🔧 Heating and Boilers – A2

English for Plumbers | Elementary

Vocabulary

Study these words before doing the exercises.

boiler
a unit that heats water for radiators and taps in a building
"The boiler is in the kitchen cupboard."
radiator
a metal panel fixed to a wall that heats a room using hot water
"Bleed the radiator to remove the trapped air."
thermostat
a device that controls temperature by switching heating on and off
"Set the thermostat to twenty degrees."
pilot light
a small flame inside a boiler that lights the main burner
"The pilot light has gone out. Reset the boiler."
flue
a pipe that takes waste gases from the boiler outside the building
"Make sure the flue is not blocked."
pressure
the force of water inside the heating system, measured in bar
"The pressure is too low. Top up the system."
pump
a device that moves water around the heating system
"The pump is not working. The radiators are cold."
expansion tank
a small tank that absorbs extra pressure in the heating system
"Check the expansion tank in the loft."
bleed valve
a small valve on a radiator used to let out trapped air
"Open the bleed valve with a bleed key."
airing cupboard
a warm cupboard near the hot water tank used to dry clothes
"The hot water cylinder is in the airing cupboard."
immersion heater
an electric heating element inside a hot water cylinder
"Switch on the immersion heater if the boiler breaks down."
hot water cylinder
a large tank that stores hot water for the taps in a home
"The hot water cylinder holds one hundred and fifty litres."
timer
a device that controls when the heating switches on and off
"Set the timer for six in the morning."
flow
the pipe that carries hot water from the boiler to the radiators
"Hot water travels along the flow pipe to the radiators."
return
the pipe that carries cooled water back from the radiators to the boiler
"Cold water comes back through the return pipe."

Exercise 1 – True or False?

Read each sentence. Is it true or false?

Exercise 2 – Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

Exercise 3 – Matching

Match each word (1–8) with the correct description (A–H).

Exercise 4 – Gap Fill

Type the correct word in each gap. The word is given in brackets.

Exercise 5 – Word Order

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence.

Exercise 6 – Word Sort

Click a word to place it in the correct category.

🔥 Boiler and Hot Water

🌡️ Heating System

Exercise 7 – Complete the Conversation

Choose the correct word to complete the conversation.

Exercise 8 – Listening

Listen to the conversation, then answer the questions.

🎧 Listen to the conversation

Press Play to listen.
Client: The boiler is not working and we have no hot water.
Plumber: Let me check the pilot light first. Sometimes it just needs to be reset.
Client: OK. And the radiator in the living room is cold at the top.
Plumber: That means there is air in it. I will open the bleed valve and let the air out.
Client: Is it also possible to check the pressure? I think it might be too low.
Plumber: Yes, one bar is too low. I will top up the system. Also, is the thermostat set correctly?
Client: I am not sure. Can you set the timer to come on at seven in the morning?
Plumber: Of course. I will sort everything before I leave.

Part A – Comprehension Questions

Listen and choose the correct answer.

Part B – Listen and Fill the Gap

Each sentence is from the conversation. One word is missing. Listen and type it.

🏆 Your Scores

ExerciseScoreOut of
1 – True / False–8
2 – Multiple Choice–8
3 – Matching–8
4 – Gap Fill–8
5 – Word Order–8
6 – Word Sort–8
7 – Conversation–8
8a – Listening: Comprehension–5
8b – Listening: Gap Fill–5
Total–66

Complete all exercises to see your total score.