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 temperature
C) Lines of equal latitude
D) Lines of equal longitude

2. What does a contour line interval represent?

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

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

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

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

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

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

A) A valley
B) A hilltop or depression
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 depression
B) A hill
C) A plateau
D) A ridge

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

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

8. What is the index contour?

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

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

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

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

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

11. What is the purpose of a topographic map?

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

12. Why is understanding contour lines important for hikers?

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

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

A) The average temperature of an area
B) The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points
C) The type of vegetation in 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 river
B) A gentle slope or a spur
C) A cliff
D) A depression

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

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

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

A) By the thickness of the contour lines.
B) By how close together the contour lines are.
C) By the color 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) Bodies of water
B) Elevation data
C) Contour lines
D) Stock prices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26. What is the contour interval usually consistent for?

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

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

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

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

A) Contour lines in a perfect circle.
B) Widely spaced contour lines.
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) Index contour.
B) Grid lines.
C) Hachure marks.
D) Benchmark.

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

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

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