Reading Maps: Mountains and Contour Lines

Reading Maps: Mountains and Contour Lines exercise

• Identify the correct meaning of each term.

  Hints

  In an airplane we look down at the earth from above. Which vocabulary term is similar to airplane?

  This shows how much distance there is between contour lines.

  Contour lines which are used to show elevation or height by using different colored lines, are the most important feature on this map.

  Solution

  An elevation level is the distance between 2 contour lines on a map.

  Aerial view is when you are looking at the earth as if from up above, or from an airplane.

  The map legend is a box or 'key' on a contour line map, which shows you which color represents which altitude.

  A flat slope is indicated when an area on a map has contour lines that are farther apart, so we know the earth does not rise very steeply.

  Contour lines are lines on a map that show elevation, or height.

• Identify the different parts of the map with the correct label.

  Hints

  Each elevation layer is between 2 contour lines.

  On a flat slope the contour lines are further apart. On a steep slope they are closer together.

  The map legend shows us how many elevation layers there are, how high they are, and what color they are.

  Solution

  An elevation layer tell us how high a point is above sea level, and each layer is shown in different colors.

  A flat slope is where the land rises less steeply, and the contour lines are further apart.

  A steep slope is where the land rises more steeply, and the contour lines are closer together.

  The map legend shows us how high each elevation layer is.

• Identify the correct statements about contour lines.

  Hints

  Contour lines on a map can give information about height, distance, and how steep a slope may be.

  There are three correct statements about contour lines.

  Solution

  The three statements above are the correct statements about contour lines.

• Look at the map to identify the true and false statements.

  Hints

  Use the map legend to see how high each elevation layer is.

  Aerial view is when we look down on something or someone. Profile view is when we look at something or someone from the side.

  There are 3 true statements and 2 false statements.

  Solution

  Here are the true and false statements about the map above.

• Describe the use of contour lines.

  Hints

  Elevation layers on maps have a different color for each layer. This helps us see the altitude of a mountain.

  Below sea level would usually show how far underwater something is.

  There is one correct answer and three false answers.

  Solution

  Contour lines on a map show both the height and the width of mountains.

• Complete the sentences with the correct terms about contour lines.

  Hints

  An aerial view looks down on something from above, like a bird or airplane flying in the sky.

  A flat slope is indicated when the contour lines stretch further apart from one another- A steep slope in indicated when the lines are closer together.

  Solution

  • Contour lines are circular lines used to show height. They usually look like several circles or ovals inside of one another.

  • A steep slope is shown by drawing many contour lines close together. This helps us see where there are very steep inclines.

  • Elevation layers are colored areas on a map used to show height, such as for mountains, plateaus, and hills.

  • A map legend is a small box, usually in the bottom corner of the map, that gives information about elevation layers and distance.

  • An aerial view shows a map from above, as if you were a bird looking down on the land below.