Giới Thiệu
Chủ đề Economic Effects Of Digital Currencies On Traditional Banking (Tác động kinh tế của tiền kỹ thuật số đối với ngân hàng truyền thống) đã và đang trở thành một trong những đề tài nóng hổi trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading những năm gần đây. Sự xuất hiện bùng nổ của Bitcoin, Ethereum và các loại tiền điện tử khác đã tạo nên những biến đổi sâu sắc trong hệ thống tài chính toàn cầu, khiến chủ đề này trở nên vô cùng phù hợp với xu hướng ra đề của IELTS – thường tập trung vào những vấn đề đương đại, có tính thời sự cao.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được trải nghiệm một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với ba passages có độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard, bao gồm tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi đa dạng với đủ các dạng bài thường gặp trong kỳ thi thực tế. Mỗi passage được thiết kế cẩn thận để mô phỏng chính xác những bài đọc trong Cambridge IELTS, từ độ dài, cấu trúc câu, đến mức độ phức tạp của từ vựng.
Ngoài đề thi mẫu chất lượng cao, bạn còn nhận được đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích từng câu, giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách paraphrase thông tin, xác định vị trí đáp án và tránh những “bẫy” phổ biến. Phần từ vựng quan trọng được trình bày dưới dạng bảng tiện lợi với phiên âm, nghĩa tiếng Việt, ví dụ và collocation – tất cả đều là những từ vựng xuất hiện ngay trong bài đọc.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên có trình độ từ band 5.0 trở lên, đặc biệt hữu ích cho những bạn đang hướng tới mục tiêu band 6.5-7.5. Hãy chuẩn bị đồng hồ, tìm một không gian yên tĩnh và bắt đầu luyện tập như đang ở trong phòng thi thực sự!
Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading Test là phần thi kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Điều đặc biệt quan trọng là bạn không có thêm thời gian để chuyển đáp án sang answer sheet – tất cả phải hoàn thành trong vòng 60 phút.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1: 15-17 phút (13 câu hỏi)
- Passage 2: 18-20 phút (13 câu hỏi)
- Passage 3: 23-25 phút (14 câu hỏi)
Lưu ý rằng Passage 3 thường là khó nhất nên cần nhiều thời gian nhất. Đừng mắc kẹt quá lâu ở một câu hỏi – hãy đánh dấu và quay lại sau nếu cần.
Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này
Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm đầy đủ các dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:
- Multiple Choice – Chọn đáp án đúng từ A, B, C, D
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng, sai hay không được nhắc đến
- Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn phù hợp
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thiện câu với từ trong bài
- Summary Completion – Điền từ vào đoạn tóm tắt
- Matching Features – Nối thông tin với người/tổ chức/khái niệm
- Short-answer Questions – Trả lời câu hỏi ngắn
Mỗi dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu một kỹ thuật làm bài khác nhau, vì vậy việc luyện tập đa dạng là vô cùng quan trọng.
IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Digital Currency Revolution: A New Era for Money
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
Over the past decade, digital currencies have emerged from obscurity to become one of the most discussed topics in global finance. Unlike traditional forms of money issued by governments and central banks, digital currencies are decentralized, meaning they operate independently of any single authority. The most famous example, Bitcoin, was introduced in 2009 by an anonymous creator known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Since then, thousands of alternative digital currencies, or cryptocurrencies, have been created, each with unique features and purposes.
The fundamental technology behind most digital currencies is called blockchain. This is essentially a digital ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. What makes blockchain revolutionary is its transparency and security. Every transaction is verified by multiple computers in the network, making it extremely difficult to forge or manipulate records. This distributed verification system eliminates the need for a central authority, such as a bank, to validate transactions.
Traditional banks have served as intermediaries in financial transactions for centuries. When you transfer money to someone, your bank verifies that you have sufficient funds, deducts the amount from your account, and credits it to the recipient’s account. This process can take several days, especially for international transfers, and often involves multiple fees. Digital currencies, in contrast, allow peer-to-peer transactions that can be completed in minutes, regardless of geographical distance. For example, someone in Tokyo can send Bitcoin to a person in London within ten minutes, without needing any bank’s approval or paying traditional wire transfer fees.
The adoption of digital currencies has been particularly significant in countries with unstable national currencies or restricted banking systems. In Venezuela, where hyperinflation has devastated the local currency, many citizens have turned to Bitcoin as a way to preserve their purchasing power. Similarly, in countries with strict capital controls, such as China, some people use cryptocurrencies to move money across borders when traditional methods are limited. These use cases demonstrate how digital currencies can provide financial inclusion to people who are underserved by conventional banking systems.
However, the rise of digital currencies has not been without challenges. Their value can be extremely volatile, with prices sometimes fluctuating by 20% or more in a single day. This instability makes them risky as a store of value and impractical for everyday purchases. Additionally, the anonymous nature of some cryptocurrency transactions has raised concerns about their use in illegal activities, such as money laundering and tax evasion. Regulators worldwide are grappling with how to oversee this new form of money without stifling innovation.
Despite these concerns, major financial institutions are beginning to acknowledge the potential of digital currencies. Some banks have started offering cryptocurrency services to their clients, while others are experimenting with creating their own digital currencies. Several countries, including China and Sweden, are developing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) – digital versions of their national currencies that combine the efficiency of cryptocurrency technology with the stability and backing of a central bank. These developments suggest that rather than replacing traditional banking entirely, digital currencies may eventually be integrated into the existing financial system, creating a hybrid model that offers the benefits of both worlds.
The implications for ordinary consumers are significant. As digital currencies become more mainstream, people may have more choices in how they save, spend, and invest their money. Transaction costs could decrease, and cross-border payments could become faster and cheaper. However, consumers will also need to become more financially literate to understand the risks and opportunities associated with these new forms of money. Education about digital currencies, blockchain technology, and cybersecurity will become increasingly important as these technologies continue to evolve.
Looking ahead, the relationship between digital currencies and traditional banking will likely continue to evolve. While some enthusiasts predict that cryptocurrencies will eventually make banks obsolete, most experts believe that banks will adapt and find new roles in a digitally-enabled financial ecosystem. Banks possess valuable expertise in risk management, regulatory compliance, and customer service that will remain relevant even as the technology underlying financial transactions changes. The challenge for traditional financial institutions is to embrace innovation while maintaining the trust and stability that have been their hallmarks for centuries.
Sự phát triển của tiền kỹ thuật số và tác động đến hệ thống ngân hàng truyền thống toàn cầu
Questions 1-13
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
1. According to the passage, what is the main difference between digital currencies and traditional money?
A. Digital currencies are more valuable
B. Digital currencies are not controlled by a single authority
C. Digital currencies can only be used online
D. Digital currencies are illegal in most countries
2. The blockchain technology is described as revolutionary because:
A. it was invented by Satoshi Nakamoto
B. it allows transactions to be verified by multiple computers
C. it is used only for Bitcoin
D. it requires banks to validate transactions
3. How long does it typically take to complete a Bitcoin transaction between different countries?
A. Several days
B. Several hours
C. About ten minutes
D. Instantly
4. Why have people in Venezuela turned to Bitcoin?
A. Traditional banks have closed down
B. The government requires them to use it
C. Their national currency has lost value rapidly
D. Bitcoin is the official currency there
5. What are Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)?
A. Private cryptocurrencies created by banks
B. Digital versions of national currencies backed by central banks
C. A replacement for all traditional money
D. Cryptocurrencies that are illegal
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. Bitcoin was the first digital currency ever created.
7. International bank transfers using traditional methods usually complete within a few hours.
8. The price of digital currencies never changes by more than 10% in one day.
9. Some banks have begun offering cryptocurrency-related services to their customers.
Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
10. The __ of some cryptocurrency transactions has caused worry about their potential use in criminal activities.
11. Regulators are trying to find ways to supervise digital currencies without limiting __.
12. As digital currencies become more common, __ could become lower for consumers.
13. Banks have expertise in areas like risk management and __ that will continue to be valuable.
PASSAGE 2 – Banking in Transition: How Digital Currencies Challenge Traditional Financial Models
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
A. The emergence of digital currencies represents more than just a technological novelty; it constitutes a fundamental challenge to the centuries-old business model of commercial banking. Traditional banks function as trusted intermediaries, earning revenue primarily through three channels: interest margins on loans, fees for facilitating transactions, and charges for various financial services. This model relies heavily on banks’ privileged position as gatekeepers of the financial system, a position now being contested by decentralized alternatives.
B. The disintermediation potential of digital currencies is particularly evident in the realm of cross-border remittances. The World Bank estimates that global remittances exceeded $700 billion in 2020, with traditional service providers charging average fees of approximately 6-7%. For many migrant workers sending money to their families in developing countries, these fees represent a significant burden. Digital currency platforms like Ripple and Stellar have demonstrated the ability to facilitate international transfers at a fraction of traditional costs, with some transactions costing less than one cent. This dramatic cost reduction directly threatens one of banking’s most lucrative revenue streams.
C. Beyond transaction fees, digital currencies challenge the traditional banking model of fractional reserve lending. Conventional banks create money by lending out deposits while maintaining only a fraction in reserve. This system, while enabling economic growth through credit creation, also makes banks vulnerable to bank runs when depositors simultaneously attempt to withdraw funds. Digital currencies operate on a different principle entirely: the total supply is typically predetermined by algorithmic protocols rather than central bank policies, and users maintain direct control over their holdings without depositing them in institutions that might use them for other purposes.
D. However, the relationship between digital currencies and traditional banking is more nuanced than simple competition. Many banks are now exploring how to leverage blockchain technology to improve their own operations. The immutability and transparency of blockchain records could streamline processes like clearing and settlement, which currently require multiple intermediaries and can take days to complete. Several major banks have joined consortia such as R3 and the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance to develop blockchain-based solutions for interbank transactions. These initiatives suggest that banks may adopt the underlying technology of digital currencies while maintaining their role as regulated, trusted institutions.
E. The regulatory landscape surrounding digital currencies remains a critical factor shaping their impact on banking. Different jurisdictions have adopted vastly different approaches. El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, while China has banned cryptocurrency transactions altogether. Most countries fall somewhere between these extremes, implementing “know-your-customer” (KYC) and anti-money-laundering (AML) requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges while studying how to regulate the sector more comprehensively. This regulatory uncertainty creates both opportunities and risks for traditional banks considering whether to embrace or resist digital currency integration.
F. The rise of stablecoins – digital currencies pegged to traditional assets like the US dollar or gold – represents an attempt to bridge the gap between conventional and digital money. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, whose values fluctuate freely in markets, stablecoins aim to provide the efficiency of cryptocurrency transactions while maintaining price stability. Major technology companies, including Facebook (through its Diem project, formerly Libra) and PayPal, have shown interest in stablecoins, potentially bringing digital currencies to billions of users. This development particularly concerns central banks, as widely-adopted private stablecoins could diminish their control over monetary policy.
G. In response to these challenges, central banks worldwide are accelerating their research into Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies, CBDCs would be issued and controlled by central authorities, combining digital efficiency with government backing. China’s digital yuan is already being tested in several cities, while the European Central Bank has initiated a formal investigation into a digital euro. Proponents argue that CBDCs could enhance financial inclusion, improve monetary policy transmission, and provide a public alternative to private digital currencies. However, critics raise concerns about privacy and the potential for governments to monitor and control citizens’ financial activities more closely than ever before.
H. The implications for traditional banks in a CBDC-enabled future are profound. If citizens can hold accounts directly with central banks, the intermediary role of commercial banks could be significantly diminished. To address this concern, most CBDC proposals involve a “two-tier” system where central banks issue digital currency but commercial banks continue to manage customer relationships and provide banking services. This approach would preserve the existing banking structure while modernizing its technological foundation.
I. Despite the transformative potential of digital currencies, several factors suggest that traditional banks will continue to play a vital role in the financial system. Banking involves far more than simply processing transactions; it includes credit assessment, risk management, financial advice, and regulatory compliance – functions requiring expertise and judgment that automated systems cannot easily replicate. Moreover, most consumers and businesses value the consumer protections, deposit insurance, and recourse mechanisms that regulated banks provide. While digital currencies offer exciting possibilities, the trust and stability that traditional banks have cultivated over generations remain valuable assets in an uncertain world.
J. Looking forward, the most likely scenario is not the wholesale replacement of traditional banking by digital currencies, but rather a gradual convergence of the two systems. Banks that successfully integrate digital currency capabilities while maintaining their core strengths in customer service and risk management will be well-positioned for the future. Those that resist adaptation, however, may find themselves increasingly marginalized as technologically savvy competitors and new fintech entrants capture market share. The digital currency revolution, therefore, represents not the end of banking but its evolution into new forms that combine the best elements of both traditional and innovative approaches.
Questions 14-26
Questions 14-18: Matching Headings
The passage has ten paragraphs, A-J.
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B, D, F, H, and I from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The continuing importance of traditional banking functions
ii. How stablecoins attempt to combine old and new money features
iii. The expensive problem of sending money internationally
iv. Banks adopting blockchain for internal improvements
v. The threat to central bank monetary control
vi. Government approaches to cryptocurrency regulation
vii. Impact of CBDCs on commercial banks’ role
viii. The creation of money through lending
ix. Different types of digital currencies
x. Why digital currencies are becoming popular
14. Paragraph B
15. Paragraph D
16. Paragraph F
17. Paragraph H
18. Paragraph I
Questions 19-23: Yes/No/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in the passage?
Write:
- YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
- NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
- NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
19. Traditional banks earn money mainly through three different types of revenue.
20. Digital currency transactions are always cheaper than traditional bank transfers.
21. All major banks have already fully integrated blockchain technology into their operations.
22. Facebook’s stablecoin project was originally called Libra.
23. Most CBDC proposals would completely eliminate the role of commercial banks.
Questions 24-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Digital currencies challenge the traditional model of 24. __, where banks lend out deposits while keeping only some money in reserve. This system helps economic growth but makes banks at risk from 25. __ when many customers try to withdraw money at once. Digital currencies are different because their total supply is decided by 26. __ rather than central bank decisions.
PASSAGE 3 – Macroeconomic Implications of Digital Currency Proliferation: Systemic Risks and Monetary Policy Challenges
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The ascendancy of digital currencies in the global financial architecture presents unprecedented challenges to the theoretical underpinnings and practical implementation of monetary policy. Central banks, which have wielded considerable influence over economic activity through their control of money supply and interest rates, now face the prospect of diminished efficacy as alternative monetary systems gain traction. The ramifications extend beyond mere technical adjustments, potentially necessitating a fundamental reconceptualization of how governments maintain macroeconomic stability in an era of decentralized financial instruments.
Monetary sovereignty, long considered an inalienable attribute of nation-states, confronts an existential challenge from borderless digital currencies. Traditional monetary policy operates through the manipulation of the money supply and interest rates to achieve objectives such as price stability, full employment, and sustainable economic growth. However, the effectiveness of these tools presupposes that the central bank maintains substantial control over the currency used within its jurisdiction. When significant economic activity begins to occur in digital currencies outside central bank purview, the transmission mechanisms of monetary policy become attenuated. For instance, if citizens increasingly hold wealth in Bitcoin rather than their national currency, a central bank’s decision to lower interest rates may have diminished impact on consumption and investment decisions, as the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-bearing Bitcoin is unaffected by domestic monetary policy adjustments.
The potential for digital currencies to facilitate capital flight during periods of economic instability represents another macroeconomic vulnerability. Historically, capital controls and the logistical difficulties of moving large sums across borders provided governments with some insulation against sudden capital outflows. Digital currencies obviate many of these friction points, enabling individuals to transfer wealth internationally with unprecedented ease. During a financial crisis, when confidence in a nation’s currency or banking system deteriorates, the speed with which capital can now flee to perceived safe havens could exacerbate economic instability. The 2013 Cypriot banking crisis provided an early glimpse of this phenomenon, as some depositors turned to Bitcoin to circumvent potential confiscation of bank deposits through forced bail-ins.
Furthermore, the fixed or algorithmically determined supply schedules of many digital currencies stand in stark contrast to the discretionary nature of fiat currency issuance. Bitcoin, for example, has a hard cap of 21 million coins, with new issuance following a predetermined schedule that halves approximately every four years – a feature designed to mimic the scarcity of precious metals. While proponents argue that such predictability prevents the arbitrary debasement of currency through excessive printing, it also precludes the countercyclical monetary policy responses that have become standard practice for mitigating economic downturns. During the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, central banks worldwide engaged in massive monetary expansion to support faltering economies. A monetary system based primarily on cryptocurrencies with fixed supplies would lack this crucial policy lever, potentially leading to more severe and protracted recessions.
The emergence of privately issued stablecoins introduces yet another dimension to these challenges. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, stablecoins attempt to maintain parity with traditional currencies or assets, offering the transaction efficiency of digital currencies without dramatic price fluctuations. However, the prospect of widely adopted private stablecoins, particularly those issued by technology giants with billions of users, raises profound questions about monetary governance. If a supranational corporate entity were to issue a stablecoin that gained widespread acceptance, it could effectively function as a parallel currency potentially eclipsing some national currencies in usage. This scenario evokes historical precedents such as company scrip or the widespread circulation of foreign currencies in countries experiencing hyperinflation, but on a potentially global scale. The implications for national sovereignty, tax collection, and economic policy autonomy are substantial and largely unexplored.
Central banks’ responses to these challenges have varied considerably, reflecting different assessments of both the magnitude of the threat and the appropriate policy stance. Some institutions, particularly in jurisdictions with robust financial systems and stable currencies, have adopted a relatively permissive approach, viewing digital currencies primarily as speculative assets of limited systemic importance. Others, especially in countries with weaker institutional frameworks or capital controls, have enacted stringent restrictions or outright bans, perceiving digital currencies as threats to financial stability and monetary sovereignty. China’s comprehensive prohibition on cryptocurrency transactions, announced in 2021, exemplifies this interventionist approach, driven partly by concerns about circumvention of capital controls and partly by a desire to establish a monopoly for its own central bank digital currency.
The development of CBDCs represents the most direct institutional response to the digital currency phenomenon. By creating sovereign digital currencies, central banks aim to retain control over monetary systems while capitalizing on technological advantages. However, CBDC implementation involves complex design choices with far-reaching consequences. A fundamental distinction exists between “wholesale” CBDCs, which would be used only for interbank settlements, and “retail” CBDCs, accessible to the general public. The latter raises particularly intricate questions about privacy, financial surveillance, and the potential disintermediation of commercial banks. If citizens could hold accounts directly with the central bank, the necessity of commercial banks as deposit-taking institutions might be questioned, potentially requiring significant restructuring of the financial sector.
Moreover, the implementation of CBDCs must navigate the tension between competing objectives. Enhanced transaction efficiency and financial inclusion often require substantial data collection, which may conflict with privacy considerations. Similarly, the desire to combat illicit financial flows through traceable digital transactions must be balanced against legitimate concerns about government overreach and the potential for authoritarian abuse of financial surveillance capabilities. These trade-offs are not merely technical but reflect fundamental values about the relationship between individuals and the state.
The fragmentation of the monetary system into multiple competing currencies – national fiat currencies, private cryptocurrencies, corporate stablecoins, and potential CBDCs – could itself create instabilities. Exchange rate volatility between these various forms of money could introduce uncertainty into economic decision-making, while the complexity of navigating multiple monetary systems might create barriers to economic participation for less sophisticated users. Conversely, competition among currency issuers might incentivize innovation and discipline, as users would have greater ability to abandon currencies that were poorly managed. This competitive dynamic bears resemblance to historical periods of “free banking” in which multiple private banks issued their own currencies, a system that generated both innovation and periodic instability.
Ultimately, the economic effects of digital currencies on traditional banking cannot be divorced from broader questions about the architecture of the financial system and the role of government in economic life. The trajectory of this transformation will depend not only on technological developments but also on regulatory choices, institutional adaptations, and public preferences regarding privacy, stability, and innovation. What appears certain is that the monetary landscape of the coming decades will differ substantially from that of the past century, necessitating continuous reassessment of both policy frameworks and theoretical paradigms by economists, policymakers, and financial practitioners alike. The challenge for traditional banking institutions is not merely to survive this transition but to evolve in ways that preserve their essential functions while embracing the possibilities that technological advancement offers.
Những thách thức về chính sách tiền tệ trong bối cảnh tiền kỹ thuật số phát triển mạnh
Questions 27-40
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
27. According to the passage, monetary policy becomes less effective when:
A. interest rates are too high
B. citizens hold wealth in currencies outside central bank control
C. banks refuse to lend money
D. governments print too much money
28. The 2013 Cypriot banking crisis is mentioned as an example of:
A. successful government intervention
B. how digital currencies can facilitate rapid capital flight
C. why Bitcoin was invented
D. the dangers of banking regulation
29. What is the main disadvantage of Bitcoin’s fixed supply schedule?
A. It makes Bitcoin too valuable
B. It prevents countercyclical monetary policy responses
C. It causes inflation
D. It makes transactions slower
30. According to the passage, widespread adoption of private stablecoins could:
A. improve national currencies
B. eliminate all financial problems
C. function as parallel currencies that rival national currencies
D. only benefit technology companies
31. What is the difference between wholesale and retail CBDCs?
A. Wholesale CBDCs are more expensive
B. Retail CBDCs are only for banks, wholesale CBDCs are for everyone
C. Wholesale CBDCs are for interbank settlements, retail CBDCs are for the general public
D. There is no significant difference
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each statement (32-36) with the correct concept (A-G).
Statements:
32. Has a maximum limit of 21 million units
33. Were used by some people to avoid potential seizure of bank deposits
34. Attempt to maintain stable value relative to traditional currencies
35. Might be necessary to preserve privacy while enabling digital transactions
36. Could encourage better currency management through competition
Concepts:
A. Bitcoin’s fixed supply
B. Stablecoins
C. CBDCs during the Cyprus crisis
D. Free banking system
E. Monetary sovereignty
F. Design choices for CBDCs
G. Capital controls
Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
37. What aspect of nation-states is challenged by borderless digital currencies according to the passage?
38. What did central banks engage in during the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic to help economies?
39. What type of approach has China taken toward cryptocurrency transactions?
40. According to the final paragraph, what will depend not only on technology but also on regulatory choices and public preferences?
Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- B
- C
- C
- B
- NOT GIVEN
- FALSE
- FALSE
- TRUE
- anonymous (nature)
- innovation
- transaction costs
- regulatory compliance
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- iii
- iv
- ii
- vii
- i
- YES
- NOT GIVEN
- NO
- YES
- NO
- fractional reserve (lending)
- bank runs
- algorithmic protocols
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- B
- B
- C
- C
- A
- C
- B
- F
- D
- monetary sovereignty
- massive monetary expansion
- comprehensive prohibition / outright bans / interventionist approach
- (the) trajectory / transformation
Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: main difference, digital currencies, traditional money
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói rõ “Unlike traditional forms of money issued by governments and central banks, digital currencies are decentralized, meaning they operate independently of any single authority.” Điều này được paraphrase thành đáp án B “not controlled by a single authority”.
Câu 2: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: blockchain technology, revolutionary
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-6
- Giải thích: Đoạn văn giải thích “Every transaction is verified by multiple computers in the network, making it extremely difficult to forge or manipulate records.” Đây chính là lý do blockchain được coi là cách mạng.
Câu 3: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: time, Bitcoin transaction, different countries
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 6-8
- Giải thích: Bài viết đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể: “someone in Tokyo can send Bitcoin to a person in London within ten minutes” – đáp án C là chính xác.
Câu 4: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Venezuela, Bitcoin
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “In Venezuela, where hyperinflation has devastated the local currency, many citizens have turned to Bitcoin as a way to preserve their purchasing power.” Hyperinflation = lost value rapidly.
Câu 6: NOT GIVEN
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Bitcoin, first digital currency
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1
- Giải thích: Bài chỉ nói Bitcoin là “most famous example” được giới thiệu năm 2009, không khẳng định nó là loại tiền kỹ thuật số đầu tiên.
Câu 7: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: international bank transfers, traditional methods, few hours
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói “This process can take several days” – mâu thuẫn với “few hours” trong câu hỏi.
Câu 10: anonymous (nature)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: cryptocurrency transactions, worry, criminal activities
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “the anonymous nature of some cryptocurrency transactions has raised concerns about their use in illegal activities”
Câu 12: transaction costs
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: digital currencies, mainstream, lower for consumers
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “Transaction costs could decrease” – paraphrase thành “become lower”
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: iii (Paragraph B)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Đoạn B tập trung vào vấn đề chuyển tiền quốc tế đắt đỏ (“cross-border remittances”, “average fees of approximately 6-7%”, “significant burden”), phù hợp với heading iii “The expensive problem of sending money internationally”.
Câu 15: iv (Paragraph D)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Đoạn D nói về việc các ngân hàng khám phá cách sử dụng blockchain để cải thiện hoạt động của họ (“banks are now exploring how to leverage blockchain technology to improve their own operations”, “streamline processes”), khớp với heading iv.
Câu 19: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: traditional banks, earn money, three different types
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn A, dòng 2-5
- Giải thích: “earning revenue primarily through three channels: interest margins on loans, fees for facilitating transactions, and charges for various financial services” – đồng ý với quan điểm tác giả.
Câu 22: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Facebook, stablecoin, Libra
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn F, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “Facebook (through its Diem project, formerly Libra)” – xác nhận tên cũ là Libra.
Câu 24: fractional reserve (lending)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn C, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “digital currencies challenge the traditional banking model of fractional reserve lending”
Câu 25: bank runs
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn C, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: “makes banks vulnerable to bank runs when depositors simultaneously attempt to withdraw funds”
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: monetary policy, less effective
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5-10
- Giải thích: “if citizens increasingly hold wealth in Bitcoin rather than their national currency, a central bank’s decision to lower interest rates may have diminished impact” – khi người dân giữ tài sản bằng tiền kỹ thuật số ngoài tầm kiểm soát của ngân hàng trung ương.
Câu 28: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: 2013 Cypriot banking crisis
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 7-9
- Giải thích: “The 2013 Cypriot banking crisis provided an early glimpse of this phenomenon, as some depositors turned to Bitcoin to circumvent potential confiscation” – ví dụ về việc vốn có thể chạy nhanh chóng.
Câu 29: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Bitcoin’s fixed supply, disadvantage
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 5-9
- Giải thích: “it also precludes the countercyclical monetary policy responses” – việc cung cố định ngăn cản các phản ứng chính sách tiền tệ ngược chu kỳ.
Câu 32: A (Bitcoin’s fixed supply)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “Bitcoin, for example, has a hard cap of 21 million coins”
Câu 37: monetary sovereignty
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1
- Giải thích: “Monetary sovereignty, long considered an inalienable attribute of nation-states, confronts an existential challenge from borderless digital currencies”
Câu 38: massive monetary expansion
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 9-10
- Giải thích: “During the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, central banks worldwide engaged in massive monetary expansion”
Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage
Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| obscurity | n | /əbˈskjʊərəti/ | sự tối tăm, ít được biết đến | digital currencies have emerged from obscurity | emerge from obscurity |
| decentralized | adj | /diːˈsentrəlaɪzd/ | phi tập trung | digital currencies are decentralized | decentralized system/network |
| blockchain | n | /ˈblɒktʃeɪn/ | chuỗi khối | The fundamental technology behind most digital currencies is called blockchain | blockchain technology |
| intermediaries | n | /ˌɪntəˈmiːdiəriz/ | trung gian | Traditional banks have served as intermediaries | financial intermediaries |
| peer-to-peer | adj | /pɪə tə pɪə/ | ngang hàng, trực tiếp giữa các cá nhân | allow peer-to-peer transactions | peer-to-peer transactions/network |
| hyperinflation | n | /ˌhaɪpərɪnˈfleɪʃən/ | siêu lạm phát | hyperinflation has devastated the local currency | suffer from hyperinflation |
| volatile | adj | /ˈvɒlətaɪl/ | biến động mạnh | Their value can be extremely volatile | volatile prices/market |
| store of value | phrase | /stɔː əv ˈvæljuː/ | kho dự trữ giá trị | risky as a store of value | serve as a store of value |
| grappling | v | /ˈɡræplɪŋ/ | vật lộn, cố gắng giải quyết | Regulators worldwide are grappling with how to oversee | grappling with problems/issues |
| stifling | v | /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/ | kìm hãm, ngăn cản | without stifling innovation | stifling creativity/growth |
| hybrid model | phrase | /ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈmɒdl/ | mô hình lai ghép | creating a hybrid model | adopt a hybrid model |
| cybersecurity | n | /ˈsaɪbəsɪˌkjʊərəti/ | an ninh mạng | Education about cybersecurity will become important | cybersecurity measures/threats |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| disintermediation | n | /dɪsˌɪntəˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/ | loại bỏ trung gian | The disintermediation potential of digital currencies | financial disintermediation |
| remittances | n | /rɪˈmɪtənsɪz/ | tiền kiều hối | cross-border remittances | send remittances/remittance flows |
| lucrative | adj | /ˈluːkrətɪv/ | sinh lời, béo bở | one of banking’s most lucrative revenue streams | lucrative business/market |
| fractional reserve | phrase | /ˈfrækʃənl rɪˈzɜːv/ | dự trữ bộ phận | fractional reserve lending | fractional reserve banking system |
| immutability | n | /ɪˌmjuːtəˈbɪləti/ | tính bất biến | The immutability and transparency of blockchain | ensure immutability |
| consortia | n | /kənˈsɔːʃə/ | các tập đoàn, liên minh | Several major banks have joined consortia | form/join a consortium |
| pegged | v/adj | /peɡd/ | được neo giữ, cố định | stablecoins pegged to traditional assets | pegged to the dollar |
| monetary policy | phrase | /ˈmʌnɪtri ˈpɒləsi/ | chính sách tiền tệ | could diminish their control over monetary policy | implement monetary policy |
| accelerating | v | /əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/ | đẩy nhanh, tăng tốc | central banks worldwide are accelerating their research | accelerating the process/growth |
| formal investigation | phrase | /ˈfɔːməl ɪnˌvestɪˈɡeɪʃən/ | điều tra chính thức | has initiated a formal investigation | launch a formal investigation |
| two-tier system | phrase | /tuː tɪə ˈsɪstəm/ | hệ thống hai tầng | most CBDC proposals involve a two-tier system | implement a two-tier system |
| transformative | adj | /trænsˈfɔːmətɪv/ | mang tính thay đổi lớn | Despite the transformative potential | transformative change/impact |
| wholesale replacement | phrase | /ˈhəʊlseɪl rɪˈpleɪsmənt/ | sự thay thế hoàn toàn | not the wholesale replacement of traditional banking | wholesale replacement/changes |
| fintech | n | /ˈfɪntek/ | công nghệ tài chính | new fintech entrants | fintech companies/sector |
| convergence | n | /kənˈvɜːdʒəns/ | sự hội tụ, gặp nhau | a gradual convergence of the two systems | technological convergence |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ascendancy | n | /əˈsendənsi/ | sự thống trị, vượt trội | The ascendancy of digital currencies | rise to ascendancy |
| unprecedented | adj | /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ | chưa từng có | presents unprecedented challenges | unprecedented scale/level |
| wielded | v | /wiːldɪd/ | nắm giữ, sử dụng (quyền lực) | Central banks, which have wielded considerable influence | wield power/influence |
| ramifications | n | /ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz/ | hậu quả, tác động sâu rộng | The ramifications extend beyond | serious ramifications |
| inalienable | adj | /ɪnˈeɪliənəbəl/ | không thể tước bỏ | an inalienable attribute of nation-states | inalienable rights |
| transmission mechanisms | phrase | /trænzˈmɪʃən ˈmekənɪzəmz/ | cơ chế truyền dẫn | the transmission mechanisms of monetary policy | monetary policy transmission mechanisms |
| attenuated | v/adj | /əˈtenjueɪtɪd/ | bị suy yếu, giảm bớt | become attenuated | attenuated effect/response |
| capital flight | phrase | /ˈkæpɪtl flaɪt/ | chạy vốn | facilitate capital flight | prevent capital flight |
| obviate | v | /ˈɒbvieɪt/ | loại bỏ, làm cho không cần thiết | Digital currencies obviate many of these friction points | obviate the need for |
| exacerbate | v | /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ | làm trầm trọng thêm | could exacerbate economic instability | exacerbate the problem/situation |
| algorithmically determined | phrase | /ˌælɡəˈrɪðmɪkli dɪˈtɜːmɪnd/ | được xác định bởi thuật toán | algorithmically determined supply schedules | algorithmically determined rules |
| discretionary | adj | /dɪˈskreʃənri/ | tùy ý, tùy nghi | the discretionary nature of fiat currency issuance | discretionary powers/spending |
| hard cap | phrase | /hɑːd kæp/ | giới hạn cứng | has a hard cap of 21 million coins | impose a hard cap |
| countercyclical | adj | /ˌkaʊntəˈsaɪklɪkəl/ | ngược chu kỳ | countercyclical monetary policy responses | countercyclical measures/policies |
| protracted | adj | /prəˈtræktɪd/ | kéo dài | more severe and protracted recessions | protracted negotiations/conflict |
| parity | n | /ˈpærəti/ | ngang bằng, tương đương | maintain parity with traditional currencies | achieve parity/price parity |
| supranational | adj | /ˌsuːprəˈnæʃənəl/ | siêu quốc gia | a supranational corporate entity | supranational organization |
| scrip | n | /skrɪp/ | giấy bạc riêng của công ty | historical precedents such as company scrip | pay in scrip |
| permissive | adj | /pəˈmɪsɪv/ | dễ dãi, cho phép | adopted a relatively permissive approach | permissive attitude/society |
| stringent | adj | /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ | nghiêm ngặt | enacted stringent restrictions | stringent regulations/measures |
| disintermediation | n | /dɪsˌɪntəˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/ | loại bỏ trung gian | the potential disintermediation of commercial banks | financial disintermediation |
| illicit | adj | /ɪˈlɪsɪt/ | bất hợp pháp | combat illicit financial flows | illicit activities/trade |
| authoritarian | adj | /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈteəriən/ | độc đoán, chuyên quyền | potential for authoritarian abuse | authoritarian regime/government |
| fragmentation | n | /ˌfræɡmenˈteɪʃən/ | sự phân mảnh | The fragmentation of the monetary system | market fragmentation |
Kết Bài
Qua bài thi mẫu IELTS Reading với chủ đề Economic effects of digital currencies on traditional banking, bạn đã được trải nghiệm một bộ đề hoàn chỉnh với ba passages có độ khó tăng dần, phản ánh chính xác cấu trúc của kỳ thi thực tế. Chủ đề về tiền kỹ thuật số và tác động của nó đối với hệ thống ngân hàng truyền thống không chỉ là một đề tài thời sự mà còn xuất hiện ngày càng thường xuyên trong các đề thi IELTS gần đây, đặc biệt trong bối cảnh công nghệ tài chính đang phát triển nhanh chóng trên toàn cầu.
Ba passages trong đề thi này đã cung cấp cho bạn góc nhìn toàn diện về vấn đề: từ những kiến thức cơ bản về tiền kỹ thuật số và blockchain trong Passage 1, đến những thách thức mà ngân hàng truyền thống phải đối mặt trong Passage 2, và cuối cùng là những tác động sâu rộng về chính sách tiền tệ và kinh tế vĩ mô trong Passage 3. Mỗi passage không chỉ kiểm tra khả năng đọc hiểu của bạn mà còn yêu cầu bạn áp dụng nhiều kỹ năng khác nhau như skimming, scanning, paraphrasing và suy luận logic.
Tương tự như những chủ đề khác về Economic impacts of technological innovation, vấn đề tiền kỹ thuật số đòi hỏi người học phải nắm vững không chỉ từ vựng chuyên ngành mà còn hiểu được các mối quan hệ nhân quả và xu hướng phát triển trong lĩnh vực kinh tế-công nghệ. Việc thường xuyên tiếp xúc với các bài đọc về How technology is reshaping the financial industry sẽ giúp bạn xây dựng vốn từ vựng và background knowledge vững chắc cho phần thi Reading.
Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích đã được cung cấp nhằm giúp bạn tự đánh giá chính xác khả năng của mình, hiểu rõ tại sao một đáp án là đúng và những đáp án khác là sai. Đây chính là chìa khóa để bạn cải thiện band điểm Reading một cách hiệu quả – không chỉ biết đáp án mà còn hiểu cách tìm ra đáp án đó.
Bộ từ vựng được tổng hợp từ ba passages bao gồm những từ và cụm từ quan trọng nhất, được trình bày với đầy đủ thông tin về phát âm, nghĩa, ví dụ và collocation. Hãy dành thời gian học kỹ những từ vựng này vì chúng không chỉ hữu ích cho bài thi Reading mà còn có thể xuất hiện trong Writing và Speaking, đặc biệt khi bạn thảo luận về các chủ đề liên quan đến công nghệ, kinh tế và tài chính.
Để nâng cao hiểu biết về các khía cạnh bảo mật trong thời đại kỹ thuật số, bạn có thể tìm hiểu thêm về How to protect your digital identity, một chủ đề liên quan chặt chẽ đến tiền kỹ thuật số và an ninh tài chính cá nhân. Ngoài ra, việc nghiên cứu về The rise of mobile banking in developing countries sẽ giúp bạn hiểu rõ hơn về bối cảnh toàn cầu của cuộc cách mạng tài chính số.
Một khía cạnh quan trọng khác khi nghiên cứu về tác động của tiền kỹ thuật số là hiểu được mối liên hệ với các khủng hoảng tài chính. Bạn có thể tham khảo thêm về How global financial crises impact emerging economies để có cái nhìn toàn diện hơn về sự ổn định của hệ thống tài chính trong bối cảnh công nghệ mới đang thay đổi nhanh chóng.
Hãy nhớ rằng, việc luyện tập đều đặn với các đề thi mẫu chất lượng cao như thế này là con đường hiệu quả nhất để cải thiện kỹ năng Reading. Mỗi lần làm bài, hãy tạo điều kiện gần giống với thi thật nhất có thể: đặt giờ, làm trong môi trường yên tĩnh, và không tra từ điển trong quá trình đọc. Sau đó, dành thời gian phân tích kỹ lưỡng những câu trả lời sai để rút kinh nghiệm và tránh lặp lại sai lầm.
Chúc bạn học tốt và đạt được band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới. Hãy kiên trì luyện tập và luôn tin vào khả năng của bản thân!
