What are the two major types of soil commonly referenced in excavation?

The correct identification of the two major types of soil commonly referenced in excavation is clay and sand. Clay is a fine-grained soil that exhibits plasticity when wet and hardens when dried. It tends to retain water and can be challenging to excavate due to its cohesive nature. Sand, on the other hand, is coarse and granular, allowing for excellent drainage and ease of excavation.

The combination of clay and sand represents a fundamental contrast in soil behavior, making them highly relevant in construction and excavation contexts. Understanding these types is crucial for planning excavation projects as each type of soil has distinct properties that affect stability, drainage, and the methods used for excavation.

Other options, such as silt, gravel, and loam, do play roles in excavation but don’t capture the same level of foundational distinction in terms of excavation challenges and techniques like clay and sand do.