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Year 6 Geography — Map scale and distance

Use a map's scale to turn a length measured on the map into the real distance on the ground, and turn a real distance back into a length on the map.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.On this map, 2 cm stands for 10 km. Sort each length measured on the map by the real distance it stands for.

    Groups: Less than 50 km on the ground · More than 50 km on the ground

    • 8 cm
    • 14 cm
    • 12 cm
    • 16 cm
    • 4 cm
    • 6 cm

  2. 2.Every one of these lengths was measured on the same map, where 2 cm stands for 8 km. Match each one to the real distance it stands for, in kilometres.

    • 2 cm
    • 3 cm
    • 5 cm
    • 10 cm
    • 40
    • 12
    • 20
    • 8

  3. 3.Two maps of the same town are printed on the same size of paper. On the first, 2 cm stands for 4 km. On the second, 2 cm stands for 20 km. Which one can show more detail?

    • a) The first, because the same length of paper covers less ground
    • b) The second, because the same length of paper covers more ground
    • c) It cannot be worked out without measuring both maps
    • d) Neither — the paper is the same size, so they show the same amount

  4. 4.On a map, 2 cm stands for 10 km. Two villages are 6 cm apart on the map. How far apart are they on the ground, in kilometres?

  5. 5.On a map, 4 cm stands for 12 km. A straight road measures 8 cm on the map. How long is the road on the ground, in kilometres?

  6. 6.On a map, 5 cm stands for 20 km. Two wells are 3 cm apart on the map. How far apart are they on the ground, in kilometres?

  7. 7.Why can no map of a town be drawn at the same size as the town itself?

    • a) The scale would then be at the bottom of the page
    • b) A map is only allowed to show natural land
    • c) Nobody has ever measured a whole town
    • d) The paper would have to be as big as the town

  8. 8.On a map, 2 cm stands for 6 km. A road is 18 km long on the ground. How long is that road on the map, in centimetres?

Answer key — Year 6 Geography — Map scale and distance

  1. 1. 4 cm → Less than 50 km on the ground; 12 cm → More than 50 km on the ground; 6 cm → Less than 50 km on the ground; 14 cm → More than 50 km on the ground; 8 cm → Less than 50 km on the ground; 16 cm → More than 50 km on the ground
  2. 2. 2 cm → 8; 3 cm → 12; 5 cm → 20; 10 cm → 40
  3. 3. a) The first, because the same length of paper covers less ground
  4. 4. 30
  5. 5. 24
  6. 6. 12
  7. 7. d) The paper would have to be as big as the town
  8. 8. 6