Can You Harness Your DIY Potential With This Around The House Quiz?
Written by Daniel Rackley
Last updated · 17 min play time
As any skilled handyman can tell you, even if you know the basics when it comes to fixing things around your house you will save yourself a lot of money in repair bills each year. Whether its knowing the right tools or techniques they are important skills to have!
Quiz written by
Daniel RackleyAround The House Quiz Questions
60 Questions · 283 Plays · No comments
Question 1
How should you dispose of old paint?
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AYou can't get rid of it
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BSeal the lid and throw it in the trash
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CPour it down the drain
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DRecycle it at an approved drop-off location
Recycle it at an approved drop-off location
Liquid paint contains solvents that can contaminate groundwater, so take it to an approved collector for proper disposal. You can also add kitty litter and allow it to dry out completely if you prefer to throw it in the trash.
Question 2
What's the red cord on your garage door for?
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AIt's the emergency release
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BIt resets the gears
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CIt activates the self-cleaning function
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DIt doesn't do anything
It's the emergency release
The red cord and handle form the manual release that disconnects the garage door from the chain drive so you can open it during a power outage.
Question 3
What is this pictured item?
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AAppliance lining
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BWeatherstripping
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CA tool cleaner
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DSoundproofing for windows
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping helps seal out drafts around doors and windows to lower your utility bills. When used on an old or drafty house they can save you more than 20% on your heating and cooling bills, according to the Department of Energy.
Question 4
Why is it dangerous for your pipes to freeze?
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AThey could burst and cause flooding
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BIt will cause corrosion of copper pipes
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CIt's not really dangerous, just inconvenient
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DYou could run out of water
They could burst and cause flooding
Ice expands, which can force pipes to burst. Keep your thermostat above 55 degrees in winter and add pipe insulation to prevent this.
Question 5
You can use a power auger to:
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AClean sanded items
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BSharpen your drill bits
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CDrill holes
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DPolish metal
Drill holes
Question 6
What is the best way to open a container of caulk?
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ACut the tip at a 45-degree angle
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BUnscrew the cap
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CWith a can opener
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DPull the lid until it pops
Cut the tip at a 45-degree angle
Before using caulk to seal gaps between materials, cut the tip at a 45-degree angle to create a small opening. Cut near the top for a small bead and farther down for a wide bead. Silicone caulk may also require you to poke into the cap with a piece of wire to break the seal.
Question 7
Humid conditions can cause wooden doors to:
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ASwell
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BContract
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CDisintegrate
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DRust
Swell
Question 8
What is this pictured object?
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AA chisel
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BA box cutter
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CA paint scraper
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DA shingle razor
A paint scraper
A paint scraper is crucial for prepping your house for new paint. Scrape away all flaking paint before priming and painting.
Question 9
Your new addition will require a roof. What is the most common type of roofing in the United States?
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AAsphalt Shingles
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BRubber
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CMetal
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DCeramic
Asphalt Shingles
Roofing shingles are the most common type of shingle in use in the United States. This is due to its low cost and multi-year guarantee of durability.
Question 10
What holds a ceiling fan onto the ceiling?
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ARomex cable
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BA mounting bracket
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CMagnetic force
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DThe electrical wires
A mounting bracket
A ceiling fan needs to be attached to a mounting bracket; the wires alone will not hold it in place.
Question 11
What is a miter saw used for?
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AMaking angled cuts
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BMaking rounded cuts
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CMaking jagged cuts
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DMaking dadoes
Making angled cuts
A miter saw can be adjusted to make angled cuts. It allows you set the angle exactly for complex joints; for example, cutting crown molding to fit corners.
Question 12
Paint primer is used to:
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AProtect paint from UV rays
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BEnsure paint adheres properly
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CTouch up peeling or faded paint
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DDecrease paint toxicity
Ensure paint adheres properly
Question 13
Faucet leaks are often the result of:
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APoor insulation
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BCondensation
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CBroken washers
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DFlooding
Broken washers
Question 14
What does G.P.M. stand for in plumbing?
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AGallons per minute
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BGrowth period maximum
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CGross PEX measurement
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DGallon purchase monitor
Gallons per minute
GPM stands for gallons per minute, and it's the measurement that tells you how fast water flows through your faucet or shower head. The lower the flow, the more water you save.
Question 15
What is this old tool called?
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AA wooden block.
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BA wood sander.
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CA wooden plane.
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DA handsaw.
A wooden plane.
Question 16
What is PEX?
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AHot water tubing
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BA specialty plumbing wrench
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CFlexible plastic piping
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DStainless steel piping
Flexible plastic piping
PEX is a flexible plastic piping that can be connected with a special tool instead of by sweating pipes together. It's cheaper and easier to install than copper piping. PEX stands for crosslinked polyethylene.
Question 17
What's the purpose of a pilot hole?
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AThey help prevent measuring errors
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BThey allow beginners to practice drilling cleanly
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CThey aren't actually necessary with modern tools
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DThey prevent wood from cracking under the pressure of a screw
They prevent wood from cracking under the pressure of a screw
Pre-drilling helps reduce cracking when you add a screw. Though wood might not crack without them, pilot holes are a good insurance policy for strong joints. (Photo: manmadewood.com)
Question 18
When should you use pressure-treated wood?
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AWhen you plan to paint it.
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BWhen wood will be exposed to water
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CWhen you like the color green
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DWhen you want superior strength
When wood will be exposed to water
Though pressure-treated wood can be painted, its primary purpose is to resist rot. It's for outdoor situations where wood is exposed to water.
Question 19
What does it mean to sweat a pipe?
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ATo allow condensation on cold water pipes
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BTo fit copper pipes together with solder
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CTo flush the pipe with drain cleaner
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DTo improperly install it
To fit copper pipes together with solder
Sweating pipes means to join them together by heating the metal and applying solder, which will melt and seal the joint.
Question 20
What is a hacksaw designed to cut?
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AMetal
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BBone
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CLeather
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DWood
Metal
A hacksaw is traditionally used for cutting metal thanks to its many small teeth.
Question 21
Which of these hammers is the most versatile?
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AA tack hammer
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BA ball peen hammer
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CA claw hammer
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DA sledgehammer
A claw hammer
A claw hammer is the most versatile due to its balanced weight and curved claw, which makes it possible to remove nails from wood.
Question 22
What is a feather board used for?
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ACleaning a table saw
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BApplying joint compound
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CBlending paint
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DStabilizing wood when using a table saw
Stabilizing wood when using a table saw
A feather board holds wood against the fence or table of a saw to prevent dangerous kickback.
Question 23
What is caulk used for?
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AImprove tensile strength
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BProtect from moisture
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CReinforce paint
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DClean mold
Protect from moisture
Question 24
When should you use shoe molding?
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AWhen you want to skip crown molding
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BWhen baseboard doesn't fit snugly against floorboards
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CWhen you plan to paint it
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DWhen you want to block drafts around a window
When baseboard doesn't fit snugly against floorboards
Though shoe molding can be placed in any right angle, it's traditionally used to fill gaps between flooring and the baseboard or wall. (Photo: doityourself.com)
Question 25
What is the best kind of sealer to use between your tub and the wall?
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ASanded grout
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BAny caulk will do
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CSilicone or marine
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DSelf-leveling lap sealant
Silicone or marine
Silicone and marine sealants provide good waterproofing and are recommended for use around toilets, tubs and sinks. Silicone is excellent for putting a watertight seal between two materials that are held together permanently or semi-permanently. For sealing various surfaces at a 90 degree angle, such as the corner between the tub and the wall, you may want to consider using poly-sulfide sealant or many other marine sealants that are often far superior to silicone in their adhesive properties. Latex is also a good option for mismatched surfaces.
Question 26
What's the best paint brush for painting trim?
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AA wall roller
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BIt doesn't matter
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CA chip brush
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DAn angled sash brush
An angled sash brush
An angled sash brush allows you to apply paint to window sashes, wood trim and any place you need to cut in with a straight, controlled line.
Question 27
Which way do you turn a screw with right-handed thread to tighten it?
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ATo the left
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BTo the right
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CInside out
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DUpside down
To the right
Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey is the mnemonic device to live by. Technically, they turn clockwise, but that doesn't fit the nice rhyme.
Question 28
What tool is best used to make curved cuts?
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AA miter saw
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BA circular saw
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CA handsaw
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DA jigsaw
A jigsaw
A jigsaw can be powered around curves to cut out interesting designs in wood, like with jigsaw puzzles!
Question 29
A tool that is powered by pressurized air is known as:
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AAn aerodynamic tool
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BA vaporous apparatus
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CA pneumatic tool
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DAn ethereal device
A pneumatic tool
Question 30
What is the best way to clean a clogged shower head?
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AReplace it
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BSpray it with bleach
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CSoak it in vinegar
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DScrub it with a scouring pad
Soak it in vinegar
Clogged shower heads are caused by lime and mineral buildup from hard water. The acid in vinegar breaks down these deposits.
Question 31
This is the type of decorative trim that would line the area where the ceiling touches the wall.
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AFlushing
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BBaseboard
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CTopboard
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DCrown Molding
Crown Molding
This decorative trim that runs along the ceiling is seen by some to add a stylish flair to a room. A useful trick is to run wires behind your crown molding that might otherwise be exposed and an eyesore.
Question 32
What's the best way to attach a drawer front?
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ADovetail joints
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BFinish nails
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CBiscuit joints
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DGlue and screw
Dovetail joints
Dovetail joints are the gold standard when in comes to attaching drawer fronts, thanks to their superior tensile strength.
Question 33
What is this pictured object?
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AA tapered bit
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BA level
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CA plumb bob
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DA chalk line
A plumb bob
A plumb bob is used to mark a point from a height to make sure the line between those is perfectly plumb (vertical).
Question 34
The Phillips-Head screwdriver is one of the most common tools around. What other name is there for it?
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ACross-head
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BTorque-head
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CSquare-head
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DFlat-head
Cross-head
Question 35
Why should you drain your water heater tank?
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ATo test the thermostat
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BNone of the above
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CTo fill your aquarium
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DTo remove sediment
To remove sediment
Draining your hot water tank flushes out sediment and minerals that can cause corrosion over time. Leaving this to build up can end with a clogged drain valve.
Question 36
For what should you use a wooden mallet?
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AHammering nails
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BAnything you'd use a hammer for
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CTapping a chisel for leverage
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DPracticing hammer swings
Tapping a chisel for leverage
Wooden mallets aren't strong enough to hammer nails for long, but they're ideal for tapping chisels to gain leverage, especially in a chop cut.
Question 37
What is a closet flange?
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AThe place where the sewer line exits the home
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BAn old-fashioned pipe connector
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CAn anchoring ring for a toilet
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DA pipe chase hidden in a closet
An anchoring ring for a toilet
The closet flange anchors the toilet over the drain pipe in the floor. It should rise about 1/4-inch above the finished floor to help keep the toilet in place.
Question 38
What should you do if you're out of wood putty?
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AAllow matching paint to dry out to a thick consistency
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BUse joint compound instead
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CMake a mixture of wood glue and sawdust from the same species
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DFill the holes with sand
Make a mixture of wood glue and sawdust from the same species
Make your own wood filler with sawdust and glue for a quick, inexpensive wood putty. (doityourself.com)
Question 39
Digital tape measures allow for more accurate measurements than their traditional counterparts. To determine the measurements, they use:
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ASonar
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BLasers
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CRadar
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DHeat waves
Lasers
Laser tape measures are alternatives to traditional metal tape measures; they're used to calculate lengths, widths and heights of up to about 650 feet (198 meters). They're generally considered accurate to within an eighth of an inch (3 millimeters) when measuring a distance of up to 300 feet (91.5 meters).
Question 40
How do you use a chisel?
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AWith only one corner against the wood
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BThe same way you use a screwdriver
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CPull it toward you
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DPush it away from you
Push it away from you
Chisels are most often used by pressing them away from you to shave off a bit off wood at a time. They can also be used vertically for a chop cut.
Question 41
"Measure ____, cut once."
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AUp
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BCarefully
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COnce
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DTwice
Twice
The old saying in woodworking is "Measure twice, cut once" to avoid costly mistakes.
Question 42
This style of laminate is commonly used in kitchen countertops. What is the name of this material made from a combination of paper, fabric, and resin?
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AMarble
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BButcherblock
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CConcrete
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DFormica
Formica
Formica is a durable and non-porous material that is commonly used for countertops. It is a cheap countertop substitute that can resemble a much richer look. However it damages easily from heat or scratches.
Question 43
Measuring wheels are most likely to produce inaccurate measurements on:
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ACircular areas
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BWet surfaces
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CHot surfaces
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DUneven terrain
Uneven terrain
Question 44
A leaky faucet can be annoying. How should you approach fixing it?
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AAddress the washer and the faucet seat to make sure that it is tightly sealed.
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BLook for signs of rust up and around the handles and tap.
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CChange out the faucet completely, a leaky faucet is busted.
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DClean out the actual aerator.
Address the washer and the faucet seat to make sure that it is tightly sealed.
Question 45
What are these pictured tools?
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AAwls
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BMonkey wrenches
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CJackhammers
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DAllen Keys
Allen Keys
These are used to drive bolts and screws with hexagonal sockets in their heads. Their name comes from the Allen Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut.
Question 46
Ensuring that concrete has the proper time, moisture, and temperature is known as _____ the concrete.
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ARefining
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BEnhancing
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CCuring
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DSetting
Curing
Question 47
The two most common materials used to make heavy-duty hammers are:
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ACopper and lead
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BObsidian and plastic
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CBronze and tin
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DFiberglass and steel
Fiberglass and steel
Question 48
What does G.F.C.I. stand for?
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AGigawatt Follower Circuit Interrupt
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BGround Fault Containment Insulator
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CGround-Fault Circuit Interrupter
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DGround Float Circuit Insulation
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms where water is near the outlet.
Question 49
What is the name of the building material that is made of concrete but painted to emulate stone?
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AMarble
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BFaux Stone
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CLaminate
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DVarnish
Faux Stone
Faux stone, or stone veneer, is made from concrete molds and painted to look like natural stone. Faux stone is cheaper than natural stone, being, on average, 1/3 to 1/2 the cost.
Question 50
Uh oh. You come home to find that your toilet isn't flushing at all. What do you do first?
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AGrab a plunger and see if something is lodged in the bend.
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BOpen up the tank and see if the flapper/valve is dislodged.
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CAggressively jiggle the handle.
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DCut the water and start plunging.
Open up the tank and see if the flapper/valve is dislodged.
Question 51
What does the tip of a Phillips head screwdriver look like?
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AA straight line
-
BA hexagon
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CA "+" sign
-
DA square
A "+" sign
A Phillips head screwdriver looks like an X and is designed to be self-centering, so it doesn't slip out of the screw when pressure is applied. It is named after its inventor, Henry F. Phillips.
Question 52
It's winter. You hear your gas furnace cycle on but the vents are only blowing cold air. What is the most common cause for this?
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AThe furnace is getting old and doesn't have enough power.
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BThe pilot light has gone out or your air filter needs to be replaced.
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CYour thermostat is malfunctioning.
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DThe furnace is not big enough for your house.
The pilot light has gone out or your air filter needs to be replaced.
Your furnace may be blowing cold air because the filter is too dirty. A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the furnace's heat exchanger, causing it to overheat. If the pilot light isn't lit, then the furnace's burners won't light, meaning no heat.
Question 53
What sort of saw are you looking at here?
-
APanel Saw
-
BRotary Saw
-
CTable Saw
-
DMiter Saw
Panel Saw
Question 54
Planing a door involves:
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AStraightening it
-
BAligning it with the wall
-
CRemoving a thin layer of wood
-
DTransporting it by airplane
Removing a thin layer of wood
Question 55
What is a nail set used for?
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AFiling a sharper point on a nail
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BSinking a nail below the surface of the wood
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CMarking divots before nailing
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DPracticing hammer swings
Sinking a nail below the surface of the wood
A nail set is used with a hammer to push a finish nail below the surface of the wood. Typically wood putty is added to the divot to hide the nail for a smooth surface.
Question 56
In your new addition, you may need to install some drywall. What is the method used to seal the joints on drywall?
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ASanding and Taping
-
BScoring and Mudding
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CTaping and Mudding
-
DGluing and Stapling
Taping and Mudding
The first part to finishing drywall is applying tape over the joints between your installed drywall. Mudding is the next part of the process in which you fill screw or nail holes with plaster, after which the walls are sanded down to become flat.
Question 57
What is a Forstner bit good for?
-
AMaking large, clean holes in wood.
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BSharpening regular drill bits
-
CPolishing other tools
-
DMaking holes in metal
Making large, clean holes in wood.
Forstner bits have a wide outer edge designed to drill large holes with clean, smooth edges.
Question 58
The thickness of a paint roller pile is also known as its:
-
ANap
-
BPile width
-
CPaint depth
-
DRoller size
Nap
Question 59
How do you know it's time to clean your dryer vent?
-
AAll of the above
-
BClothing takes longer to dry
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CThere's a burning smell when you run the dryer
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DThe dryer is hot to the touch
All of the above
When lint builds up in the dryer vent, it can cause the dryer to overheat. It's not just inefficient, it's also a fire risk.
Question 60
When do you need to season wood?
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AWhen it's purchased in the winter
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BWhen you have enough time
-
CWhen it's old
-
DWhen it's green
When it's green
Whether standard or pressure treated, green lumber has a high moisture content and needs to air dry to shrink to its final size and properly take paint or stain. To avoid this process, seek out kiln-dried lumber instead.
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