Asking For A Raise & Hanson, Inc. Employee Manual – Chapter V: Employee Benefits - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Barrons IELTS Practice Exams General Training Reading Test 6 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 15–20.
Asking for a Raise
If you are thinking about asking for a raise in salary, there are several things to keep in mind. First, consider whether you deserve a higher salary. You probably do, but you should be able to explain exactly why to your boss. Sit down and make a list of your job accomplishments. Be as specific as possible. For example, think about important projects you have worked on, things you have done to improve the organization of work in your department, or how your efforts have brought more money to the company. Also include any professional development opportunities you have taken advantage of recently and be ready to explain how they have improved your performance on the job. By going through the process of listing your accomplishments, not only will you be better prepared when you meet with your boss, you will also feel more confident that you deserve what you are asking for.
Bear in mind that salary levels are based not only on performance but also on the market for your particular skills. Before you ask for a raise, you will need to do some research. You should investigate the industry standards for salaries for people in similar positions with similar levels of experience. This will help you determine what would be a reasonable amount of money to ask for. Your initial request should actually be slightly higher than the amount you want in order to leave some room for negotiation. Then, if you have to go lower than this amount, you still end up with something close to what you want.
A crucial point is the timing of your request. If you have recently been given new responsibilities, it makes sense to ask for a higher level of compensation. On the other hand, if the company is going through financial difficulties, a request for more money will probably not be met with a favorable response. It would be better to wait until the company is in a better financial position. Finally, there is one thing you should never do: Never give personal reasons for wanting a higher salary. Your need to pay your child’s college tuition or buy a bigger house is of no concern to your boss. Your salary level should be based on professional considerations alone, and that is where you need to keep the conversation.
______________
Read the text below and answer Questions 21–27.
Hanson, Inc. Employee Manual - Chapter V: Employee Benefits
Leave
All full-time employees are entitled to a minimum of two weeks of annual leave time. Employees who have completed five years at Hanson are entitled to three weeks of annual leave. After completing ten years at Hanson, employees may have four weeks of annual leave. In order to take advantage of annual leave time, the employee must complete the Request for Annual Leave Form and submit it to his or her supervisor a minimum of thirty days in advance. The supervisor has the final decision about whether to grant the leave as requested. Any annual leave days not used in a calendar year may be rolled over and added to the leave days for the following year. In addition to annual leave, all full-time employees are entitled to ten personal leave days per year. Personal leave days must be used within the calendar year, or they will be forfeited. Part-time employees are entitled to five personal leave days per year.
Health Insurance
Employees may choose to sign up for a company-sponsored health plan. Complete information on the available plans can be requested from the Human Resources Department. Health benefits are also provided for the employee’s spouse and children. The company pays 50 percent of the monthly premiums, with the other 50 percent being deducted from each paycheck. Part-time employees are also eligible for the company-sponsored health plans; the company pays 25 percent of the premiums.
Retirement
Employees may determine how much they wish to contribute to the company retirement fund, up to 5 percent of their salary. Contributions will be deducted from each paycheck. The company will contribute an equal amount to each employee’s retirement fund. This benefit is available to both full-time and part-time employees.
Questions
Questions 15–20 One Choice
Choose the correct answer.
Questions 21–27 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text about employee benefits?
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | C | Sit down and make a list of your job accomplishments | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells you to sit down and write a list of the things you have successfully done in your job. Answer Explanation: The answer choice C means that before asking for a pay increase, you should write down a list of all the good things you have done at work that justify why you deserve more money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text specifically tells the reader to sit down and write out a list of their work accomplishments before speaking to their manager. This helps the employee be ready to explain the exact reasons why they deserve a higher salary. Options A and B are incorrect because the text does not say to send the list to the boss beforehand, nor does it require you to take new courses right before asking. |
| Q16 | B | By going through the process of listing your accomplishments, not only will you be better prepared when you meet with your boss, you will also feel more confident that you deserve what you are asking for | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when you write down the good things you have done at work, you will be prepared for the meeting and feel sure of yourself. Answer Explanation: The answer means that getting ready before speaking to your boss will make you feel more confident in yourself. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text explicitly states that making a list of your achievements helps you prepare and makes you "feel more confident" about asking for a raise. The phrase "feel more self-assured" is a synonym for feeling more confident. |
| Q17 | A | You should investigate the industry standards for salaries for people in similar positions with similar levels of experience | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that you ought to check the normal pay rates for workers who do the same kind of work and have the same level of experience as you. Answer Explanation: The answer means you need to look up how much money other workers doing similar jobs in your industry get paid. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text suggests that before asking for more pay, you must do research. Specifically, it says you should 'investigate the industry standards for salaries for people in similar positions', which means finding out the pay rate for other workers in your field. |
| Q18 | A | Your initial request should actually be slightly higher than the amount you want in order to leave some room for negotiation | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that your first asking price should be a little bit higher than what you really want so that you have room to talk and reach an agreement. Answer Explanation: The answer means that when you ask for a pay increase, you should ask for a little bit more money than what you actually hope to get. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is choice A because the text directly advises that your first pay request should be slightly higher than what you want. This gives you space to negotiate (talk and compromise), so if you have to lower your price, you will still get close to your target amount. The words 'slightly higher than the amount you want' match choice A's 'slightly more money than you want.' |
| Q19 | C | If you have recently been given new responsibilities, it makes sense to ask for a higher level of compensation | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that if you got new work duties not long ago, asking for more money is a good and logical decision. Answer Explanation: The answer means that it is a good idea to ask for more pay right after you start doing extra tasks at work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the passage explains that timing is very important, and it is logical to ask for a higher salary ("a higher level of compensation") right after you receive extra duties ("new responsibilities"). |
| Q20 | A | Your salary level should be based on professional considerations alone, and that is where you need to keep the conversation | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that your pay must depend only on work-related reasons, and you should keep your talk focused on those work topics. Answer Explanation: The answer means that when you talk about getting a pay increase, you should only talk about work-related topics. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text clearly advises that pay increases should depend only on work-related matters, and you should keep the talk focused strictly on these professional topics rather than personal money problems. Keywords like 'professional considerations alone' directly match the idea of discussing 'professional topics only'. |
| Q21 | FALSE | All full-time employees are entitled to a minimum of two weeks of annual leave time | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that every full-time worker gets at least two weeks of yearly paid time off. Answer Explanation: The answer FALSE means that the statement gives incorrect information compared to what is written in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because all full-time workers receive at least two weeks of annual leave (vacation time), not three weeks. Employees only get three weeks of annual leave after working at the company for five years. |
| Q22 | TRUE | In order to take advantage of annual leave time, the employee must complete the Request for Annual Leave Form and submit it to his or her supervisor a minimum of thirty days in advance | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that workers must fill out a leave form and give it to their manager at least thirty days (one month) before they can take their vacation time. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE because the statement matches the information given in the passage. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage explicitly states that an employee must hand in their leave request form at least 'thirty days' before using their leave. In English, 'thirty days' is equal to 'a month', and 'a minimum of ... in advance' means it must be requested ahead of time by that amount. |
| Q23 | NOT GIVEN | All full-time employees are entitled to a minimum of two weeks of annual leave time | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains the annual leave amount for full-time workers, but it does not mention any rules about annual leave for part-time workers. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the text does not state how much annual leave part-time workers receive. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the passage mentions annual leave for full-time workers and personal leave for part-time workers, it never mentions annual leave for part-time employees. Therefore, there is no information to confirm or deny the statement. |
| Q24 | TRUE | Personal leave days must be used within the calendar year, or they will be forfeited | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that workers must use their personal days off before the end of the year, or else they will lose those days. Answer Explanation: The answer "TRUE" means that the statement correctly matches the information provided in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text specifically mentions that personal leave days must be used within the calendar year, otherwise they will be forfeited. The word "forfeited" means lost or taken away, which directly matches the phrase "will be lost" in the question statement. |
| Q25 | TRUE | The company pays 50 percent of the monthly premiums, with the other 50 percent being deducted from each paycheck | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the business pays 50 percent (half) of the monthly health insurance cost, while the worker pays the remaining 50 percent. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the business pays 50% of the insurance costs every month for workers who work full-time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage states that the company covers 50 percent of the monthly health plan costs (premiums). Since 50 percent means half, the statement correctly matches the information in the text. |
| Q26 | FALSE | Part-time employees are also eligible for the company-sponsored health plans; the company pays 25 percent of the premiums | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage clearly explains that part-time workers can sign up for the company's health insurance plans and that the company helps pay for it. Answer Explanation: The answer choice "FALSE" means that the statement in the question is incorrect according to the passage. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because part-time workers can actually get health insurance through the company. The text states that part-time employees are eligible for company-sponsored health plans, and the company pays 25 percent of the cost. |
| Q27 | FALSE | Employees may determine how much they wish to contribute to the company retirement fund, up to 5 percent of their salary | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that workers can decide how much money they want to put into their retirement account, and the highest amount allowed is 5 percent of their pay. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE because the statement gives incorrect information compared to what is written in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text says workers can choose ("determine") how much money they want to give ("contribute"), and 5 percent is only the maximum amount ("up to 5 percent"). They do not have to ("must") give 5 percent. |