Direction Sense • Topic 1 of 4

Basic Directions & Turns

Track facing direction through each turn. A right turn rotates you clockwise (N→E→S→W); a left turn anticlockwise (N→W→S→E). Update the facing after every instruction, then state the final direction.

The compass and the turn rules

N S E W right = clockwise
A right turn moves you clockwise (N→E→S→W); a left turn anticlockwise (N→W→S→E).
Never rotate the page in your head. Draw a tiny arrow for your facing direction and physically redraw it after each turn. Two left turns or two right turns = a U-turn (180°).

✅ Solved examples

1. Facing North, turn right. New facing?
Right from North = East.
2. Facing East, turn right twice. New facing?
East→South→West. West.
3. Facing South, turn left. New facing?
Left from South = East.
4. Facing West, turn around (180°). New facing?
Opposite of West = East.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. Facing North, turn left. New facing?
Anticlockwise.
—
—
West
2. Facing South, turn right. New facing?
Clockwise.
—
—
West
3. Facing East, turn left. New facing?
Anticlockwise.
—
—
North
4. Facing West, turn right twice. New facing?
W→N→E.
—
—
East
5. Facing North, turn right 3 times. New facing?
N→E→S→W.
—
—
West

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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Net Displacement (Pythagoras) →