PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
1. What is the primary purpose of the engineering design process as taught in PLTW IED?
A) To find a single correct answer to a problem
B) To provide a rigid, unchangeable sequence of steps
C) To be a systematic, iterative problem-solving strategy for developing solutions
D) To eliminate the need for creativity and brainstorming
Answer: C) The design process is a systematic problem-solving strategy used to develop many
possible solutions to a problem, using criteria and constraints to narrow them down to a final
choice . It is inherently iterative, meaning steps are repeated until the desired outcome is
achieved .
2. Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps in the PLTW design process?
A) Generate Concepts → Define Problem → Develop Solution → Construct and Test → Evaluate
Solution → Present Solution
B) Define Problem → Generate Concepts → Develop Solution → Construct and Test → Evaluate
Solution → Present Solution
C) Develop Solution → Define Problem → Generate Concepts → Evaluate Solution → Present
Solution → Construct and Test
D) Define Problem → Develop Solution → Construct and Test → Generate Concepts → Evaluate
Solution → Present Solution
Answer: B) The standard PLTW design process flow is: 1. Define Problem, 2. Generate Concepts,
3. Develop Solution, 4. Construct and Test, 5. Evaluate Solution, 6. Present Solution .
3. What is the definition of an "innovation" in the context of engineering design?
A) A new product or process that has never existed before
B) An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method
C) A full-scale working model used for testing
D) The process of taking something apart to analyze it
Answer: B) An innovation is an improvement of an existing technological product, system, or
method of doing something . An invention is a completely new product, system, or process that
has never existed before .
4. What is a "design brief"?
A) A detailed CAD model of a final design
B) A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints
C) A chronological documentation of all engineering work on a project
D) A presentation given to a client at the end of a project
Answer: B) A design brief is a written plan used to encourage thinking about all aspects of a
problem before attempting a solution. It identifies the problem, criteria, and constraints .
,5. What is an "engineering notebook" primarily used for?
A) Drawing final artistic renderings of the product
B) Formal, chronological documentation of all work associated with a specific design project
C) Storing only the final CAD files and calculations
D) Recording personal notes unrelated to the engineering work
Answer: B) An engineering notebook is a book in which an engineer formally documents, in
chronological order, all of their work that is associated with a specific design project . It serves
as a legal record of the design process.
6. In technical sketching, what is an "isometric sketch"?
A) A sketch with vanishing points to show depth as the human eye sees it
B) A sketch where depth is drawn at full scale
C) A form of pictorial sketch where all three drawing axes form equal angles of 120 degrees
D) A sketch showing only two dimensions (height and width)
Answer: C) An isometric sketch is a pictorial drawing where the three axes are equally spaced at
120 degrees, allowing a 3D object to be seen in a single view .
7. What is the difference between a "Cavalier" and "Cabinet" pictorial sketch?
A) Cavalier is a form of perspective, while Cabinet is isometric
B) Cavalier represents depth at full scale, while Cabinet represents depth at half scale
C) Cabinet uses vanishing points, while Cavalier does not
D) There is no difference; they are the same thing
Answer: B) Both are types of oblique pictorials. In a Cavalier pictorial, the depth is represented
at full scale. In a Cabinet pictorial, the depth is represented at half scale compared to the height
and width, which can look more realistic .
8. In a multiview drawing (orthographic projection), what does a "hidden line" represent?
A) The outline of an object visible to the observer
B) An edge that is not directly visible in that view
C) The center of an arc or circle
D) A dimension line
Answer: B) A hidden line is a line type used to represent an edge or surface that is not directly
visible in the current view . It is typically drawn as a series of short dashes.
9. What type of line is used to define the center of arcs, circles, or symmetrical parts?
A) Object line
B) Construction line
C) Center line
D) Section line
Answer: C) A center line is a line that defines the center of arcs, circles, or symmetrical parts .
, 10. What are "line conventions"?
A) Informal rules for making sketches look artistic
B) Standardization of lines used on technical drawings by line weight and style
C) A method for coloring a drawing
D) The process of choosing which view to use in a drawing
Answer: B) Line conventions are the standardization of lines on technical drawings. They dictate
the type (e.g., object, hidden, center) and weight (thickness) of lines used for different
purposes .
11. What is the purpose of "section lines" in a technical drawing?
A) To show the outline of the object
B) To indicate the center of a hole
C) To indicate where the cutting plane line has cut through material in a section view
D) To show the dimensions of the object
Answer: C) Section lines (also called hatching) are thin lines used in a section view to indicate
the material that has been cut through by the cutting plane .
12. What does the term "constraint" mean in the context of the design process?
A) The ability to freely generate ideas
B) A limit or restriction on a design, such as cost, size, or materials
C) A type of measurement tool
D) The final presentation of a solution
Answer: B) A constraint is a restriction or limitation on a design. In the design brief, constraints
are the limitations a designer must work within, such as budget, size, materials, or time .
13. What is a "prototype"?
A) The initial concept sketch of a design
B) A full-scale working model used to test a design concept
C) The final product ready for market
D) A 3D computer model of a design
Answer: B) A prototype is a full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making
actual observations and necessary adjustments .
14. What is the purpose of a "brainstorming" session?
A) To immediately judge and refine a single idea
B) To generate a large number of ideas in a group setting without criticism
C) To create detailed technical drawings
D) To conduct statistical analysis on data
Answer: B) Brainstorming is a group technique for solving problems and generating ideas
1. What is the primary purpose of the engineering design process as taught in PLTW IED?
A) To find a single correct answer to a problem
B) To provide a rigid, unchangeable sequence of steps
C) To be a systematic, iterative problem-solving strategy for developing solutions
D) To eliminate the need for creativity and brainstorming
Answer: C) The design process is a systematic problem-solving strategy used to develop many
possible solutions to a problem, using criteria and constraints to narrow them down to a final
choice . It is inherently iterative, meaning steps are repeated until the desired outcome is
achieved .
2. Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps in the PLTW design process?
A) Generate Concepts → Define Problem → Develop Solution → Construct and Test → Evaluate
Solution → Present Solution
B) Define Problem → Generate Concepts → Develop Solution → Construct and Test → Evaluate
Solution → Present Solution
C) Develop Solution → Define Problem → Generate Concepts → Evaluate Solution → Present
Solution → Construct and Test
D) Define Problem → Develop Solution → Construct and Test → Generate Concepts → Evaluate
Solution → Present Solution
Answer: B) The standard PLTW design process flow is: 1. Define Problem, 2. Generate Concepts,
3. Develop Solution, 4. Construct and Test, 5. Evaluate Solution, 6. Present Solution .
3. What is the definition of an "innovation" in the context of engineering design?
A) A new product or process that has never existed before
B) An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method
C) A full-scale working model used for testing
D) The process of taking something apart to analyze it
Answer: B) An innovation is an improvement of an existing technological product, system, or
method of doing something . An invention is a completely new product, system, or process that
has never existed before .
4. What is a "design brief"?
A) A detailed CAD model of a final design
B) A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints
C) A chronological documentation of all engineering work on a project
D) A presentation given to a client at the end of a project
Answer: B) A design brief is a written plan used to encourage thinking about all aspects of a
problem before attempting a solution. It identifies the problem, criteria, and constraints .
,5. What is an "engineering notebook" primarily used for?
A) Drawing final artistic renderings of the product
B) Formal, chronological documentation of all work associated with a specific design project
C) Storing only the final CAD files and calculations
D) Recording personal notes unrelated to the engineering work
Answer: B) An engineering notebook is a book in which an engineer formally documents, in
chronological order, all of their work that is associated with a specific design project . It serves
as a legal record of the design process.
6. In technical sketching, what is an "isometric sketch"?
A) A sketch with vanishing points to show depth as the human eye sees it
B) A sketch where depth is drawn at full scale
C) A form of pictorial sketch where all three drawing axes form equal angles of 120 degrees
D) A sketch showing only two dimensions (height and width)
Answer: C) An isometric sketch is a pictorial drawing where the three axes are equally spaced at
120 degrees, allowing a 3D object to be seen in a single view .
7. What is the difference between a "Cavalier" and "Cabinet" pictorial sketch?
A) Cavalier is a form of perspective, while Cabinet is isometric
B) Cavalier represents depth at full scale, while Cabinet represents depth at half scale
C) Cabinet uses vanishing points, while Cavalier does not
D) There is no difference; they are the same thing
Answer: B) Both are types of oblique pictorials. In a Cavalier pictorial, the depth is represented
at full scale. In a Cabinet pictorial, the depth is represented at half scale compared to the height
and width, which can look more realistic .
8. In a multiview drawing (orthographic projection), what does a "hidden line" represent?
A) The outline of an object visible to the observer
B) An edge that is not directly visible in that view
C) The center of an arc or circle
D) A dimension line
Answer: B) A hidden line is a line type used to represent an edge or surface that is not directly
visible in the current view . It is typically drawn as a series of short dashes.
9. What type of line is used to define the center of arcs, circles, or symmetrical parts?
A) Object line
B) Construction line
C) Center line
D) Section line
Answer: C) A center line is a line that defines the center of arcs, circles, or symmetrical parts .
, 10. What are "line conventions"?
A) Informal rules for making sketches look artistic
B) Standardization of lines used on technical drawings by line weight and style
C) A method for coloring a drawing
D) The process of choosing which view to use in a drawing
Answer: B) Line conventions are the standardization of lines on technical drawings. They dictate
the type (e.g., object, hidden, center) and weight (thickness) of lines used for different
purposes .
11. What is the purpose of "section lines" in a technical drawing?
A) To show the outline of the object
B) To indicate the center of a hole
C) To indicate where the cutting plane line has cut through material in a section view
D) To show the dimensions of the object
Answer: C) Section lines (also called hatching) are thin lines used in a section view to indicate
the material that has been cut through by the cutting plane .
12. What does the term "constraint" mean in the context of the design process?
A) The ability to freely generate ideas
B) A limit or restriction on a design, such as cost, size, or materials
C) A type of measurement tool
D) The final presentation of a solution
Answer: B) A constraint is a restriction or limitation on a design. In the design brief, constraints
are the limitations a designer must work within, such as budget, size, materials, or time .
13. What is a "prototype"?
A) The initial concept sketch of a design
B) A full-scale working model used to test a design concept
C) The final product ready for market
D) A 3D computer model of a design
Answer: B) A prototype is a full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making
actual observations and necessary adjustments .
14. What is the purpose of a "brainstorming" session?
A) To immediately judge and refine a single idea
B) To generate a large number of ideas in a group setting without criticism
C) To create detailed technical drawings
D) To conduct statistical analysis on data
Answer: B) Brainstorming is a group technique for solving problems and generating ideas
