Water Practice Test (8.E.1.1)

Why is water from an aquifer more likely to be cleaner than water from other sources?

• because it forms where fresh and salt water meet

• because it receives water directly from precipitation

• because it rises to the surface near the ocean

• because pollutants are filtered by rock and soil deep within Earth

What most often causes the availability of water to change?

• local geography

• type of plants

• type of soil

Where is most of Earth’s water found?

• lakes

• oceans

• streams

Where is the majority of Earth’s freshwater found?

• polar ice caps

• rivers

• ponds

The empty spaces in a material are called pores. Porosity is the amount of empty space within a material. Permeability describes how well the pores in a material are connected. Which of these materials would make the MOST effective aquifer?

• a material that has high porosity and high permeability

• a material that has high porosity and low permeability

• a material that has low porosity and high permeability

• a material that has low porosity and low permeability

Which is Earth’s largest source of drinkable water?

• lakes

• rivers

• oceans

• aquifers

During a portion of the water cycle, water falls to Earth’s surface as precipitation. Some of this water runs off into channels and keeps moving until it ends up in the ocean.

Which BEST describes the water in the channels?

• lake

• river

• aquifer

• wetland

If Earth’s climate continues to become warmer over the next 50 years, how would this impact river basins?

• decline in water quality

• decrease in water supply

• increase in sediments

Which best describes the importance of an aquifer?

• It holds uncontaminated ground water for human consumption.

• It supplies all water for lakes and rivers.

• It provides water for oceans.

Which best describes the process by which water from the ocean enters the atmosphere?

• infiltration

• condensation

• evaporation

• precipitation