Examination Paper: Watershed Management and Hydrology

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What is the primary phase of the hydrologic cycle where water is returned to the
atmosphere?
A) Condensation
B) Evaporation
C) Precipitation
D) Collection

2. Which process is primarily responsible for the movement of soil particles due to water
flow?
A) Transpiration
B) Infiltration
C) Soil erosion
D) Groundwater flow

3. What is a common method used to estimate precipitation?

A) Water table tracking
B) Runoff coefficients
C) Rain gauges
D) Soil moisture sensors

4. Which of the following is not a part of the surface runoff process?

A) Rainfall excess
B) Runoff hydrographs
C) Evapotranspiration
D) Estimating runoff

5. What influences the infiltration capacity of soil the most?

A) Soil texture
B) Air temperature
C) Wind speed
D) Sunlight exposure

6. How is groundwater flow typically estimated?

A) Using precipitation data only
B) Through direct observation of water tables
C) Modeling based on soil and rock permeability
D) Evaporation rates

7. Which practice is beneficial for controlling soil erosion?

A) Decreasing vegetation cover
B) Increasing paved surfaces
 C) Employing contour plowing
D) Overgrazing by livestock

8. What role does groundwater play in the hydrologic cycle?

A) It evaporates directly into the atmosphere
B) It discharges into rivers and lakes
C) It contributes to cloud formation
D) It absorbs heat from the sun

9. What is a key characteristic of nonpoint source pollution?

A) It is easy to trace back to its origin
B) It originates from a single, identifiable source
C) It varies greatly with rainfall patterns
D) It is primarily regulated at the municipal level

10. Why is watershed management important in agricultural areas?

A) It increases the need for chemical fertilizers
B) It helps manage water quality and soil erosion
C) It focuses solely on increasing water usage efficiency
D) It reduces the amount of land available for cultivation

Short Questions
1. Describe the role of precipitation in the hydrologic cycle.

2. Explain how soil erosion can impact agricultural productivity.

3. Discuss the methods used to estimate surface runoff and their importance.

4. What are the consequences of poor watershed management on water quality?

5. How does groundwater contribute to the overall water availability in a region?

Long Questions
1. Analyze the impact of various soil conservation techniques on watershed health and
agricultural productivity.

2. Discuss the integrated approach to watershed management and its benefits to

environmental sustainability and agricultural practices.