Practice Test Solutions (How Well Did you Do?)

Solution to Question # 1:
(D). Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems.
 
Simple three light testers cannot detect two potentially serious house wiring errors: 
(1) neutral and ground reversed at the receptacle. 
(2) a "bootleg" ground, where the neutral and ground pins have been connected together at the receptacle.
 

Solution to Question # 2:
(D) Potential safety issue.
 
Bulging, loose, or missing plaster is usually considered a cosmetic issue; however, it is a safety issue because it is heavy and can hurt someone if it falls below.
 

 
Solution to Question # 3:
(B). Sensible and latent heat.
Sensible heat is energy that causes a change in temperature. Latent heat is energy that comes from matter changing its state, but not its temperature. HVAC systems must deal with both of these types of heat loads in order to make the indoor environment comfortable. The terms “radiant” and “conductive” refer to types of heat transfer but not to an actual value of heat gain or loss.




Solution to Question # 4
:
(A) 6” fiberglass batt insulation.
You do not necessarily need to memorize all the values, but instead, try to reason this question out. Fiberglass batt insulation contains many tiny air pockets, which help to increase its R-value. A 12” concrete wall has very little air in it, therefore, resulting in a low R-value. Six inches of fiberglass batt insulation could be expected to have an R-value of around 18.

Solution to Question # 5
(D) Post and beam construction.
Post and beam construction was used in 1700. Balloon framing started to be used in the 1800s.  Platform framing became popular in the middle of the 20th century. ICFs, began to be used in the late 1960s and 1970s.





Solution to Question # 6:
(B). At the corners of the installation  (around windows).
Corners have a greater potential for leakage. The corner of the jamb and the sill is especially prone to leakage, because water can get in the jamb and then run down the edge and back into the wall at the corner.

Solution to Question # 7
:
(C) Since the pan was full, the condensate overflow switch turned the unit off in order to ensure that condensate did not spill.
Some units have a condensate overflow switch that will turn the unit off so that the condensate does not spill out of the pan. To fix the problem, just empty out the pan. The other answers would not stop the unit from functioning immediately.






Solution to Question # 8
:
False.
Home inspectors get sued a lot ! That's why professional liability is pricey. But if you stick to the rules and reporting guidelines, you'll be fine. Learn more in the book. 

 
Solution to Question # 9:
(D) One-third.
If the line does not lie within the center one third of the wall, the wall is unstable. If there are joists resting on the wall, even less lean is allowed before the wall is unstable.




Solution to Question # 10:
(C) Nominal 1 or 2 inch thick members which connect opposite roof rafters.
Collar beams serve to stiffen the roof structure