Bricklaying & Masonry Practice
Examination
Practice Questions
Question 1
Which hand tool is specifically designed to cleanly cut bricks to size when struck
with a club hammer?
● A) Jointer
● B) Hawk
● C) Bolster chisel
● D) Boat level
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of adding hydrated lime to a cement-sand mortar
batch?
● A) Improves workability and water retention
● B) Accelerates the initial setting time dramatically
● C) Increases ultimate compressive strength to maximum limits
● D) Prevents efflorescence from appearing on the brick face
Question 3
In standard bricklaying practice, what is the nominal bed joint thickness used for
site calculations?
● A) 3 mm
● B) 6 mm
● C) 15 mm
● D) 10 mm
,Question 4
Which bonding pattern consists of alternating courses of all stretchers and all
headers?
● A) Flemish bond
● B) English bond
● C) Stretcher bond
● D) Monk bond
Question 5
What is the primary structural reason for maintaining a 1/2 brick lap in stretcher
bond masonry?
● A) To reduce the amount of mortar consumed
● B) To distribute vertical loads evenly across the wall
● C) To eliminate the need for wall ties in cavity walls
● D) To speed up the laying process for apprentice bricklayers
Question 6
Where should a flexible damp-proof course (DPC) be positioned in a brick cavity
wall relative to finished ground level?
● A) Flush with the finished ground level
● B) At least 75 mm above finished ground level
● C) Below the concrete strip footing
● D) At least 150 mm above finished ground level
Question 7
Which profile is formed by pushing mortar back at an angle at the top of the joint
while keeping the bottom flush?
● A) Weather struck pointing
● B) Recessed key pointing
● C) Flush jointing
● D) Bucket handle pointing
, Question 8
What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when dry-cutting
masonry units with a cut-off saw?
● A) High-visibility vest only
● B) Leather gloves only
● C) Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and eye protection
● D) Steel-toe boots only
Question 9
How many standard metric bricks (215 mm x 102.5 mm x 65 mm) are required per
square metre for a single-skin half-brick wall?
● A) 30
● B) 40
● C) 50
● D) 60
Question 10
Which bricklaying tool is used to establish plumb corners and straight lines
without repeatedly using a spirit level?
● A) Masonry profile
● B) Tingle plate
● C) Dutch pin
● D) Line block
Question 11
What mortar mix designation (cement : sand) is typically recommended for below-
ground masonry subject to severe frost action?
● A) 1:6
● B) 1:3
● C) 1:8
● D) 1:12
Examination
Practice Questions
Question 1
Which hand tool is specifically designed to cleanly cut bricks to size when struck
with a club hammer?
● A) Jointer
● B) Hawk
● C) Bolster chisel
● D) Boat level
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of adding hydrated lime to a cement-sand mortar
batch?
● A) Improves workability and water retention
● B) Accelerates the initial setting time dramatically
● C) Increases ultimate compressive strength to maximum limits
● D) Prevents efflorescence from appearing on the brick face
Question 3
In standard bricklaying practice, what is the nominal bed joint thickness used for
site calculations?
● A) 3 mm
● B) 6 mm
● C) 15 mm
● D) 10 mm
,Question 4
Which bonding pattern consists of alternating courses of all stretchers and all
headers?
● A) Flemish bond
● B) English bond
● C) Stretcher bond
● D) Monk bond
Question 5
What is the primary structural reason for maintaining a 1/2 brick lap in stretcher
bond masonry?
● A) To reduce the amount of mortar consumed
● B) To distribute vertical loads evenly across the wall
● C) To eliminate the need for wall ties in cavity walls
● D) To speed up the laying process for apprentice bricklayers
Question 6
Where should a flexible damp-proof course (DPC) be positioned in a brick cavity
wall relative to finished ground level?
● A) Flush with the finished ground level
● B) At least 75 mm above finished ground level
● C) Below the concrete strip footing
● D) At least 150 mm above finished ground level
Question 7
Which profile is formed by pushing mortar back at an angle at the top of the joint
while keeping the bottom flush?
● A) Weather struck pointing
● B) Recessed key pointing
● C) Flush jointing
● D) Bucket handle pointing
, Question 8
What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when dry-cutting
masonry units with a cut-off saw?
● A) High-visibility vest only
● B) Leather gloves only
● C) Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and eye protection
● D) Steel-toe boots only
Question 9
How many standard metric bricks (215 mm x 102.5 mm x 65 mm) are required per
square metre for a single-skin half-brick wall?
● A) 30
● B) 40
● C) 50
● D) 60
Question 10
Which bricklaying tool is used to establish plumb corners and straight lines
without repeatedly using a spirit level?
● A) Masonry profile
● B) Tingle plate
● C) Dutch pin
● D) Line block
Question 11
What mortar mix designation (cement : sand) is typically recommended for below-
ground masonry subject to severe frost action?
● A) 1:6
● B) 1:3
● C) 1:8
● D) 1:12
