Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Quantitative Reason (Over-exploitation): Water scarcity can occur due to large and growing population creating excessive demand. Irrigated agriculture, industries, and dense urban centres over-exploit surface and groundwater, causing depletion. An area may receive adequate rainfall, yet scarcity arises because demand far exceeds available supply.

Qualitative Reason (Pollution): Even where water is sufficiently available, it may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides, and fertilisers used in agriculture, making it hazardous for human use. Thus, physical presence of water does not guarantee its usability.

Source: Water Resources, Chapter 3 — Water Scarcity and the Need for Water Conservation and Management

---

• The question specifically asks for one quantitative (amount/availability) and one qualitative (quality/usability) reason — examiners will check both are addressed.
• Quantitative = over-exploitation due to population pressure, agriculture, and industry reducing the quantity available.
• Qualitative = pollution making water unfit for use even when physically present.
• Both points are directly stated in the textbook passage; always tie answers back to these exact causes for full marks.