Final answer:
Terra cotta is the suitable type of structural facing tile for exterior and interior masonry walls as it accommodates moderate absorption and variations, while providing aesthetic appeal and durability. Option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of structural facing tile suitable for exposed exterior and interior masonry walls, which allows for moderate absorption, slight variation in face dimensions, minor defects in surface finish, and a medium color range is terra cotta.
Terra cotta, which means "baked earth" in Italian, is a clay-based earthenware and has been used historically in construction due to its durability, aesthetic quality, and versatility. In Mesopotamian Babylonia, for example, the lack of stone led to the extensive use of terra cotta for architectural purposes, from engraved bricks to decorative tiles, showcasing the material's long-lasting appeal and functionality.
Mosaics, another decorative architectural feature, are created by assembling small pieces of colored tile, stone, or glass to produce intricate designs. While mosaics are durable and have been used on walls, ceilings, and floors for centuries, the craft of creating them is different from using structural facing tiles like terra cotta for masonry walls.
Mosaics involve gluing small pieces to a wall and sealing them with grout, whereas terra cotta tiles are used more for their structural and aesthetic qualities in building facades.