Academic Reading
Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Reading Test 1: answers explained
For each of the 40 questions: the answer, where it is in the passage, the sentence that proves it and why.
Try the test before you read the explanations
Finding the evidence yourself teaches more than reading it. The answers and explanations stay hidden until you ask for them.
Answer key
- 1
- creativity
- 2
- rules
- 3
- cities
- 4
- traffic
- 5
- crime
- 6
- competition
- 7
- evidence
- 8
- life
- 9
- TRUE
- 10
- TRUE
- 11
- NOT GIVEN
- 12
- FALSE
- 13
- TRUE
- 14
- E
- 15
- C
- 16
- F
- 17
- C
- 18
- A
- 19
- B
- 20
- D
- 21
- D
- 22
- E
- 23
- activists
- 24
- consumerism
- 25
- leaflets
- 26
- police
- 27
- E
- 28
- D
- 29
- B
- 30
- D
- 31
- C
- 32
- YES
- 33
- NO
- 34
- NO
- 35
- NOT GIVEN
- 36
- restaurants
- 37
- performance
- 38
- turnover
- 39
- goals
- 40
- characteristics
Explanation for each answer
Passage 1 · Q1–13 THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN’S PLAY
Question 1
Note completion- Question
- building a ‘magical kingdom’ may help develop ______
- Answer
- creativity
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 1
- Sentence in the passage
Although she isn’t aware of it, this fantasy is helping her take her first steps towards her capacity for creativity and so it will have important repercussions in her adult life.
- Explanation
- The first bullet point under 'Uses of children’s play' mentions building a 'magical kingdom' and asks what it may help develop. The first paragraph of the passage describes Alice building a 'magical kingdom'. The third sentence of the first paragraph states: 'Although she isn’t aware of it, this fantasy is helping her take her first steps towards her capacity for creativity...' This directly links building a magical kingdom (fantasy) to developing 'creativity'. The answer 'creativity' is one word, fitting the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit, and is a noun which fits grammatically.
Question 2
Note completion- Question
- board games involve ______ and turn-taking
- Answer
- rules
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 2
- Sentence in the passage
Later on, when they tire of this and settle down with a board game, she’s learning about the need to follow rules and take turns with a partner.
- Explanation
- The second bullet point under 'Uses of children’s play' mentions board games and 'turn-taking', asking what else they involve. The second paragraph describes Alice's play. The third sentence states: 'Later on, when they tire of this and settle down with a board game, she’s learning about the need to follow rules and take turns with a partner.' This sentence explicitly mentions 'board game' and states that Alice is learning to 'follow rules and take turns'. The answer 'rules' is one word and fits the structure '______ and turn-taking', directly matching the passage's description of what is learned alongside turn-taking. It adheres to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.
Question 3
Note completion- Question
- population of ______ have grown
- Answer
- cities
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 5
- Sentence in the passage
But we live in changing times, and Whitebread is mindful of a worldwide decline in play, pointing out that over half the people in the world now live in cities.
- Explanation
- The first bullet point under 'Recent changes affecting children’s play' talks about a population that has grown. The fifth paragraph discusses 'changing times' and a 'worldwide decline in play'. The first sentence of this paragraph states: 'But we live in changing times, and Whitebread is mindful of a worldwide decline in play, pointing out that over half the people in the world now live in cities.' This sentence connects the decline in play to the fact that more people live in 'cities'. The structure of the bullet point 'population of ______ have grown' matches the idea that 'over half the people... now live in cities', implying urban populations have increased. The answer 'cities' is one word and fits the 'ONE WORD ONLY' rule.
Question 4
Note completion- Question
- fear of ______
- Answer
- traffic
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 5
- Sentence in the passage
Outdoor play is curtailed by perceptions of risk to do with traffic, as well as parents’ increased wish to protect their children from being the victims of crime, and by the emphasis on ‘earlier is better’ which is leading to greater competition in academic learning and schools.
- Explanation
- The bullet points under 'Recent changes affecting children’s play' list reasons why opportunities for free play are limited. The first reason mentioned is 'fear of _____'. The third sentence of the fifth paragraph lists these reasons: 'Outdoor play is curtailed by perceptions of risk to do with traffic, as well as parents’ increased wish to protect their children from being the victims of crime...'. 'Perceptions of risk to do with traffic' can be interpreted as 'fear of traffic'. 'Traffic' is one word and fits the structure and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' rule.
Question 5
Note completion- Question
- fear of ______
- Answer
- crime
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 5
- Sentence in the passage
Outdoor play is curtailed by perceptions of risk to do with traffic, as well as parents’ increased wish to protect their children from being the victims of crime, and by the emphasis on ‘earlier is better’ which is leading to greater competition in academic learning and schools.
- Explanation
- This question continues the list of reasons for limited free play, following 'fear of traffic'. The same sentence in the fifth paragraph lists another reason: '...as well as parents’ increased wish to protect their children from being the victims of crime...'. Protecting children from becoming 'victims of crime' relates to a 'fear of crime'. 'Crime' is one word, fits the structure and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' rule, and is listed immediately after traffic as a reason.
Question 6
Note completion- Question
- increased ______ in schools
- Answer
- competition
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 5
- Sentence in the passage
Outdoor play is curtailed by perceptions of risk to do with traffic, as well as parents’ increased wish to protect their children from being the victims of crime, and by the emphasis on ‘earlier is better’ which is leading to greater competition in academic learning and schools.
- Explanation
- This is the third reason listed for limited free play. The same sentence in the fifth paragraph finishes with: '...and by the emphasis on ‘earlier is better’ which is leading to greater competition in academic learning and schools.' This directly states that 'greater competition in academic learning and schools' is a factor. 'Competition' is one word, fits the grammatical structure (increased ______) and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' rule, and is located where expected in the list of reasons.
Question 7
Note completion- Question
- it is difficult to find ______ to support new policies
- Answer
- evidence
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 6
- Sentence in the passage
But what they often lack is the evidence to base policies on.
- Explanation
- Under 'International policies on children’s play', the first bullet point mentions difficulty finding something to support new policies. The sixth paragraph discusses international bodies developing policies. The second sentence of this paragraph says: 'But what they often lack is the evidence to base policies on.' This sentence directly states that 'evidence' is lacking to support policies. 'Evidence' is one word and fits the structure and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' rule.
Question 8
Note completion- Question
- research needs to study the impact of play on the rest of the child’s ______
- Answer
- life
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 8
- Sentence in the passage
Dr Jenny Gibson agrees, pointing out that although some of the steps in the puzzle of how and why play is important have been looked at, there is very little data on the impact it has on the child’s later life.
- Explanation
- Gibson notes that although some pieces of the puzzle about play have been studied, there is very little data on how it affects the child's later life. The notes turn this into the rest of the child's life, so the single word needed is life. 'Later' is the clue, but it does not fit the gap grammatically.
Question 9
True / False / Not Given- Question
- Children with good self-control are known to be likely to do well at school later on.
- Answer
- TRUE
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 12
- Sentence in the passage
If playful experiences do facilitate this aspect of development, say the researchers, it could be extremely significant for educational practices, because the ability to self-regulate has been shown to be a key predictor of academic performance.
- Explanation
- The statement claims that children with good self-control are likely to do well at school later. The twelfth paragraph discusses self-regulation (self-control) in the context of educational practices. The sentence states: 'If playful experiences do facilitate this aspect of development, say the researchers, it could be extremely significant for educational practices, because the ability to self-regulate has been shown to be a key predictor of academic performance.' 'Self-regulate' means self-control, and 'academic performance' relates to doing well at school. The passage directly confirms that self-regulation/self-control 'has been shown to be a key predictor of academic performance'. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
Question 10
True / False / Not Given- Question
- The way a child plays may provide information about possible medical problems.
- Answer
- TRUE
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 13
- Sentence in the passage
In my previous research, I investigated how observing children at play can give us important clues about their well-being and can even be useful in the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.’
- Explanation
- The statement suggests that a child's play might reveal information about medical issues. The thirteenth paragraph discusses playful behavior and social/emotional development. Dr. Gibson adds that observing play 'can give us important clues about their well-being and can even be useful in the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.' Neurodevelopmental disorders like autism are medical problems. Therefore, the passage supports the idea that observing play can be 'useful in the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders', confirming that play can provide information about 'possible medical problems'. The statement is TRUE.
Question 11
True / False / Not Given- Question
- Playing with dolls was found to benefit girls’ writing more than boys’ writing.
- Answer
- NOT GIVEN
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 14
- Sentence in the passage
Children wrote longer and better-structured stories when they first played with dolls representing characters in the story.
- Explanation
- The statement claims that playing with dolls benefited girls' writing more than boys' writing. The fourteenth paragraph discusses research on using play to support writing. It mentions a study where 'Children wrote longer and better-structured stories when they first played with dolls representing characters in the story.' While this sentence confirms that playing with dolls benefited children's writing, it refers to 'Children' generally. The passage does not provide any information comparing the benefit on girls' writing specifically to boys' writing. Therefore, the information needed to confirm or deny this specific comparison is not present.
Question 12
True / False / Not Given- Question
- Children had problems thinking up ideas when they first created the story with Lego.
- Answer
- FALSE
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 14
- Sentence in the passage
With the Lego building, however, not a single child said this through the whole year of the project.’
- Explanation
- Teachers expected children to say they had nothing to write about, but with the Lego building none did, all year long. So the statement is the opposite of what happened. It is FALSE rather than NOT GIVEN because the passage directly reports the result for the Lego study.
Question 13
True / False / Not Given- Question
- People nowadays regard children’s play as less significant than they did in the past.
- Answer
- TRUE
- Location
- Passage 1, paragraph 16
- Sentence in the passage
‘Somehow the importance of play has been lost in recent decades.
- Explanation
- The statement suggests that the significance of children's play has decreased over time. The final paragraph directly addresses this. The second sentence states: 'Somehow the importance of play has been lost in recent decades.' This clearly indicates a change over time, where the importance is perceived as reduced 'in recent decades' compared to implicitly earlier periods. The following sentence reinforces this: 'It’s regarded as something trivial, or even as something negative...'. This current view ('regarded as something trivial') is presented in contrast to its fundamental contributions mentioned later in the paragraph. The passage confirms that the importance of play is now seen as less significant (lost, trivial) than it was, implicitly, in the past. The statement is TRUE.
Passage 2 · Q14–26 The growth of bike-sharing schemes around the world
Question 14
Matching information- Question
- a description of how people misused a bike-sharing scheme
- Answer
- E
- Location
- Paragraph E
- Sentence in the passage
The system, however, was prone to vandalism and theft.
- Explanation
- The question asks for a description of how people misused a bike-sharing scheme. The correct answer is Section E. According to the passage's structure (defined by sectionrange), Section E corresponds to the fifth paragraph. This paragraph discusses the 1999 Amsterdam scheme and states, 'The system, however, was prone to vandalism and theft' (sentence 4). It also mentions bikes being 'missing' (sentence 5), indicating misuse.
Question 15
Matching information- Question
- an explanation of why a proposed bike-sharing scheme was turned down
- Answer
- C
- Location
- Paragraph C
- Sentence in the passage
‘They said that the bicycle belongs to the past.
- Explanation
- The question asks for an explanation of why a proposed bike-sharing scheme was turned down. The correct answer is Section C. According to the passage's structure, Section C corresponds to the third paragraph. This paragraph describes Schimmelpennink's proposal to the Amsterdam city council. Sentences 6 and 7 in this paragraph explain the council's reason for rejection: 'They said that the bicycle belongs to the past. They saw a glorious future for the car.'
Question 16
Matching information- Question
- a reference to a person being unable to profit their work
- Answer
- F
- Location
- Paragraph F
- Sentence in the passage
‘But financially I didn’t really benefit from it, because I never filed for a patent.’
- Explanation
- The question asks for a reference to a person being unable to profit from their work. The correct answer is Section F. According to the passage's structure, Section F corresponds to the sixth paragraph. The final sentence of this paragraph quotes Schimmelpennink saying about the success of his scheme abroad: 'But financially I didn’t really benefit from it, because I never filed for a patent.' This indicates his inability to profit financially.
Question 17
Matching information- Question
- an explanation of the potential savings a bike-sharing scheme would bring
- Answer
- C
- Location
- Paragraph C
- Sentence in the passage
It turned out that a white bicycle – per person, per kilometer – would cost the municipality only 10% of what it contributed to public transport per person per kilometer.’
- Explanation
- The question asks for an explanation of the potential savings a bike-sharing scheme would bring. The correct answer is Section C. According to the passage's structure, Section C corresponds to the third paragraph. In this paragraph, Schimmelpennink describes his proposed plan to the city council. Sentence 4 provides a calculation of potential savings: 'It turned out that a white bicycle – per person, per kilometer – would cost the municipality only 10% of what it contributed to public transport per person per kilometer.' This is an explanation of the potential savings.
Question 18
Matching information- Question
- a reference to the problems a bike-sharing scheme was intended to solve
- Answer
- A
- Location
- Paragraph A
- Sentence in the passage
They believed the scheme, which was known as the Witte Fietsenplan, was an answer to the perceived threats of air pollution and consumerism.
- Explanation
- The question asks for a reference to the problems a bike-sharing scheme was intended to solve. The correct answer is Section A. According to the passage's structure, Section A comprises the first two paragraphs. The first paragraph, in its third sentence, states that the original Witte Fietsenplan 'was an answer to the perceived threats of air pollution and consumerism.' These are the problems the scheme aimed to address.
Question 19
Multiple choice (several answers)- Question
- Which TWO of the following statements are made in the text about the Amsterdam bike-sharing scheme of 1999?
- Answer
- B
- Location
- Paragraph E
- Sentence in the passage
But the biggest blow came when Postbank decided to abolish the chip card, because it wasn’t profitable.
- Explanation
- The question asks for two correct statements about the 1999 Amsterdam scheme. This explanation is for Option B: 'It failed when a partner in the scheme withdrew support.' Section E discusses the 1999 scheme. The seventh sentence states, 'But the biggest blow came when Postbank decided to abolish the chip card, because it wasn’t profitable.' The final sentence adds, 'To continue the project we would have needed to set up another system, but the business partner had lost interest.' Postbank was a key partner (as it provided the chip card system), and their withdrawal effectively caused the scheme's failure.
Question 20
Multiple choice (several answers)- Question
- Which TWO of the following statements are made in the text about the Amsterdam bike-sharing scheme of 1999?
- Answer
- D
- Location
- Paragraph D
- Sentence in the passage
‘Times had changed,’ he recalls.
- Explanation
- The question asks for two correct statements about the 1999 Amsterdam scheme. This explanation is for Option D: 'It was made possible by a change in people’s attitudes.' Section D discusses the lead-up to the 1999 scheme. Sentences 5 and 6 quote Schimmelpennink explaining why he succeeded this time: '‘Times had changed,’ he recalls. ‘People had become more environmentally conscious, and the Danish experiment had proved that bike-sharing was a real possibility.’' The increased environmental consciousness represents a change in people's attitudes that facilitated the scheme.
Question 21
Multiple choice (several answers)- Question
- Which TWO of the following statements are made in the text about Amsterdam today?
- Answer
- D
- Location
- Paragraph G
- Sentence in the passage
‘People who travel on the underground don’t carry their bikes around.
- Explanation
- The question asks for two correct statements about Amsterdam today. This explanation is for Option D: 'A bike-sharing scheme would benefit residents who use public transport.' Section G discusses Amsterdam today. Sentences 4 and 5 quote Schimmelpennink explaining why a scheme is still needed: '‘People who travel on the underground don’t carry their bikes around. But often they need additional transport to reach their final destination.’' This implies that public transport users would benefit from a bike-sharing scheme for the 'last mile' of their journey.
Question 22
Multiple choice (several answers)- Question
- Which TWO of the following statements are made in the text about Amsterdam today?
- Answer
- E
- Location
- Paragraph G
- Sentence in the passage
In Amsterdam today, 38% of all trips are made by bike and, along with Copenhagen, it is regarded as one of the two most cycle-friendly capitals in the world – but the city never got another Witte Fietsenplan.
- Explanation
- The question asks for two correct statements about Amsterdam today. This explanation is for Option E: 'The city has a reputation as a place that welcomes cyclists.' Section G discusses Amsterdam today. The first sentence states that Amsterdam, 'along with Copenhagen, it is regarded as one of the two most cycle-friendly capitals in the world'. Being 'cycle-friendly' means it welcomes cyclists and is widely regarded as such, establishing its reputation.
Question 23
Summary completion- Question
- The people who belonged to this group were ______ They were concerned about damage to the environment and about …, and believed that the bike-sharing scheme would draw attention to these issues.
- Answer
- activists
- Location
- Paragraph A
- Sentence in the passage
Provo, the organization that came up with the idea, was a group of Dutch activists who wanted to change society.
- Explanation
- The note refers to the group Provo. The question asks what kind of people belonged to this group. The second sentence of the first paragraph (Section A) states that Provo 'was a group of Dutch activists who wanted to change society.' The word 'activists' fits grammatically and contextually, and is one word, adhering to the limit.
Question 24
Summary completion- Question
- The people who belonged to this group were … They were concerned about damage to the environment and about ______, and believed that the bike-sharing scheme would draw attention to these issues.
- Answer
- consumerism
- Location
- Paragraph A
- Sentence in the passage
They believed the scheme, which was known as the Witte Fietsenplan, was an answer to the perceived threats of air pollution and consumerism.
- Explanation
- The note lists two concerns of the Provo group. One is 'damage to the environment' (related to 'air pollution' in the passage). The blank requires the second concern. The third sentence of the first paragraph (Section A) states the scheme was 'an answer to the perceived threats of air pollution and consumerism.' 'Consumerism' is the second threat listed, fits the blank, and is one word.
Question 25
Summary completion- Question
- As well as painting some bikes white, they handed out ______ that condemned the use of cars.
- Answer
- leaflets
- Location
- Paragraph A
- Sentence in the passage
They also distributed leaflets describing the dangers of cars and inviting people to use the white bikes.
- Explanation
- The note describes actions taken by Provo, including painting bikes and handing out something that condemned cars. The fifth sentence of the first paragraph (Section A) states, 'They also distributed leaflets describing the dangers of cars and inviting people to use the white bikes.' 'Leaflets' are what they distributed, which fits the description, and is one word.
Question 26
Summary completion- Question
- However, the scheme was not a great success: almost as quickly as Provo left the bikes around the city, the ______ Took them away.
- Answer
- police
- Location
- Paragraph B
- Sentence in the passage
The police were opposed to Provo’s initiatives and almost as soon as the white bikes were distributed around the city, they removed them.
- Explanation
- The note states the scheme was not successful because someone took the bikes away. The third sentence of the second paragraph (Section B) says, 'The police were opposed to Provo’s initiatives and almost as soon as the white bikes were distributed around the city, they removed them.' This clearly identifies 'The police' as the group that took the bikes away. 'Police' is one word and fits the context.
Passage 3 · Q27–40 Motivational factors and the hospitality industry
Question 27
Matching features- Question
- Hotel managers need to know what would encourage good staff to remain.
- Answer
- E
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 8
- Sentence in the passage
This requires an understanding of what motivates employees at different levels of management and different stages of their careers (Enz and Siguaw, 2000).
- Explanation
- The statement says that hotel managers need to know what motivates staff to stay. The second sentence of paragraph 7 attributes to Enz and Siguaw (2000) the idea that understanding employee motivation at different levels and stages is required for management to inspire and retain competent employees. The third sentence further clarifies that this understanding helps managers identify practices to increase employee satisfaction and retention. This directly matches the statement's idea that managers need to know what encourages staff to remain. Therefore, Enz and Siguaw (Option E) is the correct answer.
Question 28
Matching features- Question
- The actions of managers may make staff feel they shouldn’t move to a different employer.
- Answer
- D
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 5
- Sentence in the passage
Ng and Sorensen (2008) demonstrated that when managers provide recognition to employees, motivate employees to work together, and remove obstacles preventing effective performance, employees feel more obligated to stay with the company.
- Explanation
- The statement suggests that manager actions can influence employees' decision to stay with the company. The first sentence of paragraph 4 attributes to Ng and Sorensen (2008) the finding that when managers provide recognition, encourage teamwork, and remove performance obstacles, employees feel 'more obligated to stay with the company'. The phrase 'more obligated to stay' is a direct parallel to 'feel they shouldn't move to a different employer'. Thus, Ng and Sorensen (Option D) is the correct match.
Question 29
Matching features- Question
- Little is done in the hospitality industry to help workers improve their skills.
- Answer
- B
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 3
- Sentence in the passage
Despite this recognition of the importance of employee development, the hospitality industry has historically been dominated by underdeveloped HR practices (Lucas, 2002).
- Explanation
- The statement claims that the hospitality industry does little to help workers improve skills. The third sentence of paragraph 2 states that the hospitality industry has been historically dominated by 'underdeveloped HR practices', referencing Lucas (2002). Furthermore, the first sentence of paragraph 3, also citing Lucas (2002), points out that HRM practices in the industry don't appear designed to enable 'developing and drawing out the full potential of people'. This lack of focus on employee development and potential aligns directly with the statement that little is done to help workers improve their skills. Therefore, Lucas (Option B) is the correct answer.
Question 30
Matching features- Question
- Staff are less likely to change jobs if cooperation is encouraged.
- Answer
- D
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 5
- Sentence in the passage
Ng and Sorensen (2008) demonstrated that when managers provide recognition to employees, motivate employees to work together, and remove obstacles preventing effective performance, employees feel more obligated to stay with the company.
- Explanation
- The statement proposes that encouraging cooperation makes staff less likely to leave. The first sentence of paragraph 4, referencing Ng and Sorensen (2008), lists several managerial actions that make employees 'feel more obligated to stay'. One of these actions is 'motivate employees to work together', which is a direct synonym for 'encouraging cooperation'. Since this action is listed as leading to employees feeling more obligated to stay (i.e., less likely to change jobs), Ng and Sorensen (Option D) is the correct match. Note that Ng and Sorensen is the correct answer for both question 28 and 30, which is permissible in matching tasks if supported by the text.
Question 31
Matching features- Question
- Dissatisfaction with pay is not the only reason why hospitality workers change jobs.
- Answer
- C
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 4
- Sentence in the passage
In addition, or maybe as a result, high employee turnover has been a recurring problem throughout the hospitality industry.
- Explanation
- The statement asserts that low pay is not the sole reason for staff turnover. The second sentence of paragraph 3, referencing Maroudas et al. (2008), lists the 'many cited reasons' for high employee turnover in the hospitality industry. This list includes 'low compensation' (pay), but also explicitly mentions 'inadequate benefits, poor working conditions and compromised employee morale and attitudes'. Since several other reasons are listed alongside low compensation, the passage supports the idea that pay is not the *only* reason. Maroudas et al. are cited as the source for this list of multiple reasons. Therefore, Maroudas et al. (Option C) is the correct answer.
Question 32
Yes / No / Not Given- Question
- One reason for high staff turnover in the hospitality industry is poor morale.
- Answer
- YES
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 4
- Sentence in the passage
Among the many cited reasons are low compensation, inadequate benefits, poor working conditions and compromised employee morale and attitudes (Maroudas et al., 2008).
- Explanation
- The writer lists several cited reasons for high turnover, and one of them is compromised employee morale and attitudes. Poor morale is therefore named as a cause, which makes YES correct. Low pay and weak benefits appear in the same list, but they are extra reasons, not alternatives that cancel this one.
Question 33
Yes / No / Not Given- Question
- Research has shown that staff have a tendency to dislike their workplace.
- Answer
- NO
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 6
- Sentence in the passage
While it seems likely that employees’ reactions to their job characteristics could be affected by a predisposition to view their work environment negatively, no evidence exists to support this hypothesis (Spector et al., 2000).
- Explanation
- The statement claims that research shows staff tend to dislike their workplace. The first sentence of paragraph 5 discusses the idea that employees *might* have a predisposition to view their work environment negatively, but explicitly states that 'no evidence exists to support this hypothesis' (citing Spector et al.). While the following sentence mentions that 'many people will find something to complain about' (citing Poulston), this is different from research showing a general *tendency to dislike* the workplace. The key point is the lack of research *evidence* for a general negative predisposition or tendency to dislike. Therefore, the passage contradicts the statement, making the answer NO.
Question 34
Yes / No / Not Given- Question
- An improvement in working conditions and job security makes staff satisfied with their jobs.
- Answer
- NO
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 9
- Sentence in the passage
Herzberg (1966) proposes that people have two major types of needs, the first being extrinsic motivation factors relating to the context in which work is performed, rather than the work itself.
- Explanation
- The statement claims that improving working conditions and job security leads to job satisfaction. Paragraph 8 explains Herzberg's theory. Sentences 0 and 1 state that working conditions and job security are 'extrinsic motivation factors'. Sentence 2 mentions that unfavorable extrinsic factors cause dissatisfaction. However, sentence 3 explicitly states, 'Significantly, though, just fulfilling these needs does not result in satisfaction, but only in the reduction of dissatisfaction'. This directly contradicts the statement's claim that improving these factors *makes staff satisfied*. According to Herzberg's theory as presented, improving these factors only reduces dissatisfaction, it does not create satisfaction. Therefore, the answer is NO.
Question 35
Yes / No / Not Given- Question
- Staff should be allowed to choose when they take breaks during the working day.
- Answer
- NOT GIVEN
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 12
- Sentence in the passage
Those particularly appropriate to the hospitality industry include allowing adequate breaks during the working day, staff functions that involve families, and providing health and well-being opportunities.
- Explanation
- The statement suggests staff should be allowed to choose their break times. The passage mentions 'allowing adequate breaks during the working day' in paragraph 11 as one of Deery's recommendations to retain staff and balance work-family life. However, it only states that 'adequate breaks' should be allowed. It does *not* mention whether staff should have the *choice* of when to take these breaks. The passage provides information about the need for breaks, but not about the specific policy regarding employee autonomy in scheduling those breaks. Therefore, this information is not given in the passage.
Question 36
Summary completion- Question
- Tews, Michel and Stafford carried out research on staff in an American chain of ______ They discovered that activities designed for staff to have fun improved their …, and that management involvement led to lower staff … They also found that the activities needed to fit with both the company’s … and the … Of the staff.
- Answer
- restaurants
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 11
- Sentence in the passage
For example, Tews, Michel and Stafford (2013) conducted a study focusing on staff from a chain of themed restaurants in the United States.
- Explanation
- The question asks what kind of American chain Tews, Michel, and Stafford studied. The second sentence of paragraph 10 states: 'For example, Tews, Michel and Stafford (2013) conducted a study focusing on staff from a chain of themed restaurants in the United States.' This directly provides the answer: 'restaurants'. The word 'restaurants' is one word, which fits the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit, and grammatically fits the blank.
Question 37
Summary completion- Question
- Tews, Michel and Stafford carried out research on staff in an American chain of … They discovered that activities designed for staff to have fun improved their ______, and that management involvement led to lower staff … They also found that the activities needed to fit with both the company’s … and the … Of the staff.
- Answer
- performance
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 11
- Sentence in the passage
It was found that fun activities had a favorable impact on performance and manager support for fun had a favorable impact in reducing turnover.
- Explanation
- The question asks what fun activities improved according to the study. The third sentence of paragraph 10, reporting on Tews, Michel, and Stafford's findings, states: 'It was found that fun activities had a favorable impact on performance...'. 'Favorable impact on performance' means performance was improved. The word 'performance' fits the blank grammatically (a noun) and adheres to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.
Question 38
Summary completion- Question
- Tews, Michel and Stafford carried out research on staff in an American chain of … They discovered that activities designed for staff to have fun improved their …, and that management involvement led to lower staff ______ They also found that the activities needed to fit with both the company’s … and the … Of the staff.
- Answer
- turnover
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 11
- Sentence in the passage
It was found that fun activities had a favorable impact on performance and manager support for fun had a favorable impact in reducing turnover.
- Explanation
- The question asks what aspect of staff was lowered by management involvement in fun. The third sentence of paragraph 10 continues: '...and manager support for fun had a favorable impact in reducing turnover.' 'Reducing turnover' means lower turnover. The word 'turnover' fits the blank grammatically (a noun) and adheres to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.
Question 39
Summary completion- Question
- Tews, Michel and Stafford carried out research on staff in an American chain of … They discovered that activities designed for staff to have fun improved their …, and that management involvement led to lower staff … They also found that the activities needed to fit with both the company’s ______ and the … Of the staff.
- Answer
- goals
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 11
- Sentence in the passage
Their findings support the view that fun may indeed have a beneficial effect, but the framing of that fun must be carefully aligned with both organizational goals and employee characteristics.
- Explanation
- The question states that the activities needed to fit with the company's something and the staff's characteristics. The fourth sentence of paragraph 10 says: '...but the framing of that fun must be carefully aligned with both organizational goals and employee characteristics.' The blank is part of a list of two things the fun activities must align with, the first being related to the company. 'Organizational goals' relates to the company's goals. The word 'goals' fits the blank grammatically (a noun) and adheres to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.
Question 40
Summary completion- Question
- Tews, Michel and Stafford carried out research on staff in an American chain of … They discovered that activities designed for staff to have fun improved their …, and that management involvement led to lower staff … They also found that the activities needed to fit with both the company’s … and the ______ Of the staff.
- Answer
- characteristics
- Location
- Passage 3, paragraph 11
- Sentence in the passage
Their findings support the view that fun may indeed have a beneficial effect, but the framing of that fun must be carefully aligned with both organizational goals and employee characteristics.
- Explanation
- The question asks what characteristic related to staff the activities needed to fit with. The fourth sentence of paragraph 10 states that the fun must be aligned with 'both organizational goals and employee characteristics'. The blank follows 'the __________ Of the staff', and 'employee characteristics' fits this structure. The word 'characteristics' fits the blank grammatically (a noun) and adheres to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.