Page 99 - Journeys Through Society-7

5. Water

Get Ready

Look at the pictures and name the following water sports.

Water is essential for the existence of all life forms on water, most of it is saline.
Earth. The presence of water makes the Earth a unique Water availability is the quantity of water that is
planet. It also connects living organisms in an available to us for our human consumption. Water is
ecosystem. Water is essential for numerous human essential for drinking. Safe drinking water and basic
activities and for the development of the nation. sanitation can prevent water-related diseases.

What is it that makes water so precious and a highly
Water on Earth
valued gift of nature? Besides drinking, water is used
Earth has a lot of water. It is one of the things that
for washing and cooking. Water is also used to irrigate
makes our big, blue planet so special. Water on Earth
crops and lawns, to clean houses and to operate
can be found in the ground, on the surface, in the air,
heating systems. Most industries need water to
and in our bodies. About 71% of Earth’s surface is
operate.
water. Though two-thirds of the Earth is covered with

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