Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men Reading Answers

Jan 3, 2023

Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men Reading Answers contains sample answers about the success rate of women in comparison to men. Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men Reading Answers comprising 14 different questions. IELTS Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men Reading Answers contains three types of questions: write the appropriate letter, match the point with the consultant and answer the questions using no more than three words. Candidates are required to go through the IELTS Reading passage to answer which paragraph contains the mentioned points. Candidates need to thoroughly go through each passage and answer which consultant makes the given point. Candidates are supposed to answer the last set of questions using no more than three words for each answer. Candidates gain proficiency on diverse topics by undertaking IELTS Reading practice papers.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men Reading Answers

Women who apply for jobs in middle or senior management have a higher success rate than men, according to an employment survey. But of course, far fewer of them apply for these positions. The study, by recruitment consultants NB Selection, shows that while one in six men who appear on interview shortlists get jobs, the figure rises to one in four for women.
The study concentrated on applications for management positions in the $45,000 to $110,000 salary range and found that women are more successful than men in both the private and public sectors Dr Elisabeth Marx from London-based NB Selection described the findings as encouraging for women, in that they send a positive message to them to apply for interesting management positions. But she added, "We should not lose sight of the fact that significantly fewer women apply for senior positions in comparison with men."
Reasons for higher success rates among women are difficult to isolate. One explanation suggested is that if a woman candidate manages to get on a shortlist, then she has probably already proved herself to be an exceptional candidate. Dr Marx said that when women apply for positions they tend to be better qualified than their male counterparts but are more selective and conservative in their job search. Women tend to research thoroughly before applying for positions or attending interviews. Men, on the other hand, seem to rely on their ability to sell themselves and to convince employers that any shortcomings they have will not prevent them from doing a good job.
Managerial and executive progress made by women is confirmed by the annual survey of boards of directors carried out by Korn/Ferry/Carre/ Orban International. This year the survey shows a doubling of the number of women serving as non-executive directors compared with the previous year. However, progress remains painfully slow and there were still only 18 posts filled by women out of a total of 354 non¬executive positions surveyed. Hilary Sears, a partner with Korn/Ferry, said, "Women have raised the level of grades we are employed in but we have still not broken through barriers to the top."
In Europe, a recent feature of corporate life in the recession has been the de-layering of management structures. Sears said that this has halted progress for women in as much as de-layering has taken place either where women are working or in layers they aspire to. Sears also noted a positive trend from the recession, which has been the growing number of women who have started up on their own.
In business as a whole, there are a number of factors encouraging the prospect of greater equality in the workforce. Demographic trends suggest that the number of women going into employment is steadily increasing. In addition, a far greater number of women are now passing through higher education, making them better qualified to move into management positions.
Organisations such as the European Women's Management Development Network provide a range of opportunities for women to enhance their skills and contacts. Through a series of both pan-European and national workshops and conferences the barriers to women in employment are being broken down. However, Ariane Berthoin Antal, director of the International Institute for Organisational Change of Archamps in France, said that there is only anecdotal evidence of changes in recruitment patterns. And she said, 'It's still so hard for women to even get on to shortlists -there are so many hurdles and barriers.' Antal agreed that there have been some positive signs but said, "Until there is a belief among employers that they value the difference, nothing will change."

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 14 – 19
The reading passage has paragraphs (A-G). State which paragraph discusses each of the points below.
Write the appropriate letter (A-G).

The drawbacks of current company restructuring patterns.

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: has halted progress for women in as much as de-layering has taken place
Keywords: halted, progress, women
Keyword Location: paragraph E, line 2-3
Explanation: The delayering of corporate management structures is mentioned in paragraph E. Insofar as de-layering has occurred, it claims that progress for women has been blocked. It is a disadvantage. Hence, the answer is E.

Associations that provide support for professional women.

Answer: G
Supporting Sentence: European Women's Management Development Network provide a range of opportunities for women
Keywords: opportunities, women, range, provide
Keyword Location: paragraph G, line 1-2
Explanation: In paragraph G's opening sentences, an organisation is discussed. It claims that the European Women's Management Development Network gives women access to a variety of opportunities. It helps them develop their contacts and talents. Therefore, the answer is G.

The success rate of female job applicants for management positions.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Women who apply for jobs in middle or senior management have a higher success rate than men
Keywords: apply, success, management
Keyword Location: paragraph A, line 1
Explanation: Women have a greater success rate than men when applying for jobs in middle or senior management, according to paragraph A. However, fewer of them, naturally, apply for these jobs. Hence, the answer is A.

Male and female approaches to job applications.

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: when women apply for positions they tend to be better qualified than their male counterparts
Keywords: women, positions, qualified, counterpart
Keyword Location: paragraph C, line 3
Explanation: In paragraph C, it is discussed how men and women approach job applications. Women typically have more qualifications than males when they apply for jobs. Nonetheless, they are pickier and more cautious in their employment search. Therefore, the answer is C.

Reasons why more women are being employed in the business sector.

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: women are now passing through higher education, making them better qualified to move into management positions
Keywords: women, education, qualified, management
Keyword Location: paragraph F, line 4
Explanation: According to paragraph F, there is a steady rise in the number of women entering the workforce. Now that more women are pursuing higher education, they are better prepared to advance into managerial positions. Therefore, the correct answer is F.

The improvement in female numbers on company management structures.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: doubling of the number of women serving as non-executive directors compared with the previous year
Keywords: doubling, women, non executive, directors
Keyword Location: paragraph D, line 3
Explanation: According to paragraph D, a survey reveals a tripling of the proportion of women holding non-executive board positions. Out of the 354 non-executive jobs examined, only 18 were held by women, indicating that development is still excruciatingly slow. Thus, the answer is D.

Questions 20 – 23

The author makes reference to three consultants in the Reading Passage.
Which of the list of points below do these consultants make? Write

M if the point is made by Dr Marx

S if the point is made by Hilary Sears

A if the point is made by Ariane Berthoin Antal

Selection procedures do not favour women.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: It's still so hard for women to even get on to shortlists -there are so many hurdles and barriers
Keywords: hard, women, shortlists, hurdles, barriers
Keyword Location: paragraph G, line 7
Explanation: The viewpoint of Ariane Berthoin Antal is discussed in paragraph A. She claims that there are still numerous obstacles and restrictions to overcome before women can even be considered for shortlists.

The number of female-run businesses is increasing.

Answer: S
Supporting Sentence: Women have raised the level of grades we are employed in
Keywords: women, grades, employed
Keyword Location: paragraph D, last two lines
Explanation: According to a survey, there are now twice as many women serving as non-executive directors than there were before, as mentioned in paragraph D. Women have improved the grades in which we are employed, as Hilary Sears explains in the same line.

Male applicants exceed female applicants for top posts.

Answer: M
Supporting Sentence: significantly fewer women apply for senior positions in comparison with men.
Keywords: women, senior, men, apply
Keyword Location: paragraph B, last line
Explanation: Elisabeth Marxs' remarks are recapped in paragraph B. She claimed that compared to men, women submit far fewer applications for senior positions. Hence, the answer is Elisabeth Marx

Women hold higher positions now than they used to.

Answer: S
Supporting Sentence: This year the survey shows a doubling of the number of women serving as non-executive directors
Keywords: survey, doubling, serving, women, directors
Keyword Location: paragraph D, 3rd line
Explanation: Advantages and disadvantages of delaying are listed in the paragraph. It expresses Sear's opinion that it has had a favourable impact on women. It also notes that the poll from this year reveals a tripling of the proportion of women working as non-executive directors. Thus, the answer is Hilary Sears

Questions 24 – 27

Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS answer the following questions.

What change has there been in the number of women in top management positions detailed in the annual survey?

Answer: double
Supporting Sentence: a doubling of the number of women serving as non-executive directors
Keywords: doubling, women, non executive, directors
Keyword Location: paragraph D, line 3
Explanation: In paragraph D, it is stated that the poll reveals a doubling of the proportion of women holding non-executive directorships. This is a step in the right direction. Women were gradually occupying more leadership positions than they had in the past.Hence, the change was the doubling of the numbers.

What aspect of company structuring has disadvantaged women?

Answer: delayering
Supporting Sentence: halted progress for women in as much as de-layering has taken place either where women are working or in layers they aspire to
Keywords: halted, progress, women, working
Keyword Location: paragraph E, lines 2-3
Explanation: Delayering is discussed in paragraph E. The de-layering of management structures has recently been a characteristic of corporate life in Europe during the recession. According to Sears, this has slowed the advancement of women insofar as de-layering has occurred in strata that women either work in or those they aspire to.

What information tells us that more women are working nowadays?

Answer: demographic trends
Supporting Sentence: the number of women going into employment is steadily increasing
Keywords: women, increasing, steadily
Keyword Location: paragraph F, line 2-3
Explanation: There are several elements that support the possibility of greater equality in the workplace, as discussed in paragraph F. According to demographic trends, more women are entering the workforce on a regular basis. In addition, a lot more women are now completing higher education, which qualifies them to advance into managerial roles.

Which group of people should change their attitude to recruitment?

Answer: employers
Supporting Sentence: Until there is a belief among employers that they value the difference, nothing will change.
Keywords: belief, difference, change
Keyword Location: paragraph G, last line
Explanation: As Antal noted in paragraph G, there are still many obstacles and roadblocks that prevent women from even making shortlists. Antal concurred that there have been some encouraging signals, but he added that nothing will change until companies begin to believe they respect the differences.

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