A. Choose the correct option:

1. Water exists in a solid state in our environment as:
   d. Both a and b (snow and hail)
2. The phenomenon by which plants give off water vapour through their leaves is called:

d. Transpiration

• At what temperature will water turn into ice?
  a. 0°C
• The solid form of water is present in:
  c. Glaciers
• Which of the following is responsible for scarcity of water?

a. Deforestation

• Which of the following practices followed by farmers can conserve water?

d. All of these

B. Fill in the blanks with the correct words:

1. The source of nearly all fresh water on Earth is precipitation.
2. The water in rivers and lakes is replenished by rainfall.
3. Dams have been constructed on a number of rivers to control floods and ensure a stable water supply throughout the year.
4. Availability of water in India depends mainly on the onset of the monsoon season.
5. The method of watering the roots of a plant, drop by drop, is called drip irrigation.

C. Name the following:

1. The continuous circulation of water in nature – Water Cycle
2. Water present on the surface of the Earth – Surface Water
3. The other name for groundwater – Aquifer
4. Practice of collecting rainwater during the monsoon season on the roofs of houses and storing it in underground tanks for later use – Rainwater Harvesting
5. The method of watering the roots of plants drop by drop – Drip Irrigation

D. Answer the following questions:

1. Describe the forms of water on Earth.
   1. Water exists in three forms on Earth:
      1. Solid: Found in glaciers, snow, and hail.
      1. Liquid: Present in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
      1. Gas: Water vapour in the atmosphere.
2. Define the term water cycle. Explain the cycle with the help of a diagram.

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water between the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. It consists of:

• Evaporation: Water from lakes, rivers, and oceans turns into vapour.Condensation: Vapour cools down and forms clouds.Precipitation: Water falls as rain, snow, or hail.Collection: Water returns to rivers, lakes, and oceans.
• Describe three uses of water. Which of these involves the maximum usage of water in India and why?

Uses of water:

• Drinking and cooking – Essential for survival.Agriculture – Used for irrigation of crops.Industry – Factories use water for cooling and manufacturing.

Agriculture involves the maximum water usage in India because farming requires a large amount of water for growing crops.

• How do people in India get water for domestic purposes?

People get water from rivers, lakes, wells, borewells, and municipal water supply. In some areas, water is collected through rainwater harvesting or tankers.

• Differentiate between surface water and groundwater.

Surface Water	Groundwater
Found in rivers, lakes, and ponds.	Found underground in aquifers.
Easily available but can dry up.	Stored deep underground and used through wells and borewells.
More likely to be polluted.	Generally cleaner but can deplete if overused.

• What is the water table? How is a spring formed?

The water table is the upper level of groundwater.

A spring forms when groundwater naturally flows out of the Earth’s surface due to pressure or cracks in rocks.

• Why are monsoons important for our country?

Monsoons provide rainwater for drinking, agriculture, and hydroelectric power generation.

Most of India’s agriculture depends on monsoon rains.

• What is scarcity of water? State and explain the factors responsible for it.

Scarcity of water means a shortage of clean and usable water.

Factors responsible:

Deforestation – Less rainfall and dry land.

Overuse of water – Wasteful use in homes and industries.

Pollution – Contamination of rivers and lakes.

Climate change – Unpredictable rainfall and droughts.

• Discuss the causes for scarcity of water in India.

Overpopulation: More people need more water.

Pollution: Industrial and household waste pollutes water sources.

Unequal distribution: Some areas receive very little rainfall.

Wastage of water: Excessive use in irrigation and daily activities.

1. Why do we need to conserve water? List practices that can be adopted to conserve water.

Water is essential for life, agriculture, and industries.

Ways to conserve water:

Rainwater harvesting – Collecting rainwater for future use.

Fixing leaks – Preventing wastage in homes and industries.

Using water-efficient appliances – Reducing unnecessary water use.

Drip irrigation – Using less water for farming.

1. What is rainwater harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops or surfaces for later use.

It helps recharge groundwater and reduce water shortages.

1. What is drip irrigation? Why is it advantageous?

Drip irrigation is a method where water is supplied directly to the roots of plants, drop by drop.

Advantages:

Saves water by reducing wastage.

Prevents soil erosion.

Helps crops grow better with the right amount of water.