HISET Social Studies Practice

Which of the following is a characteristic of a topographical map?

1. It shows political boundaries

2. It includes contour lines to indicate elevation

3. It represents only water bodies

4. It focuses solely on climate conditions

The correct answer is: It includes contour lines to indicate elevation

A topographical map is designed to illustrate the terrain of a specific area, and one of its defining features is the inclusion of contour lines. These lines connect points of equal elevation, enabling users to visualize the shape and height of the land. By interpreting these contour lines, one can determine hills, valleys, slopes, and other landforms. This characteristic makes topographical maps invaluable for outdoor activities like hiking, planning construction, and various forms of land management, as they provide clear insights into the geographic features of the landscape. In contrast, options that reference political boundaries or water bodies describe other types of maps, such as political or hydrographic maps, which focus on human-made divisions or bodies of water. Similarly, a map that focuses solely on climate conditions would be an example of a thematic map, which is designed to convey specific data about climate rather than terrain and elevation. Thus, the presence of contour lines is what distinctly characterizes topographical maps and sets them apart from other types.