Massachusetts Real Estate License Practice Test

What does the Rectangular Survey System primarily use to define land parcels?

1. Circles and squares

2. Baselines and meridians

3. Angles and distances

4. Squares and rectangles only

The correct answer is: Baselines and meridians

The Rectangular Survey System, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), fundamentally relies on baselines and meridians to define land parcels. This system was established to create a standardized method for surveying and dividing land, primarily in the western United States. Baselines are the east-west lines that provide a reference point for measuring north and south. Meridians, on the other hand, are the north-south lines that serve as a reference for east and west measurements. The intersection of these lines forms a grid, which allows for the systematic description of land parcels in a clear and organized manner, typically using township and range designations. While the other options mention shapes or methods related to land measurement, they do not capture the essence of how the Rectangular Survey System operates. For instance, circles and squares or squares and rectangles only suggest a geometrical approach rather than the systematic, grid-like structure used in this survey method. Angles and distances could be relevant in surveying in general, but they do not specifically relate to the foundational mechanisms of the Rectangular Survey System. Therefore, baselines and meridians accurately reflect the core methodology utilized to delineate properties within this system.