CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What does the term 'slope grade' commonly refer to in construction?

1. The angle of elevation

2. The decline percentage

3. The steepness expressed as a percentage

4. The type of terrain

The correct answer is: The steepness expressed as a percentage

The term 'slope grade' in construction is commonly understood as the steepness of a slope expressed as a percentage. This percentage indicates how much the elevation changes over a certain horizontal distance, providing a clear metric for assessing the incline or decline of the terrain. For instance, a slope grade of 10% means there is a 10-unit rise or fall for every 100 horizontal units. This measure is crucial for various applications in construction and land surveying, such as ensuring proper drainage, designing roads, and determining the stability of slopes. Although other options relate to aspects of slope, they do not define slope grade as accurately. The angle of elevation refers to the actual angle formed, while the decline percentage can imply a slope's decrease but does not encapsulate the general essence of slope grade. The type of terrain, while relevant in discussions of land surveying, does not describe the specific metric of steepness that slope grade represents. Therefore, the correct option succinctly captures the concept that is essential in the context of construction and land surveying.