How to use plant fibers to make twine and rope
  • 1. Which of these plant fibers is LEAST suitable for making strong rope?
A) Hemp
B) Cotton
C) Sisal
D) Flax
  • 2. What is the primary purpose of retting plant fibers?
A) To make the fibers stronger
B) To make the fibers waterproof
C) To dye the fibers
D) To separate fibers from the plant stalk
  • 3. What is the process of combing fibers called?
A) Spinning
B) Hackling
C) Retting
D) Scutching
  • 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) More flexible
B) Greater strength
C) Easier to make
D) Lighter weight
  • 6. What does 'ply' refer to in rope making?
A) The number of strands twisted together
B) The color of the rope
C) The thickness of the fibers
D) The length of the rope
  • 7. Which knot is commonly used to join two ropes together?
A) Clove hitch
B) Square knot
C) Bowline
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 more flexible
B) To make it biodegradable
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) Boiling them in water
B) Burying them in the ground
C) Spreading them out in the sun
D) Freezing them
  • 12. Which tool is most helpful for splitting plant stalks?
A) Knife
B) Comb
C) Needle
D) Spinning wheel
  • 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 reduce the weight of the twine
B) To make the twine biodegradable
C) To create a stronger and smoother twine
D) To make the twine more colorful
  • 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 spinning the fibers
B) Begin retting the fibers.
C) Begin splitting the stalks.
D) Identify the correct plant.
  • 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) Color and length
B) Number of strands and softness
C) Knot type and age
D) Fiber type, lay, and diameter
  • 19. A 'hawser' is best described as which of the following?
A) Thin string for sewing.
B) A thick rope used for mooring ships.
C) Thin rope used for rock climbing.
D) Any length of cord.
  • 20. What is 'bark stripping'?
A) Dyeing bark for decoration
B) Burning bark for ash
C) Removing bark to access inner fibers
D) Soaking bark in water
  • 21. How does twisting fibers create stronger cordage?
A) It dyes the fibers
B) It makes the fibers longer
C) It adds more fibers
D) It interlocks the fibers, distributing force
  • 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 tool used to separate strands in rope
B) A type of dye
C) A type of knot
D) A type of fiber
  • 24. Why might you use a weight when making twine?
A) To maintain tension and prevent unraveling
B) To add more fibers
C) To speed up the spinning process
D) To make the twine more colorful
  • 25. What is the purpose of whipping the ends of a rope?
A) To make the rope more flexible
B) To make the rope stronger
C) To add weight to the rope
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) Excessive moisture
C) Low humidity
D) Direct sunlight
  • 27. What is 'water retting'?
A) Combing the plant stalks to remove debris
B) Soaking the plant stalks in water to loosen the fibers
C) Drying the plant stalks in the sun
D) Burning the plant stalks for ash
  • 28. Which plant fiber is known for its resistance to saltwater?
A) Cotton
B) Jute
C) Manila hemp
D) Flax
  • 29. What is 'Z-twist' twine?
A) Twine twisted in a counter-clockwise direction
B) Twine that is very strong
C) Twine that is easy to untangle
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 higher
C) Generally lower
D) About the same
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