4Why is water from glacier ice limited for human use?
5Which claim about groundwater is best supported by Earth water maps?
6A map label points to lake. What kind of water store is this?
7Which statement describes river on an Earth system map?
8Which map evidence supports identifying ocean?
9Why is water from lake limited for human use?
10Which claim about glacier ice is best supported by Earth water maps?
About this worksheet
Earth system maps help fifth graders describe where water is found on Earth and why only some of it is readily usable asks fifth graders to connect a model, data table, or observation with a scientific explanation. Students may see a planet with lots of water and assume all of it is fresh, liquid, and available for people. This worksheet keeps each question tied to the named science idea, so students cannot answer by eliminating vocabulary from a different unit. Students interpret map evidence, compare salt and fresh water, identify water stores, and explain why usable fresh water is limited. Support versions use familiar examples and direct observations. Standard and challenge versions add closer distractors, multi-step evidence, and model-based reasoning. Ask your child to point to the measurement, diagram, or cause-and-effect clue before choosing. If an answer sounds scientific but does not explain the evidence in the prompt, it is probably a distractor.
What your child will learn
Read water maps
Compare water stores
Identify usable water
Use map evidence
Worked example
Oceans cover much of Earth, but ocean water is salty and not directly drinkable.
Common mistake
Assuming all water shown on a map can be used as fresh drinking water.
Helpful hint
Ask whether the water is salt or fresh, frozen or liquid, and easy or difficult to reach.
Worksheet 1