Determine the lie of the land with a poll (6)

I believe the answer is:

survey

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'a poll' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for survey that I've seen before include "Questionnaire" , "Look thoroughly at" , "Appraise, review" , "Check on house before purchase" , "Report (on a house)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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