Q12
2 marksShort AnswerSection A

List four advantages of water stored in the ground.

Our Environment
Groundwater and its advantages
Official Answer

Four advantages of water stored in the ground (groundwater) are:

  1. No Evaporation: It does not evaporate easily, unlike water stored in open lakes or ponds.
  2. Recharges Wells: It spreads out to recharge wells and provides moisture for vegetation over a wide area.
  3. Prevents Disease Breeding: It does not provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, unlike stagnant surface water.
  4. Protection from Contamination: It is relatively protected from contamination by human and animal waste.
does not evaporaterecharges wellsmoisture for vegetationdoes not breed mosquitoesprotected from contamination

Marking Scheme

  • 10.5 Mark: For mentioning that it does not evaporate.
  • 20.5 Mark: For mentioning that it recharges wells / provides moisture to vegetation.
  • 30.5 Mark: For mentioning that it does not breed mosquitoes.
  • 40.5 Mark: For mentioning that it is protected from contamination.

Hint

Think about how underground storage protects water from evaporation, contamination, and mosquito breeding.

Quick Oral Answer

Groundwater does not evaporate, recharges wells, provides moisture to plants, does not breed mosquitoes, and is protected from contamination.

Analysis & Explanation

Storing water underground has significant advantages over surface storage. Underground water is shielded from direct sunlight, preventing loss due to evaporation. It percolates through soil layers, which naturally filters it and recharges the water table, keeping wells filled and providing moisture to plant roots. Furthermore, because it is not exposed, it prevents the breeding of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes and is less susceptible to direct surface pollution.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Listing general uses of water (e.g., 'it is used for drinking and washing') instead of specifically explaining the advantages of storing water *underground* compared to surface water.

Interesting Facts

Groundwater is naturally filtered as it passes through layers of sand, soil, and rocks, making it one of the cleanest sources of freshwater on Earth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2012?

This question carries 2 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2012 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Our Environment" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Groundwater and its advantages" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2012 paper?

This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2012 paper.