Taxonomy I
Taxonomy II
Taxonomy III
Taxonomies I - II - III
Taxonomies II - III
Appendix A – Units of measurement and symbols
Appendix B – Special characters
Appendix C – Standard spellings for terms with prefixes
Appendix D – Style guide development history

2. TAXONOMY II

A. Rules governing STEMS only

2.1 – How, what and procedures

When a stem contains only 1 short sentence, begin the stem with the interrogative ‘What’ or ‘How’. This phrasing reflects spoken language and is more natural sounding.

  • What is done to check X?
  • What is the procedure to do X?
  • What is the first / last step to do X?
  • How is X done?
  • How many Y are required to do X?  (simple calculation [1 or 2 operations], diagram)

Correct examples
  • What is done with a scorched clock spring?
  • What is the procedure to lay glass block?
  • How is a metal condition removed from a steel surface?
  • Refer to Figure 1. How many wires are in conduit C?
NOTE: Taxonomy II ‘How’ items always contain a verb.
NOTE: When a stem provides context (e.g. conditions, scenario, data), the information is provided first; then the stem ends with an interrogative sentence. Refer to 5.2 — Multiple statements + question for examples.

2.2 – Codebooks

Items that require a candidate to refer only to a codebook to find the correct response are Taxonomy II, no matter how many paragraphs or tables are referenced.

Correct examples
  • Which type of fastening hardware material is required on marine wharves?

    1. Zinc.
    2. Steel.
    3. Bronze.
    4. Stainless steel.
  • What is the maximum spacing required to nail double studs at openings, walls and wall intersections?

    1. 300 mm o.c.
    2. 400 mm o.c.
    3. 600 mm o.c.
    4. 750 mm o.c.
Item with 1 reference to Canadian Electrical Code – 2018: 78‑056 (6). Item with 2 references to National Building Code of Canada – 2015: 9.23.3.4 and Table 9.23.3.4.
  • Which size vent valve is required for a 6 in. diameter valve train?

    1. 2 in.
    2. 2 1/2 in.
    3. 3 in.
    4. 3 1/2 in.
  • Which material is used in a liquid propane system?

    1. Threaded Schedule 40 black iron pipe.
    2. Threaded Schedule 80 black iron pipe.
    3. Fused plastic pipe.
    4. Soldered steel pipe.
Item with 1 reference to B149.3 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code – 2015: Table 5.1. Item with 3 references to B149.1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code – 2015 : 6.2.3, 6.2.4 and 6.2.15.
NOTE: Items requiring a candidate to complete other tasks besides referring to a codebook to find the correct answer (i.e. calculation and/or looking at a diagram) are Taxonomy III. Refer to 3.1 – What happens, correct the problem, cause / result, calculations.


B. Rules governing both STEMS and RESPONSES

2.3 – How + actions = By doing

The responses in an item whose interrogative sentence includes ‘how’ + an action must begin with ‘By’ + action ending in ‘‑ing’ (known as a participle).

2.3.1 – How + 1 action

In the responses, avoid:

  • using an infinitive;
  • omitting the verb;
  • repeating the same verb at the beginning of each response, as this often ‘disguises’ an actual Taxonomy I ‘What is it?’ item;
  • using synonyms of a verb (e.g. check / verify / determine / observe) in each response, as this often ‘disguises’ an actual Taxonomy I ‘What is it?’ item.

Incorrect examples
Correct examples
  • How are runs removed from a paint finish?

    1. File, then compound.
    2. Wipe with solvent, then compound.
    3. Heat with infrared, then polish.
    4. Wet sand, then polish.
  • How are runs removed from a paint finish?

    1. By filing, then compounding.
    2. By wiping with solvent, then compounding.
    3. By heating with infrared, then polishing.
    4. By wet sanding, then polishing.
  • A hybrid vehicle has been deactivated. How is zero system energy confirmed?

    1. By surge protection.
    2. By test lighting.
    3. By DVOM set to voltage.
    4. By DVOM set to amperage.
  • A hybrid vehicle has been deactivated. How is zero system energy confirmed?

    1. By connecting surge protection.
    2. By connecting test lighting.
    3. By testing with DVOM set to voltage.
    4. By testing with DVOM set to amperage.
  • How are locking tapered hubs removed from the drive line assembly?

    1. By using hammer and punch to shock hubs apart.
    2. By using puller to separate hubs.
    3. By using heat to loosen hubs.
    4. By using jackscrews to separate hubs.
  • How are locking tapered hubs removed from the drive line assembly?

    1. By shocking hubs apart with hammer and punch.
    2. By detaching hubs with puller.
    3. By loosening hubs with heat.
    4. By separating hubs with jackscrews.
  • How is the freshness of an egg determined?

    1. By verifying colour of yolk.
    2. By looking at size of yolk.
    3. By finding out spread of white.
    4. By checking odour of egg.
  • How is the freshness of an egg determined?

    1. By running finger over egg shell.
    2. By measuring size of yolk.
    3. By tapping egg shell.
    4. By smelling yolk.

2.3.2 – How + 2 or more actions

When a response contains 2 or more actions, ‘by’ is not repeated. However, the suffix ‘-ing’ must be added to all verbs.

Incorrect examples Correct examples
  • How is a leaking plug‑type gas valve serviced?

    1. By lubricating and by adjusting valve.
  • How is a leaking plug‑type gas valve serviced?

    1. By lubricating and adjusting valve.
  • How is a CPVC pipe prepared before joining?

    1. By deburring, then apply primer.
  • How is a CPVC pipe prepared before joining?

    1. By deburring, then applying primer.
NOTE: When a response has 2 or more actions, confirm with the trade experts if they are sequential or non‑sequential.