Water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface, but less than 1% of it is fresh and accessible for drinking, farming, and sanitation. For millions of people around the world, clean water is not guaranteed. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, more than 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. This global issue affects health, education, and economic development—especially in low-income regions.
In many rural communities, people—often women and children—walk for hours each day to collect water. The time spent gathering water often replaces time that could be used for school or work. Even then, the water collected may be unsafe, carrying bacteria that lead to diseases like cholera or dysentery.
The effects of water scarcity extend beyond individuals. Crops fail without irrigation, hospitals struggle to maintain hygiene, and entire economies suffer when people are too sick or too burdened to participate fully. Climate change is making the problem worse, as droughts become longer and rainfall less predictable.
But there are solutions. In some areas, low-cost filtration systems and solar-powered water pumps have helped transform communities. Governments, nonprofits, and innovators are working to expand access through better infrastructure, education, and international cooperation.
Clean water is not just a resource—it’s a foundation for dignity, opportunity, and life. Solving the water crisis will require global effort, creative thinking, and a recognition that water is not infinite, but shared.
Q1: What is the central idea of the passage?
Q2: Why does the author focus on women and children in rural areas when discussing water access?
Q3: What abstract idea is suggested by the statement, 'Clean water is not just a resource—it’s a foundation for dignity, opportunity, and life'?
Q4: Which factor is described as making the global water crisis worse?
Q5: Which of the following best reflects the author’s tone throughout the passage?
Printable Comprehension Practice
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Q1: What is the central idea of the passage?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: The passage highlights the severity of the water crisis, its global effects, and the need for collaborative solutions.
Q2: Why does the author focus on women and children in rural areas when discussing water access?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: The passage explains that women and children are often responsible for collecting water, which affects education and work.
Q3: What abstract idea is suggested by the statement, 'Clean water is not just a resource—it’s a foundation for dignity, opportunity, and life'?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The phrase elevates clean water beyond its practical uses, emphasizing its importance to human dignity and equality.
Q4: Which factor is described as making the global water crisis worse?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The passage explicitly states that climate change intensifies water scarcity by altering rainfall patterns.
Q5: Which of the following best reflects the author’s tone throughout the passage?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The tone is serious, addressing real global concerns, but also hopeful in describing potential solutions and collaborative efforts.