What is added to finishing cement to give it a hard finish?

• A. Binders
• B. Water
• C. Sand
• D. Pigment

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the binder is what gives a cement-based finishing layer its hardness. The binder is the substance that binds all the particles together and, as it hydrates and cures, forms a solid, cohesive matrix. That solid matrix is what resists deformation and provides a hard, durable finish.

Water is necessary to start the chemical reactions (hydration) but excessive water weakens the final matrix. Sand acts as an aggregate to add bulk and texture, not hardness by itself. Pigment only changes color and does not contribute to strength. So the component that delivers the hard finish by forming the solid, bonded structure is the binder.