Text 3: How the cartography works

At the observation level many different people collect information for cartographers. The geodesist provides an accurate measurement of the Earth size and shape. A surveyor works out the measurement of a place by taking measurement of distance, angles and elevations. Other experts provide information to the cartographer, such as geographers, geologists and meteorologists. This type of cartography is called compilation mapping, because they are compiling information from different sources to make a map. After compiling the information, the cartographer moves on to planning stage. Here he decides what his map is going to be used for, and what the best projection would be for that purpose. He must also design or pick suitable symbols to put on the map to show landmarks. The cartographer then moves on to the drawing stage. In this stage the cartographer will draw the map out using plastic drafting film, scribe the map by using special tools to cut off the coating of a clear plastic sheet, or they will use computers to make the maps for them. In the revision stage, all the cartographer does is to revise his maps to keep them up to date with the changes in the land or scenery.

Cartography seems to be more of an art than a science, because you have to have a passion. Without that passion your maps could be off, your lines not strait, or many other things could go wrong.

Exercise 2. Look through the words and try to remember their meaning:

Elevation - підняття

compilation mapping - компіляційне створення карт

to pick - підбирати

to show landmarks - показувати земельні об’єкти

plastic drafting - пластичне креслення

to scribe - описувати

to cut off - відрізати

Exercise 3. Answer the following questions

1. Where do people collect information for cartographers?

2. Who works out the measurement of a place by taking measurement of distance, angles and elevations?

3. What can you call a compilation mapping?

4. What does cartographer do after compilation mapping?

5. How can you imagine cartography?

Exercise 4. Translate the following word combinations:

observation level, accurate measurement, planning stage, drawing stage, drafting film, revision stage,

Exercise 5. Complete the following chart.

to create
to provide
to use
to approach
to move	movement

Exercise 6. Look through the following verb forms and define the tense, write the infinitive of the verb.

Provides, works, is called, moves, will draw, will use, seems.

Exercise 7. Put verbs in the brackets in the correct form.

1. The geodesist _______ (to provide) an accurate measurement of the Earth size and shape.

2. A surveyor _______ (to work) out the measurement of a place by taking measurement of distance, angles and elevations.

3. This type of cartography ________ (to be) called compilation mapping, because they are compiling information from different sources to make a map.

4. After compiling the information, the cartographer ________ (to move) on to planning stage.

5. Cartography _______ (to seem) to be more of an art than a science, because you have to have a passion.

Exercise 7. Read and translate the text.