IELTS Reading Sentence completion

Sentence completion

Sample 1

Setting up a business partnership in the UK

Two or more people can go into business together by setting up either a limited company or a partnership. A partnership is the easier way to get started, and simply links two or more people together in a simple business structure. Unlike a limited company, a partnership doesn’t have a separate legal status. The partners are usually self-employed individuals, although a limited company counts as a ‘legal person’ and can also be a partner.

In a partnership, you and your partner or partners personally share responsibility for your business. This means, among other things, that if your business cannot afford to pay its debts, you must pay them yourselves. Again, this is not the case with a limited company. Partners share the business’s profits, and each partner pays tax on their share.

When you set up a business partnership you need to choose a name. You can trade under your own names, for example, ‘Smith and Jones’, or you can choose another name for your business. You don’t need to register your name. However, you should register your name as a trademark if you want to stop people from trading under your business name.

Business partnership names must not include ‘limited’, ‘Ltd’, ‘limited liability partnership’, ‘LLP’, ‘public limited company’ or ‘pic’, be offensive, or be the same as an existing trademark. Your name also can’t suggest a connection with government or local authorities, unless you get permission. There is no central database of partnership names in the UK, so to avoid using the same name as another business, it is advisable to search on the internet for the name you are considering.

You must include all the partners’ names and the business name (if you have one) on official paperwork, for example invoices. You must choose a ‘nominated partner’ who is responsible for registering your partnership with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the government department responsible for the collection of taxes. This person is responsible for managing the partnership’s tax returns and keeping business records. Alternatively, you can appoint an agent to deal with HMRC on your behalf.

All partners need to register with HMRC separately and send their own tax returns as individuals. You must register by 5 October in your business’s second tax year, or you could be charged a penalty. You must also register for VAT if your VAT taxable turnover is more than £85,000. You can choose to register if it’s below this, for example to reclaim VAT on business supplies.

Questions 20-27
Complete the sentences below. 
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 20-27 on your answer sheet.

20. A partnership is different from a limited company in not having its own .................. as a legal body.
21. The partners are personally responsible for paying all the partnership's .................. .
22. The partnership's .................. are divided between the partners.
23. Registering the partnership's name prevents others from using that name when .................. . 
24. The best way to find out if a name is already in use is to use the .................. . 
25. The names of the partners and the partnership must appear on .................. and other documents.
26. You must have a nominated partner, or someone to act as your .................. for all contact with HMRC.
27. You will have to pay a .................. if you miss the deadline for registering the partnership. 

Sample 2

Negotiating a better salary package for your new job

If you make it through the recruitment interview, a job offer may be just around the corner and you face having to talk about the nitty-gritty: your financial value.

Although many graduate training schemes have set starting salaries, there are loads of other jobs where you’ll need to exercise your negotiating skills. If you’re offered a job, it’s because the organisation sees you as a valuable asset and you should try to set your level of remuneration accordingly.

There are no general rules about how and when to conduct your negotiation but being sensitive to the culture of the organisation is essential. There are also some practical steps you can take to position yourself sensibly. Familiarise yourself with the company itself, as well as the range of salaries on offer. Doing careful research in this way prior to starting negotiations is very valuable. You can look at the range of packages offered for comparable jobs in adverts on the internet, or ask for advice from people you know professionally or personally. You could also approach a local Training and Enterprise Council. Finally, if you’re a member of a union, they will have information on acceptable salary ranges for your profession.

If the salary offered is less than you’d hoped for, you could negotiate an early pay review instead, say after the first six months. Ensure that the criteria are clearly set out though, and that they’re included in your contract.

Make sure you check out the salary package, not just the number of zeroes on your payslip. You may find that the total package of pay and benefits raises the worth of the salary to an acceptable level. For instance, you may be offered private health cover, a non-contributory pension, a car to use for work purposes and/or significant bonuses. When bonuses are mentioned, you may want to discuss the basis on which they’re paid, so that you’re absolutely clear about the terms and conditions attached. When negotiating, be persuasive and consistent in your arguments but be prepared to agree to a compromise if you really want the job.

If your negotiations are successful, ask for the agreed terms and conditions to be confirmed in writing ASAP.

Questions 15-20
Complete the sentences below. 
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.

15. When negotiating a salary, potential employees should take advantage of the company’s view of them as a useful ....................... .
16. When negotiating a salary it is important to be aware of the company’s particular ....................... .
17. Some people use the ....................... to monitor salaries offered for similar positions.
18. People who belong to a ....................... can ask for recommendations on what is the norm for payment in their field.
19. Some people try to arrange for a ....................... of their salary to be carried out after an initial period.
20. It is important to be willing to accept a ....................... if the negotiations are getting nowhere.

 

Sample 3

Benefits for staff of Hamberton Hospital

Our attractive benefits package is one of the ways we acknowledge the contribution they all make in the provision of high quality patient care. Our package is extensive and varied.

As a Hamberton employee, you’ll enjoy both National Health Service (NHS) and locally developed schemes, providing you with a range of benefits. These include:

Financial Benefits
•  opportunity to contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme – highly regarded by the independent pensions and insurance sector
•  Injury Benefits Scheme
•  excellent occupational sick pay and maternity leave and pay entitlements
•  loans to assist with the purchase of housing for employees in the health service

Work-Life Balance
Here at Hamberton, we are committed to helping all employees balance their work and home life commitments. We believe by helping people make this balance we are able to recruit, retain and motivate the most valuable asset of the NHS – our employees. We are committed to making this balance work for all employees equally, not just parents.

Over 50% of our staff work part-time in a range of flexible working options, which include:
•  job sharing
•  term-time-only working
•  part-time working
•  individually-tailored working patterns

We also support employees further through our caring and special leave arrangements.

Health
•  our own occupational health department, providing a totally confidential service open to all staff during normal working hours
•  a round-the-clock free and confidential counselling service
•  policies supporting phased returns to work after long illnesses or injuries

Other Benefits
On-site facilities include:
•  excellent food provided in our restaurant
•  ample parking
•  retail outlets

NHS Discounts
All NHS employees can access the NHS Discounts scheme. This allows members of staff free access to a number of discounted products and services. For example, discounts are available at many high street shops and elsewhere, including savings on toys, utility bills, days out, and much more.

Red Guava
This is a further discount benefit, which is available to employees of Hamberton. Red Guava provides discounts on holidays, for example, and can save you money in many other ways too.

Questions 15-21
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.

15. The hospital provides benefits to show its recognition of the ………………………… of staff to its work.
16. Financial benefits include pay for staff who are ………………………… or on maternity leave.
17. ………………………… are available for staff who wish to buy a home.
18. Helping staff with their work-life balance is not restricted to …………………………
19. The hospital has ………………………… that are designed to help staff return to work after a long absence.
20. The facilities on hospital premises include a large area for …………………………
21. The cost of ………………………… is reduced by using the Red Guava scheme.

 

Sample 4

Registering As An Apprentice

If you are keen to acquire new skills and learn best through ‘hands-on’ experiences, then registered apprenticeship is a good option for you. These programmes always involve work experience as well as classroom instruction and produce workers skilled in the occupation. There is a written contract to be signed by the apprentice and the employer, which acknowledges their joint commitment to the training process. This contract is approved and registered by the New York State Department of Labor.

How Do I Qualify?

First of all you must meet the employer’s minimum qualifications. This could be a high school diploma or the equivalent. However, some employers will ask for specific high school courses, prior experience, or occupationally related courses.

 

What Is My Training Like?

Training for each apprenticeable occupation is conducted according to a training outline that has been standardized for the occupation. This assures that apprentices across the state have the same sets of basic competencies and skills. At the successful completion of each registered apprenticeship, the Department of Labor awards the apprentice a ‘Certificate of Completion’, which is a nationally recognized credential.

The length of time it takes you to learn the skills of the occupation depends upon two things: the standard training outline and your aptitude. Each trade has a definite term of training, listed in years. As a registered apprentice, you may progress according to that established training term, or you may become skilled more quickly or more slowly. It may even be that you start your apprenticeship with credit toward the goal. Your employer may choose to award you this for previous working experience in the occupation, or for prior coursework related to the occupation.

As an apprentice, you are part of the employer’s workforce. You work full-time for the employer. A registered apprentice works under the guidance of more experienced craft workers called journey workers. From them, you learn the skills of the trade. As you master each skill, you become a more productive employee.

At the same time as you are working, you are also required to attend classes (usually in the evenings). The location and times of these are set up by the local education agent in consultation with the employer. Your progress is tracked by you, your employer and your education provider.

Successful completion of all requirements results in your certificate.

Questions 21-27

Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 21-27 on your answer sheet.

21. You and your employer will need to sign a ………………… before training starts.
22. Employers may have different minimum requirements regarding applicants’ ………………… and experience.
23. Each industry has its own standardised …………………of training.
24. You may be given credit for work experience or if you have done relevant …………………
25. You will be considered as a member of the ………………… during the apprenticeship.
26. While at work, apprentices are supervised by what are known as ………………… .
27. Employers are consulted when deciding the ………………… and schedule for lessons.

 

Sample 5

Should you pay someone to write your CV?

In my view, the belief that the individual is the best person to write their own CV is not always true. Although many people can write their own CVs, and do it well, others struggle with a variety of problems initially, such as not knowing how to structure a CV or how to highlight their most relevant strengths.

 Through in-depth consultation, a professional CV writer can help identify exactly what is necessary for a particular role, cut out unnecessary or irrelevant details, and pinpoint what makes the individual stand out. This level of objectivity is one of the major benefits of working with a professional writer. It’s often difficult to stand back from your own career history to assess what’s relevant or not, or to choose the most appropriate qualities.

If you do choose to work with a professional CV writer, here are some tips:

Ask for a CV writer who has experience in your sector. HR professionals and recruiters with relevant experience can also have valuable insights into what companies are looking for.

Look for someone who’s prepared to take the time to find out your core qualities, who can choose exactly the right words for maximum impact and who understands what and where to edit. Ask to see samples of their work or use personal recommendations before you choose a CV writing service.

You’ll probably need to answer an in-depth email questionnaire or be interviewed before any writing actually starts. The more you can give your CV writer to work with, the better, so the promise of a quick turnaround time isn’t always going to result in the best possible CV. Take the time to think about and jot down your career aims, your past successes, and the value you bring, before you start the whole process. Your CV will probably be used as a springboard for questions at interview, so you need to make sure you feel happy with the way it’s being written and with the choice of words. Being involved in the writing process means your CV sounds authentic.

Questions 15-20
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.

15.  Some jobseekers have difficulty with their CV because they have not learnt which qualities they should .................... .
16.  Professional CV writers know which .................... are best left out of the CV.
17.  CV writers with knowledge of a particular field of work often provide useful .................... about the skills firms expect from job applicants.
18.  It is advisable to request .................... of what a professional CV writer has previously produced.
19.  Professional CV writers often ask jobseekers to work through a .................... as a first step.
20.  If the jobseeker assists the professional writer, the tone of the CV will be ....................