Earth's Water

The water cycle describes the movement of the water of Earth. About 97% of the water of Earth is the salt water found in the oceans while the remaining 3% is fresh water. Where would the majority of the fresh water on Earth be found?

• groundwater and aquifers

• swamps and wetlands

• ice caps and glaciers

• lakes and rivers

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The graph shows the distribution of the freshwater resources of Earth. Based on the date in this graph, which of these sources of fresh water corresponds to Source 1?

• atmospheric water

• surface water

• frozen water

• groundwater

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

A diagram of the water cycle is shown.

Evaporation occurs because energy is transferred from which source?

• the sea

• the sun

• the trees

• the wind

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

When water vapor rises and cools, the liquid water in the air comes together forming...

• wind.

• clouds.

• lightening.

• tornadoes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

The water cycle is important for recycling the water on Earth. Which of these is the source of most of the water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere?

• river flooding

• glacier melting

• ocean evaporation

• plant transpiration

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The water in the western Pacific Ocean becomes warmer during the El Niño season (period of ocean warming). The water becomes warmer as a result of the relaxing of winds and a change in wind direction.

Which process in the water cycle is directly affected by the warming of the ocean water?

• collection

• evaporation

• precipitation

• runoff

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which factor determines whether precipitation will be in the form of rain or snow?

• wind

• humidity

• air pressure

• temperature

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which process of the water cycle transports water from plants to clouds?

• precipitation

• transpiration

• condensation

• Sublimation

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which steps in the water cycle most directly cause floods?

• precipitation and runoff

• condensation and evaporation

• evaporation and condensation

• evaporation and precipitation

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Water that evaporates from lakes and streams condenses into clouds and later falls as rain. The property of water that is demonstrated is the ability to...

• act as a universal solvent.

• change from a liquid to a gas.

• boil at a high temperature.

• absorb large amounts of energy.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4