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Class 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.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
    • 8
    • 20
    • 12
    • 40

  2. 2.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?

  3. 3.You measure 7 cm between two places on a map, and the map's scale says 2 cm stands for 6 km. Which sum gives the real distance between them?

    • a) 7 × 2
    • b) 7 + 6
    • c) 7 ÷ 3
    • d) 7 × 3

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

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

  5. 5.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?

  6. 6.On a map, 3 cm stands for 12 km. Two towns are 5 cm apart on the map. Tap how far apart they are on the ground, in kilometres.

    Mark the line with an X.

    0481216202428323640

  7. 7.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?

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

Answer key — Class 6 Geography — Map scale and distance

  1. 1. 2 cm → 8; 3 cm → 12; 5 cm → 20; 10 cm → 40
  2. 2. 6
  3. 3. d) 7 × 3
  4. 4. d) The paper would have to be as big as the town
  5. 5. 30
  6. 6. 20
  7. 7. 12
  8. 8. d) The first, because the same length of paper covers less ground