Namo Class
Date
River Systems
Enrichment Activity for Lessons 1-4 and 1-5
Skills: modeling, inferring, interpreting a diagram
A river system is made up of all the water that flows into a river. A large river system may
include youthful, mature, and old rivers. Most rivers begin in highlands or mountains
There, water sources such as melting snow and ice feed fast-moving young rivers. If these
young rivers feed water to a larger river, they are known as tributaries. As tributaries flow
over flatter land, they may take on the characteristics of mature rivers. A river system ends
at a larger body of water, such as a lake, ocean, or larger river. As a river approaches an
ocean, it slows down and becomes wider and flatter. At this point, the river usually has the
characteristics of an old river.
Use the diagram of the river to answer the questions.
B
D
E
F
H
G
te
1. Which letter indicates the young rivers in the system?
2. Which letter indicates a mature river in the system?
3. Which letter indicates the old river in the system?
4. Which letter indicates the mouth of the river?
5. Which letter indicates a meander?
6. Which letter indicates rapids?
7. What does letter E label?
8. What does letter D labei?
9. What does letter I label?
10. Which letter indicates a source of the river?
Concepts and Challenges: Water and Air, Teacher's Resource
by Pearson Education, Inc./Globe Fearon/Pearson Learning Group. All rights reserve
CHAPTER 1: Inland Waters