Which map shows the shape of the ground and elevation using contour lines?

• A. Topographic Map
• B. Thematic Map
• C. Political Map
• D. Road Map

Answer: (A)

The shape of the land and its elevation are shown using contour lines on a topographic map. Contour lines connect points that sit at the same height above sea level, so you can read how the ground rises and falls across the terrain. The spacing of those lines tells you how steep the slope is—closer lines mean a steeper slope, wider spacing means gentler terrain. The pattern of closed loops and the way lines bend around ridges and valleys let you visualize hills, valleys, and other landforms even without looking at the actual ground.

Other map types focus on different information: thematic maps highlight a particular theme like population or climate; political maps show borders and place names; road maps emphasize routes and roads. They don’t use contour lines to depict elevation, which is why they don’t convey the ground’s shape the way a topographic map does.