Map Skills: Compass Rose and Scale Quiz

Grade 3 · Social Studies · Quiz

Test your knowledge of compass rose directions and how to use a map scale.

Questions

1. What are the four cardinal directions?

   1. Up, Down, Left, Right
   2. North, South, East, West
   3. Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest
   4. Forward, Backward, Sideways, Diagonal
   Show answer

   Answer: North, South, East, West

   North, South, East, and West are the four cardinal directions shown on a compass rose.

2. If a map scale says 1 inch = 10 miles, and two towns are 3 inches apart on the map, how far apart are they in real life?

   1. 3 miles
   2. 13 miles
   3. 30 miles
   4. 100 miles
   Show answer

   Answer: 30 miles

   3 inches x 10 miles per inch = 30 miles. The scale multiplies map distance by the ratio.

3. What is another name for a map legend?

   1. Compass rose
   2. Map scale
   3. Map key
   4. Grid line
   Show answer

   Answer: Map key

   A map key and a map legend are the same thing — both explain what symbols and colors on a map mean.

4. Northeast is an intermediate direction between North and East.

   Show answer

   Answer: True

   Northeast points diagonally between North and East, making it an intermediate direction.

5. Which direction is directly opposite of North on a compass rose?

   1. East
   2. West
   3. South
   4. Northeast
   Show answer

   Answer: South

   South is directly opposite of North on a compass rose.

6. What does a map legend help you do?

   1. Find which way is North
   2. Measure distances between cities
   3. Understand what symbols on the map mean
   4. See what year the map was made
   Show answer

   Answer: Understand what symbols on the map mean

   The map legend (or key) defines what all the symbols, colors, and patterns on a map represent.

7. The symbol on a map that shows North, South, East, and West is called a compass ________.

   Show answer

   Answer: rose

   The compass rose is the directional symbol found on maps showing the cardinal and sometimes intermediate directions.

8. If you are traveling from North to South, which direction are you going?

   1. You are going North
   2. You are going East
   3. You are going West
   4. You are going South
   Show answer

   Answer: You are going South

   If you start at North and travel to South, you are moving in the southward direction.

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