Question Focus: Not Given trap - accidents not discussed
Correct Answer: A
Passage Reference: when older people do heavy physical work, their age may affect their productivity. But other skills may increase with age, including many that are crucial for good management, such as an ability to handle people diplomatically, to run a meeting or to spot a problem before it blows up. Peter Hicks, who co-ordinates OECD? work on the policy implications of ageing, says that plenty of research suggests older people are paid more because they are worth more.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because the passage never mentions accidents. The advantages listed are about management skills. This is a Not Given trap.
Tips: If the passage does not mention it, do not choose it.
Question Focus: Synonym match - 'spot a problem before it blows up' = 'predict trouble'
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: But other skills may increase with age, including many that are crucial for good management, such as an ability to handle people diplomatically, to run a meeting or to spot a problem before it blows up.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage says older workers can spot a problem before it blows up. This means they can predict trouble before it gets serious.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'spot a problem before it blows up' = Option: 'predict areas that may cause trouble'
Tips: Look for informal expressions matching formal options.
Key Vocabulary:
- spot = notice early
- blows up = becomes a big problem
Question Focus: Not Given trap - training ability not mentioned
Correct Answer: C
Passage Reference: But other skills may increase with age, including many that are crucial for good management, such as an ability to handle people diplomatically, to run a meeting or to spot a problem before it blows up. Peter Hicks, who co-ordinates OECD? work on the policy implications of ageing, says that plenty of research suggests older people are paid more because they are worth more.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because the passage lists handling people and spotting problems, not training others. This is a Not Given trap.
Tips: Stick to what the passage actually lists.
Question Focus: Partial truth trap - spotting is not dealing with
Correct Answer: D
Passage Reference: But other skills may increase with age, including many that are crucial for good management, such as an ability to handle people diplomatically, to run a meeting or to spot a problem before it blows up.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because the passage says they can spot problems, not deal with them. Spotting means seeing it coming. Dealing means solving it. This is a Partial truth trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'spot' (predict) is not 'deal with' (solve)
Tips: Be careful with verbs - spotting and dealing are different.
Key Vocabulary:
Question Focus: Not Given trap
Correct Answer: E
Passage Reference: But other skills may increase with age, including many that are crucial for good management, such as an ability to handle people diplomatically, to run a meeting or to spot a problem before it blows up. Peter Hicks, who co-ordinates OECD? work on the policy implications of ageing, says that plenty of research suggests older people are paid more because they are worth more.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because conscientiousness is never mentioned. This is a Not Given trap.
Tips: Do not confuse experience with personality traits.
Key Vocabulary:
- conscientious = careful and thorough
Question Focus: Contradiction trap - passage says they are paid MORE
Correct Answer: F
Passage Reference: Peter Hicks, who co-ordinates OECD? work on the policy implications of ageing, says that plenty of research suggests older people are paid more because they are worth more.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because the passage says the opposite - older workers are paid more because they are worth more. This is a Contradiction trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'paid more' = opposite of 'lower salaries'
Tips: Watch for options that say the opposite of the passage.
Question Focus: Synonym match - 'handle people diplomatically' = 'skilled in relationships'
Correct Answer: G
Passage Reference: But other skills may increase with age, including many that are crucial for good management, such as an ability to handle people diplomatically, to run a meeting or to spot a problem before it blows up.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage says older workers can handle people diplomatically. This means being skilled at personal relationships.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'handle people diplomatically' = Option: 'skilled in personal relationships'
Tips: Match informal passage language to formal options.
Key Vocabulary:
- diplomatically = with tact, avoiding conflict
Question Focus: Not Given trap - overconfidence not mentioned
Correct Answer: A
Passage Reference: And the virtues of the young may be exaggerated. 'The few companies that have kept on older workers find they have good judgement and their productivity is good,' says Peter Peterson, author of a re
Why this is correct: This is wrong because overconfidence in young workers is never discussed. This is a Not Given trap.
Tips: Only select disadvantages clearly stated in the passage.
Question Focus: Context shift trap - physical issues apply to older workers, not young
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: when older people do heavy physical work, their age may affect their productivity.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because physical limitations are discussed for older workers, not young ones. This is a Context shift trap.
Tips: Check which group the passage is describing.
Question Focus: Detail match - directly stated in passage
Correct Answer: C
Passage Reference: And the virtues of the young may be exaggerated. 'The few companies that have kept on older workers find they have good judgement and their productivity is good,' says Peter Peterson, author of a re
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage directly says young workers do not stay with the same company for very long.
Paraphrasing: Passage: same wording as option
Tips: When the option matches the passage word-for-word, it is correct.
Question Focus: Not Given trap - type of training not discussed
Correct Answer: D
Passage Reference: And the virtues of the young may be exaggerated. 'The few companies that have kept on older workers find they have good judgement and their productivity is good,' says Peter Peterson, author of a re
Why this is correct: This is wrong because the type of training (theoretical vs practical) is never discussed. This is a Not Given trap.
Tips: Education and training are different concepts.
Question Focus: Detail match - directly stated in passage
Correct Answer: E
Passage Reference: And the virtues of the young may be exaggerated. 'The few companies that have kept on older workers find they have good judgement and their productivity is good,' says Peter Peterson, author of a re
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage says young workers are not as well educated as older ones.
Paraphrasing: Passage: same wording as option
Tips: Direct quotes from the passage are strong evidence.
Question Focus: Contradiction trap - older workers are paid more, not young
Correct Answer: F
Passage Reference: Peter Hicks, who co-ordinates OECD? work on the policy implications of ageing, says that plenty of research suggests older people are paid more because they are worth more.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because older workers are paid more, not young ones. Young workers demanding higher salaries is not mentioned. This is a Contradiction trap.
Tips: Check which group the passage is discussing when money is mentioned.
General Tips:
- Check every option against the passage. Do not stop after finding the required number.
- Watch for options that sound logical but are not stated - these are Not Given traps.
- Pay attention to which group (older or younger) the passage discusses.
- When an option uses almost identical wording to the passage, it is usually correct.
- Count your answers - the question tells you exactly how many to choose.
