FFA Floriculture Practice Test

How does an 18 gauge florist's wire compare to a 28 gauge wire?

1. It is thinner

2. It is thicker

3. It is more flexible

4. It is more expensive

The correct answer is: It is thicker

An 18 gauge florist's wire is indeed thicker than a 28 gauge wire. Gauge numbers are inversely related in the context of wire; as the gauge number decreases, the wire becomes thicker. Thus, an 18 gauge wire, being lower in number compared to a 28 gauge wire, possesses a larger diameter and greater strength. This makes it suitable for tasks such as supporting heavier flowers or creating more robust structures in floral arrangements. The other options do not hold because the 18 gauge wire is not more flexible than a thinner wire; in fact, it is often less flexible due to its thickness. Additionally, while thicker wire might sometimes be more expensive, pricing can vary based on material, brand, and supply, making "more expensive" an unreliable statement in this context.