Lesson Check: Water Distribution on Earth

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

Lakes and rivers are part of the .

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.

• store

• release

• evaporate

• filter

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.