WorksheetsHydrosphere (RHS)
Total questions: 25
Worksheet time: 19mins
The figure shows many of the components of a typical watershed. Which of the following would happen if precipitation increased within the watershed boundary?
The river would expand into the floodplain
Some tributaries would disappear
Hillside infiltration would be reduced
Boundaries of the watershed would expand
The diagram shows different processes that occur during the water cycle. Which label identifies the process of infiltration?
Label 1
Label 2
Label 3
Label 4
At a city council meeting, a developer outlines plans for a new shopping area. Residents speaking at the meeting voice their concerns that the development will increase runoff and pollute bodies of water in the area. The developer could address their concerns by proposing the addition of which of the following to the plans?
private wells that provide water to each store
sprinklers that hose down parking lots daily
flower gardens that are planted near each store
wetlands that surround the development
A regional water board is examining proposals to provide drinking water to a growing metropolitan area. Which of these proposals is MOST likely to deplete groundwater supplies?
installation of city-owned wells within each neighborhood
construction of a dam to create a large water reservoir
placement of stations along a river to capture and filter water
establishment of a water treatment plant next to a large lake
Which of the following is MOST responsible for reducing the availability of potable (aka drinkable) fresh water in this country?
aquifer depletion
reservoir evaporation
nonpoint source pollution
boat and watercraft emissions
When rain water reaches Earth’s surface, it can run off into surface water bodies or infiltrate soil and rock to become groundwater. Which of these surfaces would allow the MOST runoff and LEAST infiltration of rain water?
gravel
cement
sand
grass
Which would be the MOST sustainable way to increase the available supply of potable (aka drinkable) water as the United States population grows?
Dig more deep wells to access groundwater.
Build more reservoir dams along rivers.
Increase the use of greywater for landscaping.
Increase the use of salt water for cooling power plants.
The table compares a family’s annual water use to a water-wise household. The family compares their information to the other information in the table. Which of these changes would help them use less water?
replace their toilet
install different faucets
get a new clothes washer
take baths instead of showers
Saltwater intrusion can occur in aquifers near coastlines, when fresh groundwater in the aquifer is displaced by salt water. Coastline aquifers become more vulnerable to saltwater intrusion when freshwater recharge rates are low or withdrawal rates are high. An aquifer in which of the following areas would be MOST affected by saltwater intrusion?
a small coastal town experiencing a rainy summer
a coastal agricultural area using periodic irrigation
a large inland region of growing cities and farms
a growing coastal city undergoing a drought
Many households in the town of Rolesville get their drinking water from private wells that have been drilled into an aquifer. During the past decade, the water table in the aquifer has dropped. The town council of Rolesville has recently requested proposals for projects that will help the aquifer to recharge with water. Which of the following project proposals is MOST likely to achieve the goal set by the town council?
creation of a dam on the Neuse River to create a reservoir
installation of automatic sprinkler systems on city property
drilling of new wells to replace old wells on citizens’ property
replacement of cement parking lots with gravel and tile lots
The image shows the aftermath of a rainfall event. This is a picture of a location during extreme flooding. This location is likely located in the _________________.
headwaters
mouth
tributary
flood plain
Variation in which property of water at different temperatures contributes MOST to the formation of currents?
density
viscosity
turbidity
acidity
What is the primary energy source driving circulation of ocean currents on Earth?
geothermal heating
planetary rotation
solar heating
lunar tidal forces
This graph shows two studies 10 years apart. Which
of the following manufacturers could claim to have made the greatest improvement in water conservation?
toilet manufacturers
clothes washer manufacturers
shower head manufacturers
dishwasher manufacturers
The diagram shows an image of the major ocean surface currents. What force is MOST likely responsible for the currents’ circulation patterns?
migration of marine mammals
wind patterns
sun’s tidal effect
temperature differences
The Gulf Stream current travels from the equator towards Europe. If the Gulf Stream stopped flowing, which environmental change would MOST likely occur?
More reefs would develop in the waters near the eastern Greenland coastline.
Water temperatures in the Northern Atlantic Ocean would be much hotter
Land masses in the Northern Atlantic Ocean would have colder climates
Most of Europe would be flooded because of rising sea levels
Solar radiation provides more heat near the equator than near the poles on Earth. The GREATEST amount of heat is moved away from the equator by
ocean currents.
aquatic plants.
surface winds.
tectonic plates.
Ocean currents affect global climates. The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt is shown. Which is MOST likely the mechanism that drives this deep current system to continue to circulate?
surface winds
density currents
rotation of Earth
gravity of the Moon
Which human activity directly affects the quality of freshwater resources?
depleting the ozone layer
burning gasoline in car engines
offshore oil drilling
allowing runoff from agricultural fields
A student created a diagram of farmland with runoff from cornfields to a nearby pond. What was the student probably trying to model?
how acid rain kills pond plants
how pond water is use to irrigate crops
how fertilizers can get into ponds and cause algae blooms
how toxic chemicals from industrial wastes can poison pond water
Look at the diagram of a stream with toxic chemicals flowing into it. This diagram models how toxic runoff can pollute a stream and also
produce acid rain
cause soil erosion
create algae blooms
pollute groundwater
A rural, forested area receives a lot of rain in a short amount of time. What would most likely cause potential flooding in the area?
if the area has a large uncharged aquifer beneath it
if the water level in the area is below the zone of saturation
if the ground of the area is already saturated with water
if the ground of the area is mostly sandy soil
Which is the most common contamination source for freshwater resources?
runoff
digging wells
melting of glaciers
lightning
Which statement describes MOST groundwater?
Groundwater is found in underground lakes, rivers, and streams.
Groundwater is found in the spaces between rocks, gravel, and sand
Groundwater is isolated from surface water and moves in its own cycle.
Groundwater is sequestered below the surface for years or decades at a time.
The diagram below shows a cross section of land. Numbers show four zones in this diagram.
1- groundwater; 2- unsaturated zone; 3- water table; 4- surface water
1- unsaturated zone; 2-surface water; 3-groundwater zone; 4- water table
1-water table; 2- surface water; 3- groundwater zone; 4-unsaturated
1- unsaturated zone; 2- groundwater; 3-water table; 4-surface water
