Seal the Deal Reading Answers

Jul 3, 2024

Seal the Deal Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Seal the Deal Reading Answers have a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to choose the correct option from the given choice and tell whether the given statement is True False or not.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as The Seal the Deal Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

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Section 1

Read the Text Below and Answer Questions

Seal the Deal

Although the slowdown is gradually fading away, its impact exists. It hit everyone in a big or small way. The job market is worst hit. There are retrenchments, salary cuts, freeze on new recruitments, shrinking salary packages and tight budgets. Even training and development programmes for staff have taken a backseat. Landing a job during these critical times is boon in itself. Companies have become rigid about salaries and are not offering packages they used to a few years ago. So, be careful not to throw away an opportunity by asking for an astronomical salary.

Before you reach the negotiating table, analyse each component of your salary meticulously and ask for what you really deserve. with hundreds of talented workers laid-off, there is tremendous competition and even a small mistake on your part can mar chances of selection. Good planning and preparation should be done much in advance for success, more so, if you are a fresher. In most cases, starting salaries are almost fixed with less scope of negotiation. Also fresher's lack of industry experience and exposure go in favour of the employer.

Negotiation is a skill that perfects you with the passage of time and experience. But during this troubled time, even applying this skill may land you in trouble. Be logical, you will definitely get what you deserve. During this slowdown, both you and your company are facing a financial crisis. Today's negotiations directly and instantly hit your business and may be your career. If you are working in your organization for a pretty long time, remember to watch the company's financial position in order to ask for a raise. Efficient and capable people are always in demand, irrespective of the financial state of affairs. So, you can always look around when your demands are not met and you think you are efficient in your work. If you are a fresher, follow the below mentioned tips for negotiating a better salary for you.

Do not reveal what salary you have in mind at the very start. Remember, information is power, and the earlier you give this information, the lesser scope for negotiating later. Even if the employer asks for a salary requirement early on in the process, remain reserved to the extent possible. Only start this discussion when you get the job offer, and are in a bargaining position.
Research salaries earned by people from a similar background in your industry and the company you are going to join. It will help you know salary trends in your industry post-slowdown and calculate your real worth. This will provide you an idea about the salary you can ask for and expect to get. Be logical and justified in your demands.
Negotiate respectfully and thoughtfully while upholding your worthiness. Don't be aggressive and rigid at any cost at any time.
Follow the policy of give-and-take.
Do not start negotiating immediately on receipt of an offer. If you do it as soon as you get the offer, you look impulsive. Take some time from the recruiter to study and analyse the benefits of the offer. This time will give you an opportunity to consider the offer in depth
Instead of just focusing on the gross salary, look at the complete package without any prejudice. There may be many other benefits that may make up for a lesser in-hand salary than you expected. The company may not be in a position to pay too much cash in these troubled times. If the company does not move after a certain point, you can try negotiating on the benefits to get a better overall package.
If your expectations are too high, the company may not hire you. Similarly, also understand that companies are in a cost-cutting mode and paying too much will not be in their interest. Do not act stiff but be firm, keeping in mind the limits.
Only a bachelor's degree and some internships are not enough. Some better experience and expertise can help in negotiation. But mostly the companies will have to train and make you proficient. Hence, negotiating is not the best way when you are just out of college with no experience or skills.

Always remember that at the end of the day, you and your employer feel that you have got a good deal. While negotiating, show that you are professional and you always remain professional. Make humble requests and suggestions and give consent to certain points to show that you are cooperative. If you follow these tips carefully, you can get a reasonably good package even during recession time.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 1-7

Reading passage 1 has seven marked paragraphs,

A-G. Choose the correct heading for each paragraph, A-G, from the list of headings given.

Write the correct number, i-ix.

Paragraph A

Answer: V
Supporting statement:“........Do not reveal what salary you have in mind at the very start. Remember, information is power, and the earlier you give this information, the lesser scope for negotiating later...........”
Keywords: reveal, salary
Keyword Location: para A, lines 1-2
Explanation: The paragraph focuses on withholding salary expectations early in the process.

Paragraph B

Answer: VI
Supporting statement:“..........Research salaries earned by people from a similar background in your industry and the company you are going to join. It will help you know salary trends in your industry post-slowdown and calculate your real worth.........”
Keywords: research, salaries
Keyword Location: para B, lines 1-2
Explanation: The paragraph advises researching industry salary trends to understand one's worth.

Paragraph C

Answer: I
Supporting statement:“..........Negotiate respectfully and thoughtfully while upholding your worthiness. Don't be aggressive and rigid at any cost at any time.........”
Keywords: negotiate, respectfully
Keyword Location: para C, lines 1-2
Explanation: The paragraph stresses the importance of respectful and courteous negotiation.

Paragraph D

Answer: IV
Supporting statement:“..........Do not start negotiating immediately on receipt of an offer. If you do it as soon as you get the offer, you look impulsive. Take some time from the recruiter to study and analyse the benefits of the
offer.........”
Keywords: negotiating, timing
Keyword Location: para D, lines 1-3
Explanation: The paragraph highlights the importance of timing when starting salary negotiations.

Paragraph E

Answer: II
Supporting statement:“..........Instead of just focusing on the gross salary, look at the complete package without any prejudice. There may be many other benefits that may make up for a lesser in-hand salary than you
expected..........”
Keywords: complete, package
Keyword Location: para E, lines 1-2
Explanation: The paragraph advises considering the overall package, not just the salary.

Paragraph F

Answer: VII
Supporting statement:“........If your expectations are too high, the company may not hire you. Similarly, also understand that companies are in a cost-cutting mode and paying too much will not be in their interest............”
Keywords: expectations, cost-cutting
Keyword Location: para F, lines 1-2
Explanation: The paragraph focuses the importance of staying within reasonable salary expectations.

Paragraph G

Answer: III
Supporting statement:“..........Some better experience and expertise can help in negotiation. But mostly the companies will have to train and make you proficient. Hence, negotiating is not the best way when you are just out
of college with no experience or skills..........”
Keywords: experience, negotiation
Keyword Location: para G, lines 1-2
Explanation: The paragraph discusses the impact of experience on successful negotiation.

Be courteous and polite
Consider the complete package
Better experience pays
Watch your timing
Do not say it all
Know where you stand
Stay within limits
Concealing vital information
Need of training

Questions 8-13

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage 1?

In boxes 8-13 of your answer sheet, write

YES - if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO - if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN - if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

Training and development programmes have not been affected by the economic slowdown.

Answer: NO
Supporting statement:“..........Even training and development programmes for staff have taken a backseat.........”
Keywords: training, development
Keyword Location: para 0, lines 4-5
Explanation: The writer mentions that training and development programs have been deprioritized due to the economic slowdown

It is better for freshers not to apply for a job during recession.

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Explanation: The passage does not provide information about whether freshers should apply for jobs during a recession.

It is important to reveal your salary expectation in the very beginning.

Answer: NO
Supporting statement:“.........Do not reveal what salary you have in mind at the very start...........”
Keywords: reveal, salary
Keyword Location: para A, line 1
Explanation: The writer advises against revealing salary expectations at the beginning of the negotiation process.

Agreeing on certain aspects during negotiations can have a positive impact.

Answer: YES
Supporting statement:“.........Make humble requests and suggestions and give consent to certain points to show that you are cooperative..........”
Keywords: humble, consent
Keyword Location: para last, lines 1-2
Explanation: The writer suggests that being cooperative and agreeable during negotiations can be beneficial.

Negotiation without expertise or experience is not advisable for beginners.

Answer: YES
Supporting statement:“..........Hence, negotiating is not the best way when you are just out of college with no experience or skills..........”
Keywords: negotiating, experience
Keyword Location: para G, lines 2-3
Explanation: The writer states that freshers should not rely heavily on negotiation due to their lack of experience.

One should have an idea about the salary package of the company before deciding the salary one can ask for.

Answer: YES
Supporting statement:“.......Research salaries earned by people from a similar background in your industry and the company you are going to join.............”
Keywords: research, salaries
Keyword Location: para B, lines 1-2
Explanation: The writer advises researching industry salaries to understand what salary to ask for.

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