Question

What is clay?

• A. Moist, stiff, tenacious earth
• B. Hard, nonporous and fired
• C. Hard, porous and baked
• D. Baked, hard and non-porous

Hint:

Always distinguish between the raw material and the finished product. Clay is the workable earth; ceramic is the hard, permanent object created after firing the clay.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Differentiate between raw clay and fired ceramic. The question asks to define "clay," which refers to the raw material in its natural, plastic state.
Step 2: Analyze the options. Option (A) accurately describes the physical properties of unfired clay: it is a type of earth that is moist, stiff (can hold a shape), and tenacious (sticky and cohesive). The other options (B, C, D) all describe clay *after* it has been fired in a kiln, at which point it becomes ceramic.