Which term describes a large amount of water that causes flooding?

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Study for the SAT Vocabulary 2025 Test. Master vocabulary with flashcards and questions, each with detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The term that describes a large amount of water that causes flooding is "deluge." A deluge refers to an overwhelming amount of water, often associated with heavy rain or a flood that inundates an area. It evokes a sense of not just a significant amount of rain, but the extreme consequences that can arise from such rainfall, leading to water gathering in excess and causing disruption or disaster.

The other terms differ in meaning and scale: "trickle" refers to a small, gentle flow of liquid, not indicative of flooding; "drizzle" describes light rain that is generally insufficient to cause significant water accumulation; and "stream" denotes a flowing body of water, which is typically smaller than a river and would not directly imply flooding. In contrast, "deluge" captures the idea of a substantial and potentially destructive water event, making it the correct choice.