Question 1: Describe the journey of a water droplet from a mountain source to the sea, highlighting key features it might pass through.

Answer: The water droplet would start in the river's source or headwaters, flow through the upper course where the river is narrow and steep, then move through the middle course where it widens and slows down, and finally reach the lower course near the mouth where it widens further and deposits sediment before flowing into the sea.

Question 2: Explain what a river's delta is and how it is formed.

Answer: A delta is a landform formed at the mouth of a river where it deposits sediment as it enters a standing body of water like the sea. It is created when the river slows down and drops its carried sediment, building up land over time.

Question 3: Identify and describe three features found in the upper course of a river.

Answer: Features in the upper course include: 1) Waterfalls, where the river flows over a resistant rock layer creating a vertical drop; 2) V-shaped valleys, formed by erosion as the river cuts into the landscape; 3) Rapids, where the river flows over rocks causing turbulence and fast water flow.

Question 4: What is erosion, and how does it shape the landscape of a river?

Answer: Erosion is the process of wearing away the riverbank and bed by the moving water. It shapes the landscape by creating features like valleys, gorges, and meanders over time.

Question 5: Describe the difference between a 'meander' and an 'oxbow lake'.

Answer: A meander is a winding bend in a river caused by lateral erosion. An oxbow lake is a U-shaped body of water formed when a meander is cut off from the main river channel during flooding, leaving a standalone lake.

Question 6: Sketch a simple diagram of a river showing the following features: source, upper course, middle course, lower course, and mouth. Label each part.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a river starting at the top (source), flowing down through a narrow, steep upper course with features like waterfalls or rapids, widening in the middle course with features like meanders, then widening further in the lower course, ending at the sea (mouth). Labels should identify each part clearly.

Question 7: Explain the processes of erosion that are most active in the middle course of a river.

Answer: In the middle course, processes such as lateral erosion (sideways erosion) are most active, shaping the river's meanders. Some vertical erosion continues but is less dominant than in the upper course.

Question 8: Identify two methods by which rivers transport sediment, and give an example of each.

Answer: Two methods are: 1) Suspension, where fine particles are carried in the water (e.g., silt and clay); 2) Traction, where large pebbles and stones roll or slide along the riverbed.

Question 9: Describe how human activities, such as dam construction, can affect a river’s natural process of flow and sediment transport.

Answer: Dams can slow down the flow of a river, reducing erosion downstream and trapping sediment behind the dam. This can lead to less sediment reaching the delta and changes in the river’s natural landscape and ecosystems.

Question 10: Explain why rivers are important for the environment and human societies.

Answer: Rivers provide water for drinking, agriculture, and industry; support diverse ecosystems; and are used for transportation and recreation, making them vital for both the environment and human societies.