Map Reading: NBSE Class 9 Social science Chapter 10 answers

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Here are the solutions, questions, answers, and notes of chapter 10: Map Reading (Including Drawing and Insertion) which is a part of social science class 9 syllabus of students studying under the Nagaland Board of School Education. However, these notes should be used only for references and additions/modifications should be made as per the requirements.

Introduction

When we think of maps we generally mean a two-dimensional representation of the earth or a part of it. In other words, maps are the representation of a geographical area, usually a portion of the Earth’s surface, drawn or printed on a flat surface. Maps have been made since ancient times. The Greeks and the Romans in ancient times first popularised map making.

Map reading means analyzing the map by interpreting the various symbols used in the construction of a map. It is the translation of symbols, colours and conventional symbols back to the original features, they represent.

Although a sketch requires less interpretation and is readily understood by a layman, compared with an exact map, it has a great disadvantage. In it, the scale diminishes with the distance, and it shows only the side of the picture that is in front of you. On the other hand, a map is drawn to scale and reproduces the correct delineation along with their actual latitudes and longitudes.

Textual question and answer

Choose the correct answer

1. Early maps were based on:

(a) Astronomical determination
(b) Scale
(c) Surveying of the land
(d) Latitudes and longitudes

Answer: (a) Astronomical determination

2. The White colour on a map denotes:

(a) Oceans and Seas
(b) Forest areas
(c) Uncultivable land
(d) Settlement huts

Answer: (c) Uncultivable land

3. The art and science of map making is called:

(a) Cartology
(b) Cartography
(c) Cartonomy
(d) None of these

Answer: (b) Cartography

4. A line drawn on the map joining places of equal temperature is called an:

(a) Isotherm
(b) Isopleth
(c) Isophel
(d) Isobar

Answer: (a) Isotherm

5. A line drawn on a map connecting places experiencing equal amount of atmospheric pressure is called:

(a) Isotherm
(b) Isopleth
(c) Isophel
(d) Isobar

Answer: (d) Isobar

6. There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes given below:

Assertion (A): Conventional signs and symbols are accepted universally.
Reason (R): These are called conventional because the design and shape of these symbols have been laid down by mutual agreement among nations.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong
(d) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct

Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

7. The above conventional symbol depicts which of the following features?

(a) Flat sand
(b) Sand hills
(c) Sand dunes
(d) Shifting sand dunes

Answer: (d) Shifting sand dunes

8. Identify the appropriate statements among the following regarding use of grid and grid reference:

I. A grid is a network of horizontal lines called Eastings and vertical lines called Northings
II. A point is chosen, say ‘O’ from where one can proceed towards north or east.
III. Generally the grid reference consists of values in terms of latitudes and longitudes.
IV. Eastings and Northings are not much helpful in location on a Survey Map.

(a) I and II are appropriate
(b) I, II, and III are appropriate
(c) All the statements are appropriate
(d) Only statement IV is appropriate

Answer: (b) I, II, and III are appropriate

Very short answer type questions

1. What is a map?

Answer: A map is a representation of a part or whole of the Earth’s surface drawn according to a scale on a plain sheet of paper, cloth or wood.

2. What is meant by scale?

Answer: A scale is a ratio between a distance measured on a map and the corresponding distance on the surface, connecting two given points, represented by the same unit.

3. Why are conventional symbols so called?

Answer: They are called conventional because the design and shape of these symbols have been laid down by mutual agreement among nations.

4. What is the importance of colour in a map?

Answer: The colours represent particular features and are more useful for representation of information and reading of survey maps.

5. Name the four intermediate directions.

Answer: Four intermediate directions are North-West (NW), North-East (NE), South-East (SE), and South-West (SW).

6. Name the two main types of map.

Answer: The two main types of maps are physical maps and cultural maps.

Short answer type questions

1. Briefly describe the importance of maps.

Answer: Maps are important for the following reasons:

i. Maps are essential for locating places on Earth.
ii. Maps help in locating resources, their mining and for comparing reserves.
iii. Maps are an essential tourist aid.
iv. Maps help us to measure distances and geographical differences.
v. Maps are an essential management tool.
vi. By drawing flow lines one can know the direction of rivers, winds, traffic movements, etc.

2. Explain any two ways of representing scale.

Answer: Two ways of representing scale are:

i. Ratio proportion method: In this case, 1 unit on the map may represent several thousand units on the ground.
ii. linear scale: In this case, a graphic line is drawn on the map.

Long answer type questions

1. Give the importance and function of colour on maps.

Answer: The colours represent particular features and are more useful for representation of information and reading of survey maps. Important colours may mean the following:

Blue: Oceans, seas, lakes and other water bodies.
Yellow: Cultivable land on a survey map. On Atlas maps, it may mean rough land.
White: Uncultivable land on survey maps and unvegetated land on Atlas maps.
Green: Forest area, grasslands etc.
Red: Settlements huts on survey maps.

2. What is known as cultural maps? Explain the different types of cultural maps.

Answer: Maps that have a specific purpose and content are called Cultural Maps. They may show the distribution of population, crops, etc.

A few different types of cultural maps are:

i. Population maps: These maps show the density of population in a particular regions.
ii. Literacy maps: These maps are developed to show the variations of literacy in a defined region.
iii. Religious maps: Religious maps show the concentration of people following different religions in a region.

Extra MCQs

1: What is the art and science of map making called?

A. Cartonomy
B. Cartology
C. Cartography
D. Calligraphy

Answer: C. Cartography

2: On a survey map, what does the color red typically represent?

A. Water bodies
B. Forest areas
C. Cultivable land
D. Settlements and huts

Answer: D. Settlements and huts

3: A line drawn on a map that connects places with an equal amount of atmospheric pressure is known as an:

A. Isotherm
B. Isobar
C. Isophel
D. Isopleth

Answer: B. Isobar

4: According to historical records, the earliest known map was drawn on what material?

A. Papyrus scroll
B. Animal hide
C. A clay tablet
D. A wooden plank

Answer: C. A clay tablet

5: In map terminology, what does “scale” represent?

A. The variety of colors used on the map
B. The ratio between map distance and ground distance
C. The thickness of the lines drawn on the map
D. The list of symbols used on the map

Answer: B. The ratio between map distance and ground distance

6: Which of the following is an example of a “Statement” method for expressing scale?

A. 1:50,000
B. A graphic line with marked distances
C. 1 cm = 5 km
D. A fractional representation

Answer: C. 1 cm = 5 km

7: On a survey map, what does the color green typically indicate?

A. Oceans and seas
B. Uncultivable land
C. Forest areas and grasslands
D. Settlements and roads

Answer: C. Forest areas and grasslands

8: What is a collection of maps bound together in a book-form called?

A. A Cartogram
B. An Atlas
C. A Globe
D. A Directory

Answer: B. An Atlas

9: The horizontal and vertical lines that form a network of squares on a map are known as a:

A. Grid
B. Projection
C. Contour
D. Legend

Answer: A. Grid

10: What is the term for a line drawn on a map joining places of equal temperature?

A. Isobar
B. Isoline
C. Isophel
D. Isotherm

Answer: D. Isotherm

11: In the medieval period, what instruments were used for finding direction and location for map-making?

A. Telescope and sextant
B. Astrolabe and compass
C. Sundial and water clock
D. Quadrant and plumb line

Answer: B. Astrolabe and compass

12: The angular deviation between the magnetic North and the true North is called the:

A. Angle of Bearing
B. Angle of Declination
C. Angle of Projection
D. Angle of Inclination

Answer: B. Angle of Declination

13: Which of the following is NOT one of the four cardinal directions?

A. North
B. South-East
C. East
D. West

Answer: B. South-East

14: What is the primary purpose of using conventional symbols on a map?

A. To make the map more artistic
B. To represent features without crowding the map
C. To indicate the map’s age
D. To show the direction of North

Answer: B. To represent features without crowding the map

15: Which type of map projection is made by wrapping a cylinder around a globe?

A. Conical
B. Azimuthal
C. Cylindrical
D. Planar

Answer: C. Cylindrical

16: Assertion (A): Conventional signs and symbols are accepted universally.
Reason (R): These are called conventional because their design and shape have been laid down by mutual agreement among nations.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is correct but (R) is wrong
D. (A) is wrong but (R) is correct

Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

17: (I) Representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat surface causes distortions.
(II) Cartographers use map projections to minimize these distortions.

A. I is the cause of II.
B. II is the cause of I.
C. I and II are independent statements.
D. I is a contradiction of II.

Answer: A. I is the cause of II.

18: Statement 1: A map is drawn to scale and reproduces correct delineation.
Statement 2: A sketch shows diminishing scale with distance and only one side of a view.

A. Statement 1 is true, and Statement 2 is false.
B. Both statements are false.
C. Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is true.
D. Both statements are true.

Answer: D. Both statements are true.

19: (I) Colors on a map represent particular features like water bodies or forests.
(II) The use of color is useful for the representation of information and reading of survey maps.

A. I is a contradiction of II.
B. I is independent of II.
C. I is an example that supports II.
D. II is the cause of I.

Answer: C. I is an example that supports II.

20: (I) The four main directions are North, South, East, and West.
(II) If we face north, the south will be to our back and west towards the left.

A. II is an explanation of I.
B. I is the cause of II.
C. I and II are contradictory.
D. I is independent of II.

Answer: A. II is an explanation of I.

21: Arrange the following developments in map-making in the correct historical order.

(i) Romans used surveying of land for laying roads.
(ii) The earliest map was drawn on a clay tablet.
(iii) The use of latitudes and longitudes was made to plot information.
(iv) Aids like the astrolabe and compass were used for finding direction.

A. (ii) → (i) → (iv) → (iii)
B. (i) → (ii) → (iii) → (iv)
C. (ii) → (iv) → (i) → (iii)
D. (iv) → (iii) → (ii) → (i)

Answer: A. (ii) → (i) → (iv) → (iii)

Extra questions and answers

1. Who first popularised map making in ancient times?

Answer: The Greeks and the Romans in ancient times first popularised map making.

2. On what was the earliest map drawn and in which year?

Answer: The earliest map was drawn on a clay tablet in 2300 BC.

3. How did the Romans use their surveying skills for map making?

Answer: Romans used surveying of land for laying roads, and these skills were used for drawing maps.

4. On what were early maps based instead of scale?

Answer: Early maps, instead of scale, were based on astronomical determination.

5. What aids were used for map-making in the medieval period?

Answer: In the medieval period, many aids for map-making like astrolabe and compass were used for finding direction and location.

6. What does map reading mean?

Answer: Map reading means analyzing the map by interpreting the various symbols used in the construction of a map. It is the translation of symbols, colours, and conventional symbols back to the original features they represent.

7. What is meant by Bearing?

Answer: The angle measured clockwise from a given point, with North as 0°, is known as Bearing.

8. Who is a Cartographer?

Answer: A Cartographer is the person who makes and prepares maps.

9. Define Cartography.

Answer: Cartography is the art and science of map making. It also involves the production of maps.

10. What is an Atlas?

Answer: An Atlas is the collection of maps in a book-form.

11. What is Relief on a map?

Answer: Relief is the shape of the earth’s surface. High relief indicates a large variation in the height of the land, while low relief shows little variation.

12. Define Isotherm.

Answer: An Isotherm is a line drawn on the map joining places of equal temperature.

13. What is an Isopleth or Isoline?

Answer: An Isopleth, also called an Isoline, is a line drawn on a map connecting places with an equal incidence of any feature.

14. Define Isophel.

Answer: An Isophel is a line drawn on a map connecting places experiencing an equal amount of sunshine.

15. Define Isobar.

Answer: An Isobar is a line drawn on a map connecting places experiencing an equal amount of pressure.

16. Describe the early developments that took place in map making.

Answer: Some early developments in map making, drawing and insertion are the following:

• Earliest map was drawn on a clay tablet in 2300 BC.
• Romans used surveying of land for laying roads. These skills were used for drawing maps.
• Early maps, instead of scale, were based on astronomical determination.
• In the medieval period many aids for map-making like astrolabe and compass were used for finding direction and location.
• In the medieval period use of latitudes and longitudes was also made to plot information on maps.

17. Differentiate between a sketch and a map.

Answer: Although a sketch requires less interpretation and is readily understood by a layman, compared with an exact map it has great disadvantage. In a sketch, the scale diminishes with the distance and it shows only the side of the picture which is in front of you.

On the other hand, a map is drawn to scale and reproduces the correct delineation along with their actual latitudes and longitudes.

18. What are the most important parameters for making accurate maps?

Answer: The most important parameters for making accurate maps are:

• Scale
• Contour intervals for showing heights in physical maps.
• Dimensions or extent of the map stated in degrees and geographic coordinates.
• Directions.

19. What are Cardinal Directions? Name the intermediate directions.

Answer: The four main directions, North, South, West, and East, are called Cardinal Directions. The intermediate directions are North-West (NW), North-East (NE), South-East (SE), and South-West (SW).

20. What is a map projection? Why is it necessary for cartographers?

Answer: A map projection is described as an orderly arrangement of lines of latitude and longitude. Three-dimensional features and the curved surface of the earth cause various types of distortions when represented on a flat surface. To minimise these distortions, cartographers use a particular type of map projection.

21. How can maps be classified on the basis of scale?

Answer: On the basis of scale, maps may be classified into large scale and small scale maps.

22. How can maps be classified based on purpose and content?

Answer: On the basis of purpose and content, classification may be done into physical or cultural maps.

23. What is Magnetic Declination? Explain its importance in map reading.

Answer: The compass needle allies itself with the magnetic north and differs with distance from the Equator. Therefore, the relationship between the magnetic North and true North varies from sheet to sheet. The angular deviation between these two directions is called the Angle of Declination.

This difference is shown on topographic sheets. Its importance lies in the fact that voyagers on the sea have to be very precise about directions, which they generally measure with the help of degrees. Understanding the declination allows for accurate navigation by correcting the difference between the magnetic north shown by a compass and the true North on a map.

24. What are the three main methods of map projection? Briefly describe each.

Answer: A map projection is an orderly arrangement of lines of latitude and longitude used to represent the three-dimensional, curved surface of the earth on a flat surface. The three main methods of projection are Cylindrical, Conical and Azimuthal.

Cylindrical Projection: This projection is made by wrapping a cylinder around the globe. The globe’s lines are projected onto the cylinder, which is then unrolled. On a cylindrical projection, all the longitudinal lines appear parallel and do not meet at the poles. As a result, the polar regions appear disproportionately large on such a map.

Conic Projection: A conic projection can be made by perching a paper cone atop the globe like a dunce cap. Both the lines of Latitude and Longitude are then projected onto the cone’s surface. When cut open and spread flat, the cone forms a map that is most accurate in the area where it touched the globe. Conic projection is often used to depict mid-latitude areas such as the United States of America, Japan and Spain etc.

Azimuthal Projection: An azimuthal projection can be formed by laying a plane sheet of paper against the globe so that the two objects touch at only one point. The lines of the globe are then projected onto the plane. Azimuthal projection is used most commonly to map compact areas such as the polar regions.

25. Differentiate between physical maps and cultural maps with examples.

Answer: On the basis of purpose and content, maps may be classified into physical or cultural maps.

• Physical Maps show relief, weather, vegetation, rivers, etc.
• Cultural Maps have a specific purpose and content. They may show the distribution of population, crops, etc.

26. What are distribution maps? Name and describe two types.

Answer: Distribution maps are maps that show the distribution of specific features or data. There are many types of distribution maps like dot maps, choropleth maps, and isopleth maps. Two types are described as follows:

Choropleth maps: show distribution by means of degrees of colours and shades.

Isopleth maps: are another type of distribution map. An Isopleth is a line drawn on a map connecting places with an equal incidence of any feature. Isothermal maps, which show lines of equal temperature, are an example of isopleth maps.