DIY & Home Improvement Quiz – Printable Version
20 multiple-choice questions with an explained answer key, ready to print.
Print the sheet (or save it as a PDF from the print window), hand it out, then mark it together using the answer page: every answer is explained. Perfect for a party, a birthday, a classroom, a care home or a team activity.
Name: ………………………………Score: ……… / 20
- What is the golden rule to avoid getting hurt while doing DIY?
- A. Never work without goggles (unless you like splinters in your eye)
- B. All of the above (and then some)
- C. Always have a first aid kit within reach
- D. Wear suitable gloves (and pray)
- What do you call the moment when you realize you've mounted a shelf upside down?
- A. The flash of genius
- B. The DIYer's facepalm
- C. The existential 'oh crap'
- D. Rebel shelf syndrome
- Why do DIY projects always take longer than expected?
- A. Because you discover 10 new problems along the way
- B. Because you decided to redo everything 'properly'
- C. All of the above
- D. Because you forgot to buy a part
- What is the ultimate secret to succeeding at DIY?
- A. Having a friend who knows what they're doing
- B. Having an unlimited budget
- C. Having the right tools
- D. Having patience
- Which type of saw should you use to cut plywood without splintering?
- A. Jigsaw with a fine blade
- B. Circular saw with a reverse-tooth blade
- C. Hand saw
- D. Band saw
- What is the maximum distance between two joists for a wooden floor (standard load)?
- A. 50 cm
- B. 30 cm
- C. 40 cm
- D. 60 cm
- What type of screw should you use to fix a pressure-treated wood frame?
- A. Galvanized screws
- B. Metal screws
- C. A2 or A4 stainless steel screws
- D. Standard wood screws
- What type of fasteners should you use to mount an 80 kg TV stand on a drywall wall?
- A. Concrete nails
- B. Standard expansion anchors
- C. Molly bolts or chemical anchors
- D. Standard drywall screws
- What is a spirit level used for in DIY?
- A. To check that a surface is perfectly horizontal or vertical
- B. To impress guests
- C. To measure the DIYer's frustration level
- D. To decorate the shelf
- What is the minimum foundation depth for a 9 m² garden shed?
- A. 40 cm
- B. 10 cm
- C. 20 cm
- D. 1 m
- What is the right technique for screwing into plaster without an anchor?
- A. Use glue before the screw
- B. Force a large screw in
- C. Go through the plaster to reach the concrete
- D. Never screw into plaster without a proper anchor
- How many screws are generally needed to fix a drywall panel (120×250 cm) onto a metal frame?
- A. 15 screws
- B. 5 screws
- C. 10 screws
- D. 25 screws
- What type of jigsaw blade should you use to cut aluminum?
- A. Ceramic blade
- B. Fine-tooth metal blade (HSS)
- C. Any blade, aluminum is soft
- D. Wide-tooth wood blade
- What does 'IP65' actually mean for an outdoor light fixture?
- A. 65-volt compatible
- B. Installed 65 cm off the ground
- C. 65 watts maximum
- D. Dust-proof and water-jet resistant
- How long should you wait before laying tile on a freshly poured screed?
- A. 3 to 4 weeks minimum
- B. 6 months
- C. 24 hours
- D. 3 days
- What type of sanding is suitable for smoothing joint compound on drywall panels before painting?
- A. 40-grit sandpaper on an orbital sander
- B. Electric planer
- C. 150-180 grit sanding sponge
- D. Angle grinder
- Why should you avoid mixing different metals in a plumbing installation (e.g. copper and steel)?
- A. To avoid electrolytic corrosion
- B. It's against the law
- C. Because it's too noisy
- D. For the design
- In workplace safety as in DIY, what does the French acronym "EPI" (PPE in English) stand for?
- A. Preliminary installation study
- B. Prohibited protected space
- C. Personal protective equipment
- D. Periodic industrial maintenance
- What does an insulated screwdriver marked "1000 V" with a double triangle guarantee?
- A. That it is magnetic
- B. That it protects the user when working near live parts
- C. That it withstands 1,000 °C
- D. That it can tighten 1,000 screws
- In woodworking, what is the "grain" of wood?
- A. The string used for measuring
- B. A crack in the board
- C. The direction of the wood fibres
- D. The cut edge of the board
Answer key — DIY & Home Improvement Quiz
- B. All of the above (and then some)DIY is like an extreme sport: without protection, you'll end up with a cast or a scar to tell stories about.
- B. The DIYer's facepalmIt's the moment when you think: 'OK, I take it apart and start over…
- C. All of the aboveA 2-hour project? Count on 2 days.
- A. Having a friend who knows what they're doingThe real secret is knowing someone who knows how. And buying them a beer.
- B. Circular saw with a reverse-tooth bladeA reverse-tooth blade (teeth pointing down) reduces splintering on plywood.
- D. 60 cmFor a residential floor, the standard spacing is 60 cm. Beyond that, your floor will feel like a trampoline.
- C. A2 or A4 stainless steel screwsPressure-treated wood is corrosive to standard screws. A2 or A4 stainless steel resists corrosion.
- C. Molly bolts or chemical anchorsFor 80 kg on drywall, you need Molly bolts or a chemical anchor.
- A. To check that a surface is perfectly horizontal or verticalWithout a spirit level, your shelf will make the house look like it's leaning.
- A. 40 cmFor a garden shed, a slab or footings at 40 cm depth are generally enough outside frost zones.
- D. Never screw into plaster without a proper anchorPlaster is crumbly. Without an anchor, your screw holds…
- A. 15 screwsAbout one screw every 25 cm on each stud. Too few, and the panel bulges; too many, and you get annoyed for nothing.
- B. Fine-tooth metal blade (HSS)Aluminum requires a fine-tooth HSS blade to avoid burrs and tearing.
- D. Dust-proof and water-jet resistantIP = Ingress Protection. The first digit (6) = total protection against dust.
- A. 3 to 4 weeks minimumA concrete screed takes weeks to fully dry. Laying tile too soon traps moisture and everything will come unstuck within 6 months.
- C. 150-180 grit sanding spongeA 150-180 grit sanding sponge smooths joints without gouging the panel.
- A. To avoid electrolytic corrosionDirect contact between two different metals in the presence of water creates a galvanic cell, causing rapid corrosion.
- C. Personal protective equipmentGoggles, gloves, ear defenders, mask, safety shoes… PPE protects the individual, in addition to collective protection.
- B. That it protects the user when working near live partsThese tools are tested for electrical work. They do not replace switching off the power at the breaker first!
- C. The direction of the wood fibresYou plane and sand "with the grain" for a smooth surface. Against the grain, the wood tears out.