Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

What does a topographic map primarily show?

1. A) Political boundaries

2. B) Landform elevations

3. C) Climate zones

4. D) Population density

The correct answer is: B) Landform elevations

A topographic map primarily shows landform elevations, which is reflected in the representation of terrain through contour lines. These contour lines indicate the height and depth of the land above or below sea level, allowing users to visualize the three-dimensional shape of the landscape. The closer the contour lines are to each other, the steeper the terrain is, while wider spacing indicates a gentler slope. While political boundaries, climate zones, and population density can be depicted on maps, they are not the focus of topographic maps. Political maps mainly highlight borders and administrative areas, climate maps display temperature and precipitation variations in regions, and population density maps illustrate how many people inhabit a specific area. Topographic maps are uniquely designed to facilitate an understanding of the Earth's physical features, making the emphasis on landform elevations essential for various applications, including hiking, urban planning, and geological studies.