This MCQ module is based on: Water Resources Exercises & Solutions Class 10 NCERT Geography Ch 3 Part 3
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Water Resources Exercises & Solutions Class 10 NCERT Geography Ch 3 Part 3
🎓 Class 10
Social Science
CBSE
Theory
Ch 3 — Water Resources
⏱ ~15 min
🌐 Language: [gtranslate]
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[myaischool_lt_sst_assessment grade_level="class_10" subject="geography" difficulty="intermediate"]
Chapter Exercises & Key Terms
NCERT Contemporary India-II | Chapter 3: Water Resources — Exercises
Water Resources Key Terms and Chapter Summary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hydrological Cycle | The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection — making water a renewable resource. |
| Water Scarcity | A situation where water demand exceeds available supply due to over-exploitation, pollution, or unequal access. |
| Dam | A barrier across a river that obstructs or retards flow, creating a reservoir. Classified by structure (timber, embankment, masonry) or height. |
| Multi-Purpose Project | A dam project integrating irrigation, hydropower, water supply, flood control, navigation, and fish breeding. |
| Rainwater Harvesting | Collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops or land surfaces for later use or groundwater recharge. |
| Tanka | Underground cylindrical tank in Rajasthan for storing rooftop rainwater; stored water called palar pani. |
| Guls / Kuls | Diversion channels in the Western Himalayas used to redirect stream water for agricultural irrigation. |
| Khadins | Agricultural fields in Jaisalmer converted into rain-fed storage structures to moisten soil. |
| Johads | Earthen check dams in Rajasthan that capture rainwater and recharge groundwater. |
| Salinisation | Accumulation of salts in upper soil layers due to excessive irrigation, rendering soil less fertile. |
NCERT Textbook Exercises with Detailed Answers
📝 Question 1 — Multiple Choice Questions
(i) Based on the following descriptions, classify each situation as "suffering from water scarcity" or "not suffering from water scarcity":
- Region with high annual rainfall.
- Region having high annual rainfall and large population.
- Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted.
- Region having low rainfall and low population.
(ii) Which one of the following statements is NOT an argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects?
(iii) Identify the mistakes in the following false statements and rewrite them correctly:
- "Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources."
- "Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river's natural flow and its sediment flow."
- "Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal."
📝 Question 2 — Answer in about 30 words
(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.
(ii) What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?
(iii) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.
📝 Question 3 — Answer in about 120 words
(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.
(ii) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.
Chapter 3 — Topic Coverage Overview
L4 AnalyseApproximate distribution of content across the main topics of Chapter 3: Water Resources.
REVISION ACTIVITY — Enact a Water Dispute
L6 Create
The textbook asks you to enact, with your classmates, a scene of a water dispute in your locality. Consider these steps:
- Identify a real or realistic water conflict in your area (e.g., between farmers and industries, between residential colonies).
- Assign roles: local government official, farmer, factory owner, resident, environmentalist.
- Each character presents their perspective on water use and access.
- Try to negotiate a fair resolution that addresses everyone's needs.
Guidance
This activity helps you understand the complexity of water disputes. The farmer may argue that agriculture feeds the nation and deserves priority. The factory owner may claim that industry creates jobs. The resident needs drinking water. The environmentalist may advocate for the river's ecological health. The government official must balance all these competing demands. The resolution should involve equitable allocation, conservation mandates, pollution control, and possibly rainwater harvesting to supplement supply for all parties.
📋
Competency-Based Questions — Comprehensive Review
Case Study: State P has built a massive multi-purpose dam on River Q to generate hydroelectricity and provide irrigation to its drought-prone districts. However, State R, located downstream, now receives significantly less river water. Farmers in State R report crop failures, fisheries have collapsed, and the riverbed has become rocky and dry. Meanwhile, the reservoir behind the dam has accumulated heavy sediment, reducing its capacity by 30% in just 15 years. Villages in the submergence zone were displaced, and many residents were never properly rehabilitated.
Q1. Which of the following is a direct environmental consequence of damming River Q?
L3 Apply
Q2. Analyse why the 30% reduction in reservoir capacity due to sedimentation is a serious long-term problem.
L4 Analyse
Q3. Evaluate whether the benefits of the dam to State P justify the harm caused to State R and the displaced communities.
L5 Evaluate
HOT Q. As a policy advisor, design a comprehensive water management framework that balances the interests of State P, State R, and the displaced communities.
L6 Create
⚖ Assertion–Reason Questions — Comprehensive Review
Assertion (A): Jawaharlal Nehru referred to dams as the "temples of modern India."
Reason (R): He believed multi-purpose projects would integrate agricultural development with industrial growth, helping overcome colonial legacies.
Reason (R): He believed multi-purpose projects would integrate agricultural development with industrial growth, helping overcome colonial legacies.
Assertion (A): Shillong faces acute water shortage despite being close to the wettest places on Earth.
Reason (R): Rainfall distribution is uneven even over short distances, and Shillong itself does not receive as much rain as Cherapunjee.
Reason (R): Rainfall distribution is uneven even over short distances, and Shillong itself does not receive as much rain as Cherapunjee.
Assertion (A): The bamboo drip irrigation system of Meghalaya is a modern invention introduced by agricultural scientists.
Reason (R): The system uses bamboo pipes to transport stream water over hundreds of metres, reducing flow to 20–80 drops per minute at the plant.
Reason (R): The system uses bamboo pipes to transport stream water over hundreds of metres, reducing flow to 20–80 drops per minute at the plant.
Review Chapter 3: Water Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important questions from Chapter 3 Water Resources?
The important questions from NCERT Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 include: explaining the causes of water scarcity, distinguishing between multi-purpose projects and rainwater harvesting, discussing the Narmada Bachao Andolan, describing traditional water conservation methods like tankas, and evaluating the arguments for and against large dams. MCQs often test facts about specific dam projects, river systems, and percentage of freshwater available for human use.
What is the NCERT answer for causes of water scarcity?
According to NCERT, water scarcity is caused by: (1) Growing population increasing demand for domestic water, (2) Expansion of irrigation for agriculture consuming most freshwater, (3) Industrialisation requiring large water quantities, (4) Unequal distribution of water across regions and seasons, (5) Over-exploitation of groundwater lowering water tables, and (6) Pollution of rivers and lakes reducing usable water. The textbook emphasises that water scarcity is both a quantity and quality problem requiring comprehensive management strategies.
What are the key terms in Chapter 3 Water Resources?
Key terms in NCERT Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 include: freshwater, water scarcity, multi-purpose projects, hydraulic structures, dam, reservoir, hydroelectric power, irrigation, flood control, Narmada Bachao Andolan, rainwater harvesting, tankas, rooftop collection, percolation tanks, bamboo drip irrigation, groundwater recharge, water table, and integrated water resources management. Understanding these terms and their NCERT definitions is essential for answering both short and long questions in the exam.
How should I answer the 120-word questions in Geography?
For 120-word answers in NCERT Geography, follow this structure: Start with a clear definition or main point, then provide 3-4 supporting arguments with specific examples (places, rivers, statistics from the textbook), use keywords from the question in your answer, and conclude with a summary statement. For example, when answering about opposition to dams, mention displacement, environmental damage, Narmada Bachao Andolan, and the argument for alternatives like rainwater harvesting. Always include geographical examples and data mentioned in the NCERT textbook.
What MCQs are commonly asked from Water Resources?
Common MCQs from Chapter 3 Water Resources include: Which river has the Bhakra Nangal Dam (Sutlej), What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater (2.5%), Who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Medha Patkar), What are tankas (underground tanks in Rajasthan), Which state pioneered rooftop rainwater harvesting (Tamil Nadu), and What is the primary use of water in India (agriculture). Questions also test knowledge of specific multi-purpose projects and their associated rivers.
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