Q. Consider the following:

1. Meanders
2. Levees
3. Ox-bow lake
4. Floodplain

Arrange the above stages of river from its point of origin:
Answer: 1, 3, 4, 2
Notes: As the river enters the plain it twists and turns forming large bends known as meanders. Due to continuous erosion and deposition along the sides of the meander, the ends of the meander loop come closer and closer. In due course of time the meander loop cuts off from the river and forms a cut-off lake, also called an ox-bow lake. At times the river overflows its banks. This leads to the flooding of the neighbouring areas. As it floods, it deposits layers of fine soil and other material called sediments along its banks. This leads to the formation of a flat fertile floodplain. The raised banks are called levees.