Illinois General Masonry Contractor
Licensing Examination Practice Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
1. The primary ingredients of mortar are:
A. Cement, sand, water
B. Lime, clay, water
C. Asphalt, sand, water
D. Stone only
Answer: A
Rationale: Mortar consists of cementitious materials (cement ± lime), sand, and water.
2. The main purpose of mortar in masonry is to:
A. Provide decoration
B. Bond masonry units together
C. Increase weight
D. Replace reinforcement
Answer: B
3. Grout is used to:
A. Make patterns
B. Fill cores and bond reinforcement
C. Finish surfaces
D. Color units
Answer: B
4. Air-entrained mortar improves resistance to:
A. Fire
B. Freeze-thaw cycles
C. Stains
D. Color fade
Answer: B
,5. Type N mortar is generally used for:
A. Interior veneers only
B. Above-grade exterior walls
C. Foundations only
D. Chimneys only
Answer: B
6. A masonry unit with high absorption will:
A. Never bond
B. Absorb more water from mortar
C. Retard curing
D. Increase slump
Answer: B
7. Concrete block (CMU) is often specified by:
A. Weight only
B. Size, strength, and grade
C. Color only
D. Height only
Answer: B
8. Masonry prism or cell grout must be:
A. Watery
B. Properly consolidated
C. Always dry
D. Colored
Answer: B
9. Lime in mortar primarily improves:
A. Strength only
B. Workability and plasticity
C. Weight
D. Color
Answer: B
, 10. Portland cement is classified by:
A. Color
B. ASTM standards based on composition and performance
C. Size only
D. Cost
Answer: B
11–20: Tools & Equipment
11. A mason’s trowel is used to:
A. Mix concrete only
B. Spread and shape mortar
C. Paint block
D. Hammer ties
Answer: B
12. A joint raker is used to:
A. Beat mortar
B. Remove old mortar from joints
C. Fasten anchors
D. Add grout
Answer: B
13. A mortar board is:
A. A panel used to mix concrete
B. A portable board to hold mortar for laying units
C. A safety shield
D. A measuring tool
Answer: B
14. A level is used to check:
A. Color
B. Vertical and horizontal alignment
C. Mortar quantity
D. Weather
Answer: B
Licensing Examination Practice Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
1. The primary ingredients of mortar are:
A. Cement, sand, water
B. Lime, clay, water
C. Asphalt, sand, water
D. Stone only
Answer: A
Rationale: Mortar consists of cementitious materials (cement ± lime), sand, and water.
2. The main purpose of mortar in masonry is to:
A. Provide decoration
B. Bond masonry units together
C. Increase weight
D. Replace reinforcement
Answer: B
3. Grout is used to:
A. Make patterns
B. Fill cores and bond reinforcement
C. Finish surfaces
D. Color units
Answer: B
4. Air-entrained mortar improves resistance to:
A. Fire
B. Freeze-thaw cycles
C. Stains
D. Color fade
Answer: B
,5. Type N mortar is generally used for:
A. Interior veneers only
B. Above-grade exterior walls
C. Foundations only
D. Chimneys only
Answer: B
6. A masonry unit with high absorption will:
A. Never bond
B. Absorb more water from mortar
C. Retard curing
D. Increase slump
Answer: B
7. Concrete block (CMU) is often specified by:
A. Weight only
B. Size, strength, and grade
C. Color only
D. Height only
Answer: B
8. Masonry prism or cell grout must be:
A. Watery
B. Properly consolidated
C. Always dry
D. Colored
Answer: B
9. Lime in mortar primarily improves:
A. Strength only
B. Workability and plasticity
C. Weight
D. Color
Answer: B
, 10. Portland cement is classified by:
A. Color
B. ASTM standards based on composition and performance
C. Size only
D. Cost
Answer: B
11–20: Tools & Equipment
11. A mason’s trowel is used to:
A. Mix concrete only
B. Spread and shape mortar
C. Paint block
D. Hammer ties
Answer: B
12. A joint raker is used to:
A. Beat mortar
B. Remove old mortar from joints
C. Fasten anchors
D. Add grout
Answer: B
13. A mortar board is:
A. A panel used to mix concrete
B. A portable board to hold mortar for laying units
C. A safety shield
D. A measuring tool
Answer: B
14. A level is used to check:
A. Color
B. Vertical and horizontal alignment
C. Mortar quantity
D. Weather
Answer: B
