Let's solve each question on the worksheet step by step and explain the reasoning behind each answer.
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1. Why should you never drink water directly from oceans, lakes and streams?
Answer:
You should never drink water directly from oceans, lakes, and streams because it contains impurities such as salt (in oceans), bacteria, viruses, parasites, and pollutants like chemicals, pesticides, or animal waste. These contaminants can cause serious health problems, including stomach illness, infections, and even poisoning.
Explanation:
The text mentions that "impurities might include: salt, copper, iron, calcium and lead." Ocean water has high salt content, which is harmful to humans. Freshwater sources like lakes and streams may contain harmful microorganisms or pollutants. Drinking unfiltered or untreated water can lead to diseases such as cholera, giardiasis, or dysentery.
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2. What percent of Earth’s water is freshwater?
Answer:
Only
2.5% of Earth’s water is freshwater.
Explanation:
The passage states: *"Yet, only 2.5% of Earth’s water is in any form other than saltwater..."* This means the vast majority (about 97.5%) of Earth’s water is saltwater found in oceans. The remaining 2.5% is freshwater, which is found in glaciers, ice caps, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and atmospheric water vapor.
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3. Using context clues, what do you think the word 'hydration' means?
Answer:
Hydration means
the process of providing the body with enough water to function properly.
Explanation:
The paragraph before this question talks about how the human body contains 50% to 78% water and needs one to seven liters per day to avoid dehydration. It also says dehydration is an abnormal loss of water from the body. So, "hydration" must be the opposite — the state of having enough water in the body. Context clues like "dehydration" (lack of water) and "body requires water" help us infer that hydration refers to being well-watered or properly hydrated.
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4. Circle the prefix in the word: dehydration
Answer:
The prefix is
de-
Explanation:
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. In "dehydration," the prefix "de-" means "removal" or "reversal." The root word is "hydration" (having water). So, "de-" + "hydration" = removal of water → dehydration.
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5. Salt, copper, iron, calcium and lead are examples of...
Answer:
They are examples of
minerals.
Explanation:
The question lists substances like salt (sodium chloride), copper, iron, calcium, and lead. These are all chemical elements or compounds that can be found naturally in water and soil. They are commonly referred to as
minerals, especially in the context of water impurities. While some (like calcium and iron) are essential in small amounts, others (like lead) are toxic. The passage describes them as "impurities," but their classification is as minerals.
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
Because it contains harmful impurities like salt, bacteria, viruses, and pollutants that can make you sick.
2.
2.5%
3.
The process of keeping the body properly supplied with water.
4.
de-
5.
Minerals
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Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of water cycle reading comprehension worksheet.
