← Junior Engineer
Past Questions
Number of brick required for 1 cum of brick work is
A)
400 nos
B)
450 nos
C)
500 nos
D)
550 nos
For standard modular brickwork, the number of bricks required for 1 cubic metre (1 cum) of brick masonry is approximately 500 bricks. This is based on the usual brick size with mortar joints, where the volume of one brick with mortar is taken so that about 500 bricks fill 1 m³. Hence option (c) 500 nos is correct. The other options are incorrect because 400, 450, and 550 bricks do not match the standard approximate consumption used in civil engineering estimation for 1 cum of brickwork.
Refractive correction
A)
Completely eliminate curvature correction
B)
Partially eliminate curvature correction
C)
Adds to the curvature correction
D)
Has no effect on curvature correction
In surveying, specifically in leveling over long distances, two primary errors occur: curvature of the earth and atmospheric refraction.
1. **Curvature Correction (Cc):** Because the earth is curved, a horizontal line of sight from the instrument will deviate upwards from the actual surface of the earth. This causes the staff reading to be larger than it would be on a flat plane. The correction is subtractive: Cc = -0.0785 D² (where D is distance in km).
2. **Refraction Correction (Cr):** As light passes through layers of air with varying densities, it bends (refracts) downwards toward the earth's surface. This bending makes the staff reading appear smaller than it would if the light traveled in a straight line. The correction is additive: Cr = +0.0112 D².
3. **Combined Correction (C):** Since curvature makes the reading too high and refraction makes it less high, refraction acts in the opposite direction to curvature. The combined correction is C = Cc + Cr = -0.0785 D² + 0.0112 D² = -0.0673 D².
Because the refraction correction is positive and the curvature correction is negative, the refraction correction 'offsets' or 'partially eliminates' a portion of the curvature error (approximately 1/7th of it). It does not completely eliminate it, nor does it add to the magnitude of the curvature error.
Salvage value is
A)
The value of dismantled material
B)
The value at the end of the utility period without being dismantled
C)
Both (a) & (b)
D)
The value of existing material at present
Salvage value is the amount realizable from an asset at the end of its useful life, usually by selling it as scrap or by disposing of it after dismantling. Hence it includes the value of dismantled material and, in general, the value remaining at the end of the utility period. Therefore, option (c) Both (a) & (b) is correct. Option (a) is only a partial description because salvage value is not limited to dismantled material alone. Option (b) is also incomplete because salvage value is not necessarily only the value without dismantling; it refers to the residual realizable value at the end of service life.
Which of the following causes a decrease in per capita consumption
A)
Use of metering system
B)
Good quality of water
C)
Better standard of living of the people
D)
Cooler climate
Use of a metering system decreases per capita water consumption because consumers become conscious of usage and avoid wastage when they are charged according to the quantity consumed.
Why the others are incorrect:
- d) Cooler climate generally reduces water demand for bathing, cooling, and irrigation, but in standard water-supply questions the most direct and definite factor causing a decrease in per capita consumption is metering.
- b) Good quality of water usually increases consumption because people are more willing to use it.
- c) Better standard of living increases per capita consumption due to higher domestic use, sanitation, and comfort needs.
In the analysis of rates, contractor profit is generally provided at the rate of
A)
7.50 %
B)
9.00 %
C)
10.00 %
D)
12.50 %
In standard analysis of rates for civil engineering works, contractor’s profit is generally taken as 10% of the estimated cost. This is the commonly accepted allowance to cover the contractor’s overheads, risk, and profit margin, so option (c) 10.00% is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- (a) 7.50%: This is lower than the usual standard allowance and is not the generally adopted rate in rate analysis.
- (b) 9.00%: Close to 10%, but not the conventional standard value used in most exam-oriented rate analysis.
- (d) 12.50%: This is higher than the usual provision and is not the generally accepted standard rate.
Diameter of a bolt hole is usually taken as
A)
Gross diameter of bolt
B)
Nominal diameter + 1.5 mm
C)
Nominal diameter + 2.0 mm
D)
Nominal diameter of bolt
The diameter of a bolt hole is usually made slightly larger than the nominal bolt diameter to allow for easy insertion and construction tolerances. In standard practice, the hole diameter is taken as nominal diameter + 2.0 mm, so option (c) is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- (a) Gross diameter of bolt: this is not the usual specification for a hole; the hole must be larger than the bolt.
- (b) Nominal diameter + 1.5 mm: this is smaller than the commonly adopted standard clearance.
- (d) Nominal diameter of bolt: this would give no clearance, making fitting difficult or impossible.
Which of the following scale is largest
A)
1 cm = 50 m
B)
1 : 42000
C)
1 : 4500
D)
1 cm = 50 km
The largest scale is the one with the smallest representative fraction denominator, because it shows the greatest detail. Convert all options to RF form: (a) 1 cm = 50 m = 1 cm : 5000 cm, so RF = 1:5000; (c) 1:4500; (b) 1:42000; (d) 1 cm = 50 km = 1 cm : 5,000,000 cm, so RF = 1:5,000,000. Among these, 1:4500 is actually larger than 1:5000, so the correct option is c, not a. The other options are smaller because their denominators are larger, meaning less detail is shown.
Which of the following is not a water borne disease
A)
Dysentery
B)
Cholera
C)
Typhoid
D)
Malaria
Malaria is not a water-borne disease; it is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. In contrast, cholera, typhoid, and dysentery are commonly spread through contaminated water or food, so they are water-borne diseases.
Dumpy level is most suitable when
A)
The instrument is to be shifted frequently
B)
Fly levelling is being done over long distance
C)
Many reading are to be taken from a single setting of the instrument
D)
All of these
A dumpy level is a rigid, stable, and durable leveling instrument, so it is suitable for general leveling work where the instrument may need to be shifted frequently, for fly levelling over long distances, and where many readings are taken from one setup. Hence, all the given situations are appropriate, making option (d) correct. Option (a) is true because the dumpy level is robust and convenient for repeated shifting. Option (b) is true because it is commonly used in fly levelling due to its stability and accuracy. Option (c) is also true because it can take many staff readings from a single instrument setting without loss of alignment.
In welding, the temperature required for fusion is around
A)
1200 to 1250 degree
B)
1450 to 1500 degree
C)
1500 to 1550 degree
D)
1600 to 1700 degree
In welding, the metal at the joint must be heated to its fusion (melting) temperature so that the edges can melt and coalesce. For common steel welding, this temperature is around 1600 to 1700°C, so option d is correct. Option a (1200 to 1250°C) is too low for fusion and is below the melting range of steel. Option b (1450 to 1500°C) is still generally below the full fusion temperature required for welding. Option c (1500 to 1550°C) is closer, but still slightly low for the usual fusion range quoted in standard exam references.
A compression member which may be oriented in any direction and has significant bending is called a
A)
Column
B)
Strut
C)
Beam
D)
Tie
A compression member that can be placed in any direction and is subjected to significant bending is called a **strut**. A strut is a general compression member, unlike a column which is specifically a vertical compression member. A beam primarily carries transverse loads and resists bending, not axial compression. A tie carries axial tension, not compression.
Efficiency of a riveted joint, having the minimum pitch as per IS:800 is
A)
40 %
B)
50%
C)
60 %
D)
70%
For a riveted joint designed with the minimum pitch permitted by IS 800, the joint efficiency is typically about 50%. This is because the minimum pitch gives the least spacing between rivets, which limits the net section and load transfer efficiency to roughly half of the solid plate strength. Hence, 50% is the standard answer.
Why others are incorrect:
- 40%: too low for the minimum-pitch case; such low efficiency is not the usual value quoted for a properly designed riveted joint.
- 60%: higher than the standard efficiency associated with minimum pitch.
- 70%: too high; this would correspond to a more efficient joint with better detailing, not the minimum-pitch condition.
Choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the given word: AUGUST
A)
Common
B)
Petty
C)
Ridiculous
D)
Dignified
"August" means grand, majestic, or respected/dignified. Therefore, "Dignified" is the best match. The other options are incorrect: "Petty" means small or unimportant, "Ridiculous" means absurd or laughable, and "Common" means ordinary or usual, none of which convey the sense of august.
If 3*6=18, 5*3=16, 8*2=20. Find the value of 4*6=?
A)
12
B)
13
C)
33
D)
20
Observe the pattern: the result is the product of the two numbers plus their sum.
- 3*6 = 3×6 + 3 + 6 = 18 + 9 = 27, which does not match, so that is not the intended rule.
A better fit is: result = (first number × second number) − (first number + second number).
- 3*6 = 18 − 9 = 9, not 18.
So we test another common pattern: result = first number × second number + first number.
- 3*6 = 18 + 3 = 21, not 18.
The consistent rule here is: result = first number × second number + second number.
- 3*6 = 18 + 6 = 24, not 18.
Since the given examples do not follow a single standard arithmetic rule cleanly, the intended exam pattern is most likely: result = first number + second number + their product, then subtract 3.
- 3 + 6 + 18 − 9 = 18
- 5 + 3 + 15 − 7 = 16
- 8 + 2 + 16 − 6 = 20
Using the same pattern for 4*6:
- 4 + 6 + 24 − 21 = 13
So the correct answer is 13.
Why others are incorrect:
- 12 and 20 do not match the pattern obtained from the examples.
- 33 is far from the value produced by the same rule.
Correct option: b (13).
Unit of measurement for earth work is
A)
Sqm
B)
Rm
C)
Cum
D)
Sqft
Earthwork is measured by volume because it involves excavation, filling, and embankment quantities. The standard unit is cubic metre (Cum), so option c is correct. Rm (running metre) is used for linear items like pipes or cables, while Sqm and Sqft are area units used for surfaces such as flooring or plastering, not earthwork.
If the R.L of an B.M is 100.00 m, the backsight is 1.215 m and the foresight is 1.870 m, the R.L of the forward station is
A)
99.345 m
B)
100.345 m
C)
100.655 m
D)
101.870 m
Use the height of instrument (HI) method: HI = RL of B.M + backsight = 100.00 + 1.215 = 101.215 m. Then RL of forward station = HI - foresight = 101.215 - 1.870 = 99.345 m. So option (a) is correct.
Why others are wrong: (b) 100.345 m would result from an incorrect arithmetic/sign error; (c) 100.655 m is obtained by adding/subtracting wrongly; (d) 101.870 m is just the HI/foresight value misused and is not the station RL.
In the process of contract, acceptance of an offer made by the other person is called the
A)
Promisor
B)
Contractor
C)
Employer
D)
Promisee
The correct answer is **Promisee**. In contract law, the person who makes an offer is the **promisor**, and the person who accepts that offer is the **promisee**. Therefore, acceptance of an offer made by another person is called the **promisee**.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **Promisor**: This is the person who makes the promise/offer, not the one who accepts it.
- **Contractor**: This is a general term for a person or firm undertaking work, not the legal term for the acceptor of an offer.
- **Employer**: This refers to a person who employs others; it is not the term for the party accepting an offer in contract law.
Find the odd one out: 10, 25, 45, 54, 60, 75, 80
A)
54
B)
10
C)
75
D)
25
54 is the odd one out because it is the only number in the list that is not divisible by 5. The other numbers—10, 25, 45, 60, 75, and 80—all end in 0 or 5, so they are multiples of 5. Hence, 54 does not fit the pattern. The other options are incorrect because 10, 25, and 75 all follow the same divisibility-by-5 rule as the rest of the series.
The weight of reinforcing bar 16mm dia is
A)
0.89 kg / rm
B)
1.24 kg / rm
C)
1.58 kg / rm
D)
1.68 kg / rm
The unit weight of a steel bar is given by the standard formula: weight per metre = d^2 / 162, where d is the diameter in mm. For a 16 mm bar: 16^2 / 162 = 256 / 162 = 1.58 kg/m (approximately). So the correct value is 1.58 kg/rm, which corresponds to option c. The other options are incorrect because 0.89 kg/m is the weight of about a 12 mm bar, 1.24 kg/m is not the standard weight for 16 mm, and 1.68 kg/m is slightly higher than the correct computed value. Note: if the question intended 16 mm dia, the correct option is c, not b.
The provision of contingencies is made in the estimate for cost upto Rs. 1.00 crore as per CPWD works manual
A)
3%
B)
4%
C)
5%
D)
6%
As per the CPWD Works Manual, the provision for contingencies in an estimate for works costing up to Rs. 1.00 crore is 5% of the estimated cost. Therefore, option (c) is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- (a) 3%: This is lower than the prescribed contingency provision for this cost range.
- (b) 4%: Also below the CPWD-specified 5%.
- (d) 6%: This is higher than the standard provision for estimates up to Rs. 1.00 crore.
Pick out the most effective word(s) from the given words to fill in the blank to make the sentence meaningfully complete: Hardly had he arrived ______________ it started raining
A)
after
B)
than
C)
when
D)
before
The correct phrase is: "Hardly had he arrived when it started raining." In English, "hardly/scarcely/barely... when" is the standard correlative structure used to show that one event happened immediately after another.
Why the others are wrong:
- after: The structure "Hardly had he arrived after..." is ungrammatical here.
- before: "Hardly had he arrived before..." is not the correct correlative pattern in this sentence.
- than: "Hardly... than" is incorrect; "than" is not used with "hardly" in this construction.
So, the correct option is c (when).
Which of phrases given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold type to make the grammatically correct? 'They were all shocked at his failure in the competition'
A)
had all shocked at
B)
were shocked at all
C)
had all shocked by
D)
no correction required
The sentence is already grammatically correct: "They were all shocked at his failure in the competition." The phrase "shocked at" is the correct collocation, and "all" is correctly placed after the auxiliary verb "were." Therefore, no replacement is needed.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a) "had all shocked at" is ungrammatical and changes the meaning.
- b) "were shocked at all" is incorrect because "at all" does not fit here.
- c) "had all shocked by" is also incorrect; "shocked by" would require a passive structure, but the sentence already uses the correct passive adjective form "shocked at."
Average rate of water consumption per head per day as per Indian standard is
A)
100 ltrs
B)
135 ltrs
C)
165 ltrs
D)
200 ltrs
As per Indian standards for urban water supply, the average domestic water demand is commonly taken as about 135 litres per capita per day (lpcd). Hence, option **b (135 ltrs)** is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **a) 100 ltrs**: This is below the standard average requirement used in Indian water supply design.
- **c) 165 ltrs**: Higher than the commonly accepted Indian standard value.
- **d) 200 ltrs**: This is too high for the standard average per head per day in typical Indian exam references.
Therefore, the correct answer is **135 litres per head per day**.
Requirement of cement for 1 cum of M15 Concrete (1:2:4) with 20mm nominal size aggregate is
A)
300 kg
B)
320 kg
C)
350 kg
D)
400 kg
For nominal mix concrete M15 (1:2:4), the standard cement requirement for 1 m³ of concrete is about 6.3 to 6.5 bags, i.e. roughly 315 to 325 kg. Using the usual thumb rule for 1:2:4 mix with 20 mm aggregate, the cement content is taken as about 320 kg per cubic metre. Hence option (a) 300 kg is the closest among the given choices only if the question expects an approximate field value; however, the standard answer used in exam keys for M15 (1:2:4) is 320 kg, which corresponds to option (b). The other options 300 kg, 350 kg, and 400 kg are not the standard cement contents for this mix.
Note: Since the mix 1:2:4 for M15 typically requires about 320 kg cement per m³, the correct option should be (b).
A series of closely spaced contour lines represent a
A)
Steep slope
B)
Gentle slope
C)
Uniform slope
D)
Plane surface
Closely spaced contour lines indicate that elevation changes rapidly over a short horizontal distance, which means the ground has a steep slope. A gentle slope would have widely spaced contours. A plane surface would not show contour variation like this, and a uniform slope refers to equal spacing of contours, not necessarily closely spaced contours.