Much of the world’s fresh water is unavailable to us because:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. It is in deep and

inaccessible aquifers2. It exists in the form

of water vapor3. It is mixed with

saltwater4. It is locked up in ice

caps or glaciers

Which country has more fresh water, Canada or China?

1 2

50%50%1. Canada2. China

About 2/3 of the world’s annual runoff is lost by _____ and is not available for human

use.

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Evaporation2. Percolation into

the ground3. Pollution of the

water supply4. Seasonal floods

Most water is withdrawn from surface waters and aquifers for:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Drinking water2. Industrial

manufacturing3. Irrigation of crops4. Cooling power

plants

Porous, water-saturated layers of sand, gravel, or bedrock through which groundwater flows make up a(n):

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Aquifer2. Watershed3. Zone of aeration4. Eutrophic zone

One trend in managing water resources is:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Privatization2. Government

seizure of privately-held water supplies

3. Public utility ownership

4. None of the choices

True or false? Innovative conservation strategies assure California of an adequate

water supply for at least this century.

1 2

50%50%1. False2. True

Diversion of water from the Aral Sea has led to:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Decrease in its salinity

2. Increased crop yields in the neighboring areas

3. Extinction of native fish species

4. More moderate temperature and increased rain

True or false? Distillation is one method of desalinating water.

1 2

50%50%1. True2. False

Which of the following is not a stated means of preventing groundwater depletion?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Reduce stream flow

levels2. Ban new wells3. Tax water pumped

from wells near surface water

4. Switch to less water-intensive crops

Which is the most efficient irrigation technique?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Gravity flow

through ditches2. Center pivot

sprinkler systems 3. Surge valves4. Drip irrigation

systems

_____ is reclaimed water from sinks, tubs, and washers.

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Sludge2. Brown water3. Gray water4. Treated water

True or false? Water meters reduce water waste.

1 2

50%50%1. True2. False

The removal of vegetation, especially on hillsides increases the risk of:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Salinization2. Groundwater

overdrafts3. Saltwater intrusion4. Flooding

From an environmental viewpoint, the best approach to reducing flood risks is:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Floodplain

management2. Channelization3. Artificial levees4. Flood control

dams

Which of the following is not one of the causes of water scarcity?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Dry climate2. Erosion3. Desiccation4. Drought

True or false? Dams can lose more water than they provide.

1 2

50%50%1. True2. False

Which of the following is not a stated concern about China’s Three Gorges Dam?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. The reservoir will force the displacement of over a million people

2. The reservoir will flood important archaeological sites

3. The dam may not be able to withstand the impact of an earthquake

4. The dam will increase China’s dependence on coal

Which of the following is not a main factor in water scarcity?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Dry climate2. Increased damming

of rivers and building of reservoirs

3. Drought4. Too many people

using reliable water source

True or false? Since the 1960’s the Aral Sea in the former Soviet Union is going dry as a result of a large scale water transfer project.

1 2

50%50%1. True2. False

Which of the following is a strategy to use water more sustainably?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Build more dams and levees

2. Regulate withdrawals to prevent depletion of renewable aquifers

3. Slow the rate of ozone depletion

4. Increase efficiency and productivity in livestock production