Giới Thiệu
Chủ đề về thành phố thông minh và tác động của chúng đến đời sống hiện đại là một trong những đề tài xuất hiện ngày càng thường xuyên trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading. Với sự phát triển nhanh chóng của công nghệ và xu hướng đô thị hóa toàn cầu, các giám khảo IELTS đặc biệt quan tâm đến việc đánh giá khả năng hiểu và phân tích của thí sinh về những vấn đề liên quan đến cuộc sống đô thị thông minh.
Bài viết này cung cấp cho bạn một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages từ dễ đến khó, bao gồm 40 câu hỏi đa dạng giống như trong kỳ thi thật. Bạn sẽ nhận được đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cụ thể, giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách paraphrase và xác định thông tin trong bài đọc. Ngoài ra, bộ từ vựng quan trọng được tổng hợp theo từng passage sẽ giúp bạn nâng cao vốn từ học thuật của mình.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên, với độ khó tăng dần qua từng passage. Hãy dành đủ 60 phút để hoàn thành bài thi trong điều kiện giống thực tế nhất, sau đó đối chiếu đáp án và học từ những giải thích chi tiết mà tôi cung cấp.
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. Điểm số được tính dựa trên số câu trả lời đúng, không trừ điểm cho câu sai. Mỗi passage có độ dài khoảng 700-1000 từ và độ khó tăng dần từ Passage 1 đến Passage 3.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1: 15-17 phút (câu hỏi 1-13)
- Passage 2: 18-20 phút (câu hỏi 14-26)
- Passage 3: 23-25 phút (câu hỏi 27-40)
Lưu ý dành 2-3 phút cuối để chuyển đáp án vào answer sheet. Không có thời gian bổ sung cho việc này trong phòng thi.
Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này
Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 7 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:
- Multiple Choice – Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm nhiều lựa chọn
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không có trong bài
- Yes/No/Not Given – Xác định ý kiến của tác giả
- Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu
- Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
- Matching Features – Nối thông tin với đặc điểm
IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Rise of Smart Cities
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
The concept of smart cities has rapidly evolved from a futuristic dream into a present-day reality. As urban populations continue to grow at an unprecedented rate, city planners and governments worldwide are turning to technology to address the challenges of modern urban living. A smart city uses digital technology and data analytics to improve the quality of life for its residents, enhance sustainability, and optimize city operations.
At its core, a smart city integrates information and communication technology (ICT) with the Internet of Things (IoT) to manage a city’s assets efficiently. These assets include local government departments, schools, libraries, transportation systems, hospitals, power plants, water supply networks, and waste management facilities. The goal is to create an interconnected ecosystem where data flows seamlessly between different city services, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation.
One of the most visible applications of smart city technology is in traffic management. Traditional traffic systems rely on fixed traffic light timings, which often lead to congestion during peak hours. Smart traffic systems, however, use sensors and cameras to monitor traffic flow in real-time. These systems can adjust traffic light timings dynamically based on current traffic conditions, significantly reducing congestion and travel times. In Barcelona, Spain, the implementation of smart traffic lights has reduced travel time by 21% and helped the city save approximately €42 million annually through improved traffic flow and reduced emissions.
Public transportation is another area where smart city technology has made remarkable progress. Many cities now offer real-time information about bus and train arrivals through mobile applications. Passengers can plan their journeys more effectively, reducing waiting times and improving overall satisfaction with public transport services. Singapore’s smart public transport system goes even further by using predictive analytics to anticipate demand and adjust service frequency accordingly. This has resulted in a 15% increase in public transport usage and a corresponding decrease in private vehicle traffic.
Hệ thống giao thông thông minh trong thành phố hiện đại với công nghệ IoT và camera giám sát
Energy efficiency represents a critical component of smart city infrastructure. Smart grids use digital technology to monitor and manage the transport of electricity from all generation sources to meet the varying electricity demands of end users. These systems can detect and respond to local changes in usage, reducing energy waste and costs. Copenhagen, Denmark, has implemented a smart energy system that integrates renewable energy sources with traditional power generation. The city aims to become carbon-neutral by 2025, and its smart grid technology plays a crucial role in achieving this ambitious target by optimizing energy distribution and reducing waste by up to 30%.
Water management in smart cities employs sensors to detect leaks in the water supply network, monitor water quality, and track consumption patterns. Traditional water systems lose up to 50% of water through leaks and inefficiencies. Smart water management systems can reduce this waste significantly. In Dubuque, Iowa, a smart water pilot program provided residents with detailed information about their water usage. This simple intervention led to a 6.6% reduction in overall water consumption, demonstrating how data and awareness can change behavior.
Waste management is being revolutionized through smart bins equipped with sensors that monitor fill levels and optimize collection routes. Instead of following fixed schedules, waste collection trucks only visit bins that are nearly full. This approach reduces fuel consumption, lowers emissions, and decreases operational costs. Seoul, South Korea, has implemented a smart waste management system that has reduced collection costs by 83% and increased recycling rates by 30%.
Despite these impressive benefits, the transition to smart cities is not without challenges. The initial infrastructure investment required can be substantial, often running into billions of dollars. Additionally, concerns about data privacy and security remain significant obstacles. Smart cities collect vast amounts of data about residents’ movements, habits, and preferences, raising questions about who has access to this information and how it is protected. There is also the risk of creating a digital divide, where only certain segments of the population can access or benefit from smart city services.
Để hiểu rõ hơn về việc các thành phố đang giải quyết những thách thức phát triển này, bạn có thể tìm hiểu thêm về challenges of urban planning in growing cities, nơi thảo luận chi tiết về các vấn đề quy hoạch và quản lý đô thị.
Looking ahead, the success of smart cities will depend on addressing these challenges while continuing to innovate. The focus must be on creating inclusive smart cities that benefit all residents, regardless of their socioeconomic status or technical literacy. As technology continues to advance, the potential for smart cities to transform urban living remains enormous, promising a future where cities are not only more efficient but also more livable and sustainable for everyone.
Questions 1-13
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
What is the main purpose of a smart city according to the passage?
- A) To increase government revenue
- B) To improve residents’ quality of life and city efficiency
- C) To promote technology companies
- D) To reduce the urban population
-
How do smart traffic systems differ from traditional ones?
- A) They use more traffic lights
- B) They employ fixed timing schedules
- C) They adjust dynamically based on real-time data
- D) They eliminate the need for traffic police
-
What benefit did Barcelona experience from smart traffic lights?
- A) 21% reduction in accidents
- B) 21% decrease in travel time
- C) 21% increase in tourism
- D) 21% growth in population
-
How has Singapore’s smart public transport system affected private vehicle usage?
- A) It increased private vehicle traffic
- B) It had no effect on private vehicles
- C) It decreased private vehicle traffic
- D) It banned private vehicles
-
What is Copenhagen’s target regarding carbon emissions?
- A) To reduce emissions by 50% by 2025
- B) To become carbon-neutral by 2025
- C) To become carbon-neutral by 2030
- D) To increase renewable energy by 30%
Questions 6-9: True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
Write:
- TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
- FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
- NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
- Smart cities only focus on transportation improvements.
- Traditional water systems can lose up to 50% of water through leaks.
- Seoul’s smart waste management system reduced collection costs by more than 80%.
- All residents in smart cities have equal access to smart technology services.
Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- Smart cities integrate ICT with the __ to manage city assets effectively.
- Smart water management systems in Dubuque helped reduce water consumption by providing residents with detailed __.
- One major challenge for smart cities is the substantial __ required for infrastructure.
- Critics worry that smart cities might create a __ where only some people benefit from technology.
PASSAGE 2 – Smart Cities: Environmental and Social Impacts
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The proliferation of smart city initiatives across the globe has sparked considerable debate among urban planners, environmentalists, and sociologists about their true impact on both the environment and society. While proponents argue that smart cities represent the most viable solution to urban sustainability challenges, critics maintain that the technology-centric approach may exacerbate existing inequalities and create new environmental concerns. Understanding these multifaceted impacts requires a nuanced examination of both the benefits and potential drawbacks of smart urban development.
From an environmental perspective, smart cities offer numerous pathways to ecological sustainability. The integration of renewable energy sources with intelligent grid systems has demonstrated remarkable potential for reducing urban carbon footprints. Amsterdam’s smart grid project, which connects approximately 500 households with smart meters and energy management systems, has achieved a 12% reduction in energy consumption during its pilot phase. The system enables residents to monitor their energy usage in real-time and automatically adjusts heating and cooling based on occupancy patterns and weather forecasts. This optimization not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also lowers utility costs for residents, creating a compelling economic incentive for sustainable behavior.
Air quality monitoring represents another critical environmental application of smart city technology. Traditional air quality measurement relies on a limited number of fixed monitoring stations, providing only a fragmented picture of urban air pollution. In contrast, smart cities deploy networks of low-cost sensors throughout the urban landscape, creating a comprehensive, real-time map of air quality. London’s Breathe London initiative has installed over 100 air quality sensors across the city, enabling authorities to identify pollution hotspots and implement targeted interventions. The granular data has revealed that air quality can vary significantly even within a single neighborhood, information that was previously unavailable. This level of detail empowers city planners to make evidence-based decisions about traffic management, urban planning, and public health policies.
However, the environmental benefits of smart cities are not unequivocal. The manufacturing and disposal of the vast array of sensors, devices, and infrastructure required for smart cities generate significant electronic waste and consume substantial resources. A comprehensive life-cycle analysis of smart city technology conducted by researchers at MIT revealed that the carbon footprint of producing and installing smart infrastructure can take 5-7 years to offset through operational efficiency gains. Furthermore, the massive data centers required to process and store the enormous volumes of data generated by smart cities consume substantial amounts of energy. A single large data center can use as much electricity as a small town, and while efforts are being made to power these facilities with renewable energy, the majority still rely on conventional power sources.
Tương tự như cách how smart cities are promoting sustainable living đang được triển khai, việc tích hợp công nghệ xanh vào hệ thống đô thị đòi hỏi sự cân nhắc kỹ lưỡng về tác động dài hạn.
The social implications of smart cities are equally complex and multifaceted. Advocates emphasize how smart technology can enhance civic engagement and create more responsive governance. Barcelona’s Decidim platform exemplifies this potential, enabling over 40,000 citizens to participate directly in urban planning decisions through a digital democracy platform. Residents can propose projects, vote on priorities, and track the implementation of approved initiatives. This level of transparency and participation was previously unimaginable in a city of 1.6 million people. The platform has successfully facilitated citizen-led improvements to public spaces, transportation networks, and community services, demonstrating how technology can democratize urban governance.
Nevertheless, concerns about social equity and the digital divide persist. Research conducted by the Urban Institute found that smart city benefits are often disproportionately enjoyed by affluent, educated populations who possess the necessary devices and digital literacy to access smart services. Elderly residents, low-income communities, and recent immigrants frequently find themselves excluded from the benefits of smart city initiatives. In Detroit, a city grappling with significant economic challenges, the implementation of smart parking meters that only accept credit cards or mobile payments effectively excluded many residents who rely on cash transactions, highlighting how technological solutions can inadvertently marginalize vulnerable populations.
Privacy concerns constitute another significant social dimension of smart cities. The pervasive surveillance inherent in smart city infrastructure raises fundamental questions about civil liberties and data ownership. In 2019, residents of Toronto, Canada, successfully campaigned against Google’s Sidewalk Labs project, which planned to create a smart neighborhood with extensive sensor networks monitoring pedestrian movements, air quality, and noise levels. Critics argued that the project would create an unprecedented level of corporate surveillance, with insufficient safeguards for personal data. The controversy highlighted the tension between the efficiency benefits of data collection and the fundamental right to privacy in public spaces.
The psychological impact of living in smart cities also merits consideration. Some urban theorists argue that the hyper-optimization of urban life may diminish the serendipitous encounters and spontaneous experiences that contribute to the vitality and creativity of cities. When algorithms determine the most efficient route, recommend optimal activities, and predict future needs, they may inadvertently reduce the diversity of human experience. Jane Jacobs, the influential urbanist, emphasized the importance of organic complexity in cities—the unpredictable interactions and diverse uses of space that make urban life rich and dynamic. There is a risk that smart cities, in their pursuit of efficiency, may sacrifice the very qualities that make cities vibrant and culturally significant.
Despite these concerns, the trajectory toward smarter cities appears irreversible, driven by the urgent need to address climate change, resource scarcity, and rapid urbanization. The challenge lies not in whether to pursue smart city development, but in how to do so in ways that are equitable, sustainable, and respectful of human dignity. This requires inclusive planning processes that actively involve diverse communities, robust regulatory frameworks that protect privacy and data rights, and a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of smart technology are accessible to all urban residents, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Questions 14-26
Questions 14-18: Yes/No/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the passage?
Write:
- YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
- NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
- NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
- Smart cities are universally accepted as the best solution for urban sustainability.
- The environmental benefits of smart city technology are immediately apparent from installation.
- Barcelona’s Decidim platform has successfully increased citizen participation in urban planning.
- All age groups benefit equally from smart city technology.
- The development of smart cities is likely to continue despite current concerns.
Questions 19-22: Matching Headings
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-E from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number, i-viii.
List of Headings:
i. The role of citizens in smart city governance
ii. Hidden environmental costs of smart technology
iii. Financial challenges in implementing smart cities
iv. Energy efficiency achievements through smart grids
v. Privacy controversies in smart urban development
vi. Air quality improvements through sensor networks
vii. The psychological effects of urban optimization
viii. Educational requirements for smart city residents
- Paragraph B (begins with “From an environmental perspective…”)
- Paragraph D (begins with “However, the environmental benefits…”)
- Paragraph F (begins with “The social implications…”)
- Paragraph H (begins with “Privacy concerns…”)
Questions 23-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Smart cities present both opportunities and challenges for environmental sustainability. While Amsterdam’s smart grid achieved a 12% reduction in 23. __, the production of smart infrastructure creates significant 24. __. The time required to offset the carbon footprint of smart city technology through efficiency gains is approximately 25. __ years. Additionally, the 26. __ needed to process smart city data consume electricity equivalent to that of a small town.
PASSAGE 3 – The Future Architecture of Smart Cities: Technological Integration and Governance Models
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The conceptualization of smart cities has transcended its initial technocentric paradigm to encompass a more holistic framework that integrates technological infrastructure with sophisticated governance mechanisms, citizen-centric design principles, and adaptive urban systems. This evolution reflects a growing recognition among urban scholars and practitioners that technological determinism—the belief that technology alone can solve urban challenges—represents an inadequate foundation for sustainable urban development. Instead, contemporary smart city discourse emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between technological capabilities, institutional capacity, social capital, and environmental sustainability, acknowledging that the efficacy of smart city initiatives depends fundamentally on how these elements are orchestrated within specific urban contexts.
The architectural framework of next-generation smart cities is predicated on several interconnected technological layers, each serving distinct yet complementary functions. The foundational layer comprises the physical infrastructure: sensors embedded in roads, buildings, and public spaces; wireless communication networks facilitating ubiquitous connectivity; and edge computing devices enabling real-time data processing at the source. This infrastructure generates enormous volumes of data—estimates suggest that a city of one million inhabitants will produce over 200 petabytes of data annually by 2025—creating both unprecedented opportunities for urban intelligence and formidable challenges related to data management, processing, and security.
Above this foundational layer sits the integration platform, which aggregates data streams from disparate sources and transforms raw data into actionable intelligence. This middleware employs sophisticated algorithms, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to identify patterns, predict trends, and generate insights that would be imperceptible to human analysts. Barcelona’s Sentilo platform exemplifies this approach, consolidating data from traffic sensors, environmental monitors, utility systems, and public services into a unified operating system for the city. The platform processes over 3 million sensor observations daily, enabling city officials to visualize urban dynamics in real-time and respond proactively to emerging challenges. However, the algorithmic governance enabled by such platforms raises important questions about transparency, accountability, and the potential for systematic biases embedded within computational decision-making processes.
The apex of this technological architecture consists of citizen-facing applications and interfaces that translate urban intelligence into tangible benefits for residents and visitors. These applications range from simple information services—such as real-time transit updates or parking availability—to sophisticated platforms enabling collaborative governance and community engagement. The effectiveness of these interfaces depends critically on user-centered design principles that prioritize accessibility, intuitiveness, and inclusivity. Research by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre indicates that up to 40% of smart city applications fail to achieve widespread adoption due to poor interface design, inadequate consideration of diverse user needs, or insufficient integration with existing urban practices and routines.
Concurrent with these technological developments, smart city governance models have undergone significant reconceptualization. Early smart city initiatives typically adopted a top-down approach, wherein municipal authorities or technology vendors designed and implemented systems with limited citizen input. This model has proven inadequate for several reasons. First, it often fails to address the actual needs and priorities of diverse urban communities, resulting in solutions that are technologically sophisticated but practically irrelevant. Second, it engenders public skepticism and resistance, particularly regarding data collection and surveillance. Third, it underutilizes the collective intelligence of urban residents, who possess invaluable local knowledge and insights about neighborhood dynamics, community needs, and practical challenges.
Mô hình quản trị thành phố thông minh kết hợp công nghệ và sự tham gia của người dân
Contemporary governance paradigms emphasize co-creation and collaborative governance, wherein multiple stakeholders—including municipal agencies, private sector partners, academic institutions, and community organizations—participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of smart city initiatives. Helsinki’s smart city strategy exemplifies this approach through its “Open Helsinki” initiative, which provides open access to city data and actively solicits citizen participation in developing smart city solutions. The initiative has spawned over 200 citizen-led applications and services, demonstrating how collaborative governance can harness collective creativity while building public trust and democratic legitimacy.
The institutional architecture supporting smart cities requires careful attention to several critical dimensions. Regulatory frameworks must balance innovation with accountability, enabling experimentation while protecting public interests, privacy rights, and democratic values. This balance is particularly challenging given the rapid pace of technological change, which often outstrips the capacity of regulatory institutions to respond. Some cities have adopted regulatory sandboxes—designated zones where innovative technologies and business models can be tested under relaxed regulatory constraints—as a mechanism for facilitating innovation while managing risk. However, critics argue that sandboxes may create two-tier regulatory systems and provide insufficient protection for vulnerable populations.
Interoperability standards represent another crucial institutional consideration. The proliferation of proprietary systems and closed platforms threatens to create fragmented smart city ecosystems wherein different components cannot communicate or share data effectively. This fragmentation not only reduces efficiency but also creates vendor lock-in, wherein cities become dependent on specific technology providers and face substantial costs when attempting to upgrade or change systems. The European Union’s Digital Single Market strategy and various IEEE standards committees are working to establish open protocols and interoperability requirements, but progress remains uneven and contentious given the competing commercial interests involved.
Một khía cạnh quan trọng trong việc triển khai công nghệ này là xem xét các social impacts of aging populations, đảm bảo rằng thành phố thông minh phục vụ tốt cho mọi nhóm tuổi trong xã hội.
The economic sustainability of smart city infrastructure poses significant long-term challenges. While initial implementations often benefit from public subsidies or private investment seeking market entry, the ongoing operational costs, maintenance requirements, and eventual technology replacement necessitate sustainable financial models. Some cities have experimented with value capture mechanisms that monetize data or services generated through smart infrastructure, but these approaches raise ethical concerns about the commodification of urban life and the appropriate role of profit-seeking in public service provision.
Furthermore, the geopolitical dimensions of smart city development merit careful consideration. The dominance of a small number of technology companies—primarily headquartered in the United States and China—in providing smart city infrastructure raises questions about technological sovereignty, data security, and the potential for foreign surveillance or influence. Several European cities have expressed concerns about dependence on non-European technology providers and are seeking to develop indigenous capabilities and alternative suppliers, though the technical complexity and substantial investment required pose significant barriers.
Looking forward, the trajectory of smart city development will likely be shaped by several emerging trends. The integration of autonomous vehicles will fundamentally transform urban mobility systems, potentially reducing congestion and parking requirements while creating new challenges related to liability, employment, and urban form. Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical cities enabling sophisticated simulation and scenario planning—will enhance urban planning capabilities and enable cities to test interventions before implementation. Blockchain technology may provide decentralized mechanisms for managing urban services and protecting privacy while maintaining transparency. However, realizing the potential of these technologies will require addressing the fundamental governance, equity, and sustainability challenges that currently constrain smart city development.
Questions 27-40
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, contemporary smart city discourse emphasizes:
- A) The supremacy of technology over other urban factors
- B) The relationship between technology and various urban elements
- C) The replacement of traditional governance with algorithms
- D) The elimination of human decision-making
-
What does the passage say about Barcelona’s Sentilo platform?
- A) It only monitors traffic conditions
- B) It processes approximately 3 million observations each day
- C) It has replaced all city officials
- D) It focuses exclusively on environmental data
-
According to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, what percentage of smart city applications fail to achieve widespread adoption?
- A) Up to 20%
- B) Up to 30%
- C) Up to 40%
- D) Up to 50%
-
What is a regulatory sandbox?
- A) A children’s play area with digital monitors
- B) A zone for testing innovations under relaxed regulations
- C) A data storage facility for smart cities
- D) A training program for city officials
-
According to the passage, digital twins are:
- A) Duplicate city officials
- B) Backup data systems
- C) Virtual replicas of physical cities
- D) Paired sensors for redundancy
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each characteristic (32-36) with the correct governance model (A, B, or C).
NB: You may use any letter more than once.
Governance Models:
- A) Top-down approach
- B) Collaborative governance
- C) Both approaches
- Limited citizen input in system design
- Utilizes collective intelligence of residents
- Often fails to address actual community needs
- Involves multiple stakeholders in implementation
- Has been used in early smart city initiatives
Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- What term describes the belief that technology alone can solve urban challenges?
- How much data will a city of one million people produce annually by 2025?
- What has Helsinki provided to encourage citizen participation in smart city development?
- What concern do European cities have about smart city technology providers?
Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- C
- B
- C
- B
- FALSE
- TRUE
- TRUE
- FALSE
- Internet of Things / IoT
- information / detailed information
- infrastructure investment / initial investment
- digital divide
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- NO
- NO
- YES
- NO
- YES
- iv
- ii
- i
- v
- energy consumption
- electronic waste
- 5-7 / five to seven
- data centers / data centres
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- B
- C
- B
- C
- A
- B
- A
- B
- A
- technological determinism
- 200 petabytes / over 200 petabytes
- open access / city data
- technological sovereignty / data security
Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: main purpose, smart city
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “A smart city uses digital technology and data analytics to improve the quality of life for its residents, enhance sustainability, and optimize city operations.” Đây là paraphrase của đáp án B “improve residents’ quality of life and city efficiency.”
Câu 2: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: smart traffic systems, differ, traditional
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-5
- Giải thích: Đoạn văn chỉ ra “Smart traffic systems, however, use sensors and cameras to monitor traffic flow in real-time. These systems can adjust traffic light timings dynamically based on current traffic conditions.” Từ “dynamically” và “real-time data” được paraphrase thành đáp án C.
Câu 3: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Barcelona, benefit, smart traffic lights
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: Rất cụ thể: “the implementation of smart traffic lights has reduced travel time by 21%.” Đây là thông tin trực tiếp, không cần paraphrase nhiều.
Câu 6: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: only focus, transportation
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, 5, 6, 7
- Giải thích: Bài đọc liệt kê nhiều lĩnh vực khác ngoài giao thông như energy efficiency (đoạn 5), water management (đoạn 6), và waste management (đoạn 7). Do đó câu này sai.
Câu 7: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: traditional water systems, lose up to 50%, leaks
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 3
- Giải thích: Câu trong bài: “Traditional water systems lose up to 50% of water through leaks and inefficiencies” trùng khớp hoàn toàn với câu hỏi.
Câu 10: Internet of Things/IoT
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: integrate ICT, manage city assets
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “A smart city integrates information and communication technology (ICT) with the Internet of Things (IoT) to manage a city’s assets efficiently.” Đáp án là “Internet of Things” hoặc viết tắt “IoT.”
Câu 13: digital divide
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: create, only some people benefit
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “There is also the risk of creating a digital divide, where only certain segments of the population can access or benefit from smart city services.” Cụm “digital divide” là đáp án chính xác.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: universally accepted, best solution
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 1-4
- Giải thích: Đoạn đầu nói “sparked considerable debate” và “critics maintain” cho thấy không có sự đồng thuận phổ biến. Đây là quan điểm của tác giả, do đó đáp án là NO.
Câu 15: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: environmental benefits, immediately apparent
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói “the carbon footprint of producing and installing smart infrastructure can take 5-7 years to offset” chứng tỏ lợi ích môi trường không ngay lập tức, cần thời gian để bù đắp. Đáp án là NO.
Câu 16: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Barcelona’s Decidim platform, increased citizen participation
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 2-7
- Giải thích: “The platform has successfully facilitated citizen-led improvements to public spaces, transportation networks, and community services” cho thấy tác giả đồng ý với tuyên bố này. Đáp án là YES.
Câu 19: iv (Energy efficiency achievements through smart grids)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí trong bài: Paragraph B
- Giải thích: Đoạn B tập trung vào “Amsterdam’s smart grid project” và “12% reduction in energy consumption,” phù hợp với tiêu đề iv về thành tựu hiệu quả năng lượng.
Câu 20: ii (Hidden environmental costs of smart technology)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí trong bài: Paragraph D
- Giải thích: Đoạn D bắt đầu với “However, the environmental benefits are not unequivocal” và thảo luận về electronic waste, carbon footprint, và energy consumption của data centers—đây là các chi phí môi trường ẩn.
Câu 23: energy consumption
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: Amsterdam, 12% reduction
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: “has achieved a 12% reduction in energy consumption during its pilot phase.” Đáp án là “energy consumption.”
Câu 26: data centers
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: process smart city data, electricity, small town
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “the massive data centers required to process and store the enormous volumes of data…A single large data center can use as much electricity as a small town.” Đáp án là “data centers.”
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: contemporary smart city discourse emphasizes
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 4-7
- Giải thích: “contemporary smart city discourse emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between technological capabilities, institutional capacity, social capital, and environmental sustainability.” Đây là paraphrase của đáp án B về mối quan hệ giữa công nghệ và các yếu tố đô thị khác.
Câu 28: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Barcelona’s Sentilo platform
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 5-7
- Giải thích: “The platform processes over 3 million sensor observations daily” tương ứng trực tiếp với đáp án B.
Câu 29: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: European Commission, percentage, fail
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “Research by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre indicates that up to 40% of smart city applications fail to achieve widespread adoption.” Đáp án là C.
Câu 32: A
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Từ khóa: Limited citizen input
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “Early smart city initiatives typically adopted a top-down approach, wherein municipal authorities or technology vendors designed and implemented systems with limited citizen input.” Đáp án là A.
Câu 33: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Từ khóa: collective intelligence of residents
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: Top-down model “underutilizes the collective intelligence of urban residents,” ngụ ý rằng collaborative governance (B) sử dụng collective intelligence.
Câu 37: technological determinism
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: belief, technology alone, solve urban challenges
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “technological determinism—the belief that technology alone can solve urban challenges.” Đáp án chính xác là “technological determinism.”
Câu 38: 200 petabytes/over 200 petabytes
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: one million people, annually, 2025
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “a city of one million inhabitants will produce over 200 petabytes of data annually by 2025.” Đáp án là “200 petabytes” hoặc “over 200 petabytes.”
Câu 40: technological sovereignty/data security
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: European cities, concern, technology providers
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “Several European cities have expressed concerns about…technological sovereignty, data security, and the potential for foreign surveillance.” Đáp án có thể là “technological sovereignty” hoặc “data security.”
Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage
Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unprecedented | adj | /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ | chưa từng có | urban populations continue to grow at an unprecedented rate | unprecedented growth/rate/scale |
| optimize | v | /ˈɒptɪmaɪz/ | tối ưu hóa | optimize city operations | optimize performance/efficiency |
| interconnected | adj | /ˌɪntəkəˈnektɪd/ | kết nối với nhau | create an interconnected ecosystem | interconnected systems/networks |
| seamlessly | adv | /ˈsiːmləsli/ | liền mạch, trơn tru | data flows seamlessly between different city services | integrate seamlessly/flow seamlessly |
| congestion | n | /kənˈdʒestʃən/ | tình trạng tắc nghẽn | significantly reducing congestion and travel times | traffic congestion/reduce congestion |
| predictive analytics | n | /prɪˈdɪktɪv ænəˈlɪtɪks/ | phân tích dự đoán | using predictive analytics to anticipate demand | use/employ predictive analytics |
| infrastructure | n | /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ | cơ sở hạ tầng | smart city infrastructure | build/develop/improve infrastructure |
| renewable energy | n | /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/ | năng lượng tái tạo | integrates renewable energy sources | renewable energy sources/generate renewable energy |
| carbon-neutral | adj | /ˌkɑːbən ˈnjuːtrəl/ | trung hòa carbon | aims to become carbon-neutral by 2025 | become carbon-neutral/carbon-neutral target |
| leaks | n | /liːks/ | rò rỉ | detect leaks in the water supply network | detect/fix/repair leaks |
| substantial | adj | /səbˈstænʃl/ | đáng kể | initial infrastructure investment required can be substantial | substantial investment/cost/amount |
| digital divide | n | /ˈdɪdʒɪtl dɪˈvaɪd/ | khoảng cách số | risk of creating a digital divide | bridge/narrow the digital divide |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| proliferation | n | /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/ | sự phát triển nhanh chóng | the proliferation of smart city initiatives | proliferation of technology/weapons |
| proponents | n | /prəˈpəʊnənts/ | người ủng hộ | proponents argue that smart cities represent | proponents of/proponents argue |
| exacerbate | v | /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ | làm trầm trọng thêm | may exacerbate existing inequalities | exacerbate problems/inequalities |
| multifaceted | adj | /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ | nhiều khía cạnh | multifaceted impacts requires examination | multifaceted approach/problem |
| ecological sustainability | n | /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkl səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ | bền vững sinh thái | pathways to ecological sustainability | promote/achieve ecological sustainability |
| granular | adj | /ˈɡrænjələ(r)/ | chi tiết, cụ thể | the granular data has revealed | granular data/granular level |
| unequivocal | adj | /ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkl/ | rõ ràng, không mơ hồ | benefits are not unequivocal | unequivocal evidence/support |
| life-cycle analysis | n | /laɪf ˈsaɪkl əˈnæləsɪs/ | phân tích vòng đời | comprehensive life-cycle analysis conducted | conduct/perform life-cycle analysis |
| disproportionately | adv | /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənətli/ | không cân đối | disproportionately enjoyed by affluent populations | disproportionately affected/benefit |
| pervasive surveillance | n | /pəˈveɪsɪv səˈveɪləns/ | giám sát lan tràn | pervasive surveillance inherent in smart city infrastructure | pervasive surveillance/monitoring |
| serendipitous | adj | /ˌserənˈdɪpɪtəs/ | tình cờ, ngẫu nhiên | serendipitous encounters and spontaneous experiences | serendipitous discovery/encounter |
| organic complexity | n | /ɔːˈɡænɪk kəmˈpleksəti/ | sự phức tạp tự nhiên | emphasized the importance of organic complexity | organic complexity/organic growth |
| irreversible | adj | /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/ | không thể đảo ngược | trajectory toward smarter cities appears irreversible | irreversible damage/change |
| regulatory frameworks | n | /ˈreɡjələtəri ˈfreɪmwɜːks/ | khung pháp lý | robust regulatory frameworks that protect privacy | establish/develop regulatory frameworks |
| socioeconomic status | n | /ˌsəʊsiəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈsteɪtəs/ | địa vị kinh tế xã hội | regardless of their socioeconomic status | low/high socioeconomic status |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| technocentric paradigm | n | /ˌteknəʊˈsentrɪk ˈpærədaɪm/ | mô hình lấy công nghệ làm trung tâm | transcended its initial technocentric paradigm | technocentric approach/paradigm |
| holistic framework | n | /həˈlɪstɪk ˈfreɪmwɜːk/ | khung toàn diện | encompass a more holistic framework | holistic framework/holistic approach |
| technological determinism | n | /ˌteknəˈlɒdʒɪkl dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪzəm/ | thuyết quyết định công nghệ | belief that technological determinism | technological determinism/deterministic view |
| symbiotic relationship | n | /ˌsɪmbaɪˈɒtɪk rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp/ | mối quan hệ cộng sinh | emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between | symbiotic relationship/symbiotic partnership |
| predicated on | phrase | /ˈpredɪkeɪtɪd ɒn/ | dựa trên | architectural framework is predicated on | predicated on the assumption/belief |
| ubiquitous connectivity | n | /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs ˌkɒnekˈtɪvəti/ | kết nối khắp nơi | facilitating ubiquitous connectivity | ubiquitous connectivity/ubiquitous access |
| formidable challenges | n | /ˈfɔːmɪdəbl ˈtʃælɪndʒɪz/ | thách thức ghê gớm | formidable challenges related to data management | formidable challenges/obstacles |
| disparate sources | n | /ˈdɪspərət ˈsɔːsɪz/ | các nguồn khác nhau | aggregates data streams from disparate sources | disparate sources/disparate systems |
| actionable intelligence | n | /ˈækʃənəbl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/ | thông tin có thể hành động | transforms raw data into actionable intelligence | actionable intelligence/actionable insights |
| algorithmic governance | n | /ˌælɡəˈrɪðmɪk ˈɡʌvənəns/ | quản trị bằng thuật toán | algorithmic governance enabled by platforms | algorithmic governance/algorithmic decision-making |
| systematic biases | n | /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk ˈbaɪəsɪz/ | thành kiến có hệ thống | potential for systematic biases embedded | systematic biases/systematic discrimination |
| user-centered design | n | /ˈjuːzə ˈsentəd dɪˈzaɪn/ | thiết kế lấy người dùng làm trung tâm | depends critically on user-centered design principles | user-centered design/user-centered approach |
| reconceptualization | n | /ˌriːkənˌseptʃuəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ | tái khái niệm hóa | undergone significant reconceptualization | reconceptualization of/reconceptualization process |
| top-down approach | n | /tɒp daʊn əˈprəʊtʃ/ | cách tiếp cận từ trên xuống | typically adopted a top-down approach | top-down approach/top-down management |
| collective intelligence | n | /kəˈlektɪv ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/ | trí tuệ tập thể | underutilizes the collective intelligence | harness/utilize collective intelligence |
| co-creation | n | /kəʊ kriːˈeɪʃn/ | đồng sáng tạo | emphasize co-creation and collaborative governance | co-creation process/co-creation approach |
| regulatory sandboxes | n | /ˈreɡjələtəri ˈsændbɒksɪz/ | hộp cát quy định | adopted regulatory sandboxes | regulatory sandboxes/regulatory innovation |
| interoperability standards | n | /ˌɪntərˌɒpərəˈbɪləti ˈstændədz/ | tiêu chuẩn khả năng tương tác | interoperability standards represent crucial consideration | interoperability standards/interoperability requirements |
| vendor lock-in | n | /ˈvendə lɒk ɪn/ | phụ thuộc nhà cung cấp | creates vendor lock-in | vendor lock-in/avoid vendor lock-in |
| value capture mechanisms | n | /ˈvæljuː ˈkæptʃə ˈmekənɪzəmz/ | cơ chế thu giá trị | experimented with value capture mechanisms | value capture mechanisms/value capture strategies |
| commodification | n | /kəˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ | sự hàng hóa hóa | ethical concerns about the commodification of urban life | commodification of data/commodification of services |
| geopolitical dimensions | n | /ˌdʒiːəʊpəˈlɪtɪkl daɪˈmenʃnz/ | khía cạnh địa chính trị | geopolitical dimensions merit consideration | geopolitical dimensions/geopolitical implications |
| technological sovereignty | n | /ˌteknəˈlɒdʒɪkl ˈsɒvrɪnti/ | chủ quyền công nghệ | questions about technological sovereignty | technological sovereignty/digital sovereignty |
| autonomous vehicles | n | /ɔːˈtɒnəməs ˈviːɪklz/ | phương tiện tự hành | integration of autonomous vehicles | autonomous vehicles/self-driving vehicles |
| digital twins | n | /ˈdɪdʒɪtl twɪnz/ | bản sao số | digital twins enabling sophisticated simulation | digital twins/digital twin technology |
Kết Bài
Chủ đề về thành phố thông minh và tác động của chúng đến cuộc sống hiện đại không chỉ là một xu hướng công nghệ mà còn đại diện cho tương lai của đô thị hóa toàn cầu. Qua ba passages với độ khó tăng dần, bạn đã được tiếp cận với nhiều khía cạnh khác nhau của smart cities—từ các ứng dụng cơ bản trong quản lý giao thông và năng lượng, đến những tác động xã hội và môi trường phức tạp, cho đến các mô hình quản trị và kiến trúc công nghệ tiên tiến.
Bộ đề thi này cung cấp đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi với 7 dạng khác nhau, bao gồm Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Headings, Sentence Completion, Summary Completion, Matching Features và Short-answer Questions. Điều này đảm bảo bạn được luyện tập toàn diện các kỹ năng cần thiết cho kỳ thi IELTS Reading thực tế.
Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích đã chỉ ra cụ thể vị trí thông tin trong bài, cách paraphrase giữa câu hỏi và passage, và những từ khóa quan trọng cần chú ý. Việc hiểu rõ những giải thích này sẽ giúp bạn phát triển chiến lược đọc hiểu hiệu quả và nâng cao band điểm của mình.
Bộ từ vựng được tổng hợp theo từng passage không chỉ giúp bạn hiểu sâu hơn về nội dung bài đọc mà còn cung cấp những academic words và collocations hữu ích cho cả phần Writing và Speaking. Hãy dành thời gian học kỹ những từ này và áp dụng chúng vào bài tập của bạn.
Hãy nhớ rằng việc luyện tập đều đặn với các đề thi mẫu chất lượng cao như thế này là chìa khóa để đạt band điểm mong muốn. Đừng chỉ làm bài và kiểm tra đáp án—hãy dành thời gian phân tích từng câu trả lời, hiểu tại sao đáp án đúng và tại sao các lựa chọn khác sai. Chúc bạn ôn tập hiệu quả và đạt kết quả cao trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!
