Question

The presence of moisture in the sand _____________ the volume of the sand.

(a) Increases

(b) Decreases

(c) Shrink

(d) Contract

I had been asked this question in a national level competition.

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Answer 1

Right choice is (a) Increases

Easiest explanation: The increase in volume of sand is due to the fact that the moisture causes film of water around sand particles and it results in the increase of volume of sand. For moisture content of about 5% to 8%, this increase of volume may be as much as 20% to 40%, depending upon the grading of sand.