Wood

18 Grade 9 Pre-Technical Studies questions on Wood, with worked marking schemes. 18 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   6 marks

   Identify three common defects found in timber and state how each affects the quality of a finished product.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any three, 2 marks each (defect 1 mark + effect 1 mark): Knots — weaken the timber and spoil appearance; Warping/cupping — makes surfaces uneven and joints inaccurate; Cracks/shakes/splits — reduce strength and may widen; Cross/wild grain — weakens and makes planing difficult; Insect/fungal decay — weakens and destroys the wood.

2. Question 2

   4 marks

   Explain why proper storage of timber is important in a school workshop and give two good storage practices.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Importance (2 marks): to prevent moisture absorption, warping, and fungal/insect attack and to keep the timber straight and usable. Two practices (1 mark each): stack timber flat with spacers (stickers) between layers to allow air circulation; keep it under shelter and off the ground in a dry, ventilated store.

3. Question 3

   1 mark

   Which finish is applied to a wooden table to protect it from moisture and give it a shiny, attractive surface?

   A. Glue

   B. Nails

   C. Sawdust

   D. Varnish

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   6 marks

   A small carpentry business owner is selecting timber for making outdoor garden benches that will be exposed to rain and sunshine.

   (a) State whether hardwood or softwood would be more suitable for this purpose. (2 marks)

   (b) Give TWO reasons for your choice in (a). (4 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Hardwood would be more suitable for the outdoor benches. (2 marks) (b) Reasons (any TWO, 2 marks each): - Hardwoods are dense, strong and durable, so the benches can carry weight and last long under outdoor use. - Many hardwoods are naturally resistant to weather, moisture and decay/rot, so they withstand rain and sun better than softwoods. - Hardwoods are more resistant to attack by insects (such as termites) and to warping, keeping the benches stable outdoors.

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   A carpenter explains to learners that one timber takes longer to grow, is generally harder and more durable, and comes from broad-leaved trees such as mahogany. Which type of wood is being described?

   A. Softwood

   B. Plywood

   C. Chipboard

   D. Hardwood

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Wood obtained from broad-leaved, deciduous trees such as mahogany and camphor is classified as:

   A. Hardwood

   B. Plywood

   C. Manufactured board

   D. Softwood

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which manufactured board is made by gluing together small wood chips and particles under pressure?

   A. Solid timber

   B. Blockboard

   C. Plywood

   D. Chipboard (particle board)

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   3 marks

   State three advantages of using manufactured boards such as plywood instead of natural solid timber for making a cupboard.

   (3 marks)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   A defect in timber where the wood fibres do not run parallel to the length, weakening the piece, is called:

   A. Sanding

   B. Varnishing

   C. Cross grain

   D. Seasoning

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    The process of removing moisture from freshly cut timber before use is called:

    A. Planing

    B. Sanding

    C. Seasoning

    D. Jointing

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    A small carpentry business buys timber that has been dried to reduce its moisture content before use. The owner explains to an apprentice why timber is seasoned before making furniture. Which is the MAIN reason for seasoning timber?

    A. To make the timber heavier and more expensive

    B. To increase the moisture content for easier sawing

    C. To reduce moisture content so the wood does not warp, crack or rot

    D. To change the natural colour of the wood permanently

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    Softwoods such as cypress and pine in Kenya are generally obtained from trees that are:

    A. Grasses

    B. Aquatic plants

    C. Broad-leaved and slow-growing

    D. Coniferous and fast-growing

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    4 marks

    A learner cut green (freshly felled) timber and used it immediately to make a stool. After two weeks the joints loosened and the wood cracked.

    (a) Explain the cause.

    (b) State the process that should have been done first.

    (4 marks)

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14. Question 14

    4 marks

    Name two methods of seasoning timber and give one difference between them.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Two methods (1 mark each): natural/air seasoning and artificial/kiln seasoning. Difference (2 marks): air seasoning stacks timber in the open to dry naturally and is slow and cheap, while kiln seasoning uses a controlled heated chamber and is fast but more costly and requires equipment.

15. Question 15

    4 marks

    Distinguish between hardwood and softwood, giving one Kenyan example of each.

    (4 marks)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    A carpenter needs a wide, flat, stable panel for the back of a cabinet that will not warp easily. The MOST suitable material is:

    A. Firewood

    B. A single natural plank

    C. Sawdust

    D. Plywood

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    Why is timber seasoned before it is used to make furniture?

    A. To increase its moisture content

    B. To reduce shrinking, warping and cracking after construction

    C. To make the wood heavier

    D. To change hardwood into softwood

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    Which of the following is a hardwood commonly used in Kenya for making durable furniture?

    A. Cypress

    B. Pine

    C. Balsa

    D. Mahogany

    (1 mark)

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