Q.1 What is the primary source of freshwater on Earth?
Oceans
Rivers
Glaciers
Atmosphere
Explanation - Glaciers store about 68.7% of Earth's freshwater, making them the largest source of freshwater.
Correct answer is: Glaciers
Q.2 The process by which water vapor turns into liquid water is called:
Evaporation
Condensation
Transpiration
Infiltration
Explanation - Condensation is the process where water vapor cools and changes into liquid water, forming clouds or dew.
Correct answer is: Condensation
Q.3 Which of the following is a tributary river?
Amazon
Mississippi
Yamuna
Ganges
Explanation - A tributary is a smaller river that flows into a larger one. Yamuna flows into the Ganges.
Correct answer is: Yamuna
Q.4 The measure of the maximum water a river can carry without flooding is called:
Discharge
Capacity
Velocity
Floodplain
Explanation - River capacity refers to the maximum load (water and sediment) a river can transport without overflowing its banks.
Correct answer is: Capacity
Q.5 Which term describes the underground layer of water-bearing rock?
Aquifer
Watershed
Meander
Estuary
Explanation - An aquifer is a permeable rock layer that stores and transmits groundwater.
Correct answer is: Aquifer
Q.6 Which factor primarily affects river velocity?
Temperature
Gradient
Vegetation
Wind speed
Explanation - Gradient, or slope of the riverbed, directly influences the speed at which river water flows.
Correct answer is: Gradient
Q.7 The term for water loss from soil and plants into the atmosphere is:
Infiltration
Evapotranspiration
Percolation
Condensation
Explanation - Evapotranspiration combines water loss from soil evaporation and plant transpiration.
Correct answer is: Evapotranspiration
Q.8 Which of the following is an example of a river delta?
Nile
Colorado
Thames
Danube
Explanation - The Nile forms a delta at its mouth in Egypt, where sediment is deposited into the Mediterranean Sea.
Correct answer is: Nile
Q.9 What is the zone of saturation in soil called?
Water table
Vadose zone
Capillary fringe
Phreatic zone
Explanation - The phreatic zone is the subsurface layer where all pore spaces are filled with water.
Correct answer is: Phreatic zone
Q.10 Floodplains are typically found:
Near river sources
Along meandering rivers
In mountain valleys
In deserts
Explanation - Floodplains are flat areas near rivers that are periodically flooded, especially along meanders.
Correct answer is: Along meandering rivers
Q.11 Which type of river drainage resembles a tree-like pattern?
Radial
Dendritic
Trellis
Rectangular
Explanation - Dendritic drainage resembles tree branches and forms in regions of uniform material.
Correct answer is: Dendritic
Q.12 The process of water seeping into the ground is called:
Runoff
Infiltration
Precipitation
Evaporation
Explanation - Infiltration is the downward movement of water from the surface into the soil or porous rock.
Correct answer is: Infiltration
Q.13 Which of the following influences river discharge the most?
Rainfall
Wind
Soil type
Vegetation
Explanation - River discharge primarily depends on the amount and intensity of rainfall in the catchment area.
Correct answer is: Rainfall
Q.14 A perched water table is caused by:
Impermeable layers above the main water table
High rainfall
Groundwater pumping
River erosion
Explanation - A perched water table occurs when an impermeable layer traps water above the main groundwater table.
Correct answer is: Impermeable layers above the main water table
Q.15 Which of these is a human activity that affects the hydrological cycle?
Deforestation
Solar eclipses
Volcanic eruptions
Earthquakes
Explanation - Deforestation reduces transpiration and can alter local and regional hydrology.
Correct answer is: Deforestation
Q.16 Which term describes sediment transported by a river?
Load
Capacity
Discharge
Gradient
Explanation - Load is the sediment carried by a river, including dissolved, suspended, and bedload materials.
Correct answer is: Load
Q.17 An estuary is a region where:
A river meets the sea
Two rivers meet
A glacier melts
Rainwater collects in a basin
Explanation - Estuaries are coastal areas where freshwater from rivers mixes with seawater.
Correct answer is: A river meets the sea
Q.18 The main purpose of a watershed is to:
Drain precipitation to a common outlet
Store groundwater permanently
Prevent floods entirely
Evaporate surface water quickly
Explanation - A watershed is an area of land where all water drains into a single river or outlet.
Correct answer is: Drain precipitation to a common outlet
Q.19 Which of the following is a characteristic of a youthful river?
Wide floodplain
Steep gradient and V-shaped valley
Braided channels
Meanders
Explanation - Youthful rivers have steep gradients, erode downward, and form V-shaped valleys.
Correct answer is: Steep gradient and V-shaped valley
Q.20 Groundwater recharge primarily occurs through:
Evaporation
Precipitation infiltration
River discharge
Transpiration
Explanation - Recharge occurs when rainwater infiltrates soil and replenishes aquifers.
Correct answer is: Precipitation infiltration
Q.21 Which of the following is an impact of urbanization on hydrology?
Increased infiltration
Reduced surface runoff
Increased flood risk
Lower peak river flows
Explanation - Urban areas with impervious surfaces reduce infiltration, increasing runoff and flood risk.
Correct answer is: Increased flood risk
Q.22 Percolation is different from infiltration because it refers to:
Water movement through soil to deeper layers
Water seeping on the surface
Evaporation from soil
Water absorption by plants
Explanation - Percolation is the downward movement of water through soil layers, reaching groundwater.
Correct answer is: Water movement through soil to deeper layers
Q.23 Which river characteristic is primarily responsible for sediment deposition?
Gradient reduction
High velocity
Deep channel
Steep banks
Explanation - When a river's slope decreases, its velocity drops, causing sediment to settle.
Correct answer is: Gradient reduction
Q.24 The study of distribution, movement, and quality of water on Earth is called:
Meteorology
Hydrology
Geomorphology
Oceanography
Explanation - Hydrology is the scientific study of water in all its forms on Earth.
Correct answer is: Hydrology