A deep narrow valley with steep sides formed as a result of rapid down-cutting by the stream is termed as
A) Gorge
B) Meander
C) Lagoon
D) Lake

Hint: Flowing water is a very powerful force of nature and via erosion is responsible for altering the structures of rocks and valley floors. This architect of nature can carry out the process over millennia or with sudden bursts of flow.

Complete answer:
Gorges are narrow, steep walled valleys between hills. Most gorges are caused by the action of rivers flowing through those areas for thousands of years. Gorges tend to be much smaller and narrower than canyons. The word itself comes from the French for throat or neck. Option A is the correct answer.

The word meander means to follow a winding course. When it comes to rivers it describes the twists and curves in the river as it flows. As the river erodes the land, a meander may get closed off into an oxbow lake. Option B is not correct.

Lagoons are shallow bodies of water that are separated from the main ocean by barriers like a coral reef. Unlike Meanders and Gorges, and lakes, lagoons are salt water bodies. Option C is not correct.

Lakes are large, deep bodies of water surrounded by land. They differ from ponds in that ponds are shallow enough to allow light to reach the bottom. Some lakes are huge enough to have sandy beaches much like an ocean shore. Option D is incorrect.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘A’

Note: Other ways in which water shapes the land is as waterfalls. The force of the water hitting the bottom of the cliff can be enough to create deep pools. When the waterfall moves as a large sheet of water over a cliff surface. It is called a cataract.