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WorksheetsYear 9 Timber Sustainability and FSC 20 questions
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
Which statement best describes why some hardwoods are considered less sustainable than softwoods?
They mature quickly in temperate forests
They always come from certified mixed forests
They require more water, space, and long care
They use fewer resources and grow faster
Which statement best describes hardwoods compared to softwoods?
They come from deciduous trees and grow slower
They come from evergreen trees and grow faster
They come from conifers and have no grain
They come from shrubs and are very lightweight
A designer needs tough, splinter-resistant kitchen utensils. Which hardwood is the most suitable choice?
Oak for whiskey barrels and furniture
Balsa for school models and surfboards
Mahogany for jewellery boxes and windows
Beech for toys and cooking spoons
Which property best explains why MDF is often chosen for low-cost furniture and storage units?
Its natural knots add decorative patterns
Its smooth surface accepts finishes easily
Its narrow grain absorbs less moisture
Its lightweight makes it hard to dent
Which statement best explains a key difference between plywood and chipboard for making an outdoor bench?
Chipboard is made from plastic fibers with glue
Plywood has water‑resistant layered veneers
Chipboard has smooth edges and never chips
Plywood is weaker than solid wood in compression
Looking at the images of coal, oil, gas flames, wind turbines, and hydro dams, which statement best explains why designers consider bio-plastics?
Fossil fuels are finite, so sustainable materials matter
Renewable energy is unlimited, so plastics last forever
Coal and oil are easy to replace, so waste is harmless
Gas and wind create polymers directly, so design is simple
Look at the diagrams of polymer structures. Which feature explains why thermosetting plastics do not soften when reheated?
Loose chains without fixed pattern
Cross-linked chains forming rigid network
Short chains with few side branches
Parallel chains aligned in neat layers
A designer must choose a plastic for a reusable food container that can be reshaped after heating. Which material type is most suitable?
Waterproof thermoset ideal for plug sockets
Brittle thermoset used for stiff mouldings
Thermoforming plastic that softens on heating
Thermosetting plastic with strong cross-links
Which property makes HDPE suitable for containers that hold cleaning chemicals or detergents?
High brittleness when made thin
Good chemical resistance, resists corrosion
Low chemical resistance, easily degraded
Transparent appearance across many colours
Which material is most suitable for the outer casing of an electrical plug because it stays rigid when heated and is hard and opaque?
High-impact polystyrene used for food trays
Flexible PVC with added plasticisers
HDPE commonly used for bottles
Urea formaldehyde thermoset resin
Which property of thermoplastics makes them suitable for products that require frequent reshaping or recycling?
They resist all chemical reactions
They are always transparent and brittle
They have cross-linked molecular structures
They soften and can be remoulded when heated
Why is plywood often preferred over solid wood for making large furniture panels?
Plywood is less likely to warp or split
Plywood is made only from softwoods
Plywood is heavier and absorbs more moisture
Plywood has more natural knots and grain
Which engineered wood product is commonly used for affordable shelving due to its uniform surface and ease of painting?
Chipboard
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)
Plywood
Oak hardwood
Which engineered wood is most suitable for creating curved furniture parts due to its layered construction?
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)
Oak hardwood
Plywood
Chipboard
Which property makes thermosetting plastics ideal for electrical insulation components?
They remain rigid and do not melt after setting
They soften easily when heated
They are always transparent
They can be remoulded multiple times
Why is beech wood often chosen for making children's toys?
It is naturally dark and oily
It is lightweight and very soft
It is tough, resists splintering, and has a fine grain
It is highly porous and absorbs water easily
Which property makes plywood a good choice for constructing floors and walls in buildings?
It is flexible and can be easily bent into any shape
It has high strength due to its cross-laminated layers
It absorbs water quickly for easy cleaning
It is always lighter than solid wood
Why are thermoplastics often selected for products that require frequent recycling?
They are always biodegradable
They can be melted and reshaped multiple times
They cannot be coloured or finished
They have permanent cross-linked structures
Which engineered wood product is most likely to swell and lose strength if exposed to moisture for long periods?
Chipboard
Beech hardwood
Plywood
Oak hardwood
Why is MDF often chosen for painted cabinet doors instead of natural hardwood?
MDF is more resistant to moisture than hardwood
MDF has a decorative grain pattern
MDF is heavier and more expensive
MDF has a smooth, uniform surface ideal for paint
