Well-selected MCQs on Surveying and Soil Mechanic. PART A: SURVEYING (20 MCQs) 1. The main purpose of surveying is to: A. Measure temperature B. Determine relative positions of points C. Study soil D. Build houses Answer: B --- 2. The instrument used to measure horizontal angles is: A. Level B. Theodolite C. Compass D. Chain Answer: B --- 3. Chain surveying is suitable for: A. Large areas B. Rough terrain C. Small and flat areas D. Mountainous regions Answer: C --- 4. The SI unit of length in surveying is: A. Kilometer B. Meter C. Centimeter D. Mile Answer: B --- 5. A benchmark is used to: A. Measure distance B. Measure angles C. Determine elevation D. Draw maps Answer: C --- 6. The line joining two points is called: A. Traverse B. Baseline C. Chain line D. Offset Answer: C --- 7. Which instrument is used for leveling? A. Theodolite B. Dumpy level C. Compass D. Tape Answer: B --- 8. The process of measuring vertical distances is called: A. Chaining B. Leveling C. Traversing D. Plotting Answer: B --- 9. Magnetic north is indicated by: A. Theodolite B. Compass C. Chain D. Level Answer: B --- 10. A traverse is: A. A straight line B. A series of connected lines C. A circle D. A triangle Answer: B --- 11. The error due to incorrect chain length is called: A. Personal error B. Instrumental error C. Natural error D. Random error Answer: B --- 12. Which of the following is not a surveying instrument? A. Compass B. Level C. Thermometer D. Theodolite Answer: C --- 13. Contour lines represent: A. Distance B. Elevation C. Area D. Volume Answer: B --- 14. The temporary adjustment of a theodolite includes: A. Centering B. Levelling C. Focusing D. All of the above Answer: D --- 15. The smallest division on a chain is: A. Link B. Meter C. Foot D. Yard Answer: A --- 16. A ranging rod is used for: A. Measuring angle B. Marking stations C. Measuring slope D. Drawing map Answer: B --- 17. The closing error in surveying is: A. Measurement mistake B. Difference between start and end points C. Instrument fault D. Human error Answer: B --- 18. Plane surveying assumes that: A. Earth is flat B. Earth is round C. Earth is square D. Earth is irregular Answer: A --- 19. The prismatic compass is used to measure: A. Distance B. Bearing C. Height D. Area Answer: B --- 20. The scale used in maps is: A. Ratio B. Fraction C. Proportion D. All of the above Answer: D --- PART B: SOIL MECHANICS (20 MCQs) --- 21. Soil is formed by: A. Weathering of rocks B. Water C. Wind D. Fire Answer: A --- 22. The study of soil behavior is called: A. Geology B. Soil Mechanics C. Hydrology D. Surveying Answer: B --- 23. Clay soil has: A. Large particles B. Medium particles C. Very fine particles D. No particles Answer: C --- 24. Sandy soil drains water: A. Slowly B. Quickly C. Not at all D. Completely Answer: B --- 25. The liquid limit is: A. Water content when soil flows B. Soil hardness C. Soil density D. Soil strength Answer: A --- 26. Plastic limit is: A. Water content when soil cracks B. Soil strength C. Soil density D. Soil weight Answer: A --- 27. The difference between liquid and plastic limit is: A. Shrinkage index B. Plasticity index C. Density index D. Void ratio Answer: B --- 28. Cohesion is: A. Attraction between particles B. Water content C. Soil density D. Soil color Answer: A --- 29. Angle of repose is: A. Maximum slope angle B. Soil weight C. Soil density D. Soil moisture Answer: A --- 30. Permeability refers to: A. Soil strength B. Water flow through soil C. Soil color D. Soil type Answer: B --- 31. The unit weight of soil is: A. Weight per volume B. Volume per weight C. Density D. Mass Answer: A --- 32. Compaction increases: A. Void spaces B. Strength C. Water content D. Air Answer: B --- 33. Consolidation occurs due to: A. Air removal B. Water removal C. Soil addition D. Heat Answer: B --- 34. The void ratio is: A. Volume of voids / volume of solids B. Volume of solids / voids C. Total volume / solids D. Water / air Answer: A --- 35. Porosity is: A. Volume of voids / total volume B. Volume of solids C. Water content D. Density Answer: A --- 36. A well-graded soil contains: A. Same size particles B. Different sizes of particles C. Only clay D. Only sand Answer: B --- 37. Shear strength depends on: A. Cohesion and friction B. Water only C. Air only D. Color Answer: A --- 38. The bearing capacity of soil is: A. Ability to support load B. Water content C. Soil color D. Soil texture Answer: A --- 39. Black cotton soil is: A. Sandy B. Clayey C. Gravel D. Silt Answer: B --- 40. Soil classification is based on: A. Color B. Particle size C. Smell D. Shape Answer: B