Question 1: Describe the process of erosion that occurs on the outside of a river bend. Explain how this process contributes to the formation of a meander.

Answer: Erosion occurs on the outside of a bend where the water flows faster, causing the river to erode the bank through hydraulic action and abrasion. This process deepens and widens the bend over time, leading to the formation of a meander.

Question 2: Identify and explain three features commonly found in the upper course of a river.

Answer: Features in the upper course include a steep gradient, V-shaped valleys formed by vertical erosion, and waterfalls or rapids created where there are resistant rock layers.

Question 3: Explain the difference between erosion and deposition in the context of river processes.

Answer: Erosion is the wearing away of riverbanks and beds by the force of moving water, while deposition is the process of sediments being dropped when the river loses energy, such as on the inside of a bend or in a calmer section.

Question 4: Describe what a floodplain is and how it forms.

Answer: A floodplain is a flat area of land adjacent to a river that floods during high flow periods. It forms through the gradual deposition of sediments during floods, creating a wide, fertile valley.

Question 5: Sketch a diagram of a river showing the following features: the source, the confluence, the estuary, and the mouth. Label each part.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict a river starting at its source, flowing through a valley, joining with another river at the confluence, widening into an estuary near the coast, and finally reaching the river mouth where it flows into the sea.

Question 6: Explain how the gradient of a river changes from its source to its mouth and how this affects the river's energy and velocity.

Answer: The gradient is steep at the source, which gives the river high energy and velocity, promoting erosion. As it approaches the mouth, the gradient becomes gentler, reducing velocity and increasing deposition.

Question 7: Describe the formation of a waterfall in a river's upper course.

Answer: A waterfall forms where there is a layer of resistant rock over softer rock. The softer rock erodes faster, creating a step. The river then plunges over this edge, forming a waterfall.

Question 8: Identify two human activities that can impact river environments and briefly explain their effects.

Answer: Agricultural runoff can cause pollution and eutrophication, while dam construction can alter flow patterns, reduce sediment transport, and impact ecosystems downstream.

Question 9: Describe what a delta is and how it forms at the mouth of a river.

Answer: A delta forms when a river deposits sediments as it enters a standing body of water like the sea. Over time, these sediments build up, creating a landform with distributary channels.

Question 10: Explain why rivers in the upper course tend to be more V-shaped in cross-section compared to those in the lower course.

Answer: Upper course rivers are more V-shaped because vertical erosion dominates, carving steep-sided valleys. In the lower course, lateral erosion widens the valley, making it less V-shaped.