The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
Exam Style: Questions and Answers
2025|2026 Verified Graded A+ Already
Passed!
What is meant by a store and a flow? - correct answer-A store is where
water is held for varying amounts of 'residence' time. A flow is the
movement of water between stores
Identify the three largest stores in size order - correct answer-1. The
oceans
2. Icecaps and glaciers
3. Groundwater
Which two water stores are non-renewable, and why? - correct answer-
1. Fossil water: old, deep groundwater from former wetter periods
2. Losses from the cryosphere: melting of ice as a result of global
warming
,Distinguish between blue and green water - correct answer-Blue water
is stored in rivers, lakes and groundwater in liquid form — a visible part
of the hydrological cycle. Green water is water stored in the soil and
vegetation — an invisible part of the hydrological cycle
Why is the hydrological cycle a closed system? - correct answer-There
are no external inputs and outputs. It is a self-contained entity. Some
might argue solar energy, which drives the cycle, is an input
What is the water budget, and why does it vary from place to place? -
correct answer-The water budget of a place is the difference between
the amount of water gained from precipitation and the amount lost as a
result of evapotranspiration. The budget is in surplus when precipitation
exceeds evapotranspiration. It is in deficit when the situation is
reversed. It varies from place to place because climate (precipitation
and temperature) does
What are the main inputs of a drainage basin system? - correct answer-
Precipitation. Also possibly water from a tributary basin
, What are the main outputs of a drainage basin system? - correct
answer-Evaporation, transpiration and river discharge
How does relief affect the inputs and outputs of a drainage basin? -
correct answer-Altitude will affect the precipitation input (orographic
rain or snow). The steepness of slopes will affect the rate of runoff —
the steeper the slope, the faster the rate
Distinguish between interception and infiltration - correct answer-
Interception is the process by which water is stored in the vegetation.
Infiltration is the process by which water soaks into, or is absorbed by
the soil
How does geology affect the flows in a drainage basin? - correct
answer-Geology affects the balance of the flows by which precipitation
reaches a river. Where the geology is hard and impermeable (e.g.
granite), there will be much surface runoff and relatively little
infiltration and percolation. Where rock is porous, then the balance will
be the reverse with little runoff and much percolation and water
reaching the river via through flow and groundwater flow
Exam Style: Questions and Answers
2025|2026 Verified Graded A+ Already
Passed!
What is meant by a store and a flow? - correct answer-A store is where
water is held for varying amounts of 'residence' time. A flow is the
movement of water between stores
Identify the three largest stores in size order - correct answer-1. The
oceans
2. Icecaps and glaciers
3. Groundwater
Which two water stores are non-renewable, and why? - correct answer-
1. Fossil water: old, deep groundwater from former wetter periods
2. Losses from the cryosphere: melting of ice as a result of global
warming
,Distinguish between blue and green water - correct answer-Blue water
is stored in rivers, lakes and groundwater in liquid form — a visible part
of the hydrological cycle. Green water is water stored in the soil and
vegetation — an invisible part of the hydrological cycle
Why is the hydrological cycle a closed system? - correct answer-There
are no external inputs and outputs. It is a self-contained entity. Some
might argue solar energy, which drives the cycle, is an input
What is the water budget, and why does it vary from place to place? -
correct answer-The water budget of a place is the difference between
the amount of water gained from precipitation and the amount lost as a
result of evapotranspiration. The budget is in surplus when precipitation
exceeds evapotranspiration. It is in deficit when the situation is
reversed. It varies from place to place because climate (precipitation
and temperature) does
What are the main inputs of a drainage basin system? - correct answer-
Precipitation. Also possibly water from a tributary basin
, What are the main outputs of a drainage basin system? - correct
answer-Evaporation, transpiration and river discharge
How does relief affect the inputs and outputs of a drainage basin? -
correct answer-Altitude will affect the precipitation input (orographic
rain or snow). The steepness of slopes will affect the rate of runoff —
the steeper the slope, the faster the rate
Distinguish between interception and infiltration - correct answer-
Interception is the process by which water is stored in the vegetation.
Infiltration is the process by which water soaks into, or is absorbed by
the soil
How does geology affect the flows in a drainage basin? - correct
answer-Geology affects the balance of the flows by which precipitation
reaches a river. Where the geology is hard and impermeable (e.g.
granite), there will be much surface runoff and relatively little
infiltration and percolation. Where rock is porous, then the balance will
be the reverse with little runoff and much percolation and water
reaching the river via through flow and groundwater flow
