1 · Letters across, numbers up
A grid has letters along the bottom and numbers up the side. Each square has a name made of one letter and one number, like C2.
To find C2, go across to column C first, then up to row 2. Letter first, number second, every time.
2 · Naming where something is
To name a square, look straight down to read its letter, then straight across to read its number.
The tree below is in column D and row 3, so it is in D3. Saying "3D" mixes up the order; the test uses letter first.
3 · Same row, same column
Squares in the same row share a number: A3, B3, C3. Squares in the same column share a letter: B1, B2, B3.
So "Which square is in the same row as D2?" wants an answer ending in 2, like A2.
4 · Moving on a grid
Moving right goes to later letters (B to C). Moving left goes to earlier letters. Moving up makes the number bigger. Moving down makes it smaller.
Start at B1. Move 2 right: D1. Then 3 up: D4.
5 · Counting squares between
To count how far apart two squares are, count the moves, not the squares you land on. From A2 to E2 is 4 moves right: A to B, B to C, C to D, D to E.
A common mistake is counting 5 because there are 5 squares in the row. Count the jumps.
6 · The shortest path
When you can only move along rows and columns (no slanting), the shortest path is the moves across plus the moves up or down.
From A1 to D3: 3 across and 2 up, so 5 moves. Any path that does not go backward takes 5 moves.
7 · North, south, east, west
On most maps, north is up, south is down, east is right, and west is left. Look for the compass to be sure.
A memory trick for the order around the compass, starting at the top: Never Eat Soggy Waffles.
8 · Directions on a map
On the town map, the Park is up and to the right of Home. Up is north and right is east, so the Park is northeast of Home.
The School is in the same row as the Park, so it is straight west of the Park. Walking from the School to the Park, you go east.
9 · Test tips
Letter first, then number. Count moves, not squares. Check which way is north before you answer a direction question.
Put your finger on the start square and move it one square at a time. It is slow, and it is how you avoid the traps.
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