IELTS Academic Reading: Cambridge 2 Passage 1: Absenteeism In Nursing: A Longitudinal Study

IELTS Cambridge 2 Test 3: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 1: Questions 1-13

Title: ABSENTEEISM IN NURSING: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Questions 1-7: Yes No Not Given

In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:

The statement in the question matches with the claim of the writer in the text- Yes

The statement in the question contradicts with the claim of the writer in the text- No

The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- Not Given

TIP: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer

Question 1:

Text: The Prince William Hospital has been trying to reduce absenteeism amongst nurses for many years.

Keywords: Prince William Hospital, trying to reduce, absenteeism, nurses, for many years

Explanation:

In paragraph C, the writer begins by stating, “Until a hundred years ago, most journeys were in the 20 km range, the distance conveniently accessible by horse. Heavy freight could only be carried by water or rail. .. .. .”

Here, Until a hundred years ago = past transportation methods,

Later, in lines 9-11, the writer says, “ . .. . Today about 90 per cent of inland freight in the United Kingdom is carried by road. .. .. .”

Here, Today = present transportation methods,Thus, the answer is: C

Question 2:

Text: Nurses in the Prince William Hospital study believed that there were benefits in taking as little sick leave as possible.

Keywords: nurses, Prince William Hospital study, believed, benefits, taking as little sick leave, as possible

Explanation:

In the ‘Nursing Absenteeism’ section, the writer mentions early on, “A prevalent attitude amongst many nurses in the study group was that there was no reward or recognition for not using the paid sick leave entitlement allowed under their employment terms.” Here, there was no reward or recognition for not utilizing the paid sick leave = nurses saw NO advantage in taking as little sick leave as possible. Therefore, the answer is: NO

Question 3:

Text: Just over half the nurses in the 1986 study believed that management understood the effects that shift work had on them.

Keywords: just over half, nurses, 1986 study, believed, management, understood, effects, shift work, had on them

Explanation:

In the ‘Nursing Absenteeism’ section, the writer states, “Further, 67 per cent of nurses felt that administration was not sympathetic to the problems shift work caused in their personal and social lives.” Here, 67 per cent of nurses = just over half, administration was not sympathetic = management did NOT recognize or understand the impacts shift work had on employees’ lives. Hence, the answer is: NO

Questions 8-10: Notes Completion

In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete different notes with ONE OR TWO WORDS from the passage. Keywords are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. However, we should not be surprised if the sequence is not maintained. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answer

TIP: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer

Question 8:

Text: The Prince William Hospital has been trying to reduce absenteeism amongst nurses for many years.

Keywords: Prince William Hospital, trying to reduce, absenteeism, nurses, for many years

Explanation:

Let’s examine the first paragraph. It states, “The study reported here was conducted in the Prince William Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, where, prior to this time, few active steps had been taken to measure, understand, or manage absenteeism.”

Here, prior to this time, few active steps had been taken = efforts to reduce absenteeism amongst nurses had only been underway for a short period,Thus, the answer is: NO

Question 9:

Text: Nurses in the Prince William Hospital study believed that there were benefits in taking as little sick leave as possible.

Keywords: nurses, Prince William Hospital study, believed, benefits, taking as little sick leave, as possible

Explanation:

In the ‘Nursing Absenteeism’ section, the writer mentions early on, “A prevalent attitude amongst many nurses in the study group was that there was no reward or recognition for not using the paid sick leave entitlement allowed under their employment terms.” Here, there was no reward or recognition for not utilizing the paid sick leave = nurses saw NO advantage in taking as little sick leave as possible. Therefore, the answer is: NO

Question 10:

Text: Just over half the nurses in the 1986 study believed that management understood the effects that shift work had on them.

Keywords: just over half, nurses, 1986 study, believed, management, understood, effects, shift work, had on them

Explanation:

In the ‘Nursing Absenteeism’ section, the writer states, “Further, 67 per cent of nurses felt that administration was not sympathetic to the problems shift work caused in their personal and social lives.” Here, 67 per cent of nurses = just over half, administration was not sympathetic = management did NOT recognize or understand the impacts shift work had on employees’ lives. Hence, the answer is: NO