Activities
1.1 Understanding the industry
Tutor guidance notes
Aims and objectives
At the end of these activity sheets, learners should be able to:





list and define the different types of construction work
describe the different jobs/careers available in the construction industry
state the members of the building team and the roles they play
describe the different types of building
list the requirements that a building must meet.
These questions and activities are not intended as formal assessment. However,
the answers should be discussed with the learners as a group to ensure they
have full comprehension of the subject.
Individual teachers will use these questions and activities in different ways. They
could be used at the end of a session to recap; used individually during the
session as a ‘to-the-point’ learning tool; or used as homework. Whichever
teaching method is chosen, make sure that you set and agree upon a completion
date for each activity.
The answers given are not exhaustive and are to be used as a guide only.
Alternative, appropriate answers may be considered.
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Activities
Candidate name:
Date:
1.1 Understanding the industry
Chapter 1: The construction industry
Aims and objectives
At the end of these activity sheets, you should be able to:





1
list and define the different types of construction work
describe the different jobs/careers available in the construction industry
state the members of the building team and the roles they play
describe the different types of building
list the requirements that a building must meet.
The text below gives some information about construction companies.
Complete the text by writing the missing word or words.
The _________________ ____________ is made up of countless
_____________ and ______________ that all provide _____________
services and _____________. An easy way to divide these companies into
______________ is according to their ______.
A ________ company is defined as having between ___ and ____ members
of _______.
A _________ company has between ____ and _____ members of staff.
A ________ company has _____ or ______ members of staff.
A business might consist of only _____ member of staff (a ______
________).
2
List the four main types of construction work, and give a brief description of
each one.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Activities
3
State the four categories of job in the construction industry, and give a
brief description of each one.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4
5
Match the employment area to the examples.
Building operative
Architect, structural engineer, surveyor
Professional
Quantity surveyor, architectural technician,
building technician
Technicians
Carpenter, joiner, bricklayer, plasterer, painter
and decorator, electrician, plumber, slater, tiler
Building craft workers
Specialist building operative, general building
operative
There are five mistakes in the following text on building craft workers.
Cross out the wrong word and write the correct one above it.
Carpenter – Works with metal and other construction materials to build
things such as internal bricks, roofs, etc.
Bricklayer – Works with bricks, blocks, wallpaper, etc. to build the roof of
the building
Painter and decorator – Works with paint and paper to provide a
decorative start
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Activities
6
State who is the most important member of the building team, and explain
why.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
7
Give a brief description of the role of each of these people.
architect: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
quantity surveyor: ____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
estimator: __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
ganger: ____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
8
In relation to buildings, state the meaning of the following terms.
residential: __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
high rise: ___________________________________________________
terraced: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Activities
9
The text below describes the purposes of building regulations. Complete the
text by writing the missing word or words.
The purpose of building regulations is to ensure safe and healthy buildings
are ___________________ for the public, and that
______________________ is taken into account during
______________________. Building ___________________ enforce a
____________ standard of building work and ensure that the
________________ used are of a good ______________ and are _____
for ____________.
10
List six things that should be taken into consideration when designing a
building.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Activities
1.1 Understanding the industry
Chapter 1: The construction industry
Answers
1
The text below gives some information about construction companies.
Complete the text by writing the missing word or words.
The construction industry is made up of countless companies and
businesses that all provide different services and materials. An easy
way to divide these companies into categories is according to their size.
 A small company is defined as having between 1 and 49 members of
staff.
 A medium company has between 50 and 249 members of staff.
 A large company has 250 or more members of staff.
 A business might consist of only one member of staff (a sole trader).
2
List the four main types of construction work, and give a brief description of
each one.
new work: constructing a brand new building
maintenance: maintaining a building to prevent it from falling into
disrepair
refurbishment/renovation: re-vamping a building that has fallen
into disrepair, or to change its purpose
restoration: restoring a building to its original state or intended use
3
State the four categories of job in the construction industry, and give a
brief description of each one.
building: the physical construction of a building
civil engineering: the construction of roads, bridges, etc.
electrical engineering: the installation of electrical systems
mechanical engineering: the installation of mechanical systems
such as lifts, ventilation, etc.
4
Match the employment area to the examples.
Professional – Architect, structural engineer, surveyor
Technicians – Quantity surveyor, architectural technician, building
technician
Building craft workers – Carpenter, joiner, bricklayer, plasterer,
painter and decorator, electrician, plumber, slater, tiler
Building operatives – Specialist building operative, general building
operative
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Activities
5
There are FIVE mistakes in the following text on building craft workers.
Cross out the wrong word and write the correct one above it.
wood
Carpenter – Works with metal and other construction materials to
walls
build things such as internal bricks, roofs, etc.
cement
Bricklayer – Works with bricks, blocks, wallpaper, etc. to build the
walls
roof of the building
Painter and decorator – Works with paint and paper to provide a
finish
decorative start
6
State who is the most important member of the building team, and explain
why.
The client is the most important member of the team as they pay
for the work. Without the client there would be no work.
7
Give a brief description of the role of each of these people.
architect: works with the client to produce contract documents
quantity surveyor: works with the architect and client as an
accountant
estimator: works with the contractor to produce a price to do the job
ganger: supervises general building operatives
8
In relation to buildings, state the meaning of the following terms.
residential: houses and flats, etc.
high rise: a building with seven stories or more
terraced: a row of three or more buildings that are joined together
9
The text below describes the purposes of building regulations. Complete the
text by writing the missing word or words.
The purpose of building regulations is to ensure safe and healthy buildings
are constructed for the public, and that conservation is taken into
account during construction. Building regulations enforce a minimum
standard of building work and ensure that the materials used are of a
good standard and are fit for purpose.
10
List six things that should be taken into consideration when designing a
building.
security; safety; privacy; warmth; light; ventilation
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