ITBS - Iowa Test of Basic Skills Using Maps and Reference Materials Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student is planning a hiking trip using a map of a state park. The map's scale indicates that 1 inch is equal to 2 miles. The student measures the trail from the parking lot to the waterfall and finds it is 3.5 inches long. What is the actual distance of the hike to the waterfall?
- 3.5 miles
- 5.5 miles
- 7 miles (Correct answer)
- 2 miles
Correct answer: 7 miles
To find the actual distance, multiply the distance on the map (3.5 inches) by the value of the scale (2 miles per inch). 3.5 inches * 2 miles/inch = 7 miles.
Question 2: A student is writing a report on the world's major mountain ranges and needs to find a map that shows the location of the Andes, the Rockies, and the Himalayas. Which of the following reference materials would be the most direct and helpful resource?
- A thesaurus
- An encyclopedia
- A dictionary
- An atlas (Correct answer)
Correct answer: An atlas
An atlas is a book specifically composed of maps. It is the best resource for finding geographical information like the locations of mountain ranges.
Question 3: On a map, the box that explains what the various symbols and colors represent, such as a star for the capital city or a blue line for a river, is called the:
- Compass Rose
- Legend or Key (Correct answer)
- Scale
- Grid System
Correct answer: Legend or Key
The map legend, or key, is a crucial component that decodes the symbols, icons, and colors used on the map, allowing the user to understand what different features represent.
Question 4: A map of a fairground is laid out on a grid. The Ferris wheel is located in square B3. To find it, you should look for the square where:
- The third horizontal line and the second vertical line cross.
- Row 'B' and Column '3' intersect. (Correct answer)
- You measure 3 inches from the corner labeled 'B'.
- The legend shows the symbol for 'B3'.
Correct answer: Row 'B' and Column '3' intersect.
A map grid uses coordinates to pinpoint locations. You find the location by identifying the row designated by the letter ('B') and the column designated by the number ('3') and finding where they intersect.
Question 5: Jamal is writing a story and feels he is overusing the word 'brave'. He wants to find a different word with a similar meaning, like 'courageous' or 'heroic'. Which reference book would be most helpful for this task?
- A dictionary
- An encyclopedia
- An atlas
- A thesaurus (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A thesaurus
A thesaurus is a reference tool that provides a list of synonyms (words with similar meanings) for a given word. This is exactly what Jamal needs to find alternatives for 'brave'.
Question 6: On a map with a standard compass rose, if you travel from a town located directly south of a mountain to a lake located directly west of that same town, in which two cardinal directions have you traveled?
- South, then West (Correct answer)
- North, then West
- South, then East
- East, then South
Correct answer: South, then West
The starting point is the mountain. First, you travel from the mountain to the town, which is 'directly south'. From the town, you travel to the lake, which is 'directly west'. Therefore, the directions of travel are south, then west.
ITBS - Iowa Test of Basic Skills Using Maps and Reference Materials Questions and Answers
A student is planning a hiking trip using a map of a state park.
The map's scale indicates that 1 inch is equal to 2 miles.
The student measures the trail from the parking lot to the waterfall and finds it is 3.5 inches long.
What is the actual distance of the hike to the waterfall?