Table of Contents
BEST Reading IELTS General Test 173
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 173 – PASSAGE – 2
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 173
READING PASSAGE – 2
POINTS TO CONSIDER FOR STARTING A NEW BUSINESS
Starting a business can mean a huge change in lifestyle and also a large financial commitment. However, it is possible to be ready for this if you are well prepared from the start. We’ve put together some tips to help you:
Evaluate your idea
You may believe you have a great idea, but you need to ask yourself if the present market demands it; gather and analyse information to establish the feasibility of your business.
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Make a plan
Doing this will mean that you clarify goals for the business and what you will do to achieve them. Always be generous in your costing to allow for unforeseen circumstances; it’s safest to consider the worst-case scenario.
Business models
You need to select the business structure that is most suitable for your purposes. Take professional advice if you are unsure. Here are some examples:
• sole trader – an individual trading on their own
• partnership – a number of people or entities running a business together
• company – a legal entity that is separate from its owners
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Analyse yourself
Operating a business is not just about being self-employed. There are many questions to ask yourself in order to be sure that running a business is the best option for you, and you need to be honest with yourself from the beginning.
• Why do you want to have your own business?
• Do you have the right temperament to deal with challenges and possible setbacks?
• Do you have management skills and expertise in the industry?
• What are your personal strengths, and, on the flipside, what weaknesses may you need to overcome?
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What if …?
You need to consider potential problems before they occur.
• Do you need to have your product patented? You don’t want anyone stealing your invention. If it’s a new product or process, speak to a patent attorney to make sure your idea is protected.
• Who will run the business when you can’t? Many small business owners want to do everything themselves, but eventually everyone needs to take holidays and family demands may take them away from the business. Do you have good staff you can trust to keep the business going in your absence?
• Will your business be able to withstand emergencies? Check you have insurance that covers you and your business for anything that could possibly go wrong, from theft, to natural disaster, to ill health.
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Questions 15-21
Write ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
15. Before investing in a new business, do research about its ………….. in the current market.
16. Making a business plan will help you be clear about your ………….. .
17. Choose the ………….. which best matches how you want to run your business.
18. In terms of your personality, ask yourself if your ………….. allows you to manage difficult situations.
19. Be aware of any ………….. you have, as well as the skills and qualities you possess.
20. You may need to look into ways of ensuring the ………….. of your business Idea.
21. You should make sure your plan includes ………….. to safeguard against problems in future.
Reading IELTS General Test
Read the text below and answer Questions 22 – 27.
Hay and Walford Ltd: Social Media : Policy for employees
Here at Hay and Walford Ltd, we acknowledge the role social media plays in shaping our public image and the image our clients and associates have of us. Whether on our official company accounts or workers individual social media accounts, we encourage all employees to bear in mind that they represent the firm and comments remain on the internet long after they were first made.
Company social media accounts
You do not know the influence a throwaway remark may have. For this reason, please refrain from commenting on any litigation that the company is involved in. Similarly, anything that is labelled for internal use only’ is not to be shared in full or in part on social media. Messages from the CEO are automatically confidential and should not be mentioned in social media posts. The company’s finances are especially sensitive information and must not be shared, commented on or speculated on at all.
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If you make an error of fact or wish to review your professional opinion, please take immediate steps to make corrections or delete the post. Bear in mind that we are bound by regulations relating to copyright. As such, do not share the work of other people or companies without correctly acknowledging them as creators.
To be on the safe side, if you are in any doubt as to whether to put something on our social media accounts, please do not post in the first instance and seek advice from one of the team in Communications about whether the information is sensitive or unsuitable from the company’s point of view.
Individual accounts
Even via private accounts, employees can be associated with the company. If you wish to mention the company but are not an official spokesperson for Hay and Walford Lid, make it clear what your position in the company is.
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Whether discussing company business or not, be aware that comments made by employees that contradict our values of equality and decency can reflect badly on the company. We ask that you always treat other users of social media with respect, whatever the situation.
To the extent that your image on social media is public, it needs to be in line with the professional image that you, and Hay and Walford Ltd, wish to present.
Questions 22-27
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
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Hay and Walford’s official social media accounts
• Never post about:
— (22)……… that is currently taking place.
— matters marked for internal use only’.
— anything that relates to the company’s (23)……… .
• Correct / delete any misinformation immediately.
• Observe the (24)……… of other brands and individuals
• Consult (25)……… if unsure about appropriacy of post.
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Employees’ private accounts
• If discussing the company:
— must state your role unless you are a company (26)……… .
• If not discussing company:
— still need to show (27)………
• Ensure private accounts are consistent with professional image.
Reading IELTS General Test
ANSWERS ARE BELOW
ANSWERS
15. FEASIBILITY
16. GOALS
17. STRUCTURE
18. TEMPERATURE
19. WEAKNESS
20. PROTECTION
21. INSURANCE
22. LITIGATION
23. FINANCES
24. COPYRIGHT
25. COMMUNICATION
26. SPOKESPERSON
27. RESPECT