The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The hydrological cycle (water cycle), specifically the movement and distribution of precipitation after it reaches the Earth's surface.
- Statement 1 is Correct: A major portion of the water that falls on land as rain and snow flows over the surface as runoff. This water collects in streams and rivers, which eventually drain into the oceans, thereby returning water to the primary reservoir of the hydrosphere.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: It is factually wrong to claim that none of the rainwater seeps into the ground. A significant portion of precipitation infiltrates the soil and permeable rock layers through a process called percolation, recharging groundwater aquifers.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Water does not remain permanently on the land surface. While some water collects to form lakes, it is subject to evaporation, infiltration, or outflow. Additionally, lakes are temporary features in geological time, and not all precipitation ends up in lakes; much of it evaporates directly or flows into oceans.
Key Takeaway: The fate of precipitation on land involves three main processes: surface runoff (returning to oceans), infiltration (becoming groundwater), and evaporation/transpiration (returning to the atmosphere).