أسئلة اختبار القراءة التدريبي في IELTS الأكاديمي

The answer is vi. Section A is best headed as "Why businesses should become responsible for their actions" because it discusses the definition of corporate social responsibility (CSR), the reasons why it is becoming more important, and mentions that "both governments and companies are accountable for taking on the social consequences of their behaviors and choices." This section emphasizes the need for businesses to act responsibly because their actions affect society and they have the resources to tackle social issues significantly.

Associated Text:
Recently, both governments and companies are accountable for taking on the social consequences of their behaviors and choices. Resulting from this, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is being prioritized more than ever by business leaders around the world.

The answer is iii. Section B is best summarized by the heading "How can good working practices help fuel demand" because it details the relationship between corporations and a healthy society, and how good practices such as providing safe products and ideal working conditions can benefit both workers and business by attracting more customers and encouraging demand in the market.

Associated Text:
If we wish to make advances in CSR, it is first necessary to gain a general understanding of relationship which exists between corporations and society itself. It seems that corporations depend on the health of society for their success. ... Overall, a society which is healthy actually expands business demand in a market. This happens when people’s needs are being met, and their aspirations grow.

The answer is i. Section C matches the heading "CSR develops and changes over time." The section explains how as scientific and societal standards change (such as the example of asbestos), the ways companies impact society also change, and businesses must adapt and analyze future social effects.

Associated Text:
Over time, along with evolving social and scientific standards, the ways that a company can impact society may also change. ... Gone are the days when companies can ignore potential impacts of their choices. If they do not carefully analyze the changes of future social effects, firms will likely not survive for long.

The answer is xi. Section D is best summarized with "What should signal a company’s CSR are the advantages it provides for itself and to the public." The section focuses on the idea that the important test for CSR is not just the worthiness of a cause but whether it creates shared value that benefits both society and the business itself.

Associated Text:
The most important test to navigate CSR isn’t concerning the worthiness of a cause. Instead, it should concern whether a particular cause may act as an opportunity for shared value to be created. In other words, is there a meaningful benefit to society which also interests the business?

The answer is viii. Section E is best described as "A CSR program without a financial gain." The section describes General Electric's program supporting high schools, showing benefits for communities and morale but notes that "these impacts are limited in nature," as the effect on business recruitment and its scale is moderate, showing little direct financial gain.

Associated Text:
Corporate citizenship initiatives like these which have been successful foster goodwill and boost relationships ... However, these impacts are limited in nature. Regardless of a program’s potential benefit, it will not be a large part of a company’s business, and the continued effect on GE’s recruitment is moderate.

The answer is ix. Section F is about "How CSR may help one business to grow." The section discusses how Microsoft’s investment in community colleges through "Working Connections" directly addresses both a societal need (improving IT education) and a Microsoft business need (solving an IT worker shortage), demonstrating business growth through CSR.

Associated Text:
A worthy example of a shared-value opportunity coming from relevant investment is Microsoft Working Connections partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges ... Microsoft did this by contributing money and products, as well as sending employee volunteers to community colleges to identify student needs, help with developing curriculum, and improve faculty ability. Microsoft succeeded in their efforts, benefitting many community colleges, as well as benefiting themselves, perhaps significantly.

The answer is v. Section G is about "A business using CSR to stand out from it competitors." The section highlights Whole Foods Market’s unique value proposition and details how its social and environmental efforts distinguish it from competitors by making social impacts integral to its entire business strategy.

Associated Text:
At the heart of any strategy is a unique value proposition: a set of needs a company can meet for its chosen customers that others cannot. The most strategic CSR occurs when a company adds a social dimension to its value proposition, making social impact integral to the overall strategy. ... In short, nearly every aspect of the company’s value chain reinforces the social dimensions of its value proposition, distinguishing Whole Foods from its competitors.