Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 1

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions.

SAQ 1.1 (tests Learning Outcome 1.1)

Match the following words to their correct definitions.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. improved water sources

  2. raw water

  3. drip-feed irrigation

  4. hydroelectric power

  5. distribution mains

  6. aquaculture

  7. spring

  8. surface water

  9. transmission mains

  10. spray irrigation

  11. groundwater

  12. pathogenic micro-organisms

  13. geothermal energy

  14. water tower

  15. abstraction

  16. service reservoirs

  • a.energy derived from the heat of the earth

  • b.stores of water that balance the fluctuating water demands of users against the steady output of the water treatment plant

  • c.pipes that take water from a service reservoir to different areas

  • d.micro-organisms that cause disease

  • e.power produced by harnessing the energy of moving water

  • f.a form of irrigation where water is sprayed over plants

  • g.the taking of water from a source

  • h.the farming of aquatic organisms

  • i.water that has not yet been treated

  • j.water from rivers, lakes, pools and ponds

  • k.a form of irrigation where water is put at the base of a plant, using narrow pipes

  • l.a point where water flows out of the ground

  • m.water sources that are protected from contamination, especially by faecal matter

  • n.water that is underground

  • o.an elevated structure that has a water tank to supply drinking water by gravity

  • p.pipes that take treated water from a treatment plant to service reservoirs

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = m
  • 2 = i
  • 3 = k
  • 4 = e
  • 5 = c
  • 6 = h
  • 7 = l
  • 8 = j
  • 9 = p
  • 10 = f
  • 11 = n
  • 12 = d
  • 13 = a
  • 14 = o
  • 15 = g
  • 16 = b

SAQ 1.2 (tests Learning Outcome 1.2)

Imagine you are in a quiz show on television and the host says, ‘For 1000 birr can you write down six non-domestic uses of water in two minutes?’

What would you write?

Answer

If in two minutes you wrote ‘irrigation, industry, mining, power generation, aquaculture, recreation’, you would be richer by 1000 Birr!

SAQ 1.3 (tests Learning Outcomes 1.1 and 1.3)

The following statements relate to water supply from a drinking water treatment plant in a large town. Fill in the blanks, using the words given below, and then put the statements in the right order.

distribution mains; river; cut in water supply; service reservoirs; lake; safe for human consumption; transmission mains.

  • a.Water is taken from the treatment plant to ………………………… by …………………………
  • b.Raw water is abstracted from a ………………………… or a …………………………
  • c.Water is stored at home in case of a …………………………
  • d.Water is taken from the service reservoirs to consumers by …………………………
  • e.Water undergoes treatment so that it is …………………………

Answer

The completed statements, in the correct order, are as follows:

b.  Raw water is abstracted from a river or a lake.

e.  Water undergoes treatment so that it is safe for human consumption.

a.  Water is taken from the treatment plant to service reservoirs by transmission mains.

d.  Water is taken from the service reservoirs to consumers by distribution mains.

c.  Water is stored at home in case of a cut in water supply.

SAQ 1.4 (tests Learning Outcome 1.4)

Which of the following would not help in improving the water supply situation in Ethiopia? Give your reasons.

  • Planning for expansion of towns and industry.
  • Ensuring that the local water office always has new members of staff so that they are enthusiastic.
  • More money being devoted to the water sector.
  • Having more qualified people in the water industry.
  • Reducing the interaction between the different organisations involved so that less time is wasted.
  • Having better monitoring of performance and requirements in the water sector.

Answer

The following would not help:

Ensuring that the local water office always has new members of staff so that they are enthusiastic. It is better to have staff who stay on in their jobs as they will gain experience and manage the system well.

Reducing the interaction between the different organisations involved so that less time is wasted. Interaction between stakeholders is important because they need to coordinate their activities with each other.

Summary of Study Session 1