meaning of janitorial

[Emma]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #706 "English Slang Idioms (448)", question 2

"Have you talked to the janitorial staff about the poor job they've been doing in the restrooms?" Elliot asked. Jay responded, "Yes, I took them to ......... about that this morning."

(a) task
(b) work
(c) jail
(d) chore

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #706 "English Slang Idioms (448)", answer 2

"Have you talked to the janitorial staff about the poor job they've been doing in the restrooms?" Elliot asked. Jay responded, "Yes, I took them to task about that this morning."

Correct answer: (a) task
_________________________

what's janitorial?

Emma

[Conchita]

The janitorial staff or janitors are the caretakers, that is, the people who look after a school or college, for example.

[Smartari]

it's not quite clear. are they cleaners? or otherwise?

[Baubau]

"I took them to task about that" means I requested explanations from them, or I put them to do the job again?

Thanks.

[Baubau]

For those who might have the same query:

take to task : to call to account for a shortcoming, criticize
take somebody to task: to scold or reprimand someone, to criticize someone angrily for something that they have done (often + for)