Building materials - Timber Practice Questions for , APPSC, TSPSC- AEE

1. Which of the following is an endogenous tree?

• A. Teak
• B. Deodar
• C. Bamboo
• D. Sal

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Endogenous trees grow inwards (longitudinally) like Bamboo and Palm. Exogenous trees grow outwards by adding concentric rings (Teak, Sal).

2. The age of an exogenous tree can be estimated by:

• A. Number of layers in bark
• B. Number of annular rings
• C. Diameter of the pith
• D. Height of the tree

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Each annular ring represents one year of growth. Counting these rings from the cross-section gives the approximate age.

3. In the cross-section of a tree, the layer between the bark and the sapwood is:

• A. Pith
• B. Heartwood
• C. Cambium layer
• D. Inner bark

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The cambium layer is a thin layer of sap between the sapwood and inner bark, essential for the tree's growth.

4. According to IS 399, timber is classified as "highly durable" if its average life is:

• A. More than 5 years
• B. More than 10 years
• C. More than 120 months
• D. More than 180 months

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: High Durability > 120 months; Moderate = 60 to 120 months; Low < 60 months.

5. The moisture content of timber used in building frames should ideally be:

• A. 2% to 5%
• B. 8% to 12%
• C. 20% to 25%
• D. 50%

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: For structural stability in Indian climates, 10-12% moisture content is the standard to prevent warping.

6. Which defect in timber is caused by the separation of layers due to wind action?

• A. Radial shakes
• B. Heart shakes
• C. Star shakes
• D. Cup shakes

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Cup shakes occur along the annual rings, often caused by the severe swaying of the tree during strong winds.

APPSC AEE PREVIOUS 7. The central part of the tree is known as:

• A. Heartwood
• B. Sapwood
• C. Pith
• D. Cambium

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Pith (or Medulla) is the innermost core and the oldest part of the tree.

8. Dry rot in timber is caused by:

• A. Lack of ventilation
• B. Alternate wetting and drying
• C. Submergence in water
• D. High temperatures

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Fungi attack wood in stagnant, damp air, reducing it to a dry, powdery mass.

9. The strength of timber is maximum in a direction:

• A. Perpendicular to the grains
• B. Parallel to the grains
• C. 45 degrees to the grains
• D. Same in all directions

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Timber is anisotropic; it offers the highest resistance to load when applied parallel to its fibers.

10. "Knot" in timber is a:

• A. Fungal defect
• B. Sign of decay
• C. Base of a broken branch
• D. Result of seasoning

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Knots are formed by the base of a branch being enclosed by the natural growth of the tree trunk.

11. Which preservative is commonly used to protect timber from white ants (termites)?

• A. ASCU
• B. Coal Tar
• C. Creosote Oil
• D. All of the above

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: All these chemicals provide resistance against termites, though ASCU is particularly well-known for being odorless and paintable.

12. The most common seasoning method used for large scale commercial timber is:

• A. Air seasoning
• B. Kiln seasoning
• C. Water seasoning
• D. Chemical seasoning

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Kiln seasoning allows for rapid, uniform, and controlled drying in an airtight chamber.

APPSC AEE PREVIOUS 13. A well-seasoned timber has a moisture content of about:

• A. 15% to 20%
• B. 5% to 8%
• C. 10% to 12%
• D. 0%

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This range represents the Fiber Saturation equilibrium with common atmospheric conditions.

14. Plywood has the advantage of:

• A. Greater tensile strength in longer direction
• B. Uniform tensile strength in all directions
• C. Being cheaper than natural timber
• D. Having high moisture resistance

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Alternating the grain direction in veneers ensures plywood doesn't have a "weak" direction like solid wood.

15. The wood used for making sports goods like cricket bats is:

• A. Mulberry
• B. Teak
• C. Willow
• D. Cane

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Willow (Salix alba) is used for high-quality bats due to its toughness and lightweight properties.

16. Expansion and shrinkage of timber occur primarily due to:

• A. Changes in pith size
• B. Absorption/loss of water from cell walls
• C. Temperature changes
• D. Loading conditions

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Volume changes occur when water is lost or gained from the cell walls (bound water), not the cell cavities.

17. What is the Fiber Saturation Point (FSP) of timber typically?

• A. 10%
• B. 20%
• C. 25% to 30%
• D. 50%

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: FSP is the moisture content at which only the cell walls are saturated, and the cell cavities are empty.

18. Which of the following is a hardwood?

• A. Chir
• B. Deodar
• C. Shisham
• D. Pine

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) is a hardwood. Chir, Pine, and Deodar are softwoods from coniferous trees.

APPSC AEE PREVIOUS 19. The process of removing sap from timber is called:

• A. Felling
• B. Seasoning
• C. Preserving
• D. Dressing

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Seasoning is the systematic drying of wood to reduce moisture to a stable level.

20. A timber piece with a cross-section where one dimension is less than 5 cm and the other is less than 20 cm is called a:

• A. Plank
• B. Scantling
• C. Batten
• D. Baulk

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Battens are specifically small-sized timber pieces often used as supports for roofing or flooring.

Current Affairs Quiz : 26th Mar 2026

Daily MCQ Challenge

March 26, 2026 | Test Your Knowledge

1. Which state is the second in India to pass the UCC Bill 2026?

• A) Uttarakhand
• B) Punjab
• C) Gujarat
• D) Rajasthan

View Result

Correct Answer: C (Gujarat)
Explanation: Gujarat Assembly passed the bill following Uttarakhand's lead, aiming for uniform civil laws.

2. What is the name of Agnikul Cosmos' 3D-printed engine?

• A) Agnite
• B) Prithvi
• C) Skyroot
• D) Dhruva

View Result

Correct Answer: A (Agnite)
Explanation: The 'Agnite' booster is world's first single-piece 3D printed engine tested in India.

3. India's FY27 GDP growth forecast by S&P Global is:

• A) 6.9%
• B) 7.0%
• C) 7.1%
• D) 7.2%

View Result

Correct Answer: C (7.1%)
Explanation: S&P cited strong domestic performance for this upward revision.

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