The sample is covered with water either by complete immersion or by adding approximately 6% moisture. Which option best reflects this statement?

The sample is covered with water either by complete immersion or by adding approximately 6% moisture. Which option best reflects this statement?

• A. The sample is covered with water by complete immersion only.
• B. The sample is covered with water either by complete immersion or by adding approximately 6% moisture.
• C. The sample is dried before water is added.
• D. Water is never added to the sample.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that the sample can be brought to a wetted condition by either immersing it completely or by adding a measured amount of moisture around 6%. The best choice reflects both possibilities, matching the statement exactly. Complete immersion guarantees the entire sample is in contact with water, ensuring thorough wetting. Adding a specific moisture amount—about 6% by weight—provides an alternative way to achieve the needed moisture level when immersion isn’t practical or when the test protocol calls for controlled moisture content. Both methods achieve the goal of having the sample covered by water in the sense described. The other options don’t fit because they restrict or contradict the stated approach: limiting to immersion only ignores the moisture-addition method, drying before water removes the moisture condition, and never adding water contradicts the idea that the sample should be wetted.

The idea being tested is that the sample can be brought to a wetted condition by either immersing it completely or by adding a measured amount of moisture around 6%. The best choice reflects both possibilities, matching the statement exactly.

Complete immersion guarantees the entire sample is in contact with water, ensuring thorough wetting. Adding a specific moisture amount—about 6% by weight—provides an alternative way to achieve the needed moisture level when immersion isn’t practical or when the test protocol calls for controlled moisture content. Both methods achieve the goal of having the sample covered by water in the sense described.

The other options don’t fit because they restrict or contradict the stated approach: limiting to immersion only ignores the moisture-addition method, drying before water removes the moisture condition, and never adding water contradicts the idea that the sample should be wetted.