Fibres and Fabrics: JAMB Home Economics Questions, Answers & Notes

What Fibres and Fabrics covers in the JAMB Home Economics syllabus

A fibre is a fine, thread-like material spun into yarn and made into fabric. Fibres are natural or man-made (synthetic). Natural fibres come from plants — cotton (cool, comfortable, absorbent, but creases easily) and linen (from flax) — or animals — wool (from sheep, warm) and silk (from the silkworm). Synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester are made from chemicals and are often strong, wrinkle-resistant and quick-drying but less absorbent. A burning test helps identify fibres. Fabric is made by weaving (interlacing warp and weft yarns at right angles), knitting, or felting/bonding. Blended fabrics (e.g. polycotton) combine fibre types to gain the advantages of each. Natural fibres are generally more comfortable and absorbent; synthetics are more durable and easy-care. Fabric is chosen to suit its purpose, cost and properties. The main point: each fibre/fabric has properties suiting different uses.

For Fibres and Fabrics, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Classify fibres (natural: cotton, wool, silk, linen; synthetic: nylon, polyester)
• Recall properties/advantages/disadvantages and how fabric is made (weaving, knitting)
• Explain blends and choosing fabric to suit purpose

Key facts & revision notes: Fibres and Fabrics

These are the recurring points our Fibres and Fabrics questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• A fibre is a fine, thread-like material spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric.
• Fibres are grouped into natural and man-made (synthetic/artificial) fibres.
• Cotton is a natural plant fibre from the cotton plant.
• Wool is a natural animal fibre obtained mainly from sheep.
• Silk is a natural animal fibre produced by the silkworm.
• Nylon and polyester are man-made (synthetic) fibres made from chemicals.
• Cotton is cool, comfortable and absorbent, good for hot climates.
• Cotton creases/wrinkles easily and needs ironing.
• Synthetic fibres are often strong, wrinkle-resistant and quick-drying.
• A burning test (how a fibre burns and smells) can help identify different fibres.
• Fabric can be made by weaving, knitting, or felting/bonding fibres together.
• Weaving interlaces the warp and weft yarns at right angles.
• Blended fabrics combine two or more fibre types to gain the advantages of each (e.g.
• Fabric choice depends on the intended use, cost and the fabric's properties and durability.
• Natural fibres are generally more comfortable and absorbent than synthetics.
• Linen is a natural plant fibre obtained from the flax plant.
• Fabrics should be chosen to suit the purpose or garment being made.
• Wool is warm and good for cold weather.
• Cotton is a natural fibre; nylon, polyester and acrylic are synthetic.
• The main point is that each fibre/fabric has properties (comfort, strength, care needs) suiting different uses.

Worked examples

Three Fibres and Fabrics questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Fibres and Fabrics is tested in JAMB Home Economics

Our Fibres and Fabrics bank holds 20 questions (1 easy, 12 medium, 7 hard). JAMB Home Economics typically returns to Fibres and Fabrics year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer Fibres and Fabrics questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Fibres and Fabrics. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one Home Economics item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Fibres and Fabrics is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Fibres and Fabrics

The errors that cost marks on Fibres and Fabrics are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Fibres and Fabrics actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fibres and Fabrics part of the JAMB Home Economics syllabus?

Yes. Fibres and Fabrics is a recognised topic in the JAMB Home Economics syllabus, covering classify fibres (natural: cotton, wool, silk, linen; synthetic: nylon, polyester). You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Fibres and Fabrics questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 20 original, JAMB-standard Fibres and Fabrics questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about Fibres and Fabrics?

A fibre is a fine, thread-like material spun into yarn and made into fabric. Fibres are natural or man-made (synthetic). Natural fibres come from plants — cotton (cool, comfortable, absorbent, but creases easily) and linen (from flax) — or animals — wool (from sheep, warm) and silk (from the silkwor…

How do I answer Fibres and Fabrics questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Fibres and Fabrics. Practising timed Fibres and Fabrics questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB Home Economics Fibres and Fabrics questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise Fibres and Fabrics questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Fibres and Fabrics practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME Home Economics syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.