Which statement best describes the spacing that indicates a gentle slope?

Which statement best describes the spacing that indicates a gentle slope?

• A. Widely spaced contour lines
• B. Closely spaced contour lines
• C. Irregular spacing
• D. No contour lines

Answer: (A)

Contour lines show elevations, and how far apart they are tells you how quickly the terrain rises. Widely spaced contour lines mean the elevation changes slowly over distance, which is a gentle slope. If the lines were close together, the elevation would change quickly, indicating a steep slope. Irregular spacing points to uneven terrain with varying slope, not a uniform gentle incline. No contour lines usually means the area is flat or that there’s no elevation change within the map’s interval, not a gentle slope.

Contour lines show elevations, and how far apart they are tells you how quickly the terrain rises. Widely spaced contour lines mean the elevation changes slowly over distance, which is a gentle slope. If the lines were close together, the elevation would change quickly, indicating a steep slope. Irregular spacing points to uneven terrain with varying slope, not a uniform gentle incline. No contour lines usually means the area is flat or that there’s no elevation change within the map’s interval, not a gentle slope.