobile network coverage has expanded rapidly.
However, the “digital divide” continues to pose challenges. While urban populations increasingly have access to 4G networks and affordable smartphones, many rural communities still rely on 2G connectivity and basic feature phones. This has led to a bifurcated market, where sophisticated digital wallet services coexist with simpler SMS-based transfer systems. Companies must therefore maintain backward compatibility while simultaneously developing advanced features for tech-savvy users.
Digital literacy represents another significant barrier. Research by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion indicates that many potential users, particularly elderly individuals and those with limited education, feel intimidated by digital interfaces and prefer the personal interaction offered by traditional agent networks. Successful digital remittance providers have addressed this through hybrid models that combine digital platforms with physical agent networks, allowing users to deposit and withdraw cash while benefiting from the lower costs and faster speeds of digital transfers.
C. Regulatory Frameworks and Cross-Border Coordination
The regulatory landscape for digital remittances presents a complex mosaic of national policies, international standards, and regional agreements. Regulators must balance multiple objectives: promoting innovation and competition, ensuring financial stability, preventing money laundering and terrorist financing, protecting consumer rights, and maintaining monetary policy effectiveness.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental organization, has developed risk-based approaches to regulating virtual assets and virtual asset service providers, including remittance platforms. However, implementation varies considerably across jurisdictions. Some countries, like Singapore and the United Kingdom, have established comprehensive licensing regimes that provide regulatory clarity while encouraging innovation. Others maintain restrictive policies that limit digital remittance services or impose stringent requirements that make market entry prohibitively expensive for smaller operators.
Cross-border data flows present particular challenges. Effective anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) procedures require sharing customer information across borders, yet data protection regulations like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) impose strict limitations on such transfers. Regulatory harmonization through initiatives like the Regional Payment Systems promoted by the African Union and ASEAN aims to address these challenges by creating standardized frameworks for cross-border digital payments.
D. Socioeconomic Impact and Development Outcomes
The socioeconomic implications of reduced remittance costs extend into multiple dimensions of household welfare and community development. Longitudinal studies in remittance-dependent communities have documented several significant effects. First, lower transfer costs mean that migrants send money more frequently, resulting in smoother consumption patterns for recipient families rather than the boom-and-bust cycles associated with less frequent, larger transfers.
Second, the transparency and traceability inherent in digital platforms facilitate better financial planning. Recipients can anticipate transfers more accurately, and some platforms now offer budgeting tools and savings features that encourage longer-term financial planning rather than immediate consumption. Third, digital platforms are increasingly offering value-added services such as bill payment, insurance products, and micro-credit, transforming remittance relationships into broader financial service relationships.
From a macroeconomic perspective, increased remittance flows through formal digital channels improve balance of payments statistics and provide governments with better data for economic planning. However, concerns remain about dependency on remittances, which can fluctuate significantly during economic downturns in source countries, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Công nghệ thanh toán số đang cách mạng hóa thị trường chuyển tiền toàn cầu với chi phí thấp hơn
Questions 14-18: Yes/No/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in the passage?
Write:
- YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
- NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
- NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
14. The traditional remittance market was controlled by a small number of large companies.
15. Digital platforms always provide better customer service than traditional operators.
16. The expansion of mobile networks has been essential for digital remittance growth.
17. All elderly people refuse to use digital payment services.
18. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that remittance flows can decrease significantly.
Questions 19-23: Matching Headings
The passage has four sections, A-D. Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The role of international organizations in regulation
ii. How digital platforms reduce transfer costs
iii. The environmental impact of digital payments
iv. Barriers to accessing digital remittance services
v. The influence of remittances on national economies
vi. Competition between different mobile phone companies
vii. Methods regulators use to oversee digital remittances
viii. The effect of lower costs on household spending patterns
19. Section A
20. Section B
21. Section C
22. Section D
Questions 24-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Digital remittance platforms have disrupted traditional services by using 24. __ that connect senders and receivers without traditional banking intermediaries. The World Bank aims to reduce remittance costs to 25. __ by 2030. However, many rural areas still depend on 26. __ rather than modern smartphones, creating challenges for service providers.
PASSAGE 3 – Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, and the Future of Cross-Border Value Transfer
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The evolution of digital remittances is entering a transformative phase characterized by the integration of distributed ledger technologies (DLT), most notably blockchain, and the potential incorporation of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as transfer mechanisms. This technological convergence represents not merely an incremental improvement in existing systems but rather a paradigmatic shift that could fundamentally alter the architecture of global value transfer, with implications extending far beyond the remittance sector into broader questions of monetary sovereignty, financial intermediation, and economic governance.
The Technological Foundations of Blockchain-Based Remittances
At its core, blockchain technology offers several attributes that address longstanding inefficiencies in cross-border payment systems. The technology’s distributed consensus mechanisms eliminate the need for centralized clearinghouses, while its cryptographic security protocols provide transaction immutability and transparency. Smart contracts – self-executing agreements with terms directly written into code – enable automated compliance checking and conditional transfers without human intervention, potentially reducing both processing time and the risk of human error.
Cryptocurrency-based remittance solutions leverage these features to create what proponents describe as “frictionless global payment rails.” Companies like Ripple have developed enterprise blockchain solutions specifically designed for financial institutions, utilizing their native digital asset (XRP) as a bridge currency to facilitate instant liquidity for cross-border transactions. The theoretical advantage is compelling: rather than maintaining pre-funded nostro accounts in multiple currencies around the world – a capital-intensive requirement for traditional cross-border payments – financial institutions could use cryptocurrency as an intermediary asset, converting from the source currency to cryptocurrency to the destination currency in near real-time.
However, the practical implementation of cryptocurrency-based remittances confronts several formidable challenges. Price volatility remains the most obvious concern; the value of most cryptocurrencies can fluctuate by double-digit percentages within hours, creating substantial exchange rate risk for both senders and receivers. This volatility is antithetical to the fundamental requirements of remittances, where recipients typically need predictable purchasing power for essential expenses.
Stablecoins – cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value relative to a reference asset (typically the US dollar) – represent an attempt to address this volatility while retaining blockchain’s technical advantages. Algorithmic stablecoins use complex mechanisms involving collateralization and algorithmic supply adjustments to maintain price stability, while fiat-backed stablecoins like USDC and Tether claim to hold reserves of actual dollars backing each digital token. The latter approach has faced scrutiny regarding the adequacy and transparency of reserve holdings, raising questions about systemic risk if widely adopted for remittances.
Regulatory Challenges and Central Bank Digital Currencies
The regulatory response to cryptocurrency-based remittances has been decidedly heterogeneous, reflecting broader debates about the role of privately-issued digital currencies in national and international monetary systems. China has adopted a prohibitive stance, effectively banning cryptocurrency trading and mining while simultaneously developing its own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) – the digital yuan or e-CNY. European regulators are pursuing comprehensive frameworks like the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which attempts to provide regulatory clarity while maintaining consumer protections.
The emergence of CBDCs introduces a potentially state-sponsored alternative to private cryptocurrency solutions for digital remittances. More than 80% of central banks are reportedly exploring CBDCs, with projects at various stages of development. The Bahamian Sand Dollar, launched in 2020, and the Nigerian eNaira, introduced in 2021, represent operational implementations, while others like the European Central Bank’s digital euro remain in pilot phases.
From a remittance perspective, interoperable CBDCs could theoretically offer the best of both worlds: the technological efficiency of blockchain-based settlement combined with the stability and regulatory backing of sovereign currencies. The Bank for International Settlements has facilitated several multi-CBDC experiments exploring cross-border payment scenarios. However, significant technical and political obstacles remain. Interoperability standards must be established, foreign exchange conversion mechanisms designed, and monetary policy implications carefully considered.
The question of disintermediation merits particular attention. If individuals can hold CBDC accounts directly with central banks and execute peer-to-peer cross-border transfers, what role remains for commercial banks and existing remittance providers? Some central bank designs specifically preserve a role for private sector intermediaries, who would handle customer-facing activities while the CBDC provides the settlement infrastructure. Others envision more direct central bank relationships with the public, representing a fundamental restructuring of the financial system architecture.
Socioeconomic Implications and Digital Divides
The cryptocurrency and blockchain discourse in remittances sometimes exhibits a techno-utopian character, emphasizing technological possibilities while underestimating socioeconomic constraints. The reality is that substantial portions of remittance-recipient populations face multidimensional barriers to accessing advanced digital financial services. Smartphone penetration, while growing, remains incomplete in many rural areas of remittance-dependent countries. Digital literacy extends beyond basic phone operation to understanding wallet security, private key management, and recognizing scam attempts – competencies that cannot be assumed across diverse user populations.
Moreover, the libertarian ethos often associated with cryptocurrency – emphasizing financial sovereignty and freedom from institutional control – may be less compelling for vulnerable populations who actually desire institutional protections and recourse mechanisms when transactions go wrong. The irreversibility of blockchain transactions, frequently touted as a feature preventing chargebacks and fraud, becomes a significant vulnerability when users accidentally send funds to the wrong address or fall victim to scams with no possibility of recovery.
The environmental critique of blockchain technology adds another dimension to the evaluation. Proof-of-work consensus mechanisms, used by Bitcoin and until recently Ethereum, require enormous computational resources and consequently energy consumption. Estimates suggest Bitcoin mining alone consumes electricity comparable to entire countries, raising questions about the sustainability of scaling such systems to handle global remittance volumes. Alternative consensus mechanisms like proof-of-stake dramatically reduce energy requirements but have yet to be proven at comparable scale and face different security trade-offs.
Future Trajectories and System Integration
The most probable future for digital remittances likely involves not the wholesale replacement of existing systems with blockchain-based alternatives, but rather a hybrid ecosystem where multiple technologies coexist and interoperate. Established digital platforms like Wise and PayPal will continue serving users who prioritize convenience and user experience. Cryptocurrency rails may find niche applications in particular corridors or use cases where their advantages are most pronounced. CBDCs, if successfully implemented, could become a preferred option for officially-sanctioned cross-border transfers.
The key to maximizing developmental impact lies in ensuring interoperability across platforms, preventing the emergence of fragmented systems that lock users into particular ecosystems. Open banking initiatives, standardized APIs, and universal financial protocols could enable seamless movement between different payment types while maintaining healthy competition on fees and services. Regulatory frameworks should be technology-neutral, focusing on outcomes – consumer protection, financial stability, anti-money laundering – rather than prescribing specific technological implementations.
Ultimately, the success of any remittance system, whether based on traditional banking, mobile money, blockchain, or future technologies yet to emerge, should be measured not by its technological sophistication but by its tangible impact on the lives of migrant workers and their families. The goal is not digital payments for their own sake, but accessible, affordable, and reliable mechanisms that enable people to support their loved ones across borders, contributing to poverty reduction, economic development, and financial inclusion in communities around the world.
Công nghệ blockchain và tiền điện tử đang định hình tương lai của hệ thống chuyển tiền xuyên biên giới
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
27. According to the passage, smart contracts are valuable because they:
A. require human oversight for every transaction
B. can automatically check compliance and execute transfers
C. eliminate the need for any security measures
D. make blockchain technology more expensive
28. The main problem with using most cryptocurrencies for remittances is:
A. they are too complicated to understand
B. they are illegal in all countries
C. their value changes dramatically in short periods
D. they require too much electricity
29. Stablecoins attempt to solve the cryptocurrency volatility problem by:
A. maintaining a stable value relative to a reference asset
B. eliminating all government regulation
C. increasing transaction fees
D. reducing the speed of transfers
30. The passage suggests that Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) could:
A. completely replace all commercial banks immediately
B. combine blockchain efficiency with currency stability
C. only work in developed countries
D. increase remittance costs significantly
31. The “techno-utopian character” mentioned in the passage refers to:
A. the realistic assessment of technological limitations
B. the overemphasis on technology while ignoring social barriers
C. the successful implementation of blockchain in all communities
D. the government control of digital currencies
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each characteristic (32-36) with the correct remittance technology (A-E).
Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 32-36.
Remittance Technologies:
A. Traditional cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin)
B. Stablecoins
C. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
D. Ripple’s enterprise blockchain
E. Proof-of-work consensus mechanisms
32. Uses a native digital asset as a bridge currency for instant liquidity
33. Designed to maintain stable value relative to the US dollar or other fiat currencies
34. Consumes enormous amounts of electricity comparable to entire countries
35. Offers regulatory backing combined with blockchain technology
36. Suffers from double-digit percentage value fluctuations within hours
Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
37. What do smart contracts eliminate the need for during transaction processing?
38. What type of accounts do financial institutions traditionally maintain in multiple currencies?
39. What is described as a significant vulnerability when blockchain transactions cannot be reversed?
40. According to the passage, what should regulatory frameworks focus on rather than specific technologies?
Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- C
- B
- A
- C
- B
- TRUE
- FALSE
- FALSE
- TRUE
- remittance companies
- banking
- fraud prevention systems
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- YES
- NOT GIVEN
- YES
- NO
- YES
- ii
- iv
- vii
- viii
- (Note: Only 4 headings needed for 4 sections)
- peer-to-peer matching systems (or matching systems)
- 3% (or three percent)
- feature phones
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- C
- A
- B
- B
- D
- B
- E
- C
- A
- human intervention
- nostro accounts
- scams/wrong address
- outcomes
Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: traditional money transfer services, fees
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “These services, while reliable, often charge substantial fees ranging from 5% to 10% of the total amount sent”. Đáp án B chính xác phản ánh thông tin này. Đáp án A sai vì bài đọc nói các dịch vụ “reliable”. Đáp án C và D không được đề cập.
Câu 2: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: digital payment platforms, reduced costs
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: Bài viết giải thích “These digital platforms use technology to eliminate intermediaries and reduce operational costs”. Đây là paraphrase của “removing intermediaries from the process” trong đáp án C.
Câu 3: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: World Bank, 2020, remittances
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Thông tin rõ ràng: “According to the World Bank, global remittance flows to low and middle-income countries reached $540 billion in 2020”.
Câu 7: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: digital payment platforms, fees, less than 1%
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 6-7
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói “In many cases, transaction fees have dropped to less than 1% of the amount transferred” – khớp hoàn toàn với câu hỏi.
Câu 8: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: developing countries, internet connectivity, rural areas
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói “challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that these services are accessible to people in remote rural areas who may lack internet connectivity” – mâu thuẫn trực tiếp với câu “All developing countries have excellent internet connectivity”.
Câu 10: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: cheaper remittances, students abroad, financial support
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “students studying abroad can access support from home more easily” – paraphrase của “receive financial support more easily”.
Câu 11: remittance companies
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: Migrant workers, traditionally used, send money
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “Migrant workers… have traditionally relied on conventional money transfer services such as banks and specialized remittance companies”.
Câu 12: banking
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: Mobile money services, successful, limited infrastructure
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “where traditional banking infrastructure remains limited” – “banking” là từ cần điền.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: traditional remittance market, controlled, small number, large companies
- Vị trí trong bài: Section A, đoạn 1, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói về “The oligopolistic nature of the traditional remittance market, where a small number of large firms dominated” – đồng ý với claims của tác giả.
Câu 15: NOT GIVEN
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: digital platforms, customer service, better than traditional
- Vị trí trong bài: Không có thông tin
- Giải thích: Bài đọc không so sánh chất lượng dịch vụ khách hàng giữa hai loại hình, chỉ đề cập đến chi phí và tốc độ.
Câu 16: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: expansion, mobile networks, essential, digital remittance growth
- Vị trí trong bài: Section B, đoạn 1, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “The proliferation of digital remittances has been inextricably linked to the expansion of mobile telecommunications infrastructure” – tác giả rõ ràng cho rằng đây là yếu tố thiết yếu.
Câu 17: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: elderly people, refuse, digital payment services
- Vị trí trong bài: Section B, đoạn 2, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: Bài viết chỉ nói “many potential users, particularly elderly individuals… feel intimidated” – không phải tất cả và không phải “refuse”, mâu thuẫn với claims tuyệt đối trong câu hỏi.
Câu 19: ii (Section A – How digital platforms reduce transfer costs)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Section A tập trung vào việc giải thích cách các nền tảng số giảm chi phí thông qua peer-to-peer matching, real-time payment rails, và scalable infrastructure.
Câu 20: iv (Section B – Barriers to accessing digital remittance services)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Section B thảo luận về digital divide, 2G connectivity, feature phones, và digital literacy – tất cả là rào cản tiếp cận.
Câu 21: vii (Section C – Methods regulators use to oversee digital remittances)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Section C mô tả regulatory landscape, FATF risk-based approaches, licensing regimes, và harmonization initiatives.
Câu 22: viii (Section D – The effect of lower costs on household spending patterns)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Section D phân tích tác động kinh tế xã hội, bao gồm consumption patterns, financial planning, và value-added services.
Câu 24: peer-to-peer matching systems (hoặc matching systems)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Section A, đoạn 2, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “they leverage peer-to-peer matching systems that connect senders and receivers directly”.
Câu 25: 3% (hoặc three percent)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Section A, đoạn 1, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “the Sustainable Development Goal target of 3% by 2030”.
Câu 26: feature phones
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Section B, đoạn 1, dòng 5-6
- Giải thích: “many rural communities still rely on 2G connectivity and basic feature phones”.
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: smart contracts, valuable
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: “Smart contracts – self-executing agreements… enable automated compliance checking and conditional transfers without human intervention” – đáp án B paraphrase chính xác thông tin này.
Câu 28: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: main problem, cryptocurrencies, remittances
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “Price volatility remains the most obvious concern; the value of most cryptocurrencies can fluctuate by double-digit percentages within hours” – đáp án C tóm tắt vấn đề này.
Câu 29: A
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Stablecoins, solve, volatility problem
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “Stablecoins – cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value relative to a reference asset” – khớp chính xác với đáp án A.
Câu 30: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: CBDCs, could
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “interoperable CBDCs could theoretically offer the best of both worlds: the technological efficiency of blockchain-based settlement combined with the stability and regulatory backing of sovereign currencies” – paraphrase thành “combine blockchain efficiency with currency stability”.
Câu 31: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: techno-utopian character
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “The cryptocurrency and blockchain discourse in remittances sometimes exhibits a techno-utopian character, emphasizing technological possibilities while underestimating socioeconomic constraints” – đáp án B tóm tắt ý nghĩa này.
Câu 32: D (Ripple’s enterprise blockchain)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “Companies like Ripple have developed enterprise blockchain solutions… utilizing their native digital asset (XRP) as a bridge currency to facilitate instant liquidity”.
Câu 33: B (Stablecoins)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “Stablecoins – cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value relative to a reference asset (typically the US dollar)”.
Câu 34: E (Proof-of-work consensus mechanisms)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “Proof-of-work consensus mechanisms… require enormous computational resources and consequently energy consumption. Estimates suggest Bitcoin mining alone consumes electricity comparable to entire countries”.
Câu 35: C (Central Bank Digital Currencies)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: CBDCs offer “the stability and regulatory backing of sovereign currencies”.
Câu 36: A (Traditional cryptocurrency)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “the value of most cryptocurrencies can fluctuate by double-digit percentages within hours”.
Câu 37: human intervention
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5-6
- Giải thích: “Smart contracts… enable automated compliance checking and conditional transfers without human intervention”.
Câu 38: nostro accounts
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 5-6
- Giải thích: “rather than maintaining pre-funded nostro accounts in multiple currencies around the world”.
Câu 39: scams (hoặc wrong address – cả hai đều được chấp nhận)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “The irreversibility of blockchain transactions… becomes a significant vulnerability when users accidentally send funds to the wrong address or fall victim to scams with no possibility of recovery”.
Câu 40: outcomes
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 11, dòng 5-7
- Giải thích: “Regulatory frameworks should be technology-neutral, focusing on outcomes – consumer protection, financial stability, anti-money laundering – rather than prescribing specific technological implementations”.
Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage
Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| migrant workers | n | /ˈmaɪɡrənt ˈwɜːkəz/ | công nhân di cư | Migrant workers have traditionally relied on conventional money transfer services | migrant labor, seasonal migrants |
| substantial fees | n | /səbˈstænʃəl fiːz/ | phí đáng kể | These services often charge substantial fees ranging from 5% to 10% | incur substantial fees, substantial costs |
| disrupt | v | /dɪsˈrʌpt/ | làm đảo lộn, phá vỡ | Companies have disrupted the traditional remittance market | disrupt the market, disruptive technology |
| eliminate intermediaries | v phrase | /ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt ˌɪntəˈmiːdiəriz/ | loại bỏ trung gian | Digital platforms eliminate intermediaries and reduce operational costs | remove intermediaries, bypass intermediaries |
| transaction fees | n | /trænˈzækʃən fiːz/ | phí giao dịch | Transaction fees have dropped to less than 1% | minimize transaction fees, transaction costs |
| remittance flows | n | /rɪˈmɪtəns fləʊz/ | dòng chuyển tiền | Global remittance flows reached $540 billion in 2020 | international remittance, remittance corridors |
| mobile penetration | n | /ˈməʊbaɪl ˌpenɪˈtreɪʃən/ | tỷ lệ thâm nhập di động | Mobile phone penetration has grown rapidly | market penetration, digital penetration |
| regulatory environment | n | /ˈreɡjələtəri ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/ | môi trường quản lý | The regulatory environment has evolved to accommodate new technologies | regulatory framework, regulatory compliance |
| encryption technology | n | /ɪnˈkrɪpʃən tekˈnɒlədʒi/ | công nghệ mã hóa | Digital platforms invest heavily in encryption technology | data encryption, encryption protocols |
| fraud prevention | n | /frɔːd prɪˈvenʃən/ | phòng chống gian lận | Companies use fraud prevention systems to protect users | fraud detection, prevent fraud |
| cybercriminals | n | /ˈsaɪbəˌkrɪmɪnəlz/ | tội phạm mạng | Cybercriminals are constantly developing new methods | cyber attacks, cybersecurity threats |
| cross-border trade | n | /krɒs ˈbɔːdə treɪd/ | thương mại xuyên biên giới | Small business owners can engage in cross-border trade | international trade, cross-border transactions |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| digitalization | n | /ˌdɪdʒɪtəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | số hóa | The digitalization of remittance services | digital transformation, digitalization process |
| macroeconomic policy | n | /ˌmækrəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈpɒləsi/ | chính sách kinh tế vĩ mô | It has implications for macroeconomic policy | economic policy, fiscal policy |
| market inefficiencies | n | /ˈmɑːkɪt ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənsiz/ | sự kém hiệu quả của thị trường | Traditional corridors have long been characterized by market inefficiencies | market failures, inefficient markets |
| oligopolistic | adj | /ˌɒlɪɡəʊˈpɒlɪstɪk/ | thuộc độc quyền nhóm | The oligopolistic nature of the traditional remittance market | oligopolistic competition, oligopoly market |
| peer-to-peer | adj | /pɪə tə pɪə/ | ngang hàng | They leverage peer-to-peer matching systems | P2P lending, peer-to-peer networks |
| correspondent banking | n | /ˌkɒrɪˈspɒndənt ˈbæŋkɪŋ/ | ngân hàng đại lý | Bypassing traditional correspondent banking relationships | correspondent bank, banking relationships |
| multiplier effects | n | /ˈmʌltɪplaɪə ɪˈfekts/ | hiệu ứng nhân | Cost reduction has significant multiplier effects | economic multiplier, multiplier impact |
| purchasing power | n | /ˈpɜːtʃəsɪŋ ˈpaʊə/ | sức mua | The additional 5% represents substantial purchasing power | buying power, consumer purchasing power |
| digital divide | n | /ˈdɪdʒɪtl dɪˈvaɪd/ | khoảng cách số | The digital divide continues to pose challenges | bridge the digital divide, digital inequality |
| bifurcated market | n | /ˈbaɪfəkeɪtɪd ˈmɑːkɪt/ | thị trường phân đôi | This has led to a bifurcated market | market segmentation, divided market |
| backward compatibility | n | /ˈbækwəd kəmˌpætɪˈbɪləti/ | tương thích ngược | Companies must maintain backward compatibility | compatible systems, compatibility requirements |
| digital literacy | n | /ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈlɪtərəsi/ | khả năng đọc viết số | Digital literacy represents another significant barrier | media literacy, information literacy |
| hybrid models | n | /ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈmɒdlz/ | mô hình lai | Successful providers have addressed this through hybrid models | hybrid approach, blended model |
| regulatory harmonization | n | /ˈreɡjələtəri ˌhɑːmənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | hài hòa hóa quy định | Regulatory harmonization aims to address these challenges | policy harmonization, harmonized standards |
| longitudinal studies | n | /ˌlɒndʒɪˈtjuːdɪnəl ˈstʌdiz/ | nghiên cứu theo chiều dọc | Longitudinal studies have documented several significant effects | long-term studies, longitudinal research |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| distributed ledger | n | /dɪˈstrɪbjuːtɪd ˈledʒə/ | sổ cái phân tán | The integration of distributed ledger technologies | blockchain ledger, decentralized ledger |
| paradigmatic shift | n | /ˌpærədɪɡˈmætɪk ʃɪft/ | sự thay đổi mô hình | This represents a paradigmatic shift | paradigm shift, fundamental shift |
| monetary sovereignty | n | /ˈmʌnɪtəri ˈsɒvrənti/ | chủ quyền tiền tệ | Implications extending into monetary sovereignty | national sovereignty, sovereign control |
| consensus mechanisms | n | /kənˈsensəs ˈmekənɪzəmz/ | cơ chế đồng thuận | The technology’s distributed consensus mechanisms | blockchain consensus, consensus algorithms |
| cryptographic | adj | /ˌkrɪptəˈɡræfɪk/ | thuộc mật mã | Its cryptographic security protocols | cryptographic keys, cryptographic methods |
| transaction immutability | n | /trænˈzækʃən ˌɪmjuːtəˈbɪləti/ | tính bất biến giao dịch | Providing transaction immutability and transparency | data immutability, immutable records |
| smart contracts | n | /smɑːt ˈkɒntræcts/ | hợp đồng thông minh | Smart contracts enable automated compliance checking | execute smart contracts, blockchain contracts |
| bridge currency | n | /brɪdʒ ˈkʌrənsi/ | tiền tệ cầu nối | Utilizing their native digital asset as a bridge currency | intermediate currency, currency bridge |
| instant liquidity | n | /ˈɪnstənt lɪˈkwɪdəti/ | thanh khoản tức thời | To facilitate instant liquidity for cross-border transactions | market liquidity, liquidity provision |
| nostro accounts | n | /ˈnɒstrəʊ əˈkaʊnts/ | tài khoản nostro | Rather than maintaining pre-funded nostro accounts | correspondent accounts, foreign currency accounts |
| price volatility | n | /praɪs ˌvɒləˈtɪləti/ | biến động giá | Price volatility remains the most obvious concern | market volatility, volatility risk |
| stablecoins | n | /ˈsteɪblkɔɪnz/ | tiền ổn định | Stablecoins represent an attempt to address this volatility | fiat-backed stablecoins, algorithmic stablecoins |
| collateralization | n | /kəˌlætərəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | thế chấp | Complex mechanisms involving collateralization | asset collateralization, collateral requirements |
| systemic risk | n | /sɪˈstemɪk rɪsk/ | rủi ro hệ thống | Raising questions about systemic risk | financial risk, systemic instability |
| Central Bank Digital Currency | n | /ˈsentrəl bæŋk ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈkʌrənsi/ | tiền số ngân hàng trung ương | China is developing its own CBDC | digital yuan, e-currency |
| interoperability | n | /ˌɪntərˌɒpərəˈbɪləti/ | khả năng tương tác | Interoperability standards must be established | system interoperability, cross-platform compatibility |
| disintermediation | n | /dɪsˌɪntəˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/ | bỏ trung gian | The question of disintermediation merits attention | financial disintermediation, remove intermediaries |
| techno-utopian | adj | /ˌteknəʊ juːˈtəʊpiən/ | không tưởng công nghệ | The cryptocurrency discourse exhibits a techno-utopian character | utopian vision, technological optimism |
| proof-of-work | n | /pruːf əv wɜːk/ | bằng chứng công việc | Proof-of-work consensus mechanisms require enormous computational resources | mining algorithm, PoW consensus |
| proof-of-stake | n | /pruːf əv steɪk/ | bằng chứng cổ phần | Alternative consensus mechanisms like proof-of-stake | PoS algorithm, staking mechanism |
Kết bài
Chủ đề “How digital payments are transforming global remittances” không chỉ là một xu hướng công nghệ mà còn là một cuộc cách mạng đang thay đổi cuộc sống của hàng trăm triệu người trên toàn cầu. Qua bộ đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được tiếp cận với đầy đủ ba cấp độ khó từ Easy đến Hard, phản ánh chính xác cấu trúc của bài thi IELTS Reading thực tế.
Ba passages đã cung cấp một bức tranh toàn diện về lĩnh vực thanh toán số và chuyển tiền quốc tế: từ những khái niệm cơ bản và lợi ích thiết thực (Passage 1), đến các chiều kích kinh tế xã hội phức tạp hơn và thách thức về cơ sở hạ tầng (Passage 2), và cuối cùng là những công nghệ tiên tiến như blockchain, cryptocurrency và CBDC với các hàm ý sâu rộng về quản lý và tương lai hệ thống tài chính toàn cầu (Passage 3).
Hệ thống 40 câu hỏi đa dạng đã giúp bạn rèn luyện tất cả các dạng câu hỏi quan trọng trong IELTS Reading: Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Headings, Matching Features, Summary Completion, Sentence Completion, và Short-answer Questions. Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích không chỉ giúp bạn kiểm tra kết quả mà còn hiểu được logic và kỹ thuật làm bài cho từng dạng câu hỏi.
Phần từ vựng theo từng passage đã tổng hợp hơn 40 từ và cụm từ quan trọng nhất về chủ đề này, với đầy đủ phiên âm, nghĩa tiếng Việt, ví dụ minh họa và các collocations thường gặp. Việc nắm vững những từ vựng này không chỉ giúp bạn hiểu bài đọc tốt hơn mà còn là nền tảng vững chắc cho cả phần Writing và Speaking khi gặp các chủ đề liên quan đến công nghệ, tài chính và kinh tế.
Hãy sử dụng bộ đề này như một công cụ luyện tập thực chiến. Đặt mục tiêu hoàn thành trong đúng 60 phút, sau đó dành thời gian xem lại đáp án, phân tích những lỗi sai và học từ vựng một cách có hệ thống. Đừng chỉ tập trung vào số câu đúng sai mà hãy hiểu sâu về cách thông tin được paraphrase giữa câu hỏi và passage, cách xác định từ khóa và vị trí thông tin – đây là những kỹ năng cốt lõi giúp bạn đạt band điểm cao trong IELTS Reading.
Chúc bạn ôn tập hiệu quả và đạt được kết quả như mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!
