State Trooper Map Reading and Navigation Questions and Answers

Question 1

On a standard United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1:24,000 scale topographic map, approximately how many feet on the ground does one inch on the map represent?

Accepted Answer

2,000 feet

Answer

5,280 feet (one mile)

Answer

24,000 feet

Answer

1,000 feet

Question 2

A trooper is tasked with setting up a containment perimeter for a suspect last seen near an urban intersection. When using a standard city street map, what is the most critical initial step to ensure all potential vehicle escape routes are identified?

Accepted Answer

Identifying all major intersections, cross-streets, and alleys within the target radius.

Answer

Determining the elevation change within the target radius.

Answer

Locating the nearest fire hydrants for emergency access points.

Answer

Immediately calculating the total square mileage of the area.

Question 3

On a topographic map, what do closely spaced contour lines indicate?

Accepted Answer

A steep slope.

Answer

The presence of a river or stream.

Answer

A flat plain or plateau.

Answer

A man-made structure.

Question 4

A trooper uses a GPS receiver set to the WGS 84 datum to find a specific coordinate. However, the physical topographic map being used for the operation is an older map printed using the NAD 27 datum. If this discrepancy is not accounted for, what is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The plotted GPS coordinate will be inaccurate on the map, potentially by a significant distance.

Answer

The GPS will be unable to acquire a satellite lock.

Answer

The compass will show a reversed magnetic north reading.

Answer

The GPS will automatically convert the datum, causing no issues.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the reason a trooper must account for magnetic declination when navigating with a map and compass?

Accepted Answer

To correct the difference between magnetic north (where the compass points) and true north (the geographic North Pole shown on the map).

Answer

To adjust for the natural drift of the Earth's magnetic poles over time.

Answer

To correct for the influence of large metal objects, like a vehicle, on the compass.

Answer

To align the compass with the local time zone for accurate sun-based navigation.

Question 6

A State Trooper is part of a search and rescue team in a large, rural state park. The command post provides coordinates in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system. What is the primary advantage of using UTM for this type of ground-level operation?

Accepted Answer

It provides a consistent grid system based on meters, which simplifies distance measurement and area calculation.

Answer

It uses degrees, minutes, and seconds, which are more intuitive for air support units.

Answer

It is the only system that accounts for magnetic declination automatically.

Answer

It is universally compatible with all civilian GPS devices without any special settings.