Mở Bài
Chủ đề về ảnh hưởng văn hóa của mạng xã hội (Cultural Influence Of Social Media) đã và đang trở thành một trong những đề tài phổ biến nhất trong các kỳ thi IELTS Reading những năm gần đây. Với sự phát triển vượt bậc của công nghệ số và các nền tảng mạng xã hội, đề tài này không chỉ phản ánh xu hướng toàn cầu mà còn đòi hỏi người học phải có khả năng phân tích sâu về tác động xã hội và văn hóa.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được trải nghiệm một đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với ba passages có độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard, bao gồm đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi với các dạng câu hỏi đa dạng như Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng khác. Mỗi passage được thiết kế cẩn thận để phản ánh chính xác cấu trúc và độ khó của đề thi IELTS thực tế.
Bộ đề này phù hợp với học viên có trình độ từ band 5.0 trở lên, với đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích rõ ràng giúp bạn hiểu cách paraphrase, xác định từ khóa và áp dụng các chiến lược làm bài hiệu quả. Hãy chuẩn bị tốt trước khi bắt đầu và nhớ phân bổ thời gian hợp lý cho từng phần nhé!
Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading Test là bài thi kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Điểm đặc biệt là bạn phải tự quản lý thời gian cho cả ba phần, không có thời gian riêng biệt cho từng passage như phần Listening.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1 (Easy): 15-17 phút – Đây là phần dễ nhất, giúp bạn khởi động tốt và tích lũy điểm số.
- Passage 2 (Medium): 18-20 phút – Độ khó tăng lên, yêu cầu kỹ năng đọc hiểu và phân tích cao hơn.
- Passage 3 (Hard): 23-25 phút – Phần khó nhất với văn phong học thuật và yêu cầu suy luận phức tạp.
Lưu ý quan trọng là bạn nên dành 2-3 phút cuối để chuyển đáp án vào answer sheet, đảm bảo không mắc lỗi chính tả hoặc sót câu.
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 với 3-4 lựa chọn
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng, sai hoặc không được đề cập
- Matching Information – Nối thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
- Matching Headings – Chọn tiêu đề phù hợp cho các đoạn văn
- Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
- Matching Features – Nối đặc điểm với các yếu tố được liệt kê
- Short-answer Questions – Trả lời ngắn với giới hạn từ
Mỗi dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu kỹ năng và chiến lược khác nhau, vì vậy hãy làm quen với instructions và format của từng dạng.
Hướng dẫn làm bài IELTS Reading hiệu quả với phân bổ thời gian và chiến lược cho từng passage
IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Rise of Social Media and Cultural Identity
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
Social media platforms have fundamentally transformed the way people communicate, share information, and express their cultural identities in the modern world. Over the past two decades, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have grown from simple networking tools into powerful cultural forces that shape how billions of users perceive themselves and others. This unprecedented connectivity has created both opportunities and challenges for cultural preservation and evolution.
The emergence of social media in the early 2000s marked a significant shift in human communication patterns. Unlike traditional media, which operated on a one-to-many broadcasting model, social media enabled peer-to-peer interaction on a global scale. Users could now create, share, and consume content instantaneously, breaking down geographical barriers that had previously limited cultural exchange. This democratization of content creation meant that ordinary individuals could become influential voices in cultural conversations, challenging the monopoly of traditional gatekeepers such as newspapers, television networks, and publishing houses.
One of the most profound impacts of social media on culture has been its role in preserving minority languages and traditions. Indigenous communities around the world have utilized platforms like YouTube and Facebook to document their languages, rituals, and customs, creating digital archives that can be accessed by future generations. For example, the Māori people of New Zealand have successfully used social media to revitalize their language, with young people creating content in te reo Māori and sharing it across various platforms. This has led to a resurgence of interest in traditional Māori culture among younger generations who might otherwise have been disconnected from their heritage.
However, social media’s influence on culture is not entirely positive. Critics argue that these platforms have contributed to the homogenization of global culture, where local traditions and customs are overshadowed by dominant cultural narratives, primarily from Western countries. The algorithmic nature of content distribution on social media often amplifies popular trends while marginalizing less mainstream cultural expressions. This creates a feedback loop where certain cultural products and ideas gain disproportionate visibility, while others struggle to find an audience.
The concept of cultural appropriation has also become more visible and contested in the social media age. When images, videos, and trends can spread virally across continents within hours, instances of one culture adopting elements of another without proper understanding or respect become more frequent and more visible. Social media has simultaneously served as a platform for calling out such appropriation and for educating users about cultural sensitivity, creating ongoing debates about the boundaries of cultural exchange versus exploitation.
Fashion and beauty standards represent another area where social media has exerted significant cultural influence. Platforms like Instagram have created a globalized aesthetic that transcends national boundaries, with beauty influencers from Seoul to São Paulo promoting similar ideals. While this has created opportunities for diverse representation, it has also led to concerns about the proliferation of unrealistic beauty standards and the pressure to conform to narrow definitions of attractiveness. The rise of photo-editing applications and filters has further complicated this landscape, blurring the line between authentic self-expression and curated personas.
Social media has also revolutionized how cultural movements and social activism spread across borders. Hashtag campaigns such as #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and #ClimateStrike have demonstrated the power of social media to mobilize people around shared cultural and political causes. These movements have transcended national boundaries, creating transnational communities united by common values and goals. This ability to rapidly disseminate information and coordinate collective action represents a paradigm shift in how cultural and social change occurs.
The impact on traditional cultural practices and festivals has been particularly noteworthy. Many cultural celebrations are now extensively documented and shared on social media, allowing people who cannot attend in person to participate vicariously. However, this has raised questions about the commodification of culture and whether the meaning of these traditions is diluted when they are primarily experienced through screens rather than in person. Some communities have embraced this digital presence as a form of cultural promotion, while others worry about the loss of sacred or intimate aspects of their traditions.
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
1. According to the passage, what made social media different from traditional media?
A. It was more expensive to use
B. It allowed two-way communication between users
C. It only worked in certain countries
D. It was controlled by governments
2. How have indigenous communities used social media according to the text?
A. To replace their traditional languages
B. To compete with Western cultures
C. To preserve their languages and customs
D. To make money from their traditions
3. What concern do critics have about social media’s cultural impact?
A. It makes local cultures too diverse
B. It causes all cultures to become more similar
C. It prevents people from using the internet
D. It only affects Western countries
4. The passage suggests that social media’s role in cultural appropriation is:
A. Entirely negative
B. Completely positive
C. Both a problem and a solution
D. Not significant
5. How has social media affected cultural movements?
A. It has made them less effective
B. It has helped them spread internationally
C. It has limited them to single countries
D. It has eliminated the need for activism
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
6. Social media platforms first appeared in the 1990s.
7. The Māori language has experienced renewed interest among young people through social media.
8. All indigenous communities have successfully preserved their languages using social media.
9. Instagram influencers from different countries often promote similar beauty standards.
Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
10. Social media created a __ that allowed ordinary people to become influential in cultural discussions.
11. The way content is distributed on social media often creates a __ that makes popular trends more visible.
12. The use of photo-editing apps has made it harder to distinguish between genuine self-expression and __.
13. Some communities worry that sharing their traditions online leads to a __ of culture.
PASSAGE 2 – Digital Platforms and the Evolution of Youth Culture
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The intersection of social media and youth culture has created a dynamic landscape where cultural norms, values, and identities are continuously negotiated and redefined. Unlike previous generations whose cultural formation was primarily influenced by family, educational institutions, and mass media, today’s young people are growing up in an environment where peer-generated content and algorithmic curation play pivotal roles in shaping their worldviews. This shift has profound implications for understanding contemporary youth culture and its relationship with broader societal trends.
Participatory culture, a term coined by media scholar Henry Jenkins, has found its fullest expression in social media environments. Young people are no longer passive consumers of culture but active creators who remix, reinterpret, and redistribute cultural content. This collaborative creativity manifests in various forms, from viral dance challenges on TikTok to collaborative storytelling on platforms like Wattpad. The democratization of cultural production has enabled youth from diverse backgrounds to contribute to mainstream culture in ways that were previously impossible, challenging traditional hierarchies of cultural authority.
However, this participatory culture exists within corporate-owned platforms that mediate and monetize user interactions. The commodification of participation raises important questions about authenticity and exploitation. While young people may feel empowered by their ability to create and share content, they are simultaneously generating valuable data for platform companies and often creating content that serves corporate interests. This paradox represents one of the central tensions in understanding social media’s role in youth culture.
The phenomenon of micro-celebrities or influencers exemplifies how social media has transformed cultural capital among young people. Traditional markers of status such as athletic ability or academic achievement now compete with metrics like follower counts, engagement rates, and viral moments. This shift has created new aspirations and anxieties among youth, who may feel pressure to cultivate online personas that garner social validation. Research by communications scholars suggests that this performance of identity can be both liberating and constraining, offering opportunities for self-expression while simultaneously creating pressure to conform to platform-specific norms and aesthetic conventions.
Social media has also facilitated the rapid proliferation and evolution of youth subcultures. Unlike traditional subcultures that developed relatively slowly within specific geographic or social contexts, digital subcultures can form, grow, and fragment at unprecedented speeds. The fluidity and hybridity of these subcultures reflect the networked nature of contemporary youth identity. Young people often participate in multiple overlapping subcultures simultaneously, navigating between different communities and code-switching according to context. This multiplicity challenges older sociological models that viewed subcultures as relatively stable and bounded entities.
The role of social media in political socialization represents another significant dimension of its cultural influence on youth. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram have become important spaces for young people to engage with political issues, often in ways that blur the boundaries between politics, culture, and entertainment. Meme culture, for instance, has emerged as a potent vehicle for political commentary and mobilization, combining humor, visual creativity, and ideological messaging. The effectiveness of this approach was evident in movements such as the global climate strikes, where young activists used social media to coordinate actions across countries and frame environmental issues in culturally resonant ways.
Nevertheless, scholars have raised concerns about echo chambers and filter bubbles in social media environments. Algorithmic curation tends to show users content that aligns with their existing preferences and beliefs, potentially limiting exposure to diverse perspectives. For young people developing their political and cultural identities, this can result in polarization and a diminished capacity for engaging with opposing viewpoints. The segmentation of youth audiences into increasingly specialized niches may undermine the possibility of shared cultural experiences that previous generations took for granted.
The transnational character of social media-based youth culture has created new forms of global connectivity while also producing tensions around cultural authenticity and appropriation. K-pop, for example, has become a global phenomenon largely through social media, with fans from diverse cultural backgrounds participating in fan communities, creating content, and advocating for their favorite artists. This cross-cultural exchange has enriched global youth culture but has also sparked debates about whether such decontextualized consumption of cultural products leads to superficial understanding or genuine intercultural appreciation.
Mental health implications of social media use among young people have become a pressing concern for researchers and policymakers. The constant connectivity, social comparison, and pressure to maintain online presence can contribute to anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. However, the relationship between social media use and mental health is complex and mediated by various factors, including how platforms are used, the quality of online interactions, and individual resilience. Some studies suggest that social media can also provide valuable support networks and resources for young people dealing with mental health challenges, particularly for those who might otherwise feel isolated.
Ảnh hưởng của mạng xã hội đến sự phát triển và định hình văn hóa giới trẻ hiện đại
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
14. Young people today have more opportunities to influence mainstream culture than previous generations.
15. All young people feel empowered by creating content on social media platforms.
16. Social media companies benefit financially from user-generated content.
17. Traditional subcultures were better than modern digital subcultures.
18. Meme culture is an ineffective way to engage with political issues.
Questions 19-23: Matching Headings
The passage has nine paragraphs. Choose the correct heading for paragraphs C, D, E, G, and H from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The mental health debate surrounding youth social media use
ii. The corporate control of participatory platforms
iii. Political engagement through digital humor and creativity
iv. The transformation of status symbols among young people
v. Global cultural exchange and its controversies
vi. The rapid formation of online youth communities
vii. The problem of limited perspective exposure
viii. The historical context of youth culture formation
19. Paragraph C
20. Paragraph D
21. Paragraph E
22. Paragraph G
23. Paragraph H
Questions 24-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Social media has enabled young people to become active participants in culture rather than 24. __. However, this participation occurs on platforms owned by corporations that profit from user activity, creating what scholars call the 25. __ of participation. Additionally, algorithmic systems may create **26. __ that limit young people’s exposure to different viewpoints, potentially leading to polarization.
PASSAGE 3 – The Dialectic of Cultural Homogenization and Diversification in the Digital Age
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The advent of social media as a dominant force in global communication has precipitated vigorous scholarly debate regarding its net effect on cultural diversity. This discourse centers on a fundamental tension: whether these platforms are catalyzing an unprecedented era of cultural homogenization, wherein local particularities are subsumed under hegemonic global narratives, or whether they are instead enabling a flourishing of diverse cultural expressions that had previously been marginalized by traditional media gatekeepers. The resolution of this apparent paradox requires a nuanced examination of the multifaceted mechanisms through which social media platforms mediate cultural production and consumption.
Proponents of the homogenization thesis draw upon cultural imperialism theory and political economy frameworks to argue that social media platforms, despite their apparent openness, systematically privilege content that aligns with the commercial and ideological interests of predominantly Western technology corporations. The algorithmic architecture of these platforms is not neutral; rather, it embodies specific values, assumptions, and biases that shape what content gains visibility and traction. Network effects and preferential attachment mechanisms mean that already-popular content and creators enjoy structural advantages, creating winner-take-all dynamics that concentrate attention and influence. This concentration, critics argue, replicates and amplifies existing global power asymmetries, where content produced in English or reflecting Western aesthetic sensibilities enjoys disproportionate distribution and engagement.
Furthermore, the business models underpinning major social media platforms incentivize the production of content that maximizes engagement metrics such as likes, shares, and comments. This metric-driven approach tends to favor content that is immediately accessible, emotionally resonant, and aligned with broadly shared (often Western-centric) cultural references. Content that requires specific cultural knowledge or context may be penalized by algorithmic systems optimized for broad appeal. The result, according to this perspective, is a leveling effect wherein cultural production becomes increasingly standardized and optimized for maximum virality, regardless of its geographic origin.
The counterargument emphasizes social media’s capacity to disrupt traditional hierarchies of cultural production and distribution. Scholars in this camp point to numerous examples of marginalized cultural groups leveraging these platforms to assert their presence in global cultural conversations. The phenomenon of digital diasporas illustrates how geographically dispersed members of cultural communities can maintain and reinvigorate their shared identities through social media. These platforms provide infrastructures for cultural practices that might otherwise atrophy in contexts of migration and displacement. The case of Arabic-speaking communities maintaining linguistic and cultural connections across continents through Facebook groups and WhatsApp communities exemplifies this preservation function.
Moreover, social media has facilitated the emergence of what some scholars term glocalization—the simultaneous presence of global integration and local differentiation. Rather than simply imposing homogeneous global culture, social media enables hybrid cultural forms that synthesize global and local elements in creative ways. K-pop’s global success, for instance, cannot be reduced to either Korean cultural export or Western cultural dominance; rather, it represents a complex amalgamation of Korean musical traditions, Western pop sensibilities, Japanese idol culture, and local adaptations in diverse markets. The active participation of international fans in shaping K-pop culture through social media demonstrates how cultural influence flows multidirectionally rather than unilaterally from centers to peripheries.
The concept of algorithmic culture provides a productive framework for transcending the homogenization-diversification binary. Rather than viewing social media’s cultural impact as straightforwardly unifying or diversifying, this approach examines how computational systems generate new forms of cultural stratification and differentiation. Algorithms do not simply amplify existing cultural patterns; they create new affordances and constraints that reshape how culture is produced, circulated, and experienced. The recommendation algorithms that drive content discovery on platforms like YouTube or TikTok generate personalized cultural environments where users may encounter vastly different content ecosystems despite using the same platform.
This algorithmic mediation produces what might be termed mass customization of cultural experience—simultaneously enabling fragmentation into countless micro-cultures while maintaining certain structural uniformities in how cultural engagement occurs. The metrics by which success is measured, the formats in which content must be packaged, and the interaction patterns platforms encourage constitute a new form of cultural infrastructure that is globally standardized even as the content flowing through it diversifies. This represents a qualitatively different cultural formation from either traditional mass culture or pre-digital cultural diversity.
The epistemological challenge posed by social media platforms extends beyond questions of homogenization or diversification to encompass fundamental changes in how cultural knowledge is produced and validated. The disintermediation of traditional cultural authorities—critics, curators, academics, journalists—has democratized cultural legitimation but has also created what some scholars characterize as an epistemic crisis. When cultural value is determined primarily through engagement metrics rather than expert judgment, questions arise about the sustainability of sophisticated cultural forms that require sustained attention and specialized knowledge to appreciate. The algorithm’s privileging of immediate accessibility may inadvertently create selection pressures against cultural complexity and depth.
Empirical research attempting to adjudicate between the homogenization and diversification hypotheses has produced equivocal results, largely because the question itself may be ill-posed. Different operationalizations of cultural diversity—linguistic diversity, diversity of content genres, diversity of creators, diversity of aesthetic forms—yield different conclusions. Moreover, the temporal dimension matters: initial disruptive effects that appear to increase diversity may consolidate into new forms of concentration as platform ecosystems mature. The relevant question may not be whether social media causes homogenization or diversification in absolute terms, but rather what types of diversity it enables, what types it constrains, and according to what logics these processes unfold.
The normative implications of this analysis for cultural policy and platform governance are substantial. If algorithmic systems are indeed reshaping cultural landscapes in consequential ways, questions of accountability, transparency, and democratic oversight become paramount. The concentration of power over cultural infrastructures in the hands of a small number of technology corporations raises concerns about whether market forces alone can adequately serve diverse public interests in cultural vitality and plurality. Some scholars and policymakers advocate for regulatory interventions—from algorithmic transparency requirements to public interest media subsidies—designed to ensure that social media’s cultural influence serves broader societal goals beyond platform profitability.
Lý thuyết về sự đồng hóa và đa dạng hóa văn hóa trong kỷ nguyên mạng xã hội số
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
27. According to the homogenization thesis, social media algorithms:
A. Are completely neutral in their operation
B. Reflect the values of their Western creators
C. Only promote non-Western content
D. Have no impact on cultural diversity
28. The business model of social media platforms encourages content that:
A. Requires specialized knowledge
B. Is difficult to understand
C. Generates high engagement
D. Appeals only to specific cultures
29. Digital diasporas demonstrate that social media can:
A. Only harm cultural communities
B. Help maintain cultural connections across distances
C. Replace face-to-face cultural practices entirely
D. Eliminate the need for traditional culture
30. The concept of “glocalization” refers to:
A. Complete global cultural uniformity
B. The rejection of all global influences
C. The combination of global and local cultural elements
D. The dominance of local cultures over global ones
31. The passage suggests that empirical research on cultural diversity and social media:
A. Clearly proves homogenization is occurring
B. Definitively shows increasing diversification
C. Has produced mixed and inconclusive results
D. Is impossible to conduct
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each concept (32-36) with the correct description (A-H) from the list below.
Write the correct letter, A-H.
Concepts:
32. Network effects
33. Algorithmic culture
34. Mass customization
35. Disintermediation
36. Epistemic crisis
Descriptions:
A. The removal of traditional cultural experts from positions of authority
B. The tendency for popular content to become more popular
C. A framework examining how computational systems reshape culture
D. The complete rejection of all digital technologies
E. The ability to provide personalized experiences to many users simultaneously
F. Problems in determining cultural value and quality
G. The exclusive promotion of Western cultural products
H. The elimination of all cultural diversity
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 theory do critics use to support the homogenization argument?
38. What kind of dynamics does the concentration of attention on platforms create?
39. What term describes the simultaneous global integration and local differentiation?
40. What do some scholars advocate for to ensure social media serves public interests?
Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- C
- B
- C
- B
- FALSE
- TRUE
- NOT GIVEN
- TRUE
- democratization of content creation
- feedback loop
- curated personas
- commodification
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- YES
- NOT GIVEN
- YES
- NOT GIVEN
- NO
- ii
- iv
- vi
- vii
- i
- passive consumers
- commodification
- echo chambers / filter bubbles
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- C
- B
- C
- C
- B
- C
- E
- A
- F
- cultural imperialism theory
- winner-take-all dynamics
- glocalization
- regulatory interventions
Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: social media different, traditional media
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: Passage nói rõ “Unlike traditional media, which operated on a one-to-many broadcasting model, social media enabled peer-to-peer interaction”. Điều này được paraphrase thành “two-way communication” trong đáp án B. Các đáp án khác không được đề cập hoặc trái ngược với thông tin trong bài.
Câu 2: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: indigenous communities, used social media
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết chỉ ra “Indigenous communities…have utilized platforms…to document their languages, rituals, and customs, creating digital archives”. Đây chính là việc bảo tồn ngôn ngữ và phong tục, tương ứng với đáp án C.
Câu 3: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: critics, concern
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “Critics argue that these platforms have contributed to the homogenization of global culture” – đồng nhất hóa có nghĩa là làm cho các nền văn hóa trở nên giống nhau, tương ứng với “become more similar” trong đáp án B.
Câu 4: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: cultural appropriation, role
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5
- Giải thích: Đoạn văn nói “Social media has simultaneously served as a platform for calling out such appropriation and for educating users” – cho thấy vai trò kép vừa là vấn đề vừa là giải pháp, đúng với đáp án C.
Câu 6: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: social media platforms, first appeared, 1990s
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói “The emergence of social media in the early 2000s” – đầu những năm 2000, không phải 1990s, nên đáp án là FALSE.
Câu 7: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Māori language, renewed interest, young people
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 5-7
- Giải thích: “This has led to a resurgence of interest in traditional Māori culture among younger generations” – resurgence of interest chính là renewed interest, đáp án TRUE.
Câu 9: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Instagram influencers, different countries, similar beauty standards
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “beauty influencers from Seoul to São Paulo promoting similar ideals” – từ Seoul đến São Paulo (các quốc gia khác nhau) quảng bá những lý tưởng tương tự, đáp án TRUE.
Câu 10: democratization of content creation
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: allowed ordinary people, influential
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5-7
- Giải thích: “This democratization of content creation meant that ordinary individuals could become influential voices” – chính xác cụm từ cần điền.
Câu 11: feedback loop
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: content distribution, popular trends, more visible
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “This creates a feedback loop where certain cultural products…gain disproportionate visibility” – feedback loop là cụm từ chính xác trong bài.
Câu 12: curated personas
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: photo-editing apps, distinguish, authentic self-expression
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “blurring the line between authentic self-expression and curated personas” – curated personas là đáp án chính xác.
Câu 13: commodification
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: sharing traditions online, leads to
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: “raised questions about the commodification of culture” – commodification là từ cần tìm.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: young people today, opportunities, influence mainstream culture, previous generations
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: “The democratization of cultural production has enabled youth from diverse backgrounds to contribute to mainstream culture in ways that were previously impossible” – rõ ràng xác nhận quan điểm này, đáp án YES.
Câu 15: NOT GIVEN
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: all young people, feel empowered
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
- Giải thích: Bài chỉ nói “young people may feel empowered” nhưng không khẳng định TẤT CẢ đều cảm thấy như vậy, đáp án NOT GIVEN.
Câu 16: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: social media companies, benefit financially, user-generated content
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: “they are simultaneously generating valuable data for platform companies” và “commodification of participation” cho thấy các công ty hưởng lợi về mặt tài chính, đáp án YES.
Câu 18: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: meme culture, ineffective, political issues
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: “Meme culture…has emerged as a potent vehicle for political commentary and mobilization” và “The effectiveness of this approach was evident” – rõ ràng mâu thuẫn với câu phát biểu, đáp án NO.
Câu 19: ii (Paragraph C)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn 3
- Giải thích: Đoạn này nói về “participatory culture exists within corporate-owned platforms” và “commodification of participation” – tập trung vào sự kiểm soát của công ty đối với nền tảng tham gia, phù hợp với heading ii.
Câu 20: iv (Paragraph D)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn 4
- Giải thích: Đoạn này bàn về micro-celebrities và “Traditional markers of status…now compete with metrics like follower counts” – sự thay đổi của biểu tượng địa vị, phù hợp với heading iv.
Câu 21: vi (Paragraph E)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn 5
- Giải thích: “digital subcultures can form, grow, and fragment at unprecedented speeds” – nói về sự hình thành nhanh chóng của các cộng đồng trực tuyến, phù hợp với heading vi.
Câu 22: vii (Paragraph G)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn 7
- Giải thích: Đoạn này nói về “echo chambers and filter bubbles” và “limiting exposure to diverse perspectives” – vấn đề về hạn chế tiếp xúc với quan điểm khác, phù hợp với heading vii.
Câu 23: i (Paragraph H)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn 9
- Giải thích: Đoạn cuối tập trung vào “Mental health implications of social media use” – tranh luận về sức khỏe tâm thần, phù hợp với heading i.
Câu 24: passive consumers
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: active participants, rather than
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “Young people are no longer passive consumers of culture but active creators” – passive consumers là cụm từ cần điền.
Câu 25: commodification
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: participation, platforms owned by corporations
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2
- Giải thích: “The commodification of participation raises important questions” – commodification là từ chính xác.
Câu 26: echo chambers / filter bubbles
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: algorithmic systems, limit exposure
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “concerns about echo chambers and filter bubbles” – cả hai từ đều chấp nhận được.
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: homogenization thesis, algorithms
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “The algorithmic architecture…embodies specific values, assumptions, and biases” và được nhấn mạnh là từ các công ty công nghệ phương Tây, tương ứng đáp án B.
Câu 28: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: business model, encourages content
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “business models…incentivize the production of content that maximizes engagement metrics such as likes, shares, and comments” – tối đa hóa engagement tương ứng với “high engagement” trong đáp án C.
Câu 29: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: digital diasporas, demonstrate
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 3-6
- Giải thích: “digital diasporas illustrates how geographically dispersed members…can maintain and reinvigorate their shared identities” – duy trì kết nối văn hóa xuyên khoảng cách, đáp án B.
Câu 30: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: glocalization, refers to
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “glocalization—the simultaneous presence of global integration and local differentiation” và “hybrid cultural forms that synthesize global and local elements” – kết hợp yếu tố toàn cầu và địa phương, đáp án C.
Câu 31: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: empirical research, suggests
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, dòng 1
- Giải thích: “Empirical research…has produced equivocal results” – equivocal nghĩa là không rõ ràng, mơ hồ, tương ứng với “mixed and inconclusive” trong đáp án C.
Câu 32: B – Network effects
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5-6
- Giải thích: “Network effects and preferential attachment mechanisms mean that already-popular content…enjoy structural advantages” – nội dung phổ biến trở nên phổ biến hơn.
Câu 33: C – Algorithmic culture
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “The concept of algorithmic culture provides a productive framework…examines how computational systems generate new forms of cultural stratification” – khung phân tích về cách hệ thống máy tính định hình văn hóa.
Câu 34: E – Mass customization
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “This algorithmic mediation produces…mass customization of cultural experience—simultaneously enabling fragmentation into countless micro-cultures” – cung cấp trải nghiệm cá nhân hóa cho nhiều người.
Câu 35: A – Disintermediation
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “The disintermediation of traditional cultural authorities—critics, curators, academics, journalists” – loại bỏ các chuyên gia truyền thống khỏi vị trí quyền lực.
Câu 36: F – Epistemic crisis
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: “has also created what some scholars characterize as an epistemic crisis…questions arise about the sustainability of sophisticated cultural forms” – khủng hoảng trong việc xác định giá trị văn hóa.
Câu 37: cultural imperialism theory
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: critics use, homogenization argument
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1
- Giải thích: “Proponents of the homogenization thesis draw upon cultural imperialism theory” – cultural imperialism theory là cụm từ chính xác.
Câu 38: winner-take-all dynamics
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: concentration of attention, creates
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 6-7
- Giải thích: “creating winner-take-all dynamics that concentrate attention and influence” – winner-take-all dynamics là đáp án.
Câu 39: glocalization
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: simultaneous, global integration, local differentiation
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “glocalization—the simultaneous presence of global integration and local differentiation” – glocalization là thuật ngữ cần tìm.
Câu 40: regulatory interventions
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: scholars advocate, ensure, public interests
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “Some scholars and policymakers advocate for regulatory interventions” – regulatory interventions là đáp án chính xác.
Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage
Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fundamentally | adv | /ˌfʌndəˈmentəli/ | Một cách căn bản | Social media platforms have fundamentally transformed communication | fundamentally change/transform/different |
| unprecedented | adj | /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ | Chưa từng có | This unprecedented connectivity has created opportunities | unprecedented level/scale/growth |
| emergence | n | /ɪˈmɜːdʒəns/ | Sự xuất hiện | The emergence of social media in the early 2000s | the emergence of new technology |
| democratization | n | /dɪˌmɒkrətaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | Sự dân chủ hóa | This democratization of content creation | democratization of information/knowledge |
| monopoly | n | /məˈnɒpəli/ | Sự độc quyền | Challenging the monopoly of traditional gatekeepers | hold/have a monopoly |
| profound | adj | /prəˈfaʊnd/ | Sâu sắc | One of the most profound impacts | profound effect/impact/influence |
| revitalize | v | /riːˈvaɪtəlaɪz/ | Hồi sinh, phục hưng | Used social media to revitalize their language | revitalize the economy/culture |
| homogenization | n | /həˌmɒdʒənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | Sự đồng nhất hóa | Contributed to the homogenization of global culture | cultural homogenization |
| amplify | v | /ˈæmplɪfaɪ/ | Khuếch đại | Often amplifies popular trends | amplify the message/effect |
| appropriation | n | /əˌprəʊpriˈeɪʃən/ | Sự chiếm đoạt | Cultural appropriation has become more visible | cultural appropriation |
| proliferation | n | /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ | Sự gia tăng nhanh | Led to concerns about the proliferation of unrealistic standards | proliferation of weapons/information |
| commodification | n | /kəˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ | Sự thương mại hóa | Questions about the commodification of culture | commodification of art/culture |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| intersection | n | /ˌɪntəˈsekʃən/ | Sự giao thoa | The intersection of social media and youth culture | at the intersection of |
| pivotal | adj | /ˈpɪvətl/ | Quan trọng, then chốt | Play pivotal roles in shaping worldviews | pivotal role/moment/figure |
| participatory | adj | /pɑːˈtɪsɪpətəri/ | Có tính tham gia | Participatory culture has found its fullest expression | participatory democracy/approach |
| remix | v | /ˈriːmɪks/ | Phối lại, biên tập lại | Who remix, reinterpret, and redistribute content | remix a song/content |
| mediate | v | /ˈmiːdieɪt/ | Làm trung gian, điều tiết | Platforms that mediate and monetize interactions | mediate a dispute/conflict |
| commodification | n | /kəˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ | Sự thương mại hóa | The commodification of participation | commodification of education |
| cultivate | v | /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ | Nuôi dưỡng, trau dồi | Pressure to cultivate online personas | cultivate relationships/skills |
| proliferation | n | /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ | Sự lan tỏa nhanh | Facilitated the rapid proliferation of subcultures | proliferation of nuclear weapons |
| navigate | v | /ˈnævɪɡeɪt/ | Điều hướng | Navigating between different communities | navigate through challenges |
| blur | v | /blɜː/ | Làm mờ | Ways that blur the boundaries | blur the line/distinction |
| coordinate | v | /kəʊˈɔːdɪneɪt/ | Phối hợp | Used social media to coordinate actions | coordinate efforts/activities |
| polarization | n | /ˌpəʊlərəˈzeɪʃən/ | Sự phân cực | Can result in polarization | political polarization |
| transnational | adj | /trænzˈnæʃənəl/ | Xuyên quốc gia | The transnational character of youth culture | transnational corporation/movement |
| resilience | n | /rɪˈzɪliəns/ | Khả năng phục hồi | Individual resilience | build/develop resilience |
| advocate | v | /ˈædvəkeɪt/ | Ủng hộ, vận động | Fans advocating for their favorite artists | advocate for change/reform |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| precipitate | v | /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/ | Gây ra, thúc đẩy | Has precipitated vigorous scholarly debate | precipitate a crisis/conflict |
| catalyze | v | /ˈkætəlaɪz/ | Xúc tác | Whether platforms are catalyzing an era | catalyze change/growth |
| hegemonic | adj | /ˌhedʒɪˈmɒnɪk/ | Có tính bá quyền | Subsumed under hegemonic global narratives | hegemonic power/discourse |
| nuanced | adj | /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ | Tinh tế, nhiều sắc thái | Requires a nuanced examination | nuanced understanding/approach |
| systematically | adv | /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪkli/ | Một cách có hệ thống | Systematically privilege content | systematically discriminate/exclude |
| embody | v | /ɪmˈbɒdi/ | Thể hiện, tượng trưng | Embodies specific values and assumptions | embody the spirit/principles |
| asymmetry | n | /eɪˈsɪmətri/ | Sự bất cân xứng | Existing global power asymmetries | power asymmetry |
| replicate | v | /ˈreplɪkeɪt/ | Sao chép, tái tạo | Replicates and amplifies existing patterns | replicate the results/study |
| atrophy | v | /ˈætrəfi/ | Teo đi, thoái hóa | Cultural practices that might otherwise atrophy | muscles atrophy |
| amalgamation | n | /əˌmælɡəˈmeɪʃən/ | Sự hợp nhất | Represents a complex amalgamation | amalgamation of cultures/ideas |
| multidirectionally | adv | /ˌmʌltiˌdaɪˈrekʃənəli/ | Theo nhiều hướng | Cultural influence flows multidirectionally | flow multidirectionally |
| transcend | v | /trænˈsend/ | Vượt qua | Framework for transcending the binary | transcend boundaries/limitations |
| affordance | n | /əˈfɔːdəns/ | Khả năng cho phép | Create new affordances and constraints | digital affordances |
| fragmentation | n | /ˌfræɡmenˈteɪʃən/ | Sự phân mảnh | Enabling fragmentation into micro-cultures | social fragmentation |
| disintermediation | n | /ˌdɪsɪntəˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/ | Sự loại bỏ trung gian | The disintermediation of traditional authorities | digital disintermediation |
| epistemic | adj | /ˌepɪˈstiːmɪk/ | Thuộc về nhận thức | An epistemic crisis | epistemic uncertainty/violence |
| equivocal | adj | /ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/ | Mơ hồ, không rõ ràng | Has produced equivocal results | equivocal evidence/response |
| consequential | adj | /ˌkɒnsɪˈkwenʃəl/ | Có hậu quả quan trọng | In consequential ways | consequential decision/impact |
Kết Bài
Chủ đề về ảnh hưởng văn hóa của mạng xã hội (cultural influence of social media) không chỉ là một đề tài nóng trong các kỳ thi IELTS Reading mà còn phản ánh những thay đổi sâu sắc trong cách chúng ta sống và giao tiếp. Qua bộ đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được trải nghiệm ba passages với độ khó tăng dần, từ Easy đến Medium và Hard, hoàn toàn giống với cấu trúc đề thi IELTS thực tế.
Ba passages đã cung cấp góc nhìn đa chiều về chủ đề: từ những tác động cơ bản của mạng xã hội đến văn hóa và bản sắc (Passage 1), đến sự phát triển phức tạp của văn hóa giới trẻ trong môi trường số (Passage 2), và cuối cùng là những tranh luận học thuật sâu sắc về sự đồng nhất hóa và đa dạng hóa văn hóa (Passage 3). Mỗi passage không chỉ kiểm tra kỹ năng đọc hiểu mà còn yêu cầu bạn phân tích, suy luận và đánh giá thông tin ở các mức độ khác nhau.
Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích đã giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách xác định từ khóa, áp dụng kỹ thuật paraphrase và tìm thông tin chính xác trong passage. Bảng từ vựng với hơn 40 từ quan trọng sẽ là tài liệu quý giá để bạn mở rộng vốn từ học thuật, đặc biệt hữu ích cho những bài đọc về công nghệ, xã hội và văn hóa.
Hãy nhớ rằng, để đạt band điểm cao trong IELTS Reading, bạn cần luyện tập thường xuyên với các đề thi đa dạng, quản lý thời gian hiệu quả và không ngừng nâng cao vốn từ vựng. Tương tự như The impact of mobile learning on cultural studies, chủ đề về công nghệ và văn hóa đang ngày càng phổ biến trong IELTS, vì vậy việc nắm vững các chủ đề liên quan sẽ giúp bạn tự tin hơn khi bước vào phòng thi. Chúc bạn học tập hiệu quả và đạt được band điểm mong muốn!
