Let’s break this down step by step.
We’re looking at a river diagram that shows how a river changes from its start to where it ends in the ocean. The task is to:
1. Label three key parts:
SOURCE,
TRIBUTARY, and
MOUTH.
2. Label the three sections of the river:
UPPER,
MIDDLE, and
LOWER course.
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Step 1: Understand the River’s Journey
Rivers usually start high up (like in mountains), flow downhill, gather smaller streams (tributaries), and finally empty into the sea or ocean.
-
SOURCE = where the river begins — usually high up, often near waterfalls or springs.
-
TRIBUTARY = a smaller stream that flows into the main river.
-
MOUTH = where the river ends — here, it’s flowing into the Ocean.
Looking at the diagram:
- The top-left box points to the very beginning of the river — that’s the
SOURCE.
- The middle box points to a small stream joining the main river — that’s a
TRIBUTARY.
- The bottom-right box points to where the river meets the Ocean — that’s the
MOUTH.
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Step 2: Label the Courses
Rivers are divided into three parts based on their shape and speed:
-
UPPER COURSE = steep, fast, narrow, often has waterfalls and V-shaped valleys → this is the first part (left side).
-
MIDDLE COURSE = wider, slower, starts to meander, has floodplains → middle section.
-
LOWER COURSE = very wide, slow, forms deltas and estuaries before reaching the sea → right side near the ocean.
In the diagram:
- The first bracket (left) covers the waterfall and early bends →
UPPER Course
- The middle bracket covers marsh, oxbow lake, meanders →
MIDDLE Course
- The last bracket (right) covers delta, estuary, mouth →
LOWER Course
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Final Labels:
Top-left box:
SOURCE
Middle box (pointing to small stream):
TRIBUTARY
Bottom-right box (at ocean):
MOUTH
Bottom labels (left to right):
UPPER Course
MIDDLE Course
LOWER Course
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Final Answer:
SOURCE, TRIBUTARY, MOUTH; UPPER, MIDDLE, LOWER
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of river worksheet.
