Ceramics

9 Grade 8 Pre-Technical Studies questions on Ceramics, with worked marking schemes. 9 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   A learner shapes a clay pot and the teacher explains it must be fired in a special oven to make it hard and permanent. What is this oven called?

   A. A kiln

   B. A forge

   C. A furnace for melting iron

   D. A microwave

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   4 marks

   Describe the coiling method of making a clay pot.

   (4 marks)

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3. Question 3

   4 marks

   State two safety precautions a learner should observe when working with clay and a kiln.

   (4 marks)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   A learner shaping a clay pot is told it must be heated in a special oven to make it hard and permanent. What is the name of the oven used to fire ceramic products?

   A. Kiln

   B. Forge

   C. Incubator

   D. Furnace

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   A learner applies a glassy coating to a fired clay cup so it becomes shiny and waterproof. What is this coating called?

   A. Slip

   B. Glaze

   C. Grog

   D. Plaster

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   4 marks

   Explain the term 'wedging' and state one reason why it is important in ceramics.

   (4 marks)

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7. Question 7

   5 marks

   A learner has moulded a clay pot but it cracked after drying in the sun.

   (a) State two possible causes of the cracking.

   (b) Suggest one way to prevent cracking during drying.

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Any two (2 marks each = 4): air bubbles not removed (poor wedging); drying too fast in direct sun/heat; clay too dry or unevenly mixed; walls of uneven thickness. (b) One (1 mark): dry the article slowly in a cool shaded place away from direct sun/heat; or cover loosely to slow drying.

8. Question 8

   5 marks

   A small group of learners visits a local pottery workshop where clay items such as flower pots and cups are made and then fired in a kiln.

   (a) State what is meant by ceramics. (2 marks)

   (b) Give TWO properties of fired ceramic materials that make them suitable for making cooking pots or flower pots. (2 marks)

   (c) State ONE disadvantage of ceramic materials. (1 mark)

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Ceramics are non-metallic materials made from clay (or other earth minerals) that are shaped and then hardened by firing/heating at high temperatures in a kiln. (2 marks) (b) Any TWO (1 mark each): They are heat-resistant / can withstand high temperatures without melting; they are hard and rigid; they are resistant to corrosion/chemicals and do not rust; they are poor conductors of heat and electricity; they hold water and do not rot. (c) Any ONE (1 mark): They are brittle and break/crack easily when dropped; they are heavy; once hardened they cannot be reshaped.

9. Question 9

   3 marks

   State three products that can be made from clay through ceramics.

   (3 marks)

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