AL HW HIGHWAY & STREETS CONTRACTOR EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) Q&A 2027|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of roadway subgrade
preparation?
A. To provide decorative landscaping
B. To create a stable foundation for the pavement structure
C. To increase traffic speed
D. To reduce pavement markings
Correct Answer: B. To create a stable foundation for the
pavement structure
Rationale: The subgrade supports the base, pavement, and
traffic loads. Proper preparation provides adequate strength,
drainage, and uniformity.
2. Which material is commonly used as aggregate in roadway
construction?
A. Crushed stone
B. Paper
C. Wood chips
D. Fabric
Correct Answer: A. Crushed stone
Rationale: Crushed stone is widely used in base courses,
asphalt mixtures, concrete, and other roadway applications.
,3. What does roadway grading primarily establish?
A. Paint color
B. Elevations, slopes, and drainage characteristics
C. Vehicle registration
D. Traffic fines
Correct Answer: B. Elevations, slopes, and drainage
characteristics
Rationale: Grading establishes the roadway profile and cross-
section so water drains properly and pavement can be
constructed to design elevations.
4. What is the purpose of a roadway crown?
A. To prevent vehicles from turning
B. To allow water to drain toward the sides
C. To increase pavement thickness at the edge
D. To eliminate shoulders
Correct Answer: B. To allow water to drain toward the sides
Rationale: A crowned roadway has a higher center and slopes
toward the edges, allowing surface water to drain away.
5. What is compaction intended to accomplish?
A. Increase soil or aggregate density
B. Increase soil voids
,C. Add water to pavement
D. Remove all aggregate
Correct Answer: A. Increase soil or aggregate density
Rationale: Compaction reduces air voids and increases density,
improving strength and reducing settlement.
6. Which piece of equipment is commonly used to compact
asphalt pavement?
A. Vibratory roller
B. Backhoe only
C. Concrete pump
D. Welding machine
Correct Answer: A. Vibratory roller
Rationale: Vibratory rollers use weight and vibration to
compact asphalt and granular materials effectively.
7. What is the main function of a bulldozer on a highway
project?
A. Fine laboratory testing
B. Pushing and rough grading material
C. Applying pavement markings
D. Measuring concrete temperature
Correct Answer: B. Pushing and rough grading material
Rationale: Bulldozers are designed primarily for pushing,
, spreading, stripping, and rough grading soil and other
materials.
8. What is a motor grader primarily used for?
A. Fine grading and shaping surfaces
B. Drilling water wells
C. Pouring concrete
D. Welding guardrails
Correct Answer: A. Fine grading and shaping surfaces
Rationale: Motor graders provide precise control of roadway
slopes, crowns, shoulders, and finished grades.
9. What is the purpose of a road base course?
A. Provide structural support beneath the pavement
B. Provide decorative color
C. Replace traffic signs
D. Prevent surveying
Correct Answer: A. Provide structural support beneath the
pavement
Rationale: Base material distributes traffic loads and provides a
stable layer beneath asphalt or concrete pavement.
10. What is a subbase?
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) Q&A 2027|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of roadway subgrade
preparation?
A. To provide decorative landscaping
B. To create a stable foundation for the pavement structure
C. To increase traffic speed
D. To reduce pavement markings
Correct Answer: B. To create a stable foundation for the
pavement structure
Rationale: The subgrade supports the base, pavement, and
traffic loads. Proper preparation provides adequate strength,
drainage, and uniformity.
2. Which material is commonly used as aggregate in roadway
construction?
A. Crushed stone
B. Paper
C. Wood chips
D. Fabric
Correct Answer: A. Crushed stone
Rationale: Crushed stone is widely used in base courses,
asphalt mixtures, concrete, and other roadway applications.
,3. What does roadway grading primarily establish?
A. Paint color
B. Elevations, slopes, and drainage characteristics
C. Vehicle registration
D. Traffic fines
Correct Answer: B. Elevations, slopes, and drainage
characteristics
Rationale: Grading establishes the roadway profile and cross-
section so water drains properly and pavement can be
constructed to design elevations.
4. What is the purpose of a roadway crown?
A. To prevent vehicles from turning
B. To allow water to drain toward the sides
C. To increase pavement thickness at the edge
D. To eliminate shoulders
Correct Answer: B. To allow water to drain toward the sides
Rationale: A crowned roadway has a higher center and slopes
toward the edges, allowing surface water to drain away.
5. What is compaction intended to accomplish?
A. Increase soil or aggregate density
B. Increase soil voids
,C. Add water to pavement
D. Remove all aggregate
Correct Answer: A. Increase soil or aggregate density
Rationale: Compaction reduces air voids and increases density,
improving strength and reducing settlement.
6. Which piece of equipment is commonly used to compact
asphalt pavement?
A. Vibratory roller
B. Backhoe only
C. Concrete pump
D. Welding machine
Correct Answer: A. Vibratory roller
Rationale: Vibratory rollers use weight and vibration to
compact asphalt and granular materials effectively.
7. What is the main function of a bulldozer on a highway
project?
A. Fine laboratory testing
B. Pushing and rough grading material
C. Applying pavement markings
D. Measuring concrete temperature
Correct Answer: B. Pushing and rough grading material
Rationale: Bulldozers are designed primarily for pushing,
, spreading, stripping, and rough grading soil and other
materials.
8. What is a motor grader primarily used for?
A. Fine grading and shaping surfaces
B. Drilling water wells
C. Pouring concrete
D. Welding guardrails
Correct Answer: A. Fine grading and shaping surfaces
Rationale: Motor graders provide precise control of roadway
slopes, crowns, shoulders, and finished grades.
9. What is the purpose of a road base course?
A. Provide structural support beneath the pavement
B. Provide decorative color
C. Replace traffic signs
D. Prevent surveying
Correct Answer: A. Provide structural support beneath the
pavement
Rationale: Base material distributes traffic loads and provides a
stable layer beneath asphalt or concrete pavement.
10. What is a subbase?
