Maps and Locations
Directions, reading maps and keys, following routes, metro maps, and finding places on a grid using (column, row).
- The four main directions: North, South, East, and West
- Describing where things are, compared to you
- Reading street maps, routes, and a map key (legend)
- Using a metro map to plan a journey
- Grid positions like (4, 1): first across, then up
🌅 Let’s Begin: Where Does the Sun Rise?
Early in the morning, Dadaji takes Nisha to the terrace. “Face the rising sun,” he says. “That’s East. Your back is towards West. Your left hand points North, and your right hand points South.”
Nisha smiles. “So the sun sets behind me, in the West!”
🧭 Part 1: The Four Directions
| N | ||
| W | 🧭 | E |
| S |
On most maps, North is at the top. Always check the direction arrow (compass) on the map first.
In between the main directions we have North-East, South-East, South-West, and North-West.
🗺️ Part 2: Reading a Map
A map is a drawing of a place as seen from above. It uses:
- A direction arrow showing North
- A key (legend) explaining symbols, like ✚ for hospital, P for parking, and 🌳 for park
- Roads and routes, often with arrows showing the way to go
Example: On a village map, the school is at the top, the temple is on the right, the pond is at the bottom, and the well is on the left. The panchayat office is in the centre.
From the panchayat: the school is to the North, the temple to the East, the pond to the South, and the well to the West.
Right turn or left turn?
Imagine yourself on the road, facing the way you are travelling.
- Going North: a right turn takes you East, and a left turn takes you West.
- Going South: a right turn takes you West, and a left turn takes you East. (Turn the page upside down to check!)
✅ Right and left depend on which way you are facing. North, South, East, and West never change.
🚇 Part 3: Metro Maps
A metro map shows lines in different colours (like the Yellow Line or the Blue Line). Circles show stations. Special circles show interchange stations, where you can change from one line to another.
To plan a trip: find your start station, find your end station, and look for the line (or interchange) that connects them. The best route usually has fewer stations and fewer changes.
📍 Part 4: Grid Positions
On a grid, we write a place as (column, row). Move across first (East), then up (North).
In a toy-shop grid, a ball is at (5, 2): go 5 steps across, then 2 steps up.
A kite is at (2, 5): go 2 steps across, then 5 steps up. It’s a different place from the ball!
Distance on a grid
If each small square is 1 cm, count the squares along the path. From (1, 1) to (4, 3): 3 cm East, then 2 cm North = 5 cm in total.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
✅ The first number is across, the second is up.
✅ East is on the right when North is at the top.
✅ Always read the symbols first.
✅ Compare the number of stations and changes.
✏️ Practice Time
Try these on your own first, then check your answer below each question.
📘 NCERT Textbook Activity Help
Hints and answers for the activities in the textbook, page by page. Try each one yourself before looking at the answer!
Page 171 · Finding directionsManu faces the rising sun
Colour the tents
Directions from the girl
Bus route and questions
(a) Prem’s and Raju’s houses
(b) From Ravi’s house, go north along the left road, turn right onto Hospital Road, go east to Park Road, and then go up (north) to the Children’s Park.
(c) Stop 1 (near the hospital)
(d) Golu should come out onto Hospital Road and walk to Stop 1, which is right next to his house.
(e) Prem has to go South (down Park Road) to reach Stop 2.
Qutb Minar to Supreme Court
(a) Routes: (i) Yellow Line north to Rajiv Chowk, then the Blue Line to Supreme Court. (ii) Yellow Line to Hauz Khas, then the Magenta Line to Botanical Garden, then the Blue Line to Supreme Court.
(b) Following Lali’s plan, they must change again at Botanical Garden to take the Blue Line to Supreme Court.
(c) Count the station circles on each route. The Yellow Line to Rajiv Chowk, then Blue Line route has the fewest stations.
(d) The Yellow → Blue Line via Rajiv Chowk route is best: it has fewer stations and only one change.
Ant’s routes
(c) Bread: 3 cm West, then 2 cm South
(d) Apple: 5 cm South, then 3 cm East, and finally 2 cm North (10 cm in total)
A shorter route to the apple (if the ant could go any way): 3 cm East and 3 cm South = 6 cm. That’s the shortest.
Grid positions
Q1: (a) (11, 11) Toucan (bird on the tree) (b) (2, 6) Tiger (c) (6, 4) Elephant (d) (3, 10) Flamingo (e) (11, 3) Monkey (in the tree) (f) (10, 9) Zebra
Q2: (a) Lion (3, 3) (b) Elephant (6, 4) (c) Tortoise (4, 1) (d) Deer (10, 6) (e) Panda (1, 1) (f) Crocodile (10, 1)
Q3: For each point, go across first, then up, and put your dot where the lines meet.
👨👩👧 Tips for Parents
- In the morning, ask your child to point East (the rising sun), then find the other directions.
- Draw a simple map of your street or colony together, with a key.
- Play a “treasure hunt” with directions: “3 steps North, then 2 steps East.”