1

Secondary 1 Express
Home Based Learning 2016 [1]
Topic: Water
Fig. 1 shows some processes of the water cycle.

Figure 1
1. Describe how deforestation may result in lesser precipitation.
[4]
The Water Cycle is dramatically impacted by deforestation, as the water that falls
to earth runs to the oceans and freshwater reserves. The impact is, in contrast
with deforestation's impact on the Carbon Cycle, local. Therefore, these effects of
deforestation are felt by the local people and can not be represented by graphs
such as the level of carbon in the atmosphere. Rather it is by the sediment load
of streams, the loss of biodiversity, and the barren landscapes that indicate the
effects of deforestation in the Water Cycle
2. Describe the possible domestic and political impacts water shortage may bring
to a country. [2]
People would have to travel longer distances to get water. If two countries
are sharing the same water source there may be a conflict between the two
countries

3. Both importing water and Public Education are important water

management strategies in Singapore . State the advantages and
disadvantages of each strategy.
[4]
Importing water:
The advantage of importing water is there is no need for land. The disadvantage of
importing water is in the end the water agreement will expire and there is no
guarantee for future agreements.

Public Education:
The advantage of public education is public education is able to teach
everyone the importance of water in their lives. The disadvantage of
public education is behaviour takes time to change.

4. Write down 2 advantages and two disadvantages for each water

management strategy.
Water

Advantage

Disadvantage

Takes advantage of

Its dependent on

catchmen

Singapores high rainfall

rainfall so if there

t areas

and can also be

were a dry spell there

recreational places.

would not be enough

management
strategy
1. Local

3
water and needs land
to build which could
be used as housing
2. NEWater

Ultra pure and of high

instead
It is expensive to

quality and not dependent

produce and the

on rainfall because its

public may find it

produced from used water.

difficult to fully accept

this new technology

3. Desalinat
ed water

Not dependent on rainfall

and desalination is
attractive since Singapore
is and island and is
surrounded by a limitless
supply of sea water.

of
water to
It isobtating
very expensive
produce and large
from used water.
amount of chemicals
and salt solutions are
produced during the
desalination process. If
they are improperly
disposed into the
oceans, it may result in
pollution.

Secondary 1 Express
Home Based Learning 2
Topic: Tropical Rain Forests
Study Figure 1, which shows a photograph of Amazon rainforest.

Layers of the forest

A:

B :

C:
Forest floor

Figure 1
1a.Identify the three vertical layers (A, B and C) of the tropical rainforest in the
space provided in Fig.1. The forest floor has been identified for you.
[3]
A: Emergent layer
B: Canopy layer
C: Undergrowth layer
1b. Describe the characteristics of the plants found in tropical rainforest in
each layer identified [6]
Layer
Emergent layer

Layer
Canopy layer

Characteristics of plants
The rainforest layer where trees grow up to 50 metres tall.
The trees emerge from the canopy below.

Characteristics of plants
A cover formed by the crowns of tall trees in a forest. In a
rainforest., this occurs at a height of 20 to 30 metres. The
canopy prevents sunlight from reaching the forest floor.

Layer
Undergrowth layer

Characteristics of plants
The rainforest layer where trees grow up to 20 metres.
Much of the sunlight is blocked by the canopy.

Study Figure2 which shows the distribution of tropical rainforests in the world.

Figure 2
2. Name the regions marked X and Y in the map.

[2]

X: Amazon Basin
Y: Congo Basin
3. Explain briefly why these tropical rainforests are being cut down rapidly.

[4]

Because of agricultural activities E.g. By 2010, about 242,000 square

kilometres of the Amazon rainforest have been converted into soya
bean farms. Besides being a major ingredient in food for cattles, soya
beans are also processed into products such as soya milk and tofu.
Because of cattle ranching E.g. A large amount of beef from cattle in
the Amazon is exported to other countries. The United States of
America and Britain are the two largest importers of Brazilian beef.
Because of logging E.g. China huge demand for timber for making
disposable chopsticks and paper has resulted in heavy logging in the
rainforests of congo and Cameroon in central Africa, brazil and
Indonesia. Because of mining E.g. The Carajas mine in brazil has a rich
variety of mineral reserves. In 2007, 296 million tonnes of iron ore were
extracted from the mine, which is estimated to contain 18 billion tonnes
of minerals including gold and copper. Many electronic products such as
computers and telephones have gold components. Copper is mostly
used to make electrical wires.