Job: Sunset Orchard, Cromwell, New Zealand – Cherry Picking & Service Division – Daylight Trading Company - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 21 General Training Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 15-20.
Job: Sunset Orchard, Cromwell, New Zealand – Cherry Picking
Picking
This is the harvesting of fruit to the required standard and is physical work. The employee must be able to lift, manoeuvre and reach the top of a 3-metre ladder. Most pickers are paid on a contract rate; e.g. for cherries the minimum bucket rate is $4-25. The average picker will pick 20 of these buckets in an 8-hour day but this depends very much upon the individual. However, you are required to pick at least 16 buckets.
Packing
This is the sorting of fruit into different grade standards. This part of the job involves standing at a sorting table and the employee must be fit and have good concentration. The employee must be able to work long hours, up to 7 days a week. Note that the cherry picking and packing starts in mid to late December and continues through until late January, weather permitting. This is our peak season and prior to and after this period we require fewer staff.
Accommodation
We have accommodation available on site in bunkrooms, which were built two years ago. Because everybody is working hard and requires a decent sleep, no loud music or excessive noise is allowed after 10 o’clock. Our residential manager will allocate beds and look after everyone’s needs. The cost of the accommodation is $10-00 per night or $60-00 per week and it is filled on a first-come first-served basis. Payment must be made to the orchard supervisor on a weekly basis.
Transport and pay
Pay is fortnightly and is paid by credit so you require a bank account. Also, you need an IRD number and, if you are from overseas, a work permit. If you wish to work for us, you must have some form of transport as we are 5km from Cromwell. Even if you live on site, you still need to get into town for groceries, etc. On-site parking for cars and vans is extremely limited so we suggest using a bicycle. If you would like to apply for a position at Sunset Orchard, then please complete our online application form on the website www.sunsetorchard.co.nz
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Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27.
Service Division – Daylight Trading Company
Staff Guidelines
These guidelines have been produced to enable common systems and practices to be followed across all teams within the Division. They will be formally reviewed every July and published in September, although earlier revision will occur if necessary. Any suggestions for additional items to be included should be sent to the Directorate Mailbox by the end of May each year.
Hours of Work
The office hours are 09:00 – 17:30 (Mon-Thurs) and 09:00 – 17:00 (Fri), although some staff will be working slightly different hours which have previously been approved. Where this is the case, the details should be recorded and retained on the individual’s personal file. As this is a service unit, it is important that offices are staffed throughout the day. Please observe this when taking lunch breaks. It also means that we may need to help another team in times of staff shortage so that our service to the organisation is maintained. There will be occasions when an urgent job arises which will require extra time to be worked. Wherever possible this should be approved in advance by your line manager but, if this is not possible, you must advise him/her as soon as possible after the event.
Holidays
Holiday requests should be submitted to and agreed by the line manager, where possible giving at least one week’s notice for one to four days of leave and three weeks’ notice for one week or more. If the period of notice is shorter, the request should be discussed as soon as possible with the line manager. Wherever possible, holiday requests will be approved but operational needs will be the overriding criterion, and there may be occasions when requests cannot be approved. Any requests for holiday exceeding fifteen working days must be approved by a member of the Leadership Team.
Holidays are important breaks in our working life and staff are expected and encouraged to take all their holiday within the leave year, but it is acknowledged that planned holidays can be affected by unexpected situations and the flexibility many staff demonstrate is appreciated. In accordance with organisational policy staff are not allowed to carry more than ten days forward to the new holiday year for personal reasons, and any carry over is expected to be taken by the end of the calendar year.
Questions
Questions 15–20 Short Answers
Answer the questions below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.
Questions 21–27 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.
- The annual deadline for staff to submit ideas for the guidelines falls in the month of 21
- Staff should try to schedule their 22 so that there is always someone in the office at this time.
- If there are insufficient staff at work, it may be necessary for you to contribute to the work of a 23 that is not normally your own.
- You can work extra hours on 24 work without prior approval, as long as you inform your line manager afterwards.
- If you wish to take a two-week holiday, your line manager will need to be given 25 advance warning of this.
- A holiday request may be turned down if 26 have to take priority.
- A maximum of 27 can be saved from your holiday in one year and used in the following year.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | at least 16 buckets / 16 buckets | However, you are required to pick at least 16 buckets | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that workers are obligated to gather a minimum number of 16 buckets. Answer Explanation: The answer means that a worker must collect no less than 16 buckets of fruit each day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(at least) 16 buckets" because the text clearly defines the lowest required target for a fruit picker. Under the "Picking" heading, the passage notes that while an average worker collects 20 buckets in a day, every worker is strictly "required to pick at least 16 buckets". Here, the phrase "minimum daily amount ... must pick" matches the text's "required to pick at least". |
| Q16 | good concentration / concentration | This part of the job involves standing at a sorting table and the employee must be fit and have good concentration | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that doing the packing work requires standing at a table, being physically healthy and fit, and possessing good focus of the mind. Answer Explanation: The answer means having the ability to focus carefully and pay close attention for a long time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(good) concentration" because the question asks about a mental quality needed for the packing job. Under the section titled "Packing", the text states that a packing employee must be physical ("fit") and have "good concentration". Concentrating is a mental skill or quality. |
| Q17 | on site bunkrooms / bunkrooms | We have accommodation available on site in bunkrooms, which were built two years ago | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that there is a place to live directly on the farm property, and the type of housing provided is bunkrooms. Answer Explanation: The answer means that cherry pickers can stay in shared rooms with bunk beds located directly at the farm. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(on site) bunkrooms" because the "Accommodation" section clearly mentions that living space for workers is provided right there on the farm in shared bunkrooms. Keywords like "accommodation available" directly answer what kind of housing is provided. |
| Q18 | Residential manager | Our residential manager will allocate beds and look after everyone’s needs | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the person with the job title of residential manager is responsible for assigning sleeping spots and helping with the workers' needs. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the person in charge of managing the living places and arranging beds for the workers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Residential manager" because the text explains in the "Accommodation" section that this specific person will give out beds and take care of the workers' daily needs. In the question, the word "organises" matches the actions "allocate beds and look after everyone’s needs" in the text. |
| Q19 | Fortnightly | Pay is fortnightly and is paid by credit so you require a bank account | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that workers are paid once every two weeks by direct bank transfer, which means they must have a bank account. Answer Explanation: The answer "Fortnightly" means once every two weeks. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Fortnightly" because the text mentions under the heading "Transport and pay" that payments are made every two weeks ("fortnightly") directly to the employee's bank account ("paid by credit"). Therefore, when asked how frequently workers' bank accounts receive money, the answer is "Fortnightly". |
| Q20 | a bicycle / bicycle | On-site parking for cars and vans is extremely limited so we suggest using a bicycle | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that there is very little parking space for larger vehicles like cars and vans, so the orchard recommends riding a bicycle instead. Answer Explanation: The answer means riding a bicycle is the advised way to travel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(a) bicycle" because the text mentions that parking spaces for cars and vans are very limited at the orchard. Therefore, they "suggest" using a bicycle. The word "suggest" in the text has the same meaning as "recommended" in the question. |
| Q21 | May | Any suggestions for additional items to be included should be sent to the Directorate Mailbox by the end of May each year | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if staff members have new ideas or suggestions to add to the guidelines, they must send them in before May ends every year. Answer Explanation: The answer is the month of May, which is the fifth month of the year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "May" because the passage states that employees must send any ideas or suggestions for the guidelines by the end of this month every year. In the sentence, "submit ideas" matches "suggestions for additional items to be included", and "annual deadline" matches "by the end of May each year". |
| Q22 | Lunch breaks / Lunch | As this is a service unit, it is important that offices are staffed throughout the day. Please observe this when taking lunch breaks | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that workers must be present in the office at all times during the day, so employees should keep this in mind when taking their time off for lunch. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the midday pauses or time off taken during the workday to eat lunch. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "lunch breaks" (or "lunch") because the text mentions that because the workplace is a service unit, "offices are staffed throughout the day" (meaning there must always be someone in the office). The guidelines tell employees to "observe this when taking lunch breaks," which means workers must plan and coordinate their lunch times so the office is never left unattended. |
| Q23 | Team | It also means that we may need to help another team in times of staff shortage so that our service to the organisation is maintained | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when there are not enough employees working, staff members might have to assist a different work group so that the company can continue to provide its services. Answer Explanation: The answer "Team" refers to a group of colleagues or workers doing a particular job together in the company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Team" because the text explains what employees must do when there are not enough workers. In the passage, the phrase "staff shortage" matches "insufficient staff", and "help another team" means assisting a group or unit that is not your usual one ("a team that is not normally your own"). Therefore, "team" accurately completes the blank. |
| Q24 | Urgent | There will be occasions when an urgent job arises which will require extra time to be worked. Wherever possible this should be approved in advance by your line manager but, if this is not possible, you must advise him/her as soon as possible after the event | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that sometimes very important work comes up that needs employees to work extra hours. While workers should try to ask their manager before doing this, they can also tell their manager right after finishing if asking beforehand is not possible. Answer Explanation: The answer "urgent" means very important and needing fast action or immediate attention. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "urgent" because the passage discusses situations where extra hours ("extra time to be worked") may be needed. The text states that an "urgent job" might come up and, if asking your manager beforehand ("in advance") is impossible, you can tell them right after the work is done ("after the event"). In the sentence, "extra hours on urgent work" matches the text's "an urgent job arises which will require extra time to be worked". |
| Q25 | Three weeks | three weeks’ notice for one week or more | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if a worker wants to take time off for one week or longer, they must tell their manager at least three weeks before the break starts. Answer Explanation: The answer means a time period of 21 days or three full weeks. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Three weeks" because the passage states that employees must give "three weeks’ notice for one week or more" of leave. Since a two-week holiday is longer than one week, you must give three weeks of advance warning to your manager. In the task, "advance warning" matches the word "notice" from the passage, and "two-week holiday" falls under the category of "one week or more". |
| Q26 | Operational needs | Wherever possible, holiday requests will be approved but operational needs will be the overriding criterion, and there may be occasions when requests cannot be approved | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that even though managers try to accept vacation requests, the work that the company needs to get done comes first, which means some vacation requests might be rejected. Answer Explanation: The answer "operational needs" means the essential business or work requirements of the company that must be handled first. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the "Holidays" section of the text. It states that holiday requests are generally approved, but "operational needs" will be the most important factor ("overriding criterion"). Because of these business priorities, there are times when an employee's holiday request cannot be approved (meaning it is turned down). In the question, "have to take priority" matches the text's phrase "overriding criterion". |
| Q27 | Ten days | In accordance with organisational policy staff are not allowed to carry more than ten days forward to the new holiday year for personal reasons, and any carry over is expected to be taken by the end of the calendar year | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that company rules do not let workers transfer more than ten days of unused vacation time into the next year. Answer Explanation: The answer means a total of 10 days of vacation time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Ten days" (or "ten days") because the sentence asks for the highest number of holiday days that an employee can move into the next year. In the passage, the phrase "not allowed to carry more than" matches the meaning of "a maximum of", and "carry... forward to the new holiday year" matches "saved from your holiday in one year and used in the following year". |