ICSE

Class VI

Water

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) [20 Questions]

1. What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered with water?
a) One-third
b) Two-thirds
c) Three-fourths
d) One-fourth
2. What percentage of the Earth's total water is saline?
a) 70%
b) 75%
c) 97%
d) 90%
3. Water is a compound made up of which two elements?
a) Nitrogen and Oxygen
b) Hydrogen and Oxygen
c) Sodium and Chlorine
d) Carbon and Hydrogen
4. What is the chemical formula for water?
a) HO₂
b) H₂O
c) H₂O₂
d) H₃O
5. Which of the following is NOT a property of pure water?
a) Colourless
b) Odourless
c) Sweet taste
d) Transparent
6. The process of removing dissolved salts from seawater is called:

1
ICSE
Class VI

a) Filtration
b) Sedimentation
c) Desalination
d) Chlorination
7. Which source of water is considered the purest in nature?
a) River Water
b) Groundwater
c) Rainwater
d) Sea Water
8. The upper level of underground water is called the:
a) Water spring
b) Water table
c) Water level
d) Aquifer
9. Which state of water is represented by ice?
a) Liquid
b) Gas
c) Solid
d) Plasma
10. What is formed by the condensation of water vapour on cold surfaces like leaves?
a) Fog
b) Frost
c) Mist
d) Dew
11. At what temperature does water freeze?
a) 4°C
b) 10°C
c) 0°C
d) 100°C

2
ICSE
Class VI

12. The continuous process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation is known as the:
a) Water table
b) Water cycle
c) Water purification
d) Water pollution
13. Water is called a "universal solvent" because:
a) It dissolves only solids
b) It dissolves a large number of substances
c) It is found everywhere
d) It exists in three states
14. A solution in which no more solute can be dissolved is called a:
a) Unsaturated solution
b) Saturated solution
c) Aqueous solution
d) Solvent
15. Which of the following is a water-borne disease?
a) Anaemia
b) Cholera
c) Asthma
d) Diabetes
16. Adding which substance to water during purification kills germs?
a) Alum
b) Sand
c) Chlorine
d) Gravel
17. The anomalous expansion of water occurs when it is cooled below:
a) 100°C
b) 0°C
c) 4°C

3
ICSE
Class VI

d) 10°C
18. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of potable water?
a) It is colourless and odourless.
b) It is free from germs.
c) It contains no minerals.
d) It is free from suspended impurities.
19. Which step in large-scale water purification uses layers of sand and gravel?
a) Sedimentation Tank
b) Loading Tank
c) Filtration Tank
d) Chlorination Tank
20. The main cause of water pollution in seas is:
a) Pesticides
b) Oil spills
c) Fertilisers
d) Domestic sewage

Section B: Fill in the Blanks [20 Questions]

1. About ________ % of the Earth's water is fresh and available in rivers, lakes, and
groundwater.
2. Water is a compound of ________ and oxygen.
3. The chemical formula of water is ________.
4. The boiling point of pure water is ________ °C.
5. The three states of water are solid, liquid, and ________.
6. The purest form of natural water is ________.
7. Sea water is not fit for drinking because it is ________.
8. The process of removing salt from sea water is called ________.
9. Water collected over non-porous rocks under the ground is called ________.
10. The upper level of groundwater is known as the ________.
11. When water vapour condenses on cold surfaces, it forms ________.
4
ICSE
Class VI

12. Frozen dew is called ________.

13. The conversion of water into vapour on heating is called ________.
14. The natural process that circulates water between the earth and the atmosphere is the
________.
15. A substance that dissolves in a solvent is called a ________.
16. A solution in which no more solute can be dissolved is a ________ solution.
17. Water that is fit for drinking is called ________ water.
18. The disease caused by contaminated water that affects the liver is ________.
19. Adding ________ to water during purification helps settle suspended impurities faster.
20. The ________ behaviour of water allows aquatic life to survive under frozen surfaces.

Section C: True or False [20 Questions]

1. Water is an element.
2. Two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered with water.
3. The proportion of hydrogen to oxygen in a water molecule is 1:2.
4. Rainwater contains no dissolved gases.
5. Sea water can be used for irrigation without treatment.
6. Groundwater contains no suspended impurities.
7. Water exists only in the liquid state on Earth.
8. Mist and fog are both forms of water droplets in the air.
9. Water vapour is visible to the naked eye.
10. The boiling point of water is 0°C.
11. The water cycle helps control climatic conditions.
12. Water is a poor solvent.
13. Salt dissolves in water to form a solution.
14. An unsaturated solution can dissolve more solute.
15. All water from natural sources is safe to drink.
16. Boiling water is an effective way to kill germs.
17. Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to water to kill germs.
18. Ice sinks in water.
5
ICSE
Class VI

19. Water regulates our body temperature through perspiration.

20. Oil spills are a major cause of air pollution.

Section D: Short Answer Questions [10 Questions]

1. Why is water called a compound? Give its chemical formula.
Ans: Water is called a compound because it is made up of two different elements, hydrogen
and oxygen, chemically combined in a fixed proportion. Its chemical formula is H₂O.
2. List any three properties of pure water.
Ans: Three properties of pure water are:
 It is colourless, odourless, and tasteless.
 It has a boiling point of 100°C and a freezing point of 0°C.
 It is a universal solvent.
3. Differentiate between surface water and groundwater.
Ans: Surface water is found on the earth's surface (rivers, lakes). Groundwater is found
underground, collected over non-porous rocks, and is accessed via wells and pumps.
Groundwater is generally freer from suspended impurities.
4. What is desalination?
Ans: Desalination is the process of removing dissolved salts from seawater or brackish water
to make it fit for human use and consumption.
5. Name the three states of water and give one example of each from nature.
Ans:
 Solid: Ice (e.g., glaciers, snow)
 Liquid: Water (e.g., rivers, oceans)
 Gas: Water Vapour (e.g., in the air, steam)

6. What is the importance of the water cycle?

Ans: The water cycle is important because it:
 Maintains the supply of water on land.
 Controls the weather and climate.
 Redistributes water from oceans to land.
7. Define solute, solvent, and solution.
6
ICSE
Class VI

Ans:
 Solute: The substance that dissolves (e.g., salt).
 Solvent: The substance in which the solute dissolves (e.g., water).
 Solution: The homogeneous mixture of solute and solvent (e.g., salt water).
8. What is the difference between a saturated and an unsaturated solution?
Ans: A saturated solution cannot dissolve any more solute at a given temperature.
An unsaturated solution can dissolve more solute at the same temperature.
9. List two characteristics of potable water.
Ans: Two characteristics of potable water are:
 It should be free from germs and suspended impurities.
 It should contain essential minerals and salts.
10. Name two common water-borne diseases.
Ans: Cholera and Jaundice (or Diarrhoea, Typhoid, etc.).

Section E: Long Answer Questions [5 Questions]

1. Describe the various sources of water on Earth. Why is most of this water not fit for direct
human consumption?
Ans:
Sources: Oceans and Seas (97%, Saline), Glaciers and Ice Caps (2%, Frozen Freshwater),
Rivers, Lakes, and Groundwater (1%, Usable Freshwater).

Why most water is not fit: 97% is saline seawater, which is unfit for drinking or
irrigation. Of the remaining 3% freshwater, most is locked in glaciers, leaving less than
1% readily accessible, which is often polluted.

2. Explain the process of the water cycle with a neat and labeled diagram (description).
Ans:
Process:
a. Evaporation: Sun's heat turns water from water bodies into vapour. Plants release
water vapour through transpiration.
b. Condensation: Water vapour rises, cools at high altitudes, and condenses into
tiny droplets forming clouds.
c. Precipitation: Cloud droplets combine and fall back

7
ICSE
Class VI

3. Describe the steps involved in the large-scale purification of water for a city's supply.
Answer:

The water that comes to our taps from rivers or lakes is cleaned at a water treatment
plant. Here are the steps involved:
1. Sedimentation Tank: First, water is pumped into a large tank and allowed to stand
still for a day. During this time, heavy impurities like sand and soil settle down at the
bottom of the tank.
2. Loading Tank: The water is then passed to another tank. Here, a chemical
called alum is added. Alum makes the finer, suspended impurities (like clay) stick
together, become heavy, and settle down faster.
3. Filtration Tank: Next, the water is passed through a filtration tank. This tank has
layers of fine sand, gravel, and charcoal. These layers act like a sieve, trapping any
remaining tiny impurities, making the water clear.
4. Chlorination Tank: The clear water is then sent to a chlorination tank. Here, a
small amount of chlorine (often from bleaching powder) is added to the water.
Chlorine is a chemical that kills harmful germs and bacteria, making the water safe to
drink.
5. Storage Tank: Finally, the pure, clean water is stored in large, covered storage tanks.
From these tanks, the water is pumped through pipes to our homes, schools, and
offices.

4. What is water pollution? List its major causes and suggest two methods to control it.
Answer:

What is water pollution?

Water pollution is the mixing of harmful and unwanted substances into water,
making it dirty and unsafe for drinking and other uses.

Major Causes of Water Pollution:

1. Domestic Sewage: Wastewater from our homes (from toilets, kitchens, and
bathrooms) is often released into rivers without proper treatment.
2. Industrial Waste: Factories sometimes release poisonous chemicals and waste
directly into water bodies.
3. Agricultural Waste: Farmers use chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers. When it
rains, these chemicals are washed from the fields into rivers and lakes.
4. Oil Spills: Sometimes, oil leaks from big ships and tankers into the sea. This oil
spreads over the water and harms sea animals and plants.
5. Human Activities: Bathing animals, washing clothes, and throwing garbage directly
into rivers and ponds also cause pollution.
Two Methods to Control Water Pollution:
1. Set up Sewage Treatment Plants: Cities and towns should have treatment plants that
clean the wastewater from our homes before it is released into rivers.

8
ICSE
Class VI

2. Create Public Awareness: We must teach people about the harmful effects of water
pollution. We should encourage everyone to stop throwing garbage into water bodies
and to use fewer chemicals in farming.

6. Explain the anomalous behaviour of water. Why is this property important for aquatic
life?
Answer:

What is the Anomalous Behaviour of Water?

Most liquids contract (become smaller and denser) when they are cooled. Water also
contracts when it is cooled from a warm temperature, but only until it reaches 4°C.
When it is cooled further below 4°C to 0°C, it starts expanding (becomes bigger and
less dense). This strange behaviour of water is called anomalous expansion.
This is why ice is lighter than water and floats on its surface.

Why is this property important for aquatic life?

This property is very important for fish and plants living in ponds and lakes during
winter.
1. In cold regions, when the temperature drops, the top layer of the pond cools first.
2. This cold water (at 4°C) is denser and sinks, while the warmer water rises.
3. This process continues until the entire pond is at 4°C.
4. When the top layer cools further to 0°C, it freezes into ice. Since ice is less dense, it
floats on top, forming an insulating layer.
5. This layer of ice acts like a blanket, preventing the heat in the deeper water from
escaping into the cold air.
6. Therefore, the water below the ice remains liquid at around 4°C, allowing fish, plants,
and other aquatic life to survive through the winter. If ice sank, the entire pond would
freeze from the bottom up, killing all the life inside.

Case Study 1: The Village of Sundarpur

Sundarpur is a small village that relies entirely on a nearby river for its water needs. The river
originates from a glacier in the mountains. For generations, villagers have used the river
water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and irrigation without any treatment.

Recently, a new textile factory was established upstream from Sundarpur. The factory
discharges its chemical waste directly into the river. Since then, the villagers have reported an
increase in illnesses like cholera, diarrhoea, and skin diseases. The river water has also
changed color and has a foul smell. The wheat crop irrigated with this water has started
wilting.

9
ICSE
Class VI

Questions:
1. Identify the primary source of water pollution in this case.
Answer: The primary source is industrial waste from the textile factory.
2. List two specific health impacts on the villagers and link them to the concept of water-
borne diseases.
Answer: Cholera and diarrhoea. These are classic water-borne diseases, meaning they are
caused by pathogens and pollutants that spread through contaminated water.
3. What immediate step can the villagers take to make the water safer for drinking until a
permanent solution is found? Explain the science behind this method.
Answer: Boiling the water. The science is that boiling water at 100°C for 10-15 minutes
kills harmful microorganisms (like bacteria and viruses) that cause diseases.
4. Suggest one long-term solution that the factory should implement to prevent this problem.
Answer: The factory should install an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) to treat its
chemical waste before releasing it into the river.

Case Study 2: The Coastal City of Neptuna

The city of Neptuna is located on the coast. It has a high population density and faces an
acute shortage of drinking water. The city's groundwater levels have dropped drastically due
to overuse. The surrounding rivers are polluted and cannot meet the demand. The city is
surrounded by the sea, but the water is not usable.
The city council is considering a large-scale project to tap into the seawater. They are looking
at a process that involves heating seawater, collecting the vapor, and then cooling it to get
pure water. However, this process is known to be energy-intensive and expensive.

Questions:
1. What is the name of the process the city council is considering?
Answer: Desalination (specifically, the distillation method).

2. Why is the seawater, despite being so abundant, not fit for drinking or irrigation?
Answer: Because it contains a high concentration of dissolved salts (it is saline).
Drinking it can cause dehydration, and using it for irrigation can poison the soil and kill
plants.
3. Apart from the high cost, what is a potential environmental concern of using this energy-
intensive method?
10
ICSE
Class VI

Answer: If the energy comes from burning fossil fuels, it can lead to increased air
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.
4. Suggest two alternative water conservation measures the city should promote alongside
this project.
Answer:
i. Implementing large-scale rainwater harvesting systems.
ii. Running public awareness campaigns to reduce domestic water wastage (e.g., fixing
leaks, using water-efficient appliances).

Case Study 3: The Winter of Lake Serenity

Lake Serenity is a large freshwater lake in a region that experiences very cold winters. The
temperature often drops to -10°C. The lake is home to a diverse population of fish and
aquatic plants. During a particularly harsh winter, a thick layer of ice formed on the surface
of the lake for several weeks. When the ice finally melted, people were surprised to see that
the fish and plants in the lake had survived.

Questions:
1. Explain the scientific property of water that causes ice to form on the surface of the lake.
Answer: The anomalous expansion of water. Water is densest at 4°C. When it cools
below this point, it expands and becomes less dense. Therefore, the lighter, colder water (and
eventually ice at 0°C) floats on top of the denser, warmer water below.
2. How does this property of water ensure the survival of aquatic life during the frozen
period?
Answer: The layer of ice that forms on the surface acts as an insulating blanket. It
prevents the heat from the deeper water from escaping into the colder atmosphere, allowing
the water below the ice to remain in a liquid state at a temperature of around 4°C, where
aquatic life can survive.
3. What would happen to the aquatic life if water behaved like most other liquids and the ice
sank to the bottom?
Answer: If ice sank, lakes would freeze from the bottom up. This would trap and kill
bottom-dwelling organisms first, and eventually, the entire lake could freeze solid,
eliminating almost all aquatic life.

Case Study 4: The School Science Fair

11
ICSE
Class VI

Rohan and Siya are preparing a project for their school science fair on "Solutions." They take
two beakers, A and B, each containing 100 mL of water at 25°C.
- In Beaker A, they keep adding common salt (sodium chloride) and stirring until no more
salt dissolves. They find that 36 grams of salt dissolve.
- In Beaker B, they do the same with sugar. They find that 200 grams of sugar dissolve.
They then take a third beaker, C, with 100 mL of water. They add 40 grams of salt and stir.
Some salt remains at the bottom. They gently heat the beaker and observe that all the salt
dissolves.

Questions:
1. What type of solution is present in Beaker A at the end of the experiment?
Answer: A saturated solution.
2. Based on the experiment, which substance has a higher solubility in water at 25°C: salt or
sugar?
Answer: Sugar has a higher solubility, as 200g dissolved compared to only 36g of salt.
3. What happened when Beaker C was heated? What does this tell us about the effect of
temperature on solubility?
Answer: The undissolved salt dissolved upon heating. This shows that for solids like salt,
solubility generally increases with an increase in temperature.
4. Define the term 'solubility' based on this experiment.
Answer: Solubility is the maximum amount of a solute (in grams) that can dissolve in
100 grams of a solvent at a given temperature to form a saturated solution.

Case Study 5: The Urban Water Supply

The city of Aquametropolis gets its water from a large river. The water undergoes treatment at
a central water treatment plant before being supplied to homes. The process involves the
following steps in sequence:
1. Water is stored in a large tank to allow sand and grit to settle.
2. A substance (X) is added to make finer clay particles stick together and settle down.
3. Water is then passed through a tank containing layers of sand, gravel, and charcoal.
4. Finally, a substance (Y) is added to the water to kill harmful germs and bacteria.

Questions:
12
ICSE
Class VI

1. Identify substance X and substance Y used in the purification process.

Answer:
Substance X: Alum
Substance Y: Chlorine (or bleaching powder which releases chlorine)
2. What is the purpose of Step 3? What is this step called?
Answer: The purpose is to remove any remaining suspended impurities. This step is
called Filtration.
3. Name the tank used in Step 1.
Answer: Sedimentation Tank.
4. Why is Step 4 absolutely essential before supplying water to the public?
Answer: Step 4 (Chlorination) is essential to kill disease-causing microorganisms (germs,
bacteria, viruses) and prevent the spread of water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid.

Answer Key

Section A: MCQs Section B: Fill in the Section C: True or False

Blanks
1. b) Two-thirds 1. 1 1. F (It is a compound)
2. c) 97% 2. Hydrogen 2. T
3. b) Hydrogen and Oxygen 3. H₂O 3. F (It is 2:1)
4. b) H₂O 4. 100 4. F (It contains dissolved gases
like O₂ and CO₂)
5. c) Sweet taste 5. Gas 5. F (It is too saline and harms
plants)
6. c) Desalination 6. Rainwater 6. T
7. c) Rainwater 7. Saline / Saltly 7. F (It exists in solid, liquid,
and gas states)
8. b) Water table 8. Desalination 8. T
9. c) Solid 9. Groundwater 9. F (It is invisible; steam and
mist are visible droplets)
10. d) Dew 10. Water table 10. F (It is 100°C)
11. c) 0°C 11. Dew 11. T
12. b) Water cycle 12. Frost 12. F (It is a universal solvent)
13. b) It dissolves a large 13. Evaporation 13. T
number of substances
14. b) Saturated solution 14. Water cycle 14. T
15. b) Cholera 15. Solute 15. F (It often contains
impurities and germs)

13
ICSE
Class VI

16. c) Chlorine 16. Saturated 16. T

17. c) 4°C 17. Potable 17. T
18. c) It contains no 18. Jaundice / Hepatitis 18. F (It floats)
minerals.
19. c) Filtration Tank 19. Alum 19. T
20. b) Oil spills 20. Anomalous 20. F (It is a cause of water
pollution)

14