NCERT Solutions
Class 6 Social Science
Maps

Q.1
Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) What are the three components of a map?
(b) What are the four cardinal directions?
(c) What do you mean by the term ‘the scale of the map’?
(d) How are maps more helpful than a globe?
(e) Distinguish between a map and a plan.
(f) Which map provides detailed information?
(g) How do symbols help in reading maps?
(a) The three components of a map are: distance, direction and symbol.
(b) The four cardinal directions are: East, West, North and South.
(c) Scale is the ratio between the actual distance on the ground and the distance shown on the map.
(d) A globe can be useful when we want to study the earth as a whole. But, when we want to study only a part of the earth, as about our country, states, districts, towns and villages, we use maps.
(e) Difference between a map and a plan:
|
Map |
Plan |
|
A map is a representation or a drawing of the earth’s surface or a part of it drawn on a flat surface according to a scale. |
A plan is a drawing of a small area on a large scale. A large-scale map gives lot of information, but there are certain things which we may sometimes want to know for example the length and breadth of a room, which can’t be shown in a map. At that time, we can refer drawings drawn to scale called a plan. |
(f) Large scale maps provide detailed information.
(g) It is not possible to draw on a map the actual shape and size of different features such as buildings, roads, bridges, trees, railway lines or a well.
So, they are shown by using certain letters, shades, colours, pictures and lines.
These symbols give a lot of information in a limited space.
With the use of these symbols, maps can be drawn easily and are simple to read.
Even if you don’t know the language of an area and therefore cannot ask someone for directions, you can collect information from maps with the help of these symbols.