North Carolina (NC) (H) Grading &
Excavating Practice exam
1–20: General Knowledge & Site Preparation
1. What is the first step in site grading?
Answer: Conducting a site survey.
2. What document typically outlines the scope of a grading project?
Answer: Site plans or grading plans.
3. What does “cut and fill” refer to in grading?
Answer: Removing soil from high areas (cut) and placing it in low areas (fill).
4. What is a benchmark in surveying?
Answer: A fixed reference point used to establish elevation.
5. Which soil type has the highest compaction potential?
Answer: Gravel.
6. What does a contour line on a site plan represent?
Answer: Elevation at a constant height.
7. What is the minimum slope required for surface drainage?
Answer: 2%.
8. What is the purpose of a silt fence?
Answer: To control sediment runoff.
9. Which agency regulates stormwater runoff in NC?
Answer: NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
10. What is a “cut sheet” in grading?
Answer: A document showing how much earth to remove or add at specific points.
11. How often should a site be inspected for erosion control during a rain event?
Answer: Within 24 hours after the event.
12. What is topsoil stripping?
Answer: Removing the upper fertile soil layer before grading.
13. Which type of erosion is caused by small water channels?
Answer: Rill erosion.
14. What is the purpose of a geotextile fabric?
Answer: To stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
15. Which equipment is best for bulk excavation of soft soils?
Answer: Excavator.
16. What is an easement?
Answer: A legal right to use land for a specific purpose.
17. What is finish grading?
Answer: The final shaping of the ground to prepare for landscaping or construction.
18. What factor affects the stability of a slope?
Answer: Soil type, moisture, vegetation, and angle of slope.
, 19. What does OSHA require for trenches deeper than 5 feet?
Answer: Protective systems like sloping, shoring, or shielding.
20. What is a spoil pile?
Answer: Excavated material temporarily stored on site.
21–40: Equipment & Safety
21. Which machine is most effective for fine grading?
Answer: Motor grader.
22. How often should equipment be inspected?
Answer: Daily before use.
23. What is the safe slope angle for Type C soil?
Answer: 34 degrees or 1.5:1 (horizontal:vertical).
24. What does a laser level help determine?
Answer: Elevation differences on a site.
25. Why are backup alarms required on equipment?
Answer: To warn personnel of reversing machinery.
26. What is the load line for a crane?
Answer: The maximum load that can be safely lifted.
27. What PPE is required for excavating work?
Answer: Hard hat, safety boots, high-visibility vest, gloves, eye protection.
28. What is the primary cause of trench collapses?
Answer: Improper shoring or lack of protective systems.
29. How far from the excavation should materials be stored?
Answer: At least 2 feet.
30. What is the function of a dozer?
Answer: Pushing large quantities of soil and clearing land.
31. What does “tracked” equipment offer over wheeled?
Answer: Better traction on soft or uneven ground.
32. What is the function of a compactor?
Answer: To increase soil density.
33. How deep can you excavate with a standard backhoe?
Answer: Approximately 14 to 16 feet.
34. What color marks gas lines during utility locating?
Answer: Yellow.
35. Who should be contacted before excavation begins?
Answer: NC 811 (Call Before You Dig).
36. How is equipment fueling typically done on site?
Answer: At a designated fueling area with spill protection.
37. What does “LOTO” stand for in safety procedures?
Answer: Lockout/Tagout.
38. What does “topping off” fuel tanks refer to?
Answer: Filling beyond capacity – not recommended.
Excavating Practice exam
1–20: General Knowledge & Site Preparation
1. What is the first step in site grading?
Answer: Conducting a site survey.
2. What document typically outlines the scope of a grading project?
Answer: Site plans or grading plans.
3. What does “cut and fill” refer to in grading?
Answer: Removing soil from high areas (cut) and placing it in low areas (fill).
4. What is a benchmark in surveying?
Answer: A fixed reference point used to establish elevation.
5. Which soil type has the highest compaction potential?
Answer: Gravel.
6. What does a contour line on a site plan represent?
Answer: Elevation at a constant height.
7. What is the minimum slope required for surface drainage?
Answer: 2%.
8. What is the purpose of a silt fence?
Answer: To control sediment runoff.
9. Which agency regulates stormwater runoff in NC?
Answer: NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
10. What is a “cut sheet” in grading?
Answer: A document showing how much earth to remove or add at specific points.
11. How often should a site be inspected for erosion control during a rain event?
Answer: Within 24 hours after the event.
12. What is topsoil stripping?
Answer: Removing the upper fertile soil layer before grading.
13. Which type of erosion is caused by small water channels?
Answer: Rill erosion.
14. What is the purpose of a geotextile fabric?
Answer: To stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
15. Which equipment is best for bulk excavation of soft soils?
Answer: Excavator.
16. What is an easement?
Answer: A legal right to use land for a specific purpose.
17. What is finish grading?
Answer: The final shaping of the ground to prepare for landscaping or construction.
18. What factor affects the stability of a slope?
Answer: Soil type, moisture, vegetation, and angle of slope.
, 19. What does OSHA require for trenches deeper than 5 feet?
Answer: Protective systems like sloping, shoring, or shielding.
20. What is a spoil pile?
Answer: Excavated material temporarily stored on site.
21–40: Equipment & Safety
21. Which machine is most effective for fine grading?
Answer: Motor grader.
22. How often should equipment be inspected?
Answer: Daily before use.
23. What is the safe slope angle for Type C soil?
Answer: 34 degrees or 1.5:1 (horizontal:vertical).
24. What does a laser level help determine?
Answer: Elevation differences on a site.
25. Why are backup alarms required on equipment?
Answer: To warn personnel of reversing machinery.
26. What is the load line for a crane?
Answer: The maximum load that can be safely lifted.
27. What PPE is required for excavating work?
Answer: Hard hat, safety boots, high-visibility vest, gloves, eye protection.
28. What is the primary cause of trench collapses?
Answer: Improper shoring or lack of protective systems.
29. How far from the excavation should materials be stored?
Answer: At least 2 feet.
30. What is the function of a dozer?
Answer: Pushing large quantities of soil and clearing land.
31. What does “tracked” equipment offer over wheeled?
Answer: Better traction on soft or uneven ground.
32. What is the function of a compactor?
Answer: To increase soil density.
33. How deep can you excavate with a standard backhoe?
Answer: Approximately 14 to 16 feet.
34. What color marks gas lines during utility locating?
Answer: Yellow.
35. Who should be contacted before excavation begins?
Answer: NC 811 (Call Before You Dig).
36. How is equipment fueling typically done on site?
Answer: At a designated fueling area with spill protection.
37. What does “LOTO” stand for in safety procedures?
Answer: Lockout/Tagout.
38. What does “topping off” fuel tanks refer to?
Answer: Filling beyond capacity – not recommended.
