Industrial Lubrication Technician
Certification (MLA Level 1) Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of lubrication in machinery?
a) To increase friction
b) Reduce friction and wear
c) To cool the environment
d) To clean surfaces
Rationale: Lubrication forms a film between moving parts to reduce
friction and prevent wear.
2. Which type of lubricant is typically used in high-temperature
applications?
a) Mineral oil
, b) Synthetic oil
c) Water
d) Vegetable oil
Rationale: Synthetic oils maintain viscosity and resist oxidation at
high temperatures better than mineral oils.
3. What is the main function of grease in bearings?
a) Cooling only
b) Lubrication and sealing
c) Cleaning
d) Painting
Rationale: Grease provides lubrication and also seals bearings from
contaminants.
4. Which viscosity grade of oil flows easily at low temperatures?
a) 50W
b) 40
c) 5W
d) 20
Rationale: Lower “W” numbers indicate better flow at cold
temperatures.
5. What is the purpose of an oil filter?
a) Add additives
b) Reduce oil temperature
c) Remove contaminants
, d) Increase oil volume
Rationale: Oil filters trap solid particles to protect machinery
components.
6. What type of wear is characterized by material removal due to hard
particles?
a) Corrosive wear
b) Abrasive wear
c) Fatigue wear
d) Adhesive wear
Rationale: Abrasive wear occurs when hard particles scrape or cut
the surface of a component.
7. Which additive improves the load-carrying capacity of lubricants?
a) Anti-foam
b) Extreme pressure (EP) additive
c) Rust inhibitor
d) Viscosity modifier
Rationale: EP additives form a protective film under high loads to
prevent metal-to-metal contact.
8. What is the purpose of a viscosity index (VI) improver?
a) Reduce oxidation
b) Maintain viscosity over a temperature range
c) Act as a rust inhibitor
d) Reduce foam
, Rationale: VI improvers allow oils to resist thinning at high
temperatures and thickening at low temperatures.
9. Which method is most accurate for checking oil contamination?
a) Visual inspection
b) Laboratory oil analysis
c) Smell test
d) Dipstick reading
Rationale: Laboratory analysis can detect water, metal particles, and
chemical degradation accurately.
10. What is a common symptom of insufficient lubrication in a
bearing?
a) Cool operation
b) Slow speed
c) Excessive noise and heat
d) Oil leakage
Rationale: Lack of lubrication causes friction, resulting in heat and
noise.
11. Which type of lubrication uses a thin film of oil to separate
surfaces?
a) Grease lubrication
b) Hydrodynamic lubrication
c) Boundary lubrication
d) Solid lubrication
Certification (MLA Level 1) Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of lubrication in machinery?
a) To increase friction
b) Reduce friction and wear
c) To cool the environment
d) To clean surfaces
Rationale: Lubrication forms a film between moving parts to reduce
friction and prevent wear.
2. Which type of lubricant is typically used in high-temperature
applications?
a) Mineral oil
, b) Synthetic oil
c) Water
d) Vegetable oil
Rationale: Synthetic oils maintain viscosity and resist oxidation at
high temperatures better than mineral oils.
3. What is the main function of grease in bearings?
a) Cooling only
b) Lubrication and sealing
c) Cleaning
d) Painting
Rationale: Grease provides lubrication and also seals bearings from
contaminants.
4. Which viscosity grade of oil flows easily at low temperatures?
a) 50W
b) 40
c) 5W
d) 20
Rationale: Lower “W” numbers indicate better flow at cold
temperatures.
5. What is the purpose of an oil filter?
a) Add additives
b) Reduce oil temperature
c) Remove contaminants
, d) Increase oil volume
Rationale: Oil filters trap solid particles to protect machinery
components.
6. What type of wear is characterized by material removal due to hard
particles?
a) Corrosive wear
b) Abrasive wear
c) Fatigue wear
d) Adhesive wear
Rationale: Abrasive wear occurs when hard particles scrape or cut
the surface of a component.
7. Which additive improves the load-carrying capacity of lubricants?
a) Anti-foam
b) Extreme pressure (EP) additive
c) Rust inhibitor
d) Viscosity modifier
Rationale: EP additives form a protective film under high loads to
prevent metal-to-metal contact.
8. What is the purpose of a viscosity index (VI) improver?
a) Reduce oxidation
b) Maintain viscosity over a temperature range
c) Act as a rust inhibitor
d) Reduce foam
, Rationale: VI improvers allow oils to resist thinning at high
temperatures and thickening at low temperatures.
9. Which method is most accurate for checking oil contamination?
a) Visual inspection
b) Laboratory oil analysis
c) Smell test
d) Dipstick reading
Rationale: Laboratory analysis can detect water, metal particles, and
chemical degradation accurately.
10. What is a common symptom of insufficient lubrication in a
bearing?
a) Cool operation
b) Slow speed
c) Excessive noise and heat
d) Oil leakage
Rationale: Lack of lubrication causes friction, resulting in heat and
noise.
11. Which type of lubrication uses a thin film of oil to separate
surfaces?
a) Grease lubrication
b) Hydrodynamic lubrication
c) Boundary lubrication
d) Solid lubrication
