300+ REAL TIME Surveying Objective Questions & Answers 2023

250+ TOP MCQs on Railway Project Survey and Answers

Surveying Multiple Choice Questions on “Railway Project Survey”.

1. Which of the following is not a stage of railway line survey procedure?
a) Marine survey
b) Reconnaissance survey
c) Selection of good alignment
d) Preliminary survey
Answer: a
Clarification: Railway line surveying involves various important steps like reconnaissance survey, selection of good alignment, preliminary survey, marking of tentative alignment and finally survey report.

2. Reconnaissance survey is done in case of railway line alignment.
a) False
b) True
Answer: b
Clarification: Reconnaissance survey is a study of entire area which may be a land, road or an air field. The purpose of this is to eliminate the sides which are unfeasible, which is important in case of railway alignment.

3. Which of the following must be considered while laying an alignment?
a) Tectonic plate movements
b) Terrain
c) Line of sight
d) Population
Answer: d
Clarification: Laying of alignment for a railway line involves various considerations like population, bridges, and tunnels, gradient and contour of the area. It also involves a deep study of in and around the area of consideration.

4. Alignment considered must be _________
a) Wide
b) Long
c) Short
d) Broad
Answer: c
Clarification: The determination of alignment will play a major role in determining the railway line. The alignment considered should be as short as possible in order to avoid further complications and also we can extend any further if required.

5. While designing an alignment number of curves should be more.
a) False
b) True
Answer: a
Clarification: The alignment considered for a railway line must be as straight as possible and the number of curves must be minimized. This is so because the provision of curves leads to overturning of the train.

6. Which of the following is used while selecting an alignment for railway line?
a) compass
b) Traversing
c) Theodolite
d) Soil survey
Answer: d
Clarification: The selection of alignment for railway line requires information like water table level, Soil survey, Determination of magnetic bearings, Culverts and gradients. All of these are used and are required in each and every aspect of designing.

7. Which of the following comes under the preliminary survey of the railway line?
a) Establishment of R.L
b) Establishment of bench marks
c) Establishment of station points
d) Establishment of intervals
Answer: b
Clarification: The preliminary survey of the railway line consists of several steps like cross level interval, Magnetic bearing, Route survey map, Establishment of bench marks, bearing capacity of soil and water table level.

8. Which process must be adopted before selecting an alignment?
a) Compass survey
b) Traversing
c) Preliminary survey
d) Theodolite survey
Answer: c
Clarification: The selection of alignment requires certain preprocessing method like preliminary survey, which is done for obtaining the good alignment without any error.

9. The final survey report consist which of the following?
a) Angles
b) Bearings
c) Alignments
d) Revenue of the project
Answer: d
Clarification: Final survey report is done after the selection of final alignment. The report includes the introduction of the project, necessity of the project, justification of the alignment selected, revenue of the project etc.

10. Along with the final report which of the following are to be attached?
a) Culverts
b) Route survey map
c) Instrument details
d) Bearings
Answer: b
Clarification: Besides the final survey report some maps with suitable scale are to be attached. Those include route survey map, longitudinal section of the alignment, map of the station yards and the drawings of culverts buildings etc.

11. While doing final alignment survey, which of the following must be taken into consideration?
a) Level crossing
b) Angles
c) Gradient
d) Bearings
Answer: a
Clarification: The final alignment survey involves certain proceedings like fixing of station yards, level crossing, bridge provision places, tangents of the points of curvature and compensation of properties.

12. While handling railway line project, which factor must be given first priority?
a) Plan of the project
b) Nearby areas
c) Alignments
d) Economic factor
Answer: d
Clarification: During the construction of any project, economic factor must be given first priority since it can decide future of any project. The material selected while construction will determine the economy of the project. In case of railway line project, the length of alignment will determine the cost of construction.

13. Which of the following will be used in case of a reconnaissance survey?
a) STAAD Pro
b) Revit
c) Aerial photographs
d) GIS
Answer: c
Clarification: Reconnaissance survey involves studying of the area whether it may be road or air field the output of this survey will determine the feasibility of the land. The usage of existing maps and aerial photographs can act as an added advantage.

14. The alignment selected can be certified as good if __________
a) Less number of vertical curves are present
b) More number of vertical curves are present
c) Less number of gradient curves are present
d) More number of horizontal curves are present
Answer: a
Clarification: The certification of the good alignment can be done on the basis of certain factors like economic factor, earth excavation factor, presence of less number of vertical curves and the location of station yards.

250+ TOP MCQs on Introduction – Conventional Symbols and Answers

Tricky Surveying Questions and Answers on “Introduction – Conventional Symbols”.

1. Identity the below symbol.

a) Well
b) Dam
c) Boundary pillar
d) Statue
Answer: a
Clarification: Generally, wells are circular in shape. Hence, ISO standard symbol for well in Topographic surveying is solid circle.

2. Identity the following symbol.

a) Well
b) Dam
c) Boundary pillar
d) Statue
Answer: c
Clarification: Generally, boundary pillars are square in shape. Hence, ISO standard symbol for boundary pillars in Topographic surveying is solid square.

3. Identity the following symbol.

a) Well
b) Earthwork dam
c) Boundary pillar
d) Statue
Answer: b
Clarification: The above symbol is standard conventional sign for earthwork dam. This symbol is used to represent the earthwork dam in topographic map.

4. Identity the following symbol.

a) Well
b) Earthwork dam
c) Boundary pillar
d) Statue
Answer: d
Clarification: The above symbol is standard conventional sign for statue. This symbol is used to represent the statue in topographic map.

5. Identity the following symbol.

a) Temple
b) Church
c) Police station
d) Statue
Answer: a
Clarification: The above symbol is standard conventional sign for temple. This symbol is used to represent the temple in topographic map.

6. Identity the following symbol.

a) Temple
b) Church
c) Police station
d) Statue
Answer: c
Clarification: The above symbol is standard conventional sign for police station. This symbol is used to represent the police station in topographic map.

7. Identity the following symbol.

a) Temple
b) Church
c) Police station
d) Statue
Answer: b
Clarification: The above symbol is standard conventional sign for church. This symbol is used to represent the church in topographic map.

8. Identity the following symbol.

a) Railway track
b) Stone steps
c) Road
d) Ladder
Answer: b
Clarification: The above symbol is standard conventional sign for stone steps. This symbol is used to represent the stone steps in topographic map.

9. Identity the below symbol.

a) Temple
b) Mosque
c) Church
d) Grave
Answer: d
Clarification: The above symbol is standard conventional sign for grave. This symbol is used to represent the grave in topographic map.

10. Identity the below symbol.

a) Boundary pillar
b) Boundary pillars
c) Boundary marker
d) Mosque
Answer: c
Clarification: The above symbol is standard conventional sign for boundary marker. This symbol is used to represent the boundary marker in topographic map.

250+ TOP MCQs on Theory of Direct Levelling(Spirit Levelling) and Answers

Surveying Quiz on “Theory of Direct Levelling(Spirit Levelling)”.

1. A level provides a vertical line of sight, a line tangential to a Level surface at the point where the instrument stands.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: A level provides a horizontal line of sight. A line tangential to a Level surface at the point where the instrument stands.

2. The theory of direct levelling neglects _____
a) curvature of the earth
b) refraction
c) both curvature of earth and refraction
d) radius of the earth
Answer: c
Clarification: Neglecting the curvature of earth and refraction, therefore, the theory of direct levelling is very simple. Radius of the earth doesn’t have any criteria.

3. Which of the following methods of spirit levelling is, levelling the object of which is solely to determine the difference in elevation of two points regardless of the horizontal position of the points with respect to each other?
a) Profile levelling
b) Cross levelling
c) Differential levelling
d) Reciprocal levelling
Answer: c
Clarification: Differential levelling is the method of direct levelling the object of which is solely to determine the difference in elevation of two points regardless of the horizontal position of the points with respect to each other. This type of levelling is also called fly levelling.

4. Fly levelling is another name of _____
a) Profile levelling
b) Cross levelling
c) Differential levelling
d) Reciprocal levelling
Answer: c
Clarification: Differential levelling is the method of direct levelling the object of which is solely to determine the difference in elevation of two points regardless of the horizontal position of the points with respect to each other. This type of levelling is also called fly levelling.

5. Which of the following methods of spirit levelling is, levelling the object of which is solely to determine the elevations of points at measured intervals along a given line?
a) Profile levelling
b) Cross levelling
c) Differential levelling
d) Reciprocal levelling
Answer: a
Clarification: Profile levelling is a direct levelling the object of which is solely to determine the elevations of points at measured intervals along a given line. It is done in order to obtain a profile of the surface along that line.

6. Cross sectioning is the process of taking levels on each side of a main line tangential to that line.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: Cross sectioning is the process of taking levels on each side of the main line at right angles to that line. It is also called cross levelling.

7. Which of the following methods of spirit levelling is, levelling in which the difference in elevation between two points is accurately determined by two sets of reciprocal observations?
a) Profile levelling
b) Cross levelling
c) Differential levelling
d) Reciprocal levelling
Answer: d
Clarification: Reciprocal levelling is the method of levelling in which the difference in elevation between two points is accurately determined by two sets of reciprocal observations. It is done only when it is not possible to set up the level between the two lines.

8. Which of the following methods of spirit levelling is, levelling in which the degree of precision required is too great to be attained by ordinary methods?
a) Profile levelling
b) Precise levelling
c) Differential levelling
d) Reciprocal levelling
Answer: b
Clarification: Precise levelling is the levelling in which the degree of precision required is too great to be attained by ordinary methods. Therefore, special equipment or special precaution or both are necessary to eliminate all sources of errors as far as possible.

9. What is the height of instrument, if elevation of benchmark is 200.852 m, back sight is 2.324 m, fore sight is 1.836 m?
a) 213.176
b) 203.176
c) 211.340
d) 201.340
Answer: b
Clarification: Height of instrument is obtained by adding the elevation of benchmark and back sight. Here, 201.852 + 2.324 = 203.176 m.

10. What is the elevation of a point, if the elevation of a benchmark is 200.852 m, back sight is 2.324 m, foresight is 1.836 m?
a) 213.176
b) 203.176
c) 211.340
d) 201.340
Answer: d
Clarification: Elevation of a point is obtained by subtracting the elevation of benchmark and foresight. Here, 201.852 – 1.836 = 201.340 m.

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250+ TOP MCQs on Theodolite Traversing – Adjustment and Answers

Surveying Multiple Choice Questions on “Theodolite Traversing – Adjustment”.

1. To measure the horizontal angle which of the following is the first step?
a) Releasing all clamps
b) Levelling instrument
c) Turning plates
d) Clamping the plates

Answer: b
Clarification: To measure the horizontal angle, firstly we set up instrument and level it. Secondly, releases all clamps. Turning the upper and lower plates in opposite directions till the zero of the one of the vernier is against the zero of the scale. Next clamp the plates together by upper clamp and lower clamp and bring the two zeros into exact coincidence by turning upper tangent screw. It continues next procedure.

2. After setting up the instrument first thing done by the surveyor is _________
a) releasing all clamps
b) levelling instrument
c) turning plates
d) clamping the plates

Answer: b
Clarification: Firstly, we set up an instrument and level it. Secondly, releases all clamps.

3. The method of repetition is used to measure a horizontal angle to a finer degree of accuracy than that obtained with the least count of the vernier.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Clarification: In this method of repetition, angle is measured two or more times by allowing the vernier to remain clamped each time at the end of each measurement. Instead of setting it back at zero when sighting at previous station.

4. After levelling of an instrument is done what is the next up?
a) Releasing all clamps
b) Loosing the lower clamp
c) Turning plates
d) Clamping the plates

Answer: a
Clarification: To measure the horizontal angle, firstly we set up instrument and level it. Secondly, releases all clamps.

5. To measure a horizontal angle, after releasing all clamps, we turn the upper and lower plates in the same direction.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: After releasing all clamps. Turning the upper and lower plates in opposite directions till the zero of the one of the vernier is against the zero of the scale.

6. If one of the vernier is at 0° then another vernier reading shows / also shows ______
a) 90°
b) 0°
c) 180°
d) 45°

Answer: c
Clarification: Turning the upper and lower plates in opposite directions till the zero of the one of the vernier is against the zero of the scale. Next clamp the plates together by upper clamp and lower clamp and bring the two zeros into exact coincidence by turning upper tangent screw. Now when we take reading on another vernier it should be 180°, if there is no instrument error.

7. To measure a horizontal angle by direct method is also called a repetition method.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: To measure a horizontal angle by direct method is also called the reiteration method. It is suitable for measurements of angles of a group having a common vertex point.

8. For measuring an angle to the highest degree of precision, several sets of repetitions are usually taken.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Clarification: For measuring an angle to the highest degree of precision, several sets of repetitions are usually taken. There are two methods of taking single set.

9. In first method of taking single set, after keeping the telescope normal throughout we measure the angle clockwise by 6 repetitions. We obtain the first value of the angle by dividing the final reading by _______
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 6

Answer: d
Clarification: In first method of taking a single set, after keeping the telescope normal throughout we measure the angle clockwise by 6 repetitions. We obtain the first value of the angle by dividing the final reading by 6.

10. While measuring the set of observations, the transit should be levelled each time for high degree of precision.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: During an entire set of observations, the transit should not be re-levelled. Because it may change the reading and errors in reading occurs.

250+ TOP MCQs on Plane Table – Errors and Precaution and Answers

Surveying Multiple Choice Questions on “Plane Table – Errors and Precaution”.

1. Which of the following acts as an advantage of plane table surveying?
a) Accuracy in output
b) Inconvenient in wet climate
c) Heavy instruments
d) Used in magnetic areas

Answer: d
Clarification: Plane table finds its usage in the case of magnetic areas. When remaining methods are considered, it may involve the usage of compass, which doesn’t work in magnetic areas. This is its major advantage over the remaining methods.

2. Plane table surveying requires great skill.
a) False
b) True

Answer: a
Clarification: Plane table surveying involves very basic level principles, which doesn’t need any in depth knowledge. It can be done in one setting if basics are strong enough.

3. Which of the following operation can be done clearly in case of plane table surveying?
a) Area computation
b) Sighting
c) Contouring
d) Traversing

Answer: c
Clarification: Plane table surveying involves in determining traverse of the area by which the area of the land can be determined. Contouring can also be done with the help of plane tabling, which provides a clear and step by step procedure.

4. It is difficult for reproducing the traverse in different scale.
a) False
b) True

Answer: b
Clarification: Since the measurements which are obtained while doing the work aren’t recorded, it is a very difficult state to reproduce the same map if required in different scale.

5. Which of the following can be a disadvantage to plane table surveying?
a) Heavy instruments
b) Convenient in wet climate
c) No Accuracy in output
d) Not used in magnetic areas

Answer: a
Clarification: Plane table involves in the usage of more amount of instruments, which makes it uncomfortable while working in wet climatic conditions like rainy season.

6. Possibility of error in plane table surveying is ____________
a) Negligible
b) Zero
c) More
d) Less

Answer: d
Clarification: Error occurrence is a bit controllable in case of plane table surveying. But the usage of compass increases the errors in the output obtained.

7. Let the instrument station be V and there is a displacement of 50 cm in its placement in the direction of ray. What is the true position if the scale is 1cm = 700 meters?
a) 0.017 cm
b) 0.107 cm
c) 0.071 cm
d) 0.170 cm

Answer: c
Clarification: The true position due to displacement can be considered as
a*aꞌ = e*s meters. The value of s can be given as s = 1/700 and e = 50 cm. On substitution, we get
a*aꞌ = 50/700 = 0.071 cm.

8. Which of the following is an error occurred due to sighting?
a) Instrumental errors
b) Defective orientation
c) Personal errors
d) Natural errors

Answer: b
Clarification: Sighting is a process that involves in the determination of the station points. Error in sighting occurs due to manipulation, it involves non-horizontality of board, defective orientation, defective sighting, centering.

9. Which of the following makes plane table not suitable in many cases?
a) More errors produced
b) Less errors produced
c) Zero errors
d) Negligible errors

Answer: a
Clarification: Plane table surveying, though having more methods involved, is not considered as the preferable method because it may produce more amounts of errors when compared to other methods. But it is adopted when the speed of the method is considered.

10. Which of the following is more in case of plane table surveying?
a) Mistakes
b) Corrections
c) Advantages
d) Disadvantages

Answer: c
Clarification: Plane table surveying involves more advantages like recording and plotting at a time, clear contouring, cheaper than theodolite etc. even though more advantages were there but it is generally not considered because it involves more instruments which makes it quite uncomfortable.

250+ TOP MCQs on EDM – Total Station and Answers Quiz

Surveying Multiple Choice Questions on “EDM – Total Station”.

1. In total station, data is stored in ___________
a) Pen drive
b) Data card
c) Micro processor
d) External hardware

Answer: c
Clarification: Micro processor provided in the instrument helps in saving the data and helps in transferring it to the system, by which it can be viewed in different software.

2. Compensator can make complete adjustments in total station.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: The use of compensator can be found in case of finding vertical angles, where the instrument has to be perfectly levelled. But the compensator isn’t sufficient to provide perfect levelling. Manual operation is also involved in obtaining perfect level.

3. Vertical angle is measured in the total station as Zenith angle.
a) False
b) True

Answer: b
Clarification: The vertical angle is usually measured as a zenith angle which indicates 0° vertically up, 90° at horizontal, and 180° vertically down. The zenith angle is generally easier to work.

4. Which of the following indicates the formula for converting slope distance to horizontal distance?
a) S = H (sin z)
b) H = S* S (sin z)
c) H*H = S (sin z)
d) H = S (sin z)

Answer: d
Clarification: The slope distance obtained can be used for calculating horizontal distance from the formula, H = S (sin z) where, H= horizontal distance, S = slope distance.

5. When total station is sighted to the target, which of the operation acts first?
a) Rotation of optical axis
b) Rotation of vertical axis
c) Rotation of horizontal axis
d) Rotation of line of collimation

Answer: a
Clarification: At the time of sighting the instrument towards the target, first step involves the rotation of the instrument’s optical axis from the instrument north in horizontal plane.

6. Which of the following indicates the correct set of the combination of total station?
a) Theodolite, compass
b) Theodolite, EDM
c) Electronic theodolite, EDM
d) EDM, GPS

Answer: c
Clarification: A total station is a combination of an electronic theodolite and an Electronic Distance Measurement. This combination makes it possible to determine the coordinates of a reflector by aligning the instruments cross-hairs on the reflector and simultaneously measuring the vertical, horizontal angles and slope distances.

7. Which among the following doesn’t indicate the basic calculation of the total station?
a) Horizontal distance
b) Slope distance
c) Vertical distance
d) Co-ordinate calculations

Answer: b
Clarification: The basic calculations of total stations include horizontal distance, vertical distance, co-ordinate distance in which, slope distance is used in horizontal distance calculations. It is obtained directly from the total station equipment.

8. The formula for difference in elevation can be given as__________
a) D = V + (I-R)
b) D = V + (I+R)
c) D = V – (I-R)
d) D = V * (I-R)

Answer: a
Clarification: The difference in elevation can be given as D = V + (I-R) where, V= vertical difference between two points, I =instrument height, R = height of centre of reflector.

9. In which direction it is best to place the total station for obtaining the best output?
a) East
b) West
c) South
d) North

Answer: d
Clarification: The best procedure while using a Total Station is to set a convenient “north” and carry this through the survey by using back sight process when the instrument is moved.

10. The data obtained from total station can be used in which among the following software directly?
a) Primavera
b) STAAD PRO
c) Autodesk Revit
d) Surfer

Answer: d
Clarification: The data obtained from the total station can be indirectly used in STAAD Pro, Autodesk Revit, Primavera but it can be directly used in software’s like Arc GIS, Surfer, Auto CAD etc., as they are linked with it.

11. Calculation the elevation difference if the vertical distance is 14.89m, instrument height is 9.2m, ground is at 2.8m.
a) 21.29 m
b) 12.29 m
c) 21.92 m
d) 41.29 m

Answer: a
Clarification: The elevation difference in total station can be calculated as
dz = V_d + (I_h-R_h). On substitution, we get
dz = 14.89 + (9.2-2.8)
dz = 21.29 m.

12. Find the vertical distance if the value of slope distance can be given as 12.98 and the angle is 1˚23ꞌ.
a) 21.97m
b) 12.97m
c) 12.79m
d) 21.79m

Answer: b
Clarification: The vertical distance can be calculated by using the formula,
V_d = S_d*cosZ_a = 12.98*cos (1˚23ꞌ) V_d = 12.97m.

13. Find the elevation of ground beneath the reflector, if the known elevation of instrument is 12.76m, slope distance = 3.76m, angle is about 3˚43ꞌ, instrument height = 2.93m, ground is at 0.987 m.
a) 18.54m
b) 81.54m
c) 18.45m
d) 18.97m

Answer: c
Clarification: The elevation of ground beneath the reflector can be given as
R_z = I_z + S_d * cosZ_a + I_h – R_h. On substitution, we get
R_z = 12.76 + (3.76*cos (3˚43ꞌ)) + 2.93 – 0.987
R_z = 18.45 m.