Landforms & Water Features — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. On a map, wavy blue lines usually stand for what?
A) A river
B) A mountain
C) A forest
D) A desert
Map makers draw wavy blue lines to show rivers because rivers are flowing water.
2. A big blue area on a map with the word 'Pacific' is a ___.
A) Mountain
B) Desert
C) Ocean
D) Hill
Large blue areas on maps show oceans, and Pacific is the name of the biggest ocean.
3. On a map, small brown triangle shapes usually stand for what?
A) Lakes
B) Roads
C) Mountains
D) Rivers
Map makers use triangles for mountains because the shape looks like a peak rising up.
4. A small round blue shape with land around it on a map is most likely a ___.
A) Lake
B) Mountain
C) Road
D) Forest
A round blue shape with land all around it shows a lake, which is fresh water surrounded by land.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A map key tells you what the symbols and colors mean.
A map key shows you what each symbol and color stands for, like blue for water.
2. On most maps, the color blue is used to show water.
Map makers use blue for water because oceans, lakes, and rivers often look blue.
3. On many maps, green or brown is used to show mountains or high land.
Maps often use green, brown, or tan to show different kinds of land like hills and mountains.
4. The compass on a map shows which way is north.
The compass rose on a map shows directions like north, south, east, and west.
5. A long blue line that crosses a map and empties into an ocean is a river.
Long blue lines on maps show rivers flowing down the land and into oceans or lakes.