Stages and parts of a river worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this step-by-step based on the image and the instructions provided.

---

Part 1: Fill in the blanks with UC (Upper Course), MC (Middle Course), or LC (Lower Course)

We are given 9 statements about river stages. Let’s analyze each one:

1. "This is the beginning of a river"
→ The upper course is where a river starts.
✔ UC

2. "It starts at the source of a river and continues until the river meets flatter land"
→ This describes the upper course, which begins at the source and ends when the gradient decreases.
✔ UC

3. "The river empties into the sea or lake"
→ This happens at the mouth, which is in the lower course.
✔ LC

4. "The water flows quickly and the river is smaller"
→ Fast-flowing, narrow rivers are typical of the upper course.
✔ UC

5. "The river gets bigger and wider"
→ In the middle course, the river widens and deepens as it picks up more water.
✔ MC

6. "The mouth of the river is found here"
→ The mouth is at the end of the river, in the lower course.
✔ LC

7. "The river begins to slow down"
→ The river slows down as it enters the middle course, where the gradient decreases.
✔ MC

8. "This is the last stage of a river"
→ The lower course is the final stage before the river reaches the sea or lake.
✔ LC

9. "The river becomes even wider and the water flows more slowly"
→ This is characteristic of the lower course, where the river meanders and flows slowly.
✔ LC

---

✔ Answers for Part 1:

1. UC
2. UC
3. LC
4. UC
5. MC
6. LC
7. MC
8. LC
9. LC

---

Part 2: Label the diagram using the correct terms

We are given these terms to use:
- Upper course
- Middle course
- Lower course
- Meander
- Confluence
- Tributary
- Source
- Waterfall
- Mouth

Now let’s label the diagram based on the positions shown:

#### Diagram Labels:

1. Top left mountain area with water flowing down → This is the source of the river.
→ Source

2. Area with steep slope and waterfall → A waterfall is shown here.
→ Waterfall

3. River flowing through mountains → This is the upper course.
→ Upper course

4. Where two rivers join together → This is a confluence.
→ Confluence

5. Smaller river joining the main river → This is a tributary.
→ Tributary

6. Winding river path in flat land → This is a meander, typical of the middle course.
→ Meander

7. The wide, slow-moving part near the sea → This is the lower course.
→ Lower course

8. Where the river enters the sea/lake → This is the mouth.
→ Mouth

9. The section between upper and lower course → This is the middle course.
→ Middle course

---

✔ Final Diagram Labels (from top to bottom):

- Top left: Source
- Just below source: Waterfall
- First labeled box (1): Upper course
- Second labeled box (2): Middle course
- Third labeled box (3): Lower course
- Arrow pointing to bend in river: Meander
- Arrow pointing to joining river: Confluence
- Arrow pointing to smaller stream joining: Tributary
- Arrow pointing to end of river: Mouth

---

✔ Summary of Diagram Labels:

| Position | Label |
|--------|----------------|
| 1 | Upper course |
| 2 | Middle course |
| 3 | Lower course |
| Arrow to bend | Meander |
| Arrow to junction | Confluence |
| Arrow to small river | Tributary |
| Arrow to start | Source |
| Arrow to waterfall | Waterfall |
| Arrow to end | Mouth |

---

✔ Final Answer Key:

#### Part 1 – Matching Sentences:
1. UC
2. UC
3. LC
4. UC
5. MC
6. LC
7. MC
8. LC
9. LC

#### Part 2 – Diagram Labels:
- Source – at the top of the mountain
- Waterfall – where water drops over a cliff
- Upper course – near the source
- Tributary – small river joining the main river
- Confluence – point where two rivers meet
- Meander – winding curve in the river
- Middle course – after the upper course, before lower
- Lower course – wide, slow river near the sea
- Mouth – where river meets the sea/lake

---

✔ This completes the worksheet! The river journey goes from source → upper course → middle course → lower course → mouth, with features like waterfalls, meanders, tributaries, and confluences along the way.