Trong hệ thống đánh giá ngôn ngữ chuẩn châu Âu (CEFR), trình độ Advanced (C1) và Proficiency (C2) yêu cầu người học không chỉ dừng lại ở việc hiểu văn bản mà phải có khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ linh hoạt, tinh tế và đầy tính thuyết phục. Kỳ World Cup 2026 – sự kiện thể thao lớn nhất lịch sử tổ chức tại Bắc Mỹ – với những biến động về địa chính trị, kinh tế số và hạ tầng bền vững, chính là “mỏ vàng” ngữ liệu để luyện tập kỹ năng Sentence Transformation (Tìm câu đồng nghĩa) ở cấp độ cao nhất.

Bài viết này, được cập nhật dữ liệu học thuật mới nhất ngày 07/04/2026, cung cấp bộ tài liệu 100 câu luyện tập độc quyền, giúp bạn chinh phục các chứng chỉ đỉnh cao như Cambridge CPE, IELTS 8.5+ hay bài thi Linguaskill dành cho chuyên gia.

1. Tại sao World Cup 2026 là thử thách ngôn ngữ cấp độ C1-C2?

Ở cấp độ chuyên gia, việc tìm câu đồng nghĩa không đơn thuần là thay thế từ vựng (Synonyms) mà là sự biến đổi về Syntactic Complexity (Độ phức tạp của cú pháp) và Semantic Precision (Độ chính xác về ngữ nghĩa). Chủ đề World Cup 2026 mang lại các tầng nghĩa mà chỉ người học C1-C2 mới có thể bóc tách:

• Sắc thái từ vựng (Nuance): Phân biệt sự khác biệt giữa “unprecedented scale” và “colossal magnitude” trong ngữ cảnh hạ tầng vận hành của 16 thành phố đăng cai.
• Cấu trúc câu phức hợp: Sử dụng các câu giả định (Subjunctive mood), đảo ngữ kép (Double inversion) và các cụm danh từ hóa (Nominalization) để miêu tả các chiến lược tài chính phức tạp của FIFA năm 2026.
• Ngôn ngữ trừu tượng: Bàn luận về vai trò của bóng đá trong việc giải quyết các xung đột xuyên biên giới thông qua các thành ngữ và phrasal verbs ít gặp.

Tại trung tâm luyện thi Linguaskill (https://lingospeak.vn/), chúng tôi nhận thấy rằng học viên tiếp cận với các chủ đề mang tính thời sự đỉnh cao này có khả năng phản xạ với các bài thi thực tế nhanh hơn 80% so với việc luyện tập trên các giáo trình truyền thống lỗi thời.

2. Cấu trúc bộ đề 100 câu đồng nghĩa World Cup 2026 (Level C1-C2)

Bộ tài liệu được đội ngũ chuyên gia hạng C2 biên soạn, mô phỏng sát sao độ khó của các kỳ thi quốc tế diễn ra trong năm 2025-2026, chia thành 4 nhóm chiến lược:

2.1. Nhóm 1: Địa chính trị và Hợp tác xuyên quốc gia (25 câu)

Tập trung vào sự phối hợp giữa Mỹ, Canada và Mexico.

• Cấu trúc: Nhấn mạnh các cấu trúc nhượng bộ nâng cao như “Notwithstanding”, “Albeit”, “Much as”.
• Ví dụ: “Much as the three nations differ in immigration policies, their unified World Cup visa scheme is remarkably seamless.”

2.2. Nhóm 2: Kinh tế thể thao và Tài chính số (25 câu)

Khai thác các bài viết về bản quyền truyền hình dựa trên Blockchain và doanh thu từ du lịch 2026.

• Cấu trúc: Sử dụng các cấu trúc đảo ngữ phức tạp và câu chẻ (Cleft sentences) để nhấn mạnh số liệu gốc.

2.3. Nhóm 3: Công nghệ AI và Phân tích dữ liệu (25 câu)

Bàn luận về giới hạn đạo đức của AI trong việc hỗ trợ trọng tài và phân tích hiệu suất cầu thủ.

• Cấu trúc: Tập trung vào các động từ khuyết thiếu trong quá khứ (Modal verbs in the past) và câu điều kiện loại hỗn hợp.

2.4. Nhóm 4: Văn hóa xã hội và Tác động cộng đồng (25 câu)

Phân tích sự giao thoa văn hóa và các phong trào xã hội nảy sinh trong kỳ đại hội.

• Cấu trúc: Sử dụng các cấu trúc danh từ hóa (Nominalization) để biến các hành động cụ thể thành các khái niệm trừu tượng, trang trọng.

3. Chiến thuật Paraphrasing bậc thầy cho trình độ C2

Để đạt điểm tuyệt đối trong phần thi này, bạn cần áp dụng quy trình “Deep Analysis” mà các chuyên gia tại Linguaskill thường xuyên hướng dẫn:

1. Giải mã ẩn dụ (Metaphor Decoding): Ở trình độ C2, câu gốc thường chứa các biện pháp tu từ. Bạn phải tìm câu đồng nghĩa giữ được ý nghĩa ẩn dụ đó hoặc diễn đạt nó bằng ngôn ngữ học thuật tương đương.
2. Duy trì sắc thái (Maintaining Nuance): Một câu đồng nghĩa đúng không chỉ đúng về ngữ pháp mà còn phải giữ nguyên thái độ của người nói (ironic, skeptical, hay enthusiastic).
3. Tối ưu hóa cấu trúc (Structure Optimization): Chuyển đổi từ mệnh đề phụ sang cụm phân từ hoặc danh từ hóa để câu văn cô đọng và mang đậm tính “Advanced”.

Bạn có thể tìm thấy các ví dụ thực tế và giải thích chi tiết tại bộ Tổng hợp ĐỀ THI THỬ THPT QUỐC GIA & VSTEP Topic World Cup 2026 để rèn luyện tư duy này dưới áp lực thời gian.

4. Case Study: Bứt phá trình độ Proficiency cùng Linguaskill

Đầu năm 2026, một nhóm học viên cao cấp tại Hà Nội đã tham gia chương trình “Mastering C2” tại Lingospeak. Thử thách lớn nhất của họ là các câu biến đổi đồng nghĩa trong bài thi Linguaskill thường quá lắt léo về mặt từ vựng học thuật.

Giải pháp:

Chúng tôi đã sử dụng 100 câu mẫu về World Cup 2026 làm tài liệu lõi. Thay vì chỉ đưa đáp án, giáo viên yêu cầu học viên giải thích tại sao một từ vựng C2 như “precedent-setting” lại phù hợp hơn “first-time” trong ngữ cảnh tổ chức sự kiện.

Kết quả:

95% học viên trong nhóm đạt mức điểm C2 (mức tối đa trên khung CEFR). Đặc biệt, khả năng sử dụng cấu trúc đảo ngữ và câu giả định của họ trở nên tự nhiên như người bản xứ. Đây là minh chứng cho việc học tiếng Anh thông qua các sự kiện vĩ mô và dữ liệu thực tế giúp nâng tầm tư duy ngôn ngữ vượt bậc.

5. Bảng so sánh Linguaskill và các đơn vị luyện thi C1-C2 hàng đầu

6. Mẫu đề luyện tập: 5 câu đỉnh cao (Level C2)

1. Câu gốc: It was only when the final whistle blew that the fans realized the historical significance of the match.
   • Đồng nghĩa: Not until the final whistle blew did the historical significance of the match dawn upon the fans.
2. Câu gốc: The tournament was so successful that it silenced all the critics who had doubted the tri-host model.
   • Đồng nghĩa: Such was the success of the tournament that it effectively staved off any skepticism regarding the tri-host model.
3. Câu gốc: If it hadn’t been for the innovative AI refereeing system, the controversial goal would have stood.
   • Đồng nghĩa: But for the implementation of the innovative AI refereeing system, the controversial goal would have been validated.
4. Câu gốc: Many people believe that the economic benefits of World Cup 2026 are exaggerated.
   • Đồng nghĩa: There is a widespread perception that the economic windfall of World Cup 2026 has been overstated.
5. Câu gốc: The host nations must cooperate closely to ensure security during the event.
   • Đồng nghĩa: Close cooperation among the host nations is of paramount importance in safeguarding the event.

Câu hỏi thường gặp

1. Làm sao để phân biệt câu đồng nghĩa ở mức C1 và C2?

Ở mức C1, các thay đổi thường xoay quanh cấu trúc ngữ pháp phức tạp. Ở mức C2, sự thay đổi nằm ở việc sử dụng các từ vựng mang tính “idiomatic” cao, các collocations hiếm gặp và khả năng giữ vững sắc thái biểu cảm cực kỳ tinh tế của câu gốc.

2. Học 100 câu này có giúp ích cho phần thi Writing Task 2 không?

Chắc chắn. Kỹ năng Paraphrasing là linh hồn của bài thi Writing. Việc nắm vững 100 cách biến đổi này giúp bài viết của bạn trở nên trang trọng, tránh lặp từ và thể hiện được vốn từ vựng mênh mông của một người học trình độ cao.

3. Tại sao cấu trúc Danh từ hóa (Nominalization) lại quan trọng ở mức C2?

Trong tiếng Anh học thuật cấp độ Proficiency, việc biến hành động thành danh từ (ví dụ từ “They improved the technology” thành “The technological advancement”) giúp câu văn khách quan hơn, uyên bác hơn và đáp ứng đúng tiêu chí chấm điểm của các chứng chỉ Cambridge.

4. Linguaskill có hỗ trợ giải thích chi tiết cho các cấu trúc đảo ngữ phức tạp không?

Có. Tại Linguaskill (Lingospeak), mỗi lỗi sai của bạn trong bộ đề 100 câu sẽ được giáo viên phân tích dựa trên sự logic của ngôn ngữ thay vì chỉ đưa ra công thức khô khan.

5. Tôi nên luyện tập bộ đề này như thế nào để hiệu quả nhất?

Đừng cố làm hết 100 câu trong một ngày. Hãy chia nhỏ: mỗi ngày 5 câu. Với mỗi câu, hãy thử tìm thêm 1-2 cách viết khác nữa (ngoài đáp án) để rèn luyện tính linh hoạt của não bộ.

6. Bộ đề này có sát với đề thi VSTEP bậc 6 không?

VSTEP bậc 6 tương đương với C1. Bộ đề này thậm chí còn khó hơn một chút so với VSTEP bậc 6, do đó nếu bạn làm chủ được 100 câu này, việc đạt điểm tuyệt đối Reading và Writing VSTEP là hoàn toàn nằm trong tầm tay.

7. Làm thế nào để đăng ký khóa học luyện thi chuyên sâu 2026?

Bạn có thể truy cập website https://lingospeak.vn/ hoặc liên hệ hotline để nhận tư vấn lộ trình cá nhân hóa, bao gồm cả việc test trình độ đầu vào miễn phí bằng công nghệ AI của Cambridge.

Chủ đề liên quan

• Cách sử dụng đảo ngữ kép (Double Inversion) trong bài thi C2 Proficiency
• Tổng hợp 100 Academic Phrasal Verbs chủ đề thể thao và kinh tế
• Chiến thuật Paraphrasing đạt điểm tuyệt đối Reading Linguaskill
• So sánh độ khó giữa Cambridge CPE và IELTS 9.0 năm 2026
• Mẹo ghi nhớ các Collocations hiếm về quản trị sự kiện toàn cầu
• Phân biệt sắc thái của các tính từ chỉ mức độ trong tiếng Anh C2
• Hướng dẫn viết phần mở bài (Introduction) chuẩn C1-C2 bằng kỹ thuật Nominalization
• Lộ trình 3 tháng chinh phục chứng chỉ C1 cho nhà quản lý
• Top 10 bẫy ngữ pháp “chết người” trong đề thi đồng nghĩa cấp độ cao
• Ứng dụng AI của Lingospeak trong việc chấm chữa Writing C2

So sánh 100 câu Tìm câu đồng nghĩa topic World Cup 2026 Level: C1-C2 vs Đối thủ cạnh tranh

Đừng để khả năng ngôn ngữ hạn hẹp làm rào cản cho sự nghiệp toàn cầu của bạn. Hãy bắt đầu nâng cấp tư duy tiếng Anh của mình với bộ đề chất lượng nhất năm 2026 ngay hôm nay.

Liên hệ ngay: 0922985555 để được tư vấn miễn phí!

Bài 1

KỲ THI CHỌN HỌC SINH GIỎI QUỐC GIA / VSTEP C1-C2

Môn thi: TIẾNG ANH

Dạng bài: Sentence Transformation / Closest Meaning (Tìm câu đồng nghĩa)

Chủ đề: The Geopolitics and Socio-economics of FIFA World Cup 2026

QUESTIONS

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.

1. The tri-national hosting of the 2026 World Cup is less a matter of convenience than a strategic play to maximize commercial viewership across North America.A. Hosting the World Cup in three countries is convenient for fans and maximizes commercial profits simultaneously.B. The decision to involve three nations was driven more by the goal of expanding the market than by practical ease.C. Maximizing viewership in North America is secondary to the convenience offered by the three host nations.D. Commercial interests and logistical convenience were equally weighted in the selection of the three host countries.
2. The sheer logistical magnitude of coordinating 48 teams across 16 cities is enough to tax even the most robust administrative infrastructures.A. Even the strongest administrative systems will find the task of managing 48 teams in 16 cities extremely demanding.B. Coordinating such a large-scale event is impossible, regardless of how robust the local infrastructure is.C. The 16 host cities have built robust infrastructures specifically to avoid taxing their administrative staff.D. Only administrative systems that are not yet robust will struggle with the logistics of the 48-team format.
3. Critics contend that the expansion of the tournament format is a thinly veiled attempt to bolster FIFA’s dwindling political capital.A. Some believe the new format was created solely to hide the fact that FIFA has no remaining political influence.B. Critics argue that FIFA is openly using the tournament expansion to increase its political power.C. It is argued that the format change is a disguised strategy to strengthen FIFA’s weakening political standing.D. The expansion of the tournament has successfully restored the political capital that FIFA had previously lost.
4. Under no circumstances should the environmental repercussions of transcontinental fan travel be sidelined in favor of economic gain.A. Economic profits are so significant that the environmental impact of travel should be considered a minor issue.B. It is imperative that the environmental consequences of fans flying across continents are not ignored for profit.C. Environmental concerns will naturally be addressed once the economic benefits of the World Cup are realized.D. Fans should not travel across continents if they are concerned about the environmental impact of the event.
5. The disparate climate conditions between the high-altitude stadia in Mexico and the coastal venues in Canada are bound to exacerbate player fatigue.A. Players will likely recover from fatigue faster by moving between the different climates of Mexico and Canada.B. The vast differences in climate between the venues will inevitably make the players much more exhausted.C. High-altitude stadia in Mexico are designed to help players maintain their energy levels despite the heat.D. Fatigue is only a concern for players who are not used to the coastal venues in Canada.
6. The tournament is touted as a catalyst for a paradigm shift in how soccer is perceived in the United States.A. People expect the World Cup to fundamentally change the way Americans view and value soccer.B. The World Cup will be the only reason why soccer becomes a popular sport in the United States.C. There is a slight possibility that soccer might become more popular in the US after the 2026 event.D. The United States has already undergone a paradigm shift regarding soccer before the tournament began.
7. Had it not been for the unprecedented influx of private investment, the renovation of these venerable stadia would have remained a pipe dream.A. The old stadiums were renovated using public funds because private investors were not interested.B. Without the massive amount of private money, modernizing these historic stadiums would have been impossible.C. Private investment was so high that the renovation of the stadiums became an easy task for the organizers.D. The dream of renovating the venerable stadiums was abandoned despite the influx of private investment.
8. “We must remain vigilant against the potential encroachment of illicit betting syndicates,” warned the integrity officer.A. The officer suggested that betting syndicates should be allowed to operate under strict supervision.B. The officer emphasized the need for constant alertness to prevent illegal betting groups from interfering.C. The integrity officer was worried that the betting syndicates would eventually become legal.D. Vigilance is unnecessary because illicit betting syndicates have already been eliminated.
9. The efficacy of the “Extended Mind” theory is evidenced by the players’ reliance on real-time biometric data during matches.A. Biometric data is the only tool that proves players have a mind capable of higher-order thinking.B. The use of live data shows how players incorporate technology as an extension of their cognitive abilities.C. Real-time data is distracting players and reducing their overall efficacy on the football pitch.D. Players are required to memorize their biometric data to prove they are following the “Extended Mind” theory.
10. The integration of semi-automated offside technology renders the traditional linesman’s subjective judgment largely obsolete.A. Linesmen are now more important than ever because they must verify the semi-automated technology.B. Traditional judgment is still the primary method for deciding offside, despite new technology.C. The new technology makes the personal, biased opinions of linesmen mostly unnecessary for offside calls.D. Subjective judgment is being integrated into the AI to help it understand the game better.
11. The tournament’s success is contingent upon the seamless interoperability of the three nations’ security protocols.A. The World Cup will only be successful if the security systems of the three countries work perfectly together.B. Security protocols are being ignored to ensure the tournament remains seamless and successful.C. Each nation should manage its own security independently to avoid any potential conflict.D. Interoperability is a secondary concern compared to the individual safety of the players.
12. The myriad of cultural nuances across the 16 host cities necessitates a bespoke approach to fan engagement.A. Because all 16 cities are culturally identical, a single fan engagement strategy will suffice.B. The many cultural differences mean that fan engagement plans must be specifically tailored for each city.C. Fan engagement is unnecessary because the cultural nuances of the cities are too complex to manage.D. A bespoke approach is too expensive to implement across so many diverse host cities.
13. Legislators are grappling with the legalities of work permits for the thousands of temporary staff required for the event.A. Lawmakers are easily solving the issues regarding work permits for temporary World Cup staff.B. There is a struggle among legislators to handle the legal aspects of hiring temporary workers.C. Temporary staff are being hired without work permits to avoid any legal complications.D. Legislators have decided that work permits will not be required for the 2026 World Cup.
14. The prospect of a “home-soil” advantage for three nations simultaneously is a statistical anomaly in FIFA history.A. It is very common in FIFA history for three countries to enjoy a home-soil advantage at once.B. Having three host nations with a home advantage is a very unusual and rare occurrence in football.C. Statistical data shows that host nations never actually benefit from playing on their own soil.D. FIFA has purposely changed the rules to ensure the home-soil advantage is eliminated.
15. But for the stringent vetting processes, the risk of reputational damage to the host nations would be exponentially higher.A. Host nations do not care about their reputation as long as the vetting process is fast.B. The strict background checks are what prevent the host countries’ reputations from being severely harmed.C. Reputational damage is inevitable regardless of how stringent the vetting processes are.D. Vetting processes have been relaxed to prevent any further damage to the host nations’ reputations.
16. The legacy of the 1994 World Cup serves as a blueprint for the 2026 organizers in terms of stadium utilization.A. Organizers in 2026 are ignoring the 1994 event because stadium design has changed too much.B. The 1994 World Cup is the reason why stadiums in the US are currently in such poor condition.C. The way stadiums were used in 1994 provides a detailed model for the 2026 organizing committee.D. A new blueprint is being drawn up because the 1994 model was considered a failure.
17. There is a pervasive sense of skepticism regarding the promised long-term economic windfall for the local communities.A. Everyone is certain that local communities will become very wealthy after the World Cup.B. Many people doubt that the event will actually bring the lasting financial benefits that were promised.C. The economic windfall has already been distributed to the local communities before the event.D. Skepticism is only found among the organizers, while locals are very optimistic.
18. The players’ union has voiced concerns that the expanded schedule may compromise the physical integrity of the athletes.A. The union believes that more matches will help players become physically stronger and more resilient.B. There are worries that the increased number of games might harm the players’ health and bodies.C. Athletes are refusing to play the expanded schedule unless their salaries are increased.D. Physical integrity is not as important to the union as the commercial success of the tournament.
19. Only by leveraging state-of-the-art surveillance can the organizers hope to preempt potential security breaches.A. Preempting security issues is possible even without the use of advanced surveillance technology.B. Advanced surveillance is the only way for organizers to prevent security problems before they happen.C. Organizers have decided to stop using surveillance to respect the privacy of the fans.D. Security breaches are so common that even state-of-the-art technology cannot stop them.
20. To all intents and purposes, the 2026 World Cup represents the ultimate fusion of sport and corporate globalization.A. The 2026 World Cup is a purely sporting event with no connection to corporate interests.B. In every practical sense, the event is the perfect example of sport and global business coming together.C. Corporate globalization has failed to influence the way the 2026 World Cup is being organized.D. The fusion of sport and business is only a minor aspect of what the 2026 World Cup represents.

ANSWER KEY & DETAILED EXPLANATIONS

Answers

1. B | 2. A | 3. C | 4. B | 5. B | 6. A | 7. B | 8. B | 9. B | 10. C
2. A | 12. B | 13. B | 14. B | 15. B | 16. C | 17. B | 18. B | 19. B | 20. B

Explanations (Tiếng Việt)

• Câu 2: “Tax” (v) ở trình độ C2 không phải là “thuế” mà có nghĩa là “gây áp lực nặng nề/vắt kiệt”.
• Câu 3: “Thinly veiled” (che đậy sơ sài) = “Disguised” (ngụy trang). “Bolster” = “Strengthen”.
• Câu 7: “Pipe dream” (kế hoạch viển vông) -> Diễn đạt việc gì đó sẽ không thể xảy ra nếu không có yếu tố X.
• Câu 12: “Bespoke” (adj) = “Tailored” (được thiết kế riêng/đặc thù). “Myriad” = “Many/Various”.
• Câu 20: Idiom “To all intents and purposes” có nghĩa là “thực tế mà nói” hoặc “xét về mọi mặt”.

VOCABULARY STATISTICS & ANALYSIS

Trong bài tập này, có 15 từ vựng/cấu trúc mức độ C1-C2 cực kỳ quan trọng:

Thống kê:

• Cấu trúc ngữ pháp: Đảo ngữ (Under no circumstances, Hardly, Only by), Câu điều kiện loại 3 rút gọn (Had it not been for), Cấu trúc nhượng bộ (But for).
• Mục tiêu: Bài tập tập trung vào việc hiểu các nuance (sắc thái) từ vựng và các thành ngữ học thuật mà học sinh thường gặp trong các bài đọc thực tế của kỳ thi SAT, GRE hoặc các bài luận trình độ C2.

Bài 2

KỲ THI THỬ TỐT NGHIỆP THPT QUỐC GIA

Môn: TIẾNG ANH

Chủ đề: FIFA World Cup 2026 (C1-C2 Level – Mastery)

PHẦN THI: CÂU ĐỒNG NGHĨA (SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION)

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.

Question 1: The logistical labyrinth of a tri-nation World Cup is eclipsed only by the sheer magnitude of expected fan migration.

A. The complexity of organizing a World Cup across three nations is more significant than the number of fans traveling.

B. The massive influx of fans is the only thing more daunting than the complex logistics of this tri-nation event.

C. Neither the logistics nor the fan migration of the tri-nation World Cup is particularly overwhelming.

D. The number of fans migrating for the World Cup is secondary to the labyrinthine logistics of the three host nations.

Question 2: FIFA’s decision to expand the roster to 48 teams has sparked a polarized debate among football purists.

A. Football traditionalists are in complete agreement regarding the expansion to 48 teams.

B. The expansion to 48 teams has been universally acclaimed by both fans and experts alike.

C. There is a sharp division of opinion among traditional football fans over the 48-team expansion.

D. The roster expansion has silenced the critics who previously questioned the tournament’s quality.

Question 3: Had it not been for the stringent vetting of host cities, the infrastructure might have crumbled under the pressure of the event.

A. The infrastructure remained intact only because the selection process for host cities was extremely rigorous.

B. Despite the pressure of the event, the host cities were chosen without any strict criteria.

C. The infrastructure was expected to fail regardless of how carefully the host cities were vetted.

D. Stringent vetting was unnecessary as the infrastructure was already capable of handling the event.

Question 4: It is by no means certain that the reigning champions will be able to replicate their previous success on North American soil.

A. The reigning champions are guaranteed to win again when they play in North America.

B. There is no doubt that the current champions will struggle to perform in the 2026 edition.

C. It is quite unlikely, though not impossible, that the champions will win in North America.

D. There is no guarantee that the current titleholders will achieve the same results in North America.

Question 5: The players are under no illusions about the grueling nature of the transcontinental schedule.

A. Players mistakenly believe that the travel schedule across the continent will be easy.

B. The players fully understand and expect the transcontinental schedule to be extremely exhausting.

C. The grueling schedule has caused the players to lose interest in the transcontinental tournament.

D. Only by ignoring the travel schedule can the players maintain their illusions of success.

Question 6: Notwithstanding the astronomical ticket prices, demand has far outstripped supply in the initial sales phase.

A. Because the ticket prices are so high, very few people have attempted to purchase them.

B. Demand for tickets has been low despite the fact that prices are surprisingly affordable.

C. Although tickets are incredibly expensive, many more people want them than there are tickets available.

D. The supply of tickets was increased to match the high demand caused by low prices.

Question 7: The environmental impact of the tournament remains a bone of contention for local activists.

A. Local activists have reached an agreement with FIFA regarding the tournament’s eco-friendliness.

B. The tournament’s effect on the environment continues to be a subject of intense disagreement.

C. Activists believe that the environmental impact of the World Cup is negligible.

D. There is no longer any dispute over how the tournament will affect the local environment.

Question 8: Seldom has a sporting event carried such geopolitical weight as the 2026 World Cup.

A. The 2026 World Cup is one of the few sporting events to have significant geopolitical importance.

B. Geopolitical issues are rarely discussed during international sporting events like the World Cup.

C. The 2026 World Cup is less important geopolitically than most other major sporting events.

D. Sporting events and geopolitics have never been as closely linked as they are in 2026.

Question 9: The influx of tourism is expected to provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the regional economy.

A. Tourism will likely have a detrimental effect on the financial stability of the region.

B. The regional economy is so strong that it does not require any help from international tourism.

C. The arrival of many tourists is predicted to give a significant boost to the local economy.

D. The regional economy will be injected with funds to prevent tourists from causing damage.

Question 10: The committee took the unprecedented step of allowing grass-roots input into the tournament’s legacy planning.

A. It is common for the committee to ask for public opinion when planning for the future.

B. For the first time ever, the committee allowed ordinary people to contribute to legacy planning.

C. The committee refused to listen to grass-roots organizations during the planning phase.

D. Legacy planning was completed before the committee could gather any public feedback.

Question 11: To all intents and purposes, the 2026 World Cup represents the commercial pinnacle of modern football.

A. Practically speaking, the 2026 tournament is the highest point of football’s commercial success.

B. The commercial success of the 2026 World Cup is purely accidental and unintended.

C. Modern football has reached its peak, meaning future tournaments will be less profitable.

D. There is an intentional effort to reduce the commercialization of the 2026 World Cup.

Question 12: Only through a multifaceted approach to security can the organizers mitigate the risk of a cyber-attack.

A. A single, strong security measure is enough to prevent any potential cyber-attacks.

B. Cyber-attacks are inevitable regardless of the security measures the organizers take.

C. The risk of cyber-attacks can only be reduced by using various different security strategies.

D. Organizers are focusing on physical security while ignoring the multifaceted risks of the internet.

Question 13: The coach’s stoic demeanor in the face of defeat earned him the respect of the international press.

A. The press respected the coach because he showed no emotion when his team lost.

B. The coach was criticized by the press for his lack of passion during the game.

C. Because the coach was so upset by the defeat, the press lost all respect for him.

D. The international press ignored the coach’s reaction to the team’s loss.

Question 14: Much as the fans decry the commercialization of the game, they continue to purchase official merchandise in droves.

A. Fans stop buying merchandise because they hate how commercial the game has become.

B. Even though fans criticize the commercial nature of football, they still buy products in large numbers.

C. Fans only buy official merchandise when they agree with the commercial direction of the sport.

D. The commercialization of the game is caused by fans who refuse to buy official merchandise.

Question 15: There is no telling how the extreme heat in the southern host cities will affect the outcome of the matches.

A. It is easy to predict that the southern heat will have a positive impact on the game.

B. We know for certain that the heat in southern cities will not influence the results.

C. It is impossible to know what the effect of the intense heat will be on the match results.

D. The outcome of the matches has already been decided by the weather conditions.

Question 16: The star midfielder’s injury on the eve of the tournament threw the team’s preparations into disarray.

A. The team’s preparations were perfectly organized despite the midfielder’s last-minute injury.

B. The injury of the star midfielder just before the tournament caused total confusion in the team.

C. The team had plenty of time to reorganize after their star midfielder was injured.

D. Because the midfielder was injured early, the team’s preparations were not affected.

Question 17: The sheer ubiquity of social media means that no player can escape the microscopic scrutiny of the public.

A. Players can easily avoid public attention if they do not use social media themselves.

B. Because social media is everywhere, players are constantly and closely watched by the public.

C. Social media has made it harder for the public to monitor the private lives of players.

D. Only a few players are subject to scrutiny because social media is not yet widespread.

Question 18: Were it not for the state-of-the-art cooling technology, playing in mid-summer would be untenable.

A. Playing in mid-summer is easy even without the use of modern cooling systems.

B. If modern cooling technology weren’t available, playing in the middle of summer would be impossible.

C. The cooling technology is so advanced that players prefer playing in the heat of summer.

D. Mid-summer matches are being cancelled despite the existence of cooling technology.

Question 19: It is imperative that the host nations iron out any visa-related issues well in advance of the kickoff.

A. Host nations may choose to ignore visa problems until the tournament begins.

B. It is optional for the host nations to deal with visa issues before the first game.

C. It is extremely important for the host countries to resolve visa problems long before the start.

D. Visa issues are expected to be resolved automatically once the kickoff happens.

Question 20: The underdog’s victory was a testament to their unwavering resilience throughout the group stage.

A. The underdog won because the other teams in the group stage were very weak.

B. The victory of the underdog proved how consistently strong and determined they were.

C. Despite their resilience, the underdog was unable to secure a victory in the group stage.

D. The underdog’s lack of resilience was the main reason they failed to win the group stage.

ĐÁP ÁN VÀ GIẢI THÍCH CHI TIẾT

THỐNG KÊ TỪ VỰNG (VOCABULARY STATISTICS)

Bài tập cấp độ C1-C2 này giới thiệu 18 từ vựng và thành ngữ (idioms) ở trình độ cao:

1. Labyrinth (n): Mê cung (nghĩa bóng: sự phức tạp rắc rối).
2. Eclipsed (v): Bị vượt mặt, bị làm cho mờ nhạt.
3. Polarized (adj): Phân cực (chia thành hai luồng quan điểm đối lập mạnh mẽ).
4. Stringent (adj): Nghiêm ngặt, khắt khe (về quy định, kiểm tra).
5. Vetting (n): Sự thẩm tra, kiểm tra kỹ lưỡng (con người hoặc tổ chức).
6. Insurmountable (adj): Không thể vượt qua (đã dùng ở B2, nhưng ở đây dùng trong ngữ cảnh phức tạp hơn).
7. Notwithstanding (prep/adv): Tuy nhiên, mặc dù (Trang trọng).
8. Outstrip (v): Vượt quá, bỏ xa (thường dùng cho cung – cầu hoặc tốc độ).
9. Bone of contention (idiom): Vấn đề gây tranh cãi kéo dài.
10. A shot in the arm (idiom): Một cú hích, nguồn sinh lực mới.
11. Pinnacle (n): Đỉnh cao, cực điểm.
12. Mitigate (v): Làm giảm nhẹ tác hại.
13. Stoic (adj): Khắc kỷ, thản nhiên trước đau khổ/thất bại.
14. Decry (v): Lên án, chỉ trích công khai.
15. In droves (idiom): Số lượng rất lớn, lũ lượt kéo đến.
16. Disarray (n): Sự hỗn loạn, tình trạng xáo trộn.
17. Ubiquity (n): Sự phổ biến khắp nơi cùng lúc.
18. Untenable (adj): Không thể giữ vững, không thể chống đỡ nổi.

Tổng số mục từ mới: 18.

Tầm quan trọng: Những từ vựng này giúp thí sinh đạt mức 8.5 – 9.0 IELTS hoặc C1/C2 VSTEP. Chúng xuất hiện trong các bài bình luận chính trị, kinh tế và xã hội trên các tờ báo lớn như The Economist hay The Guardian. Việc sử dụng thành thạo các cấu trúc giả định (Were it not for…) và đảo ngữ là dấu hiệu của một người sử dụng tiếng Anh ở mức độ tinh thông (Mastery).

Bài 3

KỲ THI CHỌN HỌC SINH GIỎI QUỐC GIA / VSTEP BẬC 6

Môn thi: TIẾNG ANH (C1-C2 Mastery)

Thời gian làm bài: 45 phút

SECTION: SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION (SOPHISTICATED EQUIVALENCE)

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.

Question 1. The unprecedented scale of the 2026 World Cup across North America is set to dwarf all previous iterations of the tournament.

A. The 2026 World Cup will be slightly larger than any other tournament held in North America before.

B. Previous World Cup tournaments will seem small and insignificant in comparison to the 2026 event.

C. The 2026 World Cup is expected to fail because its scale is too large for North America to handle.

D. North America has hosted many World Cups, but the 2026 edition will be the most expensive one.

Question 2. Implicit in FIFA’s decision to expand the field to 48 teams is the desire to tap into previously lucrative but underserved markets.

A. FIFA expanded the tournament to 48 teams primarily to provide better coaching to underserved markets.

B. FIFA’s expansion to 48 teams clearly suggests an intention to exploit profitable markets that have been neglected.

C. It is rumored that FIFA expanded the field to 48 teams, but the financial motives remain hidden.

D. The 48-team expansion was a secondary thought compared to the need for better market representation.

Question 3. Only by streamlining the convoluted visa processes can the host nations hope to accommodate the influx of millions of international fans.

A. The host nations will successfully manage the fans even if the visa processes remain complicated.

B. If the visa processes are not made simpler and more efficient, hosting millions of fans will be impossible.

C. Millions of fans will apply for visas regardless of how convoluted the application process is.

D. Streamlining visa processes is one of many ways the host nations can choose to welcome fans.

Question 4. Critics argue that the carbon footprint of transcontinental travel between host cities flies in the face of FIFA’s sustainability pledges.

A. Critics believe that the travel involved in the tournament perfectly aligns with FIFA’s environmental goals.

B. The carbon footprint of the tournament is expected to be lower than FIFA’s sustainability pledges suggest.

C. Critics claim that the environmental impact of long-distance travel contradicts FIFA’s promises of sustainability.

D. FIFA has ignored critics who say that transcontinental travel is the only way to meet sustainability pledges.

Question 6. Had the joint bid not been so meticulously orchestrated, the rights to host the 2026 edition might have eluded the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

A. The three nations won the hosting rights because their joint bid was organized with extreme care and detail.

B. Despite the lack of organization in their joint bid, the three nations managed to secure the hosting rights.

C. The hosting rights were almost lost because the joint bid was too complicated for the selection committee.

D. If the joint bid had been orchestrated more quickly, the hosting rights would have been secured much earlier.

Question 7. The sheer logistical complexity of coordinating matches in sixteen different venues is not to be underestimated.

A. Coordinating matches in sixteen venues is a simple task that requires very little logistical planning.

B. One should realize that organizing matches across sixteen different locations is an incredibly difficult challenge.

C. The complexity of using sixteen venues is often exaggerated by the media and logistical experts.

D. Underestimating the logistics of the tournament is the best way to ensure its success in sixteen venues.

Question 8. For all the fanfare surrounding the expansion, many purists lament the potential erosion of the tournament’s prestige.

A. Purists believe that the expansion will increase the prestige of the tournament despite the lack of fanfare.

B. Many traditionalists are unhappy because they feel the expansion might diminish the tournament’s high standing.

C. The fanfare surrounding the expansion has convinced purists that the tournament’s prestige is safe.

D. Because of the erosion of prestige, many purists have decided to boycott the fanfare of the 2026 World Cup.

Question 9. It remains to be seen whether the infrastructure in regional hubs will stand the test of such an overwhelming surge in tourism.

A. We already know that the infrastructure in regional hubs is strong enough to handle the tourism surge.

B. It is uncertain if the local facilities can effectively cope with the massive increase in the number of tourists.

C. The infrastructure in regional hubs has already failed the test of the tourism surge before the event started.

D. Tourism in regional hubs will only increase if the infrastructure is tested by the local governments.

Question 10. Such is the volatility of international travel costs that fans are being urged to hedge their bets by booking flights well in advance.

A. Fans should wait until the last minute to book flights because travel costs are currently very stable.

B. Because travel prices change so rapidly and unpredictably, fans are advised to book early to avoid risks.

C. International travel costs are so high that fans cannot afford to book their flights in advance.

D. Booking flights in advance is a gamble that fans are being urged to take despite the stable costs.

Question 11. To suggest that the 2026 World Cup will be anything less than a watershed moment for North American soccer is to ignore the current trajectory of the sport.

A. The 2026 World Cup will definitely be a major turning point that significantly changes the future of soccer in the region.

B. North American soccer is on a downward trajectory, regardless of the impact of the 2026 World Cup.

C. The 2026 World Cup is just another ordinary event that will have no real impact on the sport’s trajectory.

D. Only those who ignore the sport believe that the 2026 World Cup will be a watershed moment.

Question 12. The disparate time zones across the continent will necessitate a radical rethink of global broadcasting schedules.

A. Broadcasting schedules will remain the same because the time zones across the continent are very similar.

B. The differences in time zones are so great that a completely new approach to world broadcasting is required.

C. Global broadcasters have already finished rethinking their schedules despite the disparate time zones.

D. Only a few radical broadcasters believe that the time zones will affect the World Cup schedule.

Question 13. The host nations are bracing themselves for the security ramifications of managing such a sprawling and decentralized event.

A. The host nations are ignoring the security risks because the event is so decentralized.

B. Managing a widespread and non-centralized event involves preparing for serious security consequences.

C. Security will be easy to manage because the event is sprawling across three different countries.

D. The host nations have already resolved all security ramifications before the event began.

Question 14. Much as the expansion is touted as a victory for inclusivity, it arguably serves as a thinly veiled attempt at revenue maximization.

A. The expansion is primarily about inclusivity, and any financial gain is purely coincidental.

B. Although promoted as a move for diversity, the expansion is likely a hidden way to make as much money as possible.

C. Revenue maximization is impossible despite the expansion being touted as a victory for inclusivity.

D. Inclusivity and revenue maximization are two separate goals that FIFA has failed to achieve.

Question 15. The onus is on the local organizing committees to ensure that the tournament’s legacy is not marred by half-empty stadiums.

A. Local committees are responsible for making sure the tournament’s long-term impact is not ruined by low attendance.

B. It is not the responsibility of local committees if the stadiums are half-empty during the matches.

C. The legacy of the tournament will be perfect even if many stadiums remain half-empty throughout.

D. Half-empty stadiums are a sign that the local organizing committees have succeeded in their mission.

Question 16. The disparity in altitude between venues could inadvertently hand a significant advantage to teams acclimated to thin air.

A. Teams that are used to high altitudes might accidentally gain a major benefit due to the different heights of the stadiums.

B. All teams will find it equally difficult to play because the altitude is the same at every venue.

C. The altitude disparity is a deliberate attempt by the host nations to help their own teams win.

D. Teams acclimated to thin air will be at a disadvantage when playing at venues with different altitudes.

Question 17. There’s no escaping the fact that the 2026 World Cup will be the most commercially saturated event in sporting history.

A. It is possible that the 2026 World Cup will avoid being overly commercialized compared to past events.

B. It is undeniable that this tournament will feature more commercial activity and advertising than any previous event.

C. Many people are trying to escape the commercial saturation of the World Cup by not watching the matches.

D. The history of sporting events shows that commercial saturation is usually avoided at all costs.

Question 18. The players’ performance may be hampered by the grueling travel itinerary necessitated by the cross-continental format.

A. The difficult and exhausting travel schedule required by the format might negatively affect how the players play.

B. Players are expected to perform better because the cross-continental format includes a relaxing travel itinerary.

C. The travel itinerary is so easy that it will have no impact on the players’ performance during the matches.

D. Regardless of the grueling travel, players are legally required to perform at their best.

Question 19. But for the technological advancements in VAR and goal-line technology, officiating such a high-stakes tournament would be fraught with controversy.

A. Technological advancements have made officiating more controversial than ever before.

B. Officiating the tournament would be full of disputes if it weren’t for the modern technology being used.

C. High-stakes tournaments always involve controversy, regardless of the technology available to referees.

D. VAR and goal-line technology are the main causes of controversy in modern high-stakes matches.

Question 20. It is incumbent upon the three host nations to foster a sense of unity amidst the inherent logistical and cultural fragmentation.

A. The host nations are not required to do anything about the cultural differences between them.

B. It is the duty of the three countries to create a feeling of togetherness despite the natural divisions in logistics and culture.

C. Cultural fragmentation is the goal that the three host nations are trying to achieve through the World Cup.

D. Unity is impossible to achieve because the logistical fragmentation of the event is too great.

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

VOCABULARY STATISTICS

Total high-level lexical items: 18

1. Dwarf (v): Làm lu mờ, làm cho cái khác trở nên nhỏ bé.
2. Lucrative (adj): Sinh lời, béo bở.
3. Convoluted (adj): Xoắn xuýt, cực kỳ phức tạp và khó hiểu.
4. Carbon footprint (n): Lượng khí thải carbon (tác động môi trường).
5. Fly in the face of (idiom): Đối nghịch hoàn toàn với.
6. Orchestrate (v): Dàn dựng, sắp đặt (thường là một kế hoạch phức tạp).
7. Elude (v): Lẩn tránh, thoát khỏi tầm tay.
8. Lament (v): Than vãn, thương xót.
9. Erosion (n): Sự xói mòn (nghĩa bóng: sự suy giảm dần).
10. Stand the test of time/something (idiom): Vượt qua được thử thách của thời gian/điều gì đó.
11. Volatility (n): Sự biến động mạnh, tính không ổn định.
12. Watershed moment (n.phr): Bước ngoặt quan trọng.
13. Disparate (adj): Khác biệt hoàn toàn về loại.
14. Ramification (n): Hệ lụy, kết quả phức tạp phát sinh từ một quyết định.
15. Touted (v): Được chào hàng, được quảng bá rầm rộ.
16. The onus (n): Trách nhiệm, bổn phận.
17. Mar (v): Làm hỏng, làm biến dạng vẻ đẹp của cái gì.
18. Acclimated (adj): Đã quen với thời tiết/môi trường mới.

Significance: Những từ vựng này thuộc nhóm C1-C2 (Mastery). Chúng thường xuất hiện trong các bài tiểu luận học thuật, báo chí chính trị (The Economist, The Guardian) và là mục tiêu trọng tâm của học sinh tham gia kỳ thi Học sinh giỏi quốc gia hoặc đạt band 8.5+ IELTS. Việc sử dụng chính xác các động từ như dwarf, mar hay hamper giúp câu văn trở nên cô đọng và sắc sảo hơn.

Bài 4

KỲ THI THỬ TỐT NGHIỆP THPT / VSTEP LEVEL C1-C2

Môn: TIẾNG ANH – NGỮ PHÁP & ĐỌC HIỂU

Chủ đề: The Geopolitics and Logistics of FIFA World Cup 2026

SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION (TÌM CÂU ĐỒNG NGHĨA)

Directions: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.

1. The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams is a calculated move by FIFA to tap into burgeoning markets in Asia and Africa.

A. FIFA haphazardly increased the team count to 48, inadvertently benefiting Asian and African markets.

B. The decision to include 48 teams was a strategic attempt by FIFA to exploit growing markets in Asia and Africa.

C. FIFA’s move to 48 teams was primarily intended to stifle the influence of Asian and African football markets.

D. By featuring 48 teams, FIFA hoped to calculate the exact market value of football in Asia and Africa.

2. Scarcely had the host cities been announced when a flurry of speculative real estate investment began.

A. Real estate investment remained stagnant despite the official announcement of the host cities.

B. As soon as the host cities were revealed, there was a sudden surge in speculative property buying.

C. Host cities were announced only after real estate investors had already secured their assets.

D. The announcement of the host cities was delayed due to the volatility of speculative investments.

3. The staggering logistical demands of a tri-national tournament are bound to stretch the existing infrastructure to its breaking point.

A. Existing infrastructure will likely withstand the tri-national tournament’s demands without much strain.

B. The logistics of the three-nation event are so immense that they will inevitably overtax current facilities.

C. Stretching the infrastructure is a prerequisite for any nation wishing to host a staggering tournament.

D. Because the demands are tri-national, the infrastructure will be broken down and rebuilt from scratch.

4. “I would sooner boycott the event than condone the exorbitant price-gouging by local hotels,” fumed a seasoned traveler.

A. The traveler preferred boycotting the event to accepting the outrageous room rates set by local hotels.

B. The traveler felt that boycotting the event was just as bad as the price-gouging practiced by hotels.

C. Unless the hotels lowered their prices, the traveler would find it difficult to condone the event.

D. The traveler was willing to pay the exorbitant prices provided the event was worth the boycott.

5. It is imperative that the organizers reconcile the diverse legal frameworks of the three host nations to ensure seamless border crossings.

A. Organizers might find it helpful to ignore the legal differences between the three host countries for the sake of fans.

B. Ensuring smooth transit across borders necessitates the harmonization of the three countries’ differing laws.

C. The legal frameworks of the three nations are already so similar that border crossings will be naturally seamless.

D. If organizers fail to change the laws of all three nations, border crossings will be permanently closed.

6. Such is the prestige of hosting the final that Dallas and New York were embroiled in a protracted bidding war.

A. Dallas and New York avoided a long conflict because the prestige of hosting the final was negligible.

B. The high status associated with the final led to a long-lasting and intense competition between Dallas and New York.

C. Dallas and New York were only involved in a bidding war after the prestige of the final had declined.

D. Because the bidding war was so protracted, both Dallas and New York eventually lost their prestige.

7. But for the implementation of cutting-edge facial recognition technology, managing the influx of millions of fans would be an insurmountable task.

A. Managing millions of fans is easy even without the help of advanced facial recognition technology.

B. Advanced facial recognition is the only reason why managing the massive crowd is not an impossible challenge.

C. If the technology were implemented, organizers would find it harder to manage the influx of fans.

D. The task of managing fans remains insurmountable despite the use of cutting-edge technology.

8. Critics posit that the carbon footprint of the 2026 World Cup will render FIFA’s sustainability pledges utterly hypocritical.

A. FIFA’s sustainability promises are seen as sincere by critics, regardless of the tournament’s carbon footprint.

B. According to critics, the environmental impact of the event will expose FIFA’s green commitments as insincere.

C. FIFA plans to use its carbon footprint to prove that its sustainability pledges were not hypocritical.

D. Critics believe that FIFA will achieve its sustainability goals despite the massive carbon footprint.

9. The players’ performance may well be compromised by the physiological strain of traversing multiple time zones in rapid succession.

A. Rapidly crossing many time zones is likely to negatively affect the players’ physical and mental output.

B. Players are expected to improve their performance as they adapt to the strain of different time zones.

C. Successive travel through time zones is a minor issue that will not compromise the players’ performance.

D. The physiological strain of travel is the primary reason why players prefer playing in a single time zone.

10. Were the tournament to result in a financial deficit, the public backlash against the use of taxpayer funds would be vitriolic.

A. If the tournament loses money, the public will fiercely criticize the expenditure of government revenue.

B. The public is happy to use taxpayer funds even if the tournament results in a significant financial deficit.

C. A financial deficit is unlikely, but if it happens, the public will remain indifferent to the use of tax money.

D. The vitriolic backlash from the public is what caused the tournament to face a financial deficit.

11. The sheer scale of the 48-team roster necessitates a radical rethinking of team base camps and training facilities.

A. Because there are 48 teams, the existing training facilities are already perfectly sufficient.

B. The massive number of teams requires a fundamental and drastic change in how base camps are organized.

C. Rethinking base camps is a radical idea that has nothing to do with the scale of the 48-team roster.

D. Organizers should avoid rethinking training facilities despite the scale of the new 48-team format.

12. Granted that North America has a robust sporting culture, the success of “soccer” still hinges on the performance of the US National Team.

A. Despite the strong sports culture in North America, the US team’s performance is not a factor in the sport’s success.

B. Even though North America loves sports, the popularity of the World Cup is entirely dependent on how the US team plays.

C. The US National Team must perform well to create a robust sporting culture in North America.

D. Soccer’s success is guaranteed in North America because the US National Team always performs well.

13. In the face of mounting criticism regarding human rights, FIFA has opted for a policy of constructive engagement with host venues.

A. FIFA ignored all criticism and refused to engage with host venues regarding human rights.

B. Because of increasing complaints, FIFA decided to work proactively with venues to improve human rights.

C. FIFA’s policy of constructive engagement was the cause of the mounting criticism from human rights groups.

D. Mounting criticism forced FIFA to abandon its policy of engagement with the host venues.

14. Notwithstanding the commercial allure of the event, some traditionalists lament the dilution of the tournament’s elite quality.

A. Traditionalists are happy with the commercial success and the new quality of the tournament.

B. Despite the event’s high profit potential, some feel that its prestige has been weakened by the expansion.

C. The commercial allure of the event is the only thing that traditionalists value about the World Cup.

D. The tournament’s elite quality has been improved by the commercial allure, much to the traditionalists’ delight.

15. It is incumbent upon the local organizing committees to mitigate the disruption to daily life in host metropolises.

A. Local committees are not responsible for the chaos caused in big cities during the tournament.

B. The duty of reducing the negative impact on residents’ daily routines lies with the local organizers.

C. Residents must learn to mitigate their own disruptions while organizers focus on the tournament.

D. Host metropolises will naturally avoid disruption without any help from the organizing committees.

16. Much as the new format promises inclusivity, it concurrently poses a threat to the narrative tension of the group stages.

A. The new format is inclusive, and therefore it increases the excitement and tension of the group stages.

B. Although the 48-team format allows more teams, it also risks making the early matches less exciting.

C. Narrative tension is more important than inclusivity in the new World Cup format.

D. The threat to narrative tension is what makes the new format so inclusive for smaller nations.

17. The 2026 World Cup is poised to be a watershed moment for the commercialization of digital sports media.

A. Digital sports media will likely remain unchanged after the 2026 World Cup.

B. The 2026 event is expected to be a critical turning point that changes digital sports media forever.

C. Commercialization of media is the main reason why the 2026 World Cup is being held in North America.

D. Digital media has already reached its peak, so the 2026 World Cup will have little impact.

18. Only if the ticketing algorithm is sufficiently robust can FIFA prevent the widespread exploitation by secondary market scalpers.

A. Ticketing algorithms are always robust enough to stop scalpers from exploiting the market.

B. FIFA can only stop ticket resellers from taking advantage of fans if their selling system is strong enough.

C. Secondary market scalpers will exploit the system regardless of how robust the algorithm is.

D. FIFA’s algorithm was designed by scalpers to ensure the exploitation of the ticketing system.

19. Far from being a mere sporting event, the World Cup serves as a potent vehicle for soft power and cultural diplomacy.

A. The World Cup is just a sports competition and has no influence on culture or diplomacy.

B. Instead of focusing on sports, the World Cup is used only for political and diplomatic power.

C. The World Cup is much more than a game; it is a powerful tool for exerting international influence and building relationships.

D. Soft power and cultural diplomacy are the reasons why the World Cup is no longer considered a sporting event.

20. The integration of VAR 2.0 is aimed at obviating the perennial controversies surrounding offside calls.

A. VAR 2.0 was created to increase the number of controversies regarding offside decisions.

B. By using VAR 2.0, officials hope to completely remove the long-standing arguments over offside calls.

C. Offside calls are the only reason why FIFA decided to integrate the perennial VAR 2.0 system.

D. Perennial controversies will continue to exist even if VAR 2.0 is integrated into the matches.

ANSWER KEY & DETAILED EXPLANATION

VOCABULARY STATISTICS (THỐNG KÊ TỪ VỰNG)

Total Advanced Lexemes (C1-C2): 18

1. Burgeoning (adj) /ˈbɜːrdʒənɪŋ/: Phát triển nhanh chóng. (Example: burgeoning markets).
2. Overtax (v) /ˌoʊvərˈtæks/: Làm quá tải, gây áp lực quá lớn.
3. Price-gouging (n) /ˈpraɪs ɡaʊdʒɪŋ/: Hành vi nâng giá cao bất hợp lý để trục lợi.
4. Imperative (adj) /ɪmˈperətɪv/: Cấp bách, tối quan trọng.
5. Protracted (adj) /proʊˈtræktɪd/: Kéo dài (thường là hơn mức cần thiết).
6. Insurmountable (adj) /ˌɪnsərˈmaʊntəbl/: Không thể vượt qua được.
7. Hypocritical (adj) /ˌhɪpəˈkrɪtɪkl/: Đạo đức giả.
8. Traverse (v) /trəˈvɜːrs/: Đi xuyên qua, băng qua.
9. Vitriolic (adj) /ˌvɪtriˈɑːlɪk/: Cay độc, châm chọc (lời nói/phê bình).
10. Hinge on (phr v) /hɪndʒ/: Phụ thuộc hoàn toàn vào.
11. Notwithstanding (prep/adv) /ˌnɑːtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/: Mặc dù (= Despite).
12. Dilution (n) /daɪˈluːʃn/: Sự pha loãng, sự làm giảm giá trị/chất lượng.
13. Incumbent upon (adj phr) /ɪnˈkʌmbənt/: Là trách nhiệm của ai đó.
14. Mitigate (v) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/: Giảm thiểu (hậu quả xấu).
15. Watershed (n) /ˈwɔːtərʃed/: Bước ngoặt, điểm mấu chốt thay đổi lịch sử.
16. Robust (adj) /roʊˈbʌst/: Mạnh mẽ, thiết kế tốt, khó bị lỗi.
17. Potent (adj) /ˈpoʊtnt/: Có quyền năng, có sức thuyết phục mạnh mẽ.
18. Obviate (v) /ˈɑːbvieɪt/: Loại bỏ (nhu cầu/khó khăn).

Tại sao những từ này quan trọng? Trong đề thi C1-C2 (như VSTEP bậc 5-6 hoặc IELTS 8.0+), thí sinh không chỉ cần hiểu nghĩa từ mà còn phải hiểu cách dùng trong ngữ cảnh trang trọng (formal register). Các từ như obviate, mitigate, và watershed thường xuất hiện trong các bài bình luận chính trị-xã hội. Việc làm quen với các cấu trúc đảo ngữ phức tạp (Were the tournament to… / Such is the prestige…) giúp thí sinh ăn điểm tuyệt đối ở phần Writing và Reading.

Bài 5

KỲ THI THỬ TỐT NGHIỆP TRUNG HỌC PHỐ THÔNG / VSTEP

Bài thi: TIẾNG ANH

Dạng bài: TÌM CÂU ĐỒNG NGHĨA (SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION)

Chủ đề: WORLD CUP 2026

Trình độ: C1 – C2 (PROFICIENCY)

PART 1: THE EXERCISE

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.

Question 1. The sheer logistical magnitude of a 48-team tournament spread across three sovereign nations is arguably unprecedented in sporting history.

A. Sporting history has never witnessed a tournament that is as difficult to organize as the 48-team event in three countries.

B. It is debatable whether any previous sporting event has matched the scale of the 2026 World Cup’s logistical requirements.

C. The 2026 World Cup is undoubtedly the most expensive event ever held due to the involvement of three sovereign nations.

D. Organizing a tournament across three nations is logically impossible, as shown by various sporting precedents.

Question 2. FIFA’s pivot to a multi-host format was primarily predicated on the need to distribute the exorbitant costs of modern infrastructure.

A. FIFA chose multiple hosts mainly because modern infrastructure expenses have become too high for a single nation to bear.

B. The decision to have three hosts was based on the desire to increase infrastructure quality rather than saving money.

C. FIFA predicted that modern infrastructure would be cheaper if they used a multi-host format for the 2026 edition.

D. Distributing costs was a secondary consideration when FIFA moved toward a multi-host model for the World Cup.

Question 3. Notwithstanding the environmentalists’ outcry, the organizers have stood their ground regarding the necessity of cross-continental air travel.

A. Organizers changed their travel plans because environmentalists complained about the carbon footprint of the tournament.

B. Despite the strong protests from environmentalists, the organizers refuse to budge on the requirement for long-distance flights.

C. The necessity of air travel was dismissed by the organizers as soon as environmentalists raised their concerns.

D. Environmentalists and organizers have finally reached a compromise regarding the frequency of cross-continental flights.

Question 4. Only by leveraging cutting-edge AI can referees hope to eradicate the perennial scourge of subjective officiating errors.

A. Referees will never be able to stop making errors, even if they use the most advanced AI technology available.

B. AI is the sole means through which referees might finally eliminate the long-standing problem of biased or incorrect calls.

C. Cutting-edge AI has already eradicated all officiating errors, much to the delight of football fans worldwide.

D. Perennial officiating errors are a minor issue that doesn’t necessarily require the use of artificial intelligence.

Question 5. The influx of millions of fans is expected to provide a much-needed fillip to the hospitality sectors of the host cities.

A. The hospitality sectors will likely struggle to cope with the arrival of millions of fans in 2026.

B. Millions of fans will put immense pressure on hotels, potentially leading to a collapse of the hospitality industry.

C. The arrival of fans is anticipated to act as a significant stimulus for local hotels and restaurants.

D. Host cities are worried that the influx of fans will not be enough to save their dying hospitality sectors.

Question 6. Were it not for the stringent security protocols, the risk of a systemic cyber-attack on the ticketing portal would be catastrophic.

A. The ticketing portal is currently being attacked because the security protocols are not tight enough.

B. A major cyber-attack is inevitable despite the existence of very strict security measures for the ticketing system.

C. If the security measures weren’t so rigorous, a widespread cyber-attack could cause total disaster for the ticketing system.

D. The catastrophic failure of the ticketing portal was caused by the lack of any security protocols.

Question 7. The tournament serves as a potent vehicle for the projection of soft power by the three North American hosts.

A. The three hosts are using the tournament as a powerful way to demonstrate their cultural and diplomatic influence.

B. North American nations are focusing on military power rather than using the World Cup for diplomatic purposes.

C. The World Cup is merely a transportation vehicle for fans traveling across the three host nations.

D. Promoting soft power is a difficult task that the North American hosts are unlikely to achieve through football.

Question 8. Critics contend that the expanded format will inevitably dilute the quality of competition in the group stages.

A. Many people believe that having more teams will make the group stages more exciting and competitive than ever.

B. Some argue that the inclusion of more teams will result in a decrease in the overall standard of football during the initial rounds.

C. The quality of the group stages is expected to remain high regardless of how many teams are added to the tournament.

D. Critics are worried that the 48-team format will make it harder for small teams to survive the group stages.

Question 9. Success in such a grueling schedule is contingent upon a squad’s depth and their ability to rotate players effectively.

A. A team’s success depends entirely on their starting eleven, regardless of how many substitutes they have.

B. To succeed in a difficult schedule, a team must have many talented players and use them strategically to avoid exhaustion.

C. Rotating players is a sign of weakness that often leads to failure in long and grueling tournaments.

D. Squad depth is irrelevant as long as the star players are fit enough to play every single match of the tournament.

Question 10. The 2026 World Cup is poised to be a watershed moment for the commercialization of football in North America.

A. Football is already so commercialized in North America that the 2026 World Cup will have little impact.

B. The 2026 event is set to be a critical turning point that significantly changes how football is marketed in the region.

C. Most people in North America are against the commercialization of football during the 2026 World Cup.

D. The commercial success of the 2026 World Cup is unlikely to be repeated in any future sporting event.

Question 11. Much to the chagrin of the traditionalists, the 2026 final will be played on an artificial surface in some venues.

A. Traditionalists are delighted that some matches will be played on high-quality artificial grass.

B. The use of artificial turf has caused annoyance and disappointment among those who prefer natural grass.

C. Only traditionalists understand the benefits of playing on artificial surfaces during major tournaments.

D. Artificial surfaces are so controversial that they have been banned from all 2026 World Cup venues.

Question 12. There is a palpable sense of trepidation regarding the potential for price gouging in host cities.

A. People are clearly worried that businesses in host cities will unfairly and excessively increase their prices.

B. Everyone is excited about the low prices that will be offered by local businesses during the World Cup.

C. It is impossible to feel any anxiety about the economic impact of the World Cup on local residents.

D. Price gouging is a necessary evil that fans have accepted in order to enjoy the 2026 tournament.

Question 13. The coach’s tactical rigidity proved to be the team’s undoing in the previous edition, a mistake he is unlikely to repeat.

A. The coach is expected to be even more stubborn with his tactics in 2026 to ensure victory.

B. The team failed last time because the coach refused to change his tactics, but he has probably learned his lesson.

C. Because the coach was too flexible with his tactics, the team lost the match in the previous World Cup.

D. The coach’s refusal to repeat his previous mistakes will definitely guarantee a trophy in 2026.

Question 14. Scarcely had the bid been announced when a flurry of infrastructure projects was greenlit across the continent.

A. Infrastructure projects were already finished before the bid for the 2026 World Cup was even announced.

B. As soon as the hosting rights were confirmed, many construction projects were immediately approved.

C. The announcement of the bid had no impact on the number of infrastructure projects in North America.

D. It took a long time after the announcement for the authorities to approve any new infrastructure projects.

Question 15. The disparage between the astronomical earnings of top players and the wages of stadium workers remains a flashpoint for social activists.

A. Social activists are praising the high salaries of football players as a sign of economic growth.

B. The huge gap between player pay and worker wages continues to be a source of intense conflict and debate.

C. Stadium workers are happy with their wages despite the fact that players earn significantly more.

D. Activists have successfully closed the gap between player earnings and worker salaries before the 2026 event.

Question 16. To all intents and purposes, the 2026 World Cup represents the ultimate test of the multi-national hosting model.

A. The 2026 World Cup is a minor experiment that will not determine the future of multi-national hosting.

B. In every practical sense, this tournament will show whether hosting an event across multiple countries is truly viable.

C. The multi-national model has already been proven perfect, so the 2026 World Cup is just a formality.

D. There is no practical purpose for hosting the World Cup in three different nations other than for publicity.

Question 17. Indigenous groups have voiced concerns that the tournament might encroach upon their ancestral lands.

A. Indigenous people are looking forward to sharing their lands with World Cup fans in 2026.

B. There are worries among native communities that the event will intrude on or take over their traditional territories.

C. The tournament is expected to protect ancestral lands from any form of commercial development.

D. Organizers have promised that the World Cup will not have any impact on the lands owned by indigenous groups.

Question 18. The ambiguity surrounding the visa requirements for trans-border travel has left many fans in a quandary.

A. Fans are confused and don’t know what to do because the rules for traveling between the host countries are unclear.

B. The visa requirements for the three host nations are so simple that every fan has already obtained them.

C. Fans are happy with the ambiguous rules as it allows them more flexibility when traveling across borders.

D. There is no ambiguity regarding visas, as the three nations have abolished all border controls for the event.

Question 19. It is incumbent upon the local governments to ensure that the tournament’s legacy is not one of “white elephant” stadiums.

A. Local governments are not responsible for what happens to the stadiums after the World Cup ends.

B. It is the duty of local authorities to make sure the new stadiums remain useful and are not left to waste.

C. “White elephant” stadiums are a desired outcome for many host cities looking to boast their wealth.

D. The legacy of the tournament will automatically be positive regardless of what the local governments do.

Question 20. Adopting a stoic approach, the captain refused to be drawn into the media circus following the team’s narrow defeat.

A. The captain became very emotional and complained to the media after his team lost the match.

|B. By remaining calm and unemotional, the captain avoided getting involved in the chaotic media attention after the loss.

C. The captain was forced by the media to explain why the team suffered such a narrow defeat.

D. A stoic approach is the reason why the team lost the match and faced a media circus.

PART 2: ANSWER KEY & DETAILED EXPLANATIONS

Answers

1. B | 2. A | 3. B | 4. B | 5. C | 6. C | 7. A | 8. B | 9. B | 10. B
2. B | 12. A | 13. B | 14. B | 15. B | 16. B | 17. B | 18. A | 19. B | 20. B

Detailed Explanations (Giải thích chi tiết)

• Q1 (B): Arguably unprecedented (có thể là chưa từng có tiền lệ) đồng nghĩa với debatable whether any previous… matched. Magnitude (tầm vóc) = scale.
• Q2 (A): Predicated on (dựa trên) = based on. Exorbitant costs (chi phí cắt cổ) giải thích lý do tại sao một quốc gia khó có thể gánh vác một mình.
• Q3 (B): Notwithstanding (mặc dù) = Despite. Stood their ground (giữ vững lập trường) = refuse to budge.
• Q4 (B): Sole means (cách duy nhất) tương ứng với cấu trúc Only by leveraging. Eradicate the perennial scourge (xóa bỏ tai họa lâu năm) = eliminate the long-standing problem.
• Q5 (C): Fillip (sự kích thích/động lực) = stimulus. Influx (sự tràn vào) = arrival.
• Q6 (C): Cấu trúc đảo ngữ câu điều kiện loại 2 (Were it not for) diễn tả giả định trái ngược hiện tại.
• Q7 (A): Potent vehicle (phương tiện quyền năng) ở đây là cách thức/công cụ để projection of soft power (thể hiện quyền lực mềm).
• Q8 (B): Dilute the quality (làm loãng/giảm chất lượng) = decrease in the overall standard.
• Q9 (B): Contingent upon (phụ thuộc vào) = depends on. Grueling (kiệt sức/gian khổ) = difficult.
• Q10 (B): Watershed moment (bước ngoặt/cột mốc quan trọng) = critical turning point.
• Q11 (B): To the chagrin of (trong sự thất vọng/phiền muộn của ai) = annoyance and disappointment.
• Q12 (A): Palpable sense of trepidation (cảm giác lo sợ rõ rệt) = clearly worried. Price gouging (nâng giá trục lợi).
• Q13 (B): Tactical rigidity (sự cứng nhắc về chiến thuật) = refused to change tactics. Undoing (nguyên nhân thất bại).
• Q14 (B): Cấu trúc Scarcely… when (Vừa mới… thì) = As soon as. Greenlit (cho phép/cấp phép) = approved.
• Q15 (B): Disparage (sự chênh lệch) + Flashpoint (điểm nóng/nguồn cơn xung đột) = intense conflict and debate.
• Q16 (B): To all intents and purposes (hầu như/thực tế là) = In every practical sense.
• Q17 (B): Encroach upon (xâm lấn/xâm phạm) = intrude on or take over.
• Q18 (A): Ambiguity (sự mơ hồ) = unclear. Quandary (tình thế khó xử/lúng túng) = confused and don’t know what to do.
• Q19 (B): Incumbent upon (là nghĩa vụ của ai) = duty of local authorities. White elephant (thứ đắt tiền nhưng vô dụng).
• Q20 (B): Stoic approach (cách tiếp cận khắc kỷ/bình thản) = remaining calm and unemotional.

PART 3: VOCABULARY STATISTICS & ANALYSIS

Statistics

• Total High-level Words/Phrases: 30
• Level: C1 – C2 (Academic & Idiomatic English)

Key Vocabulary Analysis

Why these words matter?

Học sinh ở trình độ C1-C2 không chỉ cần hiểu nghĩa bề mặt mà phải nắm được collocation (sự kết hợp từ) và nuance (sắc thái). Ví dụ, thay vì nói “very expensive”, hãy dùng “exorbitant”; thay vì “turning point”, hãy dùng “watershed moment”. Những từ vựng này sẽ giúp thí sinh ghi điểm tuyệt đối trong phần viết luận (Writing) và đọc hiểu (Reading) của các kỳ thi quốc tế.