Map symbols and keys

How map keys and symbols show features such as roads, churches, rivers and contours

Name:

Date:

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

1
What is a map key (or legend) used for? A) To explain what the symbols on the map mean B) To unlock a treasure chest C) To show the scale of the map D) To show which way is north
Answer:
2
Match each Ordnance Survey symbol to what it means. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: +, ===, Blue wavy line, P Right: Church, Railway, River, Car park
Answer:
3
True or false? Rivers are usually shown in blue on a map. A) True B) False
Answer:
4
Which colour is usually used to show forests or woodland? A) Green B) Yellow C) Red D) Black
Answer:
5
Fill in the blank. Brown wiggly lines on a map that show how high the land is are called ___ lines.
Answer:
6
True or false? When contour lines are close together, the slope is very steep. A) True B) False
Answer:
7
What does a scale bar on a map tell you? A) How distance on the map compares to real-life distance B) Which way is north C) How high the land is D) What the temperature is
Answer:
8
Match each map feature to its typical symbol or colour. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Main road, Motorway, Beach, Footpath Right: Red or orange line, Blue line, Yellow shading by the sea, Dashed line
Answer:
9
On an Ordnance Survey map, what does a black square symbol next to a 'PH' usually mean? A) Public house (pub) B) Post office C) Police station D) Public toilet
Answer:
10
Fill in the blank. A small triangle on a map often shows a ___.
Answer:

Answer key

Map symbols and keys · for parents and teachers

1
To explain what the symbols on the map mean
A map key (also called a legend) lists the symbols used on a map and explains what each one means.
2
+ → Church; === → Railway; Blue wavy line → River; P → Car park
+ is a church, === a railway, a blue wavy line is a river and P is a car park.
3
True
True. Rivers, lakes and seas are shown in blue on most maps because water is usually drawn in blue.
4
Green
Forests and woodland are usually shown in green on a map, similar to the colour of trees.
5
contour
Contour lines join points of the same height and show the shape of the land. Lines close together mean a steep slope.
6
True
True. Closely packed contour lines mean the height changes quickly over a short distance, so the slope is steep.
7
How distance on the map compares to real-life distance
A scale bar shows how a distance on the map relates to real-life distance, for example 1 cm = 1 km.
8
Main road → Red or orange line; Motorway → Blue line; Beach → Yellow shading by the sea; Footpath → Dashed line
OS maps show motorways in blue, main roads in red, beaches in yellow and footpaths as dashed lines.
9
Public house (pub)
PH is short for Public House, which is the official name for a pub.
10
campsite
Triangles can show a campsite (tent) or a mountain summit on some maps.