This document contains a 15 question multiple choice quiz about water resources. The questions cover topics such as the proportion of fresh surface water, causes of water constraints in different areas, how lifestyle changes impact water demand, definitions of catchment areas and their advantages/disadvantages, how international agreements can increase water supply, reasons for water reclamation, the process of desalination, distribution of major desalination plants, benefits of conserving water, and facts about NEWater.

1. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8: WATER RESOURCES
Multiple-choice Questions (15 marks)
1. Which portion shows the proportion of fresh surface water?
A 97%
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2%
C
D
1%
Ans:
D
2. Why is water constraint experienced in different parts of the world?
A Some areas do not experience seasonal changes in weather.
B Some areas may experience long periods of drought.
C Some areas do not use irrigation to get their water supply.
D Some areas may experience snow melting during spring.
Ans: B
3. How do changes in lifestyle result in a rising demand for water?
A People use more electrical appliances such as washing
machines that use up water.
B People engage in more agricultural activities because of
increasing population.
C As a result of a growing world population, more people will need
more water.
D With a growing demand for food, more water will be needed for
agriculture.
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2. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
Ans: A
4. What is a catchment area?
A It is an area over which rivers and streams are found.
B It is an area over which rain falls and is collected.
C It is an area over which the sea collects water from rivers.
D It is an area over which drains and canals collect water.
Ans: B
5. Which area is suitable as a catchment area?
A Valley
B Mountain
C Nature reserve
D Old quarry Ans: C
6. What is the advantage and disadvantage of increasing catchment
areas?
Advantage Disadvantage
Catchment areas have There is little control over
A multiple landuses such as the amount of water
industrial landuse. collected.
Fresh water collected in Not much water can be
B catchment areas is easier to collected in a catchment
purify. area.
In times of drought, There are few areas suitable
C catchment areas are able to for catchment areas.
collect water.
D More areas for nature Less land is available for
conservation are set aside. other uses.
Ans: D
7. How can international agreements help to increase water supply?
A They allow countries to collect water from other countries.
B They allow countries to develop catchment areas in other
countries.
C They allow countries to share and manage water resources.
D They allow countries to use water resources from other
countries for free.
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3. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
Ans: C
8. Why is water reclaimed?
A There is available waste water that can be recycled.
B It is cheaper to reclaim water than to treat fresh water.
C Water that is reclaimed has a higher quality than treated fresh
water.
D Although water is abundant, there is a need to reclaim water.
Ans: A
9. How is desalination carried out?
A It is carried out by processes that remove salt from sea water.
B It is carried out by processes that recycle waste water.
C It is carried out by processes that treat water from rivers.
D It is carried out by processes that purify fresh water.
Ans: A
Study the diagram below and answer questions 10 and 11.
Distribution of major
desalination plants in
the world Middle East
North America
Africa Europe
Asia
Australia
South America
Central America
10. Which area has the largest portion of desalination plants in the world?
A North America
B Middle East
C Europe
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4. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
D Africa Ans: B
11. Why does the area mentioned in Question 10 have the most
desalination plants in the world?
I. Low costs have enabled this area to carry out desalination.
II. Proximity to the sea has enabled sea water to be used.
III. The dry climate does not allow much water to be collected.
IV. Available advanced technology has allowed desalination to be
carried out.
A I only
B I and II
C II, III and IV
D All of the above Ans: C
12. Why is conserving water beneficial to individual households?
A Water treatment costs are lower.
B More water is allocated to individual households.
C Households get a continuous supply of water.
D It helps to reduce water consumption bills.
Ans: D
13. Which one of the following statements is true about NEWater?
A NEWater cannot be drunk without treating it further.
B The quality of NEWater surpasses international drinking water
standards.
C NEWater is supplied directly to households for consumption.
D The desalination process is used to produce NEWater.
Ans: B
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5. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
14. Study the graph below. What is a possible reason for the highest
consumption of water shown in the graph?
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A There are more occupants in HDB 5-room and bigger flats,
resulting in higher water consumption.
B In HDB 4-room flats, more water is used for domestic purposes.
C More water is used in filling swimming pools at condominiums
and private flats.
D In some private houses, more water is used in watering the
garden.
Ans: D
15. Which one of the following is an example of water conservation
measures in Singapore?
A A water conservation tax is imposed to discourage people from
using too much water.
B Water is limited for use for domestic, industrial and commercial
purposes only.
C Water-rationing is carried out for a month at some estates to
reduce water consumption.
D The amount of water that can be used in one household is
limited.
Ans: A
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6. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
Structured Essay Questions (15 marks)
1. Study the graph below carefully.
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World’s consumption of water supply from 1900 to 2000
(a) Describe the trend of total water use in the world. [1]
The total water use in the world is increasing.
(b) What impact does this have on the world’s water supply? [1]
There will be a shortage in the future if the demand for water is
not reduced.
(c) Why is there a big change in total water use from the year 1940? [2]
Any one of the following:
- The growth of industries after 1940 has increased water
consumption.
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7. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
- The rise in world population after 1940 has increased water
consumption.
(Also accept other plausible answers.)
(d) Which use consumed the highest portion of water in the world? [1]
Agricultural use
(e) Why has this use consumed the highest portion? [2]
- The rise in the world’s population results in the increasing need
to grow food.
- Therefore, most water is used to grow crops and rear
livestock.
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8. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
2. Study the comic strip below carefully. The Public Utilities Board (PUB)
in Singapore uses similar comic strips on brochures and posters.
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9. Earth: Our Home 2 (S/E and N(A))
QUESTION BANK Chapter 8
(a) What is the method that is used to help conserve water in Singapore?
[1]
Public campaign / education is used to raise awareness on water
conservation in Singapore.
(b) Why is this method used to help conserve water in Singapore? [2]
This method is used because it encourages all Singaporeans to
play a part in water conservation on an individual level.
(c) Explain how the comic strip tells us how to conserve water. [2]
- The comic strip describes how water should be used more
efficiently.
- Filling a washtub with water to wash dishes instead of washing
them under a running tap will reduce the wastage of water.
(d) Suggest another two ways in which water can be conserved by
individuals. [2]
Any two of the following:
- Washing a full load of laundry at a time instead of only a few
items
- Installing water-saving devices on taps and water cisterns
- Collecting water in a tumbler for brushing teeth instead of
leaving the tap running
(Also accept other plausible answers.)
(e) Why is there a need to conserve water? [1]
Water needs to be conserved to prevent water shortage in the
future. Water is a basic requirement for all living things.
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