Mock Test 6.2 | General Reading

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 15-27, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

 

Section 1 (Questions 15 - 21)

 

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

 

Volunteering program

Volunteers work with DNR managers, professionals and technicians to help manage the state’s diverse natural resources. Volunteer positions range from jobs requiring no previous experience to specialist positions requiring extensive skill and experience. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Volunteers provide work which supplements DNR personnel. Volunteers help to preserve and enhance Minnesota’s natural beauty for the enjoyment of people of all ages, interests and abilities.

 

Follow these steps to sign up as a volunteer for DNR:

 

Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the state at State Parks, State Forest Campgrounds, Wildlife Management Areas, fisheries and hatcheries, the 150+ DNR area offices, four regional headquarter offices, the St. Paul Central Office and at special event sites. Q15Check our website to learn about volunteer positions available in your area.

 

Contact Q16the DNR officer who is designated for the project you are interested in. If you live in Greater Minnesota, you may use our toll free number at 1-555 646-6367. Hearing-impaired individuals may call (651) 296-5484. The DNR officer will inform you if the position is still open and will register you.

 

Arrive Q17on time (or a little early) to work on the project for which you registered to work. The schedule you agree to is important: be sure to call if you will be absent or need to leave early. The DNR is counting on you to be a dependable volunteer.

 

While working for the DNR, take account of the following guidelines:

 

- Represent the DNR in a positive fashion. [Crack IELTS with Rob] You are not expected to be knowledgeable in all areas concerning the DNR. Q18If working with the public in your volunteer position, all questions from them related to DNR policies and procedures are to be passed on to your supervisor, or to the DNR Information Line at 1-888-646-6367. Q19Avoid expressing a personal opinion.

 

- Keep Q20a note of your hours. This is important for liability coverage, for reporting to the legislature, and for volunteer recognition. When the project is finished, turn in your records to your supervisor, who will pass them on to the program manager.

 

- Your Q21supervisor will be happy to discuss any worries that you may have, as well as any special needs, and try to offer solutions that may help you perform your volunteer duties better.

 

Section 2 (Questions 22 - 27)

 

 

Top tips on how to get further up the career ladder

 

Moving jobs is no longer quite as easy as it was just a couple of years ago, prompting many to look to develop their careers within existing companies until the recruitment outlook improves.

 

The following tips can help you take control of your career and make yourself more attractive to both your current and any future employer:

 

- Keep up with industry developments

 

Ensuring you are up-to-date with the latest trends in your industry through attending conferences can make you an invaluable employee, and change the way managers see you, says John Grange, an adviser at free business advice and support service Business Link.

 

In recent years, Q22online networking, using corporate sites such as Linkedln, has also given employees the ability to liaise with people doing similar work. It’s a great way of keeping up-to-date with what people in similar jobs and industries are thinking about, and plenty of people are willing to help if you have a problem or want some advice.

 

But Leon Benjamin, author of the book Winning By Sharing, warns that the effectiveness of such sites in advancing you career varies considerably, depending on your industry sector ‘Q23For people who are working in digital media it’s everything, but in the building trade it’s almost pointless because of its low level of take-up,’ he says.

 

- Request suitable training

 

Ensuring you have access to training to improve your skills is essential to progressing both your career and earning potential. By getting the right skills, individuals can sometimes get salary increases, as well as making themselves more likely to gain promotion.

 

Finding the right type of training, though, is vital. Q24Apart from on-the-job training, there are self-help books that can be found in book shops or libraries, as well as formal courses. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Individuals should Q25decide what their genuine areas of weakness are, and then talk about them with their Staff Development coordinator to find out what kind of training might be best.

 

- Broaden your experience

 

Experiencing other parts of the business through Q26temporary roles or job-shadowing can give you a more rounded view of the organization and ensure you won’t be pigeon-holed in one particular area.

 

Grange says, ‘If you have an appreciation of what goes on within all departments you become much more valuable to the business because you understand that if you take an action over here, there’s a knock-on effect over there.’

 

- Work with your manager

 

One of Q27the key skills is dealing with your boss, and part of that is knowing what your boss is being judged by. They all have targets, from the chief executive and other more senior managers, so look at ways in which you can help them to deliver those while still helping yourself.