Describe the process of ox-bow lake formation in river landscapes.

An ox-bow lake forms when a meander in a river becomes so curved that it eventually gets cut off from the main river channel. This occurs during periods of high flow when the river erodes through the narrow neck of the meander, creating a new, straighter channel and leaving behind a crescent-shaped lake.

This question assesses the student's ability to explain the specific process of ox-bow lake formation, linking it to the concepts of river dynamics and landform evolution. It requires an understanding of both erosion and sediment deposition.