Xét nghiệm di truyền để dự đoán nguy cơ mắc bệnh đang trở thành một trong những chủ đề được quan tâm hàng đầu trong khoa học và y học hiện đại. Chủ đề “What Are The Ethical Implications Of Genetic Testing For Diseases?” xuất hiện ngày càng thường xuyên trong IELTS Reading, đặc biệt ở các passages khoa học, xã hội và y tế. Đây là một đề tài đa chiều, kết hợp cả kiến thức khoa học, đạo đức và tác động xã hội.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ được trải nghiệm một đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages từ dễ đến khó, bao gồm đầy đủ 40 câu hỏi chuẩn format thi thật. Bạn sẽ học được cách xử lý các dạng câu hỏi đa dạng như Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Headings, Summary Completion và nhiều dạng khác. Mỗi passage được thiết kế tương ứng với độ khó tăng dần từ Band 5.0 đến 9.0.
Đề thi này phù hợp cho mọi học viên từ trình độ trung cấp trở lên (Band 5.0+), giúp bạn làm quen với chủ đề khoa học y tế, tích lũy từ vựng chuyên ngành và rèn luyện kỹ năng làm bài hiệu quả. Phần đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích sẽ giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách paraphrase, định vị thông tin và tư duy logic trong IELTS Reading.
Hướng dẫn làm bài IELTS Reading
Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test
IELTS Reading Test là bài thi kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Mỗi câu trả lời đúng được tính 1 điểm, không trừ điểm cho câu sai. Điểm số sẽ được quy đổi thành thang band từ 0-9.
Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:
- Passage 1 (Easy): 15-17 phút – Dành cho câu hỏi 1-13
- Passage 2 (Medium): 18-20 phút – Dành cho câu hỏi 14-26
- Passage 3 (Hard): 23-25 phút – Dành cho câu hỏi 27-40
Lưu ý: Thời gian đã bao gồm việc chuyển đáp án sang Answer Sheet. Không có thời gian bổ sung để làm việc này.
Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này
Đề thi mẫu này bao gồm 7 dạng câu hỏi phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Reading:
- Multiple Choice – Chọn đáp án đúng từ 3-4 lựa chọn
- True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không có trong bài
- Matching Information – Ghép thông tin với đoạn văn tương ứng
- Yes/No/Not Given – Xác định ý kiến của tác giả
- Matching Headings – Ghép tiêu đề với đoạn văn
- Summary Completion – Điền từ vào đoạn tóm tắt
- Short-answer Questions – Trả lời ngắn câu hỏi
Học viên đang luyện tập IELTS Reading với chủ đề khoa học y tế và công nghệ di truyền
IELTS Reading Practice Test
PASSAGE 1 – The Promise of Genetic Testing
Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút
Genetic testing has revolutionized the way we understand and approach healthcare. Unlike traditional medical tests that only identify existing conditions, genetic screening can predict the likelihood of developing certain diseases long before any symptoms appear. This proactive approach to medicine has opened up new possibilities for disease prevention and early intervention, potentially saving countless lives and reducing healthcare costs.
The basic principle behind genetic testing is relatively straightforward. Every person carries DNA – the genetic blueprint that determines everything from eye color to disease susceptibility. Within this DNA are genes, specific sequences that can increase or decrease the risk of developing particular conditions. Scientists have identified thousands of these genetic markers associated with diseases ranging from cancer to heart disease, diabetes to Alzheimer’s.
The process of genetic testing itself has become increasingly accessible. A simple saliva sample or blood test is all that’s needed. The sample is sent to a specialized laboratory where technicians analyze the DNA for specific genetic variations known as mutations. Within a few weeks, individuals receive a detailed report outlining their genetic predispositions to various health conditions. Some commercial companies now offer direct-to-consumer tests that can be ordered online, making genetic information available to anyone willing to pay a few hundred dollars.
The medical benefits of this technology are substantial. For individuals with a family history of certain diseases, genetic testing can provide crucial information for medical decision-making. Consider breast cancer: women who carry mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have a significantly higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Armed with this knowledge, they can opt for more frequent screening, preventive medications, or even prophylactic surgery to reduce their risk. Similar tests exist for hereditary conditions like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and Huntington’s disease.
Reproductive planning is another area where genetic testing has proven invaluable. Prospective parents can undergo carrier screening to determine if they carry genes for inherited disorders. If both parents are carriers of the same recessive genetic condition, they face a 25% chance with each pregnancy of having a child affected by that disorder. This information allows couples to make informed decisions about family planning, consider alternative reproductive options, or prepare for the possibility of raising a child with special needs.
The technology has also transformed personalized medicine. Doctors can now tailor treatments based on a patient’s genetic profile. For instance, certain genetic variants affect how individuals metabolize medications. A drug that works well for one person might be ineffective or even dangerous for another due to genetic differences. Pharmacogenetic testing helps physicians prescribe the right medication at the right dose, improving treatment outcomes and reducing adverse drug reactions.
Despite these advantages, genetic testing is not without limitations. Most genetic tests provide probabilistic information rather than certainties. A positive result indicates increased risk, not inevitability. Many diseases result from complex interactions between multiple genes and environmental factors. Having a genetic predisposition doesn’t guarantee someone will develop a disease, just as lacking known risk genes doesn’t ensure they won’t.
Furthermore, our understanding of genetics continues to evolve. The genetic variations identified today may be reinterpreted as we learn more. A result classified as “variant of uncertain significance” means scientists don’t yet know whether it increases disease risk. Patients must understand that genetic knowledge is incomplete and constantly changing.
The cost factor also remains a consideration, though prices have dropped dramatically. While some insurance companies cover testing for high-risk individuals, others may not, leaving patients to pay out-of-pocket expenses. The most comprehensive tests can still cost thousands of dollars, making them inaccessible to many people despite the decreasing trend.
As genetic testing becomes more widespread, societies must grapple with important questions about how this information should be used, who should have access to it, and how to protect individuals from potential harm. The technology that promises so much benefit also carries risks that must be carefully considered.
Questions 1-13
Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
1. According to the passage, genetic testing differs from traditional medical tests because it can:
A. provide treatment for diseases
B. identify diseases before symptoms develop
C. cure hereditary conditions
D. change a person’s DNA structure
2. What is required to conduct a genetic test?
A. a surgical procedure
B. a complex medical examination
C. a saliva sample or blood test
D. a family medical history
3. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are mentioned as an example of:
A. people who will definitely develop cancer
B. individuals who can benefit from knowing their genetic risk
C. patients who cannot be helped by genetic testing
D. those who should avoid genetic screening
4. Pharmacogenetic testing helps doctors to:
A. cure genetic diseases
B. predict all future health problems
C. prescribe appropriate medications and dosages
D. eliminate adverse drug reactions completely
5. The passage suggests that genetic test results:
A. provide absolute certainty about developing diseases
B. indicate probabilities rather than certainties
C. are always accurate and unchanging
D. guarantee protection from diseases
Questions 6-9: True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
Write:
- TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
- FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
- NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
6. Genetic testing is now affordable for everyone who wants it.
7. Scientists have identified all genetic markers associated with human diseases.
8. Both parents must be carriers of a recessive condition for their child to be at risk.
9. Insurance companies always cover the cost of genetic testing.
Questions 10-13: Matching Information
Match each purpose with the correct information from the passage (A-F).
Which paragraph contains the following information?
10. Information about how genetic knowledge may change over time
11. An example of how genetic testing assists with family planning decisions
12. A description of what happens during the genetic testing process
13. An explanation of how genetic testing enables customized medical treatment
A. Paragraph 3
B. Paragraph 4
C. Paragraph 5
D. Paragraph 6
E. Paragraph 7
F. Paragraph 8
PASSAGE 2 – Ethical Challenges in Genetic Testing
Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)
Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút
The proliferation of genetic testing has precipitated a range of ethical dilemmas that society must confront. While the technology offers undeniable benefits, it also raises profound questions about privacy, discrimination, informed consent, and the psychological impact of genetic knowledge. These concerns extend beyond individual patients to affect families, communities, and society as a whole.
A. Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns
Genetic information is fundamentally different from other types of medical data. It is immutable – you cannot change your DNA – and it is predictive, potentially revealing health issues that may emerge decades in the future. Moreover, genetic data is familial: your genetic test results don’t just reveal information about you, but also about your biological relatives who share portions of your DNA. This creates a unique privacy paradox. When one person undergoes genetic testing, they inadvertently disclose information about family members who may not have consented to having their genetic predispositions revealed.
Data breaches represent a significant threat. Genetic information stored in databases could be hacked or misused, with consequences far more serious than typical identity theft. If your credit card information is stolen, you can cancel the card; if your genetic code is compromised, there is no way to change it. Several high-profile incidents have demonstrated these vulnerabilities. In 2018, a genealogy database was used by law enforcement to identify a criminal, raising questions about whether people who voluntarily submitted DNA for ancestry purposes had implicitly consented to its use in criminal investigations.
B. Discrimination and Social Stigma
Perhaps the most troubling ethical concern involves the potential for genetic discrimination. Despite legislative protections in many countries, individuals with genetic predispositions to certain conditions may face prejudice in various aspects of life. Employers might hesitate to hire someone with a genetic marker for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, reasoning they would be less productive in later years. Insurance companies, despite legal restrictions, might find ways to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on genetic risk factors.
The situation becomes more complex with behavioral genetics – research exploring genetic contributions to traits like intelligence, personality, or mental health conditions. If tests could identify genetic predispositions for antisocial behavior or depression, would this information be used to stigmatize individuals? Could it affect custody decisions, educational opportunities, or employment? Some ethicists warn of a genetic underclass – people whose genetic profiles limit their life opportunities regardless of their actual abilities or achievements.
C. Psychological and Emotional Impact
Learning about one’s genetic vulnerabilities can have profound psychological consequences. Research studies have documented cases of severe anxiety and depression following positive results for late-onset conditions like Huntington’s disease – a fatal neurodegenerative disorder with no cure. Individuals face an existential burden: knowing they carry a mutation that will likely cause a devastating illness, yet being unable to predict when symptoms will begin or how rapidly the disease will progress.
The concept of “genetic guilt” affects parents who transmit disease-causing genes to their children. Even when inheritance is beyond anyone’s control, parents often experience intense remorse. This emotional toll can strain family relationships and affect parental bonding. Additionally, siblings may experience “survivor guilt” when genetic testing reveals they did not inherit a familial mutation that affected their brothers or sisters.
D. Informed Consent Challenges
Meaningful informed consent for genetic testing requires individuals to understand complex scientific concepts, probabilistic risk assessments, and potential long-term implications. However, many people lack the genetic literacy necessary to fully comprehend what they’re agreeing to. Studies show that individuals often overestimate the predictive power of genetic tests, believing positive results mean definite disease development, or underestimate the implications of discovering incidental findings – unexpected genetic information unrelated to the original reason for testing.
The direct-to-consumer genetic testing industry exacerbates this problem. Without genetic counseling or medical supervision, consumers may misinterpret results, leading to unnecessary anxiety or inappropriate medical decisions. A person might undergo preventive surgery based on incomplete understanding of their actual risk level, or conversely, might disregard legitimate health warnings.
E. Testing in Children
Pediatric genetic testing presents distinct ethical questions. Should children be tested for adult-onset conditions when no medical intervention is available during childhood? The professional consensus generally opposes such testing, arguing that children should have the autonomy to decide as adults whether they want this information. However, parents often desire testing to alleviate uncertainty or to inform life planning decisions.
The issue becomes more contentious with carrier testing in children. Knowing a child carries a gene for a recessive disorder has no medical relevance until they reach reproductive age, yet some parents request this information. Critics argue this violates the child’s future autonomy and could lead to unnecessary labeling or altered treatment within the family. The child who is a carrier might be treated differently or experience diminished self-esteem, despite being healthy.
F. Justice and Access
Equitable access to genetic testing and its benefits remains an unresolved ethical issue. As genetic technologies become more sophisticated and expensive, there is risk of creating a “genetic divide” where only affluent individuals can afford comprehensive testing and personalized treatments based on genetic profiles. This could exacerbate existing health disparities, with privileged populations gaining additional advantages in disease prevention and longevity.
Furthermore, most genetic research has been conducted on populations of European ancestry, meaning test results may be less accurate for individuals from other ethnic backgrounds. This research bias raises justice concerns: as genetic medicine advances, its benefits may disproportionately favor certain populations while underserving others. Addressing these disparities requires intentional efforts to diversify research participation and ensure genetic technologies benefit all humanity.
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. Genetic information should be treated differently from other medical data because of its unique characteristics.
15. Law enforcement agencies should never be allowed to access genetic databases.
16. Genetic testing for behavioral traits is currently more accurate than testing for physical diseases.
17. Parents are wrong to feel guilty about passing genetic conditions to their children.
18. Children should generally not be tested for adult-onset genetic conditions when no childhood intervention exists.
Questions 19-23: Matching Headings
The passage has six sections, A-F. Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. The problem of unequal genetic healthcare
ii. Concerns about employment and insurance
iii. The challenge of understanding test results
iv. Protecting genetic data from unauthorized use
v. Mental health effects of genetic knowledge
vi. Deciding when to test young people
vii. The cost of genetic research
viii. Criminal uses of DNA technology
ix. Genetic modification ethics
19. Section A
20. Section B
21. Section C
22. Section D
23. Section E
Questions 24-26: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using words from the box.
Word Box:
anxiety, benefits, ancestry, counseling, discrimination, literacy, overestimate, surgery, underestimate, wealthy
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing allows people to obtain genetic information without medical (24)__. However, many consumers lack the genetic (25)____ needed to interpret results correctly. This can lead to unnecessary **(26)__ or inappropriate medical decisions.
PASSAGE 3 – Navigating the Future of Genetic Ethics
Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)
Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút
The trajectory of genetic testing technology has outpaced the development of regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines necessary to govern its use responsibly. As we stand at the threshold of an era where comprehensive genetic profiling may become routine – perhaps even mandatory in certain contexts – society faces unprecedented challenges in balancing the imperatives of scientific progress, individual autonomy, collective welfare, and social justice. The ethical terrain is further complicated by emerging technologies such as CRISPR gene editing, polygenic risk scores, and artificial intelligence-driven genetic analysis, each introducing novel dimensions to already complex moral calculus.
The philosophical underpinnings of genetic testing ethics revolve around several core tensions. First is the dialectic between individual autonomy and collective responsibility. Liberal bioethics traditionally privileges individual choice and self-determination: people should have the right to access genetic information about themselves and to make personal decisions based on that information without state interference. This perspective aligns with broader liberal democratic values emphasizing personal freedom and limited government intervention in private affairs.
However, communitarian critics argue this individualistic framework is insufficient for genetic contexts, where information and consequences inevitably extend beyond the individual. They contend that genetic knowledge is inherently relational and interdependent, creating obligations to family members and potentially to society. When a person discovers they carry a mutation for a hereditary cancer syndrome, do they have a moral duty to inform at-risk relatives? If someone learns through genetic testing that the person they believed to be their biological father is not, should they disclose this information, potentially disrupting family dynamics? These questions expose the limitations of purely individualistic ethical approaches and suggest need for frameworks that accommodate both personal autonomy and relational responsibilities.
The concept of genetic exceptionalism – the view that genetic information is fundamentally different from other medical data and requires special protections – has been both influential and controversial in bioethics discourse. Proponents argue that DNA’s unique characteristics (immutability, predictive capacity, familial implications) warrant distinct treatment in law and policy. This thinking has informed legislation like the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in the United States, which provides specific protections against genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment.
Skeptics of genetic exceptionalism, however, maintain that overemphasizing genetic information’s distinctiveness may be counterproductive. They note that other medical information can be similarly predictive and immutable – a diagnosis of HIV or multiple sclerosis, for instance, cannot be changed and has significant implications for future health. Privileging genetic information might inadvertently create a two-tiered system where genetic privacy receives robust protections while other sensitive medical data remains vulnerable. Moreover, as genetic testing becomes more integrated into routine healthcare, treating it as exceptional may become impractical and could impede beneficial applications of genomic medicine.
Reproductive genetics presents particularly vexing ethical questions. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) allows embryos created through in vitro fertilization to be tested for genetic conditions before uterine transfer, enabling parents to select embryos without disease-causing mutations. While few contest using PGD to avoid severe, life-limiting conditions like Tay-Sachs disease, the technology can theoretically be used to select for or against virtually any detectable genetic trait. This raises contentious questions about selective reproduction, designer babies, and eugenics.
The disability rights perspective offers crucial insights into these debates. Advocates argue that prenatal genetic testing, particularly when followed by selective termination of affected fetuses, sends a harmful message that lives with disabilities are less valuable or worth living. They emphasize that many conditions identified through genetic testing are compatible with fulfilling lives, and that societal barriers rather than inherent limitations are often the primary obstacles faced by people with disabilities. This perspective challenges the medical model that frames genetic conditions primarily as problems to be eliminated, proposing instead a social model that recognizes genetic diversity as part of natural human variation.
Conversely, reproductive liberty advocates defend parental prerogative to make testing and selection decisions based on their own values and circumstances. They argue that prospective parents, who will bear the responsibilities of raising a child, should have maximum autonomy in reproductive decisions without state interference or social judgment. This view recognizes that caring for a child with significant medical needs can be emotionally, physically, and financially demanding, and that parents are best positioned to assess their own capacity and willingness to undertake such challenges.
The emergence of polygenic risk scores (PRS) – which aggregate effects of numerous genetic variants to estimate risk for complex traits and diseases – introduces additional ethical complexity. Unlike single-gene tests that identify mutations with high predictive value for specific conditions, PRS provide probabilistic estimates across a continuum of risk for conditions influenced by many genes and environmental factors. A person might receive a score indicating they fall in the top 10% of genetic risk for coronary heart disease, but this represents only a modest increase in absolute risk and says nothing definitive about whether they will develop the condition.
The probabilistic and continuous nature of PRS complicates clinical utility and ethical interpretation. At what threshold should a risk score prompt medical intervention? How do we prevent overinterpretation of modest risk increases or inappropriate medicalization of individuals at slightly elevated genetic risk? There are also concerns about using PRS for non-medical traits. Research has attempted to develop polygenic scores for educational attainment, intelligence, and even behavioral propensities. The prospect of using such scores in educational tracking, employment screening, or criminal justice raises profound concerns about genetic determinism, stigmatization, and discrimination.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in genetics present both opportunities and risks. AI algorithms can identify complex patterns in genetic data that might elude human analysis, potentially discovering new gene-disease associations or improving risk prediction. However, these systems function as “black boxes” – their decision-making processes are often opaque, making it difficult to understand how they reach conclusions. This opacity creates challenges for informed consent (how can individuals consent to analysis they cannot understand?), accountability (who is responsible when an AI misinterprets genetic data?), and bias (AI systems trained on non-representative datasets may perpetuate or amplify existing health disparities).
Looking forward, societies must develop adaptive ethical frameworks that can evolve alongside genetic technologies. This requires ongoing dialogue among diverse stakeholders – including scientists, ethicists, policymakers, healthcare providers, patients, and affected communities – to identify shared values and establish boundaries. International cooperation is essential, as genetic information and technologies transcend national borders. The challenge lies in creating governance structures that are flexible enough to accommodate rapid technological change yet robust enough to protect fundamental rights and prevent harm, while fostering beneficial innovations that can alleviate human suffering and advance health equity.
Các chuyên gia đạo đức y tế thảo luận về vấn đề kiểm tra gen và quyền riêng tư bệnh nhân
Questions 27-40
Questions 27-31: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
27. According to the passage, liberal bioethics primarily emphasizes:
A. government regulation of genetic testing
B. collective responsibility over individual choice
C. individual autonomy and self-determination
D. mandatory genetic screening programs
28. Communitarian critics argue that genetic knowledge is:
A. only relevant to the individual tested
B. inherently relational and interdependent
C. less important than other medical information
D. unsuitable for ethical analysis
29. The concept of genetic exceptionalism suggests that:
A. genetic information should receive no special treatment
B. all medical information should be treated identically
C. DNA requires distinct protections due to its unique properties
D. genetic testing should be banned
30. The disability rights perspective on genetic testing argues that:
A. all prenatal testing should be prohibited
B. genetic conditions make lives not worth living
C. societal barriers are often the primary obstacles for people with disabilities
D. parents should not have reproductive choices
31. Polygenic risk scores differ from single-gene tests because they:
A. provide definitive diagnoses
B. are always highly accurate
C. aggregate effects of numerous genetic variants
D. only work for rare diseases
Questions 32-36: Matching Features
Match each concept (32-36) with the correct description (A-H).
32. Genetic exceptionalism
33. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
34. Polygenic risk scores
35. CRISPR
36. Artificial intelligence in genetics
Descriptions:
A. Technology for editing genes
B. Testing embryos before uterine transfer
C. View that genetic information needs special protections
D. Probabilistic estimates based on multiple genes
E. Analyzing DNA without human involvement
F. Preventing all genetic diseases
G. Machine learning pattern identification in genetic data
H. Mandatory screening programs
Questions 33-40: Short-answer Questions
Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
37. What type of framework has failed to keep pace with genetic testing technology development?
38. What do liberal democratic values emphasize regarding government involvement in personal matters?
39. What does the medical model primarily frame genetic conditions as?
40. What kind of framework must societies develop that can change alongside genetic technologies?
Answer Keys – Đáp Án
PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13
- B
- C
- B
- C
- B
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN
- TRUE
- FALSE
- E
- C
- A
- D
PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26
- YES
- NOT GIVEN
- NOT GIVEN
- NOT GIVEN
- YES
- iv
- ii
- v
- iii
- vi
- counseling
- literacy
- anxiety
PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40
- C
- B
- C
- C
- C
- C
- B
- D
- A
- G
- regulatory frameworks
- limited government intervention
- problems
- adaptive ethical frameworks
Giải Thích Đáp Án Chi Tiết
Passage 1 – Giải Thích
Câu 1: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: genetic testing differs, traditional medical tests
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “Unlike traditional medical tests that only identify existing conditions, genetic screening can predict the likelihood of developing certain diseases long before any symptoms appear.” Đây là paraphrase của đáp án B “identify diseases before symptoms develop”. Đáp án A sai vì genetic testing không cung cấp treatment. Đáp án C sai vì không đề cập đến cure. Đáp án D sai vì genetic testing không thay đổi DNA structure.
Câu 2: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: required, conduct a genetic test
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-3
- Giải thích: Câu trong bài viết: “A simple saliva sample or blood test is all that’s needed.” Đây chính xác là đáp án C. Không cần surgical procedure (A), không phải complex medical examination (B), và family history (D) không phải là yêu cầu để conduct test.
Câu 3: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: BRCA1, BRCA2 mutations, example
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 3-7
- Giải thích: Đoạn văn nói “women who carry mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have a significantly higher risk” và “Armed with this knowledge, they can opt for more frequent screening, preventive medications, or even prophylactic surgery to reduce their risk.” Đây là ví dụ về người có thể benefit from knowing genetic risk (đáp án B). Không phải definitely develop (A), không phải cannot be helped (C), không phải should avoid (D).
Câu 6: FALSE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: affordable, everyone
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 8, dòng 1-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói “The cost factor also remains a consideration” và “The most comprehensive tests can still cost thousands of dollars, making them inaccessible to many people”. Từ “inaccessible to many people” mâu thuẫn trực tiếp với “affordable for everyone”, nên đáp án là FALSE.
Câu 8: TRUE
- Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
- Từ khóa: both parents, carriers, recessive condition
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 2-4
- Giải thích: Câu trong bài: “If both parents are carriers of the same recessive genetic condition, they face a 25% chance with each pregnancy of having a child affected by that disorder.” Statement này hoàn toàn đúng với thông tin trong bài.
Câu 10: E
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Information
- Từ khóa: genetic knowledge, change over time
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7 (paragraph E khi đếm từ đầu)
- Giải thích: Đoạn 7 nói rõ: “Furthermore, our understanding of genetics continues to evolve. The genetic variations identified today may be reinterpreted as we learn more” và “genetic knowledge is incomplete and constantly changing”. Đây chính xác là thông tin về việc genetic knowledge có thể thay đổi theo thời gian.
Passage 2 – Giải Thích
Câu 14: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: genetic information, treated differently, unique characteristics
- Vị trí trong bài: Section A, đoạn đầu
- Giải thích: Tác giả viết: “Genetic information is fundamentally different from other types of medical data” và giải thích các đặc điểm unique (immutable, predictive, familial). Đây rõ ràng là quan điểm của tác giả rằng genetic information should be treated differently, nên đáp án là YES.
Câu 15: NOT GIVEN
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: law enforcement, never allowed, genetic databases
- Vị trí trong bài: Section A, đoạn 2
- Giải thích: Bài viết đề cập đến việc law enforcement đã sử dụng genealogy database và “raising questions” về consent, nhưng tác giả không nói rõ quan điểm liệu law enforcement có nên được phép hay không. Chỉ đưa ra questions, không có clear stance, nên là NOT GIVEN.
Câu 18: YES
- Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
- Từ khóa: children, not be tested, adult-onset, no childhood intervention
- Vị trí trong bài: Section E, đoạn đầu
- Giải thích: Câu trong bài: “The professional consensus generally opposes such testing, arguing that children should have the autonomy to decide as adults whether they want this information.” Tác giả đang trình bày professional consensus và không có dấu hiệu phản đối, nên đây được coi là quan điểm của writer. Đáp án là YES.
Câu 19: iv
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Section: A
- Giải thích: Section A nói về “Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns”, đề cập đến data breaches, hacked, misused genetic information. Heading “Protecting genetic data from unauthorized use” (iv) phù hợp nhất với nội dung này.
Câu 20: ii
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Headings
- Section: B
- Giải thích: Section B có tiêu đề “Discrimination and Social Stigma” và nội dung chính về genetic discrimination from employers và insurance companies. Heading “Concerns about employment and insurance” (ii) chính xác mô tả nội dung này.
Câu 24: counseling
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Section D, đoạn 2
- Giải thích: Câu trong bài: “Without genetic counseling or medical supervision, consumers may misinterpret results”. Từ cần điền là “counseling”.
Câu 25: literacy
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Section D, đoạn 1
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói: “many people lack the genetic literacy necessary to fully comprehend what they’re agreeing to”. Từ cần điền là “literacy”.
Câu 26: anxiety
- Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
- Vị trí trong bài: Section D, đoạn 2
- Giải thích: “leading to unnecessary anxiety or inappropriate medical decisions”. Từ phù hợp là “anxiety”.
Nhà khoa học phân tích dữ liệu di truyền và kết quả xét nghiệm gen trong phòng thí nghiệm hiện đại
Passage 3 – Giải Thích
Câu 27: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: liberal bioethics, primarily emphasizes
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-4
- Giải thích: Bài viết nói rõ: “Liberal bioethics traditionally privileges individual choice and self-determination: people should have the right to access genetic information about themselves and to make personal decisions”. Đây chính xác là đáp án C “individual autonomy and self-determination”.
Câu 28: B
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Communitarian critics, genetic knowledge
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “They contend that genetic knowledge is inherently relational and interdependent”. Đây là đáp án B chính xác.
Câu 30: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: disability rights perspective, argues
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 3-5
- Giải thích: “They emphasize that many conditions identified through genetic testing are compatible with fulfilling lives, and that societal barriers rather than inherent limitations are often the primary obstacles faced by people with disabilities.” Đây chính xác là đáp án C.
Câu 31: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
- Từ khóa: Polygenic risk scores, differ, single-gene tests
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 9, dòng 1-2
- Giải thích: “polygenic risk scores (PRS) – which aggregate effects of numerous genetic variants”. Đáp án C “aggregate effects of numerous genetic variants” chính xác.
Câu 32: C
- Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Features
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4
- Giải thích: “The concept of genetic exceptionalism – the view that genetic information is fundamentally different from other medical data and requires special protections”. Đây match với description C.
Câu 37: regulatory frameworks
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS)
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 1, dòng 1
- Giải thích: “The trajectory of genetic testing technology has outpaced the development of regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines”. Từ cần điền là “regulatory frameworks” (2 words).
Câu 38: limited government intervention
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS)
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 5
- Giải thích: “This perspective aligns with broader liberal democratic values emphasizing personal freedom and limited government intervention in private affairs”. Đáp án là “limited government intervention” (3 words).
Câu 39: problems
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS)
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng cuối
- Giải thích: “This perspective challenges the medical model that frames genetic conditions primarily as problems to be eliminated”. Đáp án là “problems” (1 word).
Câu 40: adaptive ethical frameworks
- Dạng câu hỏi: Short-answer (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS)
- Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn cuối, dòng 1
- Giải thích: “Looking forward, societies must develop adaptive ethical frameworks that can evolve alongside genetic technologies”. Đáp án là “adaptive ethical frameworks” (3 words).
Từ Vựng Quan Trọng Theo Passage
Passage 1 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| revolutionized | v | /ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪzd/ | cách mạng hóa | Genetic testing has revolutionized the way we understand healthcare | revolutionize healthcare/medicine |
| genetic screening | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk ˈskriːnɪŋ/ | sàng lọc di truyền | genetic screening can predict the likelihood of developing diseases | undergo genetic screening |
| proactive approach | n | /proʊˈæktɪv əˈproʊtʃ/ | cách tiếp cận chủ động | This proactive approach to medicine has opened up new possibilities | take a proactive approach |
| disease prevention | n | /dɪˈziːz prɪˈvenʃn/ | phòng ngừa bệnh | potentially saving lives through disease prevention | focus on disease prevention |
| genetic blueprint | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk ˈbluːprɪnt/ | bản thiết kế di truyền | DNA is the genetic blueprint that determines physical traits | carry a genetic blueprint |
| genetic markers | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk ˈmɑːrkərz/ | dấu hiệu di truyền | Scientists have identified genetic markers associated with diseases | identify genetic markers |
| mutations | n | /mjuːˈteɪʃnz/ | đột biến | analyze the DNA for specific genetic variations known as mutations | carry mutations |
| genetic predispositions | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk ˌpriːdɪspəˈzɪʃnz/ | khuynh hướng di truyền | receive a report outlining their genetic predispositions | have genetic predispositions |
| direct-to-consumer | adj | /dəˈrekt tə kənˈsjuːmər/ | trực tiếp đến người tiêu dùng | direct-to-consumer tests can be ordered online | direct-to-consumer testing |
| family history | n | /ˈfæməli ˈhɪstəri/ | tiền sử gia đình | individuals with a family history of certain diseases | have a family history |
| prophylactic surgery | n | /ˌproʊfəˈlæktɪk ˈsɜːrdʒəri/ | phẫu thuật phòng ngừa | opt for prophylactic surgery to reduce their risk | undergo prophylactic surgery |
| hereditary conditions | n | /həˈredɪteri kənˈdɪʃnz/ | bệnh di truyền | Similar tests exist for hereditary conditions | test for hereditary conditions |
Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| proliferation | n | /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/ | sự tăng nhanh | The proliferation of genetic testing has precipitated ethical dilemmas | proliferation of technology |
| precipitated | v | /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪtɪd/ | gây ra, thúc đẩy | has precipitated a range of ethical dilemmas | precipitate a crisis |
| ethical dilemmas | n | /ˈeθɪkl dɪˈleməz/ | tình huống khó xử về đạo đức | society must confront ethical dilemmas | face ethical dilemmas |
| immutable | adj | /ɪˈmjuːtəbl/ | bất biến | It is immutable – you cannot change your DNA | immutable characteristics |
| inadvertently | adv | /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəntli/ | vô tình | they inadvertently disclose information about family members | inadvertently reveal |
| consented | v | /kənˈsentɪd/ | đồng ý | family members who may not have consented | give consent |
| data breaches | n | /ˈdeɪtə ˈbriːtʃɪz/ | vi phạm dữ liệu | Data breaches represent a significant threat | suffer data breaches |
| genetic discrimination | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃn/ | phân biệt đối xử di truyền | the potential for genetic discrimination | face genetic discrimination |
| legislative protections | n | /ˈledʒɪsleɪtɪv prəˈtekʃnz/ | bảo vệ pháp lý | Despite legislative protections in many countries | establish legislative protections |
| stigmatize | v | /ˈstɪɡmətaɪz/ | kỳ thị | would this information be used to stigmatize individuals | stigmatize people |
| existential burden | n | /ˌeɡzɪˈstenʃl ˈbɜːrdn/ | gánh nặng hiện sinh | Individuals face an existential burden | carry an existential burden |
| genetic guilt | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk ɡɪlt/ | cảm giác tội lỗi di truyền | The concept of genetic guilt affects parents | experience genetic guilt |
| informed consent | n | /ɪnˈfɔːrmd kənˈsent/ | sự đồng ý có hiểu biết | Meaningful informed consent requires understanding | obtain informed consent |
| genetic literacy | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk ˈlɪtərəsi/ | hiểu biết về di truyền | many people lack the genetic literacy | improve genetic literacy |
| incidental findings | n | /ˌɪnsɪˈdentl ˈfaɪndɪŋz/ | phát hiện tình cờ | discovering incidental findings unrelated to original testing | report incidental findings |
Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary
| Từ vựng | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ từ bài | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| trajectory | n | /trəˈdʒektəri/ | quỹ đạo phát triển | The trajectory of genetic testing technology | development trajectory |
| outpaced | v | /aʊtˈpeɪst/ | vượt qua | has outpaced the development of regulatory frameworks | outpace regulations |
| regulatory frameworks | n | /ˈreɡjələtɔːri ˈfreɪmwɜːrks/ | khung pháp lý | regulatory frameworks necessary to govern its use | establish regulatory frameworks |
| unprecedented challenges | n | /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd ˈtʃælɪndʒɪz/ | thách thức chưa từng có | society faces unprecedented challenges | pose unprecedented challenges |
| imperatives | n | /ɪmˈperətɪvz/ | điều bắt buộc | balancing the imperatives of scientific progress | moral imperatives |
| dialectic | n | /ˌdaɪəˈlektɪk/ | phép biện chứng | the dialectic between individual autonomy and collective responsibility | dialectic tension |
| privileges | v | /ˈprɪvəlɪdʒɪz/ | ưu tiên | Liberal bioethics traditionally privileges individual choice | privilege autonomy |
| self-determination | n | /ˌself dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneɪʃn/ | quyền tự quyết | emphasizing self-determination | right to self-determination |
| communitarian | adj | /kəˌmjuːnɪˈteəriən/ | cộng đồng chủ nghĩa | communitarian critics argue | communitarian perspective |
| relational | adj | /rɪˈleɪʃənl/ | mang tính quan hệ | genetic knowledge is inherently relational | relational responsibilities |
| genetic exceptionalism | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk ɪkˌsepʃəˈnælɪzəm/ | chủ nghĩa đặc thù di truyền | The concept of genetic exceptionalism | advocate genetic exceptionalism |
| warrant | v | /ˈwɒrənt/ | đảm bảo, bảo đảm | DNA’s unique characteristics warrant distinct treatment | warrant special treatment |
| counterproductive | adj | /ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/ | phản tác dụng | overemphasizing may be counterproductive | prove counterproductive |
| preimplantation genetic diagnosis | n | /priːɪmplænˈteɪʃn dʒəˈnetɪk ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊsɪs/ | chẩn đoán di truyền tiền cấy | Preimplantation genetic diagnosis allows embryo testing | undergo preimplantation diagnosis |
| vexing | adj | /ˈveksɪŋ/ | gây khó chịu, phức tạp | presents particularly vexing ethical questions | vexing problems |
| eugenics | n | /juːˈdʒenɪks/ | ưu sinh học | raises contentious questions about eugenics | eugenics concerns |
| disability rights perspective | n | /ˌdɪsəˈbɪləti raɪts pərˈspektɪv/ | quan điểm quyền người khuyết tật | The disability rights perspective offers crucial insights | from a disability rights perspective |
| polygenic risk scores | n | /ˌpɒliˈdʒenɪk rɪsk skɔːrz/ | điểm số rủi ro đa gen | The emergence of polygenic risk scores | calculate polygenic risk scores |
| aggregate | v | /ˈæɡrɪɡeɪt/ | tổng hợp | which aggregate effects of numerous genetic variants | aggregate data |
| probabilistic | adj | /ˌprɒbəbəˈlɪstɪk/ | mang tính xác suất | The probabilistic and continuous nature of PRS | probabilistic estimates |
| genetic determinism | n | /dʒəˈnetɪk dɪˈtɜːrmɪnɪzəm/ | chủ nghĩa quyết định gen | raises profound concerns about genetic determinism | reject genetic determinism |
| opacity | n | /oʊˈpæsəti/ | tính mờ đục, không rõ ràng | This opacity creates challenges for informed consent | algorithmic opacity |
| adaptive ethical frameworks | n | /əˈdæptɪv ˈeθɪkl ˈfreɪmwɜːrks/ | khung đạo đức thích ứng | societies must develop adaptive ethical frameworks | create adaptive frameworks |
Kết bài
Chủ đề “What are the ethical implications of genetic testing for diseases?” là một trong những chủ đề khoa học xã hội phức tạp và quan trọng nhất trong IELTS Reading hiện nay. Thông qua đề thi mẫu này, bạn đã được trải nghiệm một bài thi hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages tăng dần độ khó từ Band 5.0 đến 9.0, phản ánh đúng cấu trúc và yêu cầu của kỳ thi thật.
Ba passages đã cung cấp cho bạn cái nhìn toàn diện về genetic testing – từ những lợi ích y tế cơ bản, các thách thức đạo đức phức tạp, cho đến những tranh luận triết học sâu sắc về tương lai của công nghệ này. Bạn đã làm quen với 7 dạng câu hỏi IELTS Reading phổ biến, mỗi dạng yêu cầu kỹ năng đọc và tư duy khác nhau.
Phần đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích đã hướng dẫn bạn cách định vị thông tin chính xác, nhận biết paraphrase, và phân biệt giữa các lựa chọn gần giống. Những kỹ năng này không chỉ áp dụng cho chủ đề genetic testing mà còn hữu ích cho mọi bài đọc IELTS khác.
Hơn 40 từ vựng chuyên ngành được tổng hợp trong bảng từ vựng sẽ giúp bạn tự tin hơn khi đối mặt với các passages khoa học y tế. Hãy dành thời gian học kỹ những từ này cùng với collocations và ví dụ thực tế từ bài.
Để đạt hiệu quả tối đa, hãy làm lại đề thi này sau một tuần, tập trung vào những câu bạn đã làm sai. Phân tích kỹ lý do tại sao bạn chọn nhầm và cách paraphrase được sử dụng. Đây chính là cách tốt nhất để cải thiện band điểm IELTS Reading của bạn.
Chúc bạn ôn tập hiệu quả và đạt kết quả cao trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!
