Rivers & Drainage Basins (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Geography): Exam Questions

Study Fig. 3.1, which shows information about flows through a drainage basin.

What is meant by transpiration?

Identify the processes which take place at X,Y and Z in Fig 3.1.

Explain why the amount of interception varies:

• From place to place.

• At different times of the year.

Study Figs. 1.1 and 1.2 which are photographs showing two different rivers and their valleys.

Fig 1.1

Fig 1.2

Describe the similarities and differences between the rivers shown in Figs. 1.1 and 1.2.

Study Fig. 3, which is a flow diagram showing processes in a drainage basin.

Fig.3

What is a drainage basin?

Suggest three reasons why overland flow may occur in a drainage basin.

Study Fig. 4, which is a photograph of part of a river.

Fig 4

What river feature is shown in Fig. 4?

Underline one answer in the list below:

confluence    meander    potholes    source

Describe two characteristics of the feature labelled X on Fig. 4.

Study Fig. 5.1, which shows a map of an upland area, and Fig. 5.2, which is a photograph of a waterfall.

Fig. 5.1

Fig. 5.2

Which location A, B, C or D is the most likely position of the waterfall shown in Fig. 5.2?

Identify features X and Y in Fig 5.2.

Explain why a gorge may form downstream of a waterfall.

Which river feature is shown in Fig 7.1?

confluence oxbow lake potholes source

What evidence from Fig. 7.1 suggests that:

• the river is carrying a large load in suspension?

• deposition is taking place?

Another area where a river deposits its load is on its delta. Explain why deposition takes place on a delta.

Table 6.1 gives the definitions of some terms used in the study of rivers and drainage basins.

For each of the following terms give the letter for the correct definition from Table 6.1:

Explain how the landform labelled X in Fig. 7.1 was formed.