Reading a weather map

Reading a weather map

Auto-markingPencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about interpreting a weather map.

The map shows the weather for the Taranaki/Wanganui region for one day in November. 

Question

a)  Wanganui's weather is best described as

    • rain clearing, moderate temperatures, strong north-westerlies.

    • mostly fine, warm, windy.

    • showery, warm, light winds.

    • raining, cold, strong north-westerly winds.

Question

b)  What is Waitara's weather like on this day? 

    • Cloudy, warm, and calm

    • Showery, moderate temperatures, and very windy

    • Raining, moderate temperatures, with gale-force winds

    • Heavy rain, cold, with strong northwesterlies.

Question

c)  Waitara's weather the next day will probably be

    • fine, warm, with no wind.

    • cloudy, cold, decreasing winds.

    • clearing, warmer, with less wind.

    • showery, moderate temperatures, light winds.

Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online with auto-marking.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
interacting systems, weather, weather maps
Description of task: 
Students interpret a weather map to answer three multiple-choice questions on information it contains.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
Scientists represent their ideas in a variety of ways, including models, graphs, charts, diagrams and written texts. 
This resource provides opportunities to discuss a comparison of the features of a weather map with a written or oral weather forecast, looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Making Better Sense: 
Weather Patterns and Maps
Answers/responses: 
 

Y9 (03/2000)
a) D (raining, cold, strong north-westerly winds) easy
b) B (Showery, moderate temperatures, and very windy) very easy
c) C (clearing, warmer, with less wind) easy