Map Symbols, Legend & Keys — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. A legend shows a tree means park. You see three trees. What does it mean?
A) There are three houses
B) There are three parks
C) The map has three pages
D) Squares are decoration
Since the legend says one tree symbol stands for one park, three tree symbols mean three different parks on the map.
2. Which is NOT a direction on a compass rose?
A) North
B) Up
C) East
D) West
A compass rose only shows north, south, east, and west — up is just where the page points, not a real map direction.
3. Why do maps use symbols instead of words?
A) Words are too hard
B) Symbols make maps easier to read
C) Maps cannot have words
D) Symbols are prettier
Tiny pictures take up less space than words, so symbols let mapmakers fit lots of information on a small map without crowding it.
4. A map has no legend. What is the problem?
A) The map is fine
B) You cannot understand the symbols
C) The map is too big
D) The colors are wrong
Without a legend there's nothing to tell you what the pictures stand for, so the symbols become impossible to figure out.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A compass rose is shaped like a star and shows directions.
A compass rose gets its name from its star-like shape with arms pointing to north, south, east, and west.
2. When two maps use different symbols, read each map legend.
Each map can have its own set of symbols, so you have to read every map's legend to know what its pictures mean.
3. The four main directions are north, south, east, and west.
West is the fourth cardinal direction, sitting opposite east on the compass rose.
4. A map without a key would be hard to understand.
Without the key there's no way to know what the map's symbols stand for, so the whole map becomes confusing.
5. Real places are shown on maps using symbols and colors.
Mapmakers use small symbols like trees and stars together with colors like blue and green to show real places clearly.