Q1. Reciprocal levelling: Instrument near P gives staff readings P=1.800, Q=2.600; near Q gives P=1.500, Q=2.400. RL(P)=100 m. Find RL(Q).
Difficulty: Hard
A. 99.15 m
B. 97.4 m
C. 98.5 m
D. 100.85 m
Correct Answer: A. 99.15 mSolution:True h = [(−0.800) + (−0.900)] / 2 = −0.850 m. RL(Q) = 100 + (−0.850) = 99.15 m. Negative sign indicates Q is lower than P. Reciprocal levelling averages two apparent differences to cancel collimation, curvature, and refraction errors.
Q2. In levelling, ______ is also called minus sight.
Difficulty: Easy
A. Inverted intermediate sight
B. Fore sight
C. Back sight
D. Intermediate sight
Correct Answer: B. Fore sightSolution:Fore sight (FS) is subtracted from Height of Instrument (HI) to find RL: RL = HI − FS. Because it is subtracted, it is called the minus sight. Back sight (BS) is added to find HI, so it is called the plus sight.
Q3. Which of the following are main advantages of a dumpy level? (i) Simple to use (ii) Accurate readings (iii) Can be used at night without light
Difficulty: Easy
A. Only (i)
B. Only (iii)
C. Only (ii)
D. Both (i) and (ii)
Correct Answer: D. Both (i) and (ii)Solution:Dumpy level is simple to operate (few moving parts) and provides accurate readings (rigid telescope). Statement (iii) is false — it is a purely optical instrument requiring daylight or external illumination and cannot be used in darkness.
Q4. In a profile levelling drawing, which scale characteristic is correct?
Difficulty: Easy
A. Horizontal distances are exaggerated compared to vertical
B. Both horizontal and vertical always plotted at 1:1 scale
C. Both horizontal and vertical plotted to the same scale
D. Vertical distances are exaggerated compared to horizontal
Correct Answer: D. Vertical distances are exaggeratedSolution:Vertical scale is always exaggerated in profile plots so that subtle changes in ground elevation (which may be only a few metres over kilometres of horizontal distance) become clearly visible. Typical ratio: horizontal 1:2000, vertical 1:200 (10× exaggeration).
Q5. In fly levelling, if back sight reading is greater than fore sight reading, it indicates a ______ in ground level.
Difficulty: Easy
A. Rise
B. Fall
C. Level surface
D. Horizontal surface
Correct Answer: A. RiseSolution:RL(new) = RL(old) + BS − FS. If BS > FS, then (BS − FS) is positive and RL(new) > RL(old): the ground has risen. If BS < FS, the ground has fallen.
Q6. Which is an INCORRECT feature of the auto level instrument?
Difficulty: Medium
A. Instrument levelled roughly using foot screws
B. Readings on the staff are taken automatically
C. Readings on the staff are taken manually
D. The auto level works on the compensator mechanism
Correct Answer: B. Readings on the staff are taken automaticallySolution:The auto level’s compensator mechanism automatically levels the LINE OF SIGHT, but the surveyor still reads the staff manually through the telescope. Option B is therefore incorrect (false). Options A, C, and D are all true features of auto levels.
Q7. BM at lintel (RL=101.50 m); inverted staff=2.25 m; ground reading at B=1.05 m; after shift BS at B=1.35 m; inverted staff at canopy C=4.100 m. Find RL of C.
Difficulty: Hard
A. 103.30 m
B. 102.30 m
C. 103.65 m
D. 102.65 m
Correct Answer: C. 103.65 mSolution:Inverted staff readings are negative. HI1 = 101.50 + (−2.25) = 99.25 m. RL(B) = 99.25 − 1.05 = 98.20 m. HI2 = 98.20 + 1.35 = 99.55 m. RL(C) = 99.55 − (−4.100) = 103.65 m.
Q8. When staff reading increases between two points, the difference is recorded in _______ column (Rise and Fall method).
Difficulty: Easy
A. Rise
B. H.I.
C. Fall
D. R.L.
Correct Answer: C. FallSolution:An increasing staff reading means the ground dropped (the line of sight intercepts the staff higher up because the ground is lower). In the Rise and Fall method, this is recorded in the Fall column. Fall = Current reading − Previous reading.
Q9. What does the hand signal ‘Left arm extended’ by a surveyor mean?
Difficulty: Easy
A. Plumb the rod towards your left
B. Move slowly towards your left
C. Continue to move towards your left
D. Move considerably towards your left
Correct Answer: C. Continue to move towards your leftSolution:Left arm extended = continue moving to the left. Arm extended (not swept) means continuous movement in that direction. A sweep of the arm means ‘move considerably’ while a slow sweep means ‘move slowly’. Arm raised and moved = ‘plumb the rod’.
Q10. From the levelling table (RL of P = 550.50 m), which statement is INCORRECT?
Difficulty: Hard
A. Station R is at a higher elevation than Station P
B. Station S is at a lower elevation than Station P
C. Station S is at a lower elevation than Station Q
D. Station R is at a higher elevation than Station T
Correct Answer: A. Station R is at a higher elevation than Station P
Solution:Calculations: HI1=551.765; RL(R)=550.05; RL(P)=550.50. Since 550.05 < 550.50, R is LOWER than P — statement A is incorrect. All other statements are verified correct: S(549.60)<P(550.50); S(549.60)<Q(550.35); R(550.05)>T(549.00).
Q11. Which levelling method is used when two points are not within the visible range of the level?
Difficulty: Easy
A. Profile levelling
B. Reciprocal levelling
C. Block levelling
D. Differential levelling
Correct Answer: D. Differential levellingSolution:Differential levelling uses multiple sequential instrument setups and change points to ‘step over’ any distance — even when the two endpoints are far beyond the visible range of a single instrument setup. Reciprocal levelling handles wide obstacles but requires seeing both points from each end.
Q12. Which staff readings are taken at a turning point? A) Foresight B) Backsight C) Intermediate sight
Difficulty: Easy
A. Only B (Backsight)
B. Only A (Foresight)
C. Both A and C (Foresight and Intermediate sight)
D. Both A and B (Foresight and Backsight)
Correct Answer: D. Both A (Foresight) and B (Backsight)Solution:At a change point, two readings are mandatory: a Foresight (FS) from the old setup to determine the CP’s elevation, then a Backsight (BS) from the new setup to establish the new Height of Instrument. The staff stays at the CP while the instrument is relocated. Intermediate sight is never taken at a change point.
Q13. Levelling table with inverted BS at Q: which option is INCORRECT?
Difficulty: Hard
A. HI at Station T is 145.90 m
B. RL of Station S is 144.30 m
C. RL of Station U is 142.35 m
D. HI at Station R is 146.55 m
Correct Answer: C. RL of Station U is 142.35 mSolution:HI1 = 150 + (−3.45) = 146.55 m (D correct). RL(S) = 146.55 − 2.25 = 144.30 m (B correct). HI2 = 144.30 + 1.60 = 145.90 m (A correct for T’s setup). RL(U) = 145.90 − 1.70 = 144.20 m ≠ 142.35 m → C is INCORRECT.
Q14. Calculate the combined correction for curvature and refraction for a distance of 2500 m.
Difficulty: Medium
A. 0.070 m
B. 0.420 m
C. 0.490 m
D. 0.168 m
Correct Answer: B. 0.420 mSolution:D = 2500 m = 2.5 km. Combined correction C, = 0.0673 × D² = 0.0673 × 2.5² = 0.0673 × 6.25 = 0.420 m. (Curvature alone = 0.0785×6.25 = 0.491 m; refraction alone = 0.0112×6.25 = 0.070 m; net combined = 0.420 m.)
Q15. Statement A: Latitude is coordinate length perpendicular to meridian. Statement B: Cross-sectioning is called differential levelling. Which is correct?
Difficulty: Medium
A. Statement B correct, Statement A incorrect
B. Statement A correct, Statement B incorrect
C. Both statements correct
D. Both statements incorrect
Correct Answer: D. Both statements are incorrectSolution:Statement A is wrong: Latitude = parallel to meridian (N-S component = length × cos bearing); Departure = perpendicular. Statement B is wrong: Taking right-angle offsets for cross-sections = Cross-Sectioning (profile levelling), NOT differential levelling.
