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The Stress of Relocation Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 10:40

This passage ‘the stress of relocation’ explores the various aspects of stress among executives and business owners. It discusses the causes, including overcommitment and unrealistic expectations, and examines how individuals manage stress differently. It also highlights the impact of stress on health, productivity, and workplace efficiency, emphasising the importance of workload management and stress-reduction techniques like meditation and reassessment of responsibilities.

 

This passage is good practice for the IELTS Reading section as it requires understanding complex ideas and identifying key points across different paragraphs, which is crucial for improving your IELTS reading score.
 

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1. The Stress of Relocation Reading Passage

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

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2. The Stress of Relocation Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Stress of Relocation Reading Questions and Answers

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1.

The Stress of Relocation 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 Stress of Relocation Reading Passage

 

 

Paragraph A:

Neil Plumridge, AT Kearney's Australian vice-president, adds, "Often, stress is caused by our setting unrealistic expectations of ourselves." I'll tell a client I'll do something tomorrow, then tell another client the same thing, even though I know it won't happen. I've stressed myself out when I could have told the clients, 'Why don't I give you that in 48 hours?' "The client is unconcerned." People often consider overcommitting to be a personal problem. We explain it as a result of procrastination or Parkinson's law: work grows to occupy the available time. According to new research, people may be hardwired to do it. People consistently believe their workload will decrease in the future compared to their current workload, according to a study that was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology's February issue. The report's authors, Professors John Lynch of Duke University and Gal Zauberman of the University of North Carolina, contend that this is erroneous. A person will, on average, be just as busy in two weeks or a month as they are now. However, they noted that in reality, "this does not seem to be the case." People frequently offer a relatively significant discount on future time investments, which leads them to make long-term commitments that they would never make if the same commitments required immediate action. Why do we think there is more "surplus" time in the future than there is in the present? According to the study, people underestimate completion durations for long-term undertakings and are poor at predicting future competition for their time.

 

Paragraph B:

According to Jan Elsnera, a Melbourne psychologist who specializes in executive coaching, senior executives and other high-potential business individuals thrive on a tough workload. She claims that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy to stress: some people operate best with high-adrenaline bursts followed by times of stillness, while others flourish under prolonged strain. She says that in order to determine whether or not someone is physiologically stressed, "we could take urine and blood hormonal measurements". "However, that isn't going to tell us anything about their stress experience or the emotional and cognitive effects of stress."

 

Paragraph C:

Eisner's practice is influenced by the positive psychology movement, a school of thought that contends "positive" experiences - feeling engaged, challenged, and as if one is contributing to something meaningful - do not cancel out negative ones like stress; rather, they help people increase their resilience over time. Positive experiences of being challenged and rewarded, or good stress, are thus cumulative in the same way that negative experiences are. According to Elsner, many of the top executives she teaches are depending more on stress management techniques such as meditation and yoga. She cites studies that demonstrate meditation can change the biochemistry of the brain and help people "retrain" the way their minds and bodies react to stress. “If you practice meditation and yoga well, you can alter how your brain responds, putting you in charge.”

 

Paragraph D:

The stress of relocation. How crowded is too crowded? For some, this means missing the odd long lunch; for others, it means missing lunch entirely. For some, it is the inability to take a "sickie" once a month. Then there are those for whom working every evening and weekend is routine, and their lives are chaotic. Workloads for most senior executives range from extremely busy to frantic. The head of telecommunications for the Asia-Pacific region and vice president of the management consulting firm AT Kearney, Neil Plumridge, claims that his work weeks typically last 60 hours but can range from a "manageable" 45 to 80 hours. Plumridge is aware of his workload due to three indicators: sleep, scheduling, and family. When he gets less than six hours of sleep for three nights in a row; when he continuously needs to postpone appointments; ". According to Plumridge, the father of a three-year-old girl who is having a second child in October, "the third one is on the family side. "When I forget a birthday or an anniversary, I know things have gotten out of hand." Being "too busy" is a highly individualized experience. However, for any individual, the sense of being overly busy over time can lead to stress, disrupted sleep, and decreased mental and physical health. According to national workers' compensation statistics, stress is the leading cause of lost time on the job. Employees that are stressed out miss work for an average of 16.6 weeks. The costs of stress are likewise high. Comcare reports that in 2003–2004, claims for psychological injury accounted for 7% of total claims, but over 27% of claim expenditures. According to experts, the key to dealing with stress is not to focus on relaxation - such as a round of golf or a massage - but to reassess workloads. According to Neil Plumridge, he places an emphasis on figuring out what needs to change, which could entail giving a task more resources, giving more leeway, or lowering expectations. It is possible that the decision will take many days. He also seeks guidance from colleagues, claiming that his peers help each other with business challenges. "Just having a fresh set of eyes on an issue can help," he says.

 

Paragraph E:

Executive stress is not limited to large corporations. For seven years, Vanessa Stoykov has operated her own advertising and public relations business, specializing in businesses providing financial and professional services. Just a few months after Stoykov gave birth to her first child, Evolution Media made the BRW Fast 100 list of the fastest-growing small businesses. Stoykov thrives on the mental stimulation that comes with owning her own company. She admits, "Like everyone else, I have days when I feel like my head is going to blow off." Because the company is in a development phase, Stoykov must prioritize short-term stress reduction - weekends in the mountains, the rare "mental health" day - over delegating more work. She explains, "We're hiring more people, but it's actually more work than less because you have to train them and teach them about the culture and the clients."

 

Paragraph F:

The stress of relocation. How crowded is too crowded? For some, this means missing the odd long lunch; for others, it means missing lunch entirely. For some, it is the inability to take a "sickie" once a month. Then there are those for whom working every evening and weekend is routine, and their lives are chaotic. Workloads for most senior executives range from extremely busy to frantic. The head of telecommunications for the Asia-Pacific region and vice president of the management consulting firm AT Kearney, Neil Plumridge, claims that his work weeks typically last 60 hours but can range from a "manageable" 45 to 80 hours. Plumridge is aware of his workload due to three indicators: sleep, scheduling, and family. When he gets less than six hours of sleep for three nights in a row; when he continuously needs to postpone appointments; ". According to Plumridge, the father of a three-year-old girl who is having a second child in October, "the third one is on the family side. "When I forget a birthday or an anniversary, I know things have gotten out of hand." Being "too busy" is a highly individualized experience. However, for any individual, the sense of being overly busy over time can lead to stress, disrupted sleep, and decreased mental and physical health. According to national workers' compensation statistics, stress is the leading cause of lost time on the job. Employees that are stressed out miss work for an average of 16.6 weeks. The costs of stress are likewise high. Comcare reports that in 2003–2004, claims for psychological injury accounted for 7% of total claims, but over 27% of claim expenditures. According to experts, the key to dealing with stress is not to focus on relaxation - such as a round of golf or a massage - but to reassess workloads. According to Neil Plumridge, he places an emphasis on figuring out what needs to change, which could entail giving a task more resources, giving more leeway, or lowering expectations. It is possible that the decision will take many days. He also seeks guidance from colleagues, claiming that his peers help each other with business challenges. "Just having a fresh set of eyes on an issue can help," he says.
 

2.

The Stress of Relocation Reading Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • Use the information in the passage to match the people (listed A-D) with opinions or deeds below.
  • Write the appropriate letters A-D in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet

 

NB: You may use any letter more than once. 

  1. Jan Elsnera
  2. Vanessa Stoykov
  3. Gal Zauberman
  4. Neil Plumridge
  1. A temporary vacation may not always imply less effort.
  2. It is not true that stress will be relieved more in the future than it is now.
  3. Work stress is most common at the executive level of a company.
  4. When attempting to satisfy customers, stress leads to the wrong path.
  5. More thoughts from different people would be useful for stress alleviation.

 

The Stress of Relocation Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Type of Question: Matching Features

In the matching features question of IELTS reading, you need to identify specific features or characteristics mentioned in the passage and match them with the corresponding options provided in the question.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Identify Key Features: Determine the key features or characteristics listed in the question and find their counterparts in the passage.
  • Highlight Correspondences: Match each feature with the appropriate description or example in the passage.
  • Check Details: Ensure that the details provided in the passage directly support the feature you are matching.
  • Be Precise: Avoid generalising; match specific information from the passage to the features listed in the question.
  • Process of Elimination: If unsure, use the process of elimination by matching known features to narrow down the options.
     
1. B

 

Reference: From Paragraph E, "Because the company is in a development phase, Stoykov must prioritize short-term stress reduction - weekends in the mountains, the rare 'mental health' day - over delegating more work."
 

Explanation: This line indicates that Vanessa Stoykov, who runs her own business, emphasizes short-term stress relief strategies, such as taking mental health days and weekends away, rather than focusing on delegating more work. This highlights that she values immediate stress reduction over the long-term benefit of delegating tasks.

 

2. C

 

Reference: From Paragraph A, "People consistently believe their workload will decrease in the future compared to their current workload, according to a study that was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology's February issue."
 

Explanation: The study cited in Paragraph A shows that people often mistakenly think their workload will lessen in the future, but the research argues this belief is incorrect. The paragraph explains that future workloads are likely to remain as demanding as they are currently, making this belief an erroneous expectation.

 

3. A

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "According to Jan Elsnera, a Melbourne psychologist who specializes in executive coaching, senior executives and other high-potential business individuals thrive on a tough workload."
 

Explanation: Jan Elsnera’s opinion, as detailed in Paragraph B, is that high-level executives often perform well under challenging workloads. This suggests that stress and workload can be motivating factors rather than purely negative experiences.

 

4. D

 

Reference: From Paragraph D, "Neil Plumridge, AT Kearney's Australian vice-president, adds, 'Often, stress is caused by our setting unrealistic expectations of ourselves.'"
 

Explanation: Neil Plumridge discusses how unrealistic self-expectations lead to stress. This insight, found in Paragraph D, emphasises that overcommitting to tasks or setting unattainable goals can be a major source of stress in the workplace.

 

5. D

 

Reference: From Paragraph D, "According to Neil Plumridge, he places an emphasis on figuring out what needs to change, which could entail giving a task more resources, giving more leeway, or lowering expectations."

Explanation: Neil Plumridge suggests that managing stress involves reassessing and adjusting workloads. By providing additional resources, adjusting deadlines, or lowering expectations, he believes in practical solutions to alleviate stress, which can be complemented by seeking advice from colleagues.

 

Also See: IELTS Academic 2024 Reading Resources

Questions and Answers 6-8
  • Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
  • Write your answers in boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet.

 

6. According to Plumridge, which of the following workplace stresses is NOT listed in the following options?

  1. Change in appointment
  2. Inadequate sleep time
  3. Inability to concentrate at work
  4. Insufficient time spent with family

 

7. According to Plumridge, which of the following solutions is NOT included in helping to relieve job pressure?

  1. Exercise and massage
  2. Lower expectation
  3. Increase time
  4. More employees should be assigned

 

8. What is Jan Elsnera's take on workplace stress?

  1. All stress can be relieved by a single well-designed solution
  2. Physical affection is superior to emotional and cognitive affection
  3. Index somebody's samples will be abnormal in a stressful experience
  4. Medical tests can only disclose a portion of the information required to cope with stress.

 

The Stress of Relocation Reading Answers with Explanations (6-8)

 

Type of Question: Multiple Choice Questions

 

These types of questions in IELTS reading involve identifying the right choice from the given options using the given paragraph.  

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Understand the Context: Read the entire passage carefully to grasp the overall context and main ideas before answering questions.
  • Identify Keywords: Focus on keywords in the question and options. Match these keywords with specific information in the passage.
  • Eliminate Wrong Choices: Use the process of elimination to rule out clearly incorrect options, narrowing down your choices.
  • Look for Synonyms: Be aware of synonyms or paraphrased terms in the passage that may differ from those in the question or answer choices.
  • Double-Check Your Answers: Ensure that your selected answer fits grammatically and logically within the context of the passage.

 

6. C

 

Reference: From Paragraph D, "Plumridge is aware of his workload due to three indicators: sleep, scheduling, and family."
 

Explanation: This line from Paragraph D details the indicators Neil Plumridge uses to assess his workload, which includes sleep, scheduling, and family time. It does not mention the inability to concentrate at work, thus making it an incorrect option for the types of workplace stress listed.

 

7. A

 

Reference: From Paragraph D, "According to Neil Plumridge, he places an emphasis on figuring out what needs to change, which could entail giving a task more resources, giving more leeway, or lowering expectations."
 

Explanation: Plumridge’s approach to managing stress includes practical adjustments like reallocating resources, extending deadlines, or lowering expectations. The mention of exercise and massage is not included in his stress management strategy, making it an incorrect option.

 

8. D

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "She says that in order to determine whether or not someone is physiologically stressed, 'we could take urine and blood hormonal measurements'. 'However, that isn't going to tell us anything about their stress experience or the emotional and cognitive effects of stress.'"
 

Explanation: Jan Elsnera points out that while physiological tests like hormonal measurements can indicate stress, they do not fully capture the emotional and cognitive aspects of stress. This detailed explanation reflects the limitation of medical tests in addressing the complete stress experience.

 

A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life!
 

Questions and Answers 9-14
  • Complete the following summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage, using
  • NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the Reading Passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet.

 

Statistics from National worker’s Compensation reveal stress has the most critical influence in 9.____________ which causes time losses. Employees get paid approximately 10.____________ for stress-related absences from work. Our primary worry is not only time but also the significant expenses that result. According to an official insurer, around 11.__________of all claims involved mental difficulties, whereas nearly 27% of all claims involved costs. Such as 12.__________ and 13.___________ could be a stress-relieving treatment; however, doctors offered another practical way out, analyse 14.___________ once again.

 

The Stress of Relocation Reading Answers with Explanations (9-14)

 

Type of Question: Summary Completion 

 

Carefully read the summary and identify keywords, then scan the passage to locate the relevant information, ensuring the words you choose to complete the summary accurately reflect the content and context of the passage.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Identify Key Information: Focus on understanding the main ideas and essential details of the passage that need to be summarised.
  • Match with Passage: Find phrases or keywords in the passage that align with the summary gaps, ensuring they convey the same meaning.
  • Use Context Clues: Pay attention to the surrounding text in the passage for context, which can help in selecting the appropriate words or phrases.
  • Be Concise: Choose words that are concise and directly relevant to the context, avoiding unnecessary details.
  • Check Grammar: Ensure the completed summary fits grammatically and logically with the rest of the summary text.

 

9. Job

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "According to national workers' compensation statistics, stress is the leading cause of lost time on the job."
 

Explanation: This line from Paragraph B highlights that stress is the primary reason for time lost at work. It indicates that stress has a significant impact on job performance and absenteeism.

 

10. 16.6 weeks

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "Employees that are stressed out miss work for an average of 16.6 weeks."
 

Explanation: This specific statistic from Paragraph B demonstrates the extent of time employees lose due to stress, emphasizing the serious impact of stress-related absences on the workforce.

 

11. 11. 7%

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "Comcare reports that in 2003–2004, claims for psychological injury accounted for 7% of total claims, but over 27% of claim expenditures."

Explanation: This percentage from Paragraph B shows that psychological injury claims, while representing a smaller portion of total claims, accounted for a disproportionately high percentage of expenditure, indicating the financial impact of stress-related issues.

 

12. Golf

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "According to experts, the key to dealing with stress is not to focus on relaxation - such as a round of golf or a massage - but to reassess workloads."

Explanation: The mention of golf in Paragraph B represents an example of relaxation techniques that experts suggest are less effective than reassessing workloads for managing stress.

 

13. Massage

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "According to experts, the key to dealing with stress is not to focus on relaxation - such as a round of golf or a massage - but to reassess workloads."
 

Explanation: Massage is another example of a relaxation technique that experts in Paragraph B recommend against focusing on in favor of workload reassessment for effective stress management.

 

14. Workloads

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "According to experts, the key to dealing with stress is not to focus on relaxation - such as a round of golf or a massage - but to reassess workloads."
 

Explanation: The experts in Paragraph B advise that instead of relying on temporary relaxation methods, one should focus on reassessing and managing workloads to address stress more effectively.

 

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FAQs

Q. What are some effective reading strategies for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Skim the passage to get a general idea of the content before reading the questions. Focus on keywords in the questions and locate them in the text. Pay attention to headings and subheadings for structure. Practice reading for specific information and understanding the gist. Time yourself to improve speed and accuracy.

Q. What are some good sources for practice materials for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Use official IELTS practice books and materials from the British Council or Cambridge. Websites like IELTS.org and British Council offer free practice tests. Consider using IELTS preparation apps and online platforms such as Magoosh and IELTS Liz for additional practice. Library resources and study guides also provide valuable practice passages.

Q. How can I improve my comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Enhance your vocabulary by reading widely and noting unfamiliar words. Practice summarizing passages in your own words to boost understanding. Engage in active reading by asking questions about the text and predicting content. Regularly practice with timed tests to build speed and comprehension. Analyze practice test answers to understand mistakes and improve.