Characteristic: Appearance MCQs Quiz | Class 9

This is an MCQ quiz for Class IX Home Science (Code 064), Unit V: Fibre and Fabric. This quiz focuses on the topic “Characteristic: Appearance”, covering sub-topics such as lustre, drape, and surface look. Answer all 10 questions and click “Submit Quiz” to see your score and download a PDF of your answers.

Understanding Fabric Appearance: Lustre, Drape, and Surface Look

The appearance of a fabric is one of its most important characteristics, influencing its use in clothing and home furnishings. Three key elements that define a fabric’s appearance are lustre, drape, and surface look. Understanding these concepts helps in selecting the right fabric for a specific purpose.

1. Lustre

Lustre refers to the sheen or gloss of a fabric, which is caused by the way it reflects light. The amount of lustre depends on the fibre’s properties, yarn structure, and the fabric’s weave or finish.

  • High Lustre: Fabrics with a smooth surface, like silk and satin, reflect a lot of light and appear shiny. Man-made fibres like rayon and nylon can also be manufactured to have high lustre.
  • Low Lustre (Matte): Fabrics with rough or uneven surfaces, like cotton and wool, scatter light rather than reflecting it directly, giving them a dull or matte appearance.
  • Factors Affecting Lustre: A smooth, flat fibre surface, long filament fibres, and a weave with long floats (like satin weave) all contribute to higher lustre.

2. Drape

Drape describes how a fabric hangs under its own weight. It is the ability of a fabric to fall into graceful folds. Drape is a crucial factor for garments like dresses, skirts, and curtains.

  • Good Drape: Fabrics that are soft, fluid, and flexible, such as chiffon, georgette, and rayon, have good drape. They follow the contours of the body or form elegant folds when hung.
  • Poor Drape: Stiff and rigid fabrics like canvas, organdy, and denim have poor drape. They tend to hold their shape and do not fall into soft folds.
  • Factors Affecting Drape: Fibre type (flexible fibres have better drape), yarn size (finer yarns improve drape), and fabric weight and construction all influence a fabric’s drapability.

3. Surface Look (Texture)

The surface look, or texture, refers to the visual and tactile quality of the fabric’s surface. It can be described with words like smooth, rough, soft, crisp, bumpy, or fuzzy.

  • Smooth: Fabrics like satin and silk have a sleek, even surface.
  • Rough: Fabrics like tweed and burlap have a coarse, uneven texture.
  • Soft/Fuzzy: Fabrics like fleece, flannel, and velvet have a soft, often piled surface that feels pleasant to the touch.
  • Crisp: Fabrics like organza and taffeta have a stiff, paper-like feel.

Fabric Appearance Comparison

Fabric Lustre Drape Surface Look
Silk High Excellent Smooth
Cotton Low (Matte) Moderate Soft, slightly textured
Wool Low Good Varies (can be soft or coarse)
Denim Low (Matte) Poor (Stiff) Durable, twill texture

Quick Revision Points

  • Lustre: The shine of a fabric from light reflection.
  • Drape: How a fabric hangs and folds.
  • Surface Look: The feel and visual texture of the fabric.
  • Silk and satin are known for high lustre and good drape.
  • Cotton and wool typically have a matte finish.
  • Stiff fabrics like canvas have poor drape.
  • The weave of a fabric (e.g., satin weave) significantly impacts its appearance.

Extra Practice Questions

  1. Why does a satin fabric have more lustre than a plain weave cotton fabric?
  2. If you were designing a flowing evening gown, would you choose a fabric with good or poor drape? Give an example.
  3. Name two natural fibres, one known for its high lustre and one for its low lustre.
  4. How does the term ‘texture’ relate to a fabric’s ‘surface look’?
  5. A fabric that feels stiff and paper-like is described as having a _______ texture.