All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What do widely spaced contour lines on a topographic map indicate?
Answer: A gentle slope or flatter land. Lines spread apart when elevation changes gradually over longer distances.
Flashcard 2: What is a topographic map mainly used to show about land?
Answer: Elevation and the shape of the land using contour lines. Contour lines connect points of equal elevation to show terrain.
Flashcard 3: Identify the landform: a long, narrow high area shown by contour lines forming an elongated shape.
Answer: A ridge. Forms a long, narrow elevated area between valleys.
Flashcard 4: What map tool is used to identify symbols, colors, and line meanings?
Answer: The map key or legend. Explains what each symbol and color represents on the map.
Flashcard 5: What is the definition of elevation on a map?
Answer: Height of land above sea level. Measured in feet or meters from sea level as the reference point.
Flashcard 6: Identify the landform: a low area between higher land, often shown by contour lines forming a U-shape.
Answer: A valley. Contour lines bend uphill when crossing a valley.
Flashcard 7: Which option best describes a mountain range pattern on a physical map?
Answer: A line or chain of mountains grouped together. Multiple peaks connected in a linear pattern.
Flashcard 8: Which option best describes a plain pattern on a physical map?
Answer: A broad area of mostly flat or gently rolling land. Shows minimal elevation change over large areas.
Flashcard 9: Which option best describes a plateau pattern on a physical map?
Answer: High, flat land raised above surrounding areas. Elevated but with relatively flat top surface.
Flashcard 10: Which option best describes a delta pattern where a river meets an ocean or lake?
Answer: A fan- or triangle-shaped area where sediment is deposited. Forms as river slows and drops sediment at its mouth.
Flashcard 11: What does the compass rose on a map show?
Answer: Directions (north, south, east, west). Usually points north and helps orient the map properly.
Flashcard 12: Which map data pattern most strongly suggests flooding risk: low elevation near a river or high elevation far away?
Answer: Low elevation near a river. Flat areas near rivers are prone to overflow during high water.
Flashcard 13: Which direction does a river flow when it moves from higher elevation to lower elevation?
Answer: Downhill, toward lower elevation. Water always flows from high to low due to gravity.
Flashcard 14: What is the contour interval on a topographic map?
Answer: The elevation difference between neighboring contour lines. Usually consistent across the map (e.g., every 10 or 20 feet).
Flashcard 15: Which map feature tells you the real distance represented by a map distance?
Answer: The map scale (scale bar or ratio). Shows ratio between map distance and actual ground distance.
Flashcard 16: What does a closed loop of contour lines with higher values toward the center show?
Answer: A hill or mountain peak. Elevation increases toward the center, forming a peak.
Flashcard 17: What does a closed loop of contour lines with lower values toward the center show?
Answer: A depression or basin. Elevation decreases toward the center, forming a low area.
Flashcard 18: What is a physical map mainly used to show about Earth’s surface?
Answer: Landforms and bodies of water (mountains, rivers, lakes, oceans). Physical maps focus on natural features rather than political boundaries.
Flashcard 19: What do closely spaced contour lines on a topographic map indicate?
Answer: A steep slope. Lines bunch together when elevation changes rapidly over short distances.
Flashcard 20: Which map feature shows direction and helps you find north, south, east, and west?
Answer: A compass rose. This symbol indicates cardinal directions for orientation.
Flashcard 21: Which map data layer most directly helps you identify mountain ranges and plains?
Answer: Elevation (relief) data. Relief maps show height differences that define these landforms.
Flashcard 22: Which option best describes a common pattern on maps of major rivers: A) random B) flow downhill to lower elevations?
Answer: B) They flow downhill to lower elevations. Gravity causes water to flow from high to low elevations.
Flashcard 23: Identify the most likely location for a large city: A) deep ocean B) near rivers and coasts C) mountaintop only.
Answer: B) Near rivers and coasts. Cities need water access for drinking, transport, and trade.
Flashcard 24: Identify the landform shown by closed contour lines with higher elevations toward the center.
Answer: Hill or mountain peak. Concentric circles with increasing elevation values indicate a peak.
Flashcard 25: Which map pattern best indicates a mountain range: A) isolated single peak B) long chain of high elevations?
Answer: B) Long chain of high elevations. Mountains form connected ridges, not isolated peaks.
Flashcard 26: Which option best describes a plain on a physical map: A) low, flat area B) steep, narrow valley?
Answer: A) Low, flat area. Plains have minimal elevation change across large areas.
Flashcard 27: What is the most likely pattern you would see on a map where glaciers carved valleys in mountains?
Answer: U-shaped valleys. Glaciers carve wider, rounder valleys than rivers' V-shapes.
Flashcard 28: Identify the landform shown by closed contour lines with lower elevations toward the center.
Answer: Depression or basin. Concentric circles with decreasing elevation values indicate a low area.
Flashcard 29: What is a topographic map used to show about Earth's surface features?
Answer: Land shape and elevation (relief) of Earth's surface. Topographic maps use contour lines to show 3D terrain on 2D surface.
Flashcard 30: What landform is usually indicated where contour lines form a V shape that points uphill?
Answer: A stream valley. Water flows downhill, creating V-shaped contours pointing upstream.