Name_______________________________ Class___________________ Date____________________

Skills Worksheet

Active Reading
Section: Water Pollution
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

The natural process of eutrophication is accelerated when

inorganic plant nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, enter
the water from sewage and fertilizer runoff. Eutrophication caused
by humans is called artificial eutrophication. Fertilizer from
farms, lawns, and gardens is the largest source of nutrients that
cause artificial eutrophication. Phosphates in some laundry and
dish-washing detergents are another major cause of
eutrophication .Phosphorus is a plant nutrient that can cause the
excessive growth of algae. In bodies of water polluted by
phosphorus, algae can form large floating mats, called algal
blooms. As the algae die and decompose, most of the dissolved
oxygen is used and fish and other organisms suffocate in the
oxygen-depleted water.
IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEAS

One reading skill is the ability to identify the main idea of a passage. The main
idea is the main focus or key idea. Frequently, a main idea is accompanied by
supporting information that offers detailed facts about main ideas.
In the space provided, write the letter of the term or phrase that best completes
each statement or best answers each question.

______ 1. Which of these are examples of inorganic plant nutrients?

a. eutrophication and oxygen
c. oxygen and algal bloom
b. phosphorus and nitrogen
d. farms and lawns
______ 2. Eutrophication caused by humans is called
a. artificial eutrophication.
c. phosphates.
b. algal bloom.
d. fertilizer.
______ 3. Which of the following is the best statement of the main idea of this
passage?
a. Decomposing algal blooms deplete oxygen from bodies of water.
b. Fertilizer runoff causes artificial eutrophication.
c. Artificial eutrophication damages bodies of water.
d. Phosphates in detergents are the major cause of eutrophication.
VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
Read each question and write the answer in the space provided.

4. What is an algal bloom?

_______________________________________________________________
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Water

Name_______________________________ Class___________________ Date____________________

Active Reading continued

5. Remember that eutrophication is the natural process by which a body of water

gains an abundance of nutrients. Explain the distinction between
eutrophication and artificial eutrophication.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
RECOGNIZING CAUSE AND EFFECT

One reading skill is the ability to recognize cause and effect.

Read each question and write the answer in the space provided.

6. Artificial eutrophication is caused by .______________________

7. It happens when.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
8. What is the greatest cause of artificial eutrophication?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
9. Name another cause of artificial eutrophication.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
10. What substance causes an algal bloom to form?
_______________________________________________________________
11. Why do fish die in a body of water where an algal bloom has formed?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Original content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor .

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Water

TEACHER RESOURCE PAGE

8. water table; saturated
9. A water table has peaks and valley slike
the land above it. It is not flat like a dining
table.
10. A water table in a wet region is likely to
be near the surface of Earth, and springs
may flow out of the ground. A water table
in the desert may be far below Earths
surface.
11. It flows downhill. Underground peaks and
valleys cause this movement.
12. The water table is near the surface of
Earth.

Map Skills
1.
2.
3.
4.

Quiz

SECTION: WATER USE AND

MANAGEMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

SECTION: WATER RESOURCES

Matching
1. b
2. c
3. e
4. a
5. d

b
c
a
d
to manufacture goods, to dispose of waste,
and to generate power
aluminum, cars, computer chips, and
semiconductors
water is pumped from a water source
,such as a river or lake
water travels through pipes in a cooling
tower
water is pumped back into the source
c
d

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Multiple Choice
6. b
7. c
8. d
9. c
10. a

SECTION: WATER USE AND

MANAGEMENT
Matching
1. a
2. c
3. b
4. e
5. d

Multiple Choice
6. b
7. c
8. a
9. d
10. b

SECTION: WATER POLLUTION

Matching
1. c
2. e
3. d
4. b
5. a

SECTION: WATER POLLUTION

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Arctic Ocean; Inuvik

St. Lawrence River
They are all located near water.
Answers may vary but should involve
proximity to waterways such as the St.
Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, as
well as the citys proximity to major U.S.
industrial areas and cities.

b
a
c
a large floating mat of algae
Eutrophication occurs naturally; artificial
eutrophication has the same results as
eutrophication but is caused by human
activity.
humans
inorganic plant nutrients enter the water
from sewage and fertilizerr un off
fertilizer from farms, lawns, and gardens
phosphates in laundry and dish washing
detergents
phosphorus
Most of the dissolved oxygen in the water
is used as the algae dies and decompose,
so the fish suffocate.

Multiple Choice
6. c
7. a
8. b
9. d
10. a

Chapter Test General

MATCHING
1. e
2. d
3. b
4. f
MULTIPLE CHOICE
9. a
10. c
11. b
12. a
13. c
14. d

5.
6.
7.
8.

g
a
c
h

15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

b
b
c
d
a
d

Original content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor .

Holt Environmental Science

98

Water