A contour line joins locations having the same height above the mean sea level. The following is a contour plot of a geographical region. Contour lines are shown at 25-m intervals in this plot. If in a flood, the water level rises to 525 m, which of the following villages P, Q, R, S, T get submerged? A. P, Q B. P, Q, T C. R, S, T D. Q, R, S

GATE 2017 · General Aptitude · Contour Plots · medium

Answer: Villages R, S, and T get submerged (they are at or below the 525-m flood level). Answer: C.

1. Read elevations from the contour plot: From the contour plot: villages R, S, and T lie within contour lines at or below 525 m (they are enclosed by contour lines indicating elevation <= 525 m). Villages P and Q are situated at higher elevations (above 525 m), lying outside or above the 525-m contour.
2. Apply submersion criterion: R, S, T have elevations <= 525 m => submerged. P, Q have elevations > 525 m => not submerged.