Đề thi thử VSTEP Reading số 2
Thời gian: 60 phút | Tổng số câu: 40 câu trắc nghiệm
Hướng dẫn: Đọc kỹ các đoạn văn và chọn đáp án đúng nhất (A, B, C hoặc D) cho mỗi câu hỏi.
PASSAGE 1 (Câu 1–10)
Healthy eating habits are essential for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases. In recent years, nutritionists and health organizations have placed increasing emphasis on the importance of a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods from all major food groups. A healthy diet typically consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while limiting the intake of processed foods, added sugars, and excessive salt.
One of the fundamental principles of healthy eating is consuming an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables each day. The World Health Organization recommends at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. These nutrients play crucial roles in supporting the immune system, maintaining healthy skin and eyes, and reducing the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Despite these well-known benefits, surveys consistently show that a large proportion of the global population fails to meet this basic dietary recommendation.
Whole grains are another important component of a nutritious diet. Unlike refined grains, which have been stripped of their outer layers during processing, whole grains retain their bran, germ, and endosperm, making them richer in fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron and magnesium. Regular consumption of whole grains has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colorectal cancer. Common examples of whole grains include brown rice, oats, quinoa, and whole wheat bread, which can easily replace their refined counterparts in everyday meals.
The role of protein in a healthy diet cannot be overstated. Proteins are essential for building and repairing tissues, producing enzymes and hormones, and supporting overall growth and development. While animal sources such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products are well-known protein providers, plant-based alternatives like beans, lentils, tofu, and nuts offer equally valuable protein along with additional health benefits. Research suggests that diets rich in plant-based proteins may be associated with lower risks of heart disease and obesity, prompting many health experts to recommend increasing plant protein intake while reducing reliance on red and processed meats.
Finally, staying properly hydrated is a critical but often overlooked aspect of healthy eating. Water is essential for nearly every bodily function, including digestion, nutrient absorption, temperature regulation, and waste removal. Health authorities generally recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water per day, though individual needs may vary depending on factors such as physical activity level, climate, and overall health status. Sugary beverages like sodas and energy drinks should be limited, as they contribute significant calories without providing essential nutrients and have been linked to increased risks of obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.
Câu 1. What is the main topic of this passage?
A. The dangers of processed food
B. The key components and principles of a healthy diet
C. How to lose weight quickly through dieting
D. The history of nutrition science
Câu 2. How many servings of fruits and vegetables does the WHO recommend daily?
A. At least three
B. At least five
C. At least seven
D. At least ten
Câu 3. The word "adequate" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
A. Excessive
B. Minimum
C. Sufficient
D. Limited
Câu 4. What makes whole grains more nutritious than refined grains?
A. They taste better and are easier to prepare
B. They retain their bran, germ, and endosperm
C. They are more expensive and therefore higher quality
D. They contain more sugar and fat than refined grains
Câu 5. The word "counterparts" in paragraph 3 refers to:
A. Health benefits
B. Refined grain versions of the same foods
C. Different types of whole grains
D. Nutrients found in vegetables
Câu 6. According to the passage, what advantage do plant-based proteins have?
A. They are always cheaper than animal proteins
B. They may reduce risks of heart disease and obesity
C. They contain more protein per gram than meat
D. They are easier to digest than animal proteins
Câu 7. What is the purpose of paragraph 4?
A. To argue that people should become vegetarian
B. To explain the importance of protein and compare sources
C. To criticize the meat industry
D. To describe how proteins are digested
Câu 8. Why should sugary beverages be limited?
A. They are too expensive for most families
B. They cause immediate allergic reactions
C. They add calories without essential nutrients and increase health risks
D. They contain dangerous chemicals banned in some countries
Câu 9. What can be inferred from the passage about global eating habits?
A. Most people around the world eat too many fruits and vegetables
B. Many people do not eat enough fruits and vegetables despite knowing the benefits
C. Global eating habits have improved dramatically in recent years
D. People in developing countries eat healthier than those in wealthy nations
Câu 10. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a function of water in the body?
A. Digestion
B. Temperature regulation
C. Muscle building
D. Waste removal
PASSAGE 2 (Câu 11–20)
Social media platforms have become an integral part of daily life for billions of people worldwide, but their impact on young people has become a subject of intense debate among parents, educators, psychologists, and policymakers. While social media offers numerous benefits, including opportunities for self-expression, community building, and access to information, growing evidence suggests that excessive use may have significant negative effects on the mental health and social development of adolescents and young adults.
One of the primary concerns is the relationship between social media use and mental health issues among young people. Multiple studies have found correlations between heavy social media use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The constant exposure to carefully curated images of others' lives can create unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy. A landmark study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology demonstrated that participants who limited their social media use to 30 minutes per day experienced significant reductions in loneliness and depression compared to a control group that maintained their usual habits.
Cyberbullying represents another serious concern associated with social media use among youth. Unlike traditional bullying, which is typically confined to school settings and limited by physical proximity, cyberbullying can occur at any time and reach victims in the perceived safety of their own homes. The anonymity afforded by some platforms can embolden bullies, while the permanent and shareable nature of online content means that hurtful messages, images, or videos can spread rapidly and remain accessible indefinitely. Research indicates that victims of cyberbullying are at significantly higher risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and in extreme cases, self-harm and suicide.
However, it would be misleading to portray social media as entirely harmful to young people. For many adolescents, particularly those from marginalized communities, social media provides a vital space for finding support, connecting with like-minded peers, and accessing resources that may not be available in their immediate environment. LGBTQ+ youth, for example, often report that online communities have been instrumental in helping them navigate their identities and find acceptance. Similarly, young people with chronic illnesses or disabilities can use social media to connect with others who share their experiences, reducing feelings of isolation and providing emotional support.
Experts increasingly advocate for a balanced approach to managing young people's social media use rather than outright prohibition. Digital literacy education, which teaches young people to critically evaluate online content and understand the psychological mechanisms used by platforms to maximize engagement, is seen as essential. Parents are encouraged to maintain open communication about online experiences and to model healthy technology habits themselves. Meanwhile, technology companies face growing pressure to implement stronger safety features, improve content moderation, and redesign algorithms that may promote harmful content to vulnerable users. Finding the right balance between protecting young people and allowing them to benefit from digital connectivity remains an ongoing challenge for society.
Câu 11. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Why social media should be banned for all young people
B. The complex effects of social media on youth and approaches to managing use
C. The technical features of popular social media platforms
D. How parents can spy on their children's online activities
Câu 12. According to paragraph 2, what did the study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology find?
A. Social media use has no effect on mental health
B. Limiting social media to 30 minutes daily reduced loneliness and depression
C. Only people who quit social media completely saw improvements
D. Older adults are more affected by social media than young people
Câu 13. The word "curated" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
A. Randomly selected
B. Carefully chosen and arranged
C. Automatically generated
D. Accidentally posted
Câu 14. How is cyberbullying different from traditional bullying?
A. It only happens at school
B. It is less harmful than face-to-face bullying
C. It can happen anytime and reach victims at home
D. It is easier for teachers to detect and stop
Câu 15. The word "embolden" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:
A. Frighten
B. Encourage
C. Identify
D. Punish
Câu 16. What positive role does social media play for LGBTQ+ youth?
A. It guarantees their physical safety
B. It provides professional counseling services
C. It helps them navigate identities and find acceptance
D. It connects them with potential employers
Câu 17. What is the author's attitude toward social media?
A. Entirely negative
B. Entirely positive
C. Balanced, acknowledging both benefits and risks
D. Indifferent and unconcerned
Câu 18. What does "digital literacy education" involve?
A. Teaching young people to create social media content
B. Training young people to critically evaluate online content
C. Requiring all students to learn computer programming
D. Banning smartphones from classrooms
Câu 19. What are technology companies pressured to do?
A. Shut down their platforms entirely
B. Make social media free for all users
C. Implement stronger safety features and improve content moderation
D. Reduce the number of users on their platforms
Câu 20. What can be inferred from the passage about the ideal approach to youth social media use?
A. Complete prohibition is the most effective strategy
B. Young people should be trusted to manage their own use without guidance
C. A balanced approach combining education, communication, and platform reform is best
D. Only children under 13 should be restricted from social media
PASSAGE 3 (Câu 21–30)
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources represents one of the most significant technological and economic shifts in human history. As concerns about climate change intensify and the environmental costs of burning coal, oil, and natural gas become increasingly apparent, governments, businesses, and communities around the world are investing heavily in alternative energy technologies. Solar power, wind energy, hydroelectricity, and geothermal energy are among the leading renewable sources that promise to reshape the global energy landscape in the coming decades.
Solar energy has experienced perhaps the most dramatic growth of any renewable technology. The cost of photovoltaic panels has plummeted by approximately 90 percent since 2010, making solar power competitive with or even cheaper than fossil fuels in many regions. Countries like Germany, China, and Australia have emerged as leaders in solar adoption, with millions of households and businesses installing rooftop panels to generate their own electricity. Large-scale solar farms, some covering thousands of hectares, now produce enough energy to power entire cities. The International Energy Agency projects that solar power could become the world's largest source of electricity by 2050, provided that current investment trends continue.
Wind energy has similarly undergone a remarkable transformation. Modern wind turbines are vastly more efficient than their predecessors, with individual offshore turbines now capable of generating enough electricity to supply over 10,000 homes. Denmark, a pioneer in wind technology, already generates more than 50 percent of its electricity from wind power, demonstrating that high levels of renewable penetration are technically feasible. Offshore wind farms, positioned in coastal waters where wind speeds are typically higher and more consistent, represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the renewable energy sector. However, critics raise concerns about the visual impact of wind turbines on landscapes and the potential threats they pose to bird and bat populations.
Despite the impressive progress of renewable energy technologies, significant challenges remain in achieving a complete transition away from fossil fuels. The intermittent nature of solar and wind power — the sun does not always shine and the wind does not always blow — creates difficulties in maintaining a stable electricity supply. Energy storage technologies, particularly advanced battery systems, are crucial for addressing this intermittency problem, but current storage capacity remains insufficient to meet demand during extended periods of low renewable generation. Additionally, the existing electrical grid infrastructure in most countries was designed for centralized fossil fuel power plants and requires substantial upgrading to accommodate the distributed and variable nature of renewable energy sources.
The geopolitical implications of the energy transition are equally profound. Countries that currently derive significant revenue from oil and gas exports face the prospect of declining demand for their primary commodities, potentially destabilizing their economies and political systems. Conversely, nations that develop leadership positions in renewable technology manufacturing and deployment stand to gain considerable economic advantages. The competition for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements — essential components of batteries and renewable energy equipment — has emerged as a new dimension of international resource competition, raising questions about supply chain security and the environmental impact of mineral extraction in developing countries.
Câu 21. What is the main topic of this passage?
A. Why fossil fuels are better than renewable energy
B. The growth, achievements, and challenges of renewable energy
C. How to install solar panels at home
D. The political conflicts caused by oil production
Câu 22. By how much have solar panel costs decreased since 2010?
A. About 50 percent
B. About 70 percent
C. About 90 percent
D. About 99 percent
Câu 23. The word "plummeted" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
A. Increased slowly
B. Remained stable
C. Dropped sharply
D. Fluctuated wildly
Câu 24. What achievement of Denmark is mentioned?
A. It has banned all fossil fuels
B. It generates over 50 percent of electricity from wind
C. It invented the first wind turbine
D. It exports wind energy to all of Europe
Câu 25. The word "intermittent" in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to:
A. Continuous
B. Powerful
C. Irregular
D. Expensive
Câu 26. What is the main challenge of solar and wind power?
A. They are too expensive for developing countries
B. They produce energy only when conditions are right
C. They require too much land to be practical
D. They produce dangerous waste products
Câu 27. What is needed to solve the intermittency problem?
A. Building more fossil fuel power plants as backup
B. Developing better energy storage technologies
C. Reducing overall electricity consumption
D. Using only nuclear power instead
Câu 28. What geopolitical concern does the passage raise?
A. Renewable energy will cause wars between nations
B. Oil-exporting countries may face economic instability
C. All countries will benefit equally from the transition
D. Renewable energy will eliminate international trade
Câu 29. What are lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements used for?
A. Building traditional power plants
B. Manufacturing batteries and renewable energy equipment
C. Producing fossil fuels more efficiently
D. Cleaning up environmental pollution
Câu 30. What is the author's overall tone?
A. Purely optimistic about renewable energy
B. Completely pessimistic about the energy transition
C. Informative and balanced, noting both progress and challenges
D. Angry about government inaction on climate change
PASSAGE 4 (Câu 31–40)
Wealth inequality within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has emerged as one of the most pressing socioeconomic challenges confronting the region's continued development. While the collective GDP of the ten ASEAN member states has grown substantially over the past three decades — transforming the bloc into the world's fifth-largest economy — the distribution of this economic growth has been profoundly uneven, both between and within individual nations. The coexistence of extraordinary wealth and persistent poverty within a single economic community raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of current development models and the adequacy of existing policy frameworks.
The disparities between ASEAN member states are stark and measurable. Singapore, with a GDP per capita exceeding 60,000 US dollars, ranks among the wealthiest nations on Earth, while Myanmar and Cambodia, with GDP per capita figures below 2,000 dollars, remain classified as least developed countries by international standards. This thirty-fold difference in average income between the richest and poorest members of the same regional bloc is virtually unprecedented among major economic communities. The gap extends beyond income to encompass critical indicators such as life expectancy, educational attainment, healthcare access, and digital connectivity, suggesting that economic disparities are both a cause and a consequence of broader developmental inequalities.
Within individual ASEAN nations, the concentration of wealth among economic elites has reached remarkable levels. A widely cited report by Credit Suisse estimated that in Thailand, the wealthiest one percent of the population controls approximately 67 percent of the nation's total wealth — one of the highest levels of wealth concentration anywhere in the world. Similar patterns, albeit to varying degrees, are observable across the region. In the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, rapid economic growth has produced new classes of billionaires and ultra-high-net-worth individuals whose combined assets represent a substantial fraction of national GDP, while significant portions of the population continue to live on less than three dollars per day.
The consequences of persistent inequality extend far beyond abstract economic statistics. Research consistently demonstrates that high levels of inequality correlate with reduced social mobility, meaning that individuals born into poverty face diminished prospects of improving their economic circumstances through education and effort alone. Inequality also undermines social cohesion, eroding trust in public institutions and increasing the likelihood of political instability. In several ASEAN countries, the perception that economic growth benefits only a privileged few has fueled populist political movements and contributed to episodic social unrest. Furthermore, inequality can impede aggregate economic growth itself, as the concentration of wealth among those with lower marginal propensity to consume reduces overall demand and limits the expansion of domestic markets.
Addressing wealth inequality within ASEAN requires coordinated action across multiple policy domains. Progressive taxation systems that ensure the wealthy contribute their fair share to public revenue remain underdeveloped in most member states, with tax-to-GDP ratios across the region averaging well below the global norm. Investment in universal education, healthcare, and social protection programs has the potential to enhance human capital and create more equitable opportunities for economic participation. Regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community, which aims to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, and skilled labor, could help reduce cross-border disparities if implemented with explicit attention to inclusivity. However, the political will to enact meaningful redistributive policies remains constrained by the influence of economic elites on policy-making processes, suggesting that the path toward greater equality will be neither straightforward nor swift.
Câu 31. What is the central argument of this passage?
A. ASEAN countries are all equally wealthy
B. Wealth inequality is a major challenge threatening ASEAN's development
C. Singapore should share its wealth with poorer ASEAN members
D. Economic growth always leads to greater equality
Câu 32. What is the approximate GDP per capita difference between Singapore and the poorest ASEAN members?
A. Five times
B. Ten times
C. Thirty times
D. One hundred times
Câu 33. The word "stark" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
A. Surprising
B. Clear and obvious
C. Temporary
D. Insignificant
Câu 34. According to the passage, what percentage of Thailand's wealth does the top 1% control?
A. About 33 percent
B. About 50 percent
C. About 67 percent
D. About 80 percent
Câu 35. The word "albeit" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:
A. Therefore
B. Although
C. Furthermore
D. Instead
Câu 36. What does the passage say about social mobility in unequal societies?
A. It increases as the economy grows
B. It is reduced, making it harder for the poor to improve their situation
C. It is not affected by wealth inequality
D. It only matters in developed countries
Câu 37. What is the author's purpose in paragraph 4?
A. To describe the negative consequences of inequality
B. To celebrate ASEAN's economic achievements
C. To compare ASEAN with European countries
D. To recommend specific investment strategies
Câu 38. What policy weakness do most ASEAN countries share?
A. They have too many social welfare programs
B. Their progressive taxation systems are underdeveloped
C. They invest too much in education
D. They have eliminated all trade barriers
Câu 39. What obstacle does the passage identify for achieving equality?
A. Lack of natural resources in ASEAN countries
B. The influence of economic elites on policy-making
C. International sanctions against ASEAN nations
D. Declining population in the region
Câu 40. What can be inferred about the author's view on solving inequality?
A. It is impossible to reduce inequality
B. Simple solutions exist but governments refuse to implement them
C. Progress is possible but will require sustained effort and political will
D. Only international organizations can solve inequality within ASEAN