Earth’s External Processes - SS1 Geography Past Questions and Answers - page 2
What type of water temperature is often found in the upper course of a river?
Warm
Cold
Moderately cool
In the middle course, what process becomes more prominent compared to the upper course?
Vertical erosion
Deposition
Lateral erosion
What type of sediment is commonly transported in the middle course of a river?
Gravel and boulders
Sand and silt
Fine clay particles
What is the primary characteristic of the lower course of a river?
High elevation
Wide channel
Steep gradient
What can be found in the lower course of a river due to reduced flow velocity?
Waterfalls
Rapid flow
Bars and floodplains
Describe the primary characteristics of the upper course of a river.
The upper course of a river is characterized by steep terrain, a narrow and shallow channel, cold water, and the dominance of vertical erosion. Waterfalls and rapids are common features.
How does the process of lateral erosion shape the middle course of a river, and what features result from it?
Lateral erosion in the middle course widens the river channel and leads to the formation of meanders. These meanders can eventually cut off and create oxbow lakes.
Explain the primary differences between the upper, middle, and lower courses of a river.
The upper course is steep with a narrow channel, the middle course is characterized by meanders and a wider channel, and the lower course has a wide channel, gentle gradient, and significant deposition.
What are oxbow lakes, and how do they form in the middle course of a river?
Oxbow lakes are curved bodies of water that form when meanders in a river become more pronounced, eventually cutting off a loop of the river's channel.
Discuss the significance of floodplains in the development of a river and their impact on the surrounding landscape and ecosystems.
Floodplains are low-lying areas along a river's banks that receive sediment deposition during floods. They are fertile and support agriculture but are also prone to flooding, impacting the landscape and ecosystems.