How to use a topographic map
  • 1. What is the primary purpose of a topographic map?
A) To predict the weather
B) To show political boundaries
C) To show elevation and landforms
D) To display road networks only
  • 2. What are contour lines?
A) Lines connecting points of equal elevation
B) Lines representing rivers and streams
C) Lines indicating geological faults
D) Lines showing property boundaries
  • 3. What does a closer spacing of contour lines indicate?
A) Steeper slope
B) Lower elevation
C) Gentle slope
D) Flat terrain
  • 4. What does a wider spacing of contour lines indicate?
A) Steeper slope
B) A riverbed
C) Gentle slope
D) Sharp drop-off
  • 5. What does a closed contour line with hachure marks indicate?
A) Depression
B) Hilltop
C) Ridge
D) Valley
  • 6. What does a closed contour line without hachure marks indicate?
A) Depression
B) Saddle
C) Cliff
D) Hilltop
  • 7. What is a benchmark on a topographic map?
A) A campsite location
B) A border marker
C) A point of known elevation
D) A stream crossing
  • 8. What is the contour interval?
A) The vertical distance between contour lines
B) The total elevation range of the map
C) The map scale
D) The horizontal distance between contour lines
  • 9. What is the purpose of a map scale?
A) To indicate the date the map was created
B) To represent the magnetic declination
C) To show the relationship between distance on the map and distance on the ground
D) To show the map's publisher
  • 10. What does the term 'north arrow' indicate on a topographic map?
A) The direction of true north and magnetic north
B) The starting point for navigation
C) The direction of the prevailing wind
D) The location of the highest point on the map
  • 11. What do blue lines typically represent on a topographic map?
A) Water features
B) Elevation
C) Roads
D) Buildings
  • 12. What do green areas typically represent on a topographic map?
A) Vegetation
B) Water
C) Roads
D) Developed areas
  • 13. What do black lines typically represent on a topographic map?
A) Elevation contours
B) Water features
C) Man-made features
D) Vegetation
  • 14. What does a brown line on a topographic map represent?
A) Roads
B) Political boundaries
C) Contour lines
D) Rivers
  • 15. What does 'magnetic declination' refer to?
A) The time of day the map was surveyed
B) The slope of the land
C) The distance to the nearest town
D) The angle between true north and magnetic north
  • 16. What is a 'ridge' on a topographic map?
A) A flat area near a river
B) An elongated crest or series of crests
C) A large body of water
D) A low point between two hills
  • 17. What is a 'valley' on a topographic map?
A) A flat, open plain
B) A high, pointed peak
C) A body of saltwater
D) A low area between hills or mountains
  • 18. What is a 'saddle' on a topographic map?
A) A dry riverbed
B) A deep canyon
C) The highest point on a map
D) A low point between two higher points
  • 19. How do you determine the elevation of a point that falls between two contour lines?
A) Find the magnetic declination
B) Use the map scale
C) Estimate based on the contour interval
D) Use the north arrow
  • 20. What is the 'legend' of a topographic map?
A) A list of all the place names
B) An explanation of the map's symbols
C) A legal disclaimer
D) A historical account of the area
  • 21. What does UTM stand for?
A) Universal Transverse Mercator
B) United Terrain Mapping
C) Universal Terrain Management
D) Unified Topographic Model
  • 22. What is the purpose of grid lines on a topographic map?
A) To indicate the best hiking trails
B) To show the location of historical landmarks
C) To show the direction of water flow
D) To provide coordinates for locating points
  • 23. Which map scale represents the largest area on the ground?
A) 1:62,500
B) 1:10,000
C) 1:100,000
D) 1:24,000
  • 24. Which map scale provides the most detail?
A) 1:100,000
B) 1:24,000
C) 1:250,000
D) 1:1,000,000
  • 25. What is a 'spur' on a topographic map?
A) A flat area next to a river
B) A large lake
C) A deep canyon
D) A lateral ridge or projection from a main ridge
  • 26. What can you infer from closely spaced contour lines forming a 'V' shape, pointing uphill?
A) A stream or drainage
B) A ridge
C) A sinkhole
D) A flat plateau
  • 27. What is the first step in planning a hike using a topographic map?
A) Check the weather forecast
B) Determine your starting and ending points
C) Calculate the magnetic declination
D) Pack your backpack
  • 28. Why is it important to understand the contour interval before using a topographic map?
A) To find the location of water sources
B) To identify private property boundaries
C) To determine the map's age
D) To accurately estimate elevation changes
  • 29. What does 'elevation' refer to on a topographic map?
A) Horizontal distance across the map
B) The angle of the slope
C) Vertical distance above sea level
D) The temperature at a specific location
  • 30. What is the benefit of using a GPS device in conjunction with a topographic map?
A) To accurately pinpoint your location
B) To predict the weather
C) To start a fire
D) To attract wildlife
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