SSC JE – BUILDING MATERIALS
FULL MOCK TEST (200 MCQs)
PART A : QUESTIONS 1–100
Level: Easy → Moderate
Pattern: SSC JE
Syllabus Covered: Cement, Lime, Aggregates, Concrete, Bricks, Stones, Timber, Steel, Bitumen, Paints, Glass, Plastics, Modern Materials
🔹 SECTION A — CEMENT, LIME & GYPSUM (1–25)
1. The main function of gypsum in cement is to
A. Increase strength
B. Control setting time
C. Reduce heat of hydration
D. Increase fineness
Ans: B
Explanation: Gypsum controls the hydration of C₃A and prevents flash setting.
2. The compound responsible for early strength in cement is
A. C₂S
B. C₃S
C. C₃A
D. C₄AF
Ans: B
Explanation: Tricalcium silicate hydrates quickly and gives early strength.
3. Soundness of cement refers to
A. Strength of cement
B. Resistance to expansion
C. Fineness
D. Setting speed
Ans: B
Explanation: Sound cement does not undergo harmful expansion after setting.
4. Which test is used to check soundness of cement?
A. Vicat test
B. Le-Chatelier test
C. Slump test
D. Blaine test
Ans: B
Explanation: Le-Chatelier apparatus measures expansion of cement.
5. Initial setting time of OPC should not be less than
A. 15 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 45 minutes
D. 60 minutes
Ans: B
Explanation: As per IS codes, minimum initial setting time is 30 minutes.
6. Lime that sets under water is known as
A. Fat lime
B. Lean lime
C. Hydraulic lime
D. Quick lime
Ans: C
Explanation: Hydraulic lime contains clay and sets in wet conditions.
7. The setting of lime mortar takes place due to
A. Hydration
B. Carbonation
C. Oxidation
D. Crystallization
Ans: B
Explanation: Lime reacts with CO₂ in air forming CaCO₃.
8. Quick lime is chemically
A. CaCO₃
B. CaO
C. Ca(OH)₂
D. CaSO₄
Ans: B
Explanation: Quick lime is calcium oxide.
9. Which cement is preferred for mass concrete works?
A. OPC
B. Rapid hardening cement
C. Low heat cement
D. White cement
Ans: C
Explanation: Low heat cement reduces temperature rise and cracking.
10. Portland Pozzolana Cement contains
A. Lime
B. Fly ash
C. Gypsum
D. Clay
Ans: B
Explanation: PPC contains pozzolanic materials like fly ash.
11. Which cement is used for marine structures?
A. OPC
B. Rapid hardening cement
C. Sulphate resisting cement
D. White cement
Ans: C
Explanation: SRC resists sulphate attack in sea water.
12. Excess gypsum in cement causes
A. Quick setting
B. Delayed setting
C. Expansion and cracks
D. Reduced strength only
Ans: C
Explanation: Too much gypsum causes excessive expansion.
13. High alumina cement gains most of its strength in
A. 1 day
B. 3 days
C. 7 days
D. 28 days
Ans: A
Explanation: HAC gains very high early strength.
14. The fineness of cement mainly affects
A. Colour
B. Strength development
C. Weight
D. Density
Ans: B
Explanation: Finer cement hydrates faster and gains strength quickly.
15. Which cement is used for decorative works?
A. OPC
B. PPC
C. White cement
D. SRC
Ans: C
16. Shelf life of cement is about
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 months
D. 1 year
Ans: C
Explanation: Cement starts losing strength after 6 months of storage.
17. Slaking of lime means
A. Burning of limestone
B. Mixing lime with water
C. Drying of lime
D. Grinding of lime
Ans: B
Explanation: Quick lime reacts with water to form slaked lime.
18. Fat lime sets
A. In air
B. Under water
C. In damp soil
D. Under pressure
Ans: A
19. Pozzolanic materials react with
A. Cement
B. Water
C. Lime
D. Gypsum
Ans: C
20. Which cement is suitable for hot weather concreting?
A. Rapid hardening cement
B. Low heat cement
C. High alumina cement
D. White cement
Ans: B
21. Final setting time of cement should not exceed
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 10 hours
Ans: C
22. Which test determines standard consistency of cement?
A. Slump test
B. Vicat test
C. Blaine test
D. Soundness test
Ans: B
23. Main raw material for cement is
A. Clay
B. Limestone
C. Gypsum
D. Sand
Ans: B
24. Cement that sets very quickly is
A. OPC
B. Rapid hardening cement
C. Quick setting cement
D. White cement
Ans: C
25. Which cement is best for sewage works?
A. OPC
B. PPC
C. SRC
D. White cement
Ans: C
🔹 SECTION B — AGGREGATES (26–50)
26. Aggregates occupy about ___ of concrete volume
A. 50%
B. 60%
C. 70%
D. 80%
Ans: C
Explanation: Aggregates form the bulk of concrete volume.
27. Bulking of sand is due to
A. Air
B. Water film
C. Clay
D. Dust
Ans: B
28. Bulking is maximum at moisture content of about
A. 2%
B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 15%
Ans: B
29. Sieve size separating fine and coarse aggregate is
A. 2.36 mm
B. 4.75 mm
C. 10 mm
D. 1.18 mm
Ans: B
30. Flakiness index indicates
A. Strength
B. Shape
C. Texture
D. Porosity
Ans: B
31. The toughness of aggregate is measured by
A. Crushing test
B. Impact test
C. Abrasion test
D. Soundness test
Ans: B
32. The hardness of aggregate is tested by
A. Impact test
B. Crushing test
C. Abrasion test
D. Soundness test
Ans: C
33. Soundness of aggregate indicates
A. Resistance to crushing
B. Resistance to weathering
C. Resistance to impact
D. Resistance to abrasion
Ans: B
34. Specific gravity of normal aggregates is about
A. 1.5
B. 2.0
C. 2.6
D. 3.5
Ans: C
35. Rounded aggregates provide
A. Higher strength
B. Less workability
C. Better workability
D. More voids
Ans: C
36. Angular aggregates provide
A. Better finish
B. Higher strength
C. Less bond
D. More workability
Ans: B
37. Well graded aggregates lead to
A. More voids
B. Less cement consumption
C. Less strength
D. Poor finish
Ans: B
38. Lightweight aggregates are used to
A. Increase strength
B. Reduce dead load
C. Increase cost
D. Increase density
Ans: B
39. Organic impurities in sand are tested by
A. Sieve test
B. Colour test
C. Abrasion test
D. Crushing test
Ans: B
40. Which is an artificial aggregate?
A. Sand
B. Gravel
C. Cinder
D. Stone chips
Ans: C
41. Presence of mica in sand results in
A. Increase in strength
B. Loss of strength
C. Increase in workability
D. No effect
Ans: B
42. Fineness modulus represents
A. Strength of aggregate
B. Grading of aggregate
C. Shape of aggregate
D. Texture of aggregate
Ans: B
43. Best aggregate for RCC is
A. Soft stone
B. Porous stone
C. Hard crushed stone
D. Brick bats
Ans: C
44. Aggregate impact value should be less than
A. 15%
B. 20%
C. 30%
D. 45%
Ans: C
Explanation: For good quality aggregate, impact value ≤ 30%.
45. The test for resistance to abrasion is
A. Los Angeles test
B. Vicat test
C. Slump test
D. Le-Chatelier test
Ans: A
46. Which aggregate gives minimum voids?
A. Single sized
B. Well graded
C. Flaky
D. Elongated
Ans: B
47. The bulk density of aggregate depends on
A. Shape
B. Grading
C. Moisture
D. All of these
Ans: D
48. Coarse aggregate is retained on
A. 2.36 mm sieve
B. 4.75 mm sieve
C. 600 micron sieve
D. 300 micron sieve
Ans: B
49. Fine aggregate passes through
A. 10 mm sieve
B. 4.75 mm sieve
C. 2.36 mm sieve
D. 1.18 mm sieve
Ans: B
50. Aggregate crushing value indicates
A. Toughness
B. Hardness
C. Strength
D. Durability
Ans: C
🔹 SECTION C — CONCRETE (51–75)
51. Concrete gains strength due to
A. Evaporation
B. Hydration of cement
C. Carbonation
D. Oxidation
Ans: B
52. Workability of concrete means
A. Strength
B. Durability
C. Ease of placing
D. Setting time
Ans: C
53. Slump test is suitable for
A. Very dry concrete
B. Low workability concrete
C. Medium workability concrete
D. SCC
Ans: C
54. Compaction factor test is used for
A. High workability
B. Low workability
C. Flowing concrete
D. SCC
Ans: B
55. Increase in water–cement ratio leads to
A. Higher strength
B. Lower strength
C. Faster curing
D. Better durability
Ans: B
56. Curing of concrete is done to
A. Increase temperature
B. Maintain moisture
C. Improve colour
D. Reduce setting time
Ans: B
57. Minimum curing period for OPC is
A. 3 days
B. 5 days
C. 7 days
D. 14 days
Ans: C
58. Bleeding in concrete causes
A. Increase in strength
B. Laitance formation
C. Faster setting
D. Reduced temperature
Ans: B
59. Segregation occurs mainly due to
A. Proper mixing
B. Excess water
C. Fine sand
D. High cement
Ans: B
60. Air entrainment improves
A. Strength
B. Freeze-thaw resistance
C. Setting time
D. Density
Ans: B
61. Fly ash in concrete improves
A. Early strength
B. Workability
C. Setting speed
D. Colour
Ans: B
62. Standard cube size for testing concrete is
A. 100 mm
B. 150 mm
C. 200 mm
D. 300 mm
Ans: B
63. Standard age for concrete strength test is
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
C. 14 days
D. 28 days
Ans: D
64. Shrinkage in concrete is mainly due to
A. Expansion
B. Loss of moisture
C. Cement reaction
D. Load
Ans: B
65. Creep in concrete means
A. Sudden failure
B. Long-term deformation
C. Increase in strength
D. Cracking
Ans: B
66. Sulphate attack mainly affects
A. C₂S
B. C₃S
C. C₃A
D. C₄AF
Ans: C
67. Ready mix concrete is produced in
A. Site
B. Laboratory
C. Batching plant
D. Mixer
Ans: C
68. Shotcrete is applied by
A. Pouring
B. Pumping
C. Spraying
D. Casting
Ans: C
69. Self-compacting concrete flows due to
A. Extra water
B. Superplasticizers
C. More cement
D. Air
Ans: B
70. Durable concrete requires
A. High w/c ratio
B. Low w/c ratio
C. More sand
D. Less cement
Ans: B
71. Retarders are used to
A. Increase setting speed
B. Delay setting
C. Increase strength
D. Reduce shrinkage
Ans: B
72. Accelerators are used to
A. Delay setting
B. Speed up setting
C. Reduce heat
D. Reduce strength
Ans: B
73. Plasticizers mainly
A. Increase water
B. Reduce water
C. Reduce cement
D. Reduce sand
Ans: B
74. Which concrete is best for congested reinforcement?
A. Lean concrete
B. Normal concrete
C. SCC
D. Lime concrete
Ans: C
75. Air-entrained concrete is useful in
A. Hot climate
B. Cold climate
C. Dry climate
D. Humid climate
Ans: B
🔹 SECTION D — BRICKS, STONES & TIMBER (76–100)
76. Standard size of modular brick is
A. 190 × 90 × 90 mm
B. 200 × 100 × 100 mm
C. 230 × 110 × 75 mm
D. 250 × 120 × 75 mm
Ans: A
77. Water absorption of good bricks should not exceed
A. 10%
B. 15%
C. 20%
D. 25%
Ans: C
78. Efflorescence in bricks is due to
A. Clay
B. Sand
C. Soluble salts
D. Cement
Ans: C
79. Best bond for load bearing walls is
A. Stretcher bond
B. Flemish bond
C. English bond
D. Stack bond
Ans: C
80. Granite is an example of
A. Sedimentary rock
B. Metamorphic rock
C. Igneous rock
D. Artificial stone
Ans: C
81. Marble is formed from
A. Limestone
B. Sandstone
C. Shale
D. Basalt
Ans: A
82. Seasoning of timber is done to
A. Increase weight
B. Reduce moisture
C. Improve colour
D. Increase elasticity
Ans: B
83. The most durable timber is
A. Sal
B. Teak
C. Pine
D. Deodar
Ans: B
84. Natural defect in timber is
A. Knot
B. Warp
C. Split
D. Twist
Ans: A
85. Termite attack mainly affects
A. Steel
B. Concrete
C. Timber
D. Brick
Ans: C
86. Timber preservative used for sleepers is
A. Paint
B. Varnish
C. Creosote oil
D. Oil paint
Ans: C
87. Plywood is made by
A. Heating wood
B. Gluing thin veneers
C. Cutting timber
D. Seasoning wood
Ans: B
88. Fire bricks are made of
A. Silica
B. Alumina
C. Magnesia
D. Clay
Ans: B
89. Best stone for heavy engineering works is
A. Limestone
B. Sandstone
C. Granite
D. Marble
Ans: C
90. Porosity of good building stone should be
A. High
B. Moderate
C. Low
D. Very high
Ans: C
91. Slate is mainly used for
A. Flooring
B. Roofing
C. Masonry
D. Foundations
Ans: B
92. Over-burnt bricks are
A. Soft
B. Weak
C. Brittle and dark
D. Light weight
Ans: C
93. Frog in brick helps to
A. Reduce weight
B. Improve bond
C. Save cement
D. Increase strength
Ans: B
94. Best timber for beams is
A. Pine
B. Sal
C. Teak
D. Deodar
Ans: B
95. Defect in timber due to fungi is
A. Knot
B. Shake
C. Rot
D. Warp
Ans: C
96. Veneer thickness is usually
A. 1–2 mm
B. 3–5 mm
C. 6–10 mm
D. 10–15 mm
Ans: A
97. Stone used as road metal is
A. Marble
B. Granite
C. Basalt
D. Limestone
Ans: C
98. Engineering bricks are used where
A. Appearance is important
B. Strength is important
C. Colour is important
D. Cost is important
Ans: B
99. The colour of good brick is
A. Yellow
B. Light red
C. Deep red
D. White
Ans: C
100. Best wood for furniture is
A. Pine
B. Sal
C. Teak
D. Deodar
Ans: C