Average Annual Precipitation and Internal Freshwater Resources for Five Countries

Question

Country Canada Sierra Leone Brazil India Australia
Average Annual Precipitation (mm)
\[537\]
\[2,526\]
\[1,761\]
\[1,083\]
\[534\]
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita (m3)
\[75,795\]
\[19,884\]
\[26,730\]
\[1,045\]
\[19,416\]
A team of geographers and hydrologists compared the average annual precipitation and internal freshwater resources per capita for five countries located on different continents. They found that, although precipitation is an important factor in determining freshwater availability, it is not the only one. Other factors, such as population size, distribution, and density, as well as water management, infrastructure, and consumption, also affect how much freshwater is accessible and usable for human needs. Thus, they argue that two countries with similar precipitation levels can have very different freshwater availability situations.
Which choice best describes data from the table that support the geographers’ and hydrologists’ argument?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) Canada and Australia have similar precipitation levels but very different amounts of freshwater resources per capita.
A
Canada and Australia have similar precipitation levels but very different amounts of freshwater resources per capita.
(Choice B) Sierra Leone and Brazil have similar precipitation levels and similar amounts of freshwater resources per capita.
B
Sierra Leone and Brazil have similar precipitation levels and similar amounts of freshwater resources per capita.
(Choice C) Brazil has the second highest precipitation level and the second highest amount of freshwater resources per capita.
C
Brazil has the second highest precipitation level and the second highest amount of freshwater resources per capita.
(Choice D, Checked) Sierra Leone and Australia have very similar amounts of freshwater resources per capita but very different precipitation levels.
D
Sierra Leone and Australia have very similar amounts of freshwater resources per capita but very different precipitation levels.

Answer 1

The best choice that supports the geographers' and hydrologists' argument is:

(Choice A) Canada and Australia have similar precipitation levels but very different amounts of freshwater resources per capita.

This choice clearly illustrates that despite having comparable average annual precipitation (537 mm for both), the two countries exhibit significant differences in renewable internal freshwater resources per capita — Canada has 75,795 m³ while Australia has only 19,416 m³. This contrast emphasizes how factors beyond precipitation, such as population size and water management, can impact freshwater availability.

Choice D presents misleading information since Sierra Leone and Australia have different levels of freshwater resources per capita, and such a scenario does not support the argument effectively.