Maps and Map Projections Quiz

Why have maps been created for thousands of years?

• To display the Earth's flat surface

• To claim lands, mark borders, plan military actions, and assist in mining, farming, and exploration

• To show the exact size of countries

• To avoid any distortions

What is a major reason why maps are distorted?

• Because the Earth is flat

• Because the Earth is spherical

• Because maps are made of paper

• Because maps are drawn by hand

How were maps originally made according to the text?

• By using mathematical formulas

• By shining a lamp inside a transparent globe to trace projected images on a screen

• By drawing them by hand

• By using satellite images

Which of the following is NOT a type of map projection mentioned in the text?

• Cylindrical

• Conic

• Planar

• Spherical

Why are cylindrical projections commonly used?

• Because they are the most accurate

• Because navigators prefer their straight north-south lines

• Because they are easy to draw

• Because they show the entire globe without distortion

What is a notable characteristic of the Mercator projection?

• It shows the exact size of all countries

• It makes British and other European land appear larger than they are

• It is the most accurate projection

• It is the oldest map projection

What is the main characteristic of conic projections?

• The sides of the cone touch the globe at one or two parallels of latitude.

• The projection touches the North or South Pole.

• They are used for mapping the entire world.

• They are used for mapping small areas.

Why are planar projections often used to map Antarctica or the Arctic?

• Because they show the entire world accurately.

• Because they touch the globe at one spot, usually the North or South Pole.

• Because they are the most accurate for all regions.

• Because they do not distort sizes and shapes.

What is a key feature of equal-area projections like the Gall-Peters projection?

• They show correct sizes while distorting shapes and directions north-south.

• They show the entire world without any distortion.

• They are used exclusively for mapping small areas.

• They are the most accurate for mapping the poles.

Which map projection was widely used in classrooms and textbooks before being replaced by the Winkel tripel projection in 1998?

• The Mercator projection

• The Gall-Peters projection

• The Robinson projection

• The polar projection