Final answer:
In geography, a 'quad' refers to a section of a topographic map sheet, bounded by lines of longitude and latitude and published by the United States Geological Survey. It is used for map-reading, land surveying, and navigation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of a school-related question, the term quad often refers to a quadrangle, which is an open area with buildings surrounding it, commonly found on college and university campuses. However, when you provided the definition related to a topographic map sheet published by the United States Geological Survey, it seems that you mean a different kind of 'quad.' In this sense, a quad refers to a section of a map defined by specific boundaries of longitude and latitude. These quads are used for various purposes, including educational and professional map-reading, land surveying, navigation, and environmental studies.