Đề luyện Reading VSTEP số 5 — 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: Volunteering
Volunteering — giving one's time and skills without financial compensation — benefits both communities and the volunteers themselves. Research from the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that communities with high volunteering rates have lower crime rates, better schools, and stronger local economies. Volunteers provide essential services in healthcare, education, disaster relief, and environmental conservation that governments and nonprofits could not afford otherwise.
For individuals, volunteering offers surprising personal benefits. Studies have found that regular volunteers have lower rates of depression, higher life satisfaction, and even longer lifespans compared to non-volunteers. The social connections formed through volunteering reduce feelings of isolation, particularly among older adults. Young people who volunteer develop leadership skills, gain work experience, and build professional networks that benefit their future careers. Universities and employers increasingly value volunteer experience when evaluating candidates.
Despite these benefits, volunteering rates have declined in many countries. In the United States, the volunteer rate fell from 28.8 percent in 2005 to 23.2 percent in 2023. Experts attribute this decline to longer working hours, the rise of the gig economy, and the perception that volunteering requires a large time commitment. Organizations are adapting by offering micro-volunteering opportunities — short, flexible tasks that can be completed in an hour or less, often online — to attract busy individuals who want to contribute but have limited time.
Câu 1. What does volunteering involve?
A. Working for high wages
B. Giving time without financial compensation
C. Investing money in businesses
D. Attending classes for free
Câu 2. Communities with high volunteering rates have ___.
A. higher crime rates
B. weaker economies
C. lower crime rates
D. fewer schools
Câu 3. Regular volunteers have ___.
A. higher rates of depression
B. lower life satisfaction
C. shorter lifespans
D. lower rates of depression
Câu 4. The US volunteer rate in 2023 was ___.
A. 28.8 percent
B. 25.0 percent
C. 23.2 percent
D. 18.5 percent
Câu 5. The word "compensation" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. punishment
B. payment
C. competition
D. education
Câu 6. Micro-volunteering involves ___.
A. large projects lasting months
B. short, flexible tasks of an hour or less
C. full-time unpaid work
D. volunteering only for children
Câu 7. Which is NOT a reason for declining volunteering rates?
A. Longer working hours
B. Rise of the gig economy
C. Government bans on volunteering
D. Perception of large time commitment
Câu 8. Volunteering benefits young people by ___.
A. guaranteeing them jobs
B. developing leadership skills
C. giving them academic degrees
D. paying their tuition
Câu 9. It can be inferred that volunteering ___.
A. is only for retired people
B. benefits both the volunteer and the community
C. is a waste of time
D. is increasing rapidly worldwide
Câu 10. The author's purpose is to ___.
A. criticize people who do not volunteer
B. describe volunteering's benefits and the decline in rates
C. advertise specific volunteer organizations
D. argue that volunteering should be mandatory
Passage 2: Plastic Pollution in the Oceans
Plastic pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems of the 21st century. An estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the world's oceans every year, equivalent to dumping one garbage truck of plastic into the sea every minute. If current trends continue, scientists predict that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by weight. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive accumulation of floating debris between Hawaii and California, now covers an area three times the size of France.
The impact on marine life is devastating. Over 800 marine species are affected by plastic pollution, through entanglement, ingestion, or habitat destruction. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their natural food source. Seabirds feed plastic fragments to their chicks, causing starvation and internal injuries. Microplastics — particles smaller than five millimeters — have been found in the tissues of fish consumed by humans, raising concerns about the effects on human health. Studies have detected microplastics in human blood, lungs, and even placentas.
Addressing plastic pollution requires action at multiple levels. Governments can ban single-use plastics, impose taxes on packaging, and invest in waste management infrastructure. Companies can redesign products to use less plastic and develop biodegradable alternatives. Individuals can reduce consumption by using reusable bags, bottles, and containers. International cooperation is essential, as plastic pollution does not respect national borders — waste generated in one country can wash up on beaches thousands of kilometers away.
Câu 11. How much plastic enters the oceans annually?
A. About 2 million tonnes
B. About 5 million tonnes
C. About 8 million tonnes
D. About 12 million tonnes
Câu 12. By 2050, there may be more ___ than fish in the oceans.
A. ships
B. plastic
C. seaweed
D. oil
Câu 13. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch covers an area ___ the size of France.
A. equal to
B. twice
C. three times
D. five times
Câu 14. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for ___.
A. seaweed
B. fish
C. jellyfish
D. coral
Câu 15. Microplastics are particles smaller than ___.
A. one millimeter
B. five millimeters
C. one centimeter
D. five centimeters
Câu 16. The word "ingestion" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. breathing
B. swallowing
C. touching
D. seeing
Câu 17. Where have microplastics been found in humans?
A. Only in the stomach
B. In blood, lungs, and placentas
C. Only in the skin
D. Nowhere in humans
Câu 18. How many marine species are affected by plastic pollution?
A. Over 200
B. Over 400
C. Over 800
D. Over 1,000
Câu 19. Which is NOT a suggested solution in the passage?
A. Banning single-use plastics
B. Using reusable bags
C. Dumping plastic in space
D. Developing biodegradable alternatives
Câu 20. It can be inferred that solving plastic pollution ___.
A. is easy and requires minimal effort
B. requires international cooperation
C. is impossible
D. only depends on individual action
Passage 3: Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education (ECE) refers to formal learning programs for children between the ages of three and six, before they enter primary school. Research consistently demonstrates that high-quality ECE has profound and lasting effects on children's development. The Perry Preschool Study, which tracked participants for over 40 years, found that children who attended preschool earned 14 percent more as adults, were 20 percent more likely to own a home, and were 46 percent less likely to have been arrested five or more times.
The benefits of ECE extend beyond individual outcomes. Economists estimate that every dollar invested in high-quality early childhood programs yields a return of seven to ten dollars through reduced spending on special education, criminal justice, and social welfare programs. Nobel laureate James Heckman has argued that early childhood investment is the most cost-effective public policy for reducing inequality and boosting economic productivity, because the brain develops most rapidly during the first five years of life.
However, access to quality ECE remains deeply unequal. In the United States, a year of preschool can cost between $10,000 and $15,000, making it unaffordable for many families. Low-income children, who would benefit the most from early education, are the least likely to attend. Countries like Finland and France, which provide universal, publicly-funded preschool, have significantly smaller achievement gaps between wealthy and disadvantaged students. Advocates argue that universal early childhood education should be a public priority, as it addresses inequality at its roots before educational disparities become entrenched.
Câu 21. ECE is for children aged ___.
A. 0 to 2
B. 3 to 6
C. 6 to 10
D. 10 to 14
Câu 22. Perry Preschool Study participants who attended preschool earned ___ more as adults.
A. 10 percent
B. 14 percent
C. 20 percent
D. 30 percent
Câu 23. Every dollar in ECE yields a return of ___.
A. 2 to 3 dollars
B. 4 to 5 dollars
C. 7 to 10 dollars
D. 15 to 20 dollars
Câu 24. The word "entrenched" in the last sentence is closest in meaning to ___.
A. easily changed
B. newly created
C. deeply established and hard to change
D. temporary
Câu 25. James Heckman is a ___.
A. politician
B. teacher
C. Nobel laureate economist
D. doctor
Câu 26. In the US, preschool can cost ___ per year.
A. $2,000 to $5,000
B. $5,000 to $8,000
C. $10,000 to $15,000
D. $20,000 to $30,000
Câu 27. Which countries provide universal public preschool?
A. The US and UK
B. Finland and France
C. Japan and Korea
D. Australia and Canada
Câu 28. Perry Preschool Study participants were ___ less likely to be arrested multiple times.
A. 20 percent
B. 30 percent
C. 46 percent
D. 60 percent
Câu 29. The word "disparities" in the last sentence is closest in meaning to ___.
A. similarities
B. improvements
C. differences or inequalities
D. opportunities
Câu 30. It can be inferred that the author supports ___.
A. eliminating all preschool programs
B. making preschool available only to wealthy families
C. universal access to quality early childhood education
D. delaying education until age 10
Passage 4: AI and the Future of Work
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the global labor market. A 2024 report by the World Economic Forum estimated that AI and automation will displace 85 million jobs worldwide by 2027 but simultaneously create 97 million new roles, resulting in a net gain of 12 million positions. However, this transition will not be smooth: the jobs lost and created will require different skills, be located in different sectors, and may not be accessible to the same workers. The challenge lies not in the total number of jobs but in the mismatch between displaced workers' skills and new job requirements.
Certain occupations are more vulnerable to automation than others. Routine, repetitive tasks — data entry, basic bookkeeping, assembly line work, and simple customer service — are most likely to be automated. Meanwhile, jobs requiring creativity, complex problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and physical dexterity remain difficult for AI to perform. Healthcare workers, teachers, artists, skilled tradespeople, and managers are considered relatively safe from automation. Paradoxically, both the highest-paid and lowest-paid jobs tend to be more resistant to AI replacement, while middle-skill, middle-income positions face the greatest disruption.
Preparing the workforce for this transformation requires fundamental changes in education and training systems. Traditional education models that emphasize memorization and standardized testing must evolve toward developing critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning skills. Governments and employers must invest in reskilling programs that help displaced workers transition to new careers. Some countries have introduced "individual learning accounts" that provide every citizen with funding for continuous education throughout their careers, recognizing that the days of learning a single skill set and using it for a lifetime are over.
The social implications of AI-driven job displacement extend beyond economics. Work provides not only income but also identity, purpose, and social connection. Communities built around specific industries — coal mining towns, manufacturing centers — face existential threats when automation eliminates their economic foundation. Policymakers must address these broader impacts through comprehensive social safety nets, community development programs, and potentially new economic models such as universal basic income.
Câu 31. According to the WEF report, AI will create a net gain of ___ jobs.
A. 5 million
B. 12 million
C. 85 million
D. 97 million
Câu 32. The main challenge of AI-driven job changes is ___.
A. too few total jobs
B. the skills mismatch between old and new jobs
C. workers refusing to use AI
D. governments banning automation
Câu 33. Which type of job is MOST vulnerable to automation?
A. Healthcare worker
B. Data entry clerk
C. Artist
D. Skilled tradesperson
Câu 34. The word "dexterity" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. strength
B. intelligence
C. skillful use of hands
D. speed
Câu 35. Which income level faces the greatest disruption?
A. The highest-paid jobs
B. Middle-skill, middle-income positions
C. The lowest-paid jobs
D. All income levels equally
Câu 36. "Individual learning accounts" provide ___.
A. free housing for workers
B. funding for continuous education
C. guaranteed employment
D. retirement savings
Câu 37. Traditional education must evolve toward ___.
A. more memorization
B. critical thinking and adaptability
C. stricter standardized testing
D. shorter school years
Câu 38. Work provides people with ___.
A. only income
B. income, identity, purpose, and social connection
C. only social status
D. only daily routine
Câu 39. The word "existential" in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ___.
A. minor
B. financial
C. threatening their very existence
D. temporary
Câu 40. The main message of the passage is that AI ___.
A. will destroy all human jobs
B. creates both opportunities and challenges requiring preparation
C. should be completely stopped
D. only affects developing countries
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