Free Practice Quiz Question List

3 Coordinate Systems and Reference Systems Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 3 Coordinate Systems and Reference Systems, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

Written response

1 point

What is the name of the angular coordinate that measures north–south position from the equator?

Fill in the blank

1 point

A geographic coordinate system usually expresses latitude and longitude in .

Fill in the blank

1 point

A projected coordinate system typically locates a point on a plane using and .

Choose one

1 point

A regional study compares the land areas of several districts. Which projection property should the chosen projection preserve?

A
A conformal projection, because it preserves local angles
B
An equal-area projection, because it preserves area
C
An equidistant projection, because it preserves distances from specified points or along specified lines
D
Any projection, because all projections preserve area

Choose all

1 point

Select all statements that correctly describe map projection properties.

A
Equal-area projections preserve area.
B
Conformal projections preserve area everywhere.
C
Conformal projections preserve local angles and shapes.
D
Equidistant projections preserve distances from specified points or along specified lines.
E
Equidistant projections preserve all distances everywhere.

True or false

1 point

A one-degree difference in longitude represents the same ground distance near the equator and near the poles.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A team needs a projection for displaying an online map, not for calculating areas or distances. Which statement best describes Web Mercator for this use?

A
It is suitable for every area and distance measurement because it is widely used.
B
It preserves area, so it is the best choice for comparing region sizes.
C
It is widely used for online map display, but its distortions make it unsuitable for many measurements.
D
It is a geographic coordinate system that uses latitude and longitude in degrees.

True or false

1 point

When GIS software transforms layers on the fly for display, it necessarily changes the coordinate values stored in each data source.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A dataset has correctly identified source coordinates, and you need new coordinate values in a different target CRS. Which GIS operation should you use?

A
Assign the target CRS; this recalculates the coordinates, while transforming only labels them.
B
Transform or project the data; this calculates new coordinate values in the target CRS.
C
Assign the target CRS; this automatically applies a datum transformation and moves the features.
D
Use either operation; both change the stored coordinate values in the same way.

Choose all

1 point

Select all factors that should guide the choice of a CRS for a GIS project.

A
The area being mapped
B
The purpose of the map or analysis
C
Whether the coordinates look plausible on screen, regardless of their CRS
D
The measurements required
E
The CRS specified by authoritative source data or project standards

Written response

1 point

For high-precision work with a reference frame that changes over time, what term names the time associated with the coordinates?

Choose one

1 point

An engineering team must measure features within a limited region. Which CRS approach is generally most appropriate?

A
Use a suitable local projected CRS, such as an appropriate UTM zone.
B
Use latitude and longitude because angular coordinates are ordinary flat-map distances.
C
Use Web Mercator because it is always suitable for precise local distance measurements.
D
Assign an arbitrary projected CRS without checking the datum or area of use.

True or false

1 point

A coordinate reference system combines a coordinate system with a geodetic datum or reference frame.

A
True
B
False

Open ended

1 point

Two datasets cover the same area, but one uses NAD27 and the other NAD83. Explain why their coordinates may not align and what may be needed to align them. Include what determines the size and direction of the coordinate shift.

Choose one

1 point

A dataset identifies a global location with latitude and longitude values in degrees. Which type of coordinate system does it use?

A
A geographic coordinate system, because the coordinates are latitude and longitude angles
B
A projected coordinate system, because latitude and longitude are linear distances on a plane
C
A datum transformation, because the coordinates are easting and northing
D
A conformal projection, because the coordinates are measured in degrees

Written response

1 point

A projected coordinate system typically represents a location on a flat plane using which two coordinate terms? Enter them in order, separated by “and.”

Choose one

1 point

A regional analysis will compare the sizes of several areas. Which projection property should guide the choice of projection?

A
A conformal projection, because it preserves local angles and shapes
B
An equal-area projection, because it preserves area
C
An equidistant projection, because it preserves all distances everywhere
D
A geographic coordinate system, because it eliminates projection distortion

Choose one

1 point

A mapping task depends on preserving local angles and shapes, while accepting that area may be distorted. Which projection property best fits this need?

A
Preservation of area, which makes the projection equal-area
B
Preservation of distances everywhere, which makes the projection universally equidistant
C
Preservation of local angles and shapes, which makes the projection conformal
D
Preservation of all properties, which removes projection distortion

Written response

1 point

What two-word term names the approximate mathematical shape of Earth associated with a datum?

Choose one

1 point

A layer’s coordinate values are already present, but the GIS does not know what CRS they represent. Which operation identifies their meaning without changing the values?

A
Define or assign the CRS, because this identifies what the existing coordinate values mean without changing them
B
Transform the data, because this changes the interpretation but keeps the same values
C
Define or assign the CRS, because this calculates new coordinates in a target CRS
D
Transform the data, because this only labels the existing coordinates