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Introduction to Road Engineering: Important MCQs for Draftsman Exam Success

1. Which of the following modes of transportation is referred to as having the maximum flexibility?
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


2. Which mode of transportation is the fastest? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


3. Which mode of transportation provides door-to-door service? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


4. Which transportation system is considered most advantageous for longer distances? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


5. Which transportation system is known for its minimum energy consumption to haul unit load through unit distance? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


6. What are the three basic mediums of transportation? 
(a) Road, Rail, Air 
(b) Land, Water, Air 
(c) Land, Rail, Sea 
(d) Land, Sea, Air


7. Which mode of transportation includes city streets and village roads? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


8. Which mode of transportation involves the movement of ships and boats? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


9. Which mode of transportation is the costliest among all four systems mentioned? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


10. Which transportation system is essential for urban travels and long distances? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


11. Highway engineering deals with the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of which system? 
(a) Railway system 
(b) Waterways system 
(c) Road system 
(d) Airways system


12. What is the main purpose of roads during wartime? 
(a) Facilitate trade 
(b) Serve as a feeder for railways 
(c) Enhance land value 
(d) Serve as an asset to the defense of a country


13. Which of the following is a characteristic of road transport? 
(a) It requires high investment and maintenance costs 
(b) It offers flexibility of changes in direction of travel 
(c) It is limited to urban areas 
(d) It is not suitable for short distance travel


14. Which mode of transport can serve the remotest isolated villages in a country? 
(a) Railways 
(b) Roadways 
(c) Waterways 
(d) Airways


15. What should road transport contain to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles? 
(a) Expensive maintenance facilities 
(b) Intelligent traffic signs 
(c) High investment infrastructure 
(d) Limited parking facilities


16. What type of vehicles can use road transport? 
(a) Only motor vehicles 
(b) Only bicycles and rickshaws 
(c) Only animal-driven vehicles 
(d) All types of vehicles including animal-driven, cycle, and rickshaws


17. Why should road transport be free from being submerged during floods? 
(a) To enhance land value 
(b) To provide more employment opportunities 
(c) To ensure safe movement of traffic at all times 
(d) To maintain better law and order


18. What characteristic of road transport makes it cheaper and time-saving for short distances? 
(a) High construction cost 
(b) Easy gradient 
(c) Flexibility in direction of travel 
(d) Complete freedom to road users


19. What amenities should road transport grant to road users? 
(a) Expensive hotels 
(b) Regular toll booths 
(c) Grass verges, sufficient lighting, and fuelling places 
(d) High-speed rail links


20. What should the road surface be impervious to? 
(a) Dust and mud 
(b) Heavy traffic 
(c) Rainwater 
(d) Animal-driven vehicles


21. What should the width of the road and camber or cross fall of the surface be? 
(a) Minimum 
(b) Sufficient 
(c) Maximum 
(d) Negligible


22. Which characteristic is essential for the curves along the road? 
(a) High visibility and steep slopes 
(b) Blind corners and low visibility 
(c) Proper design and freedom from blind corners 
(d) Sharp turns and abrupt changes


23. What should the road foundation depth be adequate for? 
(a) Enhancing land value 
(b) Distributing traffic load over a sufficient area 
(c) Limiting the number of vehicles 
(d) Reducing construction costs


24. What is necessary for the road surface to possess for general traffic? 
(a) Economical in construction and maintenance costs 
(b) Even and smooth, but not slippery 
(c) Hard, durable with uniform wear 
(d) All of the above


25. Why should the surface of the road be impervious and impermeable? 
(a) To support high traffic load 
(b) To prevent dust and mud 
(c) To withstand rainwater 
(d) To reduce maintenance costs


26. What is the necessity of roads for national unity? 
(a) Enhancing land value 
(b) Providing employment opportunities 
(c) Facilitating trade growth 
(d) Uniting people of different states


27. What was the initial carrier on a highway? 
(a) Horse 
(b) Donkey 
(c) Man himself 
(d) Camel


28. Which animals followed the initial carrier on highways? 
(a) Camel, donkey, horse 
(b) Elephant, donkey, horse 
(c) Camel, donkey, elephant 
(d) Camel, horse, elephant


29. What invention led to the use of cast and many other wheeled vehicles on highways? 
(a) Engine 
(b) Wheel 
(c) Carriage 
(d) Steam power


30. How long have the techniques of highway engineering been known to mankind? 
(a) Hundreds of years 
(b) Thousands of years 
(c) Decades 
(d) Centuries


31. What activities related to highways were our predecessors capable of solving? 
(a) Constructing, maintaining, managing, financing, controlling traffic 
(b) Building, planning, designing, marketing, supervising 
(c) Constructing, planning, budgeting, communicating, controlling crime 
(d) Designing, constructing, managing, advertising, negotiating


32. What did our predecessors consider as the most important infrastructure needed for development? 
(a) Airports 
(b) Railways 
(c) Highways 
(d) Seaports


33. Why did our predecessors build and maintain roads? 
(a) For their day-to-day affairs 
(b) For military purposes only 
(c) For agricultural use 
(d) For recreational purposes


34. Which problems of highway engineering were faced by our predecessors? 
(a) Designing, budgeting, decorating, marketing 
(b) Constructing, maintaining, managing, financing, controlling traffic 
(c) Building, planning, advertising, communicating 
(d) Supervising, negotiating, marketing, budgeting


35. What is significant about the network of highways according to the text? 
(a) It existed only in Europe 
(b) It existed only in Asia 
(c) It existed in all parts of the world 
(d) It existed only in ancient civilizations


36. What were highways initially used for? 
(a) Transporting goods only 
(b) Recreational activities 
(c) Flow of men and materials 
(d) Agricultural purposes


37. What was the primary basis for the Roman conception of roads? 
(a) Trade 
(b) Agriculture 
(c) Military importance 
(d) Tourism


38. Which Roman road, built in 312 B.C., was the earliest and best constructed road of its time? 
(a) Via Appia 
(b) Via Sacra 
(c) Via Aurelia 
(d) Via Flaminia


39. What was remarkable about the ancient roads built by the Romans? 
(a) Their curves and gradients 
(b) Their straightness and bold inception 
(c) Their colorful decorations 
(d) Their use of wood


40. How long did the Appian Way extend? 
(a) 400 km 
(b) 580 km 
(c) 600 km 
(d) 750 km


41. What was the total thickness of Roman road sections at some places? 
(a) 500mm to 750mm 
(b) 600mm to 900mm 
(c) 750mm to 1200mm 
(d) 800mm to 1000mm


42. What was the purpose of removing soft soil till the hard stratum was reached in Roman road construction? 
(a) To create a decorative layer 
(b) To ensure stability 
(c) To make the road colorful 
(d) To reduce costs


43. What materials were used for the bottom layer of Roman roads? 
(a) Sand and clay 
(b) Large foundation stones and lime mortar 
(c) Wood and straw 
(d) Asphalt and concrete


44. What was placed above the bottom layer in the construction of Roman roads? 
(a) Sand and gravel 
(b) Large size broken stones mixed in lime mortar 
(c) Wooden planks 
(d) Metal sheets


45. What was the thickness range for the layer placed above the bottom layer in Roman roads? 
(a) 100mm to 200mm 
(b) 200mm to 300mm 
(c) 250mm to 400mm 
(d) 300mm to 500mm
 


46. What was the final layer of Roman roads made of? 
(a) Small size broken stones 
(b) Large-sized blocks of stones 
(c) Asphalt 
(d) Concrete


47. Why did Roman road construction techniques not gain popularity in other countries? 
(a) Poor design 
(b) High cost 
(c) Lack of resources 
(d) Poor quality materials


48. What evidence is there of progress in road construction after Roman techniques? 
(a) Many new roads built immediately after 
(b) No remarkable progress until the eighteenth century 
(c) Significant advancements in the Middle Ages 
(d) Continuous improvements throughout history


49. Who developed the improved method of road construction in France in 1764? 
(a) John Metcalf 
(b) Thomas Telford 
(c) Pierre Tresaguet 
(d) John Macadam


50. In which year was Pierre Tresaguet's method of road construction adopted in France? 
(a) 1764 
(b) 1775 
(c) 1785 
(d) 1796


51. What was the total thickness of road construction proposed by Pierre Tresaguet? 
(a) 300mm 
(b) 400mm 
(c) 500mm 
(d) 600mm


52. What key factor did Pierre Tresaguet emphasize in his road construction method? 
(a) Colorful decorations 
(b) Subgrade moisture condition and camber 
(c) Use of wood 
(d) High investment


53. How thick was the initial layer of large stones laid on edge by hand in Tresaguet's method? 
(a) 10cm 
(b) 15cm 
(c) 17cm 
(d) 20cm


54. What was the purpose of embedding large stones edgewise at the edges of the road? 
(a) Decoration 
(b) Submerged kerb stones 
(c) Foundation support 
(d) Drainage


55. What was the compacted thickness of the second layer of smaller stones in Tresaguet's method? 
(a) 5cm 
(b) 8cm 
(c) 10cm 
(d) 12cm


56. What was the thickness of the top wearing course of smaller stones in Tresaguet's method? 
(a) 5cm 
(b) 8cm 
(c) 10cm 
(d) 12cm


57. What slope was provided for surface drainage in Tresaguet's road construction method? 
(a) 1 in 20 
(b) 1 in 30 
(c) 1 in 40 
(d) 1 in 45


58. What slope was given to the shoulders for proper drainage in Tresaguet's method? 
(a) 1 in 10 
(b) 1 in 15 
(c) 1 in 20 
(d) 1 in 25


59. Who was responsible for the construction of roads in England? 
(a) Thomas Telford 
(b) Pierre Tresaguet 
(c) John Metcalf 
(d) John Macadam


60. What was John Metcalf's notable physical condition? 
(a) He was deaf 
(b) He was blind 
(c) He was mute 
(d) He had no notable physical condition


61. How many kilometers of roads did John Metcalf construct in the northern region of England? 
(a) 100 km 
(b) 200 km 
(c) 290 km 
(d) 390 km


62. Why was much of John Metcalf's work not recorded? 
(a) He did not want it recorded 
(b) He lost the records 
(c) He was blind 
(d) It was destroyed in a fire


63. Who founded the Institution of Civil Engineers at London, U.K.? 
(a) John Metcalf 
(b) Pierre Tresaguet 
(c) Thomas Telford 
(d) John Macadam


64. What did Thomas Telford advocate in 1820 for road construction? 
(a) Use of wooden planks 
(b) Providing heavy foundation stones above the soil subgrade 
(c) Using asphalt 
(d) Building curved roads


65. What is the purpose of having a definite cross slope at the top surface of the pavement according to Telford's method? 
(a) To enhance aesthetics 
(b) To reduce construction costs 
(c) To drain off rainwater 
(d) To provide better grip for vehicles


66. What was the width prepared for the road foundation in Telford's construction method? 
(a) 5m 
(b) 7m 
(c) 9m 
(d) 11m


67. What size range of stones was laid at the foundation in Telford's method? 
(a) 10mm to 20mm 
(b) 30mm to 50mm 
(c) 40mm to 220mm 
(d) 50mm to 100mm


68. How were the stones arranged in the foundation according to Telford's construction method? 
(a) Larger stones at the edges and smaller stones in the center 
(b) Uniform size stones throughout 
(c) Larger stones in the center and decreasing thickness towards the edges 
(d) Randomly arranged stones


69. What materials were used to fill the spaces between foundation stones in Telford's method? 
(a) Sand and clay 
(b) Smaller stones and chippings 
(c) Asphalt and concrete 
(d) Wooden planks


70. What was the thickness of the side portions made up of compacted broken stones in Telford's method? 
(a) 100mm 
(b) 120mm 
(c) 150mm 
(d) 200mm


71. What was the thickness of the binding layer of gravel on the formation top of the road in Telford's method? 
(a) 20mm 
(b) 30mm 
(c) 40mm 
(d) 50mm


72. What cross slope was provided on the finished surface to drain off the rainwater in Telford's method? 
(a) 1 in 20 
(b) 1 in 30 
(c) 1 in 40 
(d) 1 in 45


73. At what interval were cross drains provided in Telford's method? 
(a) Every 50m 
(b) Every 70m 
(c) Every 90m 
(d) Every 100m


74. Who suggested the method of road construction known as Macadam construction? 
(a) Thomas Telford 
(b) John Metcalf 
(c) Pierre Tresaguet 
(d) John Macadam


75. In which year did John Macadam suggest his method of road construction? 
(a) 1810 
(b) 1816 
(c) 1820 
(d) 1825


76. What did John Macadam realize about the stresses due to wheel load of traffic? 
(a) They increase at lower layers 
(b) They decrease at lower layers 
(c) They remain constant 
(d) They fluctuate


77. What was John Macadam's conclusion regarding the necessity of large foundation stones? 
(a) They are essential 
(b) They are unnecessary 
(c) They should be used sparingly 
(d) They should be used only in the top layer


78. What cross slope was provided for the subgrade in Macadam's road construction? 
(a) 1 in 20 
(b) 1 in 25 
(c) 1 in 30 
(d) 1 in 36


79. What was the thickness of the first layer of broken stones in Macadam's road construction? 
(a) 50mm 
(b) 75mm 
(c) 100mm 
(d) 125mm


80. What size sieve did the first layer of stones pass through in Macadam's construction? 
(a) 25mm 
(b) 37.5mm 
(c) 50mm 
(d) 60mm


81. What was the thickness of the second layer of broken stones in Macadam's road construction? 
(a) 50mm 
(b) 75mm 
(c) 100mm 
(d) 125mm


82. What size sieve did the second layer of stones pass through in Macadam's construction? 
(a) 25mm 
(b) 37.5mm 
(c) 50mm 
(d) 60mm


83. What was the thickness of the top layer in Macadam's road construction? 
(a) 25mm 
(b) 37.5mm 
(c) 50mm 
(d) 75mm


84. What size stones were used in the top layer of Macadam's construction? 
(a) Less than 10mm 
(b) Less than 20mm 
(c) Less than 30mm 
(d) Less than 40mm


85. What cross slope was finished for the top layer in Macadam's road construction? 
(a) 1 in 20 
(b) 1 in 25 
(c) 1 in 30 
(d) 1 in 36


86. Why are roads following the principles of Macadam construction named after John Macadam? 
(a) Due to the use of asphalt 
(b) Due to the scientific study of stone-road construction 
(c) Due to the use of large foundation stones 
(d) Due to the use of metal


87. Which ancient civilization's excavation established that the technique of road construction existed in India around
 3500 B.C.? 
(a) Indus Valley Civilization 
(b) Mesopotamian Civilization 
(c) Egyptian Civilization 
(d) Chinese Civilization


88. Who wrote the "Artha Shastra," which mentioned specifications for road widths, road surfaces, and traffic control? 
(a) Chandra Gupta Maurya 
(b) Ashoka 
(c) Kautilya 
(d) Akbar


89. What was compared to the profile or cross-section of a road by Kautilya? 
(a) Back of a camel 
(b) Back of a tortoise 
(c) Back of a horse 
(d) Back of an elephant


90. Who formed a special communication department to look after roads and managed to fix pillars and signboards on the roadside for guidance? 
(a) Kautilya 
(b) Chandra Gupta Maurya 
(c) Ashoka 
(d) Akbar


91. Which Indian ruler constructed a national highway connecting the N.W.E province to his capital city of Patna? 
(a) Ashoka 
(b) Chandra Gupta Maurya 
(c) Kautilya 
(d) Akbar


92. During whose regime was there a good network of roads in India with trees planted on either side for shade? 
(a) Chandra Gupta Maurya 
(b) Kautilya 
(c) Ashoka 
(d) Akbar


93. What additional facilities were provided along the roads during Ashoka's regime? 
(a) Shops and markets 
(b) Rest houses at a distance of about 5 km to 7 km 
(c) Toll booths 
(d) Streetlights


94. What era does the development of roads in ancient India fall under? 
(a) Mughal period 
(b) British rule 
(c) Free India 
(d) Ancient India


95. Which period saw significant improvements in the roads of India by Muslim rulers? 
(a) Ancient India 
(b) Mughal period 
(c) British rule 
(d) Free India


96. Which Muslim ruler constructed a road connecting Delhi to Daulatabad? 
(a) Sher Shah 
(b) Akbar 
(c) Aurangzeb 
(d) Mohammad Tughlaq


97. Who was famous for constructing several roads during the Mughal period? 
(a) Akbar 
(b) Mohammad Tughlaq 
(c) Sher Shah 
(d) Jahangir


98. Which road did Sher Shah construct that was considered the longest road of his time? 
(a) Road connecting Delhi to Daulatabad 
(b) Road connecting Agra to Varanasi 
(c) Road connecting Lahore in Punjab to Sunargaon in Bengal 
(d) Road connecting Delhi to Kolkata


99. At the beginning of British rule, who took little interest in road construction? 
(a) Lord Dalhousie 
(b) Lord William Bentinck 
(c) East India Company 
(d) Dr. M.R Jayakar


100. Who revived the idea of constructing roads during the British rule? 
(a) Lord Mayo 
(b) Lord Rippon 
(c) Lord William Bentinck 
(d) Dr. M.R Jayakar