Magy's English Edu. Club

Cambridge 16 Academic Reading Test One Passage Three

The Future of Work

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

27. The first paragraph tells us about

B > the extent to which AI will alter the nature of the work that people do

In paragraph one, according to a business consultancy, 3-14% of the global workforce will need to switch to a different occupation within the next 10-15 years, and all workers need to adapt as their occupations evolve alongside increasingly capable machines.

28. According to the second paragraph, what is Stella Pachidi’s view of the ‘knowledge economy’?

D > It is a key factor driving current developments in the workplace.

In paragraph two, Dr Stella Pachidi from Cambridge Judge Business School believes that some of the most fundamental changes are happening as a result of the ‘algorithmication’ of jobs that are dependent on data rather than on production, the so-called knowledge economy.

29. What did Pachidi observe at the telecommunications company?

C > staff making sure that AI produces the results that they want

In paragraph seven, Pachidi says, “We are seeing cases where workers feed the algorithm with false data to reach their targets.”

30. In his recently published research, Ewan McGaughey

D > illustrates how changes in the job market can be successfully handled

In paragraph twelve, he reports, “History is clear that change can mean redundancies. But social policies can tackle this through retraining and redeployment.”

Complete the notes.

31. Stella Pachidi of Cambridge Judge Business School has been focusing on the ‘algorithmcation’ of jobs which rely not on production but on …….

The answer is G. > INFORMATION

In paragraph two, Dr. Pachidi says that the ‘algorithmication’ of jobs are not dependent on production but on learning from data. Another synonym of data is information.

32. While monitoring a telecommunications company, Pachidi observed a growing ……….  on the recommendations made by AI, as workers begin to learn through the ‘algorithm’s eyes’.

The answer is E. > RELIANCE

In paragraph six, the algorithm, usually built by external designers, often becomes the keeper of knowledge, she explains. In cases like this, Pachidi believes, a short-sighted view begins to creep into working practices whereby workers learn through the “algorithm’s eyes” and become dependent on its instructions.

33. Meanwhile, staff are deterred from experimenting and using their own ……,  and are therefore prevented from achieving innovation.

The answer is C. > INTUITION

In paragraph six, alternative explorations, where experimentation and human instinct lead to progress and new ideas, are effectively discouraged.

34. To avoid the kinds of situations which Pachidi observed, researchers are trying to make AI’s decision-making process easier to comprehend, and to increase users’  …… with regard to the technology.

The answer is F. > CONFIDENCE 

In paragraph eight, their objective is to make AI technologies more trustworthy and transparent.

Match each statement with the correct person.

35. Greater levels of automation will not result in lower employment.

The answer is B. > Hamish Low

In paragraph ten, Low believes the predictions are founded on a fallacy. The number of jobs will increase.

36. There are several reasons why AI is appealing to businesses.

The answer is A. >  Stella Pachidi

In paragraph three, organizations are attracted to using algorithms because they want to make choices based on what they consider is “perfect information”, as well as to reduce costs and enhance productivity. 

37. AI’s potential to transform people’s lives has parallels with major cultural shifts which occurred in previous areas.

The answer is C. > Ewan McGaughey

In paragraph twelve, history is clear that change can mean redundancies. But social policies can tackle this through retaining and redeployment. 

38. It is important to be aware of the range of the problems that AI causes.

A Stella Pachidi

In paragraph four, ‘But these enhancements are not without consequences’, says Pachidi. ‘If routine cognitive tasks are taken over by AI, how do professions develop their future experts?’ she asks.

39. People are going to follow a less conventional career path than in the past.

The answer is B. > Hamish Low

In paragraph nine, Low believes that the future of work will involve major transitions across the whole life course for everyone: ‘The traditional trajectory of full-time education followed by full-time work followed by a pensioned retirement is a thing of the past,’ says Low.

40. Authorities should take measures to ensure that there will be adequately paid work for everyone.

The answer is C. > Ewan McGaughey

In paragraph thirteen, I’d like to see governments seizing the opportunity to improve policy to enforce good job security.

To follow my content in Arabic, use the links below.

To follow my content in English, use the links below.