IELTS Academic Reading: Cambridge 2 Test 4 Passage 1: Absenteeism In Nursing: A Longitudinal Study (1)

IELTS Cambridge 2 Test 4: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 1: Questions 1-13

Title: Absenteeism In Nursing: A Longitudinal Study (1)

Questions 1-7: YNNG Test

Question 1A:

Question: 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 2B:

Question: 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 3C:

Question: 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

Question 8A:

Question: 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 9B:

Question: 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 10C:

Question: 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