Question

which correctly lists three water sources that contribute to a river system?
groundwater, ponds, streams
lakes, rivers, ponds
rivers, streams, watersheds
streams, lakes, oceans

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Groundwater (underground water), ponds (small water bodies), and streams (small flowing water) all can contribute water to a river system. Groundwater can seep into rivers, ponds can drain into rivers, and streams are tributaries to rivers.
• Option 2: Lakes, rivers, ponds – rivers are the main system, not a source contributing to themselves. Lakes and ponds can contribute, but including rivers as a "source" for a river system is incorrect.
• Option 3: Rivers, streams, watersheds – Watersheds are land areas dividing drainage, not a water source. Rivers are the system, not a source for themselves.
• Option 4: Streams, lakes, oceans – Oceans are the end - point for many river systems (rivers flow into oceans), not a source contributing to a river system.

Answer:

A. groundwater, ponds, streams