NCARB Practice Test

Question 1

Which of the following is generally NOT given in a written subsurface investigation report?

o Results of field tests
o Results of laboratory tests
o Recommended types of foundations
o Soil sieve analysis

Answer 1

Soil sieve analysis

Question 2

Which of the following defines the sudden loss of
shearing resistance in a cohesionless soil?

o Plasticity
o Liquefaction
o A collapsing soil
o An expansive soil

Answer 2

Liquefaction

Question 3

A measure of the ease with which a particular fluid flows
through the voids of a soil is called

o permeability
o compressibility
o osmosis
o cohesion

Answer 3

permeability

Question 4

Building failure can often be traced to unstable subsoil
conditions. Which of the following subsurface conditions
is likely to cause differential settlement of building
foundations?

o Large beds of clay contained in gravel
o Small boulders dispersed in gravel
o Stratified rock
o A deep layer of dry sand and gravel

Answer 4

Large beds of clay contained in gravel

Question 5

In a residential development composed of large building lots, on-site sewage disposal for each lot is permitted subject to the suitability of the soil. Which of the following soil investigations should the architect request?

o Percolation test
o Evaporation test
o Test for soil alkalinity
o Test for soil density

Answer 5

Percolation test

Question 6

Which of the following would be the best design-with-
climate strategy in the layout of a new town in a cool
region such as Winnipeg or Minneapolis?

o The town structure should be densely grouped; larger building units may be grouped close together but
spaced to utilize sun-heat effects, and the layout
should provide a sheltering effect against winds.

o The preferred design is an open and free layout
of buildings that tend to merge with nature.

o The town structure should be dense and provide
shade, and unit dwellings or groups of buildings should
create court-like areas.

o Buildings should be separated to utilize air movements, and the character of the town fabric should be loose and scattered.

Answer 6

The town structure should be densely grouped; larger building units may be grouped close together but
spaced to utilize sun-heat effects, and the layout
should provide a sheltering effect against winds.

Question 7

Which of the following loads defines the force fluids exert on structures?

o Hydrostatic
o Dynamic
o Water
o Wedge

Answer 7

Hydrostatic

Question 8

Assume a project site of 50,000 square feet of land area
and 10,000 square feet of gross building floor area.
At a ratio of 3 square feet of parking area to 1 square foot of gross building area, how many parking spaces are required at 400 square feet per car?

Answer 8

75

Question 9

Easements are generally placed on private property
to accommodate which of the following?

o Daylight
o Landscaping
o Access
o Setbacks

Answer 9

Access

Question 10

The characteristic of an existing structure that will
directly affect the thermal environment of adjacent
new construction is its

o mechanical systems
o texture
o shadow pattern
o footprint

Answer 10

shadow pattern

Question 11

Costs for cutting and filling earth on site are typically
calculated by which of the following?

o Square yards
o Cubic yards
o Acres
o Tonnage

Answer 11

Cubic yards

Question 12

The most important factor for locating a new retail
center is

o accessibility to market area traffic
o the availability of utilities
o a well-drained level site
o its proximity to employment zone areas

Answer 12

accessibility to market area traffic

Question 13

In cold climates, vapor barriers are desirable below attic insulation because they

o minimize moisture migration
o serve as secondary waterproofing
o support the insulation
o provide protection from insect infestation

Answer 13

minimize moisture migration

Question 14

The process of stripping existing vegetation from a site
can cause

o pollution
o disorientation
o defoliation
o erosion

Answer 14

erosion

Question 15

Land use restrictions imposed by local governmental
authorities include all of the following EXCEPT

o set backs
o covenants
o height and area limitations
o zoning

Answer 15

covenants

Question 16

All of the following are considered land use
restrictions EXCEPT

o height and area limitations
o accessibility regulations
o zoning ordinances
o set back regulations

Answer 16

accessibility regulations

Question 17

Foundation design in northern climates can require
footings to be as deep as 5 feet below grade for which of the following reasons?

o Protect against snow drifts
o Rest on undisturbed soil
o Be below frost level
o Resist earthquakes

Answer 17

Be below frost level

Question 18

The practice of balancing cut and fill is used in

o site grading
o sediment control
o land reclamation
o footing excavation

Answer 18

site grading

Question 19

A roof overhang on which of the following façades of a
building built in the northern hemisphere will provide
seasonal adjustment for solar radiation?

o North
o South
o East
o West

Answer 19

South

Question 20

What is the term for the boundaries, property lines, or
limits of a parcel of land, as defined by distances and
compass bearings?

o Chaining
o Datum
o Benchmarks
o Metes and bounds

Answer 20

Metes and bounds

Question 21

Since contamination in soil typically leads to groundwater contamination, which of the following cleanup technologies can be used to remediate the unsaturated zone?

o Vapor extraction
o Biodegradation
o In situ incineration
o Photolysis

Answer 21

Vapor extraction

Question 22

Which of the following technologies is most commonly
used in groundwater remediation projects?

o Extraction/treatment
o In situ aeration
o Biological barriers/filters
o Gas chromatography

Answer 22

Extraction/treatment

Question 23

After sight, which of the following senses is primary to
conveying information about a site?

o Touch
o Hearing
o Smell
o Taste

Answer 23

Hearing

Question 24

The development potential of a parcel of land can be
affected by the presence of all of the following EXCEPT

o wetlands
o endangered species
o acid rain
o hazardous waste

Answer 24

acid rain

Question 25

Zoning ordinances promote social vitality within a city
when they include

o strict zoning by land-use category
o high-rise buildings in a park-like setting
o mixed use and overlay zoning
o flexible car-parking ratios

Answer 25

mixed use and overlay zoning

Question 26

Which of the following is the most important factor in
orientation of residential units?

o Bedrooms should face away from harsh winds.
o As many units as possible should be entirely masked
from breezes.
o West facing units are at a premium.
o Each unit should receive sun for at least part of a
winter day.

Answer 26

Each unit should receive sun for at least part of a

winter day.

Question 27

Restrictive covenants are typically developed on behalf of

o property owners
o city officials
o design professionals
o civil engineers

Answer 27

property owners

Question 28

The term “right-of-way” is used to describe

o the right to have first opportunity to purchase real
estate when it becomes available
o the right of taking of land by entering on it in a
peaceable manner
o a right belonging to a party to pass over land of
another
o a right to cross a picket line during a strike

Answer 28

a right belonging to a party to pass over land of

another

Question 29

A nonconforming but legal structure that existed prior
to the enactment of a land use ordinance is said to be

o an easement
o dedicated
o aggrieved
o grandfathered

Answer 29

grandfathered

Question 30

Which of the following is correct concerning residential
zoning adjacent to a typical central business district?

o It should be prohibited because land costs are
too high.
o It should be maintained as a viable community asset.
o All substandard existing units should be converted to
commercial use.
o Future units should be available to low-income and
elderly families only.

Answer 30

It should be maintained as a viable community asset

Question 31

Topography is the most critical criterion when routing
which of the following utility lines?

o Water
o Electrical
o Natural gas
o Storm sewer

Answer 31

Storm sewer

Question 32

Water-detention areas are used primarily for which of
the following?

o To create swimming and recreation areas
o To provide aesthetically pleasing vistas
o To control surface water runoff
o To act as reservoirs in periods of drought

Answer 32

To control surface water runoff

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT considered an
environmental impact issue for site analysis?

o Reflections
o Air movement
o Archeological finds
o Sun and shadow patterns

Answer 33

Archeological finds

Question 34

Increased moisture content in bearing soils can have which of the following effects? Check the two that apply.

o Change in volume
o Reduction in bearing capacity
o Increased cohesion
o Decreased compatibility

Answer 34

Change in volume

Reduction in bearing capacity

Question 35

Methods to reduce potential vertical movement to a
proposed building due to expansive clay soil conditions
would include the following? Check the four that apply.

o Over-excavate below footing grade and fill with
compacted gravel.
o Waterproof the foundation to reduce filtration
o Extend footings and foundations to a depth of
consistent ground moisture
o Drain surface water away from building foundation
o Plant trees near the building to stabilize the ground
o Control roof water runoff

Answer 35

• Over-excavate below footing grade and fill with
  compacted gravel.
• Extend footings and foundations to a depth of
  consistent ground moisture
• Drain surface water away from building foundation
• Control roof water runoff

Question 36

Which of the following is a key goal of a contextual design approach to site design?

A. Integration with below grade infrastructure
B. Harmony with surroundings
C. Diversity with contradiction
D. Modification of existing archetypes

Answer 36

B. Harmony with surroundings

Question 37

Which of the following is the primary use of detention basins on a newly developed site?

A. Create an on site pond for evaporative cooling
B. Contain heavy rain runoff and control the discharge rate
C. Collect site and building runoff for site irrigation
D. Provide for bioremediation

Answer 37

B. Contain heavy rain runoff and control the discharge rate

Question 38

Which of the following site features would be exempt from accessibility requirements? Check all three that apply.

1. Temporary bleachers at a football stadium
2. Temporary ATM facility
3. Construction trailers
4. Portable parade reviewing stands
5. Prison guard towers
6. Referee platforms

Answer 38

3. Construction trailers
4. Prison guard towers
5. Referee platforms

Question 39

Which of the following are characteristics of plastic lumber in relation to tree lumber? Check the three that apply.

1. It is considerably lighter than tree lumber
2. It will not bow or warp with age
3. It can be sawn and drilled the same as tree lumber.
4. It is lower in material cost than tree lumber.
5. It is not subject to damage from insects.
6. It is much stiffer than tree lumber.

Answer 39

2. It will not bow or warp with age
3. It can be sawn and drilled the same as tree lumber.
4. It is not subject to damage from insects.