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TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT DEPARTMENT
Reading Performance Objective
#4: Evaluate technical journals or workplace documents for purpose, organizational pattern, clarity, reliability, and accuracy, and relevancy of information.
DIRECTIONS: Read the passage below. Then answer each one of the questions that follow the passage by indicating the best of the four available options.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL A PROFESSIONAL?
From Lane Publishing Co.’s Home Repair Handbook
Deciding whether to tackle a repair project yourself or have a professional do the work involves an honest assessment of three factors: your time, your tools, and your skills. If your assessment convinces you to hire a professional, give careful consideration to your choice.
Have you the time? If a repair must be made immediately to protect people or property, such as tightening a loose banister or unclogging a backed-up toilet, and you can’t do it right away, call a professional.
Where timing isn’t critical, consider the size and scope of the work. A project that might take a professional a day or two could take you two or three weeks, working in your spare time. Weigh the inconvenience of living with a repair in progress against the cost of having the work done immediately. And decide, too, if you have the time to do the job.
Tools you’ll need. Look into the cost of buying or renting any specialized tools required for a job, particularly if you don’t expect to use those tools again. To repair your roof, for example, you may need special roof safety equipment; clearing a main drain clog may call for a power snake. The professional’s investment in the right tools for such jobs is part of the fee.
Your skills. Be realistic about your knowledge and
skills. If you aren’t sure how to make a particular repair after reading all
you can about it, it probably makes sense to have the job done professionally.
The same is true if you’re not comfortable tackling the job—working on the
roof, for example.
When appearance counts, such as with finish carpentry details
or repairs to wood paneling, it may also pay to call a professional if you don’t
have woodworking experience.
Choosing a professional. The best way to find a competent
professional is to ask friends or neighbors for recommendations. You can also
seek referrals from building materials outlets and community colleges or local
groups that offer building classes.
Evaluating technical journals or workplace documents
1) This passage provides good information for
a) People learning how to drive.
b) People with a new baby.
c) People needing help with home repairs.
d) People looking for a home repair job.
2) A good strategy employed by the author to make the passage more understandable is
a) Headings to signal major topics.
b) Itemizing a list of necessary tools.
c) Providing definitions of unfamiliar terms.
d) Providing information on a number of topics.
3) The reader gets an idea about what is discussed in this passage by reading
a) The second paragraph.
b) The third paragraph.
c) The last paragraph.
d) The first paragraph.
4) The author puts the reader at ease by
a) Using an informal tone.
b) Using headings.
c) Using boldface type.
d) Discussing the Yellow Pages.
5) To provide clarity of information the author
a) Focuses on three main topics.
b) Focuses on time.
c) Focuses knowledge and skills.
d) Focuses on choosing a professional.
6) One helpful strategy used by the author is
a) Picking an appropriate title.
b) Providing other resources.
c) Focusing on economics.
d) Focusing on time.