GRADE 9 Pre-technical – PROJECT Quiz

1. What is the first step when starting a simple woodworking project at school?

Design and make a clear plan for the project
Ask a friend to do the work for you
Buy the most expensive tools available
Begin cutting materials immediately
Explanation:

Planning and design come first so you know what to build, what materials and tools you'll need, and how long it will take. This reduces waste and mistakes.

2. Which unit should you use to measure timber lengths for a school project in Kenya?

Centimetres and metres
Pounds
Yards
Inches and feet only
Explanation:

Kenya uses the metric system, so measuring in centimetres and metres ensures accuracy and consistency.

3. What is the purpose of a bill of materials (BOM) for a project?

To write a story about your project
To record the cost and quantities of all materials needed
To describe the weather forecast
To list the tools you will not need
Explanation:

A BOM helps you buy the right amounts and estimate costs, preventing delays and extra trips to the shop.

4. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when using a bench grinder?

Flip flops and shorts
No PPE is needed
Safety goggles and ear protection
Regular school uniform only
Explanation:

A bench grinder throws sparks and makes loud noise; goggles protect eyes and ear protection prevents hearing damage.

5. When cutting wood with a hand saw, which practice improves accuracy?

Clamping the wood and marking the cut line with a pencil
Holding the wood in the air while cutting
Cutting without marking the line
Wobbling the saw randomly
Explanation:

Clamping holds the work steady and a marked line guides the saw for a straight, accurate cut.

6. What is the safest way to carry a sharp tool like a chisel between benches?

Pointing the sharp end towards yourself
Holding it loosely in a pocket
Carry with the sharp edge pointing down and blade covered
Throw it to a friend
Explanation:

Pointing the edge down and covering it reduces the risk of accidental cuts to you or others.

7. Which tool is best for checking that two edges are at right angles (90°)?

Try square (carpenter's square)
Hammer
Chisel
Measuring tape
Explanation:

A try square is designed to check and mark right angles, making it ideal for joinery and layout work.

8. If your project requires joining two pieces of wood so they can be taken apart later, which fastener should you choose?

Nails only
Glue only
Staples
Screws with nuts or bolts
Explanation:

Screws and bolts can be removed and reassembled, whereas glue and nails are usually permanent.

9. What is the main reason for sanding wood after cutting and before finishing?

To change the colour of the wood permanently
To make the wood heavier
To reduce the wood's length
To create a smooth surface for better finish adhesion
Explanation:

Sanding removes roughness and prepares the surface so paint, varnish or stain adheres evenly.

10. Which of the following is a good method to estimate the total cost of a small school project?

Buy materials randomly and add up receipts later
Make a list of required materials, get local prices and add a small contingency
Only ask your friend how much they spent
Ignore costs and hope for the best
Explanation:

Listing materials and checking local prices gives a reliable estimate; adding contingency covers unexpected expenses.

11. In a team project, what is the best way to avoid confusion and wasted time?

Do not share any information
Assign clear roles and communicate the plan
Let everyone do whatever they want
Argue about who is better
Explanation:

Clear roles and communication ensure tasks are completed efficiently and responsibilities are understood.

12. Which material is most suitable for an outdoor bench that should resist rain in Kenya?

Treated timber or hardwood with protective finish
Plain cardboard
Untreated softwood only
Plywood with no treatment
Explanation:

Treated timber or durable hardwood with a protective finish resists moisture and lasts longer outdoors.

13. What is the correct sequence of stages in a simple school project?

Buying, throwing away, repeating
Finishing, drawing, testing, designing
Cutting, finishing, planning, testing
Design, planning, making, evaluating
Explanation:

Projects work best when you design, plan materials and steps, carry out the making, then evaluate the result.

14. Why is it important to make a prototype or model before making the final product?

To increase project cost
To avoid drawing plans
To test the design cheaply and find problems early
To waste materials intentionally
Explanation:

A prototype helps you try ideas, fix mistakes and improve the design without using expensive materials.

15. Which glue is commonly used for joining wood in classroom projects?

Wallpaper paste
PVA (wood glue)
Cooking oil
Laundry detergent
Explanation:

PVA glue is designed for wood; it bonds well and is safe and easy for school projects.

16. When using an electric drill, which action helps prevent the drill bit from slipping on the material?

Using oil as a lubricant on the drill handle
Holding the drill at a very low speed with no pilot hole on tough materials
Using a blunt drill bit
Making a small pilot hole or using a centre punch and holding the drill steady
Explanation:

A pilot hole or centre punch gives the bit a starting point and steady handling prevents slipping and wandering.

17. What is a sustainable choice when choosing materials for a school project?

Using illegally cut wood from forests
Choosing materials that can be recycled or sourced locally
Using single-use plastics without thought
Importing rare materials from far away for small projects
Explanation:

Recycled or locally sourced materials reduce environmental impact, cost and support sustainability in projects.

18. Which hand tool is best for removing small amounts of metal to make a surface smooth?

File
Screwdriver
Pliers
Spirit level
Explanation:

A file is used to smooth or shape metal and wood by removing small amounts of material precisely.

19. Why should you clamp work firmly before drilling or cutting?

So the work can move freely
To reduce accuracy and increase accidents
To decorate the work
To hold the work steady, improving safety and accuracy
Explanation:

Clamping prevents the workpiece from moving, which reduces risk of injury and makes cuts or holes more precise.

20. What should you do with leftover paint or chemicals after finishing a project?

Throw them in the school compound where children play
Store them safely or dispose of them following school/environmental guidelines
Burn them in an open area
Pour them down the classroom sink
Explanation:

Proper storage or disposal prevents pollution and harm to people; schools usually have guidelines for safe handling.

21. When choosing nails or screws for a wooden joint that must be strong, which is usually better?

Nails always hold better than screws
Staples are always the best option
Using only glue is stronger than both
Screws because they provide stronger, removable joints
Explanation:

Screws give better withdrawal strength and can be tightened or removed, making them preferable for strong joints.

22. Which finishing material will protect wood from rain and show the wood grain?

Clear varnish or wood stain and varnish
Plain water
Opaque latex paint only
Chalk
Explanation:

Varnish seals and protects wood while allowing the natural grain to remain visible; stains add colour but varnish protects.

23. What is the purpose of a project evaluation sheet after completing a school project?

To throw away all notes
To record what worked, what went wrong and how to improve next time
To ignore what went wrong
To make the teacher do all the work
Explanation:

Evaluation helps learners reflect, learn from mistakes and improve future projects.

24. Which drawing best helps communicate the final shape and size of a project to classmates?

A random scribble
A picture of something else
A clear labelled scale drawing (orthographic or isometric)
An empty sheet
Explanation:

Scale drawings with labels show exact dimensions and shape, making it easy for others to understand the design.

25. During a group project, what is a fair way to decide who uses the limited power tools?

Let only the loudest student use them
Use the tools without permission
First come, first served without safety checks
Assign tool times and ensure only trained students operate them under supervision
Explanation:

Scheduling and ensuring trained, supervised use keeps everyone safe and shares access fairly.