Consider the following statements regarding the drainage patterns and features: 1. The area drained by a single river system is called a drainage basin. 2. Any elevated area that separates two drainage basins is known as a river system. 3. The world’s largest drainage basin is of the Nile river. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a). Explanation Drainage describes the flow of water through well-defined channels. The specific terminology used in physical geography distinguishes between the network of channels, the area they drain, and the physical boundaries separating them. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: The area drained by a single river system (comprising the main river and its tributaries) is technically called a drainage basin. It represents the entire geographical area from which the river system collects water. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: An elevated area, such as a mountain, hill, or upland, that separates two adjacent drainage basins is known as a water divide (or watershed divide). A "river system" refers to the river along with its tributaries, not the separating landform. For example, the Ambala water divide separates the Indus and Ganga drainage systems. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The world’s largest drainage basin belongs to the Amazon River in South America. While the Nile River in Africa is the longest river in the world, its drainage basin area is smaller than that of the Amazon. Key Takeaway: A drainage basin is the total area drained by a river system, whereas a water divide is the elevated boundary separating two basins. The Amazon holds the record for the largest drainage basin, while the Nile is the longest river.

NCERT Class 9 Geography — Chapter 3: Drainage

mcqeasy

Consider the following statements regarding the drainage patterns and features:

The area drained by a single river system is called a drainage basin.
Any elevated area that separates two drainage basins is known as a river system.
The world’s largest drainage basin is of the Nile river.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Drainage describes the flow of water through well-defined channels. The specific terminology used in physical geography distinguishes between the network of channels, the area they drain, and the physical boundaries separating them.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The area drained by a single river system (comprising the main river and its tributaries) is technically called a drainage basin. It represents the entire geographical area from which the river system collects water.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: An elevated area, such as a mountain, hill, or upland, that separates two adjacent drainage basins is known as a water divide (or watershed divide). A "river system" refers to the river along with its tributaries, not the separating landform. For example, the Ambala water divide separates the Indus and Ganga drainage systems.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The world’s largest drainage basin belongs to the Amazon River in South America. While the Nile River in Africa is the longest river in the world, its drainage basin area is smaller than that of the Amazon.

Key Takeaway: A drainage basin is the total area drained by a river system, whereas a water divide is the elevated boundary separating two basins. The Amazon holds the record for the largest drainage basin, while the Nile is the longest river.

Your note

More from Chapter 3: Drainage

With reference to the Brahmaputra River System, consider the following statements: 1. It rises in Tibet east of Mansarowar lake. 2. On reaching the Namcha Barwa, it takes a ‘U’ turn and enters India in Sikkim. 3. In Tibet, the river carries a large volume of water and silt due to the cold and dry conditions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the Indus River System: 1. The river Indus rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar. 2. It enters India in the state of Himachal Pradesh. 3. The Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab, and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Karachi in Pakistan. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the Ganga River System, consider the following statements: 1. The headwaters of the Ganga, called the ‘Bhagirathi’, is fed by the Gangotri Glacier. 2. At Varanasi, the Ganga emerges from the mountains on to the plains. 3. The Yamuna flows perpendicular to the Ganga and meets it at Patna. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following pairs of rivers and their descriptions: Pair | Description 1. Narmada | Flows in a rift valley formed due to faulting 2. Tapi | Rises in the Satpura ranges in the Betul district 3. Godavari | Its drainage basin is the largest among the peninsular rivers 4. Mahanadi | Rises in the highlands of Chhattisgarh How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

easy

Which of the following rivers is NOT a tributary of the Godavari?

easy

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The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The area drained by a single river system (comprising the main river and its tributaries) is technically called a drainage basin. It represents the entire geographical area from which the river system collects water.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: An elevated area, such as a mountain, hill, or upland, that separates two adjacent drainage basins is known as a water divide (or watershed divide). A "river system" refers to the river along with its tributaries, not the separating landform. For example, the Ambala water divide separates the Indus and Ganga drainage systems.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The world’s largest drainage basin belongs to the Amazon River in South America. While the Nile River in Africa is the longest river in the world, its drainage basin area is smaller than that of the Amazon.