The Best techniques to solve IELTS reading passage
Networking
1.Networking as a concept has acquired what is in all truth an unjustified air of modernity. It is considered in the corporate world as an essential tool for the modern businessperson, as they trot round the globe drumming up business for themselves or a corporation. The concept is worn like a badge of distinction, and not just in the business world.
Networking
1.Networking as a concept has acquired what is in all truth an unjustified air of modernity. It is considered in the corporate world as an essential tool for the modern businessperson, as they trot round the globe drumming up business for themselves or a corporation. The concept is worn like a badge of distinction, and not just in the business world.
2.People can be divided basically into those who keep knowledge and their personal contacts to themselves, and those who are prepared to share what they know and indeed their friends with others. A person who is insecure, for example, someone who finds it difficult to share information with others and who is unable to bring people, including friends, together does not make a good Networker. The classic Networker is someone who is strong enough within themselves to connect different people, including close friends with each other. For example, a businessman or an academic may meet someone who is likely to be a valuable contact in the future, but at the moment that person may benefit from meeting other associate or a friend.
3.It takes quite a secure person to bring these people together and allow a relationship to develop independently of himself. From the non-network's point of view, such a development may be intolerable, especially if it is happening outside their control. The unfortunate thing here is that the initiator of the contract, if he did but know it, would be the one to benefit most. And why?
4.Because all things being equal, people move within circles and that person has the potential of being sucked into ever growing spheres of new contacts. It is said that, if you know eight people, you are in touch with everyone in the world. It does not take much common sense to realize the potential for any kind of venture as one is able to draw on the experience of more and more people.
5.Unfortunately, making new contacts, business or otherwise, while it brings success, does cause problems. It enlarges the individual's world. This is in truth not altogether a bad thing, but it puts more pressure on the networker through his having to maintain an ever larger circle of people. The most convenient way out is, perhaps, to cull old contacts, but this would be anathema to our networker as it would defeat the whole purpose of networking. Another problem is the reaction of friends and associates. Spreading oneself thinly gives one less time for others who were perhaps closer to one in the past. In the workplace, this can cause tension with jealous colleagues, and even with superiors who might be tempted to rein in a more successful inferior. Jealousy and envy can prove to be very detrimental if one is faced with a very insecure manager, as this person may seek to stifle someone's career or even block it completely.
6.The answer here is to let one's superiors share in the glory; to throw them a few crumbs of comfort. It is called leadership from the bottom. In the present business climate, companies and enterprises need to co-operate with each other in order to expand. As globalization grows apace, companies need to be able to span not just countries but continents. Whilst people may rail against this development it is for the moment here to stay. Without co-operation and contacts, specialist companies will not survive for long. Computer components, for example, need to be compatible with the various machines on the market and to achieve this; firms need to work in conjunction with others. No business or institution can afford to be an island in today's environment. In the not very distant past, it was possible for companies to go it alone, but it is now more difficult to do so.
7.The same applies in the academic world, where ideas have been jealously guarded. The opening-up of universities and colleges to the outside world in recent years has been of enormous benefit to industry and educational institutions. The stereotypical academic is one who moves in a rarefied atmosphere living a life of sometimes splendid isolation, a prisoner of their own genius. This sort of person does not fit easily into the mould of the modern networker. Yet even this insular world is changing. The ivory towers are being left ever more frequently as educational experts forge links with other bodies; sometimes to stunning effect as in Silicon Valley in America and around Cambridge in England, which now has one of the most concentrated clusters of high tech companies in Europe.
8.It is the networkers, the wheeler-dealers, the movers and shakers, call them what you will, that carry the world along. The world of the Neanderthals was shaken between 35,000 and 40,000 BC; they were superseded by Homo Sapiens with the very 'networking' skills that separate us from other animals: understanding, thought abstraction and culture, which are inextricably linked to planning survival and productivity in humans. It is said the meek will inherit the earth. But will they?
Questions 1-5
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Passage?
YES- if the statement agrees with the writer's claims
NO- if the statement contradicts the writer's claims
NOT GIVEN- if there is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
1 Networking is not a modern idea.
2 Networking is worn like a badge exclusively in the business world.
3 People fall into two basic categories.
4 A person who shares knowledge and friends makes a better networker than one who does not.
5 The classic networker is physically strong and generally in good health.
Questions 6-10
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage, complete the sentences below.
6 Making new acquaintances ..................... but also has its disadvantages.
7 At work, problems can be caused if the manager is ...................................
8 A manager can suppress, or even totally .................. the career of an employee.
9 In business today, working together is necessary in order for............. to grow.
10 Businesses that specialize will not last for long without ........................
Questions 11-15
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage, complete the sentences below.
11 In which sphere of life have ideas been protected jealously?.
12 Which type of individual does not easily become a modern networker?
13 Where is one of the greatest concentrations of high tech companies in Europe?
14 Who replaced the Neanderthal?
15 What, as well as understanding and thought abstraction, sets us apart from other animals?
3.It takes quite a secure person to bring these people together and allow a relationship to develop independently of himself. From the non-network's point of view, such a development may be intolerable, especially if it is happening outside their control. The unfortunate thing here is that the initiator of the contract, if he did but know it, would be the one to benefit most. And why?
4.Because all things being equal, people move within circles and that person has the potential of being sucked into ever growing spheres of new contacts. It is said that, if you know eight people, you are in touch with everyone in the world. It does not take much common sense to realize the potential for any kind of venture as one is able to draw on the experience of more and more people.
5.Unfortunately, making new contacts, business or otherwise, while it brings success, does cause problems. It enlarges the individual's world. This is in truth not altogether a bad thing, but it puts more pressure on the networker through his having to maintain an ever larger circle of people. The most convenient way out is, perhaps, to cull old contacts, but this would be anathema to our networker as it would defeat the whole purpose of networking. Another problem is the reaction of friends and associates. Spreading oneself thinly gives one less time for others who were perhaps closer to one in the past. In the workplace, this can cause tension with jealous colleagues, and even with superiors who might be tempted to rein in a more successful inferior. Jealousy and envy can prove to be very detrimental if one is faced with a very insecure manager, as this person may seek to stifle someone's career or even block it completely.
6.The answer here is to let one's superiors share in the glory; to throw them a few crumbs of comfort. It is called leadership from the bottom. In the present business climate, companies and enterprises need to co-operate with each other in order to expand. As globalization grows apace, companies need to be able to span not just countries but continents. Whilst people may rail against this development it is for the moment here to stay. Without co-operation and contacts, specialist companies will not survive for long. Computer components, for example, need to be compatible with the various machines on the market and to achieve this; firms need to work in conjunction with others. No business or institution can afford to be an island in today's environment. In the not very distant past, it was possible for companies to go it alone, but it is now more difficult to do so.
7.The same applies in the academic world, where ideas have been jealously guarded. The opening-up of universities and colleges to the outside world in recent years has been of enormous benefit to industry and educational institutions. The stereotypical academic is one who moves in a rarefied atmosphere living a life of sometimes splendid isolation, a prisoner of their own genius. This sort of person does not fit easily into the mould of the modern networker. Yet even this insular world is changing. The ivory towers are being left ever more frequently as educational experts forge links with other bodies; sometimes to stunning effect as in Silicon Valley in America and around Cambridge in England, which now has one of the most concentrated clusters of high tech companies in Europe.
8.It is the networkers, the wheeler-dealers, the movers and shakers, call them what you will, that carry the world along. The world of the Neanderthals was shaken between 35,000 and 40,000 BC; they were superseded by Homo Sapiens with the very 'networking' skills that separate us from other animals: understanding, thought abstraction and culture, which are inextricably linked to planning survival and productivity in humans. It is said the meek will inherit the earth. But will they?
Questions 1-5
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Passage?
YES- if the statement agrees with the writer's claims
NO- if the statement contradicts the writer's claims
NOT GIVEN- if there is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
1 Networking is not a modern idea.
2 Networking is worn like a badge exclusively in the business world.
3 People fall into two basic categories.
4 A person who shares knowledge and friends makes a better networker than one who does not.
5 The classic networker is physically strong and generally in good health.
Questions 6-10
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage, complete the sentences below.
6 Making new acquaintances ..................... but also has its disadvantages.
7 At work, problems can be caused if the manager is ...................................
8 A manager can suppress, or even totally .................. the career of an employee.
9 In business today, working together is necessary in order for............. to grow.
10 Businesses that specialize will not last for long without ........................
Questions 11-15
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage, complete the sentences below.
11 In which sphere of life have ideas been protected jealously?.
12 Which type of individual does not easily become a modern networker?
13 Where is one of the greatest concentrations of high tech companies in Europe?
14 Who replaced the Neanderthal?
15 What, as well as understanding and thought abstraction, sets us apart from other animals?
To solve this essay, you have to follow three strategies: Skimming, Scanning and Reading for details.
First skim the passage: Skimming means getting the gist of the passage- the gist of this essay is communication among the people. How can you get the gist? You can get the gist from the heading. If you cannot understand the heading, just read sub-heading. Even if you cannot understand from the sub-heading, just go through the first para of the passage. Even at this stage, if you cannot understand the gist of the passage, just go to the last paragraph of the passage. By this way you can get the gist of the passage.
In this passage, it is difficult to understand from the heading. So, you must read the first para where you will find that network means communication with the people and it is important for business and education.
Secondly, now read the question one by one. Try to understand the question. Unless you understand the question, you cannot find out the answer. In the question, you must find out two things: getting the meaning and getting the keywords. After identifying keywords, you must scan those keywords in the passage.
Thirdly, reading for details: when you will locate the keywords, search them in the passage. Luckily, most of the questions and keywords you will find in the passage chronologically.
Let us solve the questions now with skimming, scanning and keywords techniques.
Questions 1-5: Yes, No, Not Given
1 Networking is not a modern idea.
Ans: First, understand the question. The meaning is networking is an old idea. Now go to the passage. In the very first line you will find the phrase ‘unjustified air of modernity’ that means networking is not a modern idea. So it is ‘Yes’
2 Networking is worn like a badge exclusively in the business world.
Ans: That means Networking has great importance only in the business world. Here key words are Badge and business world. Search those keywords in the passage. You will find those words in the first para of the last line. In the phrase you will find ‘not just in the business world.’ but in the question, you see exclusively(only) in the business world. So it is ‘No’
3 People fall into two basic categories.
Ans: Here people is the keyword. You will find the word people in the first line of the 2nd para. If you read the sentence you will find that there is a description for the two kinds of people. So it is Yes.
4 A person who shares knowledge and friends makes a better networker than one who does not.
Ans: This sentence is about two kinds of person one who share knowledge become good networker but one who does not cannot make good network. Here person is a keywords. You will find it in the 2nd sentence of the 2nd para. Here the description is about a person who cannot make better network if he does not share knowledge. So it is YES
5 The classic Networker is physically strong and generally in good health.
Here keyword is classic network. First you have to understand the meaning of the sentence. This type of networkers are physically strong and in good health. In the 2nd paragraph you will find that the classic networkers are strong within themselves there nothing about physical strength and good health. So it is Not given.
Questions 6-10
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage, complete the sentences below.
6 Making new acquaintances ....................... but also has its disadvantages.
How can you answer such question? First, read the sentence and guess the meaning. Look at the question, see that there is a conj ‘but’ which is a signal word. You are getting disadvantage after ‘but’ so before ‘but’ there must be advantages. Now look the key words ‘making new,’ and think what the question demand. In the sentence you need to use verb. So find the verb from the passage. In the 5th para of the first line, you will find that unfortunately, making new contacts, business or otherwise, while it brings success, does cause problems. Here there are both advantages and disadvantages. You need to write verb and advantages. The appropriate word is ‘brings success’.
7 At work, problems can be caused if the manager is ........................................ .
Here key word is ‘manager’. The sentence tells the quality of a manager. It may be good quality or bad quality. Just scan the word manager in the passage and you will find it in the 5th para last line. Here it is mentioned that if anyone faced with a very insecure manager. So we find that the quality of the manager is insecure means the person who wants to live alone.
8 A manager can suppress, or even totally ................... the career of an employee.
Again, here the key word is manager. In the 5th para last line you will find the synonym of totally is completely. Those two words are adverb. Adverb only modifies adjective. So search for adjective. You will find the phrase ‘or even block it completely’ so your answer will be ‘block’
9.In business today, working together is necessary in order for................. to grow.
Here the business is keyword. Just find out the synonym of today. You will find it in the 6th para second line. You have to understand who should work together to grow. The people, company or others. Here, we find that companies and enterprises should work together. So, companies and enterprises is the correct answer
10 Businesses that specialize will not last for long without..........
Here ‘without’ is a signal word. Search for this word. You will find it in the 6th para. Without which a business cannot last long. Without ‘co-operation and contacts’ will be the correct answer.
Questions 11-15
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage, complete the sentences below.
To answer the following questions first you have to understand the questions. Without understanding the questions properly, you cannot answer the questions. After that find out the keywords.
11 In which sphere of life have ideas been protected jealously?...........................
In which sector of life, ideas are kept safe jealously. Here jealously is a keyword. Search for it in the passage. In the 7th para you will find it. It is actually in the academic world. So academic world will be ‘answer’.
12 Which type of individual does not easily become a modern networker?...............
To get the answer of this question, read the next line of the 7th para. You will find that the description of stereotypical academic who never share any ideas with other persons. Stereotypical academic will be the answer.
13 Where is one of the greatest concentrations of high tech companies in Europe?
Here Europe is the key word. Scan this word in the passage. In the last line of the 7th para you will find that high tech companies in Europe has concentrated in Cambridge in England. So, Cambridge in England will be the correct answer.
14 Who replaced the Neanderthals?
Here Neanderthals is a keyword. In the 8th par you will find that they(Neanderthals) were superseded(replaced) by Homo Sapiens. Homo Sapiens is the correct answer.
15 What, as well as understanding and thought abstraction, sets us apart from other animals?
You should read this question properly. Hear what means along with understanding and thought abstraction what differs human being from animals. So, here are two key words: understanding and thought abstraction. Search these keywords. You will find it in the 4th line understanding, thought abstraction and culture. So, we are getting the new word culture. So the correct answer will be ‘culture’.
First skim the passage: Skimming means getting the gist of the passage- the gist of this essay is communication among the people. How can you get the gist? You can get the gist from the heading. If you cannot understand the heading, just read sub-heading. Even if you cannot understand from the sub-heading, just go through the first para of the passage. Even at this stage, if you cannot understand the gist of the passage, just go to the last paragraph of the passage. By this way you can get the gist of the passage.
In this passage, it is difficult to understand from the heading. So, you must read the first para where you will find that network means communication with the people and it is important for business and education.
Secondly, now read the question one by one. Try to understand the question. Unless you understand the question, you cannot find out the answer. In the question, you must find out two things: getting the meaning and getting the keywords. After identifying keywords, you must scan those keywords in the passage.
Thirdly, reading for details: when you will locate the keywords, search them in the passage. Luckily, most of the questions and keywords you will find in the passage chronologically.
Let us solve the questions now with skimming, scanning and keywords techniques.
Questions 1-5: Yes, No, Not Given
1 Networking is not a modern idea.
Ans: First, understand the question. The meaning is networking is an old idea. Now go to the passage. In the very first line you will find the phrase ‘unjustified air of modernity’ that means networking is not a modern idea. So it is ‘Yes’
2 Networking is worn like a badge exclusively in the business world.
Ans: That means Networking has great importance only in the business world. Here key words are Badge and business world. Search those keywords in the passage. You will find those words in the first para of the last line. In the phrase you will find ‘not just in the business world.’ but in the question, you see exclusively(only) in the business world. So it is ‘No’
3 People fall into two basic categories.
Ans: Here people is the keyword. You will find the word people in the first line of the 2nd para. If you read the sentence you will find that there is a description for the two kinds of people. So it is Yes.
4 A person who shares knowledge and friends makes a better networker than one who does not.
Ans: This sentence is about two kinds of person one who share knowledge become good networker but one who does not cannot make good network. Here person is a keywords. You will find it in the 2nd sentence of the 2nd para. Here the description is about a person who cannot make better network if he does not share knowledge. So it is YES
5 The classic Networker is physically strong and generally in good health.
Here keyword is classic network. First you have to understand the meaning of the sentence. This type of networkers are physically strong and in good health. In the 2nd paragraph you will find that the classic networkers are strong within themselves there nothing about physical strength and good health. So it is Not given.
Questions 6-10
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage, complete the sentences below.
6 Making new acquaintances ....................... but also has its disadvantages.
How can you answer such question? First, read the sentence and guess the meaning. Look at the question, see that there is a conj ‘but’ which is a signal word. You are getting disadvantage after ‘but’ so before ‘but’ there must be advantages. Now look the key words ‘making new,’ and think what the question demand. In the sentence you need to use verb. So find the verb from the passage. In the 5th para of the first line, you will find that unfortunately, making new contacts, business or otherwise, while it brings success, does cause problems. Here there are both advantages and disadvantages. You need to write verb and advantages. The appropriate word is ‘brings success’.
7 At work, problems can be caused if the manager is ........................................ .
Here key word is ‘manager’. The sentence tells the quality of a manager. It may be good quality or bad quality. Just scan the word manager in the passage and you will find it in the 5th para last line. Here it is mentioned that if anyone faced with a very insecure manager. So we find that the quality of the manager is insecure means the person who wants to live alone.
8 A manager can suppress, or even totally ................... the career of an employee.
Again, here the key word is manager. In the 5th para last line you will find the synonym of totally is completely. Those two words are adverb. Adverb only modifies adjective. So search for adjective. You will find the phrase ‘or even block it completely’ so your answer will be ‘block’
9.In business today, working together is necessary in order for................. to grow.
Here the business is keyword. Just find out the synonym of today. You will find it in the 6th para second line. You have to understand who should work together to grow. The people, company or others. Here, we find that companies and enterprises should work together. So, companies and enterprises is the correct answer
10 Businesses that specialize will not last for long without..........
Here ‘without’ is a signal word. Search for this word. You will find it in the 6th para. Without which a business cannot last long. Without ‘co-operation and contacts’ will be the correct answer.
Questions 11-15
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage, complete the sentences below.
To answer the following questions first you have to understand the questions. Without understanding the questions properly, you cannot answer the questions. After that find out the keywords.
11 In which sphere of life have ideas been protected jealously?...........................
In which sector of life, ideas are kept safe jealously. Here jealously is a keyword. Search for it in the passage. In the 7th para you will find it. It is actually in the academic world. So academic world will be ‘answer’.
12 Which type of individual does not easily become a modern networker?...............
To get the answer of this question, read the next line of the 7th para. You will find that the description of stereotypical academic who never share any ideas with other persons. Stereotypical academic will be the answer.
13 Where is one of the greatest concentrations of high tech companies in Europe?
Here Europe is the key word. Scan this word in the passage. In the last line of the 7th para you will find that high tech companies in Europe has concentrated in Cambridge in England. So, Cambridge in England will be the correct answer.
14 Who replaced the Neanderthals?
Here Neanderthals is a keyword. In the 8th par you will find that they(Neanderthals) were superseded(replaced) by Homo Sapiens. Homo Sapiens is the correct answer.
15 What, as well as understanding and thought abstraction, sets us apart from other animals?
You should read this question properly. Hear what means along with understanding and thought abstraction what differs human being from animals. So, here are two key words: understanding and thought abstraction. Search these keywords. You will find it in the 4th line understanding, thought abstraction and culture. So, we are getting the new word culture. So the correct answer will be ‘culture’.
