Which terrain feature is formed when material is removed to create a level surface for construction?

Which terrain feature is formed when material is removed to create a level surface for construction?

• A. Cut
• B. Fill
• C. Valley
• D. Saddle

Answer: (A)

Removing material to create a level surface for construction yields a cut. In earthwork, a cut is the portion of terrain excavated down to the design grade, producing a flat or level area for foundations, roads, or pads. The material taken out can sometimes be reused as fill elsewhere. By contrast, a valley and a saddle are natural topographic features, not the result of deliberate excavation to grade, and fill refers to adding material rather than removing it. So the feature formed by removing material to achieve a level surface is a cut.

Removing material to create a level surface for construction yields a cut. In earthwork, a cut is the portion of terrain excavated down to the design grade, producing a flat or level area for foundations, roads, or pads. The material taken out can sometimes be reused as fill elsewhere. By contrast, a valley and a saddle are natural topographic features, not the result of deliberate excavation to grade, and fill refers to adding material rather than removing it. So the feature formed by removing material to achieve a level surface is a cut.