Cambridge IELTS 17 · General Training · Test 4 · Section 2
Tree Cutters At Work & Plumbing Skills — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for Tree Cutters At Work & Plumbing Skills, Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training Reading Test 4 Section 2, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Tree Cutters At Work & Plumbing Skills answer key at a glance
Questions 15–27. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this section tests
This section is tested with Flow Chart Completion (Q15–21), Table Completion (Q22–27). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 15–21: Flow Chart Completion
Strategy: Follow the arrows in order. Each stage usually maps to one sentence or one clause in the passage.
“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”
A plural noun for equipment fits; chainsaws, helmets, spades, rakes and 'other tools... must all go on the truck'.
“On arrival at the site we have a quick discussion on the procedure for the day.”
The gap needs a noun for the day's plan; on arrival the crew discusses 'the procedure for the day'.
“It must be high enough to enable access throughout the tree's branches but also have sufficient strength to support the climber”
The gap asks what the anchor point must have; it needs 'sufficient strength to support the climber'.
“This involves placing a pulley in the tree and using thick rope to drag the branches down”
A noun for the lowering line is needed; a pulley and 'thick rope' drag branches down.
“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”
The gap names where signs are placed; beyond the verge lies 'a footpath where I set up a number of signs'.
“Working alongside a road requires vigilance so I monitor the movements of pedestrians”
A plural noun for people on foot fits; working by a road means monitoring 'the movements of pedestrians'.
“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”
The gap needs the name of the diced material; the machine reduces branches to 'very small pieces called wood chippings'.
Questions 22–27: Table Completion
Strategy: Work row by row. The row label tells you where to look; the column heading tells you what kind of word you need.
“they may need to take place in a narrow space that is often only about 35 cm deep”
An adjective describes the space; pipes may need to go 'in a narrow space that is often only about 35 cm deep'.
“he must first think about what he is doing read and understand the cutting chart that accompanies each of his tools”
A noun phrase for the guidance document is needed; the plumber must 'read and understand the cutting chart' for each tool.
“visualise how his work will impact on other tradespeople before proceeding”
A plural noun for other workers fits; he must 'visualise how his work will impact on other tradespeople'.
“the floors and walls must be X-rayed prior to drilling in order to avoid hitting key elements such as reinforcing steel”
The gap names what must not be hit; X-rays avoid 'key elements such as reinforcing steel' before drilling.
“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”
A hyphenated adjective fits the note on speed and expense; the repair must be 'fast and cost-effective'.
“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”
A noun for the customers' trouble is needed; some face 'great inconvenience' or disrupted operations.
Learn the question types in this section
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Tree Cutters At Work & Plumbing Skills passage come from?
It is Section 2 of Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training Reading Test 4, and it covers Questions 15–27.
What question types appear in Tree Cutters At Work & Plumbing Skills?
The section is tested with Flow Chart Completion, Table Completion. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.