← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions
Who is the architect of the New National Stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
A)
Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano
B)
Kengo Kuma
C)
Foster & partners
D)
Shigeru Ban
The New National Stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. He won the redesign competition after the original plan was scrapped. The other options are incorrect because Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano are associated with other major projects, Foster + Partners did not design this stadium, and Shigeru Ban is also not the architect of the Tokyo Olympic stadium.
Which of the following is an important technique of earthquake resistant design and construction?
A)
flexible steel form
B)
reinforced concrete
C)
base isolation
D)
steel strengthening treatment
Base isolation is a well-known earthquake-resistant design technique. It separates the building structure from ground motion using isolators, reducing the transfer of seismic energy to the superstructure. Reinforced concrete is a construction material, not specifically a seismic technique; flexible steel form and steel strengthening treatment are not standard primary earthquake-resistant methods in this context.
In which area did the art nouveau developed?
A)
Painting
B)
Furniture
C)
Sculpture
D)
All of these
Art Nouveau was a broad decorative art movement that developed across multiple art forms, including painting, sculpture, and furniture/design. It was not limited to one medium. Therefore, the most correct option is 'All of these'.
The Architect who designed and advocated the geodesic dome for cities of tomorrow was?
A)
Mies van der Rohe
B)
Le Corbusier
C)
Buckminster Fuller
D)
Louis Kahn
Buckminster Fuller is the architect and inventor best known for designing and promoting the geodesic dome, which he presented as an efficient and futuristic form for the cities of tomorrow. Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Louis Kahn were major modern architects, but the geodesic dome is specifically associated with Fuller.
Which material is a poor conductor of heat and the cracks when heated and then suddenly cools down.
A)
Glass
B)
Steel
C)
Brick
D)
Aluminium
Glass is a poor conductor of heat and it is brittle, so when it is heated and then suddenly cooled, thermal stress develops and it cracks. Steel and aluminium are good conductors of heat, and brick is not the usual material referred to for this property in this context.
Slump test is done to test the
A)
strength of concrete
B)
workability of concrete
C)
quality of cement
D)
quality of aggregates
The slump test is a standard field test used to assess the workability or consistency of fresh concrete. A higher slump generally indicates greater workability, while a very low slump indicates a stiffer mix. It does not measure strength, and it is not a test for cement or aggregates.
The term ‘Zeitgist’, used in contemporary architecture, refers to
A)
Iconicity
B)
Spirit of Times
C)
Kinesthetics
D)
Semantic Associations
“Zeitgeist” is a German term meaning the spirit or defining mood of a particular period of history. In contemporary architecture, it refers to the ideas, values, and cultural climate of the time reflected in buildings. The other options are not the meaning of Zeitgeist: iconicity means symbolic/famous form, kinesthetics relates to movement, and semantic associations relate to meaning or symbolism.
Which is the only country to claim negative Carbon Footprint?
A)
Bhutan
B)
England
C)
Finland
D)
Austria
Bhutan is widely known as the only country to claim a negative carbon footprint because it absorbs more carbon dioxide through its extensive forest cover than it emits. The country is carbon negative rather than merely carbon neutral. The other options—England, Finland, and Austria—are not known as the only country with a negative carbon footprint.
What is the optimum indoor thermal comfort condition in India?
A)
25.50C
B)
26.50C
C)
27.50C
D)
28.50C
The generally accepted optimum indoor thermal comfort condition in India is about 26.5°C. This value is commonly used in building services/air-conditioning standards for comfortable indoor conditions in Indian climate. The other options are either too low or too high for the usual comfort zone.
Marine ply as a building material has special use because of its
A)
strength
B)
water resistance
C)
compressive properties
D)
aesthetic quality
Marine plywood (marine ply) is specially manufactured with waterproof adhesive and durable veneers, so it performs well in wet and humid conditions. Its key special use is therefore because of its water resistance. The other options are not the distinguishing feature of marine ply: strength is common to many plywoods, compressive properties are not the main reason for its use, and aesthetic quality is not its special characteristic.
What aspects of a building does a building automation system control?
A)
lighting
B)
heating
C)
fire/ smoke alarms
D)
all of these
A building automation system (BAS) is used to monitor and control multiple building services such as lighting, heating, ventilation/air conditioning, and safety systems like fire or smoke alarms. Since all listed aspects are controlled by BAS, the correct answer is 'all of these'. Options (a), (b), and (c) are only partial answers.
Asbestos sheets are no longer favoured in the building construction world today due to
A)
its brittleness
B)
its lack of aesthetic appeal
C)
health hazards
D)
difficult to handle
Asbestos sheets are no longer preferred mainly because asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems, including lung diseases and cancer, when inhaled. That is why their use has been restricted or discouraged in modern construction. The other options are not the primary reason for their decline: brittleness, appearance, and handling difficulties are secondary compared to the health risk.
The lowest edge of the sloping surface of roof is called
A)
Ridge
B)
Rafters
C)
Pitch
D)
Eves
The lowest edge of a sloping roof is called the **eaves**. It is the part where the roof projects beyond the wall line, helping to throw rainwater away from the building.
- **Ridge**: the highest horizontal line at the top of the roof.
- **Rafters**: the sloping structural members supporting the roof covering.
- **Pitch**: the slope/steepness of the roof.
- **Eaves**: the lower edge of the roof, so this is the correct answer.
Pointing is a construction technique used in
A)
woodwork
B)
masonry work
C)
steelwork
D)
earthwork
Pointing is the process of finishing and protecting the exposed joints in masonry by filling them with mortar. It is commonly done in brickwork and stone masonry to improve appearance and prevent water ingress. Therefore, it is used in masonry work, not in woodwork, steelwork, or earthwork.
Indian Institute of Management building in Ahmedabad was designed by
A)
Laurie Baker
B)
Louis Kahn
C)
Le Corbusier
D)
B.V Doshi
The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) campus was designed by the American architect Louis Kahn. He is known for the distinctive red-brick monumental style of the campus. Laurie Baker and Le Corbusier were also famous architects, but they did not design IIM Ahmedabad. B.V. Doshi was involved in Indian architecture and worked with Le Corbusier, but not as the designer of this building.
U-value of material is
A)
Thermal Transmittance
B)
Thermal Conductivity
C)
Thermal Conductance
D)
Thermal Resistance
The U-value (or overall heat transfer coefficient) of a material or building element is a measure of how much heat passes through it per unit area per unit temperature difference. This is called thermal transmittance. It is the inverse of the total thermal resistance. Thermal conductivity refers to the property of a material itself, while thermal conductance is heat flow through a body under steady conditions, and thermal resistance is the opposition to heat flow. Hence, the correct answer is Thermal Transmittance.
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, at the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad is designed by
A)
Charles Correa
B)
Balkrishna Doshi
C)
Christopher Charles Benninger
D)
Anupama Kundoo
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial at Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad is designed by architect Balkrishna Doshi. He is known for several important modern Indian architectural works and his association with heritage-sensitive projects. The other options do not match this memorial: Charles Correa, Christopher Charles Benninger, and Anupama Kundoo are all noted architects, but not the designer of this memorial.
Who pioneered Cubism
A)
Douglas Cooper and Allan Quartermain
B)
Georges Valmier and Pablo Picasso
C)
Allan Quartermain and Georges Braque
D)
Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque
Cubism was pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in the early 20th century. They developed the style around 1907–1914, breaking objects into geometric forms and showing multiple viewpoints at once. The other options are incorrect because Douglas Cooper was an art historian, Allan Quartermain is not associated with founding Cubism, and Georges Valmier was a later Cubist painter rather than the pioneer.
The horizontal course provided at suitable levels between the plinth and the cornice is termed as a
A)
Sill
B)
Corbel
C)
String Course
D)
Cornice
A string course is a horizontal decorative or protective course provided at suitable levels on the exterior wall, typically between the plinth and the cornice.
Why not the others:
- Sill: the horizontal member at the bottom of a window.
- Corbel: a projecting support, usually below a beam or arch.
- Cornice: the projecting topmost part of a wall or building.
Hence, the correct answer is String Course.
Which city has the first skyscraper
A)
Chicago
B)
New York City
C)
Paris
D)
Seattle
Chicago is regarded as the city where the first skyscraper was built. The Home Insurance Building in Chicago (1885) is widely recognized as the first skyscraper because it used a steel-frame structure, allowing buildings to rise much higher than before. New York City later became famous for skyscrapers, but it was not the first city to have one. Paris and Seattle are not considered the first skyscraper cities.
Which of the following is not a commonly used waterproofing material for buildings
A)
hydraulic lime
B)
bituminous material
C)
liquid membrane
D)
polyurethane membrane
Hydraulic lime is mainly used as a construction/binding material in mortars and masonry work; it is not a commonly used waterproofing material. Bituminous materials, liquid membranes, and polyurethane membranes are all standard waterproofing materials used for roofs, terraces, and wet areas. Hence, the correct answer is hydraulic lime.
Which part of the door is the transom?
A)
(i)
B)
(ii)
C)
(iii)
D)
(iv)
In door nomenclature transom is horizontal member above door; figure marks it as (i) in exam key.
Which of the below green building in India has received a platinum LEED certification?
A)
Dabur India, Chandigarh
B)
Logix Cyber Park, UP
C)
Unitech Commercial Tower, Chandigarh
D)
Suzlon One Earth, Pune
Suzlon One Earth, Pune is a well-known LEED Platinum green building in India. The other options are not the standard answer associated with platinum LEED certification in such exam questions. Hence, the correct choice is Suzlon One Earth, Pune.
What thickness of WPC board is appropriate for verandah ceiling?
A)
12mm
B)
6mm
C)
8mm
D)
18mm
WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) boards used for ceiling applications are generally kept thinner because they are non-load-bearing and fixed to a supporting framework. For verandah ceiling, the appropriate thickness is 6 mm. Thicker boards like 12 mm or 18 mm are usually used where greater rigidity or other applications are needed, while 8 mm is less commonly specified for such ceiling work.
Toughened glass is made by
A)
laminating the glass
B)
heating the glass
C)
making it very thick
D)
putting special coating on it
Toughened (tempered) glass is manufactured by heating the glass to a high temperature and then cooling it rapidly. This process creates compressive stresses on the surface, making the glass much stronger and safer than ordinary glass. Laminating the glass is used for laminated glass, making it very thick does not toughen it, and special coating is not the method used to produce toughened glass.