The idea, step by step
Say what you are comparing
Words such as beside, between, above and below help us describe a place. Give a reference place: “The fountain is between the park and clinic” is clearer than “It is over there”.
When you say directly above, stay in the same column on this map. Directly beside means the next place along the same row. Left and right refer to the reader’s view of the page.
Use the direction note
This map says north is up. South is down, east is right and west is left. The shop is north of the fountain. The bakery is south of it.
The map does not turn when a traveller changes the way they face. Use the north-up note, not your imagined traveller’s left or right.
A common trap
North changes whenever a person turns around.
Instead: North is fixed by the map’s direction note. The person’s facing direction can change.
See the thinking
Find a place between two others
Which place is between the park and the clinic?
- Find Park and Clinic in the middle row.
- Look at the place halfway along that row.
- Its label is Fountain.
Use two clues
Which place is immediately south of the shop and immediately west of the clinic?
- The next place south of Shop is Fountain.
- The next place west of Clinic is also Fountain.
- The fountain fits both clues.
Check your understanding
Which place is directly east of the fountain?
Show answer
The clinic.
East is right on this north-up map, and Clinic is next in that row.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Which place is the next place directly below the library?
- Which place is between the pool and the bus stop?
- Which place is directly north of the park?
- Which place is directly west of the shop?
- Describe where the bakery is compared with the fountain.
- A friend says “Meet me near the shop.” Why is “Meet me at the fountain south of the shop” clearer?
Read the worked solutions
- Which place is the next place directly below the library?
Follow the right-hand column down one place.
The clinic. - Which place is between the pool and the bus stop?
The bakery is in the middle of the bottom row.
The bakery. - Which place is directly north of the park?
North is up; School is above Park in the left column.
The school. - Which place is directly west of the shop?
West is left; School is beside Shop.
The school. - Describe where the bakery is compared with the fountain.
Both lie in the middle column, and Bakery is one place below.
The bakery is directly south of the fountain. - A friend says “Meet me near the shop.” Why is “Meet me at the fountain south of the shop” clearer?
The first message could mean several nearby places. The second identifies the fountain.
It names one exact place and gives its position.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Familiar maps; locating features; following and describing routes.
Official curriculum source ↗