Session 4.1: Basic Map Reading, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Surveying

Question 1

What is the primary drawback of using an informal method, like street numbers or landmarks, to describe a real property?

Answer 1

Physical features may change over the years, making the description unreliable.

Question 2

Which method of land description identifies a property by specifying the shape and boundary dimensions using terminal points and angles?

Answer 2

Metes and Bounds.

Question 3

What are two other names for the Rectangular Survey System?

Answer 3

The government survey or geodetic survey system.

Question 4

The _____ survey method is also known as the lot-block tract method.

Answer 4

Plat

Question 5

A property described as ‘Lot 3, Block 17, Phase 90 of Corona del Mar’ uses which survey method?

Answer 5

The Plat Survey Method.

Question 6

In surveying, what is the ‘Point of Beginning’?

Answer 6

A known point, such as a monument, or a point a certain course and distance from a known point, where a survey starts.

Question 7

What does the acronym BLLM stand for in surveying?

Answer 7

Bureau of Lands Location Monument

Question 8

What does the acronym BLBM stand for in surveying?

Answer 8

Bureau of Lands Barrio Monuments

Question 9

In surveying, what is a BBM?

Answer 9

Barangay Boundary Monument

Question 10

What does the acronym CBM stand for in surveying reference points?

Answer 10

City Boundary Monument

Question 11

What surveying term indicates the course or direction of a line?

Answer 11

Bearing

Question 12

What does the term ‘Distances’ refer to in a technical description?

Answer 12

The length of the line.

Question 13

An _____ is created by erroneous points of beginning, courses, and distances in a survey.

Answer 13

Error of Closure

Question 14

What are monuments in the context of surveying?

Answer 14

Permanent landmarks that indicate boundaries.

Question 15

Define ‘Benchmark’ in surveying.

Answer 15

A survey mark on a monument with a known location and elevation, serving as a reference point.

Question 16

What is a ‘Tie Line’ in surveying?

Answer 16

A survey line that connects a point to other survey lines.

Question 17

What does a ‘Property Line’ describe?

Answer 17

The legal boundary of a parcel of land.

Question 18

Name four sources of data for site location.

Answer 18

Survey maps, land titles, tax maps, and the owner of owner’s agent.

Question 19

What is considered the ‘Technical Approach’ to identifying a property on site?

Answer 19

Conducting a relocation survey.

Question 20

What are the two main tools used in the ‘Semi-Skilled Approach’ to sketching and plotting a property?

Answer 20

A compass and tape.

Question 21

What constitutes the ‘Layman’s Approach’ to identifying a property on site?

Answer 21

Following the direction of a knowledgeable person.

Question 22

What is the formula for calculating distance using the pacing method?

Answer 22

Distance = Pace Factor x Number of Paces

Question 23

How is a ‘Pace Factor’ (PF) calculated?

Answer 23

Pace Factor (PF) = Distance/Average Paces

Question 24

Name four professional instruments used to measure distances other than a simple tape.

Answer 24

Transit, Total Station, Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM), and Laser Meter.

Question 25

How many square metres are in one hectare?

Answer 25

10,000 SQM

Question 26

Who are the only licensed professionals recognised by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to conduct surveys?

Answer 26

Geodetic Engineers

Question 27

What is the primary role of a Geodetic Engineer?

Answer 27

To gather, process, and analyse physical data on the earth's surface using precision instruments.

Question 28

What type of survey creates land boundaries and marks them for the first time?

Answer 28

Original Survey

Question 29

What is the main purpose of a 'Relocation Survey'?

Answer 29

To re-establish the boundaries of a previously surveyed tract and verify for overlaps with adjoining lots.

Question 30

Define a 'Plat' in the context if surveying.

Answer 30

A surveyed map of a town, section, or subdivision showing the exact locations and boundaries of individual properties.

Question 31

What is a 'Subdivision Survey'?

Answer 31

The process of dividing a certain parcel of land into several more lots.

Question 32

A _____ is a type of map that shows the elevation of a certain area.

Answer 32

Topographic Map

Question 33

What are 'Contour Lines' on a map?

Answer 33

Lines on map joining points of equal height above or below sea level.

Question 34

What does 'Mean Sea Level' represent?

Answer 34

The measure of the average height of the ocean's surface.

Question 35

Which type of survey creates or re-established, marks, and defines the boundaries of tracts of land?

Answer 35

Cadastral Survey

Question 36

A _____ survey involves merging more than two contiguous lots to form a single lot.

Answer 36

Consolidation

Question 37

What does the acronym OCT stand for in land titles?

Answer 37

Original Certificate of Title

Question 38

What does the acronym TCT stand fo in land titles?

Answer 38

Transfer Certificate of Title

Question 39

What does the survey acronym CAD represent?

Answer 39

Cadastral Survey

Question 40

What does the survey acronym Csd represent?

Answer 40

Subdivision Survey of Cadastral Lot

Question 41

What type of survey is denoted by Psd?

Answer 41

A Subdivision Survey of a titled property, conducted by a Private Geodetic Engineer.

Question 42

What does the survey acronym Bsd represent?

Answer 42

A subdivision survey on government titled properties conducted by a Government Geodetic Engineer.

Question 43

What is the most common type of lot, with only one fronting street?

Answer 43

Regular Lot

Question 44

A lot that has frontage on two intersecting streets is known as a _____.

Answer 44

Corner Lot

Question 45

Which type of lot has frontage on two parallel streets?

Answer 45

Through Lot

Question 46

What is a 'Key Lot'?

Answer 46

A less common type of lot that has several other lots surrounding it.

Question 47

Describe a 'T-Intersecting Lot'.

Answer 47

A lot located across a 'T' intersection.

Question 48

What is a 'Flag Lot'?

Answer 48

A rear lot situated behind other lots, with a long narrow access strip.

Question 49

Which type of lot is located at the end of a dead-end street, often with a circular turnaround?

Answer 49

Cul-De-Sac Lot

Question 50

What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

Answer 50

An information system designed to relate data with their spatial reference.

Question 51

GIS uses _____ to model the real world, with examples including Base Map, Cadastral, Roads, and Buildings.

Answer 51

Layers

Question 52

Name four distinct groups or sectors that are typical users of GIS.

Answer 52

Government sectors, private industry, non-profit organisations, and academic institutions.

Question 53

What is the primary function of GIS software?

Answer 53

It provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyse, and display geographic information.

Question 54

Name three typical applications of GIS.

Answer 54

Urban planning, emergency response, and crime analysis.

Question 55

What is another typical application of GIS related to local government finance?

Answer 55

Tax assessment and mapping.

Question 56

What is the core capability of GIS as summarised in the presentation?

Answer 56

It integrates spatial and other kinds of information within a single system to answer spatial queries.

Question 57

_____ defines as the art of determining the position of points on or near the earth's surface.

Answer 57

Surveying