Unit 3: Lesson 1: Distribution of Water

Choose the answer that best explains one reason why conservation of freshwater is important.

• Freshwater should be conserved because it is limited to Earth's groundwater.

• Freshwater should be conserved because it can be found in large quantities on Earth.

• Freshwater should be conserved because it is limited to Earth's oceans.

• Freshwater should be conserved because it is the only water that can be consumed by humans.

Less than 1 percent of Earth's freshwater is readily available for human and animal use. Where is the majority of the remaining freshwater located?

• in ice caps and glaciers

• in the atmosphere

• in the oceans

• in lakes and rivers

Fill in the blanks using the available answer choices. Lakes and rivers are part of the ____________________.

• hydrosphere
• geosphere

• biosphere

• atmosphere

Based on the graph above, what can you conclude about the water on Earth?

• 97.4 percent of the water on Earth is saltwater

• 10 percent of the water on Earth is freshwater

• 55 percent of the water on Earth is saltwater

• 97.4 percent of the water on Earth is freshwater

Based on the table, what can you conclude about the percentage of ground ice and permafrost?

• The percentage of ground ice and permafrost is the same as groundwater.

• The percentage of ground ice and permafrost is greater than any other source.

• The percentage of ground ice and permafrost is less than any other source.

• The percentage of ground ice and permafrost is the same as lakes and rivers.

Around 97 percent of the water on Earth's surface is __________ water.

What can you infer about water on Earth based on the pie graph?

• Freshwater is abundant on Earth, while saltwater is limited.

• Saltwater is abundant on Earth, while freshwater is limited.

• There is an equal amount of saltwater and freshwater on Earth.

• Freshwater is located mostly in ice caps and glaciers.

A reservoir is an artificial lake that is built to ________________ water for a later time.

Identify the statement that best describes where Earth's freshwater can be found.

• Most of the freshwater is trapped in glaciers and ice caps.

• Earth's freshwater is spread out equally over ice, groundwater, and surface water.

• Most of the freshwater on Earth is found underground. The rest is stored as surface water.

• Earth's freshwater is found mostly in rivers and streams. Very little is found in glaciers or ice caps.

How are glaciers and oceans similar?

• Both contain salt water and are difficult for humans to use.

• Both contain freshwater and are difficult for humans to use.

• Oceans contain salt water and glaciers contain fresh water, but both are difficult for humans to use.

• Oceans contain salt water and glaciers contain fresh water, and both are easy for humans to use.