North Carolina Locksmith Practice Exam

The correct response identifies the strike as the component that serves as a receptacle for a locking bolt, typically mounted in the door frame. The strike plate is specifically designed to provide a location for the bolt to engage when the door is closed, ensuring security by holding the door in place. It effectively aligns with the bolt mechanism, allowing for smooth operation when locking or unlocking the door.

The other components serve different functions; for example, the shell refers to the outer casing of a lock, which protects the internal mechanisms but does not perform the function of receiving the locking bolt. The plug retainer is used to hold the plug in position within the lock cylinder, and while it is part of the locking mechanism, it does not interact with the door frame in the same way the strike does. A spring latch serves as a type of latch that uses a spring mechanism to secure the door, but it also does not relate to the receptacle function associated with a locking bolt. Overall, understanding the roles of these components highlights the importance of the strike in the locking mechanism of a door.