QUESTION 1
In what part of the water cycle does water have the SHORTEST residence time?
atmosphere
groundwater
oceans
ice sheets
3 points
QUESTION 2
Which of the following can serve as a drainage divide between adjacent watersheds?
ridge
hill
mountain
all of the above
3 points
QUESTION 3
Watersheds are like a system with interacting components that can perform work. Which of the following is an example of work done by a watershed?
carry sediment
transport water
transport energy
all of the above
3 points
QUESTION 4
Compare and contrast surface and subsurface water in terms of natural inputs, outputs, and storage.
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5 points
QUESTION 5
Define
subterranean river and
ephemeral river. Describe the types of areas where each of these river types are found.
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5 points
QUESTION 6
The potential energy of water behind a dam can be used to
drive a turbine and generate electricity
initiate the chemical reactions necessary for power production
prevent the flow of electricity across a river
transform electrical energy to mechanical energy at a power plant
3 points
QUESTION 7
Headward erosion by a stream
extends a valley into a hillside
deepens a valley
both extends and deepens a valley
shortens a valley
3 points
QUESTION 8
When sand and gravel are whirled around by eddies in a river they cause
regolith removal
potholes
stream piracy
headward erosion
3 points
QUESTION 9
Headward erosion takes place opposite the direction of a rivers flow.
True
False
2 points
QUESTION 10
Floodplains are most often found for rivers that exist on
highly elevated mountainous areas
areas that receive constant amounts of high rainfall
hilly areas at the base of mountains
gentle slopes and relatively flat areas
3 points
QUESTION 11
When do alluvial fans develop in arid desert environments?
after periodic flash floods
when rivers finally reach the ocean
when the velocity of a rivers flow increases
all of the above
3 points
QUESTION 12
Which of the following can cause a flash flood?
dam failure
intense thunderstorms
release of ice jams
all of the above
3 points
QUESTION 13
Flash floods are a type of _____ flood.
estuarine
riverine
coastal
storm surge
3 points
QUESTION 14
Which term best describes the topography of a floodplain?
mountainous
highly sloped
moderately sloped
flat
3 points
QUESTION 15
Besides drowning, how else can floods cause loss of human life?
collapse of structures
contamination of drinking water
water-borne diseases
all of the above
3 points
QUESTION 16
If a government flood risk map for your area does not fit on one page, it may be drawn up on several different pages. Each page is referred to as a
panel
subset
minor map
quadrant
3 points
QUESTION 17
Official U.S. government maps that show flood risks are usually printed on which of the following levels?
state-wide
nation-wide
community-wide
street-wide
3 points
QUESTION 18
If your home is damaged by a flood, try to avoid turning on any lights until you know that all gas and electrical lines are undisturbed.
True
False
2 points
QUESTION 19
Why are floods especially common in the spring?
More water is added to a river as groundwater seeps upward.
Winds are more common, causing more movement of water.
Warmer temperatures increase the volume of water in a river.
The still-frozen ground is unable to soak up the water from melting snow.
3 points
QUESTION 20
The percentage of total volume of voids in a rock is called
permeability
saturation
porosity
aeration
3 points
QUESTION 21
How does solution activity make limestone rocks permeable for groundwater flow?
cuts down on the number of open pores
makes the pore spaces less connected
fills in many of the limestones cracks
gives the limestone numerous pits and holes
3 points
QUESTION 22
Define the term aquifer and explain the difference between a confined and an unconfined aquifer.
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5 points
QUESTION 23
Natural discharge of a groundwater system occurs when
rainwater percolates down through the soil
the water table intersects the surface of the ground
surface water seeps into the ground
a confined aquifer is pumped for drinking water
3 points
QUESTION 24
Which statement is true about groundwater flow?
Groundwater flows from zones of low pressure to zones of high pressure.
Groundwater does not flow but stays in one location until pumped upward.
Groundwater moves downward by gravity and from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
Groundwater circulates in a convection current manner.
3 points
QUESTION 25
How are natural springs, hot springs, and geysers similar? How are they different?
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5 points
QUESTION 26
More than one-half of Americas drinking water comes from groundwater.
True
False
2 points
QUESTION 27
Most groundwater in the U.S. is used for residential purposes, such as laundry and watering lawns.
True
False
2 points
QUESTION 28
A chemical in groundwater that can cause genetic changes is called a
teratogen
VOC
carcinogen
mutagen
3 points
QUESTION 29
A chemical in groundwater that causes cancer is called a
teratogen
VOC
carcinogen
hypoxic substance
3 points
QUESTION 30
Besides saltwater intrusion, describe two other problems commonly caused by over-pumping of groundwater.
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5 points
QUESTION 31
Excessive withdrawal of groundwater for agricultural use rarely causes land subsidence, unlike excessive withdrawal for drinking water, which does cause subsidence.
True
False
2 points
QUESTION 32
After an aquifer collapses due to over-pumping, it can slowly be restored by natural precipitation.
True
False
2 points
