OS map symbols and contour lines

How OS maps show height and physical features using symbols and contour lines

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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 do contour lines on a map show? A) Lines joining points of the same height above sea level B) Roads and pathways C) Rivers and streams D) County boundaries
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2
Complete the sentence. Contour lines that are close together show ___ ground.
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3
True or false? Contour lines that are far apart show gentle slopes. A) True B) False
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4
Fill in the blank. Contour lines join places that are the same ___ above sea level.
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5
What is the difference in height between two contour lines usually called? A) The contour interval B) The grid reference C) The triangulation point D) The legend
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6
Match each map feature to its meaning. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Contour line, Spot height, Triangulation point, Map key (legend) Right: Joins points of equal height, A dot with the height written next to it, A high point marked with a triangle, Explains what the symbols mean
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7
What does a set of contour lines forming a rough circle, with the highest in the middle, usually show? A) A hill or mountain B) A valley C) A river D) A road
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8
Complete the sentence. When contour lines form a 'V' that points uphill, the land is shaped as a ___.
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9
If contour lines are very close together on one side of a hill but far apart on the other, what does that tell us? A) One side is steep and the other side is gentle B) The hill is flat C) The hill is shaped like a perfect cone D) The lines have been drawn wrongly
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10
Order these slopes from gentlest to steepest based on the spacing of their contour lines. Put these in order: Lines almost touching (very steep), Lines very far apart (almost flat), Lines fairly close (steep), Lines moderately spaced (medium slope)
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Answer key

OS map symbols and contour lines · for parents and teachers

1
Lines joining points of the same height above sea level
Contour lines join points of the same height above sea level. They allow a flat map to show the shape and steepness of the land.
2
steep
Close contour lines mean the land is rising or falling quickly: a steep slope. Lines spaced far apart mean a more gentle slope.
3
True
When contour lines are far apart, the height changes slowly over a long distance, meaning the slope is gentle.
4
height
Contour lines join places at the same height (elevation).
5
The contour interval
The contour interval is the vertical distance between contour lines, often 10 m on Ordnance Survey maps. The map's key tells you the interval used.
6
Contour line → Joins points of equal height; Spot height → A dot with the height written next to it; Triangulation point → A high point marked with a triangle; Map key (legend) → Explains what the symbols mean
Contour lines, spot heights and triangulation points all show height. The map key explains the meaning of every symbol used.
7
A hill or mountain
Concentric rings of contour lines, with the highest values in the middle, show a hill or mountain. The closer the rings, the steeper the slopes.
8
valley
A 'V'-shaped contour pattern pointing uphill shows a valley. Water flows down through the V into lower ground. A V pointing downhill marks a ridge.
9
One side is steep and the other side is gentle
If contour lines are squashed on one side and spread out on the other, the hill has a steep slope on one side and a more gradual slope on the other.
10
Lines very far apart (almost flat), Lines moderately spaced (medium slope), Lines fairly close (steep), Lines almost touching (very steep)
Contour spacing tells you about steepness. Lines far apart mean gentle slopes; lines very close together mean very steep slopes, like a cliff face.