Contouring MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Contouring - Download Free PDF

Last updated on Apr 29, 2025

Latest Contouring MCQ Objective Questions

Contouring Question 1:

Review the following statements and select the most appropriate option.

By using a contour map:

A) Intervisibility between two points can be determined.

B) The line separating the basin from the rest of the area can't be traced.

  1. Statement A is true B is false.
  2. Statement B is true A is false.
  3. Both statements are true.
  4. Both statements are false.
  5. Information Insufficient

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Statement A is true B is false.

Contouring Question 1 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Contour maps are used for:

i. Calculating the water capacity of reservoirs.

ii. Determining the catchment area of the drainage basin

  • Contours are the most accurate method of representing relief features.
  • Contouring is an act of using contour lines when representing the relief of an area on the map.
  • Contour lines are the lines drawn on the map connecting all points on the earth’s surface with equal elevations above a fixed datum line (usually the mean sea level).
    • They are numbered in either feet or meters, above sea level. Usually, these numbers represent the exact elevation of land above sea level for all points along that line.
    • Contour lines never cross or intersect each other.
    • The spacing or gap between the contour lines represents the degree of slope.
    • Contour lines lie perpendicular to streams and rivers.

Some of the salient uses of contours are described below

1. Nature of Ground

2. To Locate Route

3. Intervisibility between Stations

4. To Determine Catchment Area or Drainage Area

5. Storage capacity of a Reservoir

Contouring Question 2:

Select the INCORRECT characteristic of contour lines from the following.

  1. A contour passes through any point perpendicular to the line of the steepest slope at that point. 
  2. Two contour lines of different elevations cannot cross each other except in the case of an overhanging cliff or a cave. 
  3. Contour lines of different elevations can unite to form one line in a vertical cliff.
  4. Contour lines are parallel to the watershed line.
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Contour lines are parallel to the watershed line.

Contouring Question 2 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

True: Contour lines represent the intersection of a plane of a known elevation with the ground surface. Therefore, the contour line would pass through any point perpendicular to the line of the steepest slope at that point.

True: Contour lines represent distinct elevation values. Except in the case of overhanging cliffs or caves, they cannot intersect each other because no point on the ground can have two different elevations.

True: In the case of a vertical cliff, contour lines of different elevations could seem to unite and form a single line in some representations, indicating a sudden change in elevation.

False: Contour lines are not parallel to the watershed lines or ridgelines. Watersheds or ridgelines are traces of the points of the highest local elevations, while contour lines represent lines of constant elevation. The contour line can cross the watershed line but is not parallel to it.

Contouring Question 3:

Identify the contour map shown in the given figure.
F1 Vinanti Engineering 30.06.23 D6

  1. Depression
  2. Valley
  3. Ridge
  4. Saddle
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Saddle

Contouring Question 3 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Saddle Line:

  • A saddle is the lowest area between two highlands (prominences or peaks) which has two wings that span the divide (the line between the two prominences) by crossing the divide at an angle, and, so is concurrently the local highpoint of the land surface which falls off in the lower direction
  • A saddle is a low point between two areas of the higher ground. A saddle is illustrated by contour lines that typically look like an hourglass. Depression: A depression is a low point on the ground. It could be described as simply a hole in the ground that isn't a lake.

 

Contouring Question 4:

Identify whether the following statements (S1 and S2), pertaining to contour map preparation as a part of topographic survey, are true or false.

S1: The contour interval should be directly proportional to the scale to which it is proposed to draw the map.

S2: On a very flat terrain, smaller interval and on a hilly terrain, larger interval is adopted as the contour interval.

  1. S1 is true and S2 is false
  2. S1 is false and S2 is true
  3. Both S1 and S2 are true
  4. Both S1 and S2 are false

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : S1 is false and S2 is true

Contouring Question 4 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Analysis of the Given Statements

Statement 1 (S1): "The contour interval should be directly proportional to the scale to which it is proposed to draw the map."

Analysis:

  • The scale of a map defines the ratio between distances on the map and actual ground distances.

  • Large-scale maps (e.g., 1:10,000) cover smaller areas with high detail, meaning they require small contour intervals to capture finer terrain features.

  • Small-scale maps (e.g., 1:250,000) cover large areas with low detail, so they require larger contour intervals to avoid excessive contour lines.

  • Since S1 states that contour intervals are directly proportional to scale, this is incorrect. In reality, they are inversely proportional.

Conclusion: S1 is false.

Statement 2 (S2): "On a very flat terrain, smaller interval and on a hilly terrain, larger interval is adopted as the contour interval."

Analysis:

  • In flat terrain, the elevation changes are gradual and small. If a large contour interval is used, the map may fail to show minor undulations in the ground. Therefore, a small contour interval is necessary for accurate representation.

  • In hilly or mountainous terrain, elevation changes are steep and frequent. Using a small contour interval would result in too many contour lines, making the map cluttered and unreadable. Thus, a larger contour interval is used to maintain clarity while still showing important topographic features.

  • This practice follows standard topographic mapping guidelines.

Conclusion: S2 is true.

Contouring Question 5:

Study the following statements with respect to characteristics of contour lines, and identify the correct option. 

i. Contours do not pass through permanent structures such as buildings.

 ii. Contours of different elevations cannot cross each other (caves and overhanging cliffs are the exceptions).

 iii. A contour line must close upon itself, though not necessarily within the limits of the map.

  1. ii and iii only
  2. i, ii and iii
  3. i and ii only
  4. i and iii only

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : i, ii and iii

Contouring Question 5 Detailed Solution

Contours:

  • Contours are imaginary lines on the surface of the earth, connecting points of equal elevation. They are used in topographic maps to represent the 3-dimensional terrain on a 2-dimensional surface.

Characteristics of Contour Lines:

  • Permanent Structures: Contour lines do not pass through permanent structures such as buildings. This is because contours represent the natural terrain, and permanent structures are considered obstructions that modify the natural ground.
  • Non-Crossing Contours: Contours of different elevations cannot cross each other. This is because each contour represents a distinct elevation level. However, there are exceptions like caves and overhanging cliffs where contours can appear to cross due to the vertical displacement.
  • Closure of Contour Lines: A contour line must close upon itself, though not necessarily within the limits of the map. This means that contours form continuous loops, and even if they extend beyond the map boundaries, they will eventually close in on themselves.

The correct option is 2 (i, ii, and iii) because all the given statements accurately describe the characteristics of contour lines.

Top Contouring MCQ Objective Questions

Instrument used for measuring area on a contour map is

  1. Areameter
  2. Clinometer
  3. Planimeter
  4. Graphometer

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Planimeter

Contouring Question 6 Detailed Solution

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The different types of area measuring devices are as follows:

1. Clinometer or Inclinometer: It is used to measure angles of slopes either elevation or depression of an object with respect to gravity direction as reference.

2. Planimeter: It is the mechanical device used to measure area of plane. This measurement consists of dragging along boundary region.

3. Graphometer: It is semi-circular surveying instrument used to measure angles.

The suitable contour interval for a map with scale 1: 10,000 is

  1. 2 m
  2. 5 m
  3. 10 m
  4. 20 m

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 2 m

Contouring Question 7 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Contour Interval = 25/(No. of cm per km) (metres)

Also Contour Interval = 50/(No. of inches per mile) (feet)

Calculation:

For the scale of 1: 10000.

1 cm represents 10000 cm

∴ 1 cm represents 10000 × 10-5 km = 0.1 km

∴ 1 cm represents 0.1 km. So 1 km represent 10 cm

∴ Contour interval = 25/10 = 2.5 meters

Hence, the most appropriate answer is option 1.

Which of the following is NOT a method in the interpolation of contours?

  1. Geometric method 
  2. Estimation
  3. Arithmetic method
  4. Graphical method

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Geometric method 

Contouring Question 8 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Indirect Method of Contouring:

  • Indirect methods are quicker, cheaper, and less laborious than the direct method
  • In this method, a series of guide points are selected along with a system of straight lines and their elevations are determined
  • These points are then plotted, and contours are drawn by interpolation

Three methods used for interpolation are as follows:

(i) By Estimation:

This is a rough method and is used on a small-scale map.

(ii) By Arithmetic Calculations

This is a very accurate method but a tedious one. The position of contours points between guide points is located by arithmetic calculations.

(iii) By Graphical Method

This is a rapid and convenient method and gives higher accuracy than the estimation method. It involves a lot of interpolation work.

Important points:

Arithmetical Calculation is considered more accurate than a graphical method, as the graphical method assumes only linear variation between the two guide points.

The geometric method is not used for interpolation of contours.

The horizontal distance between two points on two consecutive contours is known as:

  1. Horizontal equivalent and Contour interval both
  2. Horizontal equivalent
  3. Contour elevation
  4. Contour interval

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Horizontal equivalent

Contouring Question 9 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Horizontal Equivalent: 

(i) The horizontal distance between two points on two consecutive contour lines for a given slope is known as horizontal equivalent.

(ii) For a given contour interval, scale of the map and the nature of terrain decide the horizontal equivalent. As the slope becomes more and more steeper, the horizontal equivalent decreases.

Additional Information

Contour elevation:

(i) It is the line joining points of equal elevation on the surface of the earth.

Contour Interval: 

(i) The difference in elevation between successive contour lines on a given map is fixed. This vertical distance between any two contour lines on a map is called the contour interval.

Which shaped lines indicate the presence of a ridge?

  1. L-shaped
  2. U-shaped
  3. S-shaped
  4. Z-shaped

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : U-shaped

Contouring Question 10 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Different characteristics of contours are as follows:

F1 N.M Deepak 02.10.2019 D1

F1 N.M Deepak 02.10.2019 D2

F1 N.M Deepak 02.10.2019 D4

From the above observation:

Nature of contour lines

Place

Approximately concentric closed with decreasing values towards the centre

Pond

Approximately concentric closed contours with increasing values towards the centre

Hills

V-shaped contours with convexity towards higher ground

Valley

U - shaped contours with convexity towards lower ground

Ridge

Which method of contouring is most suitable for hilly terrains?

  1. Cross section method
  2. Direct method
  3. Square method
  4. Tachometric method

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Tachometric method

Contouring Question 11 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Different methods of contouring are:

Tachometric method of contouring

  • This method is used for angular surveying.
  • This method is best suited for hilly terrains as the number of stations which can be commanded by a tachometer is far more than those by a level and thus the number of instrument settings is considerably reduced.

Direct Method

  • The reduced level of different selected points is located and joined to form a contour.
  • This method is accurate but very tedious and slow.

Square method or grid method

  • In this method, we draw a grid point on the ground and measure the reduce level of all these points.
  • It is generally used in plain terrain.

Cross Section method

  • This method is generally used for hilly terrain to produce contour lines.

Choose the INCORRECT characteristic of a contour from among the following.

  1. A watershed line crosses the contours at right angles.
  2. The direction of steepest slope is along the longest distance between the contours
  3. Two contour lines touch in the case of a vertical cliff.
  4. In the direct method of contouring, the contours are not interpolated

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : The direction of steepest slope is along the longest distance between the contours

Contouring Question 12 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Contour is defined as an imaginary line on the ground surface joining the points of equal elevation.

Contours show distinct characteristic features of the terrain as follows:

  1. Contour lines cross a watershed or ridgeline at right angles
  2. No two contour lines can meet or cross each other except in the rare case of an overhanging or vertical cliff or wall
  3. The direction of the steepest slope is along with the shortest distance between the contours.
  4. In the direct method of contouring, the contours are not interpolated.
  5. Closely spaced contour lines indicate a steep slope.
  6. Widely spaced contour lines indicate a gentle slope.
  7. Equally spaced contour lines indicate a uniform slope.
  8. Closed contour lines with higher elevation towards the center indicate hills.
  9. Closed contour lines with reducing levels towards the center indicate pond or other depression.
  10. Contour lines of ridge show higher elevation within the loop of the contours. Contour lines cross the ridge at right angles.
  11. Contour lines of the valley show reducing elevation within the loop of the contours. Contour lines cross the valley at right angles.
  12. All contour lines must close either within the map boundary or outside.
  13. All points on a contour line are of the same elevation.

Contour lines cross a ridge or valley line at 

  1. 45°
  2. 90°
  3. 180°

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 90°

Contouring Question 13 Detailed Solution

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Contour lines are the lines joining the points of equal elevation on the ground surface.

Characteristics of the contour lines are:

1. Two contour lines of different elevation cannot cross each other.

2. Contour lines of different elevations can unite to form one line only in case of a vertical cliff.

3. Contours lines crosses a valley or ridge line at 90°.

4. Closed contours show either hill or pond.

Which one of the following scales is used to plot contour map?

  1. Horizontal scale
  2. Vertical scale
  3. Vernier scale
  4. Oblique scale

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Horizontal scale

Contouring Question 14 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Contour Map:

  • From a contour map, the nature of the ground surface of an area can be known. So for identifying a suitable site for a dam or reservoir and for marking the tentative alignment of engineering projects involving roads, railways, etc. a contour map is essential.
  • The horizontal scale is used to plot a contour map.

Contouring:

  • Contours are the most accurate method of representing relief features.
  • Contouring is the act of using contour lines when representing the relief of an area on the map.
  • Contour lines are the lines drawn on the map connecting all points on the earth’s surface with equal elevations above a fixed datum line (usually the mean sea level).
    • They are numbered in either feet or meters, above sea level. Usually, these numbers represent the exact elevation of land above sea level for all points along that line.
    • Contour lines never cross or intersect each other.
    • The spacing or gap between the contour lines represents the degree of slope.
    • Contour lines lie perpendicular to streams and rivers.

Some of the salient uses of contours are described below

1. Nature of Ground

2. To Locate Route

3. Intervisibility between Stations

4. To Determine Catchment Area or Drainage Area

5. Storage capacity of a Reservoir

While drawing a cross-section of a contour map, the following values were noted from point A to point B on a strip of paper to draw the graph - 500 m, 400 m, 300 m, 200 m, 200 m, 300 m, 400 m, 500 m.

Which cross-section would be drawn by using the above values?

  1. Hill
  2. Steep slope
  3. Depression
  4. Cliff

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Depression

Contouring Question 15 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Depression:

A set of close contours with lower figures inside and higher figures outside indicates depression.

Given data:

The values from point A to point B are 500 m, 400 m, 300 m, 200 m, 200 m, 300 m, 400 m, and 500 m.

F2 Vinanti Engineering 26.12.22 D13

Additional Information

Hill: 

  • A set of close contours with higher figures inside and lower figures outside indicates a hill.

Cliff:

  • Cliffs are the steep rock faces along the sea coast and may be vertical where the contour line coincide with each other, an overhanging cliff where the contour lines intersect each other.
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