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How to start a fire using friction - Exam
Contributed by: Kay
  • 1. What is the most important initial element when starting a friction fire?
A) Tinder
B) Axe
C) Fuelwood
D) Kindling
  • 2. Which wood type is generally considered best for the spindle?
A) Dry softwood
B) Green hardwood
C) Resinous wood
D) Rotting wood
  • 3. What is the purpose of the hearth board?
A) To sharpen the spindle
B) To store tinder
C) To create friction and produce an ember
D) To protect the ground
  • 4. What action creates the friction needed for the hand drill method?
A) Using a lighter
B) Rubbing the spindle against the hearth board
C) Blowing on the hearth board
D) Striking the spindle with a rock
  • 5. What color should the dust be that's produced from friction when using a bow drill?
A) Green
B) Brown
C) Black
D) White
  • 6. What does the 'notch' do on the hearth board?
A) Ventilates the dust
B) Collects the ember
C) Holds the spindle
D) Drains moisture
  • 7. After creating an ember, what is the next step?
A) Transferring it to a tinder bundle
B) Extinguishing it
C) Blowing directly on the ember
D) Adding kindling
  • 8. What is a good characteristic of a successful tinder bundle?
A) Densely packed and damp
B) Feathery and loosely packed
C) Made of large twigs
D) Covered in bark
  • 9. What is the purpose of blowing on the tinder bundle?
A) To extinguish the ember
B) To cool the ember
C) To clean the ember
D) To provide oxygen to the ember
  • 10. What is the benefit of using a bow drill over a hand drill?
A) Works better in wet conditions
B) Greater speed and easier sustained pressure
C) Lower skill requirement
D) Less equipment needed
  • 11. What is the term for the small, glowing coal produced by friction?
A) Ember
B) Flame
C) Flash
D) Spark
  • 12. What can happen if the spindle is too thick?
A) It will be easier to control
B) It will be difficult to generate enough friction
C) It will last longer
D) It will create too much heat too quickly
  • 13. What is the ideal shape for the spindle's bottom end?
A) Completely blunt
B) Slightly rounded
C) Sharp and pointed
D) Perfectly flat
  • 14. Why is dry wood essential for friction fire starting?
A) Dry wood is heavier
B) Dry wood is easier to find
C) Moisture absorbs heat, preventing ignition
D) Dry wood creates more smoke
  • 15. What is a common mistake when using the bow drill method?
A) Using too much tinder
B) Not applying enough downward pressure
C) Applying too much downward pressure
D) Using too little tinder
  • 16. Which of these materials makes good tinder?
A) Mud
B) Wet grass
C) Green leaves
D) Shredded cedar bark
  • 17. What is the purpose of kindling?
A) To create the initial spark
B) To protect the tinder
C) To help transition the ember to a larger flame
D) To keep the fire burning all night
  • 18. What is the 'bearing block' used for in the bow drill method?
A) To sharpen the spindle
B) To protect the hearth board
C) To hold the tinder bundle
D) To apply downward pressure on the spindle while protecting the hand.
  • 19. What is the key to success after an ember forms?
A) Leaving the ember unattended
B) Pouring water on the ember
C) Rushing to add kindling
D) Patience and gentle blowing
  • 20. How should you carry the tinder bundle to protect the ember?
A) Cupped in your hands
B) On your head
C) Dragged behind you
D) On the ground
  • 21. What does 'feathering' tinder mean?
A) Painting the tinder with bird feathers
B) Protecting the tinder from birds
C) Creating thin, curled shavings to catch a spark easily.
D) Singing a song to the tinder
  • 22. What should you do if your spindle starts smoking but no ember forms?
A) Sharpen the spindle
B) Add water
C) Apply more pressure and increase speed.
D) Give up and try another method
  • 23. What safety precaution is crucial when starting a friction fire?
A) Use gasoline to help start the fire
B) Wear flammable clothing
C) Clear a wide area around the fire site.
D) Start the fire in a windy area
  • 24. Why is proper body positioning important when using a bow drill?
A) To attract attention
B) To maintain consistent pressure and avoid fatigue
C) To stay warm
D) To look professional
  • 25. What is the ideal diameter of the depression in the hearth board?
A) Smaller than the spindle
B) Much wider than the spindle
C) The same size as the spindle
D) Slightly wider than the spindle
  • 26. After the tinder bundle ignites, what is the next step?
A) Ignoring it
B) Throwing it into the air
C) Gently placing it into kindling
D) Dousing it with water
  • 27. What is a natural resource that can be used as a hand hold when creating a friction fire?
A) A puddle of water.
B) A smooth, dense rock.
C) A piece of soft bark.
D) A pile of dry leaves.
  • 28. What part of the bow is crucial to maintaining an efficient process?
A) The tightness of the bow string.
B) The color of the bow.
C) The length of the bow.
D) The weight of the bow.
  • 29. How long should you work the bow drill to get an ember?
A) For exactly 2 minutes.
B) Only in the morning.
C) Until your arms get tired.
D) Continuously, until sufficient smoke and dust are created.
  • 30. What is a potential indicator of a good piece of tinder?
A) It is heavy and damp.
B) It is hard as rock.
C) It is easily shredded.
D) It smells strongly of pine.
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