Mock Test 2.2 (General Reading)

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 15-27, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

Questions 15 - 20

Advice for Employees: Safe computer use

Most people suffer no ill-effects from using VDUs (Visual Display Units) as they don’t give out harmful levels of radiation and rarely cause any kind of skin complaint. [Crack IELTS with Rob] If you do suffer ill-effects, it may be because of the way you’re using the computer and this can be avoided by well-designed workstations. When working at a VDU, make sure you keep a good posture and that your eyes are level with the screen.

Under health and safety regulations your employer should look at VDU workstations, and reduce any risks by supplying any equipment considered necessary (e.g. a wrist rest). They should also provide health and safety training. This also applies if you’re working at home as an employee and using a VDU for a long period of time. There is no legal limit to how long you should work at a VDU, but under health and safety regulations you have the right to breaks from work using a VDU. This doesn’t have to be a rest break, just a different type of work. Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests it’s better to take frequent short breaks but if your job means spending long periods at a VDU, for example as in the case of data input, then longer breaks from your workstation should be introduced.

If you’re disabled, your employer's duty to make reasonable adjustments for you may mean that they will provide you with special computer equipment. You can also get advice and maybe help with paying for equipment from the local job centre. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Studies haven’t shown a link between VDU use and damage to eyesight, but if you feel that using a VDU screen is making your eyes tired, tell your employee safety representative. You have the right to a free eyesight test if you use a VDU a lot during work hours. If you’re prescribed glasses your company must pay for them, provided they’re required in your job.

If you have any health problems you think may be caused by your VDU, contact your line manager. He/she has a duty to consult you on health and safety issues that affect you, and should welcome early reporting of any issue.

Questions 21 - 27

Flight Attendants – Recruitment and Training Process

Recruitment

The position of Flight Attendant is one of prestige and immense responsibility. Recruitment is conducted according to operational demands and there can be periods of up to 12 months where no new intake is required. However, applications are always welcomed.

After you submit your initial application online, the Kiwi Air HR Services Team review the details you have provided. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Candidates whose details closely match the requirements of the position are then contacted via email advising that their application has progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process. Potential candidates are then asked to attend a Walk-In Day. This could occur several weeks or months after the original application has been submitted depending on current needs.

The Walk-In Day consists of a brief presentation about the role and a short interview. Candidates who are successful on the Walk-In Day are notified within 10 days and invited to attend an Assessment Centre. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Please note that candidates are required to pass a swimming test before attending the Assessment Centre. At the Assessment Centre, candidates attend an interview as well as participating in a number of assessments. Verbal references are then requested, and candidates attend a medical check.

At times, there may not be a need to recruit for Flight Attendant positions. However, the company continuously maintains a ‘recruitment pool’ of those who have completed the Assessment Centre stage. These candidates are contacted when a need for Flight Attendants is established, and attend a full interview before a decision is made on whether to extend an offer of employment.

Due to the volume of applications received, Kiwi Air is not able to offer verbal feedback to candidates at any stage of the recruitment process. Unsuccessful candidates may reapply at any time after 12 months from the date at which their applications are declined.

Training

Upon being offered a role as a trainee Flight Attendant, a 5-week training course is undertaken at our Inflight Services Training Centre in Auckland. This covers emergency procedures, customer care and service delivery, and equipment knowledge. [Crack IELTS with Rob] To successfully complete the course, high standards must be attained and maintained in all subjects.

Questions 15 - 20

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text -Advice for Employees- for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.

15. It is unusual to get a as a result of using computers.
SKIN COMPLAINT
16. Employers may be required to provide you with items such as a to use while at work.
WRIST REST
17. If your job involves tasks such as , the advice from the HSE may not apply.
DATA INPUT
18. Financial assistance in the case of special requirements may be available from the .
JOB CENTRE
19. The company is obliged to cover the cost of if you need them while working.
YOUR GLASSES
20. Any concerns about the effect of using a VDU on your general well-being should be reported to .
YOUR LINE MANAGER

Questions 21 - 27

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text -Flight Attendants – Recruitment and Training Process- for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 21-27 on your answer sheet.

21. Candidates go online to complete their .
INITIAL APPLICATION
22. Suitable candidates are then invited to come to a .
WALK-IN DAY
23. After having satisfactorily completed a , successful candidates will then go to an Assessment Centre.
SWIMMING TEST
24. Kiwi Air then asks for and candidates are required to undergo a medical check.
VERBAL REFERENCES
25. If there is no immediate need for flight attendants, successful candidates are put into a .
RECRUITMENT POOL
26. When the need arises, these candidates will then be given a , after which they may be offered a job.
FULL INTERVIEW
27. On starting the job, a 5-week training programme is given which includes how to look after passengers and what to do in an .
EMERGENCY