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