LSIT Surveying Principles and Practices 5

Question 1

In the Public Land Survey System, how many acres are in a standard section?

Accepted Answer

640 acres

Answer

A standard PLSS section is 1 mile × 1 mile = 640 acres; a township contains 36 such sections.

Question 2

What is the purpose of 'double centering' (double-direct) when turning angles with a total station?

Accepted Answer

To eliminate or detect errors caused by non-perpendicularity of the horizontal and vertical axes

Answer

Double centering turns the angle in both direct and reversed telescope positions; averaging the two readings eliminates systematic errors due to instrument axis misalignment.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a 'deed of trust' in the context of land records research?

Accepted Answer

A security instrument using real property as collateral for a loan

Answer

A deed of trust is a security instrument in which a borrower conveys title to a trustee to hold as collateral for a lender until the loan is repaid.

Question 4

A surveyor must establish a point on a hillside using three-wire leveling. What is the primary advantage of this technique over single-wire leveling?

Accepted Answer

It provides a check on each rod reading and improves precision by averaging three stadia readings

Answer

Three-wire leveling reads the upper, middle, and lower crosshairs; the mean of the three readings reduces random errors, and the half-interval check detects blunders.

Question 5

What does 'excess of sections' in the PLSS refer to?

Accepted Answer

The assignment of fractional lots larger than quarter-sections along the north and west township boundaries

Answer

Excess (or deficiency) from closing errors in a township is placed in the fractional lots along the north and west boundaries of the township, following GLO instructions.

(LSIT) Land Surveyor in Training Practice Test

(LSIT) Land Surveyor in Training Practice Test

LSIT Surveying Principles and Practices 5