🗺️ Maps – Class 6 Geography Chapter 2 Questions and Answers

Political Map
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This page contains a complete set of important questions and answers from Class 6 Geography Chapter 2 – Maps. All questions are based on the latest NCERT syllabus and are designed to help students prepare effectively for their school exams. Practicing these questions will also build a strong foundation for higher classes and competitive exams in the future.

📘 Very Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is a map?

Ans: A map is a representation or drawing of the Earth's surface or a part of it drawn on a flat surface according to scale.

Q2: Name three components of a map.

Ans: The three components of a map are: distance, direction, and symbol.

Q3: What are physical maps?

Ans: Physical maps show natural features like mountains, plateaus, rivers, and plains.

Q4: What do political maps show?

Ans: Political maps show countries, states, cities, and their boundaries.

Q5: What is a thematic map?

Ans: A thematic map provides specific information such as rainfall, population, or roads of an area.

Q6: What is an atlas?

Ans: An atlas is a book containing a collection of maps.

Q7: What is a compass used for?

Ans: A compass is used to find the main directions – North, South, East, and West.

Q8: What is the symbol of a capital city in a map?

Ans: A capital city is usually marked with a circle or a dot and underlined in maps.

📝 Short Answer Questions

Q9: Why are symbols used in maps?

Ans: Symbols are used in maps to represent features like buildings, bridges, roads, and railway lines because it is not possible to draw actual pictures of these features on a map. Symbols make maps easier to understand.

Q10: What are the different types of maps? Explain briefly.

Ans: The main types of maps are:

  • Physical Maps: Show natural features like mountains and rivers.
  • Political Maps: Show boundaries, cities, and towns.
  • Thematic Maps: Provide specific information such as rainfall or population.

Q11: What is the significance of the direction on a map?

Ans: Directions help in locating places on a map. The four major directions (North, South, East, West) are cardinal directions and are essential for navigation and understanding map orientation.

Q12: Define a sketch map.

Ans: A sketch map is a rough drawing drawn without scale. It is used to give a basic idea of an area or location.

Q13: What is the difference between a map and a plan?

Ans: A map shows a large area like a city or country to scale, whereas a plan shows a small area in detail like a room or building layout.

Q14: Why is scale important in maps?

Ans: Scale helps to understand the real distance between two places on the ground by comparing it with the distance on the map. Without scale, a map cannot give accurate distances.

📚 Long Answer Questions

Q15: What are the major components of a map? Explain in detail.

Ans: The three major components of a map are:

  • Distance: Maps use scales to show distance. A scale helps to convert the real distance into map distance.
  • Direction: Maps always show North at the top. Knowing directions helps us understand the position of one place relative to another.
  • Symbols: Since maps are drawn on a small scale, symbols represent physical features like roads, rivers, and landmarks. These are explained in the map’s legend or key.

Q16: Differentiate between a physical map and a political map with examples.

Ans: A physical map shows natural landforms such as mountains, rivers, and deserts. For example, the Himalayas would appear in brown with river systems like the Ganga in blue. A political map, on the other hand, shows administrative boundaries like countries, states, and cities. India’s state boundaries and capitals are shown in a political map.

Q17: Describe different types of scales used in maps.

Ans: Scales are used to represent distance in a map. The types of scales include:

  • Verbal Scale: For example, 1 cm = 1 km.
  • Representative Fraction (RF): Expressed as a ratio (e.g., 1:100000).
  • Graphical Scale: A line divided into units that represent actual ground distances.

Q18: Why are maps considered more useful than globes for practical purposes?

Ans: Maps are flat and portable, making them easy to carry and use. They provide detailed information about small areas, which a globe cannot. Maps can also be thematic — showing weather, population, or roads — which makes them more versatile than a globe.

Q19: How do symbols and colors help in reading a map effectively?

Ans: Symbols represent real objects and are explained in the legend. For example, a dashed line might represent a boundary, while a star might indicate a capital city. Colors help to differentiate features — blue for water, green for forests, yellow for plains, and brown for mountains. Together, these tools make maps more readable and informative.

Q20: What is the importance of an atlas for students?

Ans: An atlas is useful for students because:

  • It contains a wide variety of maps — physical, political, and thematic.
  • Helps in developing geographical understanding of the world.
  • Useful for school projects, competitive exams, and general awareness.

🔍 Conclusion

These questions and answers from Class 6 Geography Chapter 2 – Maps are designed to help students understand the core concepts and perform well in exams. Regular revision using these Q&As will make geography more interesting and easier to remember. Stay curious, keep practicing, and explore the world through maps!

📖 “A map may not lead to treasure, but it always leads to learning.”