Plastering and Pointing MCQ with answer and solution

Concept

Mortar mix ratio is always written as cement : sand by volume.

Step-by-step solution

1. Plaster uses cement mortar. 2. Cement mortar is made of cement, sand and water. 3. The mix ratio 1:4 means 1 part cement and 4 parts sand by volume. 4. So the answer is Cement : Sand.

Explanation

Cement mortar has only cement and sand as dry materials. The ratio 1:4 means 1 part cement to 4 parts sand by volume. Water is added separately and is not part of this ratio.

Why the other options are wrong

B: Water is given as a water-cement ratio like 0.4 to 0.5, not 1:4. C: Coarse aggregate is used in concrete, not in plaster mortar. D: Lime : cement is not how a cement mortar ratio is written.

Shortcut

Mortar = cement : sand. Concrete = cement : sand : coarse aggregate.

Common mistake

Mixing up a mortar ratio (2 parts) with a concrete ratio (3 parts).