When the rivers discharge their waters from all directions into a lake or depression, the pattern is known as
- A.Trellis
- B.Dendritic
- C.Radial
- D.Centripetal
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, Centripetal. In a centripetal pattern streams flow inward from all sides into a central lake or basin, like spokes pointing to a hub.
Drainage patterns reflect the slope and rock structure of an area. The centripetal pattern forms where land slopes towards a central low point. In India the classic example is the Loktak lake in Manipur, which receives streams from the surrounding hills, and the inland drainage of the Sambhar lake area in Rajasthan also follows this form. It is the opposite of the radial pattern, where streams flow outward from a high centre such as a dome or volcano; the rivers rising from the Amarkantak plateau are the usual Indian example of radial drainage.
A is wrong because a trellis pattern has tributaries joining a main stream at right angles in folded ranges. B is wrong because a dendritic pattern branches like a tree on uniform rock. C is wrong because radial streams flow away from a central height, not into a depression.
Exam tip: Radial flows out from a dome (Amarkantak); centripetal flows in to a basin (Loktak).
Practice Questions
View allWhich one of the following rivers was earlier known as "Vitasta" ?
- A.Tista
- B.Jhelum
- C.Tungabhadra
- D.Bharatpuzha A - EDF-F-KJU
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The Jhelum was called the Vitasta in the Rig Veda and in later Sanskrit texts. The rivers of the Punjab region carried Vedic names: Vitasta for the Jhelum, Asikni for the Chenab, Parushni for the Ravi, Vipasha for the Beas and Shutudri for the Satluj.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is NOT a west flowing river ?
- A.Periyar
- B.Bharatpuzha
- C.Pamba
- D.Tamraparni
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The Tamraparni rises in the Agasthyamalai hills of the Western Ghats and flows east through Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts of Tamil Nadu into the Gulf of Mannar.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements : 1. Distance between the longitudes becomes zero on North Pole and South Pole. 2. Distance between the longitudes is maximum on the Equator. 3. Number of longitudes is more than number of latitudes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1,2 and 3
Show answer
All three statements are correct. Meridians of longitude are half-circles that run from the North Pole to the South Pole, so they are farthest apart on the Equator, about 111 km per degree, and come closer towards the poles until they meet there, where the gap becomes zero.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following is/are cold ocean current/currents ? 1. Alaska Current 2. North Atlantic Drift 3. West Wind Drift Select the answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2
- C.2 and 3
- D.3 only
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Of the three, only the West Wind Drift is a cold current; the Alaska Current and the North Atlantic Drift are warm.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements : 1. Areas where rainfall exceeds 250 cm 2. Annual temperature 25°C - 27°C 3. Average humidity exceeds 75% 4. Trees do not shed the leaves To which one of the following types of vegetation does the above represent ?
- A.Tropical wet evergreen
- B.Tropical semi evergreen
- C.Tropical moist deciduous
- D.Tropical dry evergreen
Show answer
Very heavy rainfall, high and steady temperature, humidity above 75 per cent and trees that stay green all year are the marks of tropical wet evergreen forests.
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