Basic Navigation with Map and Compass – Typical Ultilearn Questions
1. The difference between true north and grid north arises because:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Lines of latitude and longitude do not match grid lines exactly
Lines of latitude are not parallel
Grid lines get closer together near the poles of the Earth
Lines of latitude and longitude match grid lines exactly
2. Which of these symbols represents true north?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Z
X
Y
W
3. Which north changes its position slightly over the years?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Geographic north
True north
Magnetic north
Grid north
4. What is the approximate difference between true north and grid north?
a)
b)
c)
d)
More than 10 degrees
8 to 10 degrees
6 to 8 degrees
0 to 5 degrees
5. Which physical property of the Earth do we use, when navigating using a compass?
a)
b)
c)
d)
It rotates clockwise
The surface is covered with lines of latitude and longitude
Its gravitational field
Its magnetic field
6. Which north do you use when navigating with an Ordnance Survey map?
a)
b)
c)
d)
True
Magnetic
Grid
Actual
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7. Which of the following statements about the direction of magnetic north from locations in the
UK, is true?
a)
b)
c)
d)
It is the same as true north
It is the same as both true and grid north
It differs from both true and grid north
It is the same as grid north
8. Which of the following is not a method for determining north without a compass:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Using the shadow from a stick
Using a watch with the sun
Finding the pole star from The Plough
Finding wind direction
9. While on expedition in South Wales a cadet places a stick in the ground and watches the
shadow move from position 1 to position 2. Which arrow points north?
a)
b)
c)
d)
X
Z
W
Y
10. When using a watch to find north/south what should be pointed towards the sun:
a)
b)
c)
d)
The hour hand
The minute hand
The second hand
The 12 of the watch face
11 (a) Orientating a map using a watch shows which direction?
a)
b)
c)
d)
North
South
East
West
12. How can you tell where North is on a starry night?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Look for the brightest planet
Look for the brightest star
Find the Pole Star
Check the whereabouts of the moon at a specific time
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13. The angular difference between magnetic north and grid north on a map is known as?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Grid magnetic angle
Compass deviation angle
Magnetic deviation angle
Grid deviation angle
13a. The angular difference between magnetic north and true north is called:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Magnetic Orientation
Magnetic Resection
Magnetic Deviation
Magnetic Variation
14. When using a compass to take a bearing on a distant object, you would first?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Turn the capsule so that the orienting arrow points at the object
Align the red compass needle to point at the object
Turn the capsule to subtract the GMA
Point the direction of travel arrow at the object
15. When using a map what is the first thing you do?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Range the map
Sight the map
Set the map
Organise the map
16. What is the best way to measure distances on a map?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Use a ruler
Use the edge of a Silva compass
Use straight edge of paper and mark it with a pencil
Use dividers
17. Identify the following feature found on an OS Map.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Contour Line
Railway Track
Footpath
B Road
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18. When using a magnetic compass, why is it particularly important to hold it horizontal when
taking a reading?
a)
b)
c)
d)
To eliminate compass errors
To improve damping
To ensure that the needle floats freely
To minimise the effect of local magnetic attraction (eg from wire fences, electric cables, etc)
19. What is the compass we use for navigating when walking?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Primatic compass
Standard RAF compass
Silva compass
DIC
20. On a Silva walking compass what colour is the magnetic needle:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Red and black
White and blue
Blue and red
Red and white
21. What is the purpose of liquid in the capsule of a compass?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Prevents the needle from moving
Allows the needle to settle down quickly
Increases the needle's sensitivity
Allows the needle to be seen more clearly
22. What measure is used in the compass scale?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Inches
Millimetres
Centimetres
Feet
23. There are several lines within the rotating Compass housing. What are these called?
a) North Lines
b) Direction of Travel Lines
c) Orientating Lines
d) Easting Lines
24. What is the name of the fixed line found on the base of the compass outside of the rotating
part?
a)
b)
c)
d)
The Maginot Line
The Direction of Tavel Line
The Compass Line
The Bearing Line
25. The grid bearing between 2 features on a map was measured to be 040 degrees (Grid). If the
grid magnetic angle is 6 degrees west of grid north, what is the magnetic bearing?
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a)
b)
c)
d)
046 degrees
040 degrees
034 degrees
043 degrees
26. The direction of a track drawn between two places on a map is measured against the grid-lines
and found to be 102 degrees (Grid). If magnetic north is 5 degrees west of grid north, what is the
magnetic bearing of the track?
a)
b)
c)
d)
097 degrees (M)
102 degrees (M)
107 degrees (M)
095 degrees (M)
27. You are at a point where variation is 1 degree W, and Grid Magnetic Angle is 6 degrees W. If
the magnetic bearing of a trig point is 150 degrees what is its Grid bearing?
a)
b)
c)
d)
144 degrees
156 degrees
143 degrees
157 degrees
28. The bearing of an object taken with a compass is found to be 280 degrees(M) and the map
shows that Magnetic north is 10 degrees west of Grid north. What is the grid bearing?
a)
b)
c)
d)
280 degrees (Grid)
260 degrees (Grid)
290 degrees (Grid)
270 degrees (Grid
29. What is resection?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Use reprociprical bearings
Take three bearings to separate features and the middle of the triangle is your position
Draw a cross section of the surrounding contours
Back track
30 To take a bearing between 2 features on a map you would first place the compass on the map
so that its longest edge runs through both features and its direction of travel arrow points in your
intended direction of travel. You would then?
a) Turn the map and compass together until the needle falls into the orienteering arrow
b) Turn the capsule on the compass to deduct the grid magnetic angle
c) Turn the capsule on the compass so that its orienting lines are parallel to the north-south
grid line
d) Turn the capsule on the compass until the needle falls into the orienting arrow
31. A grid bearing from a M726 series OS map on which the magnetic variation is westerly, can be
converted to a magnetic bearing by:
a) Adding the angular difference between magnetic north and grid north
b) Adding the angular difference between grid north and true north
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c) Subtracting the angular difference between grid north and true north
d) Subtracting the angular difference between magnetic north and grid north
32. How much time should be added to a journey for every 200 metres of steep descent, using
Naismith's rule?
a)
b)
c)
d)
5 minutes
20 minutes
15 minutes
10 minutes
33. What is the Naismith's Rule?
a)
b)
c)
d)
5 kph overall
5 kph plus an hour for any climbing
4 kph as measured on the map, plus half an hour for every 300m climbed
3 kph overall
34. How can you estimate distance covered from your last check point?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Consult your GPS
Use your mobile phone
Measure the time taken and calculate at 4km per hour
Use a pedometer
35. What is "handrailing"?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Walking on a compass bearing
Never straying from well defined paths
Walking with you map set
Following a linear feature to your destination
36. Contouring means:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Walking around a hill
Gaining as much height as possible
Loosing as much height as possible
Walking over a hill
37. What is an "attack point"?
a)
b)
c)
d)
The summit of any hill
An easily identifiable feature that is close to your objective
Any trig point
Any prominent feature close to your objective
38. Measuring distances accurately whilst out walking helps you particularly to?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Choose the shortest route
Calculate magnetic variation
Calculate the gradient
Reduce the area of uncertainty in your position
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39. Measuring distances accurately whilst hillwalking is important because it:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Calculates your speed of travel
Pinpoints your position accurately
Assists you in keeping on schedule
Chooses the shortest route
40. Pacing can be an accurate method of measuring distance if carried out over:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Short distances
Long distances
To a count of 5,000
Medium distances
41. A cadet is able to walk 1km over reasonably flat ground in 20 mins. How long would it take him
to cover a distance of 4.5km over similar terrain?
a)
b)
c)
d)
60 mins
90 mins
40 mins
120 mins
42. When moving from point A to the bridge on the picture shown, which technique is being used?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Contouring
Boxing round
Aiming Off
Handrailing
43. A cadet decides to follow a stream down from the hill-side because she knows that the stream
runs close to her campsite. The cadet is using a navigational techniques known as:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Handrailing
Using attack points
Contouring
Aiming Off
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44. The diagram shows:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Occluded front
Cold front
Warm front
Anti-cyclone
44a The diagram shows?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Depression
Occluded front
Warm front
Cold front
45. Depressions move under the influence of:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Warm fronts
Upper winds
Cold fronts
Lower winds
46. Upper winds are generally responsible for?
a)
b)
c)
d)
The strength of the surface wind
Movement of a depression
Poor weather
Fine weather
47. Lines on a weather chart joining points of equal pressure are called:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Occluded fronts
Warm fronts
Isobars
Cold fronts
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48. High level cloud names could begin with the prefix
a)
b)
c)
d)
Alto
Strato
Cirro
Nimbo
49. Which of these types of air mass brings cold dry weather with little or no cloud to the British
Isles in winter?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Polar continental via the short sea-track
Polar continental via the long sea route
Returning polar maritime
Polar maritime
50. Name this MEDIUM level cloud formation.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Stratus
Nimbostratus
Altocumulus
Cirrus
51 When alto is used as a prefix in a name of a type of cloud, that cloud may be found at:
a)
b)
c)
d)
High level
Any level
Low level
Medium level
52. Name this HIGH level cloud formation.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Cirrus
Cirrostratus
Altostratus
Cirrocumulus
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53. Name this HIGH level cloud formation.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Stratus
Nimbostratus
Altocumulus
Cirrus
54. Name this LOW level cloud formation.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Stratus
Numbostratus
Cumulus
Cirrus
55. Which air mass originates around the equator and brings warm, cloudy weather to the UK in
both summer and winter?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Tropical maritime
Tropical continental
Arctic maritime
Polar maritime
56. Which of these would be found only at high level?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Stratocumulus
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Cirrostratus
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57. Which air mass is called Tropical Continental?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Z
W
Y
X
58. Which air mass is called Tropical Maritime?
a)
b)
c)
d)
X
W
Y
Z
59. Which air mass is called Returning Polar Maritime?
a)
b)
c)
d)
X
Z
Y
W
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60. Which air mass is called Arctic Maritime?
a)
b)
c)
d)
W
Y
X
Z
61. Cloud names may have a prefix which indicates the height of the cloud base. Which of these
indicates a cloud with a base at medium level?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Nimbo
Alto
Strato
Cirro
62. In the diagram the dotted lines represent the upper wind and the solid lines the lower wind. If
you stood at Y with your back to the lower wind and the upper wind is moving from left to right:
a)
b)
c)
d)
There will be no change in the weather for a while
You'll feel a warm wind in your face
The weather is likely to improve
The weather is likely to deteriorate
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