Mapping Skills
What is the difference between latitude and longitude?
Latitude measures distance north or south of the Equator, while longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
Name one type of landform.
Mountain, valley, plain, plateau, hill, coast, river, desert, etc
Why is freshwater considered a limited resource even though Earth has a lot of water?
Most of Earth's water is saltwater, and much of the freshwater is frozen or underground, making only a small amount easily accessible.
Name one natural hazard.
Bushfire, flood, earthquake, cyclone, tsunami or volcanic eruption.
What is the capital city of Victoria?
Melbourne
Which four main directions appear on a compass?
North, East, South, West
Which process breaks rocks into smaller pieces without moving them?
Weathering
Name one stage of the water cycle.
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation or collection.
Which natural hazard is most common during Australia's hot, dry summers?
Bushfires.
Which desert covers much of central Australia?
The Great Victoria Desert.
Explain why maps use a scale.
To show the relationship between distances on the map and real-life distances.
Which process moves sediment from one place to another?
Erosion.
Explain why access to clean freshwater is important for people and the environment.
Clean freshwater is needed for drinking, farming, sanitation, industry, and to support healthy ecosystems and wildlife.
Why are floods more likely after long periods of heavy rainfall?
Rivers overflow and the ground cannot absorb all the water.
Name Australia's longest river.
The Murray River.
What is the purpose of contour lines?
They show the height and shape of the land.
Explain how rivers change landscapes over time.
The erode, transport and deposit materials.
Explain one way humans can reduce water wastage.
Shorter showers, fixing leaks, water-efficient appliances, collecting rainwater, etc.
Explain one way communities prepare for bushfires.
Fire plans, controlled burns, emergency warnings, evacuation routes or clearing vegetation.
Why is the Great Dividing Range important?
It influences climate, river systems and ecosystems across eastern Australia.
A map has a scale of 1 cm = 5 km. Two towns are 8 cm apart on the map. How far apart are they in real life?
40Kms
Describe one way people can affect landforms.
Mining, farming, construction, quarrying, deforestation or urban development.
Explain how climate change can affect water availability in different parts of the world.
Climate change can alter rainfall patterns, increase droughts and floods, reduce water stored in glaciers and snow, and make freshwater supplies less reliable for people and ecosystems.
Compare the impacts of a bushfire and a flood on a community
Both damage homes and infrastructure, but bushfires burn vegetation while floods inundate land and buildings.
Explain why most Australians live near the coast.
Coastal areas generally have milder climates, better access to transport, employment, services and water.