IELTS Reading: Thách Thức Trong Chuyển Đổi Năng Lượng Tái Tạo Toàn Cầu – Đề Thi Mẫu Có Đáp Án

Mở Bài

Chủ đề năng lượng tái tạo và bền vững là một trong những đề tài xuất hiện thường xuyên nhất trong IELTS Reading, đặc biệt ở Cambridge IELTS từ quyển 12 trở đi. Với bối cảnh biến đổi khí hậu và sự quan tâm ngày càng tăng về môi trường, việc hiểu rõ các thách thức trong việc áp dụng năng lượng tái tạo trên phạm vi toàn cầu không chỉ giúp bạn đạt band điểm cao mà còn mở rộng kiến thức học thuật quan trọng.

Bài viết này cung cấp một bộ đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh gồm 3 passages với độ khó tăng dần từ Easy đến Hard. Bạn sẽ được thực hành với 40 câu hỏi đa dạng, bao gồm True/False/Not Given, Multiple Choice, Matching, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng khác – giống hệt như trong kỳ thi thật. Mỗi câu hỏi đều có đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích cụ thể về vị trí thông tin và kỹ thuật paraphrase.

Đề thi này phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên, giúp bạn làm quen với cấu trúc bài thi, rèn luyện kỹ năng quản lý thời gian và nâng cao vốn từ vựng học thuật về chủ đề năng lượng và môi trường.

1. Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading

Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test

IELTS Reading Test kéo dài 60 phút và bao gồm 3 passages với tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Mỗi câu trả lời đúng được tính 1 điểm, không bị trừ điểm khi sai.

Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:

• Passage 1: 15-17 phút (độ khó thấp nhất)
• Passage 2: 18-20 phút (độ khó trung bình)
• Passage 3: 23-25 phút (độ khó cao nhất)

Lưu ý dành 2-3 phút cuối để chuyển đáp án vào Answer Sheet vì bài thi không có thời gian bổ sung cho việc này.

Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này

Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 7 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất:

1. True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không được đề cập
2. Multiple Choice – Chọn đáp án đúng nhất từ các phương án
3. Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn phù hợp
4. Sentence Completion – Hoàn thiện câu với thông tin từ bài đọc
5. Summary Completion – Điền từ vào đoạn tóm tắt
6. Matching Features – Nối thông tin với nhân vật/tổ chức
7. Short-answer Questions – Trả lời ngắn gọn câu hỏi

2. IELTS Reading Practice Test

PASSAGE 1 – The Solar Revolution: Early Steps Toward Renewable Energy

Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút

The world’s growing awareness of climate change has led to increased interest in renewable energy sources, particularly solar power. Over the past two decades, solar energy has transformed from an expensive, niche technology into a mainstream solution that is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible to communities worldwide.

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) cells, work by converting sunlight directly into electricity. The technology was first developed in the 1950s, but it was prohibitively expensive for most applications outside of space exploration. In the 1970s, during the oil crisis, governments began investing in solar research, hoping to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that technological advances and mass production brought costs down significantly.

Today, the cost of solar panels has dropped by more than 90% since 2010, making it one of the cheapest sources of electricity in many parts of the world. This dramatic price reduction has been driven by several factors. First, manufacturing efficiency has improved tremendously, particularly in countries like China, which now produces approximately 70% of the world’s solar panels. Second, economies of scale have kicked in as demand has grown exponentially. Third, technological innovations have increased the conversion efficiency of solar cells, meaning they can produce more electricity from the same amount of sunlight.

The residential solar market has expanded rapidly as a result of these changes. In countries like Australia and Germany, it is now common to see solar panels on rooftops in suburban neighborhoods. Homeowners are attracted by the prospect of reducing their electricity bills and becoming less dependent on the power grid. In some regions, households can even sell excess electricity back to utility companies through feed-in tariff schemes, creating a new source of income.

Developing countries have also begun to embrace solar technology, although for different reasons. In rural areas of Africa and Asia, where connection to the main electricity grid is often impractical or impossible, solar power provides a viable alternative. Small solar home systems can power lights, mobile phone chargers, and even small appliances, dramatically improving quality of life. Organizations like the World Bank and various NGOs have launched programs to make these systems available at affordable prices or through microfinance schemes.

Despite these successes, solar energy still faces several challenges that limit its widespread adoption. The most significant is the issue of intermittency – solar panels only generate electricity when the sun is shining. This means that without adequate energy storage solutions, solar power cannot provide continuous electricity supply. Current battery technology is improving but remains expensive and has limited capacity. This challenge is particularly acute in regions that experience long periods of cloudy weather or have limited sunlight during winter months.

Another obstacle is the initial installation cost. While solar panels have become much cheaper, the upfront investment required for a complete solar system – including panels, inverters, mounting equipment, and installation – can still be substantial. For many households, especially in developing countries, this financial barrier remains insurmountable without access to loans or subsidies. Additionally, older housing stock may require significant modifications to support solar panel installation, adding to the overall expense.

There are also regulatory challenges in many countries. Grid connection policies, building codes, and electricity market regulations were often designed with traditional power generation in mind and may not accommodate distributed solar generation efficiently. Some utility companies have been resistant to change, concerned that widespread solar adoption could threaten their business models. However, progressive governments are beginning to update their regulatory frameworks to encourage rather than hinder solar development.

Looking ahead, experts believe that solar energy will continue to play an increasingly important role in the global energy mix. The International Energy Agency predicts that solar could become the world’s largest source of electricity by 2050. To achieve this vision, continued technological innovation, supportive policies, and increased investment in both solar generation and energy storage will be essential. The solar revolution has begun, but significant work remains to ensure its benefits reach all communities worldwide.

Chuyển đổi năng lượng mặt trời toàn cầu với pin quang điện hiện đại

Questions 1-6

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Passage 1?

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

1. Solar panel technology was initially created for use in space programs.
2. The 1970s oil crisis led to government funding for solar energy research.
3. China manufactures the majority of solar panels used globally.
4. Australian households can earn money by selling surplus electricity.
5. Solar home systems in developing countries can power refrigerators.
6. The World Bank exclusively uses microfinance to provide solar systems.

Questions 7-10

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

7. The biggest challenge limiting solar energy expansion is the problem of __.
8. Solar panels can only produce electricity during periods of __.
9. Many households find the __ required for solar installation too expensive.
10. Some electricity providers are __ because solar energy threatens their profits.

Questions 11-13

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

11. According to the passage, solar panel costs have decreased because of:

• A. government subsidies only
• B. space exploration investments
• C. improved manufacturing and increased demand
• D. utility company support

12. In developing countries, solar energy is particularly valuable because:

• A. it is cheaper than in developed nations
• B. many rural areas lack grid connectivity
• C. governments provide free installation
• D. the climate is always sunny

13. The International Energy Agency predicts that by 2050:

• A. solar will be the dominant electricity source globally
• B. all countries will use only renewable energy
• C. fossil fuels will be completely eliminated
• D. battery technology will be perfected

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PASSAGE 2 – Infrastructure and Investment: The Economic Barriers to Renewable Energy

Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút

The transition to renewable energy represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in human history, requiring unprecedented levels of investment and systemic transformation across multiple sectors. While technological advances have made renewable energy sources like wind and solar increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, the economic challenges of achieving global adoption extend far beyond simply installing new generation capacity. These challenges encompass grid modernization, energy storage, workforce development, and the complex economics of stranded assets in the existing energy system.

Traditional electricity grids were designed as centralized systems where power flows in one direction – from large power plants to consumers. However, renewable energy generation is typically distributed and variable, with thousands or even millions of small solar installations and wind farms feeding power into the grid at fluctuating levels. This fundamental mismatch necessitates a comprehensive grid modernization program. Smart grid technology, incorporating advanced sensors, real-time monitoring, and automated controls, is essential to manage the bidirectional flow of electricity and balance supply and demand dynamically.

The financial scale of required grid infrastructure upgrades is staggering. The International Energy Agency estimates that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will require annual investment of approximately $4 trillion in clean energy and infrastructure by 2030 – more than triple current levels. In the United States alone, estimates suggest that comprehensive grid modernization could cost between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion over the next two decades. For developing economies, where existing infrastructure may be limited or outdated, the challenge is even more daunting, as they must simultaneously expand energy access while decarbonizing their systems.

Energy storage represents another critical economic hurdle. The intermittent nature of wind and solar power means that significant storage capacity is needed to ensure reliable electricity supply when renewable generation is insufficient. Lithium-ion batteries have seen dramatic cost reductions in recent years, falling by approximately 90% since 2010, largely driven by demand from the electric vehicle industry. However, current battery technology is economically viable primarily for short-duration storage (typically 4 hours or less). Long-duration storage solutions – needed to bridge multi-day periods of low renewable generation or to store summer solar energy for winter use – remain prohibitively expensive or technically immature.

Several alternative storage technologies are being developed, including flow batteries, compressed air energy storage, hydrogen storage, and thermal storage systems. Each has different cost profiles, efficiency levels, and suitable applications, but none has yet achieved the economic competitiveness necessary for mass deployment. This technological and economic uncertainty creates investment risk, making financial institutions hesitant to fund large-scale storage projects without government guarantees or subsidies.

The issue of stranded assets presents a particularly complex economic challenge. Globally, there are trillions of dollars invested in fossil fuel infrastructure – coal plants, gas pipelines, refineries, and related facilities – much of which has expected operational lifespans extending decades into the future. A rapid transition to renewable energy would render many of these assets economically unviable before they have generated their anticipated returns, creating massive financial losses for investors, utilities, and governments. This risk creates powerful economic incentives to continue operating fossil fuel infrastructure, even as cleaner alternatives become available.

Carbon Lock-in, the tendency of energy systems to remain dependent on fossil fuels due to existing capital investment and infrastructure, is particularly severe in energy-intensive industries like steel, cement, and chemicals production. These sectors require not just electricity but also high-temperature heat and specific chemical processes that are difficult to decarbonize with current renewable technologies. Industrial transformation in these sectors may require entirely new production methods and manufacturing facilities, representing capital investments of hundreds of billions of dollars globally.

The financial architecture supporting energy investment also requires fundamental reform. Capital markets and banking systems have traditionally favored large, centralized power projects with predictable revenue streams – characteristics typical of fossil fuel plants but less common in renewable energy developments. Renewable projects often involve higher upfront costs but lower operating expenses, a different risk profile that requires new financial instruments and investment models. Developing countries face particular challenges in accessing affordable capital; international finance costs for renewable projects can be 2-3 times higher than in developed nations, significantly impacting project economics.

Policy uncertainty compounds these economic challenges. Investors require long-term certainty about government support for renewable energy to justify major capital commitments. However, renewable energy policies have proven politically volatile in many countries, with subsidies, tax incentives, and regulatory frameworks subject to frequent changes as governments change or budgets tighten. This policy instability increases investment risk and the cost of capital for renewable projects, slowing deployment.

Addressing these interconnected economic barriers requires a coordinated approach involving governments, private sector, and international institutions. Successful strategies will likely include carbon pricing to reflect the environmental costs of fossil fuels, public investment in grid infrastructure and research and development, innovative financing mechanisms to reduce capital costs, and just transition programs to support workers and communities dependent on fossil fuel industries. Only through such comprehensive economic transformation can the world hope to achieve the rapid renewable energy adoption necessary to address climate change.

Đầu tư hạ tầng lưới điện thông minh cho năng lượng tái tạo toàn cầu

Questions 14-18

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

14. According to the passage, traditional electricity grids differ from renewable energy systems because they:

• A. are more expensive to operate
• B. were designed for one-directional power flow
• C. cannot produce enough electricity
• D. are only suitable for urban areas

15. The International Energy Agency estimates that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires:

• A. $1.5 trillion total investment
• B. $4 trillion annual investment by 2030
• C. doubling current investment levels
• D. eliminating all fossil fuel use immediately

16. Lithium-ion batteries are currently economically viable for:

• A. long-duration energy storage
• B. all types of energy storage needs
• C. storage periods of about 4 hours
• D. storing summer energy for winter

17. Stranded assets create economic challenges because:

• A. they are located in remote areas
• B. they become unprofitable before expected
• C. they require expensive maintenance
• D. governments refuse to subsidize them

18. Renewable energy projects in developing countries face higher financing costs because:

• A. the technology is more expensive there
• B. international investors charge higher interest rates
• C. there are no local banks available
• D. governments impose additional taxes

Questions 19-23

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Grid modernization requires implementing (19) __, which includes advanced sensors and automated controls to manage electricity flow. The challenge of (20) __ means that renewable energy cannot always provide reliable power supply. Alternative storage technologies like (21) __ and compressed air systems are being developed but remain expensive. The problem of (22) __ occurs when energy systems stay dependent on fossil fuels due to existing investments. Additionally, (23) __ in government policies increases risk and costs for investors.

Questions 24-26

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Passage 2?

Write:

• YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
• NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
• NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

24. Current battery technology is sufficient for all energy storage requirements.
25. Energy-intensive industries require entirely new production methods to eliminate carbon emissions.
26. Private sector investment alone can solve renewable energy infrastructure challenges.

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PASSAGE 3 – Geopolitical Dimensions and Social Equity in the Global Renewable Transition

Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)

Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút

The imperative to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources extends beyond technological and economic considerations, encompassing profound geopolitical implications and raising critical questions about social equity and environmental justice. As the global community grapples with the existential threat of climate change, the renewable energy transition is simultaneously reshaping international power dynamics, challenging established resource dependencies, and exposing structural inequalities in how both the benefits and burdens of this transformation are distributed across and within nations. Understanding these multifaceted dimensions is essential for developing inclusive and sustainable pathways toward a decarbonized future.

The existing global energy system has been fundamentally shaped by the geography of fossil fuel reserves, with oil-rich nations in the Middle East, gas exporters like Russia, and coal producers such as Australia wielding considerable geopolitical influence derived from their resource endowments. This hydrocarbon-based power structure has influenced international relations, military conflicts, and economic development patterns for over a century. The shift toward renewable energy promises to reconfigure these dynamics, as solar and wind resources are more equitably distributed globally and cannot be monopolized in the same manner as finite fossil fuel deposits. However, this transition is unlikely to produce a simple democratization of energy geopolitics; rather, it is generating new forms of resource dependencies and strategic vulnerabilities.

The manufacturing of renewable energy technologies – particularly solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries – requires substantial quantities of critical minerals and rare earth elements, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and various lanthanides. These materials exhibit highly concentrated geographical distribution, with China currently dominating both the extraction and processing of many critical minerals. For instance, China controls approximately 80% of global rare earth refining capacity and 60% of lithium processing, despite possessing smaller proportions of global reserves. The Democratic Republic of Congo accounts for roughly 70% of global cobalt production, while Chile and Australia are primary sources of lithium. This concentration of supply chains creates new geopolitical dependencies that could potentially replicate or even exceed the strategic vulnerabilities associated with fossil fuel imports.

Moreover, the environmental and social costs of critical mineral extraction raise significant ethical concerns. Lithium mining in South America’s “Lithium Triangle” (Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile) consumes enormous quantities of water in already arid regions, threatening local communities’ access to this vital resource and disrupting indigenous territories. Cobalt mining in the DRC has been associated with hazardous working conditions, child labor, and environmental degradation. As global demand for these materials intensifies – projected to increase by 400-600% by 2040 to meet renewable energy and electric vehicle targets – these social and environmental justice issues risk significant exacerbation unless accompanied by robust regulatory frameworks, ethical sourcing standards, and alternative technologies that reduce dependence on problematic materials.

The distributional effects of the renewable transition within nations present equally complex equity challenges. While renewable energy promises long-term environmental benefits and potentially lower energy costs, the transition period creates winners and losers that often align with pre-existing socioeconomic divides. Affluent households and communities can invest in rooftop solar systems, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient retrofits, capturing immediate financial benefits through reduced energy bills while contributing to climate mitigation. Conversely, low-income households – particularly renters without capital for upfront investments or control over their housing infrastructure – may find themselves bearing disproportionate transition costs through rising electricity prices designed to fund grid upgrades, while being unable to access the economic advantages of distributed renewable generation.

This phenomenon, sometimes termed the “green divide” or “energy poverty paradox,” is particularly acute in contexts where renewable energy incentives are structured as tax credits or rebates that provide greater absolute benefits to higher-income households with larger tax liabilities. Studies in the United States have documented that solar adoption rates correlate strongly with household income and homeownership, with adoption in affluent zip codes occurring at rates 3-5 times higher than in lower-income areas. Without deliberate policy interventions – such as means-tested subsidies, community solar programs that enable participation without rooftop installation, or inclusive financing mechanisms – market-driven renewable deployment risks exacerbating energy inequity rather than ameliorating it.

The implications for fossil fuel-dependent communities and workers constitute another critical equity dimension. Regions whose economies have been built around coal mining, oil extraction, or related industries face profound disruption as these sectors decline. In the United States, Appalachian coal communities; in Australia, coal-dependent towns in Queensland and New South Wales; in Canada, oil sands workers in Alberta – all confront economic dislocation, job losses, and community decline as the energy transition accelerates. While the renewable energy sector is generating employment, these “green jobs” often require different skills, emerge in different geographical locations, and may offer different compensation structures than traditional fossil fuel employment, creating transitional friction and social dislocation.

The concept of a “just transition” has emerged as a normative framework attempting to address these distributional challenges, emphasizing that climate action must be accompanied by social protection measures, workforce retraining programs, economic diversification strategies for affected regions, and meaningful participation of impacted communities in transition planning. The International Labour Organization estimates that while the green economy could generate 24 million new jobs globally by 2030, approximately 6 million jobs in fossil fuel sectors will be lost, necessitating proactive intervention to ensure workers and communities are not abandoned. However, just transition initiatives face implementation challenges, including inadequate funding, political resistance from incumbent industries, and the temporal mismatch between immediate job losses and longer-term alternative employment prospects.

From an international perspective, the renewable transition raises fundamental questions about climate justice and historical responsibility. Developed nations built their prosperity largely through carbon-intensive industrialization, contributing disproportionately to cumulative greenhouse gas emissions while developing the institutional capacity and financial resources that facilitate their own transitions to cleaner energy. Developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, face the challenge of expanding energy access for hundreds of millions currently lacking reliable electricity while simultaneously being expected to pursue low-carbon development pathways without the carbon-intensive phase that characterized Western industrialization.

This tension between development imperatives and climate objectives underscores the necessity of substantial international climate finance and technology transfer to enable developing nations to pursue renewable energy deployment at scale. The Paris Agreement established a goal of $100 billion annually in climate finance from developed to developing countries, but this target has not been consistently met, and estimates suggest that actual requirements may be 5-10 times higher to achieve global climate goals while respecting equity principles. Furthermore, questions persist regarding whether such finance should take the form of loans (potentially creating debt burdens) or grants, and whether intellectual property regimes governing renewable technologies facilitate or impede equitable technology diffusion.

The coronavirus pandemic has further complicated these dynamics, simultaneously demonstrating the possibility of rapid systemic change while straining government finances and redirecting political attention. Some nations have incorporated green recovery measures into their post-pandemic stimulus programs, creating opportunities to accelerate renewable deployment while addressing economic recovery. However, others have prioritized traditional industries or allowed environmental regulations to be weakened in pursuit of immediate economic relief, potentially entrenching carbon-intensive systems for decades to come.

Ultimately, achieving equitable global renewable energy adoption requires confronting these interconnected geopolitical and social dimensions with the same rigor and resource commitment applied to technological development and economic modeling. This entails establishing transparent, ethical supply chains for critical minerals; designing renewable energy policies that actively promote equity rather than merely avoiding overt discrimination; implementing comprehensive just transition programs that honor obligations to fossil fuel workers and communities; and fulfilling international commitments to provide adequate climate finance recognizing historical responsibilities and differential capacities. The technical feasibility of renewable energy is increasingly established; whether humanity can navigate the political economy of this transition in a manner that is both effective and just remains the paramount challenge of our era.

Công bằng năng lượng và chuyển đổi công bằng trong cộng đồng toàn cầu

Questions 27-31

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

27. The existing global energy system has been shaped by the geographical location of __.

28. China controls approximately 80% of global capacity for refining __.

29. Lithium mining in South America threatens local communities’ access to __.

30. Studies show that solar adoption rates correlate strongly with household income and __.

31. The International Labour Organization predicts the green economy could create __ new jobs by 2030.

Questions 32-36

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Passage 3?

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

32. Renewable energy resources can be monopolized in the same way as fossil fuels.

33. The Democratic Republic of Congo produces approximately 70% of the world’s cobalt.

34. All renewable energy jobs offer higher salaries than fossil fuel industry positions.

35. The Paris Agreement’s climate finance target of $100 billion annually has been consistently achieved.

36. Some countries included environmental initiatives in their pandemic recovery programs.

Questions 37-40

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

37. According to the passage, the “green divide” refers to:

• A. geographical separation between renewable and fossil fuel regions
• B. disagreements between environmental organizations
• C. unequal distribution of renewable energy benefits based on income
• D. differences in solar panel efficiency across climates

38. Just transition initiatives aim to:

• A. accelerate the closure of all fossil fuel facilities
• B. provide social protection for communities affected by energy transition
• C. eliminate all jobs in traditional energy sectors
• D. prevent any changes to current employment patterns

39. The passage suggests that developing countries face difficulty because they must:

• A. purchase expensive technology from Western nations
• B. expand energy access while pursuing low-carbon development
• C. abandon all industrial development plans
• D. reject international climate finance assistance

40. The author’s main argument in the final paragraph is that:

• A. technological solutions are insufficient for renewable energy adoption
• B. renewable energy is not technically feasible yet
• C. political and social challenges must be addressed alongside technical ones
• D. renewable energy transition should be delayed until equity is achieved

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3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án

PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13

1. TRUE
2. TRUE
3. TRUE
4. NOT GIVEN
5. NOT GIVEN
6. FALSE
7. intermittency
8. sunlight / the sun (is shining)
9. upfront investment / initial installation cost
10. resistant to change
11. C
12. B
13. A

PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26

14. B
15. B
16. C
17. B
18. B
19. smart grid technology
20. intermittent nature
21. flow batteries
22. carbon lock-in
23. policy uncertainty
24. NO
25. YES
26. NOT GIVEN

PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40

27. fossil fuel reserves
28. rare earth(s)
29. water
30. homeownership
31. 24 million
32. FALSE
33. TRUE
34. NOT GIVEN
35. FALSE
36. TRUE
37. C
38. B
39. B
40. C

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4. Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Passage 1 – Giải Thích

Câu 1: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: solar panel technology, initially created, space programs
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: Bài viết nói rõ “The technology was first developed in the 1950s, but it was prohibitively expensive for most applications outside of space exploration.” Điều này xác nhận rằng công nghệ ban đầu được phát triển và sử dụng cho khám phá vũ trụ.

Câu 2: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: 1970s oil crisis, government funding, solar research
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-5
• Giải thích: Passage nêu “In the 1970s, during the oil crisis, governments began investing in solar research.” Điều này khớp chính xác với thông tin trong câu hỏi.

Câu 3: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: China, manufactures, majority, solar panels
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 4-5
• Giải thích: Bài đọc đưa ra con số cụ thể “China, which now produces approximately 70% of the world’s solar panels.” 70% là đa số rõ ràng.

Câu 6: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: World Bank, exclusively, microfinance
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng cuối
• Giải thích: Passage nói “Organizations like the World Bank and various NGOs have launched programs to make these systems available at affordable prices OR through microfinance schemes.” Từ “or” chỉ ra có nhiều phương thức, không chỉ độc quyền microfinance.

Câu 7: intermittency

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: biggest challenge, limiting, solar energy expansion
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 1-2
• Giải thích: “The most significant is the issue of intermittency” – paraphrase của “biggest challenge”.

Câu 11: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: solar panel costs, decreased
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 3-6
• Giải thích: Bài đọc liệt kê ba lý do: “manufacturing efficiency has improved,” “economies of scale,” và “technological innovations” – tất cả liên quan đến sản xuất và nhu cầu tăng, khớp với đáp án C.

Passage 2 – Giải Thích

Câu 14: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: traditional electricity grids, differ, renewable energy systems
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-2
• Giải thích: “Traditional electricity grids were designed as centralized systems where power flows in one direction – from large power plants to consumers.” Đây là sự khác biệt cơ bản được nhấn mạnh.

Câu 15: B

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: International Energy Agency, net-zero emissions, 2050
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-4
• Giải thích: Số liệu chính xác: “annual investment of approximately $4 trillion in clean energy and infrastructure by 2030” – chú ý “annual” và “by 2030”.

Câu 19: smart grid technology

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: grid modernization, requires implementing, advanced sensors, automated controls
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 4-5
• Giải thích: “Smart grid technology, incorporating advanced sensors, real-time monitoring, and automated controls” – trích dẫn trực tiếp.

Câu 24: NO

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: current battery technology, sufficient, all energy storage requirements
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 4-7
• Giải thích: Passage nói rõ “current battery technology is economically viable primarily for short-duration storage” và “Long-duration storage solutions… remain prohibitively expensive.” Điều này mâu thuẫn với câu khẳng định.

Câu 25: YES

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: energy-intensive industries, entirely new production methods, eliminate carbon
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 3-5
• Giải thích: “Industrial transformation in these sectors may require entirely new production methods and manufacturing facilities” – khớp chính xác với claims.

Passage 3 – Giải Thích

Câu 27: fossil fuel reserves

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: global energy system, shaped, geographical location
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-2
• Giải thích: “The existing global energy system has been fundamentally shaped by the geography of fossil fuel reserves” – trích xuất trực tiếp.

Câu 32: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: renewable energy resources, monopolized, same way, fossil fuels
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 6-8
• Giải thích: Passage nói “solar and wind resources are more equitably distributed globally and cannot be monopolized in the same manner as finite fossil fuel deposits” – mâu thuẫn trực tiếp.

Câu 35: FALSE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Paris Agreement, $100 billion, consistently achieved
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 3-4
• Giải thích: “this target has not been consistently met” – phủ định rõ ràng về việc đạt mục tiêu.

Câu 37: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: green divide, refers to
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 1-7
• Giải thích: Đoạn văn giải thích chi tiết về sự bất bình đẳng giữa các hộ gia đình giàu có thể đầu tư vào năng lượng tái tạo và hộ nghèo không có khả năng.

Câu 40: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: author’s main argument, final paragraph
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn cuối, toàn bộ
• Giải thích: Đoạn kết luận nhấn mạnh “achieving equitable global renewable energy adoption requires confronting these interconnected geopolitical and social dimensions with the same rigor and resource commitment applied to technological development” – thách thức chính trị và xã hội quan trọng như kỹ thuật.

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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
mainstream	adj	/ˈmeɪnstriːm/	phổ biến, thông dụng	solar energy has transformed into a mainstream solution	mainstream adoption, become mainstream
photovoltaic	adj	/ˌfəʊtəʊvɒlˈteɪɪk/	quang điện	photovoltaic (PV) cells	photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic technology
dependence	n	/dɪˈpendəns/	sự phụ thuộc	reduce their dependence on fossil fuels	reduce dependence, energy dependence
economies of scale	phrase	/ɪˈkɒnəmiz əv skeɪl/	hiệu quả theo quy mô	economies of scale have kicked in	achieve economies of scale
conversion efficiency	phrase	/kənˈvɜːʃn ɪˈfɪʃnsi/	hiệu suất chuyển đổi	increased the conversion efficiency of solar cells	improve conversion efficiency
feed-in tariff	n	/fiːd ɪn ˈtærɪf/	thuế bán điện ngược	sell excess electricity through feed-in tariff schemes	feed-in tariff scheme
viable	adj	/ˈvaɪəbl/	khả thi	solar power provides a viable alternative	viable alternative, economically viable
intermittency	n	/ˌɪntəˈmɪtənsi/	tính gián đoạn	the issue of intermittency	address intermittency
upfront investment	phrase	/ˈʌpfrʌnt ɪnˈvestmənt/	đầu tư ban đầu	the upfront investment required	require upfront investment
distributed generation	phrase	/dɪˈstrɪbjuːtɪd ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃn/	phát điện phân tán	may not accommodate distributed solar generation	distributed solar generation
regulatory framework	phrase	/ˈreɡjələtəri ˈfreɪmwɜːk/	khung pháp lý	update their regulatory frameworks	supportive regulatory framework
energy mix	phrase	/ˈenədʒi mɪks/	cơ cấu năng lượng	important role in the global energy mix	diversify energy mix

Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
unprecedented	adj	/ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/	chưa từng có	requiring unprecedented levels of investment	unprecedented scale, unprecedented challenge
systemic transformation	phrase	/sɪˈstemɪk ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃn/	chuyển đổi hệ thống	systemic transformation across multiple sectors	undergo systemic transformation
stranded assets	phrase	/ˈstrændɪd ˈæsets/	tài sản bị mắc kẹt	the issue of stranded assets	avoid stranded assets
bidirectional flow	phrase	/ˌbaɪdəˈrekʃənl fləʊ/	dòng chảy hai chiều	manage the bidirectional flow of electricity	bidirectional power flow
net-zero emissions	phrase	/net ˈzɪərəʊ ɪˈmɪʃnz/	phát thải ròng bằng không	achieving net-zero emissions by 2050	reach net-zero emissions
daunting	adj	/ˈdɔːntɪŋ/	nản lòng, khó khăn	the challenge is even more daunting	daunting task, daunting challenge
lithium-ion battery	n	/ˈlɪθiəm ˈaɪən ˈbætəri/	pin lithium-ion	Lithium-ion batteries have seen dramatic cost reductions	lithium-ion battery technology
long-duration storage	phrase	/lɒŋ djʊˈreɪʃn ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/	lưu trữ dài hạn	Long-duration storage solutions remain expensive	long-duration energy storage
flow battery	n	/fləʊ ˈbætəri/	pin dòng chảy	alternative storage technologies including flow batteries	flow battery system
carbon lock-in	phrase	/ˈkɑːbən lɒk ɪn/	khóa chặt carbon	Carbon lock-in is particularly severe	avoid carbon lock-in
capital markets	n	/ˈkæpɪtl ˈmɑːkɪts/	thị trường vốn	Capital markets have traditionally favored	access capital markets
policy uncertainty	phrase	/ˈpɒləsi ʌnˈsɜːtnti/	bất định chính sách	Policy uncertainty compounds these challenges	reduce policy uncertainty
just transition	phrase	/dʒʌst trænˈzɪʃn/	chuyển đổi công bằng	just transition programs to support workers	ensure just transition
carbon pricing	phrase	/ˈkɑːbən ˈpraɪsɪŋ/	định giá carbon	strategies will likely include carbon pricing	implement carbon pricing

Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
imperative	n	/ɪmˈperətɪv/	điều bắt buộc	The imperative to transition from fossil fuels	moral imperative, strategic imperative
geopolitical	adj	/ˌdʒiːəʊpəˈlɪtɪkl/	thuộc địa chính trị	profound geopolitical implications	geopolitical implications, geopolitical tensions
environmental justice	phrase	/ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈdʒʌstɪs/	công lý môi trường	raising questions about environmental justice	environmental justice movement
existential threat	phrase	/ˌeɡzɪˈstenʃl θret/	mối đe dọa hiện sinh	the existential threat of climate change	pose existential threat
hydrocarbon	n	/ˌhaɪdrəˈkɑːbən/	hydrocarbon	hydrocarbon-based power structure	hydrocarbon reserves, hydrocarbon economy
reconfigure	v	/ˌriːkənˈfɪɡə/	tái cấu hình	promises to reconfigure these dynamics	reconfigure the system
critical minerals	phrase	/ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈmɪnərəlz/	khoáng sản quan trọng	requires substantial quantities of critical minerals	secure critical minerals
rare earth elements	phrase	/reə ɜːθ ˈelɪmənts/	nguyên tố đất hiếm	rare earth elements including lithium	rare earth mining, rare earth refining
lanthanides	n	/ˈlænθənaɪdz/	nhóm lanthanide	including lithium, cobalt and various lanthanides	lanthanide series
ethical sourcing	phrase	/ˈeθɪkl ˈsɔːsɪŋ/	nguồn cung đạo đức	ethical sourcing standards	ensure ethical sourcing
distributional effects	phrase	/ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃənl ɪˈfekts/	tác động phân phối	The distributional effects of the renewable transition	analyze distributional effects
socioeconomic divide	phrase	/ˌsəʊsiəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk dɪˈvaɪd/	phân chia kinh tế xã hội	often align with pre-existing socioeconomic divides	widen socioeconomic divide
green divide	phrase	/ɡriːn dɪˈvaɪd/	phân chia xanh	phenomenon termed the green divide	bridge the green divide
means-tested	adj	/miːnz testɪd/	xét nghiệm thu nhập	such as means-tested subsidies	means-tested benefits
economic dislocation	phrase	/ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌdɪsləʊˈkeɪʃn/	rối loạn kinh tế	face economic dislocation	cause economic dislocation
normative framework	phrase	/ˈnɔːmətɪv ˈfreɪmwɜːk/	khung chuẩn mực	emerged as a normative framework	establish normative framework
proactive intervention	phrase	/prəʊˈæktɪv ˌɪntəˈvenʃn/	can thiệp chủ động	necessitating proactive intervention	require proactive intervention
climate justice	phrase	/ˈklaɪmət ˈdʒʌstɪs/	công lý khí hậu	raises questions about climate justice	promote climate justice
historical responsibility	phrase	/hɪˈstɒrɪkl rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/	trách nhiệm lịch sử	questions about historical responsibility	acknowledge historical responsibility
carbon-intensive	adj	/ˈkɑːbən ɪnˈtensɪv/	nhiều carbon	through carbon-intensive industrialization	carbon-intensive industries
technology transfer	phrase	/tekˈnɒlədʒi ˈtrænsfɜː/	chuyển giao công nghệ	necessity of technology transfer	facilitate technology transfer
intellectual property	phrase	/ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəl ˈprɒpəti/	sở hữu trí tuệ	intellectual property regimes	intellectual property rights
paramount challenge	phrase	/ˈpærəmaʊnt ˈtʃælɪndʒ/	thách thức tối cao	remains the paramount challenge	face paramount challenge

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Kết Bài

Chủ đề “Thách thức trong chuyển đổi năng lượng tái tạo toàn cầu” là một trong những đề tài thời sự và quan trọng nhất trong IELTS Reading hiện nay. Qua bộ đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được trải nghiệm đầy đủ ba mức độ khó với tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi đa dạng – từ các dạng cơ bản như True/False/Not Given cho đến các dạng phức tạp như Matching Features và Summary Completion.

Passage 1 giúp bạn làm quen với chủ đề qua góc nhìn lịch sử và những thay đổi cơ bản trong công nghệ năng lượng mặt trời. Passage 2 đi sâu vào các rào cản kinh tế và hạ tầng, yêu cầu kỹ năng đọc hiểu cao hơn với từ vựng chuyên ngành. Passage 3 thử thách bạn với nội dung học thuật về các khía cạnh địa chính trị và công bằng xã hội, đòi hỏi khả năng phân tích và suy luận ở trình độ nâng cao.

Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích đã chỉ ra chính xác vị trí thông tin trong mỗi passage, cách paraphrase từ câu hỏi sang bài đọc, và lý do tại sao các phương án khác không đúng. Điều này không chỉ giúp bạn kiểm tra kết quả mà còn học được phương pháp làm bài hiệu quả.

Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng được tổng hợp trong các bảng từ vựng sẽ là tài liệu quý giá cho việc ôn tập của bạn. Hãy dành thời gian học kỹ những từ này vì chúng thường xuyên xuất hiện trong các đề thi IELTS thực tế, đặc biệt với các chủ đề về môi trường, công nghệ và xã hội.

Để tối đa hóa hiệu quả luyện tập, hãy thực hành bài test này trong điều kiện giống thi thật: 60 phút liên tục, không tra từ điển, và tự chấm điểm nghiêm túc. Sau đó, phân tích kỹ những câu sai để hiểu rõ lỗi của mình và cải thiện cho lần sau. Chúc bạn ôn tập hiệu quả và đạt band điểm cao trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!