Farmers
Read Farmers and check the IELTS Reading answers. The chain of stores known as Farmers began one hundred years ago as a mail order company. Today the Farmers chain employs 3,500 staff across 58 branches making it the most venerable institution of its type in New Zealand. Coming to Farmers once a we…
Passage preview
The chain of stores known as Farmers began one hundred years ago as a mail order company. Today the Farmers chain employs 3,500 staff across 58 branches making it the most venerable institution of its type in New Zealand. Coming to Farmers once a week has become woven into the fabric of New Zealand culture,' says business historian Ian Hunter. By 1960, one in every ten people had an account with the company. It was not only a shop but also hosted the largest annual parade in the country, the Santa parade each Christmas time. Gary Blumenthal, whose family have been customers for three generations, understands well the role Farmers have played in New Zealand culture. We were on holiday in Auckland,' he explains, 'and I decided that the lookout tower on top of the Farmers building would be a unique place to fit the ring on my new fiancee's finger.' The couple has been married for 50 years.
Vocabulary from this passage
6 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- consortium noun
An association, typically of several companies or banks
A consortium of international investors funded the construction of the new airport.
- dispelled verb
Made a doubt, feeling, or belief disappear
The new evidence dispelled the myths surrounding the ancient civilization.
- genteel adjective
Polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or old-fashioned way
The hotel maintained a genteel atmosphere with its traditional tea service.
- longevity noun
Long life or the long duration of service or existence
The company's longevity is a testament to its adaptable business model.
- reorientation noun
The action of changing the focus or direction of something
The company underwent a strategic reorientation to target younger consumers.
- venerable adjective
Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age or wisdom
The university is a venerable institution with a history spanning five centuries.
Answers with explanations
- 14. F
Paragraph F details the financial history of the company, specifically mentioning when it was **taken over** (sold) by Chase Corporation and its subsequent **purchase** by the James Pascoe Group. This confirms multiple instances of the company changing ownership through sales.
- 15. D
Paragraph D provides a contrast between the store's historical offerings (houses, saddles) and its current state. It explicitly states the company now sells a **narrower assortment**, indicating that the **range of goods** available for purchase has become more **limited** over time.
- 16. B
Paragraph B describes Robert Laidlaw's business strategy. He introduced an **innovative offer** of a full **refund** with 'no questions asked,' which was a pioneering 'guarantee' in the New Zealand retail market at that time, highlighting his forward-thinking approach to customer service.
- 17. A
Paragraph A contains a personal anecdote from a customer, Gary Blumenthal. He describes a **romantic event** where he proposed to his fiancée on the **lookout tower** located on the **roof** (top) of the Farmers building, illustrating the store's place in local personal histories.
- 18. E
Paragraph E focuses on the modern evolution of the chain, specifically providing a **description** of the **latest store** opened in the suburb of **Albany**. It mentions the aesthetic 'bright lights' and the specific types of international brands and cosmetics sold there.
- 19. mail order
The passage identifies the origins of Farmers as a **mail order** business. Grammatically, the sentence requires an adjective or compound noun to describe the type of business established before it transitioned into a physical retail chain.
- 20. buying offices
To achieve the goal of selling 'up-to-date fashions,' Laidlaw established **buying offices** in international hubs like New York and London. This plural noun phrase fits the grammatical context of the sentence completion.
- 21. large family
The text mentions that staff at all levels felt the company functioned as a **large family**. This noun phrase characterizes the internal culture and atmosphere of the workplace as described by the employees themselves.
- 22. sale
The store held an **annual sale** specifically to honor its famous pet, Hector the Parrot. The word 'sale' is the correct singular noun required to complete the sentence regarding the recurring celebratory event.
- 23. E
Ian Hunter describes the store as being 'woven into the fabric of New Zealand culture.' This metaphor aligns with the idea that the store is an **integral part** of the **local way of life**, emphasizing its cultural significance beyond mere shopping.
- 24. D
Rawdon Busfield shares a story about giving a child chocolate for a fraction of its price. This anecdote serves as evidence for the idea that the **staff** (represented by the chairman here) believed in and practiced **generosity** toward their customers.
- 25. F
Rod McDermott explains that the company needed to shift its focus from 'price' to 'fashion' to improve performance. This indicates his belief that the store **needed to change** its **approach to business** to stay relevant and profitable in the modern market.
- 26. A
Lincoln Laidlaw expresses regret that the 'original culture' was lost after the takeover. His use of the word 'shame' indicates he believes the **character of the company** has **changed for the worse** following the loss of its founding values.