Lesson Y7-U01-L03

Ordnance Survey Map Symbols Quiz: KS3 Geography, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson Y7-U01-L03, Ordnance Survey Map Symbols: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Geography (National Curriculum), Unit 1: Year 7: The UK and Map Skills, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What does the colour blue represent on an OS map?

    • Water
    • Woodland
    • High land
    • Buildings

  2. What does the colour green represent on an OS map?

    • Rock
    • Vegetation
    • Water
    • Sand

  3. What do brown contour lines show on an OS map?

    • Height and shape
    • Road types
    • Rock types
    • Soil moisture

  4. What colour are main roads on an Ordnance Survey map?

    • Blue
    • Green
    • Red
    • Brown

  5. Black marks on an Ordnance Survey map usually show which features?

    • Campsites and viewpoints
    • Water and lakes
    • Woodland and parks
    • Buildings and railways

  6. On an Ordnance Survey map, what does a blue letter H stand for?

    • A hospital
    • A post office
    • A car park
    • A church

  7. What does the letter P in a box stand for on an Ordnance Survey map?

    • Parking
    • A post office
    • A hospital
    • A campsite

  8. What does a cross symbol represent on an OS map?

    • Hospital
    • School
    • Church
    • Post office

  9. What does a small tent symbol represent on an OS map?

    • Hotel
    • Youth hostel
    • Car park
    • Campsite

  10. What does a blue triangle symbol show on an Ordnance Survey map?

    • Trig point
    • Campsite
    • Footpath
    • Water source

  11. Where do you look to find out what a map symbol means?

    • The scale
    • The title
    • The contour
    • The key

  12. Why do map-makers use small symbols instead of writing words on maps?

    • To look colourful
    • To save ink
    • To save space
    • To confuse readers

  13. Why must all Ordnance Survey maps use standard symbols and colours?

    • To look modern
    • For cheaper printing
    • For universal readability
    • By legal decree

  14. What do very close brown contour lines indicate on an OS map?

    • A deep river
    • Dense woodland
    • Steep land
    • Flat land

  15. Which feature is represented by a green patch on an OS map?

    • Marsh
    • Rock
    • Sand
    • Woodland

  16. What does a black cross symbol typically represent on an OS map?

    • A castle
    • A campsite
    • A school
    • A church

  17. A walker wants a high place with a wide view. Which symbol should they look for?

    • A blue letter H
    • A blue triangle
    • A small black tent
    • A letter P in a box

  18. Which colour is traditionally used on OS maps to show rivers and lakes?

    • Brown
    • Red
    • Blue
    • Green

  19. What term describes a direction in degrees measured clockwise from North?

    • Contour
    • Grid
    • Scale
    • Bearing

  20. How many digits must a standard map bearing always contain?

    • Three
    • Two
    • One
    • Four

All KS3 Geography quizzes