NAME
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1. The diagram below shows columns A, B, C, and D that contain different sediments.
Equal volumes of water were poured through each column. Which column of sediment retained the
most water?
A) A
B) B
C) C
2. Which conditions on Earth's surface will allow for the
greatest amount of water to seep into the ground?
A)
B)
C)
D)
gentle slope and permeable
gentle slope and impermeable
steep slope and permeable
steep slope and impermeable
3. Which processes are most likely to cause a rise in the
water table?
A)
B)
C)
D)
runoff and erosion
precipitation and infiltration
deposition and burial
solidification and condensation
4. During a rainstorm, when soil becomes saturated, the
amount of infiltration
A)
B)
C)
D)
decreases and runoff decreases
decreases and runoff increases
increases and runoff decreases
increases and runoff increases
5. Which sediment size would allow water to flow
through at the fastest rate?
A) clay
C) sand
B) silt
D) pebbles
D) D
6. Compared to an area of Earth's surface with gentle
slopes, an area with steeper slopes most likely has
A)
B)
C)
D)
less infiltration and more runoff
less infiltration and less runoff
more infiltration and more runoff
more infiltration and less runoff
7. Which set of surface soil conditions on a hillside
would result in the most infiltration of rainfall?
A)
B)
C)
D)
gentle slope, saturated soil, no vegetation
gentle slope, unsaturated soil, vegetation
steep slope, saturated soil, vegetation
steep slope, unsaturated soil, no vegetation
8. Which surface soil conditions allow the most
infiltration of rainwater?
A)
B)
C)
D)
steep slope and permeable soil
steep slope and impermeable soil
gentle slope and permeable soil
gentle slope and impermeable soil
9. In general, the probability of flooding decreases
when there is an increase in the amount of
A) precipitation
C) runoff
B) infiltration
D) snow melt
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Base your answers to questions 10through 13on
the diagram below, which shows a model of the water cycle. Letters A through F represent some
processes of the water cycle. Letter X indicates the top of the underground zone that is saturated with
water.
10.The processes of transpiration and evaporation are represented by letters
A) A and B
B) B and E
C) C and A
D) D and E
11.If the surface soil is saturated and precipitation increases, there will be
A)
B)
C)
D)
a decrease in the amount of groundwater
a decrease in the surface elevation of the lake
an increase in the rate of capillarity
an increase in the amount of runoff
12.What does letter X represent?
A) the water table
C) sea level
B) a floodplain
D) impermeable rock
13.Which process is represented by letter F?
A) capillarity
B) infiltration
C) condensation
14. Through which of the following loose soil materials
does water infiltrate fastest?
A) clay
C) sand
B) silt
D) pebbles
D) vaporization
15. Which type of soil would water infiltrate most
slowly?
A) silt
C) fine sand
B) pebbles
D) fine clay
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16. The columns A, B, C, and D shown below contain equal volumes of sediment.
When an equal volume of water is added to each column, the greatest rate of infiltration will occur in
which column?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
17. The diagrams below show the relative sizes of particles from soil samples A, B, and C. Equal
volumes of each soil sample were placed in separate containers. Each container has a screen at the
bottom. Water was poured through each sample to determine the infiltration rate.
Which graph best shows how the infiltration rates of the three soil samples would compare?
A)
B)
C)
D)
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18. Which graph best represents the relationship
between soil particle size and the rate at which water
infiltrates permeable soil?
A)
21. The diagrams below represent four permeable
sediment samples. The sediments are composed of
the same material, but differ in particle size and
sorting. Which sediment sample will most likely
have the fastest groundwater infiltration rate?
A)
B)
B)
C)
C)
D)
D)
19. Which soil condition allows the most infiltration of
precipitation?
A)
B)
C)
D)
saturated soil
a steep soil surface
coarse-grained soil
an impermeable surface
20. Which surface soil type has the slowest permeability
rate and is most likely to produce flooding?
A) pebbles
C) silt
B) sand
D) clay
22. Which earth material covering the surface of a
landfill would permit the least amount of rainwater
to infiltrate the surface?
A) silt
C) sand
B) clay
D) pebbles
23. Water moves upward through the soil because of
A) capillary action
C) porosity
B) permeability
D) infiltration
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Base your answers to questions 24 through 28 on
the diagram, data and information below. The diagram below represents part of the laboratory setup
for an activity to investigate the effects of particle size on permeability, porosity, and water retention.
Three separate tubes were used, each containing 300 milliliters of beads of uniform size. Bead sizes
were 4 millimeters, 7 millimeters, and 12 millimeters in diameter, respectively.
24. Water can infiltrate loose soil when the soil is
A) saturated and permeable
C) unsaturated and permeable
B) saturated and permeable
D) unsaturated and impermeable
25. Soil composed of which kind of particles would have the longest infiltration time? [Assume that all
particles allow some water to pass through.]
A) pebbles
B) sand
C) silt
D) clay
26. The data table shows that all three tubes of beads had approximately the same
A) porosity
C) permeability time
B) water retention
D) capillarity
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27. What was the total amount of water retained on the 7-millimeter beads after the tubing was
unclamped and the water flowed out?
A) 8 mL
B) 12 mL
C) 22 mL
D) 36 mL
28. Which graph best represents the infiltration times for these three particle sizes?
A)
B)
C)
D)
29. The diagram below represents zones within soil and
rock. The zones are determined by the kinds of
movement or lack of movement of water occulting
within them.
30. As the temperature of the soil decreases from 10ºC
to –5ºC, the infiltration rate of ground water through
this soil will most likely
A) decrease
C) remain the same
B) increase
31. Sand sediments are usually more permeable than silt
sediments because sand grains are
A) larger
C) rounder
B) smoother
D) more soluble
32. Soil composed of which particle size usually has the
greatest capillarity?
What is the deepest zone into which water can be
pulled by gravity?
A) aerated zone
C) saturated zone
B) capillary fringe
D) impermeable zone
A) silt
C) coarse sand
B) fine sand
D) pebbles
33. The upward movement of water through tiny spaces
in soil or rock is called
A) water retention
C) porosity
B) capillary action
D) permeability
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34. Which property of loose earth materials most likely
increases as particle size decreases?
A) capillarity
C) permeability
B) infiltration
D) porosity
37. Which graph best represents the relationship
between the surface slope of a dry, sandy soil and
the infiltration rate of rain?
A)
B)
C)
D)
35. The diagram below is a cross-sectional view of rain
falling on a farm field and then moving to the water
table.
38. Flash flooding often occurs in city areas because
A) runoff decreases during precipitation
B) ground water storage is usually very large
C) roads, pavements, and buildings reduce the
infiltration of water into the ground
D) the heat generated by city areas decreases
actual evapotranspiration
Which word best describes the movement of the
rainwater through zone A?
A) runoff
C) infiltration
B) saturation
D) precipitation
36. Which graph best represents the relationship
between soil permeability rate and infiltration when
all other conditions are the same?
A)
B)
39. Most infiltration of precipitation will occur when the
Earth's soil is
A)
B)
C)
D)
unsaturated and impermeable
unsaturated and permeable
saturated and impermeable
saturated and permeable
40. Why does water move very slowly downward
through clay soil?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Clay soil is composed of low-density minerals.
Clay soil is composed of very hard particles.
Clay soil has large pore spaces.
Clay soil has very small particles.
41. When rain falls on an area of sandy soil, infiltration
will usually be greater than surface runoff if the
C)
D)
A)
B)
C)
D)
soil surface has a steep slope
soil is saturated
rate of precipitation is low
surface is impermeable
42. Rainfall is most likely to infiltrate into soil that is
A)
B)
C)
D)
permeable and saturated
permeable and unsaturated
impermeable and saturated
impermeable and unsaturated
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Base your answers to questions 43 through 45 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The diagram represents setups of laboratory equipment, labeled A, B, C, and D. This
equipment was used to test the infiltration rate and water retention of four different particle sizes.
Each column was filled to the same level with uniform-sized dry, spherical particles. Water was
poured into each column until the water level rose to the top of the particles. Then, the clamp was
opened to allow the water to drain into the beaker beneath each column.
43. Which column of particles retained the most water after the clamps were opened and the water was
drained into the beakers?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
44. Which graph best shows the rate of infiltration of water through the particles in these four columns?
A)
B)
C)
D)
45. All of the particles in these four columns are classified as
A) clay
B) silt
C) sand
D) pebbles
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46. The diagram below represents the setup for an experiment for studying groundwater. Tubes A, B, C,
and D contain equal volumes of sediments. Within each tube, the sediments are uniform in size,
shape, and packing. A test for water retention was conducted by first filling each tube with water and
then draining the water into beakers.
Which graph represents the general relationship between the sediment size and the amount of water
retained by the sediments after the tubes had drained?
A)
B)
C)
D)
47. Water can pass through a sandstone sample because
the sample is
A)
B)
C)
D)
permeable
organic in origin
composed of pebble-sized particles
well compacted and cemented
48. Immediately after a moderate rainfall, the stream
discharge is greater from a stream that drains a clay
soil area than from a stream that drains a
sand-and-gravel soil area. This discharge differs
because the clay soil is
A)
B)
C)
D)
49. The diagrams below represent two containers, each
filled with a sample of nonporous particles of
uniform size.
less porous, and allows less runoff
more porous, and allows more runoff
less permeable, and allows more runoff
more permeable, and allows less runoff
Compared to the sample of larger particles, the
sample of smaller particles has
A)
B)
C)
D)
lower permeability
higher permeability
less porosity
more porosity
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50. The diagram below shows an experimental setup to compare water retention and
permeability in two columns with equal volumes of spherical plastic beads of
different diameters.
Which statement best describes the water retention and permeability in the two columns of beads?
A) The column with 4-mm beads has greater water retention and permeability.
B) The column with 12-mm beads has greater water retention and permeability.
C) The column with 4-mm beads has greater water retention and the column with
12-mm beads has greater permeability.
D) The column with 12-mm beads has greater water retention and the column with
4-mm beads has greater permeability.
51. Base your answer to the following question on the water cycle diagram shown below. Some arrows
are numbered 1 through 4 and represent various processes.
For infiltration to occur, the ground must be
A) permeable and saturated
C) impermeable and saturated
B) permeable and not saturated
D) impermeable and not saturated
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Base your answers to questions 52 through 54 on the diagram below, which shows four tubes
containing 500 milliliters of sediment labeled A, B, C, and D. Each tube contains well-sorted, loosely
packed particles of uniform shape and size and is open at the top. The classification of the sediment in
each tube is labeled.
52. Water was poured into each tube of sediment and the time it took for the water to infiltrate to
the bottom was recorded, in seconds. Which data table best represents the recorded results?
A)
B)
C)
D)
53. Water will be able to infiltrate each of these sediment samples if the sediment is
A) saturated and impermeable
C) unsaturated and impermeable
B) saturated and permeable
D) unsaturated and permeable
54. Each tube is filled with water to the top of the sediments and the tube is covered with a fine screen.
The tubes are then tipped upside down so the water can drain. In which tube would the sediment
retain the most water?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
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55. Base your answer to the following question on
the bedrock cross section below, which represents part of Earth's crust where natural gas, oil, and
water have moved upward through a layer of folded sandstone and filled the pore spaces at the top of
the sandstone layer.
The natural gas, oil, and water are trapped within the top of the sandstone and do not move upward
through the shale because, compared to the sandstone, the shale has
A) lower permeability
C) larger pore spaces
B) less foliation
D) larger particles
56. During a heavy rainstorm, soil samples A and B both
became saturated with water. However, 10 minutes
after the storm ended, the soils appeared as shown
below.
57. As surface runoff in a region increases, stream
discharge in that region will usually
A) decrease
C) remain the same
B) increase
58. The diagram below represents zones within soil and
rock. The zones are determined by the kinds of
movement or lack of movement of water occurring
within them.
Which statement best explains the observed change
in the water content of the soil samples?
A) The permeability of B is greater than the
permeability of A.
B) The porosity of B is greater than the porosity of
A.
C) The capillarity of B is greater than the
capillarity of A.
D) The surface runoff at B is greater than the
surface runoff at A.
What is the deepest zone into which water can be
pulled by gravity?
A) aerated zone
C) saturated zone
B) capillary fringe
D) impermeable zone
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59. Which graph best represents the general relationship
between soil particle size and the permeability rate
of infiltrating rainwater?
A)
Base your answers to questions 61 and 62 on the
diagrams below, which show two soil cross sections
from adjacent fields in Nebraska. Both soils are the
same except that human activities have removed the
vegetation from the surface of field B. Each field has
been receiving rain for several hours.
B)
61. Which change would most likely result from
replanting vegetation in field B?
C)
A)
B)
C)
D)
Water infiltration would increase.
62. The soils in field B would have a higher rate of
permeability if the soils
D)
A)
B)
C)
D)
60. Which diagram represents the soil with the greatest
permeability?
A)
Transpiration would decrease.
Runoff would increase.
Erosion would increase.
had lower porosity
had a steeper surface slope
were composed of larger rock particles
were compacted by machinery traveling over
the field
63. The graph below represents soil permeability.
B)
As particle size increases, permeability
C)
D)
A) decreases
C) remains the same
B) increases
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64. Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The diagram represents four tubes, labeled A, B, C, and D, each containing 150 mL of
sediments. Tubes A, B, and C contain well-sorted, closely packed sediments of uniform shape and
size. Tube D contains uniformly shaped, closely packed sediments of mixed sizes. The particle size of
the sediment in each tube is labeled.
If tubes A, B, and C were set up to test for capillarity, the data would show that capillarity is
A) greatest in tube A
C) greatest in tube C
B) greatest in tube B
D) the same for tubes A, B, and C
65. The diagrams below represent two identical
containers filled with nonporous uniform particles.
The containers represent models of two different
sizes of soil particles.
68. The diagram below shows two identical containers
filled with uniform particles that were sorted by size.
Compared to the model containing larger particles,
the model containing smaller particles has
A)
B)
C)
D)
less permeability and greater porosity
greater porosity and greater capillarity
less permeability and greater capillarity
greater permeability and greater porosity
66. Which soil characteristic allows greater amounts of
water retention?
A)
B)
C)
D)
large-size particles
small-size particles
high-density particles
low-density particles
67. Soil with the greatest porosity has particles that are
A)
B)
C)
D)
poorly sorted and densely packed
poorly sorted and loosely packed
well sorted and densely packed
well sorted and loosely packed
Which characteristic is most likely the same for
these particle-filled containers?
A) infiltration rate
C) capillarity
B) water retention
D) porosity
69. A soil sample with a large amount of space between
the particles will have a
A)
B)
C)
D)
low permeability rate
low infiltration rate
high porosity
high capillarity
70. Stream discharge would normally be highest during
a period of
A) recharge
C) usage
B) deficit
D) surplus
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71. The diagram below represents cross sections of equal-size beakers A, B, and C filled with beads.
Which statement best compares the porosity in the three beakers?
A) Beaker A and beaker B have the same porosity, and beaker C has the least porosity.
B) Beaker A and beaker B have the same porosity, and beaker C has the greatest porosity.
C) Beaker B has the greatest porosity, beaker A has less porosity, and beaker C has the least
porosity.
D) Beaker C has the greatest porosity, beaker B has less porosity, and beaker A has the least
porosity.
72. Which graph best indicates the general relationship between soil particle size and the amount of water
retention by a permeable soil?
73.
A)
B)
C)
D)
The cross sections below represent three beakers that were used to test porosity. Beakers A, B,
and C each contain a different size of bead. Each beaker holds an equal volume of beads. The
amount of water needed to fill the total pore space between the beads in each beaker was
measured.
Which statement best describes the porosity that was found for these three samples?
A) A had a greater porosity than B and C.
C) C had a greater porosity than A and B.
B) B had a greater porosity than A and C.
D) All three samples had the same porosity.
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74. The diagram below represents three identical beakers, A, B, and C, each containing an equal volume
of uniform-sized spherical beads. Water is poured into each beaker until all of the pore spaces are
filled.
Which table best indicates the percentage of pore space compared to the total volume of each beaker?
A)
B)
C)
D)
75. If a rock is compressed and its volume decreases,
77. Base your answer to the following question on the
how will the rock's density and porosity be affected?
diagrams below, which represent cross sections of
four samples of loosely packed, uniformly sorted soil
A) Density and porosity will both decrease.
particles. The diameter of the particles is given
B) Density and porosity will both increase.
below each diagram. All soil samples consist of solid
C) Density will decrease and porosity will
spherical particles.
increase.
D) Density will increase and porosity will decrease.
76. Which graph best represents the relationship
between porosity and particle size for soil samples
of uniform size, shape, and packing?
A)
B)
If equal amounts of 0.2-centimeter soil particles are
mixed into each sample, which sample's porosity
will not be affected?
A) A
C)
D)
B) B
C) C
D) D
78. Which soil-property measurement usually is greater
when particles are fine than when particles are
coarse?
A) infiltration
C) porosity
B) capillarity
D) permeability rate
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79. The diagram below represents three identical beakers filled to the same level with spherical beads.
If the packing of the beads within each beaker is the same, which graph best represents the porosity
within each beaker?
A)
B)
C)
D)
80. Which is most important in determining the amount
of ground water that can be stored within a rock?
A)
B)
C)
D)
the rock's geologic age
the rock's hardness
the rock's porosity
the rock's color
81. A rock with a high porosity will probably
A) be resistant to weathering
B) be composed of large grains
C) have a large percentage of space between
particles
D) have a small percentage of rounded particles
82. A soil sample with a high percentage of open space
between grains must
A)
B)
C)
D)
have low permeability
have mixed grain sizes
be porous
show a high amount of capillarity
83. In which sediments is the capillary action of water
greatest?
A)
B)
C)
D)
silt and sand
sand and pebbles
pebbles and cobbles
cobbles and boulders
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84. The diagrams below represent three containers, A, B, and C, which were filled with equal volumes of
uniformly sorted plastic beads. Water was poured into each container to determine porosity and
infiltration time.
Which data table best represents the porosity and infiltration time of the beads in the three
containers?
A)
B)
C)
D)
85. A paved blacktop parking lot was built on what was 86. The least amount of surface water runoff will occur
once a soil-covered field. This area will now
when soil pore spaces are
experience increased runoff when rain occurs
A) saturated and the slope is steep
because the paved parking lot has
B) saturated and the slope is gentle
A) less capillarity
B) less permeability
C) unsaturated and the slope is steep
C) greater infiltration D) greater porosity
D) unsaturated and the slope is gentle
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87. The diagram below shows tubes A and B partly filled with equal volumes of round plastic beads of
uniform size. The beads in tube A are smaller than the beads in tube B. Water was placed in tube A
until the pore spaces were filled. The drain valve was then opened, and the amount of time for the
water to drain from the tube was recorded. The amount of water that remained around the beads was
then calculated and recorded. Data table 1 shows the measurements recorded using tube A.
If the same procedure was followed with tube B, which data table shows the measurements most
likely recorded?
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A)
B)
C)
D)
Base your answers to questions 88 and 89 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The diagram represents four tubes, labeled A, B, C, and D, each containing 150 mL of
sediments. Tubes A, B, and C contain well~sorted, closely packed sediments of uniform shape and
size. Tube D contains uniformly shaped, closely packed sediments of mixed sizes. The particle size of
the sediment in each tube is labeled.
88. If tubes A, B, and C were set up to test for capillarity, the data would show that capillarity is
A) greatest in tube A
C) greatest in tube C
B) greatest in tube B
D) the same for tubes A, B, and C
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89. Water was added to each tube to just cover the sediments and the volumes of water added were
recorded. These data can best be used to determine the
A) particle size of the sediments
C) water retention of the sediments
B) particle shape of the sediments
D) porosity of the sediments
90. A student performed a laboratory activity in which water was poured slowly into four cups containing
equal volumes of loosely packed sediment samples, as shown in the diagram below. All particles
were spherical in shape and uniform in size within a container. After the water level reached the
surface of each sample, the student determined the amount of water that had been added.
The results of the activity should have indicated that approximately equal amounts of water were
added to the cups of
A) silt and pebbles, only
C) pebbles and the mixture, only
B) sand, silt, and pebbles, only
D) sand, pebbles, and the mixture, only
91. Which graph shows the general relationship between soil particle size and the capillarity of the soil?
A)
B)
C)
D)
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92. The diagram below shows three identical plastic tubes filled to the same level with spherical beads of
different diameters. Each tube was filled with water to the top of the beads. The clamps were then
opened to allow water to drain into the beakers.
Which graph best represents the relative amount of water retained by the beads in
each tube?
A)
B)
C)
D)
93. After a heavy rainstorm, vegetation on a hillslope
was completely removed. How will this removal of
vegetation affect the relative amounts of infiltration
and runoff that occur during the next heavy
rainstorm?
A) Infiltration and runoff will both be less.
B) Infiltration and runoff will both be greater.
C) Infiltration will be less and runoff will be
greater.
D) Infiltration will be greater and runoff will be
less.
94. During a heavy rainstorm, runoff is most likely to
occur if the surface soil is
A)
B)
C)
D)
firmly packed clay-sized particles
loosely packed sand-sized particles
covered by trees, shrubs, and grasses
unsaturated and has a gentle slope
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95. The diagram below shows a laboratory setup. The rubber band holds filter paper across the base of
the open tube to hold the soil sample. The tube was placed in the water as shown. The upward
movement of water is represented by arrows. The height of the water that moved upward within the
soil was measured. Students repeated this procedure using soils with different particle sizes. Results
of the experiment are shown in the data table.
Results of this experiment lead to the conclusion that
A)
B)
C)
D)
capillarity is greater in soils with larger particles
capillarity is greater in soils with smaller particles
permeability is greater in soils with larger particles
permeability is greater in soils with smaller particles
96. Which graph best represents the relationship
between the particle size and the capillarity of a
sample of soil?
A)
B)
97. Which soil conditions normally result in the
greatest amount of runoff?
A)
B)
C)
D)
low permeability and gentle slope
low permeability and steep slope
high permeability and gentle slope
high permeability and steep slope
98. When rainfall occurs, the rainwater will most likely
become surface runoff if the land surface is
C)
D)
A)
B)
C)
D)
sandy
impermeable
covered with grass
nearly flat
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99. Photographs A and B below show two different valleys.
Which list best identifies the agent of erosion that primarily determined the shape of each valley?
A)
B)
C)
D)
photograph A—glacier; photograph B—river
photograph A—river; photograph B—glacier
both photographs—river
both photographs—glacier
100.The diagram below shows the result of leaving an
empty, dry clay flowerpot in a full container of
water for a period of time. The water level in the
container dropped to level A. The top of the wet area
moved to level B.
101. Which set of conditions would produce the most
runoff of precipitation?
A)
B)
C)
D)
gentle slope and permeable surface
gentle slope and impermeable surface
steep slope and permeable surface
steep slope and impermeable surface
102. During a rainfall, surface runoff will probably be
greatest in an area that has a
A)
B)
C)
D)
steep slope and a clay-covered surface
steep slope and a gravel-covered surface
gentle slope and a grass-covered surface
gentle slope and a tree-covered surface
103. Which condition would cause surface runoff to
increase in a particular location?
Level B is higher than level A because water
A) is less dense than the clay pot
B) is more dense than the clay pot
C) traveled upward in the clay pot by capillary
action
D) traveled downward in the clay pot by capillary
action
A)
B)
C)
D)
covering a dirt road with pavement
reducing the gradient of a steep hill
planting grasses and shrubs on a hillside
having a decrease in the annual rainfall
104. Which condition makes surface runoff of rainfall
most likely?
A)
B)
C)
D)
The gradient of the surface is low.
Permeability rate exceeds the rate of rainfall.
Surface soil pore spaces are filled.
The porosity of the surface soil is high.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 105through 107on the diagram below. Columns A, B, C, and D are
partially filled with different sediments. Within each column, the sediment is uniform in size. A fine
wire mesh screen covers the bottom of each column to prevent the sediment from falling out. The
lower part of each column has just been placed in a beaker of water. Sediment sizes are not drawn to
scale.
105.In an experiment, the beakers of water were removed and replaced with empty beakers. The
sediments were allowed to dry. Then water was poured into each column to compare the permeability
of the sediments. The permeability rate of the medium sand sample was shown to be
A)
B)
C)
D)
less than the silt and pebble samples
less than the silt sample but more than the pebble sample
greater than the silt sample but less than the pebble sample
greater than the silt and pebble samples
106.Which column contains sediment with an average diameter closest to 0.1 centimeter?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
107.In which sediment will capillary action cause the water from the beaker to rise fastest in the column?
A) small pebbles
B) large sand
C) medium sand
108. Which graph shows the effect of soil permeability
on the amount of runoff in an area?
A)
C)
B)
D)
D) large silt
109. Which soil condition usually exists when flooding
occurs during a rainstorm?
A)
B)
C)
D)
The soil is unsaturated.
Soil water storage is equal to zero.
Soil infiltration is less than surface runoff.
Soil permeability is equal to the rate of pre
cipitation.
110. Which conditions produce the most surface water
runoff?
A)
B)
C)
D)
steep slope, heavy rain, and frozen ground
steep slope, gentle rain, and unfrozen ground
gentle slope, heavy rain, and frozen ground
gentle slope, gentle rain, and unfrozen ground
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 111through 114on the
diagram below, which represents samples of soil and
bedrock at Earth's surface. The arrows represent
possible infiltration of rainwater.
112.Zones within soil and rock are classified by the
water movement occurring in the zones. Which
diagram best represents the most common
arrangement of these zones?
A)
B)
C)
D)
113.Which sample probably has the greatest porosity?
111.The least amount of rainwater will infiltrate the
surface of the
A)
B)
C)
D)
pebble soil
pebble-and-sand soil
conglomerate bedrock
granite bedrock
A)
B)
C)
D)
pebble soil
pebble-and-sand soil
conglomerate bedrock
granite bedrock
114.The pebble-and-sand soil has greater capillarity than
the pebble soil because the pebble and sand soil
A)
B)
C)
D)
is weathering more rapidly
is more loosely packed
has smaller pore spaces
has less surface area
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
115. The block diagram below shows a volcano.
Which map shows the stream drainage pattern that most likely formed on the surface of this
volcano?
A)
B)
C)
D)
116. The cross section below represents a forested area
in Vermont.
117. When the soil is saturated in a gently sloping area,
any additional rainfall in the area will most likely
A)
B)
C)
D)
become ground water
become surface runoff
cause a moisture deficit
cause a higher potential evapotranspiration
118. Apartment buildings and parking lots completely
cover an area that was once an open, grass covered
field. What factor most likely increased because of
this construction?
During heavy rainfall, the greatest amount of
runoff should occur in which two sections of the
forest?
A) A and B
C) C and E
B) B and D
D) D and E
A)
B)
C)
D)
capillarity
runoff
infiltration into the ground
the level of the local water table
119. Flash flooding is most likely to occur when heavy
rain falls on
A)
B)
C)
D)
deforested landscapes with clay soils
deforested landscapes with sandy soils
forested landscapes with clay soils
forested landscapes with sandy soils
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
120. The topographic map below shows the largest island of the Hawaiian Islands.
Which map below best shows the most likely stream drainage pattern of this island?
A)
B)
C)
D)
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
121. The block diagram below shows a portion of Earth's crust.
Which stream drainage pattern is most likely present on this crustal surface?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Base your answers to questions 122 and 123 on
the diagram of the water cycle below. Letter A represents a process in the water cycle. Points X and Y
represent locations on Earth's surface.
122. The amount of runoff at Y will increase as the
A)
B)
C)
D)
slope of the land decreases
porosity of the soil increases
evaporation rate exceeds the infiltration rate
precipitation rate exceeds the infiltration rate
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
123. Rainwater will enter the ground at X if the ground is
A) saturated and permeable
C) unsaturated and permeable
B) saturated and impermeable
D) unsaturated and impermeable
124. Which graph best represents the relationship
between surface-water runoff and stream
discharge?
A)
B)
C)
D)
125. When snow cover on the land melts, the water will
most likely become surface runoff if the land
surface is
A)
B)
C)
D)
frozen
porous
grass covered
unconsolidated gravel
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 126 through 129 on
the diagrams below, which represent 500-milliliter
containers that are open at the top and the bottom and
filled with well-sorted, loosely packed particles of
uniform size. A piece of screening placed at the
bottom of each container prevents the particles from
falling out.
128. The sample in which container would have the
greatest capillarity when placed in water?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
129. Assume that the samples in each container were
taken from surface soil in different locations.
Which location would produce the least amount of
runoff during a heavy rainfall?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
130. Which statement best explains why a desert often
forms on the leeward side of a mountain range, as
shown in the diagram below?
126. The sample in which container would retain the
most water on the particles after 500 milliliters of
water is poured through the sample?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
127. Which graph best represents the rate of
permeability of the samples?
A)
B)
A)
B)
C)
D)
Sinking air compresses and warms.
Sinking air expands and warms.
Rising air compresses and warms.
Rising air expands and warms.
131. High concentrations of anaerobic bacteria (biologic
water pollutants) are often caused by a decrease in
the
C)
D)
A)
B)
C)
D)
temperature of ground water
growth of aerobic bacteria in the water
amount of organic wastes in the water
amount of oxygen dissolved in the water
132. If wastewater from a nuclear power plant raises the
temperature of a nearby body of water, the
concentration of biologic pollutants in the water
will most likely
A) decrease
C) remain the same
B) increase
133. A landfill is most likely to directly pollute
A)
B)
C)
D)
water vapor over the landfill
precipitation about to fall on the landfill
surface streams flowing to the landfill
ground water under the landfill
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 134 and 135 on the diagram and field map below. The diagram shows
an underground gasoline storage tank at a service station that is leaking gasoline into the soil.
Ground-water monitoring wells were drilled to show the pattern of the leakage. The concentration of
gasoline, in parts per million, at each well is indicated on the field map.
134. Leaking gasoline is most likely to seep into soil that is
A) permeable and saturated
C) impermeable and saturated
B) permeable and unsaturated
D) impermeable and unsaturated
135. The gasoline that leaked from the underground tank is considered a pollutant because the gasoline
A)
B)
C)
D)
floats on the water table
destroys nonliving organic substances
reacts chemically with minerals in the soil
harms living things
136. The direct cause of ground water supplies
becoming unfit for human use is usually
A)
B)
C)
D)
an uncontrollable moisture deficit
contamination of the saturated zone
excessive surface runoff
very heavy precipitation
137. What is the main reason that a high concentration
of aerobic bacteria is harmful to a lake?
A) The bacteria release large amounts of oxygen.
B) The bacteria use up large amounts of oxygen.
C) The bacteria cause excessive cooling of the
water.
D) The bacteria provide food for predators.
138. How will the quality of the environment most
likely be affected by the continued dumping of
large amounts of industrial waste into a river?
A) The environment will be unaffected.
B) Minor, temporary disruptions will occur only
near the industrial plant.
C) Major damage could occur downstream from
the industrial plant.
D) The environment will always adjust favorably
to any changes caused by industrial waste.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
139. Base your answer to the following question on the diagram and field map below. The diagram shows
an underground gasoline storage tank at a service station that is leaking gasoline into the soil.
Ground-water monitoring wells were drilled to show the pattern of the leakage. The concentration of
gasoline, in parts per million, at each well is indicated on the field map.
Which statement best describes the pollution field's size and concentration measurement if the
gasoline continues to leak out of the tank?
A)
B)
C)
D)
The size of the pollution field will decrease, and the concentration measurement will decrease.
The size of the pollution field will decrease, and the concentration measurement will increase
The size of the pollution field will increase, and the concentration measurement will decrease.
The size of the pollution field will increase, and the concentration measurement will increase.
140. Samples of air collected from the region
surrounding a large city were tested for pollutants.
Which graph below best shows the probable
relationship between air pollution and distance
from the city?
A)
B)
C)
D)
141. Which graph best illustrates the relationship
between lake water pollution and human
population density near the lake?
A)
C)
B)
D)
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
142. The maps show changes occurring around a small
Louisiana lake over a 30-year period.
143. According to the diagram below, at which location
would the water probably be most polluted?
Which graph best shows the probable changes in
the quality of ground water and lake water in this
region as the changes indicated in the maps took
place from 1967 to 1997? (Use the key above.)
A)
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
144. During a dry summer, the flow of most large New
York State streams generally
A) continues because some groundwater seeps into
the streams
B)
C)
D)
B) increases due to greater surface runoff
C) remains unchanged due to transpiration from
grasses, shrubs, and trees
D) stops completely because no water runs off
into the streams
145. Why would a stream in South Carolina have a
lower stream discharge in late summer than in
spring?
A) Potential evapotranspiration is less in late
summer than in spring.
B) Plants carry on more transpiration in spring
than in late summer.
C) The local water budget shows a surplus in late
summer.
D) The local water budget shows a deficit in late
summer.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
146. Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below. The arrows show the direction in
which sediment is being transported along the shoreline. A barrier beach has formed, creating a
lagoon (a shallow body of water in which sediments are being deposited). The eroded headlands are
composed of diorite bedrock. A groin has recently been constructed. Groins are wall-like structures
built into the water perpendicular to the shoreline to trap beach sand.
Which event will most likely occur during a heavy rainfall?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Less sediment will be carried by the streams.
An increase in sea level will cause more sediments to be deposited along the shoreline.
The shoreline will experience a greater range in tides.
The discharge from the streams into the lagoon will increase.
147. The photograph below shows a sign near the Esopus Creek in Kingston, New York.
The main purpose of the word "watershed" on this sign is to communicate that the Esopus Creek
A)
B)
C)
D)
is a tributary of the Hudson River
is a flood hazard where it flows into the Hudson River
forms a delta in the Hudson River
contains ancient fish fossils
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 148 and 149 on
the cross section below, which represents part of Earth's water cycle. Letters A, B, C, and D represent
processes that occur during the cycle. The level of the water table and the extent of the zone of
saturation are shown.
148. What are two water cycle processes not represented by arrows in this cross section?
A) transpiration and condensation
C) precipitation and freezing
B) evaporation and melting
D) runoff and infiltration
149. Which two letters represent processes in the water cycle that usually cause a lowering of the water
table?
A) A and B
B) A and C
C) B and D
150. During a 3-week period without rain in June, water
continued to flow in a small Maryland stream. The
water in the stream most likely came from
A) the roots of trees along the stream bank
B) evapotranspiration in a region far away and
unaffected by the dry period
C) ground water flowing into the streambed
D) condensation on the surface of rocks in the
stream
151. Why do many streams continue to flow during long
periods when there is no precipitation?
A) Soil moisture storage is recharged by
vegetation along the streams.
B) Ground water continues to move into the
stream channels.
C) An increase in potential evapotranspiration
increases the stream runoff.
D) The porosity beneath the stream channels
becomes higher than normal.
D) C and D
152. The water table usually rises when there is
A) a decrease in the amount of infiltration
B) a decrease in the amount of surface area
covered by vegetation
C) an increase in the amount of precipitation
D) an increase in the slope of the land
153. Which climate conditions are typical of regions
near the North Pole and the South Pole?
A)
B)
C)
D)
low temperature and low precipitation
low temperature and high precipitation
high temperature and low precipitation
high temperature and high precipitation
154. An area with a high potential for evapotranspiration
has little actual evapotranspiration and
precipitation. The climate of this area is best
described as
A) hot and arid
C) cold and arid
B) hot and humid
D) cold and humid
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 155 and 156 on the two graphs below, which show the relationship
between the amount of rainfall during a storm and the amount of discharge into a nearby stream.
Letter A represents the time when approximately 50% of the precipitation from the storm has fallen.
Letter B represents the time when peak runoff from the storm is flowing into the stream. The delay is
the difference in time between letters A and B on the graph. Graph I shows data before urbanization in
an area. Graph II shows data after urbanization in the same area.
155. How did urbanization affect delay time between points A and B and the maximum stream
discharge?
A)
B)
C)
D)
The delay time decreased, and the maximum discharge decreased.
The delay time decreased, and the maximum discharge increased.
The delay time increased, and the maximum discharge decreased.
The delay time increased, and the maximum discharge increased.
156. The delay time between points A and B on both graphs is due mainly to the time needed for
A)
B)
C)
D)
groundwater to evaporate
precipitation water to move into the streams
green plants to absorb precipitation
rainfall rate to decrease
Base your answers to questions 157 through 159 on
the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The data table shows the average
monthly discharge, in cubic feet per second, for a stream in New York State.
157. Explain one possible reason why this stream’s discharge in April is usually greater than this
stream’s discharge in January.
158. State the relationship between this stream’s discharge and the amount of suspended sediment that
can be carried by this stream.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
159. On the grid below, plot with an X the average stream discharge for each month shown in the data
table. Connect the X s with a line.
160. The table below shows the relationship between
total yearly precipitation (P) and potential
evapotranspiration (E P ) for different types of
climates.
The total yearly precipitation (P) for a city in Texas
is 218 millimeters. The total yearly potential
evapotranspiration (E P ) is 951 millimeters. Which
type of climate does this city have?
A) humid
C) semiarid
B) subhumid
D) arid
161. Two locations, one in northern Canada and one in
the southwestern United States, receive the same
amount of precipitation each year. The location in
Canada is classified as a humid climate. Why
would the location in the United States be
classified as an arid climate?
A) The yearly distribution of precipitation is
different.
B) The soil-moisture storage in the southwestern
United States is more than that in northern
Canada.
C) The potential evapotranspiration is greater in
the southwestern United States than in
northern Canada.
D) The vegetation of the southwestern United
States is different from that of northern
Canada.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
162. The data table below shows the stream discharge in April for a creek in the southern United States
for a period of 8 days.
Which graph most accurately shows stream discharge for the 8-day period?
A)
B)
C)
D)
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 163 through 166 on the three diagrams below and on your knowledge
of Earth science. The diagrams represent stages in the formation of a large depositional feature
formed as a river deposited sediment over time in the ocean. Letter A represents a location in the
ocean.
163. Large amounts of dissolved calcite were carried by the river into the ocean and precipitated onto the
ocean floor. Identify the sedimentary rock composed only of calcite that most likely formed.
164. Identify the largest particle diameter of sediment that can be carried by the water current at location
A, if the water has a velocity of 0.05 cm/s.
165. Describe the arrangement of the sediments deposited where the river enters the ocean.
166. State the name of this large depositional feature forming in the ocean.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 167 and 168 on the diagram below, which shows some processes in
the water cycle.
167. Describe one change that would cause more water to evaporate from this stream.
168. State the relationship between the amount of precipitation in this area and the height of the water
table above the impermeable bedrock.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 169 through 171 on the cross section below, which shows water
flowing out of a well drilled through tilted sedimentary bedrock. Point A represents a location on
Earth's surface.
169. Explain why point A would be a poor location for a garbage dump or landfill.
170. Identify one process that causes the clouds to form in the rising moist air.
171. Describe one characteristic of the sandstone layer that allowed part of this layer to become saturated
with groundwater.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 172 through 176 on cross section below, which shows the general
pattern of water movement in the water cycle. Letter X represents a water-cycle process.
172. As the lake surface freezes in the winter, how many calories of heat are released by each gram of
water?
173. Explain one role of plants in the water cycle.
174. Describe one surface condition that would allow runoff to occur.
175. Describe the process of condensation.
176. What process of the water cycle is represented by X?
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
177. Base your answer to the following question on the
graph below, which shows the rate of rainfall
during a storm and the stream discharge of a nearby
stream on July 19.
Why does stream discharge usually not become
zero even during extended dry periods?
A) Ground water continues to flow into the
stream.
B) Surface runoff increases.
C) The potential evapotranspiration increases.
D) The porosity beneath the stream becomes
higher
than usual.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 178 through 180 on the water budget data and climate classification
below. Table 1 shows water budget data for a location in New Jersey, and table 2 describes climate
types. All data are expressed in millimeters of water.
178. Stream discharge at this location would probably be lowest during
A) April
B) May
C) August
D) November
179. According to the information provided in table 2, the area represented by the water budget data
would have a climate classified as
A) humid
B) subhumid
C) semiarid
D) arid
180. What is the total amount of moisture added to soil storage during October?
A) 0 mm
B) 30 mm
C) 46 mm
D) 76 mm
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 181 through 183 on on the diagram below, which shows laboratory
materials used for an investigation of the effects of sediment size on permeability, porosity, and water
retention. Four separate columns, labeled A through D, were filled to the same level with different
sediments. The sediments within each column are of uniform size.
181. An equal amount of water is poured through each column. On the grid, draw a line to show the
relative amount of water retained in the sediment after the water flows through each column.
182. Describe the relationship between the sediment size and the permeability that will be observed when
water is poured through these sediments.
183. Which column contains particles with a diameter of 0.4 cm?
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 184 through 186 on the diagram below, which shows Earth's water
cycle. Numbers indicate the estimated volume of water, in millions of cubic kilometers, stored at any
one time in the atmosphere, the oceans, and on the continents. The yearly amount of water that moves
in and out of each of these three of Earth is also indicated in millions of cubic kilometers.
184. Describe two surface characteristics that will affect the rate of stream runoff into the ocean.
185. Explain why the yearly total precipitation over the oceans is greater than the yearly total
precipitation over the continents.
186. Calculate the total amount of water stored in the atmosphere, the oceans, and on the continents
together at any one time.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
Base your answers to questions 187 through 189 on the cross section below, which shows limestone
bedrock with caves.
187. Identify one source of pollution caused by human activity that contributes to the precipitation
becoming more acidic.
188. The precipitation in this area is becoming more acidic. Explain why acid rain weathers limestone
bedrock.
189. In the empty box on the left side of the cross section above, draw a horizontal line to indicate the
level of the water table.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
190. The diagram below shows a model of the water cycle. The arrows show the movement of water
molecules through the water cycle. The circled numbers represent the processes that occur as the
water molecules reach the different stages of the water cycle.
Complete the table by identifying the name of the water cycle process occurring at each number.
GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
191. The graph below shows the average water temperature and the dissolved oxygen levels of water in a
stream over a 12-month period. The level of dissolved oxygen is measured in parts per million
(ppm).
a) State the difference in average water temperature, in degrees Celsius, between January and
August.
b) State the relationship between the temperature of the water and the level of dissolved oxygen in
the water.
Answer Key
ES GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
1.
D
37.
A
73.
D
109.
C
2.
A
38.
C
74.
A
110.
A
3.
B
39.
B
75.
D
111.
D
4.
B
40.
D
76.
C
112.
A
5.
D
41.
C
77.
D
113.
A
6.
A
42.
B
78.
B
114.
C
7.
B
43.
A
79.
D
115.
B
8.
C
44.
B
80.
C
116.
B
9.
B
45.
D
81.
C
117.
B
10.
C
46.
B
82.
C
118.
B
11.
D
47.
A
83.
A
119.
A
12.
A
48.
C
84.
A
120.
A
13.
B
49.
A
85.
B
121.
B
14.
D
50.
C
86.
D
122.
D
15.
D
51.
B
87.
A
123.
C
16.
B
52.
A
88.
A
124.
B
17.
A
53.
D
89.
D
125.
A
18.
D
54.
A
90.
B
126.
A
19.
C
55.
A
91.
C
127.
A
20.
D
56.
A
92.
C
128.
A
21.
A
57.
B
93.
C
129.
D
22.
B
58.
C
94.
A
130.
A
23.
A
59.
A
95.
B
131.
D
24.
C
60.
D
96.
C
132.
B
25.
D
61.
D
97.
B
133.
D
26.
A
62.
C
98.
B
134.
B
27.
C
63.
B
99.
A
135.
D
28.
B
64.
A
100.
C
136.
B
29.
C
65.
C
101.
D
137.
B
30.
A
66.
B
102.
A
138.
C
31.
A
67.
D
103.
A
139.
D
32.
A
68.
D
104.
C
140.
B
33.
B
69.
C
105.
C
141.
C
34.
A
70.
D
106.
B
142.
B
35.
C
71.
A
107.
D
143.
D
36.
A
72.
D
108.
A
144.
A
Answer Key
ES GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
145.
D
164. any value from
0.0008 cm to 0.001
cm
168. — When
precipitation
146.
D
increases, the water
147.
A
table will rise (or get
165. — Larger particles
closer to the
148.
D
are deposited in
surface). — The
shallow water and
149.
A
level of the water
smaller particles are
150.
C
table above the
carried farther from
bedrock will
151.
B
the shore. —
increase with greater
horizontal
152.
C
precipitation. —
sorting/biggest to
153.
A
Less precipitation
smallest —
will cause a lower
154.
A
boulders, pebbles,
water table. —
sand, silt,
155.
B
There is a direct
clay/decreasing
relationship between
156.
B
order of sizes —
the amount of
The sediment is
157. Examples: —
precipitation and the
sorted. — The
Snowmelt in April
height of the water
sediment is arranged
results in a greater
table above the
in beds or
discharge. — greater
impermeable
layers/vertically
rainfall in April —
bedrock.
sorted. —
Saturated ground
Higher-density
169. — Polluted water
would cause more
particles are
will seep into the
runoff in April.
deposited
first.
ground at location A.
158. Examples: — As
— The water well
166. delta or any specific
stream discharge
can become
type of delta
increases, suspended
polluted. —
sediment increases. 167. — an increase in
Pollution will
— There is a direct
temperature — The
infiltrate rocks at
relationship between
stream's surface area
location A,
stream discharge
increased. —
contaminating
and suspended
increase in wind
groundwater.
sediment.
159.
184. Examples: – slope of 170. — condensation —
expansion —
the land surface
cooling
–soil type or
composition
160.
D
161.
C
162.
D
163. limestone
185. Examples: – The
oceans cover a
larger portion of
Earth's surface than
the continents. –Air
over oceans has
more moisture than
air over land.
171. — The sandstone is
permeable. —
porous — allows
water to pass
through — The
sandstone layer is
exposed at the
surface.
172. 80 calories/gram
173. Examples: — Plants
release water into
the air by
transpiration. —
Runoff is slowed by
plants, so more
infiltration can
occur.
174. Examples: — The
soil is saturated. —
Rate of rainfall
exceeds the rate of
infiltration. — The
ground is frozen. —
The land has a steep
slope.
175. Condensation is the
phase change from
water vapor (gas) to
water (liquid).
176. evaporation.
177.
A
178.
C
179.
A
180.
B
181.
182. Examples: –The
larger the sediment
size, the greater the
permeability. –The
smaller the particles,
the slower the water
flows through.
–There is a direct
relationship.
183. Column A
Answer Key
ES GROUNDWATER MEGA PACKET
186. – any value from
1408 to 1409
millions of cubic
kilometers.
187. Examples: – burning
fossil fuels – exhaust
emission from
automobiles
188. – The acid rain
dissolves the
limestone.
189.
190.
191. a) 18° C b) Indirect
relationship or, as
the temperature of
the water increases,
the amount of
dissolved oxygen
decreases.