Which term describes the state of clay that has dried but not yet fired?

• A. Greenware
• B. Bisque
• C. Ceramics
• D. Coil method in clay

Answer: (A)

In ceramics, greenware describes clay that has dried enough to hold its shape but has not yet been fired. At this stage the clay isn’t plastic anymore, so you can carve or join pieces, but it remains fragile and can crack or warp if handled roughly. Leather-hard is a common part of greenware—clay that’s firm enough to trim or join but still a bit flexible. Once this stage is fired, it becomes bisque ware, and only then is it typically ready for glaze and a second firing.