Surveying MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

Here are 1000 MCQs on Surveying (Chapterwise).

1. What is Surveying?
a) Surveying is used to find the elevations of given points with respect to given or assumed datum
b) Surveying shows the relative positions of the objects on the surface of the earth
c) Surveying is to find the elevation of points having the same contour interval
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Surveying is defined as determining the relative positions of points above or beneath the surface of the earth by means of direct or indirect measurements of distance and direction and elevation.

2. Which of the following is the first principle of surveying?
a) Whole to whole
b) Part to part
c) Part to whole
d) Whole to part
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The first principle of surveying is to work from whole to part. Before starting the actual survey measurements, the surveying is to work from around the area to fix the best positions of survey lines and survey stations.

3. Which of the following type of surveying is used for exploring mineral wealth?
a) Military surveying
b) Mine surveying
c) Topographic surveying
d) Engineering surveying
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: For exploring mineral wealth mine surveying is used. Determining points of strategic importance is military surveying.

4. In which of the following type of surveying only linear measurements are made?
a) Dumpy level
b) Theodolite surveying
c) Chain surveying
d) Contouring
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Chain surveying is the type of surveying in which only linear measurements are made in the field. This type of surveying is suitable for surveys of small extent on open take simple details.

5. Which of the following classification in surveying is based on the instrument used?
a) Traverse surveying
b) Cadastral surveying
c) Topographic surveying
d) Hydrographic surveying
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Topographic surveying, Hydrographic surveying, Cadastral surveying classification is based on the nature of field survey. Traverse surveying, chain surveying is classified based on the type of instrument used.
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6. In which of the following areas does compass surveying is not recommended?
a) Large areas
b) Undulating areas
c) Crowded with many details
d) Local attraction suspected areas
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Compass surveying is not recommended for areas where the local attraction is suspected due to the presence of a magnetic substance.

7. In which of the following cases compass surveying is recommended?
a) When area is small, undulating and not details are crowded
b) When area is large, undulating and crowded with many details
c) When area is small, even and crowded with many details
d) When area is large, even and crowded with many details
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Compass surveying is recommended when the area is large, undulating and crowded with many details. It is not recommended for areas where the local attraction is suspected due to the presence of a magnetic substance.

8. Which of the following is not required for chain surveying?
a) Dumpy level
b) Pegs
c) Arrows
d) 20 m chain
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Dumpy level is used in levelling not in chain surveying. 20 m chain, arrows, pegs etc are mandatory for chain surveying.

9. Which of the following is the last step in chain surveying?
a) Fixing
b) Reconnaissance
c) Running survey lines
d) Marking
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: After having completed the preliminary work, the chaining may be started from the base line. The work in running a survey line is twofold, to chain the line and to locate the adjacent details.

10. Which of the following cannot be done with the help of theodolite in surveying?
a) Measuring horizontal distances
b) Prolonging survey lines
c) Laying off horizontal angles
d) Locating points on lines
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Theodolite is the most precise instrument designed for the measurement of horizontal and vertical angles. It has wide applicability in surveying such as laying off horizontal angles, locating points on line, prolonging survey lines, establishing grades etc.

11. Which of the following is an indirect method of surveying?
a) Countouring
b) Chain surveying
c) Tacheometry
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Generally, horizontal distances are measured by direct methods, i.e. laying of chains or tapes on the ground. These methods are not always convenient if the ground is undulating, rough, difficult and inaccessible. Under these circumstances, indirect methods are used to obtain distances. One such method is “Tacheometry”.

12. Which of the following branch of surveying is used to find the elevations of given points with respect to given or assumed datum?
a) Plane table surveying
b) Traversing
c) Contouring
d) Levelling
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Levelling is a branch of surveying is used to find the elevations of given points with respect to given or assumed datum.

13. Which of the following is the principles of surveying?
a) Covering the entire area
b) Working from whole to part
c) Taking measurements
d) Determining the elevation differences
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: By working from whole to part, it is possible to eliminate the errors and to localise the errors. Otherwise, it might expand in magnitude.

14. Which of the following surveying methods is meant to be having high precision?
a) Terrestrial photogrammetry
b) Traverse surveying
c) Aerial photogrammetry
d) Theodolite surveying
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Though terrestrial photogrammetry is having accuracy in the obtained values, aerial photogrammetry is capable of producing precise output when compared to the remaining methods. This accuracy makes it different from the remaining methods and is recommended when high quality works are conducted.
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15. Which of the following doesn’t describe the use of hydrographic surveying?
a) Nautical charts for navigation
b) Establishing mean sea level
c) Laying an Alignment
d) Making underground investigations
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Hydrographic surveying can find its use in making nautical charts for navigation, making underground investigations for construction, establishing mean sea level, determining shore line etc.

16. Which of the following type of ranging is done if both ends of surveying lines are visible?
a) Indirect
b) Reciprocal
c) Unable to do
d) Direct
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Direct ranging is done if both ends of surveying lines are visible. Indirect ranging is done when both ends are not intervisible.

17. Which of the following is not a method of levelling?
a) Spirit levelling
b) Traverse levelling
c) Barometric levelling
d) Trigonometric levelling
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Three principal methods are used for determining a difference in elevation, namely, barometric levelling, trigonometric levelling and spirit levelling. Traversing is that type of surveying in which a number of connected survey lines form the framework.

18. In which of the following type of surveying in the mean surface of the earth is considered as a plane and the spheroidal shape is neglected?
a) Plane Surveying
b) Geodetic Surveying
c) Hydrographic Surveying
d) Topographic Surveying
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The type of surveying in which the mean surface of the earth is considered as a plane and the spheroidal shape is neglected is plane surveying.

19. Which of the following doesn’t involve the method of traversing?
a) Plane Table surveying
b) Tacheometric surveying
c) Chain surveying
d) Theodolite surveying
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Depending on the instruments used in determining the relative directions of the traverse lines. The principal methods adopted are Chain traversing, Compass traversing, Transit tape traversing, Plane-table traversing. Tacheometric surveying involves a lot of instrumental work rather than ground work.
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20. Which of the following is not a method of plane table surveying?
a) Trisection
b) Intersection
c) Resection
d) Radiation
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The methods which are adopted in case of plane table surveying involve radiation, Intersection, resection and traversing, which are used based on the type of output required.

21. While taking Observations for the height and distances, which of the following method of surveying is used?
a) Plane surveying
b) Geodic surveying
c) Chain surveying
d) Compass surveying
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Geodic surveying is used because it is assumed that the distances between the points observed are not large so that either the effect of curvature and refraction may be neglected or proper corrections may be applied linearly.

22. Which of the following type of surveying can be employed in a magnetic area?
a) Compass surveying
b) Traverse surveying
c) Plane table surveying
d) Theodolite surveying
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Other than plane table surveying, remaining methods need a compass for initiating the work in which it is not possible to access compass in a magnetic area. Plane table surveying can be employed there as it can be done without usage of compass.

23. Which of the following survey deals with bodies of water for the purpose of navigation, water supply, harbor works or for the determination of mean sea level?
a) City surveying
b) Cadastral surveying
c) Topographic surveying
d) Hydrographic surveying
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Survey which deals with bodies of water for the purpose of navigation, water supply, harbor works or for the determination of mean sea level is hydrographic surveying.

24. Determining points of strategic importance are called _______
a) Traverse surveying
b) Military surveying
c) City surveying
d) Topographic surveying
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Determining points of strategic importance is military surveying. City surveying is made in connection with the construction of streets, water supply systems and sewers.

25. Which of the following is not a natural error in compass surveying?
a) Local attraction due to the proximity of local attraction forces
b) Pivot being bent
c) Magnetic changes in the atmosphere due to clouds and Strom’s
d) Variation in declination
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Instrumental errors are those which arise due to the faulty adjustment of the instrument e.g pivot being bent, blunt pivot point, etc. Variation in declination, magnetic changes in the atmosphere due to clouds and Strom’s etc also comes under natural errors in compass surveying.

26. Which of the following processes has more accuracy in its output?
a) Plane table surveying
b) Chain surveying
c) Compass surveying
d) Total station
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Plane table surveying is a rough process conducted in order to have an idea of the land and its condition for construction. Due to this, it is not capable of producing accurate output in its recording.

27. Marine surveying is a necessary in case of boat designing.
a) False
b) True
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Marine survey involves certain features which are capable of determining the boat functioning and its capabilities. The main purpose of marine surveying includes the processing of an errorless functioning boat, which can be used while underground surveying.

28. Which of the following will not come under the marine surveying category?
a) Water survey
b) Yacht survey
c) Machinery survey
d) Cargo survey
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Marine surveying involves certain classifications which can be given as yacht survey, machinery survey and cargo survey. All these are under the roof of marine surveying, which done to improve the benefit of the instrument or object used.

29. Which of the following is having the same principle as that of photo-theodolite?
a) Theodolite surveying
b) Plane-table surveying
c) Traverse surveying
d) Compass surveying
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Photo-theodolite involves the direction of same objects in the photograph by which base is measured is known and positions are located with extremities. It is the same as that of plane table surveying which indicates both are having same principle.

30. In which of the following cases the method of deflection distances is used?
a) Land surveys
b) Road survey
c) Town survey
d) Railway planning survey
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The deflection distances method is having at most priority in case of road surveys as the curvature for joining parallel straights is to be done without any error.


Chapterwise Multiple Choice Questions on Surveying

Surveying MCQ - Multiple Choice Questions and Answers

Our 1000+ MCQs focus on all topics of the Surveying subject, covering 100+ topics. This will help you to prepare for exams, contests, online tests, quizzes, viva-voce, interviews, and certifications. You can practice these MCQs chapter by chapter starting from the 1st chapter or you can jump to any chapter of your choice.
  1. Surveying Basics
  2. Chain Surveying & Compass
  3. Compass Traversing & Traverse Surveying
  4. Levelling
  5. Contouring
  6. Theodolite & Theodolite Traversing
  7. Plane Table Surveying
  8. Calculation of Area, Measurement of Volume & Permanent Adjustments of Levels
  9. Area Computation & Tacheometric Surveying
  10. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) in Surveying
  11. Curve Surveying
  12. Triangulation
  13. Survey Adjustments and Theory of Errors
  14. Advanced Surveying in Field Astronomy
  15. Photogrammetric Surveying
  16. Remote Sensing
  17. Geographic Information System (GIS) & Topographic Maps
  18. Global Positioning System (GPS)
  19. Hydrographic Survey
  20. Project Survey

1. MCQ on Surveying Basics

The section contains Surveying multiple choice questions and answers on surveying definitions and classification, linear measurement accessories and methods, chain folding, unfolding, degree of accuracy, magnetic bearing, chaining errors and mistakes, well conditioned triangle, chain survey and plotting equipments, survey station selection, field work procedure and conventional symbols.

  • Surveying Definition
  • Classification of Surveying
  • Methods of Linear Measurement
  • Accessories For Linear Measurement – 1
  • Accessories For Linear Measurement – 2
  • Chain Folding, Unfolding, Adjustment, Degree of Accuracy – 1
  • Chain Folding, Unfolding, Adjustment, Degree of Accuracy – 2
  • Magnetic Bearing
  • Errors and Mistakes in Chaining
  • Well Conditioned Triangle
  • Equipments for Chain Survey
  • Equipments for Plotting
  • Selection of Survey Stations
  • Procedure of Field Work
  • Conventional Symbols
  • 2. Multiple Choice Questions on Chain Surveying & Compass

    The section contains Surveying questions and answers on chain triangulation, chaining obstacles, bearings and angles, magnetic declination, prismatic and surveyor’s compass.

  • Chain Triangulation
  • Obstacles in Chaining
  • Bearings and Angles
  • Prismatic Compass
  • Surveyor’s Compass
  • Magnetic Declination
  • 3. Surveying MCQ on Compass Traversing & Traverse Surveying

    The section contains Surveying MCQs on compass traversing principle and errors, traversing by fast needle method, angles observation method, consecutive coordinates, traverse balancing, accuracy degree in traversing and compass types.

  • Principle of Compass Traversing
  • Errors in Compass Traversing
  • Traversing by Fast Needle Method
  • Traversing by Direct Observation of Angles
  • Consecutive Co-ordinates: Latitude And Departure
  • Degree of Accuracy in Traversing
  • Balancing the Traverse
  • 4. Surveying MCQ on Levelling

    The section contains Surveying multiple choice questions and answers on levelling methods, surveying telescope, spirit levelling theory, balancing backsights, foresights, curvature, refraction, reciprocal levelling, levelling errors, precision degree, stadia method, levelling reduction and types.

  • Methods of Levelling
  • Surveying Telescope
  • Theory of Direct Levelling (Spirit Levelling)
  • Balancing Backsights and Foresights
  • Curvature and Refraction
  • Reciprocal Levelling
  • Errors in Levelling
  • Degree of Precision
  • Types of Levelling
  • Stadia Method
  • Reduction in Levelling
  • 5. Surveying MCQ on Contouring

    The section contains Surveying questions and answers on contouring methods and characteristics, contour maps uses, contours interpolation and gradient.

  • Methods and Characteristics
  • Characteristics of Contours
  • Interpolation of Contours
  • Contour Gradient
  • Uses of Contour Maps
  • 6. Surveying MCQ on Theodolite & Theodolite Traversing

    The section contains Surveying MCQs on transit theodolite, adjustment, measurement, traversing methods and errors, readings reduction, stadia tacheometry, closing error and its limitation, traverse area calculation and trigonometrical levelling.

  • Transit Theodolite
  • Adjustment
  • Measurement
  • Traversing Methods
  • Errors
  • Reduction of Readings
  • Stadia Tacheometry
  • Closing Error and its Limitation
  • Computation of Latitude and Departure
  • Calculation of Traverse Area
  • Trigonometrical Levelling
  • 7. Multiple Choice Questions on Plane Table Surveying

    The section contains Surveying multiple choice questions and answers on accessories, plane tabling methods, graphic triangulation, two and three point problems, plane tabling errors, resection method, errors and precaution.

  • Plane Table Surveying Accessories
  • Methods of Plane Tabling
  • Graphic Triangulation
  • Three Point Problem
  • Two Point Problem
  • Errors in Plane Tabling
  • Resection Method
  • Errors and Precaution
  • 8. Surveying MCQ on Calculation of Area, Measurement of Volume & Permanent Adjustments of Levels

    The section contains Surveying questions and answers on area calculation by planimeter, coordinates and double meridian distances, prismoidal formula and corrections, dumpy levels adjustment, trapezoidal formula and curvature correction.

  • Area by Double Meridian Distances
  • Area by Co-ordinates
  • Area by Planimeter
  • Prismoidal Formula
  • Trapezoidal Formula
  • Prismoidal Correction
  • Curvature Correction
  • Adjustments of Dumpy Level
  • 9. Surveying MCQ on Area Computation & Tacheometric Surveying

    The section contains Surveying MCQs on ordinate rule, simpsons rule, stadia and subtense method principles.

  • Ordinate Rule
  • Simpson’s Rule
  • Principle of Stadia Method
  • Principle of Subtense Method
  • 10. Surveying Multiple Choice Questions on Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)

    The section contains Surveying multiple choice questions and answers on electromagnetic waves, edm instruments, modulation and total station.

  • Electromagnetic Waves
  • Modulation
  • Types of EDM Instruments
  • Total Station
  • 11. Multiple Choice Questions on Curve Surveying

    The section contains Surveying questions and answers on curve designation, simple curves, long chord ordinates, tangent offsets, successive bisection of arcs or chords, rankine’s method, reverse curve elements, ideal transition curve, compound curve elements and settings.

  • Designation of Curve
  • Setting out Simple Curves
  • By Ordinates of the Long Chord
  • By Successive Bisection of Arcs or Chords
  • By Offsets from the Tangent
  • By Deflection Distances
  • Rankine’s Method of Tangential Angles
  • Elements of a Compound Curve
  • Setting out Compound Curve
  • Elements of a Reverse Curve
  • Ideal Transition Curve
  • 12. Surveying MCQ on Triangulation

    The section contains Surveying MCQs on triangulation system classification, reconnaissance, base line measurement, satellite station, signals and towers.

  • Classification of Triangulation System
  • Reconnaissance
  • Signals and Towers
  • Base Line Measurement
  • Satellite Station: Reduction to Centre
  • 13. Surveying MCQ on Survey Adjustments and Theory of Errors

    The section contains Surveying multiple choice questions and answers on accidental errors, least square principles, weight laws, normal equations, correlates method and values determination.

  • Laws of Accidental Errors
  • General Principles of Least Squares
  • Laws of Weights
  • Normal Equations
  • Determination of the Most Probable Values
  • Method of Correlates
  • 14. Advanced Surveying MCQ on Field Astronomy

    The section contains Advanced Surveying questions and answers on celestial body position, astronomical triangle, coordinates relation, time conversions, sextant, astronomical corrections and zenith telescope.

  • Position of a Celestial Body
  • Astronomical Triangle
  • Relation Between the Co-ordinates
  • Conversion of Time
  • Astronomical Corrections
  • Sextant
  • Zenith Telescope
  • 15. Advanced Surveying MCQ on Photogrammetric Surveying

    The section contains Advanced Surveying MCQs on photo theodolite, terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry, aerial camera, vertical and tilted photograph scale, stereoscopic vision, aerial stereoscopic views, tilt distortion or displacement.

  • Photo-Theodolite
  • Terrestrial Photogrammetry
  • Aerial Photogrammetry
  • Aerial Camera
  • Scale of a Vertical Photograph
  • Scale of a Tilted Photograph
  • Tilt Distortion or Tilt Displacement
  • Flight Planning for Aerial Photography
  • Stereoscopic Vision
  • Parallax in Aerial Stereoscopic Views
  • 16. Advanced Surveying MCQ on Remote Sensing

    The section contains Advanced Surveying multiple choice questions and answers on idealized remote sensing system, remote sensing principles, sensors, solar radiation characteristics, em radiation interactions, electromagnetic energy and spectrum.

  • Idealized Remote Sensing System
  • Basic Principles of Remote Sensing
  • Electromagnetic Energy
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Characteristics of Solar Radiation
  • Interaction of EM Radiation with Earth’s Surface
  • Sensors
  • 17. Advanced Surveying MCQ on Geographic Information System (GIS) & Topographic Maps

    The section contains Surveying questions and answers on four m's, gis components and errors, topology, projection systems and cim series.

  • Four M’s
  • Components of a GIS
  • Topology
  • Errors in GIS
  • The Projection Systems
  • CIM Series
  • 18. Advanced Surveying MCQ on Global Positioning System (GPS)

    The section contains Surveying MCQs on operational control segment, position determination principles, user position calculations, satellite determination, gps surveying techniques and accuracy.

  • Operational Control Segment (OCS)
  • Principle of Position Determination
  • Determining Satellite to User Range
  • Calculation of User Position
  • GPS Surveying Techniques
  • GPS Accuracy
  • 19. Surveying MCQ on Hydrographic Survey

    The section contains Surveying multiple choice questions and answers on hydrographic survey basics, marine survey, rain and river gauging.

  • Introduction to Hydrographic Survey
  • Rain Gauging
  • River Gauging
  • Marine Survey
  • 20. MCQ on Project Survey

    The section contains questions and answers on surveys like railway project, road project and flow irrigation surveys, airport survey, topographic survey, city and township survey, tunnelling, water supply and sanitary scheme, docks, harbours and port.

  • Railway Project Survey
  • Road Project Survey
  • Flow Irrigation Survey
  • Water Supply Scheme
  • Sanitary Scheme
  • Docks, Harbours and Port
  • Airport Survey
  • Tunnelling
  • Topographic Survey
  • City and Township Surveying
  • If you would like to learn "Surveying" thoroughly, you should attempt to work on the complete set of 1000+ MCQs - multiple choice questions and answers mentioned above. It will immensely help anyone trying to crack an exam or an interview.

    Wish you the best in your endeavor to learn and master Surveying!

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