Reading a Map: Cardinal Directions - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to solve this map reading worksheet.

First, we need to understand the compass rose. The compass has four directions: North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W). On most maps, North is at the top, South at the bottom, East on the right, and West on the left. So for question 1:

→ Label N at the top of the cross
→ Label S at the bottom
→ Label E on the right side
→ Label W on the left side

For question 2, you’re told to color land green and water blue. Look at the key — “Land” is shown as a blank square, and “Water” is shaded with diagonal lines. In the map, the big area with diagonal lines is the lake (water), so color that blue. The rest (where cabins, tents, etc., are) is land — color that green.

Now for questions 3–7, we use the compass directions to describe where things are located relative to each other.

Let’s look at the map carefully:

- Campfire is near the bottom center.
- Rowboats are on the right side of the map, in the water.
→ So rowboats are to the east of the campfire. (Question 3)

- Camping trailers are at the top left.
- Tents are below them, more toward the center-left.
→ So camping trailers are north of the tents. (Question 4)

- Cabins are on the far left.
- Tents are to the right of the cabins.
→ So cabins are west of the tents. (Question 5)

- Campfire is near the bottom center.
- Camping trailers are at the top left.
→ So campfire is south of the camping trailers. (Question 6)

- Island is in the middle of the lake (water), which is on the right side of the map.
- Cabins are on the far left.
→ So island is east of the cabins. (Question 7)

Let me double-check each one using the compass:

Imagine standing at the first object mentioned, then look toward the second.

Q3: Stand at campfire → rowboats are to your right → that’s east ✔
Q4: Stand at tents → trailers are above you → north ✔
Q5: Stand at tents → cabins are to your left → west ✔
Q6: Stand at trailers → campfire is below you → south ✔
Q7: Stand at cabins → island is to your right → east ✔

All answers make sense based on standard map orientation.

Final Answer:
1. N = top, S = bottom, E = right, W = left
2. Color land areas green, water areas blue
3. east
4. north
5. west
6. south
7. east