Đề luyện Reading VSTEP số 10 — Thời gian: 60 phút
Đề gồm 4 bài đọc, mỗi bài 10 câu hỏi trắc nghiệm (A, B, C, D). Tổng cộng 40 câu. Hãy hoàn thành trong 60 phút.
Passage 1: Behavioral Economics
Traditional economic theory assumes that people make rational decisions based on complete information, always choosing the option that maximizes their benefit. Behavioral economics, pioneered by psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, challenges this assumption by demonstrating that human decision-making is systematically influenced by cognitive biases — mental shortcuts that often lead to irrational choices.
One of the most well-documented biases is loss aversion: people feel the pain of losing something approximately twice as strongly as the pleasure of gaining something of equal value. This explains why investors often hold onto losing stocks too long, hoping to avoid realizing a loss, while selling winning stocks too quickly to lock in gains. Another powerful bias is the anchoring effect, where people rely too heavily on the first piece of information they encounter. For example, a shirt originally priced at $100 and marked down to $60 seems like a bargain, even if the shirt is only worth $40.
Governments and organizations have applied these insights through "nudge" policies — subtle changes in how choices are presented that steer people toward better decisions without restricting their freedom. For instance, automatically enrolling employees in retirement savings plans with the option to opt out has dramatically increased participation rates compared to systems that require people to actively opt in. Similarly, placing healthy food options at eye level in cafeterias increases their consumption. Critics argue that nudging can be manipulative and that people should be educated to make their own informed decisions rather than being subtly guided by policymakers.
Câu 1. Traditional economic theory assumes people are ___.
A. irrational
B. rational
C. emotional
D. unpredictable
Câu 2. Who pioneered behavioral economics?
A. Adam Smith and Karl Marx
B. Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky
C. John Maynard Keynes
D. Milton Friedman
Câu 3. Loss aversion means people feel losses ___.
A. less than gains
B. about twice as strongly as equivalent gains
C. exactly the same as gains
D. only when they are large
Câu 4. The word "anchoring" in paragraph 2 refers to ___.
A. a nautical technique
B. relying too heavily on the first information encountered
C. a type of investment strategy
D. making decisions quickly
Câu 5. A "nudge" policy works by ___.
A. forcing people to make specific choices
B. banning unhealthy options
C. subtly changing how choices are presented
D. eliminating all options except one
Câu 6. Auto-enrolling employees in savings plans increases participation because ___.
A. employees are forced to save
B. people tend to stick with the default option
C. it reduces their salary
D. savings plans become mandatory
Câu 7. The word "systematically" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. randomly
B. occasionally
C. in a consistent and predictable pattern
D. accidentally
Câu 8. Critics of nudging argue that it ___.
A. is too expensive
B. can be manipulative
C. never works
D. is illegal in most countries
Câu 9. It can be inferred that the author ___.
A. rejects behavioral economics entirely
B. finds behavioral economics insightful but notes valid criticisms
C. believes traditional economics is always correct
D. thinks nudging should be mandatory
Câu 10. The passage mainly discusses ___.
A. how to invest in the stock market
B. behavioral economics, cognitive biases, and nudge policies
C. the biography of Daniel Kahneman
D. why traditional economics is perfect
Passage 2: Bioethics
Advances in biotechnology have raised profound ethical questions that society is only beginning to address. The development of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology, which allows scientists to precisely modify DNA sequences, has opened possibilities that range from curing genetic diseases to enhancing human capabilities. In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui shocked the world by announcing that he had used CRISPR to edit the genes of twin girls to make them resistant to HIV, an experiment widely condemned by the scientific community as reckless and premature.
The central ethical debate around gene editing concerns the distinction between therapy and enhancement. Most ethicists agree that using gene editing to cure serious genetic diseases — such as sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis — is morally justifiable. However, using the same technology to enhance traits like intelligence, athletic ability, or physical appearance raises troubling questions about social justice. If genetic enhancements become available only to wealthy families, they could create a new form of biological inequality that is literally written into human DNA and passed down through generations.
Other bioethical challenges include the use of artificial intelligence in medical decision-making, the ethics of organ harvesting from genetically modified animals, and the implications of extending human lifespan significantly. As technology advances faster than the ethical frameworks needed to govern it, there is an urgent need for international cooperation to establish guidelines that promote beneficial innovation while preventing harm. The choices society makes about these technologies will shape not only medicine but the very definition of what it means to be human.
Câu 11. CRISPR-Cas9 is a technology for ___.
A. building computers
B. editing genes
C. manufacturing drugs
D. imaging the brain
Câu 12. He Jiankui's experiment was condemned because it was ___.
A. too expensive
B. reckless and premature
C. too slow
D. approved by all scientists
Câu 13. Most ethicists agree that gene editing for ___ is justifiable.
A. cosmetic enhancement
B. athletic performance
C. curing serious genetic diseases
D. increasing intelligence
Câu 14. The word "reckless" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. careful
B. irresponsible and dangerous
C. innovative
D. well-planned
Câu 15. Genetic enhancements available only to the wealthy could create ___.
A. universal equality
B. biological inequality
C. better healthcare for all
D. lower costs for everyone
Câu 16. The passage mentions organ harvesting from ___.
A. human donors only
B. genetically modified animals
C. artificial organs
D. deceased patients
Câu 17. The word "premature" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. too late
B. well-timed
C. too early
D. unnecessary
Câu 18. The author argues that technology advances ___.
A. at the same pace as ethical frameworks
B. slower than regulations
C. faster than the ethical frameworks to govern it
D. only in wealthy countries
Câu 19. It can be inferred that the author believes bioethics ___.
A. is unnecessary
B. requires international cooperation
C. should be left to scientists alone
D. will resolve itself naturally
Câu 20. The passage mainly discusses ___.
A. the history of DNA discovery
B. ethical challenges raised by biotechnology advances
C. how CRISPR works technically
D. why gene editing should be banned
Passage 3: Social Media and Mental Health
The relationship between social media use and mental health has become one of the most researched and debated topics in psychology. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2023 examined 68 studies involving over 72,000 participants and found a small but statistically significant association between heavy social media use and increased rates of depression and anxiety, particularly among adolescents aged 13 to 17.
Several mechanisms may explain this association. Social comparison theory suggests that people evaluate themselves by comparing with others, and social media presents a curated, idealized version of other people's lives that makes viewers feel inadequate. The constant stream of notifications creates a cycle of intermittent reinforcement — similar to slot machines — that can lead to compulsive checking behaviors. Cyberbullying, which affects approximately 37 percent of young people globally, is another pathway through which social media harms mental health. Sleep disruption caused by late-night screen use compounds these effects, as poor sleep is a well-established risk factor for depression.
However, the relationship between social media and mental health is not entirely negative. Social media can provide vital support networks for marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ youth in unsupportive environments and individuals with rare medical conditions who find online communities of people with shared experiences. The key factor appears to be how social media is used rather than whether it is used at all. Passive consumption — scrolling through feeds without interacting — is most strongly associated with negative outcomes, while active engagement — posting content, commenting, and maintaining relationships — can have positive effects on well-being.
Câu 21. The JAMA meta-analysis examined ___ studies.
A. 38
B. 48
C. 68
D. 88
Câu 22. The association between social media and depression was ___.
A. not found
B. small but statistically significant
C. extremely strong
D. only found in adults
Câu 23. Social comparison theory suggests that people ___.
A. avoid comparing themselves to others
B. compare themselves only to family
C. evaluate themselves by comparing with others
D. never feel inadequate
Câu 24. The word "curated" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. random and unfiltered
B. carefully selected and presented
C. ugly and unattractive
D. truthful and honest
Câu 25. Cyberbullying affects approximately ___ of young people globally.
A. 17 percent
B. 27 percent
C. 37 percent
D. 47 percent
Câu 26. "Intermittent reinforcement" is compared to ___.
A. traditional education
B. slot machines
C. physical exercise
D. reading books
Câu 27. The word "compounds" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. solves
B. makes worse
C. eliminates
D. has no effect on
Câu 28. Social media can be positive for ___.
A. everyone equally
B. marginalized groups seeking support
C. people who never use it
D. only professional users
Câu 29. Passive social media consumption is associated with ___.
A. positive mental health
B. negative outcomes
C. no effects at all
D. improved sleep
Câu 30. The passage mainly discusses ___.
A. how to build a social media platform
B. the complex relationship between social media and mental health
C. why all social media should be banned
D. the history of social networking
Passage 4: Smart Cities
Smart cities use digital technology and data analytics to improve the efficiency of urban services and the quality of life for residents. Sensors embedded throughout the city infrastructure collect real-time data on traffic flow, air quality, energy consumption, and waste management. This information is analyzed by central platforms that can optimize traffic signals to reduce congestion, route waste collection trucks more efficiently, and detect water leaks before they cause damage. Barcelona, often cited as a leading smart city, has saved $58 million annually through smart water management and reduced water consumption by 25 percent.
The concept of smart cities extends beyond infrastructure management to include citizen engagement and governance. Digital platforms allow residents to report problems, access government services, and participate in decision-making processes through online consultations. Estonia, a pioneer in digital governance, enables citizens to vote, pay taxes, access medical records, and sign legal documents online through a secure digital identity system. This "e-governance" model has reduced bureaucracy and increased transparency, serving as a model for countries worldwide.
Critics of smart cities raise important concerns about privacy and surveillance. The vast network of sensors and cameras required for smart city systems generates enormous amounts of data about citizens' movements, habits, and behaviors. In the wrong hands, this data could be used for mass surveillance or commercial exploitation. China's social credit system, which monitors citizens' behavior and assigns scores that affect their access to services, illustrates the potential for smart city technology to become a tool of authoritarian control. Building truly smart cities requires not just technological sophistication but robust privacy protections, transparent data governance, and meaningful citizen oversight.
Câu 31. Barcelona saved ___ annually through smart water management.
A. $28 million
B. $38 million
C. $58 million
D. $78 million
Câu 32. Smart cities use ___ to collect data.
A. human observers
B. sensors embedded in infrastructure
C. satellite imaging only
D. citizen surveys
Câu 33. Estonia is a pioneer in ___.
A. smart transportation
B. digital governance
C. renewable energy
D. urban farming
Câu 34. The word "bureaucracy" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. democracy
B. excessive administrative procedures
C. transparency
D. efficiency
Câu 35. China's social credit system ___.
A. is praised by all countries
B. monitors behavior and assigns scores
C. only tracks financial transactions
D. is voluntary
Câu 36. Smart city data in the wrong hands could lead to ___.
A. better public services
B. mass surveillance
C. improved healthcare
D. reduced crime
Câu 37. The word "robust" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. weak
B. strong and effective
C. temporary
D. optional
Câu 38. Barcelona reduced water consumption by ___.
A. 10 percent
B. 15 percent
C. 25 percent
D. 35 percent
Câu 39. It can be inferred that truly smart cities need ___.
A. only advanced technology
B. technology plus privacy protections and citizen oversight
C. no data collection at all
D. authoritarian governance
Câu 40. The passage mainly discusses ___.
A. how to build sensors
B. the potential and risks of smart city technology
C. why cities should avoid technology
D. the history of urbanization
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