How to understand contour lines on a map

1. What do contour lines represent on a map?

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

2. What does a contour line interval represent?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What is the index contour?

A) The highest contour line on the map
B) A contour line that indicates a depression
C) The lowest 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) Walking along a ridge
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 flat area
C) A gentle slope
D) A riverbed

11. What is the purpose of a topographic map?

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

12. Why is understanding contour lines important for hikers?

A) To find sources of drinking water
B) To predict the weather
C) To identify different types of trees
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 type of vegetation in an area
C) The amount of rainfall in an area
D) The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points

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

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

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

A) A constant slope
B) A flat area
C) A cliff
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) Elevation data
B) Bodies of water
C) Contour lines
D) Stock prices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26. What is the contour interval usually consistent for?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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