Mở Bài
Chủ đề về mobile banking và công nghệ tài chính đang trở thành một trong những đề tài xuất hiện thường xuyên nhất trong IELTS Reading những năm gần đây. Với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm giảng dạy IELTS, tôi nhận thấy các bài đọc về technological innovation, financial inclusion và digital transformation thường xuất hiện ở cả ba độ khó trong bài thi chính thức.
Bài viết này cung cấp cho bạn một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh gồm 3 passages với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard, bao gồm 40 câu hỏi đa dạng giống như trong đề thi thật. Bạn sẽ được luyện tập với các dạng câu hỏi phổ biến như Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings, và Summary Completion.
Đề thi này đặc biệt phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên, giúp bạn làm quen với chủ đề công nghệ – tài chính, nắm vững kỹ thuật làm bài, và tích lũy vốn từ vựng học thuật quan trọng. Phần đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích sẽ giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách paraphrase và định vị thông tin trong passage – hai kỹ năng then chốt để đạt band điểm cao.
1. Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading là bài thi kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Mỗi câu trả lời đúng tương ứng với 1 điểm, không bị trừ điểm khi sai. Độ khó tăng dần từ Passage 1 đến Passage 3.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1: 15-17 phút (độ khó thấp nhất)
- Passage 2: 18-20 phút (độ khó trung bình)
- Passage 3: 23-25 phút (độ khó cao nhất)
Lưu ý dành 2-3 phút cuối để chép đáp án vào Answer Sheet, vì bài thi không có thời gian thêm cho việc này.
Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này
Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 7 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến:
- Multiple Choice – Chọn đáp án đúng từ các lựa chọn A, B, C, D
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng, sai hay không được nhắc đến
- Matching Information – Nối thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
- Matching Headings – Chọn tiêu đề phù hợp cho mỗi đoạn
- Summary Completion – Điền từ vào chỗ trống để hoàn thiện tóm tắt
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu với thông tin từ bài đọc
- Short-answer Questions – Trả lời câu hỏi ngắn với số từ giới hạn
2. IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Mobile Money Revolution in Africa
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
The advent of mobile banking has transformed the financial landscape in developing countries, particularly across Africa. While traditional banking services remain inaccessible to millions due to distance, cost, and documentation requirements, mobile banking has emerged as a groundbreaking solution that allows people to conduct financial transactions using their mobile phones. This technological leap has enabled millions of unbanked individuals to participate in the formal economy for the first time.
Kenya stands out as a pioneering nation in this revolution. In 2007, the country launched M-Pesa, a mobile money transfer service that has since become the world’s most successful mobile banking platform. The name M-Pesa combines the letter ‘M’ for mobile and ‘Pesa’, which means money in Swahili. Initially designed to allow microfinance borrowers to conveniently receive and repay loans using their mobile phones, M-Pesa quickly expanded its services to include person-to-person transfers, bill payments, and even savings accounts.
The impact has been remarkable. By 2023, over 30 million Kenyans – representing more than 80% of the adult population – actively use M-Pesa. Users can deposit money at agent locations, which are often small shops or kiosks, and then transfer these funds electronically to other users via SMS. Recipients can either keep the money in their mobile account for future transactions or withdraw it as cash from another agent. The simplicity and convenience of this system have made it particularly popular in rural areas where bank branches are scarce or non-existent.
The success of M-Pesa has had far-reaching consequences for Kenya’s economy. Research conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that access to mobile money services has lifted approximately 2% of Kenyan households out of extreme poverty. The study revealed that mobile banking particularly benefits women, who have been able to shift from subsistence farming to business activities. Female-headed households with access to mobile money services increased their savings by more than one-fifth and reduced their reliance on informal sources of credit.
Beyond Kenya, the mobile banking model has spread throughout Africa and other developing regions. Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, and Zimbabwe have all witnessed exponential growth in mobile money adoption. In some countries, the number of mobile money accounts now exceeds the number of traditional bank accounts. This phenomenon reflects a broader trend known as “leapfrogging“, where developing nations bypass older technologies and adopt newer innovations directly. Just as many African countries skipped landline telephone infrastructure and moved straight to mobile networks, they are now bypassing traditional banking and moving directly to mobile financial services.
However, the mobile banking revolution faces several challenges. Network reliability remains a concern in many rural areas, where electricity and internet connectivity can be unreliable. Security issues also persist, with reports of fraud and theft targeting mobile money users. Additionally, regulatory frameworks in many countries have struggled to keep pace with the rapid growth of mobile banking, creating uncertainty for both providers and users. Some governments worry about money laundering and terrorist financing, leading to stringent regulations that can limit innovation.
Despite these obstacles, the trajectory of mobile banking in developing countries appears overwhelmingly positive. Financial technology companies continue to innovate, introducing features like micro-insurance, credit scoring based on mobile usage patterns, and integration with e-commerce platforms. International development organizations recognize mobile banking as a crucial tool for achieving financial inclusion and reducing poverty. As smartphone penetration increases and data costs decline, the potential for mobile banking to transform lives in the developing world continues to expand.
The story of mobile banking in Africa demonstrates how appropriate technology, combined with innovative business models, can address longstanding development challenges. It proves that when solutions are designed with the needs and constraints of local populations in mind, technological innovation can create profound social and economic change. As this revolution continues, millions more people in developing countries will gain access to financial services, opening doors to economic opportunities that were previously unimaginable.
Questions 1-13
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
1. What was the original purpose of M-Pesa when it was launched?
A. To help people pay their bills conveniently
B. To facilitate loan transactions for microfinance customers
C. To allow person-to-person money transfers
D. To provide savings accounts for rural populations
2. According to the passage, what percentage of Kenyan adults used M-Pesa by 2023?
A. 30%
B. More than 50%
C. Approximately 70%
D. Over 80%
3. The term “leapfrogging” in the passage refers to:
A. The rapid growth of mobile phone usage
B. Skipping older technologies to adopt newer ones
C. The expansion of M-Pesa to other countries
D. The increase in smartphone penetration
4. According to MIT research, how has mobile banking affected poverty in Kenya?
A. It has completely eliminated extreme poverty
B. It has lifted about 2% of households out of extreme poverty
C. It has reduced poverty by one-fifth
D. It has only benefited wealthy households
5. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a challenge facing mobile banking?
A. Unreliable network connectivity in rural areas
B. Security concerns and fraud
C. Insufficient smartphone availability
D. Regulatory frameworks not keeping up with growth
Questions 6-9: True/False/Not Given
Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if the statement contradicts the information, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.
6. M-Pesa was the world’s first mobile banking service.
7. Mobile banking has particularly helped women in Kenya move from farming to business activities.
8. In some African countries, mobile money accounts outnumber traditional bank accounts.
9. The Kenyan government initially opposed the introduction of M-Pesa.
Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
10. M-Pesa users can deposit money at _____ which are often small shops.
11. The word ‘Pesa’ means money in _____.
12. Some governments are concerned about money laundering, which has led to _____ that can restrict innovation.
13. As _____ becomes more widespread and data becomes cheaper, mobile banking has greater potential to help people.
PASSAGE 2 – Financial Inclusion Through Digital Innovation
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The proliferation of mobile banking in developing nations represents far more than a mere technological advancement; it embodies a fundamental shift in how financial services are conceived, delivered, and accessed. Traditional banking infrastructure, with its emphasis on physical branches, extensive documentation, and minimum balance requirements, has historically excluded vast segments of the population in emerging economies. Mobile banking circumvents these barriers, offering a viable alternative that operates through the ubiquitous mobile phone – a device that has achieved remarkable penetration even in the world’s poorest communities.
The economic rationale for mobile banking’s success in developing countries is compelling. Establishing and maintaining physical bank branches in remote or sparsely populated areas is financially unfeasible for most institutions. The cost per transaction through traditional banking channels can be prohibitively high, particularly for the small-value transactions that characterize the financial activities of low-income populations. Mobile banking dramatically reduces these costs through automation and digital infrastructure. A study by the World Bank estimated that the cost of conducting a transaction through mobile banking is approximately one-tenth that of a traditional bank transaction, making it economically sustainable to serve previously unprofitable customer segments.
The societal implications of widespread mobile banking adoption extend well beyond mere convenience. In Bangladesh, the introduction of mobile financial services has revolutionized the country’s garment industry, which employs millions of workers, predominantly women. Prior to mobile banking, workers often faced lengthy delays in receiving wages, with payment sometimes requiring travel to distant bank branches or dependence on intermediaries who charged substantial fees. Mobile wage payments have eliminated these inefficiencies, ensuring workers receive their full earnings promptly and securely. This transformation has cascading effects: women with direct access to their wages exercise greater autonomy over household finances, can save more effectively, and face reduced vulnerability to exploitation.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of mobile banking’s evolution is its facilitation of entrepreneurship among previously marginalized populations. In India, the government’s ambitious digital payment initiative, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has catalyzed a boom in small-scale commerce. Street vendors, small shop owners, and service providers who once operated exclusively in cash can now accept digital payments through simple QR codes displayed at their businesses. This formalization of economic activity brings multiple advantages: it creates transaction records that can be used to establish creditworthiness, reduces the risks associated with handling cash, and enables better inventory management through digital record-keeping. Consequently, many micro-entrepreneurs who were previously deemed “unbankable” by traditional financial institutions now have access to formal credit, insurance, and other financial products.
The relationship between mobile banking and remittances represents another critical dimension of its impact in developing countries. According to World Bank data, remittances to low and middle-income countries exceeded $600 billion in 2022, representing a vital source of income for millions of families. However, traditional remittance channels often charge fees ranging from 5% to 10% of the amount sent, with transactions sometimes taking several days to complete. Mobile money platforms have disrupted this market, offering faster transfers at significantly reduced costs. In the Philippines, for instance, overseas workers can now send money directly to their families’ mobile wallets in real-time, with fees as low as 1-2%. This efficiency means more money reaches intended recipients, enhancing the developmental impact of remittances on education, healthcare, and small business investment. Điều này có điểm tương đồng với how is technology influencing financial inclusion khi công nghệ đã mở ra cơ hội tiếp cận dịch vụ tài chính cho những người dân vốn bị loại trừ khỏi hệ thống ngân hàng truyền thống.
Nevertheless, the expansion of mobile banking in developing countries is not without its complexities and risks. The digital divide remains a formidable challenge, with variations in literacy, technological literacy, and access to mobile devices creating disparities in who can benefit from these services. Elderly populations and those in extremely remote areas often face disproportionate difficulties in adopting mobile banking. Furthermore, the concentration of market power in the hands of a few dominant platforms raises concerns about monopolistic practices and inadequate consumer protection. In some markets, mobile money operators have faced criticism for opaque fee structures and limited recourse mechanisms when transactions go wrong.
Data privacy and cybersecurity present escalating concerns as mobile banking systems become increasingly sophisticated. The vast amounts of personal and financial data generated by these platforms make them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Regulatory bodies in many developing countries lack the capacity and expertise to effectively oversee these rapidly evolving digital ecosystems. There have been instances of data breaches, identity theft, and fraudulent schemes that exploit users’ limited understanding of digital security. Establishing robust regulatory frameworks that protect consumers while fostering innovation remains a delicate balancing act for policymakers.
Looking ahead, the trajectory of mobile banking in developing countries appears inextricably linked to broader trends in financial technology. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning enables more sophisticated credit assessment models that evaluate factors beyond traditional metrics like collateral and credit history. Biometric authentication technologies enhance security while simplifying user verification. Blockchain-based solutions promise even greater transparency and reduced transaction costs. As these technologies mature and become more accessible, they hold the potential to further democratize financial services in the developing world.
The mobile banking revolution in developing countries ultimately represents a powerful example of inclusive innovation – technology designed not merely for efficiency or profit, but to address fundamental human needs and reduce inequality. Its continued evolution will likely shape economic development patterns for decades to come, underscoring the transformative potential of appropriate technological solutions in addressing persistent global challenges.
Ứng dụng mobile banking giúp người dân ở các nước đang phát triển tiếp cận dịch vụ tài chính dễ dàng hơn
Questions 14-26
Questions 14-18: Yes/No/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Passage 2? 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
14. Traditional banking infrastructure is inherently unsuitable for serving populations in developing countries.
15. The cost of mobile banking transactions is about ten times less than traditional banking transactions.
16. Mobile banking has completely eliminated wage payment problems in Bangladesh’s garment industry.
17. The formalization of economic activity through mobile banking helps micro-entrepreneurs access formal credit.
18. Remittance fees through traditional channels are always higher than 10% of the amount sent.
Questions 19-23: Matching Headings
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-F from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The future integration of advanced technologies
ii. Security vulnerabilities in digital financial systems
iii. Economic advantages of mobile banking infrastructure
iv. The transformation of wage payment systems
v. Mobile banking’s role in international money transfers
vi. Challenges of market concentration and regulation
vii. Enabling small business growth through digital payments
viii. Initial resistance to mobile banking adoption
19. Paragraph B
20. Paragraph C
21. Paragraph D
22. Paragraph E
23. Paragraph F
Questions 24-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Mobile banking has had particularly significant effects on 24. _____ in developing countries. In India, the government’s UPI system has enabled even street vendors to accept digital payments through 25. ___. This allows previously “unbankable” individuals to establish 26. _____, which can help them access formal financial services like credit and insurance.
PASSAGE 3 – The Socioeconomic Dynamics of Mobile Financial Technology in Emerging Markets
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The ascendancy of mobile banking within developing economies has precipitated a paradigmatic transformation in financial intermediation, one that transcends mere technological substitution and instead represents a wholesale reimagining of the architecture of financial inclusion. This phenomenon, while often characterized in utilitarian terms as simply providing banking services via mobile devices, in fact constitutes a multifaceted intervention that intersects with issues of economic development, social stratification, gender dynamics, and governance structures. The scholarly discourse surrounding mobile banking’s proliferation has evolved from initial techno-optimistic narratives toward more nuanced analyses that acknowledge both its transformative potential and its capacity to perpetuate or even exacerbate existing inequalities.
From an institutional economics perspective, mobile banking represents a disruptive innovation that has fundamentally reconfigured the transaction cost landscape in developing countries. Traditional financial institutions, operating under regulatory frameworks designed for brick-and-mortar establishments, face substantial fixed costs in serving geographically dispersed populations with limited individual transaction values. This economic reality has historically resulted in financial exclusion that is not merely an unfortunate byproduct of market forces but rather an inherent structural characteristic of conventional banking models when applied to developing country contexts. Mobile banking circumvents this structural impediment through a radically different cost structure: the marginal cost of serving an additional customer approaches zero once the digital infrastructure is established, and the network effects inherent in two-sided markets create powerful incentives for both provider growth and user adoption. Tương tự như how global financial crises impact emerging economies, những thay đổi cấu trúc trong hệ thống tài chính có thể tác động sâu rộng đến nền kinh tế các quốc gia đang phát triển.
The gendered implications of mobile banking expansion warrant particular scholarly attention, as empirical evidence suggests differential impacts across gender lines that reflect and interact with pre-existing social structures. Research conducted across multiple Sub-Saharan African countries has documented that women’s adoption of mobile financial services correlates with measurable improvements in economic autonomy, entrepreneurial activity, and household welfare outcomes. However, these positive effects are mediated by numerous factors, including educational attainment, intra-household power dynamics, and cultural norms regarding women’s economic participation. In some contexts, women’s increased financial independence through mobile banking has faced pushback from traditional power structures, manifesting in attempts to control women’s mobile money accounts or limit their transactional autonomy. This dialectical relationship between technological empowerment and social resistance underscores the complexity of development interventions in culturally heterogeneous settings.
The regulatory challenges posed by mobile banking’s rapid expansion illuminate fundamental tensions between innovation facilitation and consumer protection, between financial inclusion objectives and financial stability imperatives. Many developing countries initially adopted permissive regulatory approaches that allowed mobile banking services to flourish with minimal oversight, prioritizing market development over prudential regulation. However, as these systems have matured and achieved systemic importance, regulators face increasingly complex trade-offs. The interoperability between different mobile money platforms, for instance, enhances user welfare and promotes competition but also creates systemic risk and complicates supervisory responsibilities. Similarly, the use of mobile money by non-bank entities raises questions about deposit insurance, capital adequacy requirements, and the appropriate locus of regulatory authority. The optimal regulatory framework must balance multiple, sometimes contradictory, objectives: fostering innovation while ensuring system stability, protecting vulnerable consumers while avoiding onerous compliance burdens that could limit access, and maintaining know-your-customer standards while accommodating populations with limited formal identification.
The cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology developments add another layer of complexity to the mobile banking landscape in developing countries. Some analysts argue that blockchain-based financial systems could offer even greater disintermediation and cost reduction than current mobile banking platforms, potentially enabling peer-to-peer financial transactions without any centralized intermediary. Countries like El Salvador have experimented with adopting cryptocurrency as legal tender, partly as a strategy to reduce remittance costs and increase financial inclusion. However, these innovations introduce unprecedented risks related to volatility, illicit financing, and the potential circumvention of monetary policy instruments. The debate over cryptocurrency integration reflects broader questions about the appropriate technological pathway for financial development and the relative merits of incremental evolution versus revolutionary transformation. Để hiểu rõ hơn về social implications of digital currencies, bạn có thể xem xét những tác động xã hội rộng hơn của các loại tiền kỹ thuật số đối với cộng đồng.
The data economy dimensions of mobile banking present both opportunities and challenges that are only beginning to be fully appreciated. Mobile financial service providers accumulate vast quantities of granular data on users’ financial behaviors, social networks, location patterns, and consumption preferences. This data has significant economic value: it can be used to develop predictive models for credit scoring, personalize product offerings, identify fraud, and generate insights for third-party applications. However, the commodification of personal financial data raises profound questions about privacy rights, informed consent, and the potential for algorithmic discrimination. In many developing countries, data protection frameworks remain underdeveloped, and users often lack awareness of how their information is being collected and utilized. The asymmetric information environment and significant bargaining power disparities between platforms and users create conditions conducive to exploitation. Moreover, the use of artificial intelligence in credit decisions, while potentially expanding access for those without traditional credit histories, can encode existing biases or create new forms of algorithmic redlining that systematically disadvantage certain demographic groups.
The macroeconomic implications of widespread mobile banking adoption extend beyond financial inclusion to encompass monetary policy transmission, fiscal operations, and crisis resilience. The digitization of financial transactions enhances the efficacy of monetary policy by improving the traceability of money flows and potentially strengthening the interest rate transmission mechanism. Digital payment systems can improve tax compliance and reduce revenue leakage associated with cash-based informal economies, thereby strengthening fiscal capacity – a persistent challenge in many developing countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries with established mobile money infrastructure demonstrated greater agility in delivering economic relief to affected populations, with governments able to directly transfer funds to citizens’ mobile wallets. This crisis response capacity highlights mobile banking’s role in building economic resilience, though it also raises concerns about state surveillance and the potential for digital financial systems to be weaponized for political purposes. Một ví dụ chi tiết về what are the impacts of cashless societies on consumer behavior là khi xã hội chuyển sang thanh toán không dùng tiền mặt, hành vi tiêu dùng của người dân thay đổi đáng kể.
Looking toward the future, the evolution of mobile banking in developing countries will likely be shaped by the convergence of multiple technological trends: the proliferation of smartphones with enhanced capabilities, the expansion of 4G and 5G networks even to rural areas, advances in biometric and authentication technologies, and the maturation of cloud computing infrastructure. These technological developments will enable increasingly sophisticated financial services delivered through mobile channels, including micro-insurance products, algorithmic investment advice, and integration with e-commerce and digital identity platforms. However, realizing the full potential of these innovations requires concurrent progress on several fronts: improving digital literacy, strengthening consumer protection frameworks, investing in cybersecurity infrastructure, and ensuring that technological advancement serves inclusive development rather than entrenching digital divides.
The mobile banking phenomenon in developing countries ultimately exemplifies the complex interplay between technology, institutions, and social change. It demonstrates that technological solutions, however innovative, operate within and are shaped by existing economic structures, power relations, and cultural contexts. The challenge for policymakers, private sector actors, and development organizations is to harness mobile banking’s transformative potential while actively mitigating its risks and ensuring that its benefits are equitably distributed across society. This requires moving beyond simplistic technological determinism toward approaches that recognize human agency, institutional capacity, and the contextual specificity of development challenges. As mobile banking continues to evolve, its trajectory will offer valuable lessons about the possibilities and limitations of technology-driven development in an increasingly digital world.
Kiểm soát dữ liệu và bảo mật trong mobile banking tại các nước đang phát triển
Questions 27-40
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
27. According to the passage, the scholarly discourse on mobile banking has:
A. Remained consistently optimistic about its potential
B. Shifted from simple optimism to more complex analysis
C. Always focused on its negative impacts
D. Ignored questions of inequality
28. The passage suggests that traditional banking’s exclusion of poor populations is:
A. An unfortunate but temporary problem
B. Caused primarily by technological limitations
C. A structural feature of conventional banking models
D. Easy to solve with better regulations
29. Research on women’s use of mobile banking in Sub-Saharan Africa shows that:
A. All women benefit equally from mobile financial services
B. Cultural factors have no impact on outcomes
C. Positive effects depend on various mediating factors
D. Women face no resistance when using mobile banking
30. The passage indicates that the optimal regulatory framework for mobile banking must:
A. Prioritize innovation over all other concerns
B. Focus exclusively on consumer protection
C. Balance multiple competing objectives
D. Eliminate all non-bank mobile money services
31. According to the passage, the use of AI in credit decisions:
A. Always improves access for underserved populations
B. Never incorporates existing biases
C. Could potentially create new forms of discrimination
D. Is universally opposed by regulators
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each statement (32-36) with the correct aspect (A-G) from the box below.
A. Transaction cost economics
B. Gender dynamics
C. Regulatory challenges
D. Cryptocurrency developments
E. Data economy issues
F. Macroeconomic implications
G. Future technological convergence
32. The marginal cost of serving additional customers approaches zero in mobile banking.
33. Women’s increased financial autonomy has sometimes faced resistance from traditional power structures.
34. Personal financial data can be used for predictive credit scoring models.
35. Digital payment systems can improve tax compliance and reduce revenue leakage.
36. Countries experimented with cryptocurrency adoption to reduce remittance costs.
Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
37. What type of costs do traditional financial institutions face when serving scattered populations?
38. What economic effect encourages both provider growth and user adoption in mobile banking?
39. What kind of regulatory approach did many developing countries initially adopt for mobile banking?
40. During the COVID-19 pandemic, what did governments with mobile money infrastructure transfer directly to citizens?
3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- D
- B
- B
- C
- NOT GIVEN
- TRUE
- TRUE
- NOT GIVEN
- agent locations
- Swahili
- stringent regulations
- smartphone penetration
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- YES
- YES
- NO
- YES
- NO
- iii
- iv
- vii
- v
- ii
- entrepreneurship
- QR codes
- creditworthiness
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- C
- C
- C
- C
- A
- B
- E
- F
- D
- substantial fixed costs
- network effects
- permissive regulatory approaches
- economic relief / funds
4. Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: original purpose, M-Pesa, launched
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “Initially designed to allow microfinance borrowers to conveniently receive and repay loans” – ban đầu được thiết kế để cho phép những người vay vốn vi mô nhận và trả nợ thuận tiện. Đây chính xác là đáp án B với paraphrase “facilitate loan transactions for microfinance customers”.
Câu 2: D
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: percentage, Kenyan adults, 2023
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “By 2023, over 30 million Kenyans – representing more than 80% of the adult population – actively use M-Pesa.” Rõ ràng là “over 80%”, tức là hơn 80%.
Câu 6: NOT GIVEN
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: M-Pesa, world’s first, mobile banking service
- Giải thích: Bài đọc chỉ nói M-Pesa là “the world’s most successful mobile banking platform” (nền tảng thành công nhất) chứ không nói nó là dịch vụ đầu tiên. Không có thông tin về việc có dịch vụ nào ra đời trước M-Pesa hay không.
Câu 7: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: women, Kenya, farming, business
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “The study revealed that mobile banking particularly benefits women, who have been able to shift from subsistence farming to business activities.” Câu này khớp hoàn toàn với câu hỏi.
Câu 8: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: African countries, mobile money accounts, outnumber, traditional bank accounts
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: “In some countries, the number of mobile money accounts now exceeds the number of traditional bank accounts.” – từ “exceeds” có nghĩa vượt qua, nhiều hơn.
Câu 10: agent locations
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: deposit money, small shops
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: “Users can deposit money at agent locations, which are often small shops or kiosks” – người dùng có thể gửi tiền tại các điểm đại lý.
Câu 12: stringent regulations
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: governments, money laundering, restrict innovation
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “Some governments worry about money laundering and terrorist financing, leading to stringent regulations that can limit innovation.” – dẫn đến các quy định nghiêm ngặt có thể hạn chế sự đổi mới.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: traditional banking infrastructure, unsuitable, developing countries
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, toàn đoạn
- Giải thích: Tác giả nói rõ rằng cơ sở hạ tầng ngân hàng truyền thống “historically excluded vast segments of the population in emerging economies” – lịch sử đã loại trừ phần lớn dân số ở các nền kinh tế mới nổi. Điều này thể hiện quan điểm rằng mô hình truyền thống không phù hợp.
Câu 15: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: cost, mobile banking, ten times less
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 6-8
- Giải thích: “A study by the World Bank estimated that the cost of conducting a transaction through mobile banking is approximately one-tenth that of a traditional bank transaction” – khoảng một phần mười, tức là giảm 10 lần.
Câu 16: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: completely eliminated, wage payment problems, Bangladesh
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói mobile banking đã “revolutionized” và “eliminated these inefficiencies” nhưng không nói là “completely eliminated all problems”. Từ “completely” làm cho câu này trái ngược với thông tin trong bài.
Câu 17: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: formalization, micro-entrepreneurs, access credit
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 6-9
- Giải thích: “This formalization of economic activity brings multiple advantages: it creates transaction records that can be used to establish creditworthiness… many micro-entrepreneurs who were previously deemed ‘unbankable’… now have access to formal credit.”
Câu 19-23: Matching Headings
Câu 19: iii (Economic advantages of mobile banking infrastructure)
- Đoạn B tập trung vào “economic rationale” và việc giảm chi phí giao dịch, nói về lợi thế kinh tế của cơ sở hạ tầng mobile banking.
Câu 20: iv (The transformation of wage payment systems)
- Đoạn C nói cụ thể về Bangladesh và sự chuyển đổi trong hệ thống trả lương cho công nhân ngành dệt may.
Câu 21: vii (Enabling small business growth through digital payments)
- Đoạn D tập trung vào UPI của Ấn Độ và cách nó giúp các doanh nghiệp nhỏ phát triển.
Câu 22: v (Mobile banking’s role in international money transfers)
- Đoạn E nói về remittances – kiều hối, gửi tiền quốc tế.
Câu 23: ii (Security vulnerabilities in digital financial systems)
- Đoạn F nói về data privacy, cybersecurity, và các rủi ro bảo mật.
Câu 24: entrepreneurship
- Vị trí: Đoạn 4, câu đầu tiên
- “Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of mobile banking’s evolution is its facilitation of entrepreneurship among previously marginalized populations.”
Câu 25: QR codes
- Vị trí: Đoạn 4, dòng 3-4
- “Street vendors, small shop owners, and service providers who once operated exclusively in cash can now accept digital payments through simple QR codes”
Câu 26: creditworthiness
- Vị trí: Đoạn 4, dòng 5-6
- “it creates transaction records that can be used to establish creditworthiness”
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: scholarly discourse, mobile banking
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, câu cuối
- Giải thích: “The scholarly discourse… has evolved from initial techno-optimistic narratives toward more nuanced analyses” – diễn ngôn học thuật đã phát triển từ những tường thuật lạc quan ban đầu sang phân tích tinh tế hơn. Đây chính là đáp án B – shifted from simple optimism to more complex analysis.
Câu 28: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: traditional banking, exclusion, poor populations
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: “This economic reality has historically resulted in financial exclusion that is not merely an unfortunate byproduct of market forces but rather an inherent structural characteristic of conventional banking models” – đặc điểm cấu trúc vốn có của mô hình ngân hàng truyền thống.
Câu 29: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: research, women, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-5
- Giải thích: “women’s adoption of mobile financial services correlates with measurable improvements… However, these positive effects are mediated by numerous factors” – tác động tích cực được điều tiết bởi nhiều yếu tố.
Câu 30: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: optimal regulatory framework
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, cuối đoạn
- Giải thích: “The optimal regulatory framework must balance multiple, sometimes contradictory, objectives” – cân bằng nhiều mục tiêu đôi khi mâu thuẫn.
Câu 31: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: AI, credit decisions
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, cuối đoạn
- Giải thích: “the use of artificial intelligence in credit decisions… can encode existing biases or create new forms of algorithmic redlining that systematically disadvantage certain demographic groups” – có thể tạo ra các hình thức phân biệt đối xử mới.
Câu 32: A (Transaction cost economics)
- Vị trí: Đoạn 2, dòng 7-8
- “the marginal cost of serving an additional customer approaches zero” – chi phí biên tiếp cận 0.
Câu 33: B (Gender dynamics)
- Vị trí: Đoạn 3, dòng 6-8
- “women’s increased financial independence through mobile banking has faced pushback from traditional power structures”
Câu 34: E (Data economy issues)
- Vị trí: Đoạn 6, dòng 2-3
- “This data has significant economic value: it can be used to develop predictive models for credit scoring”
Câu 35: F (Macroeconomic implications)
- Vị trí: Đoạn 7, dòng 3-4
- “Digital payment systems can improve tax compliance and reduce revenue leakage”
Câu 36: D (Cryptocurrency developments)
- Vị trí: Đoạn 5, dòng 3-4
- “Countries like El Salvador have experimented with adopting cryptocurrency as legal tender, partly as a strategy to reduce remittance costs”
Câu 37: substantial fixed costs
- Vị trí: Đoạn 2, dòng 2-3
- “operating under regulatory frameworks… face substantial fixed costs in serving geographically dispersed populations”
Câu 38: network effects
- Vị trí: Đoạn 2, dòng 8-9
- “the network effects inherent in two-sided markets create powerful incentives for both provider growth and user adoption”
Câu 39: permissive regulatory approaches
- Vị trí: Đoạn 4, dòng 4-5
- “Many developing countries initially adopted permissive regulatory approaches”
Câu 40: economic relief / funds
- Vị trí: Đoạn 7, dòng 6-7
- “governments able to directly transfer funds to citizens’ mobile wallets” hoặc “delivering economic relief to affected populations”
5. Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage
Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| advent | n | /ˈæd.vent/ | sự ra đời, sự xuất hiện | The advent of mobile banking has transformed… | the advent of technology |
| groundbreaking | adj | /ˈɡraʊnd.breɪ.kɪŋ/ | mang tính đột phá | mobile banking has emerged as a groundbreaking solution | groundbreaking solution/research |
| pioneering | adj | /ˌpaɪ.əˈnɪə.rɪŋ/ | tiên phong | Kenya stands out as a pioneering nation | pioneering work/nation |
| microfinance | n | /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.faɪ.næns/ | tài chính vi mô | allow microfinance borrowers to receive loans | microfinance institution/borrower |
| remarkable | adj | /rɪˈmɑːr.kə.bəl/ | đáng chú ý | The impact has been remarkable | remarkable achievement/progress |
| exponential | adj | /ˌek.spəˈnen.ʃəl/ | tăng theo cấp số mũ | witnessed exponential growth | exponential growth/increase |
| leapfrogging | n | /ˈliːp.frɒɡ.ɪŋ/ | bước nhảy vọt | a broader trend known as leapfrogging | technological leapfrogging |
| stringent | adj | /ˈstrɪn.dʒənt/ | nghiêm ngặt | leading to stringent regulations | stringent rules/regulations |
| trajectory | n | /trəˈdʒek.tər.i/ | quỹ đạo, xu hướng | the trajectory of mobile banking appears positive | growth trajectory |
| profound | adj | /prəˈfaʊnd/ | sâu sắc | create profound social and economic change | profound impact/effect |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| proliferation | n | /prəˌlɪf.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ | sự gia tăng nhanh | The proliferation of mobile banking | proliferation of weapons/technology |
| circumvent | v | /ˌsɜː.kəmˈvent/ | vượt qua, phá vỡ | Mobile banking circumvents these barriers | circumvent restrictions/rules |
| ubiquitous | adj | /juːˈbɪk.wɪ.təs/ | có mặt khắp nơi | through the ubiquitous mobile phone | ubiquitous technology/presence |
| prohibitively | adv | /prəˈhɪb.ɪ.tɪv.li/ | đến mức cấm đoán | can be prohibitively high | prohibitively expensive/costly |
| intermediaries | n | /ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.er.iz/ | trung gian | dependence on intermediaries who charged fees | financial intermediaries |
| cascading | adj | /kæˈskeɪ.dɪŋ/ | lan tỏa | This transformation has cascading effects | cascading effects/consequences |
| marginalized | adj | /ˈmɑː.dʒɪ.nə.laɪzd/ | bị gạt ra ngoài lề | among previously marginalized populations | marginalized communities/groups |
| catalyzed | v | /ˈkæt̬.əl.aɪzd/ | xúc tác | has catalyzed a boom | catalyze change/growth |
| creditworthiness | n | /ˈkred.ɪt.wɜː.ði.nəs/ | khả năng tín dụng | establish creditworthiness | assess creditworthiness |
| formidable | adj | /ˈfɔː.mɪ.də.bəl/ | ghê gớm, đáng gờm | remains a formidable challenge | formidable challenge/opponent |
| opaque | adj | /oʊˈpeɪk/ | mờ đục, không minh bạch | opaque fee structures | opaque systems/practices |
| recourse | n | /rɪˈkɔːrs/ | sự viện đến | limited recourse mechanisms | legal recourse |
| inextricably | adv | /ˌɪn.ɪkˈstrɪ.kə.bli/ | không thể tách rời | appears inextricably linked | inextricably linked/connected |
| democratize | v | /dɪˈmɒk.rə.taɪz/ | dân chủ hóa | further democratize financial services | democratize access/education |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ascendancy | n | /əˈsen.dən.si/ | sự thống trị | The ascendancy of mobile banking | rise to ascendancy |
| precipitated | v | /prɪˈsɪp.ɪ.teɪ.tɪd/ | gây ra đột ngột | has precipitated a transformation | precipitate a crisis/change |
| paradigmatic | adj | /ˌpær.ə.dɪɡˈmæt.ɪk/ | mang tính mô hình | a paradigmatic transformation | paradigmatic shift/example |
| stratification | n | /ˌstræt.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | sự phân tầng | social stratification | social stratification |
| techno-optimistic | adj | /ˈtek.noʊ ˌɒp.tɪˈmɪs.tɪk/ | lạc quan về công nghệ | from initial techno-optimistic narratives | techno-optimistic view |
| nuanced | adj | /ˈnjuː.ɑːnst/ | tinh tế | toward more nuanced analyses | nuanced understanding/approach |
| exacerbate | v | /ɪɡˈzæs.ə.beɪt/ | làm trầm trọng thêm | capacity to exacerbate existing inequalities | exacerbate problems/tensions |
| disruptive | adj | /dɪsˈrʌp.tɪv/ | gây gián đoạn | represents a disruptive innovation | disruptive technology/innovation |
| geographically dispersed | adj phrase | /ˌdʒiː.əˈɡræf.ɪ.kəl.i dɪˈspɜːrst/ | phân tán về địa lý | serving geographically dispersed populations | geographically dispersed locations |
| marginal cost | n | /ˈmɑː.dʒɪ.nəl kɒst/ | chi phí biên | the marginal cost approaches zero | reduce marginal cost |
| dialectical | adj | /ˌdaɪ.əˈlek.tɪ.kəl/ | biện chứng | This dialectical relationship | dialectical process/relationship |
| permissive | adj | /pəˈmɪs.ɪv/ | dễ dãi, cho phép | adopted permissive regulatory approaches | permissive attitude/society |
| interoperability | n | /ˌɪn.tə.ɒp.ər.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ | khả năng tương tác | The interoperability between platforms | ensure interoperability |
| prudential | adj | /pruːˈden.ʃəl/ | thận trọng (về tài chính) | prioritizing market over prudential regulation | prudential regulation/standards |
| disintermediation | n | /dɪsˌɪn.tə.miː.diˈeɪ.ʃən/ | loại bỏ trung gian | could offer greater disintermediation | financial disintermediation |
| granular | adj | /ˈɡræn.jə.lər/ | chi tiết, tỉ mỉ | accumulate vast quantities of granular data | granular data/detail |
| commodification | n | /kəˌmɒd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | hàng hóa hóa | the commodification of personal data | commodification of culture |
| algorithmic discrimination | n phrase | /ˌæl.ɡəˈrɪð.mɪk dɪˌskrɪm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ | phân biệt đối xử thuật toán | potential for algorithmic discrimination | prevent algorithmic discrimination |
| efficacy | n | /ˈef.ɪ.kə.si/ | hiệu quả | enhances the efficacy of monetary policy | improve efficacy |
| traceability | n | /ˌtreɪ.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ | khả năng truy vết | improving the traceability of money flows | ensure traceability |
| agility | n | /əˈdʒɪl.ə.ti/ | sự nhanh nhẹn | demonstrated greater agility | business agility/organizational agility |
| weaponized | v | /ˈwep.ə.naɪzd/ | vũ khí hóa | to be weaponized for political purposes | weaponize information |
| convergence | n | /kənˈvɜː.dʒəns/ | sự hội tụ | the convergence of multiple trends | technological convergence |
| entrench | v | /ɪnˈtrentʃ/ | củng cố, tăng cường | rather than entrenching digital divides | entrench inequality/power |
Từ vựng IELTS Reading về mobile banking và công nghệ tài chính
Kết Bài
Chủ đề về mobile banking in developing countries không chỉ xuất hiện thường xuyên trong IELTS Reading mà còn phản ánh một trong những xu hướng quan trọng nhất của thời đại. Bộ đề thi mẫu này đã cung cấp cho bạn trải nghiệm hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages có độ khó tăng dần, từ Easy (Band 5.0-6.5) qua Medium (Band 6.0-7.5) đến Hard (Band 7.0-9.0), giúp bạn làm quen với cách IELTS phân bổ độ khó trong bài thi thật.
Qua 40 câu hỏi đa dạng bao gồm Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng khác, bạn đã có cơ hội luyện tập toàn diện các kỹ năng quan trọng: skimming để nắm ý chính, scanning để tìm thông tin cụ thể, paraphrasing để nhận diện câu trả lời, và time management để hoàn thành bài thi đúng giờ. Đối với những ai quan tâm đến how does AI affect the financial services industry, nội dung này sẽ hữu ích khi hiểu thêm về vai trò của trí tuệ nhân tạo trong ngành tài chính.
Phần đáp án chi tiết không chỉ cho bạn biết đúng hay sai mà còn giải thích tại sao – chỉ ra vị trí cụ thể trong passage, phân tích cách paraphrase giữa câu hỏi và đoạn văn, và hướng dẫn kỹ thuật làm bài cho từng dạng câu hỏi. Đây chính là cách học hiệu quả nhất để nâng cao band điểm Reading của bạn.
Hơn 70 từ vựng học thuật được tổng hợp trong bảng từ vựng sẽ giúp bạn không chỉ trong phần Reading mà còn trong Writing Task 2 khi gặp các chủ đề về technology, finance, và social development. Hãy dành thời gian học kỹ những từ này cùng với collocations và ví dụ thực tế từ passages.
Để đạt kết quả tốt nhất, hãy làm bài này trong điều kiện thi thật (60 phút, không tra từ điển), sau đó dành thời gian phân tích kỹ những câu sai để hiểu rõ lỗi của mình. Chúc bạn luyện tập hiệu quả và đạt band điểm mục tiêu trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!
