This General Training IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Cambridge 3 Reading Test B Section 3 that has a passage titled ‘FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT’. This is a targeted post for GT IELTS candidates who have major problems finding out and understanding Reading Answers in the GT module. This post can guide you the best to understand every Reading answer without much trouble. Finding out IELTS Reading answers is a steady process, and this post will assist you in this respect.

IELTS Cambridge 3 Test B: GT Reading Module

Section 3:

The headline of the passage: FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT   

Questions 28-33: Identifying information:

[This question asks you to find information from the passage and write the number of the paragraph (A, B, C or D … .. ) in the answer sheet. Now, if the question is given in the very first part of the question set, I’d request you not to answer them. It’s mainly because this question will not follow any sequence, and so it will surely kill your time. Rather, you should answer all the other questions first. And just like List of Headings, only read the first two lines or last two lines of the expected paragraph initially. If you find the answers, you need not read the middle part. If you don’t find answers yet, you can skim the middle part of the paragraph. Keywords will be a useful matter here.]

Question 28: different types of purchasing agreement

Keywords for this question: different types, purchasing agreement,    

In paragraph F lines 5-8 describes different types of purchasing agreement, “ . .. . . which means they offer a total service to put together the whole complex operation of a company’s corporate clothing package – which includes reliable sourcing, managing the inventory, budget control and distribution to either central locations or to each staff member individually. .. .. .”

So, the answer is: F

Question 29: the original purposes of uniforms

Keywords for this question: original purpose, uniforms,     

Take a look at the first few lines of paragraph A that explains the original purposes of uniforms, “Traditionally uniforms were — and for some industries still are — manufactured to protect the worker. When they were first designed, it is also likely that all uniforms made symbolic sense – . . . .. .”

Here, protect the worker & symbolic sense = original purposes,   

So, the answer is: A

Question 30: the popularity rating of staff uniforms

Keywords for this question: popularity rating, staff uniforms,    

The final lines of paragraph G say, “ . .. . . A recent survey of staff found that 90 per cent welcomed having clothing which reflected the corporate identity.”

Here, 90 per cent welcomed = popularity rating, clothing = staff uniforms,

So, the answer is: G

Question 31: involving employees in the selection of a uniform

Keywords for this question: involving, employees, selection, uniform,      

In paragraph E, have a look at lines 2-3, “ . . .. .  Giving the wearers a choice has become a key element in the way corporate clothing is introduced and managed. .. … ..”

Here, Giving the wearers a choice = involving employees in the selection,                              

So, the answer is: E

Question 32: the changing significance of company uniforms

Keywords for this question: changing significance, company uniforms,    

In paragraph B, take a look at these lines, “ . .. . . The result is a new way of looking at corporate workwear. From being a simple means of identifying who is a member of staff, the uniform is emerging as a new channel of marketing communication.”

Here, a new way of looking = changing significance, corporate workwear = company uniforms,

So, the answer is: B

Question 33: perceptions of different types of dress

Keywords for this question: perceptions, different types of dress,   

In paragraph C, have a look these lines in the middle of the paragraph, “ . . . . . Dark colours give an aura of authority while lighter pastel shades suggest approachability. Certain dress style creates a sense of conservatism, others a sense of openness to new ideas. . . . … ..”

Here, the lines suggest different perceptions, or, opinions about different types of dress.

So, the answer is: C

Questions 34-40: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN:

In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:

The statement in the question matches with the claim of the writer in the text- YES
The statement in the question contradicts with the claim of the writer in the text- NO
The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN

[TIPS: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]

Question 34: Uniforms were more carefully made in the past than they are today.

Keywords for this question: more carefully made, past, than, today  

We do not find any information on the comparison past and present ways of making uniforms carefully. 

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 35: Uniforms make employees feel part of a team.

Keywords for this question: make, employees, feel, part of a team,     

The final few lines of paragraph B talk about uniforms making people feel part of a team. Here, the writer says, “. .. … .. The result is a new way of looking at corporate workwear. From being a simple means of identifying who is a member of staff, the uniform is emerging as a new channel of marketing communication.”

Here, being a simple means of identifying who is a member of staff = uniforms make employees feel part of a team,

So, the answer is: YES

Question 36: Using uniforms as a marketing tool requires great care.

Keywords for this question: using uniforms, marketing tool, requires, great care,     

The very first line of paragraph C says, “Truly effective marketing through visual cues such as uniforms is a subtle art, . .. ..”

Here, subtle art = an art that requires great care and attention,

So, the answer is: YES

Question 37: Being too smart could have a negative impact on customers.

Keywords for this question: being too smart, negative impact, customers,     

Again, in paragraph C lines 5-6 say, “ . .. .  Neatness can suggest efficiency but, if it is overdone, it can spill over and indicate an obsession with power. .. .. .”

Here, Neatness = smartness, overdone = being too smart, spill over and indicate an obsession with power = negative impact on customers,

So, the answer is: YES

Question 38: Most businesses that supply company clothing are successful.

Keywords for this question: most businesses, supply, company clothing, successful,      

The first lines of paragraph D say, “But translating corporate philosophies into the right mix of colour, style, degree of branding and uniformity can be a fraught process. And it is not always successful. .. .. .”  

Here, translating corporate philosophies into the right mix = making companies successful, fraught process = burdened process,

So, the answer is: NO

Question 39: Uniforms are best selected by marketing consultants. 

Keywords for this question: uniforms, best selected, marketing consultants,    

There is NO such information about uniforms being best selected by marketing consultants. 

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN  

Question 40: Clothing companies are planning to offer financial services in the future.  

Keywords for this question: clothing companies, planning, offer, financial services, future,   

In the final paragraph (paragraph G), the first lines say, “Corporate clothing does have potential for further growth. Some banks have yet to introduce a full corporate look; .. .. .” 

Here, some banks = some financial companies, yet to introduce a full corporate look = offer clothing services in the future, 

So, the answer is: NO

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 3 GT Reading Test B Section 1

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 3 GT Reading Test B Section 2