Q 01/05

Wool consists mainly of which structural protein, also found in human hair and nails?

A) Keratin

B) Fibroin

C) Collagen

D) Elastin

Answer · why

A) Keratin

Wool's keratin is richer in sulfur than silk's fibroin because it contains a lot of cystine, whose disulfide bonds can be reshaped by heat or chemical...

Q 02/05

Roughly what fraction of its own weight in water can wool absorb?

A) One-half

B) One-third

C) Its full weight

D) One-tenth

Answer · why

B) One-third

Despite that thirst, wool fibres are not hollow; the moisture is held inside the fibre structure, which is why damp wool still feels warm.

Q 03/05

Fleece straight off the sheep, still full of grease and dirt, is known in the trade as what?

A) Worsted wool

B) Pulled wool

C) Shoddy wool

D) Raw wool

Answer · why

D) Raw wool

It is also called greasy wool or wool in the grease, and it must be scoured before it can be used commercially.

Q 04/05

Which property is the single most important factor in determining a fleece's quality and price?

A) Crimp frequency

B) Fibre diameter

C) Natural colour

D) Staple length

Answer · why

B) Fibre diameter

Diameter is measured in microns; the finest Australasian Merino bales, 16.9 microns and finer, earn the elite 1PP mark.

Q 05/05

What does the 'Super S' number on a fine wool suit fabric actually describe?

A) Yarn length per unit of mass

B) Maximum mean fibre diameter

C) Fleece yield percentage

D) Threads per inch

Answer · why

B) Maximum mean fibre diameter

Super 100 means fibres of 18.75 micrometres or finer on average, and every step of ten in the S number lowers that limit by half a micrometre.