Qualities That Make A Great Barista & Running A Meeting - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Reading Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-22 ====
Qualities That Make A Great Barista
Truly great baristas take the time to develop the key skills that will enable them to deliver the highest possible quality of coffee-based beverage and service. As a barista, you must make a concerted effort to listen to your clientele and make sure the drinks you produce are correct in all respects. This is particularly important when you consider the sheer range and complexity of modern coffee drinks, which may start from a single (or double) shot of espresso but can include many additional elements. If you become distracted by the conversation that is going on nearby, you may ultimately miss the mark from a service perspective.
One thing that separates a great from a good barista is that the former is constantly busy and has a strong work ethic. You will often catch a great barista rinsing out the filter in their machines, for example, as this erodes the build-up of burnt coffee oil that can begin to impact on the quality and taste of each espresso shot. Similarly, do not be surprised to hear the sound of the coffee grinder at work. This highlights the keen attention to detail that distinguishes skilled baristas, as they have the desire and the awareness to make every drink with completely fresh ground coffee. This type of attentiveness helps baristas to get the most from the coffee that they use, as many of the delicate aromas found in espresso are lost when exposed to the open air.
Timing is everything when it comes to producing the perfect cup of coffee. A great barista knows precisely when to finish the extraction of espresso, at the point when the balance of flavour has reached its optimum levels. They also understand how important this is; those who act too soon are left with a drink without flavour while those who delay the finish risk burning the beverage and tainting it with a bitter after-taste.
When it comes to customer service, there is so much more to a coffee shop experience than drinking perfectly roasted blends. The atmosphere and the ambience also play a central role, and the interaction that the customer has with their barista sets the tone for an enjoyable experience. Great baristas ask their customers how their day is going or what they’re going to do later; they read local newspapers and keep up with issues that really matter, all of which make a real difference in a competitive marketplace.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 23-27 ====
Running A Meeting
Prior to the meeting, think about the seating and arrange it in an appropriate way. A circle can work well for informal meetings, but sometimes the furniture cannot be re-arranged or rows are more suitable. Consider the participants and decide what is best. Before people arrive, it’s a good idea to designate someone to stand at the entrance and greet everyone.
If the meeting is small, start by requesting everyone to introduce themselves and to give a bit of relevant information in addition to their name. This may be what they do or why they are there. For all meetings, you need to introduce the chairperson, i.e., yourself, and any other outside speakers you have invited.
Next, make sure everyone can see the agenda or has a copy of it. Briefly run through the items then take one point at a time, and make sure the group doesn’t stray from that point until it has been dealt with. Encourage participation at all times so that attendees can contribute but don’t let everyone talk at the same time. Try to keep discussions positive, but don’t ignore conflicts – find a solution for them and make sure they are resolved before they grow.
Summarise points regularly and make clear action points. Write these down and don’t forget to note who’s doing what, and by when. Encourage everyone to feel able to volunteer for tasks and roles. It can help if the more experienced members of the group offer to share skills and knowledge, but don’t let the same people take on all the work as this can lead to tension within the group.
At the end, remember to thank everyone for turning up and contributing. It can be nice to follow the meeting with a social activity like sharing a meal or going to a cafe.
Questions
Questions 15–22 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Notes on being a great barista
Serving the customer
- Be sure you make drinks that are 15 for the customer
- Ignore any 16 around you
Using the equipment
- Clean the machine 17 regularly
- Grinding
– always use ground coffee that is 18
– remember that air causes the smell to fade
Making the coffee
- Know when to stop making the espresso
– too early reduces the 19
– too late makes the coffee 20
Giving good customer service
- Talk to your customers
– ask about the customers’ 21
– know something about the important 22 in the area
Questions 23–27 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flow chart below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text on page 66 for each answer.
| Tips for running a meeting |
|---|
| Arrange seats according to the type of meeting and participants |
| In small meetings, ask people for some 23 as they introduce themselves |
| Make sure the 24 is available to everyone |
| Involve people in the discussion and solve any 25 quickly if they arise |
| Note action points and who is responsible for them |
| Avoid 26 by involving a range of people in tasks |
| Thank people for coming, and possibly have some kind of 27 afterwards |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Correct | As a barista, you must make a concerted effort to listen to your clientele and make sure the drinks you produce are correct in all respects. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that as a barista, it is very important to pay attention to what customers want. You should ensure that the drinks you make are right for them in every way. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the information provided is accurate and fits well with what the question is asking. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is accurate because it highlights the need for baristas to listen to their customers and make drinks that are correct for them. This shows that great service is based on understanding customer preferences. |
| Q16 | Conversation | If you become distracted by the conversation that is going on nearby, you may ultimately miss the mark from a service perspective | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says if you let other people's talking take your attention away, you might not do your job well. So, it's important to focus on your own tasks and customers. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'conversation'. This means talking with somebody. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'conversation' because great baristas should not be distracted by other conversations happening around them. They need to focus on their customers and what they are doing to make the best drinks. Paying attention to these conversations helps them provide better service. |
| Q17 | Filter | You will often catch a great barista rinsing out the filter in their machines, for example, as this erodes the build-up of burnt coffee oil that can begin to impact on the quality and taste of each espresso shot | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a good barista often cleans the filter in their coffee machine. This cleaning helps to remove burnt coffee oils that can change how good the coffee tastes. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Filter.' This means the part of the machine that you need to clean regularly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Filter' because the passage talks about how great baristas maintain their equipment. It mentions that they rinse out the filter in their machines to prevent burnt coffee oil from building up. This shows that cleaning the filter is important for making good coffee. |
| Q18 | Fresh | similarly, do not be surprised to hear the sound of the coffee grinder at work. This highlights the keen attention to detail that distinguishes skilled baristas, as they have the desire and the awareness to make every drink with completely fresh ground coffee | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that good baristas make their drinks with coffee that is ground fresh. This is important because it helps keep the good smell and taste of the coffee. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'fresh'. This means the coffee should be made new and not old. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'fresh' because the passage talks about how great baristas should always use coffee that is freshly ground. It mentions that using fresh coffee helps to keep the good smell and taste, and emphasizes the importance of attentiveness in making drinks. |
| Q19 | Flavour / flavor | those who act too soon are left with a drink without flavour while those who delay the finish risk burning the beverage and tainting it with a bitter after-taste | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if a barista stops making the espresso too soon, the drink will not have good flavour. If they take too long, the coffee may burn and taste bad. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'flavour'. Flavour means the taste of food or drink. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'flavour' because the passage talks about making espresso. It explains that stopping too early means the drink will not have enough flavour, which is important for a great coffee experience. |
| Q20 | Bitter | they also understand how important this is; those who act too soon are left with a drink without flavour while those who delay the finish risk burning the beverage and tainting it with a bitter after-taste | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that baristas need to know when to finish making the coffee. If they finish too late, the coffee can taste 'bitter,' which is not good. Answer Explanation: The answer 'bitter' means that if coffee is made for too long, it can taste very bad, like something that is not sweet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'bitter' because the passage explains that when a barista makes coffee, it is important to know when to stop. If they stop too late, the coffee can taste bad and have a 'bitter after-taste.' So, 'bitter' is the word that shows a bad taste when coffee is overcooked. |
| Q21 | Day | Great baristas ask their customers how their day is going | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that great baristas talk to customers and ask them about their day. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Day'. This means the barista should ask customers how their day is going. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'day' because the passage says that great baristas talk to their customers by asking about their day. This helps create a friendly atmosphere. |
| Q22 | Issues | they read local newspapers and keep up with issues that really matter, all of which make a real difference in a competitive marketplace | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that great baristas stay informed about important topics. This helps them connect better with customers. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Issues' means important topics or problems. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'issues' because the passage mentions that great baristas keep up with important topics that matter. This shows they engage with their customers on relevant subjects, making the interaction more meaningful. |
| Q23 | Information / relevant Information | start by requesting everyone to introduce themselves and to give a bit of relevant information in addition to their name | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that at the beginning of a small meeting, everyone should say their name and also share something important about themselves. This makes it clear who is in the meeting and why they have come. Answer Explanation: The answer means details that are important or connected to the topic. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'relevant Information' because in the passage it talks about how people should share important details related to their names and roles during introductions in a small meeting. These details help everyone know who is present and why they are there. |
| Q24 | Agenda / meeting Agenda | Next, make sure everyone can see the agenda or has a copy of it | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that it's important for everyone to see the agenda or have a copy. This means participants need to know what topics will be discussed in the meeting. Answer Explanation: The answer means the list of topics that will be talked about during the meeting. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'agenda' because in the passage, it says that you need to ensure everyone can see the agenda or has a copy of it. This shows that the agenda is important for the meeting. |
| Q25 | Conflicts | try to keep discussions positive, but don't ignore conflicts – find a solution for them and make sure they are resolved before they grow | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says to keep discussions nice, but if problems happen, you should find a way to fix them and make sure they don't get worse. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'conflicts'. This means problems or disagreements that might happen in a meeting. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'conflicts' because it talks about issues that can come up during discussions. The passage says that when conflicts happen, it is important to find a solution quickly and make sure they are solved before they grow. |
| Q26 | Tension | don't let the same people take on all the work as this can lead to tension within the group | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you let only a few people do all the work, it can create tension, or stress, in the group. This means that everyone should help with tasks. Answer Explanation: The answer means that you should try to prevent stress or problems in the group. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'tension' because the passage advises to not let the same people do all the work in a meeting. This could create tension in the group. It is important to have everyone involved to keep things positive and avoid problems. |
| Q27 | Social activity | At the end, remember to thank everyone for turning up and contributing. It can be nice to follow the meeting with a social activity like sharing a meal or going to a cafe | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that at the end of the meeting, it's good to thank everyone and then do something fun together, which is called a social activity. This helps people feel appreciated. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'social activity'. This means a fun event or gathering after the meeting. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'social activity' because at the end of the meeting, it suggests having something fun to do together, like sharing a meal or going to a cafe, to thank everyone for attending. |