All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which contour-line pattern shows a gentle slope: lines close together or far apart?
Answer: Lines far apart. Wider spacing means elevation changes gradually over longer distances.
Flashcard 2: What does a map legend (key) explain?
Answer: What map symbols and colors mean. The legend decodes symbols so you can understand map features.
Flashcard 3: Which contour-line pattern shows a steep slope: lines close together or far apart?
Answer: Lines close together. Closer lines mean elevation changes quickly over short distances.
Flashcard 4: What do contour lines on a topographic map represent?
Answer: Places with the same elevation. Each line connects points at exactly the same height above sea level.
Flashcard 5: Identify the best comparison: One region has many rivers; another has few. What is most likely different?
Answer: The wetter region is the one with many rivers. Rivers form where precipitation provides enough water flow.
Flashcard 6: Choose the best conclusion: Two coasts show many bays and islands; what pattern do they share?
Answer: Both have irregular, highly indented coastlines. Complex coastlines result from erosion creating inlets and peninsulas.
Flashcard 7: Identify the map clue that a river is flowing downhill on a topographic map.
Answer: Contour lines form a V that points upstream. The V-shape points uphill because water flows downward.
Flashcard 8: Identify the landform: a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas.
Answer: Isthmus. This narrow land bridge allows movement between larger landmasses.
Flashcard 9: What does a mountain range pattern on a map usually indicate?
Answer: A long chain of connected mountains. Mountain ranges form from tectonic forces creating linear patterns.
Flashcard 10: What is a delta on a map, and where does it form?
Answer: A river sediment deposit at a river mouth. Rivers deposit sediment where they meet slower-moving water.
Flashcard 11: What is a valley, as shown on a physical or topographic map?
Answer: Low land between higher areas, often with a river. Valleys form where erosion cuts between higher elevations.
Flashcard 12: What is a plateau, as shown on a physical map?
Answer: High, flat land that rises above surrounding areas. Plateaus are elevated but have flat tops unlike mountains.
Flashcard 13: What is a plain, as shown on a physical map?
Answer: A large, mostly flat area of land. Plains have minimal elevation change across wide areas.
Flashcard 14: What are the four main cardinal directions used on maps?
Answer: North, south, east, and west. These primary directions form the basis of all map orientation.
Flashcard 15: What does a map scale help you determine?
Answer: Real-world distance from map distance. Scale shows the ratio between map measurements and actual distances.
Flashcard 16: What is a physical map used to show about Earth’s surface?
Answer: Natural features such as mountains, rivers, plains, and deserts. Physical maps focus on natural landforms rather than political boundaries.
Flashcard 17: What is a topographic map used to show that most physical maps do not?
Answer: Elevation and landform shape using contour lines. Contour lines show precise elevation changes between points.
Flashcard 18: What does it mean when contour lines are far apart?
Answer: The land is gently sloped or flat. Widely spaced lines show gradual elevation change across the terrain.
Flashcard 19: Which landform is a low area between hills or mountains, often with a river?
Answer: Valley. Valleys form where water erosion or glaciers carve between higher areas.
Flashcard 20: Which landform is a high area of land with steep sides and a peak?
Answer: Mountain. Mountains form from tectonic forces pushing Earth's crust upward.
Flashcard 21: Which landform is a large area of flat or gently rolling land?
Answer: Plain. Plains have minimal elevation change and often support farming.
Flashcard 22: What does it mean when contour lines are close together?
Answer: The land is steep. Closely spaced lines indicate rapid elevation change over short distance.
Flashcard 23: What does map scale tell you?
Answer: How map distance compares to real-world distance. Scale ratio helps calculate actual distances from map measurements.
Flashcard 24: What is the compass rose used for on a map?
Answer: It shows directions such as north, south, east, and west. This symbol helps orient the map and navigate in the correct direction.
Flashcard 25: What is the map key (legend) used for?
Answer: It explains what map symbols and colors mean. The key decodes visual elements so you can understand the map's information.
Flashcard 26: Which map pattern suggests a mountain range rather than a single mountain?
Answer: A long line or band of high-elevation areas. Mountain ranges appear as connected peaks forming continuous elevated zones.
Flashcard 27: Identify the pattern: Rivers on maps usually flow from higher elevation to what type of elevation?
Answer: Lower elevation. Water flows downhill due to gravity, following the path of least resistance.
Flashcard 28: Identify the correct comparison: Which location likely has faster runoff, steep or flat land?
Answer: Steep land. Gravity pulls water downhill faster on steeper slopes than gentle ones.
Flashcard 29: Which map pattern best matches a delta at a river mouth?
Answer: Many smaller channels spreading out where the river meets water. Deltas form as rivers deposit sediment in fan-shaped patterns at their mouths.
Flashcard 30: Which location is more likely to have wide, straight roads: mountainous area or plain?
Answer: Plain. Flat terrain allows easier road construction than steep, winding mountain paths.