LCS Common Assessment - 4th Grade Science Unit 4 Water Cycle and Weather

Jordan watches a rain puddle as she plays outside. The figure below shows how the puddle changes while Jordan observes it during the day. What process is Jordan observing?

• condensation
• evaporation
• precipitation

Damien says, "The air feels very dry today." Which of the following weather factors is he describing?

• air pressure
• humidity
• wind speed

A water molecule spends much more time in some stages of the water cycle than in others. Where does a water molecule spend the shortest amount of time as it moves through the water cycle?

• in the ocean
• under the ground
• in the atmosphere

Tara is studying the water cycle. She knows that for evaporation to happen, there needs to be a source of energy. What is the main source of energy that drives the water cycle?

• sun
• clouds
• wind

The table below shows temperature data collected in four locations in the United States on January 1. Each location had precipitation during the period of low temperature. Which location most likely experienced precipitation in the form of snow?

• B
• C
• D

Which of the following instruments can be used to measure wind direction?

• wind vane
• barometer
• thermometer

Joseph is using a thermometer to study the weather. He checks the thermometer two days in a row at the same time each day. The pictures below show the readings that he sees on each day. What most likely happened between day 1 and day 2?

• A cold front entered the area.
• A warm front entered the area.
• A hurricane formed in the area.

Humans can observe the weather using many different instruments. Which of the following is an atmospheric condition that can be measured using weather tools?

• rainfall
• temperature
• both of these

What causes the formation of clouds?

• snow
• lightning
• condensation (water vapor condensing)

What is the main difference between weather and climate?

• Weather is short-term and climate is long-term.
• Weather and climate measure different things.
• Weather changes but climates do not.