Which survey technique is a very quick way to determine the rough limits of a contaminated area?

• A. Star
• B. Box
• C. Zig Zag
• D. Course Leg

Answer: (A)

Determining rough limits quickly relies on patterns that probe outward from a central point in multiple directions. The star method does exactly this: you pick a center and move along several straight lines like spokes, testing for contamination along each line. When you encounter the boundary on those lines, you get a quick, approximate map of the contaminated area’s extent without tracing a full perimeter. This approach is fast, covers many directions at once, and adapts well to irregular shapes, making it ideal for a rapid initial assessment.

A box pattern traces a perimeter around the area, which takes more time; zig-zag involves moving along a path in a back-and-forth manner, and a course leg follows preplanned segments—both of these are less efficient for quickly establishing rough boundaries.