Meanders & Oxbow Lakes

Question 1

What is a meander?

Answer 1

A meander is a bend or curve in a river’s path.

Question 2

True or False: Meanders typically form in straight sections of a river.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

What causes a river to meander?

Answer 3

Meanders are caused by the erosion of the riverbanks and sediment deposition.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: The outer bank of a meander is known as the _____ bank.

Answer 4

cut

Question 5

Fill in the blank: The inner bank of a meander is known as the _____ bank.

Answer 5

point

Question 6

What is an oxbow lake?

Answer 6

An oxbow lake is a crescent-shaped lake formed when a meander is cut off from the river.

Question 7

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a characteristic of an oxbow lake? A) It is always deep B) It is formed from a meander C) It is a part of the main river flow

Answer 7

B) It is formed from a meander

Question 8

True or False: Oxbow lakes can eventually dry up and become marshy areas.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What role does sediment play in the formation of meanders?

Answer 9

Sediment contributes to the deposition that shapes the banks of meanders.

Question 10

Short Answer: How do meanders affect the speed of river water?

Answer 10

Meanders slow down the water on the inner bank and speed it up on the outer bank.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The process of a meander becoming an oxbow lake is called _____ of the meander.

Answer 11

abandonment

Question 12

Multiple Choice: What type of river typically develops meanders? A) Fast-flowing rivers B) Slow-moving rivers C) Glacial rivers

Answer 12

B) Slow-moving rivers

Question 13

True or False: Meanders can only form in flat terrain.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

Short Answer: What happens to the water flow when a meander becomes an oxbow lake?

Answer 14

The water flow is redirected, and the lake becomes isolated from the river.

Question 15

What is the main difference between a meander and an oxbow lake?

Answer 15

A meander is part of the river’s flow, while an oxbow lake is a separate body of water formed from a meander.

Question 16

Fill in the blank: The bending of a river into meanders is a result of _____ and erosion.

Answer 16

deposition

Question 17

Multiple Choice: What can lead to the formation of an oxbow lake? A) Heavy rainfall B) Erosion of riverbanks C) Sediment build-up

Answer 17

B) Erosion of riverbanks

Question 18

True or False: Oxbow lakes are permanent features in the landscape.

Answer 18

False

Question 19

Short Answer: Describe one ecological benefit of oxbow lakes.

Answer 19

Oxbow lakes provide habitat for various wildlife and can support diverse ecosystems.

Question 20

What happens to the sediment in a river as it meanders?

Answer 20

Sediment is deposited on the inner bank and eroded from the outer bank.

Question 21

Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes the shape of an oxbow lake? A) Circular B) Triangular C) Crescent-shaped

Answer 21

C) Crescent-shaped

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The area where a river used to flow before forming an oxbow lake is called the _____ channel.

Answer 22

abandoned

Question 23

True or False: Oxbow lakes can be formed by human activities.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

Short Answer: What is one way that human activities can influence the formation of meanders?

Answer 24

By altering the river’s flow through dam construction or channelization.