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The Innovation of Grocery Stores Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading test is not just for good readers but also for those who prepare well. Try attempting The Innovation of Grocery Stores Reading Answers and see how the section works. 


The IELTS Reading test is a one-hour exam that assesses your English reading capabilities through a series of tasks. You will receive simple and comprehensive reading passages, followed by their questions. The question sets are designed to measure how well you grasp ideas from the passages and how you articulate them. 

 

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1. The Innovation of Grocery Stores IELTS Reading Passage

Read the passage carefully and answer Questions 1-13 based on the passage. Compare and analyse your answers with the help of the answer key attached after each question set. 

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2. The Innovation of Grocery Stores Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Innovation of Grocery Stores

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1.

The Innovation of Grocery Stores IELTS 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.

 

 


 

 

The Innovation of Grocery Stores Reading Passage

 

 

Paragraph A: At the beginning of the 20th century, grocery stores in the United States were full-service. A customer would ask a clerk behind the counter for specific items, and the clerk would package the items, which were limited to dry goods. If they want to save some time, they have to ask a delivery boy or themselves to send the note of what they want to buy to the grocery store first and then go to pay for the goods later. These grocery stores usually carried only one brand of each good. There were early chain stores, such as the A&P Stores, but these were all entirely full-service and very time-consuming.
 

Paragraph B: In 1885, a Virginia boy named Clarence Saunders began working part-time as a clerk in a grocery store when he was 14 years old and quit school when the shopkeeper offered him full-time work with room and board. Later he worked in an Alabama coke plant and a Tennessee sawmill before he returned to the grocery business. By 1900, when he was nineteen years old, he was earning $30 a month as a salesman for a wholesale grocer. During his years working in grocery stores, he found that it was very inconvenient and inefficient for people to buy things because more than a century ago, long before there were computers, shopping was done quite differently than it is today. Entering a store, the customer would approach the counter (or wait for a clerk to become available) and place an order, either verbally or, as was often the case for boys running errands, in the form of a note or list. While the customer waited, the clerk would more behind the counter and throughout the store, select the items on the list – some form shelves so high that a long-handled grasping device had to be used – and bring them back to the counter to be tallied and bagged or boxed. The process might be expedited by the customer calling or sending in the order beforehand or by the order being handled by a delivery boy on a bike, but otherwise, it did not vary greatly. Saunders, a flamboyant and innovative man, noticed that this method resulted in wasted time and expense, so he came up with an unheard-of solution that would revolutionise the entire grocery industry: he developed a way for shoppers to serve themselves.

 

Paragraph C: So in 1902, he moved to Memphis, where he developed his concept to form a grocery wholesale cooperative and a full-service grocery store. For his new “cafeteria grocery”, Saunders divided his grocery into three distinct areas: 1) A front “lobby” forming an entrance and exit and checkouts at the front. 2) A sales department, which was specially designed to allow customers to roam the aisles and select their groceries. Removing unnecessary clerks, creating elaborate aisle displays, and rearranging the store to force customers to view all of the merchandise and over the shelving and cabinets units of the sales department were “galleries” where supervisors were allowed to keep an eye on the customers while not disturbing them. 3) Another section of his store was the room only allowed for the clerks, which was called the “stockroom” or “storage room,” where large refrigerators were situated to keep fresh products from being perishable. The new format allowed multiple customers to shop at the same time and led to the previously unknown phenomenon of impulse shopping. Though this format of the grocery market was drastically different from its competitors, the style became the standard for the modern grocery store and later supermarket.
 

Paragraph D: On September 6, 1916, Saunders launched the self-service revolution in the USA by opening the first self-service Piggly Wiggly store at 79 Jefferson Street in Memphis, Tennessee, with its characteristic turnstile at the entrance. Customers paid cash and selected their goods from the shelves. It was unlike any other grocery store of that time. Inside a Piggly Wiggly, shoppers were not at the mercy of shop clerks. They were free to roam the store, check out the merchandise and get what they needed with their own two hands and feet. Prices on items at Piggly Wiggly were marked. No one pressured customers to buy milk or pickles. And the biggest benefit at the Piggly Wiggly was that shoppers saved money. Self-service was positive all around. “It’s good for both the consumer and retailer because it cuts costs,” noted George T. Haley, a professor at the University of New Haven and director of the Center for International Industry Competitiveness. “If you looked at the way grocery stores were run previous to Piggly Wiggly and Alpha Beta, what you find is that there was a tremendous amount of labour involved, and labour is a major expense.” Piggly Wiggly cut the fat.
 

Paragraph E: Piggly Wiggly and the self-service concept took off. Saunders opened nine stores in the Memphis area within the first year of business. Consumers embraced the efficiency, the simplicity and, most of all, the lower food prices. Saunders soon patented his self-service concept and began franchising Piggly Wiggly stores. Thanks to the benefits of self-service and franchising, Piggly Wiggly ballooned to nearly 1,300 stores by 1923. Piggly Wiggle sold $100 million – worth $1.3 billion today – in groceries, making it the third-biggest grocery retailer in the nation. The company’s stock was even listed on the New York Stock Exchange, doubling from late 1922 to March 1923. Saunders had his hands all over Piggly Wiggly. He was instrumental in the design and layout of his stores. He even invented the turnstile.

 

Paragraph F: However, Saunders was forced into bankruptcy in 1923 after a dramatic spat with the New York Stock Exchange, and he went on to create the “Clarence Saunders sole-owner-of-my-name” chain, which went into bankruptcy.
 

Paragraph G: Until the time of his death in October 1953, Saunders was developing plans for another automatic store system called the Foodelectric. But the store, which was to be located two blocks from the first Piggly Wiggly store, never opened. But his name was well-remembered along with the name Piggly Wiggly.
 

Also Read: IELTS Pattern and Format

2.

The Innovation of Grocery Stores Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Innovation of Grocery Stores

Questions and Answers 1-5
The Innovation of Grocery Stores Reading passage:

  • The Reading Passage has seven paragraphs A-G
  • Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter A-G, in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.
  • Write the correct letter A-G, in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.


  • Note: You may use any letter more than once.

 

1. How Clarence Saunders’ new idea had been carried out.
 

2. Introducing the modes and patterns of groceries before his age.
 

3. Clarence Saunders declared bankruptcy a few years later.

 

4. Descriptions of Clarence Saunders’ new conception.

 

5. The booming development of his business.


 

Quick Tip:

While answering, skim and scan the passage instead of reading it more than once. Quickly read through the passage to get the main idea (skim), then go back to find specific details (scan) when answering questions.

 

Read More: All About IELTS Reading Test 

 

The Innovation of Grocery Stores Answers with Explanation 1-5


 

Question Type: Matching Information

 

The Matching  Information task provides you with a set of data on the passage. You have to find which paragraph of the given passage mentions the given information and then match them.  
 

The given data can be in the form of descriptions, summaries, explanations or facts that are detailed in the corresponding paragraph. 
 

How to Answer Matching Information Task: 
 

  • Read the given statements and underline their keywords
  • Skim through the passage for the keywords
  • Verify the context by reading the paragraph containing the keywords
  • Finalise the information by matching it with the given statement

 

For example, read the paragraph below.
 

  1. Apples grow during late summer. This is the best time to get them for a cheaper price. The quality will also be better. 
     
  2. In India, Apple is primarily cultivated in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. It is also cultivated to a small extent in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Punjab and Sikkim.
     

Then, check the given information:
 

  1. Seasonal fruits are cheaper
  2. Several Indian states produce apples 
     

Here we can say that, 
 

  • Statement 1 matches with paragraph A
  • Statement 2 matches with paragraph B
     

Now check out the answers: 

 

1. Paragraph D

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D: Inside a Piggly Wiggly, shoppers were not at the mercy of shop clerks. They were free to roam the storecheck out the merchandise and get what they needed with their own two hands and feet. Prices on items at Piggly Wiggly were marked. No one pressured customers to buy milk or pickles. 


 

Explanation:  
 

The passage explains how the modern idea of grocery emerged in the United States. As per the information in the above paragraph, Clarence Saunder’s new idea of merchandise was to allow customers to enter the grocery store, roam around and find what they need. Paragraph D explains how Saunder’s new idea was carried out. 

 

2. Paragraph A


 Reference:

 

From Paragraph A: At the beginning of the 20th century, grocery stores in the United States were full-service. A customer would ask a clerk behind the counter for specific items, and the clerk would package the items, which were limited to dry goods. 


 

Explanation:  
 

The passage explains how grocery stores worked earlier and how Clarence Saunders restructured it. According to the introductory paragraph, old grocery stores were full-service centres, unlike today's self-service grocery stores. Paragraph A introduces the modes and patterns of groceries before Saunders' innovation. 


 

3. Paragraph F

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F: However, Saunders was forced into bankruptcy in 1923 after a dramatic spat with the New York Stock Exchange, and he went on to create the “Clarence Saunders sole-owner-of-my-name” chain, which went into bankruptcy.

 

Explanation:  
 

According to the given information, Clarence Saunders went bankrupt in 1923. His innovation was bankrupted due to stock exchange issues a few years later. Paragraph F explains when and why Saunders went bankrupt. 


 

4. Paragraph C

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C: So in 1902, he moved to Memphis where he developed his concept to form a grocery wholesale cooperative and a full-service grocery store. For his new “cafeteria grocery”, Saunders divided his grocery into three distinct areas: 1) A front “lobby” forming an entrance and exit and checkouts at the front. 2) A sales department, which was specially designed to allow customers to roam the aisles and select their groceries… 3) And another section of his store is the room only allowed for the clerks, which was called the “stockroom” or “storage room” where large refrigerators were situated to keep fresh products from being perishable. 


 

Explanation:  

 

The given paragraph explains how Saunders executed his new idea. His new concept divided the grocery store into three sections: the front lobby, a sales department and a storeroom. Paragraph C provides descriptions of Clarence Saunders’ new conception.


 

5. Paragraph E

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C: So in 1902, he moved to Memphis where he developed his concept to form a grocery wholesale cooperative and a full-service grocery store. For his new “cafeteria grocery”, Saunders divided his grocery into three distinct areas: 1) A front “lobby” forming an entrance and exit and checkouts at the front. 2) A sales department, which was specially designed to allow customers to roam the aisles and select their groceries… 3) And another section of his store is the room only allowed for the clerks, which was called the “stockroom” or “storage room” where large refrigerators were situated to keep fresh products from being perishable. 

 

Explanation:  

The given paragraph explains how Saunders executed his new idea. His new concept divided the grocery store into three sections: the front lobby, a sales department and a storeroom. Paragraph C provides descriptions of Clarence Saunders’ new conception.

 

Also Read: IELTS Reading Resources

Questions and Answers 6-10
  • Answer the questions below.
  • Write ONLY ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

 

6. When Clarence Saunders was an adolescent, he took a job as a _________ in a grocery store.

 

7. In the new innovation of the grocery store, most of the clerks’ work before was done by _________
 

8. In Saunders’ new grocery store, the section where customers finish the payment was called _________
 

9. Another area in his store behind the public area was called the _________ Where only internal staff could access.

 

10. At _________, where customers were under surveillance.


 

Quick Tip:

Do not exceed the word limit. If the question asks you to answer within TWO WORDS, limit your answers to TWO WORDS. Exceeding the word limit can make your answers invalid.

 

The Innovation of Grocery Stores Answers with Explanation 6-10

 

Question Type: Sentence Completion 
 

The Sentence Completion tasks are comparatively easier. You will be given a paragraph with incomplete sentences. You can find appropriate words from the passage to fill in the blanks and form meaningful sentences. 
 

How to Answer Sentence Completion Task:

 

  • Read the given sentences first.
  • Scan the given passage and locate where the information given in the (question) sentence is mentioned.
  • Look out for keywords or their synonyms
  • Read the part and find appropriate words to fill the blanks


 

For example, Read the paragraph below.

 

Rahul is studying in grade 4. He goes to Delhi Public School. He has a lot of friends there. 
 

Now read the incomplete sentence below.
 

  1. Rahul is studying in class _______ at the Delhi Public School.
     

Here, the appropriate word to fill the blank is 4

 

Now check out the answers. 
 

6. Clerk

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B: In 1885, a Virginia boy named Clarence Saunders began working part-time as a clerk in a grocery store when he was 14 years old and quit school when the shopkeeper offered him full-time work with room and board. 


 

Explanation:  
 

According to the passage, Clarence Saunders began his career as a part-time clerk. He was only a fourteen-year-old schooler then. Soon, he quit school to become a full-timer in the shop. From the given paragraph, it is clear that his first job was as a clerk. 
 

7. Customers

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C: A sales department, which was specially designed to allow customers to roam the aisles and select their groceries. Removing unnecessary clerks, creating elaborate aisle displays, and rearranging the store to force customers to view all of the merchandise and over the shelving and cabinets units of the sales department were “galleries” where supervisors were allowed to keep an eye on the customers while not disturbing them.


 

Explanation:  
 

According to the passage, Clarence Saunders’ new idea of grocery emphasised the role of customers over clerks. Instead of waiting for the clerk, they can pick up their items independently. So, from the given statements, the new idea prioritised customers. 


 

8. Lobby

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C:  For his new “cafeteria grocery”, Saunders divided his grocery into three distinct areas: 1) A front “lobby” forming an entrance and exit and checkouts at the front. 
 

Explanation:  


The given paragraph explains how Saunders divided his groceries into three sections: the front lobby, sales department and storeroom. According to the passage, the section where customers finish the payment was called a lobby

 

9. Stockroom

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C: And another section of his store is the room only allowed for the clerks, which was called the “stockroom” or “storage room”, where large refrigerators were situated to keep fresh products from being perishable. 
 

Explanation: 
 

According to the information given in the passage, Saunders’ groceries consisted of three sections. The third section is called a stockroom or storage room. It was used to store items in large refrigerators. This area was only accessible to the staff.  


 

10. Galleries

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C: A sales department was specially designed to allow customers to roam the aisles and select their groceries. Removing unnecessary clerks, creating elaborate aisle displays, and rearranging the store to force customers to view all of the merchandise and over the shelving and cabinets units of the sales department were “galleries” where supervisors were allowed to keep an eye on the customers while not disturbing them.
 

Explanation:  
 

According to the passage, Saunders installed an area called galleries above the shopping region. This is where the supervisors sat to monitor the customers in the grocery. So, the place is called a gallery. 

 

Learn More: All About IELTS!


 

Questions and Answers 11-13
  • Choose the correct letter: A, B, C, or D.
  • Write your answers in boxes 11-13 on your answer sheet.

 

11. Why did Clarence Saunders want to propel the innovation of grocery stores at his age?
 

  1. Because he was an enthusiastic and creative man.
  2. Because his boss wanted to reform the grocery industry.
  3. Because he wanted to develop its efficiency and make a great profit as well.
  4. Because he worried about the future competition from the industry.
     

12. What happened to Clarence Saunders’ first store of Piggly Wiggly?
 

  1. Customers complained about its impracticality and inconvenience.
  2. It enjoyed a great business and was updated in the first twelve months.
  3. It expanded to more than a thousand franchised stores during the first year.
  4. Saunders was required to have his new idea patented and open stores.
     

13. What was left to Clarence Saunders after he died in 1953?
 

  1. A fully automatic store system opened soon near his first store.
  2. The name of his store, the Piggly Wiggly, was very popular at that time.
  3. His name was usually connected with his famous shop, the Piggly Wiggly, in the following several years.
  4. His name was painted together with the name of his famous store.

 

Pro Tip:

MCQ questions can ask you to pick either one or more than one correct answer from the given options. Read the question instructions carefully before answering to understand it well.

 

The Innovation of Grocery Stores Answers with Explanation 11-13
 

Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions
 

Multiple Choice Questions are common for most competitive exams. The question statement will ask for certain information. You have to find the answer to the question from the four choices. 
 

The task might ask you to choose one or more than one answer for the given question. Read the instructions carefully to not miss out on the point. 

 

How to Answer MCQ Task:
 

  • Read the question and identify the keyword
  • Skim through the passage to find the keyword
  • Read the paragraph/sentence containing the keyword
  • Match the information obtained from the passage with the question statement
     

For example, read the paragraph below.

 

Red is my favourite colour. I always choose red for my clothes, accessories and other items. 

 

Check out the question,
 

  1. Which is the narrator’s favourite colour?
  2. White
  3. Green
  4. Blue
  5. Red 
     

Here, we can state that Option D: Red is correct. 
 

Now check out the answers below.
 

11. C- Because he wanted to develop its efficiency and make a great profit as well

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B: Saunders, a flamboyant and innovative man, noticed that this method resulted in wasted time and expense, so he came up with an unheard-of solution that would revolutionise the entire grocery industry: he developed a way for shoppers to serve themselves.

 

Explanation:  
 

According to the passage, Clarence Saunders identified the earlier grocery practice as less efficient. It needed more time and expense. He thought of ways to improve the practice and finally developed the new system. He improved the system to develop its efficiency and make a profit. So, option C matches with the question statement. 

 

12. B- It enjoyed a great business and was updated in the first twelve months

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraphs D and E: On September 6, 1916, Saunders launched the self-service revolution in the USA by opening the first self-service Piggly Wiggly store at 79 Jefferson Street in Memphis, Tennessee, with its characteristic turnstile at the entrance… Piggly Wiggly and the self-service concept took off. Saunders opened nine stores in the Memphis area within the first year of business. 
 

Explanation:  
 

The paragraphs explain that Saunders’ Piggly Wiggly store, which opened in 1916, became a huge success. He enjoyed great business and was able to open 9 new stores within the next year. So, option B explains the correct history of Saunders’ first store. 

 

 

13. C- His name was usually connected with his famous shop, the Piggly Wiggly, in the following several years

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph G: Until the time of his death in October 1953, Saunders was developing plans for another automatic store system called the Foodelectric. But the store, which was to be located two blocks from the first Piggly Wiggly store, never opened. But his name was well-remembered along with the name Piggly Wiggly.

 

Explanation:  
 

Although Saunders went bankrupt in 1923 and later tried to come up with new and incomplete ideas, he is still known for his innovation in the grocery system. For several years, his name has been connected with his famous shop, the Piggly Wiggly. So, option C answers the question statement. 
 

Check Out: IELTS Reading Tips & Tricks 2024

 

Once you are done with your preparation, go for your IELTS test confidently. Once done, start your study abroad plan with expert help. Book a free call with the counsellors to learn more. 
 

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FAQs

Q. How can I prepare for my IELTS Reading test?

A. The ideal method to prepare for your IELTS Reading test is through constant practice. Try attempting more mock tests, practice tests and sample questions. Try to cultivate a regular reading habit. Try reading different types of texts and be mindful of the language structures and grammatical usages. If necessary, get good guidance for your preparation. You can get IELTS Reading training from Leap’s IELTS experts

Q. What are some recommended books for IELTS Reading preparation?

A. Below are some of the most recommended books to prepare for the IELTS Reading test: 
 

  • Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic by Cambridge University Press
  • Focus on the IELTS Foundation
  • Mometrix IELTS Books for General Academic Training
  • IELTS Superpack by Barron's Educational Series
  • Road to IELTS
Q. Can I skip questions in my IELTS Reading test?

A. Yes, you are allowed to skip questions in your IELTS Reading test. It is not mandatory to answer all of them. However, IELTS experts recommend you try attempting all the questions in the test. Since you do not have a negative marking system for the IELTS Reading test, this will increase your chances of scoring. If you are unsure about an answer, try making a responsible guess. 

Q. How many reading passages are there in the IELTS Reading test?

A. The IELTS Reading test consists of three or more passages. The number of passages varies according to your test type. IELTS Reading Academic consists of three sections, each consisting of one long passage. The number of passages in the IELTS Reading General test varies across each section. Section 1 consists of 2-3 passages, section 2 consists of 2 passages, and the final section consists of 1 long passage. 

Q. Should I write answers in capital letters for my IELTS Reading test?

A. There is no strict rule regarding using uppercase or lowercase letters while answering your IELTS reading test. You can use either of them. However, it is recommended not to mix them in your answers. Either write all your answers in upper case or use lower case or small letters.

Q. What are some practices for IELTS Reading test preparation?

A. Some practices to follow while preparing for your IELTS Reading test are

  • Read different types of texts every day 
  • Practice IELTS Reading sample passages
  • Attempt IELTS Reading mock tests
  • Mark and analyse your answers
  • Find your strong and weak points and focus them accordingly 
  • Read the passages and the exam instructions carefully
Q. How do hyphenated words get counted in the IELTS Reading test?

A. According to the official information, hyphenated words are counted as single words in the IELTS Reading test. For example, the words “well-mannered”, “second-level”, and “empty-handed” are counted as a single word instead of considering them as two separate words. 

Q. What are the different tasks in the IELTS Reading test?

A. The different question types in the IELTS Reading test are
 

  • Multiple Choice Questions
  • Matching Questions
  • Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling Questions
  • Form/Note/Table/Flowchart/Summary Completion Questions
  • Sentence Completion Questions
  • Short-Answer Questions
  • Matching Information
  • True or False Questions
  • Table Completion
  • Identifying information
Q. Can I exceed the word limit in my IELTS Reading test?

A. No, you cannot exceed the word limit for your answers in the IELTS Reading test. Exceeding word limits can be penalised. It can make your answers invalid, and you might lose your score. If the question instructs you to adhere to a certain word count, ensure your answers are within that. 

Q. What is the duration of the IELTS Reading test?

A. The duration of the IELTS reading test is one hour or 60 minutes. Within this, you must attempt all three sections of the test. The total number of questions in the IELTS Reading test is 40. The questions are unequally divided between these three sections. The total duration of the IELTS test is 2 hours 44 minutes. 

Q. How many times can I take IELTS in a year?

A. There is no maximum number of tries for the IELTS test. You can register for the test and attempt it as many times as you need. However, IELTS experts suggest a minimum 45-day gap between each test. This is to ensure you get enough preparation time for your test. You can use this time to reflect on your strong and weak points and to make amends accordingly. 

Q. Can I get extra transfer time for my IELTS Reading Test?

A. No, the extra transfer time is only given for the IELTS Listening test. Moreover, it applies only to the paper-based Listening test. You have to finish your IELTS Reading test within 60 minutes. No extra time is allocated after the one hour. So, divide the given time appropriately between all three sections. It is recommended that each section be completed within a maximum time of 20 minutes.