100 Years of The Western Workplace Reading Answers

Jan 3, 2023

100 Years of The Western Workplace Reading Answers contains sample answers about the changes that took place in the working environment of western countries. 100 Years of The Western Workplace Reading Answers comprising 15 different questions. IELTS 100 Years of The Western Workplace Reading Answers contains three types of questions: choose no more than three words, write true/false/not given and complete the summary. Candidates are required to read the IELTS Reading passage to answer the questions by choosing no more than three words for each answer. Candidates need to thoroughly go through each passage and write whether the given statement is true, false or not given based on their understanding of the passage. For completing the summary, candidates are required to choose no more than four words for each answer from the passage. IELTS Reading practice papers can help candidates gain proficiency on diverse topics.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

100 Years of The Western Workplace Reading Answers

Conditions in the working environment of Western countries changed significantly over the 20th century. Though not without some associated problems, these changes may be viewed generally as positive: child labour all but ceased, wages rose, the number of working hours in a week decreased, pension policies became standard, fringe benefits multiplied and concerns over health and safety issues were enforced.

The collection of data relating to work conditions also became a far more exact science. In particular, there were important developments in methodology and data gathering. Additionally, there was a major expansion of the data collection effort – more people became involved in learning about the workplace; and, for the first time, results started to be published. This being the case, at the end of the century, not only were most workers better off than their early 20th century predecessors had been, but they were also in a position to understand how and why this was the case. By carefully analysing the statistical data made available, specific changes in the workplace - not least regarding the concept of what "work" should involve - became clearly discernible.

The most obvious changes to the workplace involved the size and composition of the countries' workforces. Registering only 24 million in 1900 (and including labourers of age ten and up) and 139 million (aged 16 and older), the size of America's workforce, for instance, increased by almost six-fold – in line with its overall population growth. At the same time, the composition of the workforce shifted from industries dominated by primary production occupations, such as farmers and foresters, to those dominated by professional, technical and, in particular, service workers. At the beginning of the 20th century, 38% of all American workers were employed on farms, by the end of the same century, that figure had fallen to less than 3 %.

In Europe, much the same process occurred. In the 1930's, in every European country, bar Britain and Belgium, more than 20 percent of the population worked in agriculture. By the 1980's, however, the farming populations of all developed countries, excluding Eastern Europe, had dropped to ten per cent and often even lower. At the same time, capital intensive farming using highly mechanised techniques dramatically reduced the numbers needed to farm there.

And therein lay the problem. While the workplace became a safer and more productive environment, a world away from the harsh working conditions of our forefathers, the switch from an agricultural to a modern working environment also created massive unemployment in many countries. Fundamental to this problem was the widespread move from the countryside to the city. Having lost their livelihoods, the world's peasant populations amassed in ever larger numbers in already crowded communities, where rates of job growth failed to keep up with internal migration. As a result, thousands were left squatting in shanty towns on the periphery of cities, waiting for jobs that might never arrive. While this was (and is) particularly true of Third World countries, the same phenomenon could also be witnessed in several American, French, English and German cities in the late 20th century.

From a different and more positive perspective, in the 20th century, women became visible and active members of all sectors of the Western workplace. In 1900, only 19% of European women of working age participated in the labour force; by 1999, this figure had risen to 60%. In 1900, only 1% of the country's lawyers and 6% of its physicians were female; by contrast, the figures were 29% and 24% in 1999. A recent survey of French teenagers, both male and female, revealed that over 50% of those polled thought that, in any job (bar those involving military service), women make better employees, as they are less likely to become riled under stress and less overtly competitive than men.

The last and perhaps most significant change to the 20th-century workplace involved the introduction of technology. The list of technological improvements in the workplace is endless: communication and measuring devices, computers of all shapes and sizes, x-ray, lasers, neon lights, stainless steel, and so on and on. Such improvements led to a more productive, safer work environment. Moreover, the fact that medicine improved so dramatically led to an increase in the average lifespan among Western populations. In turn, workers of very different ages were able to work shoulder to shoulder, and continue in their jobs far longer.

By the end of the 20th century, the Western workplace had undergone remarkable changes. In general, both men and women worked fewer hours per day for more years under better conditions. Yet, the power of agriculture had waned as farmers and foresters moved to cities to earn greater salaries as analysts and accountants. For those who could not make this transition, however, life at the dawn of the new century seemed less appealing.

Section 2

Solution With Explanation

Questions 1-5
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the reading paragraph for each answer.

Write the answer on your answer sheet from 1-5.

Several changes took place in the working environment in the 20th century: 1............................. stopped almost completely in most countries, salaries increased while the number of working hours in a week decreased.

Answer: child labour
Supporting Sentence: child labour all but ceased, wages rose, the number of working hours in a week decreased
Keywords: ceased, wags, working hours, week, decreased
Keyword Location: paragraph A, 3rd line
Explanation: Changing circumstances are discussed at the beginning of paragraph A. The working environment in Western nations has reportedly altered dramatically over the past century, according to this. Most changes were for the better. It mentions the end of child labour, rising pay, and a reduction in the amount of hours worked per week. So, child labour is the correct answer.

Because of the improvement in both the methodology and the carrying out of data collection, 2 ............................. at the end of the century were in a better position to understand how and why their lives had been made easier.

Answer: workers
Supporting Sentence: not only were most workers better off than their early 20th century predecessors had bee
Keywords: better off, 20th century, predecessors
Keyword Location: paragraph B, 5th line
Explanation: The impact of data gathering on improving worker performance is described in paragraph B. More people, it is claimed, started taking interest in workplace development. Additionally, most workers had it better than they had in the early 20th century. However, they were also able to comprehend things better. So, workers is the right answer.

The most significant changes to the work environment in the West concerned its 3 ..............................

Answer: size and composition
Supporting Sentence: The most obvious changes to the workplace involved the size and composition of the countries' workforces.
Keywords: changes, workplace, workforces, obvious
Keyword Location: paragraph C, 1st line
Explanation: The change in workforce size and mix is covered in paragraph C. It is said that the size and composition of the workforces in the various countries marked the most evident changes to the workplace. Therefore, size and composition are the correct answers.

In 1999, 4 ............................. of European women of working age participated in the workforce.

Answer: 60%
Supporting Sentence: by 1999, this figure had risen to 60%
Keywords: 1999, figure, risen
Keyword Location: paragraph F, 3rd line
Explanation: In the Western workplace, women have risen to prominence and taken an active role in all fields, according to paragraph F. Only 19% of working-age women in Europe participated in the labour force in 1900, according to the passage. This percentage had reached 60% by 1999. Thus, 60% is the correct answer.

A particularly significant change to the 20th-century workplace came via 5 ............................. which brought about a long list of innovations and improvements.

Answer: technology
Supporting Sentence: The last and perhaps most significant change to the 20th-century workplace involved the introduction of technology.
Keywords: significant, 20th century, workplace, introduction
Keyword Location: paragraph G, 1st line
Explanation: The most recent substantial change is discussed in paragraph G. It claims that the introduction of technology was the most major shift to the workplace in the twentieth century. Therefore, technology is the right answer.

Questions 6-10
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the writer
FALSE if the statement contradicts the writer
NOT GIVEN if there is no specific information about this in the passage

No significant drawbacks accompanied changes in the work environment during the 20th century.

Answer: No
Supporting Sentence: from an agricultural to a modern working environment also created massive unemployment
Keywords: agricultural, working, unemployment, environment, modern
Keyword Location: paragraph E, 3rd line
Explanation: The disadvantage of the modern working environment is described in paragraph E. It describes how the transition from an agricultural to a contemporary workplace also led to a significant increase in unemployment. So, No is the right answer.

America and Europe shared the same overall trends in terms of the development of the workplace over the last century.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: The passage does not include information that is relevant to the question.

The appearance of shanty towns after farmers moved into city areas occurred primarily in the Third World.

Answer: Yes
Supporting Sentence: thousands were left squatting in shanty towns on the periphery of cities, waiting for jobs that might never arrive.
Keywords: thousands, shanty town, periphery, cities, jobs
Keyword Location: paragraph E, 7th line
Explanation: The enormous migration from the country to the city, as stated in paragraph E, was the issue. It states that thousands of people were left living in shanty settlements on the outskirts of cities. They were holding out for employment that might never come. So, the answer is yes.

In 1900, 19% of North American women of working age participated in the workforce.

Answer: No
Supporting Sentence: In 1900, only 19% of European women of working age participated in the labour force
Keywords: 1900, European, labour force, participated, working age, workforce
Keyword Location: paragraph F, line 2 and 3
Explanation: Only 19% of working-age European women participated in the labour force in 1900, according to paragraph F. There is no mention of the 19% participation of American women. Therefore, No is the appropriate answer.

Improvements in medicine led to workers earning more over a longer period.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: The passage does not include information that is relevant to the question.

Questions 11-15

Below is a summary of the passage. Using information from the passage, complete the summary.

Choose NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS from the passage to complete each space

The Western workplace changed dramatically in the course of the 20th century. Most of these changes should be viewed as positive; and, thanks to important developments in 11 ............................. more people than ever were able to appreciate the improvements made. The most obvious changes concerned the 12 ............................. of the workforce.

Another major trend was the gradual urbanisation of countries, as farmers and other primary producers left their homes and went to the cities in search of work. Sadly, 13 ............................. grew up as many waited on the outskirts of cities throughout both developing and developed countries, waiting for work.

Another significant difference between the beginning and close of the 20th century was the number of 14 ............................. that chose to take jobs. Impressively, moreover, many of the professions they chose had previously been considered the preserve of men alone.

The last great change was the introduction of technology. Technological improvements in the field of 15 ............................. led to an increase in the average lifespan and, not surprisingly, also resulted in an older working population.

Question:11

Answer: methodology and data gathering
Supporting Sentence: In particular, there were important developments in methodology and data gathering.
Keywords: development, methodology, data gathering
Keyword Location: paragraph B, 2nd line
Explanation: The alterations that happened are described in paragraph B. It lists the developments that had an impact on the workforce and work environment. There have been significant advancements in methodology and data collection, as noted in the second line of paragraph B. Thus, methodology and data gathering are the appropriate answers.

Question:12

Question:13

Answer: shanty towns
Supporting Sentence: thousands were left squatting in shanty towns on the periphery of cities, waiting for jobs that might never arrive.
Keywords: thousands, shanty town, periphery, cities, jobs
Keyword Location: paragraph E, 7th line
Explanation: The enormous migration from the country to the city, as stated in paragraph E, was the issue. It states that thousands of people were left living in shanty settlements on the outskirts of cities. They were holding out for employment that might never come. So, the correct answer is shanty towns.

Question:14

Answer: women/females
Supporting Sentence: women of working age participated in the labour force; by 1999, this figure had risen to 60%
Keywords: women, working age, participated, 1999, risen
Keyword Location: paragraph F, 3rd line
Explanation: The increased employment of women is covered in paragraph F. It indicates that just 19% of working-age European women participated in the labour force in 1900. The percentage had increased to 60% by 1999, though. Women and females are the correct answer.

Question:15

Answer: medicine
Supporting Sentence: medicine improved so dramatically led to an increase in the average lifespan among Western populations
Keywords: increase, lifespan, western population
Keyword Location: paragraph G, line 5
Explanation: The most major shift, according to the last line, concerned technology. It claims that these changes made the workplace safer and more productive. In addition, the remarkable advancements in medicine increased the average lifespan of Western countries. So, medicine is the answer.

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