Water Cycle and Landforms 5th Grade

The water cycle is shown. How do the sun and ocean interact in the water cycle and affect weather?

• The sun’s energy causes water from the clouds to condense into precipitation. This precipitation releases gases back into the ocean.

• The sun’s energy causes water from the ocean to evaporate into water vapor. This forms clouds and the water is released from the clouds as precipitation.

• Precipitation blocks the sun’s energy from the ocean. Once the water runs back into the ocean, precipitation stops and allows the sun’s energy to start evaporation again.

• Condensed clouds block the sun’s energy from the ocean. The ocean absorbs the sun through the clouds and increases in volume.

Look at the image of the Colorado River surging through the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River has been flowing into the Grand Canyon for the past 5 to 6 million years. Which statement best explains the impact of the Colorado River on the landscape?

• The Colorado River formed sand dunes on the riverbank, which eventually hardened to form the sides of the canyon.

• Flowing water from the Colorado River created winds that eroded the land and formed a canyon.

• The Colorado River deposited soil on the riverbanks that formed the sides of the canyon.

• Flowing water from the Colorado River eroded the land, which gradually formed a canyon.

Weathering and erosion cause physical change to landforms quickly or slowly, depending on the process. Which statement describes how changes to Earth’s surface can quickly result in landforms?

• Water erosion causes deltas to appear quickly.

• Water weathering causes waves to break down rocky cliffs quickly.

• Wind erosion causes sand dunes to appear quickly.

• Wind weathering causes canyons to appear quickly.

Which term best completes the sentence? A(n) __________ is a sudden movement of rocks, dirt, and mud down the side of a hill or mountain.

• earthquake

• volcanic eruption

• tsunami

• landslide

A scientist can observe weather and land conditions to predict where landslides may occur. What could a scientist observe to predict if another landslide could occur in the area? Select TWO correct answers.

• Observe pictures of the land to observe the shape.

• Observe the amount of rainfall in an area.

• Observe how many cars travel on the road.

The Sun plays an important part in the water cycle. Explain the Sun’s role in the movement of water.

• The Sun cools the water, preventing evaporation.
• The Sun provides the energy for evaporation, driving the movement of water in the water cycle.
• The Sun absorbs all the water in the cycle.
• The Sun creates clouds that block evaporation.

The picture shows water droplets on a blade of grass in the early morning hours. Tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces overnight are called dew. What process is most likely causing the water droplets to form on the grass?

• Evaporation

• Weathering

• Condensation

• Runoff

A student wants to explain the difference between weather and climate. Which explanation is correct?

• Climate tells about the condition of the air in a certain place and time. Weather shows the average climate in a region.

• Weather tells about the condition of the air in a certain place and time. Climate shows the average weather in a region.

• The weather in a place does not change on a daily basis. The climate of a place changes on a daily basis.

• Weather describes the weather conditions of a certain region. Climate describes how hot, cold, dry, or humid a place is.

Earth continuously rotates on its axis while also moving in an orbit. About how much time does it take for Earth to make one complete rotation on its axis?

• 24 hours

• 30 days

• 60 minutes

• 365 days

A student drew the following pictures to show the day-night cycle of Earth. Based on the pictures, how many hours should the student record on the nighttime picture to complete a day-night cycle?

• 11 hours

• 12 hours

• 13 hours

• 24 hours