Which term is one of the five major terrain features used in land navigation?

• A. Hill
• B. Ridge
• C. Desert
• D. Plain

Answer: (B)

The concept here is recognizing one of the five major terrain features used in land navigation. In standard land navigation, the landscape is described by five main features: ridge, hill, valley, saddle, and depression. A ridge is a long, narrow crest of high ground that runs for some distance, with sides that slope down on either side. This kind of feature is important for navigation because it provides a distinct, linear path to follow and it affects how you see the surrounding terrain and plan your route. On a topo map, ridges show up as a series of contour lines forming a long, continuous crest; on the ground, you’ll feel and see a raised spine that helps you orient yourself and maintain direction. While a hill is also a major terrain feature, the term highlighted here is ridge, which is why it’s the best answer. Desert and plain describe broad land surfaces or land cover rather than the defined terrain features used for navigation.