F.

5/Geog/Map Reading/Lecture Notes

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Supplementary Topic - Map Reading Skills

A.

Preface

Under the new HKCEE syllabus, candidates are required to have a wide scope of
knowledge in map interpretation and map reading. Questions set in the public
examination will focus especially on three main categories, they are:
i) Descriptions: landscape, change in land uses (usually with the aid of the legend)
ii) Measurement: floor area, distance or quoting grid reference, vertical exaggeration
iii) Compare and contrast: characteristics of two landscapes, special features, etc.
1.

Descriptions (CE 04 Q.2, 05 Q.1a, 06 Q.1a, 07) (not for MC)

Photograph 1a

(a)

Refer to Photograph 1a. Describe the problems of living in this area.

Figure 2

(b)

Describe the land-use changes as shown.

Notes

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2.

Measurements: The following are frequently asked in multiple choice questions:

a)

Population density ()
=

Population
Total area

Example: General information of Tsuen Wan in 2001:

Area: 24.5 km2 Population: 746,000
b)

Land area ()

Regular Structure = (length on map x scale) x (width on map x scale)

Irregular Structure = [No. of complete squares + (No. of incomplete squares)] x A*
Try these out: 2005 Q.5, 2006 Q.5, 2007 Q.5

c)

Grid reference ()

A grid is a set of numbered vertical and horizontal lines which cross each other.
To tell the position of a place, we put the easting first and then northing.

d)

Distance of two buildings ()

= vertical distance between two points x adjusted scale

e)

Stream order

Drainage basin is made up by a number of small and large streams. Together these
streams form a river hierarchy. A way to show the river hierarchy is by stream ordering:
-

All the smallest tributaries in a drainage basin are first order streams.
Where two first order streams meet, the resultant channel is a second order stream.
A stream of high order is formed only when two streams of same order meet.

F.5/Geog/Map Reading/Lecture Notes

Example:

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Order

Number of Streams of
Each Order (River)

14

River A is fourth order stream.

River B is a second order stream.

f)
-

Bearing
make use of the protractor
answers are only given in (S__W, S__E, N__W or N__E)

Try these out: 2005 Q.4, 2007 Q.2

g)

Gradient ()

usually with 4 graphs given

:

Try these out: 2005 Q.9, 1992 Q.60, 1995 Q.60

h)

Vertical exaggeration
=

Vertical scale
Horizontal scale

= _____________ times
Try these out: Section A 2007 Q. 1 (b) (ii), 1995 Q. 52

Scale of the map is 1:200 00

Vertical exaggeration =

F.5/Geog/Map Reading/Lecture Notes

3.

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Discussion and Evaluation (for MC questions only)

a)
Locational advantage
Candidates should pay attention to the following characteristics:
- relief (steep or gentle)
- land available for development (vacant or cultivated)
- nearby natural environment
- Public amenities: medical/public/social/welfare facilities OR services available
- favour cross-border movement of people and goods
- Proximity to other new towns: job opportunities
- population density
- Centrality: near urban area/ close to CBD/cultural centres
b)

c)

Accessibility: It refers to the ease of going to a particular place by means of any

transport.
- connected by main roads/highways/ Light Railways/ West Rail/
Types of land uses ()
- identify the seven major land uses including:

Try these out: 2006 Q.4, 2007 Q.7

4.

Map enlargement/reductions and scales

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- HM20C 1:20 000 1

F.5/Geog/Map Reading/Lecture Notes

5.

Conventional Signs

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