Map Symbols Quiz
Instructions: Identify common map symbols and cartography terms
- 1.
On a topographic map, what do closely spaced contour lines indicate?
AA lakeBA steep slopeCA flat plainDA river valley - 2.
What color is typically used to represent bodies of water on most maps?
AGreenBBrownCWhiteDBlue - 3.
What does a small airplane symbol on a map usually represent?
AAn airportBA wind farmCA military baseDA bird sanctuary - 4.
On a road map, what does a dashed line typically indicate?
AA railroadBA state borderCAn unpaved or secondary roadDA highway - 5.
What is the term for the ratio between a distance on a map and the actual distance on the ground?
ALegendBScaleCGrid referenceDProjection - 6.
What does a small tent symbol typically represent on a map?
AA campgroundBA picnic areaCA rest areaDA hotel - 7.
What is the part of a map that explains what the symbols mean called?
AThe legend or keyBThe compass roseCThe title blockDThe index - 8.
On a weather map, what does a blue line with triangles represent?
AAn occluded frontBA cold frontCA warm frontDA stationary front - 9.
What color typically represents forests or vegetation on a topographic map?
ABrownBBlueCGreenDRed - 10.
What does a crossed pickaxe and hammer symbol indicate on a map?
AA mine or quarryBA construction siteCA blacksmith shopDA geological survey point - 11.
What is the symbol that shows cardinal directions on a map called?
AThe north indicatorBThe directional arrowCThe compass roseDThe orientation star - 12.
On a nautical chart, what does an anchor symbol indicate?
AAn anchorageBA fishing areaCA marinaDA shipwreck - 13.
What do brown contour lines on a topographic map represent?
AElevation changesBRiversCRoadsDProperty boundaries - 14.
What does a small cross or plus sign typically represent on a map?
AA hospitalBA crossroadsCA churchDA cemetery - 15.
What type of map projection keeps the shapes of land masses accurate but distorts their size?
AEqual-area projectionBMercator projectionCConformal projectionDRobinson projection