Zoom in Map Skills Grade 10

Task: Robertson
MARKS: 75 TIME: 1½ hours

Resource material
✚ An extract from the 1:50 000 topographic map, 3319 DD Robertson
✚ The 1:10 000 orthophoto map, 3319 DD 8

General information on Robertson

Coordinates: 33°45′S; 19°45′E
Since its founding in 1593, Robertson’s main activity has been
agriculture thanks to the fertility of the Robertson Valley. Wagon-
building was an early industry, until railways replaced wagons as
the main form or transport. Later the valley became famous for
ostrich farming. After World War 1, the ostrich industry collapsed
and farmers turned to farming wine and fruit. More recently,
several stud farms have appeared in the valley.

Question 1: Multiple-choice questions

The questions below are based on the 1:50 000 topographic map, 3319 DD Robertson, as
well as the orthophoto map of part of the mapped area. Various options are provided as
possible answers to the following questions. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–
D) on your answer sheet.

1.1 Robertson is situated in the:

A Western Cape. B Eastern Cape. C Northern Cape. D Free State.
1.2 The numbers 3319, in the map index, refers to:

A 33′ latitude and 19′ longitude. B 19′ latitude and 33′ longitude.
C 19° latitude and 33° longitude. D 33° latitude and 19° longitude.
1.3 The letters DD, belonging to the Robertson map index, refer to block:

A 1. B 2. 1
C 3. D 4. 4
1.4 The direction of the trigonometrical beacon 171, in blocks B2–B3, 2 3
from spot height .356, in block C4 on the topographic map, is:
A north-northwest. B west-northwest. C southeast. D south-southeast.
1.5 The major primary activity in the mapped area is:

A forestry. B farming. C mining. D fishing. (5×1)

[5]

Question 2: Map calculations and techniques

2.1 Write the scale of the topographic map as a:
2.1.1 ratio scale.
2.1.2 word scale. (2×1)

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2.2 Calculate the distance between:
2.2.1 spot height .356, in block C4, and spot height .386, in block C6.
2.2.2 trigonometrical beacon 171, in blocks B2–B3, and spot height .544,
in block A4. (2×1)
2.3 Calculate the bearing from:

2.3.1 spot height .356, in block C4, to spot height .386, in block C6. (1×1)
2.4 Give the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of:

2.4.1 spot height .356, in block C4. (2×1)

2.4.2 trigonometrical beacon 171, in blocks B2–B3. (2×1)
2.5 From the list below identify the landforms that are found at the following coordinates:

saddle; cliff; gorge; pointed hill

2.5.1 33°46′55″S; 19°51′30″E 2.5.2 33°47′50″S; 19°50′15″E
2.5.3 33°49′15″S; 19°52′45″E (3×1)
2.6 A number of conventional signs can be found in block D6. Name and draw FOUR

conventional signs that you have identified in block D6. (4×1)

2.7 Draw a diagram that illustrates the difference between a vertical aerial photograph

and an oblique aerial photograph. Use suitable labels on your diagram. (2×1)
2.8 The ratio scale of the orthophoto map is 1:10 000. State this scale as a word scale. (1×1)

2.9 Calculate the distance between point (1) and point (8) on the orthophoto map. (1×1)

[20]

Question 3: Application and interpretation

3.1 Use the contour map below and answer the questions that follow.
700

670
730 610
670 700 .X
640

A
670

640

700
610 670
610

640
670
Mkondeni
.Y
700
Mpushini

670

730

760

670
730 700
730 760

760 790

Scale: 1:50 000; contour interval: 30 m

Zoom In Mapskills Grade 10 to 12

 3.1.1 On graph paper, draw a cross-section from (X) to (Y).
Use a vertical scale of 1 cm = 30 m on your cross-section. (4×1)
3.1.2 On your cross-section mark the positions of the Mkondeni and Mpushini
rivers. (2×½)
3.1.3 Is the following statement TRUE or FALSE?
‘The Mkondeni river flows from northeast to southwest.’ (1×1)
3.1.4 Explain your answer to question 3.1.3. (1×1)
3.1.5 State the height of the contour line that is labelled (A) on the contour map. (1×1)
3.2 Refer to the topographic map 3319 DD Robertson.

3.2.1 Give TWO points of evidence, from the topographic map, that indicate that
Robertson does not receive all-year-round rainfall. (2×1)
3.2.2 Suggest TWO reasons for the choice of the site for the town of Robertson. (2×1)
3.3 Answer TRUE or FALSE to the following statement:

3.3.1 ‘The farmer, in block E3, is growing maize.’ (1×1)

3.3.2 Explain your answer to question 3.3.1. (1×1)
3.4 Identify THREE ways in which the farmer, in block E2, has made provision for the

irrigation of his crops. (3×1)

3.5 Give TWO reasons why farmers choose to grow their crops close to the river. (2×1)

3.6 The farmers, in blocks D5 and D6, have planted rows of trees. What purpose do

these trees serve? (1×1)

3.7 Orientate the orthophoto map and the topographic map of the Robertson area.

3.7.1 Give the number of the trigonometrical station at (1) on the orthophoto map. (1×1)
3.7.2 Find numbers (2) to (8) on the orthophoto map. Match each term from
Column A to the corresponding definition from Column B.
Only write down the number from Column A and the correct letter from
Column B, for example i) E. (7×1)
Column A Column B
(2) A vineyards
(3) B power line
(4) C a school
(5) D a river valley
(6) E industrial zone
(7) F a saddle
(8) G a spur
H R60
3.7.3 Decide whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE:
The buildings at (9) are used for residential purposes. (1×1)
3.7.4 Explain your answer to question 3.7.3. (1×1)
[30]

Zoom In Mapskills Grade 10 to 12

 Topographic map – Robertson
45′ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A
InZoom

46′

B
10 12to

47′

48′

49′

33°50′
19°45′ 46′ 47′ 48′ 49′ 50′ 51′ 52′ 53′ 54′
GradMapskill
 Orthophoto map – Robertson
se

9
2

67
3

1
5

8
4

Zoom In Mapskills Grade 10 to 12

Question 4: Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
4.1 Remote sensing is the collecting and interpretation of information about the
environment and the surface of the Earth from a distance. Remote sensing is
done in two ways. Use the diagrams of passive and active remote sensing to help
you to answer the questions.

Satellite (sensor system) Satellite

Sun (source) (source & sensor system) 1

Land 2
1 Land
features features 2
(object) 3 (object) 3
Ground station Ground station

Remote sensing using passive sensor system Remote sensing using active sensor system

4.1.1 Explain the difference between passive and active remote sensing. In your
answer make use of the numbers 1, 2, and 3 as shown on the diagrams. (4×1)
4.2 Match each concept from Column A to its corresponding definition from Column B.

Only write down the number from Column A and the correct letter from Column B,
for example i) E. (4×1)
Concept Definition
i) Components of GIS A Information that describes or gives the
characteristics of an object
ii) Vector data B Data stored in the form of coordinates, shown
as point, line, or polygon features
iii) Attribute data C Hardware, software, data, people, network
iv) Spatial data D Refers to the position of an object, in other
words, its coordinates

4.3 In a GIS, spatial data is represented by vector and raster data.

4.3.1 Study the diagram that represents a line. What data
has been used to represent the line, vector or
Row

raster? (1×1)
4.3.2 Refer to block A8 of the topographic map. Identify
and name THREE examples of vector data that are
found in block A8. (3×1)
4.4 Use information from blocks D7–D8 to help you to identify FOUR Column

layers that were used to draw up this topographic map. (4×1)

4.5 Map projections are attempts to portray the surface of the Earth or a portion of the
Earth on a flat surface.
4.5.1 Why does the shape of our Earth make it essential to use a map projection
when drawing a map? (1×1) 1 2 3
4.5.2 The diagrams alongside show the
three main types of map projections.
Identify the map projections
numbered 1, 2, and 3. (3×1)
[20]
Total = 60 marks

Zoom In Mapskills Grade 10 to 12