Chapter 8

Plains and Rivers

Answer the following questions:

1- What is a plain?

Ans: Plain is a large, wide area of land that is flat, or almost flat. A plain might slope gently but never
steep.

2- Name four types of grassland plains. Also describe the climate of each with example.
3- Write name of three countries that have tundra plains.

Ans: Canada, Russia and Greenland

4- Write name of three countries that have desert plains.

Ans: Saudi Arabia, Australia, United States (specifically, parts of the southwestern states like Arizona and
New Mexico have desert plains)

5- In what ways are desert plains and tundra plains similar? Try to give three similarities.

Ans: They have very dry climates; few trees grow there; the land is flat.

6- In what ways are desert plains and tundra plains different?

Ans: Desert plains have a very hot climate; Arctic tundra plains have a very cold climate. Desert plains are
near the Equator or the Tropics; tundra plains are near the Poles.

7- Write the different names of plains. Write the name of the counties that are found in each of the
plain and also write the type of vegetation of these plains.

Ans:
8- Write the words that have the following meanings:

a) the place where a river begins: Source

b) a piece of rock that changes the course of river or stream: Spur

c) a set of spurs that changes the direction of river or stream: Interlocking Spurs

d) a deep valley cut by a river: Gorge

9- Explain how a river can change the land it flows across in its upper course?

Ans: A river can change the land it flows across in its upper course in a variety of ways through a process
known as erosion. The upper course of a river is typically characterized by steep slopes, high elevation,
and a fast-moving flow of water.

One of the primary ways that a river can change the land in its upper course is through hydraulic action.
This occurs when the force of the water dislodges and carries away loose material such as rocks and soil.
Over time, this can result in the formation of a channel, which is a depression in the ground where the
river flows.

Another way that a river can change the land in its upper course is through abrasion. This is a process
where the river's water, which may be carrying sand or other abrasive materials, wears away at the rock
and soil that make up the riverbed and banks. This can lead to the formation of steep-sided valleys,
gorges, and waterfalls.

A river can also change the land in its upper course through attrition. This occurs when rocks and other
materials carried by the river collide and break into smaller pieces. These smaller particles can then be
carried downstream and deposited in new locations, further changing the landscape.

10- Explain how a floodplain is formed?

Ans: A floodplain is formed in the middle course of a river, where the river spreads out across gently-
sloping land.

11- Why do all rivers not flow to the nearest coast?

Ans: The nearest coast might be on the far side of higher land, but the river cannot flow uphill.

12- Name two types of river mouths.

Ans: Delta, Estuary

13- Explain why a river deposits a sediment in some places?

Ans: It deposits sediment where it slows down: for example, where it spreads out to form a delta, and in
the middle course, on the insides of bends.