Home Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (HBI-PACT) Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Home Builders Institute Test with comprehensive multiple choice questions. Access detailed hints and explanations to maximize your chances of passing this essential qualification.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which of the following materials offers structural support in building design?

  1. Sheetrock

  2. Trusses

  3. Drywall

  4. Chalk line

The correct answer is: Trusses

Structural support in building design refers to the elements that help maintain the integrity and stability of a structure. Trusses are specifically designed to distribute weight and provide support across spans, making them an essential component of roofs and bridges. They are typically triangular in shape, which allows them to handle large amounts of weight while using less material compared to solid beams. Other materials listed, while important in construction, do not provide structural support in the same way. Sheetrock and drywall are primarily used as interior finishing materials, serving as wall surfaces but not contributing to the structural integrity of the building. A chalk line is a tool used to mark straight lines on surfaces; it aids in alignment during construction but does not play a role in supporting the structure itself. Therefore, trusses are the clear choice when discussing materials that offer structural support in building design.