MCQs – Class 10 Geography Chapter 3: Water Resources | CBSE | GPN

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - Chapter 3: Water Resources

This set of 30 questions covers the essential topics from Chapter 3. Use it to assess your grasp of water resources, their management, and related issues in India.

Standard MCQs (1 Mark Each)

Choose the single correct option for questions 1 to 20.

By 2025, it is predicted that large parts of India will join countries facing:

(a) Floods

(b) Absolute water scarcity

(c) Ice storms

(d) Water surplus

Answer: (b) Absolute water scarcity
Explanation: Studies indicate that due to over-exploitation and pollution, many regions in India will face absolute water scarcity (less than 1000 cubic meters per person per year) by 2025.
Which of the following is NOT a source of freshwater?

(a) Glaciers and ice sheets

(b) Groundwater

(c) Oceans

(d) Lakes and rivers

Answer: (c) Oceans
Explanation: Oceans contain saltwater, which is not directly usable as freshwater without desalination. Freshwater sources include glaciers, groundwater, rivers, and lakes.
The Bhakra Nangal Dam is built on which river?

(a) Sutlej

(b) Beas

(c) Ravi

(d) Chenab

Answer: (a) Sutlej
Explanation: The Bhakra Dam, a key part of the Bhakra Nangal project, is constructed on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh.
In which state is the Tehri Dam located?

(a) Himachal Pradesh

(b) Uttarakhand

(c) Jammu & Kashmir

(d) Sikkim

Answer: (b) Uttarakhand
Explanation: The Tehri Dam, one of the tallest dams in the world, is built on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand.
The diversion channels seen in the Western Himalayas are called:

(a) Guls

(b) Kuls

(c) Johads

(d) Inundation channels

Answer: (b) Kuls
Explanation: In the Western Himalayas, farmers have built 'Kuls' or 'Guls' – diversion channels that carry water from glaciers to villages for agriculture.
Rooftop rainwater harvesting is a common practice in which state?

(a) Rajasthan

(b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Kerala

(d) Assam

Answer: (a) Rajasthan
Explanation: In the arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer, almost all houses have underground tanks (tankas) for rooftop rainwater harvesting.
Which of the following is a traditional method of water conservation in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan?

(a) Bamboo drip irrigation

(b) Inundation channels

(c) Tankas

(d) Check dams

Answer: (c) Tankas
Explanation: Tankas are underground storage tanks used traditionally in Rajasthan to collect and store rainwater for drinking purposes throughout the year.
The multi-purpose Sardar Sarovar Dam is primarily built on which river?

(a) Krishna

(b) Godavari

(c) Narmada

(d) Tapti

Answer: (c) Narmada
Explanation: The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a major dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat, part of the Narmada Valley Project.
What percentage of the total volume of world’s water is estimated to exist as freshwater?

(a) About 71%

(b) About 50%

(c) About 2.5%

(d) About 97.5%

Answer: (c) About 2.5%
Explanation: Only about 2.5% of the Earth's total water is freshwater, and most of that is locked in glaciers and ice caps.
The ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ was a movement against:

(a) Deforestation

(b) Large dams on the Narmada river

(c) Water pollution

(d) Mining activities

Answer: (b) Large dams on the Narmada river
Explanation: The Narmada Bachao Andolan, led by Medha Patkar, was a social movement against the construction of large dams, especially the Sardar Sarovar Dam, due to displacement and environmental concerns.
Which one of the following is NOT a negative consequence of building large dams?

(a) Regulation of river flow

(b) Displacement of local communities

(c) Submergence of forests and agricultural land

(d) Loss of biodiversity

Answer: (a) Regulation of river flow
Explanation: Regulating river flow to prevent floods and ensure water supply is a primary *objective* of building large dams, not a negative consequence.
In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed a unique irrigation system to grow ‘austral’ crops using:

(a) Rahat

(b) Moat (pulley system)

(c) Inundation channels

(d) Dhekli

Answer: (c) Inundation channels
Explanation: Inundation channels were canals that diverted floodwater from rivers to irrigate fields in the flood plains of Bengal, perfect for summer (austral) crops.
The first state in India to make rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory for all houses is:

(a) Karnataka

(b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Gujarat

Answer: (b) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Tamil Nadu was the first state to pass a law making rooftop rainwater harvesting structures compulsory for all buildings.
Water scarcity is most often caused by:

(a) Over-exploitation and unequal access

(b) Excess rainfall

(c) Large number of rivers

(d) Good monsoon every year

Answer: (a) Over-exploitation and unequal access
Explanation: While physical scarcity exists, water scarcity is largely a man-made phenomenon due to overuse, misuse, and unequal distribution among different social groups.
‘Palar Pani’ is a term referred to in Rajasthan for:

(a) River water

(b) Groundwater

(c) Canal water

(d) Rainwater

Answer: (d) Rainwater
Explanation: In the arid regions of Rajasthan, rainwater is considered the purest form of water and is called 'Palar Pani'.
The hydraulic structure built by Iltutmish in the 14th century for supplying water to Siri Fort area is:

(a) Hauz Khas

(b) Agra Canal

(c) Surya Kund

(d) Tank in Aurangabad

Answer: (a) Hauz Khas
Explanation: Sultan Iltutmish built Hauz Khas, a water reservoir (Hauz), in Delhi to supply water to the Siri Fort area.
Which of the following is a major source of irrigation in India?

(a) Canals

(b) Wells and Tubewells

(c) Tanks

(d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: Wells/tubewells (groundwater), canals (surface water), and tanks (rainwater harvesting) are all major sources of irrigation in different parts of India.
Bamboo Drip Irrigation system is prevalent in which state?

(a) Karnataka

(b) Meghalaya

(c) Punjab

(d) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: (b) Meghalaya
Explanation: The Bamboo Drip Irrigation system is a 200-year-old practice in Meghalaya, where bamboo pipes are used to tap stream and spring water for irrigating plantations.
Which river is known as the ‘river of sorrow’ due to its frequent floods?

(a) Ganga

(b) Kosi

(c) Yamuna

(d) Brahmaputra

Answer: (b) Kosi
Explanation: The Kosi river in Bihar is infamous for changing its course and causing devastating floods, earning it the nickname 'the river of sorrow'.
The primary purpose of watershed management is to:

(a) Build large dams

(b) Develop groundwater through surface water storage and recharge

(c) Interlink rivers

(d) Increase chemical fertilizer use

Answer: (b) Develop groundwater through surface water storage and recharge
Explanation: Watershed management focuses on conserving soil and water through techniques like percolation tanks and check dams to recharge groundwater and improve water availability.

Assertion-Reasoning Questions (1 Mark Each)

Directions: For questions 21 to 25, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Choose the correct option:

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

Assertion (A): Dams are referred to as multi-purpose projects.
Reason (R): Dams are built only for generating hydroelectricity.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Dams are indeed multi-purpose (irrigation, electricity, flood control, recreation). The reason is false because electricity generation is just one of many purposes.
Assertion (A): Water scarcity is a growing problem in many cities.
Reason (R): Rising population and industrialization increase water demand while pollution reduces usable supplies.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The reason correctly identifies the key drivers (increased demand and reduced quality) that lead to urban water scarcity.
Assertion (A): Groundwater is a highly overused resource in India.
Reason (R): It is an unlimited resource that recharges instantly.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Groundwater is critically overexploited, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The reason is false because recharge is a slow process, and it is not unlimited.
Assertion (A): Rainwater harvesting is becoming important in India.
Reason (R): It increases groundwater depletion.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Rainwater harvesting is crucial for water security. The reason is false because it *recharges* groundwater, helping to counter depletion.
Assertion (A): The Narmada Bachao Andolan raised important questions about development.
Reason (R): It highlighted the conflict between large-scale development projects and their social/environmental costs.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The movement's significance lies in its critique of the development model, questioning who benefits and who bears the cost, as explained in R.

Case-Based Questions (1 Mark Each)

For questions 26 to 30, read the case/source carefully and answer.

Case: "In the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, agricultural fields were converted into rain-fed storage structures called 'Khadins' and 'Johads'. These allowed water to stand and moisten the soil."
What was the primary benefit of these structures?

(a) Generating electricity

(b) Inland navigation

(c) Soil moisture conservation and groundwater recharge

(d) Promoting fisheries

Answer: (c) Soil moisture conservation and groundwater recharge
Explanation: Traditional structures like Khadins and Johads were designed to capture rainwater, allowing it to percolate and recharge groundwater while providing soil moisture for crops.
Case: Study the data on water usage in India:

Sector Percentage of Total Freshwater Usage

Agriculture ~90%

Industry ~5%

Domestic (Household) ~5%

What is the major implication of this data for water conservation?

(a) Conservation efforts should focus only on industries.

(b) Even small savings in agricultural water use can free up large volumes of water.

(c) Domestic use is the biggest problem.

(d) Water usage is evenly distributed.

Answer: (b) Even small savings in agricultural water use can free up large volumes of water.
Explanation: Since agriculture consumes the vast majority of freshwater, improving irrigation efficiency (e.g., drip/sprinkler) can have the most significant impact on overall water conservation.
Case: "In the Ganga plain, many farmers rely on wells and tubewells for irrigation. In recent decades, the water table has been falling rapidly in many areas."
What is the most likely direct cause of this falling water table?

(a) Increased rainfall

(b) Over-extraction of groundwater for irrigation

(c) Construction of check dams

(d) Expansion of forest cover

Answer: (b) Over-extraction of groundwater for irrigation
Explanation: The intensive use of tubewells for water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane leads to groundwater extraction faster than natural recharge, causing the water table to fall.
Case: "The Krishna-Godavari dispute is centered on the objections of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to water diversion by Maharashtra."
What does this dispute fundamentally highlight?

(a) Technical failure of dams

(b) Need for inter-state cooperation in sharing river water resources

(c) Abundance of water in these rivers

(d) Lack of rainfall in the basin

Answer: (b) Need for inter-state cooperation in sharing river water resources
Explanation: River water disputes highlight the challenges of equitable distribution among states and underscore the necessity for cooperative agreements and river basin management.
Case: "Modern hydraulic structures like dams and canals are engineering marvels, but they often lead to the fragmentation of rivers and displacement of people."
What is the core dilemma presented by this statement?

(a) Technology vs. Tradition

(b) Economic benefits of large projects vs. their socio-environmental costs

(c) Urban vs. Rural development

(d) Cost of construction vs. maintenance

Answer: (b) Economic benefits of large projects vs. their socio-environmental costs
Explanation: The case points to the central debate in water resource development: weighing the irrigation, power, and flood control benefits against displacement, ecological damage, and social disruption.

Sector	Percentage of Total Freshwater Usage
Agriculture	~90%
Industry	~5%
Domestic (Household)	~5%

📘 Effective Study Strategy

Blind solve: Answer all questions first without referring to solutions.

Cross-check: Compare your answers with the correct ones provided.

Targeted revision: For mistakes, go back to the specific concept in your textbook or notes.

Time trial: Complete the full set in 25-30 minutes to simulate exam conditions.

Spaced repetition: Re-attempt the section after a week to consolidate memory.

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