Arrange the following of Earth's water compartments in increasing order of the amount of water they hold.

1.Rivers and streams

2.Fresh lakes

3.Atmosphere

4.Ice and snow

A1, 3, 2, 4 ✓ Correct

B3, 1, 2, 4

C3, 2, 1, 4

D1, 2, 4, 3

Correct answer: (A) 1, 3, 2, 4

Explanation

In increasing order of stored water the sequence is rivers and streams, atmosphere, fresh lakes, then ice and snow.

Rivers and streams hold the least water among these compartments at any moment.

The atmosphere holds more than rivers but still a small share as vapour and cloud.

Fresh lakes store considerably more water than the atmosphere.

Ice and snow hold by far the most, locked in glaciers and polar ice sheets.

Together these are all freshwater stores, a tiny fraction of the ocean's salt water.

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