Reading a Map: Tools & Symbols
The essentials of reading any map — the legend, scale, compass rose, cardinal directions, and the symbols that decode it.
- Difficulty:
- easy
- Questions:
- 10
Questions in this quiz
Q1. What does a legend or key explain on a map?
- • The mapmaker’s age
- • The weather forecast
- • The symbols and colors used
- • Only the capital city
Q2. What does a map scale help you determine?
- • The population density only
- • The distance between places
- • The language spoken
- • The age of a map
Q3. What is a compass rose used for on a map?
- • Showing rainfall
- • Showing direction
- • Showing elevation only
- • Showing population
Q4. Which map feature usually tells you what the map is about?
- • Compass rose
- • Title
- • Grid line
- • Scale
Q5. Which symbol is commonly used to mark a capital city on many maps?
- • Wave line
- • Dashed circle
- • Triangle
- • Star
Q6. Which direction is usually shown at the top of a standard map?
- • West
- • South
- • North
- • East
Q7. Which direction is opposite northeast?
- • Southwest
- • Southeast
- • South
- • Northwest
Q8. Which map direction is halfway between north and west?
- • Northwest
- • Northeast
- • Southeast
- • Southwest
Q9. What is an inset map?
- • A map drawn upside down
- • A map that shows only roads
- • A map without a border
- • A smaller map shown within a larger map
Q10. What is cartography?
- • The art and science of making maps
- • The naming of clouds
- • The measurement of rainfall
- • The study of earthquakes only