Unit 1 - Page 1 - 5

Which of the following best describes the hydrological cycle?

• Movement of water between atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere

• Process of water movement only within rivers

• Storage of water in underground aquifers

• Transfer of water through soil only

Answer explanation

• Explanation: The hydrological cycle refers to how water moves through the environment: from oceans to clouds (via evaporation), from clouds to land (via precipitation), and back to oceans or underground (via runoff and infiltration).

• Example: Rain falling on a mountain, flowing into rivers, and eventually reaching the ocean.

What is the main input to the hydrological cycle?

• Evaporation

• Precipitation

• Groundwater recharge

• Transpiration

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Precipitation (rain, snow, hail) is the main way water enters the hydrological cycle, replenishing rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

• Example: Rain refilling a reservoir.

What is evapotrasnpiration?

• Loss of water from plants only

• Combined loss of water through evaporation and transpiration

• Water stored in aquifers

• Water percolating through the soil

Answer explanation

• Explanation: It combines evaporation (water turning into vapor from surfaces) and transpiration (water released by plants).

• Example: Moisture from a wet field and water from plant leaves evaporating on a hot day.

What type of system is the drainage basin?

• Open system

• Closed system

• Isolated system

• Cyclical system

Answer explanation

• Explanation: A drainage basin is an open system because water flows in (precipitation) and out (evaporation, discharge to rivers).

• Example: A river basin receiving rainfall and discharging into the sea.

Groundwater is primarily stored in:

• Water channels

• Aquifers

• Lakes

• Rivers

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Groundwater is stored in aquifers, which are underground layers of rock or soil that hold water.

• Example: Wells access groundwater stored in aquifers for drinking or irrigation.

Which term refers to human removal of water for use?

• Discharge

• Transpiration

• Abstraction

• Percolation

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Abstraction is when humans remove water from rivers, lakes, or aquifers for use.

• Example: Pumping groundwater for farming.

Evaporation refers to:

• Water seeping through soil

• Conversion of liquid water to water vapour

• Water moving laterally through soil

• Precipitation returning to the surface

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Evaporation happens when heat turns water from lakes, rivers, or the ground into vapor.

• Example: Water disappearing from a puddle on a sunny day.

What influences humidity levels?

• Soil porosity

• Air temperature and water vapour

• Transpiration

• Water table height

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Humidity measures how much water vapor is in the air, influenced by temperature.

• Example: High humidity on a warm day makes the air feel sticky.

What does a high albedo indicate?

• High absorption of sunlight

• High reflection of sunlight

• High infiltration capacity

• High soil porosity

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Albedo is the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight. Snow has high albedo because it reflects most sunlight.

• Example: Snow-covered mountains staying cooler because they reflect sunlight.

Transpiration is:

• Water absorbed by the atmosphere

• Water released by plants

• Water stored in aquifers

• Water lost during evaporation

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Plants release water vapor into the air through tiny pores in their leaves.

• Example: A forest humidifying the air.