UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Blessing Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

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Updated on Apr 03, 2025, 07:53

In the IELTS Reading section, you will answer 40 questions based on three passages. You need to complete this section in 60 minutes without extra time for transferring answers. The passages are taken from books, magazines, and newspapers, and test your ability to understand main ideas, details, inferences, and the writer’s opinion.
 

UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading passage discusses the need for stronger and more efficient boards of directors in UK companies. It highlights the challenges of corporate governance and explains how better leadership and accountability can improve business performance.


Let’s look at the UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors reading answer passage, questions, and answers with explanations.

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1. UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Answer Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 – 13 based on UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Answer Passage below.

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2. UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors.

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3. Check Out Top 50+ IELTS Reading Practice Test Questions with Answers

Below are some top free IELTS Reading Practice test online questions with detailed answers to enhance your IELTS preparation online. 

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UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Answer 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.

 

 

UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Answer Passage

 

 

Paragraph A. Companies in Britain and elsewhere should think about making significant changes to the director roles they currently have in place after a number of serious governance failures (that is, how they are managed at the highest level). It is evident that being a board director today is a difficult job. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, which caused a more severe and prolonged economic downturn than anyone had anticipated, blame has been placed everywhere due to the widespread search for explanations. All of the following have been implicated: governments, regulators, central banks, and auditors. Reports, inquiries, and commentaries have extensively picked over and examined the role of bank directors and management as well as their widely reported failures.

 

Paragraph B. As a result of this scrutiny, pressures on and responsibilities placed on directors have significantly increased, making corporate governance, in general, a topic of intense public debate. The time needed to fulfil the requirements of a board directorship has significantly increased, which calls into question the viability of the traditional model of corporate governance by independent, non-executive directors who serve part-time. The number of events requiring board input and decisions has significantly increased in many companies, whereas previously, a board's schedule might have included eight to ten meetings annually. Additionally, the amount of reading and planning necessary for each meeting is growing. When agendas are overloaded, it may be necessary to limit the time for productive discussion in order to move the business along.

 

Paragraph C. In order to manage the workload, committees are frequently formed to handle board business. While this may be more effective, it can also mean that the board as a whole is less involved in fully addressing some of the most crucial issues. The audit committee meeting frequently lasts longer than the actual main board meeting. Process may replace conversation and compromise genuine teamwork, resulting in the checking of boxes rather than the resolution of problems.

 

Paragraph D.  The professional board, whose members would work up to three or four days a week with the support of their own dedicated staff and advisers, is an unconventional solution that might work for some very large companies whose businesses are extensive and complex. There are obvious dangers in doing this, so it would be crucial to establish clear guidelines for such a board to prevent it from upsetting management by becoming overly involved in day-to-day operations. This structure wouldn't work for all businesses due to potential issues with hiring, compensation, and independence. In contrast, more competent and knowledgeable boards would have been especially appropriate for banks where executives had access to information that part-time non-executive directors lacked, preventing the latter from understanding or foreseeing the 2008 crash.

 

Paragraph E. One of the main criticisms of boards and their directors is that they place an excessive amount of emphasis on short-term financial metrics rather than longer-term issues of strategy, sustainability, and governance. The market's structure and regulatory requirements support this behaviour. Directors must "make the numbers" every four months to satisfy the market's insatiable appetite for more data, which can distort board decision-making. This encourages the trading style of a specific type of investor who trades stocks in and out without having a productive conversation with the company about strategy or performance and is only interested in making a quick buck. The fact that investors' profiles are changing as a result of capital market globalisation and the rising use of automated trading systems has worsened this effect. Management teams are largely motivated to achieve financial goals, and corporate cultures adapt.

 

Paragraph F. Chief executive compensation has developed into a battleground where investors, management, and board members engage in heated arguments, frequently behind closed doors but more frequently in the spotlight of the media. As shareholders exert pressure on boards to fire underperforming CEOs in the pay area, many would argue that this is in the interest of transparency and good governance. When binding votes were implemented, their ability to reject executive compensation policies grew. As Alison Carnwath, chair of Barclays Bank's remuneration committee, discovered when she was forced to step down after receiving harsh criticism for trying to defend the enormous bonus to be paid to the chief executive, the irony being that she was widely believed to have spoken out against it in the privacy of the committee, the chair of the remuneration committee can be an exposed and lonely role.

 

Paragraph G. A discussion about the function and goals of the company as well as a heightened awareness of corporate ethics, were sparked by the financial crisis. Academics like Michael Sandel, whose thoughtful and best-selling book What Money Can't Buy questions the morality of capitalism and the market economy, say that trust in corporations has declined. Corporate goals may need to be realigned as a result of the need for boards of companies in all sectors to broaden their perspectives to take these issues into account. We are in difficult times.

 

Let’s explore the questions and answers of UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors reading answer passage.

2.

UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Have you read the passage? Now, take the test and find UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading answers! Try to answer these questions by yourself before you sneak a peek at the answers given below.

Questions and Answers 1-2
  • Complete the sentences below.
  • Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 1-2 on your answer sheet.

 

1.   Non-executive directors had a disadvantage prior to 2008 due to their lack of________.

2.  Boards frequently place an excessive amount of weight on_________factors that are only relevant in the short term.
 

UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Answers with Explanations (1-2)
 

Type of question: Sentence Completion

 

In this question type, you are required to fill in the blanks in a given sentence with words or phrases taken directly from the passage. These questions test your ability to understand specific details and information presented in the text.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the sentence carefully to understand the context.
  • Identify keywords or clues that can help you find the answer in the passage.
  • Scan the passage for relevant information, focusing on the area around the blank.
  • Choose the answer that fits grammatically and contextually.
  • Verify your answers and finalise them.
     
1. Information

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “In contrast, more competent and knowledgeable boards would have been especially appropriate for banks where executives had access to information that part-time non-executive directors lacked, preventing the latter from understanding or foreseeing the 2008 crash.”

 

Explanation: This line indicates that non-executive directors were unable to properly understand or predict the financial crisis because they did not have access to crucial information available only to executives. This lack of information placed them at a disadvantage, making "information" the correct answer.

 

2. Financial

 

Reference: From Paragraph E: “Management teams are largely motivated to achieve financial goals”.

 

Explanation: This line indicates that boards and directors mostly concentrate on achieving financial goals rather than focusing on long-term strategies or governance. It shows that their decisions are influenced by short-term financial factors, making "financial" the correct answer.

 

Also Read: IELTS Reading Band Score 2025

Questions and Answers 3-9
  • UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Passage has seven paragraphs, A-G.
  • Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
  • Write the correct number, i-viii, in boxes 3-9 on your answer sheet.

 

A. Paragraph A

B. Paragraph B

C. Paragraph C

D. Paragraph D

E. Paragraph E

F. Paragraph F

G. Paragraph G
 

List of Headings:

i. Disagreements regarding senior managers' financial arrangements.

ii. The effects of being closely scrutinised on businesses.

iii. Potential need for fundamental transformation in every aspect of business.

iv. For the occurred problems various external bodies are being held responsible.

v. The decreasing number of board members with sufficient experience.

vi. There is a risk that not all directors will participate in resolving major issues.

vii. Boards are not planning far enough ahead.

viii. A proposal to alter the board's operations.
 

UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors   Reading Answers With Explanations (3-9)
 

Type of question: Matching Headings

 

In this question type, you will be asked to choose the correct heading for each paragraph from a list of headings provided. This type of question assesses your ability to understand the main idea or theme of each paragraph.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Familiarise yourself with the list of headings before reading the paragraphs. This helps you know what to look for.
  • Identify the main idea or theme of each paragraph by looking for topic sentences or recurring themes.
  • Find keywords or phrases that are similar to those in the headings. This can help you make connections.
  • Eliminate incorrect options that don't match any paragraphs to narrow down your choices.
  • Skim and Scan each paragraph efficiently to get a context about the content.

 

3. iv

 

Reference: From Paragraph A: “All of the following have been implicated: governments, regulators, central banks, and auditors. Reports, inquiries, and commentaries have extensively picked over and examined the role of bank directors and management as well as their widely reported failures..”

 

Explanation: This line indicates that various external bodies such as governments, regulators, and auditors are being blamed for governance failures, making "iv" the correct answer.

 

4. ii

 

Reference: From Paragraph B: “As a result of this scrutiny, pressures on and responsibilities placed on directors have significantly increased, making corporate governance in general a topic of intense public debate.”

 

Explanation: This line shows that increased scrutiny after governance failures has resulted in greater responsibilities and pressures on directors, which makes "ii" the correct heading.

 

5. vi

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “While this may be more effective, it can also mean that the board as a whole is less involved in fully addressing some of the most crucial issues”.

 

Explanation: This line suggests that forming committees might exclude the entire board from key decisions, which supports the heading “vi”.

 

6. viii

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “The professional board, whose members would work up to three or four days a week with the support of their own dedicated staff and advisers”.

 

Explanation: This line introduces an unconventional solution to improve board operations by increasing their working hours and staff support, making "viii" the correct heading.

 

7. vii

 

Reference: From Paragraph E: “One of the main criticisms of boards and their directors is that they place an excessive amount of emphasis on short-term financial metrics rather than longer-term issues of strategy, sustainability, and governance”.

 

Explanation: This line clearly indicates that board members focus more on short-term profits and less on long-term planning, which makes "vii" the correct answer.

 

8. i

 

Reference: From Paragraph F: “Chief executive compensation has developed into a battleground where investors, management, and board members engage in heated arguments, frequently behind closed doors but more frequently in the spotlight of the media.”

 

Explanation: This line shows that disagreements over financial rewards for CEOs have created major conflicts among investors and directors, making "i" the right heading.
 

9. iii

 

Reference: From Paragraph G: “Corporate goals may need to be realigned as a result of the need for boards of companies in all sectors to broaden their perspectives to take these issues into account. We are in difficult times.”

 

Explanation: This line highlights that companies may need to fundamentally rethink their purpose and approach, which supports the heading “iii”.

 

Read more about the IELTS General Reading Practice Test 2025

Questions and Answers 10-13
Do the following statements agree with the information given in UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors Reading Answers Passage?
In boxes 10-13 on your answer sheet, write
  • YES if the statement agrees with the information.
  • NO if the statement contradicts the information.
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this.

 

10. Since the economic downturn, boards' actions are being closely scrutinised.

11.  Banks have been mismanaged to a greater extent than other businesses.

12.  Board meetings typically last as long as is required to fully discuss all issues.

13.  It would be guaranteed that board members are fully informed about important issues by using a committee structure.

 

UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors   Reading Answers With Explanations (10-13)
 

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.

 

10. Yes

 

Reference: From Paragraph A: “In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, which caused a more severe and prolonged economic downturn than anyone had anticipated, blame has been placed everywhere due to the widespread search for explanations.”

 

Explanation: This line indicates that after the financial crisis, the actions of boards and other authorities were investigated thoroughly, leading to increased scrutiny. It shows that people were actively looking for reasons and responsible parties, making "Yes" the correct answer.

 

11. Not Given

 

Reference: N/A

 

Explanation: The passage mentions failures and criticisms related to banks and other organisations but does not clearly state whether banks were mismanaged more than other businesses. There is no comparison made, so the information is missing, making "Not Given" the correct answer.

 

12. No

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “In order to manage the workload, committees are frequently formed to handle board business”.

 

Explanation: This line indicates that meetings sometimes have too many topics to cover, forcing boards to shorten discussions. It shows that meetings often end without fully addressing all issues, which makes "No" the correct answer.

 

13. No

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: "While this may be more effective, it can also mean that the board as a whole is less involved in fully addressing some of the most crucial issues."

 

Explanation: This line indicates that using a committee structure may reduce the overall involvement of the board in key matters. It suggests that committees cannot guarantee that all board members are well informed, making "No" the correct answer.

 

To build a strong word bank that can help you approach the Reading section with clarity and confidence, go through the IELTS Academic Reading 2025!
3.

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Below are some top 50+ free IELTS Reading Practice test online questions with detailed answers to enhance your IELTS preparation online. We have provided sample passages for each test type for your reference.
 

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FAQs

Q. What are common keywords in the UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors reading passage?

Ans. Common keywords include terms like corporate governance, board of directors, shareholders, independent directors, executive roles, and accountability. Also, watch out for references to UK regulations and business leadership practices. These help locate information quickly in the passage.

Q. How to answer matching headings questions in the UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors reading passage?

Ans. Read each paragraph carefully and understand its main idea before looking at the headings. Focus on the overall message rather than specific details. Match the heading that best summarises the paragraph’s content. Eliminate options that don’t match in tone or topic.

Q. What is a challenging aspect of the UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors reading passage?

Ans. A challenging aspect is the use of complex vocabulary and abstract ideas about business and governance. The passage may also present multiple viewpoints, which can be confusing when answering inference or True/False/Not Given questions.

Q. Are UK Companies Need More Effective Boards Of Directors passages part of the IELTS Academic or General Reading?

Ans. This type of passage is typically found in the IELTS Academic Reading test. It includes formal, topic-specific language and focuses on issues relevant to professional and academic contexts.

Q. How can I improve my reading speed for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Practice skimming and scanning regularly to locate information quickly. Time yourself during practice tests to build speed. Avoid reading every word; instead, focus on keywords and topic sentences to grasp the main idea faster.

Q. Can I use a dictionary during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No, you cannot use a dictionary during the IELTS Reading test. You need to rely on your understanding of context and word-building skills to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Q. What strategies can help me answer True/False/Not Given questions?

Ans. Read the question carefully and locate the relevant part of the passage. Match facts exactly—don't assume anything. “False” means the passage contradicts the statement, while “Not Given” means the information is missing or unclear.

Q. How can I handle unknown words in the reading passages?

Ans. Try to guess the meaning from the surrounding context or sentence structure. Focus on the overall message of the sentence rather than getting stuck. Often, you can still answer the question correctly without knowing every word.

Q. Is it necessary to answer the questions in order?

Ans. No, it's not mandatory. If you're stuck, skip and return later. However, in many question types, especially True/False/Not Given or multiple choice, questions usually follow the order of the passage, which can help you locate answers faster.

Q. What should I do if I run out of time?

Ans. Make educated guesses instead of leaving blanks, as there’s no negative marking. Quickly skim the remaining questions and look for keywords in the text to answer as many as possible before time runs out.

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

Ans. Use official IELTS practice materials and simulate test conditions. Focus on timing, learn to skim and scan, and review your mistakes carefully. Practice all question types regularly and build a strong vocabulary to improve comprehension.