What To Do If You Are Made Redundant & Palvin’s Restaurant - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 19 General Training Reading Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15–21. ====
What to do if you are made redundant
Employees are made redundant when a company has to reduce the workforce because a job or jobs are no longer needed. It has nothing to do with the employees’ ability to do their jobs. However, dealing with redundancy can be difficult. Here are some tips on how to cope.
First of all, don’t panic. It’s common for people to either rush into a flurry of activity or be frozen by the shock of being suddenly made redundant. The best course of action is to keep calm and draw up a list of all of the things you need to arrange in the months ahead. It’s important to find out what your rights are. Obtain a copy of the in-house redundancy policy if there is one and check out your contract for exit terms.
Try to maintain good relations wherever possible with your employer, even if you are angry about the manner of your exit. You will still need a reasonable reference when the time comes to move on, and it may be that your boss can make useful introductions or offer you consultancy work.
Help from a professional outplacement company can make a huge difference to your job search success and reduce the amount of time taken to find your next role. You can purchase this yourself, but there are advantages to having it arranged via your company.
Don’t rush into applying for any or every job that comes up. Take stock of what you have to offer, what you want to do, and carry out in-depth research to find out what employers are actually looking for. Talk to people in your target industry for career advice and information. This information will be invaluable in helping you identify potential employers.
Assess whether there are any gaps in experience or qualifications that could be a barrier to getting another job and address them. Enrol on some of those courses you have always been too busy to go on: not only will this enhance your skills, it also shows your commitment to continuous professional development.
Redundancy enables you to move your career forward in line with your own personal agenda. Although it can be traumatic, many people find that redundancy is actually the incentive they need to take their career in the direction they actually want to go. So think about what you really want, and go for it.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 22–27. ====
Palvin’s Restaurant
Instructions to new kitchen staff
Dress standards at our restaurants are extremely important whichever area you work in. The following information will help ensure that you have a professional appearance every day as you carry out your foodservice duties.
Palvin’s Restaurant chain provides new kitchen staff with their uniforms and you are advised to come to work with a note of your chest, waist and hip measurements to assist in this process. On your first day, you’ll be issued with two pairs of trousers, two aprons, two jackets and two hats. Once you’re happy that you have the correct size, please take the garments home and add a name tag to each one. Put these inside the garments so that they cannot be seen.
Kitchen work can be messy, and it is up to you to make sure that your uniform is kept clean, but you will receive a laundry allowance to help you do this. Towels are available at work, but it’s a good idea to bring your own too in case you need it. You can keep this and any other personal items safe in the lockers that are available for use while you’re on duty. It’s advisable to bring your own small padlock for these.
Uniforms should not be worn outside work. You should wear your normal clothes to and from work but make sure they’re respectable. For example, hoodies and other similar tops are not acceptable in the kitchens; if it’s cold, wear a jacket. When you arrive at work, you can use the changing facilities located next to the lockers to put on your uniform. You can wear your own shoes in the kitchens as long as they’re sturdy and enclosed. We strongly recommend rubber soles so that they do not slip on the floor.
If you incur any injuries that require crutches while you’re working for the company, you cannot then take on any tasks that involve standing up. However, if such a situation should occur, we will make every effort to place you in an appropriate area where you can sit down to work so you will not need to take time off. Employees who have smaller injuries, such as hand cuts, need to check with their manager whether they can come to work: you may have to take time off to avoid infection.
Questions
Questions 15–21 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
Dealing with redundancy
Initial steps
Start by considering what needs to be done and make a 15 to work through.
Get the company’s policy concerning laying off staff and check personal work-related documents.
Dealing with the company
Avoid letting the management see you are annoyed because:
- you want to receive a positive 16 from them for a future post.
- you might get some 17 projects from them in the future.
Moving on
Find an organisation that specialises in 18 to help you look for another job.
Invest time in doing serious 19 concerning the current requirements in your sector.
Consider if your work and training records contain 20 that might prevent you finding work.
Sign up for any relevant courses to improve your chances of being selected for a new post.
Conclusion
Look on redundancy as a useful 21 to advance, rather than the end of your career.
Questions 22–27 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
- New staff must record their own body 22 before arriving at work.
- You should use your 23 to ensure that your uniform is never dirty.
- Clothes worn to travel to work must be 24.
- Casual wear, such as 25, should not be worn in the kitchen area.
- Staff using 26 may still come to work.
- Please contact the manager before arriving at the kitchens if you have any 27 or other similar injuries.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | list | The best course of action is to keep calm and draw up a list of all of the things you need to arrange in the months ahead | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the best thing to do is to stay relaxed and write down all the tasks you need to organize for the coming months. Answer Explanation: The answer means you should write down the things you have to do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'list'. The notes say to 'make a ... to work through'. The passage advises on the first steps to take, stating 'The best course of action is to keep calm and draw up a list of all of the things you need to arrange'. The phrase 'make a' in the notes means the same as 'draw up a' in the text, so the missing word is 'list'. |
| Q16 | reference | Try to maintain good relations wherever possible with your employer, even if you are angry about the manner of your exit. You will still need a reasonable reference when the time comes to move on | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should try to be friendly with your old boss, even if you are upset. This is because you will need them to say good things about your work (a reference) when you look for a new job in the future. Answer Explanation: The answer 'reference' means a statement your old boss makes about your skills and how well you worked, which you can show to a new company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'reference' because the passage advises you to 'maintain good relations' with your employer even if you are angry. It explains that one reason for this is because 'you will still need a reasonable reference when the time comes to move on'. The question in the notes asks why you should not show you are annoyed, and getting a 'positive reference' for a future job is the reason given in the text. |
| Q17 | consultancy | it may be that your boss can make useful introductions or offer you consultancy work | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that your old manager might introduce you to helpful people or give you a special type of job where you provide expert advice, which is called consultancy work. Answer Explanation: The answer 'consultancy' means a type of job where you give expert advice to a company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'consultancy' because the passage advises maintaining a good relationship with your former employer. It explains that one reason for this is that your boss might give you 'consultancy work' in the future. The word 'projects' in the question is a synonym for 'work' in this context. |
| Q18 | outplacement | Help from a professional outplacement company can make a huge difference to your job search success and reduce the amount of time taken to find your next role | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that getting help from a special company, called an outplacement company, can be very useful for your job search. It can make it easier and faster for you to find a new job. Answer Explanation: The answer 'outplacement' means a special service that helps people who have lost their jobs to find new ones. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'outplacement' because the question asks about a type of organization that helps people find a new job. The passage says that help from a 'professional outplacement company' can make a big difference in a 'job search' and help you 'find your next role' more quickly. This means these companies specialize in outplacement services. |
| Q19 | research | Take stock of what you have to offer, what you want to do, and carry out in-depth research to find out what employers are actually looking for | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you should think about your skills and what kind of job you want. Then, it advises you to do a very careful study to learn exactly what companies need from their employees. Answer Explanation: The answer 'research' means to study or find information about something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'research' because the notes mention to 'invest time in doing serious research' about what is needed in your job area. The passage gives similar advice, saying you should 'carry out in-depth research to find out what employers are actually looking for'. 'In-depth' is a synonym for 'serious', and 'what employers are actually looking for' means 'the current requirements in your sector'. |
| Q20 | gaps | Assess whether there are any gaps in experience or qualifications that could be a barrier to getting another job and address them | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should check if you are missing any important experience or education. These missing things might stop you from getting a new job. If you find any, you should do something to fix them, like taking a class. Answer Explanation: The answer means that there might be some missing skills or experience in your work history that you need for a new job. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'gaps' because the passage advises you to 'Assess whether there are any gaps in experience or qualifications'. The text explains that these gaps could be a 'barrier to getting another job', which means they could 'prevent you finding work' as mentioned in the question. The question asks what your work and training records might contain, and the passage directly uses the word 'gaps' to describe these missing things. |
| Q21 | incentive | Although it can be traumatic, many people find that redundancy is actually the incentive they need to take their career in the direction they actually want to go | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that even though losing a job can be a very difficult experience, for many people it is the push or motivation they need to change their career and do the kind of work they have always wanted to do. Answer Explanation: The answer means that losing your job can be a good reason or motivation to move forward in your work life. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'incentive' because the last paragraph of the passage suggests looking at redundancy positively. It states that for many people, redundancy is the 'incentive' or the push they need to change their career path to one they truly desire. The question describes this as a way 'to advance', which means to move forward or improve. |
| Q22 | measurements | Palvin's Restaurant chain provides new kitchen staff with their uniforms and you are advised to come to work with a note of your chest, waist and hip measurements to assist in this process | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the restaurant gives uniforms to new workers. To help with getting the right size, new workers should bring a paper with their body sizes (measurements) written on it when they come to work. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'measurements', means the sizes of different parts of your body, like your chest or waist. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'measurements' because the text says that new kitchen staff should 'come to work with a note of your chest, waist and hip measurements'. This is so the restaurant can give them the correct size uniform. |
| Q23 | laundry allowance | Kitchen work can be messy, and it is up to you to make sure that your uniform is kept clean, but you will receive a laundry allowance to help you do this | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that working in the kitchen can make your clothes dirty. It is your job to wash your uniform. To help with this, the restaurant will give you some money called a 'laundry allowance'. Answer Explanation: The answer means the company gives you money specifically for washing your work clothes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'laundry allowance' because the passage states that it is your responsibility to keep your 'uniform is kept clean'. The text then says that the company will give you a 'laundry allowance' to 'help you do this', which means to help you with the cost of washing your uniform so it is not dirty. |
| Q24 | respectable | You should wear your normal clothes to and from work but make sure they're respectable | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you must wear your own everyday clothes when you are going to work and when you are going home from work. It also says that these clothes must be appropriate and look good. Answer Explanation: The answer, "respectable", means that the clothes you wear when you travel to and from your job should be appropriate and look nice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "respectable" because the passage gives instructions about clothing. It says that staff should wear their own clothes when traveling to and from the restaurant, and it specifically states to "make sure they're respectable." |
| Q25 | hoodies | For example, hoodies and other similar tops are not acceptable in the kitchens; if it's cold, wear a jacket | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that some clothes, like hoodies, are not allowed in the kitchen. This means you cannot wear them when you are working there. Answer Explanation: The answer is "hoodies", which are a type of casual jacket or sweatshirt with a hood. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "hoodies" because the passage gives it as an example of clothing that is not allowed in the kitchen. The instructions say that clothes worn to and from work must be respectable. It then specifically states that "hoodies and other similar tops are not acceptable in the kitchens." The phrase "not acceptable" directly matches the meaning of "should not be worn" in the question. |
| Q26 | crutches | If you incur any injuries that require crutches while you're working for the company, you cannot then take on any tasks that involve standing up. However, if such a situation should occur, we will make every effort to place you in an appropriate area where you can sit down to work so you will not need to take time off | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you get hurt and need to use crutches, you cannot do jobs that require you to stand. But, the restaurant will try very hard to find you a different job where you can sit down. This way, you can still come to work and do not have to miss it. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'crutches'. Crutches are long sticks that people put under their arms to help them walk when they have hurt their leg. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'crutches' because the passage explains that if a staff member gets an injury that needs crutches, the restaurant will try to find them a job where they can sit down. This means they can 'still come to work' and do not 'need to take time off'. |
| Q27 | hand cuts | Employees who have smaller injuries, such as hand cuts, need to check with their manager whether they can come to work: you may have to take time off to avoid infection | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that workers with small injuries, like cuts on their hands, must talk to their manager. They need to find out if it is okay for them to come to work. They might need to stay home so the cut does not get sick with an infection. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'hand cuts', which means small wounds or injuries on your hands. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'hand cuts' because the question asks what kind of injury requires you to contact a manager before coming to work. The passage gives 'hand cuts' as an example of a 'smaller injury' and says that for these injuries, employees 'need to check with their manager' to see if they can work. 'Check with' means the same as 'contact'. |