Attempt any 4 sub-parts from each question. Each subpart carries 1 mark.
Given the abundance and renewability of water, it is difficult to imagine that we may suffer from water scarcity. The moment we speak of water shortages, we immediately associate it with regions having low rainfall of those that are drought prone. We instantaneously visualise the deserts of Rajasthan and women balancing many 'matkas' (earthen pots) used for collecting and storing water and travelling long distances to get water. True, the availability of water resources varies over space and time, mainly due to the variations in seasonal and annual precipitation, but water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups. Where is then water scarcity likely to occur? As you have read in the hydrological cycle, freshwater can be obtained directly from precipitation, surface run off and groundwater. Is it possible that an area or region may have ample water resources but is still facing water scarcity? Many of our cities are such examples. Thus, water scarcity may be an outcome of large and growing population and consequent greater demands for water, and unequal access to it. A large population requires more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food. Hence, to facilitate higher food-grain production, water resources are being over-exploited to expand irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture. Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer of water. Now it is needed to revolutionise the resistant crops and dry farming techniques. You may have seen in many television advertisements that most farmers have their own wells and tube-wells in their farms for irrigation to increase their produce. But have you ever wondered what this could result in? That it may lead to falling groundwater levels, adversely affecting water availability and food security of the people.
Question (i)
The availability of water resources varies over:
(A) Space
(B) Time
(C) Variation in precipitation
(D) All of the Above
Answer:
From the paragraph
True, the availability of water resources varies over space and time, mainly due to the variations in seasonal and annual precipitation , but water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups.
Since availability of water resource varies over space, time and variation in precipitation.
So, the correct answer is (D) - All of the above
Question (ii)
Identify the cause of water scarcity.
(A) Overuse of aquifers
(B) Increased human consumption
(C) No change in climate
(D) Both A & B
Answer:
From the paragraph
True, the availability of water resources varies over space and time, mainly due to the variations in seasonal and annual precipitation, but water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups.
Explanation
Water scarcity may be an outcome of a large and growing population and consequent greater demands for water , and unequal access to it. The housing societies or colonies in the cities, you would find that most of these houses have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. Fragile water resources are being over-exploited and have caused their depletion in several of these cities.
So, the correct answer is (D) - Both A and B.
Question (iii)
____________ is the largest consumer of surface water.
(A) Animals
(B) Irrigated agriculture
(C) Aqua culture
(D) Industries
Answer:
From the paragraph
Hence, to facilitate higher food-grain production, water resources are being over-exploited to expand irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture. Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer of water.
Explanation
Around 70 percent of freshwater withdrawals go into agriculture . The uses within the sector are very diverse and include mainly irrigation , pesticide and fertilizer application , and sustaining livestock . Further along the value chain, water is used for food preservation (crop cooling, for example) and processing .
So, the correct answer is (B) - Irrigated agriculture
Question (iv)
A large amount of population requires more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more_______.
(A) farms
(B) forests
(C) food
(D) factories
Answer:
From the paragraph
Thus, water scarcity may be an outcome of a large and growing population and consequent greater demands for water, and unequal access to it. A large population requires more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food.
So, the correct answer is (C) - Food
Question (v)
Identify the drought resistance crops from the following:
(A) Mushrooms
(B) Bajra
(C) Sweet potatoes
(D) All of the Above
Answer:
Explanation
Drought resistance or tolerance is a broader term applied to plant species with adaptive features that enable them to escape, avoid , or tolerate drought stress.
So, the correct answer is (D) - All of the above.
Question (vi)
Choose the state which faced the maximum water scarcity in recent years.
(A) Kerala
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Himachal Pradesh
(D) Uttarakhand
Answer:
Explanation
Maharashtra is now one of the states that is experiencing an acute water shortage as a result of subsequent drought years . The state administration had to send out the most water tankers in 2019 to the driest parts of the state .
So, the correct answer is (B) - Maharashtra
