The Changing Role of Housewives in Modern Society Reading Answers

Aug 20, 2025

The Changing Role of Housewives in Modern Society Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Changing Role of Housewives in Modern Society Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the question set, you have to choose which paragraph (A-G) contains the given statement. In the question set given, you have to fill in the blanks with the correct option in no more than two words.

The candidate's understanding and assessment of academic and general texts are examined in the IELTS Reading Section. Using IELTS Reading Practice Questions, you can increase your vocabulary, sharpen your critical reading skills, and become more familiar with the various question types in reading tasks. Furthermore, practice enhances vocabulary and improves analytical reading skills, both of which are necessary for success. It's critical to comprehend the guidelines for every question type and create effective ways to manage time to receive excellent band scores.

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Topic:

THE CHANGING ROLE OF HOUSEWIVES IN MODERN SOCIETY

A.Historically, women have been expected to assume the role of housewives, particularly in traditional societies where gender roles were clearly defined. Their responsibilities included raising children, preparing meals, and managing the household while their husbands provided financial support. For centuries, this arrangement was not questioned. It was seen as natural, even virtuous, for a woman to devote her life to the home.

B.However, several events in the 20th century significantly altered this perception. One of the most influential factors was the outbreak of the First and Second World Wars. With a large portion of the male population enlisted in the military, women were recruited to work in factories, offices, and transport services. For the first time on a large scale, women demonstrated their capacity to contribute outside the domestic sphere.

C.Despite these contributions, post-war society urged women to return to domesticity. The 1950s popularised the image of the ideal housewife—always smiling, neatly dressed, and surrounded by modern home appliances. These representations were widespread in advertising and television, projecting the message that a woman's true happiness could only be found in her kitchen or living room. Yet, many women felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction, as their unpaid labour and personal sacrifices went unrecognised.

D.During the 1960s and 70s, feminist movements began to challenge the undervaluing of domestic work. Activists argued that housework, although unpaid, played an essential role in supporting the economy. They pointed out that a nation's productivity was built on the invisible labour of women who cared for children, cleaned, cooked, and supported the working population. A controversial for housework"—was introduced, calling for governments to monetarily compensate women for their household contributions.

E.In recent decades, the situation has evolved. More women are entering the workforce, and the role of the full-time housewife is gradually becoming a matter of personal choice rather than social expectation. In many modern families, responsibilities are now shared between both partners. Additionally, an increasing number of men are stepping into the role of primary caregiver, especially in countries with strong parental leave policies. Gender roles are becoming more flexible, and the term "housewife" is slowly being replaced with "homemaker" or "stay-at-home parent."

F.Despite these changes, significant challenges remain. Housewives are still not acknowledged in economic measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and in many cultures, their roles are undervalued. Many women continue to face pressure to balance domestic and professional duties, creating what is commonly referred to as the "double burden." This phenomenon often leads to exhaustion and mental stress, especially when support systems are lacking.

G.Nevertheless, the role of housewives—however it is defined—remains central to the functioning of societies. Whether chosen or necessary, managing a home requires a diverse set of skills: time management, budgeting, emotional care, and planning. Recognising this work as valuable is essential in building a more inclusive and balanced view of family and labour.

Questions 27-33

The text has seven sections, A-G. Which section contains the following Information? Write the correct letter, A-G.

27. The idea that housework supports a nation's productivity.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "Activists argued that housework, although unpaid, played an essential role in supporting the economy. They pointed out that a nation's productivity was built on the invisible labour of women who cared for children, cleaned, cooked, and supported the working population."

Keywords: supporting the economy, nation's productivity

Keyword Location: Para D, Line 3

Explanation: Paragraph D explicitly discusses the argument by feminist movements that a nation's productivity was built on the invisible labour of women.

28. How women were encouraged to return to domestic roles after wars.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: "Despite these contributions, post-war society urged women to return to domesticity. The 1950s popularised the image of the ideal housewife—always smiling, neatly dressed, and surrounded by modern home appliances."

Keywords: post-war, women to return

Keyword Location: Para C, Line 1

Explanation: Paragraph C details how post-war society urged women to return to domesticity and the popular image of the ideal housewife.

29. A new term used to describe the housewife's role in modern times.

Answer: E

Supporting statement: "Gender roles are becoming more flexible, and the term 'housewife' is slowly being replaced with 'homemaker' or 'stay-at-home parent.'"

Keywords: replaced, homemaker

Keyword Location: Para E, Lines 5-6

Explanation: The terms "homemaker" and "stay-at-home parent" are being used in place of "housewife" in paragraph E.

30. Cultural pressure faced by women who try to manage both work and home.

Answer: F

Supporting statement: "Many women continue to face pressure to balance domestic and professional duties, creating what is commonly referred to as the 'double burden.' This phenomenon often leads to exhaustion and mental stress, especially when support systems are lacking."

Keywords: pressure, domestic and professional duties

Keyword Location: Para F, Lines 3-4

Explanation: Paragraph F describes the pressure to balance domestic and professional duties and the resulting double burden and mental stress.

31. The historical view of a woman's role in the household.

Answer: A

Supporting statement: "Historically, women have been expected to assume the role of housewives, particularly in traditional societies where gender roles were clearly defined…For centuries, this arrangement was not questioned. It was seen as natural, even virtuous, for a woman to devote her life to the home."

Keywords: Historically, housewives, gender roles

Keyword Location: Para A, Lines 1-2

Explanation: Paragraph A begins by outlining the historical expectations and views of women's roles as housewives.

32. Government efforts to compensate domestic labour.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "A controversial for housework'—was introduced, calling for governments to monetarily compensate women for their household contributions."

Keywords: governments, compensate

Keyword Location: Para D, Lines 5-6

Explanation: The idea that governments should pay women a monetary wage for their contributions to the home is mentioned in paragraph D.

33. Recognition that household work requires many important skills.

Answer: G

Supporting statement: "Whether chosen or necessary, managing a home requires a diverse set of skills: time management, budgeting, emotional care, and planning. Recognising this work as valuable is essential in building a more inclusive and balanced view of family and labour."

Keywords: time management, Recognising, valuable

Keyword Location: Para G, Line 3

Explanation: The wide range of abilities needed to run a household is listed in detail in paragraph G, which also highlights the importance of valuing their work.

Questions 34-40

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Answer: FACTORIES

Supporting statement: "With a large portion of the male population enlisted in the military, women were recruited to work in factories, offices, and transport services."

Keywords: recruited, factories, offices

Keyword Location: Para C, Lines 3-4

Explanation: The passage states that women were recruited to work in factories, offices, and transport services during the wars.

35. The media in the 1950s often showed women smiling around………..

Answer: HOME APPLIANCES

Supporting statement: "The 1950s popularised the image of the ideal housewife—always smiling, neatly dressed, and surrounded by modern home appliances."

Keywords: 1950s, ideal housewife, home appliances

Keyword Location: Para C, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The 1950s stereotype of housewives surrounded by contemporary home appliances is mentioned in the passage.

36. Although domestic labour is unpaid, it plays a vital part in the………….

Answer: ECONOMY

Supporting statement: "Activists argued that housework, although unpaid, played an essential role in supporting the economy."

Keywords: housework, unpaid, economy

Keyword Location: Para D, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The passage states that housework plays an essential role in supporting the economy.

37. Some women today choose to be housewives because of personal…………..

Answer: CHOICE

Supporting statement: "More women are entering the workforce, and the role of the full-time housewife is gradually becoming a matter of personal choice rather than social expectation."

Keywords: workforce, personal choice

Keyword Location: Para E, Lines 1-2

Explanation: The passage states that being a full-time housewife is becoming a matter of personal choice instead of being something women were expected to be.

38. Modern couples are increasingly sharing their household……………

Answer: RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting statement: "In many modern families, responsibilities are now shared between both partners."

Keywords: modern families, responsibilities

Keyword Location: Para E, Line 3

Explanation: The passage mentions that responsibilities are now shared between both partners in modern families

39. In some cultures, housewives still face a lack of…………….

Answer: RECOGNITION

Supporting statement: "Housewives are still not acknowledged in economic measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and in many cultures, their roles are undervalued."

Keywords: economic measures, undervalued

Keyword Location: Para F, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The passage states that housewives are still not acknowledged in economic measures and their roles are undervalued in many cultures, indicating a lack of recognition. Acknowledgement or recognition would fit.

40. Housework includes budgeting and managing…………..

Answer: TIME

Supporting statement: Whether chosen or necessary, managing a home requires a diverse set of skills: time management, budgeting, emotional care, and planning."

Keywords: set of skills, time management, budgeting

Keyword Location: Para G, Line 3

Explanation: The passage lists time management and budgeting as skills required for managing a home.

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