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IELTS® General Reading Practice 35

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This reading practice simulates one part of the IELTS Academic Reading test. You should spend about twenty minutes on it. Read the passage and answer questions 15-29.

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Read the information below and answer questions 15-22.McGinnis Group Travel MagazineFeatured Article: Finding a Job AbroadA. If you're an American living and working in Europe, rest assured that there are many bureaucratic issues when starting your first job. First off, you will need to be aware of...
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Questions 15-22

The reading passage has six sections, A-F. Which section contains the following information? 

Write the correct letter A-F on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

15. why European companies hesitate to hire fixed employees

16. advice for freelancers

17. reasons for enlisting hired help

18. benefits that come with being a fixed employee

19. an idea for qualifying for a visa

20. getting information and assistance regarding taxes

21. disadvantages of freelancing

22. ways that newcomers initially find jobs in Europe

The answer is B. The passage clearly states in Paragraph B: "Keep in mind that many European firms seem to be doing anything they can to avoid employing more fixed employees, due to a recent legislation regarding taxes." This indicates the reason European companies hesitate to hire fixed employees is recent tax legislation making it difficult for firms to hire new permanent staff.

Associated Text:
"Keep in mind that many European firms seem to be doing anything they can to avoid employing more fixed employees, due to a recent legislation regarding taxes."

The answer is E. Paragraph E contains advice for freelancers, evident in the sentence: "It would be a great idea to get in touch with various groups for freelancers and co-working spaces in your area." This shows the paragraph offers guidance specifically for freelancers starting their own business.

Associated Text:
"It would be a great idea to get in touch with various groups for freelancers and co-working spaces in your area."

The answer is C. Paragraph C gives reasons for hiring professional help, notably: "Since this understanding can become quite complicated, it is best to hire an accountant who speaks your native language" and "Additionally, there are fees that need to be sent to local post offices, and it is difficult to do this alone. We believe this is all the more reason to hire someone to help you in this venture!" These sentences confirm the paragraph offers reasons for enlisting hired help with taxes and bureaucracy.

Associated Text:
"Since this understanding can become quite complicated, it is best to hire an accountant who speaks your native language." and "Additionally, there are fees that need to be sent to local post offices, and it is difficult to do this alone. We believe this is all the more reason to hire someone to help you in this venture!"

The answer is A. In Paragraph A, it is mentioned: "This means you will benefit from job security, a regular income, and paid holiday time. If you are a woman, you can also expect to receive maternity rights as well." This directly lists the benefits that come with being a fixed employee.

Associated Text:
"This means you will benefit from job security, a regular income, and paid holiday time. If you are a woman, you can also expect to receive maternity rights as well."

The answer is F. Paragraph F suggests an idea for qualifying for a visa: "Studying is a great way to obtain a visa in order to stay in Europe (especially if you are not a citizen of the country), and you may be working on your diverse skill sets for future endeavors." This demonstrates the paragraph provides an alternative visa solution.

Associated Text:
"Studying is a great way to obtain a visa in order to stay in Europe (especially if you are not a citizen of the country), and you may be working on your diverse skill sets for future endeavors."

The answer is C. In Paragraph C, information and help regarding taxes is highlighted: "Since this understanding can become quite complicated, it is best to hire an accountant who speaks your native language. When it comes to tax deductible costs, Europe requires all invoices to be in both your native language and the language of your home country." This confirms that tax guidance is addressed in this paragraph.

Associated Text:
"Since this understanding can become quite complicated, it is best to hire an accountant who speaks your native language. When it comes to tax deductible costs, Europe requires all invoices to be in both your native language and the language of your home country."

The answer is D. Paragraph D discusses the disadvantages of freelancing: "It is not as simple as you may imagine, though, and there are quite a few drawbacks. In Europe, for example, you are required to open a VAT code as soon as you exceed 5,000 Euro a year in income. European tax laws do not favour freelancers in the slightest, so make sure that your activity will generate enough income in order for you to make a reasonable income after taxes." This clearly lists disadvantages and additional requirements for freelancers.

Associated Text:
"It is not as simple as you may imagine, though, and there are quite a few drawbacks. In Europe, for example, you are required to open a VAT code as soon as you exceed 5,000 Euro a year in income. European tax laws do not favour freelancers in the slightest, so make sure that your activity will generate enough income in order for you to make a reasonable income after taxes."

The answer is B. Paragraph B states: "Many foreigners find their first European job through a project contract. That is, when the contract concludes, the employer will simply let you go, unless there is another project to be done. Other foreigners find their first projects through freelancing and networking with other expatriate citizens." This describes ways newcomers initially find employment in Europe.

Associated Text:
"Many foreigners find their first European job through a project contract. That is, when the contract concludes, the employer will simply let you go, unless there is another project to be done. Other foreigners find their first projects through freelancing and networking with other expatriate citizens."

Questions 23-29
Look at the following Statements (Questions 23-29) and A list of roles below.

Match each statement with the correct role A, B, C, D, or E.

Write the correct number A-E in boxes Questions 23-29 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once.
A list of roles
  1. Secretary
  2. Treasurer
  3. Membership Chair
  4. Reference Chair
  5. Hospitality Chairman

23. This person's attendance at meetings is crucial.

24. This person must give an annual speech.

25. This person must maintain a strict confidentiality code.

26. This person has many small tasks that may go unnoticed.

27. This person should be a “people person” and help new arrivals.

28. This person should know exactly who is in the organization at all times.

29. This person must be forward-thinking and predict growth patterns.

The answer is B. The passage under "Treasurer" says: "For this reason, it is imperative that the Treasurer is present for all group meetings." This makes it clear that this role requires crucial attendance at meetings.

Associated Text:
"For this reason, it is imperative that the Treasurer is present for all group meetings."

The answer is D. The "Reference Chair" position states: "During the annual conference, this person must prepare a short speech to give in front of the audience, explaining useful updates and providing an annual summary." This shows that giving an annual speech is a responsibility of this role.

Associated Text:
"During the annual conference, this person must prepare a short speech to give in front of the audience, explaining useful updates and providing an annual summary."

The answer is B. Under "Treasurer," the passage notes: "Thus, this officer must be able to adhere to confidentiality standards and not disclose pertinent information regarding the group." This shows the need for confidentiality in this role.

Associated Text:
"Thus, this officer must be able to adhere to confidentiality standards and not disclose pertinent information regarding the group."

The answer is E. Regarding the "Hospitality Chairman," the passage contains: "This role also delights in the details that many do not think of; making name tags for each meeting and function and compiling useful information on our members are some of the basic tasks the Hospitality Chairman completes." This confirms that this role involves many small, often unnoticed tasks.

Associated Text:
"This role also delights in the details that many do not think of; making name tags for each meeting and function and compiling useful information on our members are some of the basic tasks the Hospitality Chairman completes."

The answer is C. For the "Membership Chair," the passage states: "Additionally, this person must be welcoming and help in acclimating new members to the group." This emphasizes the importance of being a 'people person' and supporting new arrivals in this role.

Associated Text:
"Additionally, this person must be welcoming and help in acclimating new members to the group."

The answer is A. For "Secretary," the passage specifies: "Perhaps one of the most important responsibilities of this office is maintaining a constantly updated list of chapter members, in order for mailings to go out on time and in proper fashion." This shows the secretary must know exactly who is part of the organization at all times.

Associated Text:
"Perhaps one of the most important responsibilities of this office is maintaining a constantly updated list of chapter members, in order for mailings to go out on time and in proper fashion."

The answer is C. For "Membership Chair," the passage says: "Although membership in the group is exclusive, the Membership Chair must be able to forecast how many members will be leaving the club in order to make room for new members." This proves the Membership Chair needs to be forward-thinking and predict growth patterns.

Associated Text:
"Although membership in the group is exclusive, the Membership Chair must be able to forecast how many members will be leaving the club in order to make room for new members."

Answer Sheet
1
N/A
2
N/A
3
N/A
4
N/A
5
N/A
6
N/A
7
N/A
8
N/A
9
N/A
10
N/A
11
N/A
12
N/A
13
N/A
14
N/A
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
N/A
31
N/A
32
N/A
33
N/A
34
N/A
35
N/A
36
N/A
37
N/A
38
N/A
39
N/A
40
N/A
Score Summary
0 / 1
Multiple Choice
Matching Sentence Endings
Note Completion
Table Completion
Flow Chart Completion
Summary Completion
Multiple Selection
Short Answer
Matching Headings
Matching Features
Matching Information
Identifying Information
Identifying Viewer Claims
Sentence Completion
Diagram Labelling
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Tips to improve your reading speed
To get a high score on the IELTS reading section, you need to have a fast reading speed. To have a fast reading speed, you need to improve your vocabulary and practice dissecting sentences. One strategy to dissect a sentence is to look for the subject and verb of the sentence. Finding the subject and verb will help you better understand the main idea of said sentence. Keep in mind, a common feature of a IELTS reading passage is to join strings of ideas to form long compound sentences. This produces large chunks that students have a hard time absorbing. Do not get overwhelmed by its length, just look for the subject and verb, the rest of the ideas will flow.

Keep in mind, having a slow reading speed makes skimming or scanning a reading passage more difficult. The process of quickly skimming through a reading passage for specific keywords or main ideas is a requirement for you to employ successful reading strategies to improve your IELTS reading score. In other words, skimming and scanning are critical skills to ensure you complete all questions in the allotted time frame.
IELTS Reading Strategies
Once you can read and comprehend a passage with a rate of, at least, 220 words per minute, you'll be ready to start implementing our strategies. All too often, students spend too much time reading the passages and not enough time answering the questions. Here is a step by step guide for tackling the reading section.

  1. Step 1: Read questions first

    One of the most common mistakes that candidates make when approaching the reading exam is reading every single word of the passages. Although you can practice for the exam by reading for pleasure, "reading blindly" (reading without any sense of what the questions will ask) will not do you any favors in the exam. Instead, it will hurt your chances for effectively managing your time and getting the best score.

    The main reason to read the questions first is because the type of question may determine what you read in the passage or how you read it. For example, some question types will call for the "skimming" technique, while others may call for the "scanning" technique.

    It is important to answer a set of questions that are of the same question type. You'll need to determine which question type you want to tackle first. A good strategy would be to start with the easier question type and move on to more difficult question types later. The Easiest question types are the ones where you spend less time reading. For example, the Matching Heading question type is an easier one because you only need to find the heading that best describes the main idea of a paragraph. An example of a difficult question type would be Identifying Information. For this question type, you'll need to read each paragraph to find out if each statement is TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN according to the passage.

    Here is a table that lists the difficulty levels for each question type. Use this table as a reference when choosing which question type you want to tackle first.

    Difficulty level Question Type
    Easy Sentence Completion
    Short answer
    Medium Matching Features
    Multiple choice
    Matching Headings
    Summary, Table, Flow-Chart Completion
    Difficult Matching Sentence Endings
    Matching Information
    Identifying Information (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN)
    Identifying Viewer's claims (YES/NO/NOT GIVEN)

  2. Step 2: Read for an objective

    After you've read the questions for the passage, you will be able to read for an objective. What does this mean? For example, if you come across a question that includes the year "1896", you can make a note of when this year comes up in the text, using it to answer the question later on. There are two reading techniques that will help you stay on track with reading for an objective. The first one, skimming, is best defined as reading fast in order to get the "gist", or general idea, or a passage. With this technique, you are not stopping for any unfamiliar words or looking for specific details. The second technique, scanning, is best defined as reading for specific information. With this technique, you are not reading for the overall gist, but rather, specific information. Notice how each of these techniques has a specific objective in mind. This will help you find information more quickly.

  3. Step 3: Take notes

    As you're reading for an objective, you should also be making notes on the margins of the passage, placing stars next to key information, or underlining things that you believe will help you answer the various questions. This will make it easier for you to check back when you are asked certain things in the questions. Choose whichever note-taking system is right for you - just make sure you do it!

  4. Step 4: Answer wisely

    After you've read the questions, read the passage, and have taken any appropriate notes, you you should have located the part of the text where you where you need to read carefully. Then just read carefully and think critically to determine the correct answer.

IELTS Reading Question Types

The IELTS reading test contains many different question types:

Matching HeadingsIELTS Reading Lesson: Matching Headings
Matching InformationIELTS Reading Lesson: Matching Information
Matching FeaturesIELTS Reading Lesson: Matching Features
Summary CompletionIELTS Reading Lesson: Summary Completion
Identifying InformationIELTS Reading Lesson: Identifying Information
Identifying Writer's claimsIELTS Reading Lesson: Identifying Writer's claims
Multiple ChoiceIELTS Reading Lesson: Multiple Choice
Short AnswerIELTS Reading Lesson: Short Answer
Match Sentence EndingIELTS Reading Lesson: Match Sentence Ending
Sentence CompletionIELTS Reading Lesson: Sentence Completion
Table CompletionIELTS Reading Lesson: Table Completion
 
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