← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions
The floor of a septic tank should be sloping towards
A)
the inlet side
B)
the outlet side
C)
should not be sloping
D)
should be lowest at the middle of the tank
In a septic tank, the floor is made to slope slightly towards the outlet side so that sludge can move toward the sludge-digestion zone and be removed more easily during cleaning. A slope toward the inlet would oppose flow and cause unwanted accumulation near the inlet. The floor should also not be flat or lowest at the middle, as that would not help sludge collection and maintenance.
What is a box union in plumbing?
A)
A device for joining together two threaded pipes
B)
A spigot and socket joint
C)
A pipe fitting with inside threads only
D)
A fitting for providing a sharp change of direction
A box union is a type of pipe union used to connect two threaded pipes so that they can be easily assembled and dismantled. It provides a detachable joint. Option (b) describes a spigot and socket joint, option (c) is a socket, and option (d) refers to an elbow or bend used for change of direction.
In sewage treatment plants, the oil and grease is removed by:
A)
filtration
B)
oxidation
C)
screening
D)
skimming
In sewage treatment plants, oil and grease are lighter than water and float on the surface. They are therefore removed by skimming, where the floating layer is collected from the top. Filtration is used for solids, oxidation for organic matter decomposition, and screening removes large debris, not oil and grease.
Carbon footprint can be measured by
A)
Carbon dating
B)
Instruments
C)
Carbon accounting
D)
Formula
A carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an activity, person, or organization. It is measured using carbon accounting, which estimates emissions in terms of CO2 equivalents. Carbon dating is used to determine the age of ancient organic materials, instruments are too vague, and formula alone is not the standard term for the measurement method.
Cloud seeding is one method of?
A)
Soil modification
B)
Weather modification
C)
Plant modification
D)
Soil testing
Cloud seeding is the process of introducing substances like silver iodide into clouds to induce rainfall or alter precipitation. Since it is used to influence atmospheric conditions, it is a method of weather modification. It is not related to soil modification, plant modification, or soil testing.
From where does the term ‘Brutalism’ come from?
A)
From its Architecture Style
B)
From the Architects of this style
C)
From the material used
D)
From the expressions of public
The term 'Brutalism' comes from the French phrase 'béton brut', meaning 'raw concrete'. It refers to the exposed, unfinished appearance of the material used in this architectural style. Hence, the name is derived from the material and its raw treatment, not from the architects, public opinion, or just the style name itself.
What is the cement: sand: coarse aggregates mix for M20 grade of concrete?
A)
1:1.5:3
B)
1: 2: 4
C)
1: 1 : 2
D)
1: 3: 6
M20 grade concrete is commonly represented by the nominal mix ratio 1:1.5:3 (cement:sand:coarse aggregates). This is a standard nominal mix used for ordinary reinforced concrete work. The other options correspond to weaker mixes: 1:2:4 is generally used for M15, 1:3:6 for lower-grade concrete, and 1:1:2 is a richer mix stronger than M20.
Which of the following, is a type of shallow footing?
A)
Spread footing
B)
Pile foundation
C)
Pier foundation
D)
Well foundation
Shallow foundations transfer structural load to the soil at a relatively small depth. Spread footing is a standard type of shallow footing because it spreads the load over a wider area near the ground surface. In contrast, pile foundation, pier foundation, and well foundation are deep foundations used when the load must be transferred to deeper, stronger strata.
What is the standard length of a HYSD bar of TATA Tiscon?
A)
10m
B)
12m
C)
9m
D)
14m
HYSD bars from TATA Tiscon are supplied in the standard commercial length of 12 metres. Among the given options, 12 m is the correct standard length. The other lengths (10 m, 9 m, 14 m) are not the usual standard supply length for TATA Tiscon bars.
The unit of Thermal Transmittance is
A)
W/K
B)
W/m2
C)
W/mK
D)
W/m2K
Thermal transmittance (U-value) is the rate of heat flow through a building element per unit area per unit temperature difference. So its unit is watt per square metre per kelvin, i.e. W/m²K. Option (c) W/mK is the unit of thermal conductivity, not transmittance. Option (a) W/K lacks area, and option (b) W/m² lacks the temperature difference term.
Enamel paint is
A)
water based
B)
oil based
C)
solvent based
D)
none of these
Enamel paint is generally an oil-based paint. It forms a hard, glossy, durable finish and is commonly used on wood and metal surfaces. Water-based paints are usually called emulsion or latex paints, while solvent-based paints are a broader category, but in standard building-materials MCQs, enamel paint is classified as oil based. Hence, option (b) is correct.
PPGI sheet roofing should be fixed with
A)
SDSS screws
B)
SDDS screws
C)
SDST screws
D)
STSS screws
PPGI (Pre-Painted Galvalume/Iron) sheet roofing is generally fixed using self-drilling self-sealing screws designed for sheet roofing. Among the given options, SDSS stands for the appropriate screw type used for fixing such roofing sheets. The other options are not the standard designation for roofing sheet fasteners.
The four LEED certification level designations are Platinum, Gold, Silver and ________.
A)
Bronze
B)
Certified
C)
Pearl
D)
Paper
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has four certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Therefore, the missing designation is Certified. The other options are not part of the LEED rating system: Bronze and Pearl belong to other contexts, and Paper is irrelevant.
‘A house is a machine to live in’ philosophy is coined by
A)
Le Corbusier
B)
Peter Behrens
C)
Frank Lloyd Wright
D)
Louis Sullivan
The statement ‘A house is a machine to live in’ is famously associated with Le Corbusier, a pioneer of modern architecture. He emphasized function, efficiency, and rational design in buildings. Peter Behrens was an early modernist designer, Frank Lloyd Wright focused on organic architecture, and Louis Sullivan is known for the phrase ‘form follows function,’ not this quote.
CCTV Headquarters in Beijing is an example of
A)
Modernism
B)
Post- Modernism
C)
Deconstructivism
D)
Art Nouveau
The CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA, is a well-known example of Deconstructivist architecture. Its unusual looped, irregular form breaks away from traditional rectangular skyscraper design. Modernism emphasizes functional, clean forms; Post-Modernism reintroduces ornament and historical references; Art Nouveau is an earlier decorative style with organic motifs. Therefore, the correct answer is Deconstructivism.
What are the external corners angles of a wall surface called?
A)
Bond
B)
Reveals
C)
Jambs
D)
Quoins
The external corner angles of a wall surface are called quoins. Quoins are the masonry units or corner stones at the external corners of a wall. Bond refers to the arrangement of bricks or stones, reveals are the side surfaces of an opening, and jambs are the vertical sides of doors or windows.
Which of the following has more fire resisting characteristics?
A)
Marble
B)
Lime stone
C)
Compact sand stone
D)
Granite
Fire resistance of stones depends on their composition and resistance to heat. Granite has comparatively better fire-resisting characteristics because it is dense and strong, and it performs better under high temperature than marble, limestone, or sandstone. Marble and limestone are calcareous stones and can decompose at high temperatures, while sandstone is generally less resistant than granite.
Who is the famous architect of the Arts and Crafts Movement?
A)
Le Corbusier
B)
Frank Lloyd Wright
C)
Walter Gropius
D)
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
The Arts and Crafts Movement emphasized craftsmanship, simplicity, and harmony with nature. Among the given options, Frank Lloyd Wright is most closely associated with these ideas through his organic architecture and design philosophy. Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe are primarily associated with modernist architecture and the Bauhaus/International Style, not the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Which of the following is not an influencing factor of Thermal Comfort
A)
Relative Humidity
B)
Clothing
C)
Air speed
D)
Carbon footprint
Thermal comfort is influenced by environmental and personal factors such as relative humidity, clothing, air speed, air temperature, and metabolic rate. Carbon footprint is an environmental impact measure, not a direct factor affecting human thermal comfort. Hence, the correct answer is Carbon footprint.
Slenderness ratio of a column is represented as:
A)
Effective length / Cross-sectional area
B)
Effective length / Radius of gyration
C)
Actual length / Cross-sectional area
D)
Actual length / Radius of gyration
The slenderness ratio of a column is defined as the ratio of its effective length to its least radius of gyration: λ = Le / r. Hence option (b) is correct. Option (a) and (c) are wrong because slenderness ratio is not based on cross-sectional area. Option (d) is incorrect because the standard definition uses effective length, not actual length.
What is “green fatigue”?
A)
Living in Sick building
B)
Weariness in talking about all things green
C)
An erosion of materials in green construction
D)
Endorsing something which is not as green as it sounds
“Green fatigue” means becoming tired or bored of hearing, discussing, or promoting environmental/green topics repeatedly. So option (b) is correct. Option (a) refers to sick building syndrome, (c) is about material erosion, and (d) describes greenwashing, not green fatigue.
How long should curing be done for Damp proof course?
A)
At least 6 days
B)
At least 7 days
C)
At least 8 days
D)
At least 9 days
A damp proof course (DPC), when made of cement concrete or mortar-based material, should generally be cured properly for a minimum of 7 days to achieve adequate strength and durability. Hence, among the given options, 'At least 7 days' is correct. The other options are shorter or longer than the standard minimum curing period asked in such construction MCQs.
What is the full form of GRIHA?
A)
Green Rating for Intense Habitat Assessment
B)
Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment
C)
Green Rating for Intense Housing Assessment
D)
Green Rating for Integrated Housing Assessment
GRIHA stands for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment. It is India's national green building rating system. Option (a) is incorrect because it says 'Intense' instead of 'Integrated'; (c) and (d) are incorrect because GRIHA refers to 'Habitat', not 'Housing'.
The under surface of an arch is called
A)
Soffit
B)
Intrados
C)
Haunch
D)
Back
The under surface or inner curve of an arch is called the **intrados**. In building construction terminology, **soffit** is also used for the underside of a structural element in general, but for an arch specifically the correct term is **intrados**.
- **Intrados**: inner or under surface of an arch ✅
- **Soffit**: underside of a horizontal member or general underside, not the standard term for arch curvature here
- **Haunch**: part of the arch between the crown and the springing
- **Back**: outer/top surface of the arch (extrados)
So the correct answer is **(b) Intrados**.
Which of the following actions may best help maintain human comfort even in an increased indoor temperature?
A)
Lowering the humidity
B)
Re-circulating the air supply
C)
Lowering the lighting intensity
D)
Increasing the ventilation rate
Human comfort in a warm indoor environment is improved mainly by increasing air movement and removing excess heat from the room. Increasing the ventilation rate helps carry away warm air and can also improve evaporation of sweat from the skin, making occupants feel cooler. Lowering humidity can also help comfort, but among the given options, increasing ventilation is the most direct and effective action for maintaining comfort when indoor temperature rises. Re-circulating air only moves the same air around without removing heat, and lowering lighting intensity may reduce heat slightly but is not as effective as ventilation.