A-5 Excavating, Grading and Oil
Surfacing Final Exam and All Correct
Answers 2025-2026 Edition.
In road construction the final grading is commonly guided by stakes at subgrade elevations.
What are these stakes called? - Answer Blue Tops
What is the definition of a type of soil that can be excavated with vertical side slopes and
remain intact while exposed? - Answer Stable Rock
According to OSHA, refueling trucks handling flammable materials must carry a fire extinguisher
rated at not less than: - Answer 20-B:C:
Using a builder's level, a cut stake is being set for the excavation of a footing. The top of the
footing will at an elevation of 94.00 feet. A back site to the benchmark (elevation 102.50 feet)
has a rod reading of 4.70 feet. The rod reading of the mark on the cut stake is 6.20 feet. The
footing is 6 inches thick. The mark on the cut stake should read........? - Answer C 7.50
If a rectangular shaped or other structure has edge measurements of 56 feet by 90 feet, the
diagonal measurement should be___________ feet if all the corners are square. - Answer 106
Refer to the illustration, which number identifies the catch point? - Answer 2
On a plan where 1/2" equals 1 foot, a plan distance of 4-1/4" would have a project distance of
_______? - Answer 8'6"
According to OSHA, ladders (or steps) are required in all trenches or ditches at _______ feet or
more in depth for an adequate means of exit. - Answer 4 feet
What is the definition of grade? - Answer Rise over run
While trenching and excavating, OSHA requires that employees be protected from excavated
materials and other materials stored near the trench or excavation. These materials must be at
least _________ from the trench or excavation. - Answer 2 feet
,The volume change that occurs when soil goes from a compacted state to an uncompacted
state (such as when being excavated) is called: - Answer Swell
Best adhesion between asphalt cement and aggregate is achieved when aggregate is in what
state? - Answer Hot and dry
What type of retaining wall is designed and built to use only its own weight and positioning to
keep soil back? - Answer Gravity
What does a standard proctor test determine? - Answer Soil density and optimum moisture
content of the soil
The maximum lateral distance allowed to any means of egress from a trench excavation that is 4
feet or more in depth is? - Answer 25
All of the following Soil provisions are considered expansive except for:
- more than 10% of soil particles pass a #200 sieve
- a plasticity index of 15 or greater
- at least 9% of soil particles are less than 5 micrometers in size
- an expansion index greater than 20 - Answer At least 9% of soil particles are less than 5
micrometers in size
What is the correct nozzle angle on a spray bar? - Answer 15-30 degrees
What is added to hot mixed asphalt to make it more fluid? - Answer Asphalt cement or
moisture
What is indicated by "J" on the illustration? - Answer undercut (over beak)
Refer to the illustration. What is the finished elevation of lot no. 409? - Answer 152 feet 4
inches
What grading operation requires the most operator skill? - Answer Finish grading
, An instrument used to measure horizontal changes and elevations is a ________? - Answer
Dumpy level or builders level
Subsoil drains should be surrounded with: - Answer Coarse gravel
Unsuitable soil can be recognized by a rolling movement of the ground as equipment runs over
it. What is this commonly called? - Answer Pumping
The sides of a 6 foot deep trench in type B soil which is sloped to prevent cave-ins should have a
maximum slope angle of__________? - Answer 45 degrees from vertical
Before each shift safety regulations require that you must check equipment for all the following
except:
- fuel and oil levels
- horn
- operational controls
- emergency brake - Answer Fuel and oil levels
A wellpoint dewatering system is most efficient in what type of soil? - Answer Sand
"Weep Holes" may be utilized in which of the following methods of change in site grading? -
Answer Retaining walls
When cleaning an area of construction of a building, the IBC requires stumps and roots to be
removed from the soil to a depth of at least: - Answer 12 inches
Refer to the illustration, the dimension from the vertical hole to the face of the shear is called
the? - Answer Burden
What do you need to add to clay soil to compact? - Answer Lime
According to OSHA, when personnel are required to be working in excavations, inspection of the
excavations should be performed at least every _________ by a competent person for evidence
Surfacing Final Exam and All Correct
Answers 2025-2026 Edition.
In road construction the final grading is commonly guided by stakes at subgrade elevations.
What are these stakes called? - Answer Blue Tops
What is the definition of a type of soil that can be excavated with vertical side slopes and
remain intact while exposed? - Answer Stable Rock
According to OSHA, refueling trucks handling flammable materials must carry a fire extinguisher
rated at not less than: - Answer 20-B:C:
Using a builder's level, a cut stake is being set for the excavation of a footing. The top of the
footing will at an elevation of 94.00 feet. A back site to the benchmark (elevation 102.50 feet)
has a rod reading of 4.70 feet. The rod reading of the mark on the cut stake is 6.20 feet. The
footing is 6 inches thick. The mark on the cut stake should read........? - Answer C 7.50
If a rectangular shaped or other structure has edge measurements of 56 feet by 90 feet, the
diagonal measurement should be___________ feet if all the corners are square. - Answer 106
Refer to the illustration, which number identifies the catch point? - Answer 2
On a plan where 1/2" equals 1 foot, a plan distance of 4-1/4" would have a project distance of
_______? - Answer 8'6"
According to OSHA, ladders (or steps) are required in all trenches or ditches at _______ feet or
more in depth for an adequate means of exit. - Answer 4 feet
What is the definition of grade? - Answer Rise over run
While trenching and excavating, OSHA requires that employees be protected from excavated
materials and other materials stored near the trench or excavation. These materials must be at
least _________ from the trench or excavation. - Answer 2 feet
,The volume change that occurs when soil goes from a compacted state to an uncompacted
state (such as when being excavated) is called: - Answer Swell
Best adhesion between asphalt cement and aggregate is achieved when aggregate is in what
state? - Answer Hot and dry
What type of retaining wall is designed and built to use only its own weight and positioning to
keep soil back? - Answer Gravity
What does a standard proctor test determine? - Answer Soil density and optimum moisture
content of the soil
The maximum lateral distance allowed to any means of egress from a trench excavation that is 4
feet or more in depth is? - Answer 25
All of the following Soil provisions are considered expansive except for:
- more than 10% of soil particles pass a #200 sieve
- a plasticity index of 15 or greater
- at least 9% of soil particles are less than 5 micrometers in size
- an expansion index greater than 20 - Answer At least 9% of soil particles are less than 5
micrometers in size
What is the correct nozzle angle on a spray bar? - Answer 15-30 degrees
What is added to hot mixed asphalt to make it more fluid? - Answer Asphalt cement or
moisture
What is indicated by "J" on the illustration? - Answer undercut (over beak)
Refer to the illustration. What is the finished elevation of lot no. 409? - Answer 152 feet 4
inches
What grading operation requires the most operator skill? - Answer Finish grading
, An instrument used to measure horizontal changes and elevations is a ________? - Answer
Dumpy level or builders level
Subsoil drains should be surrounded with: - Answer Coarse gravel
Unsuitable soil can be recognized by a rolling movement of the ground as equipment runs over
it. What is this commonly called? - Answer Pumping
The sides of a 6 foot deep trench in type B soil which is sloped to prevent cave-ins should have a
maximum slope angle of__________? - Answer 45 degrees from vertical
Before each shift safety regulations require that you must check equipment for all the following
except:
- fuel and oil levels
- horn
- operational controls
- emergency brake - Answer Fuel and oil levels
A wellpoint dewatering system is most efficient in what type of soil? - Answer Sand
"Weep Holes" may be utilized in which of the following methods of change in site grading? -
Answer Retaining walls
When cleaning an area of construction of a building, the IBC requires stumps and roots to be
removed from the soil to a depth of at least: - Answer 12 inches
Refer to the illustration, the dimension from the vertical hole to the face of the shear is called
the? - Answer Burden
What do you need to add to clay soil to compact? - Answer Lime
According to OSHA, when personnel are required to be working in excavations, inspection of the
excavations should be performed at least every _________ by a competent person for evidence
