Here is the completed worksheet with explanations for each answer:
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Complete the sentences:
1.
Source is where a river begins.
→ *Explanation:* The source is the starting point of a river, often in highland areas like mountains or springs.
2.
Mouth is where the river ends.
→ *Explanation:* The mouth is where the river flows into a larger body of water, such as a lake, sea, or ocean — shown in the diagram as “sea.”
3.
Catchment area (or
Drainage basin) is the area drained by a river and its tributaries.
→ *Explanation:* This is the entire land area that contributes water to a river system through rainfall and runoff.
4.
Channel is the area that contains the flowing water of the river.
→ *Explanation:* The channel is the physical path or bed where the river flows — the blue line in the diagram.
5.
Discharge is the amount of water a river carries.
→ *Explanation:* Discharge measures the volume of water flowing through a river at a given point per unit of time (e.g., cubic meters per second).
6. An
aquifer is a deposit of ground water.
→ *Explanation:* An aquifer is an underground layer of permeable rock or sediment that holds and transmits groundwater.
7. A
ephemeral stream (or
dry wash / arroyo) is a course where water flows only when it rains.
→ *Explanation:* These are temporary streams that appear after rainfall and dry up afterward — common in arid regions.
8. A
tributary is a river that flows into another river.
→ *Explanation:* Tributaries are smaller rivers or streams that feed into a larger river — they help form the river’s drainage network.
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✔ Final Answers:
1. Source
2. Mouth
3. Catchment area (or Drainage basin)
4. Channel
5. Discharge
6. Aquifer
7. Ephemeral stream (or Dry wash / Arroyo)
8. Tributary
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*Note: For #3 and #7, there may be slight variations depending on curriculum level. “Drainage basin” is commonly used interchangeably with “catchment area.” For #7, “ephemeral stream” is the most accurate technical term, though “intermittent stream” can also apply if it flows seasonally.*
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for these terms!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of parts of a river worksheet.
