Types Of Training In Business & The Small Business Lifecycle - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 20 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 15–21.
Types of training in business
The type of training provided in a business will depend on the resources available for training, the type of company, and the priority the company places on training.
Technical training is a type of training meant to teach the new employee the technological aspects of the job. For example, in a consulting business, technical training might be used so the consultant knows how to operate the system to input the number of hours that should be charged to a client. In a restaurant, the server might need to be trained on how to process customers' orders using a tablet.
In production focussed businesses, quality training involves familiarizing employees with the means of preventing, detecting, and eliminating non-quality products. In a world where quality can set your business apart from competitors, this type of training provides employees with the knowledge to recognize products that are not up to quality standards and teaches them what action to take in this scenario. This type of training can result in cost savings in production as well as provide an edge in the marketing of the product.
Skills training includes proficiencies needed to actually perform the job. For example, an administrative assistant might be trained in how to answer the phone, while a salesperson might be trained in assessment of customer needs and on how to offer the customer the necessary information to make a buying decision. A cashier needs to know not only the technology to ring something up on the till, but what to do if something has been given the wrong price.
A fourth type of training is called 'soft skills' training. Soft skills refer to personality traits and personal habits that may influence relationships with other people. Executives say there is an increasing need for people who have not only the technical skills to do a job but also the necessary soft skills, such as being good at different types of communication, including listening to colleagues and customers. In a retail or restaurant environment, essential soft skills might include how to motivate others, establish rapport and keep a conversation going. Skills such as these are used in every interaction with customers and are a key component of the customer experience.
______________
Read the text below and answer Questions 22-27.
The small business lifecycle
From the moment you make the decision to set up a business, you're in the 'business lifecycle'. This will see you progress from idea to startup, and if successful, through to the growth and maturity phases.
Stage 1 is Initial Development. This is the very beginning of the business lifecycle. You've got your business idea and you're ready to take the plunge. But before you do this you should get as many opinions as possible from friends, family, colleagues, or any industry specialists you have access to. Ultimately, the success of your business will come down to your own abilities, the state of the market and, of course, the decisions you make about the source of finance for your startup.
Once you're satisfied that your idea is ready to go, you move on to Stage 2, which is Startup. Many believe this is the riskiest stage of the entire lifecycle, since mistakes made then can have an impact many years later. Based on the feedback from your first customers, you have to be ready to adapt your product or service. It can even get to the point where you are making so many changes to it that you start to feel a bit confused about what you're doing. Don't worry—this feeling will soon disappear as your company develops.
Stage 3 is Establishment. You should now be seeing your profits improve slowly and steadily, but you may struggle to divide the time available to you between the growing demands of your business. Employing the right people is essential, so you need to take a major part in recruitment. It is your job now to start establishing order and cohesion as you mobilize your team according to clearly defined and communicated goals.
By Stage 4, Expansion, you may see rapid growth in profits and wish to move forward. However, you need to be aware of the risks of expanding too carelessly, and should keep an eye on how far expansion might affect the quality of what you provide to your existing customers.
Stage 5 is Maturity. Here you may wish to further expand the business. Many companies in this situation bring in a new leader at this stage, to face the new challenges. Other entrepreneurs may decide that they should sell the company at this stage, and move on to a new project.
Questions
Questions 15–21 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers on your answer sheet.
| Types of training in business | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of training | Aim | Examples |
| Technical | To teach technological aspects of the job | Consulting: keeping a record of the 15 worked
Restaurants: dealing with computerised 16 |
| Quality | To avoid the production of non-quality items | Factory workers: identification of low-quality products and the appropriate action resulting in lower production costs and more effective 17 |
| Skills | To teach necessary proficiencies for the job | Administrative assistant: using the 18
Sales: evaluating the 19 of clients and providing assistance Cashier: using a cash till and dealing with an incorrect 20 |
| Soft skills | To teach skills that affect human relationships | Skills in communication, e.g. 21
Retail/restaurants: interacting effectively with customers |
Questions 22–27 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flow-chart below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers on your answer sheet.
The small business lifecycle
Stage 1 Initial Development
Once you have your business idea, ask for different people's 22 about it.
You need to be clear about what you can do, whether your idea will find a market, and where the finance will come from.
↓
Stage 2 Startup
Remember that 23 at this stage can affect the future success of the business.
Listen to what your customers say and be prepared to adapt your original idea.
Don't worry if you are 24 by all the changes at this stage.
↓
Stage 3 Establishment
You should now be seeing a steady increase in profits.
The demands of this stage mean you must be good at managing your time.
It's particularly important to be personally involved with 25 and to build up an effective team with clear goals.
↓
Stage 4 Expansion
It's important to expand but the risks involved must also be considered.
Careful planning is necessary to ensure that 26 is not affected.
↓
Stage 5 Maturity
To maintain growth rates, it may be necessary for the company to have a different 27.
Another possibility is to sell the business.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | hours | For example, in a consulting business, technical training might be used so the consultant knows how to operate the system to input the number of hours that should be charged to a client | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in a consulting business, special training helps a worker called a consultant understand how to use a computer system. This system is used to type in the amount of 'hours' (time) they worked for a customer, so the customer can pay for that work. Answer Explanation: The answer 'hours' means the amount of time someone works. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'hours' because the passage explains that 'Technical training' helps employees learn the technology for their job. It gives an example of a 'consulting business' where workers learn to put in the 'number of hours' they work to charge a client. This shows that consultants need to record the time they spend working. |
| Q16 | orders | In a restaurant, the server might need to be trained on how to process customers' orders using a tablet | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that in a restaurant, a worker (server) learns how to use a tablet computer to handle what people want to eat or drink. This helps them manage what customers ask for. Answer Explanation: The answer 'orders' means the requests made by customers for food or drink in a restaurant. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'orders' because the passage describes technical training for a restaurant server. This training teaches them how to use a tablet to handle what customers want to buy. The word 'orders' fits this description, as it refers to the items customers ask for, and 'tablet' suggests a computerised system. |
| Q17 | marketing | This type of training can result in cost savings in production as well as provide an edge in the marketing of the product | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that teaching employees about quality helps businesses save money in making things. It also gives them a better chance to sell their products because their products are good quality, which helps with 'marketing'. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'marketing', means the way a company shows and sells its products to people so they want to buy them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'marketing' because the passage explains that 'quality training' helps a business save money on making products and also gives it an advantage in selling those products. The text states that good quality can improve the way a product is marketed, making it more successful. The blank in the table asks what becomes 'more effective' due to quality training, and the passage directly links quality training to an 'edge in the marketing of the product'. |
| Q18 | phone | For example, an administrative assistant might be trained in how to answer the phone, while a salesperson might be trained in assessment of customer needs and on how to offer the customer the necessary information to make a buying decision | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that, for instance, a helper in an office, called an administrative assistant, learns how to answer the phone as part of their job skills. Answer Explanation: The answer 'phone' means the device people use to talk to others from far away. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'phone' because the passage states that skills training teaches employees how to do their job well. It gives an example for an 'administrative assistant' learning a specific skill: how to answer the 'phone'. This shows that knowing how to use the 'phone' is a necessary skill for this job. |
| Q19 | needs | For example, an administrative assistant might be trained in how to answer the phone, while a salesperson might be trained in assessment of customer needs and on how to offer the customer the necessary information to make a buying decision | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a salesperson learns to find out what customers want or 'need'. This helps the salesperson give them the right information to choose and buy. Answer Explanation: The answer 'needs' means what customers want or require. For example, a salesperson needs to understand what a customer wants to buy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'needs' because the passage explains Skills training, which includes teaching people how to do their jobs well. For salespeople, this type of training helps them understand what customers require or 'need' before they try to sell something. The passage specifically mentions 'assessment of customer needs' as an example of skills training for a salesperson. |
| Q20 | price | A cashier needs to know not only the technology to ring something up on the till, but what to do if something has been given the wrong price | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that a person who works as a cashier must learn two main things: how to use the computer system to charge for items, and what steps to take if an item has been marked with a mistaken or incorrect cost. Answer Explanation: The answer 'price' refers to the amount of money you need to pay for an item. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'price' is found in the section about 'Skills training'. The passage explains that a cashier needs to know how to use the cash register and also what to do if an item's selling cost, or 'price', is incorrect. The table asks for what a cashier handles when it's 'incorrect', and the passage directly mentions 'wrong price'. |
| Q21 | listening | Executives say there is an increasing need for people who have not only the technical skills to do a job but also the necessary soft skills, such as being good at different types of communication, including listening to colleagues and customers | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that important 'soft skills' include being good at talking to people in different ways, and it gives 'listening' to co-workers and customers as one example of this. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'listening'. This means paying attention to what others say. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'listening' because the passage explains that 'soft skills' training includes being good at different types of communication. It specifically mentions 'listening' as an example of a communication skill needed when interacting with 'colleagues and customers'. The table asks for an example of communication skills, and 'listening' fits this perfectly. |
| Q22 | opinions | But before you do this you should get as many opinions as possible from friends, family, colleagues, or any industry specialists you have access to | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that before you start your business idea, you should ask many people, like your friends, family, co-workers, or experts, what they think about it. This means you should gather their thoughts and advice. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'opinions', means what other people think or feel about your business idea. It's like asking for their thoughts or advice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'opinions' because the passage states that in the first stage, Initial Development, it's important to ask others what they think about your business idea. The text directly advises getting 'opinions' from different people before starting, which matches the flow-chart's request for advice from various individuals. |
| Q23 | mistakes | Many believe this is the riskiest stage of the entire lifecycle, since mistakes made then can have an impact many years later | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that many people think the startup part of a business's life is the most dangerous time. This is because any errors or wrong choices made at that point can affect the business for a long time into the future. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'mistakes', means that wrong actions or bad choices made early in a business can cause problems later on. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'mistakes' because the passage indicates that Stage 2, called Startup, is a time when errors or 'mistakes' can have long-lasting effects on the business's future. The passage explicitly states that these 'mistakes' are risky and can impact the business's success for many years. |
| Q24 | confused | It can even get to the point where you are making so many changes to it that you start to feel a bit confused about what you're doing | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when you make a lot of changes to your business idea, you might start to feel 'confused' and not sure about what you are doing. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'confused', means feeling unclear or not understanding something because there are too many changes or difficult things happening. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'confused' because the passage describes Stage 2, Startup, as a time when a business owner might make many changes to their product or service based on customer feedback. The passage explicitly states that because of these many changes, a person might start to feel 'confused' about their direction. The question asks what feeling one might have due to all the changes, and 'confused' directly matches this description in the text. |
| Q25 | recruitment | Employing the right people is essential, so you need to take a major part in recruitment. It is your job now to start establishing order and cohesion as you mobilize your team according to clearly defined and communicated goals | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says it's very important to hire the correct workers, which means you must do a lot of the 'recruitment' yourself. Your task is to organize your team and give them clear instructions. Answer Explanation: The answer 'recruitment' means finding and hiring new people to work for your company. It's about getting new employees. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'recruitment' because the passage explains that in Stage 3, called 'Establishment,' it is very important to get the right people to work for the business. It states that employers need to 'take a major part in recruitment' to create a strong team with clear goals. The question asks what someone should be personally involved with to build an effective team, and 'recruitment' is the process of building that team by finding workers. |
| Q26 | quality | However, you need to be aware of the risks of expanding too carelessly, and should keep an eye on how far expansion might affect the quality of what you provide to your existing customers | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when your business grows bigger (expands), you must be careful not to grow too fast or without thinking. You should always watch how this growth might change the 'quality' of the good things or services you give to your customers. Basically, don't let growing bigger make your products or services worse. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'quality,' means how good or bad something is. In this case, it's about making sure your product or service stays good even when your business grows. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'quality' because the passage talks about Stage 4, 'Expansion,' and warns about expanding too quickly. It specifically says that when a business grows, it must be careful not to let the quality of its products or services get worse. The key phrase 'affect the quality' in the passage matches the idea that careful planning is needed so that 'quality' is not harmed. |
| Q27 | leader | Many companies in this situation bring in a new leader at this stage, to face the new challenges | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that many businesses, when they reach the 'Maturity' stage, choose to hire a new person to lead the company. This new person's job is to deal with fresh difficulties that the business might encounter. Answer Explanation: The answer 'leader' means a new person in charge of the company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'leader' because the passage states that during Stage 5, named 'Maturity,' businesses often bring in a new person to guide the company. This is done to help the company deal with new problems and continue to grow. The passage specifically mentions bringing in a 'new leader' to face 'new challenges' at this stage, which matches the idea of maintaining growth rates. |