How Maps Help Us Find the Way
A map is a drawing of a place from above. It looks like you are looking down from the sky. Maps can show a whole town, a school playground, or even a zoo. People use maps to find where they are and to choose the best path to get to a new place.
A map cannot show real trees or real buildings because they are too big to fit on paper. Instead, maps use small pictures called symbols. A symbol stands for a real thing in the real world. For example, a small green tree might mean a park or a forest. A blue line often shows a river, and a tiny tent might show a place to camp. A small picnic table might show a place to stop and eat lunch.
To understand what each picture means, look for the map key. The key is often in a small box in the corner of the map. It lists the symbols and explains what each one shows. If you see a tiny red cross on the map, you can check the key to learn that it marks a first-aid station. The key helps you unlock the secret code of the drawing.
- map:
- A drawing that shows what a place looks like from high above.
- symbols:
- Small pictures or marks that stand for real things.
- key:
- A special box on a map that explains what the symbols mean.
- route:
- The path you follow to get from one place to another.
- compass rose:
- A drawn arrow that points out directions like north, south, east, and west.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is a map?
- 2Why can a map not show real trees or real buildings?
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About this report passage for 2nd Grade
“How Maps Help Us Find the Way” is a report reading passage about using simple maps and map keys, written for 2nd Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (337 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.