Latitude and Longitude Quiz

Grade 6 · Social Studies · Quiz

Test your ability to understand and use the latitude and longitude coordinate system.

Questions

1. Lines of latitude are also called:

   1. Meridians
   2. Parallels
   3. Coordinates
   4. Hemispheres
   Show answer

   Answer: Parallels

   Lines of latitude are called parallels because they run parallel to the Equator and to each other.

2. Which line of latitude divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

   1. Prime Meridian
   2. Tropic of Cancer
   3. Equator
   4. Arctic Circle
   Show answer

   Answer: Equator

   The Equator at 0° latitude is the line that divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

3. What is the maximum degree value for latitude?

   1. 180°
   2. 360°
   3. 90°
   4. 270°
   Show answer

   Answer: 90°

   Latitude ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90° at each pole (90°N = North Pole, 90°S = South Pole).

4. The International Date Line is located at approximately which degree of longitude?

   1. 0°
   2. 90°
   3. 45°
   4. 180°
   Show answer

   Answer: 180°

   The International Date Line runs roughly along the 180° line of longitude in the Pacific Ocean, where the calendar date changes.

5. A location at 0° latitude and 0° longitude would be found:

   1. In the middle of the United States
   2. In the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii
   3. In the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa
   4. At the North Pole
   Show answer

   Answer: In the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa

   The point where the Equator (0°N/S) crosses the Prime Meridian (0°E/W) falls in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa, sometimes called 'Null Island.'

6. Which of these best describes the Prime Meridian?

   1. A line at 0° latitude running through Africa
   2. A line at 0° longitude running through Greenwich, England
   3. The line that separates the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
   4. A line at 90° longitude in the Pacific Ocean
   Show answer

   Answer: A line at 0° longitude running through Greenwich, England

   The Prime Meridian is the 0° longitude line that passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, dividing East and West.

7. The Tropic of Cancer is located at approximately 23.5° south latitude.

   Show answer

   Answer: False

   The Tropic of Cancer is at 23.5° NORTH latitude. The Tropic of CAPRICORN is at 23.5° south latitude.

8. Lines of longitude are also called ________, and they run from the North Pole to the South Pole.

   Show answer

   Answer: meridians

   Lines of longitude are called meridians; they converge at the North and South Poles and run vertically on a map.

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