Which type of soil is known for its fine graining and is composed of material larger than clay but smaller than sand?

The correct answer is silt. Silt is characterized by its fine particle size, which is larger than clay but smaller than sand. This unique composition gives silt particular properties, such as good water retention and a smooth texture, which can affect soil behavior in construction and landscape applications. Silt particles are typically less than 0.002 mm and greater than 0.002 mm in diameter, providing a balance in soil characteristics that allows for adequate drainage and nutrient holding capacity while also being workable for construction purposes.

Other soil types listed, like loam, include a mixture of particle sizes, including sand, silt, and clay, making it more versatile but not fitting the specific criteria described in the question. Clay consists of very fine particles that are much smaller than those of silt, while fines is a broader term that can encompass both silt and clay as well as other small particle sizes, which does not pinpoint the specific type required in the question.