NYC Custodian Engineer EXAM| ACTUAL EXAM 2VERSIONS
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
VERSION 1 — QUESTIONS 1–150
Hand Tools, Power Tools, and Maintenance
1. What is the primary purpose of a torque wrench?
A. Cutting pipe
B. Measuring and applying a specified tightening torque
C. Measuring voltage
D. Removing paint
Answer: B
Rationale: A torque wrench allows a fastener to be tightened to a
specified torque. Proper torque helps prevent under-tightening, over-
tightening, damaged threads, and premature component failure.
2. Which hand tool is most appropriate for tightening a hex-head bolt?
A. Adjustable wrench
B. Pipe cutter
C. Cold chisel
D. Slip-joint pliers
Answer: A
Rationale: An adjustable wrench can grip a hexagonal bolt head when
the correct fixed-size wrench is unavailable. The wrench should fit
securely to avoid rounding the fastener.
3. Which tool is designed primarily for cutting copper tubing?
,A. Pipe wrench
B. Tubing cutter
C. Ball-peen hammer
D. Utility knife
Answer: B
Rationale: A tubing cutter produces a controlled circular cut in copper
tubing. After cutting, the tube should normally be reamed or deburred
before assembly.
4. What is the safest practice when using a portable power saw?
A. Remove the guard
B. Hold material with the free hand close to the blade
C. Keep the blade guard functioning as designed
D. Operate it with wet gloves
Answer: C
Rationale: Blade guards reduce exposure to moving cutting
components. They should not be removed or defeated because doing
so increases the risk of contact injuries.
5. A multimeter is commonly used to measure:
A. Water hardness only
B. Voltage, resistance, and current depending on configuration
C. Boiler steam temperature only
D. Pipe diameter
Answer: B
Rationale: A multimeter can measure several electrical quantities. The
meter must be set correctly for the quantity and range being measured.
,6. Before using an electrical hand tool, the first priority should be to:
A. Increase its speed
B. Inspect it for damage and unsafe conditions
C. Remove its grounding provisions
D. Lubricate the power cord
Answer: B
Rationale: A pre-use inspection can identify damaged cords, missing
guards, cracked housings, or other hazards before the tool is energized.
7. What is the proper use of a pipe wrench?
A. Turning pipe or pipe fittings
B. Measuring voltage
C. Cutting steel plate
D. Removing electrical insulation
Answer: A
Rationale: Pipe wrenches are designed to grip and turn round pipe and
fittings. Excessive force or improper positioning can damage fittings or
cause injury.
8. Which tool is most suitable for driving a slotted screw?
A. Phillips screwdriver
B. Slotted screwdriver
C. Pipe wrench
D. Center punch
Answer: B
, Rationale: A slotted screwdriver is designed to fit a straight slot in a
screw head. Using the correct bit reduces slipping and damage.
9. What should be done before drilling into a wall?
A. Assume no utilities are present
B. Verify what is behind the drilling area
C. Wet the wall
D. Remove nearby electrical breakers permanently
Answer: B
Rationale: Electrical wiring, plumbing, structural elements, and other
concealed components may be located behind a wall. The area should
be evaluated before drilling.
10. A utility knife should normally be stored:
A. With the blade extended
B. With the blade retracted or safely covered
C. In a pocket with the blade exposed
D. On top of a ladder
Answer: B
Rationale: Retracting or covering the blade reduces accidental cuts
during storage and transport.
11. Which tool is normally used to make a precise hole-starting mark
in metal?
A. Center punch
B. Paint brush
C. Hacksaw
D. Pliers
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
VERSION 1 — QUESTIONS 1–150
Hand Tools, Power Tools, and Maintenance
1. What is the primary purpose of a torque wrench?
A. Cutting pipe
B. Measuring and applying a specified tightening torque
C. Measuring voltage
D. Removing paint
Answer: B
Rationale: A torque wrench allows a fastener to be tightened to a
specified torque. Proper torque helps prevent under-tightening, over-
tightening, damaged threads, and premature component failure.
2. Which hand tool is most appropriate for tightening a hex-head bolt?
A. Adjustable wrench
B. Pipe cutter
C. Cold chisel
D. Slip-joint pliers
Answer: A
Rationale: An adjustable wrench can grip a hexagonal bolt head when
the correct fixed-size wrench is unavailable. The wrench should fit
securely to avoid rounding the fastener.
3. Which tool is designed primarily for cutting copper tubing?
,A. Pipe wrench
B. Tubing cutter
C. Ball-peen hammer
D. Utility knife
Answer: B
Rationale: A tubing cutter produces a controlled circular cut in copper
tubing. After cutting, the tube should normally be reamed or deburred
before assembly.
4. What is the safest practice when using a portable power saw?
A. Remove the guard
B. Hold material with the free hand close to the blade
C. Keep the blade guard functioning as designed
D. Operate it with wet gloves
Answer: C
Rationale: Blade guards reduce exposure to moving cutting
components. They should not be removed or defeated because doing
so increases the risk of contact injuries.
5. A multimeter is commonly used to measure:
A. Water hardness only
B. Voltage, resistance, and current depending on configuration
C. Boiler steam temperature only
D. Pipe diameter
Answer: B
Rationale: A multimeter can measure several electrical quantities. The
meter must be set correctly for the quantity and range being measured.
,6. Before using an electrical hand tool, the first priority should be to:
A. Increase its speed
B. Inspect it for damage and unsafe conditions
C. Remove its grounding provisions
D. Lubricate the power cord
Answer: B
Rationale: A pre-use inspection can identify damaged cords, missing
guards, cracked housings, or other hazards before the tool is energized.
7. What is the proper use of a pipe wrench?
A. Turning pipe or pipe fittings
B. Measuring voltage
C. Cutting steel plate
D. Removing electrical insulation
Answer: A
Rationale: Pipe wrenches are designed to grip and turn round pipe and
fittings. Excessive force or improper positioning can damage fittings or
cause injury.
8. Which tool is most suitable for driving a slotted screw?
A. Phillips screwdriver
B. Slotted screwdriver
C. Pipe wrench
D. Center punch
Answer: B
, Rationale: A slotted screwdriver is designed to fit a straight slot in a
screw head. Using the correct bit reduces slipping and damage.
9. What should be done before drilling into a wall?
A. Assume no utilities are present
B. Verify what is behind the drilling area
C. Wet the wall
D. Remove nearby electrical breakers permanently
Answer: B
Rationale: Electrical wiring, plumbing, structural elements, and other
concealed components may be located behind a wall. The area should
be evaluated before drilling.
10. A utility knife should normally be stored:
A. With the blade extended
B. With the blade retracted or safely covered
C. In a pocket with the blade exposed
D. On top of a ladder
Answer: B
Rationale: Retracting or covering the blade reduces accidental cuts
during storage and transport.
11. Which tool is normally used to make a precise hole-starting mark
in metal?
A. Center punch
B. Paint brush
C. Hacksaw
D. Pliers
