GIS 1 (Shellito) Exam 1 with Complete
Solutions
What is GIS (definition)? What makes GIS different from other information systems? -
ANS-GIS is computer-based mapping, analysis , and retrieval of location-based data.
What is "geospatial data" and what makes it unique? - ANS-Items (or data) that are tied
to a specific real-world location
How is data created with GIS considered a model of the world? - ANS-
How does the discrete view of the world treat real-world items when representing them
in GIS? - ANS-They are represented as a series of objects with fixed boundaries
(multiple lakes in a county, or roads).
What are the three geometric primitives of the vector data model (known as *vector
objects*) and how are they used in GIS? - ANS-points (zero-dimensions), lines (one-
dimension), and polygons (2-dimension); they are used by representing real-world data
within GIS
What is an ellipsoid (Spheroid)? - ANS-An ellipsoid is a three-dimensional shape
created from a two-dimensional ellipse; an ellipsoid is slightly larger at its center than at
the poles.
What is a datum? - ANS-a reference surface of earth used for plotting locations across
the globe
What are three common datums (NAD27, NAD83, WGS84) measuring and what are the
differences between them? - ANS-*1 - NAD27:* developed for measurements of the US
and North America;
*2 - NAD83:* developed by the National Geodetic Survey & Canadian agencies used for
the US and the North American continent as a whole
*3 - WGS84:* the World Geodetic System of 1984 datum developed by the US
Department of Defense & is used by the GPS for locating points worldwide on Earth's
surface
In ArcMap, what is the Table of Contents and how is it used with GIS data? - ANS-The
section within ArcMap that *shows* all layers being used in a map document. You know,
the section on the left.
, In ArcMap, what are some common features available on the Tools toolbar? - ANS-
Zoom In/Out, Pan, Full Extent, Hyperlink, Identify, Find, Select Features
In ArcMap, what are some common features available on the Standard toolbar? - ANS-
New/Save/Open/Print Map, Copy/Paste/Delete Items, Undo/Redo, Add Data, Change
Scale
What is a Map Document (.mxd file)? - ANS-A file that contains information about where
all of the data layers used in a session are located, as well as their appearance and
settings.
*What is really saved in the .mxd file when you save your work in ArcMap? - ANS-A
pathway to get to the information stored rather than the actual information.
What is a Map Package (.mpk file)? - ANS-A single file that contains the map document
PLUS all data layers used in the map document AND appearance
What are the differences between a Map Document and a Map Package? - ANS-Map
Document is the "shell" of information where the Map Package is "the whole package"
of information.
What is the difference between the "project" and "define projection" options in ArcGIS? -
ANS-Project - A way of changing the coordinate system; for instance: NAD27 to NAD83
Define Projection - This is used when the data has NO defined coordinate system.
What is a database and what is a DBMS? - ANS-Database - one or more files that are
structured in a way by a DBMS and accessed through it.
DBMS - Database Management System.
What do fields and records represent in a GIS attribute table? - ANS-*Fields* - the
columns of an attribute table.
*Records* - the rows of an attribute table.
What are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio data? - ANS-*Nominal* - a type of data
that is a unique identifier of some kind; differences between numbers are not significant
ex: Geological Map (different geological formations)
*Ordinal* - type of data that refers solely to a ranking of some kind
ex: Hazard map of Avalanches (1-10)
*Interval* - a type of numerical data in which the difference between numbers is
significant, but there is no fixed non-arbitrary zero point associated with the data
ex: temperature map or pH values
*Ratio* - a type of numerical data in which the difference between numbers is
significant, but there is a fixed non-arbitrary zero point associated with the data
ex: age, distance, weight, volume.
Solutions
What is GIS (definition)? What makes GIS different from other information systems? -
ANS-GIS is computer-based mapping, analysis , and retrieval of location-based data.
What is "geospatial data" and what makes it unique? - ANS-Items (or data) that are tied
to a specific real-world location
How is data created with GIS considered a model of the world? - ANS-
How does the discrete view of the world treat real-world items when representing them
in GIS? - ANS-They are represented as a series of objects with fixed boundaries
(multiple lakes in a county, or roads).
What are the three geometric primitives of the vector data model (known as *vector
objects*) and how are they used in GIS? - ANS-points (zero-dimensions), lines (one-
dimension), and polygons (2-dimension); they are used by representing real-world data
within GIS
What is an ellipsoid (Spheroid)? - ANS-An ellipsoid is a three-dimensional shape
created from a two-dimensional ellipse; an ellipsoid is slightly larger at its center than at
the poles.
What is a datum? - ANS-a reference surface of earth used for plotting locations across
the globe
What are three common datums (NAD27, NAD83, WGS84) measuring and what are the
differences between them? - ANS-*1 - NAD27:* developed for measurements of the US
and North America;
*2 - NAD83:* developed by the National Geodetic Survey & Canadian agencies used for
the US and the North American continent as a whole
*3 - WGS84:* the World Geodetic System of 1984 datum developed by the US
Department of Defense & is used by the GPS for locating points worldwide on Earth's
surface
In ArcMap, what is the Table of Contents and how is it used with GIS data? - ANS-The
section within ArcMap that *shows* all layers being used in a map document. You know,
the section on the left.
, In ArcMap, what are some common features available on the Tools toolbar? - ANS-
Zoom In/Out, Pan, Full Extent, Hyperlink, Identify, Find, Select Features
In ArcMap, what are some common features available on the Standard toolbar? - ANS-
New/Save/Open/Print Map, Copy/Paste/Delete Items, Undo/Redo, Add Data, Change
Scale
What is a Map Document (.mxd file)? - ANS-A file that contains information about where
all of the data layers used in a session are located, as well as their appearance and
settings.
*What is really saved in the .mxd file when you save your work in ArcMap? - ANS-A
pathway to get to the information stored rather than the actual information.
What is a Map Package (.mpk file)? - ANS-A single file that contains the map document
PLUS all data layers used in the map document AND appearance
What are the differences between a Map Document and a Map Package? - ANS-Map
Document is the "shell" of information where the Map Package is "the whole package"
of information.
What is the difference between the "project" and "define projection" options in ArcGIS? -
ANS-Project - A way of changing the coordinate system; for instance: NAD27 to NAD83
Define Projection - This is used when the data has NO defined coordinate system.
What is a database and what is a DBMS? - ANS-Database - one or more files that are
structured in a way by a DBMS and accessed through it.
DBMS - Database Management System.
What do fields and records represent in a GIS attribute table? - ANS-*Fields* - the
columns of an attribute table.
*Records* - the rows of an attribute table.
What are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio data? - ANS-*Nominal* - a type of data
that is a unique identifier of some kind; differences between numbers are not significant
ex: Geological Map (different geological formations)
*Ordinal* - type of data that refers solely to a ranking of some kind
ex: Hazard map of Avalanches (1-10)
*Interval* - a type of numerical data in which the difference between numbers is
significant, but there is no fixed non-arbitrary zero point associated with the data
ex: temperature map or pH values
*Ratio* - a type of numerical data in which the difference between numbers is
significant, but there is a fixed non-arbitrary zero point associated with the data
ex: age, distance, weight, volume.
