Rivers (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Exam Questions

Suggest reasons why the amount of infiltration may vary 

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

(i)

What is meant by transpiration?

[1]

(ii)

Explain why the amount of interception varies:
-  from place to place
-  at different times of the year.

[2]

(iii)

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

X ...................................................................................................... Y ...................................................................................................... Z .......................................................................................................

[3]

Study Figs. 3.3 and 3.4, which are photographs showing two different rivers and their valleys.

Fig 3.3

Fig 3.4

Describe the similarities and differences between the rivers shown in Figs. 3.3 and 3.4.

Study Fig. 4.1, which is a hydrograph of a river after a rain storm.

(i)

How long after the start of the rain storm is the peak flow?

..................................................................... hours

[1]

(ii)

Explain how water reaches a river from:

- throughflow
...........................................................................................

- groundwater flow ...........................................................................................

[2]

(iii)

Explain why the building of large settlements on or close to a flood plain increases the discharge of a river after heavy rain.

[3]

Study Fig. 4.2, which is a photograph of a river in an upland area.

Fig 4.2

Describe the main characteristics of the river and valley shown in Fig. 4.2.

Study Fig. 3.1, which is a flow diagram showing processes in a drainage basin.

(i)

What is a drainage basin?

 [1]

(ii)

Which of the following statements are correct?

 [2]

      Tick (✓) two statements in the table below:    

(iii)

Explain why overland flow may occur in a drainage basin.

[3]

Study Fig. 3.2, which is a photograph showing a waterfall.

Figure 3.2 High Force, River Tees

Describe three features of the waterfall shown in Fig. 3.2.

1 ....................................................................................................... 2 ...................................................................................................... 3 .......................................................................................................

Study Fig. 3.1, which shows different parts of a river and its valley.

(i)

In which diagram, A, B or C, does the river valley have the steepest sides and narrowest valley floor?

[1]

(ii)

Which diagram is closest to the mouth of the river?

Give a reason for your answer.

Diagram chosen ....................

Reason for choice .....................

[2]

(iii)

Explain how erosion will take place along the river shown in Fig. 3.1.

[3]

Study Figs. 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4, which are photographs of three different rivers.

Fig 3.2

Fig 3.3

Fig 3.4

Using evidence from Figs. 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 only, describe three different benefits of lliving near a river.

Study Fig. 4.1, which is information about flooding which was predicted for the area around the Mississippi River, USA, in December 2015.

(i)

Which of the following statements is true about the area shown in Fig. 4.1?

Tick one answer in the table below:

[1]

(ii)

Suggest two reasons why most of the major flooding predicted was at Cape Girardeau.

[2]

(iii)

Describe three likely impacts of flooding in the rural areas between St Louis and Cape Girardeau.

[3]

Study Fig. 4.2, a map of Lake Mary, an oxbow lake next to the Mississippi River.

Using Fig. 4.2 only, describe the characteristics of Lake Mary.

Study Fig. 4.1, which is a photograph of part of a river.

Figure 4.1 

(i)

What river feature is shown in Fig. 4.1? Underline one answer in the list below: confluence    meander    potholes    source

[1]

(ii)

Describe two characteristics of the feature labelled X on Fig. 4.1.

1 ........................................................
2 ........................................................

[2]

(iii)

Explain how the feature labelled Y on Fig. 4.1 was formed.

[3]

Study Fig. 4.2, which is a map of the delta of the Pearl River in China.

Using Fig. 4.2 only, describe the characteristics of the Pearl River delta.

Study Fig. 4.1, which shows a map of an upland area, and Fig. 4.2, which is a photograph of a waterfall.

Fig. 4.1

Fig. 4.2

(i)

Which location A, B, C or D is the most likely position of the waterfall shown in Fig. 4.2?

[1]

(ii)

Identify features X and Y in Fig. 4.2.

X .............................................

Y .............................................

[2]

(iii)

Explain why a gorge may form downstream of a waterfall.

[3]

Study Fig. 4.3, which is a map of an area in Asia where river flooding occurred.

Fig. 4.3

Describe the location of the areas shown in Fig. 4.3 where flooding occurred.