🔍 Key Concepts

• Look at a map of the central United States and trace where the Platte River flows through Nebraska. • Think about which major river system drains most of the Great Plains region west of the Mississippi. • Recall which large tributaries join together before eventually reaching the Mississippi River.

💭 Think About

• From Nebraska, which direction does the Platte River generally flow, and what is the first major river it meets? • Of the choices given, which rivers are themselves large tributaries of another river, and which one is known for having several Plains-state tributaries join it? • Can you rule out any options based on geography—for example, which rivers run farther east or south, away from Nebraska?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify the location of the Platte River (state(s) it runs through). • Confirm which major river runs closest to and through Nebraska from the answer choices. • Check which of the options is known as a primary tributary in the central U.S. river system that collects flows from the Great Plains.