About this quiz
Practice questions on Nepal's major river systems, their tributaries, major lakes and glaciers.
This Lok Sewa practice set has 20 multiple-choice questions (Subject: General Knowledge · For: Kharidar, Nayab Subba, Section Officer · Level: Medium). Take the quiz above first; after that, use the study list below to revise every question with its correct answer and a short explanation.
Study list: all 20 questions with answers and explanations
The Bheri, Seti and Humla Karnali rivers belong to which river system of Nepal?
- A) Gandaki
- B) Karnali ✔
- C) Koshi
- D) Mahakali
Why: The Bheri, Seti and Humla Karnali are major tributaries of the Karnali river system of western Nepal.
Which of the following is NOT one of the seven tributaries of the Saptakoshi?
- A) Arun
- B) Tamor
- C) Dudhkoshi
- D) Marsyangdi ✔
Why: Marsyangdi is a tributary of the Gandaki; the Koshi tributaries are Indrawati, Sunkoshi, Tamakoshi, Likhu, Dudhkoshi, Arun and Tamor.
Which tributary of the Koshi river originates in Tibet (China)?
- A) Arun ✔
- B) Likhu
- C) Indrawati
- D) Dudhkoshi
Why: The Arun river rises in Tibet and enters Nepal through Sankhuwasabha before joining the Koshi system.
Which is generally regarded as the longest river of Nepal?
- A) Koshi
- B) Gandaki
- C) Karnali ✔
- D) Bagmati
Why: The Karnali, which rises in Tibet near Lake Mansarovar and flows through western Nepal, is regarded as Nepal's longest river.
The Gandaki river is known by which name in the Tarai of Nepal?
- A) Narayani ✔
- B) Rapti
- C) Seti
- D) Trishuli
Why: After its major tributaries join near Devghat, the Gandaki is called the Narayani as it flows through the Tarai into India.
Which river forms the western border between Nepal and India?
- A) Karnali
- B) Mahakali ✔
- C) Mechi
- D) Seti
Why: The Mahakali river forms Nepal's western boundary with India, as fixed by the Sugauli Treaty.
Which river forms part of Nepal's eastern border with India?
- A) Kankai
- B) Kamala
- C) Mechi ✔
- D) Tamor
Why: The Mechi river flows along part of the eastern border between Nepal and India, mainly in Jhapa district.
Which is the largest lake in Nepal?
- A) Phewa Lake
- B) Begnas Lake
- C) Tilicho Lake
- D) Rara Lake ✔
Why: Rara Lake in Mugu district is the largest lake of Nepal and lies within Rara National Park.
Shey Phoksundo, regarded as the deepest lake of Nepal, lies in which district?
- A) Mugu
- B) Jumla
- C) Dolpa ✔
- D) Humla
Why: Phoksundo Lake lies in Dolpa district within Shey Phoksundo National Park and is known as Nepal's deepest lake.
Phewa Lake is located in which district?
- A) Kaski ✔
- B) Tanahun
- C) Syangja
- D) Lamjung
Why: Phewa Lake lies in Pokhara, Kaski district, together with other valley lakes such as Begnas and Rupa.
Gosaikunda Lake, famous for the Janai Purnima pilgrimage, lies in which district?
- A) Nuwakot
- B) Sindhupalchok
- C) Dhading
- D) Rasuwa ✔
Why: Gosaikunda is a high-altitude lake in Rasuwa district inside Langtang National Park.
Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, is located in which district?
- A) Mustang
- B) Manang ✔
- C) Myagdi
- D) Gorkha
Why: Tilicho Lake lies in Manang district in the Annapurna region at an altitude of about 4,900 m.
The Bagmati river originates from which place?
- A) Gosaikunda
- B) Chandragiri
- C) Phulchoki
- D) Baghdwar in Shivapuri ✔
Why: The Bagmati river rises at Baghdwar in the Shivapuri hills north of Kathmandu.
In India the Karnali river is known by which name?
- A) Gandak
- B) Sharda
- C) Ghaghara ✔
- D) Kosi
Why: The Karnali is called the Ghaghara in India, where it joins the Ganga.
Which of the following is NOT a tributary of the Gandaki river system?
- A) Kali Gandaki
- B) Tamor ✔
- C) Trishuli
- D) Budhi Gandaki
Why: Tamor belongs to the Koshi system; Kali Gandaki, Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki are tributaries of the Gandaki.
Ngozumpa, often described as the longest glacier of Nepal, lies in which district?
- A) Solukhumbu ✔
- B) Taplejung
- C) Dolakha
- D) Rasuwa
Why: The Ngozumpa glacier lies in Solukhumbu district, near Cho Oyu and the Gokyo lakes.
Tsho Rolpa, one of the largest glacial lakes of Nepal, lies in which district?
- A) Solukhumbu
- B) Dolakha ✔
- C) Sindhupalchok
- D) Gorkha
Why: Tsho Rolpa lies in the Rolwaling valley of Dolakha district and is closely monitored for outburst flood risk.
In India the Mahakali river is known by which name?
- A) Ghaghara
- B) Gandak
- C) Yamuna
- D) Sharda ✔
Why: The Mahakali is called the Sharda (Sarda) in India.
The Kali Gandaki river originates in which district of Nepal?
- A) Mustang ✔
- B) Myagdi
- C) Baglung
- D) Manang
Why: The Kali Gandaki rises in the upper Mustang region near the Tibetan border and flows south between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.
What does the abbreviation GLOF stand for in the study of glaciers?
- A) Glacial Land Outflow Formation
- B) Great Lake Overflow Factor
- C) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood ✔
- D) Ground Level Of Flow
Why: GLOF means Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, a sudden flood caused when water bursts out of a glacial lake.