The Ergonomics of a Chair Explained Tomato Reading Answers

Jul 15, 2025

The Ergonomics of a Chair Explained Reading Answers contains 7 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. The Ergonomics of a Chair Explained reading section must be answered within 10 minutes. In this IELTS reading passage, you'll encounter question types like Choose the appropriate ending. Also, The Ergonomics of a Chair Explained Reading Answers contains detailed information about the health risks of prolonged desk jobs and how ergonomic chairs can improve posture, comfort, and productivity with proper sitting techniques. To practice reading comprehension passages like this one, candidates are encouraged to explore the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

Check: Get 10 Free Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Topic:

According to recent health statistics regarding desk jobs, close to 86% of American employees have jobs that require long periods of sitting. There are several health issues to consider when it comes to desk jobs. Prolonged desk-working may contribute to a number of medical issues, including cardiovascular disease and carpal tunnel syndrome (where nerves to the hand are compressed leading to tingling and numbness). Furthermore, sitting behind a desk affects your posture, mental health, and stress levels and is a cause for concern for all of us who spend 30+ hours sitting at our work desks every single week. Sitting down causes a number of stresses in our bodies, especially our spines, and this has recently begun to be recognised by health professionals and is the main reason for the sudden boom of ergonomic office chairs.

What does the term 'Ergonomic' mean?

Ergonomics is a science, also known as human engineering or biotechnology. The discipline involves looking at how objects can be designed and/or arranged to best compliment easy and safe human interaction.

An ergonomic chair, for example, is a chair that has been designed to best support the human body, including considerations like posture, comfort, support and health.

What makes a chair 'Ergonomic'?

Ergonomic office chairs have a number of features designed to improve your posture and offer correct support, but they only do half the job. To truly feel the benefits of an ergonomic chair, you should first learn how to sit properly:

- Keep an arm's length away from your computer screen. Ideally, the top of the monitor should be level with your eyes.

- Sit up straight and avoid slouching. Your neck should be in a relaxed and neutral position.

- Keep your arms parallel to the floor

- Sit with both feet flat on the floor, and avoid crossing your legs. This is to allow correct blood circulation within your legs.

A good ergonomic chair will be adjustable, to allow for better control and customisation. Adjustability is especially important if you are buying chairs that will be used by different users. If you are buying a chair for your home office, or for one person specifically, consider using their body dimensions for a greater 'fit'. Tall people will have different needs to people who are shorter, for example. If your chair will be used on a hard surface, find a chair with soft rubber wheels. If your workplace/home office is carpeted, opt for hard wheels to help you navigate better. It should also swivel to make it easier for you to reach different parts of your desk without having to stretch or strain excessively.

Questions 21-27

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-G.

A. to match the height of the user.

B. are associated with sedentary work.

C. when they are shared.

D. when the seat swivels.

E. when considering blood circulation.

F. to match use.

G. depends on the nature of its surroundings.

21. Adjustability of chairs is important…

Answer: C

Supporting statement: "Adjustability is especially important if you are buying chairs that will be used by different users."

Keywords: adjustability, different users, shared

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, line 2

Explanation: The passage emphasizes that when a chair is used by more than one person, it must be adjustable to suit each user. Hence, adjustability is crucial when chairs are shared.

22. Ergonomic equipment is designed…

Answer: B

Supporting statement: "There are several health issues to consider when it comes to desk jobs. Prolonged desk-working may contribute to a number of medical issues..."

Keywords: health issues, desk jobs, sedentary work

Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, lines 2–3

Explanation: The equipment, such as ergonomic chairs, is designed in response to health problems that arise from prolonged sitting, which are associated with sedentary work.

23. The materials chosen for some elements of a chair…

Answer: G

Supporting statement: "If your chair will be used on a hard surface, find a chair with soft rubber wheels. If your workplace/home office is carpeted, opt for hard wheels..."

Keywords: rubber wheels, hard surface, carpeted

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, lines 4–5

Explanation: The materials, such as wheels, are chosen based on whether the environment is hard-floored or carpeted—depending on the nature of the surroundings.

24. The position of the feet is important…

Answer: E

Supporting statement: "Sit with both feet flat on the floor, and avoid crossing your legs. This is to allow correct blood circulation..."

Keywords: feet, flat, blood circulation

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, bullet 4

Explanation: Correct foot position supports proper blood circulation, so this aspect is essential when considering blood circulation.

25. The position of a computer screen should be adjusted…

Answer: A

Supporting statement: "Ideally, the top of the monitor should be level with your eyes."

Keywords: screen, level, eyes, height

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, bullet 1

Explanation: The screen position should be adapted to match the height of the user, ensuring that the monitor aligns with eye level.

26. A number of medical conditions…

Answer: B

Supporting statement: "Prolonged desk-working may contribute to a number of medical issues, including cardiovascular disease and carpal tunnel syndrome..."

Keywords: medical issues, desk jobs

Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, line 3

Explanation: Several medical conditions are associated with sedentary work, such as heart problems and nerve issues.

27. Desk work can be more efficient…

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "It should also swivel to make it easier for you to reach different parts of your desk without having to stretch or strain excessively."

Keywords: swivel, reach, desk

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, last line

Explanation: A swiveling chair enhances ease of movement and access to the desk, making desk work more efficient.

Check IELTS reading samples: