This is the real Level 1 question set — 20 questions, free, no account needed.
Tap a question to check your answer and read the explanation.
1. A spot height on a topographical map refers to
A. the highest mountain in a country
B. a point whose exact height above sea level is indicated by a dot and a number
C. an area covered by rainfall records
D. the total population of a settlement
Explanation: A spot height is a specific point on a map, marked with a dot, next to which a number is written to show its exact elevation above sea level.
2. On a topographical map, a grid reference is used mainly to
A. show the vegetation type of an area
B. indicate the exact location of a point or feature
C. measure the temperature of a region
D. show the population density of a settlement
Explanation: Grid references, formed from the intersection of easting and northing lines, are used to pinpoint the exact position of a feature or place on a map.
3. One important use of map reading skills to a student embarking on a school excursion to Olumo Rock is that it helps to
A. predict the exact population of the town
B. determine distance, direction and location of places to be visited
C. calculate the total rainfall of the area
D. list the historical events of the community
Explanation: Map reading skills allow a person to determine the distance, direction and exact location of places, which is essential for planning journeys such as an excursion.
4. Lines on a map that join places of equal height above sea level are known as
A. isotherms
B. isobars
C. contour lines
D. isohyets
Explanation: Contour lines join points of equal elevation above sea level and are used to show relief features such as hills, valleys and slopes on topographical maps.
5. If a market is located directly to the right of a school when facing North on a map, the market lies to the
A. North of the school
B. West of the school
C. East of the school
D. South of the school
Explanation: When facing North, the direction to the right hand side is East. Therefore, a feature to the right of another when facing North lies to the East of it.
6. On a Nigerian topographical map, a broken (dashed) blue line is most commonly used to represent a
A. tarred road
B. seasonal (intermittent) stream
C. railway line
D. administrative boundary
Explanation: A broken blue line on a topographical map typically represents a seasonal or intermittent stream, which only flows during the rainy season and dries up in the dry season.
7. A map has a contour interval of 20 metres. If a hill is crossed by 5 contour lines from its base to its summit, what is the total vertical interval between the base and the summit?
A. 25 metres
B. 80 metres
C. 100 metres
D. 120 metres
Explanation: The total vertical interval is obtained by multiplying the contour interval by the number of contour lines crossed: 20 m x 5 = 100 m.
8. Orienting a map means
A. folding the map into small pieces for storage
B. turning the map so that its features align with the corresponding features on the ground
C. colouring the map to show different land uses
D. reducing the scale of the map
Explanation: Orienting a map involves turning or positioning it so that the North direction on the map points to the actual North on the ground, making the map features correspond correctly with real features.
9. On a topographical map of a Nigerian village, a church is usually represented by a
A. blue wavy line
B. small cross symbol
C. green shaded area
D. series of dots
Explanation: A small cross is the conventional symbol commonly used on topographical maps to represent a church or place of Christian worship.
10. On many topographical maps, areas of forest or thick vegetation are commonly shown using which colour?
A. Blue
B. Brown
C. Green
D. Red
Explanation: Green is conventionally used on maps to represent vegetation such as forests, while blue represents water bodies and brown represents relief features like contours.
11. Lines of longitude on a map run from
A. the North Pole to the South Pole
B. East to West only
C. the Equator to the Tropics only
D. one ocean to another without meeting
Explanation: Lines of longitude, also called meridians, are imaginary lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole, and they are used to measure distance east or west of the Greenwich Meridian.
12. A contour line on a topographical map joins places that have
A. the same rainfall amount
B. the same height above sea level
C. the same population density
D. the same temperature
Explanation: A contour line is an imaginary line drawn on a map to join points that have the same elevation (height) above sea level, and it is used to show relief.
13. On a standard map, unless otherwise stated, the top of the map usually points towards
A. South
B. East
C. West
D. North
Explanation: By convention, the top of most maps is oriented towards the North, which serves as the reference direction for determining other directions.
14. If the scale of a map is 1:20,000, what actual ground distance in metres is represented by 2 centimetres on the map?
A. 40 metres
B. 200 metres
C. 400 metres
D. 4,000 metres
Explanation: 1 cm on the map = 20,000 cm on the ground = 200 m. Therefore, 2 cm on the map represents 2 x 200 m = 400 m on the ground.
15. The direction that lies exactly between North and East on a compass is called
A. North-West
B. South-East
C. North-East
D. South-West
Explanation: North-East (NE) is the intercardinal direction found exactly between North and East on a compass.
16. On a topographical map, rivers and streams are usually represented using
A. brown dotted lines
B. blue lines
C. green shading
D. black solid squares
Explanation: Blue lines are the conventional colour used to represent rivers, streams and other water bodies on topographical maps, making drainage features easy to identify.
17. On a topographical map, the collection of symbols and their meanings used to interpret the map is called the
A. scale
B. key or legend
C. grid reference
D. contour line
Explanation: The key or legend of a map explains the meaning of the various symbols and signs used to represent features on the map, helping the map reader interpret it correctly.
18. On a map of the Jos Plateau, contour lines that are drawn very close together most likely indicate a
A. flat plain
B. gentle slope
C. steep slope
D. river confluence
Explanation: When contour lines are drawn close together on a map, it means the height changes rapidly over a short distance, indicating a steep slope.
19. A bench mark shown on a topographical map indicates
A. the boundary between two local government areas
B. a permanently fixed point of known and recorded height used as a reference for surveying
C. a market centre where goods are exchanged
D. the direction of prevailing winds
Explanation: A bench mark is a permanent survey point whose exact height above sea level has been accurately measured and recorded, and it serves as a reference for further land surveys.
20. The vertical distance between two successive contour lines on a map is known as the
A. grid interval
B. contour interval
C. scale interval
D. bearing interval
Explanation: The contour interval is the constant vertical distance in height between one contour line and the next on a map, and it is usually stated in the map's marginal information.
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