Border Crossing For Commercial Vehicles & Appendix: Dealing With Absence In The Workplace - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-20. ====
Border Crossing For Commercial Vehicles
This Border Crossing Guide is designed for drivers and motor carriers operating commercial vehicles at Michigan’s international border crossings. This information will help you cross the border from the US into Canada, and from Canada into the US.
Your first point of contact at the border consists of Primary Inspection. The best way to clear customs at Primary Inspection is to make sure Customs gets information about your shipment before you set off, using the Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS). When using this you need to provide information about your shipment, and you also need to send proof of a current annual inspection for your vehicle, tractor and trailer.
Before you arrive at the border, make sure you have all your paperwork up to date and ready to present at Primary Inspection. You’ll need a photo ID in addition to your birth certificate or passport. Drivers must also turn on interior cab lights and open all interior drapes or blinds to sleeper areas for easy inspection.
If all of your paperwork is in order and was processed ahead of time, you will be released at the primary lane and this may be your only stop. If you are not a Canadian or US citizen, a visa is obligatory and you will also be required to complete an I-94 card. 1-94 cards are available only at border crossings into the United States. Drivers who clear customs at Primary Inspection will be instructed to report to Immigration to fill out the I-94 card and receive verbal clearance from a US official to proceed into the United States. The charge for the I-94 card is $6.
If your paperwork is not in order, you will be directed to Secondary Inspection. When you get there, look for the signs for Truck Inspection and follow these.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27. ====
Appendix: Dealing With Absence In The Workplace
This appendix considers how to handle problems of absence and gives guidance about authorised and unauthorised absence of employees from work.
The organisation should be aware of the rights of employees and in particular the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 when making any decisions about absences of employees who are disabled. In these cases the employer should consider what reasonable adjustments could be made in the workplace to help the employee. This might be something as simple as supplying an appropriate chair for the use of the employee. In cases where an employee suffers from an allergy caused by something in the workplace, the employer should consider remedial action or a transfer to alternative work.
If the absence is because of temporary difficulties relating to dependants, the employee may be entitled to have time off under the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996. In cases where the employee has difficulty managing both work and home responsibilities, employees have the right to request flexible ways of working, such as job-sharing, and employers must have a good business reason for rejecting any such application.
Employers should investigate unexpected absences promptly and the employee should be asked for an explanation at a return-to-work interview. In order to show both the employee concerned and other employees that absence is regarded as a serious matter and may result in dismissal, it is very important that persistent absence is dealt with firmly and consistently. Records showing lateness and the duration of and explanations for all spells of absence should be kept to help monitor levels of absence or lateness.
If the employer wishes to contact the employee’s doctor for more information about a medical condition, he or she must notify the employee in writing that they intend to make such an application and they must secure the employee’s consent in writing. Consideration should be given to introducing measures to help employees, regardless of status or seniority, who may be suffering from stress. The aim should be to identify employees affected and encourage them to seek help and treatment.
Questions
Questions 15–20 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flow-chart below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer. Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
| Procedure for border crossing |
|---|
| Before setting off
– to speed up the border crossing use PAPS – for this send your 15 details and current vehicle inspection documents |
| Before arriving at the border
– check that documents such as 16 and birth certificate/ passport are ready for inspection – make sure the 17 are on inside the vehicle – check that the 18 in the vehicle can be easily seen |
| At the border (Primary inspection)
– this may be the only stop if paperwork is in order – Non US/ Canadian citizens must have a visa and go to the 19 area to complete an I-94 card (there is a small 20 for this) and to receive verbal clearance |
| At the border (Secondary inspection)
– if there is a problem with paperwork you will be sent to Truck Inspection |
Questions 21–27 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer. Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
Absence in the workplace
Employees’ rights
- help with issues related to disabilities, e.g. provision of a suitable 21
- provision of arrangements to deal with any work-related 22
- time off work to deal with short-term problems of 23
- possibility of arrangements that are 24 to help with domestic responsibilities
Recommendations to employers
- make it clear that absence is a possible reason for 25
- ask employees for consent before contacting their 26
- identify employees affected by 27 and provide support
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Shipment | When using this you need to provide information about your shipment | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when you use PAPS, you have to give details about what you are shipping. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Shipment'. This is the information you need to send. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Shipment' because the text explains that to use the Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) before crossing the border, you need to provide details about your shipment. This means you must send information related to what you are transporting. |
| Q16 | Photo ID | You'll need a photo ID in addition to your birth certificate or passport | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you must have a photo ID with you. This means you should bring this ID that shows who you are along with your other important documents when you go to the border. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Photo ID'. This is a type of identification that shows your face and identity. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Photo ID' because the passage states that drivers need to have a photo ID ready to show at the border along with their birth certificate or passport. This means you must have this form of ID before arriving at the border. |
| Q17 | lights / cab lights | drivers must also turn on interior cab lights | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that drivers should turn on the lights inside the vehicle. This helps when customs officers check the vehicle. Answer Explanation: The answer means that you need to turn on the lights inside your vehicle. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'lights' because the passage says that drivers must turn on the interior cab lights for easy inspection. This means that having the lights on helps the customs officers see inside the vehicle. |
| Q18 | Sleeper areas | Drivers must also turn on interior cab lights and open all interior drapes or blinds to sleeper areas for easy inspection | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that drivers should turn on lights and open the curtains to the place where they sleep in the truck so that inspectors can see inside easily. Answer Explanation: The answer means the part of the truck where drivers can sleep. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'sleeper areas' because the passage says drivers must open all interior drapes or blinds to the sleeper areas for easy inspection. This shows that sleeper areas are important to check at the border. |
| Q19 | Immigration | Drivers who clear customs at Primary Inspection will be instructed to report to Immigration to fill out the I-94 card and receive verbal clearance from a US official to proceed into the United States | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if drivers finish customs at Primary Inspection, they must go to Immigration to fill out an important card and get permission to enter the US. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Immigration'. This means when someone who is not a US or Canadian citizen arrives at the border, they must go to the Immigration area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Immigration' because the passage explains that non-US or Canadian citizens must go to the Immigration area to complete an I-94 card and receive permission from a US official. This is an important step before they can enter the United States. |
| Q20 | Charge | The charge for the I-94 card is $6 | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you need to pay $6 to get the I-94 card. Answer Explanation: The answer means a fee you have to pay. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Charge' because the passage says that there is a 'charge for the I-94 card,' which means you need to pay $6 for it. |
| Q21 | Chair | the employer should consider what reasonable adjustments could be made in the workplace to help the employee. This might be something as simple as supplying an appropriate chair for the use of the employee | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that employers should think about how they can help disabled employees. One easy way to help is to give them a suitable chair. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'chair'. This means that employers should provide appropriate chairs for employees who have disabilities. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'chair' because the text says employers should consider what reasonable adjustments could be made for employees who are disabled. One example of an adjustment is supplying an appropriate chair for the employee's use. |
| Q22 | Allergy | In cases where an employee suffers from an allergy caused by something in the workplace, the employer should consider remedial action or a transfer to alternative work | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if an employee has an allergy because of something at work, the employer should think about what they can do to help. This might mean making changes in the workplace or moving the employee to a different job. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'allergy'. This is a health problem related to certain things that can make people sick. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'allergy' because the passage discusses how employers should take action if an employee has an allergy caused by something in the workplace. It suggests that employers should consider making changes or moving the employee to a different job to help them. |
| Q23 | Dependents / Dependants | If the absence is because of temporary difficulties relating to dependants, the employee may be entitled to have time off under the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996 | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if an employee cannot come to work because they have problems with their dependents, they can take short time off work according to the law. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Dependents'. This means people who need help from someone else, like children or older family members. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Dependents' because the passage says that if an employee has temporary problems related to dependents, they can take time off work. This shows that dependents are those people for whom the employee may need more time or help. |
| Q24 | Flexible | employees have the right to request flexible ways of working, such as job-sharing | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that workers can ask for different working methods that fit their needs, like sharing a job. This helps them handle their home and work life better. Answer Explanation: The answer means that workers can ask for different ways to work that are easier for them at home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'flexible' because the passage mentions that employees have the right to request flexible ways of working, like job-sharing. This means they can ask for changes in their work to help them manage both work and home responsibilities. |
| Q25 | Dismissal | It is very important that persistent absence is dealt with firmly and consistently | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if someone is frequently absent, it should be addressed seriously and the same way every time. This means a worker could be dismissed if they have too many absences. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Dismissal', which means that an employee can be fired from their job if they are absent too often. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Dismissal' because the passage states that it is important to show that absence is a serious matter and may result in dismissal. This means if someone is often absent from work without good reason, they might lose their job. |
| Q26 | Doctor | If the employer wishes to contact the employee's doctor for more information about a medical condition, he or she must notify the employee in writing that they intend to make such an application and they must secure the employee's consent in writing | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if a company wants to talk to an employee's doctor about health issues, they must first tell the employee and ask for permission. This means that companies have to be careful and respectful when dealing with health information. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Doctor'. This refers to a medical professional who provides health information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Doctor' because the passage says that if the employer wants to contact the employee's doctor for medical information, they must inform the employee in writing and get their permission. This shows the importance of respecting the employee's privacy and rights regarding health matters. |
| Q27 | Stress | Consideration should be given to introducing measures to help employees, regardless of status or seniority, who may be suffering from stress | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that employers should think about ways to help all employees who are feeling very worried or anxious. Answer Explanation: The answer means feeling very worried or anxious. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'stress' because the passage talks about how employers should help employees who are dealing with 'stress' and encourage them to seek help and treatment. This shows that stress is a problem that needs support. |