What is an indicator of no "very firm" or "extremely firm" consistences in soils?

The indicator of no "very firm" or "extremely firm" consistencies in soils is characterized by the statement "firm or firmer." When evaluating soil consistency, the terms "very firm" and "extremely firm" relate to the soil's ability to resist deformation under pressure. If the soil is described as "firm or firmer," it suggests that the soil is not exhibiting the characteristics of higher consistencies like "very firm" or "extremely firm." This means the soil has a certain level of cohesion, but it does not reach the threshold that would categorize it as having very firm or extremely firm consistencies.

In contrast, other choices may relate to moisture content but do not directly address the concept of soil firmness. For instance, saying "must be dry" implies that dryness contributes to consistency, which may not necessarily indicate a lack of firmness. Similarly, options like "more than 75% moisture" might indicate soil saturation, potentially leading to softness rather than firmness. Thus, recognizing that "firm or firmer" directly indicates a consistency level below very firm or extremely firm is pivotal in understanding soil behavior during evaluations.