Geography Skills AT3 Prep Year 7 MHS 2025

BOLTS

Elements to label on a map: Border, Orientation (north), Legend, Title, Scale

Types of photographs

Ground/oblique/vertical photographs used to show features from different angles

Topographic map

A detailed map showing natural and human-made features and elevation using contours

Contour lines

Lines on a map connecting points of equal elevation; show slope and relief

Contour interval

The vertical distance between adjacent contour lines on a map

Scale (representative fraction)

Map scale expressed as 1:n (e.g. 1:50,000 means 1 cm = 50,000 cm)

Scale (bar scale)

A graphical scale on the map showing distance units (km, m) visually

Distance (map to real)

Use scale to convert map measurement to real-world distance (map × scale)

Direction

Compass directions (N, NE, E, etc.), bearings measured in degrees clockwise from north

Elevation

The height above sea level of a point shown on a map (metres)

Graphs

Visual displays of data: line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts — interpret trends and values

Area

Size of a surface; can be measured on maps using scale (e.g. grid squares × area per square)

Grid referencing

4-figure gives square (easting, northing); 6-figure gives precise location within square

BOLTS — Orientation

Orientation shows direction (north arrow); essential for reading map features

Bearing

Angle measured in degrees from 000° (north) clockwise; used for precise direction

Measurement tools

Ruler, compass, calculator used to measure distance, direction and angles on maps