Mở Bài
Chủ đề năng lượng tái tạo và tác động của nó đến chính sách kinh tế quốc gia là một trong những đề tài “nóng” thường xuyên xuất hiện trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading. Với xu hướng toàn cầu hóa chuyển đổi xanh, chủ đề này không chỉ mang tính thời sự mà còn phản ánh sự quan tâm sâu sắc của cộng đồng quốc tế đối với phát triển bền vững. Trong các kỳ thi IELTS gần đây, đặc biệt từ năm 2020 trở lại đây, các bài đọc liên quan đến năng lượng tái tạo, chính sách môi trường và kinh tế xanh xuất hiện với tần suất ngày càng cao.
Bài viết này cung cấp cho bạn một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages theo đúng chuẩn quốc tế, bao gồm các dạng câu hỏi đa dạng từ Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings đến Summary Completion. Bạn sẽ được luyện tập với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy (Band 5.0-6.5), Medium (Band 6.0-7.5) đến Hard (Band 7.0-9.0), kèm theo đáp án chi tiết và giải thích cụ thể giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách tiếp cận từng dạng câu hỏi. Đặc biệt, phần từ vựng được tổng hợp theo từng passage sẽ giúp bạn nâng cao vốn từ học thuật một cách có hệ thống.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên có trình độ từ band 5.0 trở lên, đang trong quá trình ôn luyện để chinh phục điểm cao trong phần thi Reading.
1. Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading Test là phần thi kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Đây là phần thi đòi hỏi kỹ năng quản lý thời gian chặt chẽ và khả năng đọc hiểu học thuật tốt. Mỗi câu trả lời đúng được tính là 1 điểm, và tổng điểm sẽ được quy đổi thành band score từ 0 đến 9.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1: 15-17 phút (độ khó thấp nhất, nên hoàn thành nhanh để dành thời gian cho passages khó hơn)
- Passage 2: 18-20 phút (độ khó trung bình, cần đọc kỹ và phân tích)
- Passage 3: 23-25 phút (độ khó cao nhất, yêu cầu tư duy phản biện và phân tích sâu)
Lưu ý: Không có thời gian riêng để chép đáp án sang answer sheet, vì vậy bạn cần ghi đáp án ngay trong quá trình làm bài.
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
- Yes/No/Not Given – Xác định quan điểm tác giả
- 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 đòi hỏi kỹ năng và chiến lược riêng, và việc làm quen với tất cả các dạng này sẽ giúp bạn tự tin hơn trong phòng thi.
2. IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Rise of Renewable Energy in Modern Economies
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
The global energy landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, with renewable energy sources moving from the periphery to the center of national energy strategies. Solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric facilities are no longer experimental technologies but mainstream solutions that governments worldwide are embracing to meet their energy needs while addressing climate change concerns.
In the early 2000s, renewable energy accounted for less than 10% of global electricity generation. Fossil fuels – coal, oil, and natural gas – dominated the energy sector, providing approximately 80% of the world’s power. However, several factors have catalyzed a shift towards cleaner energy sources. The most significant driver has been the dramatic reduction in the cost of renewable technologies. Between 2010 and 2020, the cost of solar photovoltaic electricity plummeted by 89%, while onshore wind costs fell by 70%. These unprecedented price drops have made renewable energy not just environmentally preferable but also economically competitive with traditional fossil fuels.
Government policies have played a pivotal role in accelerating this transition. Many nations have implemented feed-in tariffs, which guarantee renewable energy producers a fixed price for the electricity they generate, ensuring predictable returns on investment. Tax incentives, subsidies, and renewable energy targets have further incentivized both public and private sector investment in clean energy infrastructure. For instance, the European Union’s ambitious target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 has spurred massive investments in wind and solar projects across member states.
The economic implications of this energy transition are profound and multifaceted. On one hand, the renewable energy sector has become a significant job creator. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the sector employed approximately 12 million people globally in 2020, a figure that has grown steadily year after year. These jobs range from manufacturing solar panels and wind turbines to installing and maintaining renewable energy systems. Furthermore, the decentralization of energy production through renewable sources has enabled rural and remote communities to achieve energy independence, reducing their reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports.
However, the transition also presents economic challenges. Countries heavily dependent on fossil fuel exports face the prospect of stranded assets – oil wells, coal mines, and related infrastructure that may become economically unviable as the world shifts to cleaner energy. This has prompted some nations to diversify their economies proactively, investing renewable energy revenues into education, healthcare, and technology sectors. Norway, for example, has transformed its oil wealth into the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, ensuring economic stability for future generations even as global oil demand declines.
The impact on electricity prices has been another area of significant economic change. Initially, many skeptics argued that renewable energy would lead to higher electricity costs for consumers. However, data from multiple countries tells a different story. In regions with high renewable energy penetration, such as parts of Germany and California, wholesale electricity prices have actually decreased during periods of high solar and wind generation. This phenomenon, known as the “merit order effect,” occurs because renewable energy sources have near-zero marginal costs once installed, displacing more expensive fossil fuel generation.
National energy security has also been fundamentally altered by the rise of renewables. Countries that previously relied on imported fossil fuels are now investing in domestic renewable energy capacity, reducing their vulnerability to international price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions. This shift has reshaped international relations, diminishing the strategic importance of oil-rich regions while elevating the significance of countries with abundant renewable resources or advanced clean energy technologies.
Manufacturing capabilities have become a new form of energy power. China’s dominance in solar panel production, for example, has given it considerable leverage in global energy markets. Similarly, countries with strong wind turbine manufacturing sectors, such as Denmark and Germany, have become important exporters of green technology, creating new streams of export revenue and enhancing their diplomatic influence.
Questions 1-13
Questions 1-6: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, renewable energy in the early 2000s:
- A) dominated global electricity generation
- B) provided less than 10% of global electricity
- C) was more expensive than today
- D) was mainly used in developing countries
-
The main reason renewable energy became economically competitive was:
- A) government regulations
- B) environmental concerns
- C) significant cost reductions
- D) fossil fuel shortages
-
Feed-in tariffs are designed to:
- A) reduce electricity consumption
- B) guarantee fixed prices for renewable energy producers
- C) tax fossil fuel companies
- D) encourage energy imports
-
The term “stranded assets” refers to:
- A) renewable energy equipment
- B) fossil fuel infrastructure that may become economically unviable
- C) abandoned solar panels
- D) government investments
-
The “merit order effect” results in:
- A) higher electricity prices
- B) increased fossil fuel consumption
- C) decreased wholesale electricity prices
- D) unstable energy supply
-
According to the passage, China’s position in global energy markets is strengthened by:
- A) oil reserves
- B) coal production
- C) solar panel manufacturing
- D) wind resources
Questions 7-10: 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
- Solar photovoltaic costs decreased by more than 80% between 2010 and 2020.
- The European Union aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.
- The renewable energy sector employed more people in 2020 than the fossil fuel sector.
- Norway has used oil wealth to create a sovereign wealth fund.
Questions 11-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- Renewable energy has enabled rural communities to achieve __, reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports.
- Countries are investing in renewable energy to reduce vulnerability to __ and geopolitical tensions.
- Denmark and Germany have become important __ of green technology through their wind turbine manufacturing.
PASSAGE 2 – Economic Policy Transformations in the Renewable Era
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The ascendancy of renewable energy has precipitated fundamental changes in how governments conceptualize and implement economic policy. Traditional economic frameworks, developed during an era of abundant fossil fuels, are being recalibrated to address the unique characteristics of renewable energy systems. This paradigm shift extends beyond energy policy into broader areas including fiscal policy, industrial strategy, labor market regulation, and international trade agreements.
A. Fiscal Policy Adjustments
Governments worldwide are grappling with the fiscal implications of the energy transition. The phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies, which the International Monetary Fund estimates at approximately $5.9 trillion annually when accounting for environmental costs, represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While removing these subsidies can trigger political backlash from affected industries and consumers, it simultaneously frees up substantial public resources for investment in renewable infrastructure and social programs. Several countries have implemented carbon pricing mechanisms – either through carbon taxes or emissions trading schemes – to internalize the environmental costs of fossil fuels. Revenue generated from these mechanisms has been deployed in various ways: some nations channel it into renewable energy research and development, others use it to reduce income taxes or provide direct transfers to low-income households to offset higher energy costs.
The concept of “green budgeting” has gained traction as governments seek to align fiscal policy with climate objectives. This approach involves systematically assessing the environmental impact of all government expenditure and revenue decisions. France, for instance, has pioneered a green budgeting methodology that categorizes spending based on its impact on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Such transparency enables policymakers and citizens to evaluate whether public spending is consistent with stated environmental commitments.
B. Industrial Policy Renaissance
The renewable energy transition has revitalized interest in activist industrial policy – the strategic use of government interventions to shape economic structure and promote specific industries. Proponents argue that the nascent renewable energy sector requires government support to achieve economies of scale and compete with entrenched fossil fuel industries that have benefited from decades of infrastructure investment and implicit subsidies. This has manifested in various forms: direct state investment in renewable manufacturing capacity, public procurement policies favoring domestic clean energy equipment, and strategic partnerships between government research institutions and private sector companies.
Germany’s Energiewende (energy transition) exemplifies this approach. Beyond merely setting renewable energy targets, the German government has actively cultivated a domestic renewable energy manufacturing sector through coordinated policies including research grants, concessional financing, and export promotion. While this strategy has successfully established Germany as a leader in renewable technology, it has also sparked debates about the costs of such interventions and whether market-based approaches might achieve similar outcomes more efficiently.
The geopolitical dimension of industrial policy has become increasingly salient. Recognizing that renewable energy technologies represent the energy systems of the future, nations are competing to secure leadership in key technology areas. This has led to concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities – particularly regarding critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements essential for batteries and other renewable technologies. Consequently, governments are developing strategies to diversify supply sources, invest in domestic processing capacity, and promote recycling technologies to reduce dependence on potentially unreliable foreign suppliers.
C. Labor Market Transitions
The shift from fossil fuels to renewables entails significant labor market disruptions. While the renewable sector is creating millions of jobs, these positions often require different skills and are located in different regions than traditional fossil fuel employment. Coal miners, oil rig workers, and related occupations face the prospect of displacement as their industries decline. This has necessitated comprehensive “just transition” policies aimed at supporting affected workers and communities.
Effective just transition strategies typically include retraining programs to equip fossil fuel workers with skills relevant to the renewable sector, income support during transition periods, and regional development initiatives to diversify local economies away from fossil fuel dependence. Spain’s plan to phase out coal mining includes significant funding for economic diversification in affected regions, including investment in renewable energy projects specifically located in former coal mining areas to provide alternative employment opportunities.
However, challenges remain substantial. Geographic mismatches between where fossil fuel jobs are being lost and where renewable jobs are being created can make transitions difficult, particularly for older workers with deep community ties. Furthermore, the wage premiums traditionally enjoyed by fossil fuel workers may not be replicated in all renewable energy positions, potentially leading to reduced living standards for some transitioning workers.
D. International Trade and Cooperation
Renewable energy has reshaped international economic relations. Traditional oil and gas trade patterns are being supplemented and, in some cases, superseded by trade in renewable technologies, components, and even electricity itself. Cross-border electricity interconnections allow countries with abundant renewable resources to export clean power to neighbors, creating new forms of energy interdependence. The European electricity grid, for instance, enables Denmark to export excess wind power to Germany and import hydroelectric power from Norway when wind production is low.
Trade tensions have also emerged. The United States, European Union, and others have imposed tariffs on solar panels and other renewable equipment, citing unfair subsidies and dumping practices by competing nations. These actions reflect the strategic value governments attribute to renewable energy manufacturing and concerns about becoming overly dependent on foreign suppliers for critical energy technologies.
Multilateral cooperation has become essential for addressing the global nature of both climate change and renewable energy deployment. International agreements increasingly incorporate provisions related to technology transfer, financing mechanisms for developing countries’ renewable transitions, and coordination of climate policies to prevent “carbon leakage” – where industries relocate to jurisdictions with less stringent environmental regulations.
Chính sách năng lượng tái tạo toàn cầu và tác động đến nền kinh tế quốc gia
Questions 14-26
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
- Removing fossil fuel subsidies always leads to positive economic outcomes.
- Green budgeting provides transparency for evaluating government environmental commitments.
- Market-based approaches are always more efficient than government interventions in renewable energy.
- Geographic mismatches create challenges for workers transitioning from fossil fuel to renewable sectors.
- Cross-border electricity trade creates new forms of energy interdependence.
Questions 19-23: Matching Headings
The passage has four sections, A-D.
Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number, i-viii.
List of Headings:
i. The decline of fossil fuel industries
ii. Government spending evaluation and climate goals
iii. International conflicts over energy resources
iv. Strategic government intervention in clean energy sectors
v. Supporting workers affected by energy transition
vi. Tax policy and carbon pricing strategies
vii. The future of nuclear energy
viii. Global trade patterns in renewable technology
- Section A
- Section B
- Section C
- Section D
Questions 23-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Germany’s approach to energy transition demonstrates activist industrial policy through coordinated interventions. The government provided 23. __ and export promotion to develop domestic renewable manufacturing. However, this strategy has raised questions about costs compared to 24. __ approaches. Countries are now concerned about 25. __ vulnerabilities, particularly regarding critical minerals. To address this, governments are investing in domestic processing and 26. __ technologies to reduce foreign dependence.
PASSAGE 3 – Macroeconomic Implications and Structural Economic Transformations
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The proliferation of renewable energy technologies represents more than an incremental adjustment to existing energy systems; it constitutes a profound structural transformation with ramifications extending throughout the entire economic architecture of modern nation-states. This transition intersects with fundamental questions in macroeconomic theory and policy, challenging established paradigms regarding growth models, monetary policy transmission mechanisms, investment dynamics, and the very nature of economic development itself.
Capital Intensity and Investment Patterns
Renewable energy systems exhibit markedly different capital structures compared to conventional fossil fuel infrastructure. While traditional power plants require significant ongoing fuel expenditures, renewable installations entail high upfront capital investments but minimal operational costs. This characteristic fundamentally alters investment patterns and economic cycles. The capital-intensive nature of renewable infrastructure creates substantial front-loaded investment demand, potentially stimulating economic activity during the construction phase. However, this also means that renewable energy systems are more sensitive to financing costs and interest rate fluctuations than fossil fuel alternatives. Consequently, monetary policy decisions by central banks, which influence borrowing costs, have amplified effects on renewable energy investment flows.
This reconfiguration of the energy sector’s capital structure has precipitated financial innovation. Green bonds – debt instruments specifically earmarked for environmental projects – have emerged as a significant asset class, with issuance exceeding $500 billion cumulatively by 2020. These instruments enable governments and corporations to access dedicated pools of capital from investors seeking environmental, social, and governance (ESG) alignment. The growth of sustainable finance extends beyond green bonds to include sustainability-linked loans, where interest rates are contingent on borrowers meeting specified environmental performance targets, and transition bonds designed to finance the gradual decarbonization of traditionally carbon-intensive sectors.
The shift toward renewable energy has also engendered new considerations for asset valuation and portfolio management. The concept of “stranded assets” has moved from the periphery to the center of financial risk analysis. Major institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds and pension funds controlling trillions in assets, are increasingly incorporating climate risk into their investment frameworks. This has manifested in divestment campaigns targeting fossil fuel companies and reallocation of capital toward renewable energy and related technologies. Such capital reallocation on a massive scale has tangible effects on corporate financing costs, potentially accelerating the energy transition through market mechanisms.
Productivity, Growth, and Economic Development Models
The relationship between renewable energy adoption and economic productivity presents nuanced analytical challenges. Traditional growth theory has emphasized the role of cheap, abundant energy in driving industrialization and productivity gains. Some economists have raised concerns that renewables’ intermittent nature and current technology limitations might constrain productivity growth compared to the on-demand availability of fossil fuels. However, empirical evidence increasingly suggests that these concerns may be overstated. Countries with high renewable energy penetration, such as Denmark and Germany, have maintained robust productivity levels while substantially reducing carbon emissions.
Moreover, the renewable transition may catalyze productivity enhancements through multiple channels. The decentralization of energy production facilitated by solar panels and small-scale wind installations enables distributed generation closer to consumption points, reducing transmission losses and improving grid efficiency. Advanced digital technologies – including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things – are being integrated with renewable energy systems to optimize production, predict maintenance needs, and balance supply with demand in real-time. These technologies, essential for managing variable renewable generation, create spillover effects that enhance productivity across other economic sectors.
The renewable energy transition has profound implications for development economics and the trajectories of emerging economies. Historically, economic development followed a predictable pattern: industrialization powered by fossil fuels, followed by a eventual transition toward services and, belatedly, environmental consideration. Renewable energy technologies potentially enable developing nations to “leapfrog” this trajectory, achieving electrification and industrialization through clean energy without replicating the carbon-intensive development paths of early industrializers. Countries like Kenya have demonstrated this potential, with off-grid solar systems providing electricity access to millions of rural residents who would otherwise wait decades for connection to centralized fossil-fuel-powered grids.
However, the leapfrogging hypothesis faces significant caveats. Developing countries often lack the institutional capacity, technical expertise, and capital resources necessary to deploy renewable technologies at scale. International financial and technology transfer mechanisms have proven inadequate to bridge these gaps fully. Furthermore, many developing nations possess substantial fossil fuel reserves that represent potentially lucrative export revenue or domestic energy resources. The political economy of forsaking these assets in favor of renewable alternatives remains contentally fraught, particularly when developed nations bear historical responsibility for the majority of cumulative carbon emissions.
Macroeconomic Stability and Systemic Risk
The energy transition intersects with macroeconomic stability in multiple dimensions. Energy price volatility has historically been a significant source of macroeconomic disruption, contributing to inflation spikes, current account imbalances, and economic recessions. The oil price shocks of the 1970s, for instance, precipitated global economic crises with lasting effects. Renewable energy, with its stable and predictable cost structure once installed, offers the possibility of enhanced macroeconomic stability by insulating economies from volatile global fossil fuel markets.
Nevertheless, the transition period itself introduces new sources of potential instability. The rapid obsolescence of fossil fuel assets creates financial risks for institutions holding exposure to these sectors, whether through direct equity ownership, corporate lending, or municipal bonds dependent on fossil fuel tax revenues. A disorderly transition – characterized by abrupt policy changes or technological disruptions that cause sudden asset devaluations – could precipitate financial instability. Central banks and financial regulators are increasingly incorporating climate-related financial risks into their supervisory frameworks, conducting stress tests to assess banking system resilience to transition scenarios.
The distributional consequences of the renewable transition also carry macroeconomic significance. Energy transitions inevitably create winners and losers – regions, industries, and worker groups differentially affected by the shift. Without deliberate policy interventions, these distributional effects can exacerbate inequality, undermine social cohesion, and generate political opposition that impedes further progress. The “gilets jaunes” protests in France, triggered partly by fuel tax increases intended to discourage fossil fuel consumption, exemplify how transition policies perceived as inequitable can provoke substantial social unrest.
International Economic Order and Geopolitical Realignment
The ascendance of renewable energy is reconfiguring the geopolitical foundations of the international economic order. For over a century, global power dynamics have been inextricably linked to fossil fuel geography – the location of oil and gas reserves, the routes of energy transportation, and the relationships between energy exporters and importers. The “resource curse” phenomenon, whereby countries with abundant natural resources often experience slower economic growth, authoritarian governance, and conflict, has shaped the political economy of numerous nations.
Renewable energy portends a fundamentally different geopolitical landscape. Unlike fossil fuels, which are geographically concentrated, renewable energy resources are widely distributed. Solar potential exists across much of the globe; wind resources span multiple continents; geothermal and hydroelectric possibilities are geographically diverse. This distribution suggests a more multipolar energy system, potentially reducing the strategic leverage historically enjoyed by fossil fuel exporters. However, new forms of resource concentration are emerging around critical minerals and manufacturing capacity, as previously discussed, creating different but nonetheless significant geopolitical dependencies.
The renewable transition also implicates global economic governance institutions. The International Energy Agency, historically focused on oil market stability and energy security for developed nations, has reoriented its mission toward renewable energy and climate. International financial institutions, including the World Bank and regional development banks, have substantially increased their clean energy financing while scaling back support for fossil fuel projects. These institutional shifts reflect and reinforce the changing global consensus around energy and climate, though significant debates persist regarding the pace and equity of the transition, particularly concerning the responsibilities of developed versus developing nations.
Chuyển đổi năng lượng tái tạo và tác động vĩ mô đến nền kinh tế toàn cầu
Questions 27-40
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, renewable energy systems differ from fossil fuel infrastructure primarily in:
- A) their environmental impact
- B) their capital structure with high upfront costs
- C) their geographic distribution
- D) their efficiency levels
-
The concept of “stranded assets” has become important for:
- A) government regulators only
- B) environmental activists
- C) institutional investors’ risk analysis
- D) renewable energy manufacturers
-
The “leapfrogging” hypothesis suggests that developing countries can:
- A) avoid fossil fuel use entirely
- B) achieve development through clean energy without carbon-intensive paths
- C) develop faster than industrialized nations
- D) receive unlimited international financial support
-
Energy price volatility has historically:
- A) benefited developing countries
- B) had no macroeconomic impact
- C) contributed to inflation and economic disruptions
- D) been controlled by central banks
-
The “gilets jaunes” protests in France were partly triggered by:
- A) renewable energy subsidies
- B) fuel tax increases
- C) electricity price reductions
- D) wind farm construction
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match the following concepts (32-36) with the correct description (A-H).
Write the correct letter, A-H.
Concepts:
32. Green bonds
33. Distributed generation
34. Stress tests
35. Resource curse
36. ESG alignment
Descriptions:
A. Energy production closer to consumption points
B. Banking system resilience assessment for climate scenarios
C. Countries with abundant resources experiencing slower growth
D. International trade agreements
E. Debt instruments for environmental projects
F. Government tax incentives
G. Investment seeking environmental and social goals
H. Fossil fuel extraction methods
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 policy decisions by central banks have amplified effects on renewable energy investment?
- What allows countries like Denmark to export excess wind power to neighbors?
- What have countries like Kenya used to provide electricity to millions of rural residents?
- What international institution has reoriented its mission toward renewable energy?
3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- C
- B
- B
- C
- C
- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN
- TRUE
- energy independence
- international price fluctuations / price fluctuations
- exporters
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- NO
- YES
- NOT GIVEN
- YES
- YES
- vi
- iv
- v
- viii
- research grants
- market-based
- supply chain
- recycling
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- C
- B
- C
- B
- E
- A
- B
- C
- G
- monetary policy (decisions)
- cross-border electricity interconnections / electricity interconnections
- off-grid solar systems
- International Energy Agency
4. Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: renewable energy, early 2000s
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “In the early 2000s, renewable energy accounted for less than 10% of global electricity generation.” Đây là paraphrase trực tiếp của đáp án B. Các đáp án khác không được đề cập hoặc trái ngược với thông tin trong bài.
Câu 2: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: main reason, economically competitive
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-7
- Giải thích: Bài viết chỉ rõ “The most significant driver has been the dramatic reduction in the cost of renewable technologies” và đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể về việc giá giảm 89% cho solar và 70% cho wind. Điều này làm cho renewable energy “economically competitive with traditional fossil fuels.”
Câu 3: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: feed-in tariffs
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: Passage giải thích rõ ràng: “feed-in tariffs, which guarantee renewable energy producers a fixed price for the electricity they generate, ensuring predictable returns on investment.”
Câu 4: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: stranded assets
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết định nghĩa rõ “stranded assets – oil wells, coal mines, and related infrastructure that may become economically unviable as the world shifts to cleaner energy.”
Câu 5: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: merit order effect
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 3-6
- Giải thích: Passage giải thích “wholesale electricity prices have actually decreased during periods of high solar and wind generation. This phenomenon, known as the ‘merit order effect’.”
Câu 7: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: solar photovoltaic costs, decreased, more than 80%, 2010-2020
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5-6
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói rõ “the cost of solar photovoltaic electricity plummeted by 89%” – 89% lớn hơn 80%, nên statement là TRUE.
Câu 8: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: European Union, carbon neutrality, before 2050
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 5-6
- Giải thích: Passage nói “the European Union’s ambitious target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050” – đây là “by 2050” (vào năm 2050), không phải “before 2050” (trước năm 2050), nên statement là FALSE.
Câu 10: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: Norway, oil wealth, sovereign wealth fund
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 6-8
- Giải thích: Bài viết xác nhận “Norway, for example, has transformed its oil wealth into the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund.”
Câu 11: energy independence
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: rural communities, reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 6-8
- Giải thích: Câu gốc trong bài: “the decentralization of energy production through renewable sources has enabled rural and remote communities to achieve energy independence, reducing their reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports.”
Câu 13: exporters
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: Denmark and Germany, green technology, wind turbine manufacturing
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: Passage nói “countries with strong wind turbine manufacturing sectors, such as Denmark and Germany, have become important exporters of green technology.”
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: removing fossil fuel subsidies, always, positive economic outcomes
- Vị trí trong bài: Section A, đoạn 2, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: Passage chỉ ra cả challenges và opportunities: “While removing these subsidies can trigger political backlash from affected industries and consumers, it simultaneously frees up substantial public resources.” Từ “always” trong statement làm cho nó trái ngược với quan điểm cân bằng của tác giả.
Câu 15: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: green budgeting, transparency, evaluating government environmental commitments
- Vị trí trong bài: Section A, đoạn 3, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: Tác giả viết: “Such transparency enables policymakers and citizens to evaluate whether public spending is consistent with stated environmental commitments.” Đây là quan điểm được tác giả ủng hộ.
Câu 17: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: geographic mismatches, challenges, workers transitioning
- Vị trí trong bài: Section C, đoạn 3, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: Tác giả rõ ràng nêu: “Geographic mismatches between where fossil fuel jobs are being lost and where renewable jobs are being created can make transitions difficult.”
Câu 19: vi (Tax policy and carbon pricing strategies)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Section A tập trung vào fiscal policy adjustments, đặc biệt là carbon pricing mechanisms, removal of fossil fuel subsidies, và green budgeting – tất cả liên quan đến tax policy và carbon pricing.
Câu 20: iv (Strategic government intervention in clean energy sectors)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Section B thảo luận về “activist industrial policy,” government support for renewable sector, Germany’s Energiewende, và strategic partnerships – tất cả đều là government intervention strategies.
Câu 21: v (Supporting workers affected by energy transition)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Giải thích: Section C tập trung vào labor market transitions, “just transition” policies, retraining programs, và supporting fossil fuel workers – đây chính là về hỗ trợ workers affected.
Câu 23: research grants
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: Germany, coordinated interventions
- Vị trí trong bài: Section B, đoạn 2, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Passage nói: “coordinated policies including research grants, concessional financing, and export promotion.”
Câu 25: supply chain
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: concerned, vulnerabilities, critical minerals
- Vị trí trong bài: Section B, đoạn 3, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết đề cập: “This has led to concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities – particularly regarding critical minerals.”
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: renewable energy systems differ, fossil fuel infrastructure
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: Passage giải thích rõ: “Renewable energy systems exhibit markedly different capital structures compared to conventional fossil fuel infrastructure. While traditional power plants require significant ongoing fuel expenditures, renewable installations entail high upfront capital investments but minimal operational costs.”
Câu 28: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: stranded assets, important for
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói: “The concept of ‘stranded assets’ has moved from the periphery to the center of financial risk analysis. Major institutional investors…are increasingly incorporating climate risk into their investment frameworks.”
Câu 29: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: leapfrogging hypothesis
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 3-6
- Giải thích: Passage giải thích: “Renewable energy technologies potentially enable developing nations to ‘leapfrog’ this trajectory, achieving electrification and industrialization through clean energy without replicating the carbon-intensive development paths of early industrializers.”
Câu 31: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: gilets jaunes protests, France, triggered by
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: Bài viết nêu rõ: “The ‘gilets jaunes’ protests in France, triggered partly by fuel tax increases intended to discourage fossil fuel consumption.”
Câu 32: E (Green bonds – Debt instruments for environmental projects)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: Passage định nghĩa: “Green bonds – debt instruments specifically earmarked for environmental projects.”
Câu 34: B (Stress tests – Banking system resilience assessment)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 6-8
- Giải thích: Bài viết mô tả: “Central banks and financial regulators are…conducting stress tests to assess banking system resilience to transition scenarios.”
Câu 37: monetary policy (decisions)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: central banks, amplified effects, renewable energy investment
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 6-8
- Giải thích: Passage nói: “Consequently, monetary policy decisions by central banks, which influence borrowing costs, have amplified effects on renewable energy investment flows.”
Câu 40: International Energy Agency
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer Questions
- Từ khóa: international institution, reoriented mission, renewable energy
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 11, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: Bài viết xác nhận: “The International Energy Agency, historically focused on oil market stability and energy security for developed nations, has reoriented its mission toward renewable energy and climate.”
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| remarkable transformation | noun phrase | /rɪˈmɑːkəbl trænsfəˈmeɪʃn/ | sự chuyển đổi đáng chú ý | “has undergone a remarkable transformation” | undergo a transformation |
| mainstream solutions | noun phrase | /ˈmeɪnstriːm səˈluːʃnz/ | giải pháp chủ đạo | “are no longer experimental technologies but mainstream solutions” | become mainstream |
| accounted for | phrasal verb | /əˈkaʊntɪd fɔː/ | chiếm (tỷ lệ) | “renewable energy accounted for less than 10%” | account for a percentage |
| catalyzed | verb | /ˈkætəlaɪzd/ | xúc tác, thúc đẩy | “several factors have catalyzed a shift” | catalyze change/growth |
| dramatic reduction | noun phrase | /drəˈmætɪk rɪˈdʌkʃn/ | sự giảm mạnh | “the dramatic reduction in the cost” | dramatic increase/decline |
| plummeted | verb | /ˈplʌmɪtɪd/ | giảm mạnh, rơi thẳng đứng | “the cost…plummeted by 89%” | prices plummet |
| unprecedented | adjective | /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ | chưa từng có | “these unprecedented price drops” | unprecedented growth/scale |
| pivotal role | noun phrase | /ˈpɪvətl rəʊl/ | vai trò then chốt | “have played a pivotal role” | play a pivotal role |
| accelerating | verb | /əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/ | tăng tốc | “accelerating this transition” | accelerate growth/change |
| incentivized | verb | /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪzd/ | khuyến khích, tạo động lực | “have further incentivized both public and private sector” | incentivize investment |
| profound | adjective | /prəˈfaʊnd/ | sâu sắc, quan trọng | “the economic implications…are profound” | profound impact/effect |
| decentralization | noun | /diːˌsentrəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ | sự phân quyền, phi tập trung hóa | “the decentralization of energy production” | energy decentralization |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ascendancy | noun | /əˈsendənsi/ | sự vượt trội, ưu thế | “the ascendancy of renewable energy” | gain ascendancy |
| precipitated | verb | /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪtɪd/ | gây ra, làm xảy ra nhanh chóng | “has precipitated fundamental changes” | precipitate a crisis |
| recalibrated | verb | /ˌriːˈkælɪbreɪtɪd/ | hiệu chỉnh lại, tái thiết lập | “are being recalibrated to address” | recalibrate strategy/policy |
| paradigm shift | noun phrase | /ˈpærədaɪm ʃɪft/ | sự thay đổi mô hình tư duy | “this paradigm shift extends beyond” | undergo a paradigm shift |
| grappling with | phrasal verb | /ˈɡræplɪŋ wɪð/ | vật lộn với, đối phó với | “governments worldwide are grappling with” | grapple with challenges |
| phasing out | phrasal verb | /ˈfeɪzɪŋ aʊt/ | loại bỏ dần | “the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies” | phase out gradually |
| internalize | verb | /ɪnˈtɜːnəlaɪz/ | nội hóa | “to internalize the environmental costs” | internalize costs/values |
| gained traction | verb phrase | /ɡeɪnd ˈtrækʃn/ | nhận được sự quan tâm | “has gained traction as governments” | gain traction/momentum |
| nascent | adjective | /ˈnæsnt/ | mới hình thành, sơ khai | “the nascent renewable energy sector” | nascent industry/technology |
| entrenched | adjective | /ɪnˈtrentʃt/ | đã ăn sâu, bám rễ | “compete with entrenched fossil fuel industries” | entrenched interests/positions |
| concessional financing | noun phrase | /kənˈseʃənl ˈfaɪnænsɪŋ/ | tài trợ ưu đãi | “including research grants, concessional financing” | provide concessional financing |
| salient | adjective | /ˈseɪliənt/ | nổi bật, quan trọng | “has become increasingly salient” | salient features/points |
| entails | verb | /ɪnˈteɪlz/ | đòi hỏi, kéo theo | “the shift from fossil fuels to renewables entails” | entail significant changes |
| displacement | noun | /dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ | sự thay thế, di dời | “face the prospect of displacement” | job displacement |
| replicated | verb | /ˈreplɪkeɪtɪd/ | nhân rộng, sao chép | “may not be replicated in all renewable energy positions” | replicate success/results |
Từ vựng IELTS chủ đề năng lượng tái tạo và chính sách kinh tế quốc gia
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| proliferation | noun | /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/ | sự gia tăng nhanh chóng | “the proliferation of renewable energy technologies” | nuclear proliferation |
| constitutes | verb | /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːts/ | cấu thành, tạo nên | “it constitutes a profound structural transformation” | constitute a threat/majority |
| ramifications | noun | /ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃnz/ | hệ quả, tác động | “with ramifications extending throughout” | serious ramifications |
| capital-intensive | adjective | /ˈkæpɪtl ɪnˈtensɪv/ | đòi hỏi nhiều vốn | “the capital-intensive nature of renewable infrastructure” | capital-intensive industry |
| front-loaded | adjective | /frʌnt ˈləʊdɪd/ | tập trung lúc đầu | “creates substantial front-loaded investment demand” | front-loaded costs |
| earmarked | verb | /ˈɪəmɑːkt/ | dành riêng cho | “debt instruments specifically earmarked for” | earmarked funds/resources |
| contingent | adjective | /kənˈtɪndʒənt/ | phụ thuộc vào | “interest rates are contingent on borrowers meeting” | contingent on/upon |
| engendered | verb | /ɪnˈdʒendəd/ | tạo ra, gây nên | “has also engendered new considerations” | engender trust/support |
| sovereign wealth funds | noun phrase | /ˈsɒvrɪn welθ fʌndz/ | quỹ đầu tư nhà nước | “including sovereign wealth funds and pension funds” | manage sovereign wealth |
| tangible | adjective | /ˈtændʒəbl/ | hữu hình, rõ ràng | “has tangible effects on corporate financing” | tangible benefits/results |
| nuanced | adjective | /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ | tinh tế, nhiều sắc thái | “presents nuanced analytical challenges” | nuanced understanding/approach |
| intermittent nature | noun phrase | /ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt ˈneɪtʃə/ | bản chất gián đoạn | “renewables’ intermittent nature” | intermittent problems/supply |
| catalyze | verb | /ˈkætəlaɪz/ | xúc tác | “may catalyze productivity enhancements” | catalyze change/innovation |
| spillover effects | noun phrase | /ˈspɪləʊvə ɪˈfekts/ | hiệu ứng lan tóa | “create spillover effects that enhance productivity” | positive spillover effects |
| leapfrog | verb | /ˈliːpfrɒɡ/ | nhảy vọt | “enable developing nations to leapfrog this trajectory” | leapfrog technology/stages |
| caveats | noun | /ˈkæviæts/ | lưu ý, điều cảnh báo | “the leapfrogging hypothesis faces significant caveats” | important caveats |
| obsolescence | noun | /ˌɒbsəˈlesns/ | sự lỗi thời | “the rapid obsolescence of fossil fuel assets” | technological obsolescence |
| disorderly transition | noun phrase | /dɪsˈɔːdəli trænˈzɪʃn/ | chuyển đổi hỗn loạn | “a disorderly transition…could precipitate” | orderly/disorderly transition |
| inextricably linked | adjective phrase | /ˌɪnɪkˈstrɪkəbli lɪŋkt/ | gắn liền không thể tách rời | “have been inextricably linked to fossil fuel geography” | inextricably linked/connected |
| portends | verb | /pɔːˈtendz/ | báo hiệu, điềm báo | “renewable energy portends a fundamentally different” | portend disaster/change |
| multipolar | adjective | /ˌmʌltiˈpəʊlə/ | đa cực | “suggests a more multipolar energy system” | multipolar world/system |
Kết Bài
Chủ đề “Impact Of Renewable Energy On National Economic Policies” là một trong những chủ đề quan trọng và thường xuyên xuất hiện trong các đề thi IELTS Reading gần đây. Qua bộ đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được trải nghiệm một bài kiểm tra hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages có độ khó tăng dần, từ Easy (Band 5.0-6.5) đến Hard (Band 7.0-9.0), hoàn toàn phù hợp với chuẩn đề thi IELTS thực tế.
Passage 1 giới thiệu những khái niệm cơ bản về sự phát triển của năng lượng tái tạo và tác động ban đầu đến kinh tế. Passage 2 đi sâu vào các chính sách kinh tế cụ thể mà các quốc gia đã thực hiện để thúc đẩy chuyển đổi năng lượng, từ chính sách tài khóa đến chiến lược công nghiệp. Passage 3 phân tích những tác động vĩ mô phức tạp, bao gồm cấu trúc vốn, năng suất kinh tế, và sự tái cấu trúc trật tự kinh tế quốc tế. Đặc biệt, bài viết liên quan chặt chẽ đến Global energy transitions and the shift towards sustainability, một chủ đề rộng lớn hơn về chuyển đổi năng lượng toàn cầu.
Bộ 40 câu hỏi đa dạng bao gồm 7 dạng khác nhau – từ Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Headings, đến Summary Completion và Short-answer Questions – giúp bạn làm quen với mọi dạng bài có thể gặp trong kỳ thi thật. Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cụ thể không chỉ cho bạn biết câu trả lời đúng mà còn hướng dẫn cách tìm thông tin, paraphrase và áp dụng các kỹ thuật làm bài hiệu quả.
Phần từ vựng được tổng hợp theo từng passage với hơn 40 từ và cụm từ quan trọng, kèm phiên âm, nghĩa tiếng Việt, ví dụ minh họa và collocations thường gặp. Việc nắm vững những từ vựng này không chỉ giúp bạn hiểu sâu hơn về chủ đề năng lượng tái tạo mà còn nâng cao band điểm Vocabulary trong các phần thi Writing và Speaking. Để hiểu sâu hơn về ảnh hưởng của năng lượng tái tạo đến các ngành công nghiệp truyền thống, bạn có thể tham khảo thêm Impact of renewable energy on fossil fuel industries.
Hãy luyện tập với đề thi này trong điều kiện giống thi thật: 60 phút, không tra từ điển, và tự chấm điểm để đánh giá chính xác trình độ hiện tại của bạn. Đối với những ai quan tâm đến các giải pháp sáng tạo trong lĩnh vực này, How renewable energy innovations are combating climate change cung cấp góc nhìn về những đổi mới công nghệ quan trọng. Đừng quên phân tích kỹ phần giải thích đáp án để hiểu rõ tại sao một đáp án đúng và các đáp án khác sai – đây chính là chìa khóa để cải thiện kỹ năng làm bài Reading của bạn.
Với sự luyện tập đều đặn và phương pháp đúng đắn, bạn hoàn toàn có thể đạt được band điểm mục tiêu trong phần thi IELTS Reading. Nếu bạn quan tâm đến xu hướng phát triển năng lượng tái tạo tại khu vực châu Á, hãy đọc thêm The future of renewable energy in Asia để mở rộng kiến thức. Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!
