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Free Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1A surveyor is dating an Iowa boundary record to the event that made Iowa the twenty-ninth state. Which date is controlling?

    1. A. December 28, 1846
    2. B. March 3, 1845
    3. C. July 4, 1838
    4. D. August 4, 1846

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The official syllabus states, "Iowa became the 29th state on December 28, 1846." Therefore December 28, 1846 is the relevant statehood date.

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 7, Iowa Chronology to Statehood

  2. 2When tracing the governmental status of land before Iowa statehood, in what year should the surveyor mark the formation of Iowa Territory?

    1. A. 1834
    2. B. 1836
    3. C. 1838
    4. D. 1846

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The syllabus states, "1838 Iowa Territory was formed." The correct year is 1838.

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 7, Iowa Chronology to Statehood

  3. 3An 1834 Iowa-area land record was created before Iowa Territory existed. Which territorial government then included Iowa?

    1. A. Michigan Territory
    2. B. Wisconsin Territory
    3. C. Missouri Territory
    4. D. Indiana Territory

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The syllabus gives the sequence directly: "1834 Iowa became part of Michigan Territory."

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 7, Iowa Chronology to Statehood

  4. 4Which parallel was accepted for Iowa's northern border in the 1846 constitutional compromise?

    1. A. 42 degrees 30 minutes north
    2. B. 43 degrees north
    3. C. 43 degrees 30 minutes north
    4. D. 44 degrees north

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The syllabus says the convention "agreed on compromised borders of 43 degrees 30 minutes north latitude on the north."

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 7, Iowa Chronology to Statehood

  5. 5Which pair of years marks the two Iowa Territory votes rejecting statehood before the later successful effort?

    1. A. 1838 and 1840
    2. B. 1840 and 1842
    3. C. 1842 and 1844
    4. D. 1844 and 1845

    Answer: B

    Explanation: The chronology lists, "1840 Residents of the Iowa Territory voted against statehood" and "1842 Residents of the Iowa Territory again voted against statehood."

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 7, Iowa Chronology to Statehood

  6. 6Who opened the Surveyor General of Wisconsin and Iowa office at Dubuque in February 1839?

    1. A. Albert G. Ellis
    2. B. George W. Jones
    3. C. James Wilson
    4. D. Caleb H. Booth

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The syllabus identifies "Albert G. Ellis, Surveyor General of Wisconsin and Iowa, appointed June 28, 1838, opened office at Dubuque, Iowa February 1839."

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 9, Iowa Surveyors General

  7. 7A township record points to the Surveyor General appointed at Dubuque in February 1840. Which name should the surveyor expect?

    1. A. Ezekiel S. Haines
    2. B. George W. Jones
    3. C. George B. Sargent
    4. D. Warner Lewis

    Answer: B

    Explanation: The official list states, "George W. Jones, Surveyor General of Wisconsin and Iowa, appointed February 4, 1840, office at Dubuque, Iowa."

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 9, Iowa Surveyors General

  8. 8Which Iowa Surveyor General, appointed in March 1851, later appears in the syllabus's discussion of stone-corner instructions?

    1. A. Caleb H. Booth
    2. B. George B. Sargent
    3. C. Warner Lewis
    4. D. Thomas J. Townsend

    Answer: B

    Explanation: The list names "George B. Sargent, Surveyor General of Wisconsin and Iowa, appointed March 24, 1851."

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 9, Iowa Surveyors General

  9. 9Which official succeeded in the Iowa surveyor-general sequence with an appointment dated April 23, 1853?

    1. A. James Wilson
    2. B. George B. Sargent
    3. C. Warner Lewis
    4. D. Henry A. Wiltse

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The syllabus lists "Warner Lewis, Surveyor General of Wisconsin and Iowa, appointed April 23, 1853."

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 9, Iowa Surveyors General

  10. 10After the Dubuque surveyor-general office closed in 1866, where were its remaining administrative duties transferred?

    1. A. The Illinois and Missouri office at St. Louis
    2. B. The Nebraska and Iowa office at Plattsmouth
    3. C. The Minnesota office at Saint Paul
    4. D. The General Land Office at Cincinnati

    Answer: B

    Explanation: The syllabus states that the office closed and "any remaining administrative duties were transferred to the Surveyor General of Nebraska and Iowa with office at Plattsmouth, Nebraska."

    Reference: UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM (PLSS) NOTES — p. 9, Iowa Surveyors General

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM IN IOWA
    • Iowa Chronology to Statehood
    • References
    • Iowa Surveyors General
    • U.S. Public Land Survey System Instructions in Iowa
    • History of Sectionalized Surveys in Iowa
    • Control Lines in Iowa
    • Corner Monuments in Iowa
    • Lotting in Iowa
    • Iowa-Missouri Boundary
    • Iowa-Minnesota Boundary
    • East and West Boundaries
    • Center of Section in Iowa
    • Iowa Navigable and Nonnavigable Water Boundaries
    • Navigable/Nonnavigable Surface Waters
    • Source of Ownership of Navigable Waters
    • The Federal Test for Navigable Waters
    • State Tests for Navigable Waters
    • Navigable Waters in the Rectangular Land System
    • Meandered Rivers and Streams of Iowa
    • Established Road Widths
    • County Surveyor
    • Iowa Geodetic Survey
    • Records Research for Land Surveying in Iowa

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These are independent study questions, not actual examination items. For examination requirements and official information, view Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination details.