Grand Canyon

Question 1

tectonic

Answer 1

relating to the structure of the earth’s crust and the large-scale processes

Question 2

uplift

Answer 2

raise the level of; improve

Question 3

plateau

Answer 3

an area of fairly level high ground

Question 4

slightly

Answer 4

to a small degree; not considerably

Question 5

erode

Answer 5

gradually destroy or be gradually destroyed

Question 6

carve

Answer 6

cut (a hard material) in order to produce an object, design, or inscription

Question 7

tributary

Answer 7

a river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake

Question 8

variation

Answer 8

a change or slight difference in condition, amount, or level, typically within certain limits

Question 9

volcanic

Answer 9

of, relating to, or made by a volcano (= a mountain with a hole at the top through which hot liquid rock is or has been forced out)

Question 10

dammed

Answer 10

a wall built across a river that stops the river’s flow and collects the water, especially to make a reservoir (= an artificial lake) that provides water for an area

Question 11

thaw

Answer 11

to (cause to) change from a solid, frozen state to a liquid or soft one, because of an increase in temperature

Question 12

volcanism

Answer 12

volcanic activity or phenomena