Question 1: Define 'meander' and give an example of a river in the UK where meanders are prominent.

Answer: A meander is a winding curve or bend in a river, typically formed in its middle and lower courses; an example is the River Thames in its middle section.

Question 2: What is a 'waterfall' and how does it form?

Answer: A waterfall is a vertical or near-vertical drop of a river over a resistant rock layer, formed by erosion processes where softer rock is worn away faster than resistant rock.

Question 3: Explain the term 'floodplain' with an example from the UK.

Answer: A floodplain is a flat area of land adjacent to a river, prone to flooding, such as the floodplain of the River Severn near Shrewsbury.

Question 4: Define 'estuary' and mention a famous UK estuary.

Answer: An estuary is a tidal mouth of a river where freshwater mixes with seawater; an example is the Thames Estuary.

Question 5: What is erosion and how does it contribute to landform development?

Answer: Erosion is the wearing away of the Earth's surface by natural processes like water, wind, or ice, which shapes landforms such as valleys and waterfalls.

Question 1: Which process is primarily responsible for the formation of a V-shaped valley?

Answer: Vertical erosion

Question 2: Name the UK river known for its prominent waterfall at Lynton and Lynmouth.

Answer: River Exe

Question 3: Describe the process that leads to the formation of oxbow lakes.

Answer: Oxbow lakes form when meanders become so pronounced that the river cuts through the narrow neck during a flood, leaving a curved lake after the river finds a shorter course.

Question 4: Identify which UK river has a well-known estuary at the Humber.

Answer: River Humber

Question 5: What are the main types of river transportation?

Answer: Traction, saltation, suspension, and solution

Question 1: Based on the River Severn case study, describe two landforms created by lateral erosion.

Answer: Meanders and floodplains are two landforms created by lateral erosion, where the river widens its valley and forms winding curves and flat areas prone to flooding.

Question 2: Explain how human activities, such as dam construction, can impact the formation of river landforms in the Severn catchment.

Answer: Dams can reduce sediment flow, leading to less deposition downstream, which may cause riverbed erosion and alter natural landform development, impacting habitats and flood regimes.

Question 3: Analyze the effects of urbanization along the River Severn on floodplain development.

Answer: Urbanization increases impermeable surfaces, reducing infiltration and increasing surface runoff, which heightens flood risk and can lead to greater erosion and modification of natural floodplain landforms.

Question 4: Describe the role of the Severn Estuary in the UK's coastal ecosystem.

Answer: The Severn Estuary acts as a vital habitat for migratory birds, supports diverse marine life, and influences tidal patterns that shape the coastal landscape and sediment deposition.

Question 1: Explain why vertical erosion is dominant in the youthful stage of a river.

Answer: Vertical erosion is dominant in the youthful stage because the river has high energy and steep gradients, allowing it to cut downwards into the bed and form deep valleys.

Question 2: Analyse the causes of the formation of a meander in a river such as the Thames.

Answer: Meanders develop due to lateral erosion in areas of flow velocity variation, where faster flow on the outside bend causes erosion, and slower flow on the inside bend leads to deposition, creating winding curves.

Question 3: Explain the relationship between river gradient and the type of landforms formed.

Answer: Steeper gradients in upper courses promote vertical erosion, creating V-shaped valleys and waterfalls, while gentler gradients in lower courses favor lateral erosion, leading to meanders and floodplains.

Question 1: To what extent are flood defenses along the Thames effective in reducing flood risk? Consider both benefits and limitations.

Answer: Flood defenses along the Thames, such as levees and barriers, are effective in reducing flood risk by preventing inundation of urban areas like London. However, they are not foolproof; extreme weather events and climate change may overwhelm these defenses, and they can lead to increased erosion downstream or encourage development in flood-prone areas. A balanced approach combining engineering with sustainable land use planning offers the best long-term solution.