Parts of a River Quiz: River Anatomy and Flow

1. What is the starting point or beginning of a river called

The mouth

The source

The delta

The bank

The source is often found in high elevations like mountains where snow melts or springs bubble up. Gravity then pulls this water downhill to start the river.

Explanation

The source is often found in high elevations like mountains where snow melts or springs bubble up. Gravity then pulls this water downhill to start the river.

2. A watershed is a building where water is stored for a city

True

False

A watershed or drainage basin is an area of land where all the water that falls in it drains off into a common outlet like a specific river or lake. It is a land feature, not a building.

Explanation

A watershed or drainage basin is an area of land where all the water that falls in it drains off into a common outlet like a specific river or lake. It is a land feature, not a building.

3. A smaller stream or river that flows into a larger main river is called a ________

Tributary

Delta

Channel

Estuary

Tributaries act like branches on a tree. They gather water from smaller areas and combine it into the main trunk of the river.

Explanation

Tributaries act like branches on a tree. They gather water from smaller areas and combine it into the main trunk of the river.

4. Which of the following describe a river meander

It is a straight path

It is a winding curve

It forms in flat land

It happens at the source

As rivers reach flatter land, they slow down and begin to loop back and forth. This creates S-shaped curves known as meanders.

Explanation

As rivers reach flatter land, they slow down and begin to loop back and forth. This creates S-shaped curves known as meanders.

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5. Where does a river usually move the fastest

In a deep wide delta

In a steep narrow channel near the source

In a large lake

In a swamp

Speed depends on slope and friction. Steep mountain streams move water quickly because gravity is pulling it down a sharp incline.

Explanation

Speed depends on slope and friction. Steep mountain streams move water quickly because gravity is pulling it down a sharp incline.

6. The mouth of a river is where it empties into a larger body of water like an ocean

True

False

The mouth is the end of the journey. Here, the river loses its energy and drops the sand and silt it has been carrying.

Explanation

The mouth is the end of the journey. Here, the river loses its energy and drops the sand and silt it has been carrying.

7. A fan-shaped landform created by deposits of sediment at the mouth of a river is a ________

When a river hits the still water of an ocean, it slows down and drops its load of soil and sand, creating new land in a triangular shape.

Explanation

When a river hits the still water of an ocean, it slows down and drops its load of soil and sand, creating new land in a triangular shape.

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8. What are the main parts of a river bank

The levee

The flood-plain

The channel bed

The cloud

The channel is the path the water flows in, while the banks are the sides that keep it contained. The flood-plain is the flat land next to the river that gets covered in water during a storm.

Explanation

The channel is the path the water flows in, while the banks are the sides that keep it contained. The flood-plain is the flat land next to the river that gets covered in water during a storm.

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9. What is the name for the physical path or groove that a river flows through

A tunnel

A channel

A pipe

A bridge

The channel is carved out by the water over many years through the process of erosion.

Explanation

The channel is carved out by the water over many years through the process of erosion.

10. Rivers can flow from South to North

True

False

Water only cares about gravity. If the land is higher in the South and lower in the North, the river will flow North. The Nile River is a famous example.

Explanation

Water only cares about gravity. If the land is higher in the South and lower in the North, the river will flow North. The Nile River is a famous example.

11. The process of water wearing away rocks and soil along the river bank is called ________

High-energy water picks up pieces of dirt and rock and carries them away, which changes the shape of the river over time.

Explanation

High-energy water picks up pieces of dirt and rock and carries them away, which changes the shape of the river over time.

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12. What happens when a river floods

It deposits nutrient-rich soil on the land

It helps carve out a wider flood-plain

It speeds up the water cycle

It turns into a glacier

Flooding is a natural process. While it can be dangerous, it also brings fertilizer in the form of silt to the surrounding farmland.

Explanation

Flooding is a natural process. While it can be dangerous, it also brings fertilizer in the form of silt to the surrounding farmland.

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13. What do we call the area of land that is covered by water when a river overflows its banks

The desert

The flood-plain

The peak

The source

The flood-plain is usually very flat and has very rich soil because the river leaves behind minerals every time it floods.

Explanation

The flood-plain is usually very flat and has very rich soil because the river leaves behind minerals every time it floods.

14. An oxbow lake is formed when a river meander gets cut off from the main flow

True

False

Over time, a curve can become so extreme that the river takes a shortcut and stays straight, leaving a U-shaped lake behind.

Explanation

Over time, a curve can become so extreme that the river takes a shortcut and stays straight, leaving a U-shaped lake behind.

15. The land along the edge of a river is often called the ________ zone

Riparian

Arctic

Tropical

Volcanic

The riparian zone is the interface between land and a river. It usually has unique plants that love water and help protect the banks from washing away.

Explanation

The riparian zone is the interface between land and a river. It usually has unique plants that love water and help protect the banks from washing away.

River Pathways: Parts of a River Quiz

1. What is the starting point or beginning of a river called

2. A watershed is a building where water is stored for a city

3. A smaller stream or river that flows into a larger main river is called a ________

4. Which of the following describe a river meander

5. Where does a river usually move the fastest

6. The mouth of a river is where it empties into a larger body of water like an ocean

7. A fan-shaped landform created by deposits of sediment at the mouth of a river is a ________

8. What are the main parts of a river bank

9. What is the name for the physical path or groove that a river flows through

10. Rivers can flow from South to North

11. The process of water wearing away rocks and soil along the river bank is called ________

12. What happens when a river floods

13. What do we call the area of land that is covered by water when a river overflows its banks

14. An oxbow lake is formed when a river meander gets cut off from the main flow

15. The land along the edge of a river is often called the ________ zone