Understanding Contour Lines and Their Characteristics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

How does landform impact the appearance and function of other physical design elements in the landscape?

It affects the appearance and function of plant material, pavement, water, and buildings (correct)

It affects the appearance and function of water features only

It has no impact on other physical design elements

It affects the appearance and function of buildings only

What does the contour map help to clarify?

The specific locations of buildings

The amount of water needed for irrigation purposes

The type of plant material suitable for a landscape

The natural shape of the Earth in a two-dimensional representation (correct)

How does the steepness or height of a slope affect a person's perception of outdoor space?

It enhances the sensation of open outdoor space

It has no impact on a person's perception of outdoor space

It decreases the sensation of blocked outdoor space

It increases the sensation of blocked outdoor space (correct)

How does smooth, flowing landform affect the feeling of a space?

It nurtures a relaxed sensation Signup and view all the answers

What does landform suggest to a designer about the overall organization and orientation of various elements on a site?

It suggests the organization and orientation that elements should take on a site Signup and view all the answers

What kind of sensation is produced by bold, rugged landforms according to the text?

Feeling of excitement and aggressiveness Signup and view all the answers

What does a contour line do when it is many miles away from a particular site?

It always joins and meets itself Signup and view all the answers

How are contour lines spaced in a convex slope?

Widely spaced at the top and closely spaced at the bottom Signup and view all the answers

What does a single contour line never do?

Divide itself to form two separate contour lines of the same elevation Signup and view all the answers

What does a concave slope look like on a contour map?

Closely spaced contour lines at the top and widely spaced at the bottom Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a surface that curves inwards like the interior of a circle or sphere?

CONCAVE Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a surface that is curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere?

CONVEX Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a contour map?

To describe the shapes of the earth and their relationship to each other Signup and view all the answers

What does the contour interval represent on a map?

The vertical distance between adjacent contour lines Signup and view all the answers

How are index contour lines different from intermediate contour lines?

Index contour lines have a heavier line weight Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of contour lines always closing on themselves?

It is an artificial means for representing landform Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about contour lines?

Contour lines are drawn horizontally to connect points of the same height Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the contour interval on a map?

To indicate the vertical distance between contour lines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characteristics of Contour Lines

A contour line always joins and meets itself, even if it is many miles away from a particular site.
A single contour line never divides itself to form two separate contour lines of the same elevation.

Convex and Concave Contour Lines

Convex contour lines have an outline or surface curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere.
Concave contour lines have an outline or surface that curves inwards like the interior of a circle or sphere.
Contour lines that are widely spaced at the top of the slope and closely spaced at the bottom depict a convex slope.
Contour lines that are closely spaced at the top of the slope and widely spaced at the bottom depict a concave slope.

Contour Maps

Contour maps describe the shapes of the earth and their relationship to each other.
Contour interval is the vertical distance between any two contour lines on a given plan and is a constant number.

Expression of Landform

A contour line is a line drawn horizontally on a plan to connect all the points which have the same level/height (vertical distance), comparing with a fixed level (zero level) which is the sea level.
Contour lines are an artificial means for representing landform and do not exist in reality except as traced by the edge of a flat, quiet body of water on its shoreline.

Index Contours and Intermediate Contours

On most maps, contour lines are printed in brown.
Every fifth contour line is drawn with a heavier line, known as an Index Contour.
The contour lines falling between Index Contours are called Intermediate Contours.
The vertical distance between adjacent contour lines is known as the Contour Interval.

Landform and Landscape Architecture

Landform has an impact on the role and prominence of other physical design elements in the landscape, including plant material, pavement, water, and buildings.
The way landscape architecture shapes landform affects the appearance and function of buildings, plant material, pavement, water, and walls.

Landform and Design Organization

The site's landform can suggest to the designer the overall organization and orientation that various uses, spaces, and other elements should take to be compatible with the inherent composition of the site.

Spatial Sensation and Landform

A person's perception about the limits and feeling of outdoor space is also affected by landform.
The steeper and/or higher the slope, the greater the sensation of “blocked” outdoor space created.
Smooth, flowing landforms produce a relaxed sensation, while bold, rugged landforms are apt to nurture a feeling of excitement and aggressiveness in a space.

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Description

Test your knowledge on contour lines and their properties, including their behavior when meeting themselves, not dividing, and forming convex or concave shapes. Explore the differences between ridge and valley contour lines.