FCTC FCTC Test Technical Reading and Recall Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When reading a product label that states 'apply to towel-dried hair,' what does 'towel-dried' mean in a technical context?
- Hair that is completely dry
- Hair that has been blow-dried on low heat
- Hair that has had excess water removed but is still slightly damp (Correct answer)
- Hair that has been air-dried for 30 minutes
Correct answer: Hair that has had excess water removed but is still slightly damp
Towel-dried hair means excess water has been blotted away so the hair is damp but not dripping wet.
Question 2: A technical manual states a chemical relaxer has a pH of 12–14. What does this indicate about the product?
- It is acidic and will close the cuticle
- It is strongly alkaline and will swell and soften the hair (Correct answer)
- It is pH-balanced and safe for all hair types
- It is neutral and will not alter hair structure
Correct answer: It is strongly alkaline and will swell and soften the hair
A pH of 12–14 is strongly alkaline, which causes the hair's cuticle to swell and soften the cortex for chemical processing.
Question 3: According to standard cosmetology references, what is the purpose of a strand test performed before a chemical service?
- To determine the client's natural hair color
- To check for scalp sensitivity to heat
- To assess how the hair will respond to the chemical before full application (Correct answer)
- To measure the hair's natural moisture content
Correct answer: To assess how the hair will respond to the chemical before full application
A strand test evaluates the hair's reaction to a chemical service so the technician can adjust timing or formulation if needed.
Question 4: A technical passage states that hydrogen peroxide developer is available in volumes 10, 20, 30, and 40. What does the 'volume' measure?
- The thickness of the developer
- The amount of oxygen released during processing (Correct answer)
- The percentage of hydrogen in the solution
- The time required for the developer to activate
Correct answer: The amount of oxygen released during processing
Developer volume indicates the amount of oxygen released; higher volumes release more oxygen and provide greater lifting action.
Question 5: When a product instruction reads 'do not exceed the processing time,' what is the primary risk of over-processing chemically treated hair?
- The hair color will become too light
- The hair will become over-porous, weak, and prone to breakage (Correct answer)
- The product will lose its effectiveness
- The scalp will absorb too much moisture
Correct answer: The hair will become over-porous, weak, and prone to breakage
Over-processing breaks down too much of the hair's protein structure, resulting in over-porous, weak, and damaged hair.
Question 6: A technical reading passage describes the 'cuticle' layer of the hair. Which statement best recalls the cuticle's function?
- It provides the hair's natural color pigment
- It is the innermost core that gives hair its strength
- It is the outermost protective layer that controls moisture and porosity (Correct answer)
- It contains the melanin granules responsible for hair texture
Correct answer: It is the outermost protective layer that controls moisture and porosity
The cuticle is the hair's outermost layer, made of overlapping scales that protect the inner cortex and regulate moisture absorption.
FCTC FCTC Test Technical Reading and Recall Questions and Answers 2
When reading a product label that states 'apply to towel-dried hair,' what does 'towel-dried' mean in a technical context?