Continue washing, agitating, and decanting the sample until the wash water is clear.

• A. False
• B. Not specified
• C. Partially
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Continuing washing, agitating, and decanting until the wash water is clear ensures the sample is free of fines and soluble materials that could bias test results. The presence of cloudy, suspended solids means remnants of the material or contaminants are still attached or mixed in, which can skew measurements like moisture content, gradation, or specific gravity. By washing until the water runs clear, you’re making sure the measured properties reflect the actual solid material rather than mixed-in fines, leading to more accurate and repeatable results. If you stop early, you may retain fines that distort the test outcomes; waiting beyond what’s needed doesn’t improve accuracy and just wastes time.