Texas Civil Service Exam Map Reading and Spatial Orientation 2

Question 1

On a topographic map, contour lines that are spaced very close together indicate:

Accepted Answer

A steep terrain feature

Answer

Closely spaced contour lines represent steep terrain because elevation changes rapidly over a short horizontal distance.

Question 2

A map legend shows a dashed line symbol. This most likely represents:

Accepted Answer

An unpaved or unimproved road

Answer

Dashed lines on road maps typically indicate unpaved, dirt, or unimproved roads as opposed to solid lines for paved roads.

Question 3

When traveling south, you turn left. What direction are you now heading?

Accepted Answer

East

Answer

Turning left while heading south results in facing east, as east is 90 degrees counterclockwise from south.

Question 4

A map scale reads 1:24,000. If a road measures 3 inches on the map, what is the actual length of the road?

Accepted Answer

72,000 inches (6,000 feet)

Answer

3 inches × 24,000 = 72,000 inches, which equals 6,000 feet or about 1.14 miles.

Question 5

Which quadrant of the compass falls between south and west?

Accepted Answer

Southwest

Answer

Southwest lies between south and west, typically at 225 degrees on a compass bearing.

Texas Civil Service Exam Practice Test