Cambridge IELTS 20 · General Training · Test 1 · Section 2
Learning To Conduct Difficult Conversations In The Workplace & Making A Success Out Of A New Business — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for Learning To Conduct Difficult Conversations In The Workplace & Making A Success Out Of A New Business, Cambridge IELTS 20 General Training Reading Test 1 Section 2, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Learning To Conduct Difficult Conversations In The Workplace & Making A Success Out Of A New Business answer key at a glance
Questions 15–27. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this section tests
This section is tested with Sentence Completion (Q15–21), Note Completion (Q22–27). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 15–21: Sentence Completion
Strategy: Find the stem's keyword in the passage, then complete the sentence with the exact words the grammar requires, within the word limit.
“Whether it's asking for a pay rise, or confronting a co-worker over unsatisfactory behaviour, these conversations can be difficult to have without appearing offensive”
The gap needs the noun for what a co-worker is confronted over; the text says 'unsatisfactory behaviour'.
“we fear being responsible for conflict”
The sentence needs the noun for what people fear being responsible for; the text says 'we fear being responsible for conflict'.
“The right environment is key – you don't want somewhere too formal that will intimidate your colleague, or somewhere too casual where you may be overheard”
The right setting matters, so the gap needs 'environment': 'The right environment is key'.
“If you are particularly nervous, rehearse what you plan to say in front of a friend so you know you are coming across as you wish to”
The gap needs the person to rehearse in front of; the text says 'rehearse what you plan to say in front of a friend'.
“If you use the first example, you come across as looking for solutions together”
Using the first example makes you appear to be 'looking for solutions together', the plural noun needed.
“The useless boss who never gives you feedback is simply struggling with her own extremely heavy workload”
The boss is 'struggling with her own extremely heavy workload', the singular noun the sentence needs.
“The team member who only has negative comments to make in the team meeting simply doesn't have the skills to ask for what he wants directly”
The team member 'simply doesn't have the skills to ask for what he wants directly', the plural noun.
Questions 22–27: Note Completion
Strategy: Predict the word class from the note, find the paraphrase of the note's keyword in the passage, then copy the answer exactly within the word limit.
“Half of small businesses fail in the first couple of years, according to official reports, but there are certain steps you can take to give your business the best chance”
The note needs the proportion of small businesses that fail; the text says 'Half of small businesses fail in the first couple of years'.
“Introduce regular reviews of these goals and set new ones when appropriate”
Owners should 'Introduce regular reviews of these goals', the plural noun for the check-ins.
“Most importantly, communicate your mission and goals to your employees. Their livelihood is tied to the success of your business, so make sure they know what they need to do to keep your business healthy”
The mission must be communicated to 'your employees', whose livelihood depends on the business.
“Check the dates of major outgoings, such as tax and payments for rent and rates, to ensure that you have enough cash for when these need to be paid”
The note says to check the 'dates of major outgoings', the plural noun for when payments fall due.
“Once you have made your choice, put in place an agreement which sets out the rights and responsibilities of each partner in the business”
The partnership agreement sets out 'the rights and responsibilities of each partner', so 'rights' fits.
“You should take time to understand who your competitors are and identify what distinguishes your business from theirs. Perhaps you can provide a better service or compete on price. It all boils down to understanding why customers would rather buy from you than other companies in the field”
Owners should understand 'who your competitors are', the plural noun for rival businesses.
Learn the question types in this section
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Learning To Conduct Difficult Conversations In The Workplace & Making A Success Out Of A New Business passage come from?
It is Section 2 of Cambridge IELTS 20 General Training Reading Test 1, and it covers Questions 15–27.
What question types appear in Learning To Conduct Difficult Conversations In The Workplace & Making A Success Out Of A New Business?
The section is tested with Sentence Completion, Note Completion. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.