IELTS TUTOR cung cấp The way the brain buys Đề luyện tập IELTS READING (IELTS Reading Practice Test) - Làm bài online format computer-based, kèm đáp án, dịch & giải thích từ vựng - cấu trúc ngữ pháp khó & GIẢI ĐÁP ÁN VỚI LOCATION

📩 MN AI CHƯA CÓ ĐÁP ÁN FORECAST QUÝ MỚI PART 1-2-3 NHẮN ZL 0905834420 IELTS TUTOR GỬI FREE HẾT NHA

Reading Passage: The way the brain buys

Retailers are using psychology and technology to unlock the secrets of consumers’ minds. Supermarkets employ layout design, smells, and sounds to influence behaviour—fruit and vegetables at the entrance uplift mood, while bakeries use the aroma of freshly baked bread to stimulate hunger. Techniques like “plan-o-grams,” “slotting fees,” and eye-level product placement help manipulate shoppers’ attention and increase “dwell time.” New tools such as mobile-phone tracking, fMRI scans, and image-recognition software analyse subconscious responses and monitor behaviour in detail. Studies show that categorised selections, friendly environments, and “decoy” items can boost sales, while consumers often fail to buy simply because they are “unable to decide.” RFID tags and EEG headsets may further personalise shopping, though privacy concerns remain. Experts warn that while subtle persuasion can make customers choose one brand over another, awareness of manipulation may trigger backlash and put people off buying anything at all.

Further research has explored the neuroscience of spending, revealing that the act of purchasing activates reward centres in the brain, such as the nucleus accumbens, releasing dopamine and creating a sense of pleasure. Retail environments are increasingly designed to exploit this neurological reward system. For example, limited-time offers and flash sales create a sense of urgency that overrides rational decision-making, triggering impulsive purchases. Similarly, the use of curved lines and soft lighting in store design has been found to evoke feelings of comfort and safety, encouraging shoppers to linger and spend more.

>> 🔥 Form đăng kí giải đề thi thật IELTS 4 kĩ năng kèm bài giải bộ đề 100 đề PART 2 IELTS SPEAKING quý đang thi (update hàng tuần) từ IELTS TUTOR

Another powerful psychological tool is the “endowment effect,” where consumers place higher value on items they feel they already own, such as when trying on clothing or sampling products. This is why test drives, free samples, and “try before you buy” schemes are so effective. Moreover, the pain of paying can be reduced by methods like contactless payments or digital wallets, which separate the act of spending from the physical exchange of money, making transactions feel less real and thus easier to justify.

Social influence also plays a crucial role. The presence of other shoppers, especially those perceived as similar or aspirational, can significantly affect purchasing decisions. This is amplified online through social proof mechanisms like customer reviews, “most popular” badges, and real-time purchase notifications. Retailers leverage FOMO (fear of missing out) by highlighting trending items or low-stock warnings.

Looking ahead, the future of retail may involve even deeper integration of biometric data—such as heart rate, facial expressions, and pupil dilation—to gauge emotional responses in real time. However, this raises serious ethical questions about consent and data ownership. As technology advances, the line between helpful personalisation and psychological intrusion becomes increasingly blurred. Ultimately, understanding the brain's buying behaviour offers immense commercial potential, but it also demands greater transparency and responsibility from those who wield these insights. >> 🔥 Nhắn zalo 0905834420 join group zalo Hóng đề thi máy 4 skills để cập nhật đề thi thật 4 kĩ năng hằng ngày [Kèm giải & đề làm online]

Questions 1–5

Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Retailers use various psychological and technological methods to influence shoppers. Supermarkets place 1 ________ at the entrance to improve mood. Techniques such as plan-o-grams and 2 ________ placement increase the time customers spend in-store. New tools like fMRI scans analyse 3 ________ responses. The use of decoy items and 4 ________ environments can raise sales. However, if customers become aware of manipulation, it may cause a 5 ________ and reduce purchases.

Questions 6–9

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 3?
Write:

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

1. The smell of fresh bread in supermarkets is intended to make customers feel hungry.

2. RFID tags and EEG headsets are currently used without any privacy concerns.

3. Limited-time offers activate rational decision-making in the brain.

4. The “endowment effect” makes people value items more once they have tried them. >> 🔥 IELTS TUTOR gợi ý tham khảo CẦN VIẾT & THU ÂM BAO NHIÊU BÀI ĐỂ ĐẠT 8.0 SPEAKING & 7.0 WRITING?

Questions 10–13

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. What is the main purpose of “plan-o-grams” in retail?
   A. To reduce shoplifting
   B. To guide shoppers’ attention and increase dwell time
   C. To organise staff schedules
   D. To monitor stock levels automatically

2. According to the passage, which payment method reduces the “pain of paying”?
   A. Cash
   B. Credit card
   C. Contactless payment
   D. Bank transfer

3. What future development is mentioned concerning biometric data?
   A. It will replace all traditional marketing methods.
   B. It may be used to measure emotional responses in real time.
   C. It has already solved all ethical issues in retail.
   D. It is only applicable in online shopping.

4. What is the writer’s overall attitude toward the use of psychology and technology in retail?
   A. Completely supportive and uncritical
   B. Skeptical of its effectiveness
   C. Concerned about ethical implications
   D. Dismissive as a temporary trend

1. fruit and vegetables
2. eye-level
3. subconscious
4. friendly
5. backlash
6. YES
7. NO
8. NO
9. YES
10. B
11. C
12. B
13. C

📩 MN AI CHƯA CÓ ĐÁP ÁN FORECAST QUÝ MỚI PART 1-2-3 NHẮN ZL 0905834420 IELTS TUTOR GỬI FREE HẾT NHA

Các khóa học IELTS online 1 kèm 1 - 100% cam kết đạt target 6.0 - 7.0 - 8.0 - Đảm bảo đầu ra - Thi không đạt, học lại FREE

>> IELTS Intensive Writing

>> IELTS Intensive Speaking

>> IELTS Intensive Listening

>> IELTS Intensive Reading

>> IELTS Cấp tốc

>> IELTS General

>> Thành tích học sinh IELTS TUTOR với hàng ngàn feedback được cập nhật hàng ngày