Reading Practice Test
For the Ohio 12th Grade Proficiency Test
 

Questions 5 - 6

Passage II

    This chart is based on general characteristics and averages.  For example, pounds-per-cubic-foot are given for samples of dry wood.  However, samples cut from the same tree and reduced to the same moisture content can vary.  The Planing and Joining column relates to the ease of either operation with the respective wood. Smooth Sanding refers to how well the wood sands and the recommended sandpaper grit to use for the scratchless and smooth sanding step.
 
 

Name of Wood
Weight In Pounds Per Cubic Foot
Hardness
Planing and Joining
Turning
Smooth Sanding
Ash
35
Medium
Good
Fair
Best 100
Basswood
24
Soft
Good
Poor
Poor 150
Birch
39
Hard
Good
Good
Fair 150
Cedar (Aromatic Red)
23
Soft
Poor
Fair
Good 120
Cherry
36
Medium
Excellent
Excellent
Best 150
Cypress
29
Soft
Good
Poor
Fair 36
Mahogany
35
Medium
Good
Good
Good 150
Maple
41
Hard
Fair
Good
Good 150
Oak (Red)
39
Hard
Excellent
Good
Best 36
Oak (White)
40
Hard
Excellent
Good
Best 36
Pine (White)
25
Soft
Good
Good
Fair 36
Poplar
29
Soft
Good
Good
Poor 150
Redwood
29
Soft
Good
Fair
Poor 36
Walnut
36
Medium
Good
Very Good
Best 150
Willow
30
Soft
Fair
Fair
Fair 120

Chart from Taylor Woodcraft, Inc. Malta, Ohio.
 

5.    You are building a storage chest and want to use the heaviest wood you can find.  Which of the following woods would you be most likely to consider?

A.    Maple and ash
B.    Birch and oak (white)
C.    Maple and oak (white)
D.    Pine and walnut

6.    Which of the following woods would be the poorest choice for a floor that would get a lot of hard treatment?

A.    Ash
B.    Oak (Red)
C.    Poplar
D.    Walnut
 
 

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