Understanding the Water Cycle

What is the process called when water changes from a liquid to a gas?

• Condensation

• Evaporation

• Precipitation

• Runoff

Which form of precipitation is NOT a form of precipitation?

• Rain

• Snow

• Fog

• Hail

What is the main source of energy that drives the water cycle?

• The Moon

• The Sun

• Wind

• Earth’s core

What is the process called when water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets?

• Evaporation

• Condensation

• Precipitation

• Accumulation

Which of the following is an example of surface water?

• Clouds

• Lakes

• Water vapor

• Sunlight

If the Sun’s energy increases, what is most likely to happen to the rate of evaporation?

• It will decrease

• It will stay the same

• It will increase

• It will stop

Which sequence correctly shows the main steps of the water cycle?

• Condensation → Precipitation → Evaporation

• Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation

• Precipitation → Evaporation → Condensation

• Runoff → Accumulation → Evaporation

Why does water collect in ponds, lakes, and rivers after it rains?

• Because of evaporation

• Because of runoff

• Because of condensation

• Because of sunlight

Imagine a sunny day with many clouds forming in the sky. Explain how the Sun’s energy is involved in the formation of these clouds.

• The Sun’s energy causes water to freeze, forming clouds.

• The Sun’s energy causes water to evaporate, and then the vapor cools and condenses to form clouds.

• The Sun’s energy makes clouds fall as rain.

• The Sun’s energy turns clouds into snow.

A student notices that after a heavy rain, water levels in a nearby pond rise. Using your knowledge of the water cycle, explain why this happens.

• Water evaporates from the pond, making it deeper.

• Water from precipitation runs off the land and accumulates in the pond.

• The Sun’s energy makes the pond fill up.

• Condensation adds water directly to the pond.