How to use plant fibers to make twine and rope
  • 1. Which of these plant fibers is LEAST suitable for making strong rope?
A) Flax
B) Hemp
C) Sisal
D) Cotton
  • 2. What is the primary purpose of retting plant fibers?
A) To separate fibers from the plant stalk
B) To make the fibers waterproof
C) To make the fibers stronger
D) To dye the fibers
  • 3. What is the process of combing fibers called?
A) Scutching
B) Retting
C) Spinning
D) Hackling
  • 4. Which spinning direction creates 'S-twist' twine?
A) Downwards
B) Upwards
C) Counter-clockwise
D) Clockwise
  • 5. What is the main advantage of a 3-strand rope over a 2-strand rope?
A) Lighter weight
B) Greater strength
C) Easier to make
D) More flexible
  • 6. What does 'ply' refer to in rope making?
A) The number of strands twisted together
B) The length of the rope
C) The color of the rope
D) The thickness of the fibers
  • 7. Which knot is commonly used to join two ropes together?
A) Clove hitch
B) Bowline
C) Square knot
D) Figure eight knot
  • 8. Which knot is best for creating a loop that won't slip?
A) Square knot
B) Clove hitch
C) Bowline
D) Sheet bend
  • 9. What is the purpose of waxing twine?
A) To make it biodegradable
B) To make it more flexible
C) To increase its strength and durability
D) To dye it
  • 10. What is the meaning of 'lay' in rope terminology?
A) The material the rope is made from
B) The weight the rope can hold
C) The direction and tightness of the twist
D) The knot tied at the end of the rope
  • 11. What is a common method for drying retted fibers?
A) Boiling them in water
B) Spreading them out in the sun
C) Freezing them
D) Burying them in the ground
  • 12. Which tool is most helpful for splitting plant stalks?
A) Comb
B) Spinning wheel
C) Knife
D) Needle
  • 13. What is 'scutching'?
A) Spinning the fibers into yarn
B) Soaking the fibers in water
C) Removing woody parts from the fibers
D) Dyeing the fibers
  • 14. Why is it important to remove debris from plant fibers before spinning?
A) To make the twine more colorful
B) To make the twine biodegradable
C) To create a stronger and smoother twine
D) To reduce the weight of the twine
  • 15. What does 'cordage' generally refer to?
A) Only natural fibers
B) Only very thick ropes
C) Twine, rope, and other similar products
D) Only synthetic fibers
  • 16. What is the first step to take when harvesting plant fibers?
A) Begin spinning the fibers
B) Begin retting the fibers.
C) Identify the correct plant.
D) Begin splitting the stalks.
  • 17. What is the best time of year to harvest most plant fibers?
A) Late Summer or Fall
B) Spring
C) Any time is fine
D) Winter
  • 18. Which of the following affects the strength of a rope?
A) Knot type and age
B) Number of strands and softness
C) Color and length
D) Fiber type, lay, and diameter
  • 19. A 'hawser' is best described as which of the following?
A) Thin string for sewing.
B) Thin rope used for rock climbing.
C) A thick rope used for mooring ships.
D) Any length of cord.
  • 20. What is 'bark stripping'?
A) Dyeing bark for decoration
B) Removing bark to access inner fibers
C) Soaking bark in water
D) Burning bark for ash
  • 21. How does twisting fibers create stronger cordage?
A) It interlocks the fibers, distributing force
B) It adds more fibers
C) It dyes the fibers
D) It makes the fibers longer
  • 22. What is a benefit of using natural fibers over synthetics?
A) Biodegradability
B) Resistance to UV light
C) Higher strength
D) Lower cost
  • 23. What is a 'fid'?
A) A type of fiber
B) A type of dye
C) A type of knot
D) A tool used to separate strands in rope
  • 24. Why might you use a weight when making twine?
A) To add more fibers
B) To speed up the spinning process
C) To maintain tension and prevent unraveling
D) To make the twine more colorful
  • 25. What is the purpose of whipping the ends of a rope?
A) To make the rope stronger
B) To make the rope more flexible
C) To prevent the rope from fraying
D) To add weight to the rope
  • 26. Which of the following conditions can negatively affect plant fibers before or during processing?
A) Excessive moisture
B) Direct sunlight
C) Gentle breezes
D) Low humidity
  • 27. What is 'water retting'?
A) Burning the plant stalks for ash
B) Drying the plant stalks in the sun
C) Combing the plant stalks to remove debris
D) Soaking the plant stalks in water to loosen the fibers
  • 28. Which plant fiber is known for its resistance to saltwater?
A) Jute
B) Flax
C) Cotton
D) Manila hemp
  • 29. What is 'Z-twist' twine?
A) Twine that is easy to untangle
B) Twine twisted in a counter-clockwise direction
C) Twine that is very strong
D) Twine made from zebra grass
  • 30. What is the approximate breaking strength of a well-made natural fiber rope compared to a similar sized synthetic rope?
A) Depends on the color
B) Generally lower
C) About the same
D) Generally higher
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