Topographical Maps

18 Grade 9 Social Studies questions on Topographical Maps, with worked marking schemes. 18 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   On a topographical map, contour lines that are very close together represent land that is:

   A. Flat and low-lying

   B. Steep

   C. Gently sloping

   D. Below sea level

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   To locate an exact feature such as a school on a topographical map, a learner should use the

   A. north arrow

   B. six-figure grid reference

   C. map title

   D. key/legend only

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   A map scale written as 1:50,000 means that one centimetre on the map represents

   A. 5 kilometres on the ground

   B. 50 metres on the ground

   C. 50,000 centimetres on the ground

   D. 500 metres on the ground

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   On a topographical map, contour lines that are very close together indicate which of the following?

   A. A flat plain

   B. A steep slope

   C. A river delta

   D. A swampy area

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   On a topographical map, the relief (shape and height of the land) is MOST commonly shown using

   A. contour lines

   B. road symbols

   C. political boundaries

   D. colour shading of vegetation

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   The part of a topographical map that explains the meaning of the symbols used is the

   A. key (legend)

   B. scale

   C. margin

   D. grid

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which colour is conventionally used on a topographical map to represent water features such as rivers and lakes?

   A. Green

   B. Brown

   C. Black

   D. Blue

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   On a map, contour lines that are drawn very close together indicate a

   A. gentle, flat slope

   B. steep slope

   C. river valley only

   D. flat plateau top

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   4 marks

   Explain how contour lines on a topographical map can be used to identify (a) a steep slope and (b) a gentle slope.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Contour lines drawn close together indicate a steep slope (1 mark) because the land rises/falls sharply over a short distance (1 mark). (b) Contour lines drawn far apart indicate a gentle slope (1 mark) because the change in height is spread over a long distance (1 mark).

10. Question 10

    1 mark

    If the scale of a map is 1:50,000, a distance of 2 centimetres on the map represents what actual ground distance?

    A. 1 kilometre

    B. 2 kilometres

    C. 5 kilometres

    D. 10 kilometres

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    3 marks

    State three uses of a key (legend) when interpreting a topographical map.

    (3 marks)

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12. Question 12

    3 marks

    On a map drawn to a scale of 1:50,000, the distance between a market and a hospital measures 6 cm. Calculate the actual ground distance in kilometres, showing your working.

    (3 marks)

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13. Question 13

    4 marks

    Define the term 'scale' as used on a topographical map and state why a scale is important.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Definition: A scale is the ratio/relationship between a distance on the map and the actual distance on the ground (2 marks). Importance: it enables the user to measure/calculate real ground distances and the true size of areas from the map (2 marks; 1 mark for partial).

14. Question 14

    1 mark

    On a topographical map, a river is observed to be flowing across contour lines that bend to form a V-shape. The river is flowing

    A. away from the sea

    B. in a circle around a hill

    C. from the open end towards the pointed end of the V

    D. towards the open end of the V (downhill)

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    4 marks

    Topographical maps use various methods to represent relief and to measure distance.

    (a) Name two methods used to show relief on a topographical map. (2 marks)

    (b) On a map drawn to a scale of 1:50,000, the distance between two towns measured along a straight line is 8 centimetres. Calculate the actual ground distance between the two towns in kilometres, showing your working. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Any two methods of showing relief, such as: contours (lines joining places of equal height above sea level); spot heights; trigonometrical stations (trig points); form lines; hill shading; layer/colour tinting; or hachures. (b) On a scale of 1:50,000, 1 cm on the map represents 50,000 cm on the ground. Actual distance = 8 cm x 50,000 = 400,000 cm. Convert to kilometres: 400,000 cm divided by 100,000 (since 1 km = 100,000 cm) = 4 km. The actual ground distance between the two towns is 4 kilometres.

16. Question 16

    4 marks

    Topographical maps use scale and conventional symbols to represent features on the ground.

    (a) A map has a scale of 1:50,000. Explain what this scale means. (2 marks)

    (b) State two methods used to show relief on a topographical map. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) A scale of 1:50,000 means that one unit of distance on the map represents 50,000 of the same units on the actual ground. For example, 1 centimetre on the map represents 50,000 centimetres (which is 500 metres or 0.5 kilometres) on the ground. (b) Two methods used to show relief on a topographical map: 1. Contour lines (lines joining points of equal height above sea level). 2. Spot heights / trigonometrical stations (points marking exact altitude). (Other acceptable: layer/colour tinting, hill shading, hachures, form lines.)

17. Question 17

    1 mark

    A scale of 1:50,000 on a topographical map means that one centimetre on the map represents how much actual ground distance?

    A. 50 metres

    B. 500 metres

    C. 5 kilometres

    D. 50 kilometres

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    A learner measures a distance of 8 cm between two towns on a map of scale 1:50,000. The actual distance on the ground is

    A. 40 kilometres

    B. 0.4 kilometres

    C. 4 kilometres

    D. 400 metres

    (1 mark)

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