CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

Which statement accurately represents the relationship between the scale of a map and the level of detail?

1. A smaller scale map displays more detail

2. A larger scale map displays less detail

3. A larger scale map displays more detail

4. Scale does not affect the level of detail

The correct answer is: A larger scale map displays more detail

A larger scale map displays more detail because it represents a smaller area of land at a higher resolution. In cartography, scale refers to the ratio of a distance on the map to the actual distance on the ground. When a map has a larger scale, such as 1:1,000, it means that one unit on the map corresponds to only 1,000 units in reality. This allows for more precise representation of features, such as buildings, roads, and other details, within that smaller area. In contrast, smaller scale maps, like 1:250,000, cover larger areas but do so at a much lower level of detail. Consequently, critical features may be generalized or omitted, making these maps less useful for tasks that require finer detail. The difference in the scale of the map directly influences how much information is included and how closely you can examine the features depicted. This understanding of map scale is critical for tasks such as land surveying, where detail and accuracy can significantly affect project outcomes.