NFST Map Reading and Navigation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In navigation, what does the abbreviation 'UTM' stand for?
- Universal Terrain Measurement
- Uniform Topographic Mapping
- Universal Transverse Mercator (Correct answer)
- United States Terrain Model
Correct answer: Universal Transverse Mercator
UTM stands for Universal Transverse Mercator, a widely used coordinate system that divides the Earth into 60 zones for precise location referencing.
Question 2: Which U.S. Interstate highway designation convention indicates an even-numbered route?
- A north-south route
- An east-west route (Correct answer)
- A beltway around a city
- A spur route into a city center
Correct answer: An east-west route
In the U.S. Interstate Highway System, even-numbered Interstates run east-west, while odd-numbered Interstates run north-south.
Question 3: What does a benchmark (BM) symbol on a USGS topographic map indicate?
- A recommended camping spot
- A point of known elevation verified by survey (Correct answer)
- The highest point in the mapped area
- A historic landmark or monument
Correct answer: A point of known elevation verified by survey
A benchmark is a surveyed point of precisely known elevation, marked on the ground with a brass disk and shown on maps with its elevation value.
Question 4: When a map shows a road ending with a small circle or dot at its terminus, this typically indicates what?
- A traffic circle or roundabout
- A dead end or cul-de-sac (Correct answer)
- A toll booth location
- The road continues off the map edge
Correct answer: A dead end or cul-de-sac
A small circle or dot at the end of a road symbol on a map usually indicates a dead end or cul-de-sac where the road does not continue.
Question 5: What is 'triangulation' as used in traditional navigation and surveying?
- Drawing a triangle on the map to plan a route
- Determining a location using angle measurements from known reference points (Correct answer)
- Measuring the slope of a hill using three contour lines
- Dividing a large map into three equal sections
Correct answer: Determining a location using angle measurements from known reference points
Triangulation is a technique for determining an unknown position by measuring angles to it from two or more known reference points and calculating where the lines intersect.
Question 6: On a U.S. road map, what does a shield-shaped symbol with a number inside typically represent?
- A state or national park
- A designated highway route number (Correct answer)
- A county seat or major city
- A historical marker location
Correct answer: A designated highway route number
Shield-shaped symbols on road maps indicate designated highway route numbers, with the shape of the shield varying by highway type (Interstate, U.S. Route, State Route).
Question 7: If a map shows a brown shaded area labeled 'desert,' what is this type of map feature called?
- A contour interval
- A choropleth
- A land cover or land use classification (Correct answer)
- A relief shading
Correct answer: A land cover or land use classification
Colored or shaded areas on maps that indicate surface characteristics like desert, forest, or wetland represent land cover or land use classifications.
NFST Map Reading and Navigation 5
In navigation, what does the abbreviation 'UTM' stand for?