Company Car Parking Policy & Ensuring Safety In The Office - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 18 General Training Reading Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-20 ====
Company car parking policy
DG Contracts recognises that many people working in the organisation require a vehicle for business purposes and aims to provide parking facilities for as many individuals as possible. However, car parking provision is limited. DG Contracts therefore actively encourages staff to reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport, walking or cycling, or by organising ways of sharing the use of cars.
The car parking policy aims to allocate parking on a fair and equitable basis with spaces being given first to those employees who claim above a certain mileage of travel for business purposes. Individuals who are allocated a parking space will be issued with a parking permit and a number which corresponds to a car parking space. If there are any non-allocated car parking spaces, these can be utilised by employees on a first-come, first-served basis. In some cases, designated parking areas are required for company vehicles, which must be parked securely at night. However, employees may park in these areas in the daytime.
If any individual leaves the company prior to the expiry of their parking permit, this will be handed on to the member of staff who acts as their replacement, assuming that this person requires it. If any individual who has been issued a parking permit takes maternity leave or is signed off work for a lengthy period, their parking permit will be reallocated to the staff member appointed as cover for this individual during their absence.
Employees who park their cars in a DG company car park do so at their own risk and must follow the rules laid down in the parking policy. If you have any complaints concerning any aspect of car parking at DG company car parks, please address them to the HR Manager.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27 ====
Ensuring safety in the office
It’s fairly obvious that safety and health hazards can exist on worksites filled with heavy machinery and equipment. However, a surprising number of hazards can also be present in the office.
The most common types of injuries are slips, trips and falls. Boxes, files and other items piled in walkways can create a tripping hazard. Be certain that all materials are safely stored in their proper location to prevent build-up of clutter. Further, in addition to posing an electrical hazard, stretching wires across walkways creates a tripping hazard, so ensure they are properly secured and covered.
Standing on rolling office chairs is a significant fall hazard. Workers who need to reach something at an elevated height should use a stepladder, which must be fully opened and placed on level ground.
Workers can collide when making turns in the hallways and around blind corners. This can be prevented by installing mirrors in these places so workers can see who is coming. Floors may also present a hazard. Marble or tile can become very slippery, particularly when wet. The use of carpets can help to reduce falls and can be especially helpful at main doors, where workers are likely to be coming in with wet shoes.
Another type of injury comes from workers being struck by an object. Filing cabinets may be in danger of tipping over if drawers are left open, and filing cabinets and desks may also create a tripping hazard if they are not properly closed. High piles of materials and equipment can cause major injuries if they are knocked over. Heavy objects should always be stored close to the ground, and the load capacity of shelves should never be exceeded.
Because office workers spend most of their day seated at a desk, they are prone to strains and other injuries related to posture and repetitive movement. Desks, seating, monitor stands, etc. should all be adjustable in order to accommodate the widest possible range of employees. Typing from hard copy can lead to neck strain if a worker is forced to look down repeatedly to the desk at the document being copied and back to the computer screen. This can be prevented by providing holders, which help to prevent muscle imbalance by positioning the document at the same level as the screen. Another cause of neck injuries is incorrect placement of the computer mouse – this should always be kept beside the keyboard, and at the same level.
Questions
Questions 15–20 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
- Parking is limited, so the use of alternative methods of transport and the 15 of cars is encouraged.
- Staff with the highest 16 are given parking spaces first.
- Some parking spaces are reserved for company vehicles during the 17 but may be used by staff at other times.
- If an employee leaves the company permanently, their parking space will normally be given to their 18
- If an employee takes extended leave, their parking space will be given to the person who provides 19 for the absent employee.
- All 20 about car parking should be sent to the HR Manager.
Questions 21–27 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Making sure offices are safe
To prevent slips, trips, falls and collisions, ensure that
• boxes, files, etc. are correctly stored
• items such as 21 do not create a tripping hazard
• workers do not use 22 to reach high object
• 23 are fixed at corners
• floors are covered by 24 especially at entrances
To prevent injuries caused by objects, ensure that
• 25 in office furniture are kept closed
• objects which are heavy are kept near the floor
To prevent injuries due to posture and repetitive movement ensure that
• office furniture is 26
• 27 are provided for documents
• the mouse is placed next to the computer keyboard
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Sharing | DG Contracts therefore actively encourages staff to reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport, walking or cycling, or by organising ways of sharing the use of cars. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that DG Contracts wants employees to use less fuel and be more environmentally friendly. They suggest that people can share cars together to achieve this goal. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Sharing'. This means using cars together instead of each person using their own car. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Sharing' because the passage says that DG Contracts encourages staff to reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport, walking or cycling, or by organising ways of sharing the use of cars. This shows that they want people to share cars to lessen the number of vehicles on the road. |
| Q16 | Mileage | spaces being given first to those employees who claim above a certain mileage of travel for business purposes. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that parking spaces are given first to employees who have a higher mileage when they travel for work needs. Answer Explanation: The answer means the distance a person travels for work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'mileage' because the passage mentions that employees with higher mileage for business are given parking spaces first. This shows that the company prioritizes those who travel more for work when allocating parking. |
| Q17 | Night | In some cases, designated parking areas are required for company vehicles, which must be parked securely at night. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that some special parking spots are needed for company cars, and these cars must be parked safely when it is dark outside. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Night'. This means the time when it is dark outside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Night' because the passage mentions that some parking spaces are set aside for company vehicles during the night. This implies that those vehicles must be parked securely at that time. |
| Q18 | Replacement | If any individual leaves the company prior to the expiry of their parking permit, this will be handed on to the member of staff who acts as their replacement, assuming that this person requires it. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says if someone leaves the company, their parking will go to the person who fills their job. This means the new worker is the 'replacement' for the person who left. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Replacement,' which means a person who takes over someone else's job. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Replacement' because the passage explains that when an employee leaves the company, their parking space will go to the person who takes their place. This shows that the new person is a 'replacement.' It is important to note this connection between leaving and taking over. |
| Q19 | Cover | If any individual who has been issued a parking permit takes maternity leave or is signed off work for a lengthy period, their parking permit will be reallocated to the staff member appointed as cover for this individual during their absence. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if a worker goes on leave for a long time, their parking permit will be given to the person who is taking care of their work while they are gone. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'cover.' It means someone who helps or takes over the work for another person when they are not there. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cover' because in the passage it says that if an employee takes extended leave, their parking space will be given to the person who provides 'cover' for them. This indicates that a 'cover' is someone who steps in to do the work while the original employee is away. |
| Q20 | Complaints | If you have any complaints concerning any aspect of car parking at DG company car parks, please address them to the HR Manager. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage is saying that if you have any problems or issues about parking, you should tell the HR Manager. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if someone has a problem or issue about car parking, they should tell the HR Manager. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'complaints' because the passage says that if anyone has issues with car parking, they need to address these 'complaints' to the HR Manager. This shows that 'complaints' is the right word for what people should send. |
| Q21 | Wires | Further, in addition to posing an electrical hazard, stretching wires across walkways creates a tripping hazard, so ensure they are properly secured and covered. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that wires can be dangerous because they can cause people to trip if they are not secured properly. It's important to keep them safe and covered. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'wires'. This means that wires should not be lying in places where people walk. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'wires' because the passage talks about how stretching wires across walkways makes it easy for someone to trip and fall. Keeping wires secure helps to prevent this risk. |
| Q22 | Chairs | Standing on rolling office chairs is a significant fall hazard. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that standing on rolling office chairs can cause people to fall. This means we should not use chairs to reach things that are high up. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Chairs'. This means that chairs are the items we need to be careful with in the office. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Chairs' because the passage talks about safety in the office and mentions that standing on rolling office chairs can lead to falls. Therefore, it is important to avoid using chairs to reach high objects. |
| Q23 | Mirrors | This can be prevented by installing mirrors in these places so workers can see who is coming. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that putting mirrors in certain locations helps workers see others coming, which stops accidents from happening. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'mirrors'. Mirrors help workers see around corners in the office. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'mirrors' because the passage explains that collisions in hallways and around blind corners can be prevented by installing mirrors. This allows workers to see who is coming, enhancing safety. |
| Q24 | Carpets | The use of carpets can help to reduce falls and can be especially helpful at main doors, where workers are likely to be coming in with wet shoes. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that using carpets can make the floor less slippery and safer, especially at the entrance where people might come in with wet shoes. Answer Explanation: The answer 'carpets' means thick fabric that is used on the floor to make it softer and safer. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'carpets' because the passage mentions that carpets can help to reduce slips and falls, especially at main doors where people come in with wet shoes. This means carpets make the floor safer. |
| Q25 | Drawers | Filing cabinets may be in danger of tipping over if drawers are left open, and filing cabinets and desks may also create a tripping hazard if they are not properly closed. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that filing cabinets can fall over if the drawers are open. This means it's important to keep drawers closed to prevent accidents and injuries. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'drawers', which are parts of furniture where you can pull out to store or get things. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'drawers' because the passage mentions that leaving drawers open can cause filing cabinets to tip over, which is a safety hazard. It highlights the importance of keeping drawers closed to avoid accidents. |
| Q26 | Adjustable | Desks, seating, monitor stands, etc. should all be adjustable in order to accommodate the widest possible range of employees. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that desks, chairs, and other furniture can be changed to fit different people. This helps everyone work comfortably and healthily. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'adjustable'. This means that you can change the height or position of something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'adjustable' because the passage mentions that office furniture should be adjustable to fit different workers. This is important to prevent injuries related to posture. |
| Q27 | Holders | This can be prevented by providing holders, which help to prevent muscle imbalance by positioning the document at the same level as the screen. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that placing holders helps keep documents at the same height as the computer screen. This is good because it stops workers from straining their necks. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'holders', which are tools that help keep papers in a good position, so you don't hurt your neck. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'holders' because the passage talks about how workers can hurt their necks if they look down at papers and then back up to the computer. Using holders keeps papers at the same level as the screen, which helps prevent neck strain. |