A representative fraction (RF) of 1:50,000 means:
A a) 1 cm on map = 50 m on ground
B b) 1 cm on map = 500 m on ground
C c) 1 cm on map = 0.5 km on ground
D d) 1 cm on map = 50 km on ground
RF is a unitless ratio; 1 cm corresponds to 50,000 cm = 0.5 km.
Lines joining points of equal elevation are called:
A a) Isobars
B b) Isohyets
C c) Contours
D d) Isotherms
Contours depict relief and landform shape.
Closely spaced contour lines indicate:
A a) Gentle slope
B b) Flat terrain
C c) Steep slope
D d) Depressions only
Greater elevation change over short horizontal distance.
The angular difference between True North and Magnetic North is:
A a) Bearing
B b) Declination
C c) Azimuth
D d) Dip
Magnetic declination is used to convert between bearings.
Grid references on topographic maps are commonly based on:
A a) Latitude only
B b) Longitude only
C c) UTM coordinate system
D d) Mean sea level benchmarks only
UTM uses a metric grid (eastings, northings) in zones.
A large-scale map is best described as:
A a) RF 1:1,000,000
B b) RF 1:250,000
C c) RF 1:50,000
D d) RF 1:10,000
Larger scale shows greater detail (smaller denominator).
The shortest horizontal distance between two points on an RF map is measured with:
A a) Clinometer
B b) Planimeter
C c) Ruler or dividers
D d) Alidade
Direct linear measurement uses the scale.
A bearing measured clockwise from True North is called:
A a) Whole-circle bearing (azimuth)
B b) Quadrantal bearing only
C c) Reverse bearing
D d) Magnetic bearing always
Azimuth ranges from 0° to 360°.
The map projection that preserves angles/shapes locally but distorts area is:
A a) Equal-area projection
B b) Conformal projection (e.g., Mercator)
C c) Equidistant projection
D d) Gnomonic projection
Conformal maps maintain local shape/angle.
Lines joining equal rainfall are:
A a) Isobaths
B b) Isohyets
C c) Isonephs
D d) Isodrosotherms
Isohyets represent spatial precipitation patterns.
On standard topographic maps, blue commonly represents:
A a) Roads
B b) Forests
C c) Water features
D d) Settlement areas
Rivers, lakes, and canals are depicted in blue.
A profile drawn from a topographic map shows:
A a) Land-use classes
B b) Vertical cross-section of relief along a line
C c) Stream order network
D d) Soil series boundaries
Generated by transferring contour elevations along a chosen path.
A planimeter is primarily used to measure:
A a) Slope
B b) Area on a map
C c) Bearing
D d) Elevation
It traces boundaries to compute enclosed area.
Hachures on older maps indicate:
A a) Vegetation type
B b) Water depth
C c) Relief using short lines showing slope direction
D d) Transportation routes
Darker/denser hachures = steeper slopes.
The contour interval on a map is chosen mainly based on:
A a) Paper size
B b) Terrain relief and map scale
C c) Magnetic declination
D d) Latitude
Steep terrain or small-scale maps typically use larger intervals.