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