Map Symbols, Legend & Keys — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What does a map legend do?
A) It tells a story about the map
B) It explains what symbols mean
C) It shows how old the map is
D) It colors the map
The legend's only job is to list each symbol used on the map and tell you exactly what it represents.
2. Which direction does the top of most maps show?
A) South
B) East
C) North
D) West
Mapmakers traditionally draw maps with north at the top, which is why the compass rose's N points up.
3. A blue area on a map most likely shows what?
A) A desert
B) A lake or ocean
C) A mountain
D) A road
Blue is the color used for water on maps, and a large blue patch usually means a body of water like a lake or ocean.
4. What tool shows north, south, east, and west?
A) Map key
B) Title box
C) Scale bar
D) Compass rose
A compass rose is the special star-shaped drawing on a map that points to all four cardinal directions.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A map legend and a map key mean the same thing.
Legend and key are two different names for the same thing: the box that explains a map's symbols.
2. Symbols are small pictures that stand for real things.
Symbols are tiny pictures used in place of words, which makes a map easier to read at a glance.
3. A triangle symbol might represent a mountain.
Mountains have a pointed shape that looks like a triangle from the side, so a triangle is a natural symbol for one.
4. The south direction is at the bottom of most maps.
Since north sits at the top, south is its opposite and lands at the bottom of the map.
5. You should always check the legend before reading a new map.
Each map can use different symbols, so reading the legend first helps you know exactly what everything stands for.