Question

read the following excerpt about water availability to living organisms. \water covers 75 percent of earth. 97 percent of water on earth is salt water. only 3 percent of water is available as fresh water, but most of this water is locked up in solid glaciers and polar ice caps.\ based on this information, which is the best approximation of the amount of water on the planet that is available for animals to drink?
○ 1 percent
○ 3 percent
○ 10 percent
○ 75 percent

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the given data

We know that 97% of Earth's water is salt water, so fresh water is 3% (100% - 97% = 3%). But most of this 3% fresh water is locked in glaciers and ice caps, so the available fresh water for animals to drink must be less than 3%. Among the options, 1% is less than 3%, while 3% is the total fresh water (not all available), 10% and 75% are too high.

Step2: Evaluate the options

• 3%: This is the total fresh water, but most is locked, so not all is available.
• 10%: Higher than the total fresh water (3%), impossible.
• 75%: This is the percentage of Earth covered by water, not the drinkable water percentage.
• 1%: Less than 3% and a reasonable approximation of available fresh water after accounting for locked water.

Answer:

1 percent