1.

Physical properties of soil depend on

(a) size of soil grains.
(b) shape of soil grains.
(c) chemical composition of soil grains.
(d) all of the above

2. The particles smaller than 0.075 mm are referred to as

(a) clay.
(b) silt.
(c) sand.
(d) fines.

3. Effective size of soil particles denoted by

(a) D10.
(b) D30.
(c) D60.
(d) D10.

4. A soil in which the particle sizes are distributed over a wide range is termed
(a) poorly graded soil.
(b) well graded soil.
(c) gap graded soil.
(d) granular soil.

5. A fully saturated soil is a

(a) one-phase system consisting of soil solids.
(b) two-phase system consisting of soil solids and air.
(c) two-phase system consisting of soil solids and water.
(d) three-phase system consisting of soil solids, water and air.

6. Which of the following is not a volume relationship?

(a) void ratio
(b) porosity
(c) degree of saturation
(d) water content

7. Porosity of a soil is defined as

(a) the ratio of volume of voids to the volume of solids.
(b) the ratio of volume of voids to the total volume.
(c) the volume of water to the volume of voids.
(d) The weight of water to the weight of solids.

8. Which of the following is not represented as a percentage?

(a) void ratio
(b) porosity
(c) degree of saturation
(d) water content
9. Select the incorrect statement.
(a) Void ratio can be greater than unity.
(b) Porosity lies between 0 and 100%.
(c) Degree of saturation lies between 0 and 100%.
(d) Water content is always less than 100%.

10. If void ratio of a soil is 0.2, then its porosity will be

(a) 16.7 %.
(b) 20.0 %.
(c) 25.0 %.
(d) none of the above

11. If the specific gravity of soil solids is 2.67, and water content is 32% for a given soil, its
void ratio will be
(a) 0.12.
(b) 0.85.
(c) 1.00.
(d) none of the above

12. A representative soil specimen collected from the field weighs 1.9 kN and has a volume of
0.12 m3. The water content as determined in the laboratory is 13.5%. What will be the dry
unit weight of the soil?
(a) 13.9 kN/m3.
(b) 15.8 kN/m3.
(c) 17.9 kN/m3.
(d) none of the above

13. Soil classification systems provide a common language to express concisely

(a) strength characteristics of soils.
(b) permeability characteristics of soils.
(c) compressibility characteristics of soils.
(d) general characteristics of soils.

14. The soil classification systems are mainly based on

(a) grain-size distribution and plasticity of soils.
(b) grain-size distribution and strength characteristics of soils.
(c) plasticity of soils and strength characteristics of soils.
(d) permeability, compressibility and strength characteristics of soil.

15. According to the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO)

classification system, soil is classified into _____ major groups.
(a) 3
(b) 5
(c) 7
(d) 9
16. According to the AASHTO soil classification system, granular materials have
(a) 35% or less passing through 75 m sieve.
(b) 50% or less passing through 75 m sieve.
(c) more than 35% passing through 75 m sieve.

(d) more than 50% passing through 75 m sieve.