1. Question Explanation Latitude = 45o N Longitude = 75o W
This is simply a latitude and longitude question. Remember that when coordinates are given, latitude is given first and longitude is listed second. Also remember that lines of latitude go side-to-side on a map and measure distances north and south of the Equator, while lines of longitude go from pole-to-pole and measure distances east and west of the Prime Meridian (which runs through England.) Use the map of New York State on page 3 in your reference table to determine the answer.
Latitude = 45o N
Longitude = 75o W

2. Question
Explanation
If the altitude is 65o then the latitude is 65o N, and the Prime Meridian is zero degrees longitude.
Altitude = latitude
horizon

3. Question Explanation Latitude = 46o N Longitude= 120o W
Click forward to see explanation.
You can see from the map that both latitude and longitude are changing by 1 degree increments.
Latitude = 46o N
Longitude= 120o W

4. Question Explanation 10,700 ft Each contour line increases by 100 ft
There are three numbers on this topographic map, however only two of them represent the elevation of a contour line. The largest number, 10,788 ft, represents the top of a hill, however it isn’t labeling the elevation of a contour line. By looking at the two contour lines labeled, you can determine that the contour interval (the elevation change between two consecutive lines)is 100 ft. Therefore the highest contour line is 10,700 ft.

5. Question
Explanation
By looking at the 3 labeled contour lines, 20 m, 30 m, and 40 m you must determine that the contour interval for this map is 10 m. Therefore the next drawn contour line would be 50 m. Because there is no 50 m contour line drawn, anything in the shaded area (click forward) is between 41 – 49 m. 49 m is the highest number in this range.

6. Question
Small spacing between contour lines.
Explanation
Because contour lines represent equal changes in elevation, the closer the contour lines are together the steeper the slope is (higher the gradient).

7. Question
100 m
3 km
130 m
The map shows that the contour interval is 10 m, and therefore the change in elevation between X and Y is 30 m.
Using a scrap piece of paper you can mark off the distance between points X and Y. Then bring that scrap paper down to the scale to determine distance.
Gradient = 30 𝑚 3 𝑘𝑚
Explanation
Using the formula on the cover of the reference tables and the map above you need to calculate the gradient. Click forward for further explanation.

8. Question
Explanation
There are two contour lines labeled, the 4,000 m and 4,200 m. Because there is one contour line between these two labeled contour lines, the contour interval must be 100 m.

9. Question
Explanation
A represents an elevation of 4,200 m while D represents an elevation of less than 3,800 m which is the biggest change in elevation.

10. Question Explanation The V points uphill.
Between points A and B the labeled contour lines show flow of creek.
Explanation
There are two ways that you can determine the answer to the question but first you must remember that all streams and rivers flow down hill. Based on the labeled contour lines, you can see between A and B that the elevation is decreasing and therefore determine the direction the creek is flowing. If this map had no labeled contour lines you could still determine the direction the creek is flowing by seeing that contour lines bend uphill when they cross a stream valley (the V points uphill).

11. Gradient = 200 𝑚 5 𝑘𝑚 Question Explanation
Refer to question 22 for full explanation.

12. Question
Explanation
The easiest way to tackle these questions is to determine the elevations at points X and Y. Because X and Y are both on the same contour line (4,000 m) the starting elevation and ending elevation of the profile must be the same.
valley
This eliminates answer 1 and 4 because points X and Y are at different elevations.
The second observation needed to answer this question is that there is a creek between points X and Y and therefore there must be a valley between the two points. This eliminates answer 2 which shows a hill between the two points.

13. Question
Explanation
Because both of these cities are on the same isoline, they received the same amount of ash.

14. Question
Explanation
Refer to question for full explanation for calculating gradient.

15. Question
Explanation
This question is asking you to use the map scale in the bottom right corner to measure the distance between the two points provided in the question. Again I recommend that you use a scrap piece of paper to do this.
500 km

16. Constructed Response Question Explanation
Base your answers to questions 1 through 5 on the topographic map of Cottonwood, Colorado, below.
Question
1. What is the contour interval for this map?
20 meters
Explanation
By looking at the labeled contour lines you can determine that each consecutive contour line changes by 20 m.