The Generational Power Balance Reading Answers

Jan 23, 2023

The Generational Power Balance Reading Answers is an academic reading topic and a brief discussion about the generation gap. The given IELTS topic has originated from the book named “Practice Tests for Ielts 2 Volume 2”. The topic named The Generational Power Balance Reading Answers comes with 13 different wide range of questions. Three different types of questions are included in this topic, like, True/False/Not Given, no more than one word, and complete the following sentences. The candidates should thoroughly read the IELTS reading passage to recognize the synonyms and identify the keywords and answer the questions below. IELTS reading practice papers can be taken into consideration by the candidates in order to score a good score in the reading section in which similar topics like The Generational Power Balance Reading Answers has been included.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

The Generational Power Balance Reading Answers

Throughout history, the clash between the old and the young has been a defining feature of both reality and literature. Parents have power over their children… but as those juveniles approach adolescence, they begin to put pressure on their parents’ power. They test the rules; they rebel; they create their own rules. The parents are puzzled, frustrated and resentful about the shift in the balance of power. They fight back; try to exert their leadership in an attempt to maintain their power. But as they grow towards old age, they are forced to relinquish it, while the world changes into a place they cease to recognize from their youth.

The friction between old and young is set to become a feature of the twenty first century, as we approach a period where the balance of power reaches virgin territory. This is not to say that relationships between the generations are expected to worsen; rather that the unprecedented demographic changes to come will have knock-on effects that we cannot yet imagine.

How can we be so sure that trials lie ahead? Demographic trends are incredibly easy to predict. Decades pass between the birth of children and their growth into adulthood, while rises in life expectancy due to affluence and better medical care are gradual. Consequently, it is possible to predict accurately what proportion of the population will be economically active, and what proportion will be dependant, for a considerable time in the future. Hence, we know that rising as people are living longer and having fewer children – and having them later in life - population structure will skew much more towards the aged.

Statistical prediction is one thing. Predicting the implications of such trends on society is another thing entirely. In the 1900s, demographers could – or at least should – have predicted that trend toward city-living as opposed to country-living was likely to continue, as indeed it did, becoming one of the most defining features of the twentieth century. The political, economic, social and environmental implications of this shift were much harder to predict, however.

Many economically developed countries already fear that by 2025, there will be too few young tax-payers in the working population to support those in old age. This is the generation that requires pensions, medical care, local services and other benefits. Governments are already putting in steps, such as compulsory work pensions and increases in the retirement age in an attempt to mitigate the problem. How effective these measures prove to be remains to be seen. Moreover, this isn’t just a predicament for richer countries. All less economically developed countries outside the AIDS stricken regions of Sub-Saharan African are experiencing the same demographic trends, and, unless their economies develop extremely quickly, their populations will suffer much more.

Economically, therefore, adults will be at the mercy of the elderly. Governments will be obliged to put money and efforts into the provision for the elderly and working adults will have to forego their share. But perhaps such a conclusion is too glib. The scenario could pan out in differently. After all, rising elderly populations also bring opportunities for the young, such as in employment in products and services geared towards the older generation.

Moreover, the shift comes at a time when seniority is beginning to count for less in the workplace than in the past. Youthful traits, such as innovation, creativity and familiarity with new technology are being recognized more and more. Perhaps power will not shift towards the elderly as much as demographic data suggests.

Add another twist, and we realize that the older generation are not the old-fashioned bedridden fuddy-duddies that they perhaps were perceived to be in the past. The over-seventies look younger and are fitter than ever. Moreover, their tastes are less divergent from those of younger generations than they used to be. They listen to rock music, study at university, embrace new hobbies, travel and socialize. The lines between youth and age, culturally at least, have blurred.

This may mean that a standard retirement age may become a thing of the past, as vigorous people in their seventies and eighties choose to carry on working. Such a trend would greatly ease the tax burden on the younger generations, as well as giving the older generation more choice. However, it comes as a two edged coin, as young, inexperienced workers would be forced to compete for jobs with the seasoned workers,; while those in employment may never get the promotion they desire if the old guy at the top refuses to quit.

Of course, the predictions envisaged in this scenario will only come to pass if the world develops in a relatively benign way. In the twentieth century population shifts were irrevocably altered by world war and economic depression, and similar events could afflict coming generations too. Until we know for sure, we can rest easy in the knowledge that the problems which arise now are the problems of success – problems that arise through economic growth, better medication, reduced inequality and by maintaining peace.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

QUESTION 15-20

Select True, False, or Not Given

Question 15. The population patterns predicted for the 21st century have never happened before.

Answer: True
Supporting sentence: The friction between old and young is set to become a feature of the twenty first century, as we approach a period where the balance of power reaches virgin territory.
Keyword : friction, old and young, twenty first century, balance of power
Keyword location: paragraph 2, lines 1-2
Explanation: The first two lines of paragraph 2 suggest about the population pattern. As we get closer to a time when the power dynamic enters uncharted terrain, tension between the young and old is expected to become a feature. It become a feature of the twenty-first century. This is not to argue that there will be a worsening of intergenerational relations. Rather, the extraordinary demographic shifts that will occur in the future will have unanticipated consequences. So, the above statement is True.

Question 16. Predictions about the size of the human population can be made quite successfully.

Answer: True
Supporting sentence: Consequently, it is possible to predict accurately what proportion of the population will be economically active, and what proportion will be dependant, for a considerable time in the future.
Keyword : predict, accurately, economically active, dependant, for a considerable time in the future
Keyword location: paragraph 3, lines 3-5
Explanation: Third to fifth lines of paragraph 3 states that for a long period in the future, it is feasible to estimate precisely what proportion of the population will be. It is easy to determine that whether it will be economically active and what proportion will be dependent. Therefore, we are aware of a particular fact. As the demographic structure shifts more in favour of the elderly due to people living longer and having fewer children later in life. Hence, the above statement is a True one.

Question 17. In 1900 it was difficult to see that many people would move to urban areas.

Answer: False
Supporting sentence: In the 1900s, demographers could – or at least should – have predicted that trend toward city-living as opposed to country-living was likely to continue, as indeed it did, becoming one of the most defining features of the twentieth century.
Keyword : 1900s, demographers, city-living, opposed to country-living
Keyword location: paragraph 4, lines 2-4
Explanation: The second to fourth lines of paragraph 4 states that prediction based on statistics is one thing. Predicting how such patterns would affect society is a completely different matter. Demographers might have, or at least ought to have, foreseen in the 1900s that the shift away from rural to urban living would likely persist, as it did. It is thus becoming one of the most distinguishing characteristics of the twentieth century. Thus, the above sentence can be considered to be a False one.

Question 18. Many rich countries are concerned about a significant imbalance in old and young people by 2025.

Answer: True
Supporting sentence: Many economically developed countries already fear that by 2025, there will be too few young tax-payers in the working population to support those in old age.
Keyword : economically, developed countries, 2025, working population
Keyword location: paragraph 5, lines 1-2
Explanation: Lines 1-2 of paragraph 5 states that many economically developed nations worry that by 2025. There won't be enough young taxpaying citizens to care for the elderly. This generation is in need of pensions, healthcare, community services, and other benefits. The issue is already being addressed by governments through initiatives like mandatory work pensions and raising the retirement age. Hence, the above statement can be taken as a True one.

Question 19. The consequences of an imbalance between the old and the young would be worse in developed countries than in developing countries.

Answer: Not Given
Supporting sentence: Throughout history, the clash between the old and the young has been a defining feature of both reality and literature.
Keyword : history, clash, the old and the young, defining feature of both reality and literature
Keyword location: paragraph 1, lines 1-2
Explanation: Paragraph 1 explains that in both reality and literature throughout history, the conflict between the young and the old has been a defining element. As we get closer to a time, we notice something. When the power dynamic shifts into uncharted terrain, tension between the young and old is expected to become a feature of the twenty-first century. Therefore, no relevant information to support the above statement has been provided in the passage. So, it can be stated as an invalid one.

Question 20. In most developed countries today the elderly are respected less than in the past.

Answer: Not Given
Supporting sentence: After all, rising elderly populations also bring opportunities for the young, such as in employment in products and services geared towards the older generation.
Keyword : rising, elderly populations, opportunities, young
Keyword location: paragraph 6, lines 4-5
Explanation: The fourth to fifth lines of paragraph 6 says that adults will therefore be at the elderly's financial mercy. Governments will be required to invest resources and time in the care of the old, while working persons will be required to give up their share. After all, growing elderly populations also present opportunities for the younger generation. For instance, work in industries producing goods and services for the elderly. Perhaps the elderly will not have as much power as suggested by demographic facts. So, no valuable information in order to prove the validation of this statement is given in the passage. Thus, it is an invalid one.

QUESTION 21 - 23

Write ONE WORD for each answer.

In future, working age adults will probably have to (21)................... their allocation of government funds, as they are used to provide for the elderly.

Nowadays, in the workplace hierarchy, less status is given to people with (22)...............

The difference between the definition of an old person and a young one is more (23)............than in the past.

Question 21:

Answer: forego
Supporting sentence: Governments will be obliged to put money and efforts into the provision for the elderly and working adults will have to forego their share.
Keyword : Governments, obliged, elderly and working adults, forego their share
Keyword location: paragraph 6, lines 1-3
Explanation: The first three lines of paragraph 6 says that adults will be economically dependent on the elderly. Governments will be required to invest resources and time in the care of the old, while working persons will be required to give up their share. However, this conclusion might be a bit hasty.

Question 22:

Answer: seniority
Supporting sentence: Moreover, the shift comes at a time when seniority is beginning to count for less in the workplace than in the past.
Keyword : Moreover, shift, seniority, workplace than in the past
Keyword location: paragraph 7, lines 1-2
Explanation: The first two lines of paragraph 7 explains that additionally, the change occurs. It occurs while seniority in the workplace is starting to matter less than it did previously. Young characteristics like invention, originality, and familiarity with new technology are becoming more widely acknowledged. Perhaps the elderly will not have as much power as suggested by demographic facts.

Question 23:

Answer: blurred
Supporting sentence: The lines between youth and age, culturally at least, have blurred.
Keyword : lines, youth and age, culturally, blurred
Keyword location: paragraph 8, line 5
Explanation: The fifth line of paragraph 8 suggests that the tastes of old generation are also less dissimilar to those of younger generations than they once were. They enjoy rock music, university studies, taking up new interests, travelling, and socialising. At least culturally, the distinction between youth and ageing has become more hazy.

QUESTION 24 - 27

Complete the summary with ONE or TWO words from the text.

In future, governments may abolish the fixed (24).............., meaning that fitter elderly could help to contribute towards relieving the (25)............ on the working population. However, there are negative implications of this, as experienced workers may be considered more employable, and there would be fewer opportunities for (26).................. among younger workers. However, it is worth remembering that all these difficulties come as a result of (27)........... .

Question 24:

Answer: retirement age
Supporting sentence: This may mean that a standard retirement age may become a thing of the past, as vigorous people in their seventies and eighties choose to carry on working.
Keyword : standard, retirement age, vigorous people, seventies and eighties
Keyword location: paragraph 9, line 1-2
Explanation: Lines 1-2 of paragraph 9 says that as healthy individuals in their seventies and eighties prefer to continue working. This may mean that an uniform retirement age may be abolished. A similar trend would give the elderly generation
more options while also significantly reducing the tax burden on the younger generations.

Question 25:

Answer: tax burden
Supporting sentence: Such a trend would greatly ease the tax burden on the younger generations, as well as giving the older generation more choice.
Keyword : trend, tax burden, generations, choice
Keyword location: paragraph 9, lines 2-4
Explanation: The second to fourth lines of paragraph 9 implies that this may mean that traditional retirement ages will become obsolete. It is because, as active people in their seventies and eighties prefer to continue working. A similar trend
would give the elderly generation more options while also significantly reducing the tax burden on the younger generations.

Question 26:

Answer: promotion
Supporting sentence: while those in employment may never get the promotion they desire if the old guy at the top refuses to quit.
Keyword : employment, promotion, old guy, refuses to quit
Keyword location: paragraph 9, lines 5-6
Explanation: Healthy individuals in their seventies and eighties prefer to continue working, this may mean that a uniform retirement age may be abolished. A similar trend would give the elderly generation more options while also significantly reducing the tax burden on the younger generations. Young, inexperienced workers would be forced to fight for positions with the seasoned workers. On the other hand, those already employed might never achieve the promotion they want if the senior employee at the top refuses to resign.

Question 27:

Answer: success
Supporting sentence: Until we know for sure, we can rest easy in the knowledge that the problems which arise now are the problems of success
Keyword : knowledge, problems, arise, success
Keyword location: paragraph 10, lines 5-6
Explanation: Lines 5-6 of paragraph 10 explains that World War I and the Great Depression had a permanent negative impact on population movements in the 20th century. Also, the similar occurrences could have a similar negative impact on future generations. Until we are certain, we may rest comfortable. We may rest comfortable knowing that the issues we are currently facing are success-related issues. The issues that result from increased prosperity, improved healthcare, less inequality, and keeping peace.