Procrastination - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Reading Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 14–26
Reading Passage
Procrastination
A psychologist explains why we put off important tasks and how we can break this habit
A Procrastination is the habit of delaying a necessary task, usually by focusing on less urgent, more enjoyable, and easier activities instead. We all do it from time to time. We might be composing a message to a friend who we have to let down, or putting together an important report for college or work, we’re doing our best to avoid doing the job at hand, but deep down we know that we should just be getting on with it. Unfortunately, berating ourselves won’t stop us procrastinating again. In fact, it’s one of the worst things we can do. This matters because, as my research shows, procrastination doesn’t just waste time, but is actually linked to other problems, too.
B Contrary to popular belief, procrastination is not due to laziness or poor time management. Scientific studies suggest procrastination is, in fact, caused by poor mood management. This makes sense if we consider that people are more likely to put off starting or completing tasks that they are really not keen to do. If just thinking about the task threatens our sense of self-worth or makes us anxious, we will be more likely to put it off. Research involving brain imaging has found that areas of the brain linked to detection of threats and emotion regulation are actually different in people who chronically procrastinate compared to those who don’t procrastinate frequently.
C Tasks that are emotionally loaded or difficult, such as preparing for exams, are prime candidates for procrastination. People with low self-esteem are more likely to procrastinate. Another group of people who tend to procrastinate are perfectionists, who worry their work will be judged harshly by others. We know that if we don’t finish that report or complete those home repairs, then what we did can’t be evaluated. When we avoid such tasks, we also avoid the negative emotions associated with them. This is rewarding, and it conditions us to use procrastination to repair our mood. If we engage in more enjoyable tasks instead, we get another mood boost. In the long run, however, procrastination isn’t an effective way of managing emotions. The ‘mood repair’ we experience is temporary. Afterwards, people tend to be left with a sense of guilt that not only increases their negative mood, but also reinforces their tendency to procrastinate.
D So why is this such a problem? When most people think of the costs of procrastination, they think of the toll on productivity. For example, studies have shown that procrastination negatively impacts on student performance. But putting off reading textbooks and writing essays may affect other areas of students’ lives. In one study of over 3,000 German students over a six-month period, those who reported procrastinating over their university work were also more likely to engage in study-related misconduct, such as cheating and plagiarism. But the behaviour that procrastination was most closely linked with was using fraudulent excuses to get deadline extensions. Other research shows that employees on average spend almost a quarter of their workday procrastinating, and again this is linked with negative outcomes. In fact, in one US survey of over 22,000 employees, participants who said they regularly procrastinated had less annual income and less employment stability. For every one-point increase on a measure of chronic procrastination, annual income decreased by US$15,000.
E Procrastination also correlates with serious health and well-being problems. A tendency to procrastinate is linked to poor mental health, including higher levels of depression and anxiety. Across numerous studies, I’ve found people who regularly procrastinate report a greater number of health issues, such as headaches, flu and colds, and digestive issues. They also experience higher levels of stress and poor sleep quality. They are less likely to practise healthy behaviours, such as eating a healthy diet and regularly exercising, and use destructive coping strategies to manage their stress. In one study of over 700 people, I found people prone to procrastination had a 63% greater risk ofpoor heart health after accounting for other personality traits and demographics.
F Finding better ways of managing our emotions is one route out of the vicious cycle of procrastination. An important first step is to manage our environment and how we view the task. There are a number of evidence-based strategies that can help us fend off distractions that can occupy our minds when we should be focusing on the thing we should be getting on with. For example, reminding ourselves about why the task is important and valuable can increase positive feelings towards it. Forgiving ourselves and feeling compassion when we procrastinate can help break the procrastination cycle. We should admit that we feel bad, but not be overly critical of ourselves. We should remind ourselves that we’re not the first person to procrastinate, nor the last. Doing this can take the edge off the negative feelings we have about ourselves when we procrastinate. This can all make it easier to get back on track.
Questions
Questions 14–16 Matching Information
Reading Passage has six paragraphs,
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
Questions 17–22 Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
What makes us procrastinate?
Many people think that procrastination is the result of 17
Others believe it to be the result of an inability to organise time efficiently.
But scientific studies suggest that procrastination is actually due to poor mood management. The tasks we are most likely to put off are those that could damage our self-esteem or cause us to feel 18. when we think about them. Research comparing chronic procrastinators with other people even found differences in the brain regions associated with regulating emotions and identifying 19.
Emotionally loaded and difficult tasks often cause us to procrastinate.
Getting ready to take 20 might be a typical example of one such task.
People who are likely to procrastinate tend to be either 21 or those with low self-esteem.
Procrastination is only a short-term measure for managing emotions. It’s often followed by a feeling of 22, which worsens our mood and leads to more procrastination.
Questions 23–24 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E
Write the correct letters in boxes on your answer sheet.
Questions 25–26 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E
Write the correct letters in boxes on your answer sheet.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | B | Contrary to popular belief, procrastination is not due to laziness or poor time management. Scientific studies suggest procrastination is, in fact, caused by poor mood management | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that many people wrongly think procrastination is because someone is lazy or can't manage their time well. Instead, studies show that it actually happens because of how we feel. Answer Explanation: The answer is B. This means that in paragraph B, the writer talks about wrong ideas people have about why procrastination happens. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because this paragraph says that many people think procrastination is due to laziness or bad time management. But the psychologist explains that it is really due to problems with managing feelings. This information helps us understand that there are common false beliefs about procrastination. |
| Q15 | F | We should admit that we feel bad, but not be overly critical of ourselves. We should remind ourselves that we're not the first person to procrastinate, nor the last | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that we should accept our bad feelings when we procrastinate but not be too hard on ourselves. It reminds us that many people procrastinate, just like us. Answer Explanation: The answer is F. This means that in paragraph F, there is information about realizing that other people also procrastinate. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because this paragraph talks about managing our feelings when we procrastinate and mentions that we should remember we are not the only ones who procrastinate. |
| Q16 | B | Research involving brain imaging has found that areas of the brain linked to detection of threats and emotion regulation are actually different in people who chronically procrastinate compared to those who don't procrastinate frequently | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that scientists used special pictures of the brain to see how it acts when people put off tasks. They found that people who often procrastinate have differences in areas of the brain that help with emotions and feeling safe. Answer Explanation: The answer is B. This means that paragraph B talks about how our feelings and the way our brain works can make us procrastinate. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because it explains that procrastination is not just about being lazy, but it is connected to how we feel and manage our emotions. The paragraph mentions that scientific studies found differences in the brain of people who procrastinate often compared to those who do not, showing a direct link between our emotions and procrastination. |
| Q17 | Laziness | Contrary to popular belief, procrastination is not due to laziness or poor time management | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that many people think procrastination comes from laziness, but this is not true. Procrastination is really connected to how we feel about tasks. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'laziness'. This means that some people think procrastination happens because a person is lazy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'laziness' because many people believe that procrastination comes from being lazy. However, the passage explains that this is a misconception. Procrastination is not really caused by laziness, but by problems with managing our mood and feelings about tasks. |
| Q18 | Anxious | If just thinking about the task threatens our sense of self-worth or makes us anxious, we will be more likely to put it off | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when we worry about how a task might affect us, like feeling less good about ourselves, we can feel anxious. This anxiety makes us want to skip doing the task. Answer Explanation: The answer 'anxious' means feeling worried or nervous about something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'anxious' because procrastination often happens when people think about tasks that might hurt their self-esteem or make them feel bad. The passage explains that thinking about these tasks can make us feel anxious, which leads us to avoid them. |
| Q19 | Threats | Research involving brain imaging has found that areas of the brain linked to detection of threats and emotion regulation are actually different in people who chronically procrastinate compared to those who don't procrastinate frequently | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that studies using brain scans found that procrastinators have different brain areas that deal with feeling threats and managing emotions. This means that they might find tasks more scary or challenging than others, which contributes to why they put off doing them. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'threats'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'threats' because the passage explains that when we think about tasks, they can make us feel bad or scared about ourselves, which leads to procrastination. The word 'threats' describes those feelings that can affect how we see ourselves. |
| Q20 | Exams | Tasks that are emotionally loaded or difficult, such as preparing for exams, are prime candidates for procrastination | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that some tasks, like getting ready for exams, are very hard and make people feel strong emotions. Because of this, many people want to avoid doing them, which is called procrastination. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'exams'. This means the tests that students take to show what they know. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'exams' because the passage talks about tasks that are hard and cause people to feel stressed. Studying for exams is one of those hard tasks that people often put off. This procrastination happens because thinking about these exams can make people feel anxious or low in self-esteem. |
| Q21 | Perfectionists | Another group of people who tend to procrastinate are perfectionists, who worry their work will be judged harshly by others | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that perfectionists are people who are very concerned about how their work is seen. This worry makes them likely to delay or avoid doing their tasks. Answer Explanation: The answer 'perfectionists' means people who want everything to be perfect. They worry about how others will judge their work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'perfectionists' because the passage explains that this group of people tends to procrastinate. They feel worried about their work being judged, which makes them avoid starting or finishing tasks. This is a key reason why procrastination happens. |
| Q22 | Guilt | The 'mood repair' we experience is temporary. Afterwards, people tend to be left with a sense of guilt that not only increases their negative mood, but also reinforces their tendency to procrastinate | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that after we avoid doing tasks, we might feel better for a little while, but then we feel guilty. This guilt makes us feel worse and encourages us to keep procrastinating. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Guilt'. This means feeling bad or sorry for something you did or didn't do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'guilt' because the passage explains that after procrastination, people often feel guilty about not completing their tasks, which makes their negative mood worse and encourages them to procrastinate again. |
| Q23 | Finding better ways of managing our emotions is one route out of the vicious cycle of procrastination | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that managing our feelings better helps us stop procrastinating. It adds that there are ways to change how we feel about tasks so we can do them. Answer Explanation: The answer is two letters from A to E that explain why people procrastinate and how this can be fixed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer includes information about why we procrastinate and suggests ways to manage our emotions and improve our behavior. Procrastination is connected to feeling anxious or having low self-esteem. Strategies to stop procrastination include changing our environment and being kind to ourselves when we postpone tasks. |
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| Q24 | A / C | In fact, in one US survey of over 22,000 employees, participants who said they regularly procrastinated had less annual income and less employment stability | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that workers who put things off make less money and don't keep their jobs for as long as those who do not delay their work. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who often procrastinate make less money and keep their jobs for a shorter time than those who do not procrastinate. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A and C because the passage explains how procrastination affects employees. It says that those who procrastinate have lower incomes (A) and they have less job stability, meaning they do not keep their jobs for as long (C). |
| Q25 | Procrastination is the habit of delaying a necessary task, usually by focusing on less urgent, more enjoyable, and easier activities instead. [...] Contrary to popular belief, procrastination is not due to laziness or poor time management | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says procrastination means we delay tasks by doing easier and more fun activities. It is not because we are lazy or bad with time; it is really about how we feel. Answer Explanation: The answer is two letters that describe information about procrastination. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer includes A and B because they explain what procrastination is and why it happens. Part A talks about procrastination as avoiding important tasks and focusing on easier things, while part B tells us that procrastination is about how we feel, not being lazy. |
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| Q26 | A / E | There are a number of evidence-based strategies that can help us fend off distractions that can occupy our minds when we should be focusing on the thing we should be getting on with. For example, reminding ourselves about why the task is important and valuable can increase positive feelings towards it. Forgiving ourselves and feeling compassion when we procrastinate can help break the procrastination cycle. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that to stop procrastinating, we need to manage our feelings better. We should forgive ourselves if we procrastinate and be kind to ourselves. It also says we should avoid distractions that make us unable to concentrate on our tasks. Answer Explanation: The answer means that we should not be too hard on ourselves when we delay tasks and we should avoid things that distract us from focusing on our work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer includes suggestions for breaking the habit of procrastination. The passage mentions that forgiving ourselves and feeling compassion when we procrastinate can help break the cycle. It also talks about managing our environment to avoid distractions, which helps us focus on our tasks. |