Few candidates were able to:

-describe a bill of quantity;
-state precautions that must be taken to prevent collapse of concrete lintel.

However, many candidates failed to:

- state items of information contained in a bill of quantity;
- differentiate between earthwork support and formwork.
The expected response to question 1 is given below:

(a) (i) A bill of quantities is a document containing the description of items of measured work to be priced. It is usually prepared by a Quantity -Surveyor.

(b) (i) Description of item of work;
(ii)Quantities involved in item of work
(iii) Unit of measurement.                      
(iv) Rate - space for inserting rates for the measured item.
(v) Amount in currency value.

(c) Earthwork support is a temporary support (used) for preventing the collapse of   excavation; while formwork is also a temporary support for casting concrete structures – column, beams, slabs etc.

(d) (i) The formwork must be rigid;
(ii) It must have enough strength to support the dead load and superimposed load;
(iii) The concrete must be adequately reinforced;
(iv) Striking/ removal of formwork must be done after the concrete has    attained its required strength;
(v)It should have sufficient bearing  on the supporting walls .