Worksheet

A Place to Build in Copper Basin

Study a described map of a desert city and explain how landforms, water, and climate influence where people settle.

Grade 3Social StudiesInteractive · Printable

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1 C3 Framework standard
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15 questions
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Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 3
Subject: Social Studies
Question types: Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Circle the answer, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students describe how landforms and water features influence settlement locations.
Students explain how a desert climate affects where and how people build homes.
Students use map evidence to recommend a suitable place for a new settlement.

How to use

Read the map notes aloud or have students read them independently. Ask students to point to map evidence before answering the application questions.

Curriculum

C3 Framework standard covered

GEO.3.3

Describe regions and how landforms, water and climate affect where people settle.

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A Place to Build in Copper Basin

Use a desert city map to study why people settle in certain places.

Read the map notes

Read about Saguaro Junction in the Copper Basin region. Then answer the questions.

Saguaro Junction and the Copper Basin

Saguaro Junction is a small city in the dry Copper Basin region. On the map, the Rio Sol flows east along the north side of town. South of the river is Cottonwood Plain, a broad, flat area where most of the town is built. Many homes and farms are near the river, but they stand on ground above the river's floodplain.

West of town, Red Mesa rises with steep sides. Its rocky slopes have little soil and few homes. East of town, Juniper Ridge is higher than the plain. The ridge is cooler and rockier, and a small spring flows from its lower edge. Dry Wash runs south from Red Mesa. It carries water only after some storms.

The Copper Basin has very hot summers, little rainfall, and cooler winters. Many Saguaro Junction homes are built close together and include shaded outdoor spaces. People use water from the Rio Sol and the spring for homes and farms. The map shows that the city's places are not spread evenly across the basin.

What is the main idea of the map notes?

A. The Copper Basin has several kinds of animals.
B. Saguaro Junction is the largest city near a river.
C. Land, water, and weather help explain where people settle.
D. Red Mesa receives more rain than the rest of the basin.

Circle the TWO details that show water affects where people settle.

Many homes and farms are near the Rio Sol.Red Mesa has steep sides.People use water from the river and spring.Juniper Ridge is higher than the plain.

Word bank: region · floodplain · spring · mesa

The Copper Basin is a because it is an area with shared land and climate features.

Which statement best compares Cottonwood Plain and Red Mesa?

A. The plain is flat and settled, while the mesa has steep, rocky land.
B. The plain is higher and cooler, while the mesa has the city's spring.
C. The plain gets storm water, while the mesa lies beside the Rio Sol.
D. The plain has little soil, while the mesa has farms near the river.

Why are the homes near the Rio Sol built above the floodplain?

A. Higher ground gives the homes cooler winter weather.
B. Higher ground places the homes closer to Red Mesa.
C. Higher ground gives the homes more rocky soil.
D. Higher ground lowers the chance of floodwater reaching them.

Circle the TWO details that show landforms affect settlement.

The Copper Basin has hot summers.Most of the town is built on flat Cottonwood Plain.The Rio Sol flows east.Red Mesa has rocky, steep slopes and few homes.

Use the map to reason

Use details from the map notes to make predictions and choices.

Why might Juniper Ridge have cooler homes than Cottonwood Plain?

A. The ridge is closer to the dry wash.
B. The ridge is higher than the plain.
C. The ridge receives water from the Rio Sol.
D. The ridge has more flat farmland.

Word bank: temporary · permanent · rocky · flooded

Dry Wash is a water feature because it carries water only after some storms.

A farmer wants land for crops and a dependable water source. Which site best fits the map evidence?

A. The rocky slopes of Red Mesa
B. Cottonwood Plain above the floodplain
C. The upper part of Juniper Ridge
D. The dry channel of Dry Wash

10.

City planners want a new neighborhood with a lower flood risk and access to water. Which choice uses the map most wisely?

A. Build on flat ground near the river but above its floodplain.
B. Build inside the river's floodplain beside the water.
C. Build on the steepest part of Red Mesa.
D. Build in the channel of Dry Wash for easy storm-water access.

11.

Which description best explains why the Copper Basin is called a region?

A. It contains one city with one kind of building.
B. It has a river that flows in one direction.
C. It includes an area with related landforms, water, and climate.
D. It is named after the tallest landform on the map.

12.

Circle the TWO details that show the desert climate affects how people live in Saguaro Junction.

The Rio Sol flows along the north side of town.Many homes include shaded outdoor spaces.Red Mesa rises west of town.Many homes are built close together.

13.

Suppose a long dry period makes the spring at Juniper Ridge stop flowing. What change would people in that area most likely need to make?

A. They would move farms onto Red Mesa's steep slopes.
B. They would look for another dependable water source.
C. They would build homes inside Dry Wash.
D. They would stop using the higher, cooler land.

Explain with evidence

Write complete answers. Use details from the map notes.

14.

Explain how two different features of the Copper Basin help explain why homes and farms are not spread evenly across the map. Use at least two details from the map notes.

15.

A family asks you to recommend a place for a new home in the Copper Basin. Name one map location and give a reason based on landform, water, and climate.