Compass directions

Cardinal and intermediate compass points, and using them to give directions

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
What are the four cardinal compass directions? A) North, East, South, West B) Up, Down, Left, Right C) North, South, East, Centre D) Forward, Back, Left, Right
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2
True or false? The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. A) True B) False
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3
Fill in the blank. The opposite of North on a compass is ___.
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4
Match each compass direction to its abbreviation. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: North, South, East, West Right: N, S, E, W
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5
Which direction is halfway between North and East? A) North-east (NE) B) North-west (NW) C) South-east (SE) D) South-west (SW)
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6
Match each direction to its description. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: NE, SE, SW, NW Right: Between North and East, Between South and East, Between South and West, Between North and West
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7
True or false? If you are facing north and turn 90° clockwise, you will be facing east. A) True B) False
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8
If you walk south, then turn around (180°), which way are you now facing? A) North B) East C) South D) West
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9
Fill in the blank. An 8-point compass has 4 cardinal points and 4 intermediate points, making ___ directions in total.
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10
Put these directions in clockwise order starting at North. Put these in order: South, West, East, North
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Answer key

Compass directions · for parents and teachers

1
North, East, South, West
The four cardinal points are North, East, South and West.
2
True
True. The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west each day because the Earth spins.
3
South
South is the opposite of North. East and West are also opposites.
4
North → N; South → S; East → E; West → W
North = N, South = S, East = E, West = W. These are shown on every compass.
5
North-east (NE)
North-east (NE) is halfway between North and East. The other intermediate directions are NW, SE and SW.
6
NE → Between North and East; SE → Between South and East; SW → Between South and West; NW → Between North and West
NE is between N and E, SE between S and E, SW between S and W, NW between N and W.
7
True
True. Facing north then turning 90° clockwise (to the right) makes you face east.
8
North
A 180° turn faces you in the opposite direction. From south you now face north.
9
8
An 8-point compass has 8 directions in total: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW.
10
North, East, South, West
In clockwise order from North: North, East, South, West. This is why people say 'Never Eat Shredded Wheat' to remember it.