Final answer:
A cistern is a container used to store rainwater either above or below ground, and can come prefabricated or constructed on-site, which is true.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cistern is indeed a container used to hold rainwater which can be positioned either above ground or installed underground; they can come prefabricated or can be constructed or assembled on-site. Ancient civilizations, such as Rome, leveraged cisterns as part of their sophisticated water management systems. For example, rainwater was collected from rooftops and directed into underground cisterns for use by the family in Roman houses. This method of rainwater harvesting is not only historical but is still relevant and practiced today. Furthermore, the concept of storing water ties into the larger water cycle and ground-water storage as described by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), where water can be stored in natural aquifers as well as artificial reservoirs to be used during times of drought or when water demand is high. Therefore, the statement provided is true.