How To Make Your Working Day More Enjoyable & How To Get Promoted - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-20 ====
How to make your working day more enjoyable
Research shows that work takes up approximately a third of our lives. Most of us get so bogged down with day-to-day tasks though, that we easily forget why we originally applied for the job and what we can get out of it. Here are a few ideas for how to make your working day better.
Physical changes to your work environment can make a massive difference to how you feel. Get some green plants or a family photo for your desk. File all those odd bits of paper or throw them away. All of these little touches can make your work environment feel like it’s yours. Make sure any screens you have are at a suitable height so you’re not straining your neck and shoulders.
Humans need a change of environment every now and then to improve productivity. Go out at lunchtime for a quick walk. If you have the option, it’s a good idea to work from home occasionally. And if there’s a conference coming up, ask if you can go along to it. Not only will you practise your networking skills, but you’ll also have a day away from the office.
Use coffee time to get to know a colleague you don’t usually speak to. There’s no point in getting away from staring at one thing though, only to replace it with another; so leave your mobile alone! Another tip is to try and stay out of office gossip. In the long run it could get you in more trouble than you realise.
When you’re trying to focus on something, hunger is the worst thing, if you can, keep some healthy snacks in your desk because if you have something you can nibble on, it will make you work more effectively and you’ll enjoy it more. Also, if you’re dehydrated, you won’t be able to focus properly. So keep drinking water.
Finally, if you’ve been dreaming about starting up a big project for some time, do it! There are so many different things you can do to get you enjoying work more each day.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27 ====
How to get promoted
If you’re sitting at your desk wondering whether this will be the year you finally get promoted, here are some tips.
It starts with you. You are perhaps the most important part in the ‘promotion process’, so you need to know what you want – and why you want it. Take an honest look at yourself – your achievements and also your skills, particularly those you could exploit to take on a different role.
Your boss is the gatekeeper. If you think your boss is likely to be on your side, ask for a meeting to discuss your serious commitment to the organisation and how this could translate into a more defined career plan. If you are less sure about your boss’s view of your prospects and how they may react, start softly with a more deliberate focus on increasing your boss’s understanding of the work you do and the added value you deliver.
Think about how you are perceived at work. In order for you to get your promotion, who needs to know about you? Who would be on the interview panel and whose opinion and input would they seek? And once you’ve got a list of people to impress, ask yourself – do they know enough about you? And I mean really know – what you do day to day at your desk, your contribution to the team, and perhaps most importantly, your potential.
The chances are that those decision-makers won’t know ail they should about you. Raising your profile in your organisation is critical so that when those in charge start looking at that empty office and considering how best to fill it, the first name that pops into their heads is yours. If your firm has a newsletter, volunteer to write a feature to include in it. If they arrange regular client events, get involved in the organisation of them. And so on.
If you think your experience needs enhancing, then look at ways you can continue to improve it. If you are confident in your professional expertise but lack the latest management theory, enrol on some relevant courses that fit around your day job.
So what are you waiting for?
Questions
Questions 15–20 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
- Bringing a personal 15 to work will make the place feel more homely.
- It is important to check the position of all 16 before use to avoid pulling any muscles.
- Leaving the office in the middle of the day may help to raise 17 later on.
- It is advisable to avoid checking a 18 during breaks.
- Getting involved in 19 at work may have negative results.
- Having a few 20 available can help people concentrate better at work.
Questions 21–27 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text.
Steps to take to achieve a promotion
- First step: examine past successes and any 21 that would help gain promotion
- Set up a meeting with your boss to talk about:
o how best to use your high level of 22 in future
o or how much extra 23 you already bring to the company
- Focus on the important people in the company:
o find out which ones will be members of the 24 who decide on the promotion
o consider how much they are aware of your 25 for the future
- Take steps to raise your profile by:
o offering to create a feature for a company publication
o participating in the 26 of events for customers
- Work on self-development: take any 27 that fill in gaps in knowledge
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Photo | Get some green plants or a family photo for your desk | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says to put a family picture on your desk. This helps make your workspace feel more like home. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Photo'. It means a picture, especially one of family or friends, that you can put on your desk at work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Photo' because the passage says that one way to make your work environment better is to get a family photo for your desk. This makes your workspace feel more personal and welcoming. |
| Q16 | Screens | Make sure any screens you have are at a suitable height so you're not straining your neck and shoulders | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says to check your screens' height. This means you should adjust them so that they don't hurt your neck and shoulders. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Screens'. It means the machines like computers or monitors we look at while we work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Screens' because the passage talks about making sure your screens are at a suitable height. This is important for avoiding neck and shoulder pain. |
| Q17 | Productivity | Humans need a change of environment every now and then to improve productivity | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that people need to change their surroundings sometimes to help them work better. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Productivity' means how much work you can get done in a day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Productivity' because the passage talks about how changing your environment or going outside can help you do your work better. It mentions that sometimes you need a change to work well, which is related to being productive. |
| Q18 | Mobile | there's no point in getting away from staring at one thing though, only to replace it with another; so leave your mobile alone | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage is saying that you shouldn't just stop looking at your work to look at your mobile. It suggests that it is better to rest your eyes and mind instead of using your phone. Answer Explanation: The answer means 'mobile' or 'cell phone' in this context. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'mobile' because the passage mentions that you should avoid checking a mobile during breaks. This means that looking at your phone all the time is not good for you while you take a break from work. |
| Q19 | Gossip | Another tip is to try and stay out of office gossip. In the long run it could get you in more trouble than you realise | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage suggests avoiding office gossip because it can lead to trouble later. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'gossip'. It means talking about other people's private things, especially when they are not there. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'gossip' because the passage advises people to stay away from office gossip. It says that following gossip could lead to problems at work. This means talking about others in an unkind or secret way can get you into trouble. |
| Q20 | Snacks | When you're trying to focus on something, hunger is the worst thing, if you can, keep some healthy snacks in your desk because if you have something you can nibble on, it will make you work more effectively and you'll enjoy it more | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that if you want to focus and not feel hungry while working, it is good to keep healthy snacks at your desk. Having snacks helps you to work better and feel happier. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'snacks'. This means small foods that you can eat between meals. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'snacks' because the passage says that keeping some healthy snacks in your desk can help you work better and enjoy your work more. If you have something to eat, it helps you not to feel hungry and can make you focus better. |
| Q21 | Skills | Take an honest look at yourself – your achievements and also your skills, particularly those you could exploit to take on a different role | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should think about your past successes and the abilities you have, especially those that can help you in a new job. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'skills', which means the abilities or talents you have that help you do your job well. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'skills' because the passage talks about looking at your achievements and the abilities you have that can help you in a different job. This means that knowing your skills is important for getting a promotion. |
| Q22 | Commitment | ask for a meeting to discuss your serious commitment to the organisation and how this could translate into a more defined career plan | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says to ask for a meeting to talk about how much you care about your work and the company, and how that can help you grow in your career. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'commitment'. This means showing strong dedication and care for your work and the company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'commitment' because the passage talks about discussing your serious commitment to the organization during a meeting with your boss. This shows how important it is to express your dedication when seeking a promotion. |
| Q23 | Value | If you are less sure about your boss's view of your prospects and how they may react, start softly with a more deliberate focus on increasing your boss's understanding of the work you do and the added value you deliver | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should help your boss understand what you do at work and the extra benefits you bring to the company. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'value'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'value' because the passage mentions that you should discuss your 'added value' with your boss to show how you can contribute more to the organization and help in the promotion process. |
| Q24 | Panel | who would be on the interview panel and whose opinion and input would they seek | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage is asking about who will be in the group that decides the promotion and whose thoughts and ideas they will want to hear. Answer Explanation: The answer 'panel' means a group of people who will decide something, like who will get a promotion. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'panel' because the passage talks about finding out who will be on the promotion decision-making group, which is referred to as the interview panel. It's important to know who is in this group to impress them. |
| Q25 | Potential | do they know enough about you? And I mean really know – what you do day to day at your desk, your contribution to the team, and perhaps most importantly, your potential | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that it's important for people at work to truly understand what you do and your abilities for the future. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'potential', which means the ability to grow or succeed in the future. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'potential' because the passage discusses the importance of showing your contributions at work and how people perceive you. It mentions that you need to highlight your abilities and future potential to help get promoted. |
| Q26 | Organization / organisation | Raising your profile in your organisation is critical so that when those in charge start looking at that empty office and considering how best to fill it, the first name that pops into their heads is yours | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about how important it is for you to be known and recognized in your workplace, or organization, so that when a job opens up, people think of you first. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'organization'. This means how things are arranged or set up in a workplace. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'organization' because the text talks about understanding how you can show your boss and others in your workplace what you do, and how you help the company, which is often seen as part of being organized and raising your profile. Keywords to pay attention to are 'raise your profile' and 'workplace'. |
| Q27 | Courses | If you are confident in your professional expertise but lack the latest management theory, enrol on some relevant courses that fit around your day job. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you feel you need to improve your work experience, you should look for ways to do this. If you are good at your job but don't know the newest management ideas, you should sign up for classes that you can attend without interfering with your work. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'courses'. This means classes you can take to learn more. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'courses' because the passage talks about improving your professional skills. It says to enroll in 'relevant courses' that can help you gain more knowledge and skills needed for better job performance and to assist in getting a promotion. |