Red Seal Drywall Finisher and Plasterer Practice Exam

What is the purpose of using a utility knife for drywall?

1. For nailing the drywall to studs

2. For cutting and scoring the drywall for easier breaking along straight edges

3. For sanding down rough edges

4. For measuring drywall lengths

The correct answer is: For cutting and scoring the drywall for easier breaking along straight edges

Using a utility knife for drywall is primarily for cutting and scoring the material, which facilitates easier breaking along straight edges. A utility knife has a sharp blade that allows for precise cuts, enabling the drywall installer to create clean lines and edges. When you score the drywall, you are essentially making a shallow cut through the paper facing and into the gypsum core, allowing the drywall to be snapped cleanly at the score line. This method is efficient for standard sheet sizes and is fundamental in the drywall installation process. The other choices do not align with the primary function of the utility knife. Nailing drywall to studs is typically done with a hammer or nail gun, sanding is performed with sanders or sanding blocks, and measuring is done with tape measures or rulers.