How to build a stone wall
  • 1. What is the most important factor to consider when building a stone wall?
A) Stone color
B) Mortar type
C) Aesthetic appeal
D) Proper foundation
  • 2. What is the purpose of a batter?
A) To angle the wall inward for stability
B) To prevent water damage
C) To mark the centerline of the wall
D) To hold mortar in place
  • 3. What type of stone is generally best for wall construction?
A) Manufactured brick
B) Imported granite
C) Local, readily available stone
D) Polished marble
  • 4. What is the primary function of 'through stones'?
A) To provide a smooth surface
B) To drain water from the wall
C) To add visual interest
D) To tie both sides of the wall together
  • 5. What tool is essential for splitting stones?
A) Level
B) Trowel
C) Tape measure
D) Hammer and chisel
  • 6. What does 'dry-stacking' mean?
A) Building a wall very quickly
B) Building a wall without mortar
C) Using wet stones
D) Stacking stones in a specific pattern
  • 7. Why is drainage important behind a stone wall?
A) To improve the wall's appearance
B) To prevent water buildup and frost heave
C) To encourage plant growth
D) To keep the stones clean
  • 8. What is 'coping' on a stone wall?
A) The drainage system
B) The foundation
C) The top layer of stones
D) A type of mortar
  • 9. What is a 'level' used for?
A) Mixing mortar
B) Ensuring stones are horizontal and vertical
C) Transporting stones
D) Splitting stones
  • 10. What is the purpose of a gravel base?
A) To make the foundation easier to dig
B) To provide drainage and stability
C) To protect the stones from erosion
D) To add color to the wall
  • 11. What is the ideal shape of stones for a stable wall?
A) Relatively flat and wide
B) Round and smooth
C) Pointed and jagged
D) Long and thin
  • 12. Why should you stagger the joints between stones?
A) To allow for expansion and contraction
B) To save time and effort
C) To make the wall more attractive
D) To increase the wall's strength
  • 13. What is a 'stone hammer' primarily used for?
A) Shaping and dressing stones
B) Driving nails
C) Mixing mortar
D) Measuring distances
  • 14. What type of safety gear is most important when handling stones?
A) Gloves and safety glasses
B) Respirator
C) Steel-toed boots
D) Earplugs
  • 15. When using mortar, what is the general mixing ratio of cement to sand?
A) 3 parts cement to 1 part sand
B) 1 part cement to 3 parts sand
C) Equal parts cement and sand
D) 1 part cement to 1 part sand
  • 16. What is 'pointing' in mortar masonry?
A) Mixing the mortar
B) Finishing the mortar joints
C) Cleaning the stones
D) Placing the stones
  • 17. What is the best weather condition for building a dry-stacked wall?
A) Dry and sunny
B) Freezing temperatures
C) Very windy conditions
D) Rainy and humid
  • 18. How deep should the foundation of a stone wall typically be?
A) Above ground level
B) 6 inches
C) Below the frost line
D) Depends on the stone color
  • 19. What is the purpose of 'chinking' when using mortar?
A) Adding decorative elements
B) Strengthening the foundation
C) Filling gaps between stones
D) Waterproofing the wall
  • 20. Which of the following is NOT a type of stone wall pattern?
A) Spiral bond
B) Coursed rubble
C) Ashlar pattern
D) Random rubble
  • 21. What is the term for a stone that spans an opening, like a doorway?
A) Keystone
B) Coping stone
C) Quoin
D) Lintel
  • 22. When moving large stones, what tools can be helpful?
A) Screwdriver and wrench
B) Stapler and hammer
C) Paintbrush and roller
D) Lever and wheelbarrow
  • 23. What does 'frost heave' refer to?
A) The settling of the foundation
B) The expansion of frozen ground
C) The growth of moss on the stones
D) The cracking of mortar joints
  • 24. Why is it important to thoroughly clean stones before mortaring?
A) To prevent insect infestation
B) To ensure proper mortar adhesion
C) To make the wall lighter
D) To improve the stone's color
  • 25. What is the purpose of weep holes in a mortared stone wall?
A) To hold the stones in place
B) To allow water to escape
C) To provide ventilation
D) To decorate the wall
  • 26. What is a 'quoin' in stone wall construction?
A) A corner stone, often larger and decorative
B) A stone used for drainage
C) A type of mortar
D) A small, thin stone
  • 27. What tool is best for ensuring the wall is plumb?
A) Shovel
B) Tape measure
C) String line
D) Plumb bob
  • 28. What is the purpose of tamping the gravel base?
A) To loosen the gravel for better drainage
B) To compact the gravel and create a stable surface
C) To smooth the gravel for aesthetic appeal
D) To mix the gravel with the soil
  • 29. Which of the following is a potential cause of wall failure?
A) A wide foundation
B) Staggered joints
C) Using local stones
D) Inadequate drainage
  • 30. What is the best way to transport multiple stones short distances?
A) Dragging
B) Throwing
C) Backpack
D) Wheelbarrow
Created with That Quiz — a math test site for students of all grade levels.