IELTS Reading Practice: Challenges of Gender Roles in Society

The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to understand complex texts and answer various question types. One recurring theme in IELTS exams is the challenges of gender roles in society. This topic has been increasingly prevalent in recent years, reflecting its growing importance in global discussions. Based on past trends and current relevance, it’s highly likely that you may encounter a similar passage in your upcoming IELTS test.

Let’s dive into a practice passage on this subject, followed by questions and analysis to help you prepare effectively for your IELTS Reading exam.

Practice Passage: The Evolving Landscape of Gender Roles

Text

The concept of gender roles has undergone significant transformation in recent decades, challenging long-held societal norms and expectations. Traditionally, these roles were rigidly defined, with men typically viewed as breadwinners and women as homemakers. However, the 21st century has witnessed a dramatic shift in these perceptions, bringing both progress and new challenges.

One of the most notable changes has been the increasing participation of women in the workforce. According to the International Labour Organization, the global female labor force participation rate has steadily risen, reaching 47% in 2019. This shift has not only empowered women economically but has also reshaped family dynamics. Dual-income households have become more common, necessitating a redistribution of domestic responsibilities.

Despite these advancements, gender inequality persists in many areas. The gender pay gap remains a significant issue, with women earning on average 20% less than men globally. This disparity is even more pronounced in leadership positions, where women are still underrepresented. In 2019, women held only 29% of senior management roles worldwide.

The media plays a crucial role in shaping and reflecting societal attitudes towards gender roles. While there has been progress in portraying more diverse and empowering images of both genders, stereotypes continue to persist. Advertising, in particular, often reinforces traditional gender roles, potentially influencing younger generations’ perceptions of what is ‘normal’ or ‘expected’ behavior for men and women.

Education is another arena where gender roles are both challenged and reinforced. While girls’ access to education has improved globally, with the gender gap in primary education nearly closed in many countries, disparities remain in higher education and certain fields of study. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, for instance, continue to see lower female participation in many parts of the world.

The evolution of gender roles has also brought new challenges for men. As societies move towards greater equality, men are increasingly expected to take on more domestic responsibilities and show greater emotional expressiveness. This shift can be challenging for those raised with traditional notions of masculinity, leading to what some researchers term a ‘crisis of masculinity’.

LGBTQ+ rights and recognition have further complicated the traditional binary view of gender roles. As societies become more accepting of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, the very concept of fixed gender roles is being questioned and redefined.

Balancing work and family life remains a significant challenge for both men and women. While policies such as parental leave and flexible working hours are becoming more common, their implementation and uptake vary widely across cultures and organizations. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted these challenges, with many women bearing a disproportionate burden of childcare and domestic work during lockdowns.

Looking ahead, the continued evolution of gender roles presents both opportunities and challenges. As societies strive for greater equality, there is potential for more fulfilling and balanced lives for all genders. However, overcoming deeply ingrained societal norms and structural inequalities will require ongoing effort, education, and policy changes.

In conclusion, while significant progress has been made in challenging traditional gender roles, the journey towards true equality is ongoing. As societies continue to grapple with these changes, it is clear that the redefinition of gender roles will remain a critical issue shaping social, economic, and political landscapes in the years to come.

Evolution of Gender Roles

Questions

1. Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

   What is the main idea of the passage?
   A) The superiority of modern gender roles over traditional ones
   B) The challenges faced by women in the workforce
   C) The evolution and ongoing challenges of gender roles in society
   D) The impact of media on gender stereotypes

2. Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?
   Write
   TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
   FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
   NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

   a) The global female labor force participation rate exceeded 50% in 2019.
   b) Women hold less than a third of senior management positions worldwide.
   c) The gender gap in primary education has been completely eliminated globally.

3. Complete the sentences below.
   Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

   a) Despite progress, women still face a significant compared to men.
   b) The media, especially , often reinforces traditional gender stereotypes.
   c) Some researchers suggest that men are experiencing a of ___ as gender roles evolve.

4. Which TWO of the following are mentioned as challenges in the evolution of gender roles?
   Choose TWO letters, A-E.

   A) Increased divorce rates
   B) Balancing work and family life
   C) Rising unemployment
   D) Overcoming societal norms
   E) Declining birth rates

5. What does the passage suggest about the future of gender roles?
   A) Traditional roles will be fully restored
   B) Challenges will disappear completely
   C) Progress will continue but challenges remain
   D) Gender roles will become irrelevant

Answer Key and Explanations

1. C
   Explanation: The passage discusses how gender roles have changed over time and the ongoing challenges associated with these changes, making C the most comprehensive and accurate answer.

2. a) FALSE – The passage states that the rate reached 47% in 2019, which is less than 50%.
   b) TRUE – The passage mentions that “women held only 29% of senior management roles worldwide” in 2019.
   c) NOT GIVEN – The passage states that the gap is “nearly closed in many countries,” but doesn’t claim it’s been completely eliminated globally.

3. a) pay gap
   b) advertising
   c) crisis, masculinity

4. B and D
   Explanation: The passage explicitly mentions balancing work and family life as a challenge, and discusses the difficulty of overcoming ingrained societal norms.

5. C
   Explanation: The conclusion suggests that while progress has been made, “the journey towards true equality is ongoing,” indicating that challenges will persist alongside continued progress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking specific details: Pay attention to precise figures and statistics provided in the text.
2. Making assumptions: Stick to the information given in the passage and avoid bringing in outside knowledge.
3. Misinterpreting ‘Not Given’: Remember, this option means the information is neither confirmed nor contradicted by the text.
4. Falling for distractors: In multiple-choice questions, all options may seem plausible. Read carefully to find the most accurate answer.

Key Vocabulary

• Gender roles: /ˈdʒendə rəʊlz/ (noun) – The social roles, behaviors, and attitudes considered appropriate for men and women in a society
• Breadwinner: /ˈbredˌwɪnə/ (noun) – The primary earner in a household
• Labor force participation rate: /ˈleɪbə fɔːs pɑːˌtɪsɪˈpeɪʃən reɪt/ (noun) – The percentage of working-age persons in an economy who are employed or seeking employment
• Gender pay gap: /ˈdʒendə peɪ ɡæp/ (noun) – The difference between the average earnings of men and women
• STEM: /stem/ (acronym) – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• Crisis of masculinity: /ˈkraɪsɪs əv ˌmæskjəˈlɪnəti/ (phrase) – A perceived state of confusion in the male gender role

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of comparative structures in the passage, such as:

• “women earning on average 20% less than men globally”
  Structure: [comparative adjective] + than

Also, note the use of present perfect tense to describe changes over time:

• “The concept of gender roles has undergone significant transformation”
  Structure: [subject] + has/have + [past participle]

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Time management: Allocate your time wisely across all passages and questions.
2. Skim and scan: Quickly identify main ideas and locate specific information.
3. Read questions carefully: Understand exactly what each question is asking before searching for the answer.
4. Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding text.
5. Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with various question types and develop effective strategies for each.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes from a combination of strong English skills, effective test-taking strategies, and plenty of practice. Keep working on your vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills, and you’ll be well-prepared for any topic that appears on your exam.

For more practice on related topics, check out our articles on gender equality in the workplace and how media representation affects gender roles in society. These resources will provide additional context and vocabulary to help you tackle similar passages in your IELTS Reading test.