BNE1Le Masonry Contractor Practice Exam
1. What is the main component of mortar?
A. Cement
B. Sand
C. Water
D. Gravel
Answer: B
Explanation: Sand forms the bulk and texture of mortar.
2. Which type of grout is best used for tile installations?
A. Epoxy grout
B. Sanded grout
C. Unsanded grout
D. Lime grout
Answer: C
Explanation: Unsanded grout is preferred for narrow joints typically found in tile installations.
3. Concrete mix design is primarily determined by what ratio?
A. Water-cement ratio
B. Sand-gravel ratio
C. Cement-sand ratio
D. Gravel-water ratio
Answer: A
Explanation: The water-cement ratio is crucial in determining the strength and durability of concrete.
4. What additive improves the workability of concrete?
A. Plasticizer
B. Retarder
C. Accelerator
D. Air entraining agent
Answer: A
Explanation: Plasticizers increase the workability of concrete without altering its water content.
5. What is the purpose of curing concrete?
A. To accelerate drying
B. To maintain moisture and temperature
C. To add color
D. To remove excess water
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper curing maintains moisture and temperature conditions to allow full hydration of
cement.
6. Which of the following is not a typical type of concrete mix design?
A. Nominal mix
B. Proportionate mix
C. Design mix
,D. Random mix
Answer: D
Explanation: “Random mix” is not recognized; nominal, proportionate, and design mixes are standard
approaches.
7. What is the effect of adding too much water to a mortar mix?
A. Increased strength
B. Reduced workability
C. Decreased bonding
D. Improved durability
Answer: C
Explanation: Excess water weakens the bond and can cause shrinkage, reducing mortar strength.
8. How does air entrainment affect concrete?
A. Increases density
B. Improves freeze-thaw resistance
C. Reduces water retention
D. Decreases workability
Answer: B
Explanation: Air entrainment introduces tiny air bubbles that enhance the concrete’s resistance to
freeze-thaw cycles.
9. What property does aggregate size primarily influence in concrete?
A. Color
B. Workability
C. Setting time
D. Curing process
Answer: B
Explanation: Aggregate size affects workability and strength by influencing the mix’s texture and
compaction.
10. Which component in concrete primarily provides its strength?
A. Water
B. Cement
C. Aggregate
D. Sand
Answer: B
Explanation: Cement hydrates and binds aggregates together, giving concrete its strength.
11. What is the significance of the water-cement ratio in concrete?
A. It determines color
B. It controls strength and durability
C. It affects only the workability
D. It is irrelevant
Answer: B
Explanation: The water-cement ratio directly influences hydration, affecting both strength and
durability.
,12. Which process is crucial for ensuring consistency in concrete?
A. Mixing
B. Placing
C. Curing
D. Finishing
Answer: A
Explanation: Proper mixing ensures uniform distribution of all components, leading to consistent
concrete properties.
13. What is the main reason for adding plasticizers to concrete?
A. To increase water retention
B. To reduce setting time
C. To enhance workability
D. To add color
Answer: C
Explanation: Plasticizers improve workability without increasing water content, making placement
easier.
14. What method is used to test the workability of mortar?
A. Slump test
B. Compressive test
C. Flexural test
D. Absorption test
Answer: A
Explanation: The slump test is a common method to assess the workability of both mortar and concrete.
15. Which factor is most critical for proper grout application?
A. Consistency
B. Color
C. Temperature
D. Drying time
Answer: A
Explanation: The correct consistency allows grout to flow and fill gaps properly.
16. What is the consequence of insufficient curing time in concrete?
A. Increased strength
B. Reduced hydration
C. Faster drying
D. Enhanced finish
Answer: B
Explanation: Insufficient curing limits hydration, compromising the concrete’s strength and durability.
17. Which of these materials is not typically used as an aggregate in concrete?
A. Gravel
B. Sand
C. Crushed stone
D. Plastic beads
, Answer: D
Explanation: Plastic beads are not standard aggregates; gravel, sand, and crushed stone are commonly
used.
18. What distinguishes grout from mortar?
A. Grout is used for structural support
B. Grout is smoother and used for filling gaps
C. Mortar is used for finishing
D. Mortar is applied after grout
Answer: B
Explanation: Grout’s smoother consistency makes it ideal for filling narrow gaps, whereas mortar bonds
masonry units.
19. Which test measures the compressive strength of concrete?
A. Slump test
B. Compressive strength test
C. Tensile test
D. Flexural test
Answer: B
Explanation: A compressive strength test evaluates concrete’s ability to withstand loads.
20. What does the term “admixture” refer to in concrete?
A. A type of aggregate
B. Additional substances added to modify properties
C. A finishing technique
D. A mixing tool
Answer: B
Explanation: Admixtures are chemicals added to concrete to adjust properties such as setting time and
workability.
21. What is a common reason for concrete segregation?
A. Excessive mixing
B. Too rapid curing
C. High water content
D. Low ambient temperature
Answer: C
Explanation: Too much water can cause separation of concrete components, leading to segregation.
22. How does high air content affect mortar?
A. Increases density
B. Enhances freeze-thaw durability
C. Reduces workability
D. Increases weight
Answer: B
Explanation: Moderately high air content improves durability under freeze-thaw conditions, though
excess air may reduce strength.
1. What is the main component of mortar?
A. Cement
B. Sand
C. Water
D. Gravel
Answer: B
Explanation: Sand forms the bulk and texture of mortar.
2. Which type of grout is best used for tile installations?
A. Epoxy grout
B. Sanded grout
C. Unsanded grout
D. Lime grout
Answer: C
Explanation: Unsanded grout is preferred for narrow joints typically found in tile installations.
3. Concrete mix design is primarily determined by what ratio?
A. Water-cement ratio
B. Sand-gravel ratio
C. Cement-sand ratio
D. Gravel-water ratio
Answer: A
Explanation: The water-cement ratio is crucial in determining the strength and durability of concrete.
4. What additive improves the workability of concrete?
A. Plasticizer
B. Retarder
C. Accelerator
D. Air entraining agent
Answer: A
Explanation: Plasticizers increase the workability of concrete without altering its water content.
5. What is the purpose of curing concrete?
A. To accelerate drying
B. To maintain moisture and temperature
C. To add color
D. To remove excess water
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper curing maintains moisture and temperature conditions to allow full hydration of
cement.
6. Which of the following is not a typical type of concrete mix design?
A. Nominal mix
B. Proportionate mix
C. Design mix
,D. Random mix
Answer: D
Explanation: “Random mix” is not recognized; nominal, proportionate, and design mixes are standard
approaches.
7. What is the effect of adding too much water to a mortar mix?
A. Increased strength
B. Reduced workability
C. Decreased bonding
D. Improved durability
Answer: C
Explanation: Excess water weakens the bond and can cause shrinkage, reducing mortar strength.
8. How does air entrainment affect concrete?
A. Increases density
B. Improves freeze-thaw resistance
C. Reduces water retention
D. Decreases workability
Answer: B
Explanation: Air entrainment introduces tiny air bubbles that enhance the concrete’s resistance to
freeze-thaw cycles.
9. What property does aggregate size primarily influence in concrete?
A. Color
B. Workability
C. Setting time
D. Curing process
Answer: B
Explanation: Aggregate size affects workability and strength by influencing the mix’s texture and
compaction.
10. Which component in concrete primarily provides its strength?
A. Water
B. Cement
C. Aggregate
D. Sand
Answer: B
Explanation: Cement hydrates and binds aggregates together, giving concrete its strength.
11. What is the significance of the water-cement ratio in concrete?
A. It determines color
B. It controls strength and durability
C. It affects only the workability
D. It is irrelevant
Answer: B
Explanation: The water-cement ratio directly influences hydration, affecting both strength and
durability.
,12. Which process is crucial for ensuring consistency in concrete?
A. Mixing
B. Placing
C. Curing
D. Finishing
Answer: A
Explanation: Proper mixing ensures uniform distribution of all components, leading to consistent
concrete properties.
13. What is the main reason for adding plasticizers to concrete?
A. To increase water retention
B. To reduce setting time
C. To enhance workability
D. To add color
Answer: C
Explanation: Plasticizers improve workability without increasing water content, making placement
easier.
14. What method is used to test the workability of mortar?
A. Slump test
B. Compressive test
C. Flexural test
D. Absorption test
Answer: A
Explanation: The slump test is a common method to assess the workability of both mortar and concrete.
15. Which factor is most critical for proper grout application?
A. Consistency
B. Color
C. Temperature
D. Drying time
Answer: A
Explanation: The correct consistency allows grout to flow and fill gaps properly.
16. What is the consequence of insufficient curing time in concrete?
A. Increased strength
B. Reduced hydration
C. Faster drying
D. Enhanced finish
Answer: B
Explanation: Insufficient curing limits hydration, compromising the concrete’s strength and durability.
17. Which of these materials is not typically used as an aggregate in concrete?
A. Gravel
B. Sand
C. Crushed stone
D. Plastic beads
, Answer: D
Explanation: Plastic beads are not standard aggregates; gravel, sand, and crushed stone are commonly
used.
18. What distinguishes grout from mortar?
A. Grout is used for structural support
B. Grout is smoother and used for filling gaps
C. Mortar is used for finishing
D. Mortar is applied after grout
Answer: B
Explanation: Grout’s smoother consistency makes it ideal for filling narrow gaps, whereas mortar bonds
masonry units.
19. Which test measures the compressive strength of concrete?
A. Slump test
B. Compressive strength test
C. Tensile test
D. Flexural test
Answer: B
Explanation: A compressive strength test evaluates concrete’s ability to withstand loads.
20. What does the term “admixture” refer to in concrete?
A. A type of aggregate
B. Additional substances added to modify properties
C. A finishing technique
D. A mixing tool
Answer: B
Explanation: Admixtures are chemicals added to concrete to adjust properties such as setting time and
workability.
21. What is a common reason for concrete segregation?
A. Excessive mixing
B. Too rapid curing
C. High water content
D. Low ambient temperature
Answer: C
Explanation: Too much water can cause separation of concrete components, leading to segregation.
22. How does high air content affect mortar?
A. Increases density
B. Enhances freeze-thaw durability
C. Reduces workability
D. Increases weight
Answer: B
Explanation: Moderately high air content improves durability under freeze-thaw conditions, though
excess air may reduce strength.
