Fresh Water Scarcity, Water Conservation & Disasters: 20 MCQs with answers

A · About 71%

Earth is called the blue planet because about 71% of its surface is covered with water.

D · Ocean water is salty and most fresh water is frozen or underground.

Most water is salty ocean water; fresh water is a small fraction, much of it locked in ice or underground.

C · Water scarcity

Water scarcity is a shortage of clean, usable fresh water in a place at a particular time.

B · Using water from washing vegetables to water plants

Reusing vegetable wash water for plants is a simple conservation method.

B · Collecting and storing rainwater for later use

Rainwater harvesting means collecting and storing rainwater, for example in tanks or by letting it seep into the ground.

D · Drought

A drought is a slow-onset disaster caused by too little water over a long period.

B · NDMA

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) deals with disaster management in India.

A · True

About 71% of Earth's surface is covered with water, but only a small fraction is fresh water usable for drinking and agriculture.

A · Many litres of water are wasted over time

A leaking tap can waste many litres of water over time, so fixing leaks quickly saves water.

A · Crops need fresh water to grow, so shortage can cause crop failure

Fresh water is essential for agriculture; scarcity can lead to crop failure and harm to livestock.

B · Flood — too much water

Floods are caused by too much water, while droughts are caused by too little water over a long period.

C · Ocean water is salty; usable fresh water is a small, unevenly spread fraction

The common mistake is ignoring that ocean water is salty and fresh water is limited and unevenly distributed.

C · Millions of people each turn off taps daily, saving huge amounts together

Small daily savings by many people add up to enormous savings — conservation is cumulative.

C · It provides a stored supplementary water source

Rainwater harvesting collects and stores rainwater, providing a reliable supplementary source during dry periods.

D · It lays down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management

The NDMA lays down policies, plans, and guidelines and coordinates disaster management in India.

C · Low rainfall → water scarcity → drought disaster

Long periods of low rainfall cause water scarcity, which can escalate into a drought — a slow-onset disaster.

C · Implement rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater.

Implementing rainwater harvesting systems allows for the collection and storage of rainwater, providing a reliable supplementary source of water during dry periods, which directly addresses water scarcity.

D · The cumulative effect of reduced water waste will enhance fresh water availability.

The cumulative effect of fixing leaks and reducing unnecessary water use leads to significant water savings, enhancing fresh water availability over time.

B · It leads to some regions hoarding water, exacerbating scarcity in others.

The uneven distribution of fresh water can lead to hoarding in water-rich areas, creating scarcity in others and potentially causing conflicts over access to limited resources.

C · It coordinates policies for preparedness, response, and mitigation of disasters.

The NDMA coordinates policies for disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation, which is crucial for managing the impacts of water-related disasters such as droughts.