Why does Turkey have an advantage over other countries in Southwest Asia (Middle East) with regard to the distribution of water?

• because Turkey’s economy is less dependent on industries that create large amounts of water pollution

• because the Black SEa, the largest source of freshwater in the region, is located off of Turkey’s northern coast

• because the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, two of the primary sources of freshwater in the region, originate in Turkey

• because Turkey’s population is less dependent on commercial agriculture than other countries in the region

Use the information to answer the question.

In the 1980s, the Turkish government began the Southeastern Anatolia Project and built numerous dams of the Euphrates River.

What trade-off is BEST associated with this project?

• While it improved the standard of living in Turkey, it caused high levels of pollution and made the water unsafe to drink.

• While it improved the standard of living in Turkey, it significantly reduced the amount of freshwater available in Syria.

• While it reduced the amount of freshwater available in Turkey, it led to the creation of millions of jobs for the Turkey’s people.

• While it caused high levels of pollution and made the water unsafe to drink, it created a cheap source of electricity for the region.

Use the information to answer the question.

Akram is a farmer in southern Syria, near the large city of Aleppo. For many years, he irrigated his farm with water from a nearby river and grew many crops. Then, his crops did poorly but grew well if he used fertilizers. That was around the time Aleppo’s population increased rapidly in size. Now, Akram cannot get anything to grow even though he keeps his field well watered.

What MOST LIKELY caused the failure of Akram’s farm?

• The fertilizer for the crops became too expensive.

• The crops were not suited to growing in the desert.

• The river used to irrigate his crops with is now polluted.

• The city of Aleppo has used up all of the water resources.

Why did the construction of the a dam on the Euphrates River in Turkey cause conflict in Southwest Asia (Middle East)?

• The dam has caused flooding in other countries.

• The dam has caused the river to completely become dry.

• The dam has limited the supply of water in other countries.

• The dam has caused shipping and trade on the river to stop.

Use the map to answer the question.

Based on the map, what is the MOST LIKELY effect of the Atatürk Dam on other countries?

• The water level in the Persian Gulf will drop, making it no longer usable for Southwest Asian (Middle Eastern) countries to ship their exports.

• The construction of the dam will bring many jobs to Southwest Asia (Middle East), benefiting workers in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.

• Iraq will build a canal to bring water from the Persian Gulf so that farmers in northern Iraq can irrigate their crops.

If the newspaper headline is true, what would be the GREATEST impact on the neighboring country of Iraq?

• There will be a decrease in river travel for tourism.

• There will be a decrease in oil exports in the region.

• There will be a decrease in water available for drinking.

• There will be a decrease in shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.

Why have major rivers in Southwest Asia (Middle East) become a source of conflict among neighboring countries?

• The rivers can be used for trade and travel but not for drinking.

• The resource is scarce and is not distributed equally in the region.

• Farmers disagree on the best methods of using the water for irrigation.

• Natural features prevent the rivers from being large enough to be useful.

Use the information to answer the question.

Scientist...found during a seven-year period beginning in 2003, parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraaz and Iran along the Tigris and Euphrates River basins lost 144 cubic kilometers of its total stored freshwater. That is almost the amount of water in the Dead Sea. The researchers attribute about 60 percent of the loss to pumping of groundwater from underground reservoirs.-NASA News Release, February 12, 2013 Public Domain/NASA

What is the MOST LIKELY cause of the problem described in the text?

• an increase in rainfall

• a decrease in population

• an increase in agriculture

• a decrease in temperature

Use the newspapers to answer the question.

What is the cause of the problems address on both newspapers?

• pollution

• desalination

• unequal distribution

• decreased population

Use the chart to answer the question.

Causes

Agricultural waste (fertilizer run-off) Human and animal waste Industrial waste (chemicals from factories)

Effects

Water-borne illnesses Skin and eye diseases Sickness and death ________?_________

Which statement BEST completes the chart?

• overgrazing

• water scarcity

• changes in climate

• high levels of acid rain