Opportunities For Graduates – Freelance Writing & How To Make Sure Your Cv Catches The Hiring Manager’s Eye - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 20 General Training Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 15–21.
Opportunities for graduates – freelance writing
If you want to start a career in writing or journalism, freelancing could be for you. Here is some advice on finding opportunities, and building your portfolio:
There are more graduates than ever entering an increasingly diminished market, so they are having to be more creative in the ways they get income and gain experience in their chosen field. For those with a talent for writing, working freelance can be worthwhile.
When starting out, many people turn to specialist websites listing a range of current writing projects offered by different organisations, which freelancers can apply to complete. These sites can be useful but just make sure any organisation is genuine first. Otherwise you might find you've spent hours on work which you never get paid for.
When looking to get work for magazines and newspapers, keep the pitches - in which you present what you could write for them - brief and interesting. Even if you're sending your fifth in a row of rejected ones, be polite and professional.
The advantages
The positives of freelancing as a graduate are numerous. It's incredibly satisfying to be working for yourself and having the responsibility of determining your own workload. Making a living doing what you love is hugely rewarding, and of course the flexibility of the work hours may suit you. New graduates are generally used to working unusual hours, so if you're most comfortable working late at night or at the weekend, then freelancing may be the way to go. Depending on how much work you manage to get, which can vary wildly, especially when you're just starting out, it also leaves it open for you to get a part-time job, however basic, which would bring in a regular amount.
The disadvantages
It is not steady and it is not always profitable. Graduate writers are notorious for working for no actual payment, and it's because there are so many people willing to do it that companies simply assume that it's acceptable, and of course this suits the companies.
Freelancing is probably not for people who lack motivation. If you don't go looking for work, spending your days shooting off emails, then it is very unlikely the work will come to you. For most people, freelancing does not provide regular work at the beginning. So if you find it stressful not getting paid at the end of every week or month, then it's worth looking at other options.
______________
Read the text below and answer Questions 22–27.
How to make sure your CV catches the hiring manager's eye
To be successful in today's job market, it pays to put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. After all, their perception of your CV could result in a job interview or a rejection.
Hiring managers are pushed for time, so they will usually spend a few seconds skimming your CV for must-have terms before they decide to commit to reading it fully. To pass this preliminary test, make sure your CV is extremely easy to read and is divided into appropriate sections.
Never make readers wade through large amounts of writing or you will risk losing their interest quickly. You should also research your target role thoroughly to identify what skills are most needed and ensure these are clearly included near the beginning of your CV. Providing a pleasant reading experience and reflecting the company's needs in your CV will create a perfect first impression.
Once managers have scanned your CV quickly, they will look at your present or most recent post. This is easily the best way to assess you, so managers will review this part of your CV thoroughly. Give this description your full attention and think about the questions that managers will want answers to, such as 'Where do you sit within the organisation?' and 'How do you contribute to the company?'
Many job seekers make bold claims in their CVs, but very few back them up with facts. Demonstrate the scale of your responsibilities by including numbers such as the size of budget you control, or the number of locations you work in. These numbers provide a scale that everybody can understand and leave readers in no doubt of the level you work at. You can also prove your impact by including quantifiable achievements you have had. Perhaps you have generated sales of £300k within six months, or maybe you have delivered a project that affected 3 million customers.
Even the smallest weakness can deter managers from shortlisting you. Obvious spelling and grammar mistakes will be warning signs, but they will also be on the lookout for gaps in the list of posts you have held, or facts that just don't add up. Proofread your CV thoroughly, including all of your dates, and don't be tempted to add any white lies. Keep everything looking as professional as possible and don't give them any reason to doubt you.
Questions
Questions 15–21 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
How to become a freelance writer
Freelancing gives would-be writers a chance to get some paid experience
Sources of work
- specialist websites:
- best to check out that potential employers are 15 before agreeing to do any work
- the press:
- ensure all 16 are persuasive and kept to a minimum length
Advantages of freelance writing
- the power to decide on the size of the 17
- the 18 in the scheduling of the work
- the chance to commit to a second 19 to generate income
Disadvantages of freelance writing
- it is largely expected that young freelancers will be happy to complete assignments without 20
- graduates whose 21 is limited may not get any work
- it may be hard trying to live without money coming in at fixed times
Questions 22–27 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
- The writer should make sure that they have separated the CV into suitable 22.
- If the text of a CV is too long, there is a risk that the reader's 23 will not be held.
- It is advisable to highlight the essential 24 for the post early on in the CV.
- Writers should support statements in their CV with facts, for example how big is the 25 that they are in charge of.
- It is worth giving details of any past 26, together with any relevant statistics.
- Checking that no 27 appear in the language used in the CV is vital.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | genuine | These sites can be useful but just make sure any organisation is genuine first. Otherwise you might find you've spent hours on work which you never get paid for | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells new writers that websites listing job opportunities can be helpful. But, it is important to first make sure that any company you want to work for is real. If the company is not real, you might do many hours of work and not receive any money for it. Answer Explanation: The answer 'genuine' means real or true. It means that the companies offering work should be honest and not fake. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'genuine' because the passage advises beginner writers to check if the organizations they plan to work for are real before starting any tasks. The text warns that if an organization is not 'genuine', a writer might do work and never get paid for it, making it important to verify their authenticity. |
| Q16 | pitches | When looking to get work for magazines and newspapers, keep the pitches - in which you present what you could write for them - brief and interesting | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you want to write for magazines and newspapers, you should make your 'pitches' (the ideas you show them about what you want to write) short and exciting. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'pitches', means ideas or suggestions that writers send to magazines and newspapers to show them what they can write about. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'pitches' because the passage states that when you want to get work from magazines and newspapers (the press), you should keep your 'pitches' short and interesting. The question asks for something that needs to be 'persuasive and kept to a minimum length,' which perfectly matches the description of 'pitches' being 'brief and interesting' in the text. 'Brief' means minimum length, and 'interesting' helps make them persuasive. |
| Q17 | workload | It's incredibly satisfying to be working for yourself and having the responsibility of determining your own workload | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says it feels really good to work for yourself and get to choose how much work you do. 'Workload' means the amount of work someone has. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'workload'. This means how much work you have to do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'workload' because the passage explains that a good thing about freelancing is that you get to 'determine your own workload'. This means you have the power to decide how much work you want to take on, matching the idea of deciding the 'size' of the work. |
| Q18 | flexibility | Making a living doing what you love is hugely rewarding, and of course the flexibility of the work hours may suit you. New graduates are generally used to working unusual hours, so if you're most comfortable working late at night or at the weekend, then freelancing may be the way to go | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that doing work you love is very good, and having 'flexible' work times can be a good thing for you. It says that students who have just finished studying are often used to working at strange times. So, if you like working late at night or on Saturdays and Sundays, then being a freelance writer could be a good choice. Answer Explanation: The answer 'flexibility' means that you can choose when you want to work, like if you want to work late at night or on the weekend, which might be helpful for you. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'flexibility' because the passage states that one of the good things about freelance writing is that you can choose your own work hours. The text specifically mentions 'the flexibility of the work hours' as a benefit, allowing new graduates to work at times that suit them, such as 'late at night or at the weekend'. This directly relates to 'the scheduling of the work' in the question. |
| Q19 | job | Depending on how much work you manage to get, which can vary wildly, especially when you're just starting out, it also leaves it open for you to get a part-time job, however basic, which would bring in a regular amount | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you work as a freelancer, you might also have time to get another job that is part-time, meaning it's only for some hours. This extra work can help you earn money steadily. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'job', means a task or role that a person does to earn money, usually regularly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'job' because the passage states that freelancing can allow you to take on 'a part-time job' in addition to your freelance work. This 'second job' helps make sure you have money coming in regularly, especially when freelance work is not steady. The phrase 'to generate income' in the question matches the passage's idea of 'bring in a regular amount' of money. |
| Q20 | payment | Graduate writers are notorious for working for no actual payment, and it's because there are so many people willing to do it that companies simply assume that it's acceptable, and of course this suits the companies | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that writers who just finished school often work and don't get any money for it. This happens because many new writers want to work, so companies think it's okay not to pay them. This situation is good for the companies. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'payment', means getting money for work you do. So, young writers might have to work without receiving money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'payment' because the passage states that a disadvantage of freelancing for graduates is that they often work without getting money. It specifically mentions that companies expect graduate writers to work without actual payment because many are willing to do so. This fills the blank 'it is largely expected that young freelancers will be happy to complete assignments without payment' perfectly. |
| Q21 | motivation | Freelancing is probably not for people who lack motivation. If you don't go looking for work, spending your days shooting off emails, then it is very unlikely the work will come to you | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you don't have the drive or push to find work (lack motivation) and send many emails to ask for jobs, then jobs will most likely not come to you easily. Answer Explanation: The answer 'motivation' means how much desire or energy someone has to do something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'motivation' because the passage explains that people who do not have enough motivation (called 'lack motivation') will not actively look for work, and because of this, they will likely not get any work. The text says that if you don't search for work, it won't just come to you. |
| Q22 | sections | To pass this preliminary test, make sure your CV is extremely easy to read and is divided into appropriate sections | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that to pass an early check, your CV must be very easy to read and must be split into the right parts. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'sections', means different parts or divisions. It suggests that a CV should be organized into clearly marked areas to make it easier to read. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'sections' because the passage advises making a CV easy to read by dividing it into different parts. When a CV is 'divided into appropriate sections', it means it is separated into suitable areas, which helps the hiring manager quickly understand the information. The keyword 'divided' in the passage directly relates to 'separated' in the sentence. |
| Q23 | interest | Never make readers wade through large amounts of writing or you will risk losing their interest quickly | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you make people read a lot of text, they will quickly stop wanting to read it. Answer Explanation: The answer 'interest' means that the reader will stop caring or wanting to read more if the text is too long. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'interest' because the passage advises writers not to make their CVs too long. It explains that if the text is too much, there is a risk that the person reading it will quickly lose their 'interest' in what you have written. |
| Q24 | skills | You should also research your target role thoroughly to identify what skills are most needed and ensure these are clearly included near the beginning of your CV | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should find out what abilities (skills) are most important for the job you are applying for. Then, you need to make sure these important abilities are clearly shown at the top of your CV. Answer Explanation: The answer 'skills' means the special things you can do well, like speaking a language or using a computer program. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'skills' because the passage advises job seekers to find out which abilities (skills) are very important for the job they want. It says they should make sure these 'skills' are clearly written at the start of their CV. This matches the idea of highlighting essential 'skills' early on. |
| Q25 | budget | Demonstrate the scale of your responsibilities by including numbers such as the size of budget you control, or the number of locations you work in | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that to show how big your job duties were, you should use numbers. For example, you can say how much money (budget) you managed or how many places you worked in. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'budget,' refers to the amount of money a person is responsible for managing. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'budget' because the passage suggests that job applicants should show how much responsibility they have by including numbers, like the amount of money they controlled. The question asks what someone is 'in charge of,' and the passage clearly states 'the size of budget you control,' making 'budget' the perfect fit. |
| Q26 | achievements | You can also prove your impact by including quantifiable achievements you have had. Perhaps you have generated sales of £300k within six months, or maybe you have delivered a project that affected 3 million customers | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you can show what you did by putting things you achieved that can be measured with numbers. For example, you could say you helped sell £300,000 worth of goods in half a year, or you finished a project that helped 3 million people. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'achievements'. This means it's good to talk about the good things you have done in the past, and use numbers to show how well you did. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'achievements' because the passage advises job seekers to show their past successes in their CV. It says that including 'quantifiable achievements' with specific numbers helps to prove the impact you had in previous jobs. This matches the idea of giving details of past accomplishments along with statistics. |
| Q27 | mistakes | Obvious spelling and grammar mistakes will be warning signs, but they will also be on the lookout for gaps in the list of posts you have held, or facts that just don't add up | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that clear errors in how words are spelled and how sentences are put together (grammar) will show problems to the people reading your CV. They will also look for missing information or things that don't make sense. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'mistakes'. This means it's very important to check that there are no errors in the words and sentences you use in your CV. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'mistakes' because the passage mentions that 'Obvious spelling and grammar mistakes will be warning signs' for hiring managers. This means that any errors in the language of your CV are a big problem and should be avoided, making it vital to check for them. |