Mở Bài
Chủ đề về công nghệ và tài chính toàn diện (financial inclusion) đã trở thành một trong những chủ đề nóng hổi và xuất hiện thường xuyên trong các đề thi IELTS Reading gần đây. Với sự phát triển vượt bậc của công nghệ số, đặc biệt là trong lĩnh vực fintech, việc hiểu rõ về cách công nghệ đang thay đổi khả năng tiếp cận dịch vụ tài chính của người dân trên toàn cầu không chỉ quan trọng cho bài thi mà còn là kiến thức thiết thực trong thời đại số.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được trải nghiệm một đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages được thiết kế theo đúng chuẩn Cambridge, bao gồm mức độ từ dễ đến khó. Bạn sẽ học được cách xử lý các dạng câu hỏi đa dạng như True/False/Not Given, Multiple Choice, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng khác. Mỗi passage đi kèm với đáp án chi tiết, giải thích cụ thể về vị trí thông tin và kỹ thuật paraphrase, cùng với bộ từ vựng học thuật quan trọng giúp bạn nâng cao band điểm.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên, giúp bạn làm quen với cấu trúc đề thi thật và rèn luyện kỹ năng quản lý thời gian hiệu quả.
1. Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
Bài thi IELTS Reading kéo dài 60 phút cho 3 passages với tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Mỗi câu trả lời đúng được tính là 1 điểm, không bị trừ điểm khi trả lời sai. Điều quan trọng là bạn cần phân bổ thời gian hợp lý để hoàn thành cả 3 passages.
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: Dành 2-3 phút cuối để chuyển đáp án lên answer sheet và kiểm tra lại.
Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này
Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 7 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:
- Multiple Choice – Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không đề cập
- Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn
- Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu
- Matching Features – Nối thông tin với đặc điểm
- Short-answer Questions – Câu hỏi trả lời ngắn
Mỗi dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu chiến lược làm bài khác nhau, và bạn sẽ được thực hành tất cả trong đề thi này.
Học viên đang luyện tập IELTS Reading về công nghệ tài chính hiện đại
2. IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Digital Revolution in Banking
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
The way people access financial services has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Traditional banking, which once required customers to visit physical branches during limited business hours, has been transformed by digital technology. Today, millions of people around the world can manage their money, transfer funds, and apply for loans using nothing more than a smartphone and an internet connection.
This transformation has been particularly significant in developing countries, where many people previously had no access to formal banking services. In rural areas of Africa and Asia, for example, mobile banking has opened up new possibilities for people who live far from the nearest bank branch. A farmer in Kenya can now receive payments for crops, save money securely, and even take out microloans to invest in seeds or equipment – all without ever stepping foot in a bank.
The technology behind this revolution is surprisingly simple in many cases. Mobile money platforms like M-Pesa in Kenya or GCash in the Philippines allow users to store money on their phones and transfer it to others through text messages. These services don’t require expensive smartphones or high-speed internet connections. Even basic mobile phones can access these platforms, making them accessible to people with very limited resources.
Digital wallets have become increasingly popular in urban areas as well. In countries like China and India, cashless payments are now the norm rather than the exception. People use QR codes to pay for everything from street food to taxi rides, and shop owners can accept payments without needing expensive card payment terminals. This has made it easier for small businesses to operate formally and has helped bring more people into the financial system.
Banks themselves have also changed how they operate. Many traditional banks now offer online banking services that allow customers to perform most transactions without visiting a branch. Virtual banks – financial institutions that exist entirely online with no physical branches – have emerged in several countries. These banks can offer better interest rates and lower fees because they don’t have the high costs associated with maintaining branch networks and large numbers of staff.
The security of digital financial services has improved significantly over time. Early concerns about fraud and cybercrime have been addressed through advanced encryption technologies and multi-factor authentication systems. Biometric verification, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, has made it even harder for unauthorized users to access accounts. While no system is completely secure, digital banking is now considered as safe as, if not safer than, traditional banking methods.
However, the shift to digital finance hasn’t been without challenges. The digital divide remains a significant issue, with older people and those in remote areas sometimes struggling to adapt to new technologies. Financial literacy is another concern – people need to understand how to use these services safely and effectively. Additionally, the rapid growth of digital finance has sometimes outpaced regulatory frameworks, creating risks that governments and financial institutions are still learning to manage.
Despite these challenges, the overall impact of technology on banking has been overwhelmingly positive. The World Bank estimates that between 2011 and 2021, the number of adults worldwide with a bank account increased from 51% to 76%. Much of this growth was driven by digital technology, particularly mobile money platforms in developing countries. Financial inclusion – ensuring that everyone has access to useful and affordable financial services – has improved dramatically, helping to reduce poverty and promote economic growth in many parts of the world.
Questions 1-6
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
- Traditional banking required customers to visit banks during specific hours.
- Mobile banking is more common in developed countries than in developing countries.
- M-Pesa requires users to have a smartphone with internet access.
- Virtual banks can offer better rates because they have lower operating costs.
- Biometric verification has eliminated all security risks in digital banking.
- The percentage of adults with bank accounts increased by exactly 25% between 2011 and 2021.
Questions 7-10
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- In rural areas, mobile banking allows farmers to obtain __ to buy supplies.
- Shop owners can receive payments without purchasing expensive __.
- The problem of the __ affects older people and those in isolated locations.
- Governments are still developing __ to manage the risks of digital finance.
Questions 11-13
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
-
According to the passage, what is a key advantage of mobile money platforms?
A. They require high-speed internet
B. They work on basic mobile phones
C. They are only available in cities
D. They are more secure than traditional banks -
Why do people in China and India commonly use QR codes?
A. To comply with government regulations
B. To avoid using traditional banks
C. To make cashless payments easily
D. To receive loans from mobile platforms -
What does the passage suggest about financial literacy?
A. It is no longer important in the digital age
B. It is a challenge that needs to be addressed
C. It has improved significantly worldwide
D. It is only relevant for older generations
PASSAGE 2 – Fintech and the Unbanked Population
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The term “unbanked” refers to individuals who do not have access to traditional banking services, including savings accounts, checking accounts, and credit facilities. Globally, an estimated 1.4 billion adults remain unbanked, representing a significant barrier to economic development and personal financial security. However, the emergence of financial technology – commonly known as fintech – is rapidly transforming this landscape, offering innovative solutions that circumvent traditional banking infrastructure and reach previously underserved populations.
The reasons why individuals remain unbanked are multifaceted and vary considerably across different regions and socioeconomic contexts. In many developing nations, the primary obstacle is geographical remoteness. Rural communities may be located hundreds of kilometers from the nearest bank branch, making regular banking transactions impractical or impossible. The cost of establishing and maintaining physical branches in these areas is often prohibitively expensive for traditional financial institutions, creating a vicious cycle where those who most need financial services are least likely to receive them.
Beyond geography, documentation requirements pose another substantial barrier. Traditional banks typically require official identification documents, proof of address, and sometimes evidence of regular income before allowing individuals to open accounts. For many people in developing countries – particularly those working in the informal economy – obtaining such documentation is difficult or impossible. Undocumented workers, refugees, and displaced populations are especially vulnerable to financial exclusion due to these stringent requirements.
Economic factors also play a crucial role. Many banks impose minimum balance requirements and maintenance fees that are simply unaffordable for people living on very low incomes. A person earning just a few dollars per day cannot realistically maintain an account that requires a minimum balance of $100 or charges monthly fees of several dollars. Furthermore, the opportunity cost of spending time traveling to a distant bank branch can outweigh the benefits for those whose income depends on daily work.
Fintech companies have developed several innovative approaches to address these challenges. Agent banking networks, for instance, allow small businesses like shops or pharmacies to act as banking agents, enabling customers to deposit and withdraw cash, make payments, and perform other basic transactions. This model drastically reduces the infrastructure costs associated with traditional branch banking while bringing services closer to where people live and work.
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies represent another frontier in financial inclusion. By creating decentralized financial systems that operate independently of traditional banking infrastructure, these technologies can potentially provide financial services to anyone with internet access, regardless of their location or documentation status. Several pilot projects in countries like Venezuela and El Salvador have explored using digital currencies to provide financial services to unbanked populations, though these initiatives remain controversial and face significant regulatory hurdles.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionizing credit assessment processes. Traditional banks rely heavily on credit histories and formal employment records to evaluate loan applications – information that unbanked individuals typically lack. Fintech companies are developing alternative data sources and analytical methods to assess creditworthiness. These might include analysis of mobile phone usage patterns, utility payment histories, or even social media activity. While these approaches raise important privacy concerns, they have enabled millions of people to access credit for the first time.
Regulatory frameworks have struggled to keep pace with these rapid technological changes. Governments face a difficult balancing act: they must protect consumers from fraud and abuse while not stifling innovation that could benefit millions of unbanked citizens. Some countries have adopted regulatory sandboxes – controlled environments where fintech companies can test new products with reduced regulatory oversight. This approach allows regulators to observe how new technologies function in practice before determining appropriate rules.
The impact of increased financial inclusion extends far beyond individual convenience. Research has demonstrated strong links between financial access and broader economic development outcomes. When previously unbanked individuals gain access to savings accounts, they can better manage financial shocks such as medical emergencies or crop failures. Access to credit enables entrepreneurship and business expansion, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Digital payment systems reduce the costs and risks associated with handling cash, benefiting both individuals and businesses.
However, experts caution against technological determinism – the assumption that technology alone will solve complex social problems. While fintech offers powerful tools for expanding financial access, successful implementation requires attention to digital literacy, appropriate consumer protection measures, and inclusive design that considers the needs of diverse user groups. Moreover, technology cannot address all the underlying factors that keep people unbanked, such as extreme poverty or political instability.
Questions 14-18
Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The role of artificial intelligence in lending decisions
ii. Why traditional banks exclude certain populations
iii. Future challenges for financial technology
iv. Alternative banking infrastructure models
v. The broader benefits of financial access
vi. Defining the scope of the problem
vii. Geographic obstacles to banking services
viii. Government responses to fintech innovation
ix. Documentation as a barrier to financial services
- Paragraph 2
- Paragraph 3
- Paragraph 5
- Paragraph 8
- Paragraph 9
Questions 19-23
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Traditional banks often fail to serve the unbanked population due to high costs and impractical 19. __. Many people cannot open accounts because they lack official 20. __ or work in the 21. __. Economic barriers include 22. __ and monthly charges that poor people cannot afford. Fintech solutions like 23. __ allow local businesses to provide banking services, reducing infrastructure costs.
Questions 24-26
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
- Blockchain technology has definitively solved the problem of financial exclusion in developing countries.
- Using alternative data for credit assessment raises concerns about personal privacy.
- Technology alone is insufficient to address all barriers to financial inclusion.
Ứng dụng công nghệ fintech trên điện thoại thông minh cho người dân vùng nông thôn
PASSAGE 3 – The Socioeconomic Implications of Digital Financial Ecosystems
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The proliferation of digital financial services has engendered a fundamental transformation in the relationship between individuals and the formal economic system, with ramifications that extend far beyond the mere digitization of existing banking functions. This metamorphosis represents what economists increasingly characterize as a paradigmatic shift in financial intermediation, one that challenges long-standing assumptions about the prerequisites for economic participation and raises profound questions about equity, governance, and the nature of monetary sovereignty in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
The emergence of comprehensive digital financial ecosystems has created what scholars term “platform capitalism” within the financial sector. Unlike traditional banking, which operates through hierarchical institutional structures with clearly defined intermediaries, digital platforms function as multisided markets that facilitate direct interactions between diverse participants. These ecosystem architectures generate powerful network effects: the value of the platform increases exponentially with each additional user, creating positive feedback loops that can lead to rapid market concentration. This dynamic has already manifested in several markets where one or two platforms have achieved near-monopolistic dominance, raising concerns about market power and the potential for extractive practices that could ultimately harm the very populations these technologies purport to serve.
The democratization of financial access through technology presents a paradoxical duality. On one hand, the dramatic reduction in transaction costs and the disintermediation of traditional banking structures have created unprecedented opportunities for economic participation among previously excluded populations. Microentrepreneurs in developing economies can now access working capital, receive payments from international clients, and manage cross-border transactions with an ease that would have been inconceivable a generation ago. This enhanced economic agency has demonstrable effects on poverty alleviation and income distribution, particularly in contexts where traditional financial institutions have failed to serve low-income populations adequately.
Conversely, the same technological forces that enable inclusion also possess the capacity to generate new forms of exclusion and stratification. The shift toward algorithm-driven financial services introduces what critical scholars call “algorithmic discrimination” – systematic biases embedded in machine learning models that can perpetuate or even amplify existing social inequalities. These algorithms, trained on historical data that reflects past discriminatory practices, may inadvertently encode these biases into automated decision-making systems. Furthermore, the opaque nature of many proprietary algorithms makes it difficult for individuals to understand why they have been denied services or received unfavorable terms, creating what legal scholars term “algorithmic accountability deficits.”
The proliferation of digital financial services has also precipitated significant regulatory challenges that transcend traditional jurisdictional boundaries. Financial regulation has historically been predicated on the notion of geographic territoriality – the idea that regulatory authorities could effectively oversee financial institutions operating within defined national boundaries. Digital financial platforms, however, often operate across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously, creating regulatory arbitrage opportunities and fragmented oversight that can leave consumers vulnerable. The extraterritorial reach of major technology platforms further complicates this picture, as companies headquartered in one country can exert considerable influence over financial systems in others, raising questions about regulatory sovereignty and the appropriate locus of authority for governing these transnational entities.
Data governance emerges as a particularly contentious issue within digital financial ecosystems. Financial transactions generate vast quantities of data about individual behavior, preferences, and circumstances. This data constitutes both a valuable economic asset and a potential privacy threat. The aggregation and analysis of financial data can enable more personalized services and better risk assessment, but it also creates surveillance capabilities that extend far beyond traditional banking relationships. The question of who owns this data, how it may be used, and what safeguards should govern its collection and dissemination remains largely unresolved in most jurisdictions, despite the critical importance of these issues for individual autonomy and collective welfare.
The macroeconomic implications of widespread digital financial inclusion merit careful consideration. Traditional banking systems serve not merely as conduits for individual transactions but as crucial mechanisms for monetary policy transmission and macroeconomic stabilization. As digital financial platforms assume an increasingly prominent role in financial intermediation, questions arise about their relationship to central banking functions and monetary policy. The emergence of stablecoins and other cryptocurrency instruments further complicates this picture, potentially creating parallel financial systems that operate outside traditional regulatory frameworks and may undermine the efficacy of conventional monetary policy tools.
Technological infrastructure requirements present another dimension of the inclusion challenge that is often underappreciated in techno-optimistic narratives. While mobile phones have become ubiquitous even in developing economies, meaningful participation in digital financial ecosystems requires not just device access but also reliable electricity, internet connectivity, sufficient digital literacy to navigate increasingly sophisticated interfaces, and consumer protections against various forms of digital fraud. The infrastructure gaps that persist in many developing regions thus create a potential ceiling on the inclusionary potential of digital finance, one that technology alone cannot surmount without complementary investments in broader developmental infrastructure.
From a critical political economy perspective, the expansion of digital financial services must be understood within the broader context of financialization – the increasing role of financial motives, financial markets, and financial institutions in the operation of domestic and international economies. The extension of financial services to previously unbanked populations can be interpreted not simply as an altruistic extension of opportunity but as the incorporation of new populations into circuits of capital accumulation. This analytical lens draws attention to questions about who ultimately benefits from expanded financial inclusion and whether digital financial platforms serve primarily to empower marginalized populations or to extract value from them through fees, interest payments, and data appropriation.
Yet despite these legitimate concerns and caveats, the transformative potential of technology-enabled financial inclusion remains substantial. Empirical research has documented significant positive effects on various development outcomes, including reduced poverty rates, increased economic resilience to shocks, enhanced gender equality in economic participation, and accelerated entrepreneurship and business formation. The challenge for policymakers, technologists, and civil society lies in maximizing these benefits while mitigating the very real risks and unintended consequences that accompany rapid technological transformation of fundamental economic infrastructures.
Questions 27-31
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
-
According to paragraph 2, what is a key characteristic of digital financial platforms?
A. They function through hierarchical institutional structures
B. They create value through network effects and user growth
C. They prevent market concentration through regulation
D. They operate independently of market dynamics -
The term “algorithmic discrimination” refers to:
A. Deliberate bias introduced by programmers
B. Technical errors in machine learning systems
C. Systematic biases embedded in automated decision-making
D. User discrimination against digital platforms -
What does the passage suggest about regulatory challenges in digital finance?
A. They can be easily solved through international cooperation
B. They arise from platforms operating across multiple jurisdictions
C. They are less significant than in traditional banking
D. They only affect developing countries -
According to the passage, financial transaction data is significant because:
A. It is worthless to technology companies
B. It can enable better services but also raises privacy concerns
C. It is fully protected by existing regulations
D. It belongs exclusively to individual users -
The passage suggests that widespread digital financial inclusion:
A. Has no effect on monetary policy
B. Makes central banking more effective
C. May complicate traditional monetary policy mechanisms
D. Eliminates the need for financial regulation
Questions 32-36
Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-H, below.
- Platform capitalism in financial services creates
- The democratization of financial access through technology represents
- Infrastructure requirements for digital financial participation include
- The concept of financialization suggests that financial inclusion may serve
- Empirical research on technology-enabled financial inclusion has shown
A. to incorporate new populations into systems of capital accumulation
B. a paradox of both opportunity and potential new forms of exclusion
C. no significant impact on economic development outcomes
D. reliable electricity, internet access, and digital literacy
E. network effects that can lead to market concentration
F. only the interests of technology companies
G. positive effects on poverty reduction and entrepreneurship
H. complete elimination of all financial barriers
Questions 37-40
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- What term do scholars use to describe the phenomenon where a platform’s value increases with each new user?
- What creates difficulty in understanding why automated systems deny financial services?
- What type of policy tools might be undermined by parallel financial systems?
- What kind of perspective views financial inclusion expansion within the broader context of increasing financial sector influence?
Hệ sinh thái tài chính số thúc đẩy sự phát triển toàn diện trong cộng đồng
3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- TRUE
- FALSE
- FALSE
- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN
- microloans
- card payment terminals / payment terminals
- digital divide
- regulatory frameworks
- B
- C
- B
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- ii
- ix
- iv
- viii
- v
- documentation requirements
- identification documents
- informal economy
- minimum balance requirements / minimum balance
- agent banking
- NO
- YES
- YES
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- C
- B
- B
- C
- E
- B
- D
- A
- G
- network effects
- opaque nature / proprietary algorithms
- monetary policy
- critical political economy
4. Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Traditional banking, visit banks, specific hours
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: Passage nói rõ “Traditional banking, which once required customers to visit physical branches during limited business hours” – điều này đồng nghĩa với việc khách hàng phải đến ngân hàng trong giờ cụ thể. Câu hỏi paraphrase “limited business hours” thành “specific hours”.
Câu 2: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Mobile banking, more common, developed countries, developing countries
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: Passage khẳng định “This transformation has been particularly significant in developing countries” – cho thấy mobile banking đặc biệt quan trọng ở các nước đang phát triển, không phải ở các nước phát triển nhiều hơn.
Câu 3: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: M-Pesa, requires, smartphone, internet access
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: Passage nói “Even basic mobile phones can access these platforms” – điều này mâu thuẫn với yêu cầu phải có smartphone.
Câu 4: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Virtual banks, better rates, lower operating costs
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: “These banks can offer better interest rates and lower fees because they don’t have the high costs associated with maintaining branch networks” – paraphrase “operating costs” từ “costs associated with maintaining branch networks”.
Câu 11: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: advantage, mobile money platforms
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
- Giải thích: “Even basic mobile phones can access these platforms” là lợi thế chính được nhấn mạnh. Các đáp án khác sai vì: A mâu thuẫn với thông tin “don’t require high-speed internet”, C không được đề cập, D không có so sánh về security.
Câu 12: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: China, India, QR codes
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “People use QR codes to pay for everything from street food to taxi rides” – cho thấy mục đích là để thanh toán không dùng tiền mặt một cách dễ dàng. Các đáp án khác không được đề cập trong passage.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: ii (Why traditional banks exclude certain populations)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2
- Giải thích: Đoạn này giải thích các lý do tại sao người dân không được phục vụ bởi ngân hàng truyền thống: “geographical remoteness”, “prohibitively expensive”, tạo nên “vicious cycle”.
Câu 15: ix (Documentation as a barrier to financial services)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
- Giải thích: Toàn bộ đoạn tập trung vào “documentation requirements” và cách chúng tạo rào cản: “official identification documents, proof of address”, đặc biệt khó khăn cho “informal economy workers”.
Câu 24: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Blockchain technology, definitively solved, financial exclusion
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6
- Giải thích: Passage nói blockchain “can potentially provide” và các dự án “remain controversial and face significant regulatory hurdles” – cho thấy chưa giải quyết dứt điểm vấn đề, mâu thuẫn với “definitively solved”.
Câu 25: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: alternative data, credit assessment, privacy concerns
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “While these approaches raise important privacy concerns” – writer trực tiếp khẳng định việc sử dụng dữ liệu thay thế nảy sinh mối lo ngại về quyền riêng tư.
Câu 26: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: technology alone, insufficient, barriers to financial inclusion
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “experts caution against technological determinism” và “technology cannot address all the underlying factors” – writer đồng ý rằng công nghệ một mình không đủ.
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: key characteristic, digital financial platforms
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: “These ecosystem architectures generate powerful network effects: the value of the platform increases exponentially with each additional user” – đây là đặc điểm then chốt được nhấn mạnh.
Câu 28: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: algorithmic discrimination
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Definition được đưa ra rõ ràng: “systematic biases embedded in machine learning models that can perpetuate or even amplify existing social inequalities”.
Câu 32: E
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Sentence Endings
- Từ khóa: Platform capitalism
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2
- Giải thích: “These ecosystem architectures generate powerful network effects” và “creating positive feedback loops that can lead to rapid market concentration” – match với ending E.
Câu 37: network effects
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Question
- Từ khóa: term, platform’s value increases, each new user
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5
- Giải thích: “These ecosystem architectures generate powerful network effects: the value of the platform increases exponentially with each additional user” – thuật ngữ cần tìm là “network effects”.
Câu 39: monetary policy
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Question
- Từ khóa: policy tools, undermined, parallel financial systems
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, câu cuối
- Giải thích: “potentially creating parallel financial systems that operate outside traditional regulatory frameworks and may undermine the efficacy of conventional monetary policy tools” – công cụ chính sách bị ảnh hưởng là “monetary policy”.
Câu 40: critical political economy
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Question
- Từ khóa: perspective, financial inclusion expansion, broader context, financial sector influence
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, dòng 1
- Giải thích: “From a critical political economy perspective, the expansion of digital financial services must be understood within the broader context of financialization” – perspective cần tìm là “critical political economy”.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| access | v, n | /ˈækses/ | tiếp cận, truy cập | access financial services | gain access to, have access to, limited access |
| physical branches | n | /ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈbrɑːntʃɪz/ | chi nhánh vật lý | visit physical branches | maintain branches, close branches |
| significant | adj | /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/ | đáng kể, quan trọng | particularly significant | significant impact, significant change |
| mobile banking | n | /ˈməʊbaɪl ˈbæŋkɪŋ/ | ngân hàng di động | mobile banking has opened up | mobile banking services, mobile banking platform |
| microloans | n | /ˈmaɪkrəʊləʊnz/ | khoản vay nhỏ | take out microloans | provide microloans, access to microloans |
| accessible | adj | /əkˈsesəbl/ | có thể tiếp cận được | making them accessible | easily accessible, widely accessible, accessible to everyone |
| digital wallets | n | /ˈdɪdʒɪtəl ˈwɒlɪts/ | ví điện tử | digital wallets have become popular | use digital wallets, digital wallet payments |
| cashless payments | n | /ˈkæʃləs ˈpeɪmənts/ | thanh toán không dùng tiền mặt | cashless payments are now the norm | make cashless payments, cashless payment systems |
| fraud | n | /frɔːd/ | gian lận, lừa đảo | concerns about fraud | prevent fraud, fraud detection, commit fraud |
| financial inclusion | n | /faɪˈnænʃəl ɪnˈkluːʒən/ | tài chính toàn diện | financial inclusion has improved | promote financial inclusion, increase financial inclusion |
| encryption | n | /ɪnˈkrɪpʃən/ | mã hóa | advanced encryption technologies | data encryption, encryption methods |
| digital divide | n | /ˈdɪdʒɪtəl dɪˈvaɪd/ | khoảng cách số | the digital divide remains | bridge the digital divide, widen the digital divide |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unbanked | adj | /ʌnˈbæŋkt/ | không có tài khoản ngân hàng | unbanked population | unbanked adults, unbanked individuals |
| barrier | n | /ˈbæriə(r)/ | rào cản | barrier to economic development | overcome barriers, remove barriers |
| fintech | n | /ˈfɪntek/ | công nghệ tài chính | emergence of fintech | fintech companies, fintech solutions, fintech innovation |
| circumvent | v | /ˌsɜːkəmˈvent/ | vượt qua, lách | circumvent traditional banking infrastructure | circumvent regulations, circumvent problems |
| multifaceted | adj | /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ | nhiều khía cạnh | reasons are multifaceted | multifaceted problem, multifaceted approach |
| geographical remoteness | n | /ˌdʒiːəˈɡræfɪkəl rɪˈməʊtnəs/ | sự xa xôi về địa lý | primary obstacle is geographical remoteness | overcome geographical remoteness |
| prohibitively expensive | adj | /prəˈhɪbɪtɪvli ɪkˈspensɪv/ | đắt đỏ đến mức cấm đoán | prohibitively expensive for institutions | prohibitively expensive costs |
| informal economy | n | /ɪnˈfɔːməl ɪˈkɒnəmi/ | nền kinh tế phi chính thức | working in the informal economy | informal economy workers, informal economy sector |
| minimum balance requirements | n | /ˈmɪnɪməm ˈbæləns rɪˈkwaɪəmənts/ | yêu cầu số dư tối thiểu | impose minimum balance requirements | meet minimum balance requirements |
| agent banking | n | /ˈeɪdʒənt ˈbæŋkɪŋ/ | ngân hàng đại lý | agent banking networks | agent banking model, agent banking services |
| blockchain technology | n | /ˈblɒktʃeɪn tekˈnɒlədʒi/ | công nghệ chuỗi khối | blockchain technology represents | blockchain technology solutions |
| credit assessment | n | /ˈkredɪt əˈsesmənt/ | đánh giá tín dụng | revolutionizing credit assessment | credit assessment processes, credit assessment methods |
| regulatory frameworks | n | /ˈreɡjələtəri ˈfreɪmwɜːks/ | khung pháp lý | regulatory frameworks have struggled | establish regulatory frameworks, update regulatory frameworks |
| regulatory sandboxes | n | /ˈreɡjələtəri ˈsændbɒksɪz/ | hộp cát pháp lý | adopted regulatory sandboxes | create regulatory sandboxes, regulatory sandbox approach |
| entrepreneurship | n | /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːʃɪp/ | tinh thần kinh doanh | enables entrepreneurship | promote entrepreneurship, foster entrepreneurship |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| proliferation | n | /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ | sự phát triển nhanh | proliferation of digital services | rapid proliferation, nuclear proliferation |
| ramifications | n | /ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz/ | hệ quả, hậu quả | with ramifications that extend | serious ramifications, long-term ramifications |
| paradigmatic shift | n | /ˌpærədɪɡˈmætɪk ʃɪft/ | sự chuyển đổi mô hình | paradigmatic shift in intermediation | represent a paradigmatic shift |
| intermediation | n | /ˌɪntəˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/ | trung gian hóa | financial intermediation | financial intermediation role |
| platform capitalism | n | /ˈplætfɔːm ˈkæpɪtəlɪzəm/ | chủ nghĩa tư bản nền tảng | scholars term platform capitalism | emergence of platform capitalism |
| network effects | n | /ˈnetwɜːk ɪˈfekts/ | hiệu ứng mạng lưới | generate powerful network effects | positive network effects, leverage network effects |
| market concentration | n | /ˈmɑːkɪt ˌkɒnsənˈtreɪʃən/ | sự tập trung thị trường | lead to market concentration | high market concentration, increase market concentration |
| democratization | n | /dɪˌmɒkrətaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | dân chủ hóa | democratization of financial access | promote democratization, democratization process |
| disintermediation | n | /ˌdɪsɪntəˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/ | phi trung gian hóa | disintermediation of traditional structures | financial disintermediation |
| algorithmic discrimination | n | /ˌælɡəˈrɪðmɪk dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/ | phân biệt đối xử thuật toán | introduces algorithmic discrimination | combat algorithmic discrimination |
| systematic biases | n | /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk ˈbaɪəsɪz/ | thiên kiến có hệ thống | systematic biases embedded | identify systematic biases, systematic biases in data |
| opaque nature | n | /əʊˈpeɪk ˈneɪtʃə(r)/ | bản chất mờ đục | opaque nature of algorithms | opaque nature of processes |
| regulatory arbitrage | n | /ˈreɡjələtəri ˈɑːbɪtrɑːʒ/ | lách luật quy định | creating regulatory arbitrage | exploit regulatory arbitrage, regulatory arbitrage opportunities |
| data governance | n | /ˈdeɪtə ˈɡʌvənəns/ | quản trị dữ liệu | data governance emerges | data governance framework, effective data governance |
| surveillance capabilities | n | /səˈveɪləns ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz/ | khả năng giám sát | creates surveillance capabilities | enhance surveillance capabilities, surveillance capabilities expand |
| monetary policy transmission | n | /ˈmʌnɪtəri ˈpɒləsi trænzˈmɪʃən/ | truyền dẫn chính sách tiền tệ | mechanisms for monetary policy transmission | effective monetary policy transmission |
| financialization | n | /faɪˌnænʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | tài chính hóa | within broader context of financialization | process of financialization, increasing financialization |
| macroeconomic stabilization | n | /ˌmækrəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌsteɪbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | ổn định kinh tế vĩ mô | mechanisms for macroeconomic stabilization | achieve macroeconomic stabilization |
Chiến lược làm bài IELTS Reading hiệu quả với chủ đề công nghệ tài chính
Kết Bài
Chủ đề về công nghệ và tài chính toàn diện không chỉ là một chủ đề phổ biến trong IELTS Reading mà còn phản ánh một xu hướng quan trọng của thế giới hiện đại. Qua đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được trải nghiệm đầy đủ ba mức độ khó từ Easy đến Hard, giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách IELTS Reading test được cấu trúc và yêu cầu những kỹ năng gì.
Passage 1 giới thiệu những khái niệm cơ bản về mobile banking và digital wallets, Passage 2 đi sâu vào vấn đề fintech và dân số unbanked với độ phức tạp cao hơn, và Passage 3 phân tích những hệ quả kinh tế-xã hội sâu sắc của hệ sinh thái tài chính số với ngôn ngữ học thuật chuyên sâu. Sự chuyển đổi độ khó này tương tự như trong đề thi thật của IELTS.
Các đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích đã chỉ ra cho bạn cách xác định vị trí thông tin trong passage, nhận biết paraphrase, và áp dụng các chiến lược làm bài cho từng dạng câu hỏi. Đặc biệt, bộ từ vựng được phân loại theo từng passage sẽ giúp bạn xây dựng vốn từ vựng học thuật cần thiết không chỉ cho phần Reading mà còn cho cả Writing và Speaking.
Để đạt hiệu quả cao nhất, hãy làm đề thi này trong điều kiện giống thi thật (60 phút, không tra từ điển), sau đó đối chiếu đáp án và đọc kỹ phần giải thích để hiểu rõ tại sao mình sai. Học thuộc từ vựng và thực hành paraphrase các câu trong passage cũng là cách tuyệt vời để nâng cao kỹ năng. Chúc bạn ôn tập hiệu quả và đạt band điểm cao trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!