Samples of earth taken from test borings are ________.

• A. Core samples
• B. Drill cuttings
• C. Soil samples
• D. Bulk samples

Answer: (A)

When you take samples from test borings, you want something that shows the actual layering and properties of the subsurface. A core sample provides an intact, cylindrical piece of earth that preserves the in-situ structure as it is pulled up with a core barrel and core bit. This continuity lets you see changes in material type, moisture, density, and strength from one layer to the next, which is essential for accurate site characterization.

Drill cuttings, by contrast, are loose fragments produced by the drilling process and transported to the surface by drilling fluids. They’re often disturbed and mixed, making it hard to interpret exact layer boundaries or thickness. Soil samples and bulk samples can be collected for testing, but they don’t preserve the continuous stratigraphy as well as a core does. That's why core samples are the appropriate choice for borings.