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Motivating Drives Reading Answers Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 06:27

The passage “Motivating Drives” discusses a comparative study on employee motivation, focusing on four main drives: the drive to acquire, bond, comprehend, and defend. It highlights that while physical rewards are important, intrinsic factors like personal bonds, meaningful work, and fairness also significantly influence motivation. The study, published in Harvard Business Review, reveals that the drive to bond correlates with commitment, while the drive to comprehend affects effort. Meeting all four drives is essential for effective employee motivation.

 

Understanding this passage can help with IELTS Reading preparation by improving skills in summarising complex information and identifying key points. It also demonstrates how to interpret and integrate findings from research, essential skills required for improving your IELTS Reading score.

 

Let’s look at the “Motivating Drives” reading passage along with questions, answers and explanations.

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1. Motivating Drives Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

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2. Motivating Drives Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Motivating Drives Reading Questions & Answers.

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1.

Motivating Drives 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.

 

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Motivating Drives Reading Passage

 

Paragraph A

Analysts have been investigating ways to get workers motivated for many years. This investigation is a comparative study that builds a basic and extensive model for the study. This is mostly true when the business goal is to turn apathetic teams into beneficial ones. But their researchers have restrictions. It is like studying the movements of a car without pulling the engine. 
Motivation is what helps people to triumph and plays a significant role in improving bureaucratic development. It is important to study the motivation of workers because it is connected to the emotions and attitudes of workers. Recent surveys show there are four drives for motivation. They are the drive to acquire, the drive to bond, the drive to comprehend and the drive to defend.
 

Paragraph B

The Drive to Acquire

The drive to acquire must be met to advance the obtain aspect also the attainment element. Thus the way that excellent act is acknowledged, the types of perks that are offered to polish the career path. But sometimes a written letter of valuing causes more motivation than a thousand dollar check, which can serve as the unnoticed power to uplift business commitment. Victorious firms and leaders not only need to focus on the boost of physical reward but also on moving other levers within the firm that can drive motivation.
 

Paragraph C

The Drive to Bond

The drive to bond is also the key to driving motivation. There are different types of bonds among people, like friendship and family. In an organisation, workers also want to be a crucial part of a company. They want to be owned by the company. Workers will be motivated if they find personal intimacy in the company. Meanwhile, the worker will be most committed on the condition that the force of motivation within the worker impacts the direction, strength, and perseverance of decision-making and behaviour in the company.
 

Paragraph D

The Drive to Comprehend

The drive to comprehend motivates many workers to act higher. For years, it has been known that setting extended goals can greatly cause a collision act. Firms need to make sure that the different job roles provide workers with simulations that dare them or allow them to grow. Workers don’t want to do unintelligible things or tedious work. If the job doesn't provide them with personal meaning and attainment, they will leave the company. 
 

Paragraph E

The Drive to Defend

The run to protect is frequently the tough lever to pull. This run apparent itself as a hunt to create and encourage justice, fairness, and the capability to convey ourselves freely.  The bureaucratic level for this basic human instigator is resource allotment. This run is also met through a worker feeling connected to a company. If their companies are combined with another, they will show worries.
 

Paragraph F

Two surveys have been done to find the connection between the four drives and motivation. The article based on two surveys was at last published in Harvard Business Review. Most author’s quarrels have laid prominence on the four-drive theory and real exploration. Using the results of the studies that were conducted with workers from Fortune 500 companies and two other global businesses(P company and H company), the article notices how individualistic drives affect workers’ behaviour and how bureaucratic levers improve worker motivation. 
 

Paragraph G

The studies show that the drive to bond is most connected to satisfying commitment, while the drive to understand is most related to how much effort employees spend on work. The run to obtain can be fulfilled by a reward system which rewards effort to act and gives the best people a chance for development. For a drive to protect, a study on the combination of P company and H company shows that workers in the former company show an abnormal collaborating attitude. 
 

Paragraph H

The key to strongly prompting employees is to meet all drives. Each of these drives is main if we are to comprehend employee incentives. These four drives, while not certainly the only human drives, are the ones that are central to united understanding of modern human life.

2.

Motivating Drives Reading Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • Choose the correct letter: A, B, C or D.
  • Write the correct letter in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

 

1. According to the passage, what are we told about the study of motivation?


      A.  The theory of motivating employees has started to catch the attention of organisations in recent years.
      B.  It is very important for managers to know how to motivate their subordinates because it is related to the salary of employees.
      C.  Researchers have tended to be too theoretical in their study.
      D.  The goal of employee motivation is to increase the profit of organisations.

 

2. What can be inferred from the passage about the study of people’s drives?

 

      A.  Satisfying employees’ drives can positively lead to a change of behaviour.
      B.  Satisfying employees’ drives will negatively affect their emotions.
      C.  Satisfying employees’ drives can increase companies’ production.
      D.  Satisfying employees’ drives will result in employees’ outstanding performance.

 

3. According to paragraph three, in order to optimise employees’ performance,  what is needed?


      A.  Drive to acquire and achievement element
      B.  Outstanding performance and recognition
      C.  Career fulfilment and a thousand-dollar check
      D.  Financial incentive and recognition

 

4. According to paragraph five, how does “the drive to comprehend” help employees perform better?


      A.  It can help employees better understand the development of their organisations.
      B.  It can help employees feel their task is meaningful to their companies.
      C.  It can help employees set higher goals.
      D.  It can provide employees with repetitive tasks.

 

5. According to paragraph six, which of the following is true about “drive to defend”?


    A.  Organisational resources are the most difficult to allocate.
    B.  It is more difficult to implement than the drive to comprehend.
    C.  Employees think it is very important to voice their own opinions.
    D.  Employees think it is very important to connect with a merged corporation.

 

Motivating Drives Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

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.
     
1. C

 

Reference:

From paragraph A:  "This is mostly true when the business goal is to turn apathetic teams into beneficial ones. But their researchers have restrictions." 

 

Explanation:  This line suggests that researchers face constraints in their study of motivation, which limits the effectiveness of their theories. It indicates that the research may be overly theoretical and not fully address practical applications, which supports answer C by highlighting the theoretical limitations in the study of motivation.

 

2. A

 

Reference:

From paragraph A: "It is important to study the motivation of workers because it is connected to the emotion and attitude of workers." 

 

Explanation: This line emphasises that understanding worker motivation is crucial because it influences their emotions and attitudes. The connection between motivation and these factors suggests that addressing employees' drives can lead to positive changes in behaviour. Thus, answer A is correct as it reflects the positive impact of satisfying employees' drives on their behaviour.

 

3. D

 

Reference:

From paragraph B: "The drive to acquire must be met to advance the obtain aspect, as well as the attainment element. Thus, the way that excellent act is acknowledged, the types of perks that are offered to polish the career path." 

 

Explanation: This line illustrates that meeting the drive to acquire involves recognising and rewarding excellent performance, not just offering financial incentives. It highlights the importance of both acknowledgement and rewards in motivating employees. This supports answer D, which focuses on the role of financial incentives and recognition in enhancing performance.

 

4. B

 

Reference:

From paragraph D: "Workers don’t want to do unintelligible things or tedious work. If the job doesn't provide them with personal meaning and attainment, they will leave  the company." 

 

Explanation: This line highlights that employees are motivated by personal meaning and a sense of accomplishment in their work. If these elements are lacking, employees are likely to leave, indicating that personal significance is crucial for motivation. This aligns with answer B, which emphasises the role of meaningful work in enhancing performance.

 

5. C

 

Reference:

From paragraph E:  "This run apparent itself as a hunt to create and encourage justice, fairness, and the capability to convey ourselves freely." 

 

Explanation: This line illustrates that the drive to defend involves seeking justice, fairness, and the ability to express oneself. This drive is crucial for employees to feel connected and valued within their organisation. The emphasis on justice and personal expression supports the idea that employees value their ability to voice opinions, making answer C correct.

 

Also Read: IELTS General Reading Test.

Questions and Answers 6-8
  • Choose THREE letters, A-F.
  • Write the correct letters in boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet.
  • Which THREE of the following statements are true of the study of drives?

 

A.  Employees will be motivated if they feel they belong to the company.
B.  If employees get an opportunity for a training and development program, their motivation will be enhanced.
C.  If employees’ working goals are complied with organisational objectives, their motivation will be reinforced.
D.  If employees’ motivation is very low, companies should find a way to increase their salary as their first priority.
E.  If employees find their work lacking challenging, they will leave the company.
F.  Employees will worry if their company is sold.
 

Motivating Drives Reading Answers with Explanations (6-8)

 

Type of question: Matching information

 

In this question type, you will be asked to match specific pieces of information, often dates, names, or events, from the reading passage with corresponding options provided in the question.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read each statement carefully to understand the specific information being asked for.
  • Scan the passage for relevant dates or events in the reading passage that corresponds to each statement.
  • Eliminate incorrect options that do not match the information found in the passage.
  • Match the remaining options based on the information provided in the passage.
  • Verify your answers to ensure they match the information in the passage before finalising them.

     
6. A, E, F in any order

 

Reference:

From paragraphs C, D and E:  "Workers will be motivated if they find personal intimacy in the company." 
“Workers don’t want to do unintelligible things or tedious work. If the job doesn't provide them with personal meaning and attainment, they will leave the company.” 
“If their companies are combined with another, they will show worries.”

 

Explanation: These lines highlight key factors influencing employee motivation. The need for personal connection and meaningful work are crucial for motivation, while concerns about company mergers can impact employee commitment. Hence, A, E, and F are correct statements reflecting these insights.

 

7. A, E, F in any order

 

Reference: 
From paragraphs C, D and E:  "Workers will be motivated if they find personal intimacy in the company." 
“Workers don’t want to do unintelligible things or tedious work. If the job doesn't provide them with personal meaning and attainment, they will leave the company.” 
“If their companies are combined with another, they will show worries.”


Explanation:  These references illustrate that employees are motivated by personal intimacy and meaningful tasks, while concerns about company mergers can also affect their motivation. Therefore, A, E, and F correctly capture these aspects of employee motivation.

 

8. A, E, F in any order

 

Reference: 
From paragraphs C, D and E: "Workers will be motivated if they find personal intimacy in the company." 
“Workers don’t want to do unintelligible things or tedious work. If the job doesn't provide them with personal meaning and attainment, they will leave the company.” 
“If their companies are combined with another, they will show worries.”

 

Explanation: These lines underscore the factors that drive employee motivation, including a sense of belonging, engaging work, and concerns about mergers. Thus, A, E, and F are the correct answers as they reflect the essential elements of motivation outlined in the passage.
 

Learn about IELTS Reading Vocabulary here! 

Questions and Answers 9-14
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet, write

  • YES if the statement agrees with the information given
  • NO if the statement contradicts the information given
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this

 

9.  Increasing pay can lead to high work motivation.
10.  Local companies benefit more from global companies through the study.
11.  Employees achieve the most commitment if their drive to comprehend is met.
12. The employees in the former company presented an unusual attitude toward the merging of two companies.
13.  The two studies analyse the relationship between natural drives and employee attitude.
14. Rewarding systems cause the company to lose profit.

 

Motivating Drives Reading Answers with Explanations (9-14) 


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.

 

9. No

 

Reference:

From paragraph B:  "But sometimes a written letter of valuing causes more motivation than a thousand dollar check, which can serve as the unnoticed power to uplift business commitment."

 

Explanation: This line suggests that contrary to the statement, a written letter of appreciation can sometimes be more effective in motivating employees than a significant monetary reward. The passage emphasises that motivation can be influenced more by recognition and personal acknowledgement than by simply increasing pay. Hence, the statement that increasing pay can lead to high work motivation is incorrect, as per the provided text.

 

10. Not Given

 

Reference:

From paragraph: N/A

 

Explanation: The passage does not provide specific information about the benefits local companies gain from global companies.

 

11. No

 

Reference:

From paragraph G:  "The studies show that the drive to bond is most connected to satisfying commitment, while the drive to understand is most related to how much effort employees spend on work."

 

Explanation: The passage states that the drive to bond is the most closely associated with satisfying commitment, not the drive to comprehend. It suggests that meeting the drive to bond leads to greater commitment from employees, while the drive to comprehend relates to the extent of effort employees invest in their work. Thus, the statement about the drive to comprehend leading to the most commitment is incorrect.

 

12. Yes

 

Reference:

From paragraph G:  "For a drive to protect, a study on the combining of P company and H company shows that workers in the former company show an abnormal collaborating attitude. "

 

Explanation: The passage specifically mentions that employees in the former company (P Company) exhibited an unusual or abnormal attitude towards the merger with another company. This line confirms that the employees showed a distinctive and unexpected approach to the merging process, aligning with the statement that they presented an unusual attitude.

 

13. No

 

Reference:

From paragraph F: “Two surveys have been done to find the connection between the four drives and motivation.”


Explanation: The surveys mentioned in the passage were conducted to explore the relationship between the four motivational drives and overall employee motivation. The focus was on understanding how these drives influence motivation rather than analysing employee attitudes. Therefore, the statement about analysing the relationship between natural drives and employee attitudes does not align with the passage's content.

 

14. Not Given

 

Reference:

From paragraph: N/A
 

Explanation: The passage does not address whether rewarding systems lead to a loss in profit.
 

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FAQs

Q. What is the IELTS Reading test format?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test is divided into three sections with varying types of texts. The Academic version includes passages from books, journals, and newspapers. The General Training version features practical texts such as advertisements and notices. Each section contains different types of questions, including multiple-choice and matching headings.


 

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test lasts for 60 minutes. During this time, you must read the passages and answer all questions. The test is conducted continuously without any breaks. Effective time management is essential to complete the test within the allotted time.

Q. Are the reading passages the same for the Academic and General Training versions?

Ans. No, the passages differ between the Academic and General Training versions. Academic passages are complex and come from academic sources like books and journals. General training passages are more practical and are derived from everyday materials such as advertisements and newspapers.