Which of the following features would be most useful in interpreting the information conveyed by the symbols on a map?

The most useful feature for interpreting the information conveyed by the symbols on a map is the legend. The legend provides crucial context by explaining what each symbol represents, allowing the user to understand the various elements depicted on the map, such as roads, landmarks, water bodies, or other significant features. Without the legend, the symbols could be confusing or meaningless to the user.

The other features, while important in their own right, serve different purposes. The scale helps evaluate distances and understand the size relationship of features on the map, which is valuable for navigation but does not clarify the meaning of symbols. The compass rose indicates direction, helping with orientation, but it does not provide insight into what the different symbols represent. Topography refers to the physical features of the land, but it does not aid in decoding the symbols used on the map. Therefore, the legend is the key element for interpreting symbolic information effectively.