Tips For Giving An Effective Business Presentation & How To Get A Job In Journalism - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 11 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-22. ====
Tips for giving an effective business presentation
Preparation
Get someone else to evaluate your performance and highlight your best skills. For example, go through your presentation in front of a colleague or relative. Think about who your audience is and what you want them to get out of the presentation. Think about content and style.
Go into the presentation room and try out any moves you may have to make, e.g. getting up from your chair and moving to the podium. Errors in the first 20 seconds can be very disorientating.
Familiarise yourself with the electronic equipment before the presentation and also have a backup plan in mind, should there be an unexpected problem like a power cut.
Dealing with presentation nervousness
A certain amount of nervousness is vital for a good presentation. The added adrenaline will keep your faculties sharp and give your presentation skills extra force. This can, however, result in tension in the upper chest. Concentrate on your breathing. Slow it right down and this will relax you. Strangely, having something to pick up and put down tends to help you do this.
It may seem an odd idea, but we seem to feel calmer when we engage in what’s referred to as a displacement activity, like clicking a pen or fiddling with jewellery. A limited amount of this will not be too obvious and can make you feel more secure at the start.
Interacting with your audience
Think of your presentation as a conversation with your audience. They may not actually say anything, but make them feel consulted, questioned, challenged, then they will stay awake and attentive.
Engage with your present audience, not the one you have prepared for. Keep looking for reactions to your ideas and respond to them. If your audience doesn’t appear to be following you, find another way to get your ideas across. If you don’t interact, you might as well send a video recording of your presentation instead!
Structuring effective presentations
Effective presentations arc full of examples. These help your listeners to see more clearly what you mean. It’s quicker and more colourful. Stick to the point using three or four main ideas. For any subsidiary information that you cannot present in 20 minutes, try another medium, such as handouts.
End as if your presentation has gone well. Do this even if you feel you’ve presented badly. And anyway a good finish will get you some applause — and you deserve it!
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 23-27. ====
How to get a job in journalism
You can get a good qualification in journalism, but what employers actually want is practical, rather than theoretical, knowledge. There’s no substitute for creating real stories that have to be handed in by strict deadlines. So write for your school magazine, then maybe try your hand at editing. Once you’ve done that for a while, start requesting internships in newspapers in the area. These are generally short-term and unpaid, but they’re definitely worthwhile, since, instead of providing you with money, they’ll teach you the skills that every twenty-first century journalist has to have, like laying out articles, creating web pages, taking good digital pictures and so on.
Most reporters keep a copy of every story they’ve had published, from secondary school onwards. They’re called cuttings, and you need them to get a job - indeed a few impressive ones can be the deciding factor in whether you’re appointed or not. So start creating a portfolio now that will show off your developing talent.
It seems obvious - research is an important part of an effective job hunt. But it’s surprising how many would-be journalists do little or none. If you’re thorough, it can help you decide whether the job you’re thinking about applying for is right for you. And nothing impresses an editor more than an applicant who knows a lot about the paper.
There are two more elements to an application - your covering letter and curriculum vitae. However, your CV is the thing that will attract an editor’s attention first, so get it right. The key words arc brevity, (no more than one page) accuracy (absolutely no spelling or typing errors) and clarity (it should be easy to follow).
In journalism, good writing skills are essential, so Ws critical that the style of your letter is appropriate. And, make sure it conveys your love of journalism and your eagerness to do the work.
Questions
Questions 15–22 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes your answer sheet.
- Practising your presentation on a, 15 or a family member is helpful.
- Be prepared for a problem such as a 16
- One way to overcome pre-presentation nerves is to make your 17 less rapid.
- It is acceptable to do something called a 18 at the start of the presentation to reassure you.
- Your presentation should be like a 19 with the people who have come to hear you.
- Check constantly for 20 to the points you are making.
- Make sure you use plenty of 21 to communicate your message effectively.
- To keep the presentation short, use things like 22 to provide extra details.
Questions 23–27 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flow chart below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
Getting a job in journalism
– Gain relevant experience e.g. writing article to meet specific deadlines
– Apply for temporary 23 with local papers and acquire extra 24 you will need
– Build up a set of 25 in a portfolio displaying how your writing ability has progressed over time
– Take time to do detailed 26 first before applying for a post with a paper
– Once you decide to apply make sure your CV is short, makes sense and is without 27 of any kind
– Write your covering letter paying particular attention to style
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | colleague | For example, go through your presentation in front of a colleague or relative | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you should practice your presentation with a colleague or family member. This helps to make your presentation better. Answer Explanation: The answer means a person you work with. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'colleague' because in the passage, it suggests practicing your presentation in front of someone else, like a colleague or a family member. This helps you to improve your performance. |
| Q16 | power cut | Familiarise yourself with the electronic equipment before the presentation and also have a backup plan in mind, should there be an unexpected problem like a power cut | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should know how to use the electronic tools before your presentation and be ready with a plan if something goes wrong, like the electricity stopping. Answer Explanation: The answer means a situation where the electricity stops, which can cause problems during a presentation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'power cut' because the passage mentions having a backup plan for unexpected problems like losing electricity during a presentation. This is important for being prepared. |
| Q17 | breathing | Concentrate on your breathing. Slow it right down and this will relax you | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says to focus on how you breathe. If you breathe slowly, it can help calm you down. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'breathing'. This refers to how you control your breath to feel more relaxed before or during your presentation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'breathing' because the passage talks about how concentrating on your breathing, especially slowing it down, can help you relax when you feel nervous. It explains that this is important for doing a good presentation. |
| Q18 | displacement activity | we seem to feel calmer when we engage in what's referred to as a displacement activity, like clicking a pen or fiddling with jewellery | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that doing a small task, like clicking a pen, can help you feel more relaxed before you speak in front of people. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to a calming activity you can do during a presentation to help with nervousness. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'displacement activity' because the passage explains that doing something simple, like clicking a pen, helps you feel calmer and more secure before starting the presentation. This kind of activity helps distract you and manage nervousness. |
| Q19 | conversation | Think of your presentation as a conversation with your audience | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that you should treat your presentation like a friendly chat with the people who are listening to you. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'conversation'. It means talking to someone in a friendly way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'conversation' because the passage says to think of your presentation as if you are having a conversation with your audience. Engaging with them and making them feel like they are part of the talk is important. |
| Q20 | reactions | Keep looking for reactions to your ideas and respond to them | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should watch how the audience reacts to what you say and reply to their reactions. Answer Explanation: The answer 'reactions' means the way people respond or show their feelings during your presentation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'reactions' because the passage explains that when you present, you should look for how your audience reacts to your ideas. This helps you understand if they are following you, and if not, you can find another way to explain your points. |
| Q21 | examples | Effective presentations arc full of examples. These help your listeners to see more clearly what you mean | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that good presentations have many examples. Examples help the people listening to understand better what you are talking about. Answer Explanation: The answer means 'examples' which are things you show to help explain your ideas. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'examples' because the passage says that effective presentations are full of examples. These examples help the listeners to understand more clearly. They make the presentation quicker and more colorful. |
| Q22 | handouts | For any subsidiary information that you cannot present in 20 minutes, try another medium, such as handouts | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about giving out handouts when you have extra information that is too much to say during the presentation. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'handouts'. This means papers that you give to people to give them more information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'handouts' because the passage says to use handouts for additional information if you cannot include everything in your presentation. This helps to keep the presentation short while still sharing important details. |
| Q23 | internships | Once you've done that for a while, start requesting internships in newspapers in the area | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage is saying that after getting some experience, you should try to get short-term work (internships) at local newspapers to learn more skills. Answer Explanation: The answer 'internships' means short-term work where you can learn skills in journalism. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'internships' because the passage talks about applying for temporary positions in newspapers to gain practical experience, which is very important for getting a job in journalism. |
| Q24 | skills | they'll teach you the skills that every twenty-first century journalist has to have, like laying out articles, creating web pages, taking good digital pictures and so on | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that internships will help you learn important skills for being a journalist, like how to make articles look good and take nice pictures. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'skills'. This means the abilities you have to do something well, like writing and reporting in journalism. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'skills' because the passage explains that internships will teach you the necessary skills to be a good journalist. Skills like laying out articles and taking good pictures are important for success in journalism. |
| Q25 | cuttings | Most reporters keep a copy of every story they've had published, from secondary school onwards. They're called cuttings, and you need them to get a job | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that most reporters save every story they write, and these saved stories are named cuttings. You need cuttings to help you find a job. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'cuttings'. This means pieces of published articles that show your writing work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cuttings' because in the passage, it says that reporters keep a copy of every story they have published, and these copies are called cuttings. You need cuttings to get a job in journalism and they can help show your skills. |
| Q26 | research | It seems obvious – research is an important part of an effective job hunt. But it’s surprising how many would-be journalists do little or none. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that many people who want to be journalists do not do enough research. Good research helps you know if the job is good for you. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'research'. This means checking information before applying for a job. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'research' because the passage mentions that doing thorough research is very important when looking for a job in journalism. It helps you understand if the job fits you and impresses editors when you know about the paper. |
| Q27 | errors | the key words arc brevity, (no more than one page) accuracy (absolutely no spelling or typing errors) and clarity (it should be easy to follow) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that your CV should be short, clear, and without mistakes. Answer Explanation: The answer means mistakes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'errors' because the passage says that your CV should have 'absolutely no spelling or typing errors.' This means you must not have any mistakes in your CV. |