1. The map below shows a meandering river.

A–A' is the
location of a cross section. The arrows show the
direction of the river flow.

Which cross section best represents the shape of the

river bottom at A–A'?
A) B) C) D)
2. What change will a pebble usually undergo when it is
transported a great distance by streams?
A) It will become jagged and its mass will decrease.
B) It will become jagged and its volume will
increase.
C) It will become rounded and its mass will
increase.
D) It will become rounded and its volume will
decrease.
3. The block diagram below represents an igneous dome that uplifted overlying rock layers, which were
then weathered and eroded.

Which stream drainage pattern is most likely found on the surface of the area represented by the block
diagram?
A) B)

C) D)
 Base your answers to questions 4 through 6 on
the information and diagrams below.

A mixture of colloids, clay, silt, sand, pebbles, and cobbles is put into stream I at point A. The water
velocity at point A is 400 centimeters per second. A similar mixture of particles is put into stream II at
point A. The water velocity in stream II at point A is 80 centimeters per second.

4. Which statement best describes what happens when the particles are placed in the streams?
A) Stream I will move all particles that are added at point A.
B) Stream II will move all particles that are added at point A.
C) Stream I cannot move sand.
D) Stream II cannot move sand.
5. Which statement is the most accurate description of conditions in both streams?
A) The greatest deposition occurs at point B.
B) Particles are carried in suspension and by bouncing along the bottom.
C) The particles will have a greater velocity than the water in the stream.
D) The velocity of the stream is the same at point B as at point C.
6. If a sudden rainstorm occurs at both streams above point A, the erosion rate will
A) increase for stream I, but not for stream II
B) increase for stream II, but not for stream I
C) increase for both streams
D) not change for either stream
7. Which quartz sample has probably undergone 8. A sediment particle transported by a stream over a
abrasion in a stream for the longest period of time? long period of time will most likely show
A) B) A) a decrease in mass and number of angular
edges
B) a decrease in density and size
C) D) C) an increase in weight and hardness
D) an increase in volume and number of cleavage
planes
9. The diagram below is a map view of a stream flowing
through an area of loose sediments. Arrows show the
location of the strongest current.

Which stream profile best represents the cross section

from A to A' ?
A) B)
C) D)
 Base your answers to questions 10 through 13 on the diagram below, which represents the landscape
features associated with a meandering river. Letters W, X, Y, and Z represent locations on the
floodplain.

10. The choices below represent stages in the formation of a meandering river. Which sequence best
represents the usual changes over time?
A)

B)

C)

D)

11. Which change would most likely increase the velocity of the river?
A) a decrease in the slope of the river
B) a decrease in the temperature of the river
C) an increase in the river's discharge
D) an increase in the width of the river
12. During transport by this river, a sediment particle will most likely become
A) more rounded B) more dense C) heavier D) larger
13. At which location is erosion greatest?
A) W B) X C) Y D) Z
14. The diagram below shows the cross section of a Base your answers to questions 16 through 18 on the
stream channel and the height of the stream surface diagram below, which shows several different
on various dates of the year. landscape features. Points X and Y indicate locations
on the streambank.

The stream's velocity from June 19 to July 20 at this

section of the stream most likely
A) decreased, only
B) decreased, then increased
C) increased, only
D) remained constant
15. The map below shows a meandering stream as it
enters a lake. The arrow shows the direction of
stream flow. Points A through D represent locations
on the surface of the stream.

16. Explain why the stream meanders on the floodplain,

but not in the mountains.
17. Identify which point, X or Y, has more stream
erosion and explain why the amounts of erosion are
different.
18. Explain why the upper valley in the mountains is
U-shaped and the lower valley is V-shaped.

The greatest stream velocities are found closest to

points
A) A and B B) B and C
C) C and D D) D and A
19. The map below shows the bend of a large meandering stream. The arrows show the direction of
stream flow, Letters A, B, and C are positions on the streambed where erosion and deposition data
were collected.

Which table best represents the locations where erosion and deposition are dominant and where an
equilibrium exists between the two processes? [A check mark represents the dominant process for
each lettered location.]
A) B) C) D)

20. The map below represents a meandering stream

flowing into a lake. A student measured water
depths in the stream at three locations: A–A', B–B',
and C–C'.

Which set of cross sections best represents the

stream bed at the three locations?
A) B)
C) D)
21. The map below represents a large stream meander (bend). The arrows show the direction of stream
flow. Stream velocity was measured at surface locations A, B, and C.

Which graph best represents the relative velocities of the stream at locations A, B. and C?
A) B) C) D)

22. The diagram below shows a post set in the 23. The model shown below illustrates stream erosion
streambed of a river. The river levels between May 5 between locations A and B in the stream.
and May 10 were recorded on the post by an
observer at noon each day.

Placing a second block under location A will cause

the stream's velocity to
A) decrease and the rate of erosion to decrease
B) decrease and the rate of erosion to increase
C) increase and the rate of erosion to decrease
D) increase and the rate of erosion to increase
Which graph shows the probable stream current 24. What change will a pebble usually undergo when it
velocity that occurred during this same time period? is transported a great distance by streams?
A) B) A) It will become jagged and its mass will
decrease.
C) D)
B) It will become jagged and its volume will
increase.
C) It will become rounded and its mass will
increase.
D) It will become rounded and its volume will
decrease.
25. Based on the diagrams of rock fragments below,
which shows the least evidence of erosion?
A) B)

C) D)

26. The block diagram below represents a stream

flowing from a mountain region.

A brief, heavy rainstorm occurs in the mountains.

How will the volume of water and the rate of erosion
in the stream change shortly after the rainstorm?
A) The volume of water will decrease and the rate
of erosion will increase.
B) The volume of water will increase and the rate
of erosion will decrease.
C) Both the volume of water and the rate of
erosion will decrease.
D) Both the volume of water and the rate of
erosion will increase.
27. An increase in the velocity of a stream is most likely
due to
A) an increase in stream discharge
B) an increase in the width of the riverbed
C) a decrease in the slope of the stream channel
D) a decrease in the amount of material held in
suspension
28. Base your answer to the following question on the diagrams below. Diagrams A, B, and C represent
three different river valleys.

Most sediments found on the floodplain shown in diagram A are likely to be

A) angular and weathered from underlying bedrock
B) angular and weathered from bedrock upstream
C) rounded and weathered from underlying bedrock
D) rounded and weathered from bedrock upstream
29. Stream A has a steeper slope than stream B. 31. The map below shows the area surrounding a
However, the average water velocity of stream B is meandering stream.
greater than that of stream A. Which is the most
reasonable explanation for this?
A) Stream B has more friction to overcome along
its banks.
B) Stream B has a higher average temperature.
C) Stream B has a greater volume of water.
D) Stream B has a curved streambed.
30. The diagram below shows a glacial landscape
feature forming over time from a melting block of
ice.
At which point is erosion greatest?
A) A B) B C) C D) D

This glacial landscape feature is best identified as

A) a kettle lake B) an outwash plain
C) a finger lake D) a moraine
32. The diagram below shows a sedimentary rock
sample.

Which agent of erosion was most likely responsible

for shaping the particles forming this rock?
A) mass movement B) wind
C) glacial ice D) running water
33. As a result of glaciation, New York has
A) few lakes
B) many V-shaped valleys
C) many sand and gravel deposits
D) thick soils formed "in place" from underlying
bedrock
34. The diagram below shows a stream flowing past
points X and Y. If the velocity of the stream at point
X is 100 centimeters per second, which statement
best describes the sediments being transported past
these points?

A) At points X and Y, only clay is being

transported.
B) At points X and Y, only sand, silt, and clay are
being transported.
C) Some pebbles being transported at point Y
are bigger than those being transported at
point X.
D) Some pebbles and cobbles are being
transported at points X and Y, but not sand, silt,
or clay.
35. The diagram below represents a cross section of a stream. Points A, B, C, D, and E are locations
within the stream channel.

Which graph best represents stream velocity at locations A through E?

A) B) C) D)

36. Why do most streams in the Northeast have a greater

stream discharge in spring than in summer?
A) Potential evapotranspiration is greater in spring
than in summer.
B) More transpiration occurs in spring than in
summer.
C) Most New York State water budgets have a
deficit in spring.
D) Melting snow increases runoff in spring.
 Base your answers to questions 37 and 38 on the diagram and data table below. The diagram shows
the equipment used to determine the factors affecting the rate of erosion in a stream. The data table
shows the time it took a 10-gram sample of quartz sand to move 100 centimeters down the rain gutter
under various conditions.

37. What is the relationship between the water velocity and the rate of erosion?
A) If the water velocity decreases, the rate of erosion increases.
B) If the water velocity increases, the rate of erosion increases.
C) If the water velocity remains constant, the rate of erosion decreases.
D) If the water velocity remains constant, the rate of erosion increases.
38. In this experiment, the water velocity could be increased by
A) decreasing the slope of the rain gutter
B) increasing the amount of water from the faucet
C) lowering the flexible hose
D) widening the rain gutter
39. Base your answer to the following question on the map and cross sections below. The map shows
measured changes in the position of Niagara Falls since 1678. The cross sections show the two parts
of Niagara Falls: Horseshoe Falls and American Falls. Letters A through D represent the same rock
layers at both locations.

Which rock layer shows the most resistance to weathering and erosion at Horseshoe Falls?
A) A B) B C) C D) D
40. The diagram below shows a meandering stream flowing across nearly flat topography and over loose
sediments.

If arrow length represents stream velocity, which diagram best shows the relative stream velocities in
this section of the stream?
A) B) C) D)

41. A river’s current carries sediments into the ocean.

Which sediment size will most likely be deposited in
deeper water farthest from the shore?
A) pebble B) sand
C) silt D) clay
42. The cross section below represents a portion of a 43. The map below shows the path of a river. The arrow
meandering stream. Points X and Y represent two shows the direction the river is flowing. LettersA
positions on opposite sides of the stream. and B identify the banks of the river.

Based on the cross section, which map of a

meandering stream best shows the positions of
points X and Y?
A) The water depth is greater near bank A than bank B
because the water velocity near bank A is
A) faster, causing deposition to occur
B) faster, causing erosion to occur
C) slower, causing deposition to occur
D) slower, causing erosion to occur
44. What will be the most probable arrangement of rock
particles deposited directly by a glacier?
B)
A) sorted and layered
B) sorted and not layered
C) unsorted and layered
D) unsorted and not layered
45. Two streams begin at the same elevation and have
equal volumes. Which statement best explains why
one stream could be flowing faster than the other
C) stream?
A) The faster stream contains more dissolved
minerals.
B) The faster stream has a much steeper
gradient.
C) The streams are flowing in different directions.
D) The faster stream has a temperature of 10°C,
D) and the slower stream has a temperature of
20°C.
46. The greater the time that stream sediment is
transported, the greater the probability that the
sediment will become more
A) angular and smaller
B) angular and larger
C) rounded and smaller
D) rounded and larger
47. Trees growing on the edge of a river's meander are 49. Which graph best represents the relationship
most likely to fall into the river due to between the discharge of a stream and the velocity
of stream flow?
A) deposition on the inside of the meander
B) deposition on the outside of the meander A)
C) erosion on the inside of the meander
D) erosion on the outside of the meander
48. Base your answer to the following question on the
diagram below. The diagram shows points A, B, C,
and D on a meandering stream.

B)

C)
Which material is most likely to be transported in
suspension during periods of slowest stream
velocity?
A) gravel B) sand
C) silt D) clay

D)
50. Base your answer to the following question on the 51. The diagram below shows a meandering stream.
map below, which shows a portion of a stream that Measurements of stream velocity were taken along
flows southward. Letters A through E represent straight line AB.
locations in the stream. Line XY is the location of a
cross section.

Which graph best shows the relative stream

velocities across the stream from A to B?
A) B)

C) D)

Which cross section along line XY best represents the 52. Which landscape characteristic indicates a landscape
shape of the stream bottom? has been formed primarily by streams?
A) B) A) residual soil covering a large area
B) coastal sand dunes
C) V-shaped valleys
D) parallel hills of unsorted sediments
53. The diagram below shows a cross section of a river.
Letters A, B, C, and D represent points in the river.
C) D)

At which point is the water most likely to have the

greatest velocity?
A) A B) B C) C D) D
54. The diagram below shows points A, B, C, and D on 57. The map below represents a view of a flowing
a meandering stream. stream. The letters identify locations in the stream
near the interface between land and water. At which
two locations is erosion due to flowing water likely
to be greatest?

At which point does the greatest stream erosion

occur?
A) A B) B C) C D) D
55. In what way is a pebble probably changing as it is
carried by a mountain stream?
A) A and B B) B and D
A) Its density is decreasing. C) A and D D) B and C
B) Its mass is decreasing. 58. Which cross section best represents the valley shape
C) Its particle size is increasing. where a rapidly flowing stream is cutting into the
D) Its hardness is increasing. bedrock in a mountainous area?
56. The diagrams below represent the map view of a A)
stream and the cross section of the stream at line XY.
Letters A, B, C, and D identify four locations within
the stream.

B)

C)

D)

At which location is the water moving fastest?

A) A B) B C) C D) D
59. Which event is the best example of erosion? 61. A cross section of Niagara Falls is shown below.
A) breaking apart of shale as a result of water
freezing in a crack
B) dissolving of rock particles on a limestone
gravestone by acid rain
C) rolling of a pebble along the bottom of a
stream
D) crumbling of bedrock in one area to form soil
60. In the two diagrams below, the length of the arrows
represents the relative velocities of stream flow at
various places in a stream. Diagram I shows the
different water velocities across the surface.
Diagram II shows the different water velocities at
various depths.

Which two rock units appear to be most resistant to

weathering and erosion?
A) Lockport dolostone and Whirlpool
sandstone
At which location in the stream is the water velocity B) Rochester shale and Albion sandstone and shale
greatest? C) Clinton limestone and shale and Queenston
shale
A) at the center along the bottom
D) Thorold sandstone and Queenston shale
B) at the center near the surface 62. The diagram below shows a section of a meander in
C) at the sides along the bottom a stream. The arrows show the direction of stream
D) at the sides near the surface flow.

The streambank on the outside of this meander is

steeper than the streambank on the inside of this
meander because the water on the outside of this
meander is moving
A) slower, causing deposition
B) faster, causing deposition
C) slower, causing erosion
D) faster, causing erosion