Which term is used to describe color gradations on maps?

• A. Tint
• B. Shades
• C. Tone
• D. Halftone

Answer: (A)

Color gradations on maps are shown by varying the tint of a single hue, creating lighter to darker versions to represent different values. Tint specifically means those lighter versions of the color used on maps to indicate progression or intensity while keeping the same hue, which keeps the map readable and visually cohesive. As values increase, the tint becomes deeper, helping readers compare areas quickly.

Shades would refer to darker variants of a color that imply more depth, tone describes the overall lightness or quality of a color, and halftone is a printing method using dots—none of these capture the idea of systematic light-to-dark color variations within one hue as clearly as tint does. For example, a choropleth map might use pale blue tints for low values and progressively darker blue tints for higher values.