Mở Bài
Chủ đề bảo vệ môi trường và phát triển bền vững luôn là một trong những chủ đề hot nhất trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading. Đặc biệt, việc giảm thiểu tác động môi trường tại nơi làm việc là một khía cạnh thực tiễn mà Cambridge IELTS thường xuyên khai thác trong các đề thi từ năm 2018 đến nay. Chủ đề này không chỉ xuất hiện ở dạng bài học thuật mà còn liên quan đến các bài đọc về kinh doanh, công nghệ và trách nhiệm xã hội của doanh nghiệp.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được luyện tập với một đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh gồm 3 passages với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard. Đề thi bao gồm đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi với 7 dạng bài khác nhau – hoàn toàn giống với format thi thật. Mỗi passage đi kèm với đáp án chi tiết, giải thích cụ thể về cách paraphrase và vị trí thông tin trong bài, cùng với bảng từ vựng quan trọng kèm phiên âm và ví dụ thực tế.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên có mục tiêu từ band 5.0 trở lên, với mức độ khó tăng dần giúp bạn làm quen với áp lực thời gian và yêu cầu kỹ năng đọc hiểu trong kỳ thi thực tế.
1. Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading Test kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Điểm số được tính dựa trên số câu trả lời đúng, không trừ điểm cho câu sai. Việc phân bổ thời gian hợp lý là chìa khóa để hoàn thành tất cả các câu hỏi.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1: 15-17 phút (độ khó Easy, 13 câu hỏi)
- Passage 2: 18-20 phút (độ khó Medium, 13 câu hỏi)
- Passage 3: 23-25 phút (độ khó Hard, 14 câu hỏi)
Lưu ý dành 2-3 phút cuối để chuyển đáp án vào Answer Sheet, đặc biệt chú ý chính tả và format câu trả lời.
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 nhiều lựa chọn
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không được đề cập
- Matching Information – Nối thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu với từ trong bài
- Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn
- Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
- Short-answer Questions – Câu hỏi trả lời ngắn
Mỗi dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu kỹ năng đọc khác nhau: scanning (quét thông tin), skimming (đọc lướt), và detailed reading (đọc chi tiết).
2. IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – Green Offices: Small Changes, Big Impact
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
The modern workplace is undergoing a significant transformation as businesses worldwide recognize their responsibility to reduce environmental impact. While large-scale industrial changes grab headlines, the cumulative effect of small modifications in office environments can be equally impressive. Understanding how to implement practical eco-friendly measures in everyday work settings is becoming essential knowledge for both employers and employees.
One of the most straightforward approaches to reducing workplace environmental footprint involves managing energy consumption. Many offices leave computers, printers, and other electronic devices running overnight, wasting substantial amounts of electricity. A simple policy requiring employees to shut down equipment at the end of each workday can reduce energy usage by up to 15%. Additionally, replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with LED alternatives consumes 75% less energy and lasts 25 times longer. Motion-sensor lighting in corridors and storage areas ensures lights operate only when necessary, preventing unnecessary waste.
Paper consumption remains a major environmental concern in office settings. Despite predictions of a paperless future, the average office worker still uses approximately 10,000 sheets of paper annually. However, several strategies can dramatically reduce this figure. Double-sided printing should be the default setting on all office printers, immediately cutting paper use in half. Encouraging digital document sharing through cloud-based platforms eliminates the need for printed copies during meetings and collaborative projects. When printing is unavoidable, using recycled paper with high post-consumer content reduces demand for virgin materials and supports recycling industries.
The office kitchen and dining areas present numerous opportunities for environmental improvement. Single-use plastics, including disposable cups, plates, and cutlery, contribute significantly to workplace waste. Providing employees with reusable alternatives such as ceramic mugs, metal utensils, and glass containers can eliminate thousands of disposable items annually. Many progressive companies now offer dishwashing facilities to make this transition more convenient. Furthermore, installing water filtration systems reduces reliance on bottled water, which requires extensive resources to produce and transport.
Transportation choices represent another critical area where workplace practices affect the environment. Companies can incentivize sustainable commuting by offering benefits to employees who cycle, use public transport, or participate in carpooling programs. Some organizations provide secure bicycle storage, shower facilities, and changing rooms to encourage cycling. Others implement flexible working hours to help employees avoid peak traffic times, reducing both commute times and vehicle emissions. The growing trend of remote work arrangements also substantially decreases transportation-related environmental impact, as employees working from home eliminate their daily commute entirely.
Waste management systems in offices often lack proper separation of recyclable materials. Establishing clearly labeled recycling stations for paper, plastic, glass, and metal throughout the workplace makes it easier for employees to dispose of waste correctly. Composting programs for food waste from office kitchens can divert organic material from landfills, where it would otherwise produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Regular audits of waste streams help identify opportunities for improvement and track progress toward waste reduction goals.
The purchasing decisions made by office managers significantly influence environmental impact. Sustainable procurement policies prioritize products with minimal packaging, recycled content, and energy-efficient certifications. Buying supplies in bulk reduces packaging waste and transportation emissions. Choosing suppliers with strong environmental credentials sends market signals that encourage more businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices. Electronic equipment should be selected based on energy efficiency ratings and the manufacturer’s commitment to responsible disposal and recycling programs.
Creating a culture of environmental awareness requires ongoing education and engagement. Many employees want to reduce their environmental impact but lack knowledge about effective strategies. Regular workshops, informational posters, and email campaigns can provide practical tips and highlight the collective impact of individual actions. Recognizing and celebrating achievements, such as reaching waste reduction targets or energy savings goals, reinforces positive behaviors and maintains momentum for environmental initiatives.
Questions 1-13
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, what percentage of energy can be saved by shutting down office equipment daily?
A. 5%
B. 15%
C. 25%
D. 75% -
How much paper does an average office worker use each year?
A. 1,000 sheets
B. 5,000 sheets
C. 10,000 sheets
D. 15,000 sheets -
What is mentioned as a benefit of LED light bulbs compared to traditional bulbs?
A. They last 15 times longer
B. They consume 50% less energy
C. They last 25 times longer
D. They are cheaper to purchase -
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way companies encourage sustainable commuting?
A. Providing bicycle storage
B. Offering shower facilities
C. Giving free public transport passes
D. Implementing flexible working hours -
According to the passage, why is composting food waste important?
A. It saves money for companies
B. It prevents methane production in landfills
C. It creates fertilizer for office plants
D. It reduces the need for waste collection
Questions 6-9: True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information 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
- Motion-sensor lighting is more expensive than traditional lighting systems.
- Double-sided printing can reduce paper consumption by 50%.
- Most companies provide dishwashing facilities for employees.
- Remote work completely eliminates an employee’s environmental impact.
Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- Installing __ __ in offices decreases the need for bottled water.
- Companies should choose suppliers who have strong __ __.
- Buying office supplies in __ reduces both packaging waste and transportation emissions.
- Regular __ and email campaigns help educate employees about environmental practices.
PASSAGE 2 – Corporate Sustainability: Beyond Compliance
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The evolution of corporate environmental responsibility has progressed far beyond mere regulatory compliance. Today’s leading organizations recognize that proactive environmental stewardship not only benefits the planet but also enhances brand reputation, attracts talent, and can generate significant cost savings. This shift reflects a broader understanding that businesses operate within ecological systems whose health directly impacts long-term commercial viability.
A. The concept of the circular economy has gained considerable traction among forward-thinking companies seeking to minimize workplace environmental impact. Unlike the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” circular economy principles emphasize keeping materials in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling. In practice, this might involve leasing rather than purchasing office furniture, enabling manufacturers to reclaim and refurbish items at the end of their service life. Technology companies have pioneered take-back programs where old equipment is collected, refurbished, and either resold or responsibly recycled, recovering valuable materials while preventing electronic waste from reaching landfills. Such initiatives require collaboration across supply chains but demonstrate how businesses can decouple economic growth from resource consumption.
B. Energy consumption in commercial buildings accounts for approximately 40% of total energy use in developed nations, making it a critical area for environmental intervention. Comprehensive energy audits identify specific inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement, from outdated HVAC systems to poorly insulated buildings. Smart building technologies now enable real-time monitoring of energy consumption, automatically adjusting heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy and external conditions. Some innovative companies have invested in on-site renewable energy generation, installing solar panels on rooftops or, where geography permits, small wind turbines. While the initial capital investment can be substantial, declining renewable energy costs combined with government incentives and long-term energy savings increasingly make such projects financially viable. Moreover, green building certifications like LEED or BREEAM provide frameworks for sustainable design and operation while offering third-party validation of environmental performance.
C. Water conservation often receives less attention than energy efficiency in workplace environmental discussions, yet it represents an equally important consideration, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. Commercial buildings consume vast quantities of water for sanitation, cooling systems, and landscaping. Low-flow fixtures for toilets, faucets, and urinals can reduce water consumption by 30-50% with minimal impact on functionality. Rainwater harvesting systems collect precipitation from building surfaces, storing it for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing, irrigation, and industrial processes. Greywater recycling systems treat wastewater from sinks and showers, making it suitable for similar applications. Additionally, xeriscaping – landscaping designed to minimize irrigation needs through drought-resistant plants and efficient design – can dramatically reduce outdoor water consumption. These measures not only conserve a vital resource but also reduce costs associated with water supply and wastewater treatment.
D. The embodied carbon of products – the total greenhouse gas emissions generated during their manufacture, transportation, and disposal – increasingly influences procurement decisions. A comprehensive assessment considers not just a product’s operational efficiency but its entire lifecycle impact. For instance, while a particular type of office furniture might be less expensive initially, products made from sustainably harvested materials, designed for disassembly, and shipped shorter distances may prove more environmentally sound overall. Digital tools now enable businesses to calculate and compare the carbon footprints of different products and suppliers, facilitating informed purchasing decisions. Some organizations have implemented carbon budgets for different departments, creating accountability and encouraging careful consideration of the environmental implications of procurement choices.
E. Employee engagement constitutes perhaps the most underutilized lever for reducing workplace environmental impact. Research consistently demonstrates that employees want to work for organizations whose values align with their own, and environmental responsibility ranks high among concerns, particularly for younger workers. Participatory approaches that involve employees in identifying problems and developing solutions generate both better ideas and stronger commitment to implementation. Green teams – cross-functional groups of volunteer employees who champion environmental initiatives – can drive change throughout organizations. Gamification strategies, where individuals or departments compete to achieve environmental targets, tap into natural competitiveness while building awareness. Recognition programs that celebrate environmental achievements reinforce desired behaviors and help sustain momentum for long-term cultural change.
F. Supply chain management represents a complex but crucial dimension of corporate environmental responsibility. Companies increasingly recognize that their environmental impact extends far beyond their direct operations to encompass their entire value chain. Supplier codes of conduct now routinely include environmental criteria, and leading organizations conduct regular audits to ensure compliance. Collaborative approaches work with suppliers to improve their environmental performance rather than simply switching to alternatives, recognizing that such partnerships can drive industry-wide improvements. Transportation and logistics optimization, including route planning algorithms and load consolidation, reduces fuel consumption and emissions. Some companies have incentivized suppliers to locate closer to operations, minimizing transportation distances and associated environmental impacts.
G. Transparent reporting of environmental performance has become increasingly important as stakeholders demand accountability. Standardized frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative provide guidelines for measuring and communicating environmental impacts, enabling comparisons across organizations and industries. Third-party verification adds credibility to claims and helps prevent greenwashing – the practice of misleading consumers about environmental practices or benefits. Progressive companies now publish detailed sustainability reports covering energy consumption, waste generation, water use, and carbon emissions, often setting ambitious public targets for future improvement. This transparency not only demonstrates accountability but can also reveal previously unrecognized opportunities for enhancement and cost savings.
Questions 14-26
Questions 14-18: Matching Headings
The passage has seven paragraphs, A-G. Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The importance of honest environmental communication
ii. Extending responsibility throughout the business network
iii. Rethinking product lifecycles in workplace settings
iv. Engaging the workforce in environmental initiatives
v. Addressing the overlooked resource of water
vi. Evaluating total environmental costs of purchases
vii. Reducing energy demand in office buildings
viii. Government regulations for workplace sustainability
ix. The financial benefits of environmental programs
- Paragraph A
- Paragraph B
- Paragraph C
- Paragraph D
- Paragraph E
Questions 19-22: Yes/No/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in the passage?
Write:
- YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
- NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
- NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
- Circular economy models prevent businesses from achieving economic growth.
- Smart building technologies can automatically control office environmental systems.
- All companies should prioritize water conservation over energy efficiency.
- Younger workers are particularly concerned about environmental responsibility in their employers.
Questions 23-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Corporate environmental responsibility now extends beyond simple 23. __. Companies are implementing circular economy principles to keep 24. __ in use longer. Energy consumption can be monitored through 25. __ technologies, while water conservation includes systems for 26. __ and greywater recycling.
PASSAGE 3 – The Systemic Transformation of Workplace Ecology
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The discourse surrounding environmental sustainability in professional contexts has undergone a paradigmatic evolution, transitioning from peripheral corporate social responsibility initiatives to core strategic imperatives that fundamentally reshape organizational operations. This transformation reflects a growing recognition that the anthropogenic impacts of commercial activity have reached a scale where incremental adjustments prove insufficient, necessitating comprehensive systemic redesign of how businesses function within ecological boundaries. The workplace, as a nexus of resource consumption, waste generation, and human behavior, represents a critical frontier in this broader societal metamorphosis toward sustainability.
Contemporary research in organizational ecology reveals that meaningful environmental impact reduction requires moving beyond isolated interventions toward integrated approaches that recognize the complex interdependencies between different aspects of workplace operations. The reductionist tendency to focus on singular issues – whether energy, waste, or transportation – often produces suboptimal outcomes because it fails to account for system-level interactions and potential unintended consequences. For instance, a company might successfully reduce office energy consumption by encouraging remote work, yet this apparent gain could be offset if home offices prove less energy-efficient than centralized facilities, or if reduced commuting leads to increased personal vehicle use for other purposes. Life cycle assessment methodologies provide more comprehensive analytical frameworks, evaluating environmental impacts across multiple dimensions and temporal scales, thereby illuminating trade-offs and synergies that simpler metrics obscure.
The emerging field of industrial ecology offers conceptual tools for reimagining workplace environmental impacts through a systems lens. Drawing analogies from natural ecosystems where waste products from one organism become resources for others, industrial ecology envisions industrial symbiosis arrangements where different organizations exchange materials, energy, and information in mutually beneficial configurations. In practice, this might involve several companies co-locating to share infrastructure, with waste heat from one facility providing energy for another, or byproduct streams from one production process serving as raw materials elsewhere. While such arrangements have traditionally been geographically constrained, digital platforms now enable more distributed forms of industrial symbiosis, connecting organizations across broader regions. The workplace implications extend beyond manufacturing to include service sectors, where shared facilities, collaborative purchasing, and coordinated logistics can generate substantial efficiency gains and environmental benefits.
Behavioral economics and organizational psychology contribute crucial insights into the human dimensions of workplace environmental impact reduction. Traditional approaches often assume that providing information about environmental problems will automatically translate into behavior change, yet empirical evidence consistently demonstrates the inadequacy of this information-deficit model. Human decision-making involves complex cognitive processes influenced by social norms, institutional structures, and psychological biases that can either facilitate or impede sustainable practices. Choice architecture – the deliberate design of decision contexts – offers powerful tools for promoting environmentally beneficial behaviors. Making sustainable options the default choice, ensuring visible feedback about environmental impacts of decisions, and leveraging social comparison through peer benchmarking have all demonstrated effectiveness in modifying workplace behaviors. However, such approaches raise important ethical questions about manipulation versus enablement, requiring careful consideration of how to respect individual autonomy while encouraging collective environmental responsibility.
The technological dimension of workplace environmental impact reduction encompasses both opportunities and challenges. Digitalization enables dramatic reductions in paper consumption, facilitates remote work that eliminates commuting, and provides data for optimizing resource use. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms can identify patterns and inefficiencies invisible to human observation, suggesting interventions and automatically adjusting building systems for optimal performance. Internet of Things sensors deployed throughout workplaces generate granular data about energy consumption, occupancy patterns, and environmental conditions, enabling precision management previously unattainable. Blockchain technology promises enhanced supply chain transparency, allowing detailed tracking of products’ environmental credentials. However, these technologies themselves carry environmental costs through their energy-intensive computational requirements, the rare earth minerals required for hardware production, and the electronic waste generated by rapid obsolescence cycles. A critical assessment must weigh technological solutions’ benefits against their own environmental footprints, avoiding solutionist fallacies that assume technology alone can address fundamentally social and economic challenges.
The intersection of workplace environmental sustainability with social equity considerations has received increasing attention through the environmental justice lens. Environmental impacts and benefits distribute unevenly across different populations, with disadvantaged communities often bearing disproportionate burdens. Within organizations, sustainability initiatives can similarly have differential effects on various employee groups. For example, bicycle commuting programs may be more accessible to younger, healthier employees living in areas with appropriate infrastructure, while potentially disadvantaging those with disabilities, caring responsibilities, or residing in poorly connected neighborhoods. Inclusive sustainability approaches recognize these disparities, ensuring that environmental initiatives don’t inadvertently exacerbate existing inequalities. This might involve providing multiple pathways for employees to contribute to environmental goals, accounting for diverse circumstances and capabilities.
Policy frameworks and governance structures fundamentally shape the context within which workplace environmental initiatives operate. While voluntary corporate action generates important innovations, regulatory baselines ensure minimum standards and create level playing fields that prevent competitive disadvantages for first-movers. Carbon pricing mechanisms – whether through taxation or cap-and-trade systems – internalize environmental costs previously treated as externalities, aligning economic incentives with environmental objectives. Extended producer responsibility legislation shifts disposal costs and obligations back to manufacturers, incentivizing design for durability, repairability, and recyclability. However, the effectiveness of such policies depends critically on design details, enforcement mechanisms, and adaptation to evolving circumstances. Moreover, the multi-scalar nature of environmental challenges, from local air quality to global climate change, requires coordination across jurisdictional boundaries, complicating governance arrangements.
The measurement and verification of workplace environmental impacts present ongoing methodological challenges. While certain metrics like energy consumption lend themselves to relatively straightforward quantification, others involve conceptual ambiguities and measurement difficulties. Scope 3 emissions – indirect greenhouse gas emissions occurring in an organization’s value chain – often constitute the majority of total carbon footprints yet prove notoriously difficult to calculate accurately. The temporal dimensions of environmental impacts further complicate assessment; some consequences manifest immediately while others emerge only over decades or centuries. Biodiversity impacts, though increasingly recognized as crucial, lack standardized measurement approaches comparable to carbon accounting. Furthermore, the aggregation problem of combining multiple environmental dimensions into single scores or ratings necessarily involves normative judgments about relative importance that may obscure important distinctions. These measurement challenges matter not merely as technical issues but because they shape what receives attention and resources in organizational decision-making.
Questions 27-40
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, why have environmental initiatives become core strategic imperatives?
A. Government regulations require it
B. Customers demand sustainable products
C. The scale of environmental impacts requires fundamental change
D. They generate significant profits -
What problem does the passage identify with focusing on single environmental issues?
A. It costs too much money
B. It fails to consider system-level interactions
C. Employees resist such narrow approaches
D. Technology cannot address isolated problems -
What does the passage say about industrial symbiosis?
A. It only works in natural ecosystems
B. It is limited to manufacturing sectors
C. It requires companies to be close together
D. Digital platforms enable more distributed arrangements -
According to the passage, what does empirical evidence show about the information-deficit model?
A. It is the most effective approach
B. It is inadequate for changing behavior
C. It works only with younger employees
D. It requires expensive technology -
What concern does the passage raise about digital technologies for sustainability?
A. They are too expensive for most companies
B. Employees lack skills to use them
C. They have their own environmental costs
D. They reduce employment opportunities
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each concept (Questions 32-36) with the correct concern or consideration (A-H) from the box below.
Concepts:
32. Life cycle assessment methodologies
33. Choice architecture
34. Blockchain technology
35. Inclusive sustainability
36. Extended producer responsibility
Concerns/Considerations:
A. Raises ethical questions about manipulation
B. Ensures environmental initiatives don’t increase inequality
C. Evaluates impacts across multiple dimensions and time periods
D. Shifts disposal obligations to manufacturers
E. Reduces the need for human labor
F. Enables detailed supply chain tracking
G. Requires international cooperation
H. Eliminates all environmental impacts
Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- What type of emissions are difficult to calculate but often make up most of an organization’s carbon footprint?
- What feature of environmental impacts makes assessment challenging because some effects appear only after many years?
- What term describes the problem of combining multiple environmental measures into single ratings?
- What do regulatory baselines prevent for companies that adopt environmental measures early?
3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- C
- C
- C
- B
- NOT GIVEN
- TRUE
- NOT GIVEN
- FALSE
- water filtration / filtration systems
- environmental credentials
- bulk
- workshops
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- iii
- vii
- v
- vi
- iv
- NO
- YES
- NOT GIVEN
- YES
- regulatory compliance
- materials
- smart building
- rainwater harvesting
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- C
- B
- D
- B
- C
- C
- A
- F
- B
- D
- Scope 3 emissions
- temporal dimensions
- aggregation problem
- competitive disadvantages
4. Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: percentage, energy saved, shutting down equipment
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “A simple policy requiring employees to shut down equipment at the end of each workday can reduce energy usage by up to 15%”. Đáp án B (15%) chính xác khớp với thông tin này.
Câu 2: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: average office worker, paper, annually
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: Passage nêu “the average office worker still uses approximately 10,000 sheets of paper annually”. Đáp án C (10,000 sheets) đúng chính xác.
Câu 3: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: LED light bulbs, benefit, compared
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5-6
- Giải thích: Bài viết đề cập “LED alternatives consumes 75% less energy and lasts 25 times longer”. Đáp án C về tuổi thọ 25 lần là đúng.
Câu 7: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: double-sided printing, reduce, 50%
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: Passage nói “Double-sided printing should be the default setting on all office printers, immediately cutting paper use in half”. “In half” có nghĩa là 50%, nên statement là TRUE.
Câu 9: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: remote work, completely eliminates, environmental impact
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, câu cuối
- Giải thích: Bài chỉ nói remote work “substantially decreases transportation-related environmental impact” và “eliminate their daily commute” chứ không nói eliminate toàn bộ environmental impact. Do đó statement quá tuyệt đối, đáp án là FALSE.
Câu 10: water filtration / filtration systems
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: installing, decreases need, bottled water
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, câu cuối
- Giải thích: “Installing water filtration systems reduces reliance on bottled water”. Đáp án phải là “water filtration” hoặc “filtration systems” (không quá 2 từ).
Câu 13: workshops
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: regular, email campaigns, educate employees
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “Regular workshops, informational posters, and email campaigns can provide practical tips”. Đáp án cần điền là “workshops”.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: iii
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Từ khóa: circular economy, reuse, repair, refurbishment
- Vị trí: Paragraph A
- Giải thích: Đoạn A tập trung vào circular economy và việc “keeping materials in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, refurbishment”. Heading iii “Rethinking product lifecycles in workplace settings” phù hợp nhất.
Câu 15: vii
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Từ khóa: energy consumption, commercial buildings, 40%
- Vị trí: Paragraph B
- Giải thích: Đoạn B mở đầu về energy consumption chiếm 40% và thảo luận về energy audits, smart building technologies, renewable energy. Heading vii “Reducing energy demand in office buildings” chính xác.
Câu 19: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: circular economy, prevent, economic growth
- Vị trí: Paragraph A, câu cuối
- Giải thích: Passage nói “demonstrate how businesses can decouple economic growth from resource consumption”, nghĩa là circular economy KHÔNG prevent economic growth mà giúp tách rời tăng trưởng kinh tế khỏi tiêu thụ tài nguyên. Đáp án là NO.
Câu 20: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: smart building technologies, automatically control
- Vị trí: Paragraph B, giữa đoạn
- Giải thích: “Smart building technologies now enable real-time monitoring of energy consumption, automatically adjusting heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy”. Statement đồng ý với thông tin này, đáp án YES.
Câu 22: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: younger workers, concerned, environmental responsibility
- Vị trí: Paragraph E
- Giải thích: “environmental responsibility ranks high among concerns, particularly for younger workers”. Writer khẳng định điều này, đáp án YES.
Câu 23: regulatory compliance
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: beyond simple
- Vị trí: Paragraph đầu, câu đầu
- Giải thích: “The evolution of corporate environmental responsibility has progressed far beyond mere regulatory compliance”. Đáp án chính xác.
Câu 25: smart building
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: energy consumption, monitored through, technologies
- Vị trí: Paragraph B
- Giải thích: “Smart building technologies now enable real-time monitoring of energy consumption”. Đáp án là “smart building”.
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: environmental initiatives, core strategic imperatives
- Vị trí: Đoạn 1, câu đầu
- Giải thích: Passage giải thích “the anthropogenic impacts of commercial activity have reached a scale where incremental adjustments prove insufficient, necessitating comprehensive systemic redesign”. Đáp án C về scale of impacts là chính xác.
Câu 28: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: problem, focusing on single issues
- Vị trí: Đoạn 2
- Giải thích: “The reductionist tendency to focus on singular issues…often produces suboptimal outcomes because it fails to account for system-level interactions”. Đáp án B đúng.
Câu 30: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: empirical evidence, information-deficit model
- Vị trí: Đoạn 4
- Giải thích: “empirical evidence consistently demonstrates the inadequacy of this information-deficit model”. Đáp án B (inadequate) chính xác.
Câu 31: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: concern, digital technologies
- Vị trí: Đoạn 5, cuối đoạn
- Giải thích: “these technologies themselves carry environmental costs through their energy-intensive computational requirements”. Đáp án C về environmental costs là đúng.
Câu 32: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Concept: Life cycle assessment methodologies
- Vị trí: Đoạn 2, câu cuối
- Giải thích: “Life cycle assessment methodologies provide more comprehensive analytical frameworks, evaluating environmental impacts across multiple dimensions and temporal scales”. Match với C.
Câu 33: A
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Concept: Choice architecture
- Vị trí: Đoạn 4
- Giải thích: Sau khi thảo luận về choice architecture, passage nói “such approaches raise important ethical questions about manipulation versus enablement”. Match với A.
Câu 37: Scope 3 emissions
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer (không quá 3 từ)
- Từ khóa: emissions, difficult to calculate, majority, carbon footprint
- Vị trí: Đoạn 8
- Giải thích: “Scope 3 emissions – indirect greenhouse gas emissions occurring in an organization’s value chain – often constitute the majority of total carbon footprints yet prove notoriously difficult to calculate accurately”.
Câu 38: temporal dimensions
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: feature, assessment challenging, effects appear after many years
- Vị trí: Đoạn 8
- Giải thích: “The temporal dimensions of environmental impacts further complicate assessment; some consequences manifest immediately while others emerge only over decades or centuries”.
Câu 40: competitive disadvantages
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: regulatory baselines, prevent, early adopters
- Vị trí: Đoạn 7
- Giải thích: “regulatory baselines ensure minimum standards and create level playing fields that prevent competitive disadvantages for first-movers”.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| significant transformation | n. phrase | /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt trænsˈfɔːmeɪʃən/ | sự chuyển đổi đáng kể | The modern workplace is undergoing a significant transformation | undergo transformation |
| straightforward approaches | n. phrase | /ˌstreɪtˈfɔːwəd əˈproʊtʃɪz/ | các cách tiếp cận đơn giản | One of the most straightforward approaches to reducing workplace environmental footprint | practical/simple approaches |
| shut down equipment | v. phrase | /ʃʌt daʊn ɪˈkwɪpmənt/ | tắt thiết bị | requiring employees to shut down equipment at the end of each workday | shut down completely |
| paper consumption | n. phrase | /ˈpeɪpər kənˈsʌmpʃən/ | sự tiêu thụ giấy | Paper consumption remains a major environmental concern | reduce/minimize consumption |
| single-use plastics | n. phrase | /ˈsɪŋɡəl juːs ˈplæstɪks/ | đồ nhựa dùng một lần | Single-use plastics contribute significantly to workplace waste | eliminate/ban single-use |
| incentivize | v. | /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ | khuyến khích bằng động lực | Companies can incentivize sustainable commuting | incentivize participation |
| waste reduction goals | n. phrase | /weɪst rɪˈdʌkʃən ɡoʊlz/ | mục tiêu giảm chất thải | track progress toward waste reduction goals | achieve/meet goals |
| sustainable procurement | n. phrase | /səˈsteɪnəbəl prəˈkjʊrmənt/ | mua sắm bền vững | Sustainable procurement policies prioritize products | sustainable practices |
| eco-friendly practices | n. phrase | /ˈiːkoʊ ˈfrendli ˈpræktɪsɪz/ | các thực hành thân thiện môi trường | encourage more businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices | implement/adopt practices |
| double-sided printing | n. phrase | /ˈdʌbəl ˈsaɪdɪd ˈprɪntɪŋ/ | in hai mặt | Double-sided printing should be the default setting | enable/use double-sided |
| remote work arrangements | n. phrase | /rɪˈmoʊt wɜːrk əˈreɪndʒmənts/ | sắp xếp làm việc từ xa | The growing trend of remote work arrangements | flexible arrangements |
| preventing unnecessary waste | v. phrase | /prɪˈventɪŋ ʌnˈnesəseri weɪst/ | ngăn chặn lãng phí không cần thiết | ensuring lights operate only when necessary, preventing unnecessary waste | prevent/reduce waste |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| regulatory compliance | n. phrase | /ˈreɡjələtɔːri kəmˈplaɪəns/ | tuân thủ quy định | has progressed far beyond mere regulatory compliance | ensure/maintain compliance |
| proactive environmental stewardship | n. phrase | /proʊˈæktɪv ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentəl ˈstuːərdʃɪp/ | quản lý môi trường chủ động | proactive environmental stewardship not only benefits the planet | demonstrate stewardship |
| commercial viability | n. phrase | /kəˈmɜːrʃəl ˌvaɪəˈbɪləti/ | khả năng sinh lợi thương mại | whose health directly impacts long-term commercial viability | ensure/assess viability |
| keeping materials in use | v. phrase | /ˈkiːpɪŋ məˈtɪriəlz ɪn juːz/ | giữ nguyên liệu được sử dụng | emphasize keeping materials in use for as long as possible | keep resources in use |
| take-back programs | n. phrase | /teɪk bæk ˈproʊɡræmz/ | chương trình thu hồi | Technology companies have pioneered take-back programs | implement/establish programs |
| decouple economic growth | v. phrase | /diːˈkʌpəl ˌiːkəˈnɑːmɪk ɡroʊθ/ | tách rời tăng trưởng kinh tế | how businesses can decouple economic growth from resource consumption | successfully decouple |
| comprehensive energy audits | n. phrase | /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhensɪv ˈenərdʒi ˈɔːdɪts/ | kiểm toán năng lượng toàn diện | Comprehensive energy audits identify specific inefficiencies | conduct/perform audits |
| real-time monitoring | n. phrase | /ˈriːəl taɪm ˈmɑːnɪtərɪŋ/ | giám sát theo thời gian thực | enable real-time monitoring of energy consumption | continuous monitoring |
| financially viable | adj. phrase | /faɪˈnænʃəli ˈvaɪəbəl/ | khả thi về mặt tài chính | increasingly make such projects financially viable | economically viable |
| water scarcity | n. phrase | /ˈwɔːtər ˈskeərsəti/ | sự khan hiếm nước | particularly in regions facing water scarcity | address/combat scarcity |
| greywater recycling | n. phrase | /ˈɡreɪwɔːtər riːˈsaɪklɪŋ/ | tái chế nước xả thải | Greywater recycling systems treat wastewater from sinks | implement recycling |
| embodied carbon | n. phrase | /ɪmˈbɑːdid ˈkɑːrbən/ | carbon ẩn chứa | The embodied carbon of products increasingly influences procurement | reduce embodied emissions |
| informed purchasing decisions | n. phrase | /ɪnˈfɔːrmd ˈpɜːrtʃəsɪŋ dɪˈsɪʒənz/ | quyết định mua hàng có thông tin | facilitating informed purchasing decisions | make informed choices |
| underutilized lever | n. phrase | /ˌʌndərˈjuːtəlaɪzd ˈlevər/ | đòn bẩy chưa được tận dụng | perhaps the most underutilized lever for reducing workplace environmental impact | powerful/effective lever |
| greenwashing | n. | /ˈɡriːnwɑːʃɪŋ/ | tẩy xanh (quảng cáo sai lệch) | helps prevent greenwashing | avoid/combat greenwashing |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| paradigmatic evolution | n. phrase | /ˌpærədɪɡˈmætɪk ˌevəˈluːʃən/ | sự tiến hóa mô hình | has undergone a paradigmatic evolution | undergo evolution |
| anthropogenic impacts | n. phrase | /ˌænθrəpəˈdʒenɪk ˈɪmpækts/ | tác động do con người gây ra | the anthropogenic impacts of commercial activity | reduce/mitigate impacts |
| systemic redesign | n. phrase | /sɪˈstemɪk ˌriːdɪˈzaɪn/ | thiết kế lại toàn hệ thống | necessitating comprehensive systemic redesign | require/implement redesign |
| societal metamorphosis | n. phrase | /səˈsaɪətəl ˌmetəˈmɔːrfəsɪs/ | sự biến đổi xã hội | this broader societal metamorphosis toward sustainability | undergo metamorphosis |
| complex interdependencies | n. phrase | /ˈkɑːmpleks ˌɪntərdɪˈpendənsiz/ | sự phụ thuộc lẫn nhau phức tạp | recognize the complex interdependencies between different aspects | understand interdependencies |
| suboptimal outcomes | n. phrase | /sʌbˈɑːptɪməl ˈaʊtkʌmz/ | kết quả dưới mức tối ưu | often produces suboptimal outcomes | avoid/prevent outcomes |
| unintended consequences | n. phrase | /ˌʌnɪnˈtendɪd ˈkɑːnsɪkwensɪz/ | hậu quả ngoài ý muốn | potential unintended consequences | anticipate/consider consequences |
| life cycle assessment | n. phrase | /laɪf ˈsaɪkəl əˈsesmənt/ | đánh giá vòng đời | Life cycle assessment methodologies provide comprehensive frameworks | conduct/perform assessment |
| industrial symbiosis | n. phrase | /ɪnˈdʌstriəl ˌsɪmbaɪˈoʊsɪs/ | cộng sinh công nghiệp | envisions industrial symbiosis arrangements | facilitate/enable symbiosis |
| byproduct streams | n. phrase | /ˈbaɪˌprɑːdʌkt striːmz/ | dòng phụ phẩm | byproduct streams from one production process | utilize/manage streams |
| substantial efficiency gains | n. phrase | /səbˈstænʃəl ɪˈfɪʃənsi ɡeɪnz/ | những cải thiện hiệu quả đáng kể | generate substantial efficiency gains and environmental benefits | achieve/realize gains |
| information-deficit model | n. phrase | /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən ˈdefɪsɪt ˈmɑːdəl/ | mô hình thiếu hụt thông tin | demonstrates the inadequacy of this information-deficit model | challenge/reject model |
| choice architecture | n. phrase | /tʃɔɪs ˈɑːrkɪtektʃər/ | kiến trúc lựa chọn | Choice architecture offers powerful tools | design/implement architecture |
| manipulation versus enablement | n. phrase | /məˌnɪpjəˈleɪʃən ˈvɜːrsəs ɪˈneɪbəlmənt/ | thao túng so với tạo điều kiện | ethical questions about manipulation versus enablement | balance manipulation and enablement |
| precision management | n. phrase | /prɪˈsɪʒən ˈmænɪdʒmənt/ | quản lý chính xác | enabling precision management previously unattainable | enable/achieve management |
| solutionist fallacies | n. phrase | /səˈluːʃənɪst ˈfæləsiz/ | những sai lầm chủ nghĩa giải pháp | avoiding solutionist fallacies | avoid/recognize fallacies |
| environmental justice | n. phrase | /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentəl ˈdʒʌstɪs/ | công bằng môi trường | through the environmental justice lens | promote/ensure justice |
| differential effects | n. phrase | /ˌdɪfəˈrenʃəl ɪˈfekts/ | các tác động khác biệt | can similarly have differential effects on various employee groups | consider/address effects |
| inclusive sustainability | n. phrase | /ɪnˈkluːsɪv səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ | tính bền vững bao trùm | Inclusive sustainability approaches recognize these disparities | promote/achieve sustainability |
| regulatory baselines | n. phrase | /ˈreɡjələtɔːri ˈbeɪslaɪnz/ | các tiêu chuẩn quy định cơ bản | regulatory baselines ensure minimum standards | establish/set baselines |
| externalities | n. | /ˌekstɜːrˈnæləti/ | yếu tố bên ngoài (kinh tế) | environmental costs previously treated as externalities | internalize externalities |
| multi-scalar nature | n. phrase | /ˌmʌlti ˈskeɪlər ˈneɪtʃər/ | tính chất đa quy mô | the multi-scalar nature of environmental challenges | recognize/address nature |
| jurisdictional boundaries | n. phrase | /ˌdʒʊrɪsˈdɪkʃənəl ˈbaʊndəriz/ | ranh giới thẩm quyền | coordination across jurisdictional boundaries | transcend/cross boundaries |
| conceptual ambiguities | n. phrase | /kənˈseptʃuəl æmˈbɪɡjuətiz/ | sự mơ hồ về khái niệm | others involve conceptual ambiguities | resolve/address ambiguities |
| scope 3 emissions | n. phrase | /skoʊp θriː ɪˈmɪʃənz/ | khí thải phạm vi 3 | Scope 3 emissions often constitute the majority | calculate/reduce emissions |
| temporal dimensions | n. phrase | /ˈtempərəl daɪˈmenʃənz/ | chiều kích thời gian | The temporal dimensions of environmental impacts | consider/account for dimensions |
| aggregation problem | n. phrase | /ˌæɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən ˈprɑːbləm/ | vấn đề tổng hợp | the aggregation problem of combining multiple environmental dimensions | address/solve problem |
| normative judgments | n. phrase | /ˈnɔːrmətɪv ˈdʒʌdʒmənts/ | phán đoán chuẩn mực | necessarily involves normative judgments about relative importance | make/avoid judgments |
Kết Bài
Chủ đề giảm tác động môi trường tại nơi làm việc không chỉ là một trong những chủ đề phổ biến trong IELTS Reading mà còn phản ánh xu hướng toàn cầu về trách nhiệm môi trường của doanh nghiệp. Qua đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được luyện tập với 3 passages có độ khó tăng dần – từ những biện pháp đơn giản trong văn phòng, đến chiến lược doanh nghiệp toàn diện, và cuối cùng là những phân tích học thuật sâu sắc về chuyển đổi hệ thống. Tuy nhiên, để tìm hiểu thêm về cách công nghệ đóng vai trò trong các lĩnh vực khác như ứng phó thảm họa, bạn có thể tham khảo thêm bài viết How is technology enhancing disaster preparedness and response?.
Đề thi gồm đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi với 7 dạng bài khác nhau, hoàn toàn sát với format thi thật. Bạn đã được thử thách với các dạng câu hỏi từ cơ bản như Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given đến phức tạp hơn như Matching Headings, Summary Completion và Short-answer Questions. Điểm mạnh của đề thi này là sự đa dạng trong độ khó và các kỹ năng đọc được kiểm tra – từ scanning thông tin cụ thể đến hiểu ý chính của đoạn văn và phân tích các quan điểm phức tạp.
Phần đáp án chi tiết không chỉ cung cấp đáp án đúng mà còn giải thích rõ ràng cách xác định thông tin trong passage, cách paraphrase được sử dụng giữa câu hỏi và bài đọc, và vị trí chính xác của thông tin. Đây là yếu tố quan trọng giúp bạn học cách tự đánh giá và cải thiện kỹ năng làm bài. Các bảng từ vựng được tổ chức theo từng passage cung cấp không chỉ nghĩa tiếng Việt, phiên âm mà còn có ví dụ thực tế và collocations – giúp bạn mở rộng vốn từ vựng một cách có hệ thống và có thể áp dụng vào cả phần Writing và Speaking.
Với đề thi này, bạn đã có cơ hội luyện tập trong điều kiện gần giống thi thật nhất, từ độ dài passages, số lượng câu hỏi, đến thời gian khuyến nghị. Hãy sử dụng đề thi này như một công cụ để đánh giá trình độ hiện tại, xác định điểm mạnh và điểm cần cải thiện trong kỹ năng Reading của mình. Chúc bạn đạt được band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới.
