IELTS Reading: Tác Động Xã Hội Của Tự Động Hóa Sản Xuất – Đề Thi Mẫu Có Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Mở bài

Chủ đề tự động hóa trong sản xuất và tác động xã hội của nó đã trở thành một trong những chủ đề nóng trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading những năm gần đây. Với sự phát triển vượt bậc của công nghệ 4.0, automation in manufacturing không chỉ là xu hướng công nghệ mà còn là hiện tượng xã hội đáng được quan tâm sâu sắc.

Qua kinh nghiệm giảng dạy hơn 20 năm, tôi nhận thấy chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các đề thi IELTS thực tế, đặc biệt ở Cambridge IELTS 14-18. Học viên Việt Nam thường gặp khó khăn với dạng bài này do từ vựng kỹ thuật và khả năng paraphrase phức tạp.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ nhận được:

• Đề thi IELTS Reading hoàn chỉnh với 3 passages theo đúng độ khó tăng dần (Easy → Medium → Hard)
• 40 câu hỏi đa dạng các dạng bài như trong thi thật
• Đáp án chi tiết kèm giải thích vị trí và kỹ thuật paraphrase
• Hệ thống từ vựng học thuật được phân loại theo từng passage
• Các chiến lược làm bài hiệu quả cho từng dạng câu hỏi

Bộ đề này phù hợp cho học viên từ band 5.0 trở lên, giúp bạn làm quen với format thi thật và nâng cao kỹ năng đọc hiểu một cách bài bản nhất.

1. Hướng Dẫn Làm Bài IELTS Reading

Tổng Quan Về IELTS Reading Test

IELTS Reading Test là phần thi kéo dài 60 phút với 3 passages và tổng cộng 40 câu hỏi. Điểm số được tính dựa trên số câu trả lời đúng, không trừ điểm cho câu sai.

Phân bổ thời gian khuyến nghị:

• Passage 1: 15-17 phút (độ khó Easy, band 5.0-6.5)
• Passage 2: 18-20 phút (độ khó Medium, band 6.0-7.5)
• Passage 3: 23-25 phút (độ khó Hard, band 7.0-9.0)

Lưu ý: Độ khó tăng dần và bạn cần dành thời gian nhiều hơn cho Passage 3. Đừng mắc kẹt quá lâu ở một câu hỏi!

Các Dạng Câu Hỏi Trong Đề Này

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

1. Multiple Choice – Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm
2. True/False/Not Given – Xác định thông tin đúng/sai/không đề cập
3. Yes/No/Not Given – Xác định quan điểm tác giả
4. Matching Headings – Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn
5. Sentence Completion – Hoàn thành câu
6. Summary Completion – Hoàn thành đoạn tóm tắt
7. Matching Features – Nối đặc điểm với danh mục

2. IELTS Reading Practice Test

PASSAGE 1 – The Rise of Robots in Modern Factories

Độ khó: Easy (Band 5.0-6.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 15-17 phút

The transformation of manufacturing industries through automation has become one of the most significant changes in the modern economy. Over the past three decades, factories around the world have increasingly adopted robotic systems to perform tasks that were once done exclusively by human workers. This shift has brought about numerous changes, not only in how products are made but also in the social fabric of communities that depend on manufacturing jobs.

In the early days of industrialization, factories required large numbers of workers to operate machinery, assemble products, and manage production lines. A typical car manufacturing plant in the 1970s, for example, might have employed 5,000 workers. Today, a similar factory might produce the same number of vehicles with only 1,500 employees, thanks to sophisticated robotic arms and automated assembly systems. These machines can work continuously for 24 hours without breaks, maintain consistent quality, and perform dangerous tasks without risk to human safety.

The economic benefits of automation are clear for businesses. Companies that invest in robotic technology often see significant improvements in productivity and efficiency. Machines don’t require salaries, health insurance, or vacation time. They don’t get tired or make mistakes due to fatigue. For industries facing intense global competition, automation has become almost essential for survival. A factory in Germany or Japan can now compete with facilities in countries with much lower labor costs by using advanced automation to reduce production expenses.

However, the social impacts of this technological shift are complex and far-reaching. The most obvious effect is the reduction in employment opportunities for workers with limited technical skills. Traditional manufacturing jobs that provided stable income for generations of families are disappearing. In many industrial towns, the closure or downsizing of factories has led to economic hardship for entire communities. When a major employer reduces its workforce from thousands to hundreds, local businesses such as restaurants, shops, and service providers also suffer from the decreased spending power of residents.

Educational systems are struggling to adapt to these changes. Young people preparing to enter the workforce need different skills than their parents had. While traditional manufacturing jobs required physical strength and basic technical knowledge, modern automated factories need workers who can program robots, analyze data, and troubleshoot complex systems. This has created a skills gap where many workers find themselves unqualified for available positions, even as some specialized roles remain unfilled.

The psychological impact on workers should not be underestimated. Many people derive a sense of identity and pride from their work in manufacturing. When these jobs disappear, it affects not just income but also self-esteem and social status. Studies have shown that communities with high levels of manufacturing job losses often experience increased rates of depression, substance abuse, and other social problems. The transition is particularly difficult for older workers who may have spent their entire careers in traditional manufacturing roles.

On the positive side, automation has also created new opportunities. While some jobs are eliminated, others are created in areas such as robot maintenance, software development, and systems engineering. These positions typically offer higher wages than traditional manufacturing work, although they require more advanced education and training. Additionally, automation has made some products more affordable, improving living standards for consumers. The challenge lies in ensuring that the benefits are distributed fairly across society.

Governments and educational institutions are beginning to respond to these challenges. Many countries have introduced retraining programs to help displaced workers acquire new skills. Some regions offer incentives for companies to provide apprenticeships and on-the-job training. There is growing recognition that the transition to automated manufacturing requires proactive social policies to support affected workers and communities. Without such interventions, the gap between those who benefit from technological progress and those who are left behind will continue to widen.

The debate over automation in manufacturing touches on fundamental questions about the relationship between technology and society. While few would argue for stopping technological progress, there is increasing awareness that economic efficiency alone should not be the only consideration. The well-being of workers, the health of communities, and the social cohesion of society must also be taken into account as industries continue to evolve.

Robot tự động hóa trong nhà máy sản xuất hiện đại với công nghệ tiên tiến và dây chuyền lắp ráp

Questions 1-5

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. Modern car factories require fewer workers than those in the 1970s to produce the same number of vehicles.
2. Robotic systems in factories can work longer hours than human employees without needing rest.
3. All companies that use automation technology become more profitable than their competitors.
4. Workers who lose manufacturing jobs often face difficulties finding new employment.
5. Automation has made Germany the world’s leading manufacturer of automobiles.

Questions 6-9

Complete the sentences below.

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

6. Traditional manufacturing jobs provided __ for multiple generations within families.
7. Modern factories need employees who can program robots and __ complex systems.
8. Communities experiencing job losses in manufacturing often see increased rates of depression and __.
9. New positions created by automation typically require more advanced __ and training.

Questions 10-13

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

10. According to the passage, what is one reason companies invest in robotic technology?

    • A) To improve worker safety
    • B) To create more jobs
    • C) To reduce competition
    • D) To increase factory size

11. The passage suggests that the skills gap exists because:

    • A) Young people are not interested in manufacturing
    • B) Required job skills have changed significantly
    • C) Educational systems are too expensive
    • D) Robots are too complicated to operate

12. What does the passage say about the psychological impact of job losses?

    • A) It only affects younger workers
    • B) It is temporary and easily overcome
    • C) It impacts both income and self-worth
    • D) It primarily affects factory owners

13. According to the passage, how are governments responding to automation challenges?

    • A) By stopping the use of robots
    • B) By introducing worker retraining programs
    • C) By increasing factory wages
    • D) By reducing working hours

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PASSAGE 2 – Socioeconomic Consequences of Industrial Automation

Độ khó: Medium (Band 6.0-7.5)

Thời gian đề xuất: 18-20 phút

The accelerating pace of automation in manufacturing sectors has precipitated a profound transformation in labor markets and socioeconomic structures across developed and developing nations alike. While the technological revolution promises enhanced productivity and economic efficiency, its ramifications extend far beyond the factory floor, reshaping employment patterns, income distribution, and the very nature of work itself. Understanding these multifaceted impacts requires examining both the immediate displacement effects and the longer-term structural changes in economies and societies.

Historical parallels to previous industrial revolutions offer some guidance, yet the current wave of automation presents unique challenges. Unlike the mechanization of the 19th century, which primarily affected agricultural labor and created vast new opportunities in manufacturing, today’s automation is simultaneously eliminating traditional manufacturing jobs while demanding skills that many displaced workers do not possess. The economist Joseph Schumpeter famously described capitalism as a process of “creative destruction,” where new innovations constantly replace old ways of doing business. However, the critical question is whether the creative aspect of this process will generate sufficient new employment to offset the destructive elimination of existing jobs, and how quickly this transition can occur.

Empirical evidence from various industrialized nations reveals a complex picture. In Germany, often cited as a model for balancing automation with employment, the manufacturing sector has maintained relatively stable employment levels despite extensive robotization. This success stems largely from the country’s dual education system, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on apprenticeships, ensuring workers acquire relevant technical skills. German manufacturers have also focused on high-value production where human expertise in precision engineering and quality control remains essential. However, this model requires substantial institutional support and long-term investment in education, making it difficult to replicate in countries with different economic structures.

Conversely, regions in the United States and United Kingdom have experienced more severe disruption. The American Rust Belt, stretching across the Midwest, has witnessed the hollowing out of manufacturing communities as automation combined with globalization has decimated traditional employment bases. Research by economists Daron Acemoglu and Pascual Restrepo suggests that each additional robot per thousand workers in U.S. manufacturing has reduced the employment-to-population ratio by approximately 0.2 percentage points. The effects are particularly acute in regions with limited economic diversity, where manufacturing has historically been the dominant employer.

The distributional consequences of automation represent another critical dimension of its social impact. As routine tasks become automated, the labor market increasingly polarizes into high-skill, high-wage positions requiring advanced education, and low-skill, low-wage service jobs that are difficult to automate. This phenomenon, known as “job polarization,” contributes to widening income inequality. Middle-income positions—those requiring moderate skills and providing stable employment—are disproportionately vulnerable to automation. This erosion of the middle class has significant implications for social mobility and political stability.

Demographic factors intersect with automation in particularly concerning ways. Older workers who lose manufacturing jobs face substantial barriers to re-employment, as they may lack familiarity with digital technologies and have fewer years of working life ahead to justify the investment in retraining. Gender dynamics also play a role; while men have historically dominated manufacturing employment, women constitute the majority of workers in sectors such as retail and food service that are now facing their own automation challenges. Youth unemployment, already elevated in many economies, may worsen if entry-level positions traditionally filled by young workers are automated.

Geographic concentration of automation’s impacts exacerbates social problems. When manufacturing plants in small towns reduce their workforces, the effects ripple through entire communities. Local governments lose tax revenue, reducing their ability to provide services and maintain infrastructure. Housing values decline, trapping residents in areas with limited opportunities. Schools and hospitals struggle as the population decreases and tax bases shrink. This spatial inequality between thriving metropolitan areas and declining industrial towns fuels social resentment and political polarization, as evidenced by voting patterns in recent elections across many democratic nations.

The psychological and social ramifications extend beyond economics. Work provides not only income but also social connection, daily structure, and a sense of purpose. Manufacturing jobs, despite being physically demanding, offered workers tangible productivity—they could see the products they helped create. This sense of contribution fostered community identity and collective pride. As these jobs disappear, communities lose not just economic resources but also social cohesion. Studies link long-term unemployment to increased rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and even mortality, suggesting that the health impacts of automation-driven job loss constitute a public health crisis in affected regions.

Policy responses to these challenges have varied considerably across jurisdictions. Scandinavian countries have invested heavily in “flexicurity” systems that combine flexible labor markets with robust social safety nets and active labor market policies, including generous support for retraining and job search assistance. These nations have managed to maintain low unemployment and high levels of social wellbeing despite ongoing technological change. In contrast, countries with less developed welfare systems have seen more severe social dislocation. The concept of universal basic income (UBI) has gained traction as a potential solution, with pilot programs in Finland and Kenya testing whether providing all citizens with an unconditional income can cushion the blow of technological unemployment. However, the feasibility and desirability of UBI remain hotly debated among economists and policymakers.

Corporate responsibility in managing automation’s social impacts has also emerged as a significant concern. While firms have fiduciary duties to shareholders to maximize profits, there is growing pressure on companies to consider their broader stakeholder obligations. Some progressive companies have committed to “just transitions,” providing extended notice periods, generous severance packages, and retraining opportunities for displaced workers. Others have experimented with reduced working hours rather than workforce reductions, spreading available work more equitably. However, such voluntary approaches remain the exception rather than the rule, particularly in highly competitive global markets where short-term cost-cutting often takes precedence over long-term social responsibility.

Tác động xã hội của tự động hóa với công nhân tham gia chương trình đào tạo lại nghề nghiệp

Questions 14-19

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

14. According to the passage, how does current automation differ from 19th-century mechanization?

    • A) It is happening more slowly
    • B) It requires skills many workers lack
    • C) It only affects agricultural workers
    • D) It creates more jobs than it eliminates

15. What factor contributed to Germany’s success in maintaining manufacturing employment?

    • A) Lower wages than other countries
    • B) A combination of classroom and practical training
    • C) Restrictions on robot use
    • D) Focus on low-value production

16. According to Acemoglu and Restrepo’s research, what happens when robots are added to manufacturing?

    • A) Wages increase for all workers
    • B) Employment rates improve
    • C) The employment-to-population ratio decreases
    • D) More factories are built

17. The term “job polarization” refers to:

    • A) Workers moving to cold climates
    • B) Labor markets dividing into high and low-skill positions
    • C) Political disagreements about automation
    • D) The difference between public and private sector jobs

18. What problem do older workers face regarding automation?

    • A) They are paid too much
    • B) They lack digital technology skills
    • C) They work too slowly
    • D) They prefer traditional methods only

19. The passage suggests that Scandinavian “flexicurity” systems:

    • A) Have failed to address unemployment
    • B) Combine flexible markets with strong social support
    • C) Are identical to American policies
    • D) Prohibit the use of automation

Questions 20-23

Complete the summary below.

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

The impacts of automation extend beyond individual job losses to affect entire communities. When manufacturing plants reduce their workforces, local governments lose (20) __, making it harder to provide public services. Property values fall, and facilities like schools and hospitals face difficulties as the (21) __ decreases. This creates (22) __ between successful cities and struggling industrial towns, which contributes to social divisions and (23) __ as seen in recent elections.

Questions 24-26

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

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

24. Joseph Schumpeter’s concept of “creative destruction” adequately explains all aspects of modern automation.
25. Universal basic income is the best solution to problems caused by automation.
26. Companies should consider their responsibilities to workers and communities, not just profits.

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PASSAGE 3 – The Dialectics of Technological Progress and Social Equity in Automated Production

Độ khó: Hard (Band 7.0-9.0)

Thời gian đề xuất: 23-25 phút

The inexorable march toward comprehensive automation in manufacturing represents not merely a technological transition but a fundamental reconfiguration of the socioeconomic compact that has underpinned industrial societies since the late 18th century. As artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced robotics converge to create increasingly autonomous production systems, scholars across disciplines—from economics and sociology to philosophy and political science—grapple with the normative implications of a future where human labor may become increasingly superfluous to material production. This paradigm shift necessitates a critical examination of the dialectical relationship between technological advancement and social welfare, challenging long-held assumptions about the intrinsic connection between employment and human dignity.

Classical economic theory, rooted in the work of Adam Smith and David Ricardo, posited that technological progress, while potentially causing short-term displacement, would ultimately enhance overall prosperity through increased productivity and the creation of new industries and occupations. This optimistic prognosis found empirical validation through much of the 19th and 20th centuries, as the mechanization of agriculture freed workers to populate burgeoning manufacturing sectors, and later as automation of manufacturing enabled the expansion of service economies. However, the contemporary wave of automation, characterized by its unprecedented scope and accelerating pace, challenges the applicability of these historical patterns. Unlike previous technological disruptions, which primarily substituted for human physical labor, modern algorithmic systems and cognitive automation increasingly encroach upon tasks requiring judgment, pattern recognition, and decision-making—capabilities previously considered the exclusive domain of human intelligence.

The distributive justice implications of this transformation merit rigorous scrutiny. Philosopher John Rawls, in his seminal work “A Theory of Justice,” articulated the principle that social and economic inequalities are justifiable only insofar as they benefit the least advantaged members of society. Through this Rawlsian lens, the legitimacy of automation-driven inequality depends critically on whether productivity gains translate into broadly shared prosperity or merely accrue to capital owners and a narrow technocratic elite. Empirical evidence increasingly suggests the latter trajectory. Research by economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman documents a marked decoupling of productivity growth from wage growth in the United States since the 1970s, with the share of national income flowing to labor declining while returns to capital—increasingly embedded in automated systems—have surged. This distributional shift represents not merely an economic phenomenon but a profound moral challenge to societies premised on the notion that industriousness and economic contribution should yield commensurate rewards.

The sociological dimensions of automation-induced displacement extend beyond material deprivation to encompass what Max Weber termed the “disenchantment” of modern life and what contemporary scholars describe as “deaths of despair.” Longitudinal studies by Anne Case and Angus Deaton have documented alarming increases in mortality rates among middle-aged Americans without university education, driven by suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related diseases—phenomena concentrated in regions experiencing manufacturing decline. These findings suggest that the psychosocial impacts of technological unemployment transcend mere economic privation, touching upon fundamental questions of identity, purpose, and social belonging. The factory, despite its often harsh working conditions, provided not only pecuniary compensation but also communal bonds, structured routines, and a sense of contributing to collective prosperity—elements whose loss exacts a profound existential toll.

Political ramifications of automation-driven economic disruption have manifested in the resurgence of populist movements across established democracies. Political scientists such as Pippa Norris and Ronald Inglehart have analyzed the correlation between areas experiencing economic dislocation and support for authoritarian-leaning leaders who promise to restore past prosperity through protectionist policies and nationalist rhetoric. This phenomenon underscores the dialectical relationship between economic foundations and political superstructure, suggesting that the stability of liberal democratic institutions may depend significantly on the inclusive distribution of technological benefits. The corrosive effects of perceived injustice—when segments of society witness their livelihoods evaporating while aggregate wealth increases—can undermine the social trust and civic cooperation essential for democratic governance.

From a philosophical perspective, the automation dilemma resurrects age-old questions about the relationship between work and human flourishing. Aristotelian virtue ethics emphasized praxis—purposeful action—as essential to eudaimonia, or human flourishing. Conversely, utopian visions from Thomas More to John Maynard Keynes envisioned a future where technological advancement would liberate humanity from onerous toil, enabling the pursuit of intellectual, artistic, and spiritual development. The contemporary reality appears to confound both perspectives: automation has neither universally liberated humans for higher pursuits nor maintained the dignified employment that previously anchored social identity. Instead, it has created a bifurcated reality where an educated elite enjoys meaningful, well-compensated work while many others face precarious employment or prolonged joblessness.

Emerging policy frameworks attempting to address these challenges reveal divergent philosophical commitments. Market-fundamentalist approaches emphasize deregulation, reduced taxation, and minimal government intervention, premised on faith that unfettered markets will organically generate new employment opportunities. Social democratic models, exemplified by Nordic countries, advocate robust redistributive mechanisms, comprehensive social insurance, and active labor market policies to ensure equitable distribution of technological dividends. More radical proposals include universal basic income, which would decouple survival from employment, or worker ownership of automated enterprises, ensuring that productivity gains accrue to broader society rather than concentrating among capital owners. The philosopher Philippe Van Parijs argues that UBI represents a “real freedom for all”—providing the material foundation for genuine autonomy rather than merely formal liberty constrained by economic necessity.

The technological determinism implicit in much discourse about automation warrants critical examination. While technologies exert powerful influences, they are not autonomous forces but rather embodiments of particular social choices, power relations, and value systems. The historian Langdon Winner argues that artifacts have “politics”—their design and deployment reflect and reinforce specific distributions of power and social arrangements. Automation technologies, far from being neutral tools, incorporate assumptions about the relative value of human versus machine labor, about acceptable levels of surveillance and control, and about who deserves to benefit from enhanced productivity. Recognizing this social construction of technology opens space for alternative developmental pathways that prioritize human welfare alongside economic efficiency.

International dimensions of automation further complicate the picture. As manufacturing increasingly gravitates toward highly automated facilities, the competitive advantage historically enjoyed by low-wage economies diminishes, potentially disrupting development trajectories that lifted millions from poverty in countries like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. Economist Dani Rodrik warns of “premature deindustrialization” in developing nations, where manufacturing employment peaks at lower income levels than in previous industrializers, potentially blocking the pathway that historically enabled countries to transition from agrarian to high-income status. This global dimension raises profound questions of international justice: if automation predominantly benefits already-affluent nations while foreclosing development opportunities for the global poor, it represents not merely a domestic policy challenge but a moral imperative for international cooperation and resource redistribution.

The normative frameworks for evaluating these developments remain contested. Utilitarian calculations might emphasize aggregate welfare maximization, potentially justifying substantial displacement if overall societal benefits suffice. Deontological perspectives, emphasizing individual rights and dignity, might prioritize protecting workers’ legitimate expectations and ensuring procedural fairness in transitions. Capability approaches, articulated by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, focus on individuals’ substantive freedoms to achieve valued functionings—not merely income but also health, education, social connection, and political participation. Through this lens, automation’s impact should be assessed not simply by GDP growth or even employment rates but by whether it expands or contracts people’s genuine opportunities for flourishing lives.

Triết học xã hội về tự động hóa với biểu tượng công nghệ và công bằng xã hội hài hòa

Questions 27-31

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

27. According to the passage, how does modern automation differ from previous technological changes?

    • A) It only affects physical labor
    • B) It is happening at a slower pace
    • C) It impacts cognitive and judgment-based tasks
    • D) It creates more jobs than it eliminates

28. What does the passage suggest about John Rawls’ principle of distributive justice?

    • A) It supports all forms of inequality
    • B) Inequalities are acceptable only if they help the least advantaged
    • C) Economic disparities should never exist
    • D) Only technological progress matters

29. The research by Case and Deaton on “deaths of despair” indicates that:

    • A) Economic loss is the only impact of job displacement
    • B) University education prevents all health problems
    • C) Job loss affects identity and psychological wellbeing
    • D) Manufacturing work was always harmful to health

30. According to the passage, what political consequence has automation-driven disruption caused?

    • A) Decreased voter participation
    • B) The rise of populist movements
    • C) Universal support for automation
    • D) Elimination of democratic institutions

31. Langdon Winner’s argument about technology having “politics” means:

    • A) Technologies are used in political campaigns
    • B) Only politicians can decide about technology
    • C) Technology design reflects social power structures
    • D) Technology has no relationship to society

Questions 32-36

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-H, below.

32. Classical economic theory predicted that
33. The philosopher John Maynard Keynes envisioned that
34. Market-fundamentalist policy approaches believe that
35. Philippe Van Parijs argues that universal basic income
36. Economist Dani Rodrik warns that

A) automation would help developing countries compete globally.

B) free markets alone will create new employment opportunities.

C) technological progress would ultimately increase overall prosperity.

D) technology would free people from difficult work for higher pursuits.

E) all workers should receive identical wages regardless of skills.

F) provides genuine freedom rather than just formal liberty.

G) developing nations may experience premature deindustrialization.

H) governments should prohibit all forms of automation.

Questions 37-40

Answer the questions below.

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

37. According to Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman’s research, what has been declining in the United States since the 1970s?
38. What type of ethics emphasized purposeful action as essential to human flourishing?
39. What three emerging policy models does the passage describe for addressing automation challenges?
40. Through what approach, according to Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, should automation’s impact be assessed?

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3. Answer Keys – Đáp Án

PASSAGE 1: Questions 1-13

1. TRUE
2. TRUE
3. NOT GIVEN
4. TRUE
5. NOT GIVEN
6. stable income
7. troubleshoot
8. substance abuse
9. education
10. A
11. B
12. C
13. B

PASSAGE 2: Questions 14-26

14. B
15. B
16. C
17. B
18. B
19. B
20. tax revenue
21. population
22. spatial inequality
23. political polarization
24. NOT GIVEN
25. NOT GIVEN
26. YES

PASSAGE 3: Questions 27-40

27. C
28. B
29. C
30. B
31. C
32. C
33. D
34. B
35. F
36. G
37. share of national income / national income share
38. Aristotelian virtue ethics
39. market-fundamentalist / social democratic / radical proposals (any order, or specific examples: universal basic income, worker ownership)
40. capability approaches

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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: Modern car factories, fewer workers, 1970s, same number of vehicles
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 3-5
• Giải thích: Bài đọc nói rõ “A typical car manufacturing plant in the 1970s, for example, might have employed 5,000 workers. Today, a similar factory might produce the same number of vehicles with only 1,500 employees.” Điều này khớp hoàn toàn với thông tin câu hỏi.

Câu 2: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Robotic systems, work longer hours, without rest
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 6-7
• Giải thích: Passage nêu “These machines can work continuously for 24 hours without breaks,” xác nhận robot có thể làm việc liên tục không cần nghỉ ngơi như con người.

Câu 3: NOT GIVEN

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: All companies, automation, more profitable, competitors
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3
• Giải thích: Bài chỉ nói các công ty “see significant improvements in productivity and efficiency” và automation giúp cạnh tranh tốt hơn, nhưng không khẳng định TẤT CẢ công ty sử dụng automation đều có lợi nhuận cao hơn đối thủ.

Câu 4: TRUE

• Dạng câu hỏi: True/False/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Workers, lose manufacturing jobs, difficulties, new employment
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 3-5
• Giải thích: Passage đề cập “This has created a skills gap where many workers find themselves unqualified for available positions,” cho thấy công nhân mất việc gặp khó khăn tìm việc mới.

Câu 6: stable income

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: Traditional manufacturing jobs, generations, families
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: “Traditional manufacturing jobs that provided stable income for generations of families” – paraphrase trực tiếp từ passage.

Câu 7: troubleshoot

• Dạng câu hỏi: Sentence Completion
• Từ khóa: Modern factories, program robots, complex systems
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: “modern automated factories need workers who can program robots, analyze data, and troubleshoot complex systems.”

Câu 10: A (To improve worker safety)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Reason companies invest, robotic technology
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 7-8
• Giải thích: Passage nêu robots “perform dangerous tasks without risk to human safety,” đây là một lý do đầu tư vào công nghệ robot.

Câu 11: B (Required job skills have changed significantly)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Skills gap exists
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5
• Giải thích: Bài giải thích rõ skills gap xuất hiện vì “Young people preparing to enter the workforce need different skills than their parents had” – kỹ năng yêu cầu đã thay đổi đáng kể.

Passage 2 – Giải Thích

Câu 14: B (It requires skills many workers lack)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Current automation differs, 19th-century mechanization
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 2-4
• Giải thích: “today’s automation is simultaneously eliminating traditional manufacturing jobs while demanding skills that many displaced workers do not possess” – khác với thời kỳ trước, automation hiện tại yêu cầu kỹ năng mà nhiều công nhân không có.

Câu 15: B (A combination of classroom and practical training)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Germany’s success, maintaining manufacturing employment
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: “This success stems largely from the country’s dual education system, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on apprenticeships.”

Câu 16: C (The employment-to-population ratio decreases)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Acemoglu and Restrepo’s research, robots added
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 4, dòng 3-5
• Giải thích: “each additional robot per thousand workers in U.S. manufacturing has reduced the employment-to-population ratio by approximately 0.2 percentage points.”

Câu 20: tax revenue

• Dạng câu hỏi: Summary Completion
• Từ khóa: Local governments lose
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 7, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: “Local governments lose tax revenue, reducing their ability to provide services.”

Câu 26: YES

• Dạng câu hỏi: Yes/No/Not Given
• Từ khóa: Companies, responsibilities, workers, communities, not just profits
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng 1-3
• Giải thích: Writer thể hiện quan điểm rõ ràng: “While firms have fiduciary duties to shareholders to maximize profits, there is growing pressure on companies to consider their broader stakeholder obligations” – ủng hộ việc công ty cần xem xét trách nhiệm rộng hơn.

Passage 3 – Giải Thích

Câu 27: C (It impacts cognitive and judgment-based tasks)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Modern automation differs, previous technological changes
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 6-9
• Giải thích: “modern algorithmic systems and cognitive automation increasingly encroach upon tasks requiring judgment, pattern recognition, and decision-making” – automation hiện đại ảnh hưởng đến các nhiệm vụ nhận thức và phán đoán.

Câu 28: B (Inequalities are acceptable only if they help the least advantaged)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: John Rawls’ principle, distributive justice
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 2-4
• Giải thích: “social and economic inequalities are justifiable only insofar as they benefit the least advantaged members of society.”

Câu 30: B (The rise of populist movements)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Multiple Choice
• Từ khóa: Political consequence, automation-driven disruption
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 5, dòng 1-2
• Giải thích: “Political ramifications of automation-driven economic disruption have manifested in the resurgence of populist movements.”

Câu 32: C

• Dạng câu hỏi: Matching Sentence Endings
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 2, dòng 1-3
• Giải thích: “Classical economic theory…posited that technological progress…would ultimately enhance overall prosperity” = ultimately increase overall prosperity.

Câu 37: share of national income (hoặc national income share)

• Dạng câu hỏi: Short Answer
• Từ khóa: Emmanuel Saez, Gabriel Zucman, declining, United States, 1970s
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 3, dòng 7-9
• Giải thích: “the share of national income flowing to labor declining.”

Câu 38: Aristotelian virtue ethics

• Dạng câu hỏi: Short Answer
• Từ khóa: Ethics, purposeful action, human flourishing
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 6, dòng 2-3
• Giải thích: “Aristotelian virtue ethics emphasized praxis—purposeful action—as essential to eudaimonia, or human flourishing.”

Câu 40: capability approaches

• Dạng câu hỏi: Short Answer
• Từ khóa: Amartya Sen, Martha Nussbaum, assess automation’s impact
• Vị trí trong bài: Đoạn 10, dòng cuối
• Giải thích: “Capability approaches, articulated by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum…Through this lens, automation’s impact should be assessed…”

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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
automation	n	/ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃn/	sự tự động hóa	factories have increasingly adopted robotic systems	industrial automation, factory automation
assemble	v	/əˈsembl/	lắp ráp	workers to assemble products	assemble products/parts
sophisticated	adj	/səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd/	tinh vi, phức tạp	sophisticated robotic arms	sophisticated technology/systems
productivity	n	/ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/	năng suất	significant improvements in productivity	increase/improve productivity
efficiency	n	/ɪˈfɪʃnsi/	hiệu quả, hiệu suất	improvements in productivity and efficiency	operational efficiency, improve efficiency
reduction	n	/rɪˈdʌkʃn/	sự giảm, sự cắt giảm	reduction in employment opportunities	cost reduction, workforce reduction
stable income	n phrase	/ˈsteɪbl ˈɪnkʌm/	thu nhập ổn định	jobs that provided stable income	provide/ensure stable income
troubleshoot	v	/ˈtrʌblʃuːt/	khắc phục sự cố	workers who can troubleshoot complex systems	troubleshoot problems/issues
skills gap	n phrase	/skɪlz ɡæp/	khoảng cách kỹ năng	This has created a skills gap	bridge/address the skills gap
unqualified	adj	/ʌnˈkwɒlɪfaɪd/	không đủ điều kiện	workers find themselves unqualified	unqualified for positions
self-esteem	n	/ˌself ɪˈstiːm/	lòng tự trọng	it affects not just income but also self-esteem	boost/damage self-esteem
retraining programs	n phrase	/ˌriːˈtreɪnɪŋ ˈprəʊɡræmz/	chương trình đào tạo lại	governments have introduced retraining programs	offer/implement retraining programs

Passage 2 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
precipitate	v	/prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/	gây ra đột ngột	automation has precipitated a profound transformation	precipitate a crisis/change
ramification	n	/ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/	hệ quả, tác động	its ramifications extend far beyond	have ramifications, far-reaching ramifications
displacement	n	/dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/	sự thay thế, sự mất việc	immediate displacement effects	job displacement, worker displacement
empirical evidence	n phrase	/ɪmˈpɪrɪkl ˈevɪdəns/	bằng chứng thực nghiệm	Empirical evidence from various nations	provide/show empirical evidence
robotization	n	/ˌrəʊbətaɪˈzeɪʃn/	sự robot hóa	despite extensive robotization	industrial robotization
apprenticeship	n	/əˈprentɪsʃɪp/	học việc, tập sự	hands-on apprenticeships	offer/complete an apprenticeship
disruption	n	/dɪsˈrʌpʃn/	sự gián đoạn, phá vỡ	experienced more severe disruption	technological disruption, economic disruption
decimate	v	/ˈdesɪmeɪt/	tàn phá	automation combined with globalization has decimated	decimate employment/industry
polarize	v	/ˈpəʊləraɪz/	phân cực	the labor market increasingly polarizes	polarize society/opinions
erosion	n	/ɪˈrəʊʒn/	sự xói mòn	erosion of the middle class	erosion of standards/values
exacerbate	v	/ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/	làm trầm trọng thêm	Geographic concentration exacerbates social problems	exacerbate problems/tensions
cohesion	n	/kəʊˈhiːʒn/	sự gắn kết	communities lose social cohesion	social cohesion, maintain cohesion
flexicurity	n	/fleksɪˈkjʊərəti/	linh hoạt + an toàn	invested heavily in flexicurity systems	flexicurity model/policy
fiduciary duty	n phrase	/fɪˈdjuːʃəri ˈdjuːti/	nghĩa vụ ủy thác	firms have fiduciary duties to shareholders	fulfill/breach fiduciary duty
severance package	n phrase	/ˈsevərəns ˈpækɪdʒ/	trợ cấp thôi việc	generous severance packages	offer/receive a severance package

Passage 3 – Essential Vocabulary

Từ vựng	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ từ bài	Collocation
inexorable	adj	/ɪnˈeksərəbl/	không thể cưỡng lại	the inexorable march toward automation	inexorable process/decline
reconfiguration	n	/ˌriːkənˌfɪɡjəˈreɪʃn/	sự tái cấu hình	fundamental reconfiguration of the compact	require reconfiguration
normative	adj	/ˈnɔːmətɪv/	mang tính chuẩn mực	normative implications of a future	normative framework/approach
superfluous	adj	/suːˈpɜːfluəs/	thừa thãi, không cần thiết	human labor may become superfluous	render superfluous, become superfluous
dialectical	adj	/ˌdaɪəˈlektɪkl/	biện chứng	dialectical relationship between technology	dialectical method/approach
prognosis	n	/prɒɡˈnəʊsɪs/	dự báo	optimistic prognosis found validation	make/offer a prognosis
encroach	v	/ɪnˈkrəʊtʃ/	xâm lấn	increasingly encroach upon tasks	encroach on/upon rights/territory
distributive justice	n phrase	/dɪˈstrɪbjʊtɪv ˈdʒʌstɪs/	công lý phân phối	distributive justice implications	principles of distributive justice
scrutiny	n	/ˈskruːtəni/	sự xem xét kỹ lưỡng	merit rigorous scrutiny	under scrutiny, face scrutiny
accrue	v	/əˈkruː/	tích lũy, thu được	productivity gains accrue to capital owners	accrue benefits/advantages
decoupling	n	/diːˈkʌplɪŋ/	sự tách rời	marked decoupling of productivity from wages	economic decoupling
longitudinal study	n phrase	/ˌlɒndʒɪˈtjuːdɪnl ˈstʌdi/	nghiên cứu theo chiều dọc	Longitudinal studies by Case and Deaton	conduct a longitudinal study
psychosocial	adj	/ˌsaɪkəʊˈsəʊʃl/	tâm lý xã hội	psychosocial impacts of unemployment	psychosocial factors/effects
pecuniary	adj	/pɪˈkjuːniəri/	liên quan đến tiền bạc	pecuniary compensation	pecuniary interest/advantage
resurgence	n	/rɪˈsɜːdʒəns/	sự trỗi dậy trở lại	resurgence of populist movements	experience/witness a resurgence
corrosive	adj	/kəˈrəʊsɪv/	ăn mòn, phá hoại	corrosive effects of perceived injustice	corrosive impact/influence
bifurcated	adj	/ˈbaɪfəkeɪtɪd/	phân hai nhánh	created a bifurcated reality	bifurcated system/structure
premised on	v phrase	/ˈpremɪst ɒn/	dựa trên tiền đề	premised on faith that markets will adapt	be premised on assumptions
embodiment	n	/ɪmˈbɒdimənt/	hiện thân, sự thể hiện	embodiments of particular social choices	perfect embodiment of values
eudaimonia	n	/ˌjuːdɪˈməʊniə/	hạnh phúc (triết học Hy Lạp)	essential to eudaimonia, or human flourishing	achieve eudaimonia

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Kết bài

Chủ đề “What Are The Social Impacts Of Increasing Reliance On Automation In Manufacturing?” không chỉ là một topic phổ biến trong kỳ thi IELTS Reading mà còn phản ánh xu hướng toàn cầu đang diễn ra mạnh mẽ hiện nay. Qua bộ đề thi hoàn chỉnh này, bạn đã trải nghiệm đầy đủ ba mức độ khó từ Easy đến Hard, giống như cấu trúc thực tế của IELTS Reading Test.

Ba passages trong đề thi đã cung cấp góc nhìn đa chiều về tác động xã hội của tự động hóa:

• Passage 1 giới thiệu các khái niệm cơ bản và tác động rõ ràng nhất
• Passage 2 đi sâu vào phân tích kinh tế-xã hội với dữ liệu nghiên cứu cụ thể
• Passage 3 khám phá các khía cạnh triết học, chính trị và đạo đức phức tạp

Đáp án chi tiết với giải thích về vị trí thông tin và kỹ thuật paraphrase sẽ giúp bạn hiểu rõ cách tìm đáp án chính xác, không chỉ học thuộc mà thực sự nắm được phương pháp làm bài.

Hệ thống từ vựng được phân loại theo ba cấp độ giúp bạn xây dựng vốn từ học thuật một cách có hệ thống, từ những từ cơ bản như “automation”, “productivity” đến các thuật ngữ phức tạp như “dialectical relationship”, “distributive justice” hay “eudaimonia”.

Kỹ thuật làm bài quan trọng nhất mà bạn cần ghi nhớ:

• Đọc câu hỏi trước, xác định từ khóa
• Skim passage để tìm vị trí thông tin
• Chú ý paraphrase – từ trong câu hỏi thường khác với từ trong passage
• Quản lý thời gian chặt chẽ – đừng sa đà vào một câu quá lâu
• Với True/False/Not Given, cẩn thận với “Not Given” – không có thông tin khẳng định hoặc phủ định

Hãy luyện tập thường xuyên với các đề thi chất lượng như thế này để nâng cao confidence và kỹ năng làm bài. Chúc bạn đạt band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!

Đừng quên rằng IELTS Reading không chỉ kiểm tra khả năng đọc hiểu mà còn đánh giá kỹ năng quản lý thời gian, tìm kiếm thông tin nhanh và suy luận logic. Những kỹ năng này hoàn toàn có thể rèn luyện được thông qua luyện tập bài bản và có phương pháp.