Consider the diagram of the movement of water on one section of Earth. The source of all water is precipitation, as noted by the downward arrows coming down from the top in the diagram. Using the arrows as a guide, determine which statement is not supported by this diagram.

Question

Responses
A Water flows downward into the ground to fill the aquifer,Water flows downward into the ground to fill the aquifer,
B Water from the unconfined aquifer moves upward into plant roots.Water from the unconfined aquifer moves upward into plant roots.
C Groundwater adds water into surface water such as streams, rivers, and lakes.Groundwater adds water into surface water such as streams, rivers, and lakes.
D Surface water bodies, such as stream, rivers and lakes, streams lose water from the out into the ground.Surface water bodies, such as stream, rivers and lakes, streams lose water from the out into the ground.
Question 2
Most of the water reaching Earth will keep moving downward into the ground to fill the aquifer, an area where all the spaces are filled with water. At the top point of this saturated zone you see the water table. Some of the underground blue arrows show how, in this situation, some water moves towards the stream. Explain how this could happen.
Responses
A All the blue arrows show that groundwater flows downhill and accumulates in the stream.All the blue arrows show that groundwater flows downhill and accumulates in the stream.
B The blue arrows should groundwater moving downward because of gravity. When all water spaces are filled in the aquifer, water begins moving up.The blue arrows should groundwater moving downward because of gravity. When all water spaces are filled in the aquifer, water begins moving up.
C The bottom of the streambed is lower than the water table, and intersects the aquifer. Because of this, water still enters the streamed from the ground.The bottom of the streambed is lower than the water table, and intersects the aquifer. Because of this, water still enters the streamed from the ground.
D Water moves in a cycle. The blue arrows show how water moves in that cycle from precipitation through the Earth: surface water, groundwater and back into the atmosphere.Water moves in a cycle. The blue arrows show how water moves in that cycle from precipitation through the Earth: surface water, groundwater and back into the atmosphere.

Answer 1

Question 1: To determine which statement is not supported by the diagram, let's analyze each choice:

A. Water flows downward into the ground to fill the aquifer.
This is supported by the downward arrows indicating precipitation that infiltrates the ground.

B. Water from the unconfined aquifer moves upward into plant roots.
This is also likely supported, as it's common for groundwater to be taken up by plants.

C. Groundwater adds water into surface water such as streams, rivers, and lakes.
This is typically true, as groundwater contributes to flowing surface water (baseflow).

D. Surface water bodies, such as streams, rivers, and lakes, lose water from the out into the ground.
While this statement could be true in some contexts (like in cases of losing streams), the phrasing is confusing and might imply a constant loss rather than a balanced interaction.

The statement that is least supported by the typical diagram of the water cycle and may be misleading is D.

Question 2: For this question, we need to choose the explanation that best describes why groundwater might flow into a stream based on the suggested context of the aquifer and water table:

A. All the blue arrows show that groundwater flows downhill and accumulates in the stream.
This might be too simplistic. There may be more nuance to how groundwater enters streams.

B. The blue arrows show groundwater moving downward because of gravity. When all water spaces are filled in the aquifer, water begins moving up.
This explanation is not clear about how it relates to water entering the stream.

C. The bottom of the streambed is lower than the water table, and intersects the aquifer. Because of this, water still enters the stream from the ground.
This directly explains how groundwater can flow into a stream, supporting the concept of baseflow.

D. Water moves in a cycle. The blue arrows show how water moves in that cycle from precipitation through the Earth: surface water, groundwater, and back into the atmosphere.
While this is true generally, it doesn't specifically address the flow of groundwater into the stream.

The best answer to explain how groundwater might flow into the stream is C.