Chủ đề chuẩn bị nghỉ hưu sớm (early retirement planning) ngày càng trở nên phổ biến trong các đề thi IELTS Reading, đặc biệt là ở Passage 2 và Passage 3 với độ khó trung bình đến cao. Xu hướng này phản ánh sự quan tâm ngày càng tăng của xã hội hiện đại đối với độc lập tài chính và chất lượng cuộc sống. Việc làm quen với dạng bài này không chỉ giúp bạn chuẩn bị tốt cho kỳ thi mà còn cung cấp kiến thức thực tế về lập kế hoạch tài chính cá nhân.
Bài viết này sẽ cung cấp cho bạn một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh gồm 3 passages với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard. Bạn sẽ được thực hành với đa dạng các dạng câu hỏi thường gặp như Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng khác. Mỗi passage đều đi kèm đáp án chi tiết với giải thích cụ thể về vị trí thông tin, cách paraphrase, và chiến lược làm bài hiệu quả.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên có trình độ từ band 5.0 trở lên, đặc biệt hữu ích cho những bạn đang nhắm đến band 6.5-7.5. Thông qua việc luyện tập với đề thi này, bạn sẽ nắm vững kỹ thuật skimming, scanning và hiểu sâu cách IELTS đánh giá khả năng đọc hiểu của thí sinh.
Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading Test bao gồm 3 passages với tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi cần hoàn thành trong 60 phút. Đây là bài kiểm tra khả năng đọc hiểu, phân tích và xử lý thông tin nhanh chóng của bạn. Không có thời gian thêm để chuyển đáp án sang answer sheet, vì vậy bạn cần quản lý thời gian hợp lý ngay từ đầu.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1 (Easy): 15-17 phút cho 13 câu hỏi
- Passage 2 (Medium): 18-20 phút cho 13 câu hỏi
- Passage 3 (Hard): 23-25 phút cho 14 câu hỏi
Lưu ý rằng độ khó tăng dần qua mỗi passage, vì vậy đừng dành quá nhiều thời gian cho Passage 1. Nếu gặp câu hỏi khó, hãy đánh dấu và quay lại sau khi hoàn thành các câu dễ hơn.
Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này
Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 8 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:
- Multiple Choice – Chọn đáp án đúng từ các phương án cho sẵn
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng, sai hoặc không được đề cập
- Yes/No/Not Given – Xác định quan điểm của tác giả
- Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề phù hợp với mỗi đoạn văn
- Summary Completion – Điền từ vào chỗ trống trong đoạn tóm tắt
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu với thông tin từ bài đọc
- Matching Features – Nối thông tin với các đối tượng tương ứng
- Short-answer Questions – Trả lời câu hỏi ngắn dựa trên thông tin trong bài
Việc nắm vững đặc điểm và chiến lược cho từng dạng câu hỏi sẽ giúp bạn tự tin hơn trong phòng thi. Một khía cạnh quan trọng mà nhiều người học gặp khó khăn là tips for achieving financial security, giúp hiểu rõ hơn về các khái niệm tài chính thường xuất hiện trong IELTS Reading.
Hướng dẫn làm bài IELTS Reading hiệu quả với chiến lược phân bổ thời gian
IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The FIRE Movement: A New Approach to Early Retirement
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
In recent years, a growing number of young professionals have embraced an unconventional lifestyle choice known as the FIRE movement – Financial Independence, Retire Early. Unlike traditional retirement planning, which typically aims for retirement at age 65, FIRE adherents pursue the goal of leaving the workforce in their 30s, 40s, or early 50s. This radical approach to personal finance has gained considerable traction, particularly among millennials who witnessed the economic instability of the 2008 financial crisis and question conventional career paths.
The core principle of FIRE is remarkably simple: save and invest a significant portion of your income – often 50% to 70% – until you accumulate enough wealth to support yourself without employment income. The movement is built on the “4% rule”, a guideline suggesting that retirees can safely withdraw 4% of their savings annually without running out of money. For example, someone with $1 million in savings could theoretically withdraw $40,000 per year indefinitely. To achieve early retirement, FIRE followers aggressively minimize their expenses while maximizing their income through various means such as side businesses, investment income, or career advancement.
There are several variations within the FIRE community, each suited to different personalities and circumstances. Lean FIRE practitioners aim to retire with minimal expenses, often living on $40,000 or less annually by adopting a frugal lifestyle. They might choose to live in low-cost areas, grow their own food, or embrace minimalism. In contrast, Fat FIRE adherents save significantly more money to maintain a more comfortable lifestyle in retirement, perhaps with annual expenses of $100,000 or more. A middle ground, Barista FIRE, involves leaving full-time employment but continuing to work part-time, which provides supplemental income and often health insurance benefits while still allowing for greater freedom and flexibility than traditional employment.
Geographic arbitrage represents another strategy employed by many in the FIRE movement. This involves relocating to areas with a lower cost of living, either within one’s home country or internationally. Some FIRE retirees move from expensive cities like San Francisco or New York to more affordable regions, while others become digital nomads, living in countries where their savings stretch much further. Thailand, Portugal, and Mexico have become popular destinations for FIRE practitioners due to their affordable living costs, pleasant climates, and welcoming communities.
Critics of the FIRE movement raise several concerns. They argue that the 4% rule may be too optimistic, particularly given increasing life expectancies and the possibility of extended periods of low investment returns. Medical expenses present another challenge, especially in countries like the United States where healthcare costs are high and often tied to employment. Additionally, critics suggest that retiring too early may lead to a loss of purpose and social connection, as many people derive significant meaning and social interaction from their careers. There’s also the risk of underestimating long-term expenses or encountering unexpected costs such as major home repairs or family emergencies.
Despite these concerns, FIRE advocates emphasize that the movement is not solely about early retirement but rather about achieving financial independence and having control over one’s time. Many who reach their FIRE number continue working, but on their own terms – perhaps pursuing passion projects, starting businesses, or engaging in meaningful volunteer work. The movement has sparked important conversations about consumer culture, work-life balance, and the traditional assumption that people must work until their mid-60s. It encourages individuals to be intentional about their spending, distinguish between needs and wants, and consider what truly brings satisfaction and fulfillment in life.
The psychological benefits of pursuing FIRE can be significant, even for those who don’t ultimately retire early. The process of tracking expenses, creating budgets, and investing regularly builds financial literacy and creates a sense of security. Many practitioners report reduced financial anxiety and increased confidence about their future. Moreover, having a substantial emergency fund and investment portfolio provides a safety net that allows people to take calculated risks, such as changing careers, starting businesses, or standing up to unfair treatment in the workplace.
However, achieving FIRE requires substantial discipline and sacrifice, particularly in the accumulation phase. This might mean driving an older car, forgoing expensive vacations, or living with roommates longer than peers. It demands a willingness to go against societal norms and potentially face criticism from friends and family who don’t understand the lifestyle choices. Furthermore, FIRE is more accessible to high-income earners; someone making $150,000 annually can much more easily save 60% of their income than someone earning $40,000. This has led to debates about the movement’s applicability across different income levels and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, what is the main reason millennials are attracted to the FIRE movement?
A) They want to travel more frequently
B) They experienced economic uncertainty and question traditional careers
C) They earn higher salaries than previous generations
D) They prefer not to work at all -
The “4% rule” suggests that:
A) Investors should save 4% of their income
B) Retirees can withdraw 4% of savings each year sustainably
C) People should retire at age 40
D) Investment returns average 4% annually -
Which variation of FIRE involves continuing part-time work after leaving full-time employment?
A) Lean FIRE
B) Fat FIRE
C) Barista FIRE
D) Geographic FIRE -
What is “geographic arbitrage” in the context of FIRE?
A) Investing in international stock markets
B) Moving to areas with lower living costs
C) Working remotely for foreign companies
D) Trading currencies for profit -
According to critics, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a concern about FIRE?
A) The 4% rule may be too optimistic
B) Healthcare costs can be problematic
C) Early retirees may lose sense of purpose
D) People will spend too much time with family
Questions 6-9: True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
Write:
- TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
- FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
- NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
- FIRE practitioners typically save between 50% and 70% of their income.
- All FIRE followers aim to live on less than $40,000 per year.
- Thailand has the largest community of FIRE retirees in the world.
- Pursuing FIRE can improve financial literacy even if you don’t retire early.
Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- Many FIRE adherents choose to live in places with __ to make their savings last longer.
- Critics worry that the FIRE lifestyle might lead to a loss of __ for early retirees.
- The FIRE movement encourages people to be __ about how they spend money.
- Achieving FIRE is easier for __ than for those with lower salaries.
PASSAGE 2 – Investment Strategies for Pre-Retirement Planning
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The journey toward early retirement necessitates a sophisticated understanding of investment principles and portfolio management strategies that extend far beyond basic savings accounts. While conventional wisdom suggests conservative investment approaches as retirement nears, early retirement planning requires a more nuanced strategy that balances growth potential with risk management across an extended time horizon. This comprehensive approach must account for inflation erosion, market volatility, tax efficiency, and the reality that retirement funds may need to sustain an individual for 50 years or more rather than the traditional 20 to 30 years.
Asset allocation forms the cornerstone of any robust retirement investment strategy. The traditional model suggests that investors should hold a percentage of bonds equal to their age, with the remainder in stocks. However, early retirement aspirants often require a more aggressive stance during their accumulation years, potentially maintaining 80% to 90% equity exposure to maximize growth. This elevated risk profile is justified by the extended time horizon, which allows for recovery from market downturns. As retirement approaches, the allocation gradually shifts toward more conservative holdings, though never as drastically as traditional retirees might, since early retirees face longer withdrawal periods. A typical early retiree might maintain a 60/40 or even 70/30 stock-to-bond ratio well into retirement to ensure their portfolio continues generating returns that outpace inflation.
Diversification remains paramount, yet its implementation for early retirement differs from conventional approaches. Rather than simply diversifying across domestic stocks and bonds, sophisticated investors incorporate international equities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), commodities, and increasingly, alternative investments such as peer-to-peer lending or cryptocurrency in modest allocations. This multi-asset approach provides protection against correlation risk – the danger that multiple investments will decline simultaneously. Geographic diversification proves particularly valuable, as economic challenges in one region may be offset by growth in another. For instance, when U.S. markets struggle, emerging markets might thrive, and vice versa.
The concept of tax-advantaged accounts deserves careful consideration in early retirement planning. In the United States, this includes 401(k) plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), each offering distinct benefits and limitations. Traditional retirement accounts provide immediate tax deductions but impose penalties on withdrawals before age 59½, creating a challenge for early retirees. However, strategies such as the “Roth conversion ladder” allow individuals to systematically convert traditional IRA funds to Roth IRAs, paying taxes during low-income years and accessing the funds penalty-free after five years. Similarly, Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) permit penalty-free early withdrawals if structured correctly, though they require careful planning and rigid adherence to withdrawal schedules.
Passive index investing has emerged as the predominant strategy among FIRE adherents, contrasting sharply with active management approaches. The reasoning is straightforward: index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking broad market indices offer several advantages: substantially lower fees (often 0.03% to 0.20% annually versus 1% or more for actively managed funds), tax efficiency through minimal trading, and performance that typically exceeds that of actively managed funds over extended periods. The legendary investor Warren Buffett has repeatedly advocated for index fund investing for most individuals, even instructing that his estate be invested primarily in index funds. For early retirement planning, the fee differential becomes particularly significant when compounded over decades – a seemingly modest 1% annual fee difference can reduce a portfolio’s value by 25% or more over 30 years. In today’s evolving economy, understanding how automation is changing job market dynamics helps retirees position their portfolios to benefit from technological shifts while protecting against disruption.
Real estate investment represents another crucial component for many pursuing early retirement, though approaches vary considerably. Some individuals pursue direct property ownership, becoming landlords to generate rental income that supplements investment withdrawals. This strategy offers inflation protection, tax advantages through depreciation, and the potential for property appreciation. However, it also demands active management, carries concentration risk, and may reduce liquidity. Alternatively, REITs provide real estate exposure without the management burden, offering dividend income and liquidity comparable to stocks. Real estate crowdfunding platforms have emerged as a middle ground, allowing investors to participate in specific properties or development projects with lower capital requirements than direct ownership while maintaining some degree of selection and control.
The sequence of returns risk poses a particularly insidious threat to early retirees. This phenomenon occurs when portfolio withdrawals coincide with market downturns, forcing the sale of assets at depressed prices and permanently reducing the portfolio’s capacity to recover. A retiree experiencing strong returns in early retirement years can weather later downturns, but the reverse scenario – poor initial returns – can prove devastating. Several strategies mitigate this risk: maintaining a cash buffer covering 1-2 years of expenses to avoid selling during downturns; implementing a dynamic withdrawal strategy that reduces spending during poor market years; employing a “bucket strategy” that segregates funds by time horizon, with near-term expenses covered by stable assets and distant expenses invested more aggressively; and maintaining flexibility in retirement spending to accommodate market conditions.
Behavioral finance research reveals that psychological factors often derail even well-constructed investment plans. Loss aversion – the tendency to feel losses more acutely than equivalent gains – may prompt investors to sell during market declines, locking in losses and missing subsequent recoveries. Recency bias leads investors to overweight recent events, assuming bull markets will continue indefinitely or that bear markets signal permanent decline. Overconfidence encourages excessive trading or concentration in individual stocks, despite evidence that diversification and patience typically produce superior outcomes. Successful early retirement planning requires not just financial knowledge but emotional discipline – the capacity to maintain one’s investment strategy during both euphoric market peaks and terrifying valleys. This is why many financial advisors emphasize the importance of creating an investment policy statement: a written document outlining one’s strategy, asset allocation, and decision-making criteria to consult during emotional moments when deviation from the plan seems tempting.
Chiến lược đầu tư thông minh cho kế hoạch nghỉ hưu sớm
Questions 14-18: Yes/No/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the passage?
Write:
- YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
- NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
- NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
- Early retirement planning requires a more aggressive investment approach than traditional retirement planning during accumulation years.
- All investors should convert their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs as soon as possible.
- Index funds generally outperform actively managed funds over long time periods.
- Owning rental properties is always better than investing in REITs for early retirees.
- Emotional discipline is as important as financial knowledge for investment success.
Questions 19-23: Matching Headings
The passage has eight paragraphs, A-H. Choose the correct heading for paragraphs D-H from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The danger of selling investments at the wrong time
ii. How emotions can undermine investment success
iii. Tax-efficient account strategies for early withdrawal
iv. The importance of spreading investments across different assets
v. Property investment options for retirement income
vi. Determining the right mix of stocks and bonds
vii. The benefits of low-cost index fund investing
viii. International versus domestic investment opportunities
- Paragraph D
- Paragraph E
- Paragraph F
- Paragraph G
- Paragraph H
Questions 24-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Early retirement planning requires understanding various investment strategies. Investors should maintain high 24. __ in stocks during their working years to maximize growth. The difference in 25. __ between index funds and actively managed funds can significantly impact portfolio value over time. One particular danger facing early retirees is 26. __, which occurs when market declines coincide with portfolio withdrawals, potentially devastating retirement funds.
PASSAGE 3 – The Psychological and Social Dimensions of Early Retirement Transition
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The attainment of financial independence and subsequent transition to early retirement, while ostensibly the realization of a meticulously planned objective, frequently precipitates a complex constellation of psychological, emotional, and social challenges that are inadequately addressed in the predominantly finance-focused discourse surrounding the phenomenon. Contemporary research in gerontology, positive psychology, and identity theory suggests that the subjective experience of early retirement diverges substantially from both traditional retirement transitions and the idealized narratives prevalent in FIRE community testimonials. This dissonance between expectation and reality stems from fundamental aspects of human psychology: the centrality of productive activity to self-concept, the role of professional identity in social positioning, and the hedonic adaptation that renders even initially euphoric life changes eventually routine.
The concept of occupational identity – the degree to which one’s professional role becomes integrated into one’s sense of self – proves particularly salient in understanding early retirement adjustment. Unlike traditional retirees who may have gradually disengaged from career ambitions and developed robust extra-professional identities over decades, early retirees often exit the workforce during peak career years, when professional identity remains ascendant. Research by organizational psychologists indicates that individuals in high-achievement professions – precisely those most likely to accumulate resources for early retirement – tend to exhibit stronger occupational identity fusion. The abrupt severance of this identity component can precipitate what sociologists term “status anxiety”, a psychological state characterized by uncertainty about one’s social position and value. This anxiety is frequently exacerbated by cultural narratives that conflate productivity with moral worth and view early retirement with suspicion, viewing it as either undeserved privilege or premature withdrawal from societal contribution.
The “arrival fallacy”, a term coined by positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar, describes the erroneous belief that reaching a goal will produce lasting happiness. This cognitive distortion proves remarkably prevalent among early retirement aspirants, many of whom endure years of stringent frugality and delayed gratification while maintaining an implicit assumption that financial independence represents a permanent transformation of subjective wellbeing. However, research on subjective wellbeing and life satisfaction consistently demonstrates that hedonic adaptation – the tendency to return to baseline happiness levels following positive or negative events – operates powerfully even in cases of major life changes. A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that retirees experienced an initial elevation in life satisfaction that largely dissipated within 18-24 months, with long-term satisfaction levels primarily predicted by factors such as health status, relationship quality, and sense of purpose rather than by financial circumstances beyond a threshold of basic security.
The temporal freedom that early retirement provides, while initially intoxicating, presents its own set of challenges related to structure, meaning, and motivation. Psychologists distinguish between “freedom from” – liberation from obligations, constraints, and unwanted activities – and “freedom to” – the capacity to pursue meaningful activities and self-determined goals. While early retirement clearly provides the former, the latter requires deliberate cultivation and cannot simply be assumed. The absence of external structure (work schedules, deadlines, professional objectives) necessitates the development of intrinsic motivation and self-directed purpose, capacities that may have atrophied during years of externally structured professional life. Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy emphasizes that meaning arises not from circumstance but from responsibility and contribution, suggesting that sustainable retirement satisfaction requires identifying new avenues for meaningful engagement rather than merely ceasing undesirable activities.
Social capital – the network of relationships and mutual obligations that provide practical assistance, emotional support, and sense of belonging – undergoes significant disruption during early retirement transition. The workplace provides not merely income but also social infrastructure: regular interaction, shared objectives, normative structure, and often friendships. Early retirees frequently discover that their social networks were more dependent on professional contexts than recognized, particularly when former colleagues remain immersed in career demands while the early retiree has fundamentally reoriented toward different priorities. The asynchronicity of early retirement – exiting the workforce decades before peers – can produce social isolation and difficulty relating to both working-age peers (who remain career-focused) and traditional retirees (who may be in different life stages with different concerns). This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in achievement-oriented cultures where professional accomplishment serves as a primary basis for social bonding and identity negotiation.
The philosophical concept of “eutrapelia”, derived from Aristotelian ethics, refers to the virtue of proper recreation – the capacity to engage in leisure appropriately, neither deficiently (becoming slothful) nor excessively (treating leisure trivially without purpose). This ancient wisdom highlights a truth often overlooked in contemporary retirement planning: leisure itself requires skill, cultivation, and intentionality. The commodification of leisure in modern consumer culture – the reduction of free time to consumptive activities like entertainment, dining, and tourism – provides superficial occupation but rarely generates the eudaimonic wellbeing (flourishing based on meaning and self-realization) that research identifies as crucial for life satisfaction. Early retirees who merely increase consumption of commodified leisure typically report diminishing returns and eventual dissatisfaction, whereas those who develop autotelic activities – pursuits intrinsically rewarding regardless of external outcomes, such as artistic creation, intellectual development, community service, or contemplative practices – demonstrate more robust long-term satisfaction.
Intergenerational dynamics present another frequently underestimated challenge. Early retirees with aging parents may find themselves assuming caregiving responsibilities precisely when they anticipated maximum freedom, while those with young children face the complexities of modeling non-traditional life paths and managing identity questions their children encounter when peers’ parents maintain conventional careers. The decision to pursue early retirement can generate familial conflict when partners maintain divergent values regarding work, consumption, and security, or when extended family members interpret the choice through lenses of judgment or incomprehension. These interpersonal dimensions demand not merely financial planning but ongoing communication, boundary-setting, and values clarification – skills infrequently addressed in retirement preparation resources.
Emerging research suggests that successful early retirement transitions share several characteristics: gradual disengagement from career (reducing work intensity before complete cessation), proactive social network cultivation (developing relationships and communities independent of workplace), purpose exploration before retirement (identifying meaningful post-career activities), realistic expectations (understanding that retirement solves financial constraint rather than guaranteeing happiness), and identity diversification (cultivating self-concept components beyond professional role). Psychiatrist George Vaillant’s longitudinal research spanning eight decades found that the capacity for “generativity” – contributing to the welfare of subsequent generations through mentoring, teaching, creativity, or community involvement – proved among the strongest predictors of successful aging. This suggests that sustainable early retirement requires not withdrawal from productive engagement but rather reorientation toward self-determined contribution that aligns with personal values rather than economic necessity.
The optimal conceptualization of early retirement, then, is not as cessation of work but as liberation to work differently – to pursue productive engagement aligned with intrinsic motivation rather than economic compulsion, to contribute according to personal values rather than market demands, and to balance contemplation with action, solitude with community, and personal fulfillment with social contribution. This more nuanced understanding acknowledges both the genuine benefits of financial independence – reduced stress, increased autonomy, expanded opportunities for growth and connection – and its inherent limitations in directly producing wellbeing. The financial freedom that early retirement provides represents not an end state but rather a foundation upon which meaningful life must still be intentionally constructed through ongoing effort, adaptation, and cultivation of capabilities that extend far beyond the financial domain.
Thách thức tâm lý và xã hội khi chuyển sang giai đoạn nghỉ hưu sớm
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, what makes early retirement transition psychologically different from traditional retirement?
A) Early retirees have more money saved
B) Early retirees leave during peak career years when professional identity is strongest
C) Traditional retirees are always happier
D) Early retirement is more socially acceptable -
What is the “arrival fallacy”?
A) The mistaken belief that achieving a goal will bring permanent happiness
B) The difficulty of arriving at retirement age
C) The failure to save enough money
D) The assumption that retirement will be boring -
According to research mentioned in the passage, long-term retirement satisfaction is primarily determined by:
A) The amount of money saved
B) The age at which you retire
C) Factors like health, relationships, and sense of purpose
D) The country where you retire -
The concept of “eutrapelia” refers to:
A) Avoiding all work after retirement
B) The virtue of engaging in leisure appropriately and purposefully
C) Spending money freely in retirement
D) Traveling as much as possible -
What does the passage suggest is the best way to conceptualize early retirement?
A) As complete cessation of all productive activity
B) As permanent vacation
C) As liberation to work differently according to personal values
D) As withdrawal from society
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each concept (32-36) with the correct description (A-H).
Concepts:
32. Occupational identity
33. Hedonic adaptation
34. Social capital
35. Autotelic activities
36. Generativity
Descriptions:
A. Network of relationships providing support and belonging
B. Tendency to return to baseline happiness after major changes
C. Contributing to welfare of future generations
D. The degree professional role integrates into self-concept
E. Activities focused on making money
F. Pursuits that are intrinsically rewarding regardless of outcomes
G. Financial investment strategies
H. Health insurance coverage
Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- What psychological state results from uncertainty about one’s social position after leaving work?
- What two types of freedom do psychologists distinguish between?
- According to the passage, what type of wellbeing is based on meaning and self-realization rather than pleasure?
- What characteristic involves reducing work intensity before completely stopping?
Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- B
- C
- B
- D
- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN
- TRUE
- lower cost/affordable living costs (hoặc tương đương)
- purpose and social connection
- intentional
- high-income earners
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- YES
- NOT GIVEN
- YES
- NO
- YES
- iii
- vii
- v
- i
- ii
- equity exposure
- fee differential/fees
- sequence of returns risk
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- A
- C
- B
- C
- D
- B
- A
- F
- C
- status anxiety
- freedom from/freedom to
- eudaimonic wellbeing
- gradual disengagement
Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: millennials, attracted, FIRE movement, main reason
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “particularly among millennials who witnessed the economic instability of the 2008 financial crisis and question conventional career paths”. Đây là paraphrase của đáp án B “They experienced economic uncertainty and question traditional careers”. Các đáp án khác không được đề cập như lý do chính.
Câu 2: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: 4% rule, suggests
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: Bài viết giải thích “The movement is built on the ‘4% rule’, a guideline suggesting that retirees can safely withdraw 4% of their savings annually without running out of money”. Đây chính xác là đáp án B. Đáp án A sai vì 4% không phải là tỷ lệ tiết kiệm.
Câu 3: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: variation, FIRE, part-time work
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 6-8
- Giải thích: “Barista FIRE involves leaving full-time employment but continuing to work part-time” – đây là thông tin trực tiếp khớp với câu hỏi.
Câu 6: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: FIRE practitioners, save, 50%, 70%, income
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói rõ “save and invest a significant portion of your income – often 50% to 70%”, trùng khớp hoàn toàn với statement.
Câu 7: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: all FIRE followers, less than $40,000
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-5
- Giải thích: Statement sai vì bài viết phân biệt rõ “Lean FIRE practitioners aim to retire with minimal expenses, often living on $40,000 or less” nhưng “Fat FIRE adherents save significantly more money to maintain a more comfortable lifestyle in retirement, perhaps with annual expenses of $100,000 or more”. Không phải tất cả FIRE followers đều sống dưới $40,000.
Câu 10: lower cost/affordable living costs
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: choose to live, savings last longer
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “Geographic arbitrage… involves relocating to areas with a lower cost of living” và “countries where their savings stretch much further” – đây là paraphrase của “make savings last longer”.
Câu 13: high-income earners
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: achieving FIRE, easier
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: “FIRE is more accessible to high-income earners; someone making $150,000 annually can much more easily save 60% of their income than someone earning $40,000” – từ “more accessible” và “more easily” paraphrase từ “easier” trong câu hỏi.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: early retirement planning, aggressive investment approach, accumulation years
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B, dòng 4-7
- Giải thích: “Early retirement aspirants often require a more aggressive stance during their accumulation years, potentially maintaining 80% to 90% equity exposure to maximize growth” – đây là quan điểm rõ ràng của tác giả, đồng ý với statement.
Câu 16: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: index funds, outperform, actively managed funds, long time periods
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn E, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: “Performance that typically exceeds that of actively managed funds over extended periods” – tác giả rõ ràng khẳng định điều này, còn dẫn cả Warren Buffett để hỗ trợ quan điểm.
Câu 17: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: owning rental properties, always better, REITs
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn F, toàn đoạn
- Giải thích: Tác giả trình bày cả ưu nhược điểm của cả hai, với direct property ownership có “inflation protection, tax advantages” nhưng “demands active management, carries concentration risk” trong khi REITs “provide real estate exposure without the management burden, offering dividend income and liquidity”. Không có ý kiến nào là “always better”.
Câu 19: iii (Tax-efficient account strategies for early withdrawal)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn D
- Giải thích: Đoạn này tập trung vào “tax-advantaged accounts” và các chiến lược như “Roth conversion ladder” và “Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP)” để rút tiền sớm không bị phạt.
Câu 20: vii (The benefits of low-cost index fund investing)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn E
- Giải thích: Toàn bộ đoạn E nói về “Passive index investing” và các lợi ích như “substantially lower fees”, “tax efficiency” và “performance that typically exceeds that of actively managed funds”.
Câu 24: equity exposure
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: maintain high, stocks, working years
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: “Maintaining 80% to 90% equity exposure to maximize growth” – “equity exposure” là cụm từ chính xác trong bài.
Câu 26: sequence of returns risk
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: danger, market declines, portfolio withdrawals, devastating
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn G, dòng 1-4
- Giải thích: “The sequence of returns risk poses a particularly insidious threat to early retirees. This phenomenon occurs when portfolio withdrawals coincide with market downturns… can prove devastating”.
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: early retirement transition, psychologically different, traditional retirement
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B, dòng 1-4
- Giải thích: “Unlike traditional retirees who may have gradually disengaged from career ambitions… early retirees often exit the workforce during peak career years, when professional identity remains ascendant” – đây là sự khác biệt tâm lý chính được tác giả nhấn mạnh.
Câu 28: A
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: arrival fallacy
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn C, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “The ‘arrival fallacy’… describes the erroneous belief that reaching a goal will produce lasting happiness” – định nghĩa chính xác trong bài.
Câu 29: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: long-term retirement satisfaction, primarily determined
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn C, dòng 7-9
- Giải thích: “Long-term satisfaction levels primarily predicted by factors such as health status, relationship quality, and sense of purpose rather than by financial circumstances” – nghiên cứu được trích dẫn rõ ràng.
Câu 31: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: best way to conceptualize early retirement
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn I, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “The optimal conceptualization of early retirement… is not as cessation of work but as liberation to work differently – to pursue productive engagement aligned with intrinsic motivation rather than economic compulsion” – đây là kết luận chính của tác giả.
Câu 32: D (Occupational identity – The degree professional role integrates into self-concept)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B, dòng 1
- Giải thích: “The concept of occupational identity – the degree to which one’s professional role becomes integrated into one’s sense of self” – định nghĩa trực tiếp.
Câu 35: F (Autotelic activities – Pursuits that are intrinsically rewarding regardless of outcomes)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn F, dòng 7-9
- Giải thích: “Autotelic activities – pursuits intrinsically rewarding regardless of external outcomes, such as artistic creation, intellectual development, community service, or contemplative practices” – định nghĩa trong ngoặc đơn.
Câu 37: status anxiety
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: psychological state, uncertainty, social position, leaving work
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn B, dòng 5-6
- Giải thích: “The abrupt severance of this identity component can precipitate what sociologists term ‘status anxiety’, a psychological state characterized by uncertainty about one’s social position and value”.
Câu 38: freedom from/freedom to
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: two types of freedom, psychologists distinguish
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn D, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: “Psychologists distinguish between ‘freedom from’ – liberation from obligations, constraints, and unwanted activities – and ‘freedom to’ – the capacity to pursue meaningful activities and self-determined goals”.
Câu 40: gradual disengagement
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: reducing work intensity, before completely stopping
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn H, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “Gradual disengagement from career (reducing work intensity before complete cessation)” – đây là đặc điểm đầu tiên trong danh sách các yếu tố thành công.
Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage
Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unconventional | adj | /ˌʌnkənˈvenʃənl/ | không theo thông lệ, khác thường | an unconventional lifestyle choice | unconventional approach/method |
| traction | n | /ˈtrækʃn/ | sự thu hút, sức hút | gained considerable traction | gain/gather traction |
| aggressively | adv | /əˈɡresɪvli/ | một cách quyết liệt, mạnh mẽ | aggressively minimize their expenses | aggressively pursue/invest |
| frugal | adj | /ˈfruːɡl/ | tiết kiệm, khắc khổ | adopting a frugal lifestyle | frugal living/habits |
| minimalism | n | /ˈmɪnɪməlɪzəm/ | chủ nghĩa tối giản | embrace minimalism | practice/adopt minimalism |
| arbitrage | n | /ˈɑːbɪtrɑːʒ/ | kinh doanh chênh lệch giá | geographic arbitrage | currency/tax arbitrage |
| life expectancy | n | /laɪf ɪkˈspektənsi/ | tuổi thọ trung bình | increasing life expectancies | average/longer life expectancy |
| intentional | adj | /ɪnˈtenʃənl/ | có chủ đích, có ý thức | be intentional about spending | intentional living/decision |
| literacy | n | /ˈlɪtərəsi/ | hiểu biết, am hiểu | builds financial literacy | financial/digital literacy |
| discipline | n | /ˈdɪsəplɪn/ | kỷ luật, tính tự giác | requires substantial discipline | self-discipline, maintain discipline |
| societal norm | n | /səˈsaɪətl nɔːm/ | chuẩn mực xã hội | go against societal norms | challenge/conform to norms |
| accessible | adj | /əkˈsesəbl/ | dễ tiếp cận, khả thi | more accessible to high earners | easily/readily accessible |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sophisticated | adj | /səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd/ | phức tạp, tinh vi | sophisticated understanding | sophisticated approach/strategy |
| nuanced | adj | /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ | có nhiều sắc thái | more nuanced strategy | nuanced understanding/view |
| volatility | n | /ˌvɒləˈtɪləti/ | tính biến động | market volatility | high/extreme volatility |
| erosion | n | /ɪˈrəʊʒn/ | sự xói mòn | inflation erosion | soil/wealth erosion |
| cornerstone | n | /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/ | nền tảng, trụ cột | forms the cornerstone | cornerstone of strategy |
| allocation | n | /ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/ | sự phân bổ | asset allocation | resource/budget allocation |
| equity exposure | n | /ˈekwəti ɪkˈspəʊʒə/ | mức độ đầu tư vào cổ phiếu | 80% equity exposure | increase/reduce exposure |
| diversification | n | /daɪˌvɜːsɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ | đa dạng hóa | diversification remains paramount | portfolio diversification |
| correlation | n | /ˌkɒrəˈleɪʃn/ | mối tương quan | protection against correlation risk | strong/positive correlation |
| tax-advantaged | adj | /tæks ədˈvɑːntɪdʒd/ | có lợi về thuế | tax-advantaged accounts | tax-advantaged investment |
| passive investing | n | /ˈpæsɪv ɪnˈvestɪŋ/ | đầu tư thụ động | passive index investing | passive income/strategy |
| fee differential | n | /fiː ˌdɪfəˈrenʃl/ | chênh lệch phí | the fee differential | price/wage differential |
| sequence of returns | n | /ˈsiːkwəns əv rɪˈtɜːnz/ | trình tự sinh lời | sequence of returns risk | return sequence matters |
| cash buffer | n | /kæʃ ˈbʌfə/ | quỹ dự phòng tiền mặt | maintaining a cash buffer | build/establish buffer |
| behavioral finance | n | /bɪˈheɪvjərəl ˈfaɪnæns/ | tài chính hành vi | behavioral finance research | behavioral economics |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| precipitate | v | /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/ | gây ra, làm xảy ra đột ngột | precipitates challenges | precipitate crisis/change |
| constellation | n | /ˌkɒnstəˈleɪʃn/ | chòm sao, tập hợp | constellation of challenges | constellation of factors |
| gerontology | n | /ˌdʒerənˈtɒlədʒi/ | khoa lão học | research in gerontology | social gerontology |
| dissonance | n | /ˈdɪsənəns/ | sự bất hòa, mâu thuẫn | dissonance between expectation | cognitive dissonance |
| hedonic adaptation | n | /hiːˈdɒnɪk ˌædæpˈteɪʃn/ | thích nghi khoái lạc | hedonic adaptation operates | hedonic treadmill |
| occupational identity | n | /ˌɒkjuˈpeɪʃənl aɪˈdentəti/ | bản sắc nghề nghiệp | concept of occupational identity | professional/social identity |
| salient | adj | /ˈseɪliənt/ | nổi bật, đáng chú ý | proves particularly salient | salient feature/point |
| ascendant | adj | /əˈsendənt/ | đang lên, chiếm ưu thế | identity remains ascendant | ascendant position/power |
| severance | n | /ˈsevərəns/ | sự cắt đứt, chia ly | severance of identity | severance pay/package |
| status anxiety | n | /ˈsteɪtəs æŋˈzaɪəti/ | lo âu về địa vị | term status anxiety | social anxiety |
| arrival fallacy | n | /əˈraɪvl ˈfæləsi/ | ngụy biện đến đích | the arrival fallacy describes | logical fallacy |
| subjective wellbeing | n | /səbˈdʒektɪv ˈwelbiːɪŋ/ | hạnh phúc chủ quan | transformation of wellbeing | emotional/psychological wellbeing |
| intrinsic motivation | n | /ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃn/ | động lực nội tại | development of intrinsic motivation | extrinsic/internal motivation |
| logotherapy | n | /ˌləʊɡəʊˈθerəpi/ | liệu pháp ý nghĩa | Frankl’s logotherapy | therapeutic approach |
| social capital | n | /ˈsəʊʃl ˈkæpɪtl/ | vốn xã hội | social capital undergoes disruption | build/maintain social capital |
| asynchronicity | n | /eɪˌsɪŋkrəˈnɪsəti/ | tính không đồng bộ | the asynchronicity of retirement | temporal asynchronicity |
| eutrapelia | n | /juːtrəˈpiːliə/ | đức tính giải trí đúng đắn | concept of eutrapelia | Aristotelian virtue |
| commodification | n | /kəˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ | thương mại hóa | commodification of leisure | commodification of culture |
| eudaimonic | adj | /juːdaɪˈmɒnɪk/ | thuộc về hạnh phúc ý nghĩa | eudaimonic wellbeing | eudaimonic happiness |
| autotelic | adj | /ˌɔːtəʊˈtelɪk/ | tự thân là mục đích | autotelic activities | autotelic experience |
| generativity | n | /ˌdʒenəˈrætɪvəti/ | khả năng truyền đời | capacity for generativity | generative concern |
Kết Luận
Đề thi IELTS Reading về chủ đề “How To Prepare For Retirement Early” đã cung cấp cho bạn một bài luyện tập toàn diện với ba passages có độ khó tăng dần từ Band 5.0 đến Band 9.0. Chủ đề nghỉ hưu sớm không chỉ xuất hiện thường xuyên trong các đề thi IELTS thực tế mà còn mang lại kiến thức thực tiễn về lập kế hoạch tài chính và quản lý cuộc sống.
Qua bài thi này, bạn đã được thực hành với tám dạng câu hỏi khác nhau, từ Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given đến Matching Headings và Summary Completion. Mỗi dạng câu hỏi đòi hỏi kỹ năng đọc hiểu và chiến lược riêng biệt. Passage 1 giúp bạn làm quen với thông tin cơ bản về FIRE movement, Passage 2 đi sâu vào các chiến lược đầu tư phức tạp hơn, trong khi Passage 3 thách thức khả năng hiểu các khái niệm trừu tượng về tâm lý và xã hội học.
Phần đáp án chi tiết đã chỉ ra chính xác vị trí thông tin trong bài, cách paraphrase giữa câu hỏi và đoạn văn, cũng như lý do tại sao các đáp án khác không chính xác. Đây là những kỹ năng quan trọng giúp bạn tự đánh giá và cải thiện phương pháp làm bài. Bảng từ vựng theo từng passage cung cấp hơn 40 từ vựng quan trọng với phiên âm, nghĩa, ví dụ và collocations, giúp bạn mở rộng vốn từ học thuật cần thiết cho IELTS Reading.
Hãy nhớ rằng việc luyện tập thường xuyên với các đề thi mẫu chất lượng cao như thế này là chìa khóa để cải thiện band điểm Reading của bạn. Đừng chỉ tập trung vào việc làm đúng câu trả lời mà hãy phân tích kỹ từng câu hỏi, hiểu rõ cách IELTS kiểm tra khả năng đọc hiểu của bạn, và rút ra bài học từ những sai lầm. Chúc bạn đạt kết quả cao trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!
