AR MA Masonry & Block Contractor
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which material is most commonly used to manufacture concrete
masonry units (CMUs)?
A. Gypsum and sand
B. Portland cement, aggregates, and water
C. Clay and gypsum
D. Lime and asphalt
Answer: B. Portland cement, aggregates, and water
Rationale: Concrete masonry units are generally manufactured from
cementitious material, aggregates, and water, with other additives
sometimes included to modify performance.
,2. What is the primary purpose of mortar in masonry construction?
A. To waterproof the wall completely
B. To bond masonry units and distribute loads
C. To replace reinforcing steel
D. To eliminate the need for foundations
Answer: B. To bond masonry units and distribute loads
Rationale: Mortar bonds adjacent masonry units, accommodates minor
dimensional variations, and helps distribute compressive and shear forces
through the wall assembly.
3. Which mortar property is especially important for achieving good bond
with masonry units?
A. Excessive stiffness
B. Proper workability
C. Extremely high water content
D. Very rapid setting time
Answer: B. Proper workability
,Rationale: Workable mortar can be properly spread and tooled, allowing
intimate contact with the masonry units and improving bond quality.
4. What is the purpose of a mortar joint tooled while the mortar is
thumbprint hard?
A. To increase joint width
B. To compact and finish the joint
C. To remove reinforcement
D. To dissolve the mortar
Answer: B. To compact and finish the joint
Rationale: Tooling the mortar at the proper stage compacts the joint
surface and improves its appearance and resistance to water penetration.
5. Which joint profile generally provides good resistance to water
penetration when properly tooled?
A. Concave
B. Raked
C. Flush and untooled
D. Extruded
, Answer: A. Concave
Rationale: A properly compacted concave joint is widely used because
tooling consolidates the mortar and creates a weather-resistant joint
profile.
6. What does the term “head joint” refer to?
A. The horizontal mortar joint
B. The vertical mortar joint between masonry units
C. The foundation joint
D. The top of a footing
Answer: B. The vertical mortar joint between masonry units
Rationale: Head joints are the vertical mortar joints between adjacent
masonry units, while bed joints are generally horizontal.
7. What is the horizontal mortar joint between courses of masonry called?
A. Head joint
B. Bed joint
C. Control joint
D. Expansion joint
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which material is most commonly used to manufacture concrete
masonry units (CMUs)?
A. Gypsum and sand
B. Portland cement, aggregates, and water
C. Clay and gypsum
D. Lime and asphalt
Answer: B. Portland cement, aggregates, and water
Rationale: Concrete masonry units are generally manufactured from
cementitious material, aggregates, and water, with other additives
sometimes included to modify performance.
,2. What is the primary purpose of mortar in masonry construction?
A. To waterproof the wall completely
B. To bond masonry units and distribute loads
C. To replace reinforcing steel
D. To eliminate the need for foundations
Answer: B. To bond masonry units and distribute loads
Rationale: Mortar bonds adjacent masonry units, accommodates minor
dimensional variations, and helps distribute compressive and shear forces
through the wall assembly.
3. Which mortar property is especially important for achieving good bond
with masonry units?
A. Excessive stiffness
B. Proper workability
C. Extremely high water content
D. Very rapid setting time
Answer: B. Proper workability
,Rationale: Workable mortar can be properly spread and tooled, allowing
intimate contact with the masonry units and improving bond quality.
4. What is the purpose of a mortar joint tooled while the mortar is
thumbprint hard?
A. To increase joint width
B. To compact and finish the joint
C. To remove reinforcement
D. To dissolve the mortar
Answer: B. To compact and finish the joint
Rationale: Tooling the mortar at the proper stage compacts the joint
surface and improves its appearance and resistance to water penetration.
5. Which joint profile generally provides good resistance to water
penetration when properly tooled?
A. Concave
B. Raked
C. Flush and untooled
D. Extruded
, Answer: A. Concave
Rationale: A properly compacted concave joint is widely used because
tooling consolidates the mortar and creates a weather-resistant joint
profile.
6. What does the term “head joint” refer to?
A. The horizontal mortar joint
B. The vertical mortar joint between masonry units
C. The foundation joint
D. The top of a footing
Answer: B. The vertical mortar joint between masonry units
Rationale: Head joints are the vertical mortar joints between adjacent
masonry units, while bed joints are generally horizontal.
7. What is the horizontal mortar joint between courses of masonry called?
A. Head joint
B. Bed joint
C. Control joint
D. Expansion joint
