6129-202

Level 2 Certificate in Plumbing Studies

Key plumbing principles (Version A)

Date/time centre set You should have the

40 minutes following for this examination
 a multiple-choice answer sheet
 a pen with black or blue ink

This question paper is the property of the City and Guilds of London
Institute and is to be returned after the examination.

Read the following notes before you answer any questions

 You must use a pen with black or blue ink to complete all parts of the answer sheet.
 Check that you have the correct answer sheet for the examination.
 Check that your name and candidate details are printed correctly at the top of your
answer sheet.
 Inform the invigilator if your name or examination details are not correct.
 Each question shows four possible answers (lettered ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’ and ‘d’); only one
is correct.
Decide which one is correct and mark your answer on the answer sheet with
your pen.
For example if you decide ‘c’ is correct, mark your answer like this

1 a b c d

If you want to change your answer, cancel your first choice by filling in the lower half
of the box like this

1 a b c d

Then mark the answer which you have now decided is correct.
 Any calculations or rough working can be done on this paper.
 Attempt all questions. If you find a question difficult, leave it and return to it later.

This paper contains 25 questions. Answer them using the ‘boxes’ numbered
1 to 25 on the answer sheet.

© The City and Guilds of London Institute 2004.

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1 With reference to fuel gases

a) butane is lighter than air

b) propane is heavier than air
c) butane is lighter than propane
d) natural gas (methane) is heavier than air.

2 Combustion occurs when a fuel combines with

a) oxygen
b) carbon dioxide
c) carbon monoxide
d) nitrogen.

3 Water expands upon freezing by approximately

a) 5%
b) 10%
c) 15%
d) 20%.

4 At its temperature of maximum density a cubic metre of water weighs 1000 kg and has a
relative density of 1. Copper has a relative density of 8.9, therefore a cubic metre of copper
would weigh

a) 890 kg.
b) 1000 kg.
c) 1880 kg.
d) 8900 kg.

5 The Pascal is a unit of intensity of pressure which can be calculated by multiplying

a) Newtons (N) and square metres (m²)

b) Kilograms (Kg) and square metres (m²)
c) Newtons (N) and Kilograms
d) Newtons (N) and litres (l).

6 The force acting on the base of a storage cistern is 9.81 kN. The base of the cistern
measures 840mm x 700mm. The pressure on the base of the cistern is approximately

a) 0.7 kPa
b) 5.8 kPa
c) 16.7 kPa
d) 33.4 kPa.

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7 Which one of the following pipes, each of the same length, will create the greatest resistance
to the flow of water?

a) 15mm copper pipe with 6 elbows fitted.

b) 15mm copper pipe with 3 elbows and 3 machine bends.
c) 22mm copper pipe which reduces to 15mm for half its length.
d) 15mm copper pipe with 6 machine bends.

Figure 1

8 Refer Figure 1, which shows a length of hosepipe placed within a container full of water.
The tube can be used to siphon water from the container by

a) increasing the air pressure at end ‘A’ to above atmospheric pressure

b) reducing the air pressure at end ‘A’ to below atmospheric pressure
c) reducing the diameter of the pipe at end ‘A’
d) reducing the diameter of the pipe at end ‘B’.

9 Which one of the following should be used to measure the difference in water temperature in
two primary hot water circulators?

a) Aneroid barometer.
b) Immersion heater thermostat.
c) Clip on thermometers.
d) Multi-meter.

10 The Specific Heat Capacity of a substance is the

a) amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1kg of a liquid from its boiling point to
freezing point.
b) difference between the heat required to raise the temperature of 1kg of a substance and 1kg
of water through 1º Celcius
c) amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1kg a substance through 1º Celcius
d) amount of heat required to convert 1kg of a liquid into vapour (eg water to steam).

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11 Convection occurs as a result of

a) differences in the density of solids

b) heat travelling though air to an object
c) differences in the density of liquids and gases
d) heat travelling through a solid.

12 Which one of the properties of water is shown by its pH value?

a) Its degree of acidity or alkalinity.

b) Its electrical conductivity.
c) The amount of heat given up when steam changes to water.
d) Its heat conductivity.

13 Temporary hardness in water is caused by

a) calcium sulphate being absorbed by acidic water

b) magnesium sulphate being absorbed by acidic water
c) calcium sulphate being absorbed by alkaline water
d) calcium carbonate being absorbed by acidic water.

14 Carbonates can be deposited on pipe walls and storage vessels when the water temperature
reaches

a) 25º Celsius
b) 45º Celsius
c) 55º Celsius
d) 65º Celsius.

15 A base exchange water softener operates by

a) filtering calcium salts from the water

b) using a zeolite to remove calcium salts
c) boiling off the carbon dioxide in the water
d) passing an electric current through the water.

16 A rod of magnesium would be fitted in a hot water storage cylinder to

a) prevent hardness in water

b) stop bacteriological action
c) reduce corrosion of the cylinder
d) counter the effect of any soldering fluxes.

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17 Capillarity in liquids may occur between two close fitting surfaces

a) only when the surfaces are in a horizontal position

b) when the surfaces are in an horizontal or vertical position
c) only when the surfaces are at an angle of 45 degrees
d) only when the surfaces are at an angle of less than 30 degrees.

18 The specific heat capacity of a substance is the

a) point at which a liquid turns to a gas and is vented to atmosphere

b) temperature at which water begins to boil and turn to steam
c) amount of heat required to raise 1kg of the substance by 1º Celsius
d) ability of a substance to retain heat and act as an insulator.

19 Which of the following lists only non-ferrous metals?

A B C D
LOW CARBON
SOLDER BRASS BRASS
STEEL
BRONZE LEAD COPPER STAINLESS STEEL
ALUMINIUM
CAST IRON BRASS SOLDER
ALLOY

20 Which one of the following materials has the highest coefficient of linear expansion?

a) Copper.
b) Steel.
c) UPVC.
d) Stainless steel.

21 Corrosion by electrolytic action would be most likely to occur where

a) steel wool is left in a plastic WC Cistern

b) steel swarf or filings are left in a galvanised steel cistern
c) copper turnings are left in copper pipework systems
d) copper nails are used to fix sheet leadwork.

22 Which one of the following is the unit of power?

a) Watt (or kilowatt).

b) Amps (ampere).
c) Joules.
d) Newton.

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23 The correct relationship between volts, amps and ohms is shown as

a) volts x amps = ohms

b) volts x ohms = amps
c) amps x ohms = volts
d) volts ÷ amps = ohms.

24 The unit for measuring electrical current is the

a) amp
b) volt
c) watt
d) ohm.

25 A glass beaker contains an acidic solution and a zinc plate and a copper plate which are
joined by a wire. The type of electrical current that will flow between the plates is

a) direct
b) alternating
c) single-phase
d) three-phase.

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