How To Become A Great Leader & Resigning From A Job In A Professional Manner - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 19 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-21. ====
How to Become a Great Leader
Stepping into a new management role can be unnerving. Here’s how to inspire your team:
Set the tone of your leadership style from the outset. Be confident, self-assured, and respectful with everyone you meet. Speak as you want to be spoken to, and remember to listen. The first few weeks are when people develop their perceptions of you, so work hard to earn their trust. This will be key to effective change and progress.
Part of a leader’s brief is to set bold goals. They could take years to achieve, but they need to be specific enough that everyone in the organization understands them, buys into them, and is willing to work together to achieve them.
Don’t do everything yourself. Great leaders surround themselves with talented individuals and they should trust them to make things happen. If things need changing, tell people and involve them in making the changes by participating in the design of a new strategy. If the team is too cautious to embrace change, give them one more chance but be clearer about what you want.
Stamp out the ‘them and us’ culture. In many organizations, employees feel distant from senior management. The message must be plain: we all work together, but leaders need to work hard to ensure this filters through to everyone in the organization.
Allow time for innovation. It’s important to give staff time to come up with new ideas and solutions that will fix new problems. However, be clear that a decision is expected; set a time limit and stick to it.
It is likely that the formula that makes the business you are managing successful will have been created many years ago – but it’s important to remember how the business started. Honour those early pioneers and instil a sense of pride across the organization.
Leaders need to accept that some risk may be required if the situation calls for it. Playing it safe is never a good business rule, and leaders must make sure their business stays ahead by being prepared to act quickly.
Show you are passionate and enthusiastic. People spend a large part of their lives working for an organization, and having a leader who is genuinely thrilled about its future is hugely inspiring.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 22-27. ====
Resigning from a Job in a Professional Manner
When you take the decision to resign and move on to another job, you might really want to dance your way out of the door, or get your own back by criticising your boss to the whole office. But you need to resist these temptations because in future you might find you’re working with your ex-line manager or other colleagues in a different company.
Letting your manager know
Show courtesy by telling your boss first. Request a meeting to say that you’re leaving, following up soon after with an official letter. Before the meeting with your boss, write a list of ongoing tasks along with status updates and suggestions concerning completion. Use the meeting to clarify any other points, such as your notice period and leaving date, and how you will inform others (colleagues or external clients, contacts and suppliers). Ask about a reference too; your employer may only supply the most basic type but your line manager might also give you a more personal one. Making sure you get a good one can make subsequent job hunting less stressful.
Preparation
Work out how you can ensure a smooth transition and minimise disruption to your employer. There may be a range of things you can do to hand over professionally, such as completing projects, working out the priorities with your line manager, and leaving clear documentation for the successor in your post concerning processes or software.
Your letter of resignation
Keep your letter short. You don’t need to give lots of explanations or justification for why you’re leaving. Don’t be tempted to address the failings of the company or your boss, either. Instead, thanking your employer for the job and mentioning what you appreciated about it is a graceful touch. Here’s an idea of what to include:
- First paragraph – the basics:
Inform the employer that you wish to resign and confirm the agreed final date at work.
- Second paragraph – thank your employer:
Mention any particular career-building projects you worked on or opportunities to develop skills and contribute to the employer’s goals and successes. You can also mention your appreciation at being able to work in a great team.
- Third paragraph – handover:
State your willingness to finish existing projects and hand over your work smoothly.
Questions
Questions 15–21 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.
- Initially, a leader needs to focus on gaining the 15 of the staff.
- A leader should decide on 16 that their staff are happy to fulfil.
- Leaders should involve their staff in the process of producing a different 17.
- If tricky issues arise, leaders should give staff the space to find 18 to them.
- Leaders need to encourage their staff to feel 19 in the past achievements of the company.
- It is important for leaders to agree to a certain degree of 20 when necessary.
- If leaders find the 21 of the company exciting, their staff will be more motivated to work hard.
Questions 22–27 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer. Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
The best way to resign
Avoid all 22 to resign in an angry way. Instead, follow this procedure:
Arrange a meeting with the boss to:
- mention any projects which are underway and give ideas for their 23.
- discuss how much notice you need to give before you go.
- request information on the type of 24 you will receive.
Steps you can take before you leave:
- Work to cause as little 25 as possible to the organisation.
- Make sure your successor has adequate guidance on the organisation’s systems.
In the resignation letter:
- avoid mentioning any 26 in the organisation.
- show appreciation for aspects of the job, e.g., the chance to improve your 27.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | trust | The first few weeks are when people develop their perceptions of you, so work hard to earn their trust | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in the beginning, people form their opinion of you. Because of this, you must try very hard to make them believe in you and feel you are reliable. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'trust', means the feeling that you can believe someone is good, honest, and will not harm you. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'trust' because the passage explains what a new leader should do at the beginning of their role. The question uses the word 'initially', which means 'at the beginning'. The passage states that in the 'first few weeks', it is important to 'earn their trust'. The word 'gaining' in the question is similar in meaning to 'earn' in the passage. |
| Q16 | goals | Part of a leader's brief is to set bold goals. They could take years to achieve, but they need to be specific enough that everyone in the organization understands them, buys into them, and is willing to work together to achieve them | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a leader's job includes setting big goals. These goals must be clear so that all employees can understand them, agree with them, and want to work together to make them happen. Answer Explanation: The answer is "goals". Goals are targets or things you want to achieve. The sentence means that a leader should choose targets that the staff will be happy to work towards. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "goals" because the passage states that a leader's job is to "set bold goals". It then explains that these goals must be clear enough for everyone to "understand them, buy into them, and be willing to work together to achieve them". The phrases "buy into them" and "willing to work" mean that the staff are happy to fulfil or complete these goals. |
| Q17 | strategy | If things need changing, tell people and involve them in making the changes by participating in the design of a new strategy | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when you need to do things in a new way, you should tell your team and ask them to help. You should let them be part of creating a new plan. Answer Explanation: The answer 'strategy' means a new plan or a new way of doing things. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'strategy' because the passage explains what a leader should do when changes are needed. It says leaders should 'involve' their people in creating a 'new strategy'. The question uses the phrases 'involve their staff' and 'producing a different', which are very similar in meaning to the advice in the passage. |
| Q18 | solutions | It's important to give staff time to come up with new ideas and solutions that will fix new problems | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says leaders should make sure their workers have time. This time is for thinking of new ideas and answers ('solutions') to solve new difficulties ('problems'). Answer Explanation: The answer means that when there are difficult problems, leaders should give their employees time and freedom to find answers to fix them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'solutions' because the passage advises leaders to 'Allow time for innovation'. It explains this means it is 'important to give staff time to come up with new ideas and solutions that will fix new problems'. The phrase 'tricky issues' in the question is another way of saying 'new problems', and the text states that staff should find 'solutions' for them. |
| Q19 | pride | it's important to remember how the business started. Honour those early pioneers and instil a sense of pride across the organization | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a leader should remember the history of the company. Leaders should also respect the first people who worked for the company and help all employees feel proud of what the company has achieved in the past. Answer Explanation: The answer means to feel happy and pleased about something you or your group has done well. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'pride' because the sentence talks about what leaders should encourage staff to feel about the company's 'past achievements'. The passage advises leaders to 'Honour those early pioneers' and 'instil a sense of pride'. 'Early pioneers' and remembering 'how the business started' are examples of past achievements. The word 'instil' means to encourage or put a feeling into someone, so leaders should encourage 'pride'. |
| Q20 | risk | Leaders need to accept that some risk may be required if the situation calls for it | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that leaders must understand that sometimes they have to take a chance (a risk) when a situation needs it. They cannot always play it safe. Answer Explanation: The answer means that leaders need to be willing to take chances or face possible danger when a situation requires it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'risk' because the passage says, 'Leaders need to accept that some risk may be required if the situation calls for it'. The question uses similar words: 'agree to' means 'accept', and 'when necessary' means 'if the situation calls for it'. This shows a direct link between the question and the word 'risk' in the text. |
| Q21 | future | People spend a large part of their lives working for an organization, and having a leader who is genuinely thrilled about its future is hugely inspiring | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that workers spend a lot of time at their jobs. It also says that when a leader is very excited and happy about what the company will achieve in the time to come, this feeling makes the workers want to work harder. Answer Explanation: The answer is "future". This means the time that will come after the present. If a leader is excited about what the company will do later, the workers will feel more encouraged to work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "future" because the question asks what leaders should find exciting to motivate their staff. The passage states that having a leader who is "genuinely thrilled about its future is hugely inspiring." In this context, "thrilled" means very excited, and "inspiring" means motivating. The sentence directly connects a leader's excitement about the company's future to motivating the staff. |
| Q22 | temptations | But you need to resist these temptations because in future you might find you're working with your ex-line manager or other colleagues in a different company | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you must not act on the strong feelings to leave your job angrily. This is important because you might see and work with your old boss or coworkers at a new job in the future. Answer Explanation: The answer 'temptations' means strong feelings that make you want to do something bad or wrong, like leaving your job in an angry way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'temptations' because the passage advises you to 'resist' these feelings. The question asks what you should 'avoid' when you feel like resigning in an angry manner. The text specifically mentions wanting to criticize your boss but then says, 'But you need to resist these temptations'. The word 'avoid' in the question means the same as 'resist' in the passage. |
| Q23 | completion | Before the meeting with your boss, write a list of ongoing tasks along with status updates and suggestions concerning completion | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that before you meet your manager, you should make a list of all your unfinished work. With this list, you should also include your ideas about how this work can be finished. Answer Explanation: The answer 'completion' means finishing something, like finishing a project or a task. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'completion' because the question asks what ideas you should give for projects that are currently happening. The passage advises that before meeting with your boss to resign, you should prepare a list of 'ongoing tasks' and offer 'suggestions concerning completion'. 'Ongoing tasks' are the same as 'projects which are underway', and 'suggestions' are 'ideas'. Therefore, you should give ideas for their completion, which means how to finish them. |
| Q24 | reference | Ask about a reference too; your employer may only supply the most basic type but your line manager might also give you a more personal one | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage suggests that you should ask your boss for a reference. It explains that there are different kinds of references you can get: a simple one from the company or a more personal one from your manager. Answer Explanation: The answer means a letter from your old boss that tells a new boss about how well you worked. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'reference'. The notes say you should 'request information on the type of' something you will get. The passage advises, 'Ask about a reference too; your employer may only supply the most basic type...'. The phrase 'Ask about' is similar to 'request information on', and the word 'type' is used in both the notes and the text, making 'reference' the correct word for the blank. |
| Q25 | disruption | Work out how you can ensure a smooth transition and minimise disruption to your employer | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you should think about how to leave your job in a way that is easy for the company and does not cause problems. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'disruption', which means a problem that stops something from happening in the usual way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'disruption' because the notes say you should 'work to cause as little [blank] as possible'. The passage advises to 'minimise disruption to your employer' in the section about preparation before leaving. 'Minimise' means to make something very small, which is the same as causing 'as little' of it as possible. Therefore, 'disruption' fits the meaning perfectly. |
| Q26 | failings | Don't be tempted to address the failings of the company or your boss, either | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when you write your resignation letter, you should not talk about the problems or bad things about the company or your manager. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'failings', which means the problems or weaknesses of something or someone. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'failings' because the notes say to 'avoid mentioning' certain things in the resignation letter. The passage gives advice on what not to write, stating, 'Don't be tempted to address the failings of the company'. 'Avoid mentioning' means the same as 'don't be tempted to address'. |
| Q27 | skills | Mention any particular career-building projects you worked on or opportunities to develop skills and contribute to the employer's goals and successes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage suggests that in your resignation letter, you should talk about the chances you had to learn new abilities (skills) that helped your career and the company. Answer Explanation: The answer is "skills". This means you have learned new abilities or gotten better at a certain job function. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "skills". The question asks you to identify something you should be thankful for in your resignation letter, specifically the 'chance to improve your...' The passage advises mentioning 'opportunities to develop skills' in the second paragraph of the letter. The word 'opportunities' is similar to 'chance', and 'develop' is similar to 'improve', making 'skills' the perfect word to complete the sentence. |