NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying Practice Exam

What are Standard Parallels?

1. Parallels running 10 miles apart

2. Parallels marked at 40 chain intervals

3. Lines running only through urban areas

4. Imaginary lines established by local governments

The correct answer is: Parallels marked at 40 chain intervals

Standard parallels, also known as correction parallels, are defined as lines of latitude that are established at specific intervals, commonly set at a distance of 40 chains apart. This method of establishing standard parallels is particularly relevant in the context of land surveying in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) in the United States. The consistent spacing of these parallels helps to maintain the accuracy of land descriptions over large areas by providing reference lines that can be easily identified and used for measurement. In the PLSS, standard parallels serve to create territorial boundaries and help correct for the curvature of the Earth, ensuring that survey measurements remain reliable. By maintaining a standard interval, surveyors can create a systematic grid for land division that improves the organization and management of land. The other options do not accurately describe standard parallels. For instance, the notion of parallels running 10 miles apart is not a standard measurement, as the established distance is specifically tied to chain measurements in surveying. Additionally, the choice regarding parallels only running through urban areas mischaracterizes standard parallels, which are used universally in land surveying, regardless of the land's development status. Lastly, the idea that standard parallels are imaginary lines established by local governments is misleading, as they are instead defined by standardized surveying practices rather than