Earth's Water and Rivers Quiz

What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by water?

• 50%

• 71%

• 85%

• 60%

Answer explanation

About 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, primarily in the form of oceans. This makes the correct answer 71%, as the other options underestimate or overestimate the actual coverage.

How many oceans are there on Earth?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Answer explanation

Earth has 5 oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic. Therefore, the correct answer is 5.

What does the word "ocean" mean in Greek?

• Big lake

• Great stream

• Large river

• Deep sea

Answer explanation

The word "ocean" comes from the Greek "okeanos," which means "great stream." This reflects the ancient understanding of oceans as vast bodies of flowing water, making "great stream" the correct choice.

What happens when rivers have too much water?

• They dry up

• They overflow and burst their banks

• They become salty

• They freeze

Answer explanation

When rivers have too much water, they overflow and burst their banks, leading to flooding. This occurs when the volume of water exceeds the river's capacity, causing it to spill over into surrounding areas.

What is a river?

• A path that water takes as it flows downhill

• A large body of saltwater

• A mountain range

• A type of tree

Answer explanation

A river is defined as a path that water takes as it flows downhill, distinguishing it from other options like saltwater bodies, mountain ranges, or trees.

What happens during erosion?

• Rivers flow uphill

• Bits of earth or banks are taken away

• Trees grow faster

• Fish swim upstream

Answer explanation

During erosion, bits of earth or banks are removed by natural forces like water or wind, leading to changes in the landscape. This process does not involve rivers flowing uphill, trees growing faster, or fish swimming upstream.

Which river is generally considered the longest in the world?

• Nile

• Amazon

• Yangtze

• Thames

Answer explanation

The Nile is generally considered the longest river in the world, measuring about 6,650 kilometers. While the Amazon is often debated for its length, the Nile remains the traditional record holder.

Which ocean is the largest in the world?

• Pacific Ocean

• Atlantic Ocean

• Southern Ocean

• Indian Ocean

Answer explanation

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world, covering more area than all the continents combined. It is significantly larger than the Atlantic, Southern, and Indian Oceans.

What is the Amazon River known for?

• Holding more water than any other river

• Being the longest river in Asia

• Flowing through London

• Joining the Missouri River

Answer explanation

The Amazon River is known for holding more water than any other river in the world, making it the largest river by discharge volume. The other options are incorrect as they do not relate to the Amazon.

Which ocean is the third largest in the world?

• Arctic Ocean

• Indian Ocean

• Atlantic Ocean

• Pacific Ocean

Answer explanation

The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean, following the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It covers about 20% of the Earth's water surface, making it larger than the Arctic Ocean.