Which of the following features could be found in the upper course of rivers?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which feature belongs to the upper course (also called the youth stage) of a river.

Step 2: Concept A river has three courses:

• Upper course (youth): Near the source, usually in highlands. The land is steep, the river flows fast, and it cuts downward (vertical erosion). Typical features are V-shaped valleys, interlocking spurs, rapids, waterfalls, gorges and potholes.
• Middle course (maturity): The gradient is gentler and the river erodes sideways. Features include meanders and floodplains.
• Lower course (old age): The land is almost flat and the river deposits material. Features include ox-bow lakes, levees, deltas and estuaries.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Ox-bow lakes: These form when a meander is cut off. This happens in the middle and lower course, so A is wrong.
• B. Waterfall: This forms where a river flows over a band of hard rock onto softer rock. The soft rock erodes faster and creates a drop. It happens in the steep upper course, so B is correct.
• C. Deltas: These form at the river mouth where deposition is heavy. They belong to the lower course, so C is wrong.
• D. Levees: These are raised banks built up by deposition during floods. They are found in the lower course, so D is wrong.

Answer: B. Waterfall.

Tip: Link the upper course with erosion and steep slopes: V-valleys, rapids and waterfalls. Link the lower course with deposition: ox-bow lakes, levees and deltas. In Nigeria, Farin Ruwa Falls on the Plateau and Kurra Falls near Jos are good examples of upper-course features. The Niger Delta is a classic lower-course example.