A deep valley characterized by steep step-like slope is known as
- A.U-shaped valley.
- B.Blind valley.
- C.Gorge.
- D.Canyon.
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, Canyon. A canyon is a deep valley whose sides fall in steep, step-like slopes.
Both gorges and canyons are cut by rivers, mostly in the youthful stage. A gorge is a deep valley with very steep, almost straight sides, and it is about as wide at the top as at the bottom. A canyon is also deep, but its sides descend in steps, so it is wider at the top than at the bottom. Canyons usually form in horizontally layered sedimentary rocks in dry regions, where layers of different hardness wear back at different rates. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in the USA is the best-known example.
A is wrong because a U-shaped valley is carved by a glacier and has a broad floor with steep, smooth sides. B is wrong because a blind valley in limestone areas ends abruptly where its stream disappears underground. C is wrong because a gorge has steep, near-vertical sides without steps.
Exam tip: gorge, steep straight sides, as wide at top as at bottom; canyon, step-like sides, wider at top.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following characteristics of a cloud type : 1. They are born through convection. 2. Only cloud type that can produce hail, thunder and lightning. 3. They are large cauliflower-shaped towers, often with 'anvil tops'. Identify the type of cloud on the basis of the given characteristics.
- A.Stratocumulus
- B.Cumulonimbus
- C.Cirrocumulus
- D.Nimbostratus
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Cumulonimbus clouds form by strong convection, grow into huge cauliflower-like towers with flat anvil-shaped tops, and are the only clouds that bring hail, thunder and lightning.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements about the Indus Waters Treaty is/are correct ? 1. The term 'Eastern Rivers' means the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi taken together. 2. The term 'Western Rivers' means the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab taken together. Select the answer using the code given below :
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
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The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 defines the Eastern Rivers as the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi, and the Western Rivers as the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following fishing banks is located off the coast of the United Kingdom?
- A.Great Fisher Bank
- B.Grand Banks
- C.Dogger Bank
- D.Reed Bank
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The Dogger Bank is a large shallow sandbank in the North Sea about 100 kilometres off the east coast of England, one of the richest fishing grounds of Europe.
Read the full explanation →Which one among the following is not a tributary of river Luni?
- A.Khari
- B.Sukri
- C.Jawai
- D.Banas
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The Banas is not a tributary of the Luni; it flows east and joins the Chambal, which belongs to the Ganga basin.
Read the full explanation →An avalanche is a type of which one of the following disasters ?
- A.Atmospheric
- B.Terrestrial
- C.Aquatic
- D.Biological
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An avalanche is a sudden slide of snow, ice and debris down a mountain slope, a movement of material on the land surface, so it is grouped with terrestrial disasters.
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