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Quizzes > Geography

Orientation Quiz: Test Your Map and Direction Skills

Quick, free navigation skills quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Abhishek VijayanUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements related to Orientation Trivia Quiz

This orientation quiz helps you practice map reading, compass points, and basic bearings. Answer 15 quick questions to check your navigation sense and build spatial awareness for hikes, classes, or onboarding. Like more challenges? Try the smart questions quiz or explore some general sports trivia.

On most standard maps, which cardinal direction is depicted at the top of the map?
South
East
West
North
Most maps are oriented with north at the top by convention. This standard orientation helps users immediately understand directional relationships on the map.
If you face east and turn right, which direction will you be facing?
South
North
Southeast
West
Facing east, a right turn is a 90° clockwise rotation, which points you south. This basic understanding of turns is key to compass navigation.
What is the primary purpose of a compass rose on a map?
To display map legends
To indicate scale
To show cardinal directions
To measure distances
A compass rose displays the primary and sometimes intermediate cardinal directions on a map. It allows users to align the map with the real world before navigating.
In a typical map legend, what does a solid blue line represent?
River or stream
Road
Elevation contour
Political boundary
Blue lines on most maps indicate water features such as rivers or streams. This color coding is widely used to help users identify bodies of water quickly.
On map compass notation, what does "NW" stand for?
Northeast
Northwest
Southeast
Southwest
"NW" abbreviates Northwest, the intermediate direction halfway between north and west. Familiarity with these abbreviations is important for reading and giving compass bearings.
On a 360° compass, a bearing of 135° corresponds to which direction?
Northeast
Northwest
Southwest
Southeast
Bearings are measured clockwise from north. A 135° angle points directly between east (90°) and south (180°), which is southeast.
Magnetic declination describes the angle between which two references?
Local meridian and prime meridian
Grid north and true north
Magnetic north and true north
Geographic north and grid north
Magnetic declination is the angular difference between magnetic north, shown by a compass, and true north, represented by the geographic North Pole. This adjustment is vital for accurate navigation.
While navigating, you need to travel a bearing of 330°. Which general compass direction is this?
North-Northeast
Northwest
East-Northeast
North-Northwest
A 330° bearing is 30° west of due north, commonly called north-northwest (NNW). Understanding these subdivisions helps with precise directional travel.
On a topographic map, contour lines forming V shapes typically indicate which feature?
Mountain peaks
Valleys or streams
Ridges
Plateaus
Contour lines that form V shapes point uphill at stream valleys and indicate the presence of a valley or watercourse. The V points toward the source of the stream.
A map scale labeled 1:50,000 means that 1 unit on the map equals how many units on the ground?
500 units
100,000 units
5,000 units
50,000 units
A representative fraction scale like 1:50,000 means one unit on the map corresponds to 50,000 of the same units in reality. For example, 1 cm on the map equals 50,000 cm on the ground.
If the magnetic declination at your location is 10° East, how would you convert a magnetic bearing of 60° to a true bearing?
Add 50° to get 110°
Subtract 50° to get 10°
Add 10° to get 70°
Subtract 10° to get 50°
When declination is east, you subtract it from the magnetic bearing to obtain the true bearing. Thus 60° magnetic minus 10° declination equals a 50° true bearing.
On a 1:50,000 scale map, how many meters on the ground does 1 cm on the map represent?
50 meters
500 meters
5,000 meters
50,000 meters
At a 1:50,000 scale, 1 cm on the map equals 50,000 cm in reality, which converts to 500 meters. Understanding scale conversions is essential for distance estimation.
Which instrument is most practical for orienting a paper map in the field and taking bearings?
GPS receiver
Magnetic compass
Sextant
Altimeter
A magnetic compass directly aligns with magnetic north and allows you to orient the map and measure bearings. GPS devices can provide coordinates but lack the tactile orientation function of a compass.
What is the term for the angle difference between grid north on a map and true north?
Meridian variation
Magnetic declination
Azimuth error
Grid convergence
Grid convergence is the angular difference between grid north (map projection) and true north (geographic). This small variation must be considered for precise compass work.
On many hiking maps, a series of small open circles connected by a dashed line represents which feature?
Footpath or trail
River
Political boundary
Power line
Dashed lines with open circles typically denote footpaths or trails on hiking maps. Recognizing these symbols helps outdoor enthusiasts navigate established routes.
You measure a magnetic bearing of 75° on your compass and need the true bearing. If the magnetic declination is 12° West, what is the true bearing?
87°
90°
75°
63°
For west declination you add the declination angle to the magnetic bearing to get true. Adding 12° to 75° gives a true bearing of 87°.
A navigator records a back bearing of 220° to return along the same path. What initial bearing should be set to retrace the route?
40°
220°
140°
100°
To find the reciprocal bearing, subtract 180° if the original back bearing is greater than 180°. Thus 220° minus 180° gives an initial bearing of 40°.
On an orienteering map, every fifth contour line is printed thicker than the others. What is this thicker line called?
Supplementary contour
Relief contour
Intermediate contour
Index contour
Index contours are the thicker lines drawn at regular intervals (often every fifth line) to help users quickly gauge elevation changes. Intermediate contours appear thinner between index lines.
A map shows a depression (sinkhole) using contour lines. What distinctive feature identifies these contour lines?
Hachure marks on the inside of the contour
Double lines
Dashed lines
Dotted lines
Depression contours use short tick marks or hachures pointing toward lower elevation inside the depression. This symbol differentiates dips from hilltops on topographic maps.
On a grid-based map, point A is at (500,000E, 4,500,000N) and point B is at (502,000E, 4,502,500N). What is the approximate bearing from A to B?
39°
129°
51°
321°
The easting difference is 2,000 and the northing difference is 2,500. The bearing is arctan(2000/2500) ≈ 38.7°, which rounds to 39°.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify cardinal directions on maps with precision
  2. Interpret compass readings for accurate navigation
  3. Apply spatial orientation concepts in real-world scenarios
  4. Evaluate map symbols and legends effectively
  5. Master map orientation techniques for confident wayfinding
  6. Demonstrate the use of directional tools in various contexts

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the Cardinal Directions - Get to know North, East, South, and West along with in-between points like Northeast and Southwest. Use the catchy "Never Eat Soggy Waffles" to lock in the order and impress your friends with compass trivia. Learn more
  2. Use a Compass - Discover how that magical red needle points to magnetic north and how it helps you find your way. Learn to hold the compass level and turn until "N" aligns with the needle for reliable orientation wherever you go. Learn more
  3. Read the Compass Rose - Every map has a little starburst called a compass rose to show you which way is up. By lining up the rose with your compass, you'll be mapping like a pro in no time. Learn more
  4. Orient Your Map - Practice aligning the map's north to your compass's north needle and watch as the terrain features align perfectly. This simple trick keeps you on track and prevents heading into the woods backwards. Learn more
  5. Decode Map Symbols - Symbols and legends turn squiggles into trails, streams, and peaks. Memorize the common icons to instantly know what you're looking at, whether you're spotting a waterfall or avoiding steep cliffs. Learn more
  6. Adjust for Magnetic Declination - Magnetic north and true north aren't twins - they're slightly apart. Learn to calculate and dial in that angular gap so your compass points you toward real destinations, not just magnetic poles. Learn more
  7. Measure Map Distances - Use the scale bar on a map to turn inches into miles or kilometers. With this skill, you can estimate how long a hike will take and plan snack breaks like a seasoned adventurer. Learn more
  8. Take Accurate Bearings - Master the art of sighting landmarks through your compass notch and reading the degree mark. This precision skill will guide you from point A to point B without guesswork. Learn more
  9. Use Natural Indicators - When the compass goes missing, nature has your back. Learn to track the sun's path, read tree rings, and spot star patterns so you're never lost - even under a cloudy sky. Learn more
  10. Apply Navigation in Real Scenarios - Put it all together on hikes, treasure hunts, or backyard adventures. The more you practice in real settings, the more confident and safe you'll become out in the wild. Learn more
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