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Reading a Map: Cardinal Directions - Free Printable

Reading a Map: Cardinal Directions

Educational worksheet: Reading a Map: Cardinal Directions. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.

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Show Answer Key & Explanations Step-by-step solution for: Reading a Map: Cardinal Directions
Let's solve this step-by-step based on the map provided in the worksheet titled "Reading a Map".

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Step 1: Understand the Map and Key



The map shows Lakeside Campground, with various features marked using symbols. The key explains what each symbol means:

- 🚐 = Camping Trailer
- 🏕️ = Tent
- 🏡 = Cabin
- 🔥 = Campfire
- ⛵ = Rowboat
- 🟦 = Land (solid)
- 🟦 (shaded) = Water

There is also a compass rose (a cross-shaped symbol) on the map, but it’s unlabeled — we need to label it.

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Step 2: Label the Compass Rose



The compass rose has four arms. Since the map is oriented with north at the top, we label:

- Top arrow → N (North)
- Bottom arrow → S (South)
- Right arrow → E (East)
- Left arrow → W (West)

So:
- N at the top
- S at the bottom
- E on the right
- W on the left

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Step 3: Color the Map



- Land (solid white areas) → color green
- Water (shaded area) → color blue

This is a coloring task, so no writing needed here, just follow instructions.

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Step 4: Answer the Questions Using Directional Words



We use the compass directions (north, south, east, west) to describe locations relative to one another.

Let’s analyze each question:

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#### 3. The rowboats are ________ of the campfire.

- Locate the campfire (🔥): It's near the bottom center, on land.
- Locate the rowboats (⛵): They are on the water, toward the east side of the lake.
- The campfire is west of the rowboats → so rowboats are east of the campfire.

Answer: east

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#### 4. The camping trailers are ________ of the tents.

- Camping trailers (🚐): Top-left corner, near the top edge.
- Tents (🏕️): Center-left, slightly below the trailers.
- The trailers are north of the tents.

Answer: north

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#### 5. The cabins are ________ of the tents.

- Cabins (🏡): On the far left side, above the tents.
- Tents: Center-left.
- Cabins are north of the tents.

Answer: north

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#### 6. The campfire is ________ of the camping trailers.

- Campfire: Bottom-center
- Camping trailers: Top-left
- The campfire is south of the trailers.

Answer: south

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#### 7. The island is ________ of the cabins.

- Island: A small landmass in the middle of the lake.
- Cabins: On the far left.
- The island is located east of the cabins (since it's on the right side of the lake).

Answer: east

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Final Answers:



1. Label N, S, E, W on compass rose:
- Top: N
- Bottom: S
- Right: E
- Left: W

2. Color land green, water blue. *(Coloring task)*

3. The rowboats are east of the campfire.
4. The camping trailers are north of the tents.
5. The cabins are north of the tents.
6. The campfire is south of the camping trailers.
7. The island is east of the cabins.

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🌍 Summary of Directions:



| Feature | Relative to | Direction |
|--------|-------------|----------|
| Rowboats | Campfire | East |
| Camping trailers | Tents | North |
| Cabins | Tents | North |
| Campfire | Camping trailers | South |
| Island | Cabins | East |

This exercise helps develop spatial reasoning and map-reading skills!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of compass worksheet.
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