This General Training IELTS Reading post deals with a solution package for IELTS Cambridge 11 Reading Test 2 Section 2 that has two texts entitled ‘Tips for giving an effective business presentation’ and ‘How to get a job in journalism’. This is a targeted post for candidates who have big problems finding out and understanding Reading Answers. This post can guide you the best to understand every Reading answer without much difficulty. Finding IELTS Reading answers is a gradual process, and I can confidently say that this post will help you in this respect.

IELTS Cambridge 11 Test 2: GT Reading Module

Section 2: Questions 15-27

The headline of the passage: Tips for giving an effective business presentation   

Questions 15-22:

Completing sentences with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS:

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write a maximum two words to complete sentences on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

[TIPS: Here scanning technique will come in handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.]

Question 15: Practising your presentation on a ___________ or a family member is helpful.

Keywords for this question: practising, presentation, on, a family member, helpful,  

The answer can be found in the ‘Preparation’ section, paragraph no. 1 in lines 1-2. The writer says here, “. . . For example, go through your presentation in front of a colleague or relative.”

Here, go through = practicing, relative = family member,

So, the answer is: colleague

Question 16: Be prepared for a problem such as a__________ .

Keywords for this question: be prepared, problem such as,    

In the ‘Preparation’ section, the last lines of paragraph no. 3 talks about the problem, “. . .. . also have a backup plan in mind, should there be an unexpected problem like a power cut.”

Here, have a backup plan = be prepared, unexpected problem like = problem such as,

So, the answer is: power cut

Question 17: One way to overcome pre-presentation nerves is to make your _________ less rapid.

Keywords for this question: one way, overcome, pre-presentation nerves, to make, less rapid,    

In the ‘Dealing with presentation nervousness’ section, lines 1-3 of paragraph no. 1 give us the answer to this question, “The added adrenaline will keep your faculties sharp and give your presentation skills extra force. This can, however, result in tension in the upper chest. Concentrate on your breathing. Slow it right down and this will relax you.”

Here, tension = pre-presentation nerves, Slow it right down = make. . .. less rapid,

So, the answer is: breathing

Question 18: It is acceptable to do something called a ________ at the start of the presentation to reassure you.

Keywords for this question: acceptable, to do, something called, start of the presentation, to reassure,   

In the ‘Dealing with presentation nervousness’ section, paragraph no. 2, take a look as the writer says here, “It may seem an odd idea, but we seem to feel calmer when we engage in what’s referred to as a displacement activity, like clicking a pen or fiddling with jewellery. A limited amount of this will not be too obvious and can make you feel more secure at the start.”

Here, what’s referred to as = something called, make you feel more secure = reassure you,

So, the answer is: displacement activity  

Question 19: Your presentation should be like a _________ with the people who have come to hear you.  

Keywords for this question: presentation, should be like, people, who have come to hear,      

The answer can be found in the ‘Interacting with your audience’ section, paragraph no. 1 line no. 1, “Think of your presentation as a conversation with your audience.”

Here, your audience = the people who have come to hear you,

So, the answer is: conversation

Question 20: Check constantly for ___________ to the points you are making.

Keywords for this question: check constantly, points you are making,     

In the ‘Interacting with your audience’ section, paragraph no. 2 line no. 1-2, the author writes, “Engage with your present audience, not the one you have prepared for. Keep looking for reactions to your ideas and respond to them.”

Here, Keep looking for = check constantly for, your ideas = the points you are making,

So, the answer is: reactions   

Question 21: Make sure you use plenty of ___________ to communicate your message effectively.

Keywords for this question: make sure, use plenty of, communicate, message effectively,      

In lines 1-2 of paragraph no. 1 in the ‘Structuring effective presentations’, the writer says, “Effective presentations are full of examples. These help your listeners to see more clearly what you mean.”

Here, help your listeners to see more clearly what you mean = to communicate your message effectively,

So, the answer is: examples   

Question 22: To keep the presentation short, use things like _________ to provide extra details.

Keywords for this question: keep, presentation, short, use, like, provide, extra details,       

In the last lines of paragraph no. 1 in the ‘Structuring effective presentations’, the author mentions, “For any subsidiary information that you cannot present in 20 minutes, try another medium, such as handouts.”

Here, subsidiary information = extra details, you cannot present in 20 minutes = to keep the presentation short, like = such as,

So, the answer is: handouts

Questions 23-27:

The headline of the passage: How to get a job in journalism   

Completing FLOW-CHART with ONE WORD ONLY:

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write ONE WORD ONLY to complete some notes on the given flow-chart. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

[TIPS: Here, scanning technique will come in handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.]

Title of the flow-chart: Getting a job in journalism

Questions 23 & 24: Apply for temporary 23. __________ with local papers and acquire the extra _______ you’ll need.  

Keywords for this question: apply, temporary, local papers, acquire, extra,    

In the first paragraph, the author writes in lines 4-7, “ .. . . Once you’ve done that for a while, start requesting internships in newspapers in the area. These are generally short-term and unpaid, but they’re definitely worthwhile, since, instead of providing you with money, they’ll teach you the skills that every twenty-first-century journalist has to have, like laying out articles, creating web pages, taking good digital pictures and so on.”

Here, newspapers in the area = local papers, short-term = temporary, they’ll teach you = you acquire, every twenty-first-century journalist has to have = you’ll need,

So, the answers are:

23. internships
24. skills

Question 25: Build up a set of _________ in a portfolio, displaying how your writing ability has progressed over time.

Keywords for this question: build up, set, portfolio, displaying, writing ability, progressed over time,

In paragraph no. 2, the writer talks about keeping record of previous writings, “Most reporters keep a copy of every story they’ve had published, from secondary school onwards. They’re called cuttings, and you need them to get a job — indeed a few impressive ones can be the deciding factor in whether you’re appointed or not. So start creating a portfolio now that will show off your developing talent.”

Here, show off your developing talent = displaying how your writing ability has progressed over time,

So, the answer is: cuttings

Question 26: Take time to do detailed__________ first, before applying for a post with a paper.

Keywords for this question: take time, do detailed, first, before applying, post, with a paper,   

The answer lies in the third paragraph as the writer says here, “It seems obvious – research is an important part of an effective job hunt. But it’s surprising how many would-be journalists do little or none. If you’re thorough, it can help you decide whether the job you’re thinking about applying for is right for you.”

Here, But it’s surprising how many would-be journalists do little or none = people do not take this seriously or give very little time to do research,

So, the answer is: research

Question 27: Once you decide to apply, make sure your CV is short, makes sense and is without __________ of any kind.

Keywords for this question: once, decide to apply, make sure, CV, short, makes sense, without,    

In paragraph no. 4 the writer discusses the importance of CV. In lines 2-4 the writer says, “. .. .. your CV is the thing that will attract an editor’s attention first, so get it right. The keywords are brevity (no more than one page), accuracy (absolutely no spelling or typing errors) and clarity (it should be easy to follow).”

Here, brevity (no more than one page) = short, clarity (it should be easy to follow), absolutely no = without,

So, the answer is: errors

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 11 GT Test 2 Section 1

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 11 GT Test 2 Section 3