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LAS - Reading Essentials
Reading Essentials
General Trade Knowledge - Reading Skills
Have you been out of school for some time? Do you think your reading skills are a bit rusty? Take a free online assessment to check your current reading skills. Set aside about 45 minutes to complete the assessment.
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Reading Essentials
General Trade Knowledge Pre-Assessment Reading Skills
Vocabulary
Part I, Synonyms
Directions
For questions 1 to 3, choose the word or group of words that has the same meaning or similar meaning as the
bolded
word. Select the letter of the correct answer.
Example
Something that is
rigid
is …
Cold
Stiff
Tall
light
1
An
interval
is a …
answer q1
tool
lecture
space
pitch
Not sure
2
Constant
means the same as….
answer q2
slow
unchanging
absent
attractive
Not sure
3
To
analyze
is to…
answer q3
sort
investigate
predict
chart
Not sure
Part II, Word meanings
Directions
For questions 4 to 6, decide on the meaning of the
bolded
word by using the other words in the sentence. Select the letter of the correct answer.
Example
He had to
comply
with all the rules.
Comply
means…
disagree
follow
begin
manage
4
The guard
secured
all the doors.
Secured
means …
answer q4
locked
removed
painted
improved
Not sure
5
All the safety equipment needs to be checked by a
competent
worker.
Competent
means…
answer q5
competitive
old
technical
able
Not sure
6
The scaffold needs to be assembled and
dismantled
frequently.
Dismantled
means…
answer q6
constructed
repaired
taken apart
guarded
Not sure
Part III, Word usage
Directions
For questions 7 and 8, choose the sentence that has the same meaning of the word that is in
bold
from the original statement. Select the letter of the correct answer.
Example
They will
permit
you to use the car.
Which sentence has the same meaning for the word
permit
?
He needed a
permit
to enter.
Do you have a
permit
for that gun?
The movie theatre will
permit
teenagers.
That dog needs a special
permit
.
7
They used a
brace
to support the wall.
Which sentence has the same meaning for the word
brace
?
answer q7
They had to brace themselves against the cold.
He had to keep his leg in a brace for 6 months.
They tightened the brace on the saddle.
A brace was used to turn the platform.
Not sure
8
The blast had a frightening
effect
.
Which sentence has the same meaning for the word
effect
?
answer q8
The effect of the fire was devastating.
The moonlight gave a special effect to the night.
The law goes into effect next month.
The effect was to make them laugh.
Not sure
Reading Comprehension
Part I, Text
Directions
For questions 9 to 11, use the provided text to answer the questions, Circle the letter of the correct answer.
Example
When they arrived at the site there was water everywhere despite the freezing temperature (below 0
o
C). They quickly surveyed the area to find the source of the flood.
What season is it?
summer
spring
fall
winter
The situation is …
unexpected
predictable
routine
emergency
Rasps and Files
Files form, trim and smooth anything made of metal, wood and even plastic. Their strong, narrow steel ridges can be used to sharpen blades, carve shapes and remove burrs from rough edges. Files used for wood are called rasps. They are coarser than a file for metal. Both have a serrated pattern of rough metal points that tear away at the surface of the material. Files and rasps are used to even a rough surface before it is sanded to a smooth finish. There is a wide range of files and rasps available with different tooth coarseness, size, shape and pattern. Each one is designed for a specific application.
9
After cutting tin with a saw, you'll want to remove the burrs with…
answer q9
a file
sandpaper
a rasp
a smooth edge
Not sure
10
The motion that best describes this tool is…
answer q10
scrape
up and down
forward
cut
Not sure
11
The text implies that files are used…
answer q1
occasionally
always
only at specific times
by specialists
Not sure
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Reading Comprehension continued
Part II, Chart
Directions
For questions 12 to 16, use the following chart and information. Select the letter of the correct answer.
Construction Timetable
Stage
Time
Week #
Foundation & site preparation
3 Weeks
1 - 3
Framing
3 - 4 Weeks
5 - 7
Exterior finish
1 Week
8
Mechanical rough - in
4 Weeks
9 - 12
Insulation
1 - 2 Weeks
13 - 14
Interior finish
5 -6 Weeks
15 - 20
Landscaping
2 Weeks
21 - 22
Walkthrough
1 Week
23*
*Delays such as inclement weather or the lack of available materials or labour can add a considerable amount of time.
Building a house can take many months. To begin, the lot has to be purchased, the house designed, building permits granted, and materials and labour arranged for.
Foundation and Site Work
Before the house is constructed, the site must be cleared and graded. Trees, large rocks and old buildings may need to be removed. Once this is complete, excavation for the foundation is dug. Most foundations are made of poured concrete.
Framing
Once the foundation is finished, the floor, walls and roof are built. The frame is the skeleton of the building. The conventional approach is to build the home from 2x4 pieces of lumber, known as stick-built construction.
The Exterior
This stage finishes the outside and protects the inside from the elements. A variety of materials are available such as brick, stucco and vinyl siding.
Mechanical Rough-Ins
Once the interior of the house is properly protected from the elements, the plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are installed.
Insulation
This ensures your home will stay comfortable during extreme temperatures. Insulation is added to the exterior walls and the roof.
Interior Finishes
Once everything behind the walls is complete, the flooring, drywall, tiles and cabinetry are installed, and the home is painted. This is the most time-consuming portion of the construction, unlike the mechanical rough-ins; subcontractors in the interior finish phase cannot work simultaneously.
Landscaping
This step can occur any time after the exterior finish is complete, but it's usually done concurrently with interior finishing.
Walkthrough
A final walk-through is the time to ensure that everything is complete.
Example
When they arrived at the site there was water everywhere despite the freezing temperature (below 0
o
C). They quickly surveyed the area to find the source of the flood.
This timetable suggests the house will be completed construction in…
6 months
24 months
30 months
1 year
12
Which of the following stages take the longest?
answer q2
site preparation
HVAC installation0
inside finishing
installing vinyl siding
Not sure
13
The drywall can be installed …
answer q3
as the roof is put on
once the heating system is in place
at the same time as the cabinets
before the framing
Not sure
14
Removing trees is part of the …
answer q4
landscaping stage
site preparation
building code
walkthrough
Not sure
15
The text states that this schedule can change due to…
answer q5
extreme temperatures
poor design
lack of funding
no building permit
Not sure
16
Which process cannot be completed concurrently?
answer q6
air conditioning
insulation
heating
electrical
Not sure
Part III, Illustration
Directions
For questions 17 to 19, use
figure 1
to answer the questions, Select the letter of the correct answer...
Example
The purpose of flashing is likely to…
prevent rain from entering the building
seal a drain
support an iron pipe
collect waste material
17
The item indicated by “D” indicates…
answer q7
the foundation
electrical outlet
plumbing piping
a building fixture
Not sure
18
The window is located …
answer q8
in the basement
on the second floor
in the kitchen
on the main floor
Not sure
19
The house in figure 1 would best be described as a …
answer q9
bungalow
two - storey
split - level
duplex
Not sure
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Reading Comprehension continued
Part IV, Table
Directions
For questions 20 to 22, use the following table and information. Select the letter of the correct answer.
Example
A Class D symbol indicates the material may be…
frightening
contagious
an eye irritant
harmful over a long term
20
A Class C symbols would indicate…
answer q10
the presence of oxygen
flammable material
it reacts with other materials
flammable gas
Not sure
21
Which symbol indicates a hazard if breathed in?
answer q1
Class C
Class D, Division 1
Class F
Class E
Not sure
22
You should not use water to put out a fire from a substance with label…
answer q2
Class E
Class B
Class F
Class A
Not sure
Part V, Text
Directions
For questions 23 to 25, use the following text information to answer the questions. Select the letter of the correct answer.
Safety in the workplace is the responsibility of the employer, the employee and the public. The employer must provide a clean, well-lit and well-ventilated work environment. The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act (AHSA) gives details on their legal responsibility to their staff. Employees also have a responsibility to look after one another. For example, if you see someone not wearing safety glasses in a situation where an eye injury is possible, you must let them know. It is the employees' responsibility to use personal protective equipment to protect themselves from injury. The public can also help protect workers from unnecessary hazards. Accidents and injuries are costly to everyone in terms of health care.
Example
Who is responsible for workplace safety?
the supervisor, maintenance worker and customer
the business owner, the manager and staff
the trades person, supervisor and technician
the employer, manager and staff
23
Safety in the workplace is regulated by…
answer q3
a company's safety procedures
the fire department
industry standards
the employer, manager and staff
Not sure
24
If you see a coworker smoking in an area with combustible materials, you should…
answer q4
leave the area
open a window
report it to the manager
tell the worker to stop because it is dangerous
Not sure
25
Respiratory illness due to poor air quality is the result of …
answer q5
irresponsible workers
a negligent employer
bad weather
broken equipment
Not sure
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