How much do you know about the basics of map reading?

By: John Miller
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How much do you know about the basics of map reading?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Whether the map is of your local area or of the world, most of the basics are the same. If you remember those basics, we challenge you to dig deep into your memory and see how much you really remember.

Oh, hear us out, because we're going to rag a bit on millennials. Yup, the generation that practically grew up with Google Maps can't read a map. So, if the zombie apocalypse ever really does come, and you all need to get to the safe zone, you're in trouble.

Map reading skills are actually important. Rather than watching a little arrow move along a line with a voice telling you to turn left in 1,000 feet, map reading gives you a micro view of the world in which you live. Just like you learned to read a map or a globe in World Geography class that gave you a sense of where things are in the world, learning to read a map of your local area can help you do more than turn right at the McDonald's and then left at the Dunkin Donuts. Of course, if that's the way you want to get around, who are we to tell you you're wrong?

Let's get started.


The relationship between the size of the map and the actual size of the area depicted on the map is called _____.
Scale
Balance
Power
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The scale of the map is the relationship between the size of the map and the area featured on the map. A 1:10,000 scale map, for example, means that any one unit of distance on the map refers to 10,000 such units in real life.

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If you're hiking in a wilderness area, you should pair a good map with a ____ so that you don't get lost.
Smartphone
Compass
Seeing-eye dog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A detailed map is a great tool for backcountry hiking. But it's even more useful with a compass -- and the knowledge to use both.

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On a map, a blue blob typically indicates what sort of feature?
Sewer systems
Mountains
Water
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Blue is the universal color for water. Whether you're boating across a Great Lake or driving over the Hudson River, it's a good idea to keep tabs on water locations as you travel an area. Otherwise, you know, unexpected drowning may result.

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What's the purpose of a map legend?
To unlock a secret path
To explain a map's symbols
To tell a grand tale of a fantastic quest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A map legend explains a map's symbols. Use the map legend to help you figure out just what all those squiggly lines and dots really mean.

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Which term refers to a set of imaginary horizontal lines that cross the Earth?
Latitude
Laddertude
Littoral
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Latitude is the set of imaginary horizontal lines that cross the Earth. Paired with longitude (vertical lines) you can use numerical coordinates to pinpoint any place on the planet.

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A "needle" is an important part of which tool?
Google Maps
A compass
A tablet computer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A compass needle is critical for understanding direction. The needle on a properly-working compass points north.

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What is NOT one of the so-called "cardinal directions" on a map?
North
South
Southwest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The cardinal directions are the four primary directions on a map. They are north, south, east and west.

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The map legend is often called the _____.
Key
Womb
Heart
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A map legend is also called the key. A key or legend is, well, a key to understanding the symbols on a map. Some map symbols are virtually universal, but others are more esoteric, so the key is a vital component of any map.

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What does the color green typically mean?
Forest
Desert
Dessert
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On a map, green often denotes forested areas. It may highlight national or state parks. And in some cases, green may mean something else altogether, which is why it's always wise to consult the map legend.

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True or false, are all maps printed on paper?
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These days, it seems that paper maps are going the way of the dinosaurs. Electronic, interactive maps are one of the many profound technological shifts brought to life by the digital revolution.

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Maps are a visual represenation of what, exactly?
An area
A mathematical equation
A type of chemical reaction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A map is an image of an area. Traditional maps depict the Earth and help its human residents navigate their way.

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What is a "neatline"?
A map made by a first grader
The border of the map
An interactive icon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A neatline is the border of the map. It defines the area in question and helps present the visual information neatly.

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Maps are flat, so they are inherently inaccurate. Why?
Because state lines don't make any sense
Because mapmakers are dumb
Because the Earth is round
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maps are flat. The Earth is round. Flat Earthers, please don't flame us on social media.

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On a map, which direction is to the RIGHT?
East
South
North
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The east is to the right, the west is to the left. North, of course, is towards the top, and south is at the bottom.

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What does GPS stand for?
Global Patriotism System
Grand Partitioning Sticker
Global Positioning System
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

GPS is the Global Positioning System, which uses satellites to pinpoint a location. GPS units, like those in your smartphone, are great when paired with a map, indicating exactly where you are in an area.

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If you see a swath of white on a map, what does it likely indicate?
National forest land
Water
Bare or open land
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

White often refers to open or bare land. In many cases, that open land is crisscrossed by many roads and other human-made features. White may also indicate the highest areas of a region.

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Longitude lines are also called _____.
Multitudes
Meridians
Mauraders
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Longitude lines are also called meridians. Due to the curvature of the Earth, longitude lines are farther apart at the equator and closer together at the poles.

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What symbol do you use to determine the orientation of a map?
The north arrow
The eagle symbol
The symbol for pagan harvest season
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The north arrow is one of the most basic, but vital, elements of a map. It will help you orient the map to your position so that you can plot a route.

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What can you do using the scale of a map?
Determine the distance between two points
Figure out which geographical feature is heavier
Find longitude
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The scale of a map helps you figure out the distance between two points on a map. It's one of the most important functions of a basic map.

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What is "labeling"?
The practice of drawing maps with Crayons
The practice of setting maps on fire
The practice of putting names to map features
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Labeling refers to the practice of naming features on a map. It sounds simple, but map makers must work very hard to make labels fit on a crowded map.

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All maps sacrifice some accuracy. Why?
Because they are cheaply made by grade school students in Taiwan
To make the map more readable
To make sure no one finds the buried treasure
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even extremely detailed maps throw out some visual elements, a fact that results in slightly lower accuracy. Why? Because too many details cause clutter that make maps hard to read.

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The practice of omitting certain details of an area in order to make a map more readable is called what?
Declamping
Declawing
Decluttering
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Decluttering" is the term for omitting certain details of an area in order to make the map easier to read. Without decluttering, most (if not all) maps would be a jumbled mass of visual junk.

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What does a topographical map portray?
It shows an abstract painting
It shows relief
It shows pain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Topographical maps show relief, most often through the use of contour lines. With a "topo" map, you can get an idea of just how steep that mountain really is before you set out on that hike.

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True or false, is scale mostly the same from map to map?
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Scale varies greatly depending on the area that's depicted. Whenever you decide to use a new map, be sure to understand its scale, otherwise, you may have no idea what the distances on the map are really like.

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On a topographical map, what does it mean when contour lines are very close to each other?
It means the map maker made a mistake
The terrain is steep
It's flat ground
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When contour lines are close together on a topo map, they indicate steep terrain. So if you're looking for flat ground, you'd prefer contour lines that are farther apart.

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On a topographical map, contour lines connect points of _____ elevation.
Equal
Lesser than
Greater than
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On a topo map, contour lines connect points of equal elevation. Contour lines are great for representing three-dimensional areas on a two-dimensional map.

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Why is a map's title important?
It indicates the purpose of the map
It separates the map into logical chapters
It helps you figure out which country you're in.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Map titles seem kind of redundant until you start flipping through an atlas. Then, you realize that you really do need a map title to help you quickly determine the purpose of the map.

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True or false, are map symbols mostly the same from country to country?
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sometimes, map symbols in one country might mean something else entirely in another nation. If you're traveling abroad, be sure to actually glance at the map legend, otherwise, you may misinterpret a critical part of the map and wind up in Siberia, and don't say we didn't warn you.

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True or false, do all maps orient themselves with north at the top?
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most -- but not all -- maps are created with north at the top. For example, Arctic maps would be exceedingly confusing if they attempted to orient themselves with north at the top. Because, you know, you're already there, dude.

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The larger the scale, the ____ the area represented on the map.
Smaller
Larger
Blacker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The larger the scale of the map, the smaller the area that's depicted on the map. These maps (usually) have a lot more detail so that you can identify small places buried in a big area.

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