The Importance of Rivers

What is the name of the place where a river begins?

• Source

• Mouth

• Tributary

• Riverbank

What word means a large bend or curve in a river?

• Source

• Meander

• Tributary

• Cataract

Rivers were an important part of the development of early civilizations.

• True

• False

Which of the following do rivers provide? (Check all that apply)

• Food

• Water

• Transportation

• Protection against predators

In what direction do rivers flow?

• All rivers flow from north to south

• All rivers flow from south to north

• All rivers flow from east to west

• Rivers flow in different directions, depending on the elevation of the land

The smaller rivers, streams, and brooks that feed a river are called...

• Tributaries

• Riverbanks

• Cataracts

• Meanders

Irrigation is

• A large waterfall

• A bend in a river

• A series of canals and ditches used to bring water to the fields

• A way to stop the flow of water to a river

Why would a community build a dam? (Check all correct answers)

• To create an artificial lake to store water for later use

• To generate hydroelectricity

• To prevent a river from flooding

• To protect the river environment

What is a floodplain?

• The place where a river ends

• The place where the water spreads when a river overflows its banks

• The areas of rapids and waterfalls in a river

• A large curve or bend in a river

Why do rivers curve?

• They follow the path of least resistance

• They curve so that they can flow uphill

• Rivers only curve when people dig canals to change their course

• Rivers don't curve; they always flow in a straight line