Mở Bài
Thương mại quốc tế đóng vai trò then chốt trong sự phát triển kinh tế toàn cầu và là một chủ đề xuất hiện thường xuyên trong các bài thi IELTS Reading. Chủ đề này không chỉ mang tính thời sự cao mà còn đòi hỏi người học nắm vững vốn từ vựng học thuật về kinh tế, thương mại và quan hệ quốc tế.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được thực hành với một đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh gồm 3 passages với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard. Đề thi bao gồm đa dạng các dạng câu hỏi phổ biến như Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng khác giống như trong kỳ thi thật. Mỗi passage được thiết kế cẩn thận để phản ánh chính xác format và độ khó của Cambridge IELTS.
Bên cạnh đó, bạn sẽ nhận được đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cụ thể về vị trí thông tin, kỹ thuật paraphrase và cách làm bài hiệu quả. Phần từ vựng quan trọng được tổng hợp theo từng passage sẽ giúp bạn xây dựng vốn từ vựng học thuật cần thiết.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên có trình độ từ band 5.0 trở lên, đặc biệt hữu ích cho những ai đang nhắm đến band điểm 6.5-8.0.
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. Đây là bài thi không có thời gian chuyển đáp án riêng, do đó bạn cần quản lý thời gian thật tốt để vừa đọc hiểu, vừa trả lời câu hỏi và vừa điền đáp án vào answer sheet.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1 (Easy): 15-17 phút – Đây là passage dễ nhất, cần làm nhanh và chính xác để tiết kiệm thời gian cho các passage sau
- Passage 2 (Medium): 18-20 phút – Độ khó trung bình, cần đọc kỹ hơn và chú ý đến paraphrase
- Passage 3 (Hard): 23-25 phút – Passage khó nhất với từ vựng học thuật và cấu trúc phức tạp, cần nhiều thời gian nhất
Lưu ý quan trọng: Mỗi câu trả lời đúng được tính 1 điểm, không có điểm âm cho câu sai. Do đó, bạn nên cố gắng hoàn thành tất cả 40 câu hỏi.
Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này
Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 8 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:
- Multiple Choice – Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm với 3-4 lựa chọn
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng, sai hay không được đề cập
- Yes/No/Not Given – Xác định quan điểm của tác giả
- Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn
- Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
- Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu
- Matching Features – Nối đặc điểm với các đối tượng
- Short-answer Questions – Trả lời câu hỏi ngắn
2. IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Foundations of International Trade
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
International trade, the exchange of goods and services across national borders, has been a fundamental aspect of human civilization for thousands of years. From the ancient Silk Road that connected East and West to today’s complex global supply chains, trade has consistently played a crucial role in shaping economies and societies worldwide.
The concept of international trade is built on a simple yet powerful principle: comparative advantage. This economic theory, first articulated by British economist David Ricardo in 1817, suggests that countries should specialize in producing goods and services they can make most efficiently, then trade with other nations for items they produce less efficiently. For example, a country with abundant sunshine and suitable climate might focus on agriculture, while a nation with advanced technology and skilled workforce could concentrate on manufacturing electronics. Through trade, both countries benefit from access to a wider variety of products than they could produce alone.
The benefits of international trade extend far beyond simple product exchange. When countries engage in trade, they create opportunities for economic growth and development. Export industries generate employment, increase national income, and bring foreign currency into the country. Companies that participate in international markets often become more competitive and innovative, as they must meet international standards and compete with global rivals. This competition drives improvements in product quality, efficiency, and technological advancement.
Moreover, international trade promotes cultural exchange and understanding between nations. As goods move across borders, so do ideas, technologies, and cultural practices. Consumers benefit from access to diverse products, from French wine to Japanese electronics, which would be unavailable or prohibitively expensive without trade. This cultural diversity enriches societies and broadens perspectives.
However, international trade is not without its challenges. Trade imbalances, where a country imports significantly more than it exports, can create economic difficulties. Developing countries often face obstacles in accessing international markets due to trade barriers such as tariffs (taxes on imports), quotas (limits on import quantities), and complex regulations. These barriers are sometimes necessary to protect domestic industries, especially infant industries that are still developing and cannot yet compete with established foreign competitors.
Trade agreements have emerged as important tools for facilitating international commerce. These agreements between two or more countries aim to reduce trade barriers and create more favorable conditions for business. Bilateral agreements involve two countries, while multilateral agreements include multiple nations. The World Trade Organization (WTO), established in 1995, serves as the primary international body governing global trade rules and resolving trade disputes between member countries.
The rise of globalization has dramatically increased the volume and complexity of international trade. Modern transportation technology, from container ships to cargo aircraft, has made it faster and cheaper to move goods across vast distances. Digital communication and the internet have enabled businesses of all sizes to connect with international partners and customers. E-commerce platforms now allow even small businesses to sell products globally, something that was impossible just two decades ago.
Supply chains have become increasingly international in nature. A smartphone, for instance, might be designed in the United States, have its components manufactured in five different Asian countries, be assembled in China, and then be sold worldwide. This international division of labor allows companies to optimize costs and efficiency, but it also creates interdependence between nations.
The economic impact of international trade is substantial. According to various studies, trade has lifted millions of people out of poverty, particularly in developing nations that have embraced export-oriented growth strategies. Countries like South Korea, Taiwan, and more recently China and Vietnam have experienced rapid economic development partly through integration into global trade networks. Trade has also contributed to lower consumer prices in many countries, as competition from imports keeps domestic prices in check.
Yet, the benefits of trade are not always distributed equally within countries. While trade creates winners, such as export industries and consumers who enjoy cheaper products, it can also create losers, particularly workers in industries that face import competition. Manufacturing workers in developed countries, for example, have sometimes lost jobs as production moved to countries with lower labor costs. This has led to political debates about the appropriate balance between free trade and protectionism.
Questions 1-13
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
1. According to the passage, the theory of comparative advantage suggests that countries should:
A. Produce everything they need themselves
B. Only trade with neighboring countries
C. Focus on what they can produce most efficiently
D. Avoid specialization in production
2. What does the passage say about companies that engage in international trade?
A. They always become less competitive
B. They often become more innovative
C. They must lower their product quality
D. They avoid meeting international standards
3. The Silk Road is mentioned as an example of:
A. Modern supply chains
B. Ancient international trade
C. Trade barriers
D. E-commerce platforms
4. According to the passage, trade imbalances occur when:
A. Two countries trade equal amounts
B. A country exports more than it imports
C. A country imports significantly more than it exports
D. Countries refuse to trade with each other
5. What role does the World Trade Organization play?
A. It manufactures goods for international trade
B. It governs global trade rules and resolves disputes
C. It prevents countries from trading
D. It only handles bilateral agreements
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
6. David Ricardo developed the theory of comparative advantage in the 19th century.
7. All countries benefit equally from international trade.
8. Container ships have made international transportation more expensive.
9. The smartphone industry demonstrates the international nature of modern supply chains.
Questions 10-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
10. Tariffs and quotas are examples of __ that can make it difficult for developing countries to access international markets.
11. Agreements involving more than two countries are called __ agreements.
12. The internet and digital communication have enabled even __ to connect with international customers.
13. Trade has contributed to __ in many countries by increasing competition from imports.
PASSAGE 2 – Trade Policies and Economic Development Strategies
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The relationship between international trade policies and economic development has been a subject of intense debate among economists, policymakers, and development practitioners for decades. While there is broad consensus that trade can be a powerful engine for growth, the specific policies that countries should adopt to maximize the benefits of trade remain contentious. This debate has significant implications for developing nations seeking to accelerate their economic progress and improve living standards for their populations.
Historical evidence presents a complex picture of trade’s role in development. The East Asian economic miracle, which saw countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan transform from impoverished post-war economies into prosperous industrial nations within a few decades, is often cited as evidence of trade-led development success. These countries adopted what economists call an export-oriented industrialization strategy. They focused on producing manufactured goods for international markets while gradually upgrading their industrial capabilities. Government policies played a crucial role in this process, providing strategic support to targeted industries, investing heavily in education and infrastructure, and maintaining undervalued currencies to make exports more competitive.
However, the East Asian model was not one of pure free trade. These countries employed selective protectionism, using tariffs and other measures to shield nascent industries from foreign competition while they developed competitive capabilities. Only gradually, as domestic industries became more sophisticated and competitive, did these nations reduce trade barriers and open their markets more fully. This approach, sometimes called strategic trade policy, involves active government intervention to nurture specific industries that policymakers believe have the potential to become internationally competitive.
Critics of strategic trade policy argue that it carries significant risks. Government officials may lack the information and expertise needed to “pick winners” – to identify which industries are worth supporting. Protected industries may become complacent and fail to develop international competitiveness, instead becoming permanent drains on national resources. Furthermore, such policies can provoke retaliation from trading partners, leading to trade wars that harm all parties involved. The misallocation of resources to uncompetitive industries can also stifle innovation and economic dynamism.
Proponents of free trade advocate for a different approach: rapid liberalization and minimal government intervention in trade. They argue that removing trade barriers allows markets to allocate resources efficiently, with industries developing according to each country’s natural comparative advantages. This approach, often associated with neoliberal economic policies, emphasizes the importance of market forces and competition in driving development. Countries like Chile have been pointed to as examples where trade liberalization combined with sound macroeconomic management has led to sustained growth and poverty reduction.
Yet even among free trade advocates, few support the immediate and complete removal of all trade barriers in developing countries. Most recognize the need for what economists call “policy space” – the flexibility for developing countries to use certain trade and industrial policies to foster development. The question is not whether governments should intervene at all, but rather what forms of intervention are most effective and under what circumstances.
The role of international institutions in shaping trade policy has also been contentious. Structural adjustment programs implemented by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank during the 1980s and 1990s often required developing countries to rapidly liberalize their trade regimes as a condition for receiving financial assistance. Critics argue that these programs sometimes imposed inappropriate policies that failed to account for local conditions and development needs. Some countries that followed these prescriptions experienced economic difficulties, including deindustrialization and increased inequality.
Contemporary trade policy increasingly focuses on deeper integration that goes beyond simply reducing tariffs. Modern trade agreements often include provisions on intellectual property rights, investment regulations, labor standards, and environmental protections. While proponents argue these provisions create a more stable and predictable environment for international business, critics contend they can constrain policy flexibility and limit developing countries’ ability to pursue development-oriented policies.
The emergence of global value chains (GVCs) has further complicated the trade and development relationship. Rather than producing complete products, countries now often specialize in specific stages of production, with components and partially finished goods crossing borders multiple times before final assembly. Participation in GVCs can offer developing countries a path to industrialization without needing to build complete domestic industries. However, upgrading within GVCs – moving from low-value activities like simple assembly to higher-value activities like design and innovation – presents its own challenges.
Trade in services, from tourism and financial services to software development and business process outsourcing, has become increasingly important for many developing countries. India’s success in information technology services demonstrates how developing nations can leverage skilled labor to participate in international trade without necessarily building traditional manufacturing sectors. This has led some economists to question whether the conventional manufacturing-centered path to development remains the only viable route.
Recent trends suggest a potential shift in global trade patterns. The rising costs of labor in traditional manufacturing centers like China, concerns about supply chain vulnerability exposed by events like the COVID-19 pandemic, and growing attention to environmental sustainability are prompting some companies to reconsider their global production strategies. Some predict a trend toward “reshoring” or “nearshoring,” with production moving closer to end markets. How these changes will affect developing countries’ trade-based development strategies remains an open question.
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
14. There is universal agreement among economists about which trade policies developing countries should adopt.
15. The East Asian economic miracle countries practiced completely free trade without any protectionism.
16. Government officials always have sufficient expertise to identify which industries will become internationally competitive.
17. Most free trade advocates support some policy flexibility for developing countries.
18. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed weaknesses in global supply chains.
Questions 19-23: Matching Headings
The passage has eleven paragraphs. Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-F from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The risks of government intervention in trade
ii. Modern trends reshaping global trade
iii. The importance of service sector trade
iv. The success story of East Asian development
v. The debate over immediate liberalization
vi. The role of global value chains
vii. International institutions and trade policy
viii. The complexity of historical evidence
ix. Beyond tariff reduction in modern agreements
19. Paragraph B (The paragraph beginning “Historical evidence presents…”)
20. Paragraph C (The paragraph beginning “However, the East Asian model…”)
21. Paragraph D (The paragraph beginning “Critics of strategic trade policy…”)
22. Paragraph E (The paragraph beginning “Proponents of free trade…”)
23. Paragraph G (The paragraph beginning “The role of international institutions…”)
Questions 24-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Global value chains have changed how countries participate in international trade. Instead of producing entire products, countries can specialize in particular (24) __. This allows developing countries to industrialize without creating complete industries. However, achieving (25) __ within these chains is challenging, as it requires moving from simple activities to more valuable ones. Meanwhile, trade in (26) __ has become increasingly significant, with countries like India demonstrating success in areas such as information technology.
PASSAGE 3 – Contemporary Challenges in Global Trade Architecture
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The global trade architecture that has governed international commerce for the past seven decades is facing unprecedented challenges that call into question its fundamental precepts and operational efficacy. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the multilateral trading system was predicated on the belief that reducing trade barriers and establishing rules-based mechanisms for dispute resolution would foster economic prosperity and political stability. While this system has indeed presided over a remarkable expansion of global trade and contributed to unprecedented increases in living standards across much of the world, it now confronts a confluence of pressures that threaten its coherence and legitimacy.
Foremost among these challenges is the rise of economic nationalism and populist political movements in various parts of the world. The 2016 Brexit referendum and the subsequent withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the election of leaders espousing protectionist rhetoric in several major economies, and the proliferation of unilateral trade measures all signal a retreat from the post-war consensus on the benefits of trade liberalization. This political backlash reflects genuine concerns about the distributional consequences of globalization, particularly regarding employment in traditional manufacturing sectors and the exacerbation of income inequality within countries. While aggregate measures suggest that trade has increased overall welfare and reduced global poverty, the benefits have been unevenly distributed, creating concentrations of economic dislocation in certain regions and industries. The political systems in many democracies have struggled to develop effective mechanisms for compensating those adversely affected by trade, leading to growing disenchantment with economic openness.
The institutional framework that governs global trade has also proven increasingly inadequate to address contemporary challenges. The World Trade Organization, which succeeded the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1995, has experienced mounting difficulties in fulfilling its core functions. The Doha Development Round of trade negotiations, launched in 2001 with ambitious goals for further liberalization and addressing developing country concerns, has effectively collapsed after years of intractable disagreements. The WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism, once lauded as a major achievement in international economic governance, has been rendered largely inoperative due to the blocking of appointments to its Appellate Body by certain member states. This institutional paralysis reflects deeper disagreements about trade rules and the balance of rights and obligations among members with divergent levels of development and economic systems.
The emergence of China as a dominant force in global trade has particularly strained the existing framework. China’s distinctive economic model, which combines elements of market economics with substantial state intervention, extensive industrial subsidies, and state-owned enterprises that play central roles in strategic sectors, sits uncomfortably within a trade system designed primarily with market economies in mind. Critics argue that China has exploited gaps and ambiguities in WTO rules to pursue mercantilist policies that distort international trade, accumulate technological capabilities through questionable means, and create unlevel playing fields for foreign companies. The inadequacy of existing rules to address concerns about state capitalism, forced technology transfer, cyber-espionage, and industrial subsidies has led some countries to pursue unilateral measures or alternative plurilateral arrangements outside the WTO framework.
Technological transformation constitutes another profound challenge to the established trade order. The digital revolution has blurred traditional distinctions between goods and services, created entirely new categories of tradable products, and raised novel questions about data flows, privacy, intellectual property, and digital taxation. E-commerce, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing are reshaping global value chains and production patterns in ways that existing trade rules were not designed to address. The absence of comprehensive international frameworks governing digital trade has led countries to adopt divergent regulatory approaches, creating potential for fragmentation of the digital economy. Meanwhile, automation and artificial intelligence threaten to undermine one of the traditional advantages of developing countries – abundant low-cost labor – potentially necessitating fundamental rethinking of development strategies predicated on labor-intensive manufacturing exports.
Environmental concerns and the imperative of addressing climate change add another layer of complexity to international trade policy. The tension between trade rules that prohibit discrimination based on production methods and environmental policies that seek to favor sustainably produced goods has long been recognized but has intensified with growing urgency around climate action. Proposals for carbon border adjustments – measures that would impose charges on imports from countries with weaker climate policies – raise difficult questions about compatibility with WTO rules and threaten to become sources of trade conflict. The challenge lies in designing policies that effectively address environmental objectives without becoming disguised protectionism or unfairly penalizing developing countries with limited capacity to adopt expensive environmental technologies.
The proliferation of preferential trade agreements has created a complex web of overlapping commitments that some scholars describe as a “spaghetti bowl” of trade rules. While the multilateral system has stagnated, countries have pursued bilateral and regional agreements that often go beyond WTO commitments but create their own complications. Different rules of origin, varying standards, and inconsistent provisions across agreements increase transaction costs for businesses and create distortions in trade patterns. Mega-regional agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) attempt to address some of these issues through broader geographic coverage, but they also raise concerns about excluding certain countries and creating competing trade blocs.
Geopolitical tensions increasingly intersect with and shape trade policy in ways that challenge the notion of economics-focused trade governance. The concept of “economic security,” once primarily associated with energy dependence, has expanded to encompass supply chain vulnerabilities in critical sectors like semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and rare earth elements. The instrumentalization of trade relationships for geopolitical objectives – what some term “weaponized interdependence” – has become more common, with trade measures employed as tools of statecraft to advance security objectives or punish adversarial behavior. This securitization of trade policy potentially undermines the economic efficiency rationale that has underpinned trade liberalization and introduces unpredictability into international commerce.
The question of how to reform and revitalize the global trade system has engendered various proposals, none commanding universal support. Some advocate for incremental changes that preserve the basic multilateral framework while updating specific rules to address contemporary challenges. Others call for more fundamental restructuring that would differentiate obligations based on countries’ development levels and economic systems more explicitly than current rules allow. Still others suggest that practical progress may require accepting a more plurilateral approach, with agreements among coalitions of the willing on specific issues rather than insisting on universal participation. There is also debate about whether the consensus-based decision-making model that has characterized the multilateral system can continue to function effectively given the increased membership and diversity of the WTO.
Despite these formidable challenges, international trade continues to grow and evolve. Private sector actors are finding ways to navigate the increasingly complex regulatory environment, and trade flows remain substantial even as the governing architecture struggles. Regional integration continues to deepen in various parts of the world, and new institutional innovations are emerging. The African Continental Free Trade Area, for instance, represents an ambitious attempt to create a continent-wide market that could transform development prospects for African nations. Digital platforms are enabling smaller businesses to access international markets in ways previously inconceivable, potentially democratizing international trade.
The trajectory of the global trade system over the coming decades will have profound implications not merely for economic prosperity but also for international cooperation more broadly. Trade has historically been an area where countries with otherwise contentious relationships have found common ground and mutual benefit. Whether the multilateral trading system can be reformed and adapted to address contemporary challenges while preserving its core principles, or whether it will fragment into competing regional blocs and bilateral relationships, remains among the most consequential questions facing the international community. The answer will shape not only economic outcomes but also patterns of global governance and international relations for generations to come.
Questions 27-40
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
27. According to the passage, the multilateral trading system established after World War II was based on the idea that:
A. Countries should prioritize domestic production
B. Reducing trade barriers would promote prosperity and stability
C. Economic nationalism would benefit all nations
D. Trade should be limited to neighboring countries
28. The passage suggests that the political backlash against globalization is primarily due to:
A. Overall decreases in global welfare
B. Successful compensation mechanisms for affected workers
C. The uneven distribution of trade benefits
D. Increased employment in manufacturing sectors
29. What does the passage say about the Doha Development Round?
A. It successfully achieved all its goals
B. It has effectively collapsed after years of disagreements
C. It strengthened the WTO dispute settlement mechanism
D. It was launched in 1995
30. According to the passage, China’s economic model creates tension because:
A. It is identical to other market economies
B. It fits perfectly within existing WTO rules
C. It combines market elements with substantial state intervention
D. It completely rejects state-owned enterprises
31. The passage indicates that automation and artificial intelligence may:
A. Increase the advantage of low-cost labor
B. Have no effect on developing countries
C. Strengthen traditional development strategies
D. Undermine developing countries’ traditional labor advantages
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each challenge (32-36) with the correct description (A-H) from the box below.
Write the correct letter, A-H.
Challenges:
32. Carbon border adjustments
33. Rules of origin
34. Economic security
35. Weaponized interdependence
36. Consensus-based decision-making
Descriptions:
A. Using trade relationships as tools to advance geopolitical objectives
B. A process that may not function effectively with increased WTO membership
C. Measures that impose charges on imports from countries with weak climate policies
D. Requirements that vary across different trade agreements
E. Protection of domestic industries from foreign competition
F. Expansion of concerns beyond energy dependence
G. Complete elimination of all trade barriers
H. Agreements between only two countries
Questions 37-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
37. What term does the passage use to describe the complex network of overlapping trade agreements?
38. Which agreement is mentioned as an example of regional integration in Africa?
39. What type of businesses are digital platforms helping to access international markets?
40. Besides economic prosperity, what other area does the passage say trade affects?
Cấu trúc đề thi IELTS Reading về thương mại quốc tế với ba passages độ khó tăng dần
3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- C
- B
- B
- C
- B
- TRUE
- FALSE
- FALSE
- TRUE
- trade barriers
- multilateral
- small businesses
- lower consumer prices
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- NO
- NO
- NO
- YES
- YES
- viii
- iv
- i
- v
- vii
- stages of production
- upgrading
- services
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- B
- C
- B
- C
- D
- C
- D
- F
- A
- B
- spaghetti bowl
- African Continental Free Trade Area
- smaller businesses
- international cooperation
4. Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: theory of comparative advantage, suggests, countries should
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “countries should specialize in producing goods and services they can make most efficiently” – các quốc gia nên chuyên môn hóa sản xuất hàng hóa và dịch vụ mà họ có thể làm hiệu quả nhất. Đây chính là paraphrase của đáp án C “Focus on what they can produce most efficiently”.
Câu 2: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: companies, engage in international trade
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: Đoạn văn nói “Companies that participate in international markets often become more competitive and innovative” – các công ty tham gia thị trường quốc tế thường trở nên cạnh tranh và đổi mới hơn. Đáp án B trùng khớp hoàn toàn.
Câu 4: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: trade imbalances, occur when
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: Bài viết định nghĩa rõ “Trade imbalances, where a country imports significantly more than it exports” – mất cân bằng thương mại là khi một quốc gia nhập khẩu nhiều hơn đáng kể so với xuất khẩu.
Câu 6: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: David Ricardo, theory of comparative advantage, 19th century
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói “This economic theory, first articulated by British economist David Ricardo in 1817” – năm 1817 thuộc thế kỷ 19, nên câu này đúng.
Câu 7: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: all countries, benefit equally
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói rõ “the benefits of trade are not always distributed equally” – lợi ích của thương mại không phải lúc nào cũng được phân phối đồng đều, do đó câu này sai.
Câu 9: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: smartphone industry, international nature, supply chains
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 1-4
- Giải thích: Passage cho ví dụ về smartphone được thiết kế ở Mỹ, linh kiện sản xuất ở nhiều nước châu Á, lắp ráp ở Trung Quốc, chứng minh tính chất quốc tế của chuỗi cung ứng.
Câu 10: trade barriers
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: tariffs, quotas, examples
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết liệt kê “trade barriers such as tariffs (taxes on imports), quotas (limits on import quantities)” – hàng rào thương mại như thuế quan và hạn ngạch.
Câu 12: small businesses
- Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
- Từ khóa: internet, digital communication, enabled, connect
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: “E-commerce platforms now allow even small businesses to sell products globally” – nền tảng thương mại điện tử cho phép ngay cả các doanh nghiệp nhỏ bán hàng toàn cầu.
Hướng dẫn chi tiết giải thích đáp án IELTS Reading chủ đề thương mại quốc tế
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: universal agreement, economists, trade policies
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: Đoạn đầu nói rõ “While there is broad consensus that trade can be a powerful engine for growth, the specific policies that countries should adopt to maximize the benefits of trade remain contentious” – các chính sách cụ thể vẫn còn gây tranh cãi, do đó không có sự đồng thuận toàn cầu.
Câu 15: NO
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: East Asian countries, completely free trade, protectionism
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “However, the East Asian model was not one of pure free trade. These countries employed selective protectionism” – mô hình Đông Á không phải là tự do thương mại thuần túy, họ sử dụng chủ nghĩa bảo hộ có chọn lọc.
Câu 17: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: free trade advocates, policy flexibility, developing countries
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 1-3
- Giải thích: “Yet even among free trade advocates, few support the immediate and complete removal of all trade barriers in developing countries. Most recognize the need for what economists call ‘policy space'” – hầu hết những người ủng hộ tự do thương mại đều thừa nhận nhu cầu về không gian chính sách.
Câu 19: viii (The complexity of historical evidence)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn B
- Giải thích: Đoạn này bắt đầu với “Historical evidence presents a complex picture” và thảo luận về các bằng chứng lịch sử phức tạp về vai trò của thương mại trong phát triển, đặc biệt qua ví dụ Đông Á.
Câu 20: iv (The success story of East Asian development)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn C
- Giải thích: Đoạn này tập trung vào việc giải thích chi tiết mô hình Đông Á không phải là tự do thương mại hoàn toàn và cách họ sử dụng chủ nghĩa bảo hộ có chọn lọc để phát triển.
Câu 21: i (The risks of government intervention in trade)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Vị trí: Đoạn D
- Giải thích: Đoạn bắt đầu với “Critics of strategic trade policy argue that it carries significant risks” và liệt kê các rủi ro của sự can thiệp của chính phủ.
Câu 24: stages of production
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: specialize, countries
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: “Rather than producing complete products, countries now often specialize in specific stages of production” – các nước chuyên môn hóa vào các giai đoạn sản xuất cụ thể.
Câu 26: services
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Từ khóa: trade in, India, information technology
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “Trade in services, from tourism and financial services to software development… India’s success in information technology services” – thương mại dịch vụ đã trở nên quan trọng.
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: multilateral trading system, established after World War II, based on
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: “the multilateral trading system was predicated on the belief that reducing trade barriers and establishing rules-based mechanisms for dispute resolution would foster economic prosperity and political stability” – hệ thống dựa trên niềm tin rằng giảm rào cản thương mại sẽ thúc đẩy thịnh vượng và ổn định.
Câu 28: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: political backlash, globalization, primarily due to
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-6
- Giải thích: “This political backlash reflects genuine concerns about the distributional consequences of globalization” và “the benefits have been unevenly distributed” – phản ứng chính trị phản ánh mối lo ngại về hậu quả phân phối của toàn cầu hóa.
Câu 29: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Doha Development Round
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “The Doha Development Round of trade negotiations, launched in 2001 with ambitious goals… has effectively collapsed after years of intractable disagreements” – vòng đàm phán đã sụp đổ sau nhiều năm bất đồng.
Câu 31: D
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: automation, artificial intelligence, may
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 7-9
- Giải thích: “automation and artificial intelligence threaten to undermine one of the traditional advantages of developing countries – abundant low-cost labor” – tự động hóa đe dọa làm suy yếu lợi thế truyền thống của các nước đang phát triển.
Câu 32: C (Carbon border adjustments)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 5-7
- Giải thích: “Proposals for carbon border adjustments – measures that would impose charges on imports from countries with weaker climate policies” – các biện pháp điều chỉnh biên giới carbon áp dụng phí với hàng nhập khẩu từ các nước có chính sách khí hậu yếu hơn.
Câu 35: A (Weaponized interdependence)
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “The instrumentalization of trade relationships for geopolitical objectives – what some term ‘weaponized interdependence'” – việc công cụ hóa quan hệ thương mại cho các mục tiêu địa chính trị.
Câu 37: spaghetti bowl
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: term, complex network, overlapping trade agreements
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “The proliferation of preferential trade agreements has created a complex web of overlapping commitments that some scholars describe as a ‘spaghetti bowl’ of trade rules” – một số học giả mô tả là “bát mì spaghetti” các quy tắc thương mại.
Câu 38: African Continental Free Trade Area
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: agreement, regional integration, Africa
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 4-5
- Giải thích: “The African Continental Free Trade Area, for instance, represents an ambitious attempt to create a continent-wide market” – Khu vực Thương mại Tự do Lục địa châu Phi được đề cập như một ví dụ về hội nhập khu vực.
Câu 40: international cooperation
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer
- Từ khóa: besides economic prosperity, trade affects
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 11, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “The trajectory of the global trade system… will have profound implications not merely for economic prosperity but also for international cooperation more broadly” – quỹ đạo của hệ thống thương mại toàn cầu có ý nghĩa sâu sắc không chỉ đối với thịnh vượng kinh tế mà còn đối với hợp tác quốc tế.
Các dạng câu hỏi phổ biến trong IELTS Reading về chủ đề thương mại quốc tế
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| exchange | n/v | /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/ | trao đổi,rao giao | the exchange of goods and services | exchange rate, currency exchange |
| fundamental | adj | /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/ | cơ bản, căn bản | a fundamental aspect | fundamental principle, fundamental change |
| comparative advantage | n phrase | /kəmˈpærətɪv ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ/ | lợi thế so sánh | the concept of comparative advantage | gain comparative advantage |
| specialize | v | /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/ | chuyên môn hóa | specialize in producing | specialize in, highly specialized |
| abundant | adj | /əˈbʌndənt/ | dồi dào, phong phú | abundant sunshine | abundant resources, abundant supply |
| engage in | phrasal v | /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ ɪn/ | tham gia vào | engage in trade | engage in activities, engage in business |
| prohibitively | adv | /prəˈhɪbɪtɪvli/ | một cách cấm đoán, quá đắt | prohibitively expensive | prohibitively high, prohibitively costly |
| tariff | n | /ˈtærɪf/ | thuế quan | tariffs on imports | impose tariffs, reduce tariffs |
| quota | n | /ˈkwəʊtə/ | hạn ngạch | limits on import quantities | import quota, quota system |
| bilateral | adj | /ˌbaɪˈlætərəl/ | song phương | bilateral agreements | bilateral trade, bilateral relations |
| multilateral | adj | /ˌmʌltiˈlætərəl/ | đa phương | multilateral agreements | multilateral cooperation |
| globalization | n | /ˌɡləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ | toàn cầu hóa | the rise of globalization | economic globalization, era of globalization |
| supply chain | n phrase | /səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/ | chuỗi cung ứng | international supply chains | global supply chain, disrupt supply chain |
| interdependence | n | /ˌɪntədɪˈpendəns/ | sự phụ thuộc lẫn nhau | creates interdependence | economic interdependence |
| integration | n | /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ | hội nhập | integration into global trade | economic integration, regional integration |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| contentious | adj | /kənˈtenʃəs/ | gây tranh cãi | remain contentious | contentious issue, contentious debate |
| accelerate | v | /əkˈseləreɪt/ | tăng tốc | accelerate economic progress | accelerate growth, accelerate development |
| export-oriented | adj | /ˈekspɔːt ˈɔːrientɪd/ | định hướng xuất khẩu | export-oriented industrialization | export-oriented strategy |
| nascent | adj | /ˈnæsnt/ | mới nổi, non trẻ | nascent industries | nascent market, nascent technology |
| complacent | adj | /kəmˈpleɪsnt/ | tự mãn | become complacent | complacent attitude, grow complacent |
| retaliation | n | /rɪˌtæliˈeɪʃn/ | sự trả đúa | provoke retaliation | fear of retaliation, trade retaliation |
| liberalization | n | /ˌlɪbərəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ | tự do hóa | trade liberalization | economic liberalization, rapid liberalization |
| misallocation | n | /ˌmɪsæləˈkeɪʃn/ | phân bổ sai | misallocation of resources | resource misallocation |
| sustained | adj | /səˈsteɪnd/ | bền vững | sustained growth | sustained effort, sustained development |
| prescriptions | n | /prɪˈskrɪpʃnz/ | những chỉ dẫn, công thức | policy prescriptions | economic prescriptions, policy prescriptions |
| deindustrialization | n | /diːɪnˌdʌstriəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ | phi công nghiệp hóa | experienced deindustrialization | rapid deindustrialization |
| inequality | n | /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ | bất bình đẳng | increased inequality | income inequality, social inequality |
| leverage | v | /ˈliːvərɪdʒ/ | tận dụng | leverage skilled labor | leverage resources, leverage technology |
| vulnerability | n | /ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪləti/ | tính dễ bị tổn thương | supply chain vulnerability | economic vulnerability, exposed vulnerability |
| reshoring | n | /riːˈʃɔːrɪŋ/ | đưa sản xuất về nước | trend toward reshoring | manufacturing reshoring |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unprecedented | adj | /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ | chưa từng có | unprecedented challenges | unprecedented crisis, unprecedented level |
| precepts | n | /ˈpriːsepts/ | nguyên tắc | fundamental precepts | basic precepts, moral precepts |
| efficacy | n | /ˈefɪkəsi/ | hiệu quả | operational efficacy | demonstrate efficacy, clinical efficacy |
| confluence | n | /ˈkɒnfluəns/ | sự kết hợp | confluence of pressures | confluence of factors, confluence of events |
| populist | adj | /ˈpɒpjʊlɪst/ | theo chủ nghĩa dân túy | populist political movements | populist rhetoric, populist agenda |
| distributional | adj | /ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃənl/ | liên quan đến phân phối | distributional consequences | distributional effects, distributional impact |
| exacerbation | n | /ɪɡˌzæsəˈbeɪʃn/ | sự làm trầm trọng thêm | exacerbation of inequality | exacerbation of problems |
| disenchantment | n | /ˌdɪsɪnˈtʃɑːntmənt/ | sự vỡ mộng | growing disenchantment | public disenchantment, widespread disenchantment |
| intractable | adj | /ɪnˈtræktəbl/ | khó giải quyết | intractable disagreements | intractable problem, intractable conflict |
| appellate | adj | /əˈpelət/ | thuộc về phúc thẩm | Appellate Body | appellate court, appellate jurisdiction |
| mercantilist | adj | /ˈmɜːkəntɪlɪst/ | theo chủ nghĩa trọng thương | mercantilist policies | mercantilist approach, mercantilist system |
| plurilateral | adj | /ˌplʊrɪˈlætərəl/ | đa phương nhưng không toàn cầu | plurilateral arrangements | plurilateral agreements |
| cyber-espionage | n | /ˈsaɪbər ˈespiənɑːʒ/ | gián điệp mạng | concerns about cyber-espionage | cyber-espionage activities |
| securitization | n | /sɪˌkjʊərɪtaɪˈzeɪʃn/ | chứng khoán hóa, an ninh hóa | securitization of trade policy | asset securitization |
| weaponized | adj | /ˈwepənaɪzd/ | vũ khí hóa | weaponized interdependence | weaponized information |
| engender | v | /ɪnˈdʒendə/ | gây ra, tạo ra | has engendered various proposals | engender trust, engender debate |
| democratizing | v | /dɪˈmɒkrətaɪzɪŋ/ | dân chủ hóa | democratizing international trade | democratizing access |
| trajectory | n | /trəˈdʒektəri/ | quỹ đạo | the trajectory of the system | development trajectory, growth trajectory |
Bảng tổng hợp từ vựng quan trọng IELTS Reading chủ đề thương mại quốc tế
Kết Bài
Chủ đề về vai trò của thương mại quốc tế trong phát triển kinh tế toàn cầu không chỉ là một chủ đề thường xuyên xuất hiện trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading mà còn là kiến thức thiết yếu giúp bạn hiểu rõ hơn về thế giới hiện đại. Qua bộ đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được thực hành với 3 passages có độ khó tăng dần, từ Easy với các khái niệm cơ bản về thương mại quốc tế, đến Medium với các chính sách và chiến lược phát triển, và cuối cùng là Hard với những thách thức phức tạp của kiến trúc thương mại toàn cầu hiện đại.
Bộ đề bao gồm đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi với 8 dạng khác nhau giống như trong kỳ thi thật, giúp bạn làm quen với format và yêu cầu của IELTS Reading. Phần đáp án chi tiết không chỉ cung cấp câu trả lời đúng mà còn giải thích rõ ràng về vị trí thông tin, kỹ thuật paraphrase và cách tiếp cận từng dạng câu hỏi. Đây là công cụ quý giá để bạn tự đánh giá năng lực và điều chỉnh phương pháp học tập.
Hơn 40 từ vựng quan trọng được tổng hợp kèm phiên âm, nghĩa tiếng Việt và collocations sẽ giúp bạn xây dựng vốn từ vựng học thuật vững chắc, không chỉ hữu ích cho phần Reading mà còn cho cả Writing và Speaking. Hãy chú ý đến cách các từ vựng này được sử dụng trong ngữ cảnh học thuật và thực hành sử dụng chúng trong câu văn của bạn.
Để đạt kết quả tốt nhất, bạn nên làm bài trong điều kiện giống thi thật: đặt đồng hồ bấm giờ 60 phút, làm bài trong môi trường yên tĩnh và không tra từ điển trong quá trình làm bài. Sau khi hoàn thành, hãy đối chiếu đáp án, phân tích những câu sai và rút ra bài học cho lần sau. Thực hành thường xuyên với các đề thi chất lượng như thế này sẽ giúp bạn tự tin bước vào phòng thi và đạt được band điểm mong muốn.
Chúc bạn ôn tập hiệu quả và đạt kết quả cao trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!
