How to understand contour lines on a map

1. What do contour lines represent on a map?

A) Lines of equal elevation
B) Lines of equal latitude
C) Lines of equal temperature
D) Lines of equal longitude

2. What does a contour line interval represent?

A) The map scale
B) The distance between two points
C) The difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines
D) The slope of the land

3. Closely spaced contour lines indicate what type of terrain?

A) Water body
B) Flat area
C) Steep slope
D) Gentle slope

4. Widely spaced contour lines indicate what type of terrain?

A) Gentle slope
B) Steep slope
C) Cliff
D) River

5. Contour lines that form closed loops generally indicate what?

A) A hilltop or depression
B) A valley
C) A river
D) A road

6. If contour lines form closed loops with hachure marks (short lines) pointing inward, it indicates what?

A) A plateau
B) A depression
C) A hill
D) A ridge

7. Contour lines crossing a stream or river typically form a 'V' shape pointing in which direction?

A) Perpendicular to the stream
B) Upstream
C) Downstream
D) Parallel to the stream

8. What is the index contour?

A) The highest contour line on the map
B) The lowest contour line on the map
C) A contour line that is darker and labeled with its elevation
D) A contour line that indicates a depression

9. If you are walking perpendicular to contour lines, what are you doing?

A) Walking along a river
B) Walking along a ridge
C) Walking on level ground
D) Ascending or descending

10. What does it mean when contour lines merge into a single line?

A) A cliff or very steep slope
B) A gentle slope
C) A riverbed
D) A flat area

11. What is the purpose of a topographic map?

A) To show political boundaries
B) To show elevation and landforms
C) To show weather patterns
D) To show roads and highways

12. Why is understanding contour lines important for hikers?

A) To identify different types of trees
B) To predict the weather
C) To navigate and estimate the difficulty of a hike
D) To find sources of drinking water

13. What is the 'relief' of an area?

A) The type of vegetation in an area
B) The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points
C) The average temperature of an area
D) The amount of rainfall in an area

14. If a contour line splits or forks, what does it usually indicate?

A) A depression
B) A cliff
C) A river
D) A gentle slope or a spur

15. What does a uniform spacing of contour lines suggest?

A) A cliff
B) A constant slope
C) A flat area
D) A varying slope

16. How is the steepness of a slope determined by contour lines?

A) By how close together the contour lines are.
B) By the color of the contour lines.
C) By the thickness of the contour lines.
D) By the number of contour lines.

17. Which of the following is NOT typically found on a topographic map?

A) Contour lines
B) Stock prices
C) Elevation data
D) Bodies of water

18. What information does the 'scale' of a map provide?

A) The relationship between distance on the map and distance on the ground.
B) The age of the map.
C) The accuracy of the map's elevation data.
D) The map's cost.

19. Why are contour lines typically brown or orange on a map?

A) To represent vegetation.
B) To represent water features.
C) To represent land features.
D) To represent roads.

20. A small, closed contour line inside a larger, closed contour line indicates what?

A) A saddle.
B) A plateau.
C) A depression.
D) A peak.

21. What are hachure marks used for on a contour map?

A) To indicate rivers.
B) To indicate depressions.
C) To indicate forests.
D) To indicate peaks.

22. What does a 'saddle' refer to in topographic mapping?

A) A deep valley.
B) A steep cliff.
C) A flat plain.
D) A low point between two high points.

23. If you are following a contour line, what are you doing?

A) Changing elevation randomly.
B) Maintaining the same elevation.
C) Climbing uphill.
D) Descending downhill.

24. What is a 'spur' on a topographic map?

A) A flat plain.
B) A ridge projecting from a larger hill or mountain.
C) A lake.
D) A deep ravine.

25. When contour lines are very far apart, this indicates:

A) A cliff face.
B) A large body of water.
C) A very gentle slope or flat area.
D) An extremely steep slope.

26. What is the contour interval usually consistent for?

A) Just index contours.
B) The entire map.
C) Areas near water bodies.
D) Only a single area on the map.

27. Why should you pay attention to the contour interval on a map?

A) To tell the age of the map.
B) To properly gauge the elevation changes.
C) To find out the map's copyright date.
D) To know what type of paper the map is printed on.

28. What is an overhanging cliff or bluff indicated by?

A) Widely spaced contour lines.
B) Contour lines in a perfect circle.
C) Straight contour lines.
D) Contour lines that cross each other.

29. What can be used to provide a more accurate elevation point than estimation?

A) Benchmark.
B) Index contour.
C) Hachure marks.
D) Grid lines.

30. What term refers to an enclosed depression on a map?

A) Peak.
B) Sinkhole.
C) Ridge.
D) Valley.

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