ASVAB Shop Information Practice Questions

Planning on taking the ASVAB Shop Information Technical Subtest? Try out some practice questions!


Question 1
“Tinning” is a process that is related to
A. carpentry
B. roofing
C. soldering
D. welding


C: If two pieces to be joined by soldering are large, it may pay to tin the surfaces before attempting to join them. Heating the surfaces gently while applying flux to them, and then adding solder once the flux has thoroughly cleaned the material will accomplish this. Since soldering is the process involved, the correct answer is (C).


Question 2
What is the tool shown below known as?
asvab
A. water pump pliers only
B. retaining ring pliers only
C. Channellock pliers only
D. both water pump pliers and Channellock pliers


D: When large-diameter objects must be gripped or twisted, a technician would use adjustable joint pliers to get the job done. These are adjustable over a large range of sizes, as they have multiple “arc-joints” that the pliers can be set into. The handles are also very long, which gives very good leverage and makes for maximum gripping power. These pliers are also commonly known as water pump pliers or Channellock pliers. Since choice (D) allows for the tools in both choices (A) and (C), it is the correct answer.


Question 3
To determine the correct socket size needed for a given bolt head, measure the distance between two ________ of the bolt head.
A. adjacent sides
B. parallel threads
C. opposite points
D. parallel sides


D: The size of a socket for a given bolt head is determined by the distance between two parallel sides of the bolt head.


Question 4
What force is responsible for allowing wrenches to tighten or loosen fasteners?
A. acceleration
B. torque
C. tension
D. friction


B: Whenever you see the words “force” and “wrench” in the same sentence, you should immediately think about torque, (B). You can think of torque as twisting motion, which is exactly what allows a fastener to be tightened or loosened. Don’t get torque confused with tension, (C), which instead is a pulling force associated with a weight on a string or wire.


Question 5
What is a benefit of using a ball-peen hammer rather than a claw hammer?
A. It is more suitable for hammering on metal because of its generally stronger head.
B. It is more delicate and can thus be used on fragile surfaces.
C. It can remove nails as well as hammer them in.
D. It provides more leverage.


A: A ball-peen hammer has one main benefit: it generally has a stronger head made of steel. This matches choice (A). Choice (B) more closely describes a mallet, certainly not a steel hammer, and choice (C) describes a benefit of a claw hammer, so that is the opposite of what you’re looking for. Finally, it makes little sense to talk about (D) leverage when discussing striking tools.


Want more practice like this? Check out Kaplan’s ASVAB Prep Plus!