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River Systems and Coastal Landforms

Total questions: 17

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the primary source of energy for the hydrological cycle, which drives all river processes?

a)

Chemical energy from rocks

b)

Solar radiation from the Sun

c)

The Earth's core

d)

The Moon's gravitational pull

2.

The point where a river begins, often in a mountainous or hilly area, is called its:

a)

Confluence

b)

Estuary

c)

Mouth

d)

Source

3.

Which of the following terms describes the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries?

a)

Channel

b)

Delta

c)

Floodplain

d)

Watershed

4.

When a river loses energy and drops the sand, silt, and gravel it was carrying, this process is known as:

a)

Abrasion

b)

Deposition

c)

Erosion

d)

Transportation

5.

A "V-shaped valley" is a classic landform created in the upper course of a river primarily by which process?

a)

Lateral erosion

b)

Saltation

c)

Deposition

d)

Vertical erosion

6.

What is the name for a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger main river?

a)

A distributary

b)

A meander

c)

A tributary

d)

A watershed

7.

In the middle course of a river, the current is fastest and the main process of erosion on the outside of a bend is called:

a)

Deposition

b)

Hydraulic action

c)

Lateral erosion

d)

Vertical erosion

8.

The flat area on either side of a river in its middle and lower courses that is prone to flooding is called a:

a)

Delta

b)

Floodplain

c)

Gorge

d)

Levee

9.

Which of the following is a method of transportation where small, pebble-sized stones are bounced along the river bed?

a)

Saltation

b)

Solution

c)

Suspension

d)

Traction

10.

A landform found at the mouth of a river, often triangular in shape, created by the extensive deposition of sediment is a:

a)

Delta

b)

Meander

c)

Ox-bow lake

d)

Waterfall

11.

A (a)   is a coastal landform created when a headland is eroded, forming an arch whose roof later collapses, leaving a pillar of rock standing separate from the mainland.

12.

A (a)   is a long, narrow ridge of sand or shingle that is connected to the mainland at one end and projects out into the sea or across a river estuary.

13.

A curved deposition landform of sand and shingle, found in sheltered water, is a (a)   .

14.

A wide, curved indentation in the coastline formed by the erosion of soft rock is a (a)   .

15.

A steep, high rock face formed by the constant undercutting of waves is a (a)   .

16-20.

Read the passage below and and answer the 5 questions

Landforms at the coast - Erosion

Coastal landscapes are constantly shaped and reshaped by the power of the sea. Waves crash against the shore every day, and over long periods of time this relentless action causes significant erosion. In areas where the coastline is made up of alternating bands of hard and weaker rock, the weaker rock erodes much faster. This process creates a sheltered, inward-curving feature known as a bay, while the harder, more resistant rock remains sticking out into the sea as a headland. These two coastal landforms—bay and headland—often appear side by side and are classic examples of how differences in rock strength influence coastal features.

As waves continue to pound the headland, they exploit cracks and weaknesses, gradually carving out small openings. Over many years, these openings grow into large sea caves. Sometimes, caves formed on opposite sides of a headland eventually meet when erosion cuts all the way through the rock. When this happens, a natural arch is created, forming a dramatic feature that allows the sea to pass beneath it.

Cliffs along the coast also undergo constant change. At the base of a cliff, the force of the waves creates a wave-cut notch, a hollowed-out section that grows deeper as erosion continues. Eventually, the overhanging rock becomes unstable and collapses. This cycle of erosion, collapse, and retreat repeats many times. As the cliff slowly moves backward, a broad, flat, rocky area is left behind at its former base. This feature, exposed at low tide, is called a wave-cut platform, and it provides clear evidence of how the coastline has changed over time.

Together, these features—bays, headlands, arches, wave-cut notches, and wave-cut platforms tell the story of a coastline shaped by the persistent power of waves and erosion.

16.

Which type of rock erodes faster along a coastline, leading to the formation of a bay?

a)

Granite

b)

Hard rock

c)

Volcanic rock

d)

Weaker rock

17.

What two landforms are created when alternating bands of hard and weaker rock erode at different rates? (Select TWO)

a)

Arch

b)

Bay

c)

Headland

d)

Spit

18.

What coastal feature is formed when caves on opposite sides of a headland meet?

a)

Arch

b)

Cliff terrace

c)

Lagoon

d)

Wave-cut platform

19.

Which coastal features remain after a cliff retreats due to repeated erosion and collapse? (Select TWO)

a)

Headland

b)

Stack

c)

Wave-cut notch

d)

Wave-cut platform

20.

What does the force of waves create at the base of a cliff?

a)

Lagoon

b)

Mudflat

c)

Tombolo

d)

Wave-cut notch

21.

Circle a bay, beach and stack in the picture