What are used to fill containers, remove debris, dig trenches, and collect samples?

• A. A sponge and brush
• B. A spade and bucket
• C. A trowel, shovel, or scoop
• D. A spoon and ladle

Answer: (C)

Handling soil and samples in field or lab work relies on hand tools that can move material cleanly and with control. For filling containers, removing debris, digging trenches, and collecting samples, a trowel, shovel, or scoop fits this need because each tool serves a different aspect of the tasks: the trowel is ideal for precise digging and scraping to place a small amount of soil into a container or to extract a sample; the shovel handles larger moves of soil and can dig trenches or clear debris; the scoop efficiently lifts and transfers loose material into containers or sampling bags. This combination covers both fine, controlled transfers and bulk movement, which is exactly what these four activities require. Other tools aren’t as well suited: cleaning tools like a sponge and brush don’t handle soil or sampling; a spade and bucket can dig and carry but aren’t as effective for precise sampling or transferring small amounts; spoons and ladles are meant for liquids or food materials, not soil or sediment.