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