Free Red Seal Bricklayer Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Red Seal Bricklayer Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A masonry cutting station captures airborne dust at the point of generation with local exhaust ventilation. Which level of hazard control is the bricklayer using?

   1. A.Engineering control.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Substitution.
   3. C.Administrative control.
   4. D.Personal protective equipment.

   Explanation: CCOHS states, "Engineering controls are methods that will control the hazard at the source, before it comes in contact with the worker." It also explains, "Local exhaust ventilation is designed to remove the contaminant at the source so it cannot disperse into the work space". Source capture is therefore engineering control. Substitution changes the material or process, administrative controls change work organization, and PPE is worn by the worker.

   Reference: CCOHS — Hazard and Risk, Hierarchy of Controls — What are examples of engineering control methods?, opening and Ventilation

2. 2Old membrane remnants leave ridges on a foundation substrate that is to receive a new membrane. How should the bricklayer prepare these remnants?

   1. A.Remove them to obtain a smooth substrate.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Cover them with a thinner membrane coat.
   3. C.Soften them by increasing primer dilution.
   4. D.Bridge them by increasing membrane laps.

   Explanation: The standard states, "glues, old membranes and accessories are removed to ensure smooth substrate". Removal produces the required smooth substrate; changing primer, film thickness or laps does not remove the ridges.

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard — Bricklayer — p. 51, B-6.01.03P

3. 3A bricklayer is starting the ends of a non-load-bearing wall so subsequent courses can follow established heights. What should be built first to establish each course and height?

   1. A.Leads.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Lintels.
   3. C.Pilasters.
   4. D.Buttresses.

   Explanation: The standard states, "leads are built to establish each course and height". Leads establish the coursing reference. The other masonry elements perform support or strengthening functions rather than serving as these course-height references.

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard — Bricklayer — p. 68, C-9.01.04P

4. 4Stone units have been delivered for a natural-stone wall. Some units are defective or unsuitable for the intended appearance. What preparation operation separates those units from the usable selection?

   1. A.Culling.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Pitching.
   3. C.Dressing.
   4. D.Pointing.

   Explanation: The standard states, "defective or undesirable stones are culled to prevent failures or to enhance aesthetics of finished assembly". Culling selects out unsuitable stones; pitching/dressing shape stone, while pointing fills joints.

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard — Bricklayer — p. 83, D-13.01.01P

5. 5The chimney footing shown on the job plan is 0.8 m long, 0.8 m wide and 0.3 m thick. Excluding waste, what volume of concrete is required?

   1. A.0.192 m³.Correct answer: A
   2. B.0.64 m³.
   3. C.1.90 m³.
   4. D.0.0192 m³.

   Explanation: The standard states, "chimney dimensions and layout are calculated for footings and foundations according to plans and job specifications". Volume=0.8×0.8×0.3=0.192 m³. 0.64 omits thickness; 1.90 adds the three dimensions; 0.0192 shifts the decimal one place too far.

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard — Bricklayer — p. 92, E-15.01.05P

6. 6Before hot work on refractory anchors in a confined furnace, a bricklayer checks the oxygen reading. Which reading is inside CCOHS's stated oxygen range, considered independently of the other entry and hot-work requirements?

   1. A.19.0%.
   2. B.20.9%.Correct answer: B
   3. C.23.5%.
   4. D.24.0%.

   Explanation: CCOHS advises, "Oxygen content should be less than 23% but maintained at levels greater than 19.5%." Only 20.9% lies strictly within that range. The 19.0% reading is below it, and 23.5% and 24.0% exceed it. CCOHS notes jurisdictional variation; this question uses its stated guidance, and an acceptable oxygen value alone does not authorize entry or hot work. The RSOS includes "safety procedures include: lockout, confined space, fall arrest, FLRA, emergency evacuation, temporary bracing" in refractory preparation.

   Reference: CCOHS — Confined Space Introduction — How are fire and explosion prevented?, oxygen criterion

7. 7Before deciding how to dismantle deteriorated calcareous stonework, a bricklayer considers damage from an acidic cleaner. Which constituent makes this stone particularly acid-sensitive?

   1. A.Calcium carbonate.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Quartz.
   3. C.Feldspar.
   4. D.Mica.

   Explanation: The Natural Stone Institute states, "Calcareous stone is composed mainly of calcium carbonate" and "Calcium Carbonate is sensitive to acidic solutions so mild, non-acidic cleaners are recommended." Calcium carbonate explains the acid-sensitive deterioration. Quartz, feldspar and mica are the silicate constituents contrasted in the Institute’s discussion; they do not identify the principal acid-sensitive constituent of calcareous stone.

   Reference: Natural Stone Institute — Natural Stone Care and Cleaning — Know Your Stone, calcareous and siliceous classifications

8. 8A glass-block panel is being prepared for installation. What condition must be established at the base surface?

   1. A.Level.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Battered.
   3. C.Cambered.
   4. D.Corbelled.

   Explanation: The standard states, "base surface is levelled through adjustments". The glass-block base is levelled. Batter, camber and corbelling are different masonry geometries rather than the required base condition.

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard — Bricklayer — p. 137, H-21.01.02P

9. 9A masonry chemical has splashed onto a worker's skin. Which WHMIS SDS section gives the first-aid measures for that route of exposure?

   1. A.Section 4.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Section 7.
   3. C.Section 8.
   4. D.Section 11.

   Explanation: The CCOHS SDS table pairs "4" with "First-aid measures" and lists "Skin contact" among the exposure routes. Section 4 is therefore the first-aid location. Section 7 covers handling and storage, Section 8 covers exposure controls and personal protection, and Section 11 describes toxicological effects rather than the first-aid instructions.

   Reference: CCOHS — WHMIS Safety Data Sheet — What information is on the SDS?, Section 4 row

10. 10In the parging procedure described by the occupational standard, what moisture preparation is made to the substrate to improve bonding?

    1. A.Dampen the substrate.Correct answer: A
    2. B.Air-dry the substrate.
    3. C.Heat-dry the substrate.
    4. D.Flood the substrate.

    Explanation: The source states, "substrate is dampened to improve bonding". The preparation is dampening, not dry preparation or flooding. These are competing moisture conditions of the same receiving surface.

    Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard — Bricklayer — p. 52, B-6.02.01P