Chapter 9: Maps - Our Companions
Solved textbook questions with step-by-step explanations.
Grade 5 Q&A: Chapter 9: Maps and Symbols
Welcome to the Questions and Answers section for Grade 5 Environmental Studies (Part One), Chapter 9: "Maps and Symbols." This chapter introduces us to the fascinating world of maps, how they help us understand locations and directions, and the various symbols used to represent features on a map. We will learn about cardinal directions, sub-directions, and the importance of maps in our daily lives.
Important Questions and Answers
Q1: What is a map?
Answer: A map is a drawing or representation of an area, showing its features, such as roads, rivers, mountains, and cities, from a top-down view.
Q2: Why are maps useful?
Answer: Maps are useful because they help us find places, understand directions, plan routes, and learn about different geographical features of an area.
Q3: Name the four cardinal directions.
Answer: The four cardinal directions are East, West, North, and South.
Q4: How can we find directions using the sun?
Answer: If you face the rising sun, East is in front of you, West is behind you, North is to your left, and South is to your right.
Q5: What are sub-directions? Name them.
Answer: Sub-directions are the directions that lie between the cardinal directions. They are North-East, South-East, South-West, and North-West.
Q6: Why are symbols used on a map?
Answer: Symbols are used on a map to represent various features like rivers, roads, temples, schools, or forests in a compact and easily understandable way, as it's not possible to draw them in real size.
Q7: What is a map key or legend?
Answer: A map key or legend is a list of symbols used on a map and what each symbol represents, helping us understand the map's information.
Q8: What does a blue line on a map usually represent?
Answer: A blue line on a map usually represents a river or a water body.
Q9: What does a small square or rectangle on a map often indicate?
Answer: A small square or rectangle on a map often indicates a building or a house.
Q10: How do maps help travelers?
Answer: Maps help travelers by showing them the routes, landmarks, and distances between places, making it easier to navigate and reach their destination.
Q11: What is a compass rose?
Answer: A compass rose is a figure on a map that shows the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and sometimes the sub-directions.
Q12: Why is North usually at the top of a map?
Answer: North is usually at the top of a map by convention, making it easier to standardize and read maps consistently across the world.
Q13: How can we use a map to find a school in a new area?
Answer: To find a school in a new area, we would look for the symbol representing a school on the map and then use the directions and roads shown to reach it.
Q14: What is the difference between a physical map and a political map?
Answer: A physical map shows natural features like mountains, rivers, and deserts, while a political map shows man-made features like countries, states, and cities.
Q15: How can maps help us understand different types of landforms?
Answer: Maps use different colors and symbols to represent landforms; for example, green for plains, brown for mountains, and blue for water bodies, helping us understand them visually.
Q16: What does the scale on a map indicate?
Answer: The scale on a map indicates the ratio between a distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground, helping us understand actual sizes and distances.
Q17: Why is it important to know how to read a map?
Answer: It is important to know how to read a map because it helps us navigate, understand geographical information, and make informed decisions about locations in various situations.
Q18: What is a 'conventional symbol'?
Answer: Conventional symbols are widely accepted and understood symbols used on maps to represent different features, ensuring that maps can be read by anyone, anywhere.
Q19: Give an example of a conventional symbol for a railway line.
Answer: A conventional symbol for a railway line is usually a black line with small perpendicular dashes across it.
Q20: How do maps help us understand the distribution of population or resources?
Answer: Thematic maps use different colors or shades to show the distribution of population density or resources in different areas, helping us visualize patterns.
Q21: What is the purpose of a globe?
Answer: A globe is a spherical model of the Earth that shows the continents, oceans, and countries in their actual shapes and relative positions, giving a true representation of the Earth.
Q22: How is a map different from a globe?
Answer: A map is a flat representation of the Earth or a part of it, which can show more detail of a smaller area, while a globe is a spherical model that shows the entire Earth but with less detail on a smaller scale.
Q23: What does the image showing different colors (red, orange, green, blue) on a map generally represent?
Answer: Such color gradients on a map often represent different elevations (heights above sea level), with green for lower areas, yellow/orange for mid-level, and red/brown for higher altitudes or mountains.
Q24: How can maps be used in daily life by a common person?
Answer: A common person can use maps to find directions to a new place, locate a specific address, understand the layout of a city, or even plan a trip.
Q25: What is the importance of knowing directions when reading a map?
Answer: Knowing directions is crucial when reading a map because it allows us to orient the map correctly with our surroundings and accurately determine where places are located relative to each other.
Q26: What are the two types of directions shown on a compass rose?
Answer: The two types of directions shown on a compass rose are cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and intercardinal or sub-directions (Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest).
Q27: How do traffic signs relate to map symbols?
Answer: Traffic signs are a type of symbol that convey information about roads and traffic rules, similar to how symbols on a map convey geographical information. Both use standardized visual representations for clarity.
Exercise Solutions
Q1: Fill in the blanks.
- The four main directions are East, West, North, South.
- The direction between North and East is North-East.
- A map is a drawing of an area.
- We use symbols to show different features on a map.
- The compass rose helps us to understand directions on a map.
Q2: Answer in one sentence.
- What are the cardinal directions?
Answer: The cardinal directions are East, West, North, and South. - How can you find directions using the sun?
Answer: If you face the rising sun, East is in front, West is behind, North is to your left, and South is to your right. - Why are symbols used on a map?
Answer: Symbols are used on a map to represent various features in a compact and easily understandable way. - What is a map key?
Answer: A map key (or legend) is a list of symbols used on a map and what each symbol represents.
Q3: True or False.
- North is always at the bottom of a map. False
- A map can show a small area in detail. True
- A blue line on a map represents a road. False
- The direction between South and West is South-East. False
Q4: Draw the following symbols as they appear on a map:
(Note: As an AI, I cannot directly draw, but I will describe the typical conventional symbols.)
- River: A wavy blue line.
- Road: A solid black or red line.
- Railway Line: A black line with small perpendicular dashes across it.
- Temple: A small building-like symbol with a flag or dome.
- School: A small building-like symbol, sometimes with a flag or a book icon.
Q5: Observe the map and answer the questions:
(Note: Without the specific map image, I will provide general answers based on common map features.)
- What is located to the North of the river?
Answer: (This would depend on the specific map. For example: "The forest is located to the North of the river.") - What direction is the school from the post office?
Answer: (This would depend on the specific map. For example: "The school is to the East of the post office.") - Which is the main road on the map?
Answer: (This would depend on the specific map. Often, main roads are thicker lines. For example: "The road running from North to South appears to be the main road.")
References
- Maharashtra State Board Environmental Studies (Part One) Standard Five Textbook (2015 Edition) - Chapter 9: Maps and Symbols.
- Maharashtra State Board 5th Standard Environmental Studies Syllabus.
- Balbharati Environmental Studies Part 1 Textbook.