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How to understand contour lines on a map - Quiz
Contributed by: Roe
  • 1. What do contour lines represent on a map?
A) Lines of equal longitude
B) Lines of equal temperature
C) Lines of equal elevation
D) Lines of equal latitude
  • 2. What does a contour line interval represent?
A) The slope of the land
B) The map scale
C) The distance between two points
D) The difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines
  • 3. Closely spaced contour lines indicate what type of terrain?
A) Flat area
B) Water body
C) Steep slope
D) Gentle slope
  • 4. Widely spaced contour lines indicate what type of terrain?
A) Gentle slope
B) River
C) Cliff
D) Steep slope
  • 5. Contour lines that form closed loops generally indicate what?
A) A valley
B) A road
C) A river
D) A hilltop or depression
  • 6. If contour lines form closed loops with hachure marks (short lines) pointing inward, it indicates what?
A) A hill
B) A depression
C) A ridge
D) A plateau
  • 7. Contour lines crossing a stream or river typically form a 'V' shape pointing in which direction?
A) Upstream
B) Parallel to the stream
C) Downstream
D) Perpendicular to the stream
  • 8. What is the index contour?
A) A contour line that is darker and labeled with its elevation
B) A contour line that indicates a depression
C) The highest contour line on the map
D) The lowest contour line on the map
  • 9. If you are walking perpendicular to contour lines, what are you doing?
A) Walking on level ground
B) Ascending or descending
C) Walking along a ridge
D) Walking along a river
  • 10. What does it mean when contour lines merge into a single line?
A) A riverbed
B) A gentle slope
C) A cliff or very steep slope
D) A flat area
  • 11. What is the purpose of a topographic map?
A) To show elevation and landforms
B) To show political boundaries
C) To show roads and highways
D) To show weather patterns
  • 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 navigate and estimate the difficulty of a hike
D) To predict the weather
  • 13. What is the 'relief' of an area?
A) The type of vegetation in an area
B) The amount of rainfall in an area
C) The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points
D) The average temperature of 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 depression
D) A cliff
  • 15. What does a uniform spacing of contour lines suggest?
A) A cliff
B) A varying slope
C) A flat area
D) A constant slope
  • 16. How is the steepness of a slope determined by contour lines?
A) By the number of contour lines.
B) By how close together the contour lines are.
C) By the thickness of the contour lines.
D) By the color of the contour lines.
  • 17. Which of the following is NOT typically found on a topographic map?
A) Contour lines
B) Stock prices
C) Bodies of water
D) Elevation data
  • 18. What information does the 'scale' of a map provide?
A) The map's cost.
B) The relationship between distance on the map and distance on the ground.
C) The accuracy of the map's elevation data.
D) The age of the map.
  • 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 vegetation.
D) To represent roads.
  • 20. A small, closed contour line inside a larger, closed contour line indicates what?
A) A depression.
B) A plateau.
C) A peak.
D) A saddle.
  • 21. What are hachure marks used for on a contour map?
A) To indicate rivers.
B) To indicate peaks.
C) To indicate forests.
D) To indicate depressions.
  • 22. What does a 'saddle' refer to in topographic mapping?
A) A flat plain.
B) A steep cliff.
C) A deep valley.
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 deep ravine.
C) A lake.
D) A ridge projecting from a larger hill or mountain.
  • 25. When contour lines are very far apart, this indicates:
A) A very gentle slope or flat area.
B) A cliff face.
C) An extremely steep slope.
D) A large body of water.
  • 26. What is the contour interval usually consistent for?
A) The entire map.
B) Areas near water bodies.
C) Just index contours.
D) Only a single area on the map.
  • 27. Why should you pay attention to the contour interval on a map?
A) To know what type of paper the map is printed on.
B) To tell the age of the map.
C) To find out the map's copyright date.
D) To properly gauge the elevation changes.
  • 28. What is an overhanging cliff or bluff indicated by?
A) Contour lines that cross each other.
B) Contour lines in a perfect circle.
C) Straight contour lines.
D) Widely spaced contour lines.
  • 29. What can be used to provide a more accurate elevation point than estimation?
A) Hachure marks.
B) Benchmark.
C) Index contour.
D) Grid lines.
  • 30. What term refers to an enclosed depression on a map?
A) Peak.
B) Ridge.
C) Sinkhole.
D) Valley.
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