During a manual test, what does dry soil that crumbles easily indicate about its classification?

The characteristic of dry soil crumbling easily is indicative of granular material. This type of material typically consists of larger particles that do not stick together when dry, which makes it behave loosely and crumble with little effort. Granular soils, such as sand and gravel, have good drainage properties and are known for their ability to allow water to flow through them easily.

Cohesive materials, such as clay, tend to hold together when dry due to the fine particles and moisture retention, leading to a more compact structure. Fissured materials might exhibit cracks or separations but do not specifically relate to the behavior of crumbling easily. Saturated material would imply the presence of water, which would cause wet soil rather than dry soil, ruling it out. Thus, the indication of dry soil that crumbles aligns perfectly with the properties of granular material, confirming its classification as such.