PHẦN 2: ĐỌC HIỂU – VSTEP
- Thời gian: 60 phút
- Số câu hỏi: 40
Directions: In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1–40, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D, for each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage.
You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions.
PASSAGE 2: CLIMATE ACTION IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Climate change is no longer a remote or theoretical issue—it is now a pressing global emergency with serious and far-reaching consequences. Across the globe, the effects are increasingly visible: sea levels are rising, heatwaves are intensifying, and storms are becoming more destructive. These environmental shifts are largely driven by decades of unregulated greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide from human activity. While international leaders and major corporations are under mounting pressure to implement large-scale reforms, climate experts warn that individual actions will also play a crucial role in shaping the Earth’s future.
A recent joint report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) emphasizes the power of individual behavioral changes. Simple adjustments—like consuming less red meat, using reusable products instead of single-use plastics, and adopting energy-efficient appliances—can collectively reduce global emissions by as much as 20%. However, the report also reveals that these changes are not yet widespread. Common barriers include the higher cost of environmentally friendly goods, the lack of sustainable infrastructure, and a general lack of information or awareness about practical steps individuals can take.
Even though public concern about the climate crisis is growing, translating that concern into concrete action remains a challenge. Many people want to make more sustainable choices but feel limited by financial constraints or logistical difficulties. For instance, eco-friendly alternatives such as organic food or solar panels can be significantly more expensive than conventional options. Likewise, access to efficient public transportation or clean energy is still limited in many parts of the world, especially in low-income or rural areas. These realities often lead to a gap between good intentions and real change.
Dr. Lena Garcia, an environmental scientist involved in the IPCC report, stresses the importance of systemic support. “People are willing to help,” she explains, “but they need the right tools and incentives.” Without strong public policies—such as subsidies for renewable energy or better investment in green infrastructure—it is unrealistic to expect significant shifts in behavior. According to Dr. Garcia, change will only happen at scale when sustainable living becomes easier, more affordable, and more convenient.
Some cities offer models of success. Amsterdam has redesigned many of its roads to prioritize cyclists over cars, promoting cleaner transportation. In Seoul, government-backed programs encouraging solar panel installation have led to a rise in residential renewable energy. Despite these promising examples, progress remains uneven, particularly in less developed countries that face funding limitations and lack political support.In the end, solving the climate crisis requires both individual commitment and collective action. Experts agree that while policy reform is vital, long-term progress depends just as much on how people choose to live, consume, and interact with the environment every day. As Dr. Garcia concludes, “Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a way of reimagining our relationship with the planet.”
Questions 11–20
11. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
A. Individuals cannot meaningfully contribute to solving the climate crisis
B. Climate change is no longer a distant threat and requires both systemic and individual action
C. Governments are solely responsible for reducing carbon emissions
D. Climate change mainly affects isolated ecosystems
12. According to the passage, what is one major cause of increasingly severe weather events?
A. Deforestation in tropical regions
B. The overuse of plastic packaging
C. Long-term greenhouse gas emissions
D. Population growth in coastal cities
13. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?
A. Public awareness campaigns have successfully reversed climate change
B. Eco-friendly products are becoming cheaper and more widely used
C. There is a disconnect between people’s environmental concerns and their daily behavior
D. People in wealthy countries are unaffected by the climate crisis
14. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Amsterdam has redesigned roads to favor bicycles over cars
B. Seoul has implemented successful solar panel programs
C. All countries have made equal progress in climate adaptation
D. Developing regions often lack resources to adopt green technologies
15. The word “barriers” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
A. obstacles
B. suggestions
C. opportunities
D. improvements
16. What does the word “they” in paragraph 4 refer to?
A. energy companies
B. government officials
C. individuals
D. natural disasters
17. According to the passage, what role does systemic support play in encouraging sustainable behavior?
A. It prevents individuals from engaging in climate-related actions
B. It provides the financial and structural tools needed for individuals to act
C. It forces people to follow environmentally friendly laws
D. It decreases awareness of environmental issues
18. What does the author imply about current political action on climate change?
A. It is progressing quickly and effectively worldwide
B. It is only focused on agricultural reforms
C. It is still insufficient to drive widespread behavior change
D. It places too much emphasis on individual lifestyle choices
19. Why does the author mention Amsterdam and Seoul?
A. To highlight countries that are free from climate-related problems
B. To criticize their lack of involvement in international agreements
C. To show examples of local initiatives that have promoted sustainability
D. To compare economic development in Europe and Asia
20. Which of the following best rephrases the sentence:
“Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a way of reimagining our relationship with the planet.”
A. Sustainability is a temporary movement that helps people feel better about their choices.
B. Living sustainably means following current environmental fads promoted in the media.
C. Being sustainable requires a new way of thinking about how we live and interact with the Earth.
D. Sustainability is mainly about using renewable energy sources whenever possible.
Answer Key & Explanations
11. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
- Đáp án đúng: B. Climate change is no longer a distant threat and requires both systemic and individual action
- Trích dẫn: “Climate change is no longer a remote or theoretical issue—it is now a pressing global emergency… Experts agree that while policy reform is vital, long-term progress depends just as much on how people choose to live…”
- Tạm dịch: “Biến đổi khí hậu không còn là một vấn đề xa vời hay lý thuyết—nó hiện là một tình trạng khẩn cấp toàn cầu… Các chuyên gia đồng ý rằng mặc dù cải cách chính sách là rất quan trọng, nhưng tiến bộ lâu dài cũng phụ thuộc vào cách con người lựa chọn sống…”
- Giải thích: Câu này tóm gọn toàn bộ nội dung bài viết: biến đổi khí hậu là vấn đề cấp thiết và cần cả hành động cá nhân lẫn chính sách.
12. According to the passage, what is one major cause of increasingly severe weather events?
- Đáp án đúng: C. Long-term greenhouse gas emissions
- Trích dẫn: “These environmental shifts are largely driven by decades of unregulated greenhouse gas emissions…”
- Tạm dịch: “Những thay đổi môi trường này phần lớn do nhiều thập kỷ phát thải khí nhà kính không được kiểm soát gây ra…”
- Giải thích: Nguyên nhân chính của thời tiết ngày càng khắc nghiệt là do lượng khí thải nhà kính tích tụ trong thời gian dài.
13. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?
- Đáp án đúng: C. There is a disconnect between people’s environmental concerns and their daily behavior
- Trích dẫn: “Even though public concern about the climate crisis is growing, translating that concern into concrete action remains a challenge.”
- Tạm dịch: “Mặc dù mối quan tâm của công chúng về khủng hoảng khí hậu đang gia tăng, nhưng việc biến điều đó thành hành động cụ thể vẫn là một thách thức.”
- Giải thích: Nhiều người quan tâm đến vấn đề môi trường nhưng không thực sự hành động do gặp nhiều trở ngại trong cuộc sống hàng ngày.
14. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
- Đáp án đúng: C. All countries have made equal progress in climate adaptation
- Trích dẫn: “Despite these promising examples, progress remains uneven, particularly in less developed countries…”
- Tạm dịch: “Mặc dù có những ví dụ đầy hứa hẹn, tiến bộ vẫn không đồng đều, đặc biệt ở các quốc gia kém phát triển…”
- Giải thích: Câu C sai vì bài viết khẳng định tiến độ thích ứng với biến đổi khí hậu không đồng đều giữa các quốc gia.
15. The word barriers in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
- Đáp án đúng: A. obstacles
- Trích dẫn: “Common barriers include the higher cost of environmentally friendly goods, the lack of sustainable infrastructure…”
- Tạm dịch: “Các rào cản phổ biến bao gồm chi phí cao của hàng hóa thân thiện với môi trường, sự thiếu cơ sở hạ tầng bền vững…”
- Giải thích: Từ “barriers” có nghĩa là những thứ cản trở, tương đương với “obstacles” (trở ngại).
16. What does the word they in paragraph 4 refer to?
- Đáp án đúng: C. individuals
- Trích dẫn: “People are willing to help,” she explains, “but they need the right tools and incentives.”
- Tạm dịch: “Mọi người sẵn sàng giúp đỡ,” cô ấy giải thích, “nhưng họ cần những công cụ và động lực phù hợp.”
- Giải thích: “They” ở đây ám chỉ “people”, tức là các cá nhân sẵn sàng hành động vì môi trường.
17. According to the passage, what role does systemic support play in encouraging sustainable behavior?
- Đáp án đúng: B. It provides the financial and structural tools needed for individuals to act
- Trích dẫn: “Without strong public policies… it is unrealistic to expect significant shifts in behavior.”
- Tạm dịch: “Nếu không có các chính sách công mạnh mẽ… thì kỳ vọng về sự thay đổi hành vi đáng kể là điều không thực tế.”
- Giải thích: Hỗ trợ từ hệ thống giúp tạo điều kiện tài chính và hạ tầng để cá nhân dễ dàng thực hiện lối sống bền vững.
18. What does the author imply about current political action on climate change?
- Đáp án đúng: C. It is still insufficient to drive widespread behavior change
- Trích dẫn: “Without strong public policies… it is unrealistic to expect significant shifts in behavior.”
- Tạm dịch: “Nếu không có các chính sách công mạnh mẽ… thì kỳ vọng về sự thay đổi hành vi đáng kể là điều không thực tế.”
- Giải thích: Tác giả cho rằng hành động chính trị hiện tại vẫn chưa đủ mạnh để tạo ra thay đổi hành vi ở quy mô lớn.
19. Why does the author mention Amsterdam and Seoul?
- Đáp án đúng: C. To show examples of local initiatives that have promoted sustainability
- Trích dẫn: “Amsterdam has redesigned many of its roads to prioritize cyclists… In Seoul, government-backed programs encouraging solar panel installation…”
- Tạm dịch: “Amsterdam đã thiết kế lại nhiều con đường để ưu tiên xe đạp… Ở Seoul, các chương trình do chính phủ hỗ trợ đã khuyến khích việc lắp đặt tấm năng lượng mặt trời…”
- Giải thích: Tác giả đưa ra hai thành phố này như ví dụ về các sáng kiến địa phương thúc đẩy phát triển bền vững.
20. Which of the following best rephrases the sentence: “Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a way of reimagining our relationship with the planet.”
- Đáp án đúng: C. Being sustainable requires a new way of thinking about how we live and interact with the Earth.
- Trích dẫn: “Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a way of reimagining our relationship with the planet.”
- Tạm dịch: “Phát triển bền vững không chỉ là một trào lưu—nó là cách để hình dung lại mối quan hệ của chúng ta với hành tinh này.”
- Giải thích: Câu này nhấn mạnh rằng bền vững không phải là điều nhất thời, mà là sự thay đổi lâu dài trong tư duy và hành động của con người đối với môi trường.