Map Reading and Navigation Flashcards
7 cards from real NFST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Map Reading and Navigation flashcards as text
On a topographic map, what do closely spaced contour lines indicate?
Answer: A steep slope or cliff
Closely spaced contour lines indicate a steep slope because the elevation changes rapidly over a short horizontal distance.
Which direction does a map's north arrow typically point on a standard U.S. topographic map?
Answer: True (geographic) north
Standard U.S. topographic maps are oriented to true (geographic) north, though declination diagrams may also show magnetic and grid north.
What is the term for the difference in angle between true north and magnetic north?
Answer: Declination
Declination is the angular difference between true north and magnetic north, which varies by location and changes over time.
A map scale of 1:24,000 means that one inch on the map equals how many feet on the ground?
Answer: 2,000 feet
At 1:24,000 scale, one inch equals 24,000 inches on the ground, which equals 2,000 feet.
What map symbol typically represents a primary highway on a U.S. road map?
Answer: A thick red or orange line
Primary highways are commonly shown as thick red or orange lines on U.S. road maps to distinguish them from secondary and local roads.
When reading a map, what does a blue solid line most commonly represent?
Answer: A perennial stream or river
On topographic and standard maps, solid blue lines represent perennial streams or rivers that flow year-round.
On a standard orienteering compass, the compass needle's red end points to which type of north?
Answer: Magnetic north
The red end of a compass needle is attracted to Earth's magnetic field and therefore always points to magnetic north.