Welcome to our IELTS Reading practice session focusing on the impacts of automation on skilled labor. This topic has been increasingly prevalent in recent IELTS exams, reflecting its relevance in today’s rapidly evolving job market. As automation continues to reshape industries, understanding its effects on skilled workers has become crucial for both employees and employers.
In this practice, we’ll simulate a typical IELTS Reading passage, followed by a variety of question types you’re likely to encounter in the actual test. This exercise will not only help you grasp the content but also sharpen your reading skills for the IELTS exam.
Reading Passage
The Double-Edged Sword: Automation’s Impact on Skilled Labor
Automation, once primarily associated with replacing repetitive, low-skilled tasks, is increasingly encroaching upon domains traditionally considered the bastion of skilled professionals. This technological revolution is reshaping the landscape of work across various sectors, from healthcare and finance to law and engineering, presenting both challenges and opportunities for skilled workers.
In the medical field, artificial intelligence (AI) is making significant inroads. Advanced algorithms can now analyze medical images with accuracy rivaling, and sometimes surpassing, that of human radiologists. While this development promises more efficient and accurate diagnoses, it also raises questions about the future role of radiologists. Rather than rendering these professionals obsolete, automation is shifting their focus towards more complex cases and interpretative tasks that require human judgment and empathy – skills that machines have yet to master.
The legal profession, long considered immune to automation due to its reliance on complex reasoning and interpretation, is also experiencing disruption. AI-powered software can now perform document review and contract analysis faster and more accurately than junior lawyers. This shift is compelling law firms to reassess their staffing needs and the skills they value in new hires. Consequently, legal professionals are increasingly required to develop expertise in areas where human insight remains crucial, such as strategy development and client relations.
In the financial sector, the impact of automation is perhaps most visible. Algorithmic trading has revolutionized stock markets, with machines executing trades at speeds impossible for human traders. Financial analysts now find themselves in a race to add value beyond number-crunching, focusing more on interpreting data, understanding market psychology, and providing strategic advice to clients.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for skilled workers. Automation is also creating new job categories and enhancing existing roles. The field of data science, for instance, has exploded in recent years, combining statistical knowledge with programming skills to extract insights from vast datasets. Similarly, the need for cybersecurity experts has grown exponentially as businesses grapple with protecting their digital assets in an increasingly automated world.
Moreover, automation is freeing up skilled professionals from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities. Architects, for example, can now use advanced software to handle tedious drafting work, enabling them to dedicate more time to creative design and client interaction. This shift often leads to increased job satisfaction and the potential for higher productivity.
The key to thriving in this new landscape lies in adaptability and continuous learning. Skills that complement rather than compete with automation are becoming increasingly valuable. Critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving are attributes that machines struggle to replicate and are therefore in high demand across industries.
In conclusion, while automation poses challenges to skilled labor, it also offers opportunities for growth and specialization. The future workforce will likely see a blend of human expertise and machine efficiency, with successful professionals being those who can effectively collaborate with and leverage automated systems. As we navigate this transition, investing in education and training that focuses on uniquely human skills will be crucial in ensuring that skilled workers remain relevant and valuable in an increasingly automated world.
Questions
Section 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
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According to the passage, how is automation affecting the role of radiologists?
A) It is making their jobs obsolete.
B) It is shifting their focus to more complex tasks.
C) It is reducing the accuracy of diagnoses.
D) It is increasing their workload. -
In the legal profession, AI-powered software is primarily impacting:
A) Senior lawyers
B) Junior lawyers
C) Judges
D) Legal secretaries -
The financial sector has been affected by automation through:
A) The elimination of all human traders
B) The introduction of algorithmic trading
C) A decrease in the need for financial analysis
D) The complete automation of stock markets
Section 2: True/False/Not Given
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
- Automation is creating new job categories in addition to changing existing roles.
- All industries are equally affected by the impact of automation on skilled labor.
- Architects are using automation to completely replace human design processes.
Section 3: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- In the medical field, AI can analyze medical images with accuracy ____ that of human radiologists.
- The legal profession was previously thought to be ____ to automation due to its complex nature.
- Financial analysts are now focusing more on ____ and understanding market psychology.
Section 4: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
The impact of automation on skilled labor is complex, presenting both challenges and opportunities. While some traditional tasks are being taken over by machines, new roles are emerging, particularly in fields like (10) and cybersecurity. The key to success in this changing landscape is (11) and the ability to continuously learn. Skills that are difficult for machines to replicate, such as critical thinking and (12) _____, are becoming increasingly valuable across various industries.
Answer Key
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B
Explanation: The passage states, “Rather than rendering these professionals obsolete, automation is shifting their focus towards more complex cases and interpretative tasks that require human judgment and empathy.” -
B
Explanation: The text mentions, “AI-powered software can now perform document review and contract analysis faster and more accurately than junior lawyers.” -
B
Explanation: The passage notes, “Algorithmic trading has revolutionized stock markets, with machines executing trades at speeds impossible for human traders.” -
TRUE
Explanation: The passage explicitly states, “Automation is also creating new job categories and enhancing existing roles.” -
NOT GIVEN
Explanation: While the passage discusses the impact on various industries, it doesn’t compare the extent of impact across all industries. -
FALSE
Explanation: The text states that architects use software for drafting work, allowing more time for creative design, not completely replacing the design process. -
rivaling, and sometimes surpassing
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immune
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interpreting data
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data science
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adaptability
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emotional intelligence
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overlooking specific details: In questions like #1, be careful not to generalize. The passage doesn’t say radiologists are becoming obsolete, but that their focus is shifting.
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Making assumptions: For True/False/Not Given questions, stick strictly to the information provided. Don’t infer beyond what’s explicitly stated.
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Misinterpreting partial matches: In sentence completion questions, ensure your answer fits grammatically and semantically. For example, in question #7, “rivaling” alone wouldn’t be a complete answer.
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Time management: Don’t spend too much time on one question. If unsure, make an educated guess and move on.
Vocabulary Focus
- Encroaching: gradually intruding on (someone’s territory, rights, personal life, etc.)
- Bastion: a stronghold or defense
- Inroads: gradual, encroaching progress or advance
- Obsolete: no longer in use or no longer useful
- Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
- Disruption: disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process
Grammar Spotlight
Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in the passage, such as “Automation… has exploded in recent years.” This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to have relevance in the present. It’s a common feature in academic and formal writing, often used to discuss ongoing trends or recent developments.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
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Practice active reading: Engage with the text by predicting content, questioning the author’s points, and summarizing key ideas.
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Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words in context, focusing on academic and topic-specific terminology.
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Time management is crucial: Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the reading test.
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Skim and scan effectively: Use these techniques to quickly locate specific information in the text.
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Pay attention to transition words: These can give clues about the author’s argument structure and help you follow the text’s logic.
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Don’t panic if you encounter unfamiliar topics: Remember, all the answers are in the text. Focus on understanding the passage rather than relying on prior knowledge.
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Practice regularly with varied texts: Expose yourself to different writing styles and topics to build your reading stamina and flexibility.
By following these strategies and continually practicing, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the IELTS Reading section with confidence. Remember, understanding the impacts of automation on skilled labor is not just crucial for your IELTS success, but also for your future career planning in an increasingly automated world.
For more practice on related topics, check out our articles on the effects of automation on low-skilled labor and how automation affects income distribution in developed countries. These will provide you with a broader understanding of automation’s impact across different sectors of the workforce.