Surface Water
Practice Test
1.
The amount of material in suspension is dependent upon the __________ of the stream water.
a.
solutes
b.
stream channel
c.
volume and velocity
d.
bed load
2.
Water that flows downslope along Earth's surface is called __________.
a.
precipitation
b.
bed load
c.
discharge
d.
runoff
3.
Look at the data in the graph, showing how the water quality has changed in Lake Smith over forty years. What is the most likely explanation for this trend?
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
Dissolved oxygen
(parts per million or ppm)
20
19
18
18
16
17
15
11
9
pH
7.6
7.2
7.1
7.0
6.8
6.8
6.5
6.1
5.8
Phosphate (ppm)
0.0
0.10
0.20
0.25
0.28
0.28
0.45
0.55
0.55
Nitrogen (ppm)
0.05
0.18
0.19
0.25
0.28
0.28
0.35
0.40
0.45
Largemouth bass
450
455
448
338
235
220
155
125
50
Mosses and grasses
0
0
2
5
15
18
29
35
55
a.
The dropping pH levels indicate that acid rain has been plaguing the region.
b.
Lower oxygen levels indicate that too many fish were living in the lake.
c.
Higher phosphate and nitrogen levels suggest it was damaged by fertilizers.
d.
The falling population of largemouth bass indicate that too much fishing has occurred on this lake.
4.
Many lakes in agricultural regions are eutrophic due to __________.
a.
excessive sunlight
b.
minimal algae growth
c.
reduced amounts of animal waste
d.
excessive nutrients
5.
What are large particles that are rolled or pushed on the bed of the stream called?
a.
runoff
b.
discharge
c.
suspended load
d.
bed load
6.
How is Earth's water supply recycled?
a.
the water cycle
b.
through lakes
c.
rivers
d.
Water on Earth is not recycled.
7.
Look at the figure showing a map of the Souris River valley. What kind of valley is it?
Click here for figure
a.
broad
b.
narrow
c.
steep
d.
v-shaped
8.
The renewed downcutting of a streambed is called __________.
a.
erosion
b.
rejuvenation
c.
eutrophication
d.
deposition
9.
Which combination of characteristics allows the greatest amount of water to infiltrate into the ground?
a.
steep slopes, sandy soil, and hot temperatures
b.
little slopes, sandy soils, and cool temperatures
c.
low slopes, clay-rich soils, and hot temperatures
d.
steep slopes, silty soils, and cool temperatures
10.
What is the name for the land area that separates two watersheds?
a.
a peninsula
b.
an island
c.
a stream bank
d.
a divide
11.
Water moves at the maximum velocity in the __________ of a straight stream and the __________ of a meander.
a.
bottom, bottom
b.
side, outside
c.
center, inside
d.
center, outside
12.
What confines the water of a stream?
a.
headwater
b.
delta
c.
meander
d.
stream banks
13.
What process adds oxygen to a lake?
a.
decay of animals
b.
decay of plants
c.
photosynthesis of plants
d.
breathing of animals
14.
If gardeners want more water to infiltrate into their gardens, how should they change the soil?
a.
increase the amount of clay-sized particles
b.
increase the amount of silt sized particles
c.
decrease the amount of humus
d.
increase the amount of coarse particles
15.
Look at the map. Which city is most likely to see an increase in eutrophication in its lakes?
a.
Lansing
b.
Madison
c.
Springfield
d.
Indianapolis
