Locked Doors Open Access Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

Locked Doors Open Access Reading Passage

Paragraph A

There are both pros and cons implications for the word “ Security”. The majority of people believe that we long for security because of all its positive psychological and physical qualities, including its evocation of the security of home, unwavering love, or freedom from need. Detrimentally, the term now evokes images of the enormous industry that has emerged to safeguard people and their belongings from intrusion by "outsiders," who are ostensibly malicious and intend to steal or cause intentional harm.

Paragraph B

Due to the rising crime rate in urban areas, buildings like offices, schools, colleges, and hospitals no longer allow free access to employees and other users. The entry area, which used to be referred to as "Reception," is maintained by security personnel. The receptionist's job was to warmly welcome guests and direct them to the appropriate party they had come to see. However, in more recent times, this job has been given to those whose responsibility it is to deny entry to those who are uninvited, unwanted, or just plain unattractive.  

Paragraph C

These buildings are divided into "Secured Zones," many of which have all the bells and whistles of combination locks and burglar alarms. These obstructions prevent circulation, prevent entry for the uninitiated, and establish time and space restrictions for user access. Individual rooms are locked away within the spaces that these zones create, which poses a problem in particular when the working space is compartmentalised.

Paragraph D

Technological access has been developed to combat the resulting challenge of getting to people physically.  In order to send messages back and forth, computers present at every desk are connected to other computers and to a large network of computers. In order to avoid reading texts as they are intended for other individuals, security is important. Therefore, passwords were created in order to secure such information. In this day and age, not only the correspondence but also the moves are kept private. In order to browse catalogues, one can do it from one's desk. At the press of a button, one can simply deliver or receive documents.

Paragraph E

However, it seems that businesses have noticed "teamwork" affirmations as people have become more isolated at work, perhaps to encourage employees to socialise. Many inquiries have been made regarding whether communication has revealed how teams of groups function. Additionally, how can they cooperate if email provides a convenient electronic veil behind which the less scrupulous can exploit the blurring of public and private? If password-protected voicemail messages are available? How can I leave a message for my coworker on his desk if his office door is locked?

Paragraph F

The lack of "job security," another type of security, is concealed by teamwork. Nowadays, businesses are aware that there are three different kinds of physical resources: those they buy, those they lease long-term, and those they rent momentarily. Long-term contracts are offered to some employees, short-term contracts to others, and temporary employment is the only option for others.

Paragraph G

The direct line is a feature of telecommunications systems that allows us to reach people without having to first speak to someone else. People can communicate without ever speaking to one another thanks to voicemail and answering phones. If we are unlucky enough to get in touch with a business that uses a sophisticated touch-tone dialling system, we can make purchases and make payments without ever speaking to a live person.

Paragraph H

With the Internet, which widens communication channels beyond what anyone could possibly want or need, we can combat this tendency to close in on ourselves. The term "Home Page" refers to a person's online identity, and it conjures up images of a secure electronic home. This incredibly 2-dimensional medium of "websites" is distinguished by a complex system of 3-dimensional graphics. The nomenclature itself gives the impression that the "site" is travelling toward the person using the computer when, in reality, it is coming to him. Now that location is no longer geographical, "addresses" of one kind or another move to the individual rather than the individual moving between them.

Paragraph I

The cell phone is one illustration of this. I am now accessible wherever I take my mobile phone, not just at home or at work. However, we still feel a sense of security when we want to "locate" the person on the other end. It is not a coincidence that almost everyone we observe using their mobile phone in public, either to initiate or answer calls, starts by identifying their location.

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