Free Surveying MCQs with Answers
77 Surveying MCQs from Civil Engineering, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Surveying covers measurement of distances, angles and elevations, traversing, levelling, contouring, plane table work, theodolites, total stations and basic photogrammetry. It includes error adjustment, coordinate calculations, area and volume determination, and the distinction between accuracy and precision, as well as between temporary and permanent adjustments.
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77 questions · page 3 of 4
- A. Optical square
- B. Planimeter
- C. Plumb bob
- D. Clinometer
Explanation: An optical square uses reflecting surfaces to establish a line at 90 degrees to the survey line.
Correct answer: Optical square- A. 68°
- B. 76°
- C. 72°
- D. 80°
Explanation: Using the usual convention, true bearing equals magnetic bearing plus east declination. Therefore, 72° + 4° gives a true bearing of 76°.
Correct answer: 76°- A. The sum of all backsights
- B. The sum of all foresights
- C. The sum of rises minus the sum of falls
- D. The sum of rises plus the sum of falls
Explanation: The change in reduced level equals total rises minus total falls. This provides the arithmetic basis for checking a levelling calculation…
Correct answer: The sum of rises minus the sum of falls- A. 160.00 m²
- B. 166.67 m²
- C. 176.67 m²
- D. 186.67 m²
Explanation: The area is (10/3)[2 + 3 + 4(4 + 5) + 2(6)] = 176.67 m². Simpson's one third rule requires an even number of equal intervals, which is…
Correct answer: 176.67 m²- A. A personal blunder
- B. A random error
- C. A systematic error
- D. A compensating error
Explanation: A wrong entry caused by carelessness or misreading is a personal blunder.
Correct answer: A personal blunder- A. Using reciprocal ranging only
- B. Measuring a suitable auxiliary line around the obstacle
- C. Taking a magnetic bearing of the obstacle
- D. Replacing the chain with a levelling staff
Explanation: An auxiliary line can be measured around the obstacle, with offsets or constructed triangles used to determine the required distance.
Correct answer: Measuring a suitable auxiliary line around the obstacle- A. 100 m
- B. 500 m
- C. 1 km
- D. 10 km
Explanation: At a scale of 1:50,000, 1 cm represents 50,000 cm, or 500 m. Therefore, 2 cm represents 1,000 m, which is 1 km.
Correct answer: 1 km- A. Increase the focal length of the camera
- B. Convert a vertical photograph into an oblique photograph
- C. Remove the need for ground control points
- D. Provide two views for three dimensional measurement
Explanation: Overlapping photographs provide two slightly different views of the same ground area, allowing stereoscopic vision and measurement of…
Correct answer: Provide two views for three dimensional measurement- A. Transfer the line of collimation safely
- B. Measure the horizontal angle between lines
- C. Determine the magnetic bearing of a line
- D. Mark the midpoint of a survey line
Explanation: A change point is a firm point on which a foresight is taken before shifting the instrument and a backsight is then taken.
Correct answer: Transfer the line of collimation safely50. Which type of benchmark is established temporarily for use during a particular surveying project?
- A. Permanent benchmark
- B. Temporary benchmark
- C. Arbitrary benchmark
- D. Geodetic benchmark
Explanation: A temporary benchmark is fixed at a convenient, stable point for the duration of a survey or construction project.
Correct answer: Temporary benchmark- A. Higher than the instrument line
- B. At the benchmark elevation
- C. Lower than the instrument line
- D. Closer to the instrument station
Explanation: With the same height of instrument, reduced level equals height of instrument minus the staff reading.
Correct answer: Lower than the instrument line- A. Weights based only on bearings
- B. Weights proportional to side lengths
- C. Weights proportional to coordinates
- D. Equal weights
Explanation: When all angular observations are considered equally reliable, the total angular misclosure is divided equally among them.
Correct answer: Equal weights- A. It does not normally provide a complete closure check
- B. It starts and ends at the same station
- C. It always provides an angular check
- D. It must contain exactly three survey lines
Explanation: An open traverse does not close on a known station or another known control point, so its angular and linear closure checks are generally…
Correct answer: It does not normally provide a complete closure check- A. Vertical axis
- B. Line of collimation
- C. Horizontal axis
- D. Axis of bubble tube
Explanation: The line of collimation, also called the line of sight, passes through the optical centre of the objective and the intersection of the…
Correct answer: Line of collimation- A. Incorrect chain length
- B. Magnetic declination
- C. Instrument imperfections
- D. Unequal contour intervals
Explanation: Observing on both faces reverses or changes the effect of several instrumental errors, so averaging the results reduces their influence.
Correct answer: Instrument imperfections- A. 1 m
- B. 5 m
- C. 10 m
- D. 100 m
Explanation: Contour interval is the constant vertical difference in elevation between consecutive contour lines.
Correct answer: 10 m- A. Systematic distance error
- B. Random angular error
- C. Gross plotting error
- D. Levelling misclosure
Explanation: A wrong prism constant introduces a consistent additive error into electronic distance measurements.
Correct answer: Systematic distance error- A. Closer to the principal point
- B. Farther from the principal point
- C. At the exact flying height
- D. Located on level terrain only
Explanation: Relief displacement is radial from the principal point and increases with both the point's elevation relative to the datum and its radial…
Correct answer: Farther from the principal point- A. Measuring the angle between two lines
- B. Determining the elevation of a station
- C. Locating intermediate points on a straight survey line
- D. Calculating the area of a survey plot
Explanation: Ranging means establishing intermediate points so that they lie on the straight line joining two end stations.
Correct answer: Locating intermediate points on a straight survey line- A. The two end stations are separated by dense vegetation
- B. The ground has steep undulations
- C. The survey line crosses a building
- D. The two end stations are mutually visible
Explanation: Direct ranging is used when the end stations can see each other. If the stations are not intervisible, indirect or reciprocal ranging is…
Correct answer: The two end stations are mutually visible