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Grey Workers Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 15, 2024, 10:38

In the IELTS Reading Section, you'll demonstrate your ability to comprehend, interpret, and analyse texts. This section assesses your reading skills across various text types, from descriptive and factual to analytical and discursive. You'll encounter articles, essays, and reports covering academic and general interest topics. Expect multiple choice, matching, sentence completion, and short answer questions. This section evaluates your ability to locate information, identify main ideas, understand detailed information, and grasp the writer's opinion and attitude.

 

To better prepare for the IELTS Reading section, you can take an IELTS practice test, which provides a realistic experience of the types of texts and questions you will face in the actual exam.

 

The passage on “Grey Workers” explores the growing trend of older adults continuing to work beyond traditional retirement age. It examines the reasons behind this trend, its implications for society and the economy, and the challenges and opportunities it presents for individuals and policymakers alike.

 

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1. Grey Workers Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam.   

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2. Grey Workers Reading Answers & Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers aboutGrey Workers Reading Question & Answers

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1.

Grey Workers Reading Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

 

 

Grey Workers Reading Passage

 

Paragraph A

 

Companies recognise shockingly little of how efficient their employees are, given how quickly workers are ageing. The prevailing belief is that older workers receive more compensation despite, instead of as a result of, their increased output. That may help clarify why firms try to convince 55-year-old workers to retire early when they are under financial hardship. The insurance provider Sun Life of Canada said earlier this year that it will be laying off all of its Staff over the age of 50 to "recruit young energy."

 

 Paragraph B

 

The majority of corporations in Japan are lowering the pension age from the customary 57 to 50 may be around, and in certain cases, like Nissan, to 45, according to corporate psychologist Mariko Fujiwara, who heads a think-tank for Hakuhodo, the second-largest advertising agency in Japan. Salary in Tokyo is correlated with experience much more than possibly anywhere else. It is not unexpected that membership workers' wages have evolved into the most difficult component of corporate financial gains statements, given the increase in the proportion of employees who've already worked for the same company for more than 32 years—from 11% in 1980 to 42% by 1994.

 

 Paragraph C

 

Hoechst's spokesperson in Germany, Patrick Pohl, articulates a commonly held opinion: "The corporation is attempting to reduce the overall age of the staff. The ease with which the business culture can be "defrosted" is possibly the biggest benefit of removing older employees. Experienced employees are less receptive to experimenting with novel ideas. New workers are much more adaptable and less expensive. Many German businesses find it difficult to let go of ageing employees as soon as they want. The typical age of employees has risen rather than fallen at graphite manufacturer SGL Carbon. Ivo Lingnau, a representative of the corporation, claims that it's not because SGL valued elderly employees more. The union agreement places stringent restrictions on the number of workers who may retire early because it is the result of the combined negotiations.

 

 Paragraph D

 

Ageing can impact a person's efficiency when they perform demanding hard manual labour. However, other abilities, like the skills to control people politely, lead a conference, or identify problems until they become a major issue, may get better with age. These abilities include those that are essential for product management. Numerous studies indicate that elderly people get paid higher since they are valued more, according to Peter Hicks, who oversees OECD research just on the political ramifications of ageing.

 

 Paragraph E

 

Furthermore, youth may overstate their merits. Mr. Peterson states that the very few organisations that have retained older personnel discovered an addition to Smart, and their output was good. Additionally, compared to today's recent high school grads, their education levels are substantially higher. Businesses may claim that elderly persons aren't worth building since they are towards the latter of their professional careers, but in reality, younger folks have the worst training ROI due to their propensity to change professions so frequently. According to Mr. Hicks, the average age for training that is driven by employers is between the late forties and early fifties. It primarily belongs to executives.

 

 Paragraph F

 

If hierarchy pay rates were eliminated, elderly workers might become a more desirable candidate for hire. Even though employees on remuneration frequently make less money with tenure, most businesses (and many employees) are uneasy with the thought of cutting anyone else's salary in older age. Consequently, new ways to use older personnel to retain their skills are needed.

 

 Paragraph G

 

IBM Belgium came up with one of the innovations mentioned in Mr. Walker's research on overcoming age barriers. IBM made a unique firm named Skill Team to rehire any small employers who wished to continue to work up to the age of 60 after deciding to focus staff cost reduction efforts on those between the ages of 55 and 60. A 55-year-old worker who signed a five-year contract with SkillTeam would put in 58 percent of his hours and earn 88 percent of his previous IBM income over that time. IBM was given services by the company, preserving a few of the property rights that would have been lost.

 

 Paragraph H

 

Building on these "bridge" jobs—part-time or contract jobs that facilitate a much slower change from high employment to retirement—might be the greatest approach to persuade the elderly to continue working. In the U.S., over 50% of all men and women who held filled careers in midlife went into such "bridging" occupations just after their working career, according to Mr. Quinn, who has researched the issue. The finest and worst paid are typically the ones who remain employed: "There are two distinct categories of bridge employment who keep working because they must as well as those who remain employed because they just want to, despite the fact that they could retire," he adds.

 

 Paragraph I

 

The elderly may discover more occupations that suit them if the labour market becomes more flexible. They may frequently work for themselves. Occasionally, they also might launch their companies; according to Warwick University research, 70% of enterprises launched in England by persons over 55 thrived, with around just 19%. Employment would not just need to pay to lure the elderly back into the labour force. It must be more enjoyable than travelling the nation in an Airstream trailer, spending time with the grandkids, or golfing. Then there would be a lot more Joe Clarks.

 

 

To improve your vocabulary for the IELTS Reading section, read here.

 

2.

Grey Workers Reading Questions & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Grey Workers

Questions and Answers 1-4
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? In boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet, write

  • TRUE if the statement is true
  • FALSE if the statement is false
  • NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage

 

  1.  In order to recruit new staff, the insurance industry Sun Life of Canada opted to hire more Canadians than Britons.
  2. In Japan, unlike in some other countries, salaries are based on the number of years of employment.
  3. Some German businesses that are reinvigorating workplace culture are laying off older personnel.
  4. In spite of their contributions, Peter Hicks claims that corporations pay older workers more.

 

 Grey Workers Reading Answers with Explanations (1-4)

 

Type of question: Yes/No/Not Given(True/False/Not Given)

 

In this question type, you are required to determine whether the statements provided agree with, contradict, or are not mentioned in the reading passage. 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Understand what information is being presented and what is being asked.
  • Find relevant information in the reading passage that relates to the statement.
  • Determine if the statement agrees with, contradicts, or is not mentioned in the passage.
  • If the information is not explicitly provided in the passage, select 'Not Given' rather than making assumptions.
  • Base your answers solely on the information presented in the passage, avoiding personal opinions or outside knowledge.


 

1. NOT GIVEN

 

Reference

 

From paragraph: N/A

 

Explanation

 

The passage does not provide any information regarding the recruitment of Canadian versus British employees by Sun Life of Canada. The focus is on the company's strategy to lay off older staff to bring in "young energy," without specifying the nationality of the new hires.

 

2. True

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph B:  "Salary in Tokyo is correlated with experience much more than possibly anywhere else."

 

Explanation

 

The line indicates that in Japan, salaries are based on the number of years of employment, highlighting a strong correlation between salary and seniority. This unique practice contrasts with many other countries where salary might be based more on performance or market rates, confirming the statement.

 

3. True

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph C: "The ease with which the business culture can be 'defrosted' is possibly the biggest benefit of removing older employees."

 

Explanation

 

This line suggests that some German businesses are laying off older personnel to refresh their workplace culture. The term "defrosted" implies a desire for a more dynamic, innovative environment, which younger employees are perceived to contribute to, supporting the statement.

 

4. False

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph D: “Numerous studies indicate that elderly people get paid higher since they are valued more, according to Peter Hicks, who oversees OECD research just on the political ramifications of ageing.”


Explanation

 

This line clearly shows that Peter Hicks claims corporations pay older workers more because of their value, not just their contributions. The higher pay reflects the increased worth and experience that older employees bring to the organisation, contradicting the statement.

 

Refer to tips and tricks for the IELTS Reading section to achieve a high band score.

 

Questions and Answers 5-6
  • Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, D, E.
  • Write your answers in boxes 5-6 on your answer sheet.
  • Please select TWO from the following benefits of hiring senior citizens, as stated in the passage:

 

  A. Compared to young people, they produce more.

  B. paid much less young employees.

  C. Whenever there is a conference

  D. He has a greater connection with others.

  E. Address issues before they arise.

 

Grey Workers Reading Answers with Explanations (5-6)

 

Type of question: Multiple choice questions

In this question type, you are asked to answer the question followed by several options, typically lettered A, B, C, or D. The task is to select the correct answer from the given choices based on the information provided in the reading passage.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the question carefully and understand what it asks.
  • Pay attention to the keywords in the question.
  • Skim the passage quickly to locate relevant information.
  • Eliminate the clearly incorrect options.
  • Select the answer that best fits the information in the passage.

 

5. D. have a better interpersonal relationship

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph D: “However, other abilities, like the skills to control people politely, lead a conference, or identify problems until they become a major issue, may get better with age.”

 

Explanation

 

This line from Paragraph D explains that older employees develop essential skills over time, such as handling people politely and leading conferences effectively. These abilities contribute to better interpersonal relationships. The experience and maturity of older workers enable them to manage interactions diplomatically, making them valuable for roles that require strong interpersonal skills.

 

6. E. identify problems in an advanced time

 

 Reference:

 

From paragraph D: “However, other abilities, like the skills to control people politely, lead a conference, or identify problems until they become a major issue, may get better with age.”

 

Explanation

 

This line from Paragraph D highlights that older employees can identify problems before they escalate. Their experience and developed skills allow them to foresee issues and address them proactively. This early problem identification is crucial in preventing major disruptions, making older workers valuable for their ability to maintain smooth operations and mitigate potential risks.

  

Questions and Answers 7-8
  • Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, D, E.
  • Write your answers in boxes 7-8 on your answer sheet.

 

Mr. Peterson believes that new graduates have a number of organisational limitations relative to more experienced workers. Please select TWO of the following:

 

  1. Training them is not worthwhile.
    Compared to their competitors, they are less
  2. productive.
  3. They switch jobs more frequently
  4. and their academic standards are behind those of their elders.
  5. Typically, they have a college education.


 

Grey Workers Reading Answers with Explanations (7-8)

 

Refer to question type(5-6) for information.

 

7. C. They switch jobs more frequently


 

Reference:

 

From paragraph E: “Businesses may claim that elderly persons aren't worth building since they are towards the latter of their professional careers, but in reality, younger folks have the worst training ROI due to their propensity to change professions so frequently.”

 

Explanation

 

This line highlights that younger employees frequently change jobs, which reduces the return on investment in their training. Since they don't stay long enough to fully utilise the training they receive, companies may not benefit as much from investing in them. This is why Mr. Peterson considers training younger employees less worthwhile compared to more stable, older workers.

 

8. D. and their academic standards are behind those of their elders.

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph E: “Mr. Peterson states that the very few organisations that have retained older personnel discovered an addition to smart, and their output was good.”


Explanation

 

This line indicates that older employees generally have higher educational standards compared to younger graduates. Mr. Peterson notes that this difference in educational background puts younger workers at a disadvantage. The passage implies that the higher educational attainment of older workers makes them more valuable and efficient, countering the notion that older workers are less capable than their younger counterparts.

 

Questions and Answers 9-13
  • Choose the correct letter: A, B, C, or D
  • Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

 

(Guide: Candidates need to answer questions 9 to 13 by selecting correct answers from the list of A to D)

 

Question 9: According to paragraph F, the firms and workers still hold the opinion that:

 

A. Senior employees are much more likely to draw other employees.

B. If compensation decreases as one approaches retirement, people are not satisfied.

C. Compared to younger persons, older folks have a higher desire for retention.

D. For their piece-rate salaries, the junior employees regularly make less money.

 

Question 10: SkillTeam that has been founded by IBM conducted the following movement:

 

A. Request that all former employees continue to work throughout their previous shifts.

B. Continue reducing the elder's share of the job.

C. To earn more money, staff should put in even more work time.

D. Reappoint former workers while keeping the pay a little lower.

 

Question 11: Which of the following is correct according to the research of Mr. Quinn:

 

A. In America, 'intermediate' tasks were taken on by about half of all workers.

B. Only those who are paid the least do not work.

C. In the area of "bridge" work, there were more men than women.

D. Some elderly persons continue to work for reasons other than financial gain.

 
Question 12: Which of the following is correct, according to David Storey:

 

A. If companies hire more senior citizens, they will increase their success rate by 70%.

B. The overall performance of a self-employed company is declining on average.

C. Seniors who work for themselves have a higher chance of surviving.

D. The employment hours of older folks are more versatile.

 

Question 13: What is the main purpose of the author in writing this passage?

 

A. An effective retirement system for the elderly is necessary.

B. In the workplace, senior citizens should be fairly appreciated.

C. Older folks ought to extend themselves more to develop youthful workers.

D. There are more positions available worldwide that solely hire seniors.

 

 Grey Workers Reading Answers with Explanations (9-13)

 

Refer to question type(5-6) for information.

 

9. F. If compensation decreases as one approaches retirement, people are not satisfied.

 

Reference

 

From paragraph F: “Even though employees on remuneration frequently make less money with tenure, most businesses (and many employees) are uneasy with the thought of cutting anyone else's salary in older age.”

 

Explanation

 

This line in Paragraph F shows that there is a shared sentiment among companies and employees that reducing wages for those nearing retirement is discomforting. It supports the answer by highlighting the prevailing opinion that such pay cuts are unfavourable. The phrase "makes them uncomfortable" directly addresses the dissatisfaction associated with decreasing compensation as workers age.

 

10. D. Reappoint former workers while keeping the pay a little lower.

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph G: “IBM made a unique firm named Skill Team to rehire any small employers who wished to continue to work up to the age of 60 after deciding to focus staff cost reduction efforts on those between the ages of 55 and 60.”

 

Explanation

 

Paragraph G explains IBM's strategy of rehiring older employees through SkillTeam, offering them lower wages than before. This approach aimed to reduce staff costs while retaining experienced workers. The passage emphasises that the company focused on cutting costs by lowering salaries, which aligns with the answer provided. This initiative reflects a balance between cost efficiency and maintaining workforce expertise.

 

11. D. Some elderly persons continue to work for reasons other than financial gain.

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph H: “In the U.S., over 50% of all men and women who held filled careers in midlife went into such "bridging" occupations just after their working career, according to Mr. Quinn, who has researched the issue.”

 

Explanation

 

Mr. Quinn's research in Paragraph H reveals that a portion of the older workforce continues to work driven by personal motives, not just financial needs. This finding supports the answer by showing that not all elderly employees are motivated by economic reasons. The distinction between those who work out of necessity and those who do so for personal satisfaction is crucial to understanding the dynamics of senior employment.

 

12. C. Seniors who work for themselves have a higher chance of surviving.

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph I: “Occasionally, they also might launch their companies; according to Warwick University research, 70% of enterprises launched in England by persons over 55 thrived, with around just 19%.”


Explanation

 

Paragraph I cites research by David Storey indicating that a significant majority of businesses initiated by individuals over 55 are successful. This statistic underscores the higher survival rate of self-employed older adults. The passage suggests that the flexibility of the job market benefits senior entrepreneurs, thus supporting the answer. It highlights the entrepreneurial resilience and success of older individuals in business.

 

 

13. B. In the workplace, senior citizens should be fairly appreciated.

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph: Whole Passage


Explanation

 

The entire passage advocates for the fair valuation of older workers in the employment sector, emphasising their contributions and experience. The author argues against the trend of replacing senior employees with younger, cheaper labour. This central theme supports the answer by stressing the need for recognising and leveraging the skills of the older workforce. The passage collectively calls for a reassessment of how senior employees are valued in the workplace.

 

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FAQs

Q. What are some strategies for tackling True/False/Not Given questions in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. When tackling True/False/Not Given questions in the IELTS Reading test, focus on keywords and nuances in the passage. Verify statements against the text and be cautious of distractors that may seem correct but are not directly supported by the information.

Q. How can I prepare for the IELTS Reading test if English isn't my first language?

Ans. If English isn't your first language, focus on improving your vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills through regular reading and practice. Familiarise yourself with the test format and question types by using practice materials specifically designed for non-native speakers.

Q. Is there a specific vocabulary I should focus on for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. While there is no specific vocabulary list for the IELTS Reading test, it's beneficial to expand your academic and general vocabulary. Focus on words commonly found in academic texts and practice using them in context to enhance understanding and improve your reading efficiency.