Topographic Map Worksheet Practice - Free Printable

Let’s solve this step by step.

We’re looking at a topographic map of “Rock Mountain.” The lines on the map are called contour lines — they show elevation (height above sea level) in feet. Each line connects points that are at the same height.

We need to find the elevation of point X, which is marked with an “X” near the center of the mountain.

Look at the contour lines around point X:

- There’s a labeled contour line at 1500 feet, going through point C.
- Point X is inside that 1500-foot line — meaning it’s higher than 1500 feet.
- But there’s no other labeled line between 1500 and the next one inward — so we have to figure out the contour interval (how much each line goes up or down).

Let’s check other parts of the map to find the contour interval.

Look at the bottom left: there’s a lake with a contour line labeled 900. Just outside that, another line is also labeled 900 — wait, actually, let’s look more carefully.

Actually, near point A, there’s a contour line labeled 900. Then moving toward the mountain, the next unlabeled line would be higher. Let’s see if we can find two labeled lines close together.

Near Fish Creek, there’s a line labeled 800. And near point D, there’s a line labeled 1000. Between 800 and 1000, how many lines are there?

From 800 → then one unlabeled line → then 1000? Wait — actually, looking again: from 800 to 1000, there are two contour lines in between? No — let’s count properly.

Actually, let’s use the clearest part: near point C, it says 1500. Near point D, it says 1000. How many contour lines are between them?

From 1000 to 1500, if we count the lines:

- 1000 (at D)
- next line up = ?
- next = ?
- next = ?
- 1500 (at C)

Wait — actually, looking at the map, from 1000 to 1500, there are 5 contour lines total including both ends? Or not?

Better approach: Look at the scale bar and north arrow — but those don’t help with elevation.

Wait — here’s a better clue: near the bottom, there’s a contour line labeled 900, and another one just above it also labeled 900? That doesn’t make sense unless it’s a depression — but no, it’s probably just showing the same elevation on different sides.

Actually, let’s look at the area near the lakes. One lake has a contour line labeled 900 around it. Another lake near Fish Creek — what’s its elevation? Not labeled.

But here’s the key: between the 1000-ft line (near D) and the 1500-ft line (near C), how many contour intervals are there?

Counting the lines from D to C:

- Start at 1000 (point D)
- Next line inward: 1100?
- Next: 1200?
- Next: 1300?
- Next: 1400?
- Then 1500 (point C)

That would mean 5 intervals from 1000 to 1500 → so each interval is 100 feet.

Yes! Because 1500 - 1000 = 500 feet difference, and if there are 5 contour lines between them (including both ends?), wait — actually, number of intervals = number of lines minus one.

If you go from 1000 to 1500 and pass through 4 intermediate lines, that’s 5 intervals → 500 / 5 = 100 ft per interval.

Looking at the map visually: from the 1000 line to the 1500 line, there are 5 contour lines total? Actually, let’s count the spaces.

Between 1000 and 1500, there are 5 contour lines drawn? No — typically, the number of intervals is the number of gaps between lines.

Assume the contour interval is 100 feet — that’s standard for such maps unless shown otherwise.

Confirm with another pair: near Fish Creek, there’s an 800-ft line. Moving toward the mountain, the next line should be 900, then 1000, etc. Yes — that matches.

So contour interval = 100 feet.

Now back to point X.

Point X is inside the 1500-ft contour line. That means it’s higher than 1500.

Is there a 1600-ft line inside? Looking at the map — yes! There is one more contour line inside the 1500 line, surrounding point X.

So:

- Outermost of these inner lines: 1500 ft (where point C is)
- Next line inward: 1600 ft
- Point X is inside that 1600-ft line — so it must be higher than 1600.

But is there a 1700-ft line? Looking at the map — no, there’s no line labeled beyond 1600, and point X is not enclosed by another line — it’s just inside the 1600-ft line.

Wait — actually, re-examining: the 1500-ft line is where point C is. Inside that, there’s one more closed loop — that should be 1600 ft. And point X is inside that 1600-ft loop.

Therefore, point X is above 1600 ft, but below 1700 ft (since no 1700 line is drawn).

In topographic maps, if a point is inside a contour line but not on another, we say its elevation is greater than that line but less than the next possible line.

Since contour interval is 100 ft, and X is inside the 1600-ft line, then:

Elevation of X > 1600 ft
and
Elevation of X < 1700 ft

But often in worksheets like this, if a point is marked inside a contour and no higher contour is shown, we assume it’s just above that contour — but technically, without a spot elevation, we can only give a range.

Wait — let me double-check the map description.

The problem says: “Points A, B, C, D, and X on the map. Elevations are measured in feet.”

And we’re to answer questions — but the user didn’t specify which question. However, since the only unlabeled point among them is X (A, B, C, D might be on labeled lines?), let’s check:

- Point A: on a 900-ft line? Yes, looks like it.
- Point B: near Fish Creek — on which line? Probably 800 or 900? Wait, Fish Creek is between 800 and... actually, point B is on a line that’s likely 900? Let’s not guess.

Actually, the most common question for point X is: “What is the elevation of point X?”

Given that, and based on standard interpretation:

Contour interval = 100 ft (confirmed by 1000 to 1500 over 5 intervals → 500/5=100)

Point X is inside the highest closed contour, which is one line inside the 1500-ft line → so that line is 1600 ft.

Therefore, point X is between 1600 and 1700 feet.

But sometimes, if the peak is marked with an X and no higher contour, they expect you to say “greater than 1600” or give the range.

However, in many school worksheets, if a point is inside a contour and it’s the highest point, they may accept “between 1600 and 1700” or even “approximately 1650”, but strictly speaking, without a spot elevation, we can’t know exactly.

Wait — let’s look again: is there a label near X? No.

But perhaps I miscounted.

Alternative approach: start from known elevations.

At point D: 1000 ft

Moving toward mountain: each line adds 100 ft.

So:

- Line at D: 1000
- Next line inward: 1100
- Next: 1200
- Next: 1300
- Next: 1400
- Next: 1500 (point C)
- Next: 1600 (innermost line, surrounding X)
- Point X is inside 1600 → so elevation > 1600

No 1700 line → so elevation < 1700

Thus, elevation of X is between 1600 and 1700 feet.

But perhaps the worksheet expects a specific value? Unlikely — usually they want the range or “greater than 1600”.

Wait — maybe I made a mistake in counting intervals.

Let’s count the number of contour lines between 1000 and 1500.

From point D (1000) to point C (1500):

Visually, there are 5 contour lines between them? Including both? Let’s think:

If you walk from D to C, you cross several lines.

Typically, the number of intervals = number of lines crossed.

From 1000 to 1500, if you cross 5 lines, that would be 5 intervals of 100 ft each → 500 ft total → correct.

But when you’re at point C, you’re on the 1500 line. To get to X, you go inside — crossing one more line to reach the 1600 line, and X is inside that.

So yes, X is above 1600.

Perhaps the answer is “between 1600 and 1700 feet”.

But let’s see if there’s another way.

Notice that near the top, the contour lines are very close — indicating steep slope — but that doesn’t change elevation.

I think we have to conclude:

The elevation of point X is greater than 1600 feet and less than 1700 feet.

Since the problem likely expects a single answer, and in many curricula, they teach that if a point is inside a contour line, its elevation is at least that value, and since no higher contour is shown, it could be up to but not including the next.

But to be precise, the standard answer is:

Between 1600 and 1700 feet

Or sometimes written as: >1600 ft and <1700 ft

But let’s confirm contour interval once more.

Look at the 800-ft line near Fish Creek. Then moving south, the next line should be 900, then 1000 (at D). From 800 to 1000 is 200 ft, and there are two intervals (800→900→1000), so yes, 100 ft per interval.

Perfect.

So final determination:

Point X is inside the 1600-ft contour line → elevation > 1600 ft

No 1700-ft line → elevation < 1700 ft

Therefore, the elevation of point X is between 1600 and 1700 feet.

Final Answer:
Between 1600 and 1700 feet