Respiratory Protective Equipment & Working with Cows in a Dairy – IELTS Reading Answers

The IELTS General Reading passages, ‘Respiratory Protective Equipment’ and ‘Working with Cows in a Dairy’, taken from Cambridge 18’s IELTS General Reading Test 4, follow the same pattern as the ones in the actual test. As a result, they are valuable resources for preparing for IELTS General Reading.

There are 13 questions in total in ‘Respiratory Protective Equipment’ and ‘Working with Cows in a Dairy’ reading passages. If you want to master these passages and achieve a good reading band score, you should definitely take up a timed practice of IELTS General practice tests regularly.

The question types found in these passages are:

• Sentence Completion (Q. 1-7)
• Table Completion (Q. 8-13)

Reading Passage 1

Respiratory Protective Equipment – advice for factory employees

You need to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) when you’re doing work where you could breathe in hazardous substances in the air such as dust, vapour or gas. Common health effects from breathing hazardous substances include sore eyes and headaches. Make sure you are using the right RPE for the task. For example, negative pressure respirators should not be used in low oxygen environments.

Some types of RPE must have a tight seal around the facial area to be effective. Your employer will arrange a yearly facial fit test to ensure that you are given RPE that fits properly. This checks that the seal between the respirator and the facial area is secure, by releasing a substance that you can smell or taste if the RPE is not working properly. RPE will only provide effective protection if you are clean shaven. Facial hair growth makes it almost impossible to get a good seal so, if you have a beard, you should talk to your employer about other forms of RPE that do not rely on a tight facial fit. Jewellery and long hair can also compromise an effective fit.

Using your RPE

You should complete a visual check of your RPE for signs of damage before you use it. If you are using RPE that requires a tight fit, you must check it fits properly before entering a hazardous area.

Cleaning your RPE

Wash and dry your RPE after using it. Use a mild detergent, as harsh products such as solvents can cause damage. Use a brush and warm water and rinse with clean water. This will remove excess detergent that can cause skin irritation. Dry your RPE on a solid wooden rack or suspend from a clothes line.

Maintaining your RPE

Inspect your RPE after each use and during cleaning. Make sure you check the straps for breaks, tears, fraying edges and deterioration of elasticity. Check the inhalation and exhalation valves are working and not damaged.

Storing your RPE

Improper storage can cause distortion to your RPE. Store your RPE in a clean, dry place, away from dust, oil and sunlight. RPE should be stored so that it doesn’t get crushed.

Check Out – Reading Strategies to Get Band 8

Questions 1-7

1 Some respirators are unsuitable for use in areas with limited levels of …………………

2 Facial fit tests should be conducted on a …………………basis.

3 For workers who have a …………………, an alternative to tight-fitting RPE may be required.

4 Workers should avoid cleaning their RPE with…………………

5 RPE can either be hung up or placed on a timber ………………… in order to dry it.

6 It is important to ensure that the RPE ………………… are not ripped and can still stretch.

7 RPE should not be exposed to direct …………………when it is being stored.

Reading Passage 2

Working with Cows in a Dairy – Guidelines for Employers

Slips and trips

Slips and trips are one of the most common accidents when working in farm dairies. They often happen when working with cows in a dairy during milking, and during maintenance and cleaning.

The following three hazards make it more likely that employees will slip or trip:

1. Surfaces which are wet or dirty

• Have a system for cleaning up milk, oil, cleaning fluid and grain spills as soon as they happen, and make sure it is followed.
• Install non—slip mats in wet work areas and make sure that footwear is slip-resistant.

2. Obstacles such as pipes or cables in the farm dairy

• Reduce tripping accidents by hanging hoses and pipes along walls out of people’s way and remove unused fittings, like bolt fasteners in floors.
• Move obstacles from walkways and entrances where possible. Tripping hazards which cannot be removed should be clearly indicated with yellow tape. If there are obstacles overhead, these should be wrapped in padding to avoid risk of injury.

3. Steps which are too high or not deep enough, or steps in poorly lit areas

• Build steps properly and use non-slip surfaces.
• Handrails should also be fitted.
• The provision of good lighting can also help to reduce the risk of injury.

Lifting and carrying

The following tasks pose risks to dairy workers:

• lifting buckets of grain, water and milk
• lifting calves.

Managing the hazards

• Balance the load by using two buckets, one in each hand.
• Where possible, use trolleys and other mechanical aids to replace manual tasks.

Milking by hand

Specific tasks in milking which cause injury are:

• bending in an awkward position
• putting on and removing milking equipment from cows.

Managing the hazards

• Think about designing or changing the milking area so workers can change the height they are working at to suit them. Ensure that all equipment needed is close by to avoid workers having to overreach or adopt a bending position.
• Alternate between jobs to reduce repetitious manual handling tasks, including a rotation between putting on and removing milking equipment.

Questions 8-13

Answers for Respiratory Protective Equipment & Working with Cows in a Dairy – IELTS General Reading Passages with Explanation

1 Answer: oxygen

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 1, Line 3-Line 4

Answer explanation: The last two lines of the first paragraph tell us, “Make sure you are using the right RPE for the task. For example, negative pressure respirators should not be used in low oxygen environments.”. So, it can be concluded that some RPE does not work in low-oxygen areas, so it should be checked beforehand. Hence, the answer is ‘oxygen’.

2 Answer: yearly

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 2, Line 2

Answer explanation: In the specified line, it is stated that “Your employer will arrange a yearly facial fit test to ensure that you are given RPE that fits properly.”. This shows that employers should conduct facial fit tests on a yearly basis to check if they are working properly. Hence, the answer is ‘yearly’.

3 Answer: beard

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 2, Line 5

Answer explanation: In the mentioned paragraph, it is given that “Facial hair growth makes it almost impossible to get a good seal so, if you have a beard, you should talk to your employer about other forms of RPE that do not rely on a tight facial fit.”. It can be concluded that for workers who have a beard, an alternative to tight-fitting RPE may be required. Hence, the answer is ‘beard’.

4 Answer: solvent

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 4, Line 2

Answer explanation: The fourth paragraph mentions that “Use a mild detergent, as harsh products such as solvents can cause damage.”. It points out that workers should avoid cleaning their RPE with solvents. Hence, the answer is ‘solvent’.

5 Answer: rack

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 4, Line 4

Answer explanation: In the above-mentioned paragraph, it is stated that “Dry your RPE on a solid wooden rack or suspend from a clothes line.”. It can be pointed out from the quoted statement that RPE can either be hung up or placed on a timber (wooden) rack in order to dry it. Hence, the answer is ‘rack’.

6 Answer: straps

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 5, Line 2

Answer explanation: Through a reference line like, “Make sure you check the straps for breaks, tears, fraying edges and deterioration of elasticity.”, it can be concluded that it is important to ensure that the RPE straps are not ripped and can still stretch. Hence, the answer is ‘straps’.

7 Answer: sunlight

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 6, Line 2

Answer explanation: In the cited location, it is stated, “Store your RPE in a clean, dry place, away from dust, oil and sunlight.”. Based on this reference, it can be inferred that RPE should not be exposed to direct sunlight when it is being stored or it will be distorted. Hence, the answer is ‘sunlight’.

8 Answer: footwear

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Point 1, Bullet 2

Answer explanation: In the provided paragraph, it is said that “Install non—slip mats in wet work areas and make sure that footwear is slip-resistant.”. This implies that to avoid hazards on slippery floors, footwear of all kinds should have a good grip. Hence, the answer is ‘footwear’.

9 Answer: padding

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Point 2, Bullet 2

Answer explanation: In the specified location, it is stated that “If there are obstacles overhead, these should be wrapped in padding to avoid risk of injury.”. From this line, it can be deduced that to deal with overhead issues, they should be covered with padding. Hence, the answer is ‘padding’.

10 Answer: handrails

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Point 3, Bullet 2

Answer explanation: In the mentioned location, it is given that “Handrails should also be fitted.”. In other words, to deal with unsuitable steps, good lighting should be provided and handrails installed. Hence, the answer is ‘handrails’.

11 Answer: trolleys

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Lifting and carrying, Point 4

Answer explanation: In the mentioned location, it is stated that “Where possible, use trolleys and other mechanical aids to replace manual tasks.”. This statement indicates that while transporting containers and calves, using equipment like trolleys is recommended. Hence, the answer is ‘trolleys’.

12 Answer: overreach

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Milking by hand, Point 3

Answer explanation: The mentioned paragraph specifies that “Ensure that all equipment needed is close by to avoid workers having to overreach or adopt a bending position.”. It is indicated that while handling milking equipment, everything should be accessible so that employees don’t need to bend or overreach. Hence, the answer is ‘overreach’.

13 Answer: rotation

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Milking by hand, Point 4

Answer explanation: In the stated paragraph, it is given, “Alternate between jobs to reduce repetitious manual handling tasks, including a rotation between putting on and removing milking equipment.”. This reference proves that a rotation system should be introduced to add variety. Hence, the answer is ‘rotation’.

Check Out – General Reading Tips And Tricks

Tips to Solve the Question Types in the Respiratory Protective Equipment & Working with Cows in a Dairy Reading Answers 

Since now you know the answers to Respiratory Protective Equipment & Working with Cows in a Dairy Reading Answers, let us check out some quick tips to answer the question types in the Reading Answers of Respiratory Protective Equipment & Working with Cows in a Dairy.

Sentence Completion:

In the sentence completion of the IELTS Reading test, you will be asked to fill in the blanks in incomplete phrases with the relevant words or numbers.

• Read the instructions carefully. It will help you determine the word limit (no more than two, one word, etc) and important terms like ‘using words from the text’ or ‘from the text’. You have to follow these strictly.
• Read the incomplete sentences first. Also, think about keywords and how they could be represented by synonyms or paraphrasing.
• Locate where the information is by scanning quickly. If you can’t, move on.
• Study the reading text by using the skimming and scanning techniques. It will help to establish the answer quickly. When scanning for your answer, make sure you are thinking about paraphrasing and synonyms.
• The answers appear in the same order as the questions.Also, check your spelling and remember that your answer should be grammatically correct.

Table Completion:

The way to solve the table completion questions of the IELTS Reading is similar to Summary Completion. You will be asked to fill in missing information in a table based on the information provided in the passage. Here’s a detailed guide on how to approach table completion effectively:

• Read the instructions carefully: Before you start reading the passage or table, make sure you understand what the question is asking for. Pay attention to the instructions provided for word limit.
• Skim the table and headings: Quickly glance over the table and its headings to get an idea of the structure and what information it contains. This will help you understand the context before you start reading in detail.
• Identify keywords: Look for keywords or key phrases in the question that will help you locate the relevant information in the passage or table. Circle or underline these keywords to stay focused while reading.
• Scan the passage: Scan the passage for the specific information mentioned in the question. You don’t need to read every word in detail; instead, look for keywords or related terms that match those in the question.
• Use context clues: Sometimes, the information needed to fill in the table may not be explicitly stated but can be inferred from the surrounding text. Use context clues to make educated guesses if necessary.
• Be cautious with synonyms: The information in the passage may be paraphrased or expressed using synonyms. Stay alert for variations of keywords or terms that convey the same meaning.

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