FORMAL DRESS CODE FOR COMPANY EMPLOYEES & JLP RETAIL: STAFF BENEFITS - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 09 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 15-21.
FORMAL DRESS CODE FOR COMPANY EMPLOYEES
At TransitEuropean, the company's objective in establishing a formal dress code is to enable our employees to project the professional image that is in keeping with the needs of our clients and customers who seek our guidance, input, and professional services. Because our industry requires the appearance of trusted business professionals and we serve clients at our site on a daily basis, a more formal dress code is necessary for our employees.
Formal Dress Code Guidelines
In a formal business environment, the standard of dressing for men and women is a suit. Alternatively a jacket may be worn with appropriate accessories. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. Clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. No dress code can cover all contingencies so employees must exert a certain amount of judgement in their choice of clothing to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty, please ask your supervisor for advice.
Shoes and Footwear
Conservative walking shoes, dress shoes, loafers, boots, flats, dress heels, and backless shoes are acceptable for work. Not wearing stockings or socks is inappropriate. Tennis shoes and any shoe with an open toe are not acceptable in the office.
Accessories and Jewellery
The wearing of ties, scarves, belts, and jewellery is encouraged, provided they are tasteful. Items which are flashy should be avoided.
Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne
A professional appearance is encouraged and excessive makeup is unprofessional. Remember that some employees may have allergic reactions to the chemicals in perfumes and makeup, so wear these substances in moderation.
Hats and Head Covering
Hats are not appropriate in the office. Head covers that are required for reasons of faith or to honour cultural tradition are permitted.
Dress Down Days
Certain days can be declared dress down days, generally Fridays. On these days, business casual clothing is allowed. Clothing that has our company logo is strongly encouraged. Sports team, university, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable. However, you may wish to keep a jacket in your office in case a client unexpectedly appears.
Violation of Dress Code
If clothing fails to meet these standards, as determined by the employee's supervisor, the employee will be asked not to wear the inappropriate item to work again. If the problem persists, the employee will receive a verbal warning and may be sent home to change clothes.
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Read the text below and answer Questions 22-27.
JLP RETAIL: STAFF BENEFITS
Whatever your role, your pay range will be extremely competitive and reviewed in the light of your progress. In addition to your salary, you will enjoy an array of excellent benefits from the moment you join the company.
Paid holiday
The holiday entitlement is four weeks per year, rising to five weeks after three years (or in the case of IT graduate trainees, after promotion to programmer or trainee analyst). There are further long-service increases for most staff after ten or fifteen years. Managers, including graduate trainees, receive five weeks' holiday from the outset.
Pension scheme
We offer a non-contributory final salary pension scheme, payable from the age of 60, to most staff who have completed the qualifying period of five years.
Life assurance
Our life assurance scheme pays a sum equivalent to three times your annual salary to your nominated beneficiary.
Discounts
After three months' service, all staff are entitled to a 12% discount on most purchases from the company's stores. This rises to 25% after one year's service.
Subsidised dining room
In most sites, we provide a dining room where you can enjoy excellent food at very reasonable prices.
Holiday and leisure facilities
The business owns a number of residential clubs which offer subsidised holiday accommodation for staff with at least three years' service.
Sports clubs
We support an extensive range of sports activities including football, netball, golf, skiing, sailing, squash, riding and gliding.
Ticket subsidies
Ticket subsidies of 50% of the cost of plays or concerts are available. Staff may also take advantage of corporate membership to bodies such as the Science Museum.
Education subsidies
We give generous financial support to staff who wish to acquire leisure skills or continue their education, e.g. through the Open University or evening classes.
Extended leave
Staff who complete 25 years' service can enjoy paid sabbatical leave of up to six months.
Health services
We have an occupational health service staffed by full-time doctors and health advisers.
Financial help, benefits and discounted deals
In cases of particular hardship, we will help staff with a loan. We have also negotiated a range of benefits for staff such as discounted private healthcare and a car purchase scheme, along with a number of one-off deals with hotels and amusement parks.
Questions
Questions 15–21 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.
NOTES ON COMPANY DRESS CODE
Aim of formal dress code: to present a 15 to clients
Acceptable types of formal clothing: jacket or suit
State of clothes: they must be 16 and in good condition
Footwear: tennis shoes and open toe shoes are not allowed
Accessories: ties, scarves, belts and jewellery may be worn
- these must be 17 and not brightly coloured
Make up: avoid wearing too much make up and perfume
- these sometimes cause 18
Hats: hats should not be worn
- head covers in line with religious reasons or 19 are allowed
Dressing down: casual clothing is allowed on some Fridays
- clothing with the 20 on it is recommended
Breaking the dress code: if advice is repeatedly ignored, a 21 is given
Questions 22–27 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 22-27 on your answer sheet.
- Pay increases depend on the 22 that each member of staff makes.
- Employees must work a minimum of 23 to be eligible for a pension.
- Staff may take a holiday at one of the 24 provided by the company.
- The company pay half the seat price for 25 and plays.
- The company gives financial assistance for both educational courses and 26 as part of staff development.
- Employees may be entitled to a 27 if they find themselves in difficult circumstances.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | professional image | At TransitEuropean, the company's objective in establishing a formal dress code is to enable our employees to project the professional image that is in keeping with the needs of our clients and customers who seek our guidance, input, and professional services | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the reason (objective) for the dress rules is to allow the workers to show (project) a serious and expert appearance (professional image) to the people they work with (clients and customers). Answer Explanation: The answer refers to looking like a serious, expert, and trustworthy business person. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'professional image' because the text states that the company's 'objective' (which is a synonym for 'aim' used in the notes) for the dress code is to help employees 'project' (which means to show or present) this specific look to their clients. The notes ask for the goal of the dress code, and the passage directly links the goal to this phrase. |
| Q16 | pressed | Clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that workers' clothes must be ironed so they look neat and do not have any messy lines or folds. Answer Explanation: The answer 'pressed' means that clothes should be flat and smooth, usually after being ironed to remove any lines. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the section about 'Formal Dress Code Guidelines'. The text lists how clothes should look, stating that they must not be messy (torn or dirty) and specifically says they should be 'pressed' so that they do not have any wrinkles or folds. This matches the requirement in the notes regarding the 'state of clothes'. |
| Q17 | tasteful | The wearing of ties, scarves, belts, and jewellery is encouraged, provided they are tasteful. Items which are flashy should be avoided | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that employees should wear accessories that look professional ("tasteful"). It also says they should not wear things that are "flashy," meaning items that are too bright or attract too much attention. Answer Explanation: The answer "tasteful" means that items like jewelry and belts should look nice, simple, and professional. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "tasteful" because the passage says that employees can wear accessories if they are "tasteful." It also mentions that "flashy" items should be avoided, which is similar to the note's phrase "not brightly coloured." |
| Q18 | allergic reactions | Remember that some employees may have allergic reactions to the chemicals in perfumes and makeup, so wear these substances in moderation | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that some workers might get sick or have skin problems because of the ingredients in perfume and makeup, so people should only use a little bit of them. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to physical symptoms or health problems that some people experience when they are near certain chemicals or smells. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because the 'Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne' section of the text specifically mentions that these products can cause 'allergic reactions' to other staff members due to the chemicals they contain. This explains why employees should not wear too much of them. |
| Q19 | cultural tradition | Head covers that are required for reasons of faith or to honour cultural tradition are permitted | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that people can wear head coverings if they need to for their religion or to show respect for their culture's long-standing traditions. Answer Explanation: The answer means that employees are allowed to wear items on their heads if it is part of their culture's traditional customs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cultural tradition' because the passage states that while hats are generally not allowed, certain head covers are exceptions. Specifically, it mentions that head covers used for 'faith' (which maps to 'religious reasons' in the notes) or to 'honour cultural tradition' are permitted. Therefore, 'cultural tradition' is the missing term that completes the rule about allowable head coverings. |
| Q20 | company logo | Clothing that has our company logo is strongly encouraged | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when the dress code is less formal, employees are very much invited to wear clothes that show the official symbol of the business. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the special picture or design that represents the company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is derived from the 'Dress Down Days' section of the passage. It states that while business casual clothing is allowed on these days, wearing items featuring the 'company logo' is highly recommended or 'strongly encouraged.' |
| Q21 | verbal warning | If the problem persists, the employee will receive a verbal warning and may be sent home to change clothes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if a worker keeps wearing the wrong clothes, they will be given a spoken warning and might even be sent home to find better clothing. Answer Explanation: The answer means a manager speaks to an employee to tell them they have done something wrong and must not do it again. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "verbal warning" because the text describes what happens when a dress code issue continues. The phrase 'If the problem persists' in the text matches 'if advice is repeatedly ignored' in the task. In this situation, the text states that the next step is for the worker to receive a spoken notice about their behavior. |
| Q22 | progress | Whatever your role, your pay range will be extremely competitive and reviewed in the light of your progress | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that no matter what job you do, the company will check how much you have improved at work to decide your pay. Answer Explanation: The answer 'progress' explains that a worker's improvement or development at work determines if their pay will go up. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'progress' because the text states that the pay range is 'reviewed in the light of your progress.' This means that as an employee moves forward or improves in their job, the company looks at their pay level to see if it should increase. |
| Q23 | five years / 5 years | We offer a non-contributory final salary pension scheme, payable from the age of 60, to most staff who have completed the qualifying period of five years | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that for most workers, the company's pension plan starts after they have finished working there for five years. Answer Explanation: The answer "five years" is the number of years a worker must stay with the company before they can get pension money when they are older. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "five years" because the text says workers must finish a "qualifying period" of five years to get the pension. A "qualifying period" is the shortest time you must work to be allowed to receive a benefit. |
| Q24 | residential clubs / clubs | The business owns a number of residential clubs which offer subsidised holiday accommodation for staff with at least three years' service | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the company has several residential clubs where staff members who have worked there for three years or more can find cheap places to stay during their holidays. Answer Explanation: The answer means that employees can stay at special buildings called residential clubs when they go on vacation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is derived from the 'Holiday and leisure facilities' section of the text. It states that the company owns 'residential clubs' that provide workers with a place to stay (accommodation) for their holidays at a lower price (subsidised). These clubs are the specific locations 'provided by the company' for staff holidays. |
| Q25 | concerts | Ticket subsidies of 50% of the cost of plays or concerts are available | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the company helps staff buy tickets by paying half (50%) of the total price for plays and musical shows. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to musical performances where people go to listen to musicians or singers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'concerts' because the text mentions that the company offers 'Ticket subsidies of 50%'. In English, '50%' is the same as 'half'. The text specifically lists 'plays or concerts' as the two types of events they help pay for. |
| Q26 | leisure skills | We give generous financial support to staff who wish to acquire leisure skills or continue their education, e.g. through the Open University or evening classes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the company pays for workers to learn things they enjoy in their spare time or to keep studying at a university. Answer Explanation: The answer means things you learn to do for fun or as a hobby during your free time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'leisure skills' because the text mentions that the company provides money ('generous financial support') to help workers either learn 'leisure skills' or 'continue their education'. These two categories match the 'educational courses' and the blank space mentioned in the sentence. |
| Q27 | loan | In cases of particular hardship, we will help staff with a loan | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the company will help its employees by giving them borrowed money if they are facing a very difficult situation. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'loan,' which means money that a person borrows from the company and must pay back at a later time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'loan' because the text says that if a worker has a very hard time (referred to as 'particular hardship'), the company will provide them with a loan. The phrase 'difficult circumstances' in the sentence means the same thing as 'hardship' used in the passage. |