IELTS Reading: Phân Tích Lịch Sử Mô Hình Thương Mại Toàn Cầu – Đề Thi Mẫu Có Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Mở Bài

Chủ đề về lịch sử thương mại toàn cầu (Historical Analysis Of Global Trade Patterns) là một trong những đề tài xuất hiện thường xuyên trong IELTS Reading, đặc biệt ở phần thi Academic. Với tính chất đa dạng và phức tạp, chủ đề này không chỉ kiểm tra khả năng đọc hiểu mà còn đánh giá vốn từ vựng học thuật và kỹ năng phân tích thông tin của thí sinh.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được trải nghiệm một đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với ba passages từ dễ đến khó, bao gồm đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi giống như kỳ thi thật. Mỗi passage được thiết kế cẩn thận để phù hợp với từng band điểm mục tiêu: Passage 1 dành cho band 5.0-6.5, Passage 2 cho band 6.0-7.5, và Passage 3 cho band 7.0-9.0.

Bên cạnh các đề bài thực hành, bạn còn nhận được đáp án chi tiết với giải thích cụ thể, vị trí thông tin trong bài, và phân tích cách paraphrase. Đặc biệt, phần từ vựng được tổng hợp theo từng passage sẽ giúp bạn xây dựng vốn từ học thuật quan trọng. Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên muốn làm quen với format thi thật và cải thiện kỹ năng làm bài một cách bài bản.

1. Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading

Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test

IELTS Reading Test là phần thi quan trọng trong kỳ thi IELTS Academic, đòi hỏi thí sinh hoàn thành 40 câu hỏi trong vòng 60 phút. Đây là thử thách lớn về khả năng quản lý thời gian và kỹ năng đọc hiểu nhanh.

Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:

• Passage 1: 15-17 phút (độ khó dễ nhất)
• Passage 2: 18-20 phút (độ khó trung bình)
• Passage 3: 23-25 phút (độ khó cao nhất)

Lưu ý quan trọng: Bạn nên dành 2-3 phút cuối để chuyển đáp án sang answer sheet vì không có thời gian bổ sung sau khi hết giờ.

Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này

Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm đầy đủ các dạng câu hỏi phổ biến trong IELTS Reading:

1. Multiple Choice – Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm nhiều lựa chọn
2. True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng, sai hoặc không có trong bài
3. Matching Information – Nối thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
4. Summary Completion – Hoàn thành tóm tắt bằng từ trong bài
5. Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn phù hợp
6. Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu với số từ giới hạn
7. Short-answer Questions – Trả lời ngắn cho câu hỏi

Mỗi dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu một kỹ thuật làm bài riêng, vì vậy việc làm quen với từng dạng là vô cùng quan trọng.

2. IELTS Reading Practice Test

PASSAGE 1 – The Silk Road: Ancient Networks of Trade

Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút

The Silk Road was not a single road but rather an extensive network of trade routes that connected the East and West for centuries. Spanning more than 6,400 kilometers, these routes facilitated not only the exchange of goods but also ideas, technologies, and cultures between civilizations. The name “Silk Road” was coined by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen in 1877, though the routes themselves had been in use since at least 130 BCE.

The origins of the Silk Road can be traced back to the Han Dynasty of China (206 BCE – 220 CE), when Emperor Wu sent his emissary Zhang Qian to establish diplomatic relations with peoples in Central Asia. Zhang Qian’s journeys opened up new possibilities for trade, and Chinese merchants soon began transporting silk, a highly prized commodity, westward. Silk was so valuable that it became a form of currency in some regions, and the Chinese maintained a monopoly on silk production for many centuries by keeping the sericulture process a closely guarded secret.

Caravans traveling along the Silk Road faced numerous challenges. The routes passed through some of the world’s most inhospitable terrain, including the Taklamakan Desert and the towering Pamir Mountains. Merchants had to contend with extreme temperatures, bandits, and the constant threat of getting lost in vast, featureless landscapes. To mitigate these risks, traders often traveled in large groups and relied on local guides who knew the terrain. Caravanserais, which were roadside inns, provided much-needed rest and shelter for travelers and their animals.

The goods traded along the Silk Road were remarkably diverse. From China came silk, tea, porcelain, and paper. India supplied spices, precious stones, and cotton textiles. The Middle East contributed glassware, carpets, and perfumes. European merchants offered gold, silver, and wool. This vibrant exchange of products created a complex economic interdependence among distant regions, with some cities becoming wealthy trading hubs that attracted merchants from across the known world.

Beyond material goods, the Silk Road facilitated an extraordinary cultural exchange. Buddhism spread from India to China along these routes, fundamentally transforming Chinese society. Islamic culture moved eastward, influencing art, architecture, and scholarship in Central Asia and beyond. Scientific knowledge, including advances in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, traveled in both directions. The Chinese invention of paper-making eventually reached Europe via the Silk Road, revolutionizing communication and education in the Western world.

The Silk Road also had significant political implications. Cities located along the routes, such as Samarkand and Bukhara, became powerful centers that controlled the flow of goods and information. These cities often played competing powers against each other to maintain their advantageous position. The Byzantine Empire and later Islamic caliphates recognized the strategic importance of controlling sections of the Silk Road, leading to numerous military campaigns and diplomatic maneuvers.

However, the dominance of the Silk Road began to decline in the 15th century. Several factors contributed to this deterioration. The Mongol Empire, which had provided relative stability and security for trade during the 13th and 14th centuries, fragmented into smaller khanates. The Black Death, which may have spread along the trade routes, devastated populations across Asia and Europe. Additionally, the rise of maritime trade routes offered a faster and often safer alternative to the arduous overland journey. The Ottoman Empire’s control over eastern Mediterranean ports also made European merchants seek direct sea routes to Asia.

Despite its decline, the legacy of the Silk Road remains significant. It demonstrated that long-distance trade was possible and profitable, encouraging the development of other international trade networks. The cultural fusion that occurred along these routes created unique artistic traditions and intellectual movements. Modern scholars continue to study the Silk Road as an early example of globalization, showing how interconnected human societies have been throughout history. Today, China’s Belt and Road Initiative deliberately evokes the historical Silk Road, aiming to create new economic corridors connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Questions 1-13

Questions 1-5

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write:

• TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
• FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
• NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. The Silk Road was actually a single, well-defined route connecting China to Europe.
2. Zhang Qian was sent by Emperor Wu to explore trade possibilities in Central Asia.
3. The Chinese silk production technique remained secret for several hundred years.
4. Merchants traveling on the Silk Road always traveled alone for faster movement.
5. Caravanserais were established to provide accommodation for traders.

Questions 6-9

Complete the sentences below.

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

6. The name “Silk Road” was created by a German __ in the 19th century.
7. Traders faced dangers from extreme weather conditions, thieves, and the risk of becoming lost in __.
8. The city of Samarkand became a powerful __ that controlled trade flow.
9. The __ provided stability for trade during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Questions 10-13

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

10. According to the passage, silk was valuable because:
    A. it was beautiful and comfortable
    B. it could be used as money in some places
    C. it was easy to transport
    D. everyone in China could produce it

11. What contribution did India make to Silk Road trade?
    A. Paper and porcelain
    B. Gold and silver
    C. Spices and precious stones
    D. Glassware and perfumes

12. Buddhism’s spread along the Silk Road:
    A. had little impact on Chinese culture
    B. significantly changed Chinese society
    C. was prevented by Chinese authorities
    D. only affected Central Asian regions

13. The Silk Road declined mainly because:
    A. merchants lost interest in trading
    B. silk became less valuable
    C. maritime routes provided better alternatives
    D. Chinese emperors closed the routes

Bản đồ minh họa con đường tơ lụa cổ đại và các tuyến đường thương mại IELTS Reading

---

PASSAGE 2 – The Age of European Exploration and Colonial Trade

Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút

The period between the 15th and 18th centuries witnessed a fundamental transformation in global trade patterns, driven primarily by European maritime exploration and subsequent colonial expansion. This era, often referred to as the Age of Discovery, reshaped international commerce and established trade networks that would dominate the global economy for centuries. The motivations behind this unprecedented wave of exploration were multifaceted, combining economic ambitions, religious fervor, technological innovations, and intense geopolitical rivalries.

Economic imperatives provided the primary catalyst for European exploration. The Ottoman Empire’s control over traditional land routes to Asia had made spices, silk, and other Eastern goods increasingly expensive for European consumers. Consequently, European monarchs and merchants sought alternative maritime routes to access these lucrative markets directly. Portugal took the lead in this endeavor, with Prince Henry the Navigator establishing a school of navigation and sponsoring expeditions along Africa’s western coast. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and a decade later, Vasco da Gama successfully reached India by sea, inaugurating a new era of direct European-Asian maritime trade.

Spain’s ambitions led to perhaps the most consequential exploration of all. Christopher Columbus, sailing under Spanish patronage, attempted to reach Asia by heading westward across the Atlantic Ocean. His accidental discovery of the Americas in 1492 opened an entirely new hemisphere to European exploitation. The subsequent Spanish conquests of the Aztec and Inca empires yielded enormous quantities of gold and silver, which flooded into European markets and precipitated significant economic changes, including price inflation known as the “Price Revolution.”

The establishment of colonial empires created complex triangular trade systems. The most notorious was the Atlantic triangular trade, which connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas. European manufactured goods, including textiles and firearms, were transported to Africa and exchanged for enslaved people. These individuals were then subjected to the horrific Middle Passage across the Atlantic to American colonies, where they were forced to work on plantations producing sugar, tobacco, and cotton. These raw materials were then shipped to Europe, where they were processed and sold, completing the triangle. This system generated immense wealth for European merchants and colonial powers while causing incalculable suffering to millions of Africans.

Mercantilism emerged as the dominant economic philosophy during this period. This system posited that national wealth and power were best served by increasing exports and collecting precious metals. Colonies were viewed primarily as sources of raw materials and captive markets for manufactured goods from the mother country. European powers implemented strict regulations to ensure that colonial trade benefited the metropole. For instance, Britain’s Navigation Acts required that goods shipped to and from British colonies be carried on British ships, effectively creating a monopoly on colonial commerce.

The consequences of these new trade patterns extended far beyond economics. The Columbian Exchange – the transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Old and New Worlds – dramatically altered societies on both sides of the Atlantic. European crops like wheat and livestock such as horses were introduced to the Americas, while American crops including potatoes, maize, and tomatoes were brought to Europe, Asia, and Africa. These New World crops would eventually play a crucial role in supporting population growth in the Old World. However, the exchange also had devastating effects, as European diseases like smallpox decimated indigenous American populations who had no immunity.

The Dutch East India Company (VOC), established in 1602, represented a significant innovation in commercial organization. As the world’s first multinational corporation, the VOC possessed quasi-governmental powers, including the ability to wage war, negotiate treaties, and establish colonies. This company dominated the spice trade in Southeast Asia, establishing a trading empire based in Batavia (modern-day Jakarta). The VOC’s success inspired similar ventures, including the British East India Company, which would eventually become the de facto ruler of large portions of India.

Competition for colonial territories and trade advantages led to numerous conflicts between European powers. The Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century revolved primarily around commercial rivalries. The Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), described by some historians as the first true “world war,” involved battles across multiple continents as European powers fought for colonial dominance. Britain’s victory in this conflict established it as the preeminent global naval and commercial power, controlling vast territories in North America, India, and the Caribbean.

By the late 18th century, the colonial trade system began facing challenges. The American Revolution (1776) demonstrated that colonial territories could successfully revolt against imperial control. Enlightenment ideas questioning the morality of slavery and colonialism gained traction, though these philosophical objections initially had limited practical impact on trade patterns. The Industrial Revolution, beginning in Britain, would soon transform global trade once again by shifting emphasis from raw material extraction to manufactured goods production, setting the stage for yet another reconfiguration of international economic relationships.

Questions 14-26

Questions 14-18

The passage has nine paragraphs labeled with different topics.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter for each answer.

14. A description of how geographical discoveries led to unexpected consequences
15. Information about the philosophical and economic theory that guided colonial policies
16. Details about an innovative business structure that had governmental authority
17. The reasons why Europeans sought new trade routes to Asia
18. Examples of military conflicts arising from trade competition

Questions 19-22

Complete the summary below.

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

The Age of Exploration was motivated by various factors, but (19) __ were the most important driving force. Portugal was the first nation to pursue maritime exploration seriously, eventually reaching India through the route around Africa. Spain’s support of Columbus resulted in the discovery of the Americas, which provided vast amounts of (20) __ that significantly affected European economies. The colonial period established the (21) __, which involved shipping manufactured goods to Africa, transporting enslaved people to America, and bringing raw materials back to Europe. This system created enormous profits for European traders while causing terrible (22) __ for millions of African people.

Questions 23-26

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

23. The Ottoman Empire’s control of trade routes was the only reason Europeans explored new maritime paths.
24. The Columbian Exchange had both positive and negative effects on societies.
25. The Dutch East India Company was more successful than the British East India Company.
26. Enlightenment ideas about slavery immediately changed colonial trade practices.

Tàu thuyền châu Âu thời kỳ thám hiểm và hệ thống thương mại thuộc địa IELTS Reading

---

PASSAGE 3 – Modern Globalization and the Evolution of Trade Patterns

Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)

Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút

The contemporary landscape of international trade bears little resemblance to the commerce patterns that characterized earlier historical epochs. The post-World War II period witnessed the emergence of an increasingly interconnected global economy, facilitated by unprecedented technological advancement, evolving institutional frameworks, and the gradual dismantling of protectionist barriers that had fragmented the world economy during the interwar period. This transformation, commonly termed “globalization,” represents not merely a quantitative expansion of international trade but a qualitative restructuring of how goods, services, capital, and information flow across national boundaries.

The Bretton Woods Conference of 1944 established the foundational architecture for the post-war international economic order. The creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank provided mechanisms for financial stability and development assistance, while the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), later superseded by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, created a framework for negotiating tariff reductions and resolving trade disputes. These multilateral institutions embodied a consensus among Western powers that liberalized trade would promote economic prosperity and, crucially, reduce the likelihood of conflict that had precipitated two devastating world wars. The successive negotiating rounds under GATT/WTO auspices achieved remarkable reductions in tariff barriers, with average tariff rates in developed countries falling from approximately 40% in the late 1940s to less than 5% by the early 21st century.

Technological innovations have constituted perhaps the most transformative force in modern trade patterns. The containerization of shipping, pioneered by Malcolm McLean in 1956, revolutionized maritime transport by dramatically reducing loading times and costs. Prior to containerization, cargo handling represented up to 60% of total shipping costs; the standardized container reduced this proportion to less than 10%, effectively making long-distance transport of manufactured goods economically viable. The subsequent development of intermodal transportation systems allowed these containers to be seamlessly transferred between ships, trains, and trucks, creating integrated logistics networks that span the globe. Contemporaneously, advances in telecommunications, culminating in the Internet revolution of the 1990s, enabled the real-time coordination of these complex supply chains, allowing companies to manage geographically dispersed production processes with unprecedented efficiency.

The rise of global value chains (GVCs) represents a paradigmatic shift from the earlier model of trade in finished goods. Modern products typically embody inputs from multiple countries, with different stages of production located wherever comparative advantage dictates they should be performed. A smartphone, for instance, may be designed in the United States, incorporate semiconductors from Taiwan and South Korea, use rare earth elements from China, be assembled in China or Vietnam using components from dozens of suppliers across Asia, and then be distributed globally. This fragmentation of production has been termed “trade in tasks” by economists, reflecting how international commerce increasingly involves intermediate goods and services rather than final products. The World Trade Organization estimates that approximately 70% of international trade now involves GVCs, underscoring the profound integration of national economies.

The emergence of China as a global manufacturing powerhouse constitutes one of the most significant developments in modern trade history. Following Deng Xiaoping’s market-oriented reforms beginning in 1978, and particularly after China’s accession to the WTO in 2001, the country experienced exponential growth in trade volumes. China’s share of global merchandise exports increased from less than 1% in 1980 to approximately 15% by 2020, making it the world’s largest exporter. This transformation reflects China’s strategic positioning within global value chains, initially as a low-cost assembly location but increasingly as a producer of higher-value-added products. The phenomenon has generated considerable debate regarding its impact on manufacturing employment in developed countries, with some economists identifying a “China shock” that disproportionately affected certain industrial regions.

Regional trade agreements (RTAs) have proliferated alongside multilateral liberalization, creating a complex tapestry of preferential arrangements. The European Union represents the most ambitious form of economic integration, progressing from a customs union to a single market with free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor, and ultimately adopting a common currency. Other notable agreements include the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, now succeeded by USMCA), Mercosur in South America, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). These agreements typically go beyond tariff reduction to address “behind-the-border” issues such as regulatory harmonization, intellectual property protection, and investment provisions. However, critics argue that the proliferation of RTAs creates a “spaghetti bowl” effect, where overlapping and sometimes contradictory rules complicate rather than facilitate trade.

The digital economy has introduced novel dimensions to international trade patterns. Cross-border data flows now underpin most economic transactions, enabling services that were previously non-tradeable to be delivered internationally. Telemedicine, online education, and software development can now be outsourced globally, expanding the scope of trade far beyond physical goods. E-commerce platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, and numerous smaller companies facilitate direct consumer purchases across borders, bypassing traditional wholesale distribution channels. However, this development has raised complex questions regarding data sovereignty, privacy protection, and appropriate regulatory frameworks, issues that traditional trade agreements were not designed to address.

Contemporary trade patterns face significant challenges that may portend another transformation. Growing income inequality within countries, whether causally linked to globalization or merely coincident with it, has fueled populist movements questioning the benefits of open trade. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in far-flung supply chains, prompting discussions about reshoring or “friend-shoring” production of essential goods. Geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and China, have introduced strategic considerations that complicate purely economic calculations, with concerns about technological dependence and national security leading some governments to restrict certain trade and investment flows. Climate change considerations are also influencing trade policy, with proposals for carbon border adjustments that would impose tariffs on goods produced using carbon-intensive methods.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the fundamental economic logic that underpins international trade – the gains from specialization and comparative advantage – remains compelling. Historical analysis demonstrates that periods of trade expansion have generally coincided with economic growth and development, while trade restrictions have typically been associated with economic stagnation. The evolution from ancient caravan routes to algorithmic supply chain management reflects humanity’s persistent drive to overcome distance and exchange the products of specialized labor. As technology continues to advance and institutions adapt, global trade patterns will undoubtedly continue to evolve, but the fundamental principle of mutually beneficial exchange that motivated the first traders thousands of years ago will likely endure.

Questions 27-40

Questions 27-31

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

27. According to the passage, the Bretton Woods Conference primarily aimed to:
    A. create a single world currency
    B. establish institutions for economic stability and trade liberalization
    C. prevent developing countries from trading with each other
    D. eliminate all tariffs immediately after World War II

28. What was the most significant impact of containerization on shipping?
    A. It increased the size of ships
    B. It reduced cargo handling costs substantially
    C. It eliminated the need for ports
    D. It made ships faster

29. The term “trade in tasks” refers to:
    A. trading finished products between countries
    B. exchanging services instead of goods
    C. international commerce in intermediate goods and production stages
    D. outsourcing all manufacturing to one country

30. China’s transformation in global trade primarily occurred:
    A. gradually throughout the 20th century
    B. immediately after World War II
    C. especially after its WTO accession in 2001
    D. only in the last five years

31. Regional trade agreements are criticized because they:
    A. reduce trade between member countries
    B. create complicated overlapping rules
    C. always fail to reduce tariffs
    D. only benefit large corporations

Questions 32-36

Complete the sentences below.

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

32. The development of __ enabled seamless transfer of cargo between different modes of transportation.

33. Modern smartphones exemplify how products contain inputs from multiple countries, demonstrating __.

34. The European Union progressed from a customs union to implementing __ of goods, services, capital, and labor.

35. The digital economy has made services that were previously __ available for international delivery.

36. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed weaknesses in __ that extended across many countries.

Questions 37-40

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

37. Average tariff rates in developed countries decreased significantly between the 1940s and the early 2000s.

38. All economists agree that China’s export growth has been entirely beneficial for other countries.

39. E-commerce platforms have eliminated the need for all traditional retail stores worldwide.

40. Historical evidence suggests that periods of expanded trade generally correspond with economic growth.

Sơ đồ mạng lưới chuỗi cung ứng toàn cầu hiện đại và thương mại điện tử IELTS Reading

---

3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án

PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13

1. FALSE
2. NOT GIVEN
3. TRUE
4. FALSE
5. TRUE
6. geographer
7. featureless landscapes
8. trading hub / center
9. Mongol Empire
10. B
11. C
12. B
13. C

PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26

14. Paragraph 3 (about Columbus and the Americas)
15. Paragraph 5 (about Mercantilism)
16. Paragraph 7 (about Dutch East India Company)
17. Paragraph 2 (Economic imperatives)
18. Paragraph 8 (about conflicts between European powers)
19. Economic imperatives
20. gold and silver
21. triangular trade / Atlantic triangular trade
22. suffering
23. NO
24. YES
25. NOT GIVEN
26. NO

PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40

27. B
28. B
29. C
30. C
31. B
32. intermodal transportation systems
33. fragmentation of production
34. free movement
35. non-tradeable
36. far-flung supply chains
37. TRUE
38. FALSE
39. NOT GIVEN
40. TRUE

---

4. Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Passage 1 – Giải Thích

Câu 1: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Silk Road, single road, well-defined route
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, câu đầu tiên
• Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “The Silk Road was not a single road but rather an extensive network of trade routes” – Con đường tơ lụa không phải là một con đường đơn lẻ mà là một mạng lưới rộng lớn các tuyến đường thương mại. Điều này mâu thuẫn trực tiếp với câu hỏi.

Câu 2: NOT GIVEN

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Zhang Qian, Emperor Wu, trade possibilities
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2
• Giải thích: Bài chỉ nói Emperor Wu cử Zhang Qian để “establish diplomatic relations with peoples in Central Asia” (thiết lập quan hệ ngoại giao), không đề cập cụ thể về “explore trade possibilities” (khám phá khả năng thương mại).

Câu 3: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Chinese silk production, secret, several hundred years
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng cuối
• Giải thích: “the Chinese maintained a monopoly on silk production for many centuries by keeping the sericulture process a closely guarded secret” – từ “many centuries” tương đương với “several hundred years”.

Câu 5: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Caravanserais, accommodation, traders
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, câu cuối
• Giải thích: “Caravanserais, which were roadside inns, provided much-needed rest and shelter” – paraphrase của “provide accommodation”.

Câu 10: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: silk, valuable
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2
• Giải thích: “Silk was so valuable that it became a form of currency in some regions” – lụa có giá trị đến mức trở thành một dạng tiền tệ, tương đương với “used as money”.

Câu 13: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Silk Road declined
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7
• Giải thích: Mặc dù có nhiều yếu tố được đề cập, bài viết nhấn mạnh “the rise of maritime trade routes offered a faster and often safer alternative” – sự phát triển của các tuyến đường biển là lý do chính.

Passage 2 – Giải Thích

Câu 14: Paragraph 3

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: geographical discoveries, unexpected consequences
• Giải thích: Đoạn 3 mô tả việc Columbus tìm thấy châu Mỹ một cách “accidental” khi đang tìm đường đến châu Á, đây là hậu quả không mong đợi.

Câu 15: Paragraph 5

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: philosophical and economic theory, colonial policies
• Giải thích: Đoạn 5 giải thích về “Mercantilism” – triết lý kinh tế chi phối chính sách thuộc địa.

Câu 19: Economic imperatives

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: motivated, most important driving force
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, câu đầu
• Giải thích: “Economic imperatives provided the primary catalyst for European exploration” – paraphrase thành “most important driving force”.

Câu 20: gold and silver

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: Americas, provided, affected European economies
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
• Giải thích: “yielded enormous quantities of gold and silver, which flooded into European markets”.

Câu 23: NO

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Ottoman Empire, only reason
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1 và 2
• Giải thích: Đoạn 1 đề cập motivations là “multifaceted” (đa dạng), không phải chỉ một lý do duy nhất.

Câu 24: YES

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Columbian Exchange, positive and negative effects
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6
• Giải thích: Bài viết đề cập cả tác động tích cực (cây trồng mới) và tiêu cực (dịch bệnh tàn phá).

Passage 3 – Giải Thích

Câu 27: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Bretton Woods Conference, aimed
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2
• Giải thích: “The Bretton Woods Conference of 1944 established the foundational architecture for the post-war international economic order” – tạo ra IMF, World Bank và GATT để ổn định tài chính và tự do hóa thương mại.

Câu 28: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: containerization, significant impact
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
• Giải thích: “cargo handling represented up to 60% of total shipping costs; the standardized container reduced this proportion to less than 10%” – giảm chi phí xử lý hàng hóa đáng kể.

Câu 29: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: trade in tasks
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4
• Giải thích: “This fragmentation of production has been termed ‘trade in tasks’ by economists, reflecting how international commerce increasingly involves intermediate goods and services”.

Câu 32: intermodal transportation systems

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: seamless transfer, cargo, different modes
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
• Giải thích: “The subsequent development of intermodal transportation systems allowed these containers to be seamlessly transferred between ships, trains, and trucks”.

Câu 37: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Average tariff rates, decreased, 1940s to early 2000s
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2
• Giải thích: “average tariff rates in developed countries falling from approximately 40% in the late 1940s to less than 5% by the early 21st century” – giảm từ 40% xuống dưới 5%.

Câu 38: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: all economists agree, China’s export growth, entirely beneficial
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5
• Giải thích: “The phenomenon has generated considerable debate” – có tranh luận đáng kể, không phải tất cả đều đồng ý.

Câu 40: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Historical evidence, expanded trade, economic growth
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, câu cuối
• Giải thích: “Historical analysis demonstrates that periods of trade expansion have generally coincided with economic growth and development”.

---

5. Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage

Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
spanning	v	/ˈspænɪŋ/	trải dài, kéo dài	Spanning more than 6,400 kilometers	spanning across/over
emissary	n	/ˈeməsəri/	sứ giả, đại diện	Emperor Wu sent his emissary Zhang Qian	send an emissary
monopoly	n	/məˈnɒpəli/	độc quyền	maintained a monopoly on silk production	have/hold a monopoly
sericulture	n	/ˈserɪkʌltʃə/	nghề nuôi tằm	keeping the sericulture process secret	sericulture industry
caravan	n	/ˈkærəvæn/	đoàn lữ hành	Caravans traveling along the Silk Road	caravan route/trade
inhospitable	adj	/ˌɪnhɒˈspɪtəbl/	khắc nghiệt, không thân thiện	most inhospitable terrain	inhospitable environment/climate
bandit	n	/ˈbændɪt/	kẻ cướp, thổ phỉ	contend with bandits	armed bandits
featureless	adj	/ˈfiːtʃələs/	không có đặc điểm nổi bật	vast, featureless landscapes	featureless desert/plain
caravanserai	n	/ˌkærəˈvænsəraɪ/	trạm nghỉ (cho đoàn lữ hành)	Caravanserais provided shelter	ancient caravanserai
precious stones	n phrase	/ˈpreʃəs stəʊnz/	đá quý	India supplied precious stones	precious stones and metals
vibrant	adj	/ˈvaɪbrənt/	sôi động, năng động	vibrant exchange of products	vibrant trade/economy
fundamentally	adv	/ˌfʌndəˈmentəli/	về cơ bản, căn bản	fundamentally transforming Chinese society	fundamentally different/changed

Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
maritime	adj	/ˈmærɪtaɪm/	thuộc về hàng hải	maritime exploration	maritime trade/route
multifaceted	adj	/ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/	đa dạng, nhiều khía cạnh	motivations were multifaceted	multifaceted problem/approach
catalyst	n	/ˈkætəlɪst/	chất xúc tác, động lực	provided the primary catalyst	catalyst for change
consequently	adv	/ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli/	do đó, hệ quả là	Consequently, European monarchs sought	consequently leading to
inaugurating	v	/ɪˈnɔːɡjəreɪtɪŋ/	khai mạc, khởi đầu	inaugurating a new era	inaugurating a system
precipitated	v	/prɪˈsɪpɪteɪtɪd/	gây ra, thúc đẩy	precipitated significant economic changes	precipitate a crisis
triangular trade	n phrase	/traɪˈæŋɡjələ treɪd/	thương mại tam giác	Atlantic triangular trade	triangular trade system
Middle Passage	n phrase	/ˈmɪdl ˈpæsɪdʒ/	Hành trình Giữa (chuyến đi nô lệ qua Đại Tây Dương)	horrific Middle Passage	during the Middle Passage
raw materials	n phrase	/rɔː məˈtɪəriəlz/	nguyên liệu thô	producing raw materials	extract raw materials
incalculable	adj	/ɪnˈkælkjələbl/	không thể tính được	incalculable suffering	incalculable damage/loss
mercantilism	n	/ˈmɜːkəntɪlɪzəm/	chủ nghĩa trọng thương	Mercantilism emerged as dominant	mercantilism policy
posited	v	/ˈpɒzɪtɪd/	cho rằng, đặt ra giả thuyết	This system posited that	posit a theory
captive market	n phrase	/ˈkæptɪv ˈmɑːkɪt/	thị trường bị kiểm soát	colonies as captive markets	create a captive market
quasi-governmental	adj	/ˈkweɪzaɪ ˌɡʌvənˈmentl/	bán chính phủ	quasi-governmental powers	quasi-governmental organization
preeminent	adj	/priˈemɪnənt/	ưu việt, vượt trội	preeminent global naval power	preeminent position/role

Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
unprecedented	adj	/ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/	chưa từng có	unprecedented technological advancement	unprecedented scale/level
protectionist	adj	/prəˈtekʃənɪst/	bảo hộ (về thương mại)	protectionist barriers	protectionist policy/measure
foundational	adj	/faʊnˈdeɪʃənl/	nền tảng, cơ bản	foundational architecture	foundational principles
multilateral	adj	/ˌmʌltiˈlætərəl/	đa phương	multilateral institutions	multilateral agreement
tariff	n	/ˈtærɪf/	thuế quan	tariff reductions	impose/reduce tariffs
containerization	n	/kənˌteɪnəraɪˈzeɪʃn/	việc đóng container	containerization of shipping	containerization revolutionized
revolutionized	v	/ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪzd/	cách mạng hóa	revolutionized maritime transport	revolutionize the industry
intermodal	adj	/ˌɪntəˈməʊdl/	liên phương thức	intermodal transportation systems	intermodal transport
geographically dispersed	adj phrase	/ˌdʒiːəˈɡræfɪkli dɪˈspɜːst/	phân tán về mặt địa lý	geographically dispersed production	geographically dispersed workforce
paradigmatic shift	n phrase	/ˌpærədɪɡˈmætɪk ʃɪft/	sự chuyển đổi mô hình	paradigmatic shift from earlier model	paradigmatic shift in thinking
comparative advantage	n phrase	/kəmˈpærətɪv ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ/	lợi thế so sánh	wherever comparative advantage dictates	theory of comparative advantage
fragmentation	n	/ˌfræɡmenˈteɪʃn/	sự phân mảnh	fragmentation of production	market fragmentation
exponential	adj	/ˌekspəˈnenʃl/	theo cấp số nhân	exponential growth	exponential increase
disproportionately	adv	/ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənətli/	không cân xứng, quá mức	disproportionately affected regions	disproportionately impact
proliferation	n	/prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/	sự gia tăng nhanh	proliferation of RTAs	nuclear proliferation
harmonization	n	/ˌhɑːmənaɪˈzeɪʃn/	sự hài hòa, hợp nhất	regulatory harmonization	harmonization of standards
outsourced	v	/ˈaʊtsɔːst/	thuê ngoài	can be outsourced globally	outsource production
portend	v	/pɔːˈtend/	báo hiệu, điềm báo	may portend another transformation	portend disaster/change
reshoring	n	/riːˈʃɔːrɪŋ/	việc mang sản xuất về nước	discussions about reshoring	reshoring manufacturing

---

Kết Bài

Chủ đề về phân tích lịch sử mô hình thương mại toàn cầu (Historical analysis of global trade patterns) không chỉ xuất hiện thường xuyên trong IELTS Reading mà còn là một đề tài phong phú với nhiều khía cạnh từ lịch sử, kinh tế đến văn hóa. Qua đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được trải nghiệm đầy đủ ba passages với độ khó tăng dần, từ Con đường Tơ lụa cổ đại (Easy), qua thời kỳ thám hiểm châu Âu (Medium), đến toàn cầu hóa hiện đại (Hard).

Ba passages cung cấp tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi đa dạng với 7 dạng khác nhau: Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Information, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và Sentence Completion. Sự đa dạng này giúp bạn làm quen với mọi dạng bài có thể gặp trong kỳ thi thật.

Phần đáp án chi tiết không chỉ cung cấp đáp án đúng mà còn giải thích rõ ràng lý do, vị trí thông tin trong bài, và cách paraphrase giữa câu hỏi và passage. Điều này giúp bạn hiểu được tư duy của người ra đề và cách tiếp cận hiệu quả cho từng dạng câu hỏi. Đặc biệt, phần từ vựng được tổng hợp theo từng passage với phiên âm, nghĩa, ví dụ và collocation sẽ giúp bạn xây dựng vốn từ học thuật vững chắc.

Hãy sử dụng đề thi này như một công cụ luyện tập thực chiến: lần đầu làm trong điều kiện thi thật (60 phút), sau đó xem lại đáp án chi tiết để phân tích lỗi sai và học từ vựng mới. Việc luyện tập đều đặn với những đề thi chất lượng như thế này sẽ giúp bạn tự tin hơn và đạt band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading.