CST CST Legal Descriptions & Boundary Surveys 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of legal description traces the perimeter of a parcel starting from a Point of Beginning?
- Metes and bounds (Correct answer)
- Lot and block
- Government rectangular
- Geodetic description
Correct answer: Metes and bounds
Metes and bounds descriptions trace parcel boundaries using courses and distances starting from a designated Point of Beginning.
Question 2: In the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), a standard township is divided into how many sections?
- 16
- 36 (Correct answer)
- 24
- 48
Correct answer: 36
A standard PLSS township is a 6-mile square subdivided into 36 sections, each nominally one square mile (640 acres).
Question 3: What is the purpose of a retracement survey?
- To subdivide a large parcel into smaller lots
- To re-establish original boundary locations set by a prior survey (Correct answer)
- To create a new legal description for a parcel
- To measure topographic features of a site
Correct answer: To re-establish original boundary locations set by a prior survey
A retracement survey follows the footsteps of the original surveyor to re-establish previously established boundary corners and lines.
Question 4: In the PLSS, sections are numbered starting in which corner of a township?
- Southwest corner
- Southeast corner
- Northwest corner
- Northeast corner (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Northeast corner
PLSS section numbering begins in the northeast corner of the township with Section 1 and proceeds in a boustrophedon (back-and-forth) pattern.
Question 5: What term describes a monument placed by a surveyor at an offset from an inaccessible corner to preserve its position?
- Bench mark
- Witness corner (Correct answer)
- Reference monument
- Control point
Correct answer: Witness corner
A witness corner is set at a measured offset from a true corner when the true corner location is inaccessible or likely to be destroyed.
Question 6: Which document legally conveys ownership of real property from one party to another?
- Plat
- Deed (Correct answer)
- Easement
- Title commitment
Correct answer: Deed
A deed is the legal instrument that transfers ownership of real property and contains the legal description of the parcel being conveyed.
CST CST Legal Descriptions & Boundary Surveys 1
Which type of legal description traces the perimeter of a parcel starting from a Point of Beginning?