AL SW Sitework Contractor Exam —
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Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of a sitework plan?
A. To establish interior finish requirements
B. To show existing and proposed site conditions and improvements
C. To specify only electrical equipment
D. To determine employee wages
Answer: B. To show existing and proposed site conditions and
improvements
Rationale: A sitework plan provides the information needed to construct
grading, drainage, utilities, paving, and other site improvements while
showing how proposed work relates to existing conditions.
, 2. Before beginning excavation on a construction site, what should be
done first?
A. Begin removing topsoil
B. Verify underground utility locations
C. Compact the excavation
D. Install finish landscaping
Answer: B. Verify underground utility locations
Rationale: Underground utilities must be located and marked before
excavation to reduce the risk of utility strikes, service interruptions,
injuries, and property damage.
3. What does a benchmark establish on a construction site?
A. Horizontal property boundaries only
B. A known elevation reference
C. Soil classification
D. Pipe diameter
Answer: B. A known elevation reference
Rationale: A benchmark provides a known elevation from which other site
elevations can be measured or established.
4. A slope of 2% means the ground changes elevation by:
,A. 2 feet vertically for every 100 feet horizontally
B. 2 inches vertically for every 10 feet horizontally
C. 2 feet vertically for every 10 feet horizontally
D. 20 feet vertically for every 100 feet horizontally
Answer: A. 2 feet vertically for every 100 feet horizontally
Rationale: A 2% slope represents a vertical change of 0.02 times the
horizontal distance, or 2 feet per 100 feet.
5. Which instrument is commonly used to establish and check elevations
on a site?
A. Level
B. Pipe wrench
C. Concrete vibrator
D. Soil auger
Answer: A. Level
Rationale: A level or surveying level is used with a rod to establish
differences in elevation and verify grades.
6. What is the main purpose of stripping topsoil before major
earthwork?
, A. To increase groundwater levels
B. To remove organic material unsuitable for structural fill
C. To increase soil moisture
D. To create pavement base
Answer: B. To remove organic material unsuitable for structural fill
Rationale: Topsoil generally contains organic matter that can decompose
and settle, making it unsuitable for supporting structural improvements.
7. What is cut-and-fill balancing?
A. Mixing concrete and asphalt
B. Matching excavated material quantities with required embankment
quantities when practical
C. Measuring pavement thickness
D. Testing pipe pressure
Answer: B. Matching excavated material quantities with required
embankment quantities when practical
Rationale: Balancing cut and fill can reduce the need to import or export
soil and may improve project efficiency and cost control.
8. What is the purpose of compaction?
Practice Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a sitework plan?
A. To establish interior finish requirements
B. To show existing and proposed site conditions and improvements
C. To specify only electrical equipment
D. To determine employee wages
Answer: B. To show existing and proposed site conditions and
improvements
Rationale: A sitework plan provides the information needed to construct
grading, drainage, utilities, paving, and other site improvements while
showing how proposed work relates to existing conditions.
, 2. Before beginning excavation on a construction site, what should be
done first?
A. Begin removing topsoil
B. Verify underground utility locations
C. Compact the excavation
D. Install finish landscaping
Answer: B. Verify underground utility locations
Rationale: Underground utilities must be located and marked before
excavation to reduce the risk of utility strikes, service interruptions,
injuries, and property damage.
3. What does a benchmark establish on a construction site?
A. Horizontal property boundaries only
B. A known elevation reference
C. Soil classification
D. Pipe diameter
Answer: B. A known elevation reference
Rationale: A benchmark provides a known elevation from which other site
elevations can be measured or established.
4. A slope of 2% means the ground changes elevation by:
,A. 2 feet vertically for every 100 feet horizontally
B. 2 inches vertically for every 10 feet horizontally
C. 2 feet vertically for every 10 feet horizontally
D. 20 feet vertically for every 100 feet horizontally
Answer: A. 2 feet vertically for every 100 feet horizontally
Rationale: A 2% slope represents a vertical change of 0.02 times the
horizontal distance, or 2 feet per 100 feet.
5. Which instrument is commonly used to establish and check elevations
on a site?
A. Level
B. Pipe wrench
C. Concrete vibrator
D. Soil auger
Answer: A. Level
Rationale: A level or surveying level is used with a rod to establish
differences in elevation and verify grades.
6. What is the main purpose of stripping topsoil before major
earthwork?
, A. To increase groundwater levels
B. To remove organic material unsuitable for structural fill
C. To increase soil moisture
D. To create pavement base
Answer: B. To remove organic material unsuitable for structural fill
Rationale: Topsoil generally contains organic matter that can decompose
and settle, making it unsuitable for supporting structural improvements.
7. What is cut-and-fill balancing?
A. Mixing concrete and asphalt
B. Matching excavated material quantities with required embankment
quantities when practical
C. Measuring pavement thickness
D. Testing pipe pressure
Answer: B. Matching excavated material quantities with required
embankment quantities when practical
Rationale: Balancing cut and fill can reduce the need to import or export
soil and may improve project efficiency and cost control.
8. What is the purpose of compaction?
