Earth Science-Water (Freshwater and Oceans)

The water cycle is the ____.

• distribution of drinking water on Earth

• unending circulation of Earth’s water supply

• the recycling of water after industrial use

• the evaporation of water from Earth’s surface

A stream’s discharge ____.

• decreases between its source and mouth

• remains the same throughout its course

• is greatest during times of drought

• increases between its source and mouth

Balance in the water cycle means that ____.

• the average annual precipitation over Earth equals the amount of water that evaporates

• water that falls to Earth only enters oceans

• the amount of water that falls to Earth weighs the same as the amount that condenses in clouds

• water that evaporates from Earth’s surface remains forever in the atmosphere

One major cause of floods is ____.

• rapid spring snow melt

• a decrease in stream discharge

• light rain over a large area

• increased capacity of stream channels

Sinkholes can form when ____.

• rainwater containing carbon dioxide dissolves underground rock

• minerals dripping from a cavern ceiling form stone pendants

• streams drop sediment as they enter lakes

• the water table rises due to flooding

The capacity of a stream is directly related to its ____.

• velocity

• discharge

• gradient

• meandering

A drainage basin is ____.

• the channel of a stream

• the land covered by floodwaters

• the land area that contributes water to a stream

• all streams that flow directly into an ocean

What are the boundaries called that separate streams in adjacent drainage basins?

• mountain ranges

• divides

• valleys

• levees

What is the energy source for the water cycle?

• running water

• the sun

• Earth’s internal heat

• gravity

The vertical drop of a stream channel over a certain distance is called ____.

• discharge

• channel roughness

• gradient

• runoff