Question 1

Which one of the following statements is NOT true about Contours ?

Accepted Answer

Two or more contour lines do not merge with each other.

Question 2

Imaginary lines joining places having the same elevation above mean sea level are called -

Accepted Answer

Contours

Question 3

Which one of the following statement is True about Topographical Maps?

Accepted Answer

They are drawn at relatively large scales by Survey of India

Question 4

Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
- (i) What are topographical maps?
- (ii) Name the organisation which prepares the topographical maps of India.
- (iii) Which are the commonly used scales for mapping our country used by the Survey of India?
- (iv) What are contours?
- (v) What does the spacing of contours indicate?
- (vi) What are conventional signs?

Accepted Answer

1(i) Topographical maps are detailed and accurate graphic representations of features that appear on the Earth's surface. They show natural and man-made features including relief.

1(ii) The Survey of India is the organisation responsible for preparing topographical maps of India.

1(iii) The commonly used scales by the Survey of India for mapping are 1:50,000 and 1:25,000.

1(iv) Contours are imaginary lines joining places of equal elevation above mean sea level on a map.

1(v) The spacing of contours indicates the slope of the land; closely spaced contours represent steep slopes, while widely spaced contours indicate gentle slopes.

1(vi) Conventional signs are symbols used on maps to represent various features like roads, rivers, boundaries, etc., in a simplified and standardised manner. — Each sub-question asks for a specific concept related to topographical maps. Answers are concise definitions or explanations based on standard geographical knowledge and Survey of India practices.

Question 5

Write short notes on—
- (i) Contours
- (ii) ‘Marginal Information’ in Topographical sheets
- (iii) The Survey of India

Accepted Answer

2(i) Contours: Contours are lines drawn on a map joining points of equal elevation. They help in understanding the relief and slope of the terrain.

2(ii) ‘Marginal Information’ in Topographical sheets: This includes details printed in the margins of the map such as the sheet number, scale, legend, date of survey, and other relevant data that help in map interpretation.

2(iii) The Survey of India: It is the national survey and mapping organisation of India responsible for producing topographical maps and geospatial data for the country. — Each note requires a brief explanation of the term or organisation, focusing on their significance and role in topographical mapping.

Question 6

Explain what is meant by ‘map interpretation’ and what procedure is followed for its interpretation.

Accepted Answer

Map interpretation is the process of examining and analysing the features shown on a map to understand the landscape, terrain, and human activities. It involves reading symbols, contours, and marginal information to derive meaningful information.

Procedure for map interpretation:
1. Study the marginal information to understand the scale, legend, and map sheet details.
2. Observe the conventional signs and symbols to identify natural and cultural features.
3. Analyse contour lines to understand relief and slope.
4. Correlate features to interpret land use, drainage, vegetation, and human settlements.
5. Draw conclusions about the physical and cultural characteristics of the area depicted. — The answer explains the concept of map interpretation and outlines a stepwise approach to interpret a topographical map effectively.

Question 7

If you are interpreting the cultural features from a topographical sheet, what information would you like to seek and how would you derive this information? Discuss with the help of suitable examples.

Accepted Answer

When interpreting cultural features from a topographical sheet, one seeks information about human-made features such as settlements, roads, railways, bridges, places of worship, and land use.

To derive this information:
- Identify conventional signs and symbols representing villages, towns, roads (metalled and unmetalled), railways, and other infrastructure.
- Observe the pattern and distribution of settlements to understand population density and urbanisation.
- Analyse connectivity through roads and railways to assess transportation networks.
- Look for special symbols indicating places of worship, schools, or industrial areas.

Example: A cluster of village symbols connected by metalled roads indicates a developed rural area with good connectivity. Presence of railway lines and stations suggests industrial or commercial importance. — The answer explains the types of cultural features visible on topographical maps and the method to identify and interpret them using conventional signs and examples.

Question 8

Draw the conventional signs and symbols for the following features—

(i) International Boundary
(ii) Bench Mark
(iii) Villages
(iv) Metalled Road
(v) Footpath with bridges
(vi) Places of Worship
(vii) Railwayline

Accepted Answer

The conventional signs and symbols are as follows:

(i) International Boundary: A thick continuous line with alternating short dashes and dots.

(ii) Bench Mark: A triangle or a small cross with the letters 'BM' indicating a fixed elevation point.

(iii) Villages: Small circles or clusters of dots representing houses.

(iv) Metalled Road: A solid double line or a thick continuous line.

(v) Footpath with bridges: A dashed line indicating footpath with small bridge symbols at crossing points.

(vi) Places of Worship: Various symbols such as a cross for churches, a crescent for mosques, or a small temple symbol.

(vii) Railwayline: Parallel lines with cross ties or a single line with perpendicular ticks representing railway tracks. — These symbols are standard conventional signs used in topographical maps to represent various features. Drawing them helps in better understanding and map reading.

Question 9

Name the geographical feature formed by contours.

Accepted Answer

The geographical feature formed by contours depends on the shape and arrangement of the contour lines. For example, concentric closed contours indicate hills or depressions. If the contours form a 'V' shape pointing uphill, it indicates a valley; if pointing downhill, a ridge. — Contours represent elevation on a map. Closed contours with increasing elevation towards the center indicate hills, while closed contours with decreasing elevation indicate depressions. The shape and spacing of contours help identify features like valleys, ridges, and slopes.

Question 10

Find out the contour interval in the map.

Accepted Answer

The contour interval is the vertical distance or difference in elevation between two successive contour lines. To find it, subtract the elevation of one contour line from the next adjacent contour line. For example, if one contour line is at 100 m and the next at 120 m, the contour interval is 20 m. — Contour interval = Elevation of higher contour - Elevation of lower contour. It is constant throughout the map and helps in understanding the relief.

Question 11

Find out the map distance between E and F and convert it into ground distance.

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Measure the distance between points E and F on the map using a ruler. Suppose it measures 5 cm.
Step 2: Note the map scale, for example, 1:50,000 (1 cm on map = 50,000 cm or 500 m on ground).
Step 3: Calculate ground distance = map distance × scale factor = 5 cm × 50,000 = 250,000 cm = 2.5 km. — Ground distance = Map distance × Scale factor.
Use the scale provided on the map to convert the measured map distance to actual ground distance.

Question 12

Name the type of slope between A and B; C and D and E and F.

Accepted Answer

The type of slope is determined by the spacing of contour lines:
- Between A and B: If contours are close, slope is steep; if far apart, gentle.
- Between C and D: Similarly, analyze contour spacing.
- Between E and F: Analyze contour spacing.
Hence, identify steep, gentle, or uniform slopes based on contour spacing between these points. — Contour lines close together indicate steep slopes; widely spaced contours indicate gentle slopes. By examining the contour pattern between the given points, the slope type can be named.

Question 13

Find out the direction of E, D and F from G.

Accepted Answer

To find the direction of points E, D, and F from G, use the compass directions (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) based on their relative positions on the map:
- Direction of E from G: For example, if E lies to the northeast of G, direction is NE.
- Direction of D from G: Determine similarly.
- Direction of F from G: Determine similarly.
Use a protractor or compass rose on the map to measure the angle and find the direction. — Directions are found by drawing a line from G to each point and measuring the angle with respect to the north. The compass rose on the map helps identify the exact direction.

Question 14

Convert 1:50,000 into a statement of scale.

Accepted Answer

A scale of 1:50,000 means that 1 unit on the map represents 50,000 units on the ground. For example, 1 cm on the map equals 50,000 cm (or 500 meters) on the ground. — The scale 1:50,000 is a representative fraction (RF) scale. To convert it into a statement of scale, we interpret it as '1 cm on the map represents 50,000 cm on the ground'. Since 100 cm = 1 m, 50,000 cm = 500 m. Therefore, 1 cm on the map corresponds to 500 meters on the ground.

Question 15

Name the major settlements of the area.

Accepted Answer

The major settlements in the area shown on the topographical sheet 63K/12 are Mirzapur and Varanasi. — By examining the topographical map extract, the prominent named settlements visible are Mirzapur and Varanasi, which are major towns in the region.

Topographical Maps

Topographical Maps — Study Notes

Topographical Maps

Glossary

Methods of Relief Representation

Practice Questions — Topographical Maps

All 6 Chapters in Pratical Work in Geography