Mapping skills in EVS help develop

The correct answer is understanding of relative position of places.

In Environmental Studies (EVS), mapping skills are fundamental to spatial literacy. Developing mapping skills helps students read, interpret, and create spatial representations of their surroundings.

Why this is the correct choice:

1. Spatial Awareness: Mapping teaches learners how places relate to one another in terms of direction, distance, and orientation.
2. Relative Position: By using maps, students learn to determine where an object or location is situated in relation to another landmark (e.g., North/South, Near/Far, Left/Right).
3. Symbol and Scale Interpretation: It helps in decoding abstract symbols and understanding scales, enabling children to visualize geographic locations accurately.

Analysis of other options:

- Drawing landscapes relates more to artistic skill rather than geographical and spatial mapping skills.
- Predicting and calculating are mathematical or scientific inquiry skills, not the core objective of basic map reading.
- Recording skill refers to data collection and documentation rather than understanding spatial arrangements.

Therefore, mapping skills primarily help develop an understanding of the relative position of places.