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Surveying — Questions and Answers

Surveying is the first practical subject a civil engineer uses on site, and objective papers test it heavily because the answers are unambiguous. Chain surveying, levelling, theodolite work and the modern total station each have standard instruments, standard errors and standard corrections that recur across SSC JE, RRB JE and state AE papers.

8 solved questionsCivil EngineeringFree · no signup

Surveying— Concepts, Formulas & Shortcuts

  • Surveying determines the relative positions of points on, above or below the earth's surface.
  • Plane surveying ignores earth curvature (areas under ~250 km²); geodetic surveying accounts for it.
  • Levelling finds relative elevations; the level and staff are its basic instruments.
  • A theodolite measures horizontal and vertical angles; a total station combines it with electronic distance measurement.
  • Chain surveying suits small, flat, open areas; triangulation suits large areas.
  • Bearings: whole circle bearing runs 0°–360°; the back bearing differs from the fore bearing by exactly 180°.

Surveying Practice Questions with Answers

Attempt each question first, then open the explanation. All 8 questions below are free to read and require no signup.

  1. Q1.The primary objective of surveying is to determine:

    Easy
    • ASoil strength
    • BRelative positions of points
    • CMaterial cost
    • DWater quality
    +Show Answer & Explanation

    Answer: B. Relative positions of points

    Explanation: Surveying establishes the relative horizontal and vertical positions of points on the earth's surface.

    Surveying question 1 of 8

  2. Q2.Which instrument is used to measure horizontal and vertical angles?

    Easy
    • ALevel
    • BTheodolite
    • CChain
    • DPlanimeter
    +Show Answer & Explanation

    Answer: B. Theodolite

    Explanation: A theodolite measures both horizontal and vertical angles precisely; a level measures only elevation differences.

    Surveying question 2 of 8

  3. Q3.Plane surveying is generally applicable for areas up to about:

    Moderate
    • A25 km²
    • B100 km²
    • C250 km²
    • D1000 km²
    +Show Answer & Explanation

    Answer: C. 250 km²

    Explanation: Beyond roughly 250 km², the earth's curvature introduces unacceptable error and geodetic surveying is required.

    Surveying question 3 of 8

  4. Q4.The back bearing of a line differs from its fore bearing by:

    Easy
    • A90°
    • B180°
    • C270°
    • D360°
    +Show Answer & Explanation

    Answer: B. 180°

    Explanation: Back bearing = fore bearing ± 180°, the sign chosen to keep the result within 0°–360°.

    Surveying question 4 of 8

  5. Q5.Which survey method is most suitable for a small, flat and open area?

    Moderate
    • ATriangulation
    • BChain surveying
    • CTraverse surveying
    • DPhotogrammetry
    +Show Answer & Explanation

    Answer: B. Chain surveying

    Explanation: Chain surveying requires only linear measurements and works well on small, level, obstacle-free ground.

    Surveying question 5 of 8

  6. Q6.A total station combines a theodolite with:

    Easy
    • AA levelling staff
    • BAn electronic distance measuring device
    • CA plane table
    • DA compass only
    +Show Answer & Explanation

    Answer: B. An electronic distance measuring device

    Explanation: It integrates angle measurement, electronic distance measurement and data storage in one instrument.

    Surveying question 6 of 8

  7. Q7.The process of determining the relative elevations of points is called:

    Easy
    • ATraversing
    • BLevelling
    • CRanging
    • DChaining
    +Show Answer & Explanation

    Answer: B. Levelling

    Explanation: Levelling establishes height differences using a level and a graduated staff.

    Surveying question 7 of 8

  8. Q8.Contour lines on a map that are closely spaced indicate:

    Moderate
    • AFlat ground
    • BA steep slope
    • CA water body
    • DA road
    +Show Answer & Explanation

    Answer: B. A steep slope

    Explanation: Closely spaced contours mean elevation changes rapidly over a short horizontal distance — a steep slope.

    Surveying question 8 of 8

Surveying — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between plane and geodetic surveying?+

Plane surveying treats the earth's surface as flat, which is acceptable for areas up to roughly 250 km². Geodetic surveying accounts for the curvature of the earth and is used for large national survey networks.

What is a total station?+

An electronic instrument that combines a theodolite for angle measurement with an electronic distance meter and an onboard processor, recording coordinates directly and reducing manual booking errors.

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