A Day In The Life Of A Care Worker & How To Find A Good Balance Between Your Work And Your Personal Life - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 19 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-20. ====
A day in the life of a care worker
Care workers in Britain provide elderly and disabled people with the opportunity to remain independent at home, rather than moving into a care home. For those interested in the work, here is what a typical day could be like for a trained care worker.
Care workers often start early, as the first client of the day may need help getting out of bed and putting on their clothes; they may suffer from a condition that prevents them from doing this easily. Providing these services helps clients to look and feel as good as possible when beginning their day. The care worker may then help to cook breakfast for the client, and this is often a good time to enjoy a conversation and catch up on how they are feeling. Many clients appreciate being able to chat to someone regularly, as some may have no family members or friends living nearby. Next, the care worker may take the opportunity to do some basic housework for the client. Housework is often something that elderly people or people with disabilities may not be able to do themselves. Even something as simple as hoovering the living room can make a huge difference to a client’s day. Of course, there may be the breakfast dishes to do as well.
Later in the morning, the care worker may move on to another client in order to help them prepare their midday meal. Care workers try to ensure this is healthy because it is so important to keep clients fit and well. When that’s finished, the care worker may help the client to carry out their shopping by going with them to the local supermarket.
During the afternoon, a care worker may help a third client with an outdoor activity, which could involve going for a short walk in the local area or taking the laundry to the launderette. Elderly people may not feel confident going far on their own, so having company can be a great help.
The care worker may participate in cooking dinner with their last client and, before going home, they may also get out their client’s medication. This ensures the client remembers to take it before going to bed.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27. ====
How to find a good balance between your work and your personal life
A good work-life balance is beneficial to everyone. But how can it be achieved? The first step is to take a serious look at the amount of time you are devoting to work and set about reducing it. The main benefit most people notice once they stop working too much is an improvement in their general health and wellbeing.
Tips for a healthy work-life balance
A recent study showed office workers spend approximately 1,700 hours a year in front of a computer. Ensure that your workstation is set up so you’re as comfortable as possible and this will help to minimise the chance of any injuries.
Whether it’s making a hot drink, going for a walk or simply chatting with a colleague, regular breaks are vital. Your brain needs a break roughly every 90 minutes or concentration declines, leaving you with difficulty focusing and feeling sleepy.
Setting goals for both your professional and personal life is great. Remember though, to make these realistic, because setting an unattainable goal is the quickest way to damage your confidence.
Activities such as sports and gymnastics are known to decrease tension and increase endurance, two important factors towards achieving a healthy work-life balance. They also boost your belief that you can do whatever you are faced with.
Sometimes it’s easier said than done, but if you’re juggling numerous pieces of work on a daily basis, learning to prioritise is key. Try to break down your work into various categories, depending on how urgent and important each piece of work is. This will help you to plan your day and achieve more.
Ensure you have time to do the things that make you happy. If you’ve got nothing nice to look forward to and can only see a long line of work days ahead of you, this can easily become overwhelming and ultimately hinder your productivity.
It’s there for a reason and there are no prizes for giving it up, so make sure you take your annual holiday entitlement. You don’t have to be going on an exotic foreign trip – maybe you just fancy a rest day watching films or you want to take some time off to spend with a friend you don’t see enough.
Family, friends and favourite pets are the ultimate life enhancers. From evenings out to simply taking a walk in the sunshine, spending time with the ones you love is the best way to unwind fully and feel the effects of a good work-life balance.
Questions
Questions 15–20 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flowchart below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
A day in the life of a care worker
It’s an early start for the first client. You may have to help the client get up and dressed if they have a 15 that makes this challenging.
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The next task may be cooking breakfast and it’s nice to have some 16 at this time.
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It may be a good idea to do some housework after this, such as 17 and washing up.
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You may then visit a second client and help them get a 18 lunch ready.
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Lunch may be followed by some 19.
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Afterwards, a third client may need help with an activity that involves going out of their home, such as doing their 20.
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You may cook dinner with the final client of the day and also remind them about their medication.
Questions 21–27 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
- People who cut down the hours they work gain most from feeling better physically and experiencing an increased sense of 21.
- It is important that those who work at desks avoid 22 by checking their chair, work surface and screen are in the best position.
- Having targets to work towards is useful but they should be 23.
- When there are many different tasks to do, the ability to 24 them is vital.
- People who give up all treats in their personal time may find their 25 decreases.
- It is wise to use the full amount of 26 allowance every year.
- Making time to do things with close companions, relatives or 27 is a great way to relax.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | condition | Care workers often start early, as the first client of the day may need help getting out of bed and putting on their clothes; they may suffer from a condition that prevents them from doing this easily | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that care workers begin their day early. Their first client might need help with getting out of bed and putting on clothes. The reason for this is that the client has a health problem, which is called a 'condition', that makes these actions difficult for them. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'condition', which means a health problem or sickness. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'condition'. The flowchart says the client has something that makes getting dressed 'challenging'. The passage explains that the first client might need help getting out of bed and dressed because they 'suffer from a condition that prevents them from doing this easily'. The word 'condition' is the reason for their difficulty. |
| Q16 | conversation | The care worker may then help to cook breakfast for the client, and this is often a good time to enjoy a conversation and catch up on how they are feeling | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when the care worker makes breakfast for the person they are caring for, it is a good opportunity to talk with them and find out how they are doing. Answer Explanation: The answer 'conversation' means talking with another person. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'conversation' because the flowchart says that while cooking breakfast, it is nice to have some chat. The passage states that when a care worker helps cook breakfast, it is a 'good time to enjoy a conversation' with the client. |
| Q17 | hoovering | Next, the care worker may take the opportunity to do some basic housework for the client. Housework is often something that elderly people or people with disabilities may not be able to do themselves. Even something as simple as hoovering the living room can make a huge difference to a client's day. Of course, there may be the breakfast dishes to do as well | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that after breakfast, the care worker can do simple cleaning jobs in the house. It gives an example of cleaning the living room carpet with a vacuum cleaner, which is called 'hoovering'. It also mentions washing the plates and cups used for breakfast. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'hoovering'. This word means to clean the floor with a vacuum cleaner. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'hoovering'. The flowchart asks for an example of housework a care worker might do after breakfast, along with washing up. The passage states that after breakfast, the care worker might do some 'basic housework'. It gives two examples: 'hoovering the living room' and doing the 'breakfast dishes', which is another way of saying 'washing up'. Therefore, 'hoovering' fits the space perfectly. |
| Q18 | healthy | Care workers try to ensure this is healthy because it is so important to keep clients fit and well | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that care workers try to make sure the food they make is healthy. This is because it is very important to help the people they care for stay strong and not get sick. Answer Explanation: The answer 'healthy' means the lunch is good for the person's body and helps them stay well. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'healthy' because the passage describes what a care worker does for a second client at lunchtime. The text says they help prepare a 'midday meal', which is another word for lunch. It then states that care workers make sure this meal 'is healthy' to help keep their clients 'fit and well'. |
| Q19 | shopping | When that's finished, the care worker may help the client to carry out their shopping by going with them to the local supermarket | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that after making a meal, the care worker might help the client buy what they need. They go together to a nearby store. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'shopping'. This means the care worker helps the client buy things they need, like food, from a store. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'shopping'. The flowchart asks for an example of an activity a care worker helps with that is outside the client's home. The passage states that a care worker might help a client 'carry out their shopping' by going with them to the 'local supermarket'. This is an activity that takes place out of the home. |
| Q20 | laundry | During the afternoon, a care worker may help a third client with an outdoor activity, which could involve going for a short walk in the local area or taking the laundry to the launderette | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in the afternoon, a care worker might help a client with something to do outside. One example is taking the client's clothes (laundry) to a place to get them washed (the launderette). Answer Explanation: The answer means that one of the outside activities a care worker helps with is washing the client's clothes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'laundry' because the flowchart asks for an example of an 'activity that involves going out of their home' for the third client. The passage mentions that a care worker might help with an 'outdoor activity', giving the example of 'taking the laundry to the launderette'. |
| Q21 | wellbeing | The main benefit most people notice once they stop working too much is an improvement in their general health and wellbeing | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the biggest good thing ('main benefit') people see when they stop working so many hours is that they start to feel better in their body ('health') and mind ('wellbeing'). Answer Explanation: The answer 'wellbeing' means the feeling of being happy, healthy, and comfortable. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'wellbeing' because the passage states that the biggest advantage ('main benefit') people see when they work fewer hours is an 'improvement in their general health and wellbeing'. The question uses the phrase 'feeling better physically', which is another way of saying 'improvement in general health'. The missing word in the question, which is an 'increased sense of...', corresponds directly to 'wellbeing'. |
| Q22 | injuries | Ensure that your workstation is set up so you're as comfortable as possible and this will help to minimise the chance of any injuries | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should make your work area, like your desk and chair, very comfortable. This will help make it less likely that you will hurt your body. Answer Explanation: The answer 'injuries' means physical harm or damage to your body. The sentence says that people who work at desks should arrange their workspace well to prevent getting hurt. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'injuries' because the passage advises office workers using a computer to set up their 'workstation' to be comfortable. A 'workstation' includes a desk, chair, and screen. The text explains that this action will help 'minimise the chance of any injuries'. The word 'avoid' in the question means the same as 'minimise the chance of', so the thing to be avoided is injuries. |
| Q23 | realistic | Setting goals for both your professional and personal life is great. Remember though, to make these realistic, because setting an unattainable goal is the quickest way to damage your confidence | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that having goals is a good idea. However, it also says you must make sure your goals are 'realistic,' which means they are possible to do. If a goal is impossible to reach (or 'unattainable'), it can make you feel less sure of yourself. Answer Explanation: The answer 'realistic' means that the goals or targets you set for yourself should be possible to achieve. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'realistic' because the passage advises on setting goals. The question uses the word 'targets', which means the same as 'goals' in the text. The passage clearly states that you should 'make these realistic'. It warns against setting 'unattainable' goals, which is the opposite of realistic, as this can harm your confidence. |
| Q24 | prioritise / prioritize | Sometimes it's easier said than done, but if you're juggling numerous pieces of work on a daily basis, learning to prioritise is key | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when you have many different jobs to do every day ('juggling numerous pieces of work'), it is very important ('key') to learn how to decide which tasks to do first. This skill is called 'prioritise'. Answer Explanation: The answer 'prioritise' means to decide which tasks are the most important and need to be done first, especially when you have many things to do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'prioritise' because the question asks what is 'vital' when you have 'many different tasks'. The passage gives advice for when you are 'juggling numerous pieces of work', which is another way of saying 'many different tasks'. The text then states that 'learning to prioritise is key'. The word 'key' has a similar meaning to 'vital', meaning very important. Therefore, learning to prioritise is the vital ability. |
| Q25 | productivity | If you've got nothing nice to look forward to and can only see a long line of work days ahead of you, this can easily become overwhelming and ultimately hinder your productivity | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you don't have any fun or happy things planned, and you only think about working, you can feel very stressed. This stress will eventually make it difficult for you to work well. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if you don't do fun things you enjoy in your free time, the amount of work you can do might go down. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'productivity' because the passage advises people to 'Ensure you have time to do the things that make you happy'. It explains that if you have 'nothing nice to look forward to', this can 'hinder your productivity'. The word 'hinder' means to make something work less well, so it has a similar meaning to 'decreases'. The question talks about giving up 'treats', which is similar to having 'nothing nice to look forward to'. |
| Q26 | holiday | It's there for a reason and there are no prizes for giving it up, so make sure you take your annual holiday entitlement | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you have a right to your yearly vacation time for a good reason. You will not get a reward for not taking it. Therefore, you should make sure to use all the vacation days that you are given. Answer Explanation: The answer "holiday" refers to the time off from work that a person is allowed to take. The sentence means it is a good idea to use all the vacation time you get from your job each year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "holiday" because the passage gives advice about taking time off from work. The question mentions using the "full amount of ... allowance every year." The passage has a similar idea, stating, "make sure you take your annual holiday entitlement." The word "annual" means "every year", and "entitlement" means the amount you are allowed, which is the same as an "allowance." |
| Q27 | pets | Family, friends and favourite pets are the ultimate life enhancers | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that your family, your friends, and your favorite pets are the things that make your life the best it can be. Answer Explanation: The answer 'pets' means animals that you keep at home, like a dog or a cat, for company and happiness. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'pets' because the question asks what else, besides close companions (friends) and relatives (family), is a great way to relax. The last paragraph of the passage lists 'Family, friends and favourite pets' as 'life enhancers' and says spending time with them is the 'best way to unwind', which means to relax. |