Texas Future Farmers of America (FFA) Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Career Development Events (CDE) Practice Exam

The recommended tool for cleaning a file's shavings is a file card. A file card is specifically designed with bristles that can effectively remove metal shavings and debris from the grooves of a file without damaging its cutting surfaces. The bristles can reach into the file's teeth, ensuring that the tool remains effective and prolongs its lifespan.

Using a wire brush, while it may seem like a good alternative, can be too harsh and might damage the delicate teeth of the file. A rag or cloth is less effective because it cannot effectively dislodge the shavings stuck in the file's grooves. Although a vacuum cleaner can be useful for general cleanup in a workshop setting, it is not precise enough for cleaning files as it may not target the shavings hidden in the file grooves effectively. Thus, the file card is the best choice for maintaining the functionality of a file.