Question detail

How does the cross profile of a river change from the source to the mouth?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Section C: Physical landscapes in the UK

Question

  1. A. It becomes deeper and wider
  2. B. It remains constant throughout
  3. C. It becomes shallower and narrower
  4. D. It becomes more irregular

Answer

The correct answer is It becomes deeper and wider.

Explanation

The correct option is It becomes deeper and wider. It becomes deeper and wider is correct because it directly matches the approved learning objective to describe the long profile and changing cross profile of a river and its valley. This belongs to River landscapes in the UK (optional route) within Section C: Physical landscapes in the UK, so the answer must stay focused on the geographical process, evidence, place, or impact named by the curriculum. The other options are weaker because they move away from River landscapes in the UK (optional route), reverse the geographical relationship, or make a broader claim than the objective supports.

Common mistake

Misidentifying river cross‑profile changes

Students often think that a river’s cross‑profile only changes where the river widens, ignoring the development of a narrow, V‑shaped valley in the upper reaches and a wider, U‑shaped valley in the lower reaches.

Explain that the upper reaches of a river have a narrow, V‑shaped valley with steep sides and a narrow bed, while the lower reaches have a wider, U‑shaped valley with a broader bed and gentler slopes, reflecting the change in gradient and sediment load along the long profile.

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understanding MCQ 4: a river and its valley. | Section C: Physical… | ExamCompanion