The Importance of Business Cards
Read The Importance of Business Cards and check the IELTS Reading answers. The ritual may be universal, but the details of business cards and how they are swapped vary across countries. Americans throw their cards casually across a table; the Japanese make the exchange of cards a formal ceremony. W…
Passage preview
The ritual may be universal, but the details of business cards and how they are swapped vary across countries. Americans throw their cards casually across a table; the Japanese make the exchange of cards a formal ceremony. While there are cards that are discreet and understated, others are crammed full of details and titles. Some businesspeople hand out 24-carat gold cards, and there are kindergarten children who have cards with not only their own contact details, but also with the job descriptions of their parents and even grandparents. This practice has become so common in parts of New York, for example, that the use of such cards is now prohibited by some of these institutions.
Answers with explanations
- 1. TRUE
The question asks if children's cards have been banned in some kindergartens. The text states that giving **kindergarten children** their own business cards has been **prohibited** (which means banned) by the **institutions** (the kindergartens). Since the statement directly matches the text's claim, the answer is TRUE.
- 2. FALSE
The statement claims the Chinese began the practice of using business cards. The text explicitly contrasts the **social calling cards** invented by the **Chinese** with the **business cards** invented later by **European businesspeople**. Because the text directly contradicts the statement by naming Europeans as the inventors of business cards, the answer is FALSE.
- 2-3: journalists
2: The statement claims the Chinese began the practice of using business cards. The text explicitly contrasts the **social calling cards** invented by the **Chinese** with the **business cards** invented later by **European businesspeople**. Because the text directly contradicts the statement by naming Europeans as the inventors of business cards, the answer is FALSE.
3: The question states that designing cards can be a controversial process. The passage notes that the composition (designing) of a company's business cards can provoke a **heated discussion** at a board meeting. A "heated discussion" is a direct paraphrase of a **controversial process**, making this statement TRUE.
- 3. TRUE
The question states that designing cards can be a controversial process. The passage notes that the composition (designing) of a company's business cards can provoke a **heated discussion** at a board meeting. A "heated discussion" is a direct paraphrase of a **controversial process**, making this statement TRUE.
- 3-4: C
3: The question states that designing cards can be a controversial process. The passage notes that the composition (designing) of a company's business cards can provoke a **heated discussion** at a board meeting. A "heated discussion" is a direct paraphrase of a **controversial process**, making this statement TRUE.
4: The passage confirms that a **famous toy company** uses an **unusual business card** (little plastic figures). However, the question also claims this has **boosted its sales**. The text provides absolutely no information about the company's sales figures or whether they improved because of the cards. We cannot assume the outcome, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 4. NOT GIVEN
The passage confirms that a **famous toy company** uses an **unusual business card** (little plastic figures). However, the question also claims this has **boosted its sales**. The text provides absolutely no information about the company's sales figures or whether they improved because of the cards. We cannot assume the outcome, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 5. TRUE
The statement predicts a decline in the use of paper cards. In the text, **business commentators** state that the **physical business card** (paper card) is **nearly at an end**. "Nearly at an end" perfectly aligns with a "decline in use." Because the text fully supports the statement, the answer is TRUE.
- 6. trust
The note seeks a single word (noun) for what is "the most important aspect of business." The text explicitly states that **trust** was the **key element** (most important aspect) for running a successful business. The word **trust** fits the gap perfectly both grammatically and in meaning.
- 7. computers
The note requires a plural noun indicating what does not have the ability to establish relationships. The text contrasts **computers**, which only handle "administrative tasks," with human beings, who must focus on the "emotional" connections. Therefore, **computers** is the correct answer.
- 8. language
The sentence says managers must "work harder" (put more effort in) when they don't share the same something. The text specifies this difficulty arises when there is not a **common language**. The single noun required to complete the sentence is **language**.
- 9. travel
The question asks what takes up the largest part of business leaders' time according to a UK survey. The text confirms that they spend **three out of every four weeks** (the largest part of their time) on international **travel**. Since the limit is ONE WORD ONLY, **travel** is the correct answer.
- 10. memory
The sentence states that a person's something can be "improved by looking at business cards." The text explicitly notes that looking at cards can **enhance** (improve) your **memory**. Therefore, the correct required noun is **memory**.
- 11. status
The gap requires a noun describing what business cards show about a person in a large company. The passage states that cards are essential in determining the exact **status** of contacts in multinational corporations (large companies). The correct single word is **status**.
- 12. conversation
We need a singular noun indicating what the swapping ritual helps to start. The text explains that the ritual of exchanging cards is an effective way of **initiating** (starting) a **conversation**. The word **conversation** fits grammatically and logically.
- 13. tradition
The question looks for a concept Janet McIntyre feels is "just as important as innovation." The text mentions the obsession with "creating and inventing new things" (innovation) and contrasts it with Janet McIntyre's view that **tradition** plays an "equally valuable role" (is just as important). The correct answer is **tradition**.