IELTS Reading: How to Reduce Waste – Đề thi mẫu có đáp án chi tiết

Giảm thiểu chất thải đang trở thành một trong những thách thức cấp bách nhất của thế giới hiện đại. Chủ đề “How To Reduce Waste” xuất hiện thường xuyên trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading, đặc biệt trong các bài thi từ năm 2018 đến nay, phản ánh xu hướng toàn cầu về bảo vệ môi trường và phát triển bền vững. Đây là một chủ đề đa dạng, có thể khai thác từ nhiều góc độ: khoa học, xã hội, kinh tế và công nghệ.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được trải nghiệm một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh gồm 3 passages với độ khó tăng dần, từ Easy (Band 5.0-6.5) đến Medium (Band 6.0-7.5) và Hard (Band 7.0-9.0). Mỗi passage được thiết kế cẩn thận với các dạng câu hỏi đa dạng giống như đề thi thật, bao gồm: Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Headings, Summary Completion, và nhiều dạng khác. Bạn sẽ nhận được đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cụ thể về vị trí thông tin, kỹ thuật paraphrase, và cách xác định đáp án đúng. Ngoài ra, phần từ vựng quan trọng được tổng hợp theo từng passage sẽ giúp bạn nâng cao vốn từ học thuật của mình.

Bộ đề này phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên, giúp bạn làm quen với format thi thật và phát triển chiến lược làm bài hiệu quả.

Hướng dẫn làm bài IELTS Reading

Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test

IELTS Reading Test kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Mỗi câu trả lời đúng tương ứng với 1 điểm, không có điểm âm cho câu sai. Độ khó tăng dần từ Passage 1 đến Passage 3, do đó bạn cần phân bổ thời gian hợp lý:

• Passage 1 (Easy): 15-17 phút – Đây là passage dễ nhất với ngôn ngữ đơn giản và câu hỏi trực tiếp
• Passage 2 (Medium): 18-20 phút – Yêu cầu kỹ năng paraphrase và hiểu sâu hơn
• Passage 3 (Hard): 23-25 phút – Nội dung phức tạp nhất với từ vựng học thuật và câu hỏi đòi hỏi suy luận

Lưu ý quan trọng: Bạn phải tự chuyển đáp án sang Answer Sheet trong thời gian 60 phút (khác với Listening Test có thêm 10 phút). Do đó, nên dành 2-3 phút cuối để chuyển đáp án cẩn thận.

Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này

Bộ đề thi này bao gồm đầy đủ các dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:

1. Multiple Choice – Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm với 3-4 lựa chọn
2. True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không được đề cập
3. Yes/No/Not Given – Xác định ý kiến của tác giả
4. Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn
5. Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
6. Matching Features – Nối thông tin với đặc điểm
7. Short-answer Questions – Câu hỏi trả lời ngắn

Hướng dẫn chi tiết làm bài IELTS Reading chủ đề giảm thiểu chất thải với phân bổ thời gian hiệu quả

IELTS Reading Practice Test

PASSAGE 1 – The Zero Waste Movement: A Growing Trend

Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút

The concept of zero waste has gained significant momentum in recent years as individuals and communities around the world seek practical ways to reduce their environmental impact. At its core, the zero waste philosophy encourages people to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot (compost) – often called the “5 Rs” – as a framework for minimizing the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills and oceans.

The average person in developed countries produces approximately 2 kilograms of waste per day, with much of this consisting of single-use plastics, food packaging, and other disposable items. This has led to overflowing landfills, polluted oceans, and significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. In response, a growing number of people are embracing minimalist lifestyles and making conscious choices to eliminate unnecessary waste from their daily routines.

One of the most effective strategies for reducing waste begins at the shopping stage. By bringing reusable bags, containers, and bottles, consumers can significantly decrease their reliance on disposable packaging. Many bulk stores now allow customers to fill their own containers with products ranging from grains and nuts to cleaning supplies and personal care items. This approach not only reduces packaging waste but often proves more economical in the long run, as bulk items typically cost less per unit than their packaged equivalents.

Food waste represents another critical area where households can make a substantial impact. Studies indicate that approximately one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, contributing to both environmental degradation and economic loss. Simple practices such as meal planning, proper food storage, and composting organic scraps can dramatically reduce the amount of food that ends up in the trash. Composting, in particular, offers a dual benefit: it diverts waste from landfills while creating nutrient-rich soil for gardens and plants.

The fashion industry has also become a focal point for waste reduction efforts. “Fast fashion” – the production of inexpensive clothing designed to be worn briefly and then discarded – generates enormous amounts of textile waste. Each year, millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills, where synthetic fabrics can take hundreds of years to decompose. To combat this, many consumers are turning to secondhand shopping, clothing swaps, and capsule wardrobes – small collections of versatile, high-quality garments that can be mixed and matched for various occasions.

Technology plays an increasingly important role in waste reduction efforts. Numerous smartphone applications now help users track their waste production, find local recycling centers, and connect with others interested in sharing or donating unwanted items. Some apps even allow people to list leftover food from events or businesses, reducing food waste while helping those in need. Social media platforms have also facilitated the growth of online communities dedicated to sharing tips, challenges, and success stories related to waste reduction.

Education represents a crucial component of the zero waste movement’s success. Schools, community centers, and local governments are implementing programs to teach children and adults about the importance of waste reduction and sustainable living. These initiatives often include workshops on topics such as DIY cleaning products, upcycling projects, and plastic-free living. By fostering awareness and providing practical skills, these educational efforts help create lasting behavioral changes that extend beyond individual households to entire communities.

Despite the positive momentum, challenges remain in the pursuit of zero waste living. Many areas lack adequate infrastructure for recycling and composting, making it difficult for willing participants to properly dispose of materials. Additionally, the convenience culture prevalent in modern society often conflicts with the time and effort required to maintain zero waste practices. However, advocates emphasize that perfection is not the goal; rather, they encourage people to make gradual changes and focus on progress rather than perfection.

Questions 1-6

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

1. The zero waste philosophy is based on five fundamental principles.
2. People in developing countries produce more waste than those in developed nations.
3. Buying products in bulk is usually cheaper than buying packaged items.
4. Approximately half of all food produced worldwide goes to waste.
5. Synthetic fabrics in clothing can take centuries to break down naturally.
6. All major cities now have adequate recycling infrastructure in place.

Questions 7-10

Complete the sentences below.

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

7. Many stores now permit customers to use their own __ when purchasing bulk products.
8. Composting provides the advantage of creating __ for gardening purposes.
9. Some people adopt a __ approach to their wardrobe by keeping only essential, versatile clothing items.
10. __ have helped create online communities where people share waste reduction advice.

Questions 11-13

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

11. According to the passage, the average person in developed countries produces:

• A. 1 kilogram of waste daily
• B. 2 kilograms of waste daily
• C. 3 kilograms of waste daily
• D. 5 kilograms of waste daily

12. The main purpose of educational programs mentioned in the passage is to:

• A. Promote specific waste reduction products
• B. Criticize people who produce too much waste
• C. Create lasting changes in behavior
• D. Generate income for local governments

13. The author’s attitude toward achieving zero waste is:

• A. Critical and pessimistic
• B. Realistic and encouraging
• C. Demanding and strict
• D. Indifferent and neutral

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PASSAGE 2 – The Circular Economy: Reimagining Waste Management

Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút

The linear economy – the traditional “take, make, dispose” model that has dominated industrial production for decades – is increasingly recognized as unsustainable in a world of finite resources and mounting environmental pressures. In its place, the concept of a circular economy is gaining traction among policymakers, businesses, and environmental advocates. This alternative economic model seeks to decouple economic growth from resource consumption by designing waste out of the system entirely, keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, and regenerating natural systems.

Unlike the linear model, which treats products as having a single lifecycle ending in disposal, the circular economy reframes waste as a design flaw rather than an inevitable consequence of production and consumption. This paradigm shift requires fundamental changes in how products are conceived, manufactured, used, and recovered. It encompasses strategies such as product longevity, modularity, remanufacturing, and industrial symbiosis – arrangements where the waste or by-products of one industry become valuable inputs for another.

Several pioneering companies have demonstrated the commercial viability of circular business models. Interface, a global carpet manufacturer, has transformed its operations by creating carpet tiles designed to be easily replaced and recycled, establishing take-back programs to recover used materials, and partnering with suppliers to develop bio-based and recycled raw materials. The company reports that these initiatives have not only reduced its environmental footprint but also improved profitability through decreased material costs and enhanced customer loyalty. Similarly, Patagonia, the outdoor clothing company, has built its brand around product durability, repair services, and a robust second-hand marketplace, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and business success are not mutually exclusive.

The technology sector presents both significant challenges and opportunities for circular economy implementation. Electronic waste, or e-waste, represents one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, with millions of tons of smartphones, computers, and other devices discarded annually. These products contain valuable materials including precious metals, yet recovery rates remain disappointingly low due to complex designs that make disassembly difficult and expensive. However, some manufacturers are beginning to address these issues through modular design approaches that facilitate repair and upgrade, as well as establishing take-back schemes that ensure proper recycling of end-of-life products.

Policy frameworks play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a circular economy. The European Union has been particularly proactive, implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations that make manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including end-of-life management. These policies create economic incentives for companies to design products that are easier to repair, reuse, and recycle. Japan’s approach emphasizes resource efficiency through its “3R Initiative” – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – which has achieved impressive results in waste minimization and material recovery. China, historically the world’s largest importer of recyclable materials, has implemented strict quality standards that have forced exporting nations to improve their sorting and processing capabilities.

The food system offers substantial opportunities for circular economy principles. Approximately 30-40% of food produced in the United States never reaches consumers, representing not only wasted nutrition but also squandered resources including water, energy, and agricultural inputs. Innovative solutions are emerging across the food supply chain: surplus food redistribution networks connect food businesses with charities to redirect edible food to people in need; anaerobic digestion facilities convert food waste into biogas for energy production; and companies are developing processes to transform food by-products into valuable ingredients for other products. One example is the conversion of spent grain from beer production into protein-rich flour for baking.

Despite these promising developments, significant barriers impede the widespread adoption of circular economy practices. Current economic systems often favor virgin materials over recycled alternatives due to subsidies, tax structures, and established supply chains optimized for linear production. Consumer behavior also poses challenges; many people remain accustomed to disposable culture and show limited willingness to pay premiums for sustainable products or participate in return schemes. Furthermore, the lack of standardized regulations across different regions creates complexity for companies operating internationally, potentially discouraging investment in circular innovations.

Collaborative approaches involving multiple stakeholders show particular promise for overcoming these obstacles. Industry consortia can develop common standards for material composition and product design, facilitating more efficient recycling. Public-private partnerships can fund infrastructure for collection, sorting, and processing of materials. Digital platforms are emerging to connect businesses with waste materials to those seeking secondary inputs, creating new marketplaces that improve material flows. The success of the circular economy ultimately depends on systemic change that aligns economic incentives with environmental objectives, supported by technological innovation, policy coordination, and shifts in consumer values and expectations.

Mô hình kinh tế tuần hoàn so sánh với kinh tế tuyến tính trong quản lý chất thải bền vững

Questions 14-18

The passage has eight paragraphs (1-8).

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct number (1-8).

NB: You may use any letter more than once.

14. Examples of companies successfully implementing circular business models
15. The role of government policies in promoting circular economy practices
16. Challenges related to electronic device recycling
17. A definition contrasting circular economy with traditional economic models
18. Barriers preventing wider adoption of circular economy principles

Questions 19-23

Complete the summary below.

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

The circular economy represents a departure from the traditional (19) __, which follows a take, make, dispose approach. This new model aims to eliminate waste by treating it as a (20) __ rather than an inevitable outcome. Various strategies support this approach, including product longevity and (21) __, where waste from one industry becomes useful material for another. In the food sector, approximately (22) __ of food produced in the US is wasted. Solutions include redistributing surplus food and using (23) __ to convert food waste into energy.

Questions 24-26

Choose THREE letters, A-G.

Which THREE of the following are mentioned as obstacles to circular economy adoption?

A. High costs of sustainable materials
B. Economic systems that favor new materials over recycled ones
C. Lack of consumer interest in environmental issues
D. Insufficient technological capabilities
E. Consumer attachment to disposable products
F. Absence of uniform international regulations
G. Limited availability of recycled materials

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PASSAGE 3 – The Psychology and Behavioral Economics of Waste Reduction

Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)

Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút

Understanding why individuals and societies generate excessive waste requires examining the complex interplay of psychological factors, cognitive biases, and economic incentives that shape consumption and disposal behaviors. While technological solutions and policy interventions are undoubtedly important, the ultimate success of waste reduction initiatives depends fundamentally on human decision-making – an arena where behavioral economics and environmental psychology offer crucial insights. The gap between environmental attitudes and actual behavior, often termed the “value-action gap” or “attitude-behavior gap,” represents one of the most significant challenges in promoting sustainable waste management practices.

Prospect theory, developed by psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, provides a framework for understanding how people make decisions under uncertainty and risk. This theory demonstrates that individuals typically exhibit loss aversion – the tendency to feel the pain of losses more acutely than the pleasure of equivalent gains. In the context of waste reduction, this manifests in several ways. Consumers often resist deposit-refund schemes despite their economic rationality, as the upfront cost feels more salient than the future benefit of the refund. Similarly, people may hoard items “just in case,” leading to accumulation rather than disposal or donation, because the potential future loss (needing something they’ve discarded) looms larger than the immediate benefit of decluttering. This psychological mechanism partially explains the limited effectiveness of purely economic incentives; financial rewards for recycling or penalties for excess waste often fail to overcome the cognitive and emotional factors that govern behavior.

The concept of “present bias” further illuminates waste-related behaviors. This cognitive tendency leads individuals to disproportionately value immediate gratification over future benefits, even when the latter are objectively greater. Single-use plastics exemplify this phenomenon: the convenience they offer in the moment outweighs concerns about long-term environmental consequences, even among people who intellectually recognize the problem. Temporal discounting – the tendency to devalue outcomes that occur in the future – means that the immediate convenience of disposable items consistently triumphs over the abstract, distant threat of environmental degradation. Interventions that address present bias through “commitment devices” – mechanisms that lock in future behavior – show promise. For instance, programs allowing people to pre-commit to waste reduction goals or automatically enrolling them in composting services leverage this understanding of human psychology.

Social norms exert powerful influence on waste-related behaviors, often operating below the level of conscious awareness. Humans possess a fundamental drive for social conformity and use others’ behavior as a heuristic for determining appropriate actions. Research by Robert Cialdini and colleagues demonstrated that descriptive norms (information about what others are doing) can significantly affect behavior. In one notable study, hotel guests who learned that most previous occupants had reused towels were substantially more likely to do so themselves than those who received generic environmental appeals. However, the influence of social norms is nuanced: injunctive norms (perceptions of what others approve or disapprove) can sometimes conflict with descriptive norms, and reference groups matter significantly. People are more influenced by the behavior of those they identify with – neighbors, colleagues, or demographically similar individuals – than by abstract statistics about national or global populations.

The “tragedy of the commons,” originally articulated by ecologist Garrett Hardin, describes situations where individuals acting independently according to their own self-interest ultimately deplete shared resources, even when it’s clear that doing so is contrary to the group’s long-term interest. Waste generation presents a contemporary manifestation of this dilemma: each person’s contribution to the waste stream feels negligible, yet the aggregate effect threatens environmental sustainability. Collective action problems of this nature prove particularly resistant to individual behavioral change because rational self-interest suggests that one person’s efforts make little difference. This creates a paradox: widespread change requires many individuals to act, yet each individual faces minimal incentive to do so given the infinitesimal impact of their personal choices.

Overcoming these psychological barriers requires sophisticated interventions that go beyond simple information provision. While education about environmental problems remains important, knowledge alone rarely translates into behavioral change – a phenomenon known as the “information-deficit model fallacy.” More effective approaches employ “choice architecture” and “nudges” – modifications to decision-making contexts that make desired behaviors easier or more attractive without restricting freedom of choice. Examples include default options (such as automatically providing reusable bags unless customers explicitly request plastic ones), strategic placement of recycling bins to make proper disposal more convenient than littering, and timely feedback that makes abstract behaviors (like energy or water use) more visible and salient. The city of Freiburg, Germany, exemplifies successful nudge implementation: its waste management system uses transparent bags for residual waste, creating social accountability as neighbors can observe each other’s disposal habits, while recyclables are collected in opaque containers that don’t trigger the same scrutiny.

Framing effects – the tendency for people to react differently to information depending on how it’s presented – offer additional leverage for promoting waste reduction. Research indicates that positive framing (emphasizing benefits gained) typically proves more effective than negative framing (emphasizing harms avoided) in domains involving prevention behaviors. Messages highlighting the creation of a cleaner environment or community pride often resonate more strongly than warnings about environmental catastrophe. Moreover, the psychological distance of environmental problems – their perception as temporally, spatially, or socially distant – can be reduced through vivid imagery, personal stories, and local examples that make consequences feel more immediate and relevant.

The notion of “moral licensing” presents a particularly insidious obstacle to consistent waste reduction. This phenomenon occurs when people who perform one positive behavior subsequently feel licensed to engage in less virtuous actions. Someone who diligently recycles might feel entitled to purchase more packaged goods, or a person who brings reusable bags to the grocery store might be less conscientious about food waste. This compensation effect can partially or entirely negate the intended environmental benefits. Addressing moral licensing requires helping people develop coherent environmental identities rather than viewing sustainable behaviors as discrete actions that can be traded off against one another. Identity-based interventions that foster self-perception as an “environmental person” show promise for creating more consistent, wide-ranging behavioral change.

Ultimately, achieving substantial waste reduction at scale necessitates multi-level interventions that address psychological, social, and structural factors simultaneously. Individual behavior change, while essential, cannot succeed in isolation from supportive infrastructure, appropriate policies, and cultural shifts that normalize sustainable practices. The most effective strategies combine insights from behavioral science with systems thinking to create environments where waste reduction becomes the path of least resistance rather than requiring continuous volitional effort and self-control. As our understanding of the psychological underpinnings of consumption and disposal deepens, opportunities emerge for more sophisticated and ethically sound interventions that respect human autonomy while channeling decisions toward outcomes that serve both individual and collective welfare.

Questions 27-31

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

27. According to the passage, the “value-action gap” refers to:

• A. The difference between the cost and value of recycled materials
• B. The discrepancy between environmental beliefs and actual behaviors
• C. The space between collection points for different types of waste
• D. The time delay between disposal and environmental impact

28. Prospect theory suggests that people resist deposit-refund schemes primarily because:

• A. The refund amount is typically too small to matter
• B. They don’t trust that they’ll receive the refund
• C. The immediate cost feels more significant than the future benefit
• D. The schemes are too complicated to understand

29. The study involving hotel towel reuse demonstrates that:

• A. Most hotel guests are environmentally conscious
• B. Financial incentives are essential for behavior change
• C. Information about others’ behavior can influence individual actions
• D. Environmental messages are ineffective in changing behavior

30. According to the passage, the “information-deficit model fallacy” suggests that:

• A. People don’t have access to adequate environmental information
• B. Providing knowledge alone is insufficient to change behavior
• C. Environmental education programs are too expensive
• D. Most people don’t understand scientific information

31. Moral licensing is problematic because it can:

• A. Make people feel guilty about their environmental impact
• B. Lead to compensation effects that reduce overall benefits
• C. Cause people to judge others too harshly
• D. Result in excessive commitment to environmental causes

Questions 32-36

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-H, below.

Write the correct letter, A-H.

32. Present bias causes individuals
33. The tragedy of the commons describes situations where
34. Choice architecture involves
35. Framing effects demonstrate that
36. Identity-based interventions aim to

A. personal contributions feel too small to matter significantly.
B. to prioritize immediate convenience over long-term consequences.
C. help people see themselves as consistently environmental in character.
D. modifying contexts to make desired behaviors easier without removing choice.
E. the way information is presented affects how people respond to it.
F. individuals deplete shared resources while pursuing self-interest.
G. ensuring all community members participate in recycling programs.
H. creating financial penalties for excessive waste production.

Questions 37-40

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

37. Economic incentives are generally more effective than psychological interventions for reducing waste.
38. People are more influenced by the behavior of individuals they can identify with than by national statistics.
39. Negative framing about environmental harms is typically more motivating than positive framing about benefits.
40. Achieving significant waste reduction requires coordinated efforts at multiple levels of society.

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Answer Keys – Đáp Án

PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13

1. TRUE
2. NOT GIVEN
3. TRUE
4. FALSE
5. TRUE
6. FALSE
7. containers
8. nutrient-rich soil
9. capsule wardrobe
10. Social media platforms
11. B
12. C
13. B

PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26

14. 3
15. 5
16. 4
17. 1
18. 7
19. linear economy
20. design flaw
21. industrial symbiosis
22. 30-40% / thirty to forty percent
23. anaerobic digestion
    24-26. B, E, F (in any order)

PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40

27. B
28. C
29. C
30. B
31. B
32. B
33. F
34. D
35. E
36. C
37. NO
38. YES
39. NO
40. YES

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Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Passage 1 – Giải Thích

Câu 1: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: zero waste philosophy, five fundamental principles
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, câu thứ 2
• Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot (compost) – often called the ‘5 Rs'” – đây chính xác là 5 nguyên tắc cơ bản. Câu hỏi sử dụng “fundamental principles” để paraphrase “5 Rs”.

Câu 2: NOT GIVEN

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: developing countries, produce more waste
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2
• Giải thích: Bài chỉ đề cập “average person in developed countries produces approximately 2 kilograms of waste per day” nhưng không so sánh với developing countries, do đó không có thông tin để xác định.

Câu 3: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: buying products in bulk, cheaper
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, câu cuối
• Giải thích: “bulk items typically cost less per unit than their packaged equivalents” – câu hỏi paraphrase “cheaper” từ “cost less”.

Câu 4: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: half of all food, waste
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, câu thứ 2
• Giải thích: Bài viết “approximately one-third of all food produced globally is wasted” – đây là 1/3, không phải 1/2 (half) như câu hỏi nêu, nên là FALSE.

Câu 5: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: synthetic fabrics, centuries, break down
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, câu thứ 3
• Giải thích: “synthetic fabrics can take hundreds of years to decompose” – “hundreds of years” = “centuries”, “decompose” = “break down naturally”.

Câu 6: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: all major cities, adequate recycling infrastructure
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “Many areas lack adequate infrastructure for recycling and composting” – điều này mâu thuẫn với “all major cities now have adequate recycling infrastructure”.

Câu 7: containers

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: stores, customers, own, bulk products
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, câu thứ 3
• Giải thích: “Many bulk stores now allow customers to fill their own containers with products” – từ cần điền là “containers”.

Câu 8: nutrient-rich soil

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: composting, advantage, creating, gardening
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, câu cuối
• Giải thích: “it diverts waste from landfills while creating nutrient-rich soil for gardens” – chính xác là “nutrient-rich soil”.

Câu 9: capsule wardrobe

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: approach, wardrobe, essential, versatile clothing
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, câu cuối
• Giải thích: Bài đọc mô tả “capsule wardrobes – small collections of versatile, high-quality garments” – đây là cách tiếp cận được hỏi.

Câu 10: Social media platforms

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: helped create, online communities, share, advice
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, câu cuối
• Giải thích: “Social media platforms have also facilitated the growth of online communities dedicated to sharing tips” – đáp án là “Social media platforms”.

Câu 11: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: average person, developed countries, produces
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “The average person in developed countries produces approximately 2 kilograms of waste per day” – đáp án rõ ràng là B.

Câu 12: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: main purpose, educational programs
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, câu cuối
• Giải thích: “these educational efforts help create lasting behavioral changes” – mục đích chính là tạo ra thay đổi hành vi lâu dài (lasting changes in behavior), tương ứng với đáp án C.

Câu 13: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: author’s attitude, achieving zero waste
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8
• Giải thích: “advocates emphasize that perfection is not the goal; rather, they encourage people to make gradual changes and focus on progress rather than perfection” – thái độ là thực tế và khuyến khích (realistic and encouraging).

Passage 2 – Giải Thích

Câu 14: 3

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: companies, successfully implementing, circular business models
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
• Giải thích: Đoạn 3 nói chi tiết về Interface và Patagonia – hai công ty đã thành công với mô hình kinh tế tuần hoàn.

Câu 15: 5

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: government policies, promoting circular economy
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5
• Giải thích: Đoạn 5 bắt đầu với “Policy frameworks play a crucial role” và mô tả chính sách của EU, Japan, và China.

Câu 16: 4

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: challenges, electronic device recycling
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4
• Giải thích: Đoạn 4 thảo luận về e-waste và các thách thức như “recovery rates remain disappointingly low” và “complex designs that make disassembly difficult”.

Câu 17: 1

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: definition, circular economy, traditional economic models
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1
• Giải thích: Đoạn 1 định nghĩa linear economy và circular economy, so sánh hai mô hình.

Câu 18: 7

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: barriers, wider adoption
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7
• Giải thích: Đoạn 7 bắt đầu với “significant barriers impede the widespread adoption” và liệt kê các rào cản.

Câu 19: linear economy

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: traditional, take, make, dispose
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “The linear economy – the traditional ‘take, make, dispose’ model” – đáp án là “linear economy”.

Câu 20: design flaw

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: treating waste, rather than inevitable
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “the circular economy reframes waste as a design flaw rather than an inevitable consequence” – đáp án là “design flaw”.

Câu 21: industrial symbiosis

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: waste from one industry, useful material for another
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, câu thứ 3
• Giải thích: “industrial symbiosis – arrangements where the waste or by-products of one industry become valuable inputs for another” – đáp án là “industrial symbiosis”.

Câu 22: 30-40% / thirty to forty percent

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: food produced in the US, wasted
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, câu thứ 2
• Giải thích: “Approximately 30-40% of food produced in the United States never reaches consumers” – có thể viết bằng số hoặc chữ.

Câu 23: anaerobic digestion

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: convert food waste, energy
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, câu thứ 4
• Giải thích: “anaerobic digestion facilities convert food waste into biogas for energy production” – đáp án là “anaerobic digestion”.

Câu 24-26: B, E, F (bất kỳ thứ tự nào)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice (chọn 3 đáp án)
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7
• Giải thích:
  • B: “Current economic systems often favor virgin materials over recycled alternatives” ✓
  • E: “many people remain accustomed to disposable culture” ✓
  • F: “the lack of standardized regulations across different regions” ✓
  • Các đáp án khác không được đề cập như rào cản trong bài.

Passage 3 – Giải Thích

Câu 27: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: value-action gap
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, câu cuối
• Giải thích: “The gap between environmental attitudes and actual behavior, often termed the ‘value-action gap’ or ‘attitude-behavior gap'” – đây chính xác là khoảng cách giữa niềm tin môi trường và hành vi thực tế.

Câu 28: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: prospect theory, resist deposit-refund schemes
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, giữa đoạn
• Giải thích: “Consumers often resist deposit-refund schemes despite their economic rationality, as the upfront cost feels more salient than the future benefit of the refund” – chi phí trước mắt cảm thấy quan trọng hơn lợi ích tương lai.

Câu 29: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: hotel towel reuse study
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, giữa đoạn
• Giải thích: “hotel guests who learned that most previous occupants had reused towels were substantially more likely to do so themselves” – thông tin về hành vi của người khác ảnh hưởng đến hành vi cá nhân.

Câu 30: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: information-deficit model fallacy
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, đầu đoạn
• Giải thích: “While education about environmental problems remains important, knowledge alone rarely translates into behavioral change – a phenomenon known as the ‘information-deficit model fallacy'” – kiến thức đơn thuần không đủ để thay đổi hành vi.

Câu 31: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: moral licensing, problematic
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, câu thứ 3-4
• Giải thích: “This compensation effect can partially or entirely negate the intended environmental benefits” – hiệu ứng bù trừ có thể làm giảm hoặc triệt tiêu lợi ích môi trường.

Câu 32: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Sentence Endings
• Từ khóa: Present bias causes individuals
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “This cognitive tendency leads individuals to disproportionately value immediate gratification over future benefits” – ưu tiên sự thoải mái trước mắt hơn hậu quả dài hạn.

Câu 33: F

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Sentence Endings
• Từ khóa: tragedy of the commons describes
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “individuals acting independently according to their own self-interest ultimately deplete shared resources” – cá nhân làm cạn kiệt tài nguyên chung khi theo đuổi lợi ích cá nhân.

Câu 34: D

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Sentence Endings
• Từ khóa: Choice architecture involves
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, giữa đoạn
• Giải thích: “choice architecture and nudges – modifications to decision-making contexts that make desired behaviors easier or more attractive without restricting freedom of choice” – điều chỉnh bối cảnh để làm cho hành vi mong muốn dễ dàng hơn mà không loại bỏ quyền lựa chọn.

Câu 35: E

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Sentence Endings
• Từ khóa: Framing effects demonstrate
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “Framing effects – the tendency for people to react differently to information depending on how it’s presented” – cách trình bày thông tin ảnh hưởng đến cách người ta phản ứng.

Câu 36: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Sentence Endings
• Từ khóa: Identity-based interventions aim
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, cuối đoạn
• Giải thích: “Identity-based interventions that foster self-perception as an ‘environmental person'” – giúp người ta nhìn nhận bản thân là người có tính cách bảo vệ môi trường nhất quán.

Câu 37: NO

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: economic incentives, more effective, psychological interventions
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, cuối đoạn
• Giải thích: Tác giả nói “financial rewards for recycling or penalties for excess waste often fail to overcome the cognitive and emotional factors” – điều này mâu thuẫn với ý kiến rằng economic incentives hiệu quả hơn.

Câu 38: YES

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: influenced by individuals they identify with, national statistics
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, cuối đoạn
• Giải thích: “People are more influenced by the behavior of those they identify with – neighbors, colleagues, or demographically similar individuals – than by abstract statistics about national or global populations” – đồng ý hoàn toàn với quan điểm của tác giả.

Câu 39: NO

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: negative framing, more motivating, positive framing
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, câu thứ 2
• Giải thích: “positive framing (emphasizing benefits gained) typically proves more effective than negative framing (emphasizing harms avoided)” – tác giả nói positive framing hiệu quả hơn, ngược với câu hỏi.

Câu 40: YES

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: significant waste reduction, coordinated efforts, multiple levels
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “achieving substantial waste reduction at scale necessitates multi-level interventions that address psychological, social, and structural factors simultaneously” – tác giả khẳng định cần nỗ lực phối hợp ở nhiều cấp độ.

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Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage

Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
zero waste	n	/ˈzɪərəʊ weɪst/	không rác thải	The concept of zero waste has gained significant momentum	zero waste movement, zero waste lifestyle
momentum	n	/məʊˈmentəm/	động lực, đà phát triển	has gained significant momentum in recent years	gain/gather momentum, lose momentum
single-use	adj	/ˈsɪŋɡl juːs/	dùng một lần	much of this consisting of single-use plastics	single-use plastic, single-use items
disposable	adj	/dɪˈspəʊzəbl/	dùng một lần rồi vứt	food packaging and other disposable items	disposable income, disposable products
landfill	n	/ˈlændfɪl/	bãi rác, bãi chôn lấp	This has led to overflowing landfills	waste goes to landfill, landfill site
greenhouse gas	n	/ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs/	khí nhà kính	significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions	greenhouse gas emissions, reduce greenhouse gases
minimalist	adj	/ˈmɪnɪməlɪst/	tối giản	a growing number of people are embracing minimalist lifestyles	minimalist lifestyle, minimalist approach
bulk store	n	/bʌlk stɔː/	cửa hàng bán sỉ	Many bulk stores now allow customers	buy in bulk, bulk purchase
economical	adj	/ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪkl/	tiết kiệm, kinh tế	often proves more economical in the long run	economical choice, economical solution
composting	n	/ˈkɒmpɒstɪŋ/	làm phân trộn	proper food storage and composting organic scraps	composting bin, home composting
fast fashion	n	/fɑːst ˈfæʃn/	thời trang nhanh	Fast fashion – the production of inexpensive clothing	fast fashion industry, fast fashion brands
sustainable	adj	/səˈsteɪnəbl/	bền vững	the importance of waste reduction and sustainable living	sustainable development, sustainable practices

Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
linear economy	n	/ˈlɪniə iˈkɒnəmi/	nền kinh tế tuyến tính	The linear economy – the traditional “take, make, dispose” model	linear economy model, move away from linear economy
unsustainable	adj	/ˌʌnsəˈsteɪnəbl/	không bền vững	increasingly recognized as unsustainable	unsustainable practices, unsustainable growth
circular economy	n	/ˈsɜːkjələr iˈkɒnəmi/	nền kinh tế tuần hoàn	the concept of a circular economy is gaining traction	circular economy model, transition to circular economy
decouple	v	/diːˈkʌpl/	tách rời	seeks to decouple economic growth from resource consumption	decouple growth from emissions
paradigm shift	n	/ˈpærədaɪm ʃɪft/	thay đổi mô hình tư duy	This paradigm shift requires fundamental changes	represent a paradigm shift
modularity	n	/ˌmɒdjuˈlærəti/	tính mô-đun	strategies such as product longevity, modularity	design for modularity
remanufacturing	n	/ˌriːmænjuˈfæktʃərɪŋ/	tái sản xuất	modularity, remanufacturing, and industrial symbiosis	remanufacturing process, remanufacturing industry
commercial viability	n	/kəˈmɜːʃl ˌvaɪəˈbɪləti/	khả năng sinh lời thương mại	demonstrated the commercial viability of circular business models	assess commercial viability, prove commercial viability
bio-based	adj	/ˈbaɪəʊ beɪst/	dựa trên sinh học	develop bio-based and recycled raw materials	bio-based materials, bio-based products
profitability	n	/ˌprɒfɪtəˈbɪləti/	khả năng sinh lời	also improved profitability through decreased material costs	improve profitability, increase profitability
e-waste	n	/ˈiː weɪst/	rác thải điện tử	Electronic waste, or e-waste, represents one of the fastest-growing waste streams	e-waste management, e-waste recycling
disassembly	n	/ˌdɪsəˈsembli/	sự tháo rời	complex designs that make disassembly difficult	easy disassembly, disassembly process
Extended Producer Responsibility	n	/ɪkˈstendɪd prəˈdjuːsə rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/	trách nhiệm mở rộng của nhà sản xuất	implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations	EPR scheme, EPR policy
anaerobic digestion	n	/ˌænəˈrəʊbɪk daɪˈdʒestʃən/	phân hủy kỵ khí	anaerobic digestion facilities convert food waste into biogas	anaerobic digestion process, anaerobic digestion plant
systemic change	n	/sɪˈstemɪk tʃeɪndʒ/	thay đổi có hệ thống	The success of the circular economy ultimately depends on systemic change	require systemic change, drive systemic change

Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
cognitive bias	n	/ˈkɒɡnətɪv ˈbaɪəs/	thiên kiến nhận thức	examining the complex interplay of psychological factors, cognitive biases	cognitive bias in decision-making, overcome cognitive bias
behavioral economics	n	/bɪˈheɪvjərəl ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪks/	kinh tế học hành vi	behavioral economics and environmental psychology offer crucial insights	principles of behavioral economics, behavioral economics approach
value-action gap	n	/ˈvæljuː ˈækʃn ɡæp/	khoảng cách giữa giá trị và hành động	often termed the “value-action gap” or “attitude-behavior gap”	bridge the value-action gap, close the value-action gap
prospect theory	n	/ˈprɒspekt ˈθɪəri/	lý thuyết triển vọng	Prospect theory, developed by psychologists Daniel Kahneman	based on prospect theory, prospect theory suggests
loss aversion	n	/lɒs əˈvɜːʃn/	sự e ngại mất mát	individuals typically exhibit loss aversion	demonstrate loss aversion, overcome loss aversion
present bias	n	/ˈpreznt ˈbaɪəs/	thiên kiến hiện tại	The concept of “present bias” further illuminates waste-related behaviors	present bias effect, overcome present bias
temporal discounting	n	/ˈtempərəl dɪsˈkaʊntɪŋ/	chiết khấu thời gian	Temporal discounting – the tendency to devalue outcomes	temporal discounting rate, effects of temporal discounting
social norm	n	/ˈsəʊʃl nɔːm/	chuẩn mực xã hội	Social norms exert powerful influence on waste-related behaviors	social norm influence, establish social norms
descriptive norm	n	/dɪˈskrɪptɪv nɔːm/	chuẩn mực mô tả	descriptive norms (information about what others are doing)	descriptive norm information, descriptive norm messaging
injunctive norm	n	/ɪnˈdʒʌŋktɪv nɔːm/	chuẩn mực quy định	injunctive norms (perceptions of what others approve)	injunctive norm perception, injunctive norm influence
tragedy of the commons	n	/ˈtrædʒədi əv ðə ˈkɒmənz/	bi kịch của cái chung	The “tragedy of the commons,” originally articulated by ecologist Garrett Hardin	tragedy of the commons problem, avoid tragedy of the commons
collective action problem	n	/kəˈlektɪv ˈækʃn ˈprɒbləm/	vấn đề hành động tập thể	Collective action problems of this nature prove particularly resistant	solve collective action problem, collective action problem theory
choice architecture	n	/tʃɔɪs ˈɑːkɪtektʃə/	kiến trúc lựa chọn	More effective approaches employ “choice architecture” and “nudges”	design choice architecture, choice architecture approach
nudge	n/v	/nʌdʒ/	thúc đẩy nhẹ nhàng	modifications to decision-making contexts that make desired behaviors easier	nudge people toward, nudge intervention
framing effect	n	/ˈfreɪmɪŋ ɪˈfekt/	hiệu ứng đóng khung	Framing effects – the tendency for people to react differently	framing effect influence, positive/negative framing effect
moral licensing	n	/ˈmɒrəl ˈlaɪsnsɪŋ/	cấp phép đạo đức	The notion of “moral licensing” presents a particularly insidious obstacle	moral licensing effect, moral licensing phenomenon
identity-based intervention	n	/aɪˈdentəti beɪst ˌɪntəˈvenʃn/	can thiệp dựa trên bản sắc	Identity-based interventions that foster self-perception	identity-based intervention approach, implement identity-based intervention
volitional effort	n	/vəˈlɪʃənl ˈefət/	nỗ lực ý chí	requiring continuous volitional effort and self-control	minimize volitional effort, require volitional effort

Từ vựng IELTS Reading chủ đề giảm thiểu chất thải với phân loại theo độ khó và chủ điểm

Kết luận

Chủ đề “How to reduce waste” không chỉ phổ biến trong IELTS Reading mà còn phản ánh một trong những vấn đề cấp bách nhất của thời đại chúng ta. Qua bộ đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được trải nghiệm đầy đủ ba mức độ khó với các dạng câu hỏi đa dạng, từ những câu hỏi trực tiếp ở Passage 1 đến những câu hỏi đòi hỏi phân tích sâu và suy luận ở Passage 3.

Ba passages đã cung cấp góc nhìn toàn diện về giảm thiểu chất thải: từ phong trào zero waste cá nhân, đến mô hình kinh tế tuần hoàn ở cấp độ doanh nghiệp và chính sách, cho đến những yếu tố tâm lý học và kinh tế học hành vi ảnh hưởng đến quyết định của con người. Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích đã giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách xác định thông tin trong passage, nhận biết paraphrase, và áp dụng chiến lược làm bài phù hợp với từng dạng câu hỏi.

Phần từ vựng được tổng hợp theo từng passage không chỉ giúp bạn mở rộng vốn từ học thuật mà còn cung cấp collocations thực tế, giúp bạn sử dụng từ vựng một cách tự nhiên và chính xác hơn. Hãy nhớ rằng, việc luyện tập thường xuyên với các đề thi mẫu như thế này là chìa khóa để cải thiện band điểm Reading của bạn.

Đối với những ai quan tâm đến các chủ đề môi trường liên quan, bạn có thể tìm hiểu thêm về What are the consequences of climate change on global food supply? để mở rộng hiểu biết về tác động của biến đổi khí hậu. Ngoài ra, khía cạnh xã hội của vấn đề này cũng được phản ánh trong How urbanization is affecting global ecosystems, giúp bạn có cái nhìn toàn diện hơn về mối liên hệ giữa phát triển đô thị và môi trường.

Hãy tiếp tục rèn luyện kỹ năng của mình bằng cách thực hành với nhiều đề thi khác nhau và đừng quên áp dụng các chiến lược đã học được từ bài này. Chúc bạn đạt được band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!