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The Future of Work: Will Automation Replace Us All? Reading Answers

Bhaskar Das

Sep 15, 2025

The Future of Work: Will Automation Replace Us All? Reading Answers contains 13 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. The Future of Work: Will Automation Replace Us All? Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage? and Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

How to Use a Public Charging Station for Electric Vehicles? Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of how Automation and AI are reshaping work by replacing routine jobs, creating new opportunities, improving safety, and raising concerns about inequality, with outcomes largely shaped by education, policies, and societal adaptation. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

In recent decades, technological innovation has significantly transformed the nature of work. From the mechanization of agriculture to the rise of the internet economy, the workplace has constantly evolved. Now, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are leading a new wave of change, with machines increasingly capable of performing tasks traditionally done by humans.

Automation refers to the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human input. Robots already assemble cars, assist in surgeries, and even handle customer service inquiries through AI-powered chatbots. A 2021 report by the World Economic Forum predicted that by 2025, machines would handle more than half of all workplace tasks, compared to 29% in 2020.

While some fear that automation will lead to massive job losses, experts suggest a more nuanced outcome. Certain jobs, especially those involving routine or manual labor, are indeed at risk. However, automation is also expected to create new jobs, particularly in fields related to technology, data analysis, machine learning, and human-centered roles such as caregiving and creative industries.

Furthermore, automation has the potential to improve workplace safety by taking over dangerous or repetitive tasks. In mining, for instance, autonomous vehicles are reducing the number of injuries caused by human error. In hospitals, AI systems can detect medical anomalies faster than some clinicians, assisting doctors in diagnosing diseases early.

Nevertheless, not all countries or industries will experience automation in the same way. Wealthier nations with high labor costs are more likely to adopt robots and AI swiftly, while developing countries may continue relying on human labor for longer. Moreover, social factors such as access to education and digital infrastructure will heavily influence how societies adapt to the changing nature of work.

One critical concern is the potential for increased inequality. If automation primarily benefits those with technical skills and disadvantages low-skilled workers, it could widen the gap between economic classes. To address this, many experts advocate for retraining programs, universal basic income, and updated educational systems that prioritize digital literacy and critical thinking over rote learning.

In the end, the impact of automation on employment will depend not only on technological capabilities but also on policy decisions, corporate responsibility, and public willingness to adapt.

Questions 1-7

Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage? Write:

TRUE - if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE - if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN - if there is no information on this

1. Automation currently handles more than half of all workplace tasks.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "…by 2025, machines would handle more than half of all workplace tasks, compared to 29% in 2020."

Keywords: more than half, workplace tasks, 2025

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 3

Explanation: The passage predicts that by 2025 automation will exceed half, but currently it is only 29%.

2. Al is already used in the healthcare sector to assist in diagnostics.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "In hospitals, AI systems can detect medical anomalies faster than some clinicians, assisting doctors in diagnosing diseases early."

Keywords: AI systems, detect anomalies, diagnosing diseases

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 2

Explanation: The passage clearly states that AI is already helping doctors with diagnoses.

3. All countries will adopt automation at the same speed.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "Nevertheless, not all countries or industries will experience automation in the same way."

Keywords: not all countries, automation, same way

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, line 1

Explanation: The text confirms adoption will vary, especially between wealthy and developing nations.

4. Robots are currently not able to perform complex surgeries.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "Robots already assemble cars, assist in surgeries, and even handle customer service inquiries…"

Keywords: robots, assist, surgeries

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 2

Explanation: Robots are already capable of assisting in complex surgical operations.

5. Automation will definitely reduce the total number of jobs worldwide.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "While some fear that automation will lead to massive job losses, experts suggest a more nuanced outcome."

Keywords: job losses, nuanced outcome

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, line 1–2

Explanation: The passage says automation will change job types, not necessarily reduce overall numbers.

6. Mining has become safer due to the use of autonomous vehicles.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "In mining, for instance, autonomous vehicles are reducing the number of injuries caused by human error."

Keywords: mining, autonomous vehicles, reducing injuries

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 1

Explanation: The text confirms mining safety improvements due to automation.

7. The passage supports replacing schools with Al-based learning systems.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The passage only mentions improving education with digital literacy, not replacing schools with AI.

Questions 8-13

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

8. Jobs involving ……………………. are at a higher risk of being automated.

Answer: routine or manual labor

Supporting statement: "Certain jobs, especially those involving routine or manual labor, are indeed at risk."

Keywords: routine, manual labor, risk

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, line 2

Explanation: Routine/manual labor jobs are the most vulnerable to automation.

9. Automation can help reduce ……………………. in high-risk industries.

Answer: injuries

Supporting statement: "In mining, for instance, autonomous vehicles are reducing the number of injuries caused by human error."

Keywords: reducing injuries, mining, high-risk

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 1

Explanation: Automation reduces injuries in dangerous industries like mining.

10. Future jobs will likely focus on technology and …………………… roles.

Answer: human-centered

Supporting statement: "…automation is also expected to create new jobs… and human-centered roles such as caregiving and creative industries."

Keywords: human-centered roles, caregiving, creative

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, line 3

Explanation: Human-centered roles will be central to future employment.

11. Al systems can sometimes outperform doctors in finding ……………………..

Answer: anomalies

Supporting statement: "AI systems can detect medical anomalies faster than some clinicians…"

Keywords: detect, medical anomalies, doctors

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 2

Explanation: AI is efficient at identifying anomalies in medical diagnostics.

12. Nations with better ………………….. Will adopt automation faster.

Answer: labor costs

Supporting statement: "Wealthier nations with high labor costs are more likely to adopt robots and AI swiftly…"

Keywords: wealthier nations, high labor costs

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, line 2

Explanation: Countries with higher labor costs adopt automation more quickly.

13. Education should prioritize digital literacy and ………………………..

Answer: critical thinking

Supporting statement: "…updated educational systems that prioritize digital literacy and critical thinking over rote learning."

Keywords: digital literacy, critical thinking

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, line 3

Explanation: The passage emphasizes critical thinking as an essential future skill.

Check IELTS reading samples:

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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