What topographical feature indicates a change in direction of a road on a map?

A kink or deflection is the correct choice because it specifically denotes a change in direction along a road. On a topographical map, this feature appears as an angular shift in the road's path, which visually indicates that the road is no longer proceeding in a straight line but has instead altered its course.

This is important in navigation for various reasons, particularly for planning travel routes or identifying potential obstacles. Recognizing a kink allows a navigator to anticipate changes in terrain, navigate through turns, and make informed decisions about the best path to take. Other options may refer to features that provide different information. For example, a bend simply describes a smooth curve rather than an angular change indicated by a kink. Elevation marks indicate changes in height rather than direction, and a key provides a legend for map symbols but does not indicate road direction changes.