Here is a comprehensive, exam-oriented Question Bank consisting of GPSC and Gujarat State Level

Civil Engineering Exam standard Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) based on every single topic
from the provided lecture slides on Traversing.

TRAVERSING SURVEYING - GPSC & GUJARAT

STATE EXAMS MCQ BANK

SECTION 1: Introduction & Types of Traverse

Q1. A series of connected straight lines forming an open or closed polygon whose lengths and
directions are determined by surveying is known as a:
(A) Chain line network
(B) Traverse
© Triangulation system
(D) Contour map

Q2. A traverse that originates at a point of known position and terminates at another point of
known position is called a:
(A) Closed loop traverse
(B) Open traverse
© Link traverse
(D) Free traverse

Q3. Which type of traverse is most suitable for surveying long linear projects like railways, canals,
highways, and pipelines?
(A) Closed loop traverse
(B) Open traverse
© Link traverse
(D) Polygon traverse

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
SECTION 2: Precision & Precision Order in Measurements

Q4. To maintain uniform accuracy in traversing, the linear measurement precision should be of the
same order as the angular measurement precision. If θ is the least count of the angle measuring
instrument, the permissible relative error in linear measurement ( δll ) is given by:
​

(A) sin θ
(B) cos θ
© tan θ
(D) cot θ

Q5. If the least count of a surveyor’s compass is 30′ , what is the allowable error in linear
measurement per meter length (δl/l)?
(A) 8.727 × 10−3 mm/m
(B) 8.727 mm/m
© 1.939 mm/m
(D) 0.872 mm/m

Q6. If the least count of a transit theodolite is 20′′ , the permissible error in linear measurement for
a distance line of 20 m is approximately:
(A) 8.727 mm
(B) 1.939 mm
© 0.097 mm
(D) 9.696 mm

SECTION 3: Methods of Angular Measurements & Misclosure

Q7. In which method of traversing is the magnetic bearing of EACH traverse line measured
independently at every station?
(A) Fast needle method
(B) Loose needle method
© Included angle method
(D) Direct angle method

Q8. In the Fast Needle Method of traversing:

(A) Magnetic bearings of all lines are measured independently
(B) Magnetic bearing of only the first line is measured, and included angles/bearings of subsequent

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
lines are carried forward
© No compass is used at all
(D) Deflection angles are measured at every station

Q9. Which method of angular measurement in traversing is considered the most accurate among
needle and angle methods for a closed polygon?
(A) Loose needle method
(B) Fast needle method
© Included angle method
(D) Deflection angle method

Q10. The Direct Angle Method in traversing measures angles towards the right direction and is
primarily used for:
(A) Closed loop traverse
(B) Open traverse
© City boundary surveys
(D) Hydrographic surveys

Q11. Between the Direct Angle Method and the Deflection Angle Method for open traverse
survey, which method is considered superior?
(A) Deflection angle method
(B) Direct angle method
© Both are equally superior
(D) Neither, loose needle method is preferred

Q12. The permissible limit for the angle of misclosure (E ) in a loop traverse is expressed as:
(A) E =K ⋅N
(B) E = K ⋅ N ​

K
©E = ​

N ​

(D) E = K ⋅ N 2

(Where N = number of angles/sides, and K = constant depending on least count)

Q13. For ordinary theodolite traversing where the least count of the instrument is 20′′ , the
standard value of constant K in the misclosure formula is assumed as:
(A) 10′′
(B) 20′′
© 30′′
(D) 1′

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
SECTION 4: Latitude and Departure Principles

Q14. The orthographic projection of a traverse line on the North-South meridian is defined as its:
(A) Departure
(B) Latitude
© Azimuth
(D) Bearing

Q15. The orthographic projection of a traverse line on the East-West meridian is defined as its:
(A) Latitude
(B) Departure
© Declination
(D) Consecutive coordinate

Q16. Match the signs of Latitude and Departure with their corresponding geographic directions:
Sign/Term:

1. Positive Latitude
2. Negative Latitude
3. Positive Departure
4. Negative Departure

Direction:
P. Southing
Q. Northing
R. Westing
S. Easting

Codes:
(A) 1-Q, 2-P, 3-S, 4-R
(B) 1-P, 2-Q, 3-R, 4-S
© 1-S, 2-R, 3-Q, 4-P
(D) 1-Q, 2-S, 3-P, 4-R

Q17. If l is the length of a traverse line and θ is its Whole Circle Bearing (WCB), its latitude (L)
and departure (D ) are given by:
(A) L = l sin θ and D = l cos θ

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
(B) L = l cos θ and D = l sin θ
© L = l tan θ and D = l cot θ
(D) L = l sec θ and D = l csc θ

Q18. For a line in the 3rd quadrant (South-West quadrant with Quadrantal Bearing θ ), the sign
conventions for Latitude and Departure are:
(A) Latitude: Positive, Departure: Negative
(B) Latitude: Negative, Departure: Positive
© Latitude: Negative, Departure: Negative
(D) Latitude: Positive, Departure: Positive

Q19. When bearings are directly substituted in Whole Circle Bearing (WCB) format into l cos θ
and l sin θ :
(A) Signs (+ or -) must be manually assigned based on quadrant
(B) Algebraic signs of latitude and departure are automatically obtained
© Results are always positive
(D) Equations yield quadrant bearings instead

SECTION 5: Coordinate Systems & Checks in Closed Traverse

Q20. If the coordinates of the end point of a line are defined with respect to its immediate
previous station, the system is known as:
(A) Independent coordinate system
(B) Consecutive / Dependent coordinate system
© Spherical coordinate system
(D) Absolute coordinate system

Q21. Total latitude and total departure of any point defined with respect to a single common
origin are called:
(A) Consecutive coordinates
(B) Independent coordinates
© Relative coordinates
(D) Quadrantal coordinates

Q22. What is the major advantage of using an Independent Coordinate System over a
Consecutive Coordinate System?
(A) Calculations do not require trigonometric ratios

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
(B) In independent coordinates, observational errors are localized, whereas in consecutive
coordinates, errors get accumulated/maximized
© It eliminates closing error automatically
(D) It works without determining line lengths

Q23. For a mathematically closed loop traverse, if there are no errors in field measurements, the
theoretical condition is:
(A) ∑ L > 0 and ∑ D = 0
(B) ∑ L = 0 and ∑ D = 0
©∑L = ∑D  =0
(D) ∑ L = 1 and ∑ D = 1

Q24. For a link traverse starting at point A and ending at point E , the condition for error-free
survey is:
(A) ∑ L = 0 and ∑ D = 0
(B) ∑ L = LE − LA and ∑ D = DE − DA ​ ​ ​ ​

© ∑ L = LA + LE and ∑ D = DA + DE ​ ​ ​ ​

(D) ∑ L = LE /LA and ∑ D = DE /DA ​ ​ ​ ​

SECTION 6: Closing Error & Relative Error of Closure

Q25. The length of the line by which a closed traverse fails to return to its starting point on plan is
called:
(A) Misclosure angle
(B) Closing error / Error of closure
© Bowditch residual
(D) Drift error

Q26. If ex= ∑ D and ey = ∑ L, the magnitude of the closing error (e) is calculated as:
​ ​

(A) e = ex + ey ​ ​

(B) e = e2x + e2y

​ ​

©e = e2x + e2y
​ ​

(D) e = eex ​

y ​

Q27. The reduced bearing (θ ) of the closing error line is determined by the formula:
∣ ey ∣
(A) tan θ =
​

∣ ex ∣
​ ​ ​

∣ ∣
Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
 ∣ ∣
(B) tan θ = eexy ​

∣ ∣
​ ​ ​

∣ ex ∣
© sin θ = e
​

∣ y∣
​ ​ ​

∣e ∣
(D) cos θ = ey
​

∣ x∣
​ ​ ​

Q28. The direction of the CORRECTION required to balance a closing error is:
(A) Same magnitude and same direction as the closing error
(B) Same magnitude but opposite direction (180∘ offset) to the closing error
© Half magnitude in perpendicular direction
(D) Double magnitude in opposite direction

Q29. If ex (sum of departures) is positive (+) and ey (sum of latitudes) is negative (−):
​ ​

(A) Closing error lies in N-W quadrant

(B) Closing error lies in S-E quadrant
© Closing error lies in N-E quadrant
(D) Closing error lies in S-W quadrant

Q30. Relative Error of Closure (Degree of Accuracy) is defined as the ratio of:
(A) Perimeter of traverse to magnitude of closing error (p/e)
(B) Magnitude of closing error to perimeter of traverse (e/p)
© Sum of latitudes to sum of departures (∑ L/ ∑ D )
(D) Closing error length to total area of traverse (e/A)

SECTION 7: Adjustment of Traverse (Balancing Rules)

Q31. Matching Methods of Traverse Adjustment with their basic principles:

Method:

1. Arbitrary Method
2. Bowditch Rule
3. Transit Rule
4. Axis Rule

Principle:
P. Used when angular measurements are more accurate than linear measurements
Q. Corrections applied only to lengths of lines; angles remain unchanged

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
R. Based on surveyor’s experience and local field conditions
S. Used when angles and distances are measured with equal precision

Codes:
(A) 1-R, 2-S, 3-P, 4-Q
(B) 1-S, 2-R, 3-Q, 4-P
© 1-P, 2-Q, 3-R, 4-S
(D) 1-R, 2-P, 3-S, 4-Q

Q32. Bowditch Rule (Compass Rule) assumes that closing errors are due to random errors, where
the error in linear measurement is proportional to:
(A) Length of line (L)
(B) Square root of length of line ( L)
​

© 1/L
(D) L2

Q33. According to Bowditch Rule, the correction to latitude (or departure) of any line is equal to
Total Error in Latitude (or Departure) multiplied by:
Length of that line
(A) Perimeter of traverse ​

Perimeter of traverse
(B) Length of that line ​

Latitude of that line

© Arithmetic sum of all latitudes
​

Departure of that line

(D) Total closing error ​

Q34. When a traverse is adjusted by Bowditch Rule:

(A) Lengths remain unchanged while bearings change
(B) Bearings remain unchanged while lengths change
© Both lengths and bearings of lines are altered
(D) Neither lengths nor bearings are altered

Q35. Comparing Bowditch Rule with Transit Rule, under Bowditch Rule:
(A) Lengths are changed more, and angles are changed less
(B) Lengths are changed less, and angles are changed more
© Both are changed by equal percentages
(D) Only angles are changed

Q36. Graphical Rule (Proportionate Method) of adjusting a traverse is visually based on:
(A) Transit Rule
(B) Bowditch Rule

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
© Axis Rule
(D) Simpson’s Rule

Q37. The Transit Rule formula for correction to latitude of a line is:
(A) Total Latitude Error × Length of line
Perimeter
​

(B) Total Latitude Error × Numerical value of latitude of that line

Arithmetic sum of latitudes of all lines
​

Departure of that line

© Total Latitude Error × Total Departure ​

Total Area
(D) Total Latitude Error × Length of line
​

Q38. In Transit Rule, if a line has ZERO latitude (i.e., pure East-West line):
(A) Maximum correction is applied to its latitude
(B) No correction is applied to the latitude of that line
© Correction is distributed to adjacent lines
(D) Traverse cannot be adjusted

Q39. Which method of traverse adjustment preserves the general geometric shape of the traverse
because angles are NOT altered?
(A) Bowditch Rule
(B) Transit Rule
© Axis Method
(D) Arbitrary Method

SECTION 8: Gale’s Traverse Table & Inversing

Q40. The standard tabular format used for performing and presenting complete field traverse
computations and corrections is called:
(A) Bowditch Grid
(B) Gale’s Traverse Table
© Transit Matrix
(D) Kepler’s Table

Q41. While selecting the initial point coordinates in Gale’s Traverse Table, coordinates are chosen
such that:
(A) All independent coordinates remain in the 1st Quadrant (Positive)
(B) Coordinates cross through origin (0, 0)
© All independent coordinates are negative
(D) Latitudes are positive and departures are negative

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
Q42. The mathematical process of calculating the length and bearing of any line from the known
coordinates of its end points is called:
(A) Traversing
(B) Resection
© Inversing
(D) Tracing

SECTION 9: Applied Numericals & Gujarat State Exam PYQ Patterns

Q43. If the latitude and departure of a survey line are +135.65 m and −75.65 m respectively,
the Whole Circle Bearing (WCB) of the line lies in which quadrant and is equal to:
(A) 1st Quadrant, 29∘ 09′
(B) 2nd Quadrant, 119∘ 09′
© 3rd Quadrant, 209∘ 09′
(D) 4th Quadrant, 330∘ 51′

Q44. In a closed traverse, if the sum of south latitudes exceeds the sum of north latitudes (
∑ L = −ve) and the sum of east departures exceeds the sum of west departures (∑ D = +ve
), the closing line will lie in:
(A) N-W quadrant
(B) N-E quadrant
© S-E quadrant
(D) S-W quadrant

Q45. The total latitude error ∑ L = −5 m and total departure error ∑ D = −4 m for a
traverse. The magnitude and Whole Circle Bearing (WCB) of the closing error are approximately:
(A) 6.403 m and 38.66∘
(B) 6.403 m and 218.66∘
© 9.000 m and 128.66∘
(D) 3.000 m and 308.66∘

Q46. A line AB has a length of 100 m and WCB of 30∘ . Its latitude and departure are
respectively:
(A) 50 m, 86.6 m
(B) 86.6 m, 50 m

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF
© 100 m, 50 m
(D) 86.6 m, 86.6 m

Q47. If the perimeter of a closed traverse is 1000 m and the magnitude of closing error is 0.2 m,
the relative precision/accuracy of the traverse is:
(A) 1 in 200
(B) 1 in 5000
© 1 in 1000
(D) 1 in 500

Q48. In Bowditch method, if the total error in latitude is +0.6

m, the perimeter of traverse is
400 m, and length of line CD is 100 m, the correction to latitude of line CD is:
(A) +0.15 m
(B) −0.15 m
© −0.60 m
(D) +0.30 m

Q49. For a 4-sided closed loop traverse, if the sum of interior angles is measured as 359∘ 58′ , the
angular misclosure is:
(A) +2′
(B) −2′
© +4′
(D) −4′

Q50. A line of length L has a bearing of 180∘ (due South). Its departure value is equal to:
(A) +L
(B) −L
©0
(D) L/2

Explore our developer-friendly HTML to PDF API Printed using PDFCrowd HTML to PDF