Which of the following types of soil can usually be shaped into a ball when moist?

Prepare for the Rhode Island Excavator Operator Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations for each question. Achieve success on your exam!

Cohesive soil is the correct choice because it has fine particles that adhere to one another, allowing it to hold its shape when moist. This characteristic is due to the clay content found in cohesive soils, which provides the ability to retain water and moisture, making it plastic and malleable. When you mold cohesive soil into a ball, the moisture content facilitates its binding capability, enabling it to maintain its form.

Granular soil, on the other hand, consists of larger particles that do not stick together as effectively when wet, making it difficult to shape into a ball. Layered soil refers to soil that is arranged in distinct strata and does not specifically indicate a cohesive property that would allow for shaping. Saturated soil is characterized by being fully filled with water, which can create mud but does not involve the cohesive qualities necessary for shaping into a ball. Thus, cohesive soil stands out as the only type capable of maintaining its form when moistened.

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