WEST-E Social Studies Practice Test - Prep, Study Guide & Practice Questions

A significant difference between maps and globes is that a globe is less likely to contain distortions in the size and shape of landmasses. This is because a globe is a three-dimensional representation of Earth, maintaining the relative proportions of distances and areas, which allows for a more accurate depiction of geographical features.

In contrast, maps, which are two-dimensional, must flatten the Earth's surface, leading to various distortions. For instance, projections used in maps can shrink or expand certain areas, resulting in inaccuracies in how landmasses are represented. This inherent quality of globes as true models of the Earth makes them a reliable tool for understanding global geography without the distortions that affect most map projections.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of the significant differences between the two. Maps can certainly vary in detail depending on scale, but typically urban areas may be represented in great detail on both maps and globes. A map does not provide a three-dimensional view; it is inherently flat, while a globe is designed to illustrate the Earth’s surface as an orb. Furthermore, globes are generally bulkier and less portable compared to folded or rolled maps, making the assertion about ease of carry inaccurate.