Study guide: Directions and Places
Use cardinal directions and distinguish physical from human features.
Ideas to explain in your own words
- Cardinal directions are north, south, east and west. A north arrow tells us how the map is oriented; north is not always the top of every drawing. For these exercise cards only, north is at the top, east at the right, south at the bottom and west at the left.
- Physical features are parts of the natural landscape; human features are built or arranged by people. A mountain and coast are physical features. A road and bridge are human features. People can alter landscapes, so the distinction describes the feature we are examining, not an untouched world.
- Settlements differ in size and density. A city usually has many people and buildings close together. A town is a smaller settlement in this exercise. A rural area has lower population density and may include farms or small settlements. These descriptions are comparisons, not universal legal definitions.
- Water can support drinking supplies, farming and transportation, but flood risk also matters. A location can have both benefits and risks. These fictional cards distinguish uses of water and a hazard; no single feature proves a settlement is safe or suitable.
Useful vocabulary
- North
- up on this stated north-up exercise map
- East
- right on this stated north-up exercise map
- Mountain
- a high natural landform
- Coast
- land beside a sea or ocean
- City
- a relatively large densely built settlement
- Town
- a smaller settlement with a local center in this exercise
- Drinking supply
- water used to meet people’s drinking needs
- Irrigation
- supplying water to crops
Watch your reasoning
- Mixing up North and East. Re-read what each note says before choosing.
- Adding a detail that is not on the card. Point to the words that help explain your answer.
A worked review example
Worked example: The card says: “Fictional map: the farm is above the pond.” That matches North. North is up on this stated north-up exercise map. Compare the note for South: South is down on this stated north-up exercise map. That is a different clue.
Make a practice plan
- Read or listen to the notes in the four lessons. An adult can read aloud.
- Try each lesson’s main question and three practice questions. Say, draw or write what helped you choose.
- Use the review cards, then try the changed card in any lesson you want to practice again.
- Complete the four-box task. Then try the separate subject-test cards.