Basic Civil Engineering Questions and Answers – Chain Surveying

This set of Basic Civil Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Chain
Surveying”.

1. An offset is a _________ distance of an object measured from survey line.

a) Lateral

b) Horizontal

c) Normal

d) Inclined

View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: Offsets are taken perpendicular to the survey lines. They are used to mark objects and the
lateral distance to them, using an offset rod.

2. Which of the below is not an instrument used to set right angles?

a) Cross staff

b) Site square

c) Optical staff

d) Prism square

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: There is no instrument like optical staff. Optical square is an instrument which consists of
circular box with three slits. Cross staff is a frame of box mounted on a pole. Prism square is an
advanced version of optical square. Site square consists of two telescopes set at 90os.

3. How many types of chains are used in chain surveying?

a) 4
b) 5

c) 6

d) 8

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: There can be 5 types of chains used for chain surveying. They are metric chain, Gunter’s
chain, engineer’s chain, revenue chain and steel band or band chain.

4. Gunter’s chain consists of _________ links.

a) 500

b) 50

c) 1000

d) 100

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: Gunter’s chain is also called surveyor’s chain and is 66ft long. It consists of 100 links, each
being 0.6 ft. Eighty Gunter’s chain corresponds to 1 mile.

5. The process of location of intermediate points on a survey line is:

a) Aligning

b) Extending

c) Ranging

d) Offsetting

View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Ranging is used to locate intermediate points. They are marked using ranging rods. It is
done when survey line is very long and marks are required to distinguish the line.

6. The biggest of the survey line is called:

a) First line

b) Base line

c) Tie line

d) Main survey line

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: The line joining main survey station is called the main survey line. The biggest of the main
survey line is the base line, and other features are plotted with respect to this line.

7. Chain surveying uses the principle of:

a) Traversing

b) Chaining

c) Ranging

d) Triangulation

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: Chain surveying is suitable for survey of small areas. The area is divided into well-
conditioned triangles and triangulation is the principle used.

8. In how many ways can ranging be carried out?

a) 2

b) 3

c) 4

d) 5
View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: Ranging is of 2 types – direct and indirect. Direct ranging is done using a line ranger or
naked eye. Indirect ranging is done when starting and ending points are not visible.

9. The book in which chain measurements are entered is called:

a) Field book

b) Record book

c) Study book

d) Chain book

View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: Field book is used to enter all the measurements done while surveying. It is an oblong book
of size 20x12cm and opens length wise.

10. How many types of cross staff are available?

a) 2

b) 5

c) 3

d) 4

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: The three types are open cross staff, French cross staff and adjustable cross staff. Open
cross staff has two vertical, opposite slits. French cross staff consists of a hollow octagonal box.
Adjustable cross staff consists of two cylinders of equal diameter, one placed on top of the other.

11. Survey stations may be marked on the ground using a:

b) Rod

c) Pointer

d) Peg

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: Peg is a wooden block with a pointed edge to drive it into the ground. They are generally
2.5-3 cm2 and 15cm long, with tapered end.

Basic Civil Engineering Questions and Answers – Basic Surveying Terms

This set of Basic Civil Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Basic
Surveying Terms”.

1. How many types of bench mark are there?

a) 3

b) 2

c) 5

d) 4

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: Bench mark is an object bearing a marked point whose elevation above or below a datum is
known. The 2 types are temporary and permanent bench mark.

2. The difference between magnetic north and geographic north is:

a) Dip

b) Strike

c) Declination
d) Bearing

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: Declination is determined using the compass. The error is calculated and the necessary
addition or deduction is carried out.

3. In triangulation method, the whole area is divided into:

a) Scale triangles

b) Triangles

c) Obtuse triangles

d) Well-conditioned triangles

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: Well-conditioned triangles are those triangles with angle less than or equal to 60o. The plot
is divided into such triangles, as it is the easiest figure that can be plotted and analysed.

4. A stone that marks boundary is called:

a) Merestone

b) Milestone

c) Metestone

d) Linestone

View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: If a stone is used to mark a boundary, it is called Merestone. If a tree is on the property
line, it is called a Line tree.

5. Which of the below is not a classification of surveying?

b) Basement

c) Astronomical

d) Land

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: Based on place of survey, the classification includes land, marine and astronomical
categories. Basement refers to underground, no survey is performed there.

6. EDM stands for:

a) Errorless Distance Measurement

b) Electronic Direct Measurement

c) Electronic Distance Measurement

d) Errorless Direct Measurement

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: To locate points, measure angles, distance and perform other surveying operations, an
EDM can be used. It gives all the details with a click of button. Total station is an example of EDM.

7. Plane and geodetic surveying are classification of surveying based on:

a) Methodology

b) Earth’s curvature

c) Object of survey

d) Instrument

View Answer
Answer: b

Explanation: Based on Earth’s curvature to be considered or not while surveying, plane and geodetic
surveying are there. Earth’s curvature is considered in geodetic and not considered in plane surveying.

8. _________ errors are small unavoidable fluctuation.

a) Random

b) Gross

c) Systematic

d) Mistake

View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: Those errors which are made while performing survey are called gross errors. These can
accumulate and finally lead to re-doing the whole procedure. Systematic error follows a consistent
pattern.

9. Plan is a small-scale representation of a large area.

a) True

b) False

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: Map is a small-scale representation of a large area. Plan is a large-scale representation of a

10. Which of the below is not a means of linear surveying methods?

a) Theodolite

b) EDM

c) Tape

d) Chain
View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: Theodolite is an instrument used to measure angular readings. It is used in angular

11. The term Gore is used to indicate:

a) Rectangular land

b) Perimeter of a land

c) Thin triangular land

d) A measure of distance

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: Gore is a thin triangular piece of land. Metes and bounds are used to describe perimeter of
parcel of land. Mete is a measurement of distance.

12. An acre is equal to 107,639 square feet.

a) True

b) False

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: An acre is equal to 43,560 square feet. A hectare is equal to 2.471 acres or 107,639 square
feet.

Leveling:

This set of Basic Civil Engineering Questions and Answers for Entrance exams focuses on “Equipments
Used in Levelling”.
1. How many chief types of levels are used in levelling?

a) 6

b) 3

c) 4

d) 2

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: There are 4 chief types of levels used. They are Dumpy level, Wye Level, Reversible level
and Tilting level.

2. A levelling staff is used to establish:

a) Horizontal line of sight

b) Vertical line of sight

c) Location of points

d) Distance of points

View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: A levelling staff is straight rectangular rod, with graduations, zero starting from foot of staff.
It is placed at the required point and horizontal line of sight from a level is made.

3. Dumpy level was originally designed by:

a) Fennel

b) Heerbrugg

c) Stanley

d) Gravatt

View Answer
Answer: d

Explanation: Gravatt designed the Dumpy level; which consists of a telescope secured in two collars
fixed by adjusting screws.

4. How many categories of levelling staff are there?

a) 4

b) 2

c) 3

d) 5

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: There are 2 categories – self reading staff and target staff. Self-reading staff can be directly
read from the instrument through telescope. Target staff consists of moving target against which
reading is to be taken.

5. Which of the below is used to make line of sight horizontally in a level?

a) Foot screws

b) Levelling head

c) Telescope

d) Tangent screws

View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: There is a tube and bubble is enclosed in it. Using 3 foot screws, the bubble is centralised.
Once it is stable, the level is said to have maintained a horizontal line of sight.

6. A digital level reads a:

a) Target staff
b) Barcoded staff

c) Digital staff

d) Telescopic staff

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: Digital level is an electronic level. It is set up on a tripod and it reads a barcoded staff. All
the details are fed into the memory of level and can be retrieved on a computer.

7. Which of the below cannot be used to measure vertical heights?

a) Self level

b) Aneroid barometer

c) Transit

d) Hypsometer

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: Vertical measurement can be approximately taken using barometer and hypsometer. These
determine pressure difference at 2 elevations and results can be concluded from these.

8. How many types of self-reading staff are available?

a) 5

b) 2

c) 3

d) 4

View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: There are 3 types of self-reading staff. They are solid, folding and telescopic staff.

9. Which of the below is not common in all levelling equipments?

a) Telescope

b) Level vials

c) Level rods

d) Tilting screws

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: Tilting screw is found only in the tilting level. Using this, one can tilt the telescope to the
required angle, keeping the vertical axis.

10. Level vials can be of ____________ types.

a) 4

b) 3

c) 5

d) 2

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: Level vials contain a bubble, which is to be centralised to obtain horizontal line of sight. It
may be of bulls-eye type (circular shaped) or vial type (tube shaped).

11. Abney level is a type of hand level.

a) True

b) False

View Answer
Answer: a

Explanation: Hand level is a hand held instrument. Abney level is one of these. It includes a clinometer to
measure vertical angles.

12. For accurate levelling __________ is attached inside telescope in an automatic level.

a) Alinometer

b) Compensator

c) Cross hairs

d) Double lens

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: Compensator is also called stabilizer. It consists of 2 fixed prisms and it creates an optical
path between eye piece and objective. It results in exact positioning of line of sight due to gravity.

Methods of leveling:

This set of Basic Civil Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Methods of
Levelling”.

1. How many methods are used in levelling?

a) 3

b) 2

c) 4

d) 5

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: The 2 methods are height of instrument method and rise and fall method. These are used
to evaluate heights of various points.
2. How many types of levelling are there?

a) 3

b) 2

c) 4

d) 5

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: There are 4 ways to perform levelling. They are direct levelling, trigonometric levelling,
barometric levelling and stadia levelling.

3. Trigonometric levelling is also called:

a) Indirect levelling

b) Differential levelling

c) Fly levelling

d) Profile levelling

View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: In trigonometric levelling, the horizontal distance and vertical angle are measured from the
station to the object. It uses trigonometric relations to compute vertical height of a point.

4. In _________ levelling, the first and last point are at a far distance.

a) Fly

b) Differential

c) Profile

d) Reciprocal

View Answer
Answer: b

Explanation: In differential levelling, a number of inter-stations are located and then instrument is
shifted to each station and the elevation is observed.

5. Stadia levelling is a modified form of:

a) Fly levelling

b) Differential levelling

c) Simple levelling

d) Trigonometric levelling

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: Tacheometer principle is used to determine elevation of points. Line of sight is inclined and
it is more suitable for surveying in hilly terrains.

6. The last reading taken from the instrument is called:

a) End sight

b) Free sight

c) Fore sight

d) Back sight

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: Fore sight (FS) is noted as last reading and back sight (BS) is noted as first reading taken
from instrument. Any intermediate points are noted down as intermediate sight (IS).

7. Reciprocal levelling is used when,

a) Flat terrain

b) Obstacles are there

d) Highway construction

View Answer

Answer: b

Explanation: If the points to surveyed lie on opposite banks of a river, reciprocal levelling can be used. It
is done from both sides to eliminate chances of error.

8. In a hilly terrain, staff reading is more at:

a) Lower point

b) Higher point

c) First point

d) Last point

View Answer

Answer: a

Explanation: In hilly terrain, the lowest point will give highest staff reading. It is at a lower level
compared to others and hence has more height.

9. Which is the arithmetic check for height of instrument method?

a) ∑FS + ∑BS = First RL + Last RL@

b) ∑BS – ∑FS = Last RL – First RL@

c) ∑FS + ∑BS = Last RL + First RL@

d) ∑BS – ∑FS = First RL – Last RL@

View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: To check if the readings are written properly, an arithmetic check is done. The sum of back
sight (BS) and Fore sight (FS) are subtracted. It should be equal to the difference of the last and first
reduced level (RL).

10. Which instrument is used in trigonometric levelling?

a) Wye level

b) Compass

c) Theodolite

d) Dumpy level

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: Trigonometric levelling involves measurements that are angular and hence requires an
angle measuring instrument, like theodolite.

11. In levelling, error due to earth’s curvature is to be corrected using:

a) Cc=0.0673D2

b) Cc=0.0112D2

c) Cc=0.0136D2

d) Cc=0.0785D2

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: Correction for earth’s curvature and refraction is to be applied. Cc is given by 0.0785D2.
Combined correction Cc – Cr is given by 0.0673D2.