N-Level Technical and Vocational Skills 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the function of a transformer?
- To store electrical energy
- To change (step up or step down) the voltage of an alternating current (Correct answer)
- To convert DC to AC
- To measure current
Correct answer: To change (step up or step down) the voltage of an alternating current
A transformer changes AC voltage: step-up transformers increase voltage; step-down transformers decrease it. They enable efficient long-distance power transmission at high voltage and safe home use at low voltage.
Question 2: In a technical context, what does 'maintenance' mean?
- Replacing old machines with new ones
- Regular inspection, cleaning, and repair of equipment to keep it working safely and efficiently (Correct answer)
- Ignoring small problems
- Making equipment look attractive
Correct answer: Regular inspection, cleaning, and repair of equipment to keep it working safely and efficiently
Maintenance involves regular scheduled checks, cleaning, lubrication, and repair of equipment to prevent breakdowns, extend service life, maintain safety, and ensure efficient operation.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a gantt chart in project planning?
- To display financial data
- To show tasks, their duration, and timeline for a project — helping manage time and resources (Correct answer)
- To design products
- To record workshop safety rules
Correct answer: To show tasks, their duration, and timeline for a project — helping manage time and resources
A Gantt chart is a bar chart showing the start date, duration, and end date of project tasks, allowing teams to track progress, identify dependencies, and manage time effectively.
Question 4: What material property does 'tensile strength' describe?
- How well a material conducts electricity
- The ability of a material to resist being pulled apart or stretched (Correct answer)
- How well a material withstands heat
- The hardness of a material's surface
Correct answer: The ability of a material to resist being pulled apart or stretched
Tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand when being stretched or pulled before it breaks. High tensile strength materials (steel cables) are used where stretching forces are applied.
Question 5: What is the difference between soldering and welding?
- They are the same process
- Soldering joins metals using a low-temperature filler metal (below 450°C) without melting the base metals; welding melts and fuses the base metals themselves at high temperatures (Correct answer)
- Welding only works on plastic
- Soldering is used for heavy structural work
Correct answer: Soldering joins metals using a low-temperature filler metal (below 450°C) without melting the base metals; welding melts and fuses the base metals themselves at high temperatures
Soldering (electronics, plumbing) uses a filler (solder) at low temperature without melting base metals — a soft join. Welding melts and fuses the base metals at high temperature — a strong structural join.
Question 6: What does 'troubleshooting' mean in a technical context?
- Causing problems in a system
- The systematic process of diagnosing and resolving faults in equipment or systems (Correct answer)
- Replacing all components at once
- Calling for professional help immediately
Correct answer: The systematic process of diagnosing and resolving faults in equipment or systems
Troubleshooting is the methodical process of identifying the cause of a fault in a system — testing hypotheses, isolating variables, and finding the specific component or process that has failed.
N-Level Technical and Vocational Skills 4
What is the function of a transformer?