IELTS Reading: Blockchain Technology Và Digital Identity Verification – Đề Thi Mẫu Có Đáp Án

Giới Thiệu

Công nghệ blockchain đang tạo nên cuộc cách mạng trong lĩnh vực xác thực danh tính số (digital identity verification), trở thành một trong những chủ đề công nghệ nổi bật trong các kỳ thi IELTS Reading gần đây. Chủ đề này thường xuất hiện ở cả ba mức độ khó và kết hợp nhiều dạng câu hỏi khác nhau, từ True/False/Not Given đến Matching Headings.

Trong bài thi mẫu này, bạn sẽ được trải nghiệm một đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với:

• 3 passages có độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard, tổng cộng hơn 2000 từ
• 40 câu hỏi đa dạng các dạng bài giống thi thật 100%
• Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích từng câu và vị trí thông tin trong bài
• Từ vựng chuyên ngành về công nghệ blockchain và bảo mật thông tin
• Kỹ thuật làm bài hiệu quả cho từng dạng câu hỏi

Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên có trình độ từ band 5.0 trở lên, đặc biệt hữu ích cho những ai muốn làm quen với chủ đề công nghệ trong IELTS Reading. Hãy chuẩn bị đồng hồ và làm bài trong điều kiện thi thật để có trải nghiệm tốt nhất!

1. Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading

Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test

IELTS Reading test kéo dài 60 phút và bao gồm 3 passages với tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Điểm đặc biệt là bạn phải tự quản lý thời gian cho cả 3 phần và không có thời gian chuyển đáp án riêng.

Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:

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

Lưu ý dành 2-3 phút cuối để kiểm tra và chuyển đáp án lên answer sheet.

Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này

Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 7 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến:

1. Multiple Choice – Chọn đáp án đúng từ các phương án cho sẵn
2. True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng, sai hay không được nhắc đến
3. Matching Information – Ghép thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
4. Summary Completion – Điền từ vào đoạn tóm tắt
5. Matching Headings – Ghép tiêu đề với đoạn văn
6. Sentence Endings – Hoàn thành câu bằng cách chọn phần kết phù hợp
7. Short-answer Questions – Trả lời ngắn gọn các câu hỏi

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2. IELTS Reading Practice Test

PASSAGE 1 – The Digital Identity Revolution

Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút

In today’s digital age, proving who you are online has become increasingly important. Every time you create an account on a website, apply for a job, or access government services, you need to verify your identity. Traditional methods of identity verification often involve showing physical documents like passports or driver’s licenses, but these approaches have significant limitations in the online environment.

Digital identity verification refers to the process of confirming that a person is who they claim to be in the digital world. This process is essential for preventing fraud, protecting personal information, and ensuring secure transactions. However, current systems face numerous challenges. Personal data is often stored in centralized databases, which become attractive targets for cybercriminals. When these databases are breached, millions of people’s sensitive information can be exposed simultaneously.

Blockchain technology offers a promising solution to these problems. At its core, blockchain is a distributed ledger – a database that is shared across multiple computers rather than stored in one central location. This decentralized structure makes it extremely difficult for hackers to compromise the entire system. Each piece of information stored on a blockchain is encrypted and linked to previous records, creating a chain of data that cannot be easily altered or deleted without detection.

One of the key advantages of blockchain for identity verification is that it gives individuals greater control over their personal data. Instead of having their information stored by multiple organizations, users can maintain a single digital identity that they manage themselves. When they need to prove their identity, they can selectively share only the specific information required for that particular transaction. For example, when buying age-restricted items, a person could prove they are over 18 without revealing their exact date of birth or other unnecessary details.

Several countries and organizations are already experimenting with blockchain-based identity systems. Estonia, a small European nation, has been a pioneer in this field. The country has implemented a digital identity card system that uses blockchain technology to secure citizens’ data. Estonians can use their digital IDs to access government services, sign documents electronically, and even vote in elections – all while maintaining high levels of security and privacy.

In the financial sector, banks are exploring blockchain identity verification to improve their Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. Currently, when someone opens accounts at multiple banks, each institution must separately verify the person’s identity. This creates redundant processes and increases costs. With blockchain-based systems, a person could complete identity verification once, and the verified credentials could be securely shared across different financial institutions, with the individual’s permission.

Healthcare providers are also interested in blockchain identity solutions. Medical records contain highly sensitive information, and data breaches in healthcare can have serious consequences. Blockchain technology could enable patients to maintain control of their medical records while allowing doctors and hospitals to access necessary information securely. This would be particularly valuable for patients who see multiple healthcare providers or move between different cities or countries.

Despite these promising applications, implementing blockchain for digital identity verification is not without challenges. One significant concern is scalability – the ability of blockchain systems to handle large numbers of transactions quickly. Traditional blockchain networks can be slower than conventional databases, which could cause problems when millions of people need to verify their identities simultaneously. Technical solutions are being developed, but they require further testing and refinement.

Another challenge is standardization. For blockchain identity systems to work effectively across different countries and organizations, there needs to be agreement on technical standards and protocols. Without such standards, we could end up with numerous incompatible systems that cannot communicate with each other, defeating the purpose of creating a universal digital identity solution.

Privacy concerns also need careful consideration. While blockchain technology can enhance privacy in many ways, it also creates permanent records of transactions. If not designed properly, blockchain identity systems could potentially expose more information than they protect. Developers must ensure that systems include appropriate privacy protections and give users meaningful control over their data.

Education and user adoption present additional hurdles. Many people do not understand blockchain technology and may be hesitant to trust new systems with their personal information. Building public confidence will require clear communication about how these systems work, what benefits they offer, and what protections are in place. Governments and organizations implementing blockchain identity solutions must invest in public education and outreach programs.

Looking forward, the integration of blockchain technology into digital identity verification systems represents a significant step toward a more secure and user-centric approach to managing personal information online. As the technology matures and solutions to current challenges emerge, blockchain-based identity verification could become the standard method for proving who we are in the digital world. This transformation would not only enhance security and privacy but also give individuals greater autonomy over their most valuable digital asset – their personal identity.

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Questions 1-13

Questions 1-5

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Passage 1?

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. Traditional identity verification methods work effectively in online environments.

2. Centralized databases are vulnerable to large-scale security breaches.

3. Blockchain technology stores information in a single secure location.

4. Users of blockchain identity systems can choose what information to share.

5. Estonia was the first country in the world to use digital technology for government services.

Questions 6-9

Complete the summary below.

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

Banks are exploring blockchain for improving their (6) __ processes. Currently, each bank must verify a customer’s identity separately, creating (7) __ and higher costs. Healthcare providers are interested because medical records are highly (8) __, and blockchain could help patients control their records. However, one challenge is (9) __, as blockchain systems need to handle many transactions quickly.

Questions 10-13

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

10. According to the passage, what is the main advantage of blockchain’s distributed ledger system?

    • A) It is faster than traditional databases
    • B) It is difficult for hackers to compromise
    • C) It requires less computer storage
    • D) It is cheaper to maintain

11. The passage suggests that blockchain identity systems in healthcare would be especially useful for:

    • A) doctors working in hospitals
    • B) patients with simple medical conditions
    • C) patients who use multiple healthcare providers
    • D) medical researchers studying diseases

12. What does the passage identify as a concern about standardization?

    • A) It is too expensive to implement
    • B) Different systems may not be able to work together
    • C) It would require too much time to develop
    • D) It would eliminate competition between companies

13. According to the passage, what is needed to build public confidence in blockchain identity systems?

    • A) Lower costs for users
    • B) Government regulation
    • C) Clear communication and education
    • D) Faster processing speeds

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PASSAGE 2 – Blockchain Architecture and Identity Management

Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút

The fundamental architecture of blockchain technology provides unique advantages for digital identity management that extend far beyond simple data storage. Understanding these underlying mechanisms is essential to appreciating how blockchain transforms the identity verification landscape. Unlike traditional databases that rely on a hierarchical structure with centralized control, blockchain operates through a distributed consensus mechanism where no single entity maintains absolute authority over the entire system.

At the technical level, blockchain achieves security through cryptographic hashing – a mathematical process that converts data into a fixed-length string of characters. Each block in the chain contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, creating an immutable chain of records. When applied to identity verification, this means that once identity credentials are recorded on the blockchain, any attempt to alter them would be immediately detectable because it would break the cryptographic links between blocks. This tamper-evident characteristic provides a level of security that conventional databases struggle to match.

Self-sovereign identity (SSI) represents one of the most significant conceptual advances enabled by blockchain technology. In traditional identity systems, individuals must rely on third-party authorities – governments, banks, or corporations – to issue and validate their credentials. These authorities maintain control over individuals’ identity data, and users have limited ability to manage or transfer their information independently. Self-sovereign identity inverts this model by placing individuals at the center of their identity ecosystem. Users hold their own credentials in digital wallets and decide when, how, and with whom to share their identity information.

The implementation of SSI systems typically involves three key components: decentralized identifiers (DIDs), verifiable credentials, and digital wallets. DIDs function as unique identifiers that are not issued by any central authority but are instead generated and controlled by the identity holder. These identifiers are associated with cryptographic keys that prove ownership without revealing unnecessary personal information. Verifiable credentials are digital attestations – statements made by one party about another that can be cryptographically verified. For instance, a university might issue a verifiable credential confirming that someone holds a degree, which the credential holder can then present to potential employers.

Several technical standards have emerged to facilitate interoperability in blockchain identity systems. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has developed specifications for DIDs and verifiable credentials that aim to create a common framework for different implementations. These standards are crucial because they enable identity information verified on one blockchain platform to be recognized by systems operating on different platforms. Without such standards, the promise of universal digital identity would remain unrealized, as users would need separate identities for each blockchain network they interact with.

Zero-knowledge proofs represent another sophisticated cryptographic technique that enhances privacy in blockchain identity systems. This technology allows one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement itself. In practical terms, this means someone could prove they are old enough to purchase alcohol without disclosing their exact age, or verify they have sufficient funds for a transaction without revealing their total account balance. Zero-knowledge proofs align perfectly with the principle of data minimization – the idea that systems should only collect and process the minimum amount of personal data necessary for a specific purpose.

The governance models for blockchain identity systems vary considerably and have significant implications for their practical operation. Some systems employ permissionless blockchains, where anyone can participate in maintaining the network and validating transactions. These public blockchains offer maximum decentralization but may face challenges with transaction throughput and energy consumption. Other systems use permissioned blockchains, where only authorized entities can validate transactions. These consortium blockchains can process transactions more efficiently but introduce a degree of centralization that may compromise some of the technology’s fundamental benefits.

Regulatory compliance presents complex challenges for blockchain identity systems. Different countries have enacted varying data protection laws, with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) being particularly influential. GDPR grants individuals extensive rights over their personal data, including the right to erasure – commonly known as the “right to be forgotten.” This principle appears to conflict with blockchain’s immutable nature. How can data be deleted from a system designed to make records permanent? Solutions being explored include storing only hashed references to identity data on the blockchain while maintaining the actual data in off-chain storage that can be modified or deleted as needed.

The economic implications of blockchain identity systems extend beyond their technical capabilities. Current identity verification processes impose substantial costs on businesses and individuals. Financial institutions spend billions annually on KYC compliance, costs that are ultimately passed on to customers through fees. Repeated identity verification for different services creates friction in digital interactions and contributes to identity verification fatigue. By enabling portable, reusable identity verification, blockchain systems could dramatically reduce these costs while improving user experience. Some estimates suggest that blockchain-based identity verification could save the financial services industry billions of dollars annually.

Cross-border identity verification represents an area where blockchain technology could provide particularly valuable solutions. In an increasingly globalized economy, people frequently need to prove their identity across international borders – when traveling, working abroad, or engaging in international commerce. However, identity credentials issued by one country are not always recognized by others, creating barriers to cross-border mobility and economic activity. A blockchain-based system with international interoperability could enable seamless identity verification across borders while maintaining security and respecting national sovereignty.

Despite these promising possibilities, the path to widespread adoption of blockchain identity systems remains uncertain. Technical challenges around scalability and interoperability continue to require innovative solutions. The coordination problem of achieving agreement among diverse stakeholders – governments, businesses, technology providers, and civil society – presents significant hurdles. Questions about liability – who is responsible when something goes wrong in a decentralized system – remain incompletely answered. The digital divide also raises concerns that sophisticated blockchain identity systems could exclude populations without reliable internet access or digital literacy.

Nevertheless, momentum continues to build toward blockchain-based identity solutions. Major technology companies, financial institutions, and governments are investing substantial resources in developing and testing these systems. International organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank have recognized blockchain identity as a potential tool for addressing global challenges, particularly in providing legal identity to the estimated one billion people worldwide who currently lack official documentation. As these systems mature and proven implementations emerge, blockchain technology may indeed fundamentally transform how identity verification operates in the digital age, creating a more secure, private, and user-controlled approach to managing our digital identities.

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Questions 14-26

Questions 14-18

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

14. What distinguishes blockchain from traditional databases according to the passage?

    • A) Blockchain uses simpler technology
    • B) Blockchain has a hierarchical structure
    • C) Blockchain operates through distributed consensus
    • D) Blockchain is controlled by governments

15. What is the primary security feature of cryptographic hashing in blockchain?

    • A) It makes data completely invisible
    • B) It makes unauthorized changes detectable
    • C) It reduces the size of data files
    • D) It speeds up data processing

16. In self-sovereign identity systems, who controls an individual’s identity data?

    • A) Government authorities
    • B) Banking institutions
    • C) Technology companies
    • D) The individual themselves

17. What is the purpose of zero-knowledge proofs?

    • A) To store more data efficiently
    • B) To prove statements without revealing unnecessary information
    • C) To make blockchain systems faster
    • D) To reduce the cost of identity verification

18. Why do permissionless blockchains face challenges?

    • A) They are too expensive to operate
    • B) They have issues with transaction speed and energy use
    • C) They cannot store identity information
    • D) They are not secure enough

Questions 19-22

Complete the sentences below.

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

19. The World Wide Web Consortium has developed specifications to create a __ for different blockchain implementations.

20. The GDPR grants individuals the right to erasure, also called the __.

21. Blockchain identity systems could help the financial services industry save billions by providing __ identity verification.

22. Approximately one billion people worldwide currently lack __.

Questions 23-26

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Passage 2?

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. Verifiable credentials can only be issued by government organizations.

24. The immutable nature of blockchain creates conflicts with some data protection regulations.

25. Blockchain identity systems will definitely become the global standard within five years.

26. Current identity verification processes create significant costs for businesses and consumers.

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PASSAGE 3 – Sociotechnical Dimensions of Blockchain Identity Systems

Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)

Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút

The implementation of blockchain technology for digital identity verification transcends purely technical considerations, encompassing complex sociotechnical dynamics that interweave technological capabilities with institutional frameworks, power structures, and sociocultural contexts. While proponents emphasize blockchain’s potential to democratize identity management through disintermediation and decentralization, critical examination reveals a more nuanced landscape where technical affordances interact with existing socioeconomic inequalities and governance challenges in ways that may either mitigate or exacerbate current problems with digital identity systems.

The concept of technological determinism – the notion that technology development follows an inevitable trajectory and produces predictable social outcomes – proves inadequate for understanding blockchain identity systems. Rather, these systems emerge through sociotechnical co-construction, where technical design choices both shape and are shaped by social values, political considerations, and economic incentives. The architecture of blockchain identity platforms embeds normative assumptions about trust, authority, and individual autonomy that reflect particular ideological perspectives rather than neutral technical necessities. Consequently, analyzing blockchain identity systems requires attention not only to their cryptographic protocols and consensus mechanisms but also to the institutional arrangements, power relations, and cultural meanings that develop around them.

Trust architecture represents a central concern in evaluating blockchain identity systems. Traditional identity verification relies on institutional trust – confidence in established authorities like governments and corporations to accurately maintain identity records and protect personal information. Blockchain systems attempt to substitute algorithmic trust – confidence in mathematical protocols and cryptographic techniques – for institutional trust. This shift raises profound questions about the epistemological foundations of identity verification. Can cryptographic proofs genuinely replace the social legitimacy conferred by recognized institutions? What happens when algorithmic and institutional trust mechanisms come into conflict? The sociotechnical transition from institutional to algorithmic trust is not merely a matter of technical implementation but involves reconstructing social practices and reconfiguring power relationships that have evolved over centuries.

The governance vacuum in decentralized systems presents particularly thorny challenges. While blockchain’s distributed architecture eliminates single points of control that characterize centralized databases, this distribution does not eliminate the need for governance – it merely redistributes governance functions and creates new questions about accountability mechanisms. In traditional identity systems, clear chains of responsibility exist: if something goes wrong, specific organizations can be held accountable through legal, regulatory, or market mechanisms. Decentralized blockchain systems fragment accountability, making it unclear who bears responsibility when identity credentials are improperly issued, stolen, or misused. This accountability deficit could have serious consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations who may lack resources to navigate complex, decentralized governance structures.

Power asymmetries persist even in ostensibly decentralized systems. While blockchain identity platforms may reduce certain forms of intermediary power – such as the ability of centralized databases to monopolize identity verification – they simultaneously create new power concentrations. Technical expertise becomes a crucial source of power, potentially marginalizing those who lack blockchain literacy. The validator nodes in permissioned blockchain systems exercise significant influence over system operation, and the economic barriers to running such nodes may concentrate power among well-resourced actors. Furthermore, the organizations that develop blockchain identity standards and protocols wield considerable power to shape how these systems function, yet these standard-setting processes often lack meaningful participation from affected communities, particularly marginalized populations whose identity needs may differ from those of technically sophisticated early adopters.

The relationship between blockchain identity systems and state authority merits careful examination. States have historically claimed a monopoly on legitimate identity verification, viewing population registration and documentation as core sovereign functions. Blockchain systems that enable self-sovereign identity potentially challenge this state monopoly, raising questions about how governments might respond. Some states may embrace blockchain identity as a tool for administrative efficiency and corruption reduction, as Estonia has done. Others may view decentralized identity systems as threats to state authority and seek to regulate, restrict, or co-opt them. The geopolitical implications extend beyond individual nations: blockchain identity systems with cross-border interoperability could create transnational identity infrastructures that operate partially outside state control, reshaping dynamics of global governance and digital sovereignty.

Privacy considerations in blockchain identity systems involve paradoxical tensions. While blockchain technology offers enhanced privacy through cryptographic techniques like zero-knowledge proofs and selective disclosure, it simultaneously creates permanent, immutable records of identity-related transactions. Even when transaction details are encrypted, metadata – information about when, where, and between whom transactions occur – may reveal sensitive patterns. The pseudonymity provided by blockchain addresses offers limited protection once someone’s address becomes associated with their real-world identity. Moreover, the transparency that makes blockchain systems auditable and tamper-resistant can be a double-edged sword: the same transparency that prevents unauthorized modifications may also expose information that individuals prefer to keep private. Resolving these tensions requires sophisticated technical design and careful consideration of privacy trade-offs inherent in different architectural choices.

The problem of digital identity exclusion poses significant challenges for blockchain-based systems. Approximately one billion people worldwide lack official identity documents, concentrated in developing countries and among marginalized populations in wealthy nations. Blockchain identity advocates argue these systems could provide digital identity to undocumented populations, potentially enabling financial inclusion and access to services. However, creating blockchain-based identity does not automatically solve the underlying issues that cause identity exclusion. Many undocumented people lack not technology but social recognition and institutional legitimacy. A blockchain-based identity that no governments or institutions recognize offers limited practical value. Furthermore, blockchain systems require digital infrastructure – internet connectivity, computing devices, electricity – that many excluded populations lack access to. Without addressing these material preconditions, blockchain identity systems risk creating new forms of technological exclusion while appearing to solve problems of social and political exclusion.

The economic sustainability of blockchain identity systems raises questions often overlooked in techno-utopian narratives. Maintaining blockchain networks requires substantial computational resources and ongoing operational costs. Who will bear these costs, and how might this affect system development and governance? If commercial entities dominate system operation, how can we ensure their profit motives do not compromise privacy protections or user interests? If governments subsidize blockchain identity infrastructure, does this reintroduce the centralized control these systems purportedly avoid? Different economic models – public funding, user fees, transaction charges, data monetization – carry distinct implications for system sustainability, accessibility, and alignment with user interests.

Interoperability between blockchain identity systems and existing institutional infrastructures presents both technical and social coordination challenges. For blockchain identity credentials to provide practical value, they must be accepted by legacy systems – government databases, banking platforms, healthcare networks – that currently dominate identity verification. Achieving this acceptance requires not only technical integration but also institutional buy-in, legal recognition, and cultural adaptation. Organizations must modify business processes, compliance procedures, and risk management frameworks to accommodate blockchain credentials. Legal systems must determine how to treat blockchain-based identity evidence in courts and administrative proceedings. These institutional transformations require substantial coordination among diverse stakeholders with divergent interests, making widespread adoption a complex sociotechnical challenge rather than a straightforward technical upgrade.

Looking forward, the trajectory of blockchain identity systems will be determined not by technological capabilities alone but by the interplay between technical development, regulatory frameworks, market dynamics, social movements, and cultural shifts. The technology’s potential to enhance privacy, security, and user control over personal data remains genuine, but realizing this potential requires navigating complex sociotechnical terrain where technical solutions interact with entrenched institutions, power structures, and social inequalities. Critical engagement with both the promises and limitations of blockchain identity systems – acknowledging their transformative potential while remaining attentive to implementation challenges and possible unintended consequences – offers the best path toward developing digital identity infrastructures that genuinely serve diverse human needs in an increasingly digital world.

Công nghệ blockchain cải thiện hệ thống xác thực danh tính số trong IELTS Reading

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Questions 27-40

Questions 27-31

Passage 3 has eleven paragraphs.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A-K.

NB: You may use any letter more than once.

27. A discussion of who should pay for blockchain identity systems

28. An explanation of why blockchain cannot completely replace traditional institutions

29. A description of how power remains concentrated despite decentralization

30. Information about people lacking official documentation

31. An analysis of privacy contradictions in blockchain systems

Questions 32-35

Complete the summary using the list of words, A-L, below.

Blockchain identity systems involve complex (32) __ that go beyond technical aspects. The shift from institutional trust to (33) __ trust raises important questions about legitimacy. The distributed nature of blockchain creates a (34) __, making it unclear who is responsible when problems occur. Furthermore, (35) __ continue to exist even in decentralized systems, with technical expertise becoming a source of power.

A) algorithmic
B) governance vacuum
C) power asymmetries
D) sociotechnical dynamics
E) economic models
F) cultural shifts
G) regulatory frameworks
H) privacy protections
I) accountability mechanisms
J) technological capabilities
K) institutional legitimacy
L) market dynamics

Questions 36-38

Choose THREE letters, A-G.

Which THREE challenges does the passage identify regarding blockchain identity systems?

A) The cost of developing cryptographic protocols
B) The difficulty of achieving institutional acceptance
C) Questions about responsibility in decentralized systems
D) The shortage of blockchain programmers
E) Tensions between transparency and privacy
F) Competition between different technology companies
G) Requirements for digital infrastructure that some lack

Questions 39-40

Answer the questions below.

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

39. What does the passage say blockchain systems attempt to substitute for institutional trust?

40. What do many undocumented people lack that blockchain alone cannot provide?

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3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án

PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13

1. FALSE
2. TRUE
3. FALSE
4. TRUE
5. NOT GIVEN
6. Know Your Customer / KYC
7. redundant processes
8. sensitive information / sensitive
9. scalability
10. B
11. C
12. B
13. C

PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26

14. C
15. B
16. D
17. B
18. B
19. common framework
20. right to be forgotten
21. portable, reusable / reusable, portable
22. official documentation
23. NO
24. YES
25. NOT GIVEN
26. YES

PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40

27. I (Paragraph 9)
28. C (Paragraph 3)
29. E (Paragraph 5)
30. H (Paragraph 8)
31. G (Paragraph 7)
32. D
33. A
34. B
35. C
36. B, C, G (in any order)
37. (see above)
38. (see above)
39. algorithmic trust
40. social recognition

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4. Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Passage 1 – Giải Thích

Câu 1: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Traditional identity verification methods, work effectively, online environments
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, câu cuối: “these approaches have significant limitations in the online environment”
• Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ phương pháp truyền thống có “significant limitations” (hạn chế đáng kể) trong môi trường trực tuyến, điều này trái ngược với việc “work effectively” (hoạt động hiệu quả).

Câu 2: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Centralized databases, vulnerable, large-scale security breaches
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2: “Personal data is often stored in centralized databases, which become attractive targets for cybercriminals. When these databases are breached, millions of people’s sensitive information can be exposed simultaneously”
• Giải thích: Bài văn khẳng định cơ sở dữ liệu tập trung là mục tiêu hấp dẫn cho tội phạm mạng và khi bị xâm phạm, hàng triệu thông tin nhạy cảm có thể bị lộ cùng lúc, hoàn toàn khớp với phát biểu.

Câu 3: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Blockchain technology, stores information, single secure location
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3: “blockchain is a distributed ledger – a database that is shared across multiple computers rather than stored in one central location”
• Giải thích: Bài đọc nói blockchain là “distributed ledger” được chia sẻ trên nhiều máy tính, không phải “single location” (một vị trí duy nhất).

Câu 4: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Users, blockchain identity systems, choose what information to share
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4: “they can selectively share only the specific information required for that particular transaction”
• Giải thích: “Selectively share only the specific information” đồng nghĩa với “choose what information to share”.

Câu 5: NOT GIVEN

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Estonia, first country, digital technology, government services
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5: “Estonia…has been a pioneer in this field”
• Giải thích: Bài chỉ nói Estonia là “pioneer” (tiên phong) trong lĩnh vực này, không khẳng định là quốc gia đầu tiên sử dụng công nghệ số cho dịch vụ chính phủ nói chung.

Câu 6: Know Your Customer / KYC

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: Banks, improving, processes
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6: “banks are exploring blockchain identity verification to improve their Know Your Customer (KYC) processes”
• Giải thích: Đáp án trực tiếp từ văn bản.

Câu 7: redundant processes

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: Each bank, verify, separately, creating
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6: “This creates redundant processes and increases costs”
• Giải thích: Từ “redundant processes” xuất hiện ngay sau mô tả về việc mỗi ngân hàng phải xác minh riêng.

Câu 8: sensitive information / sensitive

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: Healthcare providers, medical records
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7: “Medical records contain highly sensitive information”
• Giải thích: Cụm “highly sensitive information” mô tả đặc điểm của hồ sơ y tế.

Câu 9: scalability

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: Challenge, blockchain systems, handle many transactions
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8: “One significant concern is scalability – the ability of blockchain systems to handle large numbers of transactions quickly”
• Giải thích: Scalability được định nghĩa chính xác là khả năng xử lý số lượng lớn giao dịch.

Câu 10: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Main advantage, distributed ledger system
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3: “This decentralized structure makes it extremely difficult for hackers to compromise the entire system”
• Giải thích: Đáp án B “It is difficult for hackers to compromise” paraphrase từ “makes it extremely difficult for hackers to compromise the entire system”.

Câu 11: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Blockchain identity systems, healthcare, especially useful
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7: “This would be particularly valuable for patients who see multiple healthcare providers or move between different cities or countries”
• Giải thích: Đáp án C “patients who use multiple healthcare providers” paraphrase trực tiếp từ “patients who see multiple healthcare providers”.

Câu 12: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Concern about standardization
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9: “Without such standards, we could end up with numerous incompatible systems that cannot communicate with each other”
• Giải thích: Đáp án B “Different systems may not be able to work together” diễn đạt lại ý “incompatible systems that cannot communicate”.

Câu 13: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Build public confidence
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 11: “Building public confidence will require clear communication about how these systems work…must invest in public education and outreach programs”
• Giải thích: Đáp án C “Clear communication and education” tổng hợp từ “clear communication” và “public education”.

Passage 2 – Giải Thích

Câu 14: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Distinguishes blockchain, traditional databases
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1: “blockchain operates through a distributed consensus mechanism where no single entity maintains absolute authority”
• Giải thích: Đáp án C paraphrase “distributed consensus mechanism”, đối lập với cấu trúc tập trung của database truyền thống.

Câu 15: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Primary security feature, cryptographic hashing
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2: “any attempt to alter them would be immediately detectable because it would break the cryptographic links”
• Giải thích: Đáp án B “makes unauthorized changes detectable” diễn đạt lại “immediately detectable” khi có thay đổi trái phép.

Câu 16: D

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Self-sovereign identity, who controls
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3: “Self-sovereign identity inverts this model by placing individuals at the center…Users hold their own credentials”
• Giải thích: Đáp án D khớp với việc “individuals at the center” và “users hold their own credentials”.

Câu 17: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Purpose, zero-knowledge proofs
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6: “allows one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement”
• Giải thích: Đáp án B tóm tắt chính xác chức năng chứng minh mà không tiết lộ thông tin không cần thiết.

Câu 18: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Permissionless blockchains, face challenges
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7: “may face challenges with transaction throughput and energy consumption”
• Giải thích: Đáp án B “issues with transaction speed and energy use” paraphrase “transaction throughput and energy consumption”.

Câu 19: common framework

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: World Wide Web Consortium, specifications
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5: “specifications…that aim to create a common framework for different implementations”
• Giải thích: Từ “common framework” xuất hiện trực tiếp trong ngữ cảnh đúng.

Câu 20: right to be forgotten

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: GDPR, right to erasure, also called
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8: “the right to erasure – commonly known as the ‘right to be forgotten'”
• Giải thích: Đáp án được nêu rõ sau dấu gạch nối.

Câu 21: portable, reusable / reusable, portable

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: Financial services industry, save billions, identity verification
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9: “By enabling portable, reusable identity verification, blockchain systems could dramatically reduce these costs”
• Giải thích: Hai tính từ “portable” và “reusable” mô tả loại identity verification, cả hai thứ tự đều được chấp nhận.

Câu 22: official documentation

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: One billion people, lack
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 11: “the estimated one billion people worldwide who currently lack official documentation”
• Giải thích: Cụm “official documentation” là thông tin họ thiếu.

Câu 23: NO

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Verifiable credentials, only issued by government
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4: “a university might issue a verifiable credential”
• Giải thích: Ví dụ cho thấy trường đại học (không phải chính phủ) có thể phát hành verifiable credentials, mâu thuẫn với phát biểu.

Câu 24: YES

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Immutable nature, conflicts, data protection regulations
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8: “This principle appears to conflict with blockchain’s immutable nature”
• Giải thích: Bài viết xác nhận có sự xung đột (“appears to conflict”) giữa tính bất biến và quyền xóa dữ liệu.

Câu 25: NOT GIVEN

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Definitely become global standard, within five years
• Vị trí trong bài: Không có thông tin
• Giải thích: Bài không đưa ra dự đoán cụ thể về thời gian hay sự chắc chắn trở thành tiêu chuẩn toàn cầu.

Câu 26: YES

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Current identity verification, significant costs
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9: “Current identity verification processes impose substantial costs on businesses and individuals”
• Giải thích: “Substantial costs” đồng nghĩa với “significant costs”, khẳng định phát biểu.

Passage 3 – Giải Thích

Câu 27: I (Paragraph 9)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: Who should pay, blockchain identity systems
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9 thảo luận về “Who will bear these costs” và các economic models khác nhau
• Giải thích: Đoạn này tập trung vào sustainability và câu hỏi ai sẽ chi trả chi phí.

Câu 28: C (Paragraph 3)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: Cannot completely replace, traditional institutions
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3: “Can cryptographic proofs genuinely replace the social legitimacy conferred by recognized institutions?”
• Giải thích: Đoạn này đặt câu hỏi về khả năng thay thế và nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của legitimacy thể chế.

Câu 29: E (Paragraph 5)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: Power remains concentrated, despite decentralization
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5: “Power asymmetries persist even in ostensibly decentralized systems”
• Giải thích: Đoạn này phân tích cách quyền lực vẫn tập trung qua technical expertise và validator nodes.

Câu 30: H (Paragraph 8)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: People lacking official documentation
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8: “Approximately one billion people worldwide lack official identity documents”
• Giải thích: Con số cụ thể một tỷ người xuất hiện trong đoạn này.

Câu 31: G (Paragraph 7)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
• Từ khóa: Privacy contradictions
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7: “Privacy considerations…involve paradoxical tensions”
• Giải thích: Đoạn này phân tích các mâu thuẫn giữa enhanced privacy và permanent records.

Câu 32: D (sociotechnical dynamics)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, câu đầu: “encompassing complex sociotechnical dynamics”
• Giải thích: Từ khóa xuất hiện ngay đầu bài, mô tả đặc điểm hệ thống blockchain identity.

Câu 33: A (algorithmic)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3: “Blockchain systems attempt to substitute algorithmic trust”
• Giải thích: Algorithmic trust được đặt đối lập với institutional trust.

Câu 34: B (governance vacuum)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4: “The governance vacuum in decentralized systems”
• Giải thích: Cụm từ này mô tả vấn đề về governance trong hệ thống phân tán.

Câu 35: C (power asymmetries)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5: “Power asymmetries persist even in ostensibly decentralized systems”
• Giải thích: Từ này mô tả sự bất cân xứng quyền lực vẫn tồn tại.

Câu 36-38: B, C, G

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice (chọn 3)
• B – Vị trí: Đoạn 10 nói về “institutional buy-in” và “widespread adoption” là complex challenge
• C – Vị trí: Đoạn 4 nói về “unclear who bears responsibility” và “accountability deficit”
• G – Vị trí: Đoạn 8 nói về “digital infrastructure…that many excluded populations lack access to”
• Giải thích: Ba thách thức này được nêu rõ ràng trong bài, các đáp án khác không được đề cập hoặc không phải là challenges chính.

Câu 39: algorithmic trust

• Dạng câu hỏi: Short Answer
• Từ khóa: Blockchain systems, substitute, institutional trust
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3: “Blockchain systems attempt to substitute algorithmic trust…for institutional trust”
• Giải thích: Đáp án trực tiếp từ câu này.

Câu 40: social recognition

• Dạng câu hỏi: Short Answer
• Từ khóa: Undocumented people, lack, blockchain cannot provide
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8: “Many undocumented people lack not technology but social recognition and institutional legitimacy”
• Giải thích: “Social recognition” (hoặc “institutional legitimacy”) là điều họ thiếu mà công nghệ blockchain không thể cung cấp.

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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
verify	v	/ˈverɪfaɪ/	xác minh, xác thực	verify your identity	identity verification, verify credentials
fraud	n	/frɔːd/	gian lận, lừa đảo	preventing fraud	commit fraud, detect fraud, fraud prevention
centralized	adj	/ˈsentrəlaɪzd/	tập trung	centralized databases	centralized control, centralized system
breach	n/v	/briːtʃ/	sự xâm phạm, vi phạm	databases are breached	data breach, security breach, breach of privacy
distributed ledger	n	/dɪˈstrɪbjuːtɪd ˈledʒə/	sổ cái phân tán	blockchain is a distributed ledger	maintain a distributed ledger
encrypted	adj	/ɪnˈkrɪptɪd/	được mã hóa	information is encrypted	encrypted data, encrypted message
decentralized	adj	/diːˈsentrəlaɪzd/	phi tập trung	decentralized structure	decentralized network, decentralized system
redundant	adj	/rɪˈdʌndənt/	thừa, trùng lặp	redundant processes	redundant data, redundant systems
scalability	n	/ˌskeɪləˈbɪləti/	khả năng mở rộng quy mô	concern is scalability	improve scalability, scalability issues
standardization	n	/ˌstændədaɪˈzeɪʃən/	sự tiêu chuẩn hóa	challenge is standardization	lack of standardization, require standardization
protocols	n	/ˈprəʊtəkɒlz/	giao thức	technical standards and protocols	security protocols, communication protocols
adoption	n	/əˈdɒpʃən/	sự chấp nhận, áp dụng	user adoption	widespread adoption, technology adoption

Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
architecture	n	/ˈɑːkɪtektʃə/	kiến trúc, cấu trúc	fundamental architecture	system architecture, network architecture
consensus mechanism	n	/kənˈsensəs ˈmekənɪzəm/	cơ chế đồng thuận	distributed consensus mechanism	achieve consensus, consensus algorithm
cryptographic	adj	/ˌkrɪptəˈɡræfɪk/	thuộc mật mã học	cryptographic hashing	cryptographic keys, cryptographic proof
immutable	adj	/ɪˈmjuːtəbl/	bất biến, không thể thay đổi	immutable chain	immutable records, immutable ledger
self-sovereign identity	n	/self ˈsɒvrɪn aɪˈdentəti/	danh tính tự chủ	self-sovereign identity (SSI)	implement SSI, SSI systems
credentials	n	/krɪˈdenʃəlz/	chứng chỉ, thông tin xác thực	verifiable credentials	digital credentials, present credentials
interoperability	n	/ˌɪntərˌɒpərəˈbɪləti/	khả năng tương tác	facilitate interoperability	ensure interoperability, interoperability standards
zero-knowledge proofs	n	/ˈzɪərəʊ ˈnɒlɪdʒ pruːfs/	chứng minh không tiết lộ thông tin	zero-knowledge proofs enhance privacy	use zero-knowledge proofs
permissionless	adj	/pəˈmɪʃənləs/	không cần phép	permissionless blockchains	permissionless network, permissionless access
consortium	n	/kənˈsɔːtiəm/	hiệp hội, liên minh	consortium blockchains	form a consortium, consortium members
compliance	n	/kəmˈplaɪəns/	sự tuân thủ	regulatory compliance	ensure compliance, compliance requirements
throughput	n	/ˈθruːpʊt/	thông lượng	transaction throughput	increase throughput, throughput capacity
portable	adj	/ˈpɔːtəbl/	có thể mang theo, di động	portable identity verification	portable credentials, portable data
cross-border	adj	/krɒs ˈbɔːdə/	xuyên biên giới	cross-border identity verification	cross-border transactions, cross-border cooperation

Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
sociotechnical	adj	/ˌsəʊsiəʊˈteknɪkəl/	thuộc xã hội-công nghệ	sociotechnical dynamics	sociotechnical systems, sociotechnical approach
disintermediation	n	/dɪsˌɪntəmiːdiˈeɪʃən/	loại bỏ trung gian	democratize through disintermediation	financial disintermediation
exacerbate	v	/ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/	làm trầm trọng thêm	may exacerbate current problems	exacerbate inequalities, exacerbate tensions
determinism	n	/dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪzəm/	chủ nghĩa quyết định	technological determinism	genetic determinism, economic determinism
normative	adj	/ˈnɔːmətɪv/	thuộc chuẩn mực	normative assumptions	normative framework, normative values
epistemological	adj	/ɪˌpɪstɪməˈlɒdʒɪkəl/	thuộc nhận thức luận	epistemological foundations	epistemological questions, epistemological approach
legitimacy	n	/lɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi/	tính hợp pháp, chính đáng	social legitimacy	political legitimacy, legitimacy crisis
accountability	n	/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/	trách nhiệm giải trình	accountability mechanisms	ensure accountability, accountability deficit
asymmetries	n	/eɪˈsɪmətriz/	sự bất cân xứng	power asymmetries	information asymmetries, asymmetries persist
marginalize	v	/ˈmɑːdʒɪnəlaɪz/	đẩy ra lề, gạt bỏ	potentially marginalizing	marginalize communities, marginalize voices
sovereignty	n	/ˈsɒvrɪnti/	chủ quyền	digital sovereignty	national sovereignty, sovereignty rights
pseudonymity	n	/ˌsjuːdəˈnɪməti/	tính giả danh	pseudonymity provided	ensure pseudonymity, pseudonymity protection
metadata	n	/ˈmetədeɪtə/	siêu dữ liệu	metadata may reveal patterns	collect metadata, metadata analysis
paradoxical	adj	/ˌpærəˈdɒksɪkəl/	nghịch lý	paradoxical tensions	paradoxical situation, paradoxical effect
geopolitical	adj	/ˌdʒiːəʊpəˈlɪtɪkəl/	thuộc địa chính trị	geopolitical implications	geopolitical factors, geopolitical tensions
techno-utopian	adj	/ˌteknəʊjuːˈtəʊpiən/	lạc quan về công nghệ	techno-utopian narratives	techno-utopian vision, techno-utopian ideology
unintended consequences	n	/ˌʌnɪnˈtendɪd ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz/	hậu quả ngoài ý muốn	possible unintended consequences	avoid unintended consequences

Luyện thi IELTS Reading chủ đề công nghệ blockchain và xác thực danh tính số

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Kết Bài

Bài thi mẫu IELTS Reading về chủ đề “How Blockchain Technology Is Improving Digital Identity Verification” đã cung cấp cho bạn một trải nghiệm học tập toàn diện với ba passages có độ khó tăng dần. Chủ đề công nghệ blockchain và xác thực danh tính số không chỉ phổ biến trong các kỳ thi IELTS gần đây mà còn là kiến thức hữu ích trong thời đại số hóa hiện nay.

Qua ba passages, bạn đã được làm quen với:

• Passage 1 giới thiệu các khái niệm cơ bản về blockchain và digital identity verification với từ vựng dễ tiếp cận
• Passage 2 đi sâu vào kiến trúc kỹ thuật và ứng dụng thực tế với từ vựng học thuật nâng cao
• Passage 3 phân tích các khía cạnh xã hội-công nghệ phức tạp, đòi hỏi khả năng hiểu và suy luận cao

Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích đã chỉ ra cách xác định thông tin trong bài, kỹ thuật paraphrase và cách tiếp cận từng dạng câu hỏi. Phần từ vựng được tổng hợp theo từng passage giúp bạn củng cố kiến thức ngôn ngữ một cách có hệ thống.

Để đạt kết quả tốt nhất, hãy:

• Xem lại những câu trả lời sai và hiểu rõ lý do
• Học từ vựng trong ngữ cảnh với các collocations
• Thực hành thêm với các chủ đề công nghệ tương tự như Blockchain for enhancing global health data privacy hoặc Impact of blockchain on reducing financial crime
• Rèn luyện kỹ năng quản lý thời gian để hoàn thành đúng 60 phút

Tương tự như các ứng dụng blockchain khác, việc hiểu sâu về How is blockchain technology influencing global economic development? cũng giúp bạn mở rộng vốn từ vựng và kiến thức nền cho các bài đọc công nghệ trong IELTS. Ngoài ra, chủ đề Blockchain for improving the voting process in elections cũng là một ví dụ điển hình về ứng dụng blockchain trong thực tế mà bạn có thể tham khảo thêm.

Chúc bạn đạt band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!