How can one identify the need for a cut or fill?

To determine the need for a cut or fill in construction and grading operations, it's essential to understand the relationship between finished elevations and original ground elevations. When finished elevations are lower than the original ground elevation, this indeed indicates that material must be added to achieve the desired grades. This is why a fill is required; the goal is to raise the level of the ground to meet the planned elevations for the project.

In practical terms, this means that if the construction site has been measured after grading and the elevations are below the anticipated or designed elevation levels, work will need to be done to bring those elevations up, which involves placing soil or other materials to create the necessary height.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the principles of grading. For instance, if finished elevations are higher than the original ground elevation, it indicates that material has been removed (a cut) rather than needing more fill. Similarly, if the finished elevations are equal to the original, this would mean no additional fill or cut is needed, contradicting the premise of requiring a fill. Ultimately, recognizing that lower finished elevations necessitate filling operations is crucial for effective site grading and preparation.