Top 50 MCQ on Basic of Cement for SSC-JE, RRB, GATE and IES exams for Civil Engineer. Kindly read all the questions and answers carefully and understand well. If you read all question you will get good marks in the exams.
Que.1 What is the
main ingredient used to make concrete?
A Sand
B Water
C Cement
D Aggregate
Answer Cement
Cement is the primary binding material used in concrete.
Que.2 What is the
process of mixing water and cement called?
A Curing
B Hydration
C Mixing
D Compaction
Answer Hydration
Hydration is the chemical reaction between water and cement
that leads to hardening.
Que.3 What is added
to concrete to increase its strength?
A Cement
B Aggregate
C Water
D Air
Answer Aggregate
Aggregates like sand, gravel, or crushed stone improve the
strength and durability of concrete.
Que.4 What is the
term used for the ratio of water to cement in a concrete mix?
A Concrete
Ratio
B Water
Content
C Slump Test
D Water-Cement
Ratio
Answer Water-Cement
Ratio
The water-cement ratio determines the strength and
workability of the concrete.
Que.5 Which of the
following is an essential component of reinforced concrete?
A Steel Bars
B Fiber
C Cement
D Sand
Answer Steel Bars
Reinforced concrete uses steel bars or mesh to improve
tensile strength.
Que.6 Which of the
following methods is used to measure the consistency of concrete?
A Slump Test
B Compression
Test
C Tension Test
D Vibration
Test
Answer Slump Test
The slump test measures the workability or consistency of
concrete.
Que.7 What is the
term for the time it takes for concrete to harden to a sufficient strength?
A Setting Time
B Curing Time
C Mixing Time
D Hydration
Time
Answer Setting Time
Setting time refers to the time it takes for concrete to
harden after mixing.
Que.8 What type of
cement is used for underwater construction?
A Ordinary
Portland Cement
B Rapid
Hardening Cement
C Sulfate-Resistant
Cement
D Pozzolanic
Cement
Answer Sulfate-Resistant
Cement
Sulfate-resistant cement is used in environments where
concrete may be exposed to sulfate-rich waters.
Que.9 What is the
common range for the water-cement ratio in concrete?
A 0.1 – 0.2
B 0.2 – 0.3
C 0.3 – 0.5
D 0.5 – 1.0
Answer 0.3 – 0.5
A water-cement ratio of 0.3 – 0.5 is typically ideal for
good concrete strength and workability.
Que.10 Which of the
following is used to increase the workability of concrete?
A Water
B Cement
C Admixtures
D Aggregate
Answer Admixtures
Admixtures are chemicals added to improve the properties of
concrete, such as workability.
Que.11 What material is
commonly used as fine aggregate in concrete?
A Crushed
Stone
B Sand
C Gravel
D Clay
Answer Sand
Sand is the most common fine aggregate used in concrete
mixes.
Que.12 What is the
purpose of curing concrete?
A To increase
the water content
B To speed up
the setting time
C To promote
hydration and strength development
D To decrease
the temperature
Answer To promote
hydration and strength development
Curing ensures that the concrete maintains adequate moisture
and temperature for proper hardening.
Que.13 Which of the
following is a characteristic of high-strength concrete?
A Low
Water-Cement Ratio
B High
Water-Cement Ratio
C High
Aggregate Content
D Low Cement
Content
Answer Low Water-Cement
Ratio
A lower water-cement ratio improves the strength of
concrete.
Que.14 What is the
maximum size of aggregate used in most concrete mixes?
A 5 mm
B 10 mm
C 20 mm
D 40 mm
Answer 20 mm
20 mm The maximum size
of aggregate in most mixes is typically 20 mm for standard concrete.
Que.15 Which type of
cement is most commonly used for general construction?
A Ordinary
Portland Cement
B White Cement
C Rapid
Hardening Cement
D Portland
Pozzolanic Cement
Answer Ordinary
Portland Cement
Ordinary Portland Cement is used in most general
construction applications.
Que.16 What type of
test is used to measure the compressive strength of concrete?
A Slump Test
B Compression
Test
C Tension Test
D Shrinkage
Test
Answer Compression Test
The compression test measures the concrete’s ability to
withstand compressive forces.
Que.17 What is the role
of plasticizers in concrete?
A Increase the
strength
B Increase the
workability
C Reduce the
setting time
D Reduce the
water content
Answer Increase the
workability
Plasticizers are used to improve the workability of concrete
without adding extra water.
Que.18 Which of the
following materials is used as coarse aggregate in concrete?
A Sand
B Gravel
C Cement
D Lime
Answer Gravel
Gravel is a common coarse aggregate used in concrete.
Que.19 What is the
process of compacting concrete called?
A Slump Test
B Curing
C Vibration
D Mixing
Answer Vibration
Vibration is used to compact concrete and eliminate air
pockets.
Que.20 What is the main
cause of cracks in concrete?
A High
temperature
B Low
water-cement ratio
C Shrinkage
during drying
D Excessive
cement content
Answer Shrinkage during
drying
Concrete shrinks as it dries, leading to cracks if not
properly cured.
Que.21 What is the
effect of excessive water in the concrete mix?
A Increases
workability
B Decreases
strength
C Increases
strength
D No effect
Answer Decreases
strength
Excess water dilutes the cement paste, lowering concrete
strength.
Que.22 Which of the
following is an example of a pozzolanic material?
A Cement
B Sand
C Fly Ash
D Steel
Answer Fly Ash
Fly ash is a pozzolanic material that reacts with calcium
hydroxide to form cementitious compounds.
Que.23 What is the
typical curing period for concrete to reach maximum strength?
A 7 days
B 14 days
C 28 days
D 56 days
Answer 28 days
Concrete typically reaches maximum strength after curing for
28 days.
Que.24 What is used to
improve the resistance of concrete to freezing and thawing cycles?
A Air-Entraining
Agents
B Superplasticizers
C Retarders
D Accelerators
Answer Air-Entraining
Agents
Air-entraining agents create small air bubbles in concrete,
improving its resistance to freezing and thawing.
Que.25 What is the term
for the shrinkage that occurs in concrete as it dries?
A Drying
Shrinkage
B Plastic
Shrinkage
C Thermal
Shrinkage
D Setting
Shrinkage
Answer Drying Shrinkage
Drying shrinkage occurs as the water in the concrete
evaporates, causing the concrete to contract.
Que.26 What is the
ideal temperature for pouring concrete?
A 0°C to 5°C
B 5°C to 15°C
C 15°C to 25°C
D 25°C to 35°C
Answer 15°C to 25°C
Concrete should be poured at temperatures between 15°C and
25°C for optimal setting.
Que.27 What is the main
purpose of reinforcement in concrete?
A To resist
tensile stresses
B To resist
compression
C To reduce
shrinkage
D To increase
workability
Answer To resist
tensile stresses
Steel reinforcement is added to concrete to resist tensile
(pulling) stresses.
Que.28 What is the
material used to improve the fire resistance of concrete?
A Cement
B Steel
C Glass Fibers
D Air-Entraining
Agents
Answer Glass Fibers
Glass fibers can be added to concrete to improve its fire
resistance.
Que.29 What is the
effect of excessive cement content in concrete?
A Increases
strength
B Reduces
workability
C Increases
durability
D Increases
shrinkage
Answer Increases
shrinkage
Excessive cement can lead to more shrinkage and cracking in
the concrete.
Que.30 Which of the
following is used to reduce the temperature of concrete during hot weather?
A Retarders
B Accelerators
C Ice
D Water
Answer Ice
Ice can be used in the mix to lower the temperature of
concrete during hot weather.
Que.31 What is the
purpose of a concrete admixture?
A To increase
the strength
B To modify
the properties of the mix
C To reduce
the cost
D To reduce
the curing time
Answer To modify the
properties of the mix
Admixtures are added to concrete to modify its properties
for specific needs (e.g., workability, durability).
Que.32 What is the term
for the surface texture of hardened concrete?
A Surface
Finish
B Texture
Ratio
C Slump
D Curing Rate
Answer Surface Finish
Surface finish refers to the smoothness or texture of the
concrete surface once it has hardened.
Que.33 What is the
typical range of compressive strength of concrete after 28 days?
A 10-20 MPa
B 20-30 MPa
C 30-50 MPa
D 50-70 MPa
Answer 20-30 MPa
Concrete typically has a compressive strength of 20-30 MPa
after 28 days.
Que.34 What is the
effect of adding too much fine aggregate to the mix?
A Increases
strength
B Reduces
workability
C Reduces
strength
D Increases
permeability
Answer Reduces strength
Too much fine aggregate can lead to a weak concrete mix with
reduced strength.
Que.35 Which of the
following is not a type of concrete admixture?
A Superplasticizer
B Retarder
C Accelerator
D Gravel
Answer Gravel
Gravel is not an admixture; it is a coarse aggregate used in
concrete.
Que.36 What is the
function of an accelerator in concrete?
A To slow down
the setting time
B To increase
the workability
C To speed up
the setting time
D To reduce
the curing time
Answer To speed up the
setting time
Accelerators are added to speed up the setting and hardening
of concrete.
Que.37 What is the
purpose of using a vibrator in concrete?
A To increase
strength
B To remove
air bubbles
C To mix
aggregates
D To add water
Answer To remove air
bubbles
A vibrator is used to remove trapped air bubbles and ensure
proper compaction of concrete.
Que.38 What is the
typical mix ratio for M20 grade concrete?
A 0.043090278
B 0.042384259
C 0.043819444
D 0.043101852
Answer 0.043090278
The typical mix ratio for M20 grade concrete is 1 part
cement, 2 parts sand, and 3 parts aggregate.
Que.39 What is the
maximum percentage of air content in concrete for most structural applications?
A 0.01
B 0.02
C 0.05
D 0.1
Answer 0.02
The maximum permissible air content in concrete for most
structural applications is about 2%.
Que.40 Which of the
following is a common method of concrete finishing?
A Polishing
B Grinding
C Troweling
D Shoveling
Answer Troweling
Troweling is commonly used to create a smooth, level surface
on hardened concrete.
Que.41 What is the
impact of using low-quality aggregate in concrete?
A Increases
strength
B Reduces
durability
C Improves
workability
D Increases
water demand
Answer Reduces
durability
Low-quality aggregate can negatively affect the durability
of concrete.
Que.42 What does the
term “mix design” refer to in concrete technology?
A The ratio of
cement to water
B The
selection of aggregate size
C The
proportioning of materials in concrete
D The mixing
procedure
Answer The
proportioning of materials in concrete
Mix design refers to determining the optimal proportions of
cement, water, and aggregates for concrete.
Que.43 What is the main
advantage of high-performance concrete?
A Lower cost
B Better
workability
C Higher
strength and durability
D Quicker
setting time
Answer Higher strength
and durability
High-performance concrete is designed to offer superior
strength and durability in demanding applications.
Que.44 What is the main
disadvantage of using too much water in a concrete mix?
A Reduced
workability
B Decreased
strength
C Faster
curing
D Increased
workability
Answer Decreased
strength
Too much water dilutes the cement, weakening the concrete’s
strength.
Que.45 What type of
cement is most resistant to sulfate attack?
A Ordinary
Portland Cement
B Rapid
Hardening Cement
C Sulfate-Resistant
Cement
D White Cement
Answer Sulfate-Resistant
Cement
Sulfate-resistant cement is specially formulated to
withstand sulfate attacks in aggressive environments.
Que.46 What does the
term “concrete slump” indicate?
A Compressive
strength
B Workability
C Dryness
D Surface
texture
Answer Workability
Slump indicates the workability or consistency of freshly
mixed concrete.
Que.47 What is the
recommended maximum size of coarse aggregate for most concrete mixes?
A 20 mm
B 25 mm
C 30 mm
D 40 mm
Answer 20 mm
The recommended maximum size for coarse aggregate in typical
concrete mixes is 20 mm.
Que.48 What is used to
control the rate of hardening in concrete?
A Accelerators
B Retarders
C Superplasticizers
D Air-Entraining
Agents
Answer Retarders
Retarders are used to slow down the rate of hardening,
especially in hot weather.
Que.49 What is the
function of a concrete admixture in hot weather?
A To decrease
strength
B To increase
hydration rate
C To slow down
the setting time
D To improve
workability
Answer To slow down the
setting time
In hot weather, retarders are added to slow down the setting
and prevent premature hardening.
Que.50 What type of
concrete is used in foundations and pavements?
A Lightweight
Concrete
B High-Performance
Concrete
C Reinforced
Concrete
D Plain
Concrete
Answer Plain Concrete
Plain concrete is commonly used in foundations and
pavements, as it provides adequate strength for these applications.
