Olympiad Test: Fibers To Fabric - 1 - Class 6 MCQ

Why is cotton the most desirable fabric for making undergarments?
There are several reasons why cotton is considered the most desirable fabric for making undergarments.
Absorbent:
- Cotton is known for its high absorbency, making it an ideal choice for undergarments.
- It can absorb sweat and moisture from the body, keeping the wearer feeling dry and comfortable.
- This absorbent property also helps prevent the growth of bacteria and unpleasant odors.
Dull:
- Cotton fabric has a natural dull appearance, which is preferred for undergarments.
- The dullness of cotton helps to minimize transparency, ensuring privacy and modesty.
Shining:
- Cotton is not shiny, which is a desirable characteristic for undergarments.
- Shiny fabrics can draw attention and may not provide the level of discretion needed for undergarments.
Strong:
- Cotton is a strong and durable fabric, making it suitable for everyday wear.
- Undergarments undergo frequent washing and use, so strength and durability are essential qualities.
In conclusion, cotton is the most desirable fabric for making undergarments due to its absorbent nature, dull appearance, lack of shine, and strength. These qualities ensure comfort, privacy, and durability, making cotton the preferred choice for undergarments.

The fabric with a dull surface is Wool.
- Nylon: Nylon fabric has a smooth and shiny surface, giving it a lustrous appearance.
- Polyester: Polyester fabric also has a smooth and shiny surface, similar to nylon.
- Silk: Silk fabric is known for its smooth and luxurious appearance, with a natural sheen.
- Wool: Wool fabric has a dull surface, which means it lacks luster and shine. It has a soft and fuzzy texture.
Explanation:
- Fabric surfaces can vary in terms of their appearance and texture.
- Factors such as the type of fibers used and the weaving or knitting process contribute to the surface characteristics of a fabric.
- Wool, being a natural fiber, has a unique structure that gives it a matte or dull appearance.
- The surface of wool fabric is often described as soft, fuzzy, and non-reflective.
- This dull surface is one of the distinguishing features of wool, making it different from fabrics like nylon, polyester, and silk, which have a smooth and shiny appearance.
- Wool's dull surface is often desired for its natural and cozy aesthetic, making it a popular choice for winter clothing and home textiles.

Yes, silk is the most delicate type of material commonly used to make clothing. Unlike other materials such as cotton, which is much more forgiving when it comes to laundering and fabric care, silk is particularly susceptible to stains and damage from heat and light.

The natural fibres are obtained from:
Plants:
- Cotton: The most common natural fibre obtained from the cotton plant.
- Jute: Obtained from the stem of the jute plant.
- Flax: Derived from the stem of the flax plant and used to make linen.
- Hemp: Obtained from the hemp plant and used for various purposes including textile production.
Animals:
- Wool: Obtained from the fleece of sheep or other animals like goats, llamas, and rabbits.
- Silk: Produced by silkworms to make their cocoons. It is obtained by unwinding the silk thread from the cocoons.
Plants and animals both:
- Coir: Obtained from the outer husk of coconut.
- Cashmere: Obtained from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats.
- Mohair: Obtained from the hair of the Angora goat.
- Angora wool: Obtained from the Angora rabbit.
- Vicuna: Obtained from the Vicuña, a South American camelid.
Neither from plants nor animals:
- Asbestos: A mineral fibre, not obtained from plants or animals.
Summary:
Natural fibres can be obtained from various sources, including plants, animals, or both. Cotton, jute, flax, and hemp are examples of fibres obtained from plants, while wool and silk are obtained from animals. Some fibres, such as coir, cashmere, mohair, angora wool, and vicuna, can be derived from both plants and animals. However, asbestos is a mineral fibre and not obtained from either plants or animals.

These artificially manufactured fibres were made from polymers obtained from petrochemicals. These fibres are called synthetic or artificial fibres. The two most common ones are nylon and polyester. Nylon is made from two chemicals, adipic acid (AA) and hexamethylenediamine (HMD).

Experiment to test dye fixation on a 100% cotton-woven fabric:
To conduct an experiment to test dye fixation on a 100% cotton-woven fabric, the following properties can be examined:
1. Easily washable:
- This property refers to the ability of the fabric to retain its color after multiple washes.
- The experiment can involve subjecting the fabric to a series of wash cycles and evaluating the colorfastness of the dye.
2. Water repellence:
- This property refers to the fabric's resistance to the penetration of water.
- Since the experiment focuses on dye fixation, water repellence may not be directly relevant to the dyeing process.
3. Abrasion resistance:
- This property refers to the fabric's ability to withstand wear and tear caused by rubbing or friction.
- The experiment can involve subjecting the fabric to abrasion tests to assess the durability of the dye.
4. Moisture absorption:
- This property refers to the fabric's ability to absorb and hold moisture.
- While relevant to the overall performance of the fabric, it may not be directly related to the dye fixation process.
Conclusion:
Based on the properties mentioned, the most suitable choice for an experiment testing dye fixation on a 100% cotton-woven fabric is "Easily washable" (Option A). This property directly relates to the ability of the fabric to retain its color after washing, which is crucial in assessing the dye fixation process.

 

Woolly dog does not yield wool. Wool comes from Yak, camel and goat. These wool-yielding animals bear hair on their body. Hair keeps these animals warm. Wool is derived from these hairy fibres.

Sericulture: Rearing Of Silkworm To Produce Silk
Rearing silkworms to produce raw silk is called sericulture. In this process, silkworms are reared at appropriate temperature and humidity to get silk threads from cocoons.Sericulture: Rearing Of Silkworm To Produce Silk.
Rearing silkworms to produce raw silk is called sericulture. In this process, silkworms are reared at appropriate temperature and humidity to get silk threads from cocoons.

The ovary swells around the seeds and develops into a boll. As the bolls develop, the leaves on the plant turn red. About four months are needed for the boll to ripen and split open. A cotton boll contains 27 to 45 seeds and each seed grows between 10,000 and 20,000 hairs or fibers.

Mulberry silkworm is a monophagous insect which reared on the leaves of mulberry only; the morin present in the leaves helps to attract the silkworm.

Silkworms are reared on:


There are four options given to choose from: Mulberry plants, Mango plants, Money plants, and None of these. The correct answer is A: Mulberry plants. Here is a detailed explanation:
Mulberry plants:
- Silkworms are primarily reared on mulberry plants.
- Mulberry leaves are the main food source for silkworms.
- These plants provide the necessary nutrition for the silkworms to grow and produce silk.
Mango plants:
- Silkworms do not feed on mango plants.
- Mango leaves are not suitable for silkworm rearing.
Money plants:
- Silkworms do not feed on money plants.
- Money plants are commonly used for ornamental purposes and have no relation to silkworm rearing.
None of these:
- This option is incorrect because silkworms are indeed reared on mulberry plants.
In conclusion, silkworms are reared on mulberry plants as they provide the necessary food source for the silkworms to thrive and produce silk.

The jute fiber comes from the stem and ribbon (outer skin) of the jute plant. The fibers are first extracted by retting. The retting process consists of bundling jute stems together and immersing them in slow running water.

A staple is the fiber of cotton, wool or ramie etc of no more than a few inches long. A filament is usually a man-made fiber of indefinite length. All fabrics woven, knitted or crocheted are made from yarn.

Explanation:
Jute is a natural fiber that is commonly used to make products such as bags, ropes, and textiles. It has several properties that make it a popular choice for these applications. However, one of the properties listed is not associated with jute. Let's examine each property to determine which one does not belong:
A: Biodegradability
- Jute is biodegradable, meaning it can be broken down by natural processes and does not contribute to environmental pollution.
B: Durability
- Jute is known for its durability and strength, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.
C: Smoothness
- This property does not apply to jute. In its natural state, jute fibers have a rough texture and are not inherently smooth.
D: Strength
- Jute is a strong fiber that can withstand considerable tension and pressure.
Based on the above analysis, the property that does not belong to jute is Smoothness (option C).

Which material traps the most air?
Explanation:
To determine which material traps the most air, we need to understand the properties of each material and how they interact with air.
Nylon:
- Nylon is a synthetic material that is lightweight and has good breathability.
- While it can provide insulation, it may not trap as much air compared to other materials.
Cotton:
- Cotton is a natural material that is breathable and comfortable to wear.
- It can hold some air within its fibers, providing a certain level of insulation.
Wool:
- Wool is a natural material known for its excellent insulation properties.
- The fibers of wool have a crimped structure, which creates air pockets, making it an effective insulator.
- Wool can trap a significant amount of air, providing warmth in cold conditions.
Polyester:
- Polyester is a synthetic material that is often used for insulation in various products.
- It can trap air within its fibers, providing insulation and warmth.
Conclusion:
From the given options, wool is likely to trap the most air due to its unique structure and insulation properties. It has a crimped fiber structure that creates air pockets, making it an effective insulator. Cotton and polyester can also hold some air within their fibers, but wool is generally considered to be the best material for trapping air and providing insulation. Nylon, on the other hand, may not trap as much air compared to the other materials mentioned.

Ananya, Ranchit, Sanchit and Soni are talking about wool and silk. Who among them is correct?

Let's analyze each statement:

Ananya: Silk doesn't need to be detangled like wool because silk is obtained directly as thread from cocoon.
- Silk is obtained from the cocoon of silkworms, but it still needs to be processed to obtain the silk thread. The cocoon is boiled to kill the silkworm and loosen the silk thread, which is then carefully unwound from the cocoon. So, Ananya's statement is incorrect.
Ranchit: Silk doesn't need to be detangled like wool because thread from a single cocoon can be used as yarn directly.
- While it is true that silk thread can be directly used as yarn, it doesn't mean that it doesn't need to be detangled. Silk threads can still get tangled during the processing and weaving stages. So, Ranchit's statement is also incorrect.
Sanchit: Silk doesn't need to be detangled like wool because silk fibre is stronger than wool.
- Sanchit's statement is unrelated to the question. Strength of the fiber doesn't determine if it needs to be detangled or not. So, Sanchit's statement is incorrect.
Soni: Ananya and Ranchit are correct.
- As we discussed earlier, both Ananya and Ranchit's statements are incorrect. So, Soni's statement is incorrect as well.
Therefore, none of them are correct in this scenario.

Explanation:
Sheep Fleece:
- Sheep fleece refers to the wool that is obtained from the sheep's body, particularly the coat of wool that covers the sheep's skin.
- Fleece is made up of fibers that are densely packed together, providing warmth and insulation to the sheep.
Usability of Sheep's Fleece:
- Not all the fleece from a sheep can be used to make wool. There are several factors that determine the usability of the fleece:
- Quality: The quality of the fleece depends on factors such as fiber thickness, fineness, crimp, and uniformity.
- Cleanliness: Sheep can get dirty, and if their fleece is contaminated with dirt, grease, or other impurities, it may not be suitable for wool production.
- Health: The health of the sheep also plays a role. If a sheep is diseased or has poor nutrition, it can affect the quality of the fleece.
Different Types of Wool:
- Just like humans, sheep also have variations in the quality and thickness of their hair. This leads to different types of wool:
- Fine Wool: This comes from sheep breeds that have very fine and soft fibers. Examples are Merino and Rambouillet sheep.
- Medium Wool: This comes from sheep breeds with medium thickness fibers. Examples are Corriedale and Columbia sheep.
- Coarse Wool: This comes from sheep breeds with thicker and stronger fibers. Examples are Lincoln and Cotswold sheep.
Conclusion:
- While all the fleece from a sheep can technically be used, not all of it is suitable for making wool.
- The quality of the fleece, cleanliness, and the type of wool desired determine which parts of the fleece are suitable for wool production.
- Only the fleece that meets the desired quality standards and is free from impurities can be used to make wool.

Linen is a very strong fibre and slightly silky in appearance, due to the smooth, flat-surfaced nature of the phloem. Linen tends to be lint free, due to the length of the fibre. There are five stages between pulled up fibres and linen ready to be spun: Rippling, Retting, Breaking, Scutching and Hackling.

A filament is a fiber with an unlimited or seemingly infinite length. The long continuous filament fibers are measured in yards or meters. If a filament is bundled and cut it is called a tow. A fabric is created by fibers which have been spun into yarns and then bonded together.