Fundamental Concepts MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Fundamental Concepts - Download Free PDF

Last updated on Jul 8, 2025

Latest Fundamental Concepts MCQ Objective Questions

Fundamental Concepts Question 1:

Match list I with list II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list

List I List II
a. Topographical survey 1. To obtain data for carrying out any of the projects.
b. Geodetic survey 2. To show the boundaries of fields, buildings, etc.
c. Engineering survey 3. To furnish the data for size and shape of the earth.
d. Cadastral survey 4. To show natural features of the country such as rivers, hills, lakes, roads, bridges, etc.

  1. a-1, b-2, c-3, d-4
  2. a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3
  3. a-1, b-3, c-4, d-2
  4. a-4, b-3, c-1, d-2

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : a-4, b-3, c-1, d-2

Fundamental Concepts Question 1 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Topographical Survey

  • This survey aims to represent the natural and man-made features of a region, such as rivers, hills, roads, lakes, and bridges.

  • It records elevations and contours, allowing creation of maps that reflect the terrain accurately.

  • Used in mapping, land development, route planning, and environmental studies.

  • Tools include total stations, theodolites, GPS, and drones for aerial photogrammetry.

Geodetic Survey

  • Conducted over large areas, this survey accounts for the earth’s curvature and is used for establishing global and national control points.

  • It helps in determining the precise shape and size of the Earth, using triangulation and satellite data.

  • Utilized in creating reference frameworks for all other types of surveys.

  • Instruments include GNSS receivers, satellite imagery, and high-precision theodolites.

 Additional InformationEngineering Survey

  • Performed to collect data necessary for planning, designing, and executing engineering projects like highways, railways, dams, and canals.

  • It involves reconnaissance, preliminary, and detailed surveys depending on project stage.

  • Provides information on horizontal and vertical alignment, ground profiles, and structures.

  • Key tools: levels, total stations, GPS, and surveying software like AutoCAD Civil 3D.

Cadastral Survey

  • This survey deals with property boundaries, land ownership, and legal documentation for land registration and taxation.

  • Produces maps showing individual plots, field boundaries, buildings, and other fixed features.

  • Essential for resolving property disputes, creating land records, and issuing land titles.

  • Techniques involve chain surveying, plane table, and now digital cadastral mapping using GIS.

Fundamental Concepts Question 2:

The principle of "working from whole to part" is used in surveying because

  1. Plotting and mapping becomes easy
  2. Survey work can be completed quickly
  3. Accumulation of errors is prevented
  4. Lower manpower requirement

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Accumulation of errors is prevented

Fundamental Concepts Question 2 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

  • The principle of "working from whole to part" is followed in surveying to ensure that errors do not accumulate as the survey progresses.
  • By first establishing a precise control framework (the "whole"), and then working within that framework for smaller details (the "parts"), the overall accuracy of the survey is maintained and localized errors do not affect the entire survey.

 Additional Information

Principle of "Working from Whole to Part":

  • This principle involves first establishing a network of highly accurate control points over the entire survey area. These points serve as a reference framework.

  • Once the main framework is established, detailed measurements (such as small features, internal details, and secondary points) are conducted within these control points.

  • The method ensures that any small errors in detailed work remain localized and do not affect the entire survey. This prevents the accumulation of errors over large distances or areas.

  • It also allows for efficient quality control because the accuracy of local measurements can always be checked against the already established high-precision framework.

Fundamental Concepts Question 3:

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT about a total station?

  1. Height of collimation error exists when the optical axis of the theodolite is not exactly perpendicular to the telescope axis. 
  2. Circle graduation error can be eliminated by photo-etching the graduations onto a glass circle. 
  3. Horizontal collimation error and height of standards error can magnify each other
  4. Horizontal collimation error is eliminated after checking the height of standards. 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Horizontal collimation error is eliminated after checking the height of standards. 

Fundamental Concepts Question 3 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

 Total Station

  • A total station is an advanced surveying instrument that combines the functions of an electronic theodolite, electronic distance measurement (EDM), and microprocessor with a data collector.

  • It is used for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, distances, and elevations, and for automated data processing.

  • Accurate use requires attention to instrument errors, setup procedures, and calibration.

Horizontal Collimation Error

  • This occurs when the optical line of sight is not exactly perpendicular to the vertical axis of the instrument.

  • It causes errors in horizontal angle measurement.

  • The error cannot be corrected by adjusting the height of the standards (tripod/platform).

  • Correction is done through face left/face right observations or instrument calibration.

Height of Collimation Error

  • Also known as vertical collimation error, it is caused when the line of sight is not perpendicular to the horizontal axis (trunnion axis).

  • It affects vertical angle readings, especially in steep sighting situations.

 Additional Information Circle Graduation Error

  • Refers to inaccuracies in the angular graduation markings on the horizontal and vertical circles.

  • In modern instruments, photo-etching on glass discs ensures precise, error-free graduations.

  • This method eliminates manual marking errors and improves long-term accuracy.

Combined Error Effects

  • Horizontal collimation error and height of standards error can interact, leading to magnified total angular error if not individually corrected.

  • These errors are independent, but if both are present, their combined effect can cause significant deviations in observations.

Fundamental Concepts Question 4:

What instrument is primarily used for setting out a right-angle layout on site?

  1. Theodolite
  2. Total station
  3. Cross staff
  4. Dumpy level 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Cross staff

Fundamental Concepts Question 4 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Instrument used for setting out right angles:

  1. Cross staff.
  • Open
  • French
  • Adjustable
  1. Optical square
  2. Prism square
  3. Auto level

Cross staff:

  • The cross staff or open cross staff is a simple instrument used for setting out offsets to chain line from a given point.
  • It is also ued setting out right angle at given point of chain line.
  • The accuracy of french cross staff is less than the open cross staff.
  • The french cross staff has the advantages that the line can also be set out at angle of 45, 90 and 135.

Optical square:

  • Based on double reflection.
  • Small pocket instrument, slightly larger than watch.
  • It is used for setting out right angles.
  • More convenient and more accurate than a cross staff.

​Prism square:

  • It is based on optical principle.
  • It have two reflecting surfaces H and I fixed at 45.
  • It also used for setting out right angles.

Fundamental Concepts Question 5:

The basic principle of surveying, 'working from whole part', is best represented by which of the following options?

  1. One can finish the traverse survey quickly.
  2. If an accurate basic control is established first, large errors can be prevented and minor ones controlled and localised. 
  3. Easiness in surveying. 
  4. It helps to continue the work during the second day of surveying. 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : If an accurate basic control is established first, large errors can be prevented and minor ones controlled and localised. 

Fundamental Concepts Question 5 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

  1. Working from whole to part in surveying refers to starting with a larger, more accurate reference framework or control (such as main control points or a baseline) and then using that framework to establish smaller, more detailed measurements (like intermediate points or local features).

  2. This principle ensures that any errors made during the detailed measurements can be detected and corrected by referencing the original control points, which prevents large errors from affecting the overall survey accuracy.

 Additional InformationThe principle "working from whole to part" in surveying:

  1. Prevents Accumulation of Errors: By starting with a known reference point or control, the potential for errors is minimized as smaller measurements are always referenced back to the larger, more accurate control framework. This helps prevent small errors from compounding throughout the survey.

  2. Establishing Control Points First: The process involves establishing primary control points (like benchmarks or base stations) with high accuracy. These serve as the foundation for the entire survey project, and subsequent measurements or detailed surveying work is built upon this control.

  3. Improves Survey Accuracy: By verifying and checking measurements against larger control, surveyors can identify discrepancies and make adjustments early in the survey process. This ensures that the final measurements and data are accurate.

  4. Essential in Complex Projects: In large-scale or complex surveying projects (like road construction, building projects, or mapping), this principle becomes even more critical as it ensures the integrity of the entire survey system. For example, in tunnel alignment or bridge construction, establishing the correct control early ensures all subsequent work aligns properly.

  5. Systematic Approach: Working from whole to part provides a structured and systematic approach to surveying, which is essential for maintaining consistency and reducing the chances of measurement errors, especially in large, detailed projects.

Top Fundamental Concepts MCQ Objective Questions

Which one of the following survey is used to define the property line?

  1. City survey
  2. Cadastral survey
  3. Land survey
  4. Topographical survey

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Cadastral survey

Fundamental Concepts Question 6 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Explanation:

Cadastral survey: Cadastral survey are made incident to the fixing of property lines, the calculation of land area, or the transfer of land property from one owner to another. They are also made to fix the boundaries of municipalities and of state and federal jurisdictions.

Topographical survey: This consist of horizontal and vertical location of certain points by linear and angular measurements and is made to determine the natural features of a country such as rivers, streams, lakes, woods, hills etc and such artificial features like roads, railways etc.

City survey: They are made in connection with the construction of streets, water supply systems, sewers and other works.

Topographical, cadastral and city survey are the parts of Land surveying.

Which of the following types of chain consists of 16 links, where each link being 2116 ft long?

  1. Engineer's chain
  2. Revenue chain
  3. Steel band or band chain
  4. Guoter's chain

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Revenue chain

Fundamental Concepts Question 7 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Explanation:

Given Link length = 2116 ft

Chain has 16 Links ⇒ Total Length = 16 × 2116 = 33 ft

Revenue Chain:

The revenue chain is 33 ft long and consists of 16 links. 

Additional InformationThese chains are mainly used for measuring field in cadastral survey.

Types of chain

Length

No. of links

Length of one link

Meter chain

20 m or 30 m

100 or 150

20 cm

Engineering chain

100 ft

100

1 ft

Gunter chain

66 ft

100

0.66 ft

Revenue chain

33 ft

16

2 and 1/16 ft

Calculate the number of division of the main scale that is equal to the 8 divisions of the extended vernier.

  1. 7
  2. 9
  3. 15
  4. 16

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 15

Fundamental Concepts Question 8 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Concept:

Vernier Scale is used to measure the fractional part of the least division marked on the main scale.

Types of Vernier Scale

  • Direct Vernier:
    • N divisions of the direct vernier = (N - 1) division of the main scale
  • Retrograde Vernier:
    • N divisions of the retrograde vernier = (N + 1) division of the main scale
  • Extended Vernier:
    • N divisions of the extended vernier = (2 N - 1) division of the main scale

 

Calculation:

N divisions of the extended vernier = (2 N - 1) division of the main scale

8 divisions of the extended vernier = (2 × 8 - 1) division of the main scale

8 divisions of the extended vernier = 15 division of the main scale

Which of the following options provides the correct sequential stages of engineering surveys to be done for a new highway alignment project? 

  1. Reconnaissance - Map study - Preliminary survey - Final location and Detailed survey
  2. Preliminary survey - Map study - Reconnaissance - Final location and Detailed survey
  3. Map study - Reconnaissance - Preliminary survey - Final location and Detailed survey
  4. Map study - Preliminary survey - Reconnaissance - Final location and Detailed survey

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Map study - Reconnaissance - Preliminary survey - Final location and Detailed survey

Fundamental Concepts Question 9 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Explanation:

Preliminary survey plans showing details of the various alternative alignments and all information collected should be normally drawn to scale of 10 cm = 1 km i.e. 1 cm = 100 m to 25 cm = 1 km.

Detailed cross-sections are generally drawn to the natural scale of 1 cm = 2.0 to 2.5 m. Cross-section should be drawn every 100 m or where there are abrupt changes in level.

Land acquisition plans and schedules are usually prepared from the survey drawings for land acquisition details. These plans show all general details such as buildings, wells, nature of gradients and other details required for assessing the values. The scale adopted maybe 1 cm = 40 m or less.

Detailed design for cross drainage and masonry structure is usually drawn to scale of 1 cm = 1 m. For details of any complicated portion of the structure enlarged scales up to 8 cm = 1 m or up to half full size may be employed. However, the size of the drawing should not exceed the standard size. Cross-sections of streams should be to a scale of not less than 1 cm = 10 m.

The sequence of survey in a project is

i. Topographic survey or map study

ii. Reconnaissance

iii. Preliminary survey

iv. Final location and detailed survey.

In surveying optical square is used to setting out right angles. The horizon glass is placed at an angle of ______ with the horizon sight and index glass is placed at an angle of ______ with the index sight.

  1. 30˚ and 15˚
  2. 60˚and 45˚
  3. 90˚and 75˚
  4. 120˚ and 105˚

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : 120˚ and 105˚

Fundamental Concepts Question 10 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Concept:

An optical square is used for setting out right angles. It consist of a small circular metal box of diameter 5 cm and depth 1.25 cm. It has a metal cover which slides round the box to cover the slits.

Principle of optical square:

According to the principle of reflecting surfaces, the angle between the first incident ray and the last reflected ray is twice the angle between the mirrors. In this case, the angle between the mirrors is fixed at 45˚. So, the angle between the horizon sight and index sight will be 90˚.

Construction of Optical Square:

A horizon glass H is fixed at the bottom of the metal box. The lower half of the glass is unsilvered and the upper half is silvered.

An index glass “I” is also fixed at the bottom of the box which is completely silvered.

The angle between the index glass and horizon glass is maintained at 45˚.

RRB JE 30thAug 2015 10Q Shift3 Nitesh Hindi - Final images nita Q5

The horizon glass is placed at an angle of 120˚ with the horizon sight. The index glass is placed at an angle of 105˚ with the index sight.

A well - conditioned triangle has angles not less than _________ and not more than _________ respectively.

  1. 10°, 90°
  2. 30°, 120°
  3. 90°, 120°
  4. None of these

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 30°, 120°

Fundamental Concepts Question 11 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Explanation:

In chain surveying,

  • triangle is said to be well-conditioned if it can be plotted accurately by the intersection of arcs from the end of baseline.
  • An equilateral triangle is the best well-conditioned triangle or ideal triangle possible.
  • If not possible to have an equilateral triangle, it must ensure that no angle is less than 30º and greater than 120º.

F1 Chandramouli 29-01-21 Savita D1

Note:

Well-conditioned triangles are preferred because their apex points are very sharp and can be located by a single ‘dot’. In such a case, there is no possibility of relative displacement of the plotted point.

Which of the following minor instruments are used for setting out right angles in chain surveying?

1. Cross staff

2. Optical square

3. Prism square

4. Auto level

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 1, 2 and 3

Fundamental Concepts Question 12 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

The various instruments used in surveying and their purpose is given below in the tabulated form:

Survey Instrument

Purpose

Pegs

To mark survey stations and endpoints of survey lines on the ground.

Arrows

To mark the position of the end of the chain or tape on the ground.

Ranging Rods

For locating a number of points on a long survey line.

Offset Rods

To set out offset lines at right angles.

Prism Square

Setting out right angles

Plumb Bob

To indicate whether the line is vertical or not.

Clinometers

To measure the slope of the ground.

Optical Square

To set out right angles

Prismatic Square

Advanced version of Optical square and used to set out right angles

French Cross Staff

Used to set out either 45° or 90°.

Open Cross staff

Type of cross-staff which is also used to set out 900.

Theodolite

For measurement of all  horizontal and vertical angles

Dumpy Level

Measurement of Angles and Elevation

Auto Level

For Levelling purpose.

Classification of the archaeological survey is based on:

  1. Nature of field survey
  2. Shape of the earth
  3. Object
  4. Instrument

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Object

Fundamental Concepts Question 13 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Classification based on

Methods of Surveying /Types of Surveying

Methods Employed

1) Triangulation

2)  Traversing ( Open and Closed)

Instruments Used

1) Chain survey
2)  Compass survey
3)  Plane table survey
4) Theodolite survey
5) Tachometric survey
6)  Photographic and Aerial survey

Object of Survey

1) Reconnaissance survey

2) Preliminary Survey

3) Military survey

4) Mines survey

5) Geological survey

6) Archaeological survey

Nature of Survey Field

1) Topographical survey

2) City survey

3) Cadastral survey

Which of the following quantities are each equal to one acre?

A. 43560 sq ft

B. 40 gunthas

C. 10 sq gunter's chain

D. 4850 sq yds

Choose the correct answer below.

  1. Only A, B and C
  2. Only A, B and D
  3. Only B, C and D
  4. Only A, C and D

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Only A, B and C

Fundamental Concepts Question 14 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Explanation:

1 Gunter's chain = 66 ft

1 acre = 10 × (Gunter's chain)2 

1 acre = 10 × (66 ft)2

1 acre = 43560 ft2

1 acre = 4840 sq. yard

1 sq. yard = 9. sq ft

1 Guntha = (33 ft)2

1 acre = 40 Guntha

1 acre = 40 × (33 ft)2

1 acre = 43560 sq. ft.

A relatively fixed point of known elevation above datum is called ___________.

  1. bench mark
  2. datum point
  3. reduced level
  4. reference point

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : bench mark

Fundamental Concepts Question 15 Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

Explanation:

A relatively fixed point of known elevation above datum is called a benchmark.

Different types of benchmark are as follows:

A G.T.S. (Great Trigonometrical Survey) benchmark is a permanently fixed reference survey station (or point), having known elevation with respect to a standard datum (mean sea level). These are established all over India by Survey of India department with greater precision.

Permanent benchmark is intended to maintain its elevation without change over a long period of time with reference to an adopted datum, and is located where disturbing influences are believed to be negligible.

A temporary benchmark (TBM) is a fixed point with a known elevation used for level control during construction works and surveys. Nails in road seals, or marks on kerb & channel are commonly used as temporary benchmarks.

Arbitrary benchmarks are assumed to be any value or equal to 100 meters generally and then the elevations with respect to assumed benchmark is determined.
Get Free Access Now
Hot Links: teen patti 3a teen patti - 3patti cards game teen patti gold download teen patti baaz