NCCER Introduction to Earthmoving (22201) Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Layers of soil laid down in a fill area or to build up an embankment are also called ________.
• Which statement best describes trenching equipment?
• Permanent points of known or assumed elevation from which surveyors can establish grade are called ________.
• An open excavation that usually does not require shoring is classified as a(n) ________.
• If a slope is described as 3:1 (horizontal:vertical), what is the approximate grade percentage?
• Which term refers to the area of roadway between the hinge point and the adjacent ditch or natural grade?
• If a foul-smelling fluid seeping out of the ground is noticed while walking the new site before starting work, the operator should know that it ________.
• The line that marks the center of a roadway and separates opposing traffic is called the ________.
• If a machine shows signs of instability on a slope, what is the immediate safe action?
• A very cohesive soil includes a large percentage of ________.
• A soil described as very cohesive is most likely to contain a large percentage of ________.
• What must be considered to ensure stability when performing cut-and-fill operations?
• Why is lockout/tagout important during maintenance?
• Which method would not be very effective for controlling stormwater runoff?
• When working on a job, the first priority is to perform the job ________.
• What does 'blade float' mean on a bulldozer blade?
• What is a key safety practice when refueling earthmoving equipment?
• Removing water from an area using a pump or drain is known as ________.
• What should you inspect on tires or tracks before starting work?
• The surface of a road, channel, or natural ground area required by plans or specifications is referred to as the ________.
• A material derived from living organisms is referred to as ________ material.
• Which dumping pattern provides the easiest blending of two materials that do not mix easily, such as clay and sand?
• Soil or other material that meets a specification for size, shape, or other characteristic is called ________ material.
• Which equipment is commonly used to load material from stockpiles?
• The operation used to raise ground level by moving and compacting earth is called ________.
• The process of compacting soil so it becomes rigid is called?
• Which statement about the logistics of soil compaction is true?
• How can you minimize fuel consumption during earthmoving operations?
• Dewatering is the process of removing water from an area to lower what condition in soils?
• Materials not derived from living organisms are defined as which term?
• Any type of mechanical or electronic analysis of soil to determine its density, moisture content, and other properties is known as ________.
• Surveyor's stakes placed at the intersection of a cut or fill slope with the natural ground, instructions include the slope ratio to meet the hinge point of a roadway or other reference point are called ________.
• Which term describes the maximum stable slope angle of a material before it slides?
• Compaction of a lime-stabilized area requires _______.
• A temporary opening in which something, such as a pipe or box culvert, is placed and then covered is a ________.
• A line that marks the center of a roadway is called its ________.
• Which combination of tools is commonly used to maintain cross slope during grading?
• The measure of water content in compacted soil that affects its pliability is called?
• Which practice helps control dust on a jobsite?
• The greatest hazard to dealing with raw sewage in an excavation is ________.
• Why is environmental protection an important consideration in earthmoving?
• What is a typical cold-weather starting procedure for diesel equipment?
• In geology, what term refers to the solid rock layer beneath the earth's surface?
• The mobile equipment suitable for loading soil at excavations includes ________.
• What is the purpose of a ground protection plan on a jobsite?
• Labels that include the letter F and some digits indicate locations for ________.
• A material that clumps together under pressure is described as having which property?
• Materials that are not derived from living organisms are known as?
• The solid earth layer that underlies the ground soil in the earth's crust is ________.
• The ________ is the depth at which the soil is saturated with water.
• When preparing a job site for excavation or construction, the removal of objects below the original ground is called ________.
• In road design, which term refers to the line separating traffic moving in opposite directions along the center of a road?
• The area between the bottom of a ditch adjacent to the roadbed and the top of the cut into the existing natural grade is called?
• Water from rain or snow that flows across the ground surface is referred to as ________.
• The primary earthmoving operations are excavation, backfill, and ________.
• Which type of soil sample is typically a cylindrical piece obtained from a test boring?
• Which process shapes the compacted surface to accurate grade and crown specifications?
• What is the fundamental difference between “cut” and “fill” in earthmoving?
• The solid layer of rock underlying the earth's surface is ________.
• Which machine is primarily used to shape and finish surfaces to meet precise elevations and slopes?
• What term describes the water-saturated level of soil where all voids are filled with water?
• Labels on a site plan that indicate fill activities are typically marked as ________.
• Which term refers to each individual layer of fill used to build up an embankment?
• How can you manage a stockpile on soft ground to prevent shifting or sinking?
• The EPA requires that operators of construction sites that are one acre or larger establish plans to reduce sedimentation, pollution, and ________.
• What should you consider when weather is delaying earthmoving work?
• How is a design cut/fill line used in earthmoving planning?
• What do sump pits collect and remove from a construction site?
• The return trip of a piece of equipment after it has dumped its load is called?
• Which factors must be considered to ensure stability when performing cut-and-fill operations?
• Cycle time is defined as the length of time it takes to perform a repetitive operation, such as the time it takes for a piece of equipment to ________.
• What does “grade tolerance” refer to?
• What practices help ensure safe entry and exit from heavy equipment?
• Why is backing up on steep slopes dangerous and how can you reduce risk?
• A material described as consisting of numerous adjoined crystals?
• Materials excavated and stockpiled for future use are known as?
• What is the primary purpose of a grade stake on a construction site?
• Before digging near utilities, what steps should you take?
• In earthmoving terms, what is an embankment?
• Which agency requires operators of construction sites to establish sedimentation and erosion control plans for sites of one acre or larger?
• In earthmoving, an embankment is primarily used to
• What is a common cause of hydraulic hose failure on earthmoving equipment?
• According to the definition of soil shear strength, soils with higher shear strengths ________.
• A hole drilled in order to take a sample of material for testing is a(n) ________.
• Which term designates markers used to record cut, fill, and grade information along with underground utilities?
• Which instrument is commonly used to check grade and alignment on road projects?
• A(n) ________ is a specific piece of work that a contractor is paid for.
• A temporary long, narrow excavation that will eventually be filled in is called?
• Which practice helps reduce fuel usage during earthmoving?
• When loading from stockpiles or spoils with a front-end loader, the most efficient movement pattern of those listed is the ________.
• ________ are natural or synthetic materials made up of long molecular chains of identical chemical subunits.
• Manufactured or natural rock or sand that has a specific size characteristic used in foundations and subgrade work is called ________.
• A site needs a number that helps emergency responders reach it quickly. This designation is called a(n) ________.
• An open excavation that usually does not require shoring is classified as a ______.
• Why is proper track or tire condition important for stability on uneven ground?
• When verifying design grades in the field, what elevations must you confirm?
• A temporary long, narrow excavation that will be filled in soon?
• What tool can be used to verify the grade during grading?
• Which of the following is not a factor in determining the number of soil compaction passes required?
• A string of orange flags in a construction site indicates the presence of an underground ________.
• An important concern to most contractors at work sites is ________.
• Water that resides or flows below the ground surface is called ________.
• Which statement best describes the purpose of daily hydraulic system checks?
• Bulk wide-area excavations occur mainly for the following except ________.
• How should you handle unstable spoil piles to prevent collapse?
• Open pit or holes constructed to collect groundwater that are then pumped out mechanically are called ________.
• The ________ of soil is a measure of its resistance to deforming along planes or sliding.
• Which property helps engineers evaluate soil's resistance to sliding along planes?
• Waste fill is recycled, treated material approved for use in certain ________.
• Which term refers to the measure of water content in compacted soil that affects pliability?
• Which statement best describes machine blind spots and a common mitigation?
• Substances that tend to stick together have a(n) ________ property.
• To maintain control of slope during excavation, grade stakes are placed by which team?
• What is the term for material piled in a uniform manner to build up an area?
• What is the purpose of a spot grade chart on a jobsite?
• Which dumping pattern provides the easiest blending of two materials that do not mix easily, such as clay and sand?
• What is the most common hazard when working around heavy earthmoving equipment?
• What should you do if you hit an unknown underground utility while trenching?
• When loading material with a scraper, what is essential for maintaining the correct balance?
• A material that is made up of numerous adjoined crystals is described as?
• Rocks formed when molten material cools and solidifies are classified as ________ rocks.
• Name a practical method to control dust and protect the environment on a jobsite.
• A material derived from living organisms is referred to as ________ material.
• Which items are included among the standard PPE for operating earthmoving equipment?
• The soil type that aids cohesiveness in other soil types is ________.
• Water from rain or snow that flows across the ground surface is referred to as ________.
• Which of the following best describes the role of grade stakes in field operations?
• How is the design cut/fill line used to plan earthwork?
• A clay-like soil that swells with an increase in moisture is referred to as a(n) ________.
• Which factor is most critical to achieving maximum compaction density in soils?
• Materials excavated and stockpiled for future use are known as?
• During excavation and fill activities, slope control is handled with grade stakes that are placed by ________.
• What should an operator know or do if the site plans show that a particularly large tree on the building site needs to be preserved?
• Ground that forms a natural or artificial incline upward or downward is known as a(n) ________.
• Which of the following is a common cause of an uneven finish after grading?
• Stakes set by the survey crews are important because they ________.
• What is a common consequence of exceeding the maximum safe dump height during loader operations?
• How do bulldozers and graders differ in their primary earthmoving roles?
• Manufactured or natural rock or sand that has a specific size characteristic. Used in foundations and subgrade work is called ________.
• A major site safety concern regarding equipment is the security of equipment, which includes preventing theft and tampering.
• What does a compaction test verify for a base layer?
• Samples of earth taken from test borings are ________.
• The classification of soils into different particle sizes is called?
• What is the proper approach if a spoil pile's stability cannot be ensured?
• Which practice helps ensure accurate cross slope during grading?
• Which term describes the natural incline of the ground?
• What term is used for the plan-derived surface level that the project aims to achieve?
• Why must operators maintain a safe standoff distance from trenches and unstable slopes?
• Why is maintaining a clean, defined haul route essential?
• The binder that provides the highest load-bearing capacity is ________.
• The ________ is the pitch or grade of a road's surface perpendicular to its centerline that helps drain water and improve vehicle stability.
• Any type of rock or soil that was formed from molten or melted rock is a(n) ________.
• What should you do if a grader blade becomes hung up on a high point?
• What is a key safety practice during maintenance to prevent unexpected machine startup?
• The type of equipment best suited for hauling large rock fragments or masses of slate/shale is the _______.
• Which term describes the side view drawing that shows the elevations, depths, and slopes of a proposed project?
• Which statement best describes the tire or track inspection before work?
• Which type of equipment is often used to mix the binders and graded soil before compaction?
• How can you maintain consistent cross slope during road grading?
• After refueling, what action should be taken regarding spills?
• Which action best describes preventing equipment damage and erosion on a jobsite?
• ________ are natural or synthetic materials made up of long molecular chains of identical chemical subunits.
• What type of fill tends to separate by particle sizes when dumped down a steep slope into a deep depression?
• Why are daily checks and service intervals important for hydraulic systems?
• What factors influence a jobsite’s accessibility for earthmoving equipment?
• Markers that are used to mark cut, fill, grade information, underground utilities, or other survey points are called ________.
• ________ earth materials are rocks that were originally deposited by wind or moving water.
• What is a key consideration of loader loading height when placing material into trucks?
• On a slope, what does the term angle of repose describe?
• How does soil moisture content affect compaction effort?
• The time it takes for equipment to complete a repetitive operation is referred to as ________.
• What is a critical consideration when planning the sequence of grading operations?
• What is the role of a spotter on a busy worksite?
• Long, straight piles of placed material used for the purpose of mixing are called ________.
• The unique address given to a site that allows police, fire, and other emergency vehicles to find the location easily is called a(n) ________.
• Which term refers to the permanent points of known elevation used to determine the grade of a project?
• Which action is appropriate when excavating near utilities to minimize damage?
• Which term describes machines that excavate by dragging a bucket toward the machine by a cable?
• When dealing with unstable spoil piles, which practice helps prevent collapse?
• Which soil component aids cohesiveness in other soils?
• If a material will not allow water to pass through it, the material is considered ________.
• How is the hydraulic oil level checked on many earthmoving machines?
• Backhoes, excavators, and trenching machines are the three main classes of equipment used in ________.
• Which instrument is commonly used to check grade and alignment on road projects?
• A(n) ________ is the side view of a proposed construction project that depicts heights, depths, and slopes.
• What is the function of a grade control system on earthmoving equipment?
• If you encounter an unknown underground utility while trenching, what is the correct immediate action?
• What is the first step before starting any earthmoving machine?
• How do you read a design cut/fill line on project plans?
• The type of dump site used to store material for later use is called a(n) ________.
• If orange flags indicate underground infrastructure, what type of cable is most likely present?
• The roadway area between the shoulder/hinge point and the bottom of the adjacent ditch or natural grade is called the ________.
• For hauling large rock fragments over short distances in excavation work, the vehicle best suited is the ________.
• Loose pieces of rock placed on an embankment to prevent erosion are called?