Multiple Choice Questions
Why most of the Earth's water is not suitable for people to drink?
Because most of Earth's water is saltwater in the oceans.
State why water is becoming a threatened resource.
Water is becoming threatened because of increasing population and rising water demand, as well as climate change and pollution.
Recall approximately how many litres of water a single toilet flush uses.
Approximately 8-9 litres of water.
Define a river mouth
The place where a river flows into a larger body of water, such as an ocean, sea or lake.
Identify factors that can place pressure on water stored in large dams.
Silt is…
Fine particles of soil and sediment carried by water
Define water scarcity
Water scarcity is a lack of sufficient water to meet people's needs.
Fill in the blanks: Water moves in three ways: through the ______, beneath the ______, and across the ______.
atmosphere, ground, surface
List two ways water can be used as an economic resource.
Define irrigation and state how it helps farmers grow crops.
Irrigation is the artificial supply of water to crops. It helps farmers grow crops when there is not enough rainfall.
Where can available water be found?
Rivers, lakes, groundwater, dams
Describe the purpose of a desalination plant.
A desalination plant removes salt and other impurities from seawater to produce freshwater for human use.
Name the two main types of water scarcity.
Define a wetland.
A wetland is an area of land that is covered by water or has water near the surface for at least part of the year.
Define potable water and state what it can be used for.
Potable water is water that is safe for humans to drink. It can be used for drinking, cooking and washing.
How many litres of water are needed to produce 1 kg of beef?
50 000 litres
Name the three forms that water exists in, and give one example of each.
Recall the percentage of Australia’s freshwater used by farmers for agriculture.
Approximately 70% of Australia's freshwater is used for agriculture.
Demonstrate why wetlands are often called the “nursery of life”.
Wetlands provide food, shelter and breeding areas for many plants and animals, allowing young animals to grow and develop.
Demonstrate why the location of rivers and lakes is important when designing towns and cities.
Towns and cities are often built near rivers and lakes because they provide accessible water for people, farming and industry. However, planners must consider flooding risks.
In Australia, what is the largest source of renewable energy?
Hydroelectricity
The Water Cycle has 3 main Stages. Name them and give a brief one sentence summary of each stage.
State how many people around the world are estimated to lack reliable access to freshwater and locate where these people commonly live.
Approximately 2 billion people lack reliable access to safely managed drinking water. They are commonly found in less developed countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia.
Give an example of how river flooding can be harmful to people and the environment, and give an example of how flooding can benefit people and the environment.
Predict which parts of Australia would be most likely to receive more rainfall if the Indian Ocean experienced much warmer temperatures for a long time, and justify your answer.
Western and northern Australia would likely receive more rainfall because warmer Indian Ocean waters increase evaporation, providing more moisture for rain-bearing winds moving over these regions.