Consider the following statements regarding river terraces: 1. They are basically products of deposition resulting from lateral erosion. 2. River terraces are surfaces marking old valley floor or floodplain levels. 3. Paired terraces occur at different elevations on either side of the river. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 2 only Explanation River terraces are step-like landforms found on the flanks of a river valley. They represent remnants of former valley floors or floodplain levels that have been abandoned as the river incised downward due to tectonic uplift, sea-level changes, or climatic fluctuations. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect: River terraces are surfaces marking old valley floor or floodplain levels. They indicate the level at which the river stream flowed in the past before vertical erosion lowered the riverbed. - Statement 2 is Correct: River terraces are fundamentally considered products of erosion, specifically vertical erosion (downcutting). While the terrace bench may consist of alluvial deposits, the formation of the terrace as a distinct morphological feature is caused by the stream cutting into its own depositional floodplain or bedrock. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Paired terraces occur at the same elevation on either side of the river, typically indicating rapid vertical erosion in a symmetrical valley. Terraces that occur at different elevations on opposite sides are termed unpaired terraces, which often result from lateral shifting of the river combined with slow downcutting. Key Takeaway River terraces are erosional landforms representing abandoned floodplains; paired terraces exist at equal elevations on opposite banks, whereas unpaired terraces are found at unequal elevations.

NCERT Class 11 Geography — Chapter 5: Landforms and Their Evolution

mcqhard

Consider the following statements regarding river terraces:

They are basically products of deposition resulting from lateral erosion.
River terraces are surfaces marking old valley floor or floodplain levels.
Paired terraces occur at different elevations on either side of the river.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 3 only
C2 only
D1 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

River terraces are step-like landforms found on the flanks of a river valley. They represent remnants of former valley floors or floodplain levels that have been abandoned as the river incised downward due to tectonic uplift, sea-level changes, or climatic fluctuations.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: River terraces are surfaces marking old valley floor or floodplain levels. They indicate the level at which the river stream flowed in the past before vertical erosion lowered the riverbed.
Statement 2 is Correct: River terraces are fundamentally considered products of erosion, specifically vertical erosion (downcutting). While the terrace bench may consist of alluvial deposits, the formation of the terrace as a distinct morphological feature is caused by the stream cutting into its own depositional floodplain or bedrock.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Paired terraces occur at the same elevation on either side of the river, typically indicating rapid vertical erosion in a symmetrical valley. Terraces that occur at different elevations on opposite sides are termed unpaired terraces, which often result from lateral shifting of the river combined with slow downcutting.

Key Takeaway

River terraces are erosional landforms representing abandoned floodplains; paired terraces exist at equal elevations on opposite banks, whereas unpaired terraces are found at unequal elevations.

Your note

More from Chapter 5: Landforms and Their Evolution

Which factor does NOT contribute to the formation of river meanders?

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easy

With reference to the depositional landforms of running water, consider the following statements: 1. Alluvial fans in humid areas normally show low cones with gentle slopes. 2. In deltas, the finest materials settle out first. 3. Unlike alluvial fans, the deposits making up deltas are very well sorted with clear stratification. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the stages of landscape development by running water, consider the following statements: 1. In the youth stage, streams are few with poor integration and flow over original slopes. 2. In the mature stage, waterfalls and rapids dominate the landscape. 3. In the old stage, divides are sharp and steep. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the erosional landforms of running water: 1. A gorge is a deep valley with very steep to straight sides and is almost equal in width at its top and bottom. 2. A canyon is characterized by vertical walls and is equal in width at its top and bottom. 3. Canyons commonly form in horizontal bedded sedimentary rocks, while gorges form in hard rocks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

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Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: River terraces are surfaces marking old valley floor or floodplain levels. They indicate the level at which the river stream flowed in the past before vertical erosion lowered the riverbed.
Statement 2 is Correct: River terraces are fundamentally considered products of erosion, specifically vertical erosion (downcutting). While the terrace bench may consist of alluvial deposits, the formation of the terrace as a distinct morphological feature is caused by the stream cutting into its own depositional floodplain or bedrock.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Paired terraces occur at the same elevation on either side of the river, typically indicating rapid vertical erosion in a symmetrical valley. Terraces that occur at different elevations on opposite sides are termed unpaired terraces, which often result from lateral shifting of the river combined with slow downcutting.

Key Takeaway

River terraces are erosional landforms representing abandoned floodplains; paired terraces exist at equal elevations on opposite banks, whereas unpaired terraces are found at unequal elevations.