What's covered
Key facts
Contour lines drawn close together indicate a steep slope.
A scale of 1:25,000 means 1 cm on the map equals 25,000 cm (250 m) on the ground.
On an OS map, a thin dashed blue line usually represents a small stream or seasonal water course.
The vertical height difference between consecutive contour lines is called the contour interval.
On a 1:25,000 map, 1 cm on the map represents 25,000 cm (250 m) on the ground.
Moving clockwise from north, the four cardinal compass points are North, East, South, West.
Contour lines on a map join points of equal height above sea level.
On a 1:50,000 map, 1 km on the ground is represented by 2 cm on the map.
A magnetic compass needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field, so it points toward magnetic north.
Contour lines on a map show height above sea level (elevation).
Sample questions
A taste of the 36 questions in this topic — answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
How would you identify a hill summit on an OS map?
- •A cross symbol marked at the highest elevation
- •A dotted line showing the ridge connecting two high points
- ✓Concentric closed contour lines with the highest value at the centre
- •Contour lines that suddenly stop at a central point
What is map scale?
- •The accuracy of symbols and colours used on a map
- •The height above sea level shown by contour lines
- •The physical size of the map compared to other maps
- ✓The ratio between map distance and real-world distance
How many points does a standard compass rose typically have?
- ✓eight
- •four
- •sixteen
- •twelve
What does it mean when contour lines on a map are very close together?
- •The area is at sea level
- •The map shows underwater terrain
- •The map's scale is unreliable
- ✓The slope is steep
How many digits does a six-figure grid reference have?
- •Eight
- •Four
- ✓Six
- •Ten
What is a map key (legend)?
- ✓A panel showing what each map symbol and colour represents
- •The grid of numbers used to locate features on the map
- •The scale bar showing distances on the map
- •The title showing what area and date the map covers
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