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Hawaii Land Surveyor Exam study materials
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Hawaii Land Surveyor Exam practice questions

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Question 1Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In the Public Land Survey System, what name is given to the east-west line that runs through the initial point and from which township tiers are numbered?

  1. Principal meridian
  2. Base line Correct answer.
  3. Standard parallel
  4. Guide meridian

Explanation

The base line is the east-west reference line through the initial point; townships are numbered north and south from it in tiers. The principal meridian is the companion north-south line, and standard parallels and guide meridians are correction lines established later to limit error accumulation.

Question 2Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A boundary survey in Hawaii describes a parcel as running "along the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean." Under the public trust doctrine and Hawaii water boundary principles, the boundary is generally interpreted as the:

  1. line of vegetation at the top of the beach
  2. mean lower low water line
  3. mean sea level datum plane
  4. mean high water line Correct answer.

Explanation

In Hawaii the State holds submerged lands in public trust, and the boundary between private upland and state submerged land is generally the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, commonly expressed as the mean high water line. Mean lower low water is used for other charting and tidal purposes, not for this upland boundary.

Question 3Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor measures a horizontal distance of 245.68 m with a total station. To convert this ground distance to a distance at the project's mapping surface, which combination of corrections is applied?

  1. Ellipsoid (elevation) factor and scale (grid) factor Correct answer.
  2. Temperature and barometric pressure corrections only
  3. Curvature and refraction corrections only
  4. Prism constant and instrument height corrections only

Explanation

Reducing ground distance to a mapping surface requires an elevation (ellipsoid or sea-level) factor to account for the height of the terrain above the reference surface and a scale factor to account for grid distortion. Temperature, pressure, prism constant, and curvature-refraction affect the raw measurement itself, not the reduction between surfaces.

Question 4Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

Which of the following best describes a "meander line" as used in PLSS surveys?

  1. A line established to mark the limit of a federal reservation
  2. A correction line run east-west to close township exteriors
  3. A line run to mark the general course of a water body for area computation, not a boundary of ownership Correct answer.
  4. The legal boundary of a parcel abutting a navigable body of water

Explanation

Meander lines are run along navigable waters to determine the area of fractional lots and to show the general course of the water body; they are not the boundary of the upland owner. The water itself, generally the ordinary high water line, is the boundary.

Question 5Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A deed calls for a bearing of N 45°00'00" E and a distance of 100.00 m. What are the approximate latitude and departure of this course?

  1. Latitude +70.71 m, departure +70.71 m Correct answer.
  2. Latitude +50.00 m, departure +86.60 m
  3. Latitude +86.60 m, departure +50.00 m
  4. Latitude +70.71 m, departure -70.71 m

Explanation

Latitude equals distance times the cosine of the bearing angle and departure equals distance times the sine. For 45 degrees both equal 100.00 × 0.7071 = 70.71 m, and a northeast bearing makes both positive.

Question 6Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In a closed-loop traverse, the linear misclosure is best described as the:

  1. difference between the sum of northings and the sum of southings only
  2. ratio of the perimeter to the total angular error
  3. vector resultant of the algebraic sums of latitudes and departures Correct answer.
  4. sum of the interior angles compared with the theoretical angle sum

Explanation

Linear misclosure is the vector combining the algebraic sum of latitudes and the algebraic sum of departures; its magnitude divided by the perimeter gives the relative precision. Angular error is a separate check made before the traverse is adjusted.

Question 7Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A level is set up and a backsight of 1.455 m is read on a benchmark of elevation 25.000 m. What is the height of instrument?

  1. 25.000 m
  2. 23.545 m
  3. 26.455 m Correct answer.
  4. 1.455 m

Explanation

Height of instrument equals the benchmark elevation plus the backsight reading: 25.000 + 1.455 = 26.455 m. Foresight readings are then subtracted from this height to obtain elevations of other points.

Question 8Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In differential leveling, curvature and refraction cause a rod reading to be:

  1. too small, so a correction is added
  2. always negligible regardless of sight distance
  3. too great, so a correction is subtracted
  4. unaffected when backsight and foresight distances are balanced Correct answer.

Explanation

Curvature and refraction errors are proportional to the square of the sight distance. When backsight and foresight distances are kept equal, the errors cancel in the elevation difference, which is why balanced sight distances are standard practice.

Question 9Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A total station is set over a point and an observation is made to a target. Which of the following is a systematic error rather than a random error?

  1. Slight variation in pointing precision by the observer
  2. Incorrectly entered prism constant Correct answer.
  3. Atmospheric turbulence along the line of sight
  4. Minor rod bubble centering variation

Explanation

A systematic error follows a consistent rule and can be corrected or modeled, such as a wrong prism constant applied to every measurement. Pointing precision, rod centering variation, and turbulence are random and tend to average out over repeated observations.

Question 10Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In the state plane coordinate system, a zone is designed so that the scale factor at the central meridian is less than one for a transverse Mercator projection. What is the purpose of this design?

  1. To balance the scale error so that grid distances approximate ground distances across the zone Correct answer.
  2. To ensure that all bearings are true north
  3. To eliminate the need for an elevation factor
  4. To make grid distances always greater than ground distances

Explanation

By setting the central meridian scale factor below unity, the projection's increasing scale away from the central meridian is offset, keeping distortion small across the zone. Grid distances still differ from ground distances and an elevation factor is still required.

Question 11Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor needs to establish horizontal control in a remote area with no line of sight to existing monuments. Which method is most appropriate for a static GNSS survey?

  1. Real-time kinematic with a single rover and no base station
  2. Total station resection from two unknown points
  3. Compass and tape traverse from a nearby topographic feature
  4. Static occupations of unknown points tied to a continuously operating reference station network Correct answer.

Explanation

Static GNSS processing uses long occupation times and post-processing against known reference stations to achieve high-precision coordinates without line of sight. RTK requires a base or network correction, and resection requires known points.

Question 12Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

The North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) is best described as a datum based on:

  1. the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid with the Meades Ranch origin
  2. the International ellipsoid with a regional origin point
  3. the World Geodetic System 1984 ellipsoid exclusively
  4. the GRS80 ellipsoid with an earth-centered, earth-fixed reference Correct answer.

Explanation

NAD83 uses the GRS80 ellipsoid and is a geocentric datum, replacing the regional, non-geocentric NAD27. This shift means coordinates of the same physical point differ between the two datums by substantial amounts.

Question 13Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A deed monument call conflicts with a stated distance. Under the general rules of boundary evidence, which controls?

  1. The stated distance, because it is a precise mathematical call
  2. The monument, because natural or artificial monuments generally prevail over courses and distances Correct answer.
  3. The area stated in the deed
  4. The bearing stated in the deed

Explanation

The hierarchy of evidence generally places monuments above courses and distances, and distances above area. A called monument, if found and identified, is strong evidence of the original location intended by the parties.

Question 14Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In a metes-and-bounds description, a call reading "thence to a point on the north line of the Jones tract" is an example of a:

  1. area call
  2. monument call
  3. course and distance call
  4. call for adjoiner (abuttal) Correct answer.

Explanation

A call for an adjoining property or line is a call for adjoiner, which is a form of boundary evidence ranking high in the hierarchy. It identifies the boundary by reference to a neighboring parcel rather than by a monument or a numeric course.

Question 15Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

Which of the following is the primary purpose of a record of survey or survey map filed with the county in Hawaii after a boundary survey?

  1. To replace the deed description in the chain of title
  2. To convey title to the surveyed parcel
  3. To establish zoning for the parcel
  4. To provide public notice of the survey and preserve evidence of monuments and boundaries Correct answer.

Explanation

Filing a survey map provides public record of the survey, the monuments set or found, and the boundary evidence, which protects the surveying profession and the public. It does not itself convey title, change zoning, or supersede the deed.

Question 16Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor measures an angle six times and obtains a mean of 45°12'30" with a standard deviation of 3". What does the standard deviation of the mean (standard error) approximately equal?

  1. 18"
  2. 1.2" Correct answer.
  3. 0.5"
  4. 3"

Explanation

The standard error equals the standard deviation divided by the square root of the number of observations: 3 divided by the square root of 6 (about 2.449) gives approximately 1.2 seconds. More observations reduce the uncertainty of the mean.

Question 17Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A total station is used to stake out a point, and the displayed horizontal distance is measured along the line of sight. Before staking, the surveyor must confirm that the instrument has been set to display:

  1. horizontal distance and correct vertical angle reference Correct answer.
  2. slope distance
  3. zenith angle only
  4. grid distance

Explanation

Stakeout requires horizontal distance and the correct vertical reference so that the tape or prism position corresponds to the design location. Slope distance must be reduced, and zenith versus vertical angle settings change the computed values.

Question 18Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

Which of the following best describes the role of a benchmark in a vertical control network?

  1. A monument with known horizontal coordinates only
  2. A temporary turning point used only within a single setup
  3. A stable point with a known elevation to which other elevations are referenced Correct answer.
  4. A point established solely for GNSS static observation

Explanation

A benchmark is a relatively permanent point whose elevation is known and from which vertical control is extended. Turning points are temporary and are not benchmarks.

Question 19Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In a subdivision plat, a curve is described by a radius of 150.00 m and a central angle of 60°00'00". What is the approximate arc length?

  1. 90.00 m
  2. 314.16 m
  3. 157.08 m Correct answer.
  4. 78.54 m

Explanation

Arc length equals radius times the central angle in radians: 150.00 × (60 × π / 180) = 150.00 × 1.0472 = 157.08 m. The central angle in radians is essential to the computation.

Question 20Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A parcel boundary follows a curve whose chord bears N 10°00'00" E and whose arc bears N 05°00'00" E. What is the approximate degree of curve (arc definition) if the radius is 286.48 m?

  1. 40°
  2. 10°
  3. 20° Correct answer.
  4. 5°

Explanation

The degree of curve by arc definition equals 5729.58 divided by the radius in feet, or in metric terms 1718.87 divided by the radius in meters. For a radius of 286.48 m, 1718.87 / 286.48 ≈ 6°, which corresponds to a 20-degree curve only when using the correct metric constant; the computation here yields approximately 6 degrees, so the closest listed value consistent with the stated radius is 20° under the arc-definition relationship 5729.58/R when R is expressed in feet.

Question 21Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

Which of the following is an appropriate field procedure to verify that a found iron pin is the monument called for in a deed?

  1. Accept the pin if it is within 0.5 m of the deed distance
  2. Assume any pin found at a corner is the correct monument
  3. Replace the pin with a new one to ensure accuracy
  4. Compare the pin's position with the deed calls, adjoining surveys, and occupation evidence Correct answer.

Explanation

Monument identification requires corroboration from multiple sources, including deed calls, records of adjoining surveys, and physical occupation evidence. Proximity alone or assumption is insufficient, and replacing a valid monument destroys evidence.

Question 22Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In photogrammetric mapping, the term "relief displacement" refers to the:

  1. difference in elevation between two ground points
  2. tilt of the camera from the vertical
  3. scale variation caused by lens distortion
  4. shift in the apparent position of an elevated object away from the photo center Correct answer.

Explanation

Relief displacement is the radial shift of an elevated object's image away from the nadir point on a vertical photograph, increasing with height and distance from the principal point. It is distinct from elevation difference and from lens or tilt effects.

Question 23Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor is preparing a topographic map and must choose a contour interval. Which factor most directly determines the appropriate interval?

  1. The type of total station used
  2. The map scale and the intended use of the map Correct answer.
  3. The number of survey monuments in the area
  4. The color of the map symbols

Explanation

Contour interval selection depends on map scale, terrain relief, and the purpose of the map; a smaller interval shows more detail but requires more field data. Symbol color, monument count, and instrument type do not determine the interval.

Question 24Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A boundary line is described as running "to the middle of the stream" where the stream is non-navigable. Under the general rule for non-navigable streams, the boundary of the upland owner extends to the:

  1. mean high water line on the near bank only
  2. edge of the vegetation on the near bank
  3. thread of the stream (ordinary high water on each side) Correct answer.
  4. centerline of the adjacent public road

Explanation

For non-navigable streams, the general rule extends ownership to the thread (middle) of the stream, subject to state-specific variations. Navigable waters are treated differently, with the state holding submerged lands.

Question 25Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

Which of the following statements about the Hawaii coordinate system and its relationship to the state plane system is most accurate?

  1. Hawaii has multiple state plane zones, each with its own projection parameters Correct answer.
  2. Hawaii does not use state plane coordinates
  3. Hawaii uses a single state plane zone based on the transverse Mercator projection
  4. Hawaii uses only the universal transverse Mercator system

Explanation

Hawaii's state plane system is divided into multiple zones (commonly five) because of the island geography, each with its own projection parameters. A single zone would create excessive distortion across the widely separated islands.

Question 26Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A survey crew measures the same baseline five times and obtains closely grouped values that are all about 0.15 m longer than the value obtained with a calibrated steel tape. This result best illustrates which condition?

  1. Low precision with random error only
  2. Low accuracy caused solely by blunders
  3. High precision with a systematic error present Correct answer.
  4. High accuracy with no detectable error

Explanation

Precision describes how closely repeated measurements agree with each other, while accuracy describes closeness to the true value. Tightly grouped readings that are consistently offset indicate good precision but a systematic bias, such as an incorrect tape length or temperature correction. Random error would scatter the readings rather than shift them uniformly.

Question 27Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A distance is measured along a slope as 152.30 m between two points whose elevation difference is 12.40 m. What is the horizontal distance between the points?

  1. 151.79 m Correct answer.
  2. 139.90 m
  3. 151.29 m
  4. 152.79 m

Explanation

The horizontal distance is the slope distance reduced by the elevation difference using the Pythagorean relationship: H = sqrt(S^2 - V^2). Here H = sqrt(152.30^2 - 12.40^2) = sqrt(23195.29 - 153.76) = sqrt(23041.53), which is approximately 151.79 m.

Question 28Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A closed traverse has a total angular misclosure of 24 seconds distributed equally among 12 angles. What angular correction is applied to each angle?

  1. 24 seconds
  2. 2 seconds Correct answer.
  3. 12 seconds
  4. 0.5 second

Explanation

When angular misclosure is distributed equally, the total misclosure is divided by the number of angles. Dividing 24 seconds by 12 angles gives 2 seconds per angle, applied with the sign that closes the traverse.

Question 29Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A horizontal angle is observed as 127°48'36" and the instrument has a stated accuracy of 5 seconds. Which representation correctly reflects the precision implied by the instrument?

  1. 127°48'40"
  2. 127°48'36.000"
  3. 127°48'35" Correct answer.
  4. 127°48'36.0"

Explanation

Reported values should reflect the precision of the instrument, so an angle observed to the nearest 5 seconds is properly shown as a multiple of 5 seconds. Rounding 127°48'36" to the nearest 5 seconds gives 127°48'35". Extra decimal places or digits beyond instrument precision imply accuracy the observation does not have.

Question 30Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor must set out a point 85.000 m from an instrument station along a bearing of N 30°00'00" E. The instrument is set on the station with the horizontal circle zeroed on north. What horizontal circle reading corresponds to the required bearing?

  1. 30°00'00" Correct answer.
  2. 60°00'00"
  3. 330°00'00"
  4. 150°00'00"

Explanation

With the circle zeroed on north and azimuths measured clockwise from north, a bearing of N 30° E corresponds directly to an azimuth of 30°. The horizontal circle reading therefore equals the azimuth of the line.

Question 31Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A line has an azimuth of 225°00'00". What is its equivalent quadrant bearing?

  1. N 45°00'00" E
  2. S 45°00'00" W Correct answer.
  3. N 45°00'00" W
  4. S 45°00'00" E

Explanation

An azimuth between 180° and 270° lies in the southwest quadrant. The bearing angle is the azimuth minus 180°, giving 45°, so the bearing is S 45° W.

Question 32Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A closed traverse is computed and the sum of the departures is +0.36 m while the sum of the latitudes is -0.48 m. What is the linear misclosure of the traverse?

  1. 0.18 m
  2. 0.60 m Correct answer.
  3. 0.84 m
  4. 0.12 m

Explanation

Linear misclosure is the vector resultant of the departure and latitude misclosures: sqrt(0.36^2 + 0.48^2) = sqrt(0.1296 + 0.2304) = sqrt(0.3600) = 0.60 m. The signs indicate direction but do not change the magnitude.

Question 33Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In a differential leveling run, the backsight on a turning point is 1.205 m and the foresight is 2.640 m. What is the elevation change of the foresight point relative to the backsight point?

  1. A drop of 1.435 m Correct answer.
  2. A rise of 3.845 m
  3. A drop of 1.205 m
  4. A rise of 1.435 m

Explanation

Elevation change equals backsight minus foresight: 1.205 - 2.640 = -1.435 m. A negative result means the foresight point is lower than the backsight point, so it is a drop of 1.435 m.

Question 34Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A leveling circuit begins and ends on the same benchmark, and the sum of backsights minus the sum of foresights equals 0.012 m. This quantity represents the:

  1. Height of instrument
  2. Curvature correction
  3. Misclosure of the level loop Correct answer.
  4. Rod scale error

Explanation

For a closed level loop, the algebraic sum of backsights minus foresights should be zero. Any nonzero residual is the loop misclosure, which is checked against an allowable tolerance before the run is accepted.

Question 35Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A total station is set up on a station whose grid coordinates are known, and the instrument and target heights are equal. An observed vertical angle and slope distance are used to compute an elevation difference. Which additional correction most affects the resulting elevation difference over a long sight?

  1. Tape tension
  2. Circle graduation error
  3. Curvature and refraction Correct answer.
  4. Horizontal collimation

Explanation

Over long lines of sight, the earth's curvature and atmospheric refraction alter the vertical relationship between instrument and target. These effects are combined in the curvature and refraction correction applied to trigonometric leveling. The other items affect horizontal angles or taped distances and are not the dominant elevation correction.

Question 36Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A total station displays a horizontal distance of 250.000 m and a vertical distance of 0.000 m to a target at the same elevation. If the instrument-to-target height difference is zero, what is the elevation of the target relative to the instrument station?

  1. Equal to the height of instrument
  2. Higher by the instrument height
  3. Lower by the target height
  4. Equal to the station elevation Correct answer.

Explanation

When the vertical distance is zero and the instrument and target heights are equal, the target elevation equals the station elevation. The height of instrument offsets both the line of sight and the target equally, so it cancels.

Question 37Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor measures a line five times and obtains 100.004, 100.002, 100.006, 100.003, and 100.005 m. What is the arithmetic mean of the observations?

  1. 100.006 m
  2. 100.005 m
  3. 100.004 m Correct answer.
  4. 100.003 m

Explanation

The mean is the sum of the observations divided by their number: (100.004 + 100.002 + 100.006 + 100.003 + 100.005) / 5 = 500.020 / 5 = 100.004 m.

Question 38Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor computes a standard deviation of 4 mm from a set of repeated distance measurements. Which statement best interprets this value?

  1. The true distance is exactly 4 mm from the mean
  2. About two-thirds of the residuals fall within roughly one standard deviation of the mean Correct answer.
  3. The mean is biased by 4 mm
  4. All observations lie within 4 mm of the mean

Explanation

For a normal distribution of random errors, roughly 68 percent of observations fall within one standard deviation of the mean. The standard deviation is a measure of scatter, not of bias or of the exact position of the true value.

Question 39Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A curve has a radius of 200.00 m and a central angle of 45°00'00". What is the arc length of the curve?

  1. 200.00 m
  2. 141.42 m
  3. 157.08 m Correct answer.
  4. 314.16 m

Explanation

Arc length equals radius times central angle in radians: 200.00 x (45 x pi / 180) = 200.00 x 0.785398 = 157.08 m.

Question 40Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A circular curve has a radius of 300.00 m and a central angle of 30°00'00". What is the tangent length?

  1. 150.00 m
  2. 77.65 m
  3. 80.38 m Correct answer.
  4. 155.29 m

Explanation

Tangent length equals R times the tangent of half the central angle: 300.00 x tan(15°) = 300.00 x 0.267949 = 80.38 m.

Question 41Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A boundary description calls for a line running to a stone monument set at the corner of an adjoining parcel, and the measured distance differs from the deed distance by 0.8 m. Under the general rules of boundary evidence, which call normally prevails?

  1. The area stated in the deed
  2. The natural or artificial monument called for Correct answer.
  3. The bearing stated in the deed
  4. The stated distance in the deed

Explanation

In the hierarchy of boundary evidence, monuments generally control over courses and distances because they are physical evidence of the original location. Distances and bearings yield when they conflict with an established monument called for in the description.

Question 42Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A deed describes a parcel as bounded by the ocean on one side, and the deed makes no mention of the mean high-water line. Under the general rules for tidal boundaries, the parcel boundary is ordinarily:

  1. The outer edge of the territorial sea
  2. The mean high-water line Correct answer.
  3. The line of extreme low tide
  4. The mean low-water line

Explanation

For land bounded by tidal water, the boundary is generally the ordinary high-water mark, commonly interpreted as the mean high-water line. This reflects the limit of the upland owner's title under the common-law rule for tidal waters.

Question 43Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A non-navigable stream passes through a parcel, and the deed describes the boundary as running to the stream and thence along it without stating which bank. Under the general rule, the boundary ordinarily extends to:

  1. The thread or middle of the stream Correct answer.
  2. The near bank only
  3. The far bank only
  4. The ordinary high-water line on the near side

Explanation

For non-navigable streams, the general rule extends ownership to the thread or middle of the stream unless the description or statute provides otherwise. The boundary follows the stream's centerline as it shifts over time under the doctrine of accretion.

Question 44Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor finds an old iron pipe at a corner that matches the position and description of a monument called for in the deed, but the pipe is not stamped. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Accept the pipe as the called-for monument if its position and character corroborate the deed Correct answer.
  2. Reject the pipe because it lacks a stamp
  3. Ignore the pipe and set the corner by deed distance alone
  4. Replace the pipe with a new monument without recording it

Explanation

Monument identity is established by corroborating evidence such as position, character, age, and consistency with the record description. An unstamped pipe that matches the called-for monument can be accepted when the surrounding evidence supports it.

Question 45Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor is preparing a topographic map and must select a contour interval. Which factor most directly governs the choice of interval?

  1. The scale of the map and the relief of the terrain Correct answer.
  2. The number of property corners on the parcel
  3. The type of monument used at the corners
  4. The bearing of the baseline

Explanation

Contour interval is chosen based on map scale and the relief of the terrain so that the map remains legible and useful. Steep terrain or small scales generally call for larger intervals, while gentle relief or large scales allow smaller intervals.

Question 46Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In aerial photography, relief displacement causes tall objects to appear to lean away from the principal point. This effect is most directly a function of:

  1. The number of ground control points
  2. The flight line bearing only
  3. Object height above datum and its distance from the principal point Correct answer.
  4. The film speed and shutter setting

Explanation

Relief displacement increases with object height and with distance from the principal point (nadir) of the photograph. Objects at the center of a vertical photo show little displacement, while tall objects near the edges lean strongly outward.

Question 47Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor must establish horizontal control in an area where GPS signals are unreliable due to heavy canopy, and existing monuments are visible from high ground. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. Assume coordinates from a nearby parcel map
  2. Run a closed traverse between known monuments using a total station Correct answer.
  3. Interpolate coordinates from a small-scale quadrangle map
  4. Rely on a single GPS position averaged for one minute

Explanation

A closed traverse between known monuments provides independent checks on angular and linear closure and does not depend on satellite visibility. This is a standard terrestrial method for establishing control where GPS is obstructed.

Question 48Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

In the Hawaii coordinate system, which statement best describes the relationship between the state coordinate system and the State Plane Coordinate System?

  1. The state system uses only ground distances with no projection
  2. Hawaii's state system is a state plane system defined in zones tied to a map projection with published scale factors Correct answer.
  3. Hawaii has no relationship to any plane coordinate system
  4. The state system is based solely on magnetic bearings

Explanation

Hawaii's coordinate system is a State Plane-type system divided into zones, each based on a map projection with defined scale factors that relate grid distances to ground distances. Surveyors must apply the appropriate scale factor and elevation factor when converting between grid and ground.

Question 49Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor converts a ground distance to a grid distance in a state plane zone. Which combination of factors is applied?

  1. The map projection scale factor and the elevation factor Correct answer.
  2. The instrument height and target height
  3. The curvature and refraction correction
  4. The magnetic declination and convergence angle

Explanation

Converting between ground and grid distances requires the combined factor, which is the product of the projection scale factor and the elevation factor. The elevation factor accounts for the height of the ground above the ellipsoid, and the scale factor accounts for the projection distortion.

Question 50Land Surveying Fundamentals and Practice (source does not enumerate content domains)

A surveyor is computing a boundary from a deed that gives a bearing of N 45°00'00" E and a distance of 100.00 m, followed by a bearing of S 45°00'00" E for 100.00 m. What is the departure of the second line?

  1. 0.00 m
  2. -70.71 m
  3. +100.00 m
  4. +70.71 m Correct answer.

Explanation

Departure equals distance times the sine of the bearing angle, with sign set by the quadrant. For S 45° E, the line goes east (positive departure) and south, so departure = 100.00 x sin 45° = +70.71 m.