Tree Cutters At Work & Plumbing Skills - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer questions 15-21 ====
Tree Cutters At Work
Today the tree cutting team consists of myself, Gary and Mikael. We are going to cut down a tall tree that is inside the boundary of a busy timer yard. It’s Saturday not a working day for the yard and it is far easier to remove a tree when no one else is around. As supervisor I first pop into our office to sort out the paperwork for the day which includes the risk assessments. Then I look at the most up to date weather forecast as wind and rain make our job much more difficult. Luckily we have picked a good day.
Next we load up the equipment – things like petrol driven chainsaws of varying sizes, helmets and waterproofs, spades, rakes and other tools etc. must all go on the truck before the three of us set off. On arrival at the site we have a quick discussion on the procedure for the day. After that one of – today it’s Gary – goes up the tree to quickly select his anchor point. This is the position from which he will cut down the tree. It must be high enough to enable access throughout the tree’s branches but also have sufficient strength to support the climber. The first few big branches can be cut from the tree in large pieces and dropped into the yard so we make good progress during the morning and start our wood pile there.
Having removed the more accessible branches we have lunch and then set up a simple system to reach the smaller upper branches. This involves placing a pulley in the tree and using thick rope to drag the branches down. When they are cut these will fall further away outside the boundary of the yard. On the other side of the perimeter fence is a wide grass verge and then a footpath where I set up a number of signs to alert the public to our activities. Working alongside a road requires vigilance so I monitor the movements of pedestrians and as Gary starts work I watch what he is doing so it can ensure safety. Once the branches are on the ground I throw them back over the fence to Mikael who cuts them up and feeds the machine that dices them into very small pieces called wood chippings.
==== Read the text below and answer questions 22-27 ====
Plumbing Skills
In a residential building such as a block of flats, underfloor jobs that involve plumbing mechanical and electrical systems are common. They may need to take place in a narrow space that is often only about 35 cm deep. In addition the floors are typically covered with a wood product, engineered to resemble solid wood that has very strict criteria as far as drilling and cutting are concerned. The plumber cannot just go in and cut holes and lay pipes. He must first think about what he is doing read and understand the cutting chart that accompanies each of his tools and visualise how his work will impact on other tradespeople before proceeding.
Commercial plumbers working on office buildings, hotels, restaurants etc. have the same issues and coordination problems as residential plumbers but often have to install equipment that is more sophisticated. This is because it forms part of integrated systems where mechanical work and plumbing work are combined. The equipment will have specific installation instructions so it is critical that the plumber has the cognitive ability to understand these. In addition often the structures are complex, and the floors and walls must be X-rayed prior to drilling to order to avoid hitting key elements such as reinforcing steel.
Service plumbers go in where others have been and often face situations where they must troubleshoot various possible causes of a plumbing problem. In order to do this effectively they must have complete knowledge of say a customer’s shower until they are servicing even if they did not install it. They must have the ability to translate the symptoms they can see such as leaks and blockages into the actual problem and then take the appropriate action to rectify the issue in a fast and cost-effective way. Often service plumbers encounter residential or commercial customers who are either facing great inconvenience or have had their operations severely disrupted because of a plumbing issue. Successful service plumbers not only need good mechanical skills but they typically need very good people skills to provide necessary support.
Questions
Questions 15–21 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flowchart below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage.
Cutting down a big tree
– The site supervisor checks the paperwork and the latest information on the weather first.
– Chainsaws, clothing and all 15 are then loaded onto the lorry
– The team talk briefly at the site about the overall 16 before the work begins
– The climber’s anchor point must have the necessary height and 17 for the job
– The first branches are cut and placed in a pile in the yard
– A pulley and some 18 assist in the removal of the top branches
– At this point signs are placed on the 19
– For safety the actions of both the tree cutter and 20 must be regularly checked
– A special machine creates 21 out of some of the wood
Questions 22–27 Table Completion
Complete the table below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.
The Work Of Plumbers
| Type of plumber | Work related issues | Skills/ actions needed |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | – working underfloor in a 22 area
– dealing with a wood product |
– plan carefully
– always use the appropriate 23 for each tool – consider how different 24 will be affected |
| Commercial | – working with advanced equipment designed for integrated systems | – fully comprehend instructions
– take images of structures to locate important materials like 25 |
| Service | – diagnosing problems and their causes
– fully understanding something someone else installed e.g. a shower unit – providing quick 26 solutions |
– deals well with people who have a lot of 27 or disruption as a result of their problems |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Tools | Next we load up the equipment – things like petrol driven chainsaws of varying sizes, helmets and waterproofs, spades, rakes and other tools etc. must all go on the truck before the three of us set off | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the team loads different kinds of equipment and tools, like chainsaws and helmets, onto the truck before starting the work. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'tools'. This means the items that the team uses to cut down the tree. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'tools' because the passage talks about loading equipment needed for the tree cutting job. This includes chainsaws, helmets, and other items which are all tools necessary for the work. |
| Q16 | Procedure | On arrival at the site we have a quick discussion on the procedure for the day. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that when the tree cutting team arrives at the site, they first have a short talk about what they will do that day, which is called the procedure. Answer Explanation: The answer means a plan or the steps that the team will follow to cut down the tree safely and effectively. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'procedure' because it clearly refers to the discussion the team has about what they need to do for the day. The word 'procedure' means the steps or plan they will follow, and this is important for their work to ensure safety and success. |
| Q17 | Strength | It must be high enough to enable access throughout the tree's branches but also have sufficient strength to support the climber | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the anchor point should be high for good access and also strong enough to hold the climber safely. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Strength'. This means the anchor point must be strong. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Strength' because the passage says the climber's anchor point must 'have sufficient strength to support the climber'. This is important for safety when cutting down the tree. |
| Q18 | Rope | This involves placing a pulley in the tree and using thick rope to drag the branches down | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that they put a pulley in the tree and use strong rope to pull the branches down. This tells us that rope is important for their work. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'rope'. This means a strong material that is used to pull things. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'rope' because the passage says that a pulley system is set up and they use thick rope to drag the branches down. This shows that rope is needed to help with removing the top branches. |
| Q19 | Footpath | On the other side of the perimeter fence is a wide grass verge and then a footpath where I set up a number of signs to alert the public to our activities | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about a place where there is a wide grassy area and then a path for walking. The supervisor put up signs on the footpath to inform people about the tree cutting work happening nearby. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Footpath' means a path where people walk near the road. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Footpath' because the passage mentions that the team set up signs to alert the public about their work. This work is happening near a footpath, ensuring that people walking by are warned. The footpath is an important area where people could be affected by the tree cutting activities. |
| Q20 | Pedestrians | Working alongside a road requires vigilance so I monitor the movements of pedestrians | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when working near a road, the supervisor is careful to watch the people walking by. This is important to keep everyone safe during the work. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Pedestrians'. This means people walking by. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Pedestrians' because in the passage, the supervisor monitors the movements of pedestrians to ensure their safety while the tree cutting is happening. It emphasizes the importance of keeping an eye on people walking near the site. |
| Q21 | Chippings | Once the branches are on the ground I throw them back over the fence to Mikael who cuts them up and feeds the machine that dices them into very small pieces called wood chippings | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that after cutting the branches, Mikael takes them and puts them in a machine that makes them into small pieces called wood chippings. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Chippings', which means small pieces made from wood. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Chippings' because at the end of the tree cutting process, some of the wood that is cut is made into very small pieces called wood chippings. This is explained in the passage when it mentions the machine creates these chippings from the branches. |
| Q22 | Narrow | they may need to take place in a narrow space that is often only about 35 cm deep | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that plumbers often work in a 'narrow space', which means the area is small. This affects how they do their jobs. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'narrow', which means something that is not wide and is small in size. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'narrow' because the passage describes the space where plumbers work as being typically only about 35 cm deep. This information shows that the area is small or narrow, making it important for plumbers to plan their work carefully. |
| Q23 | Cutting chart | he must first think about what he is doing read and understand the cutting chart that accompanies each of his tools | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that plumbers need to read and understand the cutting chart. This chart helps them know how to cut properly in a safe way. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'cutting chart'. This means a special guide that helps plumbers know where and how to cut. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cutting chart' because plumbers must use this chart to understand how to work carefully without damaging anything important when installing pipes and making cuts. |
| Q24 | Tradespeople | visualise how his work will impact on other tradespeople before proceeding | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the plumber must carefully plan and think about how their work affects other skilled workers who do different jobs. Answer Explanation: The answer means workers skilled in a specific area, like plumbing, who do different types of jobs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'tradespeople' because the passage mentions that plumbers must understand how their work will impact other tradespeople, meaning other skilled workers. This shows that plumbers need to consider the effects of their work on others in different trades. |
| Q25 | reinforcing steel / steel | the floors and walls must be X-rayed prior to drilling to order to avoid hitting key elements such as reinforcing steel | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that plumbers need to use X-rays before drilling to prevent hitting important parts like reinforcing steel, which is very strong metal in buildings. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'reinforcing steel' and 'steel'. This means the strong metal that supports buildings. Reason For Correctness: The correct answers are 'reinforcing steel' and 'steel' because the passage talks about how plumbers must be careful when drilling to avoid hitting important parts like steel, which help hold up the building. |
| Q26 | Cost-effective | they must have the ability to translate the symptoms they can see such as leaks and blockages into the actual problem and then take the appropriate action to rectify the issue in a fast and cost-effective way | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that plumbers need to fix problems quickly and in a way that is not too expensive. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Cost-effective'. This means solutions that are not too expensive. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cost-effective' because in the passage, it says service plumbers must take action in a fast and cheap way. They fix problems without costing too much money. |
| Q27 | Inconvenience | Often service plumbers encounter residential or commercial customers who are either facing great inconvenience or have had their operations severely disrupted because of a plumbing issue | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that service plumbers meet customers who have problems. These problems cause a lot of 'inconvenience', which means the customers' lives or work are affected in a bad way. Answer Explanation: The answer 'inconvenience' means a problem or difficulty that makes things not easy for someone. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'inconvenience' because it refers to the troubles that customers face due to plumbing issues. In the passage, it says that service plumbers often encounter customers who are experiencing great inconvenience because of plumbing problems. |