MCQs on V-shaped valley, Waterfall, Potholes, Meanders and ox-bow lakes – World Geography
Q1. What type of valley is formed by the erosive action of a river in its upper course?
a. V-shaped Valley
b. U-shaped Valley
c. Hanging Valley
d. Rift Valley
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Correct Answer: a. V-shaped Valley
Explanation: V-shaped valleys are formed by the erosive action of a river in its upper course, where the river flows quickly downhill and erodes the landscape vertically, creating steep valley sides.
Q2. What is the primary cause of waterfall formation?
a. Earthquakes
b. Glacial retreat
c. Erosion of different rock layers
d. Tectonic uplift
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Correct Answer: c. Erosion of different rock layers
Explanation: Waterfalls primarily form when a river flows over different layers of rock with varying resistance to erosion. The soft rock erodes more rapidly, causing the water to fall over the harder rock layer.
Q3. What are potholes in the context of road surfaces?
a. Raised bumps
b. Depressions caused by traffic and water
c. Painted markings
d. Drainage structures
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Correct Answer: b. Depressions caused by traffic and water
Explanation: Potholes are depressions in road surfaces, usually asphalt pavement, where traffic has removed broken pieces of the pavement. They are typically caused by the expansion and contraction of groundwater after it has entered the ground under the pavement.
Q4. What causes the formation of meanders in rivers?
a. Tectonic activity
b. Glacial erosion
c. Erosion and deposition processes
d. Volcanic activity
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Correct Answer: c. Erosion and deposition processes
Explanation: Meanders are formed by the interaction of water flowing through a curved channel with the underlying river bed. Erosion occurs on the outer, concave bank, while deposition occurs on the inner, convex bank, creating a sinuous course for the river.
Q5. What is an ox-bow lake?
a. A lake formed by glacial meltwater
b. A lake formed by volcanic activity
c. A lake formed by the cutoff of a meander loop
d. A lake formed by tectonic activity
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Correct Answer: c. A lake formed by the cutoff of a meander loop
Explanation: An ox-bow lake is formed when a meander loop in a river is cut off from the main channel, usually due to the river finding a shorter and more efficient path. The cutoff loop becomes a crescent-shaped lake.
Q6. What is the primary force responsible for the formation of potholes in rivers and streams?
a. Wind erosion
b. Glacial erosion
c. Water erosion with pebbles and sediment
d. Tectonic activity
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Correct Answer: c. Water erosion with pebbles and sediment
Explanation: Potholes in rivers and streams are formed when a circular current of water carrying small pebbles and sediment begins to wear away a rock surface. The force of water and the sediment it carries creates a hole in the riverbed.
Q7. Which feature is commonly found at the base of a waterfall?
a. Sandbar
b. Delta
c. Plunge pool
d. Alluvial fan
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Correct Answer: c. Plunge pool
Explanation: A plunge pool is a deep, circular depression formed at the base of a waterfall due to the erosive action of falling water and the sediment it carries.
Q8. What is the typical shape of a valley formed by glacial erosion?
a. V-shaped
b. U-shaped
c. Hanging
d. Rift
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Correct Answer: b. U-shaped
Explanation: U-shaped valleys are formed by glacial erosion, where the movement of a glacier carves out a wide, flat-bottomed valley with steep sides.
Q9. What is the term for the steep, vertical cliffs found on the outer banks of a meander?
a. River cliffs
b. Valley walls
c. Gorges
d. Escarpments
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Correct Answer: a. River cliffs
Explanation: River cliffs are the steep, vertical cliffs found on the outer banks of a meander, where the faster current erodes the bank.
Q10. What is the term for the shallow, sloping area of sediment accumulation on the inner banks of a meander?
a. Point bar
b. Sandbar
c. Delta
d. Alluvial fan
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Correct Answer: a. Point bar
Explanation: A point bar is the shallow, sloping area of sediment accumulation on the inner banks of a meander, where the slower current deposits sediment.
Q11. What is the primary factor that determines the width of a V-shaped valley?
a. The type of rock in the valley
b. The amount of precipitation in the area
c. The gradient of the river
d. The age of the river
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Correct Answer: c. The gradient of the river
Explanation: The width of a V-shaped valley is primarily determined by the gradient of the river. Steeper gradients result in faster-flowing water, which erodes the landscape more vertically and creates narrower valleys.
Q12. What is the primary factor that determines the height of a waterfall?
a. The type of rock over which the river flows
b. The amount of precipitation in the area
c. The gradient of the river
d. The age of the river
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Correct Answer: a. The type of rock over which the river flows
Explanation: The height of a waterfall is primarily determined by the difference in erosion rates between the layers of rock over which the river flows. The greater the difference in erosion rates, the higher the waterfall.
Q13. In which part of a river’s course are waterfalls most commonly found?
a. Upper course
b. Middle course
c. Lower course
d. Delta
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Correct Answer: a. Upper course
Explanation: Waterfalls are most commonly found in the upper course of a river, where the river flows over layers of rock with varying resistance to erosion.
Q14. What is the primary factor that determines the size and shape of a pothole in a river or stream?
a. The type of rock in the riverbed
b. The amount of precipitation in the area
c. The speed of the water
d. The size of the pebbles and sediment carried by the water
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Correct Answer: c. The speed of the water
Explanation: The size and shape of a pothole in a river or stream are primarily determined by the speed of the water. Faster water carries more pebbles and sediment, which erode the rock surface more effectively.
Q15. What is the term for the regular sinuous curves in the channel of a river or other watercourse?
a. Meanders
b. Oxbows
c. Gorges
d. Rapids
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Correct Answer: a. Meanders
Explanation: Meanders are the regular sinuous curves in the channel of a river or other watercourse, formed by the interaction of water flowing through a curved channel with the underlying river bed.
Q16. What is the term for the flat area of land on either side of a river that is prone to flooding?
a. Floodplain
b. Delta
c. Alluvial fan
d. Terrace
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Correct Answer: a. Floodplain
Explanation: A floodplain is a generally flat area of land adjacent to a river or stream that is prone to flooding during periods of high discharge. Floodplains stretch from the banks of a river channel to the base of the enclosing valley and are formed by the deposition of sediments from the river, creating a flat and fertile land.
Q17. What is the primary force responsible for the formation of potholes in rivers and streams?
a. Wind erosion
b. Glacial erosion
c. Water erosion with pebbles and sediment
d. Tectonic activity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: c. Water erosion with pebbles and sediment
Explanation: Potholes in rivers and streams are formed when a circular current of water carrying small pebbles and sediment begins to wear away a rock surface. The force of water and the sediment it carries creates a hole in the riverbed.
Q18. Which feature is commonly found at the base of a waterfall?
a. Sandbar
b. Delta
c. Plunge pool
d. Alluvial fan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: c. Plunge pool
Explanation: A plunge pool is a deep, circular depression formed at the base of a waterfall due to the erosive action of falling water and the sediment it carries.
Q19. What is the typical shape of a valley formed by glacial erosion?
a. V-shaped
b. U-shaped
c. Hanging
d. Rift
Show Answer
Correct Answer: b. U-shaped
Explanation: U-shaped valleys are formed by glacial erosion, where the movement of a glacier carves out a wide, flat-bottomed valley with steep sides.
Q20. What is the term for the steep, vertical cliffs found on the outer banks of a meander?
a. River cliffs
b. Valley walls
c. Gorges
d. Escarpments
Show Answer
Correct Answer: a. River cliffs
Explanation: River cliffs are the steep, vertical cliffs found on the outer banks of a meander, where the faster current erodes the bank.