Hello - I’m from mid-Wales, going straight for my Class 1 C+E.
The training company has set me up with an account on drivingtheory4all and so far the theory and hazard observation training and tests are going well.
Yes, the interface is a bit clunky and 2002, but as long as it works, that’s the point.
But then I switched to the CPC learning track, and it’s got weird very fast!
Before I make a ■■■ of myself dropping them an email, what are opinions on the following?
The exhaust braking system does what?
Select the BEST option below.A. Creates resistance against the engine
B. Creates resistance against the exhaust path
C. Creates resistance against the driveshaft
D. Creates resistance against fuel
I answered: “B. Creates resistance against the exhaust path”
It says the correct answer is: “C. Creates resistance against the driveshaft” but that’s incorrect isn’t it? - that would be the answer if the question was about retarders
Wikipedia says: “An exhaust brake is a means of slowing a diesel engine by closing off the exhaust path from the engine, causing the exhaust gases to be compressed in the exhaust manifold, and in the cylinder.”
Next:
“How does an escape lane slow a vehicle down?”
A. By having a slight uphill gradient
B. By using a sand bed
C. By having a slight downhill gradient
D. By using a gravel bed
Well, the answers are of course, A,B and D, but you can only choose two, so I chose B and D.
But they want you to choose A and D, even though there are many escape lanes which also have downhill gradients. Yes, I know the question says “How does an escape lane slow vehicles” and not “what are features of some escape lanes”, but in either case, it should allow for 3 answers. Also:
sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/ind … scape_lane
The first section generally maintains a reasonably hard surface, the same as or similar to the main carriageway, to allow the vehicle to completely clear the road before coming to a halt. This is then followed by a softer area such as deep gravel or sand, into which the vehicle can sink.
Wherever possible, the escape lane is constructed on the level, or at least with an easier gradient than the road, which again helps the vehicle slow down.
Next:
Jacob always carries drinks with him. Which of the following drinks will most easily keep Jacob hydrated?
Select THREE of the options below.A. Alcohol
B. Tap water
C. Bottled water
D. Tea
E. Coffee
F. Sugar-free caffeine-containing soft drinks
Well, I suppose this is a trick question - it asks what will most EASILY keep Jacob hydrated. After all, you’re not going to flip on the Teasmade on the M1, but surely when learning, we should be learning what is the BEST, not easiest, way to stay hydrated.
In which case, it’s the answers I put - B,C,D.
Whereas they want you to answer B,C,F - but F contains aspartame and caffeine which is quickly absorbed and then leaves you more tired after, whereas tea doesn’t have that crash, and has less of a diuretic effect (ie: you need to ■■■■ it out less than fizzy drinks!).
Finally, there’s a drawing of a truck going round a tight right hand curve. It shows a load in the middle as a rectangle, and asks where the load will fall if unsecured as the truck steers round the bend.
There are options for left, right, rear-left, rear-right. In the question, we’re not told whether the truck is accelerating or decelerating, so we have to infer steady pace.
So I put left, because… physics. But it said “rear left”, and then in the answer, explained that it was because an accelerating lorry will lose stuff off the back.
But we’re only told it was accelerating in the answer! If the question had said “is accelerating round a bend”, then rear left would be correct. But we don’t know that.
And that’s only in the first 3 of about 60+ modules. Can’t believe it’s been tested/checked properly.
So, opinion so far is:
Official Theory learning section: Great!
CPC training module: Absolute cack.
) ■■■■■■■■!
