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(B) Divide Explanation: A divide is the boundary that separates two adjacent drainage basins, determining which way surface water will flow.

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(C) Abrasion Explanation: Abrasion is the primary process by which rivers and streams erode their channels, as sediment particles carried by the water grind against the riverbed and banks.

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(B) Watershed Explanation: A watershed, also known as a drainage basin, is the area of land where all precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river, bay, or other body of water.

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(B) Intermittent stream Explanation: An intermittent stream only flows during certain times of the year, typically during the wet season or periods of heavy rain.

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(B) River meandering and cutoff Explanation: An oxbow lake forms when a river meanders and eventually cuts off a loop, leaving a separate, crescent-shaped body of water.

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(B) River discharge Explanation: River discharge is the volume of water flowing in a river per unit of time, typically measured in cubic meters per second (m³/s).

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(C) Stream gradient Explanation: The stream gradient, or slope, is the primary factor that determines the velocity of a river, with steeper gradients generally resulting in faster flow.

Question 1

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Accepted Answer

(B) Divide
Explanation: A divide is the boundary that separates two adjacent drainage basins, determining which way surface water will flow.

Question 2

Answer

Accepted Answer

(C) Abrasion
Explanation: Abrasion is the primary process by which rivers and streams erode their channels, as sediment particles carried by the water grind against the riverbed and banks.

Question 3

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Accepted Answer

(B) Watershed
Explanation: A watershed, also known as a drainage basin, is the area of land where all precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river, bay, or other body of water.

Question 4

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(C) The area adjacent to a river that is subject to flooding
Explanation: A floodplain is the flat area adjacent to a river or stream that is subject to flooding during periods of high discharge.

Question 5

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(B) Intermittent stream
Explanation: An intermittent stream only flows during certain times of the year, typically during the wet season or periods of heavy rain.

Question 6

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(B) Precipitation exceeding the infiltration capacity of the soil
Explanation: Surface runoff occurs when precipitation exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil, causing excess water to flow over the land surface.

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(B) A chart showing the variation in river discharge over time
Explanation: A hydrograph is a chart that shows the variation in river discharge or streamflow over time, often in response to precipitation events.

Question 8

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(B) River meandering and cutoff
Explanation: An oxbow lake forms when a river meanders and eventually cuts off a loop, leaving a separate, crescent-shaped body of water.

Question 9

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(B) River discharge
Explanation: River discharge is the volume of water flowing in a river per unit of time, typically measured in cubic meters per second (m³/s).

Question 10

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(C) Stream gradient
Explanation: The stream gradient, or slope, is the primary factor that determines the velocity of a river, with steeper gradients generally resulting in faster flow.

Question 11

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(C) Mouth
Explanation: The mouth is the point where a river meets a larger body of water, such as an ocean, sea, or lake, often forming a delta.

Question 12

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(C) Biodiversity and clean water
Explanation: A healthy watershed or drainage basin is typically indicated by high biodiversity and clean water, which reflect good water quality and well-managed land practices.

Question 13

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(C) To control water flow and store water
Explanation: The main purpose of a dam is to control water flow, store water for various uses (such as irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power), and manage flood risk.

Question 14

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(C) Water erosion and transport
Explanation: A river’s sediment load is primarily caused by water erosion, which picks up and transports sediment from the riverbed and banks.

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(C) Tributary
Explanation: A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one, contributing to the overall flow of the main river.

Question 16

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(B) To stabilize the bank and reduce erosion
Explanation: Riparian vegetation helps stabilize riverbanks and reduce erosion by anchoring the soil with roots and providing a buffer against water flow.

Question 17

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(A) It determines the maximum height a river can erode
Explanation: The base level is the lowest point to which a river can erode. It is often sea level for rivers that flow into the ocean.

Question 18

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(A) Its ability to transport sediment
Explanation: A stream’s competence refers to its ability to transport sediment, specifically the maximum size of particles it can carry.

Question 19

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(C) Braided channel
Explanation: A braided channel is characterized by multiple interweaving channels separated by sediment bars, commonly found in rivers with high sediment loads and variable flows.

Question 20

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(C) Flow meter or current meter
Explanation: The primary method to measure the discharge of a river is using a flow meter or current meter, which measures the velocity of the water flow and, in combination with cross-sectional area measurements, determines the discharge.

Question 21

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(B) To manage and protect water resources and land within a watershed
Explanation: The primary goal of watershed management is to manage and protect water resources and land within a watershed to ensure sustainable use and conservation.

Question 22

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(B) Terracing
Explanation: Terracing is a practice used in watershed management to reduce soil erosion by creating stepped levels on slopes, which slow down water runoff and minimize soil loss.

Question 23

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(C) High sediment load and variable flow
Explanation: Braided rivers form in response to high sediment loads and variable flow conditions, resulting in multiple interweaving channels separated by sediment bars.

Question 24

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(B) Bed load
Explanation: Bed load consists of larger sediment particles that are transported along the riverbed by rolling, sliding, or hopping.

Question 25

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(C) Stream terrace
Explanation: Stream terraces are step-like landforms that form along the sides of a valley when a stream cuts down into its own floodplain, leaving remnants of older floodplains as terraces.

Question 26

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(C) To reduce soil erosion and slow down water flow
Explanation: Check dams are constructed to reduce soil erosion and slow down water flow, promoting water infiltration and preventing rapid runoff.

Question 27

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(B) The river's gradient and sediment load
Explanation: The formation of meanders is primarily influenced by the river's gradient and sediment load, which cause the river to erode its banks and deposit sediment in a sinuous pattern.

Question 28

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(B) Capacity
Explanation: Capacity refers to the maximum amount of sediment a river can transport, dependent on the river's discharge and flow velocity.

Question 29

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(B) Increases runoff
Explanation: Urbanization increases surface runoff by replacing permeable surfaces with impermeable ones like roads and buildings, reducing infiltration and increasing the volume of runoff.

Question 30

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(B) To act as natural water filters and storage areas
Explanation: Wetlands play a crucial role in surface water hydrology by acting as natural filters that trap sediments and pollutants, and as storage areas that help regulate water flow and reduce flooding.

Category: Hydrology

Important MCQ on Surface Water Hydrology

Important MCQ on Groundwater Hydrology

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