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The Psychology of Innovation Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, your reading comprehension skills are rigorously tested. Lasting for 60 minutes, this segment comprises three passages, each accompanied by a series of questions in various formats like multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Success in this section hinges on your ability to grasp key information, discern main ideas, and infer meaning from context.
 

To ace the IELTS Reading section, adopt effective reading strategies such as skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details. Regular practice with sample questions and exposure to different question types will sharpen your skills for test day.
 

Prepare for an enlightening exploration of "The Psychology of Innovation," an insightful look into the factors that drive creativity and innovation within organisations. Delve into the psychological mechanisms, challenges, and strategies that foster an innovative environment through engaging passages and accompanying questions, enriching your understanding of how innovation can be nurtured and sustained.

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1. The Psychology of Innovation Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 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. The Psychology of Innovation Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Psychology of Innovation

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1.

The Psychology of Innovation 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 Psychology of Innovation Reading Passage


 

 

Paragraph A 

Innovation is an essential element in business survival and companies invest significant amounts of resources in their employees to develop novel ideas. As the people find that their environment doesn’t make them creative, they work in luxurious and state-of-the-art centres which simulate innovation. And, there are people who don’t have that much budget or space, but are still able to innovate. 

 

Paragraph B

Professor of Psychology at Arizona State of University Robert B. Cialdini states that innovation must begin with recruitment, without that, companies might struggle to succeed. Research suggests that the fit between a company's values and an employee’s values matters. It can tell what contribution they will make in the company. Studies done in Harvard Business school show that although some individuals normally are more creative than others, all individuals can be creative if they are in the right circumstances. 

 

Paragraph C

Cialdin’s views are reflected in one of the most popular photographs in the story of rock and roll. The picture of singers Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis jamming at a piano, which was taken in 1956 in Sun Studios in Memphis, tells a hidden story. Sun’s ‘million dollar quartet’ could be a quintet. Roy Orbison, a greater natural singer than Lewis, Perkins or Cash, is the one who is missing in the picture. The owner of the Sun, Sam Philips, wanted to transform popular music with songs - a fusion of black and white music and country and blues. Presley, Cash, Perkins and Lewis understood the ambition of the Philips intuitively and believed in it. Orbison wasn’t motivated by the goal, and he achieved one hit with Sun Label.

 

Paragraph D

Cialdini says, the value fit is important as innovation is a process of change and as a species, we behave differently when we are under pressure. Then, managers must adopt the counterintuitive approach, they should explain what loss the company will face if they don’t capture a particular opportunity. Studies suggest that we are ready to take more gambles when threatened with loss than when offered a reward.

 

Paragraph E

Innovation management is a delicate art. Companies can be pulled easily in conflicting directions such as marketing, product development, and finance departments. Each of them gets different feedback from different sets of people. And, without a system, collaborative exchanges could happen within the company but small pockets of innovation could also disappear. Innovation is a contact game, in which you can’t brief people only by saying, “We’re going in this direction and I’m going to take you with me”. 

 

Paragraph F

Cialdini believes that ‘follow the leader syndrome’ is problematic, not only because it motivates the bosses to go it alone. Scientific fact says that three people will be better in solving the problems than one person, even if that person is smartest in his or her field. Cialdini mentions the interview with molecular biologist James Watson to prove his point. Watson discovered the DNA structure, the genetic information carrier of all living organisms, along with Francis Crick. When asked how they cracked the code before the highly accomplished rival investigators, the answer Cialdini got stunned him. He said that he and Crick accomplished it because they were aware that they weren’t the only intelligent scientists who were pursuing the answer. Watson said that Rosalind Franklin is the smartest scientist and was so brilliant that she rarely seeks advice. 

 

Paragraph G

Teamwork triggers one of the basic drives of human behaviour. CIaldini says that the social proof principle is so pervasive that we don’t even recognize it. For example, if one’s project is being resisted by the veteran employees, one should ask an old-timer to speak up for it. Cialdini is not the only person advocating this strategy. Research shows that more than a boss’s speech, using the peer power horizontally rather than vertically is more effective. 

 

Paragraph H

The flow of ideas can be stimulated by writing, visualising and prototyping.  By taking account of research papers and historical events, Cialdini proves that even simple acts such as writing can increase an individual's engagement with the project. He says, the intent behind the competitions which asks us to write like, ‘I like Kellog’s Corn Flakes because…..’ is that the act of writing itself makes us likely to believe it. 

 

Paragraph I

Authority often interferes with innovation, even though it doesn’t have to. The  poor leadership could lead us to what Cialdini calls “captainitis” which is the regrettable tendency of team members to opt out team responsibilities that are properly theirs. He mentions it captainitis by saying, “crew members of multi-pilot aircraft exhibit a sometimes deadly passivity when the flight captain makes a clearly wrong-headed decision”. This behaviour is not only restricted to air travel, but it can happen in any workplace, where the leader is dominating. 

 

Paragraph J
On the other hand, in the 1980s, Memphis design collective, the only rule for the group of young designers is no rule. This environment motivated them to exchange ideas in a free manner, which led them to create more different forms, functions, colours and materials that elevated the attitudes toward furniture design to a different level. 

 

Paragraph K
Most of the theorists believe that an ideal boss should possess some of the qualities such as leading from behind, gratified by the collective accomplishment and providing credit where it is due. Cialdini says that leaders should encourage all the individuals to contribute and give importance to every recommendation to make the correct decision and will give full attention. The annoying thing about innovation is it comprises a variety of approaches, it doesn't have a clear cut formula . Still, by recognising this psychological truth, a manager can make a truly innovative culture which makes their job a lot easier.

2.

The Psychology of Innovation Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Psychology of Innovation

Questions and Answers 1-7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
Based on your understanding of the passage, mark the statement:

  • YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
  • NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
  • NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

 

 

1. Innovation is an important component in business survival. 

2. Fit between company’s values and employee’s values is not necessary. 

3. People take more gambles when they are threatened with loss. 

4. Contacting others and exchanging ideas is important for innovation. 

5. Companies should increase the salary of their employees to encourage them to create new ideas. 

6. One smartest person can outsmart the combination of three people in solving the problems

7. Simple act of writing can increase the engagement of the employees with the project. 

 

 

The Psychology of Innovation Reading Answers with Explanations (1-7)

 

 

Question Type:  Yes/No/Not Given

 

In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (Yes), contradicts the information in the passage (No), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
  • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
  • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information is likely to be located. 
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
  • Yes: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
  • No: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given: If there is no information in the passage that confirms or contradicts the statement.

 

 

1. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

Innovation is an essential element in business survival and companies invest significant amounts of resources in their employees to develop novel ideas. 

 

Explanation

The statement aligns with the information provided in Paragraph A, which emphasizes the importance of innovation in business survival and the significant investment companies make in their employees to foster novel ideas.


 

2. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

Research suggests that the fit between a company's values and an employee’s values matters.

 

Explanation

The statement contradicts the information in Paragraph B, which highlights the significance of the fit between a company's values and an employee’s values in fostering innovation.


 

3. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

Studies suggest that we are ready to take more gambles when threatened with loss than when offered a reward.   
 

Explanation

The statement contradicts the information in Paragraph D, which suggests that individuals are more inclined to take risks when faced with potential loss rather than when offered rewards.


 

4. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E
Innovation is a contact game, in which you can’t brief people only by saying, “We’re going in this direction and I’m going to take you with me”.
 

Explanation

The statement aligns with the content of Paragraph E, which discusses how innovation requires more than just a directive from leadership; it involves collaborative efforts and engagement from team members.


 

5. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph 

NA
 

Explanation

The statement refers to information not provided in the passage; therefore, it is not possible to determine if it agrees, contradicts, or is not given in the text.


 

6. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

Scientific fact says that three people will be better in solving the problems than one person, even if that person is smartest in his or her field. 

 

Explanation

The statement contradicts the information in Paragraph F, which suggests that teamwork involving multiple individuals is often more effective in problem-solving than relying solely on one person, even if that person is highly intelligent.

 

 

7. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph H

Cialdini proves that even simple acts such as writing can increase an individual's engagement with the project

 

Explanation

The statement aligns with the information in Paragraph H, which discusses how simple acts like writing can increase an individual's engagement with a project and contribute to innovation.

Questions and Answers 8-11
  • Choose the correct letter a, b, c or d

 

 

8. Who said that innovation should start with recruitment?

 

  1. James Watson
  2. Francis Crick
  3. Robert B. Cialdini
  4. Robert T. Cialdini

 

9. Who wasn’t motivated by Sam Philips’ goal?

 

  1. Johny Orbison
  2. Elvis Presley
  3. Roy Cash
  4. Roy Orbison

 

10. Which principle is so pervasive, according to Cialdini?

 

  1. Social Proof
  2. Liking
  3. Authority
  4. Scarcity principle

 

11. Which often interrupts innovation?

 

  1. Depression
  2. Authority
  3. Low creative environment
  4. Logical thinking


 

The Psychology of Innovation Reading Answers with Explanations (8-11)

 

Question Type: Multiple Choice 

 

Multiple Choice questions in the IELTS reading test present you with a question followed by a set of options from which you must choose the correct answer. Typically, there are three or four options to choose from. You must carefully read the question and each option before selecting the correct answer.
 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • You must comprehend the passage to select the most accurate option.
  • Efficient skimming and scanning help locate relevant information quickly.
  • Some options may be designed to mislead you, so it's crucial to base your choice on evidence from the passage.
  • Multiple-choice questions can be time-consuming if you dwell on each option too long. Manage your time wisely to ensure you can attempt all questions.


 

8. c. Robert B. Cialdini

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B
Professor of Psychology at Arizona State of University Robert B. Cialdini states that innovation must begin with recruitment, without that, companies might struggle to succeed. 
 

Explanation

Robert B. Cialdini is identified in the passage as the one who emphasizes that innovation should commence with the recruitment process, making option c the correct choice.


 

9. d. Roy Orbison

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C
Presley, Cash, Perkins and Lewis understood the ambition of the Philips intuitively and believed in it. Orbison wasn’t motivated by the goal, and he achieved one hit with Sun Label.
 

Explanation

Roy Orbison is mentioned in the passage as the one who wasn’t motivated by Sam Philips' goal, making option d the correct choice.


 

10. a. Social Proof

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G

CIaldini says that the social proof principle is so pervasive that we don’t even recognize it
 

Explanation

Cialdini explicitly mentions the social proof principle, indicating that it is the one that is pervasive, making option a the correct choice.


 

11. b. Authority

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph I

Authority often interferes with innovation, even though it doesn’t have to


Explanation
The passage discusses how authority often interrupts innovation, aligning with the concept that authority can be a barrier to creativity and innovation, making option b the correct choice.

Questions and Answers 12-14
  • Complete the sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

 

 

12. Managing innovation is a _______ art.
13. Research suggests that using peer power _________ rather than vertically can be much more powerful.
14. Writing, __________, visualising can stimulate the flow of ideas. 

 

 

The Psychology of Innovation Reading Answers with Explanations (12-14)

 

Type of question: Sentence Completion

 

To answer sentence completion questions accurately, read the given sentence carefully and identify the missing word or phrase. Then, consider the context to determine the most suitable answer option that completes the sentence appropriately. Choosing the option that best fits the context will help you answer sentence completion questions accurately.

 

How to best answer the question

 

  • Carefully read the incomplete sentence and try to understand what information is missing.
  • Pay attention to the context and any clues provided in the sentence or the surrounding text.
  • Choose the option that best completes the sentence based on the information from the reading passage.

 

 

12. delicate

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E

Innovation management is a delicate art.
 

Explanation

"Managing innovation is a delicate art" is taken from this paragraph where it discusses the delicate balance and challenges involved in managing innovation within companies.


 

13. Horizontally

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G

Research shows that more than a boss’s speech, using the peer power horizontally rather than vertically is more effective. 

 

Explanation

The phrase "using peer power horizontally rather than vertically can be much more powerful" is discussed in this paragraph, highlighting the effectiveness of utilising peer influence within the organisation.


 

14. Prototyping

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph H
The flow of ideas can be stimulated by writing, visualising and prototyping.
 

Explanation

The concept of "writing, visualising, and prototyping" to stimulate the flow of ideas is mentioned in this paragraph, emphasising the importance of these activities in fostering innovation.

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FAQs

Q. Do I lose marks for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No, there is no penalty for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test. This means it's beneficial to attempt all questions, even if you're unsure. You may still earn points for correct responses by making educated guesses, improving your overall score.

Q. Can I write on the question paper during the test?

Ans. Yes, you are allowed to write on the question paper during the IELTS Reading test. This can be a helpful strategy for keeping track of key information, identifying important details, and organising your thoughts as you read the passages. You can underline relevant points, circle keywords, or make brief notes to aid in answering the questions later.

Q. How can I prepare effectively for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To prepare effectively for the IELTS Reading test, start by familiarising yourself with the test format and question types. Practice with sample questions and past papers to develop your skills in skimming for main ideas, scanning for specific details, and understanding complex passages. Work on expanding your vocabulary by reading various texts and noting down unfamiliar words. Additionally, practice time management to ensure you can complete the test within 60 minutes.