MCQ: Water and the People of Chennai


1. What is the main issue related to water supply in Chennai?

a) Abundance of water for all
b) Unequal distribution of water across different areas
c) Water is free for everyone
d) Only bottled water is available

Answer: b) Unequal distribution of water across different areas
Explanation: Water availability varies across different localities in Chennai, with some getting water daily while others receive it once in several days.


2. How do residents of Mylapore cope with water shortages?

a) They rely only on municipal supply
b) They use borewell water and buy from tankers
c) They use rainwater harvesting
d) They depend entirely on government supply

Answer: b) They use borewell water and buy from tankers
Explanation: Mylapore residents face water shortages and use brackish borewell water for washing, while purchasing additional water from private tankers.


3. How does the water situation affect residents of Saidapet slums?

a) They have unlimited access to municipal water
b) They get water only for a short time from a common tap
c) They receive government subsidies for water
d) They rely only on bottled water

Answer: b) They get water only for a short time from a common tap
Explanation: Residents of slums in Saidapet share a single borewell tap among multiple families, getting water for only 20 minutes twice daily.


4. Why does Siva, a resident of Madipakkam, face difficulties in bringing his family to Chennai?

a) High cost of living
b) Inadequate water supply
c) Lack of employment opportunities
d) Poor transportation facilities

Answer: b) Inadequate water supply
Explanation: Siva gets water only once in four days, which makes it difficult for him to support his family in Chennai.


5. What is a key difference between water access in Anna Nagar and Mylapore?

a) Anna Nagar gets abundant water while Mylapore faces shortages
b) Both areas get equal water supply
c) Anna Nagar has no municipal water supply
d) Mylapore residents waste more water

Answer: a) Anna Nagar gets abundant water while Mylapore faces shortages
Explanation: Anna Nagar, a wealthier locality, has easy access to tap water and can even arrange tankers when needed, while Mylapore suffers from water shortages.


6. How do wealthy residents ensure continuous water supply in Chennai?

a) They depend solely on municipal water
b) They buy additional water from private tankers
c) They migrate to areas with better supply
d) They rely on government subsidies

Answer: b) They buy additional water from private tankers
Explanation: Wealthier residents in Chennai can afford to buy water from private tankers, while poorer sections struggle with limited access.


7. What is a major consequence of Chennai’s water shortage?

a) People have started moving out of the city
b) A rise in dependence on private water supply and borewells
c) The government has banned private water suppliers
d) The city receives more rainfall

Answer: b) A rise in dependence on private water supply and borewells
Explanation: Due to municipal supply shortages, many people rely on borewells and private tankers to meet their daily water needs.


8. Why do slum residents in Saidapet struggle more with water supply compared to wealthier areas?

a) They waste more water
b) They rely on a single borewell tap for multiple households
c) They refuse to pay for water
d) They have underground water reservoirs

Answer: b) They rely on a single borewell tap for multiple households
Explanation: Slum residents share a common tap, where water is available only for a limited time, making it difficult to meet basic needs.


9. How do private companies contribute to water shortages in Chennai?

a) They increase the availability of water
b) They extract groundwater from surrounding areas and sell it at high prices
c) They provide water freely to poor areas
d) They encourage people to conserve water

Answer: b) They extract groundwater from surrounding areas and sell it at high prices
Explanation: Private companies buy water from nearby towns, reducing groundwater levels and making water expensive for local people.


10. What solution has Chennai implemented to improve water availability?

a) Encouraging rainwater harvesting
b) Increasing the number of private water suppliers
c) Building more borewells
d) Reducing water supply to wealthier areas

Answer: a) Encouraging rainwater harvesting
Explanation: The Chennai government has introduced rainwater harvesting initiatives to improve groundwater levels and reduce dependency on private suppliers.


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