4 EXTRA EXAM PRACTICE Name

Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

THE FLAME ACADEMY

Being a fire-fighter can’t be an easy job, but almost equally challenging is the training to become one.
In Britain, fire-fighters get their training at the Fire Service College, where heat, toxic fumes, smoke and
danger are all in a day’s study. Naturally, they attend lectures about rescue work but above all, they get
practical training. Nothing can take the place of hands-on experience, and the Fire Service College makes
5 sure they get plenty of it.
Evidence of this is seen on the college grounds, which are filled with wrecks of replicas that include
ships, helicopters, passenger jets, an office building and a train. As part of their training, the trainee fire-
fighters have to experience fighting fires in all of these situations using ordinary fire-fighting equipment
and wearing protective clothing. They go into burning buildings and other blazing infernos to put out fires
10 and practise rescue procedures. They learn what it is to feel the intense heat of a real fire and experience
the effects of working in clouds of thick smoke. This experience teaches them to anticipate problems and
be prepared for them, as well as how to deal with different kinds of fires.
Future fire-fighters also learn at the college that their job isn’t only about putting out the fire or
performing rescues. Knowing what materials started the fire is important for assessing the cause of the
15 fire and therefore, they learn to work with specially trained dogs as part of their team. The dogs’
supersensitive noses can sniff out any substance that causes fire even after it has been burnt with other
materials. Dogs also help in rescue work. Their sensitive hearing helps them to pick up faint cries from
trapped survivors which aren’t always heard by the human ear. In addition, they can sense escaping gas
and warn fire-fighters of toxic fumes.
20 Hollywood films are about as near as most people get to blazing infernos, but for those who choose to
fight fires for a living, training makes the difference between life and death.

1 Complete the sentences using the information 3 Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)?
given in the text. Use your own words as far as Find evidence in the text to support your answers.
possible. ...... 1. At the Fire Service College, the emphasis is on
1. To give fire-fighters hands-on experience, training practical training.
conditions include ..................................................... ...........................................................................
................................................................................ . ...........................................................................
2. Compared to humans, dogs have got a better sense ...... 2. Trainees are exposed to different types of fires.
of ............................................................................. . ...........................................................................
...........................................................................
2 Choose the best meaning for each word or ...... 3. The fire-fighters learn to train dogs.
phrase. ...........................................................................
1. above all (line 3) ...........................................................................
a. in addition
b. equally 4 Choose the correct answer.
c. most importantly The main idea of this text is that
2. sniff out (line 16) a. fire-fighters like danger.
a. smell b. the Fire Service College is interesting to visit.
b. dig c. there are many aspects of a fire-fighter’s job.
c. destroy
3. faint (line 17) 5 Write a composition of about 100-150 words.
a. noisy Choose one option.
b. strange 1. Describe a dangerous situation that you or someone
c. very soft you know experienced.
2. In your opinion, what is the most exciting job? Explain.

TOP MARKS 2 Photocopiable © Burlington Books